Knowing he had hit a nerve, Baili Zan added fuel to the fire: "If Your Highness thinks it doesn't matter if Minister Cheng allies with the Crown Prince, then I will return the scroll tomorrow."
"Wait!"
Cui Yi grimaced and gritted his teeth: "I need to think about it some more."
Baili Zan smiled: "Your Highness has been thinking for so many days, Minister Cheng must be getting anxious. Did Minister Cheng seek out Your Highness again after court today, prompting you to meet me?"
Cui Yi looked up, his eyes sharp as an eagle's, staring directly at him: "How do you know that?"
Baili Zan smiled and replied: "Just speculation."
Chi Ying chimed in from the side: "Sir, your predictions are truly remarkable." Baili Zan modestly thanked her with a bow.
After a while, Cui Yi spoke: "Cheng Hu invited me to visit his residence in three days, saying... "
"That he acquired a rare divine weapon and wants Your Highness to appraise it?" Baili Zan interjected.
Cui Yi squinted and nodded: "Exactly. Sir, you truly are impressive." Only now did he put away his contemptuous demeanor and straightened up: "According to Sir, should I go or not?"
Baili Zan decisively replied: "Go. Appraising is just a pretext; presenting the treasure is the real intention. If Your Highness doesn't go, you'll miss out on this rare divine weapon, which would be a pity."
Chi Ying said: "But if Your Highness doesn't want to marry Cheng's daughter, wouldn't it be inappropriate to accept both the scroll and the weapon?"
Baili Zan smiled slyly: "Even if Your Highness doesn't want to marry, you can arrange for a trusted subordinate to marry Cheng's daughter. When Your Highness ascends the throne, even if Cheng's daughter cannot become Empress, she can still be elevated to a First-Class Imperial Consort. For the Cheng family, this would be a very advantageous deal."
Chi Ying suddenly understood and admired his ability to gain benefits without investment. In Baili Zan's view, if Cui Yi insisted on not marrying Cheng's daughter, he should at least bind Cheng Hu to the Wu (Wu Prince's Mansion) by arranging a marriage between a trusted subordinate and Cheng's daughter. This way, he could acquire the divine weapon and also win the loyalty of his subordinates, forming an alliance with the Cheng family—a perfect solution.
"Yes, that makes sense," Cui Yi propped his chin with one hand and slowly nodded, "Then I shall go see that Star Abyss Sword."
Baili Zan returned the jade pendant: "Since Your Highness has decided to ally with the Cheng family, keep the scroll." He handed the scroll to Chi Ying and then took his leave.
Soon it was the day of Cheng Hu's banquet. Chi Ying had been thinking of finding an excuse for Baili Zan to accompany them but hadn't expected Cui Yi to bring it up himself.
"There are things I cannot say myself, you speak." Cui Yi adjusted his collar, preparing to attend court.
Baili Zan wanted to laugh but dared not, so he bowed in agreement: "Yes."
When Cui Yi wasn't looking, Chi Ying whispered to Baili Zan: "The Crown Prince usually visits the Empress after court. Just wait outside the Ming Hall, and you'll naturally encounter him after court."
Baili Zan nodded and couldn't help asking: "Last time I wanted to ask, how do you know the Crown Prince's schedule so well? Could it be you have informants in the Eastern Palace?"
Chi Ying didn't explain, letting him speculate: "If you say so, then so be it. This is crucial, please handle it well, Sir."
Since Cao Qian was bedridden, there was no one to lead the horse. Baili Zan took on the role of a groom and accompanied Cui Yi into the palace, waiting outside the Ming Hall during the court session.
Cui Yi's beloved horse Jinwu was entirely chestnut red except for its yellowish-brown mane, a fine steed from beyond the Great Wall, a tribute from the Western Qiang several years ago. Coincidentally, Cui Yi had repelled a northern Di tribe at Mingfeng Pass, earning him the praise of Emperor Jianyuan, who bestowed this precious horse upon his second son. Such horses were rare even on the borderlands, let alone in the capital. Seeing Jinwu was equivalent to seeing Cui Yi. Holding Jinwu's reins among the princes' carriages made Baili Zan's identity clear.
Cui Yi was the second prince, and Jinwu stood alongside the Crown Prince's carriage. A royal attendant accompanying the Crown Prince to court had never seen him before and was somewhat surprised. Why had the Wu Prince's groom changed to a scholarly-looking young man? Where was the Xiao Jiang general named Cao? So, he casually struck up a conversation: "Young sir, you seem unfamiliar. What's your name?"
Baili Zan bowed and replied: "I am Bai Li Zan, newly joined to His Highness. General Cao is unwell, so I'm temporarily taking care of the horse. This is my first time in the palace. Please forgive me if I make any mistakes."
The royal attendant asked: "You look like a scholar, why are you doing such rough work?"
Baili Zan answered: "I only know a few words."
Before the royal attendant could ask anything further, Jinwu neighed and nudged Baili Zan. He bent down to pick some grass from the feed trough and fed it to Jinwu, who reluctantly walked away and slowly began eating.
"... " At that moment, the royal attendant sitting on the carriage felt hostility from the horse. Its wet eyes seemed to convey disdain, as if saying, "He serves me, don't bother him with idle chatter."
Thus, the royal attendant could only sigh at the similarity between master and beast and kept quiet.
When the retreat drum sounded, and officials exited the Ming Hall, the royal attendant drove forward to greet the Crown Prince first. Wearing a dragon-patterned court robe, the Crown Prince was exceptionally handsome. He whispered something to the royal attendant, who then glanced toward Baili Zan leading Jinwu.
