The once magnificent mansion was now surrounded by imperial guards, with officials coming and going as chests of gold, silver, and jewels were seized and transported to the Ministry of Revenue. Faint sobbing could be heard from inside the residence.
The capital’s citizens, ever eager for spectacle, crowded around the entrance, reveling in the gossip.
“Heavens, who did the Gu family offend? Why are there so many officials here? This is the emperor’s own uncle, a first-rank Duke! Aren’t they afraid?”
“You’re behind on the news. That Duke can’t even save his own life now. Our emperor is utterly impartial—even his own uncle isn’t spared if he breaks the law. Let me tell you, Gu Jinghui is so rotten it oozes from his feet! Even his own younger brother couldn’t stand him!” A loafer, basking in the rare attention, animatedly shared the rumors he’d picked up. As his audience grew, he embellished the tale, inventing details about how Gu Jinghui’s younger brother, the current Marquis of Li, had uncovered his elder brother’s crimes.
His vivid storytelling captivated the crowd.
“Thank you, brother. Without your kindness, common folk like us would never know such secrets,” said a tall, slender youth in the crowd. His simple robes did nothing to diminish his refined bearing, which resembled that of a graceful bamboo. His striking, elegant features and warm, spring-like smile made him instantly likable.
The loafer scratched his head sheepishly. “Ah, I was just rambling. You’re a scholar, aren’t you? New to the capital?”
The youth nodded slightly. “Some troubles at home brought me here to seek relatives. I’m unfamiliar with the city, so I’d appreciate your guidance.”
The loafer puffed up proudly. “You’ve come to the right man! There’s nothing about the capital I don’t know! Things have been lively lately—Censor Yang accused the Prince of Yong’s heir, only to have his own corruption exposed and lose his official hat. And that heir’s had a streak of bad luck too—not only was he framed, but his stepmother’s maid embezzled his birth mother’s dowry! The imperial court even reprimanded the princess consort for failing to discipline her household. Oh, and there’s a new imperial consort—rumored to be a blessed star from the late emperor’s dreams—rising through the ranks at lightning speed…”
Once he’d heard enough, the youth handed over a freshly bought flatbread. “Here, brother—a crispy sesame cake. Don’t mind its simplicity.”
After thanking him, the youth slipped away from the crowd, strolling leisurely into an alley. As he ventured deeper, figures subtly fell into step behind him, forming a protective formation.
One whispered, “Your Highness, if you wanted information, you could’ve just ordered Fifteen and the others to investigate. Why bother with that idle gossipmonger?”
Pei Chiyan smiled faintly. “More than the rumors, I wanted to hear how the people truly regard the imperial family.”
Internally, he scoffed: If he’d sent Fifteen, the report would’ve been a dry line like “The Duke of Li’s family was stripped of titles and property.” Nothing as lively as the commoners’ tales.
He stopped before a residence, and the back gate opened at once. Once inside, he emerged half an hour later in entirely new attire—a luxurious robe of cloud-patterned brocade, fastened with a flawless mutton-fat jade pendant. Elegant yet undeniably regal.
“Let’s return to the palace.”
He was none other than the Crown Prince of Great Qi, Pei Chiyan.
---
News of Pei Chiyan’s return from the imperial mausoleum spread swiftly through the palace.
Only a select few knew that overseeing the mausoleum’s construction had merely been a cover.
“Those salt merchants were exceptionally cunning. It took me considerable time to secure these ledgers,” Pei Chiyan said calmly, though a sharp glint flashed in his eyes as he stood before the imperial desk.
While investigating corrupt officials, he’d discovered evidence in partially burned ledgers that several major salt merchants were colluding with officials—smuggling salt and even weapons to the steppes. To gather more proof, he’d delayed his return, surviving multiple assassination attempts before delivering the most critical ledger to his father, Emperor Pei Lingyue.
Scanning the evidence, Pei Lingyue suppressed his fury, his voice low and commanding. “For profit, they’d betray Great Qi’s foundations by aiding our enemies? This is treason! But the web is vast—acting rashly could destabilize the court and alert the conspirators. What’s your counsel, Chiyan?”
