Chapter 28.

When Xue Shu stepped outside to fetch someone, he ran straight into Zheng Duobao, who was rushing about with a little eunuch in tow, looking frantically for someone.

Zheng Duobao, slightly on the plump side, was sweating profusely as he hurried along. Spotting Xue Shu, he hastened forward and asked, “Xue Supervisor, have you seen His Highness?”

Zheng Duobao had been serving His Highness just moments ago when a young palace maid reported that two guests outside the Jiao Garden were causing a commotion. Worried about the banquet’s order, he rushed over to handle the situation. But upon arrival, he discovered the “commotion” was merely two drunken guests exchanging heated words. Seeing no real issue, he returned to His Highness's side—only to find him gone.

The attendants nearby had all claimed to see His Highness leave, unaccompanied, but none could say where he had gone.

Having served in the palace for decades, Zheng Duobao’s instincts screamed that something wasn’t right. With growing urgency, he began searching everywhere he could think of.

“His Highness is resting in the side hall,” Xue Shu informed him coolly.

Zheng Duobao exhaled in relief, patting his chest. “Good, that’s a load off my mind. I’ll go check on him myself.”

As Zheng Duobao moved toward the side hall, Xue Shu raised a hand to stop him. “His Highness drank too much, vomited several times, and soiled his robes. You’ve come at the perfect time, Eunuch Zheng—would you mind fetching a fresh set of clothes?”

Banquets typically had spare clothing prepared for the royals in case of such mishaps, so Zheng Duobao quickly sent someone to retrieve a set.

When he brought the clean robes to the side hall, Xue Shu took them from him, leaving Zheng Duobao puzzled. “Is there something else, Supervisor Xue?”

Expression steady, Xue Shu replied, “I suspect His Highness’s drink was tampered with. I’ve ordered a search of Chongzhi Hall, but as I’m unfamiliar with the layout, I’d appreciate it if you could oversee the search discreetly.”

At the mention of tampering, Zheng Duobao’s face darkened with fury. “Typical underhanded tricks in this palace! How is His Highness now?”

“He’s fine,” Xue Shu assured him, holding the robes as he made his way into the side hall. “I leave the search in your capable hands.”

Fuming, Zheng Duobao wasted no time in gathering trusted attendants from the Eastern Palace to comb through Chongzhi Hall.

Meanwhile, Xue Shu returned to the side hall with the fresh robes.

Yin Chengyu was seated on a curved armchair, his head lowered in deep thought. Dressed in nothing but a thin white undergarment, his loosened collar revealed a glimpse of fair, smooth skin. Gone was the composed and dignified image he usually carried. Instead, he radiated a careless charm reminiscent of the libertine scholars of bygone eras.

“Have they found anything yet?” Yin Chengyu asked, looking up lazily as Xue Shu entered. His voice carried a sultry rasp, still heavy with drowsiness.

“I’ve already sent people to search every corner.” Xue Shu lowered his gaze and approached, offering the robes.

Yin Chengyu hummed softly, taking the garments and stepping behind the silk screen to change.

The screen, thin as gossamer, bore a delicate ink painting of misty mountains and rivers. Yet, it barely concealed the silhouette of the figure behind it, teasing the imagination.

Xue Shu’s eyes remained glued to that shadowy outline, unbidden thoughts of their earlier intimate moment creeping into his mind.

“Xue Shu,” Yin Chengyu called from behind the screen, snapping him out of his reverie.

Shaking off his wayward thoughts, Xue Shu steadied himself and stepped behind the screen.

Yin Chengyu had already slipped into his inner garment. The ornate outer robe lay sprawled across the luohan bed he had just been reclining on.

Arms raised slightly, chin tilted with quiet authority, Yin Chengyu ordered, “Dress me.”

Xue Shu’s gaze flickered briefly to the bed before quickly averting. He dared not linger, dared not think.

Wordlessly, he picked up the robe and began dressing Yin Chengyu with precise care.

As he knelt to secure the jade ornament at the waist, Yin Chengyu looked down at him. The faint sheen of sweat on Xue Shu’s brow didn’t escape his notice. Reaching out, he brushed his fingers lightly across the damp skin, a sly smile playing on his lips. “Is it really that hot?”

Xue Shu froze momentarily but said nothing.

With his head bowed, he swiftly finished fastening the jade ornament before standing and stepping back.

