Taking the Princess as My Wife - Chapter 11

Liu Ruheng’s breath hitched; the three words “Hongmen Banquet” immediately leaped into her mind.

The area near Manjiang Pavilion was bustling. When Liu Ruheng and the others arrived, it happened to coincide with the end of the morning market. With so many pedestrians coming and going, the three of them had no choice but to lead their horses on foot.

Gong Fan took this opportunity to tell Liu Ruheng and Cheng Xuehai the contents of his secret discussion with Vice Minister Qiu. He had learned that Pang Jitong loved the “atmosphere of the mortal world.” During his days off, he often came to Manjiang Pavilion to drink tea, and later in the evening, he would head to Baihua Pavilion (The Pavilion of a Hundred Flowers).

Upon arriving at Manjiang Pavilion, Gong Fan went to find the shopkeeper. He was a burly man dressed in official uniform, possessing a highly intimidating presence.

The shopkeeper stepped forward, trembling with a forced smile, and said, “Officer, what honorable business brings you to Manjiang Pavilion?”

Gong Fan questioned him, “Shopkeeper, do you know Master Pang Jitong?”

The shopkeeper hesitated for a moment before saying, “I have heard of the gentleman’s name.”

“Did Master Pang Jitong come to Manjiang Pavilion yesterday?”

Hearing this, the shopkeeper breathed a sigh of relief and said, “Master Pang did not come to Manjiang Pavilion yesterday.”

Gong Fan pondered for a moment and asked again, “With whom does Master Pang usually come?”

The shopkeeper looked troubled. He rubbed his hands together and greeted them by having a waiter serve a pot of fine tea before smiling apologetically again. “Sir, aren’t you making things difficult for me? So many guests come to Manjiang Pavilion in a single day, who could remember—”

Before the shopkeeper could finish his sentence, he was frightened into silence by a short blade that Gong Fan slammed onto the table. Gong Fan’s conduct was like that of a bandit as he threatened, “I have plenty of ways to make it impossible for you to stay in the capital. Speak up now.”

“Sir… Sir, please calm your anger. I will speak.” The shopkeeper moved slightly further away from Gong Fan, his voice trembling. He swallowed hard and said cautiously, “Only, Sir, if I speak, please do not let it spread. If it is discovered that I leaked the news, my entire family, young and old, will not have a good life.”

Gong Fan gave a “tsk,” pulled the short blade from the table, and tossed it into the shopkeeper’s arms. He said with some impatience, “If anyone causes you trouble, take this blade and find me at the Court of Judicial Review (Dali Si).”

The shopkeeper felt reassured and said with a sheepish smile, “I will only say this once, so please listen carefully, my lords. Master Pang often meets with the courtesan, Miss Mi Jing of Baihua Pavilion, in a private room.”

After circling around, they had unexpectedly ended up back at Baihua Pavilion.

Liu Ruheng was somewhat curious as to why Gong Fan, as a Temple Justice (Dali Si Zheng) of the Court of Judicial Review, behaved in such a manner.

Cheng Xuehai provided the answer: Gong Fan’s rise to the position of Temple Justice was purely a stroke of luck. He was previously just a runner for the Court of Judicial Review, but because he successfully captured the true culprit every single time, his rank rose steadily until he reached his current position.

However… Liu Ruheng stole a glance at Cheng Xuehai. Why was he still only a Registrar (Zhubu)? Asking this question would be impolite, so Liu Ruheng could only suppress her curiosity.

Cheng Xuehai seemed to guess what Liu Ruheng was thinking. He snorted coldly. “Are you thinking about why I am still a lowly Registrar at my age?”

Liu Ruheng gave a couple of sheepish smiles but did not answer.

“The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review is no good. It’s a pity for our Vice Minister Lu; he works himself to the bone every day, only for that grandson of a thief to snatch the credit.”

Liu Ruheng thought to herself that this was bad news and brushed it off with a vague remark. It seemed the conflict between Vice Minister Lu and the Minister was significant. She was just a small, powerless Registrar; it was better not to get caught in the middle of a factional struggle.

Fortunately, Gong Fan called out to the two of them at that moment. “Go back and change your clothes. We will meet at Baihua Pavilion later this evening.”

