Chapter 10

Lan Yi was seized and locked in an empty room.  

The room had originally been used for pilgrims to stay overnight, furnished with simple furniture and not unclean. There were two opposing rows of about twenty rooms in total. Lan Yi had walked into the trap herself and was locked in early. Later, she heard constant commotion outside. By the end of the day, both rows were nearly “occupied.”  

—Had the Taoist priests arrested all the pilgrims?  

At first, Lan Yi worried that she might have implicated others. But gradually, she realized that given the scene she had witnessed with Prince Yi, someone must have harmed him earlier. Prince Yi had fallen into a trap, which explained his condition at the time.  

The temple was now in an uproar, trying to identify the culprit.  

She stopped overthinking and quietly leaned against the crude bed.  

As dusk fell, the room darkened, and the commotion outside finally subsided.  

But the peace didn’t last long. Soon, lanterns were lit outside, and Lan Yi’s “neighbors” were taken away one by one for interrogation. They left noisily and returned weeping.  

This wasn’t the worst—some never came back.  

Lan Yi hadn’t eaten a single grain of rice and could no longer hold herself up. Her posture shifted from leaning to half-lying.  

She had been waiting to be interrogated, but her turn never came. Perhaps, as the most “incriminating” suspect, there was no rush.  

Lan Yi wasn’t in a hurry either. Hunger and exhaustion overwhelmed her. At the brink of collapse, she no longer felt pain. Sensing her life slowly slipping away, she even had the idle thought: If they didn’t interrogate her soon, she might not be able to answer any questions…  

Bang.  

The lock on the door rattled, and the door was pushed open.  

“Ah, this major criminal seems to be dying—I didn’t do anything! Quick, go fetch Shoujing Shishu!”  

**  

Lan Yi was awakened by the crisp chirping of birds.  

Her eyelids felt heavy. Sensing the daylight outside, she hazily realized it must be morning. With some effort, she finally opened her eyes.  

“You’re awake?” A child’s face appeared above her, then a small hand waved in front of her eyes. Seeing her gaze follow the movement, the little Taoist page with a round topknot jumped up and ran outside, shouting, “Shishu! Shishu! The major criminal is awake!”  

“……”  

Lan Yi tested her limbs and found she could move. Slowly, she propped herself up and sat, noticing a thin quilt covering her and an empty medicine bowl on the small table at the foot of the bed.  

Her mouth was bitter. She touched her lips and felt dried traces of medicine. The Taoist priests must have prescribed her medicine while she was unconscious and somehow forced it down her throat. Surprisingly, it had worked—the crushing fatigue was gone, though she still felt weak. Her legs trembled slightly when she stepped onto the floor.  

Lan Yi sat in a daze for a while.  

This wasn’t necessarily good news. The Taoist priests wouldn’t show kindness for no reason. They must have saved her life only to subject her to harsher interrogation later.  

It might have been better to return to the underworld than endure suffering.  

The little Taoist hadn’t closed the door when he ran off. Lan Yi stood up and slowly moved toward it. Leaning against the doorframe, she looked outside. The courtyard was peaceful, bathed in sunlight, with green trees and red flowers—no trace of the chaos from the night before.

Opposite, a few doors stood ajar, revealing quiet and empty interiors—it seemed her “neighbors” had all vanished.

Had the culprit behind the attempt on Prince Yi’s life already been uncovered?

…Surely they hadn’t simply disposed of all the suspects.

Lost in these thoughts, Lan Yi saw the Taoist page come skipping back, followed by someone who wasn’t a Taoist priest but looked vaguely familiar—she had seen him not long ago.

It was “Grandpa Dou.”

“Well, you’re up and about?” Eunuch Dou stopped in his tracks, eyeing her up and down. “Then let’s go.”

Lan Yi remained silent as she followed him out, thinking to herself that as a “high-profile prisoner,” she was indeed special enough to warrant a personal escort by Prince Yi’s close associate.

Uncertain of what awaited her and too weary to ask, her steps were unsteady from a full day and night without food, her mind foggy.

But as they walked further, she gradually grew puzzled and uncertain.

This path… seemed to lead out of the temple?

Before she knew it, they had reached the training square in front of the main hall. Just beyond the square, near the temple gate, stood a slender figure in plain robes.

Lan Yi abruptly halted.

A mountain breeze swept past, clearing the haze in her mind in an instant.

“Hanlin Scholar Yang has been waiting here since early morning,” Eunuch Dou remarked leisurely, following her gaze.

Lan Yi responded absentmindedly.

She realized something—upon seeing Yang Wenxu again, the urge to tear out his heart had significantly diminished.

Because he could no longer become the Little Prince’s tutor.

Though the process differed from what she had imagined, the outcome was even better. Unbeknownst to him, his direct path to the imperial throne had been severed.

Lan Yi tried to suppress it but couldn’t help the slight curl of her lips.

Eunuch Dou noticed and naturally assumed it was joy at seeing her husband. He cleared his throat pointedly.