Yin Chengyu let out a soft chuckle, tossing his soiled garments into Xue Shu’s arms. “Wash these for me.”

Without waiting for a response, he strode out from behind the screen, leaving Xue Shu standing there, stiff and silent.

Alone now, Xue Shu looked down at the robes in his hands. After a long moment, he tightened his grip, fingers curling protectively around the delicate white undergarment, his expression unreadable.

*

Yin Chengyu finished dressing and was met by Zheng Duobao, who had come to report.

Seeing Zheng Duobao's peculiar expression, Yin Chengyu raised an eyebrow. "Did you find them? Who is it?"

Zheng Duobao leaned in close, whispering a name into his ear.

"Rong Pin?" Yin Chengyu's initial shock gave way to clarity.

Of course, it had to be her.

Everyone in the palace knew of the longstanding grudge between Noble Consort Wen and Rong Pin. And the tainted wine? It had passed through Yin Chengzhang’s hands before reaching him. Even if the plot was exposed, all fingers would point to Noble Consort Wen and her son.

Whoever orchestrated this scheme was viciously calculating.

“I’ll go see for myself.” Yin Chengyu sighed, striding off without waiting for a response.

If Rong Pin was involved this time, then perhaps the consort implicated in his downfall during his previous life had been her as well.

Back then, things were chaotic. He had barely met Rong Pin before and hadn’t had the chance to scrutinize her face. Later, the matter was buried by Emperor Longfeng, his position as crown prince stripped away, and the implicated consort sentenced to drink poisoned wine.

Now that he thought about it, when he returned to the palace five years later, the names Rong Pin and Yin Ciguang had become forbidden topics. The servants’ pale faces whenever they were mentioned hinted at more than just Yin Ciguang’s royal lineage.

Rong Pin, it seemed, had also been the woman accused of an illicit affair with him.

The timing matched perfectly. Rong Pin died, and not long after, Yin Ciguang followed, succumbing to illness.

Zheng Duobao started to advise caution but, noticing Yin Chengyu's darkening expression, swallowed his words. Instead, he ordered guards to keep watch, ensuring no one could further twist the narrative.

Rong Pin was confined to the west wing of Chongzhi Hall. She had been drugged and had only regained consciousness moments earlier. A maid had dressed her, but her hair remained disheveled, and her face was painted with panic.

When Yin Chengyu entered, she dropped her gaze immediately, her trembling voice barely audible. "Your Highness..."

Waking in a strange place, her clothes disheveled, she had realized she’d been dragged into someone’s trap. But to find the Crown Prince as the other victim?

She tried to maintain composure, but her hands, folded tightly over her abdomen, betrayed her fear.

Yin Chengyu noticed her distress and opened his mouth to reassure her when a weak, familiar voice interrupted.

"Mother!"

All eyes turned as Yin Ciguang, pale and unsteady, hurried into the room with the help of a maid. Though his body swayed from exhaustion, he forced himself forward, placing himself protectively between Rong Bin and Yin Chengyu.

He knelt low, his head bowed deeply, coughing as he spoke. "Your Highness... please believe... my mother is merely a victim in this plot."

The room was silent except for his labored breaths. Despite his lowly posture, there was no mistaking his plea’s sincerity.

Yin Chengyu sighed, his gaze softening. He hadn’t come to punish them—both mother and son were collateral damage in his ordeal, in this life and the last.

Lifting Yin Ciguang to his feet, he said gently, "Elder Princess, there is no need for concern. Today’s events will not leave this room." He turned to Zheng Duobao. "The wine was tampered with. Investigate the kitchens thoroughly and find the source. Ensure the Elder Princess and Lady Rong are escorted back safely. I’ll have no more surprises tonight."

His tone left no room for argument. It was a decisive gesture, shielding both Rong Pin and her son from further scrutiny.

Yin Ciguang glanced at him, surprised by his mercy. Lowering her gaze quickly, she murmured her gratitude. "Thank you, Your Highness, for your generosity."

From the Crown Prince’s position, he could have exposed everything. The scheme had failed to implicate him, and as the victim, he’d have emerged unscathed.

The only one who stood to lose everything was Rong Pin.

With her low status and lack of the Emperor’s favor, her reputation had already suffered. Being drugged and nearly thrown into the Crown Prince’s bed would have sealed her fate. Even if nothing had occurred, her name was irreparably tarnished. If Yin Chengyu exposed the plot, Emperor Longfeng wouldn’t pity her—he’d likely order her death to end the scandal.

