Marquis Gongping, who had been living in trepidation for two years, refused to even show his face upon hearing that his steward was accused of stealing Fuyi’s coin pouch. He simply sent a message, telling the magistrate to handle the matter impartially.
After the strategist was dragged away and flogged with twenty strokes, Fuyi paid him a visit. She crouched over the man, his body sprawled across the floor, blood staining him, and sneered, “Waiting for Sui Ruijing to rescue you?”
“This humble commoner doesn’t understand what you’re saying, Miss,” the strategist stammered, trembling in pain.
“The moment I discovered you, you were already a discarded pawn,” Fuyi said with a chuckle. “He won’t come for you. From hereafter, you won’t leave the magistrate prison.”
The strategist shivered. He knew Fuyi was telling the truth, that Ning Wang wouldn’t save him. To achieve great things, one must learn to make sacrifices—it was a lesson he had taught Ning Wang himself, and now he was the one being sacrificed.
“Miss, what are you talking about? This humble commoner doesn’t know Ning Wang.”
“You can deny all you want, but it doesn’t matter—my belief that you’re connected to Ning Wang is all that counts,” Fuyi said casually. Finding her crouched position uncomfortable, she shifted to sit cross-legged instead. “Haven’t you heard about me? I never bother with playing by the rules.”
“Lady Junjun seems self-aware.”
“Thank you for the compliment,” Fuyi said with a smile, clearly in high spirits. “You showed up in the capital not long after Sui Ruijing was demoted to Junwang. I know he’s not one to trust people easily, yet you seem to wield significant influence with him. What earned you his trust so quickly?”
The strategist closed his eyes, refusing to respond or meet her gaze.
“A few days ago, a family of merchants moved into a house near where you’ve been staying. They are not native of the capital, and there are three daughters in the family who always wear veils and never leave the house.” Fuyi tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I suspect those three young ladies must be stunning beauties, perhaps rivaling the late Noble Consort Zeng.”
The strategist’s eyelids twitched slightly. When he opened his eyes again, they were filled with icy hostility. “What exactly are you implying, Miss Yun?”
“Did I hit a nerve?” Fuyi raised an eyebrow and leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Speaking of beauties, it’s hard not to think of the infamous honey trap. I was considering paying those young ladies a visit.”
“If you go too late, you might find nothing,” the strategist shot back, his tone equally cold. “Aren’t you afraid your actions will invite disaster?”
“I have a long life ahead of me. I’m not afraid,” Fuyi said as she stood, casually brushing off her skirts. “Oh, and your concern is futile. You should know my methods by now—just before dawn today, I’ve sent my people to ensure they couldn’t leave the house.”
“You’re acting so brazenly—do you really care so little about your reputation?” The strategist couldn’t understand why a young woman would behave this way. Wasn’t she worried about ruining her chances of marriage?
“What do I need reputations for?” Fuyi’s eyes curved into a bright smile. “Thanks for confirming it—those three women are indeed suspicious.”
After saying this, she turned and walked away, ignoring the strategist.
Watching her departing figure, the strategist felt both anger and helplessness. He could only hope his master would take this woman seriously and stop being so tolerant of her.
…
“Miss, why didn’t you continue interrogating him?”
“It’s useless. Someone like him would rather die than reveal anything of value,” Fuyi replied calmly. “He’s more useful alive than dead.”
“Pardon my intrusion, ladies. Could you point me to Caiyin Pavilion?” A young man approached, accompanied by two guards. Their attire was noticeably different from that of the Great Long people.
“This is the office of the Metropolitan Magistrate. There’s no place for entertainment around here,” Fuyi said. Noticing his slightly embarrassed expression, she smiled. “Turn left ahead and walk for half an hour. You’ll find it.”
“Thank you, beautiful lady.” The young man performed a bow typical of the southern Nanxu Kingdom, a gesture Fuyi recognized immediately. With the Crown Prince’s investiture ceremony approaching, envoys from various nations had already arrived in the capital, and foreigners were now a common sight in the streets.
“You’re welcome.” Fuyi bid him farewell and hurried to meet the three ‘reclusive daughters of the merchant.’
They were indeed rare beauties—one as dazzling as a peach blossom, one as cold and serene as the crescent moon, and one gentle and elegant, exuding an approachable charm.
“Fuyi, their so-called merchant father has already fled,” Lin Xiaowu said with frustration. “Their identities are unclear. Should we report them to the authorities or…?”
The diverse beauty of the three women reminded Fuyi of one person: Ning Wang’s mother, the late Noble Consort Zeng.
In these women, she saw traces of the late Noble Consort.
If Noble Consort Zeng had been part of a honey trap targeting the late emperor, what was the ultimate goal of the mastermind behind this scheme? Control over the entire Great Long Dynasty?
Ning Wang, the strategist, the honey trap, Noble Consort Zeng… it was the same old trick repackaged.
“Xiaowu!” Fuyi grabbed Lin Xiaowu’s hand. “I need to submit my token and enter the palace.”
She was still young, so what should she do when encountering a problem too big to handle? Well, leaving it to the adults, of course! A honey trap could only succeed if the target has a weak resolve; without that, what influence could mere beauty possibly wield?
The blame lay with the late emperor, that old fool. If he had been a virtuous ruler, the Great Long treasury wouldn’t be so barren that even passing rats might feel compelled to leave behind a few grains out of pity.
…
When Sui Tingheng heard that Fuyi had entered the palace to meet his mother, he grabbed a box of tea leaves from the shelf and said to Grand Tutor Lu, “Sir, this prince recently received a box of flower tea and would like to take it to Mother Empress to let her try it. You should head back and rest early—you’ve been unwell lately, so you shouldn’t overexert yourself.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Highness,” Grand Tutor Lu replied, deeply moved. How could he fail to see the Crown Prince’s kindness? The tea delivery didn’t require a prince to do it himself. It was clear His Imperial Highness was concerned about his health and was using this as an excuse to send him home early to rest.
Sui Tingheng quickly rushed to the Zhaoyang Palace, only to hear his mother laughing, “If you ask me, Heng’er probably fancies a woman who is as serene as the moon and talented to boot.”
Sui Tingheng’s expression changed at once. When had he ever said he liked such a woman? How could his mother casually tarnish his reputation like this in front of Fuyi?
< Previous | TOC | Advanced TOC | Next >
Author’s Note:
Sui Tingheng: “That’s not true! I never say that! Mother, please don’t slander your son!”
Wants more chapters?
Click this page for the status of sponsored chapters.
Click this page for advanced chapters TOC.