After Fu Zhang entered officialdom, he naturally found ways to cover his tracks. If not for Lingyin Pavilion’s intelligence trade—having investigated and documented his hidden history before his imperial exam and included it in the Biographies of All Officials—even the court’s elite intelligence bureau might not have uncovered these secrets.

Liang Youyi felt a chill crawl over her skin as fury surged within her. Every word in that report turned into a clawed blade, slashing toward her.

“Double marriage” was supposedly for preserving the family line. But years of ambiguous cohabitation? This wasn’t filial duty—it was an illicit affair.

She reread the final entry: Fu Zhang, under imperial decree, traveled to Jiangnan to inspect local governance. However, he spent most of his time in the southern frontier, secretly meeting with the reclusive shaman Bai Lixiao. He paid a hefty sum for three mysterious pills. Their purpose remains unknown.

Bai Lixiao was a legendary healer said to cure any illness with a single silver needle—even capable of reshaping bones and transplanting hearts.

Liang Youyi’s heart clenched. Could those pills be the same poison that killed her in the prophetic dream?

From now on, anything Fu Zhang handed her—food, drink, medicine—she had to treat with utmost caution.

Die Jin returned with more news: “Princess, the young lord of Prince Qi’s household came back to celebrate his grandmother’s sixtieth birthday.”

Also, he had traveled on the same boat as Fu Zhang—though Fu Zhang seemed unaware.

Was the young lord targeting Fu Zhang? But Fu Zhang was a social climber from humble origins, while the young lord was a noble, idle, and unambitious. Their paths shouldn’t have crossed.

Die Jin asked, “Princess, should we inform the Duke about Fu Zhang’s dual marriage?”

“Absolutely not!”

That was Fu Zhang’s biggest weakness. If she revealed it now, it would alert him—and she might be silenced. She had to proceed step by step and strike when it mattered most.

“The snow’s finally stopped. Let’s go—this Princess is treating you all to a feast at Yulouchun!” She was done with that scoundrel. From now on, she’d treat herself better.

“Let’s go! The Princess is buying!”

Qing Shi prepared the carriage. Fang Ling wrapped the Princess in a thick cloak, and they set off.

Yulouchun was a dazzling restaurant—carved beams, painted rafters, glazed tiles, and gold-leafed pillars gleamed in the winter sun. The courtyard featured winding bridges and flowing water. After dining, guests could feed fish beneath the pavilion. It was truly the finest restaurant in Great Chen.

A cheerful attendant ran up, “Welcome, Princess Yunshang! Your private room, Listening Rain Pavilion, is ready. The dishes will be served shortly.”

Fang Ling was surprised: “Listening Rain Pavilion is ready?”

“Of course! It’s the Princess’s exclusive suite. Just one word from you, and we will prepare it immediately.”

“Thanks.” Liang Youyi handed him a silver ingot. “Lead the way.”

The attendant was overjoyed—one ingot was two months’ wages.

The Listening Rain Pavilion was a quiet retreat amid the bustle. The room was filled with blooming flowers and calligraphy from renowned scholars. Amid the bamboo and pine, beautiful performers played music and sang with elegance. But as they entered, they saw a group of teenage boys forcing the dancers to strip and perform.

The son of the Minister of War, Xu Haonan, laughed and shouted: “You’re wearing so many layers—what’s the point of dancing? Strip! Strip!”

The lead dancer bowed and pleaded, “Gentlemen, it’s freezing. If we catch a cold, we won’t be able to perform.”

“When I say strip, you strip! Don’t act all virtuous. Believe me, I’ll make you regret it!”

The dancer stood firm: “Young Master Xu, we’ve agreed with Yulouchun to perform only—not sell our bodies.”

Xu Haonan kicked over a chair: “Fu Hechen! What kind of trashy restaurant is this? Daring to defy me? Beat them! I’ll take responsibility!”

Fang Ling frowned. Liang Youyi gestured to wait and watch.

These boys were all sons of court officials—Fu Hechen’s classmates from Donglu Academy.

Fu Hechen wore a plain robe with a jade crown, trying to look mature, like a younger Fu Zhang. He was nervous and excited, his face betraying a twisted desire. His second uncle had told him to build ties with noble sons—it would help his future career. If the dancers refused to cooperate? Beat them into submission!

He stepped forward and said coldly, “Young Master Xu asked you to strip. Do it. If you get sick, I’ll cover the medical bills.”

The lead dancer refused: “If our performance isn’t needed, we’ll leave.”

“How dare you!” Fu Hechen was humiliated. “Do you know who I am? My second uncle is the Prime Minister. My family is the Duke Ding’s household. How many lives do you have to defy me?”

The other boys jeered: “Refusing Young Masters Xu and Fu? You won’t survive in the capital!”

“Beat them! They’re just servants—we’ll pay the compensation.”

Fu Hechen, hot-headed, tried to slap the dancer. She dodged and begged for mercy.

Infuriated, Fu Hechen shouted to his servant, “Beat them to death! I’ll take the blame!”

Someone had already reported the incident to Manager Song. He arrived with a group of enforcers—just in time to see Liang Youyi calmly watching from the doorway. He bowed respectfully: “Princess, who’s causing trouble in your private suite?”

“A bunch of thugs,” Liang Youyi said coolly. “Using my name to bully the dancers.”

Manager Song peeked inside and hesitated. “Princess… that’s the Prime Minister’s eldest nephew.”

Liang Youyi’s lips curled. A bastard child, spending her silver, using her name to throw his weight around? Then let’s start with you.

“Manager Song, bring me the Prime Minister’s recent expense records.”

“Yes!” He bowed and sent someone to fetch the ledger.

Yulouchun offered credit to elite clients—no silver needed upfront, bills settled quarterly.

Liang Youyi was one such client. But she rarely dined here. Fu Zhang, however, often brings colleagues and charges everything to her account. She opened the ledger and frowned.

This quarter, the Prime Minister’s residence had dined excessively—especially last month, with three meals a day charged to her—all signature dishes.

The final tally? Fu Zhang had spent 10,000 taels in one month at Yulouchun. Was he eating dragon liver and phoenix marrow?

T/N: Double Marriage “兼祧两房” comes from traditional Chinese clan and ancestral worship practices. It literally means “to simultaneously perform ancestral rites for two family branches.” It refers to a situation where one person is responsible for honoring and continuing the ancestral lines of two separate family branches. Two branches might mean another uncle’s or relative’s branch, especially if that branch lacks male heirs or one’s biological father’s branch.