Baili Zan respectfully led the horse to Cui Yi as he came out.
Cui Yi had been talking with Cheng Hu and said upon seeing him: "Don't rush back to the mansion. We're going to Cheng's residence. Take Jinwu back and tell Her Highness I won't be home for lunch and to eat by herself."
Cheng Hu stroked his beard and smiled: "No need to trouble the young sir. I'll send someone to the Wu to deliver the message."
Cui Yi didn't object, and Cheng Hu sent his servant to deliver the message to the Wu, then invited Cui Yi to walk ahead together toward the Shangshu Mansion.
At the Shangshu Mansion, a groom took Jinwu to the stables. Jinwu whined, reluctant to part with Baili Zan, but after a stern glance from Cui Yi, it shrank back and followed the groom dejectedly.
Cui Yi said: "Where do the servants dine? Wen Yu, follow me."
Previously, Cao Qian, though not a high-ranking official, was Cui Yi's most trusted person. Now replaced by Baili Zan, even though Cheng Hu didn't recognize him, he sensed something—this scholarly young man was likely another trusted aide of Cui Yi. Thus, he couldn't treat him like ordinary servants and said: "The servants' quarters are too far. Set a table for this young sir here in the hall. That way, if Your Highness needs anything, it's easier to summon him."
"Alright," Cui Yi stepped inside.
Baili Zan secretly marveled. It seemed the Prince wasn't as obtuse as the Princess said; at least his tactic of feigned retreat was quite skillful.
Unbeknownst to him, Cui Yi wasn't playing tactics but had changed his mind. Not wanting to marry Cheng's daughter or drag his loyal subordinate Cao Qian into it, he tried every means to get Baili Zan out of the way to avoid any potential missteps.
Cheng Hu, a top scholar from forty years ago under the previous emperor, had served two emperors and was nearly sixty. Well-read and skilled in calligraphy and painting, he was a renowned literary figure. Cui Yi had always been indifferent to such people, especially since Cheng Hu often used idioms and proverbs, making him feel half-understood and worsening his impression. If not for some respect for elders, he wouldn't have attended this meal.
Servants brought in a low table, and Baili Zan sat near the door, eating the same food as those inside, enjoying a small pot of wine and two dishes of pickles. It was the most satisfying meal he'd had since arriving at the Wu.
Cheng Hu didn't press for drinks and praised: "Our great Chu established its empire through martial prowess. Your heroic feats at Ju Xia Pass, where you fought bravely against overwhelming odds, reflect the spirit of our founding ancestor. Truly, it is a blessing for our great Chu."
Cui Yi grunted noncommittally, drank three cups, ate some food, but remained distracted.
Cheng Hu asked: "May I dare ask, why does Your Highness not wish to marry?"
Baili Zan was startled outside—Cheng Hu had bluntly posed the question, unlike his earlier subtle hints. What was going on?
Cui Yi swirled his wine cup and replied indifferently: "With unfulfilled ambitions, how can one establish a family?"
Cheng Hu smiled and asked: "What are Your Highness's ambitions?"
Cui Yi shot him a sidelong glance and retorted irritably: "Why does Minister Cheng ask about my ambitions?"
Cheng Hu calmly stroked his white beard: "A great man should establish both family and career. Known as a war god in the military, Your Highness surely shares the same aspirations as our founding ancestor—to reclaim Yuan and Qing provinces and drive the Northern Di tribes out of the Central Plains. However, from the founding ancestor to the present emperor, three generations have waged frequent wars without success, burdening the people with taxes. Only the current emperor, upon ascending the throne, shifted strategy to focus on nurturing the populace."
Cui Yi poured himself more wine, the sound of liquid filling the glass echoing in the hall.
"Your Highness has grand ambitions, wishing to fulfill the founding ancestor's legacy. But as the Son of Heaven, one must prioritize the welfare of the people. If one indulges in endless warfare, it will lead to widespread suffering and jeopardize the empire built by the founding ancestor," Cheng Hu continued regardless of whether Cui Yi was listening, "The emperor rejected Your Highness's request to wage war again for the sake of the nation and its people."
Baili Zan almost spat out his wine—Cheng Hu wasn't proposing a marriage but trying to persuade the emperor's son. He and Chi Ying had misunderstood.
Just as he was berating himself for jumping to conclusions, Cui Yi stunned everyone: "Minister Cheng, there's no need to beat around the bush. Speak plainly. I've heard that Minister Cheng has a daughter..."
Baili Zan almost jumped up to cover Cui Yi's mouth but heard Cheng Hu chuckle: "Your Highness is well-informed! When the time comes, please do come to the wedding!"
Cui Yi: "..."
Baili Zan covered his face, his expression pitiful.
Seeing Cui Yi's stiff expression, Cheng Hu curiously asked: "What's wrong, Your Highness?"
"... Ah? Nothing! I just... swallowed too quickly."
Cheng Hu nodded, puzzled but didn't press further, smiling: "My late wife left me only this daughter. I once wished to keep her by my side forever, but children grow up and eventually marry. Zi Cheng is a reliable and honest young man. When I pass away, I know she'll be well taken care of with him."
Cui Yi felt like ten thousand volcanoes erupting in anger—Baili Zan! I'll cut your tongue out and serve it with wine!
Yet, simultaneously, joy burst forth—no need to marry Cheng Hu's old daughter!