"Who is it?" Lin Yanxi asked urgently.
The scholar hesitated, then said in a low voice, "Actually, the maids who summoned me to the side hall didn't say they were the Crown Prince's people. But I've always loved the scent of incense and have some knowledge of it. The side hall had been deserted for a long time. When I entered, there was no incense burning, only the scent of the woman on the bed, the smell of male sweat, and a faint trace of Yun Mu wood fragrance."
"This kind of incense is very precious, and even ordinary wealthy families cannot afford it. I happened to learn about the art of making incense while discussing it at the Censor's house, and I found out that the Crown Prince is the most particular about his food and clothing. Both his court attire and his private clothes are carefully perfumed with this special incense. Because the Crown Prince particularly favored this incense, he has a nickname among the common people: 'Crown Prince's Incense.'"
"Later, when I met him in court, I specifically paid attention to the scent of incense on his person, and it was exactly the same as the one in the side hall that day."
Lin Yanxi had long suspected the Crown Prince, but had found no evidence after much investigation. If what the scholar said was true, then the Crown Prince had already been in the side hall before the scholar went there.
His expression was grave. He glanced again at the Dark Night Division, dozens of meters away, and said sarcastically, "Will you believe me? To you people of the royal family, the truth is merely what you wish to believe."
Lin Yanxi took a few steps forward, intending to comfort him. But as she reached out to touch his sleeve, the scholar quickly retreated a few steps, a flicker of fear in his eyes.
She stood there awkwardly, looking at him, appearing flustered and wronged.
The scholar's heart softened. He couldn't bear to see the young girl's innocent expression and explained, "Second Miss, do you know that the Censor originally intended for me to be his son-in-law? But on the day I entered the Dark Night Division, the Censor broke off the engagement overnight and married his daughter to someone else. Even while serving in the Hanlin Academy, there are always whispers and rumors, and any hope of promotion is gone."
"My parents, because of my imprisonment, developed a severe illness and are ostracized in the village."
Because of the Crown Prince's selfish desires, innocent people suffered. Lin Yanxi said, "I'm sorry."
The scholar shook his head. "You are not the one who harmed me, so you do not need to apologize."
Shen Muzhou had seen too many such things. Perhaps unwilling to see the young girl blame herself, he suggested, "If you need it, I can arrange for your official post to be transferred out of the capital, so you can avoid the Crown Prince's persecution. I will also compensate you ten thousand taels of gold. You can use this money to bring your parents to live with you and start anew."
The scholar was taken aback. This was indeed a good arrangement. A slow smile spread across his face, and he bowed solemnly, "Thank you, Ninth Prince, and thank you for your kindness, Miss Lin."
He paused, then said firmly, "But I want to stay here."
Only by staying here did he have hope of bringing down the person he wanted to bring down. If he went elsewhere, he would forever be someone pointed at and unable to hold his head high.
After speaking, he bowed and turned to leave. His sleeves fluttered in the wind, creating an arc, much like himself, tossed about in the maelstrom.
"Little scholar."
A clear voice called out to him.
He stopped in his tracks. Lin Yanxi stood there, fiddling with her skirt. Seeing him turn back, she lowered her head and looked at herself, realizing she wasn't wearing anything to prove her identity. She then turned to Shen Muzhou, who had a token from the prince's estate on his waist.
Lin Yanxi gave him a mischievous smile and called out in a sweet voice, "Ninth Prince~"
She extended her little paw and reached for his waist. His back tensed, and he swallowed. "You, you..."
The next moment, she pulled out the token from his waist and held it up to her ear, shaking it. For once, she revealed a flattering smile.
Shen Muzhou immediately understood her intention and nodded.
Having received permission, the young girl happily ran over on her small feet, placed the token in the scholar's palm, and said, "This is a token from the prince's estate. If you need any help, you can come to the prince's estate to find me."
"If you encounter danger, you can directly use the token to go to the Dark Night Division. Be careful with everything."
The scholar looked at the young girl before him, then at Shen Muzhou, who stood not far away with a stern expression, his eyes full of love as he watched the girl's retreating figure.
He accepted the token and said, "Thank you, Second Miss Lin."
---
The Prince's Estate.
"Your Highness, the jade talisman has been retrieved," Xiao Liu reported. "However... the jade talisman is now in the Crown Prince's hands."
Shen Muzhou's eyes were filled with suppressed anger as he looked at Xiao Liu. His gaze was dark and his expression grim.
Xiao Liu knelt on one knee, holding his sword. "Your Highness, please calm your anger. Our men brought the jade talisman back to the capital, but were ambushed mid-route. The jade talisman was stolen. The Dark Night Division has confirmed it was the Crown Prince's men, and the Crown Prince has taken the jade talisman into the Grand Tutor's mansion."
Shen Muzhou asked, "Where in the Grand Tutor's mansion is it kept?"
Yesterday, he had been questioned by the Emperor in the palace about the jade talisman and had promised to present it to the Emperor within three days, or he would go to prison willingly.
Xiao Liu frowned. "Our men did not enter the Grand Tutor's mansion."
Shen Muzhou slammed his palm on the table. "The Grand Tutor's mansion is not made of iron and copper. What could prevent entry?"
Xiao Liu said, "Since the Second Miss moved into the prince's estate, the Grand Tutor has secretly replaced a large number of guards in the mansion. Our men were withdrawn."
Shen Muzhou swept his long sleeves across the table, sending everything on it to the floor. He remained silent for a long time.
It seemed the Crown Prince had made a far-reaching move, deciding this the moment Lin Yanxi left the mansion.
Xiao Liu, emboldened, suggested, "Your Highness, there is another way."
"Speak."
He hesitated. "The Second Miss might be able to help."
