Chapter 57: The Prince of Southern Pacification’s True Identity / There Was Never Zhou Hai, Only Me

Chapter 57: The Prince of Southern Pacification's Identity Exposed / There Was Never a Zhou Hai, Only Me

When Bai Yuning and Zhou Chiye were released back to the Marquisate together, the officials from the Court of Judicial Review even arranged a carriage for them to ride back.

After all, they were still masters and couldn’t be made to walk back like servants.

The official responsible for escorting them back helped them into the carriage while bending over backwards to please, saying, "Ah, the Marquisate has been vindicated—what a joyous occasion! They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Young Master Zhou and Miss Bai have suffered much these past days, but surely great blessings lie ahead."

With the Crown Prince’s faction now holding sway and the Marquisate closely aligned with it, and Young Master Zhou being Qin Chanyue's only son, his star was rising. Thus, the Court of Judicial Review official was eager to please.

As he spoke, the official glanced cheerfully at Zhou Chiye’s expression, only to find his face like thunder. The official’s blood ran cold.

Lower-ranking officials like him hadn’t been involved in the interrogations and were unaware of Zhou Chiye’s betrayal of the Marquisate. The more congratulations he offered, the colder Zhou Chiye’s expression grew. Without a word, Zhou Chiye pulled Bai Yuning into the carriage.

The carriage wasn’t spacious—a modest carriage with no room for a bed, only two hard benches facing each other. Once inside, both Zhou Chiye and Bai Yuning sat in silence.

As the carriage swayed its way back to the Marquisate, the servants outside whooped and celebrated, some even weeping with relief. The merrymaking only made the claustrophobic gloom feel all the more stifling.

Things had taken an unexpected turn—the Second Prince's plot against Lady Qin had failed.

Now, as prime offenders, the two of them were being escorted back to the Marquisate by people who knew nothing of their betrayal. The closer they got, the paler their faces became.

They might as well have stayed in the death cell.

"What do you think—" Zhou Chiye’s mind was in turmoil. He rubbed his knees repeatedly, his chapped lips pressed tightly together, the dead skin irritating him.

"Lady Qin must already know," Bai Yuning murmured, her head lowered. "For some reason, the Second Prince lost to the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince must have reviewed all the evidence, including your confession. Yet he didn’t deal with you directly—likely leaving that to Lady Qin."

After all, Zhou Chiye was a family traitor. Since it involved the family, the Crown Prince wouldn’t overstep by punishing Zhou Chiye himself. He would deliver him to Lady Qin untouched.

That was why they had been released from the dungeon.

The moment Bai Yuning stepped out and heard the minor officials’ chatter, she understood the situation. With the Crown Prince now in power and the Second Prince’s faction crushed, the fact that they—the prime offenders—were still alive meant someone had deliberately spared them.

They had been reserved for Lady Qin.

As for what Lady Qin would do… that remained unknown.

Zhou Chiye grew even more agitated.

He had bided his time and staked everything to gain power and status under the Second Prince. And now? After all that suffering, after being tortured in the dark cell for days, he had nothing to show for it! Nothing!

That was bad enough, but worse still—now that the Second Prince had vanished into the wind, he was being sent back to the Marquisate!

Being sent back meant being thrown to the wolves. Once there, would he even survive?

His elder brother, who had betrayed their mother, Zhou Yuanting—the one who had joined the Zhou family in causing trouble for their mother at the theater—had met an untimely end after that day. Zhou Chiye had tried to investigate, only to learn that Zhou Yuanting had "met an untimely end."

He knew their mother had killed Zhou Yuanting.

If she could kill one of her own sons, why not another?

The prospect of his fate made Zhou Chiye's blood run cold.

He didn’t want to die. He didn’t want to die! He wanted to live!

Instinctively, he reached out and grabbed Bai Yuning’s wrist, his voice tight with desperation. "Let’s escape tonight."

Bai Yuning met his gaze unblinking.

"Let's get out of here." Zhou Chiye didn't notice Bai Yuning's gaze. He fixed her with an intense stare, his voice panicked and rushed, saying, "We'll leave Chang'an and never come back."

Zhou Chiye's anxious heart gradually settled. Holding Bai Yuning's hand, he thought that as long as he was with Yuning, they could make a life together no matter where they went.

He could discard the name Zhou Chiye and become an ordinary man, living quietly with his Yuning. Even if he couldn't serve as an official, he had talent and skills. Among the common folk, they could still lead a decent life—plain fare, three squares a day.

But Bai Yuning slowly lowered her lashes and whispered, "I can't not come back. I must find the Second Prince."

Zhou Chiye had severed ties with his parents and could leave just like that, but Bai Yuning couldn't. She still had to fight for her parents, needing the Second Prince's power to help rescue them.