Pei Chiyan replied unhurriedly, “Several merchants contributed generously to disaster relief. Reward them with salt monopoly permits to disrupt the conspirators’ operations, keeping them too busy to cover their tracks. Meanwhile, dispatch trusted agents to gather more evidence. At the New Year’s banquet, we’ll ensnare them all.”
A trace of approval flickered in Pei Lingyue’s eyes. “Well reasoned. You’ve grown from this journey. Any recommendations to oversee the case?”
After a brief pause, Pei Chiyan suggested, “What about the Prince of Yong’s heir?”
“Cousin Yudong cleared his name in days and turned the tables on Censor Yang—proof of his shrewdness. Since the implicated officials include the Earl of Suyi, I imagine he’d relish the task.” His tone turned lightly teasing.
Pei Lingyue allowed a faint smile. “An apt choice.”
After Pei Yudong’s impeachment, Pei Lingyue’s spies had uncovered hints of the Prince of Yong’s consort’s involvement. As Pei Yudong’s stepmother and mother to twins, she clearly sought the heirship for her own son. Rather than airing royal dirty laundry, Pei Yudong had shrewdly accused her of embezzling his late mother’s dowry. Pei Lingyue had reprimanded her, ordered her to copy scriptures, and sent a palace matron to “assist” with household management.
The Prince of Yong’s consort was the Earl of Suyi’s full sister.
As for leaving the capital? Any excuse would do. Pei Yudong’s rebellious reputation made “tomb-keeping punishment” entirely plausible.
Pei Lingyue mused inwardly: The imperial mausoleum excuse was truly versatile. Best to keep construction slow—they might need it again.
The imperial father and son continued discussing deputy candidates for the investigation team.
As Pei Chiyan prepared to take his leave, Pei Lingyue stopped him. “Wait. There’s one more matter.”
He cleared his throat. “After being visited by the late emperor in a dream, I learned of Yu Miaohua’s wrongful imprisonment and had her moved from the cold palace…”
Even with his most trusted heir, Pei Lingyue kept his secret—that he’d witnessed Yu Miaohua conversing with spirits—sticking to the official story.
Pei Chiyan forced a polite yet awkward smile—he had absolutely no interest in his father's imperial consorts.
However, he had heard that this particular consort had discovered recipes for refined white sugar and rock sugar in the imperial library. Sugar workshops were currently being built in the outskirts of the capital, and soon the common people would have access to more affordable white sugar. No wonder the Emperor had been promoting her rank repeatedly.
"Two days ago, Lady Yu borrowed a few books from the Dexin Pavilion and found records of cotton from the Half-Moon Country in one of them."
"Cotton? How is it different from kapok?" The Great Qi already had kapok, which the people used to stuff quilts and pillows.
Pei Lingyue took out the book and flipped to the page he had read countless times. "This is cotton from the Half-Moon Country. A century ago, the mountain folk there wove it into cloth, which provided excellent protection against the cold. Unfortunately, the artisan refused to pass on the technique to her clansmen, and after her death, the craft was lost. Later, those mountain folk migrated elsewhere, and the records disappeared with them. If not for a subject of Great Qi who traveled to the Half-Moon Country and secretly learned the technique, such a treasure might never have resurfaced."
The system had done an impeccable job patching the narrative—the fabricated story even aligned with local legends. The account was so convincing that Pei Lingyue almost believed it himself.
Pei Chiyan was stunned. "Lady Yu found this too?"
Pei Lingyue nodded solemnly—if he hadn't confiscated his uncle's estate, he wouldn’t have obtained this cotton map. He deserved some credit too!
Pei Chiyan’s gaze was soon drawn to the map beside it. "This map is incredibly detailed!"
Pei Lingyue smirked. "The brilliant scholar Tongtongzi is a rare traveler. He also discovered the recipes for rock sugar and white sugar overseas."
"Brilliant scholar Tongtongzi?" Pei Chiyan repeated the name, his usually composed expression cracking slightly. The image of a venerable sage in his mind instantly shattered.
Pei Lingyue was delighted to see his son’s rare reaction and said affectionately, "It’s his pseudonym."
Pei Chiyan quickly regained his composure. No matter what alias the man used, his contributions were enough to earn him a place in history.
He murmured, "I hope this cotton is as good as the records claim."
