Chapter Thirty-Four: Lingering Thoughts

Shanzhu pursed his lips in anger but dared not speak out, muttering under his breath, "You only ever show off your authority in front of me. The old lady in our household fears nothing—one day she'll simply choose a formidable wife for you, and we'll see if you still dare to swagger."

Rong Yanzong picked up a peanut from the table and flicked it at Shanzhu, striking him right on the forehead. Shanzhu cried out, making Rong Yanzong laugh heartily.

"Don't go asking for trouble here. If your old lady truly has the ability to find me such a wife, and she manages to keep me in check, then I’ll have nothing to say."

Shanzhu genuinely couldn’t fathom his master’s thoughts. Everything else about him was admirable—on the battlefield, he was the living devil, feared by foes. Yet when it came to women, there was nothing good to be said.

"Enough. Stop guessing. Go and find out for me which imperial princess just passed by." Rong Yanzong was not one for indecision. Since the princess had caught his attention, he thought it best to learn more.

"My dear Third Master, I may not know whose princess she is, but judging by her entourage alone, she’s not someone to be trifled with. If you wish to marry her properly, then fine; but if you want things to be as before, you aren’t qualified to take an imperial princess as a concubine." Shanzhu worried deeply.

Rong Yanzong shot him a cold look and said irritably, "Must I explain my intentions to you? I see you’re itching for trouble. If you want a beating, I can oblige."

Shanzhu quickly waved his hands, "Master, please spare me. I’ll go at once and find out. Before I left, the old lady said you must return to Pine Crane Hall for supper with her. If you don’t, she’ll punish me again." Shanzhu was genuinely disheartened; mother and son were equally hard to serve.

Rong Yanzong stood up, dusting off invisible lint, indifferent. "Whether you get punished isn’t my concern. I’ll head back first. If the information you bring pleases me, I don’t mind fulfilling my filial duty. If not, I’ve heard nothing, and you can explain yourself to the old lady."

Without another word, he departed. Tall and robust, his stride was full of vigor. Though his face was unremarkable, it did nothing to diminish his commanding presence, making others wary.

At that moment, Wei Baofu was unaware she had drawn anyone’s attention. She watched Linglong apply medicine to Pearl’s arm, which was mottled with bruises—a frightening sight. Linglong, distressed, said, "Luckily, the blow didn’t hit Mistress’s forehead. If it had, who knows when she’d be presentable again."

Pearl nodded in agreement, a little disgruntled. "Someone was clearly looking for trouble. I suspect the mastermind is in the palace. Mistress has only recently returned and hasn’t interacted with outsiders. That person trying to approach the carriage must have had some ulterior motive."

"I saw when Guard Ye took him away, his face was pale as death—he surely didn’t expect Mistress to deal with him so decisively." Despite her injured arm, Pearl’s spirits were good, not at all delicate.

Wei Baofu smiled lightly. "Though I dislike ostentation and playing the role of a princess, if there’s real trouble, I don’t mind using my status to show them a little severity."

"Who do you think it might be, Mistress? The troublemaker didn’t seem particularly ruthless. It suggests the person behind it wasn’t aiming to harm you, but rather to test you, to carry out a task perfunctorily." Linglong, ever perceptive, always noticed the smallest clues.

"Could it be the Empress? Mistress, she’s the only one you’ve offended. That day you embarrassed the Crown Prince and made him pay a hefty sum. If she seeks revenge, it wouldn’t be surprising." Pearl speculated.

Wei Baofu shook her head. "Not necessarily. Everyone in the palace knows I have conflicts with the Empress and Crown Prince. If anything happened, they’d be the prime suspects. Even if they harbor resentment, there’s no need to act now—the days ahead are long."

Linglong frowned. "Who else could it be? Using such tactics, it’s likely someone wants to tarnish Mistress’s reputation. I suspect the culprit is a woman. Concubine Tang is already dead; even if she were alive, her methods would not be so mild. Do you have any suspicions, Mistress?"

Wei Baofu had already formed an opinion. She spoke calmly, "I suspect the Eldest Princess is involved. I recall Sister Zhen once told me the Eldest Princess is quite petty. Such people don’t tolerate being wronged. I was careless that day—it’s likely she holds a grudge."

Pearl protested, "Just a few words, and she harbors such malice—her nature must be rotten. Once we’re back in the palace, we’ll complain to the Empress Dowager and see how she deals with her. She’s only an aristocrat’s daughter, yet dares treat Mistress this way—how presumptuous."

