Zhāng Chángmíng’s loyalty to the Crown Prince was entirely built on the foundation of a life-saving grace and the condition of avenging his family.

When these two conditions were no longer present, his loyalty to the Crown Prince would come to an end.

In order to avenge his tragically deceased family, Zhāng Chángmíng was willing to do anything. Regardless of whether Xiè Wényàn’s words were true or false, he would investigate and confirm the matter.

The events of that year, although the Empress had handled them secretly and tidied up the aftermath, were not beyond the reach of someone as clever as Zhāng Chángmíng. Over the years, as a trusted aide to the Crown Prince, he had cultivated his own hidden forces and manpower. Thus, uncovering the truth behind the events was not too difficult.

Therefore, Xiè Wényàn did not think that giving three days for the investigation was overly harsh. If the truth could not be uncovered within three days, it would only prove that the other party’s abilities were overstated, and there would be no need for further cooperation.

Xiè Wényàn calmly awaited the results…

On the other hand, the Second Prince was taken aback upon receiving the news he had relayed through a noodle vendor.

Firstly, the matter of Zhāng Chángmíng’s betrayal was too bizarre;

Secondly, how did Xiè Wényàn know about their secret communication point?!

The implications of this were significant.

The Second Prince immediately summoned his advisors for a discussion.

Advisor A said, “Your Highness, if I am not mistaken, this person is likely trying to pledge allegiance to you.”

Advisor B nodded in agreement, stroking his beard with a glint in his eyes as he analyzed.

“If the other party is indeed sincere in wanting to join us, it would be a great joy. From what I observe, Xiè Wényàn is not only exceptionally talented but also bold and meticulous, and he is very skilled in strategy.”

“This matter of the ‘Yìnziqián’ is merely bait he has thrown out. Although it risks offending some powerful figures, it has allowed a lowly scholar like him to catch the attention of all the powerful figures, even the Emperor.”

“Your Highness, do not underestimate this insight. With such attention, it can be said that as long as Xiè Wényàn can survive the imperial examination and enter the officialdom, he will surely secure a place in the court in the future.”

“After all, there are so many talented individuals in each imperial examination, but how many can be remembered by the Emperor?”

“Throughout history, there has never been a shortage of talent; what is lacking is merely the opportunity for talent to shine. Before Xiè Wényàn even enters the court, he is already paving the way for himself. What foresight and ambition he has…”

The Second Prince also nodded in appreciation but commented, “This person’s scheming and courage are indeed commendable, but he must first survive the imperial examination. The ‘Yìnziqián’ has far-reaching implications, and those who suffer great losses will likely not let him off easily.”

“His courage is great, but it may be too great. Such a person is unlikely to live long.”

Advisor A continued, “So, isn’t he here looking for a backing? As long as he gains Your Highness’s protection, he can not only survive but also rise rapidly.”

“The fact that he dares to take this gamble shows that he has even more powerful means yet to be revealed. Otherwise, why would he take such risks and put all his eggs in one basket?”

Risk and reward are relative. Although Xiè Wényàn’s plan is bold, it also demonstrates his value. Once they accept his allegiance, he will surely be heavily utilized.

And the facts proved that the other party’s calculations were quite accurate; they indeed valued talent.

The Second Prince smiled upon hearing this, lightly tapping his fingers on the table.

“What you say makes sense. This person’s abilities indeed pique my interest. A poor scholar with no background can find our communication point and even provide news of Zhāng Chángmíng’s betrayal. It is truly astonishing.”

“His methods are ruthless enough, and his courage is great enough. I like this kind of person.”

“Keep an eye on Zhāng Chángmíng. If the news is confirmed to be true, send him 1,000 taels of silver notes and have someone protect him privately. Don’t let him die… If he wants to become my trusted aide, this level of sincerity is not enough.”

---

Three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Before Zhāng Chángmíng could send his message, the Second Prince’s silver notes had already been delivered first.

Xiè Wényàn looked at the silver notes with great satisfaction.

Is it any wonder that in his past life, he was willing to sever ties with his benefactor cousin and run to pledge allegiance to the Second Prince?

Because the Second Prince was generous enough! Just look at how readily he offered such benefits, without belittling or shortchanging him due to his lowly status.

If it were the Crown Prince, he would probably only offer a few dozen taels of silver along with a bunch of useless empty promises!

Don’t think this is impossible.

In his previous life, before his cousin became the Crown Prince’s trusted aide, he had always been working for free.

And knowing that his cousin valued family, every time his cousin achieved merit, the bulk of the rewards would go to his cousin’s wife and mother, elevating their status.

Honor is honor, but it really doesn’t bring any tangible benefits!

For a newly rising family like the Xiè family, practical benefits are far more important than honorary titles to strengthen the family; otherwise, everything is just a castle in the air.

So, regardless of whether the Crown Prince is truly a gentleman, he could never follow such a petty master. It would be a waste of effort with no future.

With the Second Prince’s goodwill guarantee, Xiè Wényàn no longer had to worry about his safety.

After all, having been the other party’s strategist for so long in his past life, he still had confidence in the Second Prince’s abilities.

As for Zhāng Chángmíng, before the agreed time was up, he gave his response, willing to cooperate with Xiè Wényàn.

Clearly, the other party had uncovered the truth from the past.

When he learned that the Empress was his true enemy, and that he had been hating the wrong person all these years while helping his enemy rise step by step, Zhāng Chángmíng was furious!

But in the end, he forcibly suppressed his hatred and calmed himself down.

The Empress and the Crown Prince had already established a significant power; confronting them head-on would only lead to a regrettable and tragic end. If he wanted revenge, he could only rely on the strength of others and work together from the inside out.

