TGPSAC – Chapter 48

Chi Wan didn’t stay at the Imperial City Division for long. She could leave the matter in Huang Yuecheng’s hands.

There was one other thing: she was also to serve as the Vice Minister of the Grand Court of Revision, so she had to pay a visit to the Minister. However, the Minister wouldn’t be at his post before the morning court session, so she would have to report for duty after it concluded.

This was how it was when one held multiple official posts. Just visiting each government office would take up half the day.

Chi Wan held one military and one civil position. When the case of land annexation by powerful families began, both roles would prove useful.

The strategy was simple: the Imperial City Division would arrest those whom ordinary officials dared not, and she could throw those whom ordinary officials dared not imprison directly into the dungeons of the Grand Court of Revision.

Chi Wan pressed ten thousand taels of silver into Huang Yuecheng’s hand. “You make the arrangements. I’m heading back to the Princess’s Residence first. Just send someone to inform me of the location.”

Huang Yuecheng stared blankly at the ten thousand taels in her hand. Did the Fuma trust her this much? To just leave ten thousand taels with her?

Her annual salary was one hundred and sixty taels. It would take her more than sixty years to earn ten thousand taels, and it wasn’t even certain she would live that long.

Of course, it was inevitable that she would receive some gifts of respect, but given the state of the Imperial City Division—a place that had been on the cold bench for years—it was considered a clean post with little opportunity for graft.

If the Imperial City Division were particularly important, the Emperor probably wouldn’t have been willing to give it to the Fuma, nor would the court officials have allowed it.

The Imperial City Division had been in decline for a long time compared to when it was first established.

The Fuma’s arrival would certainly bring about a reorganization. The Emperor also wanted the Fuma to whip the Imperial City Division into shape so it could monitor the court officials.

To the Emperor, nothing was more important than keeping an eye on his officials, especially for a suspicious ruler like the Shengyuan Emperor.

But what Huang Yuecheng didn’t understand was why Her Highness the Princess trusted the Fuma so much. She had specifically sent someone to instruct her to cooperate with all of the Fuma’s actions in the Imperial City Division, to be as loyal to the Fuma as she was to the Princess.

And especially this ten thousand taels of silver—it was no small sum. Just to help the Fuma win people over… Her Highness was treating the Fuma excessively well.

Her Highness hadn’t consciously developed her own power base over the years, but since the end of last year, she had begun to recruit many people.

Huang Yuecheng didn’t know why, but she knew it was a good thing. The Fuma must have some merit for Her Highness to value her so highly.

Yu Jiuzhou was unwilling to sit and wait for her doom, so naturally, she would develop her power base in advance. With the experience of her past life, she knew who was useful and who was not, who was loyal and who would betray her.

Thus, recruiting these people into her service ahead of time was precisely what Yu Jiuzhou had been doing recently.

The Fuma Chi Wan’s recent performance was indeed commendable, but it was merely commendable. For the Princess to give the Fuma such treatment…

Huang Yuecheng paused, a sudden realization dawning on her. Rumors outside claimed that the Princess and the Fuma did not get along. Looking at it now, it was true love.

It was probably just like in the storybooks: young wives, married by their parents’ decree, disliked each other at first but slowly developed feelings. As long as they didn’t have other love interests before marriage, young couples who were both decent people could easily develop feelings for each other after the wedding.

Her Highness the Princess was the number one Kun Ze in Great Zhou. Her looks went without saying, but she was too cold and didn’t speak much. Yet, with such beauty alone, it would be hard not to fall in love.

As for the Fuma, Chi Wan, when she was ordered to investigate this person before, the only conclusion she could draw was that she was a useless piece of trash. But seeing her today, she began to doubt the results of her own investigation.

Could it be as the rumors said, that the Fuma was enduring humiliation to achieve her goals?

If that were the case, it was highly likely that Her Highness and the Fuma had fallen in love after getting married.

Huang Yuecheng tightened her grip on the bank notes, a smile on her face. She then made up her mind. She would do as the Fuma said.

If things were truly as she imagined, then if the Princess was her master, the Fuma was half a master.

For Yu Jiuzhou’s people, as long as someone was acknowledged by their master, they would maintain a degree of respect. If that person was their master’s partner and was also highly capable, only then would they regard them as half a master.

