The Wife of a Loyal Servant - Chapter 43

Ling Yu did not even have the chance to glimpse the capital’s splendor before she was settled into a relatively secluded small courtyard within the Crown Prince’s residence.

The servant woman leading the way kept making indirect inquiries into her background. After all, she had been personally arranged to enter the residence by Commander Chu—and she was a young woman with a child in tow. No matter how one looked at it, she was anything but ordinary.

Ling Yu had no idea that others had already begun linking her to Chu Liang. She herself could not yet make sense of what place her family of three occupied within this lavish estate, and so she could only pretend not to hear the maid’s probing.

Who would have thought that this would instead further convince the servant woman that Ling Yu shared an extraordinary relationship with Chu Liang.

So it’s true, the maid thought in astonishment. I’ve always heard that Commander Chu never married—who would’ve imagined he’d already kept a woman outside, with a son grown this big? He’s really kept this tightly under wraps.

For a time, rumors that Commander Chu had taken a woman and fathered a son spread quietly among the servants.

And because of this presumed connection to Chu Liang, although many were deeply curious about Ling Yu’s origins, no one dared to investigate further. After all, no one had the nerve to provoke the fearsome, black-faced demon known as Commander Chu.

Ling Yu never expected that in this lifetime she would have the chance to enter the Crown Prince’s residence at all. Judging by the arrangements, it even seemed she was permitted to stay for some time. For a moment, emotions flooded her in a jumble.

If she could still return home after this, the experiences of these days alone would give her stories to tell for years. At the very least, when she was old and gray, she could proudly tell others that she had been to the capital, lived in the Crown Prince’s residence, met the Emperor—and even… had the Emperor once act as her “servant.”

Of course, all of that assumed the Crown Prince himself would manage to ascend the throne and become Emperor.

Since arriving in the capital, Cheng Shaotang and Xiao Mu had been summoned away by Chu Liang. No one knew what they were busy with, and they had not shown their faces for several days. Ling Yu was anxious at first, but little by little, she let it go.

Since she was already here, she might as well settle in. Having come this far, whatever lay ahead—she would simply take it one step at a time.

Once she had sorted things out in her mind, she stayed on with an easy conscience, occasionally taking her son for walks around the small courtyard, letting him catch a glimpse of the extraordinary grandeur of a royal residence.

That day, after lunch, she washed the bowls and utensils and personally returned them to the rear kitchen. The servants there had grown used to her doing things herself, and seeing her gentle expression and warm smile, pleasant and approachable, they gradually began chatting with her.

After several such encounters, Ling Yu grew familiar with them and naturally learned of the misunderstanding. She could neither laugh nor cry, and repeatedly explained that she had nothing whatsoever to do with Chu Liang. It was merely that her husband was currently working under Commander Chu, and that she and her son had only been temporarily housed here.

She spoke with such sincerity that, after giving it some thought, everyone felt her explanation made sense and accepted it.

Once they learned she was not a member of the Grand Commander’s household, their manner toward her naturally relaxed as well.

“The imperial physicians from the palace have been coming one wave after another,” an elderly woman said as she picked vegetables, shaking her head. “When His Majesty learned that the Crown Prince had been assassinated, he flew into a rage and ordered a full investigation. Now the whole capital is in a panic. Today, one household is raided, tomorrow another is exiled. One moment you’re a lofty official, the next you’re a prisoner at the foot of the steps. This capital… It’s in complete chaos.”

Ling Yu glanced at Xiao Shitou beneath the tree, happily poking at an anthill, then poured out the dirty water and washed the vegetables clean. Hearing this, she frowned. “It’s really become this chaotic?”

“You’ve only just arrived, so you wouldn’t know,” the woman replied. “Don’t be fooled by how prosperous the capital looks. Once it descends into chaos, it’s no better than the poorest backwater.”

Ling Yu thought it over and found the words all too reasonable.

The Crown Prince had taken such a heavy blow. There was no way he would let it pass without retaliation. The capital would likely remain in turmoil for quite some time yet.

The only question was which of the princes had nearly cost him his life this time. Prince Lu? Prince Qi? Or Prince Han… or one of the others?