He didn’t need to know who Xiè Wényàn’s master was; as long as they could help him take revenge, the future situation was none of his concern!

Xiè Wényàn received the expected reply without showing any joy on his face.

Instead, he assigned Zhāng Chángmíng his first task: to persuade the Crown Prince to arrange a marriage with the Yǒngchāng Bófu.

When Zhāng Chángmíng received the news, he did not delve into the meaning of this action.

Just as Xiè Wényàn did not need his loyalty, he also did not need to care about what Xiè Wényàn wanted to do. As long as the other party’s intentions towards the Crown Prince were not good, it would be beneficial for him.

It was difficult for Xiè Wényàn to personally seek to marry into the noble family of the Bófu.

But for the Crown Prince to have the Yǒngchāng Bófu marry a daughter or son to him was just a matter of a word.

With Zhāng Chángmíng’s efforts in persuasion, the Crown Prince readily agreed to recruit talent.

After all, it was the Yǒngchāng Bófu that would lose a child; he had to pay nothing to gain a talented person to ally with him. Why not?

---

Another day passed.

Xiè Wényàn received the news that Zhāng Chángmíng had successfully completed the task.

A joyful smile finally appeared on his face, and then he invited a few classmates to a teahouse not far from the Yǒngchāng Bófu, ordering a table full of tea and snacks.

They enjoyed fragrant tea, exchanged knowledge, and discussed poetry and music.

With the life experience from his past life, Xiè Wényàn was already quite skilled in the arts of qín, qí, shū, and huà, but in this life, he was still a poor scholar, naturally lacking the opportunity to master these.

So, when exchanging music with his classmates, Xiè Wényàn asked the waiter to bring a bamboo leaf and smiled.

“Brothers, I am not skilled in the guqin, so I won’t embarrass myself in front of you. However, today is a lively occasion, and how can I miss out? How about I use this leaf instead of a qin and play a piece of ‘Qīngshān Liúshuǐ’ for everyone? Let’s enjoy a bit of rustic charm!”

“Good, Brother Xiè is truly genuine!”

Everyone enthusiastically supported him, appreciating Xiè Wényàn’s straightforwardness.

As the saying goes, a person must value themselves. Although the disdain brought by social class is unavoidable, one must not belittle oneself.

After all, if you look down on yourself, why would others give you any respect?

Xiè Wényàn smiled as he picked up the bamboo leaf to play.

Every movement was filled with confidence and calmness. His elegant demeanor, though lacking the nobility of a gentry, exuded a gentlemanly charm that was pleasing to the eye.

As the melodious tune drifted into the Yǒngchāng Bófu…

In the side courtyard near the street, Qiáo Yùjǐng, who was reading, suddenly raised his head.

Zhīshū, noticing, asked with concern, “Young Master, are you tired from reading?”

“No, it’s just that the bamboo leaf tune outside is quite beautiful. I wonder who is playing it; go take a look.”

Qiáo Yùjǐng pondered for a moment and then instructed.

Zhīshū nodded and immediately went out to investigate.

Then he returned to report, “Young Master, it is a few young scholars enjoying tea at the teahouse next door. They are exchanging music, and one of the young men, who is not skilled in the guqin, played the bamboo leaf tune.”

“That young man is a familiar face; he is the one who brought out the ‘Three Hundred Tang Poems’ to share and gained great acclaim at the last poetry gathering, Xiè Lángjūn…”

After hearing this, Qiáo Yùjǐng thought for a moment and then smiled.

It seems that his future husband, who invited friends for tea today, had ulterior motives beyond just enjoying the drink.

The background of the piece ‘Qīngshān Lǜshuǐ’ tells of the deep friendship between friends, but in a very famous opera story, it was used by a pair of eloping lovers to send messages.

Xiè Wényàn, instead of going to other teahouses, specifically chose the one next to the Bófu and played such a tune.

It was clearly a way to convey a message to him!

And the message Xiè Wényàn could convey to him, aside from the marriage matter being settled, was probably nothing else.

“How cunning! To use such a method, is this a test of my talent or a sign of our mutual understanding?”

“Does he think he is some great treasure, that just seeing him twice would make me remember him? How narcissistic and shameless! Am I so easily captured?”

Qiáo Yùjǐng muttered softly.

He was somewhat reluctant to admit that he had easily understood the other party’s intentions. It must be that he was too clever, not that it was mutual understanding!

Unfortunately, for the beautiful life after marriage, he still had to win the other party’s favor.

Recalling the embarrassing moments from their last meeting, Qiáo Yùjǐng’s face involuntarily flushed, and he felt a bit annoyed as he instructed, “Go get the blank nanmu folding fan stored in the warehouse, along with some paint. I want to paint.”

Zhīshū: …

According to the customs of the State of Chǔ, young men do not use folding fans; folding fans are exclusive to men.

Now the Young Master is painting on a blank folding fan, and it is obvious who it will be given to afterward!

Zhīshū hesitated, “Young Master, didn’t you say that men’s words are all deceitful? The young man you are looking for is just a tool to help you escape the Bófu, right?”

“That is true, but if you want the horse to run, how can you not feed it grass?”

“I definitely won’t fall for him, but he must like me. Without a husband to protect me, life in the inner courtyard would be like my mother’s. I have to use some tricks to capture a bit of his true heart.”

Qiáo Yùjǐng said with a smile and then began to paint seriously.

Then he seemed to remember something and continued instructing, “You go get the incense I usually use. After the folding fan is painted, I’ll burn some incense so that he will always think of me.”

Zhīshū found it hard to express: …

Young Master, are you sure you are the one capturing him, not the other way around?