A Precious Pearl in the Imperial City

Jiuzhu's footsteps came to an abrupt halt. Brain-boosting tonic?

When the sound of approaching footsteps reached him, Prince Chen's first thought was that it must be Jiuzhu. He turned his head and immediately broke into a smile. "I knew it was you." He glanced at Xiangjuan trailing behind Jiuzhu. "Coming from Empress Su's place?"

"Her Majesty said Bright Moon Palace is crowded and noisy right now, and she worried I might feel stifled, so she told me to take a stroll," Jiuzhu replied. She suspected Empress Su had simply made an excuse to send her away, fearing she might pick up the roundabout and overly subtle ways the imperial consorts spoke.

"Your Highness." The other officials bowed in greeting upon seeing Jiuzhu.

"I didn't mean to disturb you, gentlemen. Please forgive the intrusion." Jiuzhu returned the courtesy with a slight bow, then winked at Ming Jingzhou. "Father, since you're discussing official matters, I'll take my leave."

"There's no need for you to leave, Your Highness. We're merely exchanging casual words, not deliberating state affairs," one official interjected. "However, His Highness Prince Chen may have a busy time ahead. Please take good care of him."

"Oh?" Jiuzhu looked questioningly at Prince Chen before turning to Ming Jingzhou. "Father, what's happened?"

"His Majesty has promised that if His Highness can recite The Records of Agriculture and Sericulture within five days, he will permit an additional imperial examination session," Ming Jingzhou replied after a pause. "While you're in the palace, make sure to prepare him some fish head soup for nourishment."

Jiuzhu couldn't help but remark, "Perhaps His Majesty never intended to approve the additional examination in the first place."

The officials exchanged glances.

What a coincidence—they harbored the same suspicion.

"Father, I once read that fish have a memory span of only a few seconds," Jiuzhu mused. "Are you certain fish head soup can boost one's intellect?"

"Pigeon soup would be better. Pigeons can find their way home across thousands of miles, proving their excellent memory," another official suggested. "Add some wolfberries and ginseng—nourishing for the body, invigorating qi, and sharpening the mind. That’s the way to go."

"Gentlemen, perhaps His Highness should return to his studies now?" Ming Jingzhou interjected, worried they might drag Jiuzhu into a prolonged debate on pigeon soup preparation. "If you're concerned, I can spend the next few days explaining the text to His Highness."

"We appreciate your assistance, Lord Ming." They turned to Prince Chen. "Your Highness, you should return to Kirin Palace as well."

Go back and memorize that book!

"Farewell." Prince Chen took Jiuzhu's hand and led her away. Ming Jingzhou did not follow, instead clasping his hands in farewell. "I shall take my leave as well."

The officials huddled together, whispering. "Do you think this is all an act between His Majesty and Prince Chen?"

"I suspected the same, until His Majesty demanded Prince Chen recite The Records of Agriculture and Sericulture in five days. Then I knew it wasn't staged."

"How so?"

"That's Prince Chen we're talking about—the one who never cared for studying. I once tutored the imperial princes, and even the Thousand-Character Classic was too much effort for him." The official flicked his sleeve. "Besides, given how much His Majesty favors Prince Chen, why would he need to put on a show for us? What purpose would it serve?"

"A fair point." They nodded, then frowned deeper. "But that makes this situation even more troublesome."

"How so?"

"If Prince Chen couldn't be bothered with the Thousand-Character Classic, how will he memorize The Records of Agriculture and Sericulture?"

"Let's be honest—could any of you do it?"

"Your Highness." Jiuzhu tugged at Prince Chen's sleeve, glancing around to ensure the officials were out of earshot before whispering, "Are you really going to memorize The Records of Agriculture and Sericulture?"

"A gentleman's word is worth a thousand pieces of gold. I made a promise before all those officials—of course I'll keep it." Prince Chen looked utterly at ease, as though the task of memorization was the furthest thing from his mind. "Shall we dine with Her Majesty this evening?"

"But... what if... you can't memorize it?" Jiuzhu asked in the tiniest voice.

"Tsk." Prince Chen poked her forehead with a finger. "So little faith in your husband?"

"Your Highness." Jiuzhu rubbed her forehead. "You've been poking my forehead a lot lately."

"Did it hurt?" He pulled her hand away and grinned. "Look at this forehead—smooth, round, and flawless. Quite lovely, really."

With that, he cupped her face, bent down, and planted a soft kiss where he had just poked her. Nodding in satisfaction, he added, "So fragrant and soft. Truly, an excellent forehead."

"Your Highness, my master used the same tone when picking out melons," Jiuzhu huffed, lifting her skirts and striding ahead.

