Chapter 10: Closing the Gate to Beat the Hound

Chapter 10: Trapping the Dog Inside

Raindrops persisted, casting an even darker shadow in the study, where the flickering candlelight seemed drearily feeble.

Zhu Yunxuan, agitated, sat restlessly. "When have I mistreated Prince Zhao that he cannot afford to light more candles?"

Liang Zhen chuckled softly. "I've been accustomed to these dimly lit rooms since childhood and forgot that Your Majesty was here. Forgive my oversight."

As all the lamps were ignited, Liang Zhen's smiling eyes shimmered brighter in the wavering candlelight, making Zhu Yunxuan feel even more uneasy. "What do you mean by being used to dark, unlit rooms since childhood?"

Liang Zhen shook his head slightly. "My mother—she had a heart as venomous as a scorpion. When I was just three or four, she would often lock me alone in a dark room for hours on end. Eventually, I grew accustomed to it."

Zhu Yunxuan frowned upon hearing this. "If she is your mother, why did she do such a thing?"

Liang Zhen toyed casually with the chess pieces. "Of course, a child not born from her womb wouldn't be dear to her heart."

Zhu Yunxuan felt a heavy weight in his chest. This was the first time Liang Zhen had openly acknowledged in front of him that he was not the biological son of Marquis of Anle. "Not her biological child?"

Liang Zhen lifted his gaze to meet his, his smile holding a deeper meaning. "Hasn't Your Majesty known this all along? Not only was Lady Anle not my birth mother, but Marquis of Anle was not my birth father either."

Zhu Yunxuan clenched his fists tightly. It was one thing to know beforehand, but another to hear it directly from Liang Zhen's lips. If he didn't confess, Zhu Yunxuan could still deceive himself. If Liang Zhen truly was a prince, their past actions would be considered incestuous and immoral, which was the most humiliating truth Zhu Yunxuan couldn't bear to face.

But Liang Zhen seemed entirely unbothered by the awkwardness, maintaining his playful grin. "Why doesn't Your Majesty ask more about my past?"

Zhu Yunxuan replied coldly, "What's there to ask?"

"I can tell Your Majesty more, so you'll feel more concern for me."

Almost amused by Liang Zhen's audacity, Zhu Yunxuan retorted, "Why should I feel concern for you?"

"If Your Majesty is so compassionate, you'd naturally pity me if you find me pitiful."

"Ha."

Liang Zhen continued without pause, "As a child, it was rare for me to have a full meal. My mother always said that overeating could cause indigestion and illness, so she only allowed me a single bite of each dish. Every time, I'd gaze longingly at the food but wasn't allowed to touch it. It was truly vexing. Now that I have my own residence, I naturally seek out renowned chefs to satisfy my culinary cravings."

"The wet nurses, nannies, and servants who attended to me understood my mother's intentions and found every excuse to torment me. Before I turned ten, there were marks from their pinches all over my body where outsiders couldn't see. Even when I complained to my father, they'd claim it was from accidental bumps and bruises, then escalate their mistreatment after."

"My studies were never satisfactory, so my mother pretended to teach me while forcing me to copy texts repeatedly. I wasn't allowed to stop even when my hands trembled and I couldn't hold the brush. If I didn't finish copying, she wouldn't let me sleep. She'd also call me wayward and lacking ambition, striking the palms of my hands with a ruler until they bled, teaching me a 'lesson' through pain."

Liang Zhen's words were laced with a subtle smile, yet there was an absence of bitterness or resentment in his tone, as if he were recounting a story that held no personal relevance to him. Zhu Yunxuan felt a strange unease listening to this, perhaps due to a sense of empathy. He too had a difficult childhood, but palace servants would never dare mistreat a prince, and he had the added protection of an elder brother.

"Knowing your identity, why would they dare to treat you like this?"

Liang Zhen's lips curled slightly. "What status? He's merely an illegitimate child born to a concubine who was never favored by the family. It's uncertain if he can even be recognized as a member of the clan. Marquis of Anle might have his reservations, but as for that woman, she's lost her mind. She believes her son's premature death was due to me stealing his destiny. Since I took away his rightful position as heir, she's bound to seek revenge."

Zhu Yunxuan was momentarily at a loss for words. Liang Zhen chuckled again, "When I had just turned ten, my mother stuffed seven or eight beautiful maidens into my chambers, claiming she wanted to educate me in the ways of the world. How could I not understand her true intention, which was to weaken my body at such a young age and render me useless? Those maidens were her spies, so naturally, I didn't touch them. Eventually, rumors spread within the estate that I suffered from a hidden ailment, and before long, these whispers reached beyond our household, even reaching the ears of the previous emperor..."

Zhu Yunxuan's expression stiffened. Perhaps no one knew better than he did about Liang Zhen's hidden ailments in that aspect. It was utterly absurd... How could he have the audacity to blurt such matters out so casually?

Liang Zhen continued nonchalantly, "His late Majesty was once deeply concerned and even intended to have the imperial physicians examine this subject. However, I respectfully declined. Until this day, there are still whispers behind my back about this matter. It seems I must ask Your Majesty to clear my name, for no one knows better than you, Your Majesty, whether there is any truth to these rumors…"

Zhu Yunxuan interrupted with annoyance, "Princess Zhao, aren't you afraid that your frivolous words might tarnish your reputation if someone were to hear them?"

A hint of amusement deepened the curve of Liang Zhen's lips. "Here, it's only Your Majesty and I. Would you share this with outsiders?"

Zhu Yunxuan chose to remain silent, and Liang Zhen, having finished his jest, turned serious, his gaze darkening. "So, Your Majesty, the Liangs treat me thus yet still expect my aid in propelling Ninth Prince to the throne, so that their women may become Empress Dowager and their family the royal kin, ascending to great heights. Why should I fulfill their wishes?"