In her previous life, after the Crown Prince’s death, Prince Han was the next to fall. Around that same time, the Emperor had grown gravely ill. Soon after, Prince Qi was named Crown Prince, Prince Lu rose in rebellion out of resentment, and only once Prince Qi had suppressed the uprising did the Emperor pass away. Prince Qi then ascended the throne, and the realm finally knew peace.

She was nothing more than an ordinary commoner; all she knew were matters that everyone knew. As for whether there were inaccuracies within them, or whether darker schemes lay beneath the surface, that was beyond her knowing.

Cheng Shaotang returned half a month later, a faint stench of blood still clinging to him. Xiao Shitou pinched his small nose in distaste and refused to let him come near. Cheng Shaotang smiled helplessly, took the clean clothes Ling Yu handed him, and went to bathe.

When he entered the room again after washing thoroughly, he saw his wife holding their son in her arms, softly teaching him to recite the Three Character Classic.

“All cleaned up? Are you hungry?” Ling Yu set their son aside and went to meet him. “Shall I go to the back kitchen and fix you something to eat?”

Over these days, she had grown quite close to the cooks in the residence. Seeing that she was diligent and willing to work, with a sweet tongue that coaxed smiles from everyone, and with the addition of lively, adorable Xiao Shitou, the mother and son had truly settled in like fish in water.

“No need to trouble yourself. I already ate with Brother Chu and the others,” Cheng Shaotang said, taking his son as the boy rushed toward him and shaking his head.

Ling Yu stopped and sat back down beside him. “Where have you been all this time? Xiao Shitou has asked about you again and again.”

“His Highness assigned me some duties,” Cheng Shaotang replied evasively—though a trace of dimness flickered through his eyes.

In just a little over a month, countless officials had lost their posts, been thrown into prison, had their homes confiscated, and been exiled. Those once lofty, overbearing officials saw their pride snapped overnight.

Yet he did not even know whether these people truly deserved their fate—whether they had genuinely taken part in the attempt on the Crown Prince’s life.

Back when he served as a constable in Qinghe County, whether it was Magistrate Guo Qi or the men beneath him, arrests were always made on the basis of clear evidence. But now, here in the capital, all he knew was how to carry out orders. As for whether those he arrested were guilty as charged or wrongfully accused—that was no longer something he was meant to consider.

The gap between the two was simply too great, and for a time, he found it hard to accept.

At times, he even suspected that the Crown Prince was merely using the assassination attempt as a pretext to suppress rivals and purge dissenters. Whether those people had actually been involved in the attack was never part of the calculation.

Wasn’t it plain to see? The moment someone lost his post, another was swiftly installed in his place. The speed alone made it clear that everything had already been prepared—only waiting for the seats to be vacated.

Struggles within the court were indeed fickle and unpredictable. Today one might stand in glory; tomorrow, one could be left with nothing at all.

“By the way,” Cheng Shaotang said, “I’ve had someone rent a house over in West Alley. It’s not large, but it’s enough for our family. In a few days, once I report back to Brother Chu, we can move out. What do you think?”

“That would be for the best.” Ling Yu had no reason to object. No matter how grand or wealthy the Crown Prince’s residence might be, it was not a place she could remain long. Better to move out sooner and live a quieter, freer life.

“How are your injuries? Let me have a look.” Thinking of the wounds he had suffered earlier, Ling Yu couldn’t help but worry.

“They’re almost healed,” he replied. “Earlier on, His Highness ordered the imperial physicians to examine and treat me. I’ve been taking the medicines they prescribed ever since, and His Highness has also bestowed medicinal elixirs from the palace from time to time. I’ve long since recovered seven or eight parts out of ten.”

Still uneasy, Ling Yu untied his clothes to check for herself, and sure enough, many of the wounds had already scabbed over.

“From the looks of it, His Highness does seem to care about you somewhat.”

Having imperial physicians attend to him and bestow medicinal elixirs—given that man’s status and temperament, such consideration was no small thing.

Cheng Shaotang merely smiled and did not respond.

Although the current Emperor was obsessed with Taoist cultivation and alchemical pursuits and neglected matters of state, he nevertheless treated his eldest son, the Crown Prince, well. Seeing the Crown Prince return to the capital covered in wounds, and hearing Chu Liang recount the dangers of the repeated assassination attempts along the way, how could he possibly restrain his fury?

