Chapter 5: Settling In

The Crown Prince's consorts are divided into three ranks: Crown Princess, Consort, and Lady-in-Waiting. Du Jin, the second lady, is a Consort, ranked as a third-grade official.

This year, in the first month, Crown Princess Wei was forced to divorce the Crown Prince due to the Wei Jian case. Du Jin was both pleased at the possibility of becoming Crown Princess and anxious about the uncertain future.

On this day, after seeing the Crown Prince off, the maid Qushui hurriedly reported, "Lady, someone has brought a token, claiming that something of great importance has happened."

Du Jin knew that her elder sister, after marrying Liu Ji, had almost sold all her dowry, except for one jade pendant. She took it and quickly instructed to bring the person in.

"Something of great importance?" She already sensed something was wrong, a chill running through her. She murmured to herself, "Like walking on thin ice, I've finally fallen into the icy water."

She composed herself and hurried to the side hall, where she saw a young gentleman sitting solemnly on a mat, with a composed demeanor.

However, when he turned his head, Du Jin felt a sense of being scrutinized.

She frowned slightly and asked, "May I ask who this young gentleman is?"

"Langzi" is a term of respect for a handsome young man, and the addition of "xiao" (young) was her subconscious resistance to Xue Bai's scrutiny.

"Xue Bai, I have received the Du family's kindness," Xue Bai said straightforwardly. "Liu Ji has accused the Du family of 'fabricating prophecies, plotting with the Eastern Palace, and defaming the imperial carriage.' The Jingzhao Prefecture has already arrested your father. Someone is manipulating this from behind, and we have found evidence to present to the Crown Prince."

Du Jin's face changed instantly, but she quickly regained her composure.

"The Crown Prince is not here. Can I see the evidence first?"

Xue Bai took out the draft of the petition.

Qushui was about to step forward, but Du Jin had already leaned over to take it from Xue Bai, her fair skin catching his eye.

A faint fragrance wafted by as she took the draft and knelt on the mat opposite him, reading it carefully. She then called Qushui over and whispered, "Send someone to bring the Crown Prince back quickly."

Afterward, she asked Xue Bai for the details, and he recounted everything from when he lost his memory and worked as a servant in the Du family.

Du Jin listened, patted her chest, and said with a relieved expression, "Xue Langzi has worked hard for the Du family. I am feeling a bit cold today and cannot offer much in return, but I will certainly repay you in the future."

Xue Bai slowly replied, "Although I have lost my memory, I know that being beaten to near death must mean I offended someone. When I came here today, someone was tailing me. These people might uncover my past and cause trouble for the Crown Prince."

Du Jin's gaze sharpened, understanding his implication. He was afraid of causing trouble for the Crown Prince but was actually seeking protection.

Her tone changed slightly, "If you have any trouble, you can speak directly. I will do my best to help."

Xue Bai said, "But I really don't remember."

Du Jin felt a bit displeased.

Xue Bai continued, "Qinglan said I have a brand on my neck and a rope mark on my leg, suggesting I was an official slave."

"Do you look like someone from a wealthy family who was reduced to slavery?"

"I can't remember, but it's possible."

Du Jin was willing to repay this favor, but the Crown Prince's current situation was not good. Without knowing the extent of Xue Bai's troubles, rashly promising protection would be risky.

She carefully examined Xue Bai again, considering whether he was worth helping.

Finally, Du Jin nodded, "Alright, I will ensure your safety."

Xue Bai breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Can I see the Crown Prince?"

"The Crown Prince is busy and cannot see you," Du Jin said with a glance. "If you have anything to say, you can tell me. The Eastern Palace will not let you down."

Xue Bai looked at her and saw a familiar expression, immediately understanding—she wanted him to work for her.

Clearly, though they were married, there were subtle differences between her and the Crown Prince.

Xue Bai remained calm, "I have heard about the Wei Jian case at the beginning of the year. I have been thinking, if the Crown Prince abandons his people again, it will not be good for morale."

He had already taken on the role of a strategist for the Crown Prince's Consort, considering issues from Du Jin's perspective.

