Chapter 12: Seeking Peace

The next day.

Ye Cheng returned once again to the Palace of Prosperity. Today, he was to accompany the Crown Princess to the morning court.

He wore a red official robe, perfectly tailored to his frame, and with his handsome features, he appeared every bit the scion of a noble family. Yet, his current status was that of a eunuch.

When the palace maids saw Ye Cheng approaching, their eyes lit up, lingering upon his striking face. Although the maids could not marry, they could become companions with eunuchs, sharing their lives in a partnership akin to husband and wife. This arrangement was commonplace within the palace.

As the deputy steward of the Crown Prince’s residence, with his refined looks and upright bearing, Ye Cheng was undoubtedly the ideal candidate in the eyes of the palace maids. Many greeted him warmly, stepping forward to pay their respects. Ye Cheng responded graciously, gifting them small silver notes and jewelry, earning their admiration.

He now carried small amounts of silver and jewelry with him at all times, a means to win hearts and minds.

When Lin Yaoxue saw Ye Cheng stride into the bedchamber, her gaze lingered on his elegant features, his deep eyes causing her to lose herself for a moment. Truly, he was worthy of being the former Crown Prince; dressed in high-ranking official attire, he was dignified and extraordinary. She thought to herself, “If only he were not a eunuch.”

“Your humble servant greets the Crown Princess,” Ye Cheng bowed respectfully.

“That’s enough. When no one else is present, you needn’t bother with these formalities,” Lin Yaoxue replied with composure.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Ye Cheng said.

“Come, help me with my outer robe,” Lin Yaoxue instructed.

Ye Cheng smiled as he stepped forward. At that moment, Lin Yaoxue wore only a plain blue palace gown, its neckline shallow, revealing skin as white as jade, her every glance radiant and captivating.

Ye Cheng’s hands were less than proper, gently caressing her soft waist. After all, this scoundrel had already seen everything; Lin Yaoxue no longer minded. Her delicate cheeks bloomed with a blush like apricot flowers, and she glared at Ye Cheng, saying, “Enough mischief! If you keep this up, I’ll have your hands chopped off!”

Though her tone was stern, her enchanting expression betrayed her true feelings. But Ye Cheng knew it was not the time and refrained from any further impropriety, instead helping her into the voluminous outer robe.

Once dressed in formal attire, Lin Yaoxue became dignified, though her star-like eyes still carried a hint of alluring charm.

...

After court convened, Ye Cheng stood behind the Crown Princess.

Within the Golden Throne Hall, the dragon throne remained empty. Below it, two desks were placed—one for the Crown Prince, one for the Crown Princess.

Ling Xiaoyue saw Ye Cheng standing behind the Crown Princess and was not surprised; last night, Officer Feiyan had already briefed him on the matter.

“This little minx seems infatuated with that wretch. All the better—now I can put my plan into action.” Ling Xiaoyue’s phoenix eyes flickered with a cold glint.

“Long live the Crown Prince!”

“Long live the Crown Princess!”

The assembled ministers bowed to the Crown Prince and Crown Princess. By now, the court officials were aware, to varying degrees, of the Emperor’s illness. It was said that in the past two days, the Emperor’s condition had worsened, and only the urgent care of the Imperial Medical Bureau had saved him. Yet, his health showed no improvement and he could pass at any moment.

The simultaneous appearance of the Crown Prince and Crown Princess at court was a clear signal.

“Rise, all of you. Yesterday, the envoy from Jin presented a challenge. Have you found the answer?” Ling Xiaoyue’s gaze swept the hall.

At once, the officials fell silent, not a sound to be heard.

“Hah! In my opinion, your Great Zhou has no wise men and cannot possibly solve Jin’s riddle,” sneered a middle-aged man in a green robe, fair-faced and smug, his proud gaze sweeping over those present.

“Zhao Qianli, don’t be so arrogant!” an elder minister rebuked.

“Lord Lu, as Minister of Rites, learned and wise, have you solved the mystery of the bronze Buddha?” Zhao Qianli replied with a disdainful glance.

The elder’s face flushed red, glaring at Zhao Qianli in frustration, but he said nothing.

Seeing Lord Lu’s silence, Zhao Qianli grew even more pleased, laughing, “Your scholars in Great Zhou might ponder for ten days or half a month and still not understand.”

The crowd simmered with indignation, yet none could find a solution.

“Lord Zhao, the bronze Buddha riddle is quite simple. I have already solved it,” Ling Xiaoyue said, casting a furtive glance at Ye Cheng, her pale cheeks tinged with red, a faint blush blooming.

After all, she intended to steal Ye Cheng’s solution, and her conscience pricked at her.

Ye Cheng inwardly scoffed.

“Oh? The Crown Prince has solved it? Would you care to explain?” Zhao Qianli squinted.

Ling Xiaoyue ordered the four bronze Buddhas to be brought into the hall, and, before the assembled ministers, she repeated Ye Cheng’s explanation.

“Brilliant! Absolutely brilliant!”

“So that’s the bronze Buddha riddle—so simple! I thought there might be some mechanism within.”

“Haha, I even wondered if we should smash them open and see if there was treasure inside.”

“The Crown Prince is truly remarkable! Great Zhou is fortunate indeed!”

“Haha, Zhao Qianli claimed we’d never solve it, yet the Crown Prince did so in a single night.”

The ministers discussed animatedly, praising the Crown Prince.

Hearing their compliments, Ling Xiaoyue’s cheeks flushed with embarrassment, especially with Ye Cheng present.

Ling Xiaoyue cleared her throat lightly, fixing her gaze on Zhao Qianli. “Lord Zhao, is my solution correct?”

Zhao Qianli looked uneasy, quickly bowing, “The Crown Prince of Great Zhou is indeed of dragon and phoenix lineage, unmatched in wisdom, and solved it in a single night.”

Ling Xiaoyue smiled inwardly.

If Zhao Qianli knew that Ye Cheng had solved it at a glance, he’d be utterly stunned.

Suddenly, Zhao Qianli switched topics, continuing, “Great Zhou is a land of literary excellence, its ministers learned and wise. I have an upper line for a couplet and hope you can provide the matching lower line.”

“Again?” Ling Xiaoyue’s brow furrowed with displeasure.

Although Jin had come seeking peace and Great Zhou held the advantage, Great Zhou needed this negotiation. With the Emperor gravely ill and likely to pass soon, turmoil could follow. Thus, Jin’s efforts to pose obstacles and delay were understandable.

“Please proceed, Lord Zhao,” Ling Xiaoyue said.

Zhao Qianli unfolded his paper fan, speaking with pride, “Listen well. My upper line is: ‘On the painting, the lotus is painted by a monk.’ Now, please provide the lower line.”

His words plunged the hall into silence once more.

Everyone scratched their heads, pondering desperately.

Suddenly, Ye Cheng let out an unexpected laugh.