Volume 1, Chapter 38: I Shall Go and See What He Can Possibly Do to Me

Faced with Lady Li’s sudden questioning, Ning Rongsheng’s complexion darkened even further.

Earlier today at the Imperial Academy, his former companions had all avoided him like a plague. He had intended to exchange a few words with the First Prince, but he hadn't even managed to brush against the hem of the Prince’s sleeve before being intercepted by Eunuch Tao, the young attendant who served the Prince.

"Lord Ning, you had best resolve your internal household affairs before concerning yourself with anything else." Eunuch Tao held a hand out to block Ning Rongsheng’s chest. Gone was the respect he had once shown him; instead, he waved his sleeve as if shooing away an annoying housefly, repeatedly urging him to leave.

Seeing that Ning Rongsheng still attempted to step forward, Eunuch Tao grew impatient. Rolling his eyes, he added, "Lord Ning, let me speak plainly: do not drag our master into this, lest you pull him into your own mess."

Resentment simmered in Ning Rongsheng’s heart. If the First Prince hadn't encouraged him to put on a show for Xie Shu's sake, he never would have let her entangle him in the first place. Now, he couldn't shake her off even if he tried!

"Eunuch Tao, but... am I not doing this for His Highness?" Ning Rongsheng dared not speak too bluntly. He had worked so hard to gain the First Prince’s favor—even the Emperor had noticed! If he were to be discarded by the First Prince now, how would he have a place in the capital in the future?

Hearing this, Eunuch Tao understood Ning Rongsheng’s desperation. Ahead, the First Prince cast a cold, sharp glance in their direction. After catching the look, Eunuch Tao gestured for Ning Rongsheng to follow him behind a rockery. Checking to ensure they were alone, he changed his tone and whispered, "Lord Ning, it is not that His Highness is unwilling to help, but this marriage was bestowed by the Emperor himself. None can defy it."

Upon hearing this, Ning Rongsheng became even more anxious.

Before he could ask, Eunuch Tao made a gesture for silence and leaned into his ear. "However, His Highness did say this: a woman must follow her husband, regardless of whether he is a chicken or a dog. As long as you, Lord Ning, employ some subtle means to make it a reality, you will naturally be the one in control."

"After all, what kind of trouble can a woman stir up?" Eunuch Tao patted Ning Rongsheng’s shoulder and secretly slipped an oil-paper packet into his hand. "Do not forget, Lord Ning, what we truly desire is the Red Mang Token of the Xie family."

The Xie family’s Red Mang Token was enough to seize the entire capital.

Though the First Prince was the Emperor’s eldest son, he was not born to the Empress. His mother, Consort Xian, had been a mere palace maid, and were it not for the Empress Dowager raising him personally, he would have had little hope of rising to prominence.

That was why the First Prince had set his sights on the mansion of General Zhenyuan. Once he obtained that token, why would he need to continue biding his time and waiting in the shadows?

Ning Rongsheng savored the implications of Eunuch Tao’s words. The wound on his shoulder no longer hurt as much, but the mere thought of Xie Shu made his teeth ache with hatred.

"Heh, once she has married me, she is naturally mine to command." Ning Rongsheng laughed with a treacherous, lecherous grin. He gripped the object in his palm tightly; the thought of pinning that wretch Xie Shu beneath him and tormenting her brought him an indescribable sense of satisfaction.

Noticing the look of triumph on Ning Rongsheng’s face, Eunuch Tao added a reminder, "If the Princess Consort does not cooperate, this medicine will prove useful."

The secret concoctions of the palace were naturally far more potent than anything found outside. Even without Eunuch Tao explaining it, Ning Rongsheng knew exactly what he was holding.

After his thoughts drifted for a moment, Ning Rongsheng dismissed the servants in the room. In front of Lady Li, he naturally wouldn't speak of "drugging," but instead said mysteriously, "Mother, rest assured. The First Prince has sent word. Once I have brought Xie Shu to heel, I will naturally regain the First Prince’s trust."

"Bring her to heel?" Lady Li was confused. "How will you do that? That little wretch is impervious to both soft and hard tactics!"

***

It had to be said that Xie Shu was indeed a beauty, and far more graceful and alluring than her sister, Xie Ying. Although Ning Rongsheng had once been fixated on Xie Ying, he had often found himself troubled and haunted by dreams of Xie Shu’s face in the dead of night.

"By tomorrow, Mother, you will know." Having made up his mind, Ning Rongsheng laughed triumphantly at Lady Li before walking out of the Fragrant Garden.

Inside the hall, Lady Li had placed a statue of the Bodhisattva in the center. She knelt and prayed devoutly, "Bodhisattva protect us, Bodhisattva protect us. May my son fulfill his wishes soon and reach the highest ranks of nobility."

