A Scheme Within a Scheme

Zongzheng Heng followed Qiao Shuyi, his steps unhurried and his expression docile.

Yet his lowered eyes never stopped taking in his surroundings.

Only after leaving Jinglan Garden did he see just how grand the Prince of Jin'an's Manor truly was.

Along the way, carved beams and painted rafters, sweeping eaves and interlocking brackets spoke everywhere of the majestic grandeur of a princely household.

The bluestone paving slabs were laid in perfect order, and even the gaps were filled with white jade mortar.

A carved stone palace lantern stood every ten paces.

They passed through an ornamental gateway.

A nine-turn covered walkway stretched across the emerald water.

Beneath it lay a pond full of spring water, where koi swam in schools. Beyond the walkway was a garden.

At the center of the garden stood a three-story tower. Above it, the three great characters for "Moon-Gathering Tower" were fashioned from pure gold, dazzling in the sunlight.

Two rows of maids and manservants stood before the tower.

Without slowing, Qiao Shuyi headed toward the main hall.

Zongzheng Heng followed behind her, his face betraying nothing, though a thousand thoughts had already raced through his mind.

Such pomp, such grandeur-was this fitting for a prince who did not bear the imperial surname?

Even the long-established noble families with deep roots in the capital would not dare be so ostentatious.

Qiao Nanyu truly knew no restraint.

As he was thinking, a burst of conversation and laughter suddenly came from up ahead.

He looked up to see carriages and horses crowding the entrance to the square before the main hall, where figures thronged.

Young nobles from the various prefectures gathered in twos and threes, dressed in sumptuous silks and adorned with pearls and jade. The scene was lively indeed.

Qiao Shuyi slowed slightly and looked back at him, her smile radiant:

"Zhigui, be sure to stay close to me."

Zongzheng Heng lowered his eyes and answered:

"Yes."

Behind the mask, his gaze was dark and unreadable.

The moment Qiao Shuyi appeared, everyone's eyes turned toward her as one.

Great Zhang had liberal customs, rather like those of the Tang dynasty at its height.

At a spring banquet, it was hardly unusual for men and women to sit and drink together, chatting and laughing freely.

As long as a man and woman were not alone together in a room, there would be no idle gossip.

Qiao Shuyi wore her ancient-patterned, twin-butterfly, cloud-shaped thousand-water skirt. Its layered hem was like smoke and mist, rippling like water as she walked and lending her an ethereal air.

Zongzheng Heng stood half a step behind her, dressed in a snow-white robe, a mask covering his face and leaving only a pair of tranquil eyes visible.

Yet his bearing, straight back, and unhurried gait were clearly not those of an ordinary male favorite.

Several curious gazes had already settled on him, and faint whispers reached his ears.

Qiao Shuyi seemed not to notice and simply led him into the crowd.

People came up to exchange pleasantries from time to time, and Qiao Shuyi responded with a few smiling words, every bit the poised young lady of a noble house.

When they looked at Zongzheng Heng with curiosity, she openly introduced him as "someone from my residence" and said no more.

Since he was "someone from her residence," he was Second Miss Qiao's private property. Who would dare ask more?

As they walked, a sweet, lively voice called from the side:

"Shushu!"

Qiao Shuyi looked toward the voice.

A girl in a light yellow skirt and jacket was waving at her.

The girl was fourteen or fifteen, with a round face and a smile that made her look very sweet.

Several girls about her age stood beside her, apparently young ladies from neighboring prefectures.

Qiao Shuyi recognized her as the legitimate daughter of the prefect of Qingzhou. Her surname was Zhou, and her given name was Wanniang. They had met a few times before.

She turned to Zongzheng Heng and said:

"Have a look around on your own first. Don't wander too far."

Zongzheng Heng lowered his eyes and answered, "Yes."

Qiao Shuyi walked over to the group of girls and was soon surrounded by chattering orioles and swallows, their laughter growing fainter as they moved away.

Zongzheng Heng stood where he was, his gaze sweeping dispassionately over his surroundings.

This was the spring banquet.

The garden was full of perfumed gowns and elegant coiffures, with wine cups passing back and forth and undercurrents stirring beneath it all.

Qiao Shuyi was chatting and laughing with the young ladies, her eyes curved in a smile, looking innocent and carefree.

Zhou Wanniang chattered about the sights and customs of Qingzhou.

She spoke of how wonderfully the newly arrived opera troupe sang, which rouge shop had the truest shades of lip rouge, and how her mother had just had several sets of spring clothes made for her, which she would send over for Qiao Shuyi to see another day.

Qiao Shuyi smiled and nodded, just about to reply-

Fuzhi suddenly came over.

She leaned close to Qiao Shuyi's side and spoke in an exceedingly low voice.

The smile on Qiao Shuyi's face faltered slightly.

Then she smiled at Zhou Wanniang and said:

"You all go on looking around. I have something to attend to; I'll be back shortly."

With that, she turned and left with Fuzhi.

The two went around behind a rockery, where no one else was about.

Qiao Shuyi merely asked, in a mild voice:

"How did it go?"

Fuzhi lowered her head and spoke even more quietly:

"Miss, Concubine Song's side... has obtained the letter you wrote to Lord Zhou, imitating Madam's handwriting."

Lord Zhou was Zhou Wanniang's father, and he was also Qiao Shuyi's mother's childhood sweetheart.

Because of that connection, Qiao Shuyi and Zhou Wanniang had played together since childhood and were very close.

Fuzhi quickly glanced up at Qiao Shuyi, then lowered her head again.

She truly did not understand.

Why had Miss written that letter?

If it fell into Concubine Song's hands, it would be ironclad proof that Madam had been exchanging tokens with another man in secret.

At best, her reputation would be utterly ruined; at worst... she might not even keep her life.

What was Miss doing?

But she dared not ask.

Qiao Shuyi's expression did not change.

Song Chengyin.

Qiao Shuqin's birth mother.

Liu Jinyu had seized the position of principal wife from her back then. She had lain low in the manor all these years, outwardly respectful and obedient, but her heart had probably long been bleeding with hatred.

Given the slightest chance, she would surely make sure Liu Jinyu could never rise again.

Look, all Qiao Shuyi had done was give a gentle tug, and she had taken the bait.

"And then?"

Fuzhi bit her lip and continued her report:

"Lord Zhou also brought his family today. He is drinking and feasting with the prince and the honored guests in the front hall, and Concubine Song's side... has already prepared the drug."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter, until it was almost inaudible:

"She plans to drug Madam, then have Madam and Lord Zhou... caught by the prince before everyone's eyes."

She paused, but in the end could not help adding:

"Miss, if Concubine Song really succeeds, Madam may..."

Not a ripple crossed Qiao Shuyi's face.

"Mm, I know. You may go."

Fuzhi froze.

"Miss, aren't you... going to save Madam?"

No sooner had the words left her mouth than she felt a cool gaze fall upon her.

"Hold your tongue. Do you think I don't know what to do?"

Fuzhi fell to her knees with a thud, pressing her forehead to the ground:

"Please forgive me, Miss. This servant spoke out of turn."

Qiao Shuyi said nothing more and simply walked out from behind the rockery.