Chapter 11

The holidays were coming, and Zhao Mingzhu was cheerfully tidying up her schoolwork when Gu Yu passed by: “What are you doing—planning to keep studying even on break?”

Zhao Mingzhu didn’t pause, replying modestly, “One who loves learning ought to be so.”

Gu Yu snorted coldly and walked off without turning her head. What a fake.

Zhao Mingzhu hugged her books as she left the academy. Outside, Qiao’er was waiting and exclaimed in surprise:

“Crown Princess, are you planning to buckle down and work hard?”

Zhao Mingzhu nodded. “I’m going to review my lessons.”

Qiao’er clutched her own books and praised her, “Our Crown Princess is truly studious! I’ll make extra dishes you like tonight—gotta eat well to study well!”

Zhao Mingzhu was touched. No one understood her like Qiao’er did. “Great! I’ll eat to my heart’s content!”

By then, the mistress and maid had stepped onto the street. Qiao’er, rarely out alone, looked around curiously. “Crown Princess, aren’t we heading back to the Eastern Palace?”

Zhao Mingzhu patted the bulging pouch at her sleeve, bought two sugar figurines, and handed one to Qiao’er. “We’re going to find that merchant from the Western Regions. Qiao’er, you lead the way.”

Ever since leaving the Star-Gazing Tower, something had felt off. No matter how reckless she got, she’d never dare lose control around Gu Qingheng. Suddenly, she wondered—could it be the effect of that gu?

Qiao’er remembered the gu, too. She quickly finished her sugar figurine and led Zhao Mingzhu through twists and turns, finally stopping in a shadowy alley. “This is the place, Crown Princess. Let’s hurry in.”

Zhao Mingzhu followed the voice, still nibbling her sugar figurine, and knocked on the door. A head popped out. “No visitors today.”

Zhao Mingzhu pulled out a handful of gold flakes from her pouch. The man glanced at them but still shook his head. “What do you take us for…”

“One house in the capital.” She played her trump card.

The man’s eyes widened, gleaming with the thrill of a fat sheep walking straight into the pen. He opened the door and said, “Aiya, no need to be so tacky.”

Zhao Mingzhu smiled faintly. No wonder so many men loved to show off—it felt amazing.

Once inside, the attendant led them in, calling “Boss, boss” all the way. Soon, a man in blue robes appeared upstairs, fanning himself leisurely.

“You’re disturbing my dreams—” But when the attendant whispered about the incoming house deed, the man in blue instantly changed his tune.

“Ladies, you’ve come a long way. Forgive me for not welcoming you properly.”

Zhao Mingzhu didn’t beat around the bush. She got straight to the point: she’d swallowed all the gu worms—was there going to be any side effect?

“You mean… you’ve suddenly developed a craving for handsome men?” The man in blue looked surprised, then explained, “The male-female gu only works if both parties ingest it. So your symptoms aren’t caused by the gu. You can rest easy.”

Zhao Mingzhu frowned. She’d drunk both cups of wine herself. So her sudden lustful thoughts were just her own?

“Anything else, miss?”

Seeing the attendant’s eyes glued to her, Zhao Mingzhu pulled out the deed from her sleeve and handed it over. Then she asked, “Do you have any strong knockout drugs? The kind that could take down a bull with one sniff.”

The man in blue skimmed the deed and chuckled. “Of course. Shu Zhi, go fetch it.” He added with interest, “The man you’ve set your sights on is truly blessed, to be pursued with such effort.”

Zhao Mingzhu replied vaguely, “If it works, I’ll invite you to the baby’s one-month banquet.”

Shu Zhi handed her a packet of knockout powder. The man in blue waved his hand. “Consider it a gift. No payment needed.”

Zhao Mingzhu didn’t waste words. She took Qiao’er and left.

Qiao’er stared at the packet, thinking her mistress had finally come around. She said excitedly, “Crown Princess, if you drug His Highness, maybe next year we really will be celebrating a full-month banquet!”