The Fuma had just come to the Imperial City Division and, in the short span of two hours, had already disposed of a Vice-Commander. Chen Hubiao was the second-in-command of the Imperial City Division. She wondered what the others would think when they found out.

Of course, this news couldn’t be hidden from the Emperor, the Grand Secretary, or the three princes.

The Shengyuan Emperor showed little reaction. Looking at Cheng Jiao, who had come to report, he toyed with the cup in his hand. “Cheng Jiao, go and have the Imperial Heir’s Residence prepared. When the members of the imperial clan arrive in the capital, they will stay there.”

Hearing this, Cheng Jiao’s pupils contracted. He knew what the Imperial Heir’s Residence was. The Qian Yuan born to the Emperor and his consorts all lived there, with the girls and boys residing in the North and South Courts respectively.

The Emperor’s arrangement was a clear signal to the world that he was raising these arriving clan members as imperial heirs, meaning the choice of Crown Prince was no longer limited to the three princes.

Cheng Jiao departed, his heart trembling. He didn’t understand what had happened in such a short time to make the Emperor have this idea.

Back when the adult commandery princes were chosen to come to the capital, it was firstly because their bloodline was close, secondly to prevent a crisis of succession with a young ruler, and thirdly because their fathers had already passed away, allowing them to honor His Majesty as their own father.

Now, the Emperor had completely overturned his previous plans by summoning more than a dozen clan members to the capital. This would make the struggle in the capital even more perilous.

Vicious infighting would cause incalculable damage to the strength of Great Zhou.

The deadly struggle for the throne might seem confined to the capital and the court, but in reality, a single decision in the capital affected the entire Great Zhou.

How could those in power in the capital know what consequences their words and actions would have on the common people elsewhere?

At that time, the entire court had pressured the Shengyuan Emperor to name an heir. The Emperor knew that once an heir was named, his imperial authority would be challenged, and he might eventually be reduced to a figurehead. Therefore, he went against the consensus and summoned the three princes to the capital.

Now, summoning over a dozen clan members to the capital to live in the Imperial Heir’s Residence served the same purpose: to consolidate his imperial power.

There was another point. The Shengyuan Emperor had made a bold decision in his heart. He believed that only if his own daughter held power after his death would he have a perfect posthumous legacy.

He had seen how Yu Jiuzhou’s recent actions were all for his benefit. Coupled with the performance of the three princes, this made the Shengyuan Emperor even more certain. Rather than handing power to a new emperor, it was better to give it to his own daughter.

If Yu Jiuzhou became the Regent Grand Princess, his reign would have a perfect curtain call. After he passed away, Yu Jiuzhou would become the Regent Grand Princess. Even if she could only hold power for ten years, his posthumous affairs would be guaranteed.

No matter how he thought about it, only by giving power to Yu Jiuzhou could he, the Shengyuan Emperor, remain eternally wise and glorious.

Of course, Cheng Jiao certainly couldn’t have guessed this. He had only one thought: the Crown Prince might not be one of the three princes after all? Had he chosen a side too early?

What he didn’t know was that a pair of eyes had been fixed on his back the entire time, only looking away when he was out of sight.

The Shengyuan Emperor’s tone was tinged with mockery. “To think that even the people by Our side have chosen a faction.”

“Wang Hai, tell Chi Wan that a mere Vice-Commander is nothing. She can deal with him as she pleases. Who fills the position is also her decision. We have only one request: We want Our people in the residences of all officials. What they eat, what they do, We must know everything. In half a year, We want a functional Imperial City Division.”

A chill ran down Wang Hai’s spine. He first offered a minute of silent mourning for Cheng Jiao, then realized that with Cheng Jiao gone, he would become the top eunuch in the palace.

“Your Majesty, I’m afraid this will cost a great deal of silver.”

The Emperor’s private treasury was not well-stocked; the Shengyuan Emperor was nearly broke.

The Emperor paused. “Has it been ten years since We last conducted a salt inspection tour in Great Zhou?”

His Majesty wants to touch the salt trade? Wang Hai buried his head even lower. The salt merchants were one of the toughest nuts to crack in Great Zhou.

