Two days later, Cui Yi couldn't sit still anymore. He repeatedly picked up and put down his teacup without taking more than a few sips.
The midwife had estimated that Chi Ying would give birth within the next couple of days. If everything went smoothly, the aging bachelor Duke Wu would soon become a father.
But fate had other plans. Just as he was filled with anticipation and anxiety for the birth of his first child, a bolt from the blue struck him.
After the morning court session, the civil and military officials departed the Ming Hall in an orderly fashion. Crown Prince Cui Jie led the procession, followed by Cui Yi, who lagged behind absentmindedly. Behind him were his half-brothers Cui Huan and Cui Jing, some chatting among themselves as they headed toward their carriages.
"By the way, Second Brother, I heard Wen Yu is currently a guest at your residence. Ask him to visit me sometime when he's free?" Cui Huan suddenly spoke up. "He's been in the capital for so long without even greeting me."
Cui Yi's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he stopped and turned to look at him: "Baili Wenyu? Do you know him?"
Cui Huan, who resembled his mother, looked more scholarly and delicate compared to his brothers. In front of this towering and mighty second brother, he appeared even more refined and aloof. Cui Huan gave a mocking smile and replied, "Of course I know him. Didn't he mention me to you? Probably to avoid suspicion. Forget I said anything. I'll take my leave." Without waiting for a response, he casually saluted and got into his carriage.
Cui Yi narrowed his eyes, his gaze turning dangerous like a wolf scenting blood. Cao Qian approached with his horse: "Your Highness?"
"Just wait a moment." Cui Yi raised his hand to signal him to wait and strode back.
Changsun Tai was chatting with several colleagues when Cui Yi marched up and called out: "Minister Changsun, please stay a moment."
The civil officials fell silent and discreetly dispersed upon seeing him. Changsun Tai glanced nervously in the direction of Cui Jie, relieved to see that he wasn't paying attention, and asked cautiously: "What does Your Highness need?"
Cui Yi asked emotionlessly: "Minister Changsun, how did you first learn about Baili Zan?"
Changsun Tai looked genuinely confused: "Baili Zan? I don't know anyone by that name."
Cui Yi's eyes widened instantly, startling Changsun Tai, who took a step back and stammered: "Please forgive me, Your Highness. I truly don't know anyone named Baili Zan. Is there something wrong with him?"
"... No, I was just asking." Cui Yi forced out the words through gritted teeth and stormed off angrily.
Back at the stables, Cao Qian looked at him questioningly, but Cui Yi mounted his horse and ordered coldly: "I have business outside the city. You don't need to follow." Cao Qian, though sensing something was amiss, knew better than to pry and returned to the western camp alone.
Cui Yi rode his golden horse out of the city, initially heading toward Gong County to inquire about Baili Zan's fellow townspeople. However, halfway through, he calmed down and realized he was taking the long route. Why travel to Gong County when he could simply ask Cheng Fengyi's husband, Zhai Rang, who worked at the Imperial Censorate?
Though Cui Yi had only met Zhai Rang a few times, he managed to recall his name. Not only were Zhai Rang and Baili Zan from the same hometown, but they were also classmates. According to Zhai Rang, they were as close as brothers. If Baili Zan had known Cui Huan from the past, Zhai Rang would certainly know.
So Cui Yi turned back and found Zhai Rang in Purple Chapter City.
Zhai Rang confirmed Cui Huan's story. Several years ago, after Baili Zan failed the county exam for the first time, a young man from the capital often visited him in Gong County. Zhai Rang had seen him a few times but had forgotten his appearance, remembering only that he was young, handsome, and well-mannered, with a capital accent. He was likely a fellow examinee.
To discover that Baili Zan knew Cui Huan rather than Changsun Tai was a huge blow to Cui Yi. It meant he had to reassess everything. Without Changsun Tai's recommendation, how did Chi Ying know Baili Zan, and why did she recommend him? What secret agenda did Baili Zan have in the Duke's residence? Cui Yi felt his mind swirling in confusion.
When he returned to the residence, it was already evening. Xie Yong passed by the front yard and, seeing Cui Yi's distraught expression, couldn't help but worry: "Your Highness... did something happen?"
Cui Yi looked at him with fierce eyes, causing Xie Yong to shiver violently. As he tried to escape, Cui Yi called him back: "Stop. I have something to ask you."
Xie Yong reluctantly turned around, his face stiff: "Please speak, Your Highness."
"You and Baili Zan live in the side courtyard. Do you interact often?"
"Well... Mr. Baili is either not in the residence or in the main courtyard. I rarely see him."
Cui Yi's eyebrows twitched, unease clouding his heart.
"He often visits the main courtyard?"
Xie Yong lowered his head and answered carefully: "According to the servants, Mr. Baili and the Lady seem to have a close relationship. On the day my sister accidentally injured the Lady in the side courtyard, it was Mr. Baili who carried her back to the main courtyard."