Evening, Baihua Pavilion.

Liu Ruheng stood at the entrance, feeling somewhat nervous.

Unlike ordinary brothels, Baihua Pavilion did not have people soliciting customers at the door, but it still possessed an air of extravagant decadence. Gong Fan and Cheng Xuehai arrived a little late. Once everyone was gathered, Gong Fan said, “Follow my lead later. We must find Miss Mi Jing.”

As he spoke, Gong Fan paused. His eyes stared intently at Liu Ruheng, making her feel entirely uneasy. “You… never mind.”

While Liu Ruheng was left bewildered, he turned to Cheng Xuehai and said, “In a moment, you pretend that you have admired Miss Mi Jing for a long time and want to bring your younger brother along to see the world.”

Once they entered Baihua Pavilion, the madam greeted them warmly. Gong Fan was burly but possessed a hidden meticulousness. With him leading the charge and Cheng Xuehai’s cooperation, they successfully met Miss Mi Jing.

Miss Mi Jing was a “pure performer” who sold her arts but not her body. Besides her excellent poetry, she could also play the flute. Upon meeting them, she chatted briefly and then played a rendition of “Autumn Twilight in the Mountain Dwelling.”

When the song ended, the group cheered for Miss Mi Jing enthusiastically. She smiled and bowed to everyone, then directly revealed their identities: “Have you gentlemen come on official business?”

Gong Fan gave a hearty laugh. “How did the lady know?”

Miss Mi Jing smiled and said nothing.

Liu Ruheng saw that Miss Mi Jing was also of a straightforward nature. She bowed to her and said, “We have come this time to ask the lady about the matter regarding Master Pang.”

Gong Fan glared at Liu Ruheng, seemingly blaming her for talking too much, but Miss Mi Jing did not mind. She lowered her eyes slightly, her gaze carrying a faint, lingering sorrow. She whispered, “Master Pang has many affairs. I wonder which ones you gentlemen wish to know about?”

Miss Mi Jing spoke at a measured pace, possessing the unique grace of a woman from the south.

Gong Fan, lacking any sense of romantic appreciation, coldly interrupted, “Tell us everything you know.”

Liu Ruheng’s brow furrowed slightly, sensing trouble. She saw Miss Mi Jing withdraw her smile; her voice remained gentle, but her attitude became firm: “This humble woman finds it difficult to comply. Thank you for your patronage today. I shall pay for the tea on your behalf. Xiao Yu, see the guests out.”

Before her voice had even faded, Gong Fan glared furiously. He wanted to pull out his short blade to intimidate the woman who didn’t know what was good for her, only to realize his hand met empty air—he remembered then that he had given the blade to the shopkeeper.

“Don’t be ungrateful.”

Gong Fan stood up abruptly. He stared at Miss Mi Jing, his words practically bursting out one by one. Liu Ruheng was startled. She hurriedly rose to stop Gong Fan, fearing he might use force against Miss Mi Jing, and urged, “Master Gong, please calm down.”

Although she had heard from Cheng Xuehai that Gong Fan had an unpredictable temper, she hadn’t expected him to behave in such a manner.

Miss Mi Jing gave a grateful smile in Liu Ruheng’s direction, but her face turned cold when she looked at Gong Fan. “Does Master Gong think I have no backers behind me? Please show some respect.”

After saying this, she gave Gong Fan a provocative look. “If you do not believe me, feel free to try.”

Just when Liu Ruheng thought Gong Fan was about to be enraged again, he actually calmed down. However, unable to save face, he ditched Liu Ruheng and Cheng Xuehai and walked straight out.

Liu Ruheng was momentarily speechless.

She finally understood. Although Master Gong Fan was a man who lived up to his name—irritable and vexed—he knew how to seek advantages and avoid harm, and how to bully the weak while fearing the strong.

After Liu Ruheng had brushed him off earlier, Cheng Xuehai was no longer as enthusiastic as before. He only said a few brief words before he and Liu Ruheng went their separate ways.

Before leaving Baihua Pavilion, Liu Ruheng looked back by some strange impulse. Miss Mi Jing was standing upstairs, gazing at the main entrance from afar, seemingly waiting for something.

