Chapter Four: Crown Prince Zhao Heng
The next morning.
At the break of dawn, Li Yunjie was roused from sleep by Shi Yi’s urgent knocking at his door.
He opened the door, still groggy, yawning. “What’s the matter?”
“Still asleep, young master?” Shi Yi replied with a hint of exasperation. “The entire Prime Minister’s Residence is surrounded.”
Li Yunjie was instantly wide awake. “What happened?”
“How would I know?” Shi Yi shook his head. “Just now, dozens of men in black armor showed up at the gate. They look pretty intimidating.”
“The Black Tortoise Guards?!” Li Yunjie’s brow furrowed.
The Black Tortoise Guards were the Emperor’s personal gift to the Crown Prince—a force renowned as one of the most formidable in all of the capital. Though individually, their strength didn’t reach the Fifth Grade, their superb equipment and seamless coordination gave this iron-blooded legion the power to withstand even a Third Grade minor grandmaster.
The arrival of the Black Tortoise Guards could only mean the Crown Prince himself was here.
“What sort of performance is this?” Li Yunjie muttered under his breath. “Why would the Crown Prince come to the Prime Minister’s Residence?”
Without further delay, Li Yunjie quickly straightened his clothes and hurried toward the great hall.
Inside, several Black Tortoise Guards stood in imposing lines on either side, their presence filling the air with a sense of impending violence.
Crown Prince Zhao Heng, clad in a four-clawed python robe, sat in the central seat.
Li Yunjie approached, taking his place beside Su Qingmeng, and bowed low. “Greetings, Your Highness, Crown Prince.”
“How dare you!”
Before Zhao Heng could respond, the maid Bai Xue spoke out sharply, “How dare you not kneel before His Highness!”
Li Yunjie’s heart tightened.
He was, after all, the heir of Beiling—a prince of a different surname, true, but by custom not required to kneel.
Yet Bai Xue’s aggressive tone made it clear she held him in no regard.
This was a lesson in humiliation for Li Yunjie.
“Am I, the noble heir, to be bullied by a mere servant girl?” Li Yunjie thought.
He strode swiftly to Bai Xue, grinning.
Smack!
A crisp slap rang out, echoing through the hall.
Everyone present was left gaping in shock.
The Black Tortoise Guards instantly drew their swords, ready to take Li Yunjie’s head.
Tension spiked; the atmosphere grew razor-sharp.
Su Qingmeng’s eyes were wide with disbelief at the scene before her, her sword tassel shifting slightly to reveal a glint of cold steel.
Beside her, Su Xiyan gasped, instinctively shrinking behind Su Qingmeng.
Even the always composed Su Ming nearly lost his footing.
Everyone in the capital knew that Bai Xue had served Zhao Heng for more than a decade and was considered one of his closest confidantes.
To strike her was to strike Zhao Heng himself!
No one could have foreseen that the usually meek and inept Li Yunjie would dare commit such an audacious act in public.
“Outrageous!” Before anyone else could react, Li Yunjie snapped, “A mere maid dares speak to me in such a manner?!”
“I am the heir of Beiling, the Crown Prince’s own half-brother.”
“If you dare treat me so today, would you treat His Highness the same in the future?”
“This slap is a gift from me on behalf of His Highness!”
He then glanced down at Zhao Heng, seated on his golden nanmu chair, his gaze mocking.
“Isn’t that right, Your Highness?”
For a long moment, Zhao Heng was speechless. Normally, Li Yunjie would have been groveling on the floor by now.
Why was he so unyielding today?
What irked Zhao Heng even more was that he had no grounds for rebuttal.
To be humiliated in front of so many people left Zhao Heng’s face dark with anger. The jade ring on his thumb scraped harshly against the teacup.
“So, it’s the heir of Li. No wonder you looked so familiar,” Zhao Heng forced a stiff smile, knowing he was at a disadvantage.
He shot Bai Xue a cold look. “Well? Apologize to the young master at once!”
Bai Xue, cradling the red mark on her cheek, was indignant but, under orders, could only swallow her pride.
“It was my oversight, young master. Please forgive me.”
“Enough.” Li Yunjie waved a hand. “I am not a petty man.”
He exchanged a glance and a smile with Zhao Heng, then returned to Su Qingmeng’s side.
Zhao Heng composed himself, lifting his teacup to take a sip.
