Chapter 415: I

Pan Yun pulled at the corner of her mouth in a faint smile, lowering her eyes to think: no wonder the historical records said that after Zhu Qiyu ascended the throne, many ministers believed he was vastly different from Zhu Qizhen.

His good reputation came much later, yet he remained heavily criticized.

Regardless of how he fared as an emperor, at least as a prince, he was derelict in duty.

Pan Yun passed him and chased after Zhu Qizhen, walking straight to his side and asking, in front of Cao Jixiang's widened eyes: "Young Master, are you just leaving like this?"

Zhu Qizhen abruptly stopped, turned to look at her, "What do you want me to do? Arrest Wang Zhen and interrogate him on the spot?"

Pan Yun sighed, "Isn't that what should be done? I thought we were similar in age, both hot-blooded youths."

Zhu Qizhen froze, staring at her youthful face, then remembered: yes, she was very young.

The anger in Zhu Qizhen's chest instantly dissipated, and his expression softened.

Cao Jixiang, seeing his expression, immediately understood his thoughts, shifted his mind, and stepped forward to whisper soothingly, "Young Master, youths are always hot-blooded, with clear likes and dislikes; don't be angry."

Zhu Qizhen grunted, "I'm not angry anymore."

Not only was he no longer angry—he grew cheerful, and asked Pan Yun with interest, "If I don't punish Wang Zhen, what will you do?"

Pan Yun frowned, looking puzzled, "If not him, then who? What's the point of keeping such a powerful eunuch?"

She pointed casually at Cao Jixiang, "He's even better than Wang Zhen—is it that he serves poorly, or isn't loyal enough?"

Cao Jixiang cried out, "Aiyo!" and bowed low, hastily saying, "Daoist Priest, don't speak so recklessly."

Zhu Qizhen: "Cao Jixiang is certainly loyal and performs his duties well, but court affairs differ from your Daoist practices—there's far more complexity here, not simply black or white."

Pan Yun stared at him with wide eyes, silent, yet clearly demanding an answer.

Zhu Qizhen realized he couldn't refuse her, so for the first time, he explained: "I have no other choice. Some hold too much power, collude with each other, and form factions. I wish to reclaim authority without causing many deaths—I must have someone stand at the front."

"Wang Zhen understands my heart, comprehends my intentions, and is utterly loyal—no one is more suitable."

Pan Yun sneered, "A blade too sharp may cut you in the end. Ask yourself: how much of what you've done these past two years came from your own heart, and how much arose only after others reminded you?"

"Beware of mistaking their will for your own—eventually, you'll weave your own cocoon."

Zhu Qizhen: "Do Daoist Priests always speak so harshly?"

Pan Yun: "Honest words are always bitter to hear."

"I've already called myself 'I'—why aren't you kneeling to pay homage?"

Pan Yun looked up at the sky, "The wind is strong—there's nothing but whooshing all around. What were you just saying you were about to do?"

Cao Jixiang: …

Zhu Qizhen chuckled, not angry, only curious: "If you don't recognize me, you needn't kneel—but if you do, there's no downside except kneeling. I could even grant you power. Don't you want it?"

But so what? What he gives, he can just as easily take back.

Pan Yun reached into her sleeve, pulled out four talismans, and handed them to him: "These are Heart-to-Heart Talismans. I give them to you."

Zhu Qizhen took them curiously, "What are these for?"

"They can open your heavenly eye, letting you see how much weight you hold in another's heart. You said Wang Zhen is loyal and understands you, right?"

"This one is the master talisman—you keep it. These three are child talismans; stick one on him. Hold the master talisman, whisper the incantation, and you'll sense your position in his heart."

Pan Yun said: "You have three to test with."

Zhu Qizhen's eyes lit up instantly, "Such talismans exist? Why have I never heard True Person Zhang mention them? Even Yin Song never spoke of them."

Pan Yun: "Because they don't know. This is an ancient talisman, passed down from antiquity—legend says ancient couples used it to test each other's hearts; if one didn't hold at least half the other's affection, they wouldn't marry."

"This talisman is not only hard to draw, but exhausting to use—so Young Master, use only one per day, no more."

Cao Jixiang, hearing of danger, immediately wanted to advise the Emperor.

But Zhu Qizhen instantly raised his hand to stop him, eyes gleaming: "I'll try it. What's the incantation?"

Pan Yun beckoned him, "Lean closer."

