Jiangning, September.

The weather had begun to cool. In the morning, there were many pedestrians on the road along the Qinhuai River. However, with the numerous brothels and pleasure houses along the riverbanks still in a quiet state, the scenery appeared somewhat bleak to those accustomed to the area.

Zhou Junwu sat in a room at the tavern across the street, meeting with Puyang Yi, who had come to see him, to discuss business matters.

In the autumn of the twelfth year of Jinghan, Zhou Junwu was already sixteen years old. As the young prince of the Kang Royal Mansion, he was now one of the most watched young men in Jiangning City. This attention was partly due to his status and partly because of his handsome appearance and a temperament that set him apart from his peers. Following these two points were a series of eccentricities and peculiarities that were often discussed.

As the heir to the Kang Royal Mansion, although his royal status prevented him from being directly involved in politics, there were still many things he could participate in if he so desired. Especially at a young age, most members of the royal family with some wisdom and cultivation would engage in artistic pursuits, such as composing poetry, hosting banquets for literati to gain a good reputation, which was considered the best direction in that era.

Of course, there were still many oddballs and misfits within the royal family. If they were tyrannical, domineering, and harassed ordinary people on the streets, no one would be surprised, considering that his father, Zhou Yong, had once been very enthusiastic about such things. But the contradiction lay in the fact that this young prince was handsome and gentle, treated people with courtesy, and was refined, but he only liked working with craftsmen, which was truly strange.

He had collected a large number of craftsmen and spent his days researching various ingenious and eccentric skills. If he heard that a craftsman in a certain place possessed special techniques, he would go to great lengths to invite them. Even he himself enjoyed doing carpentry and handicrafts. He even gathered纨绔子弟 (wan ku zi di, good-for-nothing sons of rich families) from Jiangning's "second generation" to form something called the "Gewu Party" (格物党, Investigation of Things Party).

A young prince with a promising future, indulging in such unconventional pursuits, especially given the saying "君子群而不党" (jun zi qun er bu dang, a gentleman associates with all but does not form cliques). The literati felt it was a pity and repeatedly tried to dissuade him. Kang Wang (Prince Kang) Zhou Yong himself was an indifferent prince, but he liked to hear people say that his son was promising, so he sent these literati to persuade Zhou Junwu. After a lot of commotion, the gentle young prince lost his temper, chased several literati down the street with a chair, and the matter finally subsided.

As Ning Yi had said, when people think you are a good person, they want to "change" you, to "correct" you. But when you reveal your ferocious side, no one "regrets" it; they just avoid you if they can.

In fact, the reasons behind the buzz around Zhou Junwu and the literati's attempts to change him were not that simple. Digging deeper, it was because the young prince, at the age of fifteen or sixteen, had used the power of the royal mansion to build a large operation: buying all kinds of supplies, employing hundreds of craftsmen and workers, and spending money like water. To make all this work, even with the royal mansion's backing, it was impossible to simply take advantage of his position. First and foremost, it was because the young prince himself was not incompetent.

A sixteen-year-old prince, even with some help from assistants or advisors, no matter what he was doing, to have such a scale and momentum of operation, would inevitably become the most influential force in Jiangning City when he grew up and inherited the throne. Relatively speaking, he would certainly be much more powerful than a prince who went out on the street with a golden mace smashing people's heads.

Many people approached and fawned over him, but the young prince himself was rational and very cautious in choosing his partners. He certainly did not want to gather too many interest groups around him and step on the "宗室不干政" (zong shi bu gan zheng, imperial clan should not interfere in politics) red line – although the very existence of the imperial clan was an influence on politics, there was always a limit.

After meeting, the youth, who had tied up his hair and whose face was still somewhat delicate and youthful, chatted with Puyang Yi about business. Although there were still some immature aspects in certain areas, the young man, who was of noble status and intentionally or unintentionally imitated a certain teacher in his gestures, already possessed the aura of a young prince. After chatting, the two opened the window and looked down, Zhou Junwu standing with his hands behind his back.