He spat it out in disgust. “Prime Minister Su, is this the kind of tea you drink every day?”
Apparently stung by Li Yunjie’s defiance, Zhao Heng took his irritation out on Su Ming.
Su Ming collected himself and bowed with a smile. “Your Highness, forgive my lack of skill in the art of tea.”
“But this tea was bestowed by His Majesty—it is by no means mediocre.”
Having been twice put in his place, Zhao Heng grew even more annoyed. He set his cup down with a bang, his expression darkening further.
Bai Xue quickly removed the teacup and replaced it with a tray of exquisite fruit.
“Let us speak of business.” Zhao Heng plucked a grape and placed it in his mouth. “What are your plans regarding the matter of Taihu Academy?”
Su Ming replied calmly, “The matter is not yet settled. I dare not speak rashly.”
“Is it not clear enough already?” The Crown Prince suddenly rose. “I’ve heard all about your household’s troubles.”
“The alleged affair between Li Yunjie and Miss Xiyan was nothing but a malicious frame-up by those scoundrels at Taihu Academy.”
He spoke directly, making his intentions clear—he was prepared.
Li Yunjie’s heart lurched. Su Ming had not spread word of this incident.
Yet Zhao Heng knew so quickly.
There was only one possibility: there was a spy for the Eastern Palace within the Prime Minister’s Residence.
But Su Ming remained unruffled, betraying no emotion.
Unmoved by Zhao Heng’s words, he did not react.
Zhao Heng, seeing Su Ming’s composure, began to lose his patience.
“Prime Minister Su,” he stepped forward, “I know you have always favored Taihu Academy.”
“But the Starshift Talisman is unique to Taihu Academy.”
“The evidence is overwhelming—you cannot protect them!”
Su Ming flicked his sleeve and replied calmly, “Your Highness, I must advise caution. I act only in accordance with the law, and have shown no favoritism toward Taihu Academy.”
Seeing Su Ming unmoved, Zhao Heng pressed closer and patted him on the shoulder. “I came today to warn you.”
“The court is already aware of this matter.”
“At this very moment, petitions are being drafted to charge Taihu Academy with framing a high minister of the court.”
“This is a capital offense.”
Zhao Heng’s smile was razor-sharp, his words veiled threats. Outwardly, he played the concerned friend, but beneath it all lurked menace and a desire to kick a man when he was down.
Su Ming responded with a question, “Then, Your Highness, what do you suggest I do?”
“It’s simple,” Zhao Heng said cheerfully, sensing Su Ming’s hesitation. “All you need to do is lead the charge and impeach Taihu Academy.”
“I will ensure you have my support at court.”
“That way, you can protect yourself.”
It was a cunning move—he could bring down Taihu Academy and secure Su Ming’s gratitude in one stroke.
But Su Ming did not bite, merely smiling faintly, neither agreeing nor refusing.
It was Li Yunjie who spoke first. “Your Highness, you are most thorough in your machinations.”
“However, I fear this case may not be the work of Taihu Academy at all.”
Zhao Heng shot him a sidelong glance, his patience spent. “And who do you think you are?”
“Is this your place to speak?”
Li Yunjie stepped forward. “With respect, Your Highness, you are mistaken.”
“Prime Minister Su entrusted me with full authority over this matter yesterday.”
“He has given me three days to solve the case.”
Zhao Heng’s face was incredulous.
After a long pause, he burst out laughing. “You?”
He laughed so hard he nearly doubled over, losing all composure.
“Three days?!”
“Hahahaha…”
In stark contrast, Su Qingmeng’s face was grave with worry. She kicked Li Yunjie hard.
Her lips parted as if to mutter something—most likely a curse.
“And what have you discovered?” After a long while, Zhao Heng managed to compose himself, resting his hand on Li Yunjie’s shoulder.
But the sight of Li Yunjie’s innocent face only made his laughter threaten to return.
Li Yunjie remained silent, gazing intently at Zhao Heng, lost in thought.
“Very well!” Seeing Li Yunjie’s silence, Zhao Heng declared arrogantly, “Three days, then!”
“I will report to His Majesty at once. If you fail to solve the case—”
“That would be deceiving the Emperor…”
“No need!” Li Yunjie’s clear voice rang out before Zhao Heng could finish.
“The case is already solved!”