Zhu Qizhen bent his head toward her.

Pan Yun whispered two phrases into his ear.

Zhu Qizhen wore an expression of utter disbelief, staring silently at her. Pan Yun spread her hands: "Why look at me? That's the ancient incantation—not mine."

"I know it's simple, so I'm telling you privately—otherwise, if it spread, it'd lose its power." Pan Yun asked: "You've memorized such a simple incantation, Young Master, haven't you?"

Zhu Qizhen: "Two sentences? How could I forget?"

Pan Yun stepped back, clasped her fists, and said: "Then let us part ways—each to our own home. Farewell."

"Wait," Zhu Qizhen called after her, "Are you really just leaving like this?"

Pan Yun: "Is there another issue?"

Zhu Qizhen: "... Did you really go through all this today just to uphold justice—with no personal motive?"

"Of course," Pan Yun said solemnly, "I have a grudge against Wang Zhen!"

She was so serious, yet Zhu Qizhen doubted her: "Really?"

Pan Yun nodded, "Truly. Though I'm powerful, my Wu Gong is formidable—I could kill him quietly after he leaves the palace—but I'm a law-abiding citizen."

Pan Yun clasped her fists and gestured toward the palace, "The current Emperor is a wise ruler, so I've decided to bring him to justice through legal means, not private vengeance."

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Zhu Qizhen grunted, even more skeptical of her words, yet didn't insist she kneel or call him Emperor: "What grudge do you have with him?"

Pan Yun: "He undermines the state's order and the foundation of the realm—I am part of that foundation. Isn't that a grudge?"

Zhu Qizhen: …

Pan Yun sighed: "Young Master, I'm a person with strong justice—I step in when I see injustice..."

"Wang Zhen has a bad reputation because he's your favorite minister and a eunuch—but there are so many corrupt officials in this world..."

"They're all my enemies," Pan Yun cut him off, solemnly stating, "I oppose the act, not the person. If I don't see or hear of it, fine—but once I do, they become my enemies."

Zhu Qizhen was shaken by her unwavering conviction; even after returning to the palace, his thoughts remained unsettled.

He couldn't help muttering: "If all Great Ming's youths were like her, how could Great Ming not flourish?"

Cao Jixiang also laughed, bowed and said, "It's just that she's too childish, thinking everything in this world is black and white, and now she's targeting Wang Zhangyin."

Zhu Qizhen shook his head and said, "There's nothing to be done about it — who let Mr. Wang's reputation spread so far?"

At this point Zhu Qizhen's smile paused, his expression gradually cooling. "Still, I really didn't know Mr. Wang was so domineering in private — he even opened a door specifically for receiving bribes."

Cao Jixiang silently lowered his head, not daring to speak.

After a long while, Zhu Qizhen suddenly said, "She won't just refuse to acknowledge me as Emperor forever, will she?"

Cao Jixiang quietly breathed a sigh of relief, immediately smiling and trying to please, "In the end she's still young, far too lawless — does Your Majesty wish to summon Lord Yin back to teach her a lesson?"

Zhu Qizhen then recalled what Yin Song had said — that his little junior sister was even more formidable than him, a true genius — and shook his head, saying, "Never mind. Geniuses always have some pride in them. Besides, it's not bad for a young person to have such spirit."

Zhu Qizhen pulled out four yellow talismans, rolled his eyes around, and said, "Let's play with these first."

Cao Jixiang said cautiously, "Then shall this one go summon Wang Zhangyin?"

"No need — we're going to Kunning Palace."

Such fine talismans would be such a waste used on Wang Zhen.

The Emperor headed toward the rear palace in high spirits.

Pan Yun at this moment still didn't know the Emperor had taken the yellow talismans to test the Empress on — she was eating dumplings at a roadside stall with Xue Shao and Zhu Qiyu.

Dumplings dipped in vinegar — Pan Yun ate ten.

She felt around and decided she could still eat more, so she waved at the stall owner: "Another order of dumplings!"

Zhu Qiyu couldn't help but look up at her, then glanced at Xue Shao.

Xue Shao seemed to know what he was thinking, and said with a smile, "Does His Highness Prince of Cheng want another order as well? Feel free to eat — my treat."

"But you're still writing for people to earn money," Zhu Qiyu said. "Let me treat instead."

After saying that, Zhu Qiyu pulled out money and said to Pan Yun as well, "Just order whatever you want — I'm paying."

(End of chapter)