However, just as Lady Li offered the incense to the altar, a gust of wind blew through, and the incense smoldered and died out.

***

In the Ruyi Garden of the East Courtyard, dusk had just begun to fall. The evening glow painted half the sky red, filtering through the window lattices into the small courtyard. Shadows of trees danced upon the white walls, bathed in the sunset. Occasionally, a late-returning bird flew past, disturbing the rare, serene peace.

Lvliu had prepared the evening meal and had just ordered it to be brought to the table when a knock sounded at the door.

"Princess Consort, the Heir has sent a message asking you to dine at Mingxuan Study," said Little Anzi, the gatekeeper, as he ran in. He was still young and could only handle such minor errands. Since he was not yet twelve, it was considered proper for him to deliver messages to the inner chambers.

"Dine? Who would want to dine with an enemy?" Lvliu couldn't help but roll her eyes. Her mistress had just infuriated Ning Rongsheng’s mother to the point of collapse; could he truly be kind enough to invite her to dinner? "We aren't going. Who knows if there’s poison in that food?"

"I know," Xie Shu raised her hand. "I know for certain that he has poisoned it."

Though she didn't know what Ning Rongsheng was plotting, Xie Shu felt that this was an opportunity not to be missed. If Ning Rongsheng didn't come looking for trouble, how would she ever get the chance to torment him?

Besides, the dishes at Mingxuan Study were quite good. Since someone was offering to treat her to a meal, she might as well take the opportunity to go out. The Marquis’s residence had too many eyes and ears, and there were far too many people keeping watch on her.

"Then we definitely can't go!" Lvliu nudged Little Anzi and commanded, "Tell them to get lost! Tell them to go as far away as possible!"

"Don't! I'm going!" Hearing this, Xie Shu immediately called out to stop Little Anzi. "Little Anzi, come back!"

Little Anzi let out a surprised sound. "Princess Consort, you’re still going even if it’s poisoned?"

"Fool, if it’s poisoned, I just won't eat it," Xie Shu said, flicking Little Anzi’s forehead. "Go, tell them to wait. This Princess Consort needs to change her outfit."

Little Anzi agreed and turned to deliver the message.

"I want to see exactly what he can do to me," Xie Shu thought, growing more excited by the second. She rubbed her hands together, looking eager to start.

Lvliu was worried sick, pleading, "My dear mistress, this is a trap! Can we really not go? Mother Wang just finished cooking dinner; it would be a shame to let it go to waste."

It was Mother Wang’s specialty: red-braised pork! Lvliu didn't say the rest; she wasn't actually greedy for the pork—she was worried about her mistress’s safety!

Xie Shu glanced at the vibrantly colored red-braised pork on the table and couldn't help but swallow. "Then have the kitchen keep the food warm for me. I’ll have a little taste when I get back."

Lvliu agreed helplessly. "Very well."

Though she didn't know what Xie Shu was planning, seeing her mistress’s growing excitement, Lvliu silently pitied Ning Rongsheng. She only hoped that her mistress would go easy on him. After all, Wenying wasn't here, and she was terrified that if Xie Shu caused trouble, there would be no one to clean up the mess.

"Princess Consort, you aren't going to go stir up trouble again, are you?" Lvliu couldn't help but ask what was on her mind. She remembered when Xie Shu was younger, she had put a sack over the head of the censor’s grandson and beaten him to a pulp—she had the same expression on her face then.

Though Lvliu also wanted to beat Ning Rongsheng to a pulp, he was the Heir, and this was a marriage bestowed by the Emperor! If Xie Shu went too far, it would be difficult to resolve! In the end, it would be her mistress who suffered!

Xie Shu understood Lvliu’s concern. She turned, gave her a naive smile, and reassured her, "How could I? I know how to conduct myself when living under another’s roof."

Seeing Xie Shu’s eyes darting back and forth, Lvliu’s heart thumped. "Really?"

Xie Shu nodded solemnly. "Really! I swear on my life!"

But when Xie Shu began changing her clothes, Lvliu couldn't help but gasp. "Princess Consort, why are you tucking two daggers into your waist, pinning three poisoned hairpins into your hair, and strapping on the wrist-crossbow the Second Master gave you?"

Xie Shu was fully armed. She laughed brightly and said, "I’m just afraid he might try to harm me. I’m just being prepared!"

Lvliu felt truly reassured now. Never mind anyone else trying to harm Xie Shu—with this much equipment, she just hoped her mistress wouldn't beat the man to death.

"I’d better go ask Guard Jiang to come along, and take four other guards with him," Lvliu decided, pulling some people from the courtyard. She was genuinely worried her mistress would act on impulse.

If they were caught in a trap by the Marquis’s residence, it would be too much trouble.

At this moment, Lvliu missed Wenying terribly. If Wenying were here, she would never have let Xie Shu act so recklessly.