Chapter 11: She Became the Scapegoat of a Thousand Accusations

Cheng Yu took out a handkerchief and offered it to her forehead. "Your Highness, shall I wipe it for you?"

Wen Changying stood up, walked slowly to Cheng Yu’s side, and pressed the grape juice from her hand onto Cheng Yu’s shoulder. Cheng Yu was wearing a light-colored court dress that day. Though the amount of juice was small, it was exceptionally conspicuous.

"It seems everyone has the gift of foresight, able to see that you are destined to marry into the royal family." Wen Changying’s dark eyes were calm. "Official Cheng, you must take good care of this royal aura you possess."

With that, Wen Changying walked straight toward the head of the table—the seat that should have been hers. Before sitting down, she specifically asked, "Does Official Cheng like this seat? Would you like me to yield it to you?"

"This servant would not dare!" Cheng Yu kept her head buried low, her thoughts unreadable to anyone.

Just then, the other concubines entered the hall and were amused by the spectacle. "The Crown Princess is as overbearing as ever. I wonder what Official Cheng did to be such an eyesore, that the Crown Princess picks on her every time?"

"In my view, it is more like the Crown Princess is narrow-minded and cannot stand any woman by the Crown Prince’s side."

The speakers were Concubine Mei and Consort Lan, who had always been at odds with Wen Changying. While they fought fiercely in private, they had formed a united front when it came to dealing with her.

Wen Changying looked at them with a faint sneer. "Then you must truly be blind. I was even magnanimous enough to offer her the seat, but it is a pity she didn't dare to take it."

"Insolent!"

The Empress Dowager and Xie Genghe walked in slowly. "Do you treat the Crown Prince like some object, to be given away as you please?"

Wen Changying swept her gaze across the room: looks of sarcasm, amusement, mockery, and indifference. She was the target of everyone’s scorn, while the man she loved stood on the other side, his expression dark.

Very well. "Oh, then I misspoke. Xie Genghe is not a thing. Is the Empress Dowager satisfied now?"

In the Baijing Hall, one could have heard a pin drop. Even the noblewomen who rarely entered the palace sensed that something was amiss. The Crown Prince and the Crown Princess did not seem as harmonious as the rumors suggested... Even Consort Lan and the others felt a hidden thrill. Could it be that Wen Changying was truly about to be cast aside?

Everyone remained silent, waiting for an attitude from Xie Genghe.

"A-Ying, apologize."

Wen Changying’s nose felt sore. "I will not." He had just arrived, it was true, but could he not see that she was being harassed by everyone?

Xie Genghe saw it. But it was the New Year’s banquet, and he could not allow the royal dignity to be compromised. In full view of everyone, Xie Genghe stepped forward and gripped Wen Changying’s hand tightly. He then looked at the crowd: "The Crown Princess has had a bit too much to drink, and she is used to joking with me. Since this has dampened everyone’s spirits, I shall offer this first cup of wine on her behalf."

To any observer, it appeared that Wen Changying was merely acting out. Wen Changying could feel the malicious, speculative gazes of those around her, but she wanted to do nothing. She merely tried to pull her hand away from Xie Genghe. Being held by him felt like being trapped in a thick net—constrained, suffocating. Her stomach turned, and she felt a wave of nausea.

Xie Genghe gripped her tighter, leaning in to lower his voice: "A-Ying, do not make this difficult for me. Think of Zhuge Shi."

Wen Changying went still. She exhaled heavily and, only after Xie Genghe had finished his performance, sat down with a cold face. Xie Genghe exchanged pleasantries with the officials while not forgetting to peel longans for her. For every one he placed on her plate, she threw one away. By the time Xie Genghe noticed, the hem of his robe was stained with longan juice.

He sighed helplessly. "I will stop, then. Just remember to eat something."

Naturally, he received no response. Wen Changying counted the time, calculating that she could leave after the third dance. However, during the interval of the second dance, desserts were served. The table was filled with the Almond and Pine Pollen Dew that the Empress Dowager favored.