"When my teacher was still in Jiangning, Brother Puyang had some dealings with him. I will be going to the capital soon. Does Brother Puyang have anything you would like me to convey?"

"Your Highness is thoughtful. The Puyang family now has business dealings with Zhuji and the Su family. I wouldn't want to trouble you with matters of money. However, when Li Heng was in Jiangning, he was known as the 'Number One Talent of Jiangning.' I recently found a few paintings and calligraphies that are quite presentable, and I would like to ask Your Highness to pass them on to Li Heng, as they would be well-suited for him."

"Haha, I will certainly convey Brother Puyang's kind intentions."

The two had been interacting for quite some time, and Puyang Yi had long understood that the young prince in front of him had great respect for the "teacher" who had now gone to the capital, to the point of deliberately imitating him in his speech and actions. He also had business dealings with Zhuji and the current Su family. At this time, he might as well curry favor with Ning Yi to gain Zhou Junwu's favor. However, as the heir to the Puyang family, his words were neither arrogant nor humble.

As the two were speaking by the window, an event happening below caught their eye. It was the back door of a brothel, and customers who had stayed overnight were leaving. The face of one of them flashed into their view.

Zhou Junwu, who had been standing with his hands behind his back, paused slightly in his casual conversation, then continued as usual. However, what kind of person was Puyang Yi? The moment the figure appeared below, he had already identified the person's identity. And beside him, the young prince's gaze suddenly became sharp, and his lips thinned.

Although it was the sharpness of a sixteen-year-old boy, when it appeared on the face of someone with the status of a young prince, it usually meant that many people would die. But fortunately, after this scene, Zhou Junwu continued chatting casually, as if nothing had happened. Puyang Yi also pretended not to have seen it and picked up the topic.

The person who had just appeared at the back door of the brothel was none other than the young prince's brother-in-law, the royal consort Qu Zonghui, who was married to Zhou Pei.

Puyang Yi had heard some things about the couple, but he dared not say anything at the moment. After a while, the two said goodbye and left the tavern, going their separate ways. Zhou Junwu asked the people around him, then took a carriage to a royal warehouse outside the city. Deep autumn had arrived, and winter was approaching. Many supplies and grains were being stockpiled here. After entering, he soon found his sister, who was inspecting the warehouse entry procedures.

In the color of deep autumn filled with fallen leaves, Zhou Pei, already a married woman, wore a warm yellow robe, her temperament dignified and noble. The sixteen-year-old boy still had a childish look on his face, but his sister, only two years older than him, had quickly shed her childishness in the past year or two. Even he did not understand why the change had been so rapid. Seeing Junwu come over, the woman's face showed a smile, and she dismissed the people around her.

"Junwu, why did you come here to find me today? Is there anything wrong?"

"Sister," Junwu called out to her, then said, "It's nothing."

"Come here." Zhou Pei smiled and waved to him, "I'll take you to see from a high place."

The high place Zhou Pei was referring to was the main building on the side of the royal warehouse, which overlooked the surrounding area. The two went all the way there, with maids and attendants following behind.

"I don't know when the weather will turn cold. Several ships of grain from Huainan are still on the way. After the famine last year, the number of beggars around Jiangning has doubled. They lost their houses and lands in the famine, and they are not used to being beggars... Many people will starve to death this year. But they won't continue to increase. There will be fewer and fewer each year... Look at your clothes, they're all wrinkled..."

As Zhou Pei spoke, she pulled at Junwu's collar. The two had already reached the top floor of the main building. Junwu looked at his sister, who was now slightly shorter than him, hesitated, and asked.

"Sister, have you been well lately?"

"I'm a bit tired, but what's wrong with me?" Zhou Pei tilted her head and glanced at him teasingly, "Are you short of money?"

"No. In a few days, I'm going to the capital... Sister, do you have anything, or anything you want me to pass on to my teacher?"