Since the Dark Night Division couldn't get in, the Second Miss could enter her own mansion, right? Xiao Liu knelt there, awaiting the prince's answer.
Shen Muzhou rested his well-defined fingers on his forehead. He knew how deeply Lin Yanxi felt about the Grand Tutor's mansion and didn't want her to get entangled in this.
"You may leave now."
Xiao Liu urged, "Your Highness! If the Second Miss doesn't retrieve the jade talisman from the Grand Tutor's mansion today, it will be difficult to find it again."
Shen Muzhou's fingertips traced his forehead twice, and he repeated, "You may leave now."
He was usually tolerant in matters, and rarely had such a grim expression. Xiao Liu dared not say more and turned to leave.
Since returning from the palace yesterday, Lin Yanxi had not seen Shen Muzhou. At this moment, she and her two maids were chatting animatedly, erupting into bursts of laughter, completely lacking the gentle reserve of noble ladies in the capital.
His courtyard was only separated by a wall from Yue Luo Pavilion. He stood in his main courtyard and heard the occasional sounds of laughter from across the way. He put down the bamboo scroll he was holding, and his previously low spirits improved considerably.
Xiao Liu was also in the courtyard, standing silently behind the prince. Ever since Miss Lin arrived, the prince's estate had finally gained some laughter. The prince was no longer as cold and distant as before. It seemed everything was developing for the better.
Only the prince's health was worse than expected.
Shen Muzhou stood at the foot of the wall and coughed a few times. Then, leaning against the wall, blood surged from his throat and he spat it onto the ground.
The blood on the white stones was particularly stark.
"Your Highness." Xiao Liu went to support Shen Muzhou's arm.
He weakly said, "Give me the Rebirth Pill."
Xiao Liu's eyes reddened. This was the first time he had disobeyed an order. "Think twice, Your Highness. The Rebirth Pill will only harm you."
The Rebirth Pill was an evil drug that could make a dying person appear to have a burst of vitality, making them strong, energetic, and rosy-cheeked. In reality, it only created dependence, and even if the illness were to miraculously heal, the pill's toxicity would seep into the body.
Shen Muzhou knew that Xiao Liu had followed him for many years and could not bear to see him in such a state.
"Go," he said to Xiao Liu, uncharacteristically patient.
Xiao Liu had no choice but to obey and retrieved a wooden box from indoors. Inside lay a small black pill.
Shen Muzhou looked at the pill and then swallowed it.
After taking the pill, his coughing gradually stopped.
"Shen Muzhou, hee hee, Ninth Prince~" The young girl's voice was sweet as she walked from outside the courtyard.
She tilted her head and asked him, "Why are you in the courtyard?"
Shen Muzhou's expression changed slightly. He hid the bloodstains on the ground behind him and said, "Mm, just getting some fresh air."
The young girl looked at him anxiously. "Your body isn't well yet. Even though the summer breeze is warm, it can still make you catch a chill."
His pale complexion gradually regained some color. He said loudly, "I'm much better now."
As he spoke, he walked towards her and asked, "What is it you need me for?"
Lin Yanxi looked at his complexion, which indeed seemed much better than his usual pale and weak appearance. She smiled sweetly. "Come, let's go to my courtyard, I'll tell you."
He nodded and naturally took her hand, walking towards the outside of the courtyard. She thought of what he had said to Luo Jingxin in the palace today. Her small hand flinched slightly but was then firmly held by him.
However, she was pleasantly surprised to find that his hand was not as cold as before, and she no longer struggled, obediently letting him lead her.
The young girl's brightly colored, delicate dress stood out vividly against the dark gray backdrop of the estate. Behind her followed a man in a dark robe, tall and straight, with a stern face, but his eyes were full of smiles as he looked at the girl.
As they stepped into Yue Luo Pavilion, the aroma of food wafted out.
Li Zi and Tang Chao were squatting on the ground, building a small mound. The fire beneath had heated the mound to a scorching temperature. Seeing the prince arrive, they quickly got up, still holding branches.
"Greetings, Your Highness."
They bowed together.
Xiao Liu, seeing the soot-smudged faces of the maids, secretly chuckled.
Tang Chao asked displeasedly, "What are you laughing at?"
Xiao Liu pointed to his own face. Li Zi quickly wiped the dirt from her face and asked him, "Is there any more?"
He stared blankly, shook his head foolishly, and scratched his head awkwardly.
Lin Yanxi took Shen Muzhou's hand and pointed to the small mound on the ground. "It's almost ready."
After speaking, she pulled Shen Muzhou down to squat beside her, watching the mound eagerly. The roast chicken was wrapped in lotus leaves, and the combination of the lotus leaves' fragrance and the roasted chicken's savory aroma was extremely enticing.
"Why did you decide to make roast chicken?" he asked.
Lin Yanxi said, "It's because the dishes made by the cooks in your estate are too unpalatable."
Unpalatable? He considered eating to be merely sustenance, not a pleasure for the palate.
However, the people he employed in his estate, especially the cooks, were chosen first for their trustworthiness and loyalty, with culinary skills being secondary. Perhaps their skills were indeed lacking.
She then added, "But I do have something to ask of you."
Shen Muzhou looked at her, his eyes full of doting, and waited quietly for her to continue.
"I want you to teach me some martial arts. You know, my talisman skills sometimes fail. My master has taught me a lot these past few days, and I've made significant progress. But ever since the prison incident, I'm still afraid that if my talismans don't work when I encounter a curse master, I'll have martial arts as a backup."
Others might not know, but Xiao Liu was aware of the prince's physical condition; he could no longer practice martial arts.
He quickly said, "Miss, I can teach you. The prince taught me my martial arts."
Lin Yanxi frowned as she looked at him, then turned her head, pouting playfully. "I don't want to. I want him to teach me."
"Your Highness, don't you want to teach me martial arts?"