"You..."
Liu Heng looked at the person biting his clothes and acting spoiled, and couldn't help but pinch her cheek.
"What exactly happened? Ziping, have you found out who instigated the Third Young Master's affair?"
Leaning against Liu Heng's chest, Lin Yuqiao suddenly remembered a question that had been lingering in her mind, and looked up to ask.
Playing with the small, fair hand in his palm, Liu Heng glanced down at the curious man, a faint, chilling smile playing on his lips.
After he briefly explained the truth, Lin Yuqiao, who had been in his arms, was so shocked she almost jumped up. She never imagined that the murderer really was from the Marquis's mansion.
"Behave yourself."
As Lin Yuqiao moved, her head bumped right into Liu Heng's chin. Liu Heng gave her a light shout and pulled her back into his arms, holding her by the waist.
"My brother and his wife, they can't be happy unless they rip us off!"
Lin Yuqiao was filled with righteous indignation.
Anyone would be angry in this situation. Not only had she been unfairly blamed for so many days, but if Lin Yuqi really succeeded in framing her, where would she and her second brother go to cry?
"This is a lose-lose situation; what's he after?!"
Lin Yuqiao could no longer comprehend her older brother's intelligence and way of thinking. If this succeeded, she and Lin Yucheng would certainly suffer the consequences. With a sister-in-law like this, did he really think he would gain anything?
"He was still hoping to serve the late Crown Prince and be reinstated to his official position later."
In Liu Heng's heart, Lin Yuqi is practically dead now. Although the mastermind is the Crown Prince, this couple also put in a lot of effort, and he won't let them get away with it.
What will happen to my second brother in the future?
Knowing that her eldest brother had gotten himself into serious trouble and that even a god couldn't save him, Lin Yuqiao was more worried about her second brother.
If Liu Heng exposes Lin Yuqi's affair, the entire Marquis's mansion will lose its reputation, and her father will be unable to escape the charge of "failing to properly educate his son." With so many relatives dragging him down, how can Lin Yucheng develop his career in the future? How can he cleanly handle the mess?
"Lou Qi, I have other plans. Don't worry, this matter won't involve you."
Touching her still-beating heart, Lin Yuqiao suddenly felt that meeting someone as intelligent and rational as Liu Heng was truly wonderful.
To be honest, although this matter has nothing to do with them, they are all from the same family as Lin Yuqi.
If it were someone unreasonable and prone to taking their anger out on them, she and her second brother might have been abandoned by him from then on. Lin Yuqiao was certain that the princess was taking her anger out on her.
She could understand; no one would let it go easily after their child was murdered. After all, it was done by a family member, and seeing her would remind them of the killer, naturally making them unhappy.
"Ziping, you're so kind."
After imagining the worst-case scenario, Lin Yuqiao felt that she had regained her composure. People need to be content; only then can they maintain a normal state of mind.
The consequence of being stubborn is like Lin Yuqi, who went further and further astray.
Turning around, she put her arms around Liu Heng's neck, rubbed her cheek against his face, and murmured, "How can you be so good to me?"
Her soft lips occasionally brushed against the tip of his nose and the side of his face, and her fingers caressed his Adam's apple as it bobbed up and down.
Because he was busy with various plans, Liu Heng, who could only breathe a sigh of relief after the crown prince was deposed, had been celibate for a long time.
I wouldn't have thought about it if I hadn't seen it before, but now that I've been teased, my body can't help but react.
He carried her to the bed and leaned over her, feeling a pang of longing for her gentle warmth and passion.
The incense in the golden lion-shaped incense burner has cooled, the red quilt has been turned over and turned over, and the time spent in the tent is too short.
When I woke up the next day, Liu Heng had already left.
After a night of fighting among the fairies, Lin Yuqiao was still a bit too tired to get up. Only after being urged by Granny Jiang did she lazily yawn and struggle to get up.
Her long hair was draped over her shoulders and onto the quilt, revealing her snow-white skin with occasional bluish-purple marks. Qingming, who was changing her clothes, looked at these marks and couldn't help but dare not look up.
After taking a sip of the strong tea that was handed to her to refresh herself, Lin Yuqiao sighed and wondered when she could live a life where she could "sleep soundly in her thatched cottage in spring, while the sun lingers long outside her window."
On the first day after being released from confinement, Lin Yuqiao went to pay her respects to the princess. She arrived early, but when she entered the room, she found that the princess was nowhere to be seen.
Consort Jiang had arrived early and sat quietly to the side. When she saw Lin Yuqiao, she gave her a gentle smile.
Lin Yuqiao also sat to the side. After everyone had arrived, and about half a cup of tea's time had passed, Zhou Mama finally came out.