Wen Changying lowered her eyes. She had expressed a desire to eat what she liked, yet Xie Genghe had still deferred to the Empress Dowager’s preferences, not even minding that eating almonds would cause Wen Changying to break out in hives.

Cheng Yu quietly walked over from the Empress Dowager’s side. "Your Highness, the Empress Dowager believes that on such a festive day, one should share this favorite Almond and Pine Pollen Dew of hers with others."

Wen Changying looked up and saw that the other tables had already consumed theirs. Only hers remained untouched. Wen Changying said hoarsely, "Take it away."

Cheng Yu looked distressed and turned to Xie Genghe. Before long, the person beside her moved. Xie Genghe’s slender fingers picked up the bowl, scooped a spoonful, and brought it to Wen Changying’s lips. "A-Ying likes me to feed her. Official Cheng, go serve the Empress Dowager."

Cheng Yu bowed, but her feet did not move. It was clear she intended to watch Wen Changying consume it before leaving. Xie Genghe glanced at the Empress Dowager’s side and leaned in to whisper, "Zhuge Shi."

Wen Changying moved. She swatted the spoon from Xie Genghe’s hand, splashing the soup onto the Crown Prince’s robes. Then, she picked up the bowl of almond dew and drank it in one gulp.

"Are you satisfied?" Wen Changying asked softly.

Xie Genghe said nothing, only wiping his clothes with a handkerchief. He then stood up. "I am going to change my clothes. Everyone, please enjoy yourselves."

Wen Changying looked toward the head table again. Cheng Yu had already returned to the Empress Dowager’s side, whispering something that made the Empress Dowager laugh like a flower.

Wen Changying rubbed the back of her hand. It was already beginning to itch and turn red. From a distance, one might mistake it for a flush from intoxication. She saw Magpie bring in some wine and suppressed her physical discomfort. "Is it arranged?"

Magpie nodded. She had been sent away by her mistress just before entering the hall and had only returned after completing the task.

Wen Changying watched the third dance begin and then left, scratching the back of her hand. A few concubines noticed, but naturally, they did not care. Song Qingyan, however, watched for a long time before taking the opportunity to slip out to use the lavatory.

Wen Changying followed Magpie all the way to a pavilion in the Imperial Garden. Inside the pavilion stood a man in red with a powdered face, a folding fan never leaving his hand. Seeing Wen Changying, he smiled and held out a hand warmer.

"Little Ying-Ying, you finally remembered to come find me."

Wen Changying pressed the hot hand warmer against her back to suppress the red, itchy welts. "Keep it brief. When you left the palace that day, did you see Zhuge Shi?"

Duan Tingbai shook his head. "The Crown Prince had already secured him. I tried to probe indirectly, but before I could get in, he had already been taken to the Celestial Prison."

Being taken to prison meant certain torture. Wen Changying felt a tightness in her throat. Zhuge Shi was an old friend of her father’s, a man with whom she had fought back-to-back through life and death. At his age, he was already forty. She had never expected that after surviving the battlefield, he would now be subjected to torture because of A-Ye. She had to find a way to save him!

"Did you find anything, Sir?"

Duan Tingbai fanned himself. "The garrison commander of Yancheng was heavily wounded, and because of A-Ye’s situation, the Crown Prince sent a new commander, surnamed Song."

Wen Changying thought of Song Qingyan. "The Song family’s daughter has been brought into the palace. Through her, I might be able to indirectly learn of the situation in Yancheng."

It was truly... a coincidence. Wen Changying’s expression relaxed. "That is at least a breakthrough."

Duan Tingbai agreed; their thoughts were in sync. "After Deputy General Zhuge was taken, I found a chance to sneak in and ask his wife. She suspects that the General knows something. So, Little Ying-Ying..."

Wen Changying nodded. "I have already persuaded Xie Genghe to let me see him. But, Master Duan, I couldn't make sense of the investigation you left last time regarding the Yancheng garrison commander, Feng Ji. Could there be something you missed?"

Since A-Ye had specifically requested it, he must have discovered a problem with that man.

"I am still investigating."

Wen Changying was about to ask further when she heard the sound of chaotic footsteps. "Who is violating palace rules to meet here at night?"