His journey outside the capital had shown him the hardships of the common people, and he now understood how daunting it was to govern a nation and ensure its people were well-fed and clothed.
Pei Lingyue said, "I’ve sent a secret decree to your grand-uncle, ordering him to locate this cotton discreetly and transport it back as soon as possible."
Pei Chiyan’s grand-uncle, the Empress’s uncle, was none other than General Lu Lingyun, who had guarded the southern border for years—the very region between Great Qi and the Half-Moon Country.
"If the cotton proves genuine, Noble Consort Yu, who found the book, will be a great meritorious subject. I shall promote her to Guiren then."
Pei Lingyue had discussed this with the Crown Prince to prevent him from misunderstanding Yu Miaohua as some seductive temptress and forming prejudices against her.
Pei Chiyan grasped his father’s implication and replied sincerely, "I congratulate Your Majesty on gaining such a virtuous consort."
She deserved not just the rank of Guiren but even that of Consort.
In fact, Pei Chiyan even thought his father was being a bit stingy with the promotions.
After concluding official matters, Pei Lingyue dismissed the Crown Prince to rest and even summoned the imperial physician to examine him.
At the same time, lavish rewards flowed into the Eastern Palace, a clear display of the Emperor’s favor and satisfaction.
The Crown Prince had been away for an unusually long time, and though the official reason was overseeing repairs to the imperial mausoleum, some self-proclaimed "geniuses" had interpreted it as his exile.
With these rewards, the imperial harem understood that the Crown Prince’s position in the Emperor’s heart remained unshaken.
...
After seeing off the imperial physician and realizing he would have to endure bitter medicine for a while, Pei Chiyan suppressed a sigh.
He changed into fresh robes and went to Fengyi Palace to pay respects to the Empress.
The Empress was overjoyed to see him. She avoided courtly matters and instead inquired about his life outside the palace.
Pei Chiyan shared some amusing anecdotes, making her laugh heartily.
Finally, the palace kitchen sent over freshly made butter crisps, and the Empress smiled. "Perfect timing—join me for some."
She knew her son best. Though he pretended indifference toward food, he secretly had a sweet tooth.
Pei Chiyan’s eyes lingered on the butter crisps. "Is this a new recipe from the imperial chefs?"
The Empress shook her head. "Lady Yu found it in a book and sent me the recipe. I quite like it."
Having just returned to the capital, Pei Chiyan was already hearing Noble Consort Yu’s name everywhere—it was practically ringing in his ears. Judging by his mother’s tone, she seemed quite fond of her.
Noticing his thoughts, the Empress chuckled. "That girl is rather amusing."
Her thoughts were as transparent as a shallow pond, yet she remained convinced she was an excellent actress, brimming with confidence.
When she first came to pay respects, Noble Consort Yu had been reserved, but once she grew comfortable, she would casually sip tea and snack on pastries without hesitation.
Once, the Empress had asked about her tastes. Others might have given vague answers, but Noble Consort Yu earnestly admitted she loved the palace’s Longjing tea cakes and even praised the almond tofu.
The Empress also knew what Gu Shishi had said before being taken away… She could only conclude that Gu Shishi had underestimated both the Emperor and herself.
As they enjoyed the butter crisps, palace maids came one after another to report on harem affairs.
"Lady X fell from a tree."
"Consort Li burned herself while making pastries."
The Empress handled these trivial matters with practiced ease, wearing a wry smile. "I don’t know where they heard that the Emperor first noticed Noble Consort Yu when she was in a tree… Now they’re all obsessed with trees and walls."
They probably assumed the Emperor favored women who climbed trees.
This was already the third fall this month.
Pei Chiyan: "..."
The palace was certainly lively these days.
Climbing trees. The words triggered a long-forgotten memory in Pei Chiyan’s mind.
As a child, he had climbed a tree to carefully untangle a kite caught in the branches.
A little girl stood below, watching eagerly. When she got her kite back, she beamed with joy.
"Thank you! For saving my kite, I shall pledge myself to you! I grant you the honor of being my eighth concubine!"
Pei Chiyan suddenly coughed violently, drawing a concerned look from the Empress.
He set down his cup with feigned nonchalance. "This syrup is too sweet."