Zhu Yunxuan's expression momentarily faltered before he gave a self-deprecating smile. "In that case, it would seem I owe my good fortune to the Liang family, having unwittingly secured an immense bargain."

"Your Majesty, there's no need to overthink. This position is yours, and no one can question that."

Afternoon arrived, and the sudden rain had ceased, revealing the sky once more.

Zhu Yunxuan set down the chess piece in his hand, gazing out the window before softly sighing, "The sky has cleared. Let's return to the palace."

Liang Zhen curved his lips slightly and instructed someone to prepare the carriage, escorting Zhu Yunxuan out of the estate, "This subject will see Your Majesty back to the palace."

Zhu Yunxuan made no comment, directly entering the carriage. In any case, he couldn't stop Liang Zhen from doing what he intended.

Liang Zhen vaulted onto his horse, casting a glance back at the trailing palanquin. A smile deepened in his eyes as he gave the order to set off.

Upon returning to the palace, the two of them had just seated themselves when Feng Sheng eagerly served them tea. Noticing this, Liang Zhen chuckled. "When did it become your duty, Eunuch Feng, to personally attend to such tasks?"

Feng Sheng fawned, "It is both my responsibility and good fortune to serve His Majesty and the Prince. It brings me great pleasure."

He lingered by their side, ready to offer his services at any moment. Zhu Yunxuan's expression remained cold, ignoring Feng Sheng. Liang Zhen narrowed his eyes slightly and suddenly asked Zhu Yunxuan, "I heard that His Majesty left the city early this morning to meet with the former Grand Tutor of the Eastern Palace, Elder Ceng. Does His Majesty plan to recall him to his position?"

Before Zhu Yunxuan could respond, Feng Sheng's face paled, revealing his panic. He likely hadn't expected Liang Zhen to mention the matter in front of Zhu Yunxuan. Unperturbed, Liang Zhen simply smiled at Zhu Yunxuan, awaiting his answer.

Zhu Yunxuan gave him a sidelong glance, his gaze darkening slightly. "So what if it is? The Eastern Palace witchcraft case has long been overturned, and Teacher was wrongfully implicated in the first place. He's a capable official, and the court is in need of his services now. Why can't I summon him back?"

Liang Zhen smiled and shook his head. "How could this subject dare to object if Your Majesty wishes to employ him? Does Your Majesty plan to invite Elder Zeng into the cabinet?"

"He's more than qualified for the cabinet with his experience. I want him to serve as the prime minister," Zhu Yunxuan paused before scoffing coldly. "But let's set that aside. I'm curious, why does Prince Zhao know my movements so well? This morning's departure from the palace was a last-minute decision. Who told Prince Zhao about it?"

Cold sweat trickled down Feng Sheng's forehead as his legs began to tremble. Liang Zhen glanced at him and pretended to be surprised. "Eunuch Feng specially sent someone to inform this subject. I thought Your Majesty had instructed him to do so."

Fixing Feng Sheng with a cold stare, Zhu Yunxuan asked, "When did I order you to tell Prince Zhao about my affairs?"

Feng Sheng quivered as he knelt on the ground. Zhu Yunxuan spoke in a deep voice. "Who instructed you to do this, or did you take it upon yourself?"

"I, your servant, am innocent! I didn't... I didn't..." Feng Sheng cried out in protest. Zhu Yunxuan cut him off impatiently. "Innocent? Did I wrong you, or did Prince Zhao?"

"I, your servant... I, your servant..." Feng Sheng lifted his head abruptly and crawled to Liang Zhen. "Prince Zhao, save me! I'm loyal to you, I did it all for you!"

Zhu Yunxuan glanced at Liang Zhen expectantly, waiting for an explanation. Liang Zhen pushed away the person who was almost clinging to him, saying disdainfully, "Eunuch Feng, your loyalty should be to Your Majesty, not this prince. Your intentions are questionable."

Turning to Zhu Yunxuan, he continued, "Your Majesty, please understand that there is no improper relationship between us. I beg you not to misunderstand me."

Zhu Yunxuan repeated softly, "Is that so? Then perhaps it's he who has ill intentions, trying to curry favor with you, Prince Zhao?"

Liang Zhen responded dismissively, "I dare not agree with Your Majesty on this. Whatever thoughts Eunuch Feng may have, they are of no concern to me."

Feng Sheng cried out in panic, "How can you treat your servant this way, Prince Zhao! I've done so much for you...!"

"Remove him," Zhu Yunxuan ordered coldly.

The armed guards entered the hall and, seeing Liang Zhen's indifference, Feng Sheng finally lost all composure. He rambled frantically, "Your Majesty, you can't do this to your servant! I belong to the late emperor! I was entrusted by the late emperor with the imperial edict of succession... umm... umm..."

His words were cut short as the guards restrained him. Struggling futilely, his arms were dislocated, and though he stared fiercely, he could no longer utter a single syllable. Thus, he was dragged away.

Silence returned to the grand hall. Liang Zhen casually smoothed out the wrinkles in his robe caused by the eunuch's grasp. He chuckled lightly, "Are you satisfied now, Your Majesty?"

Zhu Yunxuan looked at him hesitantly, "He was willing to die for you, yet you agreed to my punishment without hesitation. Don't you worry about disappointing your other loyal followers?"

Liang Zhen shrugged off the concern, "But he made Your Majesty unhappy. So be it if he's killed. Who asked him to know too much, have such cunning intentions, and especially, to show disrespect to Your Majesty? He deserved it."

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes flickered, and he fell silent, while Liang Zhen smiled enigmatically, also resuming his hold on the teacup without a word.