"The Princess is unwell and needs to rest. You may all return home now."
This wife is putting on quite a show of power. After muttering a few complaints to herself, Lin Yuqiao obediently took her leave with the others.
Outside the courtyard, Consort Baili greeted her warmly as before, asking if she had any plans for the afternoon, as she wanted to come and talk to her.
"Of course I'm fine. I'm overjoyed that Sister Baili came to talk to me."
On the way back, Lin Yuqiao's smile faded, still unable to figure out what Baili was up to. What did she mean by sticking so close to her?
The spring sunshine was bright, and the flowers in the garden were vying for attention with their vibrant colors. Back in her own courtyard, she didn't go inside, but instead had someone fetch paper and pens, set up a table and chairs in the garden pavilion, and prepared to paint a corner of springtime.
In the afternoon, Liu Heng returned home unusually early.
He first visited the princess, gently urging her to rest well, and then went to Lin Yuqiao's place.
Upon entering the room, he discovered that Consort Baili was actually there.
After they had exchanged greetings and taken their seats, Liu Heng glanced at Lin Yuqiao indifferently. Then, noticing a painting on the table, he picked it up and began to admire it.
Seeing Liu Heng was a pleasant surprise. Baili couldn't help but tidy her hair, lower her head slightly, and look at him with affection in her eyes.
She was also planning to talk to him a little more, hoping that he would take pity on her and come to see her sometime in the future.
Baili's behavior infuriated Lin Yuqiao. Why was he still standing there? Trying to take advantage of her? No way!
"Your Highness has arrived early today, that's wonderful! We've just finished talking, so Sister Baili, you should head back now!"
Before Baili could say anything, Lin Yuqiao smiled and told her to leave.
Hearing her words, Baili couldn't argue and felt her face burning. Biting her lower lip, she gave an awkward smile. Seeing that Liu Heng didn't look up at her, Baili had no choice but to get up and take her leave.
As Baili walked out the door, Lin Yuqiao puffed out her cheeks and glared at Liu Heng. Seeing him raise an eyebrow, she walked over to him, took his arm, and they began to look at their painting together.
So that's how vinegar gets on it?
Liu Heng hadn't expected that she would let Baili leave so cleanly and decisively.
"I drew it well, right? Since Ziping likes it too, I'll give it to you!"
Seeing Liu Heng admiring the painting for a while, Lin Yuqiao assumed he was very impressed with the spring flower painting, and therefore proudly offered him her suggestion.
Amused by her boasting, Liu Heng turned around and glanced at her. "That poem is quite good, did you write it?"
The peony, full of affection, sheds tears of spring; the rose, powerless, lies on the morning branch.
Although the poem leans towards feminine and delicate styles, it is nonetheless elegant and refined.
"No, I just remembered a line from a poetry collection I read when I was a child, and that's how I came up with it."
Feeling embarrassed to claim the ancient poems of the past as her own, Lin Yuqiao laughed it off, "I didn't know that I was considered a talented woman in your eyes!"
Sure enough, Liu Heng sighed, realizing that it didn't seem like something she could have written.
"The overall color scheme of the painting is too bright, the layout is messy, and the scenery and objects are not in harmony. Only this line of poetry is pleasing to the eye, but unfortunately, it wasn't made by you."
Hearing Liu Heng say that the result of her hard work all morning was worthless, Lin Yuqiao angrily grabbed his hand and bit it.
"You draw well, so show me one."
Looking at the saliva residue on the back of his hand with disgust, Liu Heng couldn't help but pinch her cheek.
Last night she bit his clothes, and today she bit the back of his hand. She's really acting like a little wolfhound!
"Draw it! You have to draw it in a way that truly convinces me."
Covering her reddened face, Lin Yuqiao still defended the dignity of her painting.
It had been a long time since he had such a leisurely time. Liu Heng glanced at the still unconvinced people, ordered someone to prepare paper and pen, and then got to work.
Unlike Lin Yuqiao's colorful watercolor paintings, Liu Heng used ink of appropriate shades to paint a garden full of spring colors with just a few strokes, and even added a beautiful woman in plain clothes in the distance.
After Liu Heng finished drawing, Lin Yuqiao immediately leaned over and said, "Is that me you drew?"
"no."
Despite Liu Heng's denial, Lin Yuqiao still felt that Liu Heng must have painted her, because the hairstyle in the painting was clearly the same as hers. Although the portrait was rather impressionistic, it was full of charm, and paired with the background of blooming flowers, it was even more beautiful.