Qinglan was amazed. Since saving Xue Bai, only five days had passed, yet he had shown more and more remarkable qualities, indicating deep strategic thinking.

Du Jin, however, desperately needed someone like him and smiled, "Don't worry, I am not Lady Wei. We have evidence to prove the Du family's innocence, and the case is simple. It won't be hard to overturn."

Her smile was enchanting, and she was indeed a beauty who could make men do anything for her.

She added softly, "Of course, I will let the Crown Prince know your words tactfully. The heir to the throne is the foundation of the state. Regardless of his prestige, his last bit of dignity must be preserved."

Xue Bai nodded in agreement and asked, "What do you plan to do with the evidence?"

He called her "Second Lady" instead of "Du Consort," and Du Jin smiled again, "The Crown Prince needs to consult with his advisors to find the best solution."

This was not something Xue Bai could be involved in, so he asked, "Who is behind this?"

Du Jin smiled coldly, "Who else but the current Right Chancellor, Li Linfu?"

Xue Bai remained silent, waiting for more.

"Li Linfu's nickname is 'Genu,' because of his ruthless and cunning nature, his face devoid of warmth, and his spirit as fierce as a fighting rooster. The officials in the court call him 'Fighting Rooster.' He strongly supported the establishment of Prince Shou as the heir, believing he had no merit in the selection of the Crown Prince, so he wants to undermine the Eastern Palace. The Wei Jian case at the beginning of the year was the result of his widespread injustice..."

Du Jin's words were sharp, thoroughly criticizing Li Linfu, and concluded, "He is a jealous and harmful person, truly a great villain."

Xue Bai listened attentively.

He sat upright, occasionally making a gesture as if holding a pen, as if taking notes.

Du Jin noticed and guessed he had a habit of taking notes while listening.

After talking about Li Linfu, Xue Bai pondered for a moment and asked, "Is there a Yang Guozhong in the court?"

Du Jin thought for a moment and shook her head, "I haven't heard of him."

"He is the brother of Lady Yang Guifei."

"Lady Yang Guifei has three sisters and a brother who died young," Du Jin said. "But this year, a distant cousin came, a man known as a 'spittoon.'"

"Spittoon?"

"There's a story behind it. If not for this, I wouldn't have known about him," Du Jin said. "His name is Yang Zhao, a drunkard and gambler despised by his family, who had to seek a living in Xichuan. Last year, he returned to Chang'an, giving gifts and ingratiating himself with Li Linfu."

At this point, she frowned and waved her sleeve before continuing.

"One day, Li Linfu came out of the imperial city with a mouthful of phlegm and nowhere to spit. Yang Zhao, who was by his side, opened his mouth and asked Li Linfu to spit in it, earning him the nickname 'spittoon.' A fighting rooster and a spittoon, they are in cahoots."

Qinglan, standing by, made a sound of disgust, feeling a chill.

Xue Bai was speechless for a moment.

He thought to himself, it seems this Yang Zhao is Yang Guozhong, who has not yet risen to power.

Du Jin asked, "Why are you asking about him? Is Liu Ji involved with him?"

Xue Bai remained calm, "Why do you think so?"

"Liu Ji is a military officer in the Left Cavalry, and Yang Zhao is in the Right Cavalry. Both are heavy drinkers, so it's normal for them to be acquainted," Du Jin said. "Are you saying... Liu Ji was introduced to Ji Wen by Yang Zhao? Did your elder sister tell you this?"

Xue Bai had a long conversation with Du Guan last night, but she did not know much about these court figures, only that Liu Ji never talked about them at home.

In comparison, Du Jin, with her experience in court politics, had a much clearer mind.

Xue Bai gained a lot from her words and pondered, "The key to this case..."

At that moment, Qushui rushed back and reported, "The Crown Prince has returned."

"So soon?" Du Jin was surprised.

"The servant I sent out just left. The Crown Prince must have heard some news and rushed back," Qushui said.

Du Jin nodded, stood up to greet him, and instructed Xue Bai, "I will see the Crown Prince first, then welcome my elder sister and Fifth Brother. Please wait here and don't move around."