"I know about this. You are a member of the royal family. Remember to pay attention to your status when you go to the capital. Even if you are short of money, don't act like you are going to help someone as a lobbyist. You need to remember this." Zhou Pei adjusted his collar, "I will prepare something for you to take with you to the teacher... I will also write a letter for you to take."

Zhou Junwu stood straight and looked at his sister: "I know these things. The business is all my own. It's not about being a lobbyist for others. I remember the boundaries. I will also visit Grandpa Qin and my teacher. They will give me ideas. And this time when I go to the capital, I will also meet some young ladies from wealthy families. Father said that I should also get married."

Zhou Pei's movements paused slightly, and she smiled narrowly: "Oh, speaking of getting married, I thought you would be shy. You've looked at the girls the family picked out for you, and there's also Yumei, who grew up with you. You don't like them or..."

Junwu's face flushed slightly, and he followed his sister to the window: "It's not that I don't, they... and Yumei, are all fine. It doesn't matter who I marry. This time it was because I said I was going to the capital that Father let me meet people. Actually, Grandpa Qin and my teacher will help me decide."

Zhou Pei tilted her head and looked at him: "How can getting married... be the same with anyone?"

Junwu looked at the busy movements between the royal warehouses below and frowned: "It's almost the same with anyone. Women... Sister, after you got married, I... I knew those things. They are interesting, but..."

Zhou Pei's expression became serious: "After I got married, what did the royal mansion become like?"

"It's not too chaotic." Junwu looked at his sister with a clear gaze, "You taught me how to handle those people. After I went to the brothel and experienced those things, I also had a relationship with Sister Luanhong, but that's all... After I get married, I will marry Luanhong as a concubine."

"Did Luanhong seduce you?"

"No, after I experienced those things, I found them interesting, and I felt that I needed a woman by my side, otherwise I would always have to go to the brothel, and that's not good."

Saying these things, Junwu's expression was somewhat restrained, but in the depths of his eyes, there was a frankness as if he could tell anyone anything. Zhou Pei frowned, not knowing what to say.

"Before you get married, call Luanhong to see me once. I want to warn her, but don't worry, it won't be excessive."

"Okay." Junwu nodded.

After a moment, the woman seemed somewhat unwilling and asked again: "...Do you really think it doesn't matter?"

"I am a man, and I have many things to do. Besides, after I get married, I can still have concubines, so how can I spend too much brainpower on these things? My teacher said that people's energy is limited. Unimportant things need to be discarded."

"You don't need to learn to this extent..." Zhou Pei said softly, "Your teacher... is very close to your teacher's wives."

"Yeah." Junwu nodded, "I also admire the relationship between my teacher and his wives..." After he finished speaking, he was silent for a moment before opening his mouth and saying: "Sister, then... are you and brother-in-law just like this?"

Zhou Pei blinked her eyes, her gaze dimmed, and then she sighed: "What have you heard again?"

"I... nothing..."

"It doesn't matter..." Zhou Pei said, "After all, I was wrong."

"How can it be said that it's your fault!"

"Of course, it's my fault." Zhou Pei laughed, her smile somewhat sarcastic, "Isn't what your brother-in-law did just human nature? I only have one husband, but men... have many women."

"I..." Junwu raised his hand, and finally slammed his fist angrily on the window sill. He didn't know what to say.

He actually knew the inside story between his sister and brother-in-law. This was the truth that Zhou Pei had told him privately after the matter occurred. It turned out that before they got married, Zhou Pei had talked to Qu Zonghui once. She implied to Qu Zonghui that they couldn't immediately consummate the marriage. Only after there was some emotion would she accept him. At first, Qu Zonghui might have thought this was the woman's shyness, and he also felt that this little princess Zhou Pei was indeed a bit different, so he agreed.