Zhao Yun seized the moment to add fuel to the fire, further stoking the Emperor’s rage. Convinced by the list of alleged masterminds, one that mixed truth with fabrication, he issued an immediate edict for severe punishment. As news of officials being stripped of rank, having their homes confiscated, and being sent into exile arrived one after another, the court was thrown into turmoil, and every official lived in fear.

Zhao Yun focused his efforts on crushing Prince Lu Zhao Fu’s faction, brazenly seizing the chance to plant his own people in place of Prince Lu’s men. By the time Prince Lu realized what was happening, more than half of the key pieces he had placed in important court positions had already been uprooted, leaving his face livid with rage.

“Useless! Every last one of you is useless!” he roared. “If he had been assassinated on the road back to the capital that day, would I be stuck in such a passive position now?!”

“There’s a highly skilled fighter by the Crown Prince’s side—”

Before the kneeling shadow guard could finish speaking, Zhao Fu kicked him hard.

“Useless! If that’s the case, what use do I have for you lot? So many of you, yet you couldn’t even deal with a single man!” Zhao Fu wished nothing more than to behead him on the spot. But with too many men already lost in recent days, he could only force his anger down.

“Who exactly is that man?” he asked after a long while, once his fury had somewhat subsided. “And why has he ended up on Zhao Yun’s side?”

“This subordinate has already had him thoroughly investigated,” the guard replied. “His surname is Cheng, given name Shaotang. He is a constable from Qinghe County. It appears that he was forced to accompany the Crown Prince after being intercepted midway along the journey.”

“Qinghe County?” Zhao Fu frowned. “The same Qinghe County where Guo Qi holds office?”

“Exactly.”

Zhao Fu sneered coldly. “My secondary consort’s natal family brother—how thoughtful of him, to cultivate such a fine helper for Zhao Yun.”

The man lowered his head, not daring to utter another word.

Although Zhao Yun had failed to eliminate Prince Lu in one decisive strike, he was already quite satisfied with having gravely weakened his opponent’s faction. As for those who had betrayed him, every one of them was subjected to the harshest punishment—torn apart by five horses, their remains cast out to be devoured by wild dogs.

At this moment, the Crown Princess was attending to him as he dressed.

Looking at the gentle, dignified woman before him, he suddenly recalled that woman who had dared defy all sense of authority. He gave an order, “Tomorrow, send an instructional matron to Chu Liang’s residence.”

The Crown Princess was briefly puzzled, but asked no questions, replying obediently, “Yes. I will make the arrangements tomorrow.”

“Mm.” Zhao Yun finally felt satisfied.

That woman was truly insolent. Only when the instructional matron had ground her down layer by layer would she realize just how outrageous and improper her words and conduct had been that day.

He strode into the study and carefully read through the confidential memorials submitted by his officials. By the time he finished, an hour had already passed.

“Your Highness,” a young eunuch reported as he had just taken a few sips of tea, “Consort Xie and the Eldest Young Master request an audience.”

“Let them in.”

Thinking that he had not seen his eldest son in quite some time, Zhao Yun felt a flicker of concern. Though the boy was born of a concubine, he was, after all, his only offspring at present, enough to warrant a measure of attention.

Moments later, a woman dressed in splendid palace robes entered with a child of two or three in tow, her movements graceful and deliberate. She bowed lightly in greeting.

Zhao Yun waved off the formalities and looked toward his eldest son, who was timidly hiding behind Consort Xie. His brows knit almost unconsciously.

“Come here.” His expression darkened with displeasure.

“Your father is calling you—go on.”

Instead of obeying, the child shrank even further behind Consort Xie. In her growing anxiety, she tugged him out and pushed him forward toward Zhao Yun.

“No—no! Waaah—”

Terrified, the child burst into tears, crying as he struggled and called for his nanny, refusing outright to go anywhere near Zhao Yun.

Watching Zhao Yun’s expression sour by the second, Consort Xie, who had hoped to use the child to rekindle some measure of his former favor, grew both frantic and resentful.

“Why are you crying? This is your father! Weren’t you always clamoring to see him before?”