The Shengyuan Emperor pondered for a long time before finally making a decision. “Issue a decree: grant the Grand Princess Yu Jiuzhou the authority to participate in Grand Secretariat discussions.”

A salt inspection tour was an arduous and thankless task. No matter how high-ranking the official sent, they could easily lose their life. The Shengyuan Emperor was the previous emperor’s only son; he was born a shizi, then became the crown prince, and then the emperor, with no one to compete against him.

But in the history of Great Zhou’s salt inspection tours, it was not unheard of for an imperial heir or a prince to be assassinated.

The salt trade was incredibly profitable. Driven by immense profits, what was assassinating an imperial heir? There were even those who had instigated riots and rebellions.

There were few people around the Shengyuan Emperor who were both capable and had the status to suppress the salt merchants. The key to the salt merchants was not the “merchants,” but the officials behind them.

The main salt-producing regions of Great Zhou were along the coast and in Hedong, Guanzhong, and other areas. A single tour was no easy feat.

Naturally, the Shengyuan Emperor didn’t intend for Yu Jiuzhou to personally go on the inspection tour. He wanted her to be the backing for the salt inspector, while he continued to be the emperor who never got his hands dirty. He was now less willing to offend the scholar-officials for the sake of his posthumous reputation. Let others do the offending.

It seemed like he was giving Yu Jiuzhou power, but in essence, it was still for his own benefit. From now on, the dirty work would be done by Yu Jiuzhou, the Regent Grand Princess.

Yu Jiuzhou knew what the Shengyuan Emperor was thinking, which was why she could seize this opportunity to grasp power no less than the Emperor’s.

And the news from the palace reached not only Yu Jiuzhou but also the three princes.

Any news from the palace, no matter how small, became significant once it spread outside.

The Fuma, Chi Wan, had dismissed a Vice-Commander of the junior third rank. His Majesty had said nothing, but had instead supported her and even given her the authority to choose the new Vice-Commander of the Imperial City Division. What profound imperial favor this was.

Countless porcelain shards were swept out of Prince Zhongshan’s residence. The prince was clearly furious.

Chi Wan had slapped him in the face, and not only could he not retaliate, but he also had to smile and offer his other cheek for her to slap again.

“Chi Wan! Chi Wan! This Prince will kill her! Poison, assassination—you all find a way to kill her for me.”

Prince Zhongshan glared at the advisors below him, his face contorted with malice.

The advisors had no good solutions. Poisoning and assassination were easy to attempt but difficult to succeed at. Once they were caught, Prince Zhongshan would be in trouble, and they, as scholars, would be too.

Scholars had always believed that gentlemen could disagree without being disagreeable. The court was a stage for political struggle, a contest of skill. They disdained to use such treacherous methods as poison and assassination.

But their master was like this, so what could they do?

As they exchanged glances, one person stepped forward. “Your Highness, this subject believes that at this time, anyone who tries to move against the Fuma will incur His Majesty’s displeasure.”

“Last year’s struggle among the three princes, especially our conflict with Prince Ying, reached a fever pitch. His Majesty felt threatened. Whether we won, Prince Ying won, or Prince Bao’an reaped the benefits, an heir would have had to be named. His Majesty wants to balance the court but doesn’t want to name an heir too early, which is why he has summoned over a dozen clan members to the capital.”

“Although the Fuma is favored, she does not bear the surname Yu. Great Zhou is still the Yu family’s domain. We can only try to win over the Fuma, not offend her. The Imperial City Division was not an important place to begin with. If Your Highness had not ordered Chen Hubiao to make things difficult for the Fuma, he would not have met this end…”

“Shut your mouth for this Prince!”

Prince Zhongshan could finally bear it no longer. “Who told you to speak like that? Don’t think that just because you are from the Lu family, you can talk to this Prince this way. A mere dozen clan members? Just send people to kill them on their way to the capital. As for Chi Wan, we’ll let her be for now. When this Prince ascends the throne, I will ensure she dies a miserable death.”

As soon as Prince Zhongshan said this, the others quickly chimed in with their agreement.

Only the Qian Yuan with the surname Lu remained silent, her eyes filled with disappointment.

Prince Zhongshan’s eyes turned to her, his tone harsh. “Lu Xin, this Prince will not hold this against you on account of you being from the Lu family. In the future, you need not attend these discussions.”

Lu Xin smoothed her sleeves and held them before her. “Your Highness, this subject is the Chief Administrator of the Prince’s Residence, appointed by His Majesty. If I have displeased Your Highness, I will go and submit my resignation at once.”

“This Prince will not keep you.”

Prince Zhongshan looked at her coldly, a hint of killing intent in his eyes.

Lu Xin turned and left without the slightest hesitation. Why linger for such a master?

She had come to Prince Zhongshan’s residence under imperial orders in the first place. A member of the Yang family was in Prince Ying’s residence, and one from the Xie family was in Prince Bao’an’s. They were all from great families, and serving as chief administrators and holding important posts in these residences seemed like a great honor, but it was actually a way to break up the alliance of the great families.

The great families intermarried among themselves and didn’t hold the imperial heirs in high regard. By making them assist the three princes separately, the perilous struggles of the court would surely drive a wedge between the families.

When the new emperor ascended the throne, wouldn’t it be time for a reckoning? At that time, the great families who supported the new emperor would surely join him in bringing down the families that had backed the wrong horse.

Did the great families have the right to refuse? Yes. For example, Lu Xin could go to the Ministry of Personnel and tell the Minister she was resigning. The Minister would say no.

Lu Xin: “Then I will never serve as an official again.”

Only then would the Minister of Personnel readily agree.

The great families’ power to refuse went far beyond that. They always diversified their support, investing in every faction. As long as one succeeded, the family’s prosperity would be assured.

The Lu family had so many members; who knew how many factions they supported?

It was precisely because the Lu family was so large that abandoning Lu Xin’s small branch would not cause any significant harm to the family as a whole.

The principle was: for every policy from above, there is a countermeasure from below.

Ever since her family had placed her in Prince Zhongshan’s camp, Lu Xin had lost her sense of belonging to the family. She had once wanted to earnestly assist Prince Zhongshan, but alas, he was not an enlightened ruler. In the future, even if it meant farming in the countryside, she had to leave Prince Zhongshan’s residence.

Prince Zhongshan did not have the makings of an emperor. Stubbornly assisting him would only lead to the ruin of her own family.

Lu Xin had long intended to leave and had hoped to part on good terms with Prince Zhongshan. Who knew the prince would be so contemptible, unable to see such a simple matter? And the men under him only knew how to obey, completely lacking in integrity.

She was displeased with Prince Zhongshan, and he was displeased with her.

Someone quietly advised, “Your Highness, Administrator Lu is talented, after all. It’s only natural for her to be a bit arrogant.”

“If you want to leave with her, this Prince won’t stop you. What talent? His Majesty dislikes the great families. Keeping her in the residence makes His Majesty dislike me as well. This Prince dislikes those from great families. Anyone who tries to persuade me again can get out with her.”

Prince Zhongshan was a military man who had always looked down on scholars. He used these advisors only when he needed them and would discard them without a second thought when he didn’t.

He disliked this Chief Administrator even more. If she hadn’t been appointed by the Emperor, tying her to his residence’s chariot the moment she entered, he would have arranged for her to have an “accidental” death long ago.

No, if this person left, she would surely tarnish the reputation of Prince Zhongshan’s residence and might even reveal some secrets. It was best to kill her and be done with it.

Prince Zhongshan immediately ordered someone to carry it out.

Meanwhile, a frustrated Lu Xin was preparing to go to the Ministry of Personnel to explain the situation when a horse charged straight towards her.

She had only one thought: Prince Zhongshan strikes so quickly.

Seeing that she couldn’t dodge in time, she closed her eyes and waited for death. The next second, she heard the sound of a horse’s hoof, like a scream, but she felt no impact.

Lu Xin opened her eyes to see a woman in a white Daoist robe. Perhaps due to the vigorous movement, her hair ribbon had come loose and fluttered before her face.

Lu Xin reached out, and the white ribbon landed in her hand.

The woman was very beautiful. With the ribbon gone, her smooth, long hair fell over her shoulders, giving her a somewhat enchanting look. She stood tall and straight, one hand gripping the reins, having single-handedly subdued the fierce horse.

It was hard to imagine that such a bright and beautiful woman could tame a wild horse with one hand.