This single sentence ignited the powder keg.
After Chi Ying stormed off, Cui Yi was equally enraged and rushed to the side courtyard to confront Baili Zan.
Baili Zan, anticipating this, stood calmly in the courtyard, bowing respectfully when Cui Yi stormed in: "Your Highness."
Cui Yi charged forward, grabbing Baili Zan by the collar and roaring: "You scoundrel! Sneaking into my residence to do unspeakable things! I was blind to trust you, a deceitful snake!" He raised his fist to strike.
"Hold on, Your Highness!" Cao Qian, who had hurried back, intervened desperately.
"Get out of the way!" Cui Yi kicked him aside, sending him rolling across the ground.
Baili Zan remained composed: "To imprison without cause is foolishness. Before striking me, shouldn't Your Highness explain why?"
Cui Yi's eyes blazed red: "You dare ask why I'm hitting you? You sneak into the main courtyard every day when I'm not around. Do you think I'm blind? You and Chi Ying are spies planted by the Crown Prince! You've been playing me for a fool!"
Cao Qian, who had never seen Cui Yi this angry, pleaded: "Your Highness, show mercy! Both the Lady and Mr. Baili have been loyal to you. Please don't listen to slanderous rumors and misjudge loyalty!"
Cui Yi roared: "Shut up!"
"Third Brother? Third Prince?" Baili Zan, the only calm one, pieced together the situation from Cui Yi's words: "Your Highness says Third Prince sent me. Who told you this, and where is the evidence?"
Cui Yi bellowed: "You've known each other for years. I personally questioned Zhai Rang. A young man from the capital often visited you after you failed the county exam. Isn't that true?"
Baili Zan paused, then asked: "That man was the Third Prince?"
"Zhai Rang said you two got along well. How could you not know who he was?"
"Well... he introduced himself as 'Yuanzhi,' never revealing his surname or status. I truly didn't know he was a prince!"
The Third Prince, Cui Huan, used the courtesy name "Shuyao," completely unrelated to "Yuanzhi." Cui Yi retorted coldly: "This is just your word. Who can verify the truth?"
Baili Zan explained: "Even if I knew Third Prince and was sent as a spy, wouldn't he hide it rather than admit it openly? Admitting such a thing would defeat the purpose."
Cui Yi and Cao Qian exchanged looks, speechless.
Baili Zan sighed and straightened his clothes: "This is a counterintelligence plot aimed at creating discord within the Duke's residence. If Your Highness had acted rashly and killed me, you would have fallen into Third Prince's trap."
"But how do you explain Chi Ying recommending you to me?" Cui Yi persisted, fearing betrayal more than espionage.
"To be honest," Baili Zan said sincerely, "I asked the Lady the same question. She is a secluded lady, and I am a newcomer with no reputation. How did she know about me?"
Cui Yi frowned: "What did she say?"
Baili Zan replied: "She said that Minister Changsun often spoke highly of me and intended to recommend me to the Crown Prince. But I don't know Minister Changsun..."
Cui Yi exhaled heavily, feeling overwhelmed: "Changsun Tai also claims he doesn't know you."
The three men looked at each other, unable to unravel the mystery.
"Perhaps the Lady heard about me from someone else," Baili Zan suggested, "but that person's identity is sensitive, so she attributed it to Minister Changsun's appreciation."
Cui Yi shot him a cold glance: "Is that mysterious young man named Yuanzhi? If not Third Prince, who could he be?"
Baili Zan shook his head helplessly: "We can't determine that now, but if Your Highness trusts me, I have a plan to test whether Third Prince is involved."
"Tell me."
The next day after court, Cui Yi stopped his third brother, Cui Huan: "Yesterday, I asked Wen Yu about you. He said he hadn't seen you in years and feared the relationship had grown distant, so he hadn't visited. Today, since Cao Qian is on leave, he came to lead the horse. You two can chat and perhaps go for drinks if you wish. I don't restrict my household members."
Cui Huan readily agreed: "That would be excellent. Thank you, Second Brother."
They walked together toward the stables. Because they were late, most of the other princes' carriages had already left, leaving only Jinwu still tethered near the stable. A scholarly-looking man held the reins, chatting with a guard. Cui Huan greeted him warmly: "Brother Wen Yu, long time no see?"
The scholar turned and looked puzzled at first, then recognition dawned, and he quickly knelt: "Forgive me, Your Highness!"
Cui Huan helped him up with a broad smile: "No need for formalities, Brother Wen Yu. You knew me as Yuanzhi, not a prince. There's no need for such deference."
"The Third Prince?" the guard adjusted his helmet and interjected, "I am Baili Wenyu."
At that moment, Cui Huan's face turned as colorful as fireworks during New Year's celebrations.