Chapter Twenty-Four: Crimson Sleeves Beckon from Every Floor

When Du Zhong arrived at the Dali Court, Jiang Zhenning had already been waiting for quite some time. Once the two found themselves alone, Du Zhong asked, “Did you know about what happened in Jiangzhou beforehand?”

Jiang Zhenning’s expression was calm. “Yes, I have been investigating these matters in secret for some time.”

He clasped his hands behind his back and took two steps forward. “Do you remember? Three months ago, the Second Prince’s tutor, Hu Xiaolin, was murdered. Soon after, the Crown Prince’s personal guard confessed that he had been ordered by the Crown Prince to kill Hu Xiaolin. The Crown Prince was innocent, yet he was placed under confinement.”

“How do you know the Crown Prince was innocent?” Du Zhong pressed.

Jiang Zhenning lifted his gaze, enunciating each word: “Because Hu Xiaolin was the Crown Prince’s man.”

The Crown Prince was honest and upright, but not a fool. The Second Prince coveted the throne and the Crown Prince lived in constant anxiety. As fate would have it, in those days, the Second Prince was recruiting learned and virtuous men to instruct him. So, the Crown Prince turned to his close friend, Hu Xiaolin.

Hu Xiaolin was a great scholar of his generation. He succeeded in becoming the Second Prince’s tutor and thereafter watched the prince’s every move, hoping to find evidence of his disloyalty. Later, by chance, he learned something and, to confirm his suspicions, took leave and went to investigate alone. He did not realize that the Second Prince had already discovered his intent. On the road, Hu Xiaolin was ambushed and killed, and a guard was bribed to place the blame on the Crown Prince. The Emperor detested suspicion between brothers above all else. Thus, the Crown Prince could not reveal that Hu Xiaolin was his confidant and could do nothing but accept the punishment in silence.

But what exactly did Hu Xiaolin discover? Why did he go to Jiangzhou?

“Brother Du, you are upright and impartial, never one to take part in court intrigues, so you know nothing of these things. The Second Prince has shown disregard for human life time and again, but his faction is strong and it is difficult to bring him to justice. I have warned you many times not to act rashly, lest you court disaster.”

“So that day three months ago at the *** you blocked me on purpose?” Du Zhong asked.

“Yes. And as it happens, the Shangsi Festival three months ago at the ***, that was also the first time you met Ming Rou,” Jiang Zhenning said with a smile.

Du Zhong did not take the bait. “Jiangzhou is the Second Prince’s stronghold. To privately amass weapons is a crime punishable by death. The Second Prince, for his own selfish ends, caused the deaths of more than thirty members of the Song family. If this is allowed to continue, more innocent people will be dragged into disaster.”

He looked straight at Jiang Zhenning. “The Dali Court has taken over this case. Once I have gathered enough evidence, I will immediately hand it over to the Ministry of Justice.”

“Brother Du,” Jiang Zhenning sighed helplessly, “an ant cannot shake a great tree. Nearly half of the heads of the six ministries are the Second Prince’s men, and many local governors support him as well. Are you sure this case won’t be suppressed by the Ministry of Justice the moment it arrives?”

Du Zhong responded coldly, “The open and hidden struggles between the Crown Prince and the Second Prince are of no concern to me. All I know is that, in the Dali Court, I will not tolerate disregard for human life.”

He turned to leave. Jiang Zhenning stepped forward to block him. “Wait, Brother Du. You were ambushed on the road; if not for my father’s instructions for me to hurry to Jiangzhou ahead of the Dali Court, you might not have survived. Does this not give you pause?”

“To hold office is to fulfill its duties. I, Du Zhong, will not turn back,” he declared, then strode away.

Ming Chu had been looking forward to going to the grasslands with Wu Xuan, but just before departure, she learned that the right chieftain of the Yue had already led the escapees back home. Whether they would submit or remain hostile was yet unknown, and given the uncertain situation, Wu Xuan could not take Ming Chu with him.

Disappointed, Ming Chu stayed behind. She truly wanted to see the place where her mother grew up. Day after day, she studied music, chess, calligraphy, and painting in the residence, feeling thoroughly exasperated.

“Shang Yu, this dance costume fits terribly. It pinches my waist, hurts my shoulders, and even my armpits are sore. I think that’s enough for today,” Ming Chu complained as she twisted her neck, clearly uncomfortable.

Shang Yu’s face remained expressionless. “If this one doesn’t fit, there are others.” She clapped her hands, and two maids walked in carrying more clothes.

“Fifth Miss, you may choose whichever you like, but today you must finish learning this dance.”

“Ugh…” Ming Chu was helpless. She forced a dry laugh. “No need, I’ll just wear this one.”

Secretly, Ming Chu grimaced—Shang Yu would no longer be so easily deceived.

Shang Yu smiled gently. “Since you’re fine, let’s continue.”

She glanced at Ming Chu, laughing to herself. Aha, you think you can escape my lesson today? Not a chance.

“Now, please assume the opening pose for ‘Peach Blossoms’ again, Fifth Miss,” Shang Yu said, straightening Ming Chu’s arms. “Keep your arms straight, rise on your toes—no slacking. The beauty of ‘Peach Blossoms’ lies in the dancer’s lightness and grace. You must embody an upward energy.”

Gritting her teeth, Ming Chu forced herself onto tiptoe, body leaping as if she were a lark about to take flight.

Her legs trembled, her arms ached. Several times, Ming Chu nearly toppled over, while Shang Yu circled her, adjusting her arms, lifting her feet.

