Thank Your Ancestors for Eighteen Generations
The gentle voice of the Prince of Pingkang made someone set down another set of teacups, signaling the servant to pour water for Yu Linlang.
"Miss Yu, you are a very interesting person." Prince Pingkang nodded at her with a smile. "I think we could become good friends—if you are willing."
Miss Yu sipped her tea in silence, showing no interest in responding.
"The old man never considered his age. Eight years ago, he overestimated himself and tried to challenge the current emperor—who was in his prime. He failed to seize power. Though he wasn't executed, he was locked away in Weizhou."
"It's a long journey, and he carried many secrets. My father was in poor health and, unfortunately, died of illness only half a month after we set out."
"The nightmare began then." Ye Wuchen's voice grew cold. "Do you know who the old man's first victim was?"
"It was my mother—his own daughter-in-law."
"My mother was six months pregnant with my younger brother at the time."
"That was my closest brother. If he had been born, I wouldn't feel as alone as I do now."
Ye Wuchen chuckled bitterly, as if mocking himself. "I still remember that night. The rain poured harder than it did on the day of his funeral."
"I climbed to the attic to save my mother, but he kicked her down. Before I lost consciousness, I could hear her screaming my name in agony. 'Chