A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

The wind scattered the clouds, revealing the moon and stars.

Father and son admired the beautiful night scene, their expressions relaxed and at ease.

"What do you think of the Ming Family?" Emperor Longfeng would never point at an official and tell his son, "This person's character is like this, and you should treat him thus." Human hearts are fickle, and as a father, he ought to teach his son to understand people rather than have him blindly obey.

He wished to nurture a wise and decisive future ruler for the Great Cheng Dynasty—one who could command authority—not a mediocre puppet.

"They know their place and uphold loyalty and righteousness," Prince Chen answered without hesitation. "Most importantly, they care for the common people."

"Scholars are easy to find, but virtuous ministers are rare." Emperor Longfeng nodded with a smile. "Even if someone can craft flowery prose, it pales in comparison to those who can strengthen the nation."

"The Ming Family is different. They can compose excellent essays while also assisting Your Majesty in governing the realm." Prince Chen glanced at Emperor Longfeng. "Is that why you hold them in such high regard?"

Emperor Longfeng rested a hand on his shoulder. "Seeing you and the Ming Family's daughter support each other, with such deep affection between you, has eased my guilt toward the Ming Family."

Out of selfishness, he had disregarded the Ming Family's wishes and betrothed their daughter to Prince Chen, hoping Du Qing would learn the responsibility and dignity of a ruler from them.

Originally, he had chosen the Sun Family, but their daughter favored the Fourth Prince instead. Forcing the matter would have harmed both sons.

Many in the imperial family never experience true love, muddling through life with multiple women—wives and concubines aplenty, a life of noise and bustle.

They never bother discerning whether those around them seek wealth or power, for they already possess both.

This was why he felt he had wronged the Ming Family.

Yet fate sometimes works miracles. He never imagined the Ming Family's daughter and Du Qing shared such a bond.

Prince Chen turned to look at Emperor Longfeng. What kind of image did he hold in his father's heart for the emperor to feel guilty about marrying him to a minister's daughter?

"Why are you looking at me? With that temper of yours, how many impeachment memorials have I shielded you from?" Emperor Longfeng slapped his back with a loud thump. "You troublemaker."

"That’s unfair. Your son was merely upholding justice." Prince Chen yawned. "Others may not understand, but you shouldn’t wrong me."

"If I didn’t know better, would I let you roam the capital all day?" Emperor Longfeng laughed. Father and son slung their arms over each other’s shoulders, looking more like brothers than the emperor and future crown prince of Great Cheng.

"Still," Emperor Longfeng gazed at his son, "that night when you returned and told me you were willing to share my burdens and become Great Cheng’s crown prince, I was deeply moved."

"I only…" Prince Chen turned his head slightly, avoiding his father’s eyes. "I just didn’t want you burning the midnight oil reviewing memorials, worrying Mother every night."

"Oh?"

"You focus on being the eternal emperor, and I’ll be the idle crown prince. Best of both worlds."

Kirin Palace.

Bai Shao carefully stored the gifts given by the Princess Consort of Chen and came to the main hall to bid her farewell.

"Where will you go, sister?" Jiuzhu looked at Bai Shao, who was not yet thirty but already carried an air of weariness. "Why not stay in Kirin Palace? The tea you brew is excellent."

Bai Shao refused without hesitation. "Princess Consort, this servant was once a senior maid serving Consort Ning and the Fourth Prince. I cannot remain in Kirin Palace."

Gossip was fearsome. If she stayed, others might assume everything that befell Consort Ning and the Fourth Prince was the Fifth Prince’s scheme—and that she had been his spy.

With the Fifth Prince’s coronation as crown prince imminent, why tarnish their reputations?

"This servant is no longer young, and due to injuries, I cannot bear children. Leaving the palace, remarriage would be difficult. I beg the Princess Consort for mercy—allow me to serve in the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau as a working maid." Bai Shao moved to kowtow, but Jiuzhu stopped her. Kneeling before her, Bai Shao met the Princess Consort’s gaze and smiled faintly. "If I may someday add a stitch to Your Highness’s garments, it would be my honor."

"Very well." Jiuzhu turned to Yang Yiduo, who stood nearby. "Eunuch Yang, are there any vacancies in the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau?"

Yang Yiduo replied, "Yesterday, a supervising maid was dismissed. Her position remains unfilled."

"Then arrange for Sister Bai Shao to take it. As a fifth-rank senior maid, she qualifies." Jiuzhu helped Bai Shao up and instructed Yang Yiduo, "Escort her there personally tomorrow. Ensure no one mistreats her as a newcomer."

"Princess Consort, this is improper—"

"Sister, His Highness and I have never cared for others’ opinions. We act with clear consciences." Jiuzhu smiled. "Rest well in Kirin Palace tonight. Leave the rest to us."

If one cannot act as their heart desires, what meaning is there in life?

"Thank you, Princess Consort." Bai Shao did not bow until she stepped outside the main hall’s entrance, where Jiuzhu could no longer see her. Only then did she curtsy in the direction of the princess consort, performing a deep ceremonial salute.

She felt regret.

Regret that, as a child entering the palace, she had never encountered a mistress like the Princess Consort of Chen.

Lifting her gaze to the bright moon above, she smiled.

Perhaps this was for the best. In the end, she had secured a decent conclusion to her life.

---

In the main hall of Sun Mansion, several officials sat with grave expressions, their faces flickering uneasily in the candlelight.

"Lord Sun, you must speak up. Are we to simply allow the Fifth Prince to become Crown Prince?" A green-robed official spoke, his forehead creased with worry. "Over the years, Prince Chen has acted recklessly and absurdly. We’ve all submitted countless memorials condemning him. If he ascends the throne, our old bones may not matter, but what of our descendants? Their talents may never see the light of day, burdened by our past opposition."

"Exactly," chimed in a gray-robed official. "When the Zheng Family still held power, Zheng Wangnan merely offended Prince Chen with his words, and what happened? He was punished by being sent to a children’s primer class to copy texts—utter humiliation! If that’s how he treats a minor slight, what awaits those of us who’ve openly denounced him?"

Lord Sun lifted his eyelids to glance at the gray-robed speaker but remained silent.

"Lord Sun," the gray-robed official pressed, seeing his gaze, "rumors say your daughter does not get along with the Princess Consort of Chen. You must consider the future carefully. Your son has been stationed in the provinces for years—surely you wish to see him recalled to the capital."

Lord Sun found the words distasteful. Though he was no brilliant strategist like his ancestors, he wasn’t so dull as to miss such blatant attempts at sowing discord.

The Sun Family had produced generations of loyal ministers and valiant generals. If he opposed the Emperor out of personal resentment, he feared his ancestors would scorn him in the afterlife.

Besides, Prince Chen was not the monster rumors made him out to be.

Had he truly been as ruthless as claimed, why would he and his princess consort have interceded for Lord Sun’s daughter?

"Prince Chen possesses a noble heart and benevolent virtue. In my humble opinion, he is the finest candidate for Crown Prince." Lord Sun rose and bowed deeply to the assembled officials. "Forgive me, gentlemen, but I see no fault in this decision."

"You—!"

The others were stunned. After years of Lord Sun joining them in censuring Prince Chen, how could he now defend him?

"Who would have thought Lord Sun would one day speak in Prince Chen’s favor?" The gray-robed official sneered, rising in anger. "I wonder, when Prince Chen takes the throne, will he remember your sudden support—or the years of grievances you penned against him?" With that, he stormed out.

"Ah." The green-robed official sighed. "Brother Sun, you’ve lost your senses."

The Sun Family had refused marriage ties with Prince Chen and repeatedly criticized his conduct. How could such actions not breed resentment?

"My friends, I owe Prince Chen an apology—for he is indeed the best choice." Lord Sun clasped his hands, pleading. "Let go of past prejudices. Cease nitpicking his flaws. The fault was mine alone. I beg you, for my sake, refrain from opposing the Crown Prince’s investiture at tomorrow’s court session."

The room fell silent. Finally, one man spoke. "Can you guarantee Prince Chen won’t seek revenge once enthroned?"

"Surely you realize our opposition won’t sway His Majesty?" Lord Sun countered. "Why not yield gracefully and earn some goodwill?"

He then revealed how Prince Chen and his consort had pleaded for his daughter’s sake.

"Consider this: If Prince Chen were truly vengeful, why would he risk the Emperor’s wrath to intercede for my child?"

The officials exchanged glances. They had known Lord Sun for years and trusted his honesty. After a long pause, one sighed. "We’ll… reconsider."

---

That night, the men tossed and turned, arriving at court the next morning with dark circles under their eyes.

When Emperor Longfeng praised Prince Chen, they gritted their teeth—and stepped forward to laud him first.

If they were to curry favor, they might as well do it boldly, ensuring Prince Chen noticed their gesture.

The gray-robed official from the previous night paled. How had these men reversed their stance overnight? What had Lord Sun told them?

He hesitated, then chose not to stand alone against the Emperor.

The rest of the court gaped. These were the very officials who had habitually denounced Prince Chen—now singing his praises? What had the Emperor done to sway them?

Even Emperor Longfeng was taken aback. These men had been relentless in their criticism of his Du Qing. Half the memorials against the prince bore their seals. Yet, valuing their competence, he had tolerated their dissent.

But today—what was this?

They didn’t seem like the kind of people to sway with the wind.

Yet within the imperial harem, there were those eagerly anticipating a spectacle of officials opposing the enfeoffment of Prince Chen as Crown Prince.

“Was the court lively today?”

As long as enough voices rose in dissent, even if Yun Du Qing became Crown Prince, it would sow seeds of future turmoil.

“Your ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​‍Highness…”

A young palace maid knelt before her. “The court officials spoke of Prince Chen in nothing but praise. Not a single voice opposed him.”

“What?” She stood abruptly. “Impossible.”

She had deliberately planted someone to stir their wariness and resentment toward Prince Chen. How could they still openly extol him in court?

“Useless fool.” She had expended so much effort to elevate him to a fourth-rank official position, and yet he couldn’t even accomplish this simple task.

“Your Highness, something terrible has happened!” A eunuch stumbled in, panic-stricken. “There’s a rumor spreading in the palace, saying… saying…”

“Saying what?”

“That Prince Huai… is not the biological child of you and His Majesty.”

“Preposterous!” Consort Xu’s face paled, then flushed with fury. “Who dares spread such slander about the imperial bloodline?!”