Lin Yuqiao carefully put the painting away, completely convinced. She had to admit from the bottom of her heart that Liu Heng's artistic skills were quite high. Although she still insisted on her watercolor paintings, which were also very beautiful.
That night, Liu Heng stayed overnight in her courtyard.
For several days in a row, Liu Heng appeared in the backyard during the day, seemingly relaxed and leisurely. Lin Yuqiao couldn't understand it at all; shouldn't Liu Heng be even busier after the Crown Prince's downfall?
So, when Liu Heng came over again that evening, she asked him the question.
"Why has Ziping suddenly become so free lately?"
With long, slender fingers holding a black piece, Liu Heng flicked his sleeve and placed a piece down with a flick of his wrist. He smiled faintly, “It’s your turn. Don’t interrupt, just place your piece quickly. Once you’ve made a move, there’s no going back.”
Before the game was even halfway over, Lin Yuqiao's white pieces were completely overwhelmed by Liu Heng's black pieces.
After halftime, she didn't want to leave, but Liu Heng used the excuse that one should "finish what one starts" to prevent her from getting up.
Liu Heng, still not satisfied with answering her question, decided to teach her while playing a game himself, as he couldn't stand her reckless and haphazard approach to the game.
It wasn't until after four crushing defeats that his teaching addiction finally dissipated, allowing Lin Yuqiao to escape.
She was already feeling dizzy, and everything she saw appeared as a double image in black and white.
"What I've taught you still requires further understanding."
Hearing Liu Heng's words, Lin Yuqiao collapsed onto the couch. She felt nauseous just looking at the black and white chess pieces; how could she possibly comprehend anything while in such pain?
Liu Heng remained seated at the chessboard, watching the black pieces maneuver and dominate the board, a victory that he could hardly contain his excitement.
The game he plays in the imperial court will surely be just as decisive as this game, a resounding victory.
The Crown Prince's swift downfall was orchestrated by him, and in addition to his involvement in the plan, it was also related to the behind-the-scenes manipulation of various forces.
Having weathered the storms of the "market expansion" and "land enclosure" scandals, Emperor Jianwu already harbored resentment towards the Crown Prince. What ultimately prompted his decision to depose the Crown Prince was the scandal involving the prince's licentious behavior in the palace and his alleged plot to rebel.
Emperor Jianwu had not visited the harem for two years, occasionally summoning a few familiar concubines to Jingyuan Palace to accompany him. Against this backdrop, one day, the talented concubine Lü suddenly fainted. After being examined by the imperial physician, it was revealed that she was pregnant.
The timing didn't match up, so the child she was carrying definitely wasn't Emperor Jianwu's. After interrogation and Lü Cai Nu's own confession, it was revealed that the person she had an affair with was none other than the Crown Prince.
Furthermore, the Crown Prince did indeed leave the palace for half an hour during the banquet last month. Half an hour is enough time to accomplish many things. Where the Crown Prince went and what he did are questions that have been pondered for some time.
With almost irrefutable evidence from all sides, Lü Cai Nu was ordered to commit suicide. To preserve the dignity of the royal family, Emperor Jianwu suppressed the matter.
Then someone else mentioned that when Emperor Jianwu was ill, the Crown Prince was the last to arrive and even had a smile on his face. Someone even reported that the Crown Prince, along with the cavalry commander Luo Chenghao, was plotting a rebellion, and there was crucial evidence—a letter.
Faced with overwhelming evidence, Emperor Jianwu no longer wanted to keep such a tainted son as crown prince. Before the crown prince could even react, he issued an edict to depose him.
For years, various factions within the court have been working to oust the Crown Prince for their own interests. The rapid progress this time is entirely the result of their concerted efforts and cooperation.
After achieving their ultimate goal, the group broke apart again and began vying for power and influence, with each side trying to elevate their own prince to the throne.
Furthermore, Emperor Jianwu remained silent despite the daily memorials submitted by everyone nominating candidates for the new crown prince.
Emperor Jianwu was a resolute ruler in his youth, having emerged from the bloody struggles for the throne. Liu Heng would not underestimate him simply because he is now old, frail, and plagued by illness.
When the situation became too heated, he sensed something was amiss and voluntarily withdrew from the fray, displaying a magnanimous and indifferent attitude towards fame and fortune.
But in reality, he had been waiting for an opportunity.
Sure enough, after May, Emperor Jianwu issued an edict demoting the highest-ranking Princes of Luyang and Liuyang, making them Dukes of Luyang and Liuyang respectively.
Liu, the maternal uncle of the Prince of Luyang, also retired due to illness. The newly appointed Grand Secretary was Chen Yuzhi, who had previously taught Liu Heng.
In June, Liu Heng got busy again.
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