Snapping back to reality, Lan Yi, now that her wish had been fulfilled, felt no fear. She curtsied politely. “Thank you for guiding me, Eunuch. If you have any instructions, please speak.”

Eunuch Dou coughed again, taking his time before replying, “You needn’t thank me.”

Lan Yi caught his meaning and ventured, “Then I must thank His Highness for his magnanimity.”

She doubted she would be let off so easily, but given that Eunuch Dou had led her here and behaved this way, there seemed no other explanation.

“You *should* thank His Highness,” Eunuch Dou declared bluntly, lifting his chin. “Had it not been for uncovering your background, and His Highness declaring you unlikely to have conspired with the culprits—and that it was an accident not worth pursuing—you’d never have gotten off this lightly!”

Lan Yi was slightly confused. She hadn’t been interrogated—how could her background have been uncovered? If it were Sister-in-law Ji, she hadn’t heard her voice last night. If she had been caught after failing to escape, she certainly wouldn’t have stayed silent—ah, Zhengyuan.

Reverence Heaven Temple was ruthless enough to detain people indiscriminately and interrogate them overnight—of course they would purge their own ranks.

Though Zhengyuan didn’t know her true identity, with Prince Yi’s resources, a simple cross-reference would have revealed it.

Only now did Lan Yi understand why she hadn’t been interrogated sooner—it wasn’t due to lack of urgency, but because her identity had been exposed, reducing her suspicion in the attempt on Prince Yi’s life. A high-ranking official’s wife with a severe illness had no motive for such an act.

With someone coming to fetch her, they had seized the opportunity to release her and avoid complications—after all, her encounter with Prince Yi was hardly dignified.

Of course, this was contingent on Prince Yi being unharmed.

Understanding everything now, Lan Yi no longer felt any curiosity. However, since the conversation had reached this point, she had to ask politely, “It was entirely this common woman’s recklessness. His Highness’s noble person—surely he is unharmed?”

“How could he be unharmed!” Eunuch Dou retorted even more bluntly, as if he had been waiting for this moment. “You woman, with your sickly frame—where did you get such strength in your hands? The way you struck His Highness—tch! In all my years serving him, I’ve never seen him so severely injured!”

Lan Yi: “…”

This was a tangled mess. She had struck Prince Yi because he had taken liberties with her, yet the prince had been secretly manipulated and was not acting of his own will. Moreover, her own predicament stemmed from her own scheming intentions—had she not barged into Prince Yi’s Secluded Chamber, none of this would have happened.

Her speechless demeanor finally cooled Eunuch Dou’s temper a little. He glanced behind her and said, “Enough. Hanlin Scholar Yang seems impatient. I won’t waste more words on you.”

Turning back to her, his tone grew weighty. “Madam Yang, though we detained you for a while, we did not mistreat you, did we? When you return, you ought to keep that in mind.”

Lan Yi turned her head and saw Yang Wen Xu approaching them.

She understood the implication in Eunuch Dou’s words and turned back to bow again. “This common woman understands. I would never tarnish His Highness’s reputation.”

Seeing her tact, Eunuch Dou finally nodded. Without waiting for Yang Wen Xu to reach them, he turned and left.

Lan Yi remained where she was, watching Yang Wen Xu draw closer step by step. Gradually, she could make out his expression—stern and probing.

She knew she wasn’t without flaws.

According to her original plan, she had left no room for retreat. She hadn’t considered how Sister-in-law Ji would report the news after escaping, nor how the Yang family would react upon hearing it.

With Yang Wen Xu’s perceptiveness, the excuse of “helping her maiden family climb the social ladder” might not hold up.

“Let’s go. Home first,” Yang Wen Xu said as he reached her, stopping before her. His eyes flickered as if he had much to say, but in the end, this was all he uttered.

Lan Yi did not object.

To her, these words held no warmth. Escaping Prince Yi’s Residence’s interrogation was not the end—her troubles might have only just begun. But then again, it didn’t matter.

**

Meanwhile, Eunuch Dou returned to the Secluded Chamber.

Outside the corridor, beside a ginkgo tree, Prince Yi Pei Ji sat in an armchair brought out from inside. His hair was loose, a plain cloth bandage wrapped around his head. Though his face was pale, there was no trace of weakness in his demeanor. His deep eyes exuded an oppressive aura of authority.

Eunuch Dou did not approach immediately because a young woman, dressed in gaudy attire yet looking disheveled, was kneeling on the ground, weeping and pleading: “—I truly didn’t know that villain’s background! I only heard he spoke with a capital accent and claimed his surname was Chen. He was generous with money, and I—I admired His Highness, so he lured me here. How could I have known he harbored such malice, daring to harm His Highness?”

A military officer standing nearby barked, “Stop making excuses! Think carefully—can you really recall no clues at all?”

The woman shook her head tearfully. She was truly unlucky—she had already fled, but curiosity got the better of her, and she sneaked back, only to be caught red-handed. It was like walking straight into a trap.