“Shang Yu, is this enough? Can I come down now?” Ming Chu pleaded. “I’m so tired.”

Shang Yu shook her head. “Not yet, Fifth Miss.”

“Don’t be so heartless, Shang Yu. Let me rest for just a moment?”

“If you slack off again, I’ll report everything to the Prince,” Shang Yu warned.

Ming Chu’s face turned pale with anger.

Chen Shanglu leapt in, grinning mischievously. He snapped his fan shut and circled Ming Chu, clicking his tongue.

“What are you doing, Chen Shanglu? Stop pacing around me!” Ming Chu snapped.

Shang Yu interjected, “Young Master Chen, Fifth Miss is practicing her dance, you’re distracting her.”

Chen Shanglu raised his brows and nudged Ming Chu, causing her to stumble and nearly fall.

“Chen Shanglu! You—”

“Haha, don’t be so prickly. No more practice today—come out to play with me,” Chen Shanglu said, fanning himself like a sly fox.

“Really?” Ming Chu’s anger vanished instantly, and a bright smile blossomed on her face.

“The Prince has agreed. We can leave now,” Chen Shanglu told Shang Yu.

“Of course, go ahead.”

“Let’s hurry, then!” Ming Chu lifted her skirt and dashed out, turning to make a face at Shang Yu—a picture of triumphant mischief.

On the bustling Changping Street, Ming Chu, Yue Wu, and Chen Shanglu walked side by side, with Chen Liu’er, the little servant, trailing behind.

Ming Chu hummed a tune, glancing around with curiosity.

“Chu’er, are you hot? I’ll fan you,” Chen Shanglu said deliberately, moving closer and sneaking a glance at Yue Wu.

“Why are you so close? I wasn’t hot, but now I am. Move away!” Ming Chu pushed him aside.

Chen Shanglu laughed, pointing at a nearby gold hairpin shop. “Chu’er, let’s check it out. There are so many beautiful hairpins and ornaments. If you see something you like, I’ll buy it for you.”

Ming Chu stared at the gaudily dressed women inside, full of curiosity, and dragged Yue Wu along without a word.

By the time the still-chattering Chen Shanglu turned around, they had already wandered off.

“Chu’er, don’t leave me behind! Wait!” Chen Shanglu hurried after them.

At the entrance and on the upper floor, women called out in sweet, affected voices, waving handkerchiefs in earnest, “Gentleman, come in and have some fun.”

Ming Chu and Yue Wu stood by the door. Puzzled, Ming Chu asked, “What are they doing?”

She moved closer to a woman in red by the doorway. “Sister, what’s so fun inside?”

“Shoo, little girl, don’t ask silly questions. Don’t block my business,” the beautiful woman snapped impatiently.

Just then, Chen Shanglu caught up, and the women in the establishment erupted in excitement, all waving their delicate hands.

“Young Master Chen, you’re finally here. We’ve missed you so much,” they called, one voice after another, each more honeyed and seductive than the last.

Chen Shanglu coughed into his hand, nervously glancing at Ming Chu—only to meet her curious gaze, his face flushing red in embarrassment.

“Chen Liu’er, didn’t you hear the ladies calling? Go on over,” he said, pulling his servant forward.

“But, young master, they’re calling for you, not me,” Chen Liu’er replied cluelessly.

“Chen Liu’er, stop talking nonsense. Clearly, they mean you,” Chen Shanglu insisted, winking furiously.

But Chen Liu’er was obtuse by nature. “Young master, that’s Miss Xiangxue up there—your favorite. She’s definitely calling for you.”

“You—” Chen Shanglu was grinding his teeth in frustration. How had he ended up with such a dim-witted servant?

“Yue Wu, let’s go in and have a look,” Ming Chu said after a long, befuddled moment, curiosity getting the better of her.

But Yue Wu stopped her. “Miss, perhaps it’s better not to go in.” He pressed his lips together, his expression awkward.

“Why not? Yue Wu, what kind of place is this?”

Yue Wu licked his lips, glanced at Chen Shanglu, and said, “Perhaps Young Master Chen knows better than I.”

Chen Shanglu forced a laugh as the women above continued to call out to him with wild enthusiasm.

“Chu’er, don’t misunderstand—they’re not calling for me. I don’t even know them,” he tried to explain.

Just then, a portly middle-aged man emerged, an alluring woman draped on his arm. He slapped her bottom, kissed her soundly, and grinned, “Wait for me here, beauty.”

Ming Chu shuddered in disgust, suddenly understanding what this place was—it was a brothel, just as she’d read about in storybooks.

She looked up, her cheeks flushed. Casting a reproachful glance at Yue Wu, she got only a weak smile in return.

The madam of the brothel swayed her hips as she came out, affectionately linking arms with Chen Shanglu. “Oh, Young Master Chen, I’ve been waiting for you for ages. Which girl will it be this time? Xiangxue or Little Apricot?”

Ming Chu spat in disgust, ignored Yue Wu, and strode ahead.

Chen Shanglu hastily shook off the madam’s hand and hurried after her.

Chen Shanglu and Yue Wu followed behind Ming Chu, exchanging a glance full of complicated meaning.

“Why did you bring her to such a place?”

“She wanted to come. If you hadn’t taken her out, none of this would have happened.”

“So, it’s all my fault? You did nothing wrong?”

“Yes.”

“You—!”

Chen Shanglu was left speechless by Yue Wu’s retorts. Ming Chu walked briskly ahead, making it clear she wanted nothing to do with them.