Yin Chengyu’s decision to conceal the incident was deliberate—a move to protect Rong Pin.

As Yin Ciguang helped her mother leave, she couldn’t help but glance back.

Yin Chengyu, surrounded by attendants, strode in the opposite direction, his violet robes billowing as he moved. His every step exuded authority and grace, a man untouchable, almost divine.

*

After escorting the two back, Zheng Duobao reported back to Yin Chengyu.

He knew full well that the Crown Prince's actions were meant to protect Consort Rong, but the unease in his chest simmered: "So we're just letting the person who framed His Highness get away with it?"

Yin Chengyu shook his head, a sly smile tugging at his lips. "Let them go? Hardly. When you're playing chess, you don’t follow your opponent's moves blindly. Otherwise, you walk right into their trap."

If Yin Chengjing dared make his move, he’d already scrubbed himself clean of any direct connection. If this scheme was exposed recklessly, not only would Consort Rong be dragged into the mess, but the fallout would undoubtedly lead back to Noble Consort Wen and Yin Chengzhang.

Noble Consort Wen, beloved and untouchable for years, sat firmly in Emperor Longfeng’s favor. A master manipulator, she had cultivated a network of loyal court officials to support her rather dull-witted son, Yin Chengzhang.

If Yin Chengyu threw accusations around and dragged Yin Chengzhang into the spotlight, Noble Consort Wen would never sit back and take the blame. What would follow? A public clash between the Crown Prince's faction and the Second Prince’s faction.

And the real mastermind? They’d sit back, watching the chaos unfold, reaping the benefits.

No, Yin Chengyu wasn’t about to let Yin Chengjing play puppetmaster behind the curtain.

Drumming his fingers lightly on the desk, he commanded Zheng Duobao, his voice low and sharp: "Keep a close eye on the Imperial Kitchen and make the uproar loud. Let everyone know that the poisoned wine came straight from Yin Chengzhang’s hands."

Then, turning his head slightly toward Xue Shu, he added, "Didn’t you say you caught a sneaky eunuch lurking around? Personally deliver him to Noble Consort Wen."

Since Yin Chengjing wanted to stoke flames between him and Yin Chengzhang, Yin Chengyu decided to fan those flames and toss in a bit of oil.

Noble Consort Wen wasn’t stupid. She wouldn’t let herself be framed so easily. While she might not be able to directly touch Yin Chengjing, his mother, Consort De, was still forced to tiptoe around Noble Consort Wen's whims.

Xue Shu took the captured eunuch to Jingren Palace.

The commotion in the Imperial Kitchen had already reached Noble Consort Wen’s ears. She’d been enjoying the show, only to have the fire suddenly turned on her.

When she saw the trembling eunuch bound and kneeling before her, her delicate face twisted for a fleeting moment.

"My thanks to you, Eunuch Xue."

Xue Shu remained calm and detached. "It was pure chance that I stumbled upon this, Noble Consort. The Crown Prince commanded me to deliver him here, so I merely carried out the task. Your thanks are unwarranted."

He made no attempt to hide the fact that he was acting under the Crown Prince’s orders.

Noble Consort Wen, astute as ever, immediately grasped the underlying message.

Xue Shu was a trusted figure by the Emperor’s side. Someone had tried to poison the Crown Prince, and the Crown Prince had caught the suspect. Yet, instead of broadcasting it to the court, he discreetly sent the culprit to her.

Adding to that, rumors from the Imperial Kitchen suggested that the poisoned wine was gifted by the Second Prince.

The Crown Prince's intentions were clear: I know Yin Chengzhang didn’t poison me. I’ve handed the suspect over to you. If someone’s framing him, it’s your mess to clean up.

Even if Emperor Longfeng asked about this later, Noble Consort Wen would have no grounds to accuse the Crown Prince.

He had effectively cornered her, forcing her to confront the true culprit. Without lifting a finger, he’d set the stage for the truth to reveal itself.

And he was banking on her pride and fury to drive her forward.

Noble Consort Wen dismissed Xue Shu, her expression dark as she stared down at the eunuch for a long moment.

"Take him away. Interrogate him thoroughly!"

———Author’s Note: Puppy (spicy): Don’t I serve you better than Zheng Duobao? Zheng Duobao: ???