Today’s endeavor could be considered a fruitless return.

The next day, as soon as Liu Ruheng arrived at the Court of Judicial Review, she met the attendant following Vice Minister Lu. He said hurriedly, “Lord Liu, please come with me quickly. The Vice Minister is anxious to see you.”

Liu Ruheng nodded in agreement, secretly wondering what Lu the Vice Minister wanted with her. She felt it wasn’t anything good.

Sure enough, the moment he saw Liu Ruheng, the Vice Minister’s furrowed brow relaxed. He said amiably, “Liu Ruheng, the Emperor has summoned you to the palace. Come with me.”

Hearing this, Liu Ruheng’s eyes widened, but Vice Minister Lu gave her no chance to react and walked straight toward the stables.

Getting into Lu’s carriage once again, Liu Ruheng’s mood was not as relaxed as the last time. The Emperor had summoned her to the palace—was it regarding the previous matter of the Marquis of Yuchang’s residence, or the recent suicide of Minister Pang? If it were the suicide, it shouldn’t have anything to do with her.

Liu Ruheng was utterly perplexed.

“Liu Ruheng, the Emperor has summoned you today for two reasons: one is the matter of the Marquis of Yuchang’s residence, and the second is Minister Pang’s suicide. Be prepared.”

Liu Ruheng hadn’t expected that both things she was worried about would be mentioned by Vice Minister Lu, and she suddenly felt apprehensive.

However, after saying this, the Vice Minister leaned against the carriage wall and closed his eyes to rest. Seeing this, Liu Ruheng didn’t feel it appropriate to ask more questions and could only head to the audience with a trembling heart.

Because carriages were forbidden in the palace, Liu Ruheng and Vice Minister Lu went on foot. Liu Ruheng, who hadn’t walked for a long time, soon found herself missing her horse.

Fortunately, the journey wasn’t too long, and they soon arrived outside the hall. While waiting for the announcement, Vice Minister Lu instructed, “Answer whatever His Majesty asks you. Just answer truthfully.”

Liu Ruheng nodded in agreement.

Before long, a head eunuch led the two of them into the hall. The hall was silent. Liu Ruheng did not dare look up; seeing Vice Minister Lu bow, she followed suit. This was Liu Ruheng’s second time meeting the Emperor, and her heart was as nervous as ever.

Fortunately, the Emperor did not take issue with anything. After the usual greetings, he got straight to the point.

“Liu Ruheng, in the case of the Marquis of Yuchang’s residence, you have merit. Do you know why I summoned you both here today for questioning?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, this servant does not know.” The sweat on Liu Ruheng’s forehead was almost dripping into her eyes; maintaining a deep bow for a long time was truly uncomfortable.

The Emperor spoke a few more polite words but did not tell them to rise. Liu Ruheng glanced sideways toward Vice Minister Lu; he looked just as strained.

“Liu Ruheng, do you know the contents of the blood-written letter found on Pang Jitong’s person?”

Liu Ruheng lowered her body even more. “This servant does not know.” She had a faint suspicion in her heart. Could it be that the blood-written letter contained some treasonous words that made the Emperor take it so seriously?

The Emperor let out a soft sigh and told the two of them to rise. He took a sip of tea. “The blood-written letter slandered the Crown Prince’s reputation and was too foul to behold. I have already had it burned. I hope the Court of Judicial Review will find evidence of Pang Jitong’s corruption and return the Crown Prince’s innocence.”

Hearing this, Vice Minister Lu performed another deep bow to the Emperor, and Liu Ruheng followed suit by kneeling again.

Liu Ruheng kept her head buried low, but her heart felt somewhat heavy. This wasn’t about investigating the incident; it was clearly the Emperor wanting to protect the Crown Prince. He had already reached a verdict and pushed all the blame onto Pang Jitong. No matter how they investigated, they could not find a single thing that reflected poorly on the Crown Prince.

As the two were about to take their leave, the Emperor suddenly spoke: “Beloved official Liu, stay and have lunch with me.”

Liu Ruheng’s breath hitched; the three words “Hongmen Banquet” immediately leaped into her mind.

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