Lu Xin watched as the other person soothed the horse, then walked up to her and held out a hand. A pleasant, gentle voice sounded, “Hello, my hair ribbon.”

Lu Xin dazedly handed the ribbon over, then came to her senses. “I am Lu Xin. Thank you for saving my life.”

The person who had saved her was none other than Chi Wan. She had been passing by and bought some snacks to take back to Yu Jiuzhou when she encountered the crazed horse injuring people. She immediately flicked a silver needle, and the horse stopped in its tracks.

Chi Wan looked at the person named Lu Xin. She seemed somewhat familiar, but she couldn’t recall where she had seen her before. But this person was standing there in a daze. Could she be a simpleton?

If she really was a simpleton, should she exercise her traditional virtues and report it to the authorities to have her sent home?

In any case, she wouldn’t personally take her home. The greatest of her virtues was helping to report to the authorities. When a girl is out and about, the greatest kindness should stop at reporting to the authorities. One must not get physically involved; what if one gets tricked?

Chi Wan casually tied her hair with the ribbon. “You’re welcome. Hurry home now. Little children shouldn’t run around, lest your parents worry.”

Lu Xin: “?”

“I am twenty-three.”

Uh… Chi Wan looked at the woman who only came up to her chin and immediately corrected herself. “Oh, I misspoke. You must have been frightened. My wife is waiting for me to return for dinner, so I must take my leave.”

She had no intention of demanding repayment for her good deed. If the other person kept thanking her, she would feel awkward. It was better to just leave.

Lu Xin quickly said, “I have not yet asked for my benefactor’s name, so that I may repay you in the future.”

“A good deed is its own reward. We will meet again if fate allows.”

Chi Wan said this, turned, and left, still carrying the roasted mutton and the most popular pastries in the capital.

Lu Xin stared at her back for a long time, then suddenly remembered something. “Chi Wan?”

She had only seen the Fuma once, on the day of the Princess and Fuma’s wedding, when she had attended with Prince Zhongshan. But the Chi Wan of that time was so different from the Chi Wan of today.

The previous Chi Wan had a sleazy air about her, the petty schemes in her eyes easily discernible. The Chi Wan she met today was completely different. Dressed in a Daoist robe, she had an otherworldly air. She had subdued a fierce horse with her strength, yet she did not expect gratitude in return, leaving with such casual grace.

No wonder such a person could stand up to the cabinet ministers. The story of Chi Wan angering Grand Elder Yuan to the point of fainting was still a popular topic of discussion.

Moreover, Chi Wan had been able to stand before the students and plead on their behalf. Lu Xin had originally been unable to reconcile the image of that sleazy Chi Wan with the loyal and upright official in recent rumors. She had thought the rumors were mistaken. But seeing her today, it seemed the rumors that the Fuma was enduring humiliation to achieve her goals were indeed true.

If that was the case, Lu Xin had a new idea. Instead of throwing her lot in with one of the three princes, instead of giving up her official career, why not take a gamble on the Fuma?

Lu Xin was willing to bet that none of the three princes would become emperor. Judging by the Shengyuan Emperor’s actions these past few days, he clearly intended to hand imperial power to the Grand Princess, who would act as regent when the new emperor ascended the throne.

If the Grand Princess were to be regent, none of the three princes would be suitable to ascend the throne. Otherwise, the initial power struggle would lead to internal chaos. Therefore, a new emperor with no foundation and who was not too old would be more appropriate.

Under these circumstances, the Fuma would surely become a powerful minister.

Even if things didn’t turn out as she thought, it was better to serve her own benefactor than a mediocre master. Prince Zhongshan had great ambition but little talent; Prince Ying was sinister and cruel; Prince Bao’an seemed virtuous, but the more he refrained from contending, the more it made one feel his thoughts ran deep.

The princes summoned to the capital were clearly there to be selected as the future crown prince. Not to contend was to die. Prince Bao’an was no fool; he couldn’t possibly fail to see this. Therefore, he must be biding his time. To endure to this extent, he must be going mad inside. Such a person, if he truly didn’t want to contend, was one thing. But if he did, when he finally erupted, he would only be more ruthless and cruel. Following him would not necessarily lead to a good end.