After they got married, he tried to make contact with the little princess gently at first, maintaining what seemed to be a respectful husband and wife relationship, and maintaining the warming of their feelings. However, after a while, such contact gradually became cold. Perhaps Qu Zonghui felt that as a couple, such interactions made the man too weak, or he himself felt bored or tired. In any case, after that, Qu Zonghui participated in literary gatherings more and more frequently, and several times, he stayed overnight in the brothel.

There was no quarrel, no outburst. Zhou Pei, who was learning to manage various things from Princess Chengguo at the time, was a bit dazed when she learned about the situation. She didn't know whether to protest or to keep the royal consort under surveillance. Qu Zonghui's attitude also became cold in the daily silence and lowered head. Things simply slid apart in two directions. By the time Zhou Pei was able to think things through, Qu Zonghui didn't know how many nights he had stayed in the brothel.

Even if she tried to save it, she couldn't save it back.

All she could do was take on a lot of practical things and no longer have too much contact with Qu Zonghui.

Zhou Junwu didn't know what to say about this matter. In a sense, the request that his sister had made in the first place was unreasonable, but he also understood why his sister would make such a request. And now that things had developed to this point, he could certainly come forward and bring Qu Zonghui back, or simply beat him to death and throw him into the Qinhuai River, but his sister would not allow such a thing to happen.

"Sister, why don't you come to the capital with me to see my teacher." Junwu looked at her, blurting out this sentence for some reason, and then added, "Maybe the teacher will have a way."

The royal girl, who was only eighteen years old but already had a somewhat beautiful temperament, tilted her head and looked at him. After a long while, she smiled slightly and shook her head: "I'm not going, there are so many things to do..." She reached out and adjusted her brother's collar again, "Still, don't lose the face of the royal family. You are just giving them a chance to meet you, not going to be a lobbyist."

"I understand. You also have to take care of yourself, sister."

"Of course."

Her sister raised her chin, and the silhouette of light fell down, setting off the girl's beautiful, proud, and lonely smile. Maturity and youthfulness were mixed together in such a complex way...

**************

Bianliang.

Also in early September, Ning Yi was spending his days simply with Tan'er, Yunzhu, and the others, and he had transferred most of his work to be handled at home. When he received the urgent message, he was playing Five-in-a-Row with Xiao Chan under the eaves. The little woman opposite him put her feet together, held her chin with both hands, and was humming softly while watching the chess game, very arrogant, because it looked like she was about to win.

Ning Yi glanced at the contents of the intelligence and was slightly stunned. The paper read: August 28... Chen Fan, Ji Qian'er, at Qinkou... killed Sikong Nan.

He read the intelligence three times. Opposite him, Xiao Chan, knowing not to disturb him, looked at him with some concern, holding her face.

"Great!"

Ning Yi slammed the intelligence on the chessboard, startling Xiao Chan, who blinked her eyes and looked at the jumping chess pieces. Ning Yi waved his hand to the servant who had come to deliver the intelligence: "You may leave." After the servant left, Xiao Chan stood up, frowning and feeling a little aggrieved: "Husband, you cheated, I was clearly going to win... um..."

She was grabbed by the face by Ning Yi, who jumped up, and kissed on the mouth, unable to speak. In the end, even her tongue was taken away.

"Woo... Husband, you cheated..."

After being released, Xiao Chan was still muttering softly. Ning Yi grabbed the intelligence and waved his hand: "Don't be too concerned about small things... Tonight, we'll make our own barbecue to celebrate. I'm going to the kitchen to find meat!"

He turned and left, Xiao Chan pursing her lips.

"Hum... I'm going too, husband, wait for me..."

The autumn sun shone down from one side of the eaves. Xiao Chan chased after him. Although she didn't understand what it was about, everyone would be happy to celebrate.

Similar to when he was in Jiangning several years ago, when Ning Yi went out or did something, Xiao Chan would follow beside him. But now, the two could hold hands or hug each other. And in the belly of the former little maid, a small life was quietly being nurtured in a happy time...