Wei Baofu was composed, acknowledging she had been at fault first. Though her attendants suffered minor injuries, nothing serious occurred. Some people value face above all, and she herself still lacked finesse in her dealings.

"Perhaps I’m mistaken. No need to be angry yet. When Ye Feng returns, we’ll know for sure. If it was the Eldest Princess, then let it be. Don’t mention it to Grandmother when we return."

Pearl was puzzled. "Mistress, this isn’t a minor matter. If we hadn’t brought enough people, or if the attacker had succeeded, who knows what might have happened. There’s no guarantee it won’t happen again. If we don’t teach the culprit a lesson, she’ll surely try something else."

Wei Baofu patted her hand soothingly and said calmly, "Don’t get agitated. If the Eldest Princess is behind it, I’ll consider us even. But the person who acted won’t escape punishment. Rest assured, Ye Feng will handle it. The Eldest Princess is just a paper tiger—once frightened, she’ll quiet down. If it’s someone else, we’ll deal with it differently."

Wei Baofu was not one to be trifled with. She repaid debts and never let provocations go unpunished. Pearl wanted to say more, but Linglong gently pulled her back and shook her head. Pearl, not foolish, knew Mistress had made up her mind, so she held her tongue.

Though Wei Baofu traveled with little fuss, word of her leaving the palace did not escape those with intentions. At the very least, the Marquis Yongyi’s household knew. Zhao Jingxing had hoped to happen upon his cousin, the princess, en route and get closer to her, but he missed the timing and wandered about searching. Shanzhu, lurking in the shadows, spotted him.

Following Zhao Jingxing’s lead, it wasn’t hard to discover Wei Baofu’s identity. When Rong Yanzong returned to the duke’s mansion, he first went to the training ground to box a set. After bathing and changing, he entered the study just as Shanzhu returned.

"You’re late. Your efficiency is lacking. You need more training," Rong Yanzong said. Having risked his life on the battlefield, those who served him, like Shanzhu, were highly skilled. Shanzhu didn’t protest, flashing his big white teeth. "Master, aren’t you anxious to know the princess’s identity?"

Rong Yanzong could see Shanzhu was about to play coy and said irritably, "It’s getting late. Your old lady dines early. If you’re delayed, you’ll have to explain yourself."

At these words, Shanzhu deflated and confessed, "I’ve found it all out. She’s Princess Kangping from the Prince Lian’s household. Just returned from the imperial villa. Though orphaned, the Empress Dowager dotes on her. Most importantly, they say her beauty is exceptional."

Rong Yanzong kicked him, annoyed. "How do you know she’s exceptionally beautiful? With her status, who are you to comment?"

Rubbing his sore backside, Shanzhu tried to please him, "I was wrong, Master. That’s what I heard from Marquis Yongyi’s third young master. Their family is related to Princess Kangping—it was the brothers themselves who escorted her into the palace."

Rong Yanzong waved his hand, "Don’t gossip in public again. Go now. I’ll head to Pine Crane Hall soon to accompany the old lady."

Though only the third young master of the Duke Weiguo’s household, Rong Yanzong was the cherished son of Dowager Madam Chai, indulged from childhood. At eleven or twelve, he boldly accompanied the armed escort bureau, and at eighteen, he distinguished himself on the battlefield, earning the title Marquis of Zhenbei through his own prowess.

Apart from his inscrutable ways with women, he was exemplary in all else. He had heard of Prince Lian’s affairs and suspected foul play in his death, but it didn’t concern him, so he paid little mind.

His interest in Princess Kangping was first piqued by her guards. As someone who spent years in the field, he instantly recognized their extraordinary discipline and spirit. If his own troops could match their order, they’d be even more formidable in battle. Second, he noticed her maid—a capable, commanding presence. For such a maid to serve her, her mistress must be remarkable.

Rong Yanzong was never superficial and always took action. Now that he knew who she was, it would be easy to investigate further. In some ways, he was a workaholic, always analyzing anything useful for real combat.

Thinking his old lady was well-informed and might know more, he wasted no time and strode out. Shanzhu waited outside, relieved to see him emerge.

Their master was often inscrutable. Though seemingly easy to serve, he had the highest standards. Those who attended him could be punished at the slightest misstep—he never showed leniency.