~~

Du Jin was considerate and had someone prepare lunch for Xue Bai and Qinglan.

After lunch, Xue Bai waited for a long time in the Crown Prince's residence but did not see her return.

Until a middle-aged man in a red round-collar robe came running over.

He was about forty years old, hunched and with a peculiar appearance: bulging eyes, a prominent forehead, crooked teeth, and a smooth face—likely a eunuch.

"I am Li Jingzhong, a eunuch of the Eastern Palace. May I ask if you are Xue Langjun?"

Li Jingzhong's voice was strange, likely because he was castrated before puberty.

Xue Bai bowed, "Yes, that's me."

Li Jingzhong stepped forward, leaned close to Xue Bai, and whispered, "Li Linfu has sent people, claiming to visit but actually to search."

Before Xue Bai could react, he raised his hand, "Please come this way, Xue Langjun."

They left the side hall and, instead of going to the front courtyard, quickly walked to the back courtyard along the corridor.

At the end of the corridor, Li Jingzhong looked down and saw that Xue Bai and Qinglan's shoes were still in the front courtyard. He quickly called over some young eunuchs to bring them new shoes.

Xue Bai didn't say anything, just glanced at the front courtyard.

Qinglan pouted and put on the eunuch's shoes, which were a bit too big, causing her to stumble.

After passing through two courtyards, they saw a manure cart by the side door of the rear courtyard, with a large barrel on it and several strong servants standing by.

Li Jingzhong led them to the barrel and said, "There are people watching, so you'll have to hide for a while. This barrel is clean, from the kitchen."

Xue Bai was reluctant to get in, "We have evidence to prove the Du family's innocence."

"Yes," Li Jingzhong said urgently, "But where did the evidence come from? The Crown Prince can't be the one to get it. It must be handed over by someone else to clear the Du family's name. You need to hide to use this evidence."

"What about the Du family?"

"They should also be sent away, but we can't take care of everything right now."

"If someone is watching, they might find us and it will be hard to explain," Xue Bai said. "Is this a trap to expose our weaknesses?"

Li Jingzhong was so anxious he stomped his feet, "Don't worry, everything is arranged... Hurry, the Crown Prince's situation is very serious."

He was genuinely worried, helping Qinglan into the barrel and then Xue Bai.

Xue Bai got in, and Qinglan, seeing him so close, quickly closed her eyes and covered her chest.

"Sit down," Li Jingzhong urged, placing a wooden lid on top.

The two of them were cramped in the barrel.

Darkness enveloped them, with only a sliver of light through the cracks in the lid.

Li Jingzhong instructed, "Quickly, put the manure bucket on top, tie the lid, and make sure it doesn't fall... How's it outside?"

"It's clear."

The barrel shook, and the cart started moving.

The ride was bumpy, and Xue Bai and Qinglan kept bumping into each other. Initially, Qinglan was very anxious, but gradually she got used to it.

After a long time, the cart stopped.

The barrel was lifted, and Qinglan, startled, fell into Xue Bai's arms.

Xue Bai tried to push the lid open, but it was tied with a rope.

Through the cracks, he saw they were in a desolate area.

"Let us out!"

There was no response. The barrel was placed on the ground, and a faint rustling sound was heard.

It sounded like rain on a roof.

Xue Bai suddenly remembered many details and realized they were about to be buried alive.

He pushed the lid hard, but as soon as he opened it a bit, a man stepped on it.

Seeing he couldn't push it open, he shouted, "Killing us will do your master no good, only bring him trouble."

"Rustle, rustle..."

"I can give you anything you want! Believe me, I am different from others and can offer you a lot! Do you want money? Name your price."

Qinglan, understanding what was happening, pushed the lid with her hands and cried, "Please... let us go... please..."

In the chaos, she felt Xue Bai's hands touching her feet, making her even more frightened, and she screamed.

"Ah! Don't... don't do that..."

The rustling sound continued, getting softer and softer.

Finally, the light through the cracks disappeared, and there was no more sound from outside.

Only complete darkness remained.