The military officer glanced at Prince Yi, who gave a slight wave of his hand resting on the armrest. The officer then signaled a guard nearby to gag the woman and drag her away.  

Bowing again, the officer reported, “Your Highness, this courtesan has given the same testimony repeatedly, and it aligns with Zhengyuan’s account. It seems she’s telling the truth.”  

Eunuch Dou stepped forward. “Any leads on the scoundrel who tampered with the incense burner?”  

The officer shook his head.  

Eunuch Dou’s expression darkened. “The audacious beast! Once we catch him, we’ll skin him alive!”  

“Every available man in the residence has been dispatched, and all the yamens have been notified. Their portraits have been distributed. Within three days at most, we’ll bring the culprit before Your Highness,” the officer assured firmly.  

“Mm. Commander Fan, make haste. In my opinion, that villain’s schemes likely run deeper—after all,” Eunuch Dou narrowed his eyes meaningfully, “he spoke with a capital accent.”  

The officer exchanged a glance with him but didn’t press further, nodding in tacit understanding. He then cupped his hands toward Prince Yi. “Your Highness, this official will go make further arrangements.”  

With Prince Yi’s permission, he withdrew.  

Eunuch Dou remained and continued his report. “Your Highness, this old servant has just sent the woman from the Yang family away.”  

Prince Yi gave a slight nod.  

“I warned her not to speak carelessly. She appears meek and obedient, and spreading rumors would do her no good. She should keep her mouth shut—”  

Eunuch Dou paused abruptly—he had clearly seen Prince Yi sneer.  

Such an expression rarely crossed Prince Yi’s face. Startled, Eunuch Dou immediately reflected, “Did this old servant misspeak?”  

“Meek. Obedient.”  

Prince Yi repeated the words in a low voice, his tone dripping with undisguised mockery.  

He remembered vividly the eyes that had met his—gloomy and defiant, burning with reckless abandon. Even more, he recalled the ruthlessness of her strikes—one blow hadn’t been enough; she had struck him again without hesitation, even under his piercing glare.  

Meek? Obedient? Not a single word applied.  

Prince Yi usually secluded himself during spiritual cultivation, and Eunuch Dou hadn’t been present during the incident, missing the details. But he sensed something amiss. “Could that woman have ulterior motives? This old servant will bring her back at once. And Yang Wen Xu—he can’t escape responsibility for his wife’s actions. Why not summon him for questioning as well—”  

“Unnecessary.” Prince Yi cut him off, his voice still slightly hoarse but firm and unyielding. “She’s not in league with the poisoner.”  

Eunuch Dou was taken aback, then a flash of insight struck him. He stole a glance at the bandage on Prince Yi’s head and understood—of course. If they had been accomplices, why would she have smashed his prince’s head like that?  

*Ahem.* His prince had been devoted to this ascetic practice, remaining indifferent even when the Princess Consort was alive. After her passing, he had shunned women entirely, keeping only eunuchs and pages in his service. And now, of all things, he’d been struck on the head for misconduct—  

Eunuch Dou swiftly halted his irreverent thoughts and stiffened his expression, smoothly changing tack. “Your Highness’ judgment is always sound. Should this old servant have her watched for a while? If no issues arise, all the better. If there’s trouble, we’ll bring her back.”  

After a moment’s consideration, Prince Yi agreed. “And the Lu family as well.”

“Your Highness is right to remind me. This old servant will have them all watched,” Eunuch Dou quickly replied, then cautiously added, “As for Yang Wen Xu—Your Highness originally intended to have him tutor the young master.”  

Prince Yi frowned. His already stern features grew even more imposing with the crease of his brow. “Once this matter is settled, find someone else in the city.”  

Eunuch Dou had expected this outcome. With such an awkward incident in the way, given his master’s temperament, even if Yang Wen Xu were the reincarnation of the God of Literature, he would never be employed again. A tutor for basic education was hardly irreplaceable.  

He responded, “Understood.”  

Prince Yi slowly rose and headed toward the Secluded Chamber. “Prepare to leave. We return to the estate before sunset.”  

Eunuch Dou followed him, slightly surprised. “Your Highness has just been injured. The physician advised rest and recuperation. Will you not stay at the temple for a couple of days?”  

Prince Yi ascended the stone steps, lifting his gaze to the sky above the Secluded Chamber. In just that short time, the sky had turned a dull blue, with thick clouds rolling in, blotting out the sun. Layer upon layer, they pressed downward. Standing on the mountain, one felt closer to the clouds—as if raising a hand could brush against their darkened edges.  

Eunuch Dou followed his gaze and also looked up. “Ah, summer weather changes so quickly.”  

The mountain wind surged, billowing Prince Yi’s sleeves—a sign of the coming storm.  

“Your Highness, it looks like heavy rain is approaching. Must we leave today?”  

Without turning back, Prince Yi flicked his sleeve and entered the chamber. “We leave today.”  

He had a premonition—this was not over. It was only the beginning.