Zhao Mingzhu held the powder, gazing out at the bustling crowd. “Then he’ll never get the chance to taste it.”

Qiao’er was confused. What was the drug for, then?

Zhao Mingzhu just smiled without answering.

The mountain hermit always has his own tricks.

Back at the Eastern Palace, Zhao Mingzhu made a beeline for the small kitchen, whipped up a plate of almond crisps, and headed straight for Gu Qingheng.

Outside the study, Chang He blocked her as usual.

“Crown Princess, His Highness is busy. It’s not convenient for us to disturb him.”

Zhao Mingzhu craned her neck to peek inside, then brushed aside the hand Chang He had extended to take the plate. She plopped herself down on the corridor steps.

“Then I’ll wait till he’s done. If I don’t see him today, I’m not leaving.”

Chang He hadn’t expected this. Just days ago, Zhao Mingzhu had been so easygoing—now she was showing her true colors. His expression turned cold. “Then don’t blame us for being rude.”

He was about to forcibly escort her out when Gu Qingheng’s voice rang from inside the study. “Let her in.”

Chang He was stunned, but obeyed. “Crown Princess, please.”

Zhao Mingzhu got what she wanted and hurried in. She turned back with a squinting smile and said to Chang He, “I’m your prince’s savior, you know. Show some respect.”

It was Zhao Mingzhu’s first time inside the Eastern Palace study. The first thing she saw was a mother-of-pearl screen depicting the Eight Immortals crossing the sea, each immortal and mythical beast rendered so vividly they looked ready to leap out. She circled the screen and passed the antique shelves, finally spotting Gu Qingheng behind his desk. He held a white dove, and upon seeing her, he flicked his wrist and let it fly.

“The Crown Princess wishes to see me?” Gu Qingheng’s platinum sleeves brushed the desk as he leaned lazily against the grand chair. Though seated lower, he somehow exuded an air of superiority.

Zhao Mingzhu set down the almond crisps and said with a fawning smile, “Your Highness, I did save your life. Surely I deserve a little reward?”

There was no selfless heroism in her—only the intent to cash in on a favor.

Gu Qingheng’s gaze swept over the pastries. “What do you want?”

Zhao Mingzhu clapped her hands—she knew he wasn’t stingy. She pulled out a scroll from her sleeve. “Please take a look.”

Gu Qingheng unrolled it. The scroll was so long it kept unfurling until it hit the floor beneath the desk.

Zhao Mingzhu pointed to the first item. “First, I need two maids. My courtyard’s too empty—I keep feeling like ghosts are watching me.”

“The rest are just minor requests.”

Like reciting a menu, Zhao Mingzhu launched into a fluid chant, “One chest of gold, one chest of jewels, one chest of silver notes, no school, one chest of antiques, hire two more chefs, no school, ten property deeds—all within the capital, red-orange-yellow-green-blue-indigo-violet gemstone accessories, no school, build a flower wall in the palace, ten each of chickens, ducks, fish, geese, dogs, cows, sheep, swords, sabers, spears, axes…”

She didn’t even pause for breath.

Chang He entered with tea, just in time to hear the list. He handed her the cup, which she downed in one gulp. Chang He’s mouth twitched as he quietly retreated.

Soon, only the two of them remained in the study. Gu Qingheng lifted his eyelids and said softly, “Are you planning a second marriage and taking the Eastern Palace as your dowry?”

Zhao Mingzhu leaned over to glance at the list. “Was that too much?”

“What do you think?” Gu Qingheng set the scroll aside, half-smiling.

“Crown Princess, this isn’t a temple of wealth.”

“And going to the academy was decreed by the Emperor. Unless you can get him to change his mind.”

Zhao Mingzhu instantly deflated. She sighed deeply and revised her request with regret, “In that case, forget all that. Just give me two maids and one promise, Your Highness.”