For Bai Yuning to abandon everything and become a peasant woman in the countryside, washing clothes every day—she couldn't do it. She could endure humiliation, suffer, even die, but she couldn't resign herself to mediocrity, to insignificance, to becoming a weed anyone could trample upon.

She would continue to stir the winds and clouds in Chang'an with her battered body. Even as the lowest sparrow, she would die beneath the glazed eaves, ending up as food for nobles.

Though she had failed this time, Bai Yuning knew the Second Prince wouldn't abandon her.

The Second Prince had slightly more scruples than the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince judged value after use—keeping what was useful and discarding what wasn't. Lady Qin had been in the tower for so long, and the Crown Prince truly ignored her. Even if she died there, it would only serve as a pretext for the Crown Prince to act against the Second Prince. He would never let one life disrupt his plans. But the Second Prince had some sentimentality. The women he slept with were all set up elsewhere before his wedding—let alone a strategist who had risked her life for him.

Even if Bai Yuning and Zhou Chiye had failed, the Second Prince would consider past affection and give them an out.

Zhou Chiye froze.

He hadn't considered the "Second Prince" as an option, but since Bai Yuning brought it up, he naturally agreed.

Wherever Bai Yuning wanted to go, he would follow. They would never abandon each other.

At that moment, the carriage swayed and finally arrived before the Marquis's estate.

A crowd of maids, servants, and private soldiers entered the estate, and Zhou Chiye and Bai Yuning were carried along into the familiar courtyard.

The estate had been neglected for days, battered by wind and rain, making the grand residence appear desolate. But as people gradually filled the courtyard, the lively atmosphere returned, and the estate came alive again.

The head housekeeper busied herself directing everyone to wash off the bad luck, change clothes, and prepare for a proper feast that evening. The head housekeeper even announced, "Later, this old servant will ask Her Ladyship for rewards. Having survived such a calamity, we must seek some joy!"

The crowd responded with relief and cheer.

Only Zhou Chiye and Bai Yuning remained silent as they slipped off.

They had just returned and hadn't seen Lady Qin yet—likely she was tied up hosting the Crown Prince and had no time for the two of them.

Amid the revelry, the pair hurried back to Jianming Courtyard and started packing right away.

To escape, they needed to take some belongings—money, valuables, fake travel papers. Once everything was prepared, they planned to flee that very night.

Leaving while no one was paying attention might at least spare their lives, unlike their "dear elder brother," who had died without explanation, leaving only a grave behind.

In the quiet of Jianming Courtyard, the two star-crossed youths held each other's hands, casting one last glance at the lavish manor before sunset.

——

Meanwhile, in Moonview Garden.

The courtyard's flowers and plants had withered, looking sparse and weary. With everyone just returned, Qin Chanyue had much to attend to, so the Crown Prince took his leave early.

Qin Chanyue personally escorted him out.

Even as he left, the Crown Prince kept looking back, his gaze lingering on Liu Yandai, each look a silent demand.

*When will this be made official?*

["Didn't you say you wanted to come into the palace with me?"]

["Now that we're out, Hurry up and say it!"]

Liu Yandai ducked her head lower with every look from him, not daring to raise it.

Qin Chanyue, immersed in the joy of "cheating death," "escaping a tight spot," and "scoring a victory," didn't notice this slight peculiarity.

After the Crown Prince left, Qin Chanyue returned to the Moon-Viewing Garden.

Having been away for days, dust had settled over everything in the garden. Maids and servants hurriedly cleaned and replaced items, the underfloor heating was stoked back up, and the dried-up flowers in the rooms were quickly replaced. Upon returning, Qin Chanyue and Liu Yandai first dug into a hearty meal.

During this time, Qin Chanyue had been trapped in the pagoda, surviving on cold food and water, while Liu Yandai had been too on edge to eat a proper meal. Now reunited, they ate heartily, and Qin Chanyue even drank a few cups of wine.

Liu Yandai, due to her pregnancy, couldn't drink, but the thought of her condition made her throat clog with words she couldn’t say for her mother-in-law—words she didn’t know how to voice.

["Mother-in-law, guess who the father of this baby is?"]

["Mother-in-law, what if... the Crown Prince expects me to marry him again, but I don’t really want to, yet I already agreed—what should I do?"]

["Mother-in-law, will the Crown Prince be mad if I take it back now?"]

Hmm... Liu Yandai pursed her lips and ultimately held back, seeing how happily her mother-in-law was drinking.

Let her be happy for a couple more days—the timid girl thought.

Qin Chanyue had no idea what her daughter-in-law was scheming. After the meal, she bathed thoroughly to wash off the bad luck.

Liu Yandai stuck to her like glue, refusing to leave even during the bath, holding a wooden ladle to pour water for Qin Chanyue.