Lu Xin had been under Prince Zhongshan. She had already decided to leave his residence. No matter which of the other two princes she turned to, she would not be given an important position, and they might not even accept her. Besides, given the character of the other two princes, they might be able to share hardships but not necessarily good fortune.

But to be forced by Prince Zhongshan to give up her official career—was she willing to accept such an outcome after working so hard to pass the imperial examinations? It was impossible to be willing. Besides, she couldn’t escape. Prince Zhongshan had sent assassins after her the moment she left the residence; there was no escape.

The rumors outside said that the Fuma and the Grand Princess had a bad relationship. So what? What was the point of doing something that wasn’t challenging? To do what one knows is impossible is the very goal we scholars believe in.

Thinking this, Lu Xin knew what she had to do next.

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On the other side, Chi Wan, still unaware that her casual act of kindness had won her a capable subordinate, had just returned to the Princess’s Residence when she heard the contents of the imperial decree.

Yu Jiuzhou had been granted the authority to participate in Grand Secretariat discussions? Although she still couldn’t stand in the imperial court, this was a huge step forward.

When Yu Jiuzhou saw her, she didn’t even glance at her, simply taking the imperial decree and returning to Yongning Courtyard.

Cheng Jiao, who had come to deliver the decree, saw this and understood. He then said to Chi Wan, “This servant came today as an imperial messenger and was unable to offer proper salutations. I hope the Fuma will not take offense.”

Chi Wan smiled. “How could I? Head Eunuch Cheng jests.”

The two nodded to each other, and then Cheng Jiao left the Princess’s Residence. He would return to the Emperor and describe the scene he had witnessed: the Grand Princess giving the Fuma the cold shoulder.

The Shengyuan Emperor lamented, “When will Our imperial grandchild arrive?”

After Cheng Jiao left, there were no outsiders in the Princess’s Residence, and only then did Chi Wan go to Yongning Courtyard.

Seeing her, Yu Jiuzhou looked at her messy hair. “Why are you back?”

Hadn’t she sent Xia Qu to give her ten thousand taels? That money was for her to win over the people at the Imperial City Division. Why had she come back instead of going out to socialize?

Chi Wan smiled and placed the snacks she had bought on the table. “This subject passed by a roasted mutton shop and smelled something delicious, so I bought some back.”

Yu Jiuzhou’s gaze fell on the pastries. “Pastries from the East Market, roasted mutton from the West Market. What a coincidence that the Fuma happened to pass by.”

Uh… Chi Wan gave an awkward laugh. She had indeed gone to buy them specifically. She hadn’t expected Yu Jiuzhou to know so much. Could this person be a hidden foodie?

It was possible. Lao Wang’s botuo, the West City’s roasted lamb flatbread, and all these other foods—Yu Jiuzhou knew where to buy them all. To be able to name the locations so clearly… Yu Jiuzhou spent every day in the Princess’s Residence, and even when she went out, it was to the palace. Where would she find the time to know about so many food stalls?

There was only one truth: Yu Jiuzhou loved to eat. But every time, no matter what she ate, she only had a little, exercising great restraint.

But just the thought of Yu Jiuzhou’s icy facade hiding a foodie gave Chi Wan a sense of her adorable, contrasting nature.

Yu Jiuzhou didn’t know what she was thinking. If she did, she wouldn’t have said what she said next, but would have had Xia Qu beat her up.

“Speak. What do you want from me?”

Was the ten-thousand-tael expenditure not enough?

Chi Wan gave a dry laugh. “It’s like this. This subject is taking the men of the Imperial City Division to the pleasure quarter for drinks tonight. Your Highness, this subject promises to come back drunk.”

Yu Jiuzhou turned to look at her strangely, asking a question that struck right at the soul, “Can you even drink?”

A person who gets drunk after two cups of sweet wine—where did she get the confidence to talk about going out for drinks?

“Rest assured, Your Highness, I will use my internal energy to force out the alcohol.” She had forgotten before that internal energy could be used to expel alcohol. It was mainly because she rarely used internal energy in her modern life, and her internal energy wasn’t particularly profound.

Chi Wan explained her plan for the night. “This subject has taken over the Imperial City Division. The first task is naturally to assist Your Highness in investigating the case. But the Imperial City Division needs a case to establish its authority and win His Majesty’s trust.”