“Enough. Get out.” Zhao Yun lost his patience and dismissed them outright.

Consort Xie’s face stiffened. She did not dare provoke him further and could only leave unwillingly, taking the child with her.

Zhao Yun rubbed his temples. Being upset by his own son like this left his chest feeling unbearably constricted.

“You—go and summon Cheng Lei to the manor,” he suddenly ordered the young eunuch at his side.

The eunuch froze for a moment, wanting to ask who Cheng Lei was, yet afraid of provoking him. He could only acknowledge the command and planned to seek out his master for clarification once outside.

“The newly appointed deputy commander in our manor is surnamed Cheng. He has a son called Cheng Lei.” Zhao Yun’s personal eunuch shook his head and quietly prompted his apprentice.

When Ling Yu learned that the Crown Prince wished to see her son, her expression darkened slightly. She glanced at Xiao Shitou, who was looking up expectantly, waiting for his snacks. After a brief hesitation, she asked, “Might the eunuch know why His Highness wishes to summon my child?”

The young eunuch had not expected Cheng Lei to be a three-year-old child and stood there for quite a while before reacting. Hearing Ling Yu’s question, impatience flickered across his face, but mindful of Cheng Shaotang, he did not dare show disrespect.

“How would servants like us know His Highness’s thoughts? Madam Cheng, please don’t delay. Hurry and prepare the young master, and come with me to see His Highness.”

Ling Yu had no choice but to help Xiao Shitou change into the clothes she had sewn not long ago. She instructed him to behave himself at the Crown Prince’s residence and not to be mischievous. At the end, she discreetly slipped the eunuch a silver ingot.

“My son is still young and was raised in the countryside. I fear he may offend someone of rank. I ask that you offer him guidance in all matters.”

The young eunuch’s expression eased somewhat. He accepted it with a smile.

“Madam Cheng, you’re too kind.”

After speaking, he scooped up Xiao Shitou and left.

Ling Yu hurried after him, watching her son being placed into a sedan chair and carried away, before anxiously returning to her room and closing the door.

What could the Crown Prince want with a three-year-old child? Was this another attempt to use her son to pressure the family? But now her husband was his legitimate subordinate—any task could be assigned directly.

She paced nervously, anxiously awaiting Cheng Shaotang’s return to get some clarity.

Zhao Yun then had a table laid with various exquisite and tempting pastries, yet he sat at his desk, flipping through documents, showing no intention of eating. His attendants could only stare in confusion.

About fifteen minutes later, a eunuch entered to report, “Your Highness, Cheng Lei has arrived.”

“Let him in!” Zhao Yun tossed aside the documents, looked toward the door, and saw Xiao Shitou’s tiny figure appear.

“Aren’t you going to greet His Highness?” The eunuch who led the child in saw him merely staring with wide, shiny black eyes, looking around in curiosity, showing no sign of bowing. Impatient, the eunuch gave him a gentle push.

The little boy tumbled onto his bottom, staring blankly with his mouth slightly open, entirely bewildered.

“How dare you! What do you think you’re doing?!” Zhao Yun shouted furiously.

The eunuch, terrified, fell to his knees with a thud: “Your Highness, please forgive me…”

“Get out!”

The eunuch dared not linger, scrambling away in a hurry.

Xiao Shitou remained sitting on the ground, biting his finger and blinking curiously.

Zhao Yun glared at him for a moment, then sneered, “Your mother hasn’t even taught you basic manners? Truly an unreliable woman! Come here!”

Xiao Shitou tilted his head, thought for a moment, and obediently got up: “Uncle!”

“Uncle? Aren’t you afraid of shortening your lifespan?!” Zhao Yun glared again.

The little boy pouted unhappily at the stern look.

Zhao Yun suddenly felt his mood lighten a bit. Leaning back in his chair, he pointed to the table laden with tempting pastries: “Want some?”

Xiao Shitou looked where he pointed. His eyes lit up instantly, and he nodded vigorously, replying in a clear, loud voice, “Yes!!”

“Stand in the middle of the room and loudly say ‘I’m stupid’ three times, and all these pastries will be yours!” Zhao Yun smiled slightly.

“I’m not stupid!” the little boy protested loudly, clearly unhappy.