She hadn’t seen her mother-in-law in so long—she had to stick close.

The late autumn cold cut deep, but soaking in the hot tub slowly seeped warmth back into Qin Chanyue’s stiff bones. As she leaned back, she listened to Liu Yandai recount recent events.

Liu Yandai didn’t know much—just slightly more than the completely uninformed. Asking her about court affairs was pointless. While ladling water, the silly girl kept zoning out, lost in her own head.

Qin Chanyue waved her off, telling her to return to the Book-Sea Courtyard, then called the housekeeper in for a full briefing.

The housekeeper, recently released from prison, had been gathering information and was ready to brief Qin Chanyue.

"Reporting to Madam—the Prince of Southern Pacification still hasn’t woken up. Deputy General Qian and the previously implicated officials have been released. The Second Prince is under house arrest, with no word on when he’ll be freed. The Second Prince’s faction has been purged by the Crown Prince—many were put to death."

"The Vice-Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, the Vice-Minister of Revenue, and the Commander of the Imperial Guards—"

At the mention of the Commander, the housekeeper’s voice softened. "The first two were exiled, but the Commander, who worked for Noble Consort Wan as her trusted aide, had his whole family wiped out by the Crown Prince."

The beautiful woman in the tub slowly opened her eyes at these words.

Exile was survivable—like Bai Yuning, at least they kept their lives. If someone pulled strings, their kids might make it.

But extermination meant no survivors.

Qin Chanyue closed her eyes again, leaning back in the tub, murmuring, "The Crown Prince’s cutting out the rot—good."

Fortunately, she had once fought for the Crown Prince, putting her on his side. As long as she didn’t misstep, he wouldn’t harm her—instead, he’d keep her in luxury.

This way, even if her foster brother remained unconscious, she could shield him instead.

Thinking of her foster brother—Qin Chanyue recalled that ridiculous dream she’d had that day.

The pagoda was filled with smoke, and her male favorite descended from above wearing a mask, only to reveal her adopted brother's face when he removed it.

Qin Chanyue gave a soft laugh as she rose from the bathtub and asked, "Where is Steward Zhou?"

A maidservant nearby quickly picked up a fine silk towel to dry Qin Chanyue while answering, "My lady, Steward Zhou has returned to his quarters. Young men are hardy by nature, so he didn’t suffer much."

Zhou Hai, known as "Qin Chanyue’s male favorite," had indeed been interrogated in prison, but he wasn’t subjected to severe torture—likely because he was seen as merely a "male favorite."

After a pause, the maidservant asked, "Shall Steward Zhou attend to you tonight?"

Qin Chanyue was just stepping out of the bathtub.

She had grown noticeably thinner these past days, her once-plump figure now slender, making her old sleeping robe hang loosely. Her damp hair was wrapped carelessly in the towel. Hearing the question, she smirked faintly and nodded. "Have him come later. There’s no rush now. Grind the ink for me first."

The maidservant complied, fetching writing materials and setting them on the desk.

Qin Chanyue began drafting invitations.

After enduring such a calamity, the Marquis's estate had now risen again. Naturally, they had to hold a banquet—to show everyone that the estate still remained standing.

Aside from the usual guests, she intended to invite certain individuals: the military officers who had been imprisoned alongside her, the Crown Prince, and influential members of the Crown Prince faction who had lent their support.

These were all people connected to the Crown Prince and Qin Chanyue. Since they were holding a banquet, they might as well gather everyone for a grand occasion.

There were many invitations to write. As she penned them one by one, she distractedly asked, "What’s happening at Jianming Courtyard?"

Her "beloved son" and "beloved daughter-in-law" had been released but had remained oddly quiet since.

The servants, unaware of Zhou Chiye’s true nature, still believed he and Qin Chanyue were a loving mother and son who had weathered hardships together. Hearing her question, they quickly replied, "The Second Young Master and Miss Bai seem completely worn out. They’ve been resting in their courtyard since returning, with no movement at all. However, Xia Yiniang wished to offer her respects to Lady Qin. I kept her waiting outside, not allowing her to enter directly. Would my lady like to see her?"

The housekeeper found it strange. After such an ordeal, no matter how exhausted one was, shouldn’t they at least make an effort to see Lady Qin? Earlier, Liu Yandai—who wasn’t even Qin Chanyue’s blood daughter—had clung to her, unwilling to leave. Even Xia Yiniang knew to pay her respects. Why hadn’t Zhou Chiye, her own son, shown up yet?

Hearing this, Qin Chanyue smirked faintly.

Zhou Chiye’s conspiracy with the Second Prince to frame her was both a family disgrace and a political conflict—something not to be disclosed. She had kept it completely concealed, not even mentioning it to Liu Yandai.

Now, Zhou Chiye had been safely returned to her... What should she do with this son of hers?