The Imperial City Division was no longer the same as when it was first established. She had to make the Emperor feel that it was useful, so that he would entrust matters to it in the future. That way, she could get firsthand information.

Since she had taken over the Imperial City Division, she had to make the most of its utility.

At first, she hadn’t thought about grasping power herself because she assumed the Emperor and Yu Jiuzhou wouldn’t let her. But now things were different. She already held power in her hands, so she should use it well.

On her way to the Imperial City Division today, she had been thinking about how to use it. She didn’t know much about the other two princes besides the three, but she knew Prince Bao’an very well. So, she could only start with him. She would use the excuse of treating everyone to drinks to probe Prince Bao’an’s foundation.

“Your Highness, the Autumn Water Pavilion in the pleasure quarter is Prince Bao’an’s information-gathering hub. If we take it down, Prince Bao’an will become blind.”

Yu Jiuzhou raised an eyebrow. Even she didn’t know that the Autumn Water Pavilion belonged to Prince Bao’an. It seemed Chi Wan knew him all too well.

Fine. Everyone had their secrets. She could wait for Chi Wan to tell her herself.

“Be careful,” Yu Jiuzhou admonished, then suddenly thought of something. “You’re going to the pleasure quarter. Could it be…”

She stopped halfway, swallowing the rest of her sentence.

Chi Wan was puzzled. “Could it be what?”

Yu Jiuzhou huffed softly. Could it be that you’re going because you want revenge for me watching the girls from the Music Academy dance?

How could a dignified Grand Princess say such jealous words?

Chi Wan was confused, then a thought struck her, and she had a sudden realization. “Rest assured, Your Highness. This subject will definitely remain as pure as jade for Your Highness.”

Yu Jiuzhou: “?”

She picked up a nearby chestnut and tossed it into Chi Wan’s arms. “Shut up.”

She was getting angry from embarrassment. Chi Wan chuckled, peeled the chestnut, and ate it. She really was asking for a beating.

Yu Jiuzhou sized up Chi Wan’s hair. “Your hair ribbon is loose.”

“What?” Chi Wan asked, puzzled.

Yu Jiuzhou then beckoned to her, gesturing for her to kneel in front of her.

Chi Wan didn’t understand why, but she obediently complied.

Then she felt a pair of cool hands undo her hair ribbon, gather her hair, and retie it for her.

Hmm? Only then did Chi Wan realize that Yu Jiuzhou was fixing her hair.

She still wasn’t very good at tying her hair. It wasn’t as easy as using a rubber band; she could never tie the ribbon tightly. At the residence, Chen Yuan and the others could help her. Just now on the street, her hair had come loose while saving someone, so she had just tied it casually.

As she felt Yu Jiuzhou tie her hair into a ponytail, a tingling sensation spread through her. It was an indescribable feeling. She was stunned for a moment, then stood up to hide this strange feeling, teasing, “Thank you, my lady wife.”

After saying that, she didn’t dare to linger and quickly ran out.

Yu Jiuzhou was exasperated. After Chi Wan left, she said to the empty air, “Follow the Fuma.”

“Yes,” a voice responded from the air.

Chun Gui suddenly let out a laugh, earning a sharp glare from Yu Jiuzhou.

Chun Gui wasn’t afraid. “Your Highness, I don’t think the Fuma will misbehave.”

Yu Jiuzhou was speechless. “I’m not afraid of her misbehaving. It’s just that she has done so much recently, it’s not impossible that she’ll be targeted for assassination.”

“Is that so?” Chun Gui’s tone was clearly skeptical. “I thought Your Highness was worried the Fuma would be taken with some young lady and stay the night.”

The top three brothels in the capital primarily featured entertainers who sold their art, not their bodies. They were mostly courtesans who remained chaste. Of course, there were some who were not, but it depended on whether the person themselves took a liking to a client; they couldn’t be forced. This was partly because the patrons of the pleasure quarter prided themselves on being cultured, but mainly because these three establishments had powerful backers.

Yu Jiuzhou did trust Chi Wan, but she didn’t trust that Prince Bao’an, that wicked wolf, could resist digging a pit to lure in a little white rabbit that walked right up to his door.

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