“You can’t even bow properly. What are you if not an idiot?” Zhao Yun sneered.

“Say it, and these pastries are yours. If you won’t, stand here until you do!”

“I’m not an idiot!” Xiao Shitou shouted even louder.

Zhao Yun ignored him and reopened the files on the table.

Seeing that he was being ignored and looking around this unfamiliar place, Xiao Shitou pouted, but his father and mother weren’t here, and crying wouldn’t help.

Though Zhao Yun appeared focused on the files, he was actually watching the little boy closely. He saw him pout as if he wanted to cry, yet for some reason, he didn’t.

After a moment, he clumsily climbed down the stone steps to leave, but after a few steps, the guards outside pulled him back. His little face was almost all scrunched up in a frown.

Zhao Yun thought the child would finally cry, but instead, he just sniffled, rubbed his eyes pitifully, and still didn’t cry.

He was puzzled.

During their escape, he had witnessed many things. This kid could fake or genuinely cry at will, and Zhao Yun had fallen for his tricks before.

Xiao Shitou stood for a while, his legs trembling, then plopped down on the ground. Staring at Zhao Yun with his big, bright eyes, he noticed Zhao Yun’s gaze turning toward him and shouted loudly, “I’m not stupid!”

Zhao Yun suddenly felt like laughing, but quickly suppressed it, pretending not to hear the little boy, and buried himself in the files again.

After a while, hearing no further movement, he frowned and looked over, instantly furious.

Somehow, the little guy had climbed onto the long couch, curled up, and was sleeping soundly. He seemed to be dreaming of something delicious, occasionally smacking his lips as if savoring it.

Zhao Yun glared at him for a moment, and seeing him still blissfully asleep, he couldn’t resist poking his chubby cheek, intending to wake him. Unexpectedly, Xiao Shitou swatted his hand away with a quick swing of his short arm and went back to sleeping sweetly, completely unaware that he had nearly made someone’s nose flare in anger.

“Your Highness, I, Cheng Shaotang, request an audience!” Zhao Yun, itching to grab the naughty boy and scold him, suddenly heard the child’s father’s voice outside, followed by a cold laugh.

“Come in!” He sat down again, and seeing Cheng Shaotang stride in hurriedly, he said coldly, “What? Guard Cheng is afraid I’ll harm your son?”

Cheng Shaotang, seeing his son soundly asleep, breathed a sigh of relief. Hearing Zhao Yun’s annoyed words, he said respectfully, “Your Highness is too kind. My son is young and ignorant, impulsive and unaware of his place. I only feared he might offend Your Highness.”

Zhao Yun snorted coldly. “Take him away! I get angry just looking at him!”

“Yes!” Cheng Shaotang replied, took his son into his arms, bowed to Zhao Yun, and then left.

“Someone, throw all these snacks out! I find them disgusting.” After walking a short distance, he suddenly heard Zhao Yun’s voice from inside. He frowned in confusion but didn’t stop, carrying his son home.

Seeing that her son had returned safely, Ling Yu finally breathed a sigh of relief and quickly took the little boy. Learning that he had only napped in Zhao Yun’s study, she was suspicious, finding the unpredictable Crown Prince even harder to understand.

“His Highness may be capable, but he wouldn’t harm a three-year-old. I think you’re worrying too much,” Cheng Shaotang said.

“Isn’t this just worry blinding me? A perfectly healthy Crown Prince suddenly summons a three-year-old, who could feel at ease?” Ling Yu said, somewhat aggrieved.

Cheng Shaotang couldn’t understand why Zhao Yun suddenly wanted to see his son, but over the past days, he had grown accustomed to not asking questions even when puzzled. After all, his current position didn’t allow him to clarify everything.

Sometimes, knowing more isn’t a good thing.

However, the next day, when Chu Liang arrived with a tutor from the Crown Prince’s residence, saying the Crown Princess had sent her to teach Ling Yu etiquette, he was immediately taken aback.

Ling Yu was equally bewildered. Why should a commoner like her learn the etiquette of high-ranking families?

But since the assignment had come from above, they had no choice but to comply.

The following day, when she was sore and stiff enough to avoid the tutor like the plague, she finally understood the “malicious intent” of those above.