She had already used him to settle the matter with the Second Prince. In her eyes, Zhou Chiye had served his purpose. Killing him outright would be simplest, but she didn’t want to leave any evidence—if the Second Young Master and Bai Yuning met with sudden deaths right after returning to the estate, it would raise too many suspicions.

After some thought, Qin Chanyue said, "Send some men to take the Second Young Master and Miss Bai to the country estate."

If Zhou Chiye died within the Marquis's estate, it might be exploited for political gain. Better to send him away—to a secluded place where he could meet an untimely end in the manor, leaving no trace for others to seize.

The maidservant was momentarily stunned but dared not oppose Qin Chanyue’s orders, nodding in acknowledgment.

"As for Xia Yiniang, give her some silver and send her away," Qin Chanyue said. "This time, the Marquis's estate has wronged her. If she encounters difficulties in the future, she may seek us out."

The maidservant found it odd—Qin Chanyue treated her husband’s concubine with such courtesy, yet showed no warmth toward her own son.

But as a servant, she dared not comment, only nodding and noting everything down.

Just then, Qin Chanyue finished writing the invitations. After instructing the maidservant to deliver them, she added, "Summon Steward Zhou."

Days of hardship had paved the way to smooth sailing. Tonight, she intended to indulge herself thoroughly.

The maidservant obeyed and left.

That evening, Steward Zhou received a long-absent blow to the neck, falling into deep unconsciousness on the bed. In his dreams, he, too, finally found peace.

I knew it! There will always be chances to come at me in the future! Between brothers, no need to hold back!

After the wooden door of Steward Zhou’s quarters slowly closed, a tall shadow trailed behind the maid, heading straight toward the Moonviewing Garden.

Under the moonlight, the Moonviewing Garden looked no different from usual—the moon hung bright and boundless, and the plants grew quietly, as if unscathed by turmoil. Only those who had been inside could understand the turbulent storms the Hou residence had weathered in just a few short days.

That night.

The night was heavy, and the eaves of the Moonviewing Garden were hung with swaying wind-lanterns, casting a warm glow along the path.

After the matron left, Qin Chanyue sat behind the desk in the side chamber, finishing half a jar of newly brewed wine by herself. Her striking face flushed lightly, her dewy lips parted, her gaze slightly dazed as she propped her cheek on her elbow, waiting quietly.

A night like this—one of intoxication, indulgence, and revelry—deserved nothing less than a fine wine, half-drunk, half-lost, half in dreams, to savor every moment.

—

With a creak, the door opened, and the tall male servant outside stepped in slowly.

The side chamber was utterly silent.

The bed curtains hung with silk tassels, swaying gently in the breeze. The heated floor radiated warmth beneath them, and the beauty sitting by the desk, slightly drunk, said nothing upon seeing him enter. She only smiled at him, then slowly swayed the tip of her foot.

The man kneeling at the door seemed to think of something, his throat bobbing as he swallowed thickly.

No words were spoken—only wordless, charged tension thickened in the air. With just one glance from Qin Chanyue, the man edging forward on his knees lowered himself further until his face was buried in her lap.

He was such an eager learner, having put in so much effort to study in secret. His progress was remarkable—just one touch from him, and Qin Chanyue's body melted.

Her pale ankles dragged against his back, occasionally letting out soft murmurs.

He was beyond words, his breathing growing heavier with each passing moment, his large hands gripping her waist tightly as he lifted her with force.

He was too tall, so he had to kneel fully on the ground, holding her up to please her. Qin Chanyue's legs rested on his shoulders, bringing them so close that she couldn’t help but notice the mask on his face.

Under the flickering candlelight, the silver-edged mask seemed to gleam with an inexplicable sheen.

The moment she saw it, Qin Chanyue flashed back to that dream.

Her fingers unconsciously traced the mask as she whispered to him, "Why are you wearing this again? Do you know... I once saw it in a dream?"

"It was in the pagoda... back then, I think I was ill."

The man kneeling before her intensified his movements, his teeth sinking into her, refusing to let go, drawing several breathy whimpers from her.

"How cruel," she chided playfully, reaching out to lift the mask away.

The man holding her didn’t resist, only redoubled his efforts, biting her desperately as if he wanted to consume her whole, so they could never be parted again.

Her slender fingers traced the edge of the mask, lifting it gently—and the silver-edged mask fell away, revealing a face both familiar and strange.

The lower half of his face was buried in the folds of her skirt, but his gaze lifted to meet hers.

Do you see these eyes?

There was no dream. You had no dream. No Zhou Hai. *Only me.* *Only me.* *Only me!*

The moment her expression twisted in shock, he bit down harder, pinning her in place as she struggled, refusing to let her escape. Like a gambler staking everything on one final bet, he drove her to the razor’s edge between terror and rapture.