"Wait, don't go." Prince Chen wrapped an arm around her waist and pulled her close. "What melon could compare to this adorable little head of yours?"

"Hmph!" Jiuzhu turned her face away.

"Little Pig Ming, I can't help but notice..." Prince Chen tilted his head. "Since we married, you've become much less gentle with me."

"Have I?" Jiuzhu denied it outright. "No such thing."

"Ah, the fate of men—admired like a flower before marriage, treated like spoiled tofu afterward." He sighed dramatically. "Not only am I spoiled tofu in my wife's eyes, but she even doubts my—mmph!"

Jiuzhu clapped a hand over his mouth. "Your Highness, Xiangjuan is right here. Behave."

"Pay no mind to this servant, Your Highnesses." Xiangjuan covered her eyes, laughing. "I neither see nor hear a thing."

"In five days, you'll witness just how brilliant your husband truly is." Prince Chen peeled Jiuzhu's hand away and kissed her palm. "Now, let's go dine with Her Majesty."

As Prince Chen strode ahead, Jiuzhu hurried after him. But before she could take two steps, he spun around, swept her off her feet, and carried her onward.

"Only when my wife is tucked safely in my arms can I eat with peace of mind," he murmured, chuckling as palace maids and eunuchs averted their eyes, not daring to watch the royal couple's affectionate display.

Xiangjuan ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‍and Chunfen exchanged a glance, both smiling.

Meanwhile, the imperial consorts filed out of Bright Moon Palace after paying their respects to Empress Su.

"Who dares to laugh and play so boisterously outside Bright Moon Palace?" Consort Zhang, mother of Princess Roude, frowned—only for her expression to smooth over instantly, so quickly that her features nearly twisted in the process.

"Prince Chen and his wife seem quite happy together," Consort Lü remarked, eyeing Consort Zhang. "Don't you agree?"

"Y-yes, of course." Consort Zhang cursed her own quick tongue. While others wouldn't dare make noise near Bright Moon Palace, Prince Chen was Empress Su's son—naturally, the rules didn't apply to him.

She watched as the affectionate couple walked hand in hand into the palace. Jiuzhu said something that made Prince Chen cup her face and give her cheeks a playful squeeze, provoking her into chasing after him.

The chief maid of Bright Moon Palace trailed behind them, watching their antics not with disapproval, but with a serene smile.

It seemed Empress Su was thoroughly pleased with her daughter-in-law.

Consort Zhang's mood soured as she recalled how her daughter had gone to the Ming family to plead for her son-in-law's family, only to be gently rebuffed by Jiuzhu.

Her daughter still couldn't return to her princess manor, and her son-in-law's family remained under strict surveillance by the imperial guards for their alleged involvement in the assassination attempt on the Fourth Prince.

For a royal princess to lower herself and beg a minister's daughter for help—what a farce.

If it weren't for the backing of Empress Su and Prince Chen, what would Ming Jiuzhu amount to?

At that very moment, she noticed Jiuzhu suddenly lifting her head, staring directly at her. Under the gaze of those clear, black-and-white eyes, Consort Zhang felt a pang of guilt and took a step back.

What’s wrong with this Jiuzhu? Her stare is downright eerie.

"What are you looking at?" Prince Chen, seeing that Jiuzhu had stopped chasing him, turned back.

"Got you!" The moment he drew near, Jiuzhu grabbed his sleeve, grinning. "Your Highness, doesn’t this count as 'luring the enemy into a trap'?"

"This is more like 'Jiang Taigong fishing—the willing takes the bait.'" Prince Chen sighed. "Your hook had no bait, yet this prince still bit."

He glanced at the consorts standing on the steps and clicked his tongue. "Were you looking at them?"

"Yes." Jiuzhu released his sleeve and smoothed out the wrinkles. "One of the consorts was looking at me strangely."

"Pay them no mind." Prince Chen took her hand and led her forward.

"Your Highness, Prince Chen." The consorts parted, clearing the steps for him.

"Hmm." Prince Chen gave a slight nod, his gaze sweeping over Consort Zhang. Was she the one Little Pig Ming had been staring at?

Consort Zhang shrank under his scrutiny, lowering her head further.

Prince Chen had humiliated her daughter at the banquet—he could just as easily deny her dignity here.

Fortunately, he merely glanced at her indifferently and said nothing, escorting the Princess Consort into the main hall of Bright Moon Palace.

"Your Ladyships, take care." Xiangjuan stood at the foot of the steps, curtsying. "This humble maid bids you farewell."

The consorts snapped out of their daze, hurriedly plastering on smiles as they scurried away.

"Consort Zhang." Xiangjuan called out to her.

Consort Zhang stiffened, turning back with a strained smile. "Aunt Xiangjuan, is there something else?"

"You dropped your sachet." Xiangjuan picked it up and presented it to her with both hands. "Do be more careful next time."

"Thank you." Consort Zhang snatched the sachet and fled.

Xiangjuan watched her flustered retreat before returning to the side hall. From her sleeve, she produced an identical sachet, snipped it open with scissors, and fanned the contents lightly. Catching the medicinal scent, her expression darkened. "This sachet is indeed tainted."

"Secure the sachet and its contents. I must report to Her Majesty." She strode into the main hall, finding only the prince and princess inside, and spoke plainly. "Your Majesty, Consort Zhang’s sachet is suspicious."

Empress Su, who had been chatting with Jiuzhu, let her smile fade slightly. "Explain."

"Thanks to the Princess Consort’s alertness, this servant noticed something amiss."

"Me?" Jiuzhu blinked. "When did I say anything?"

"Do you recall what you mentioned when this servant accompanied you out earlier?"

Jiuzhu thought for a moment. "I said... there was a strange smell, like datura."

"Exactly—datura." Xiangjuan nodded. "Upon cutting open Consort Zhang’s sachet, I found not only datura but other unidentified substances. Unfortunately, my knowledge of medicine is lacking, so I cannot identify them all."

“Consort Zhang’s sachet was issued by the Palace Administration Bureau, identical in fabric and design to those distributed to all consorts. Even if swapped, it would be nearly impossible to detect.” Empress Su arched a brow. “Report this to His Majesty, summon a physician skilled in pharmacology, and—”

"Bring Consort Zhang back as well." She took a sip of tea. "This palace suspects she possesses more than just one poisoned sachet."

Jiuzhu frowned. "Why would someone target Consort Zhang?"

"They’re not targeting her—they’re targeting you." Empress Su met her gaze. "Consort Zhang is petty and fiercely protective of her child. Since you offended Princess Roude, it was only a matter of time before she clashed with you."

"These drugs are lethal. If she died mysteriously after a confrontation with you, the prime suspect would be you." Empress Su’s eyes turned cold. "If this scheme succeeded, not only would we face trouble, but Fourth Prince would also be implicated."

"Because my father exposed the crimes of Fourth Prince’s birth mother and the Zheng family?" Jiuzhu gasped in realization. "So they’d assume Fourth Prince orchestrated this for revenge?"

"My, these people are truly vile."

Prince Chen turned to her, impressed. To unravel the entire plot so swiftly and even deduce the underlying motives—this little one had a sharp mind.

"Mother Empress." Jiuzhu perked up. "I think we should invite not only Consort Zhang but also Fourth Prince. The more, the merrier."

Ah, "the more, the merrier"—forcing Fourth Prince to prove his innocence.

"Little Pig Ming, who knew you had such mischief in you?" Prince Chen pinched her soft cheek. "But this prince approves."

"Your Highness, I merely wish to ensure no other prince accuses Her Majesty of partiality," Jiuzhu said solemnly. "As the biological mother of all princes, is it not a mother’s duty to uphold justice for her children?"

"Absolutely. Jiuzhu speaks wisely." Empress Su smiled. "Summon Consort Zhang and Fourth Prince at once."

"Consort Zhang, please halt." Midway, a eunuch from Bright Moon Palace intercepted her. "Her Majesty commands your immediate return."

The consorts accompanying her recoiled, desperate to avoid being dragged back as well.

"Eunuch, may I ask why Her Majesty recalls me?" Consort Zhang’s smile had long vanished.

"This servant does not know. You shall learn upon arrival."

Consort Zhang nearly wept. The last person Empress Su summoned privately was Zheng Lanyin—now grass grew upon her grave.

Her legs trembled. "This consort... obeys at once."

Glancing back at her so-called sisters, she found each keeping a safe distance, terrified of association.

Pfah! Bonds of affection and loyalty? All lies.

Even more bewildered was Yun Yanze. Empress Su, long favored in the harem, rarely summoned princes or princesses to Bright Moon Palace, maintaining a polite distance. Why dispatch her chief eunuch for him today?

"Your Highness." Sun Caiyao spoke up. "I’ll accompany you."

With Empress Su being a woman, it was improper for him to go alone.

The chief eunuch did not object, bowing as he gestured. "Fourth Prince, Fourth Princess Consort, please follow this servant."

As the couple reached the main hall’s entrance, a shrill voice pierced through.

"Your Majesty, this has nothing to do with this consort! This consort knows nothing!"

Sun Caiyao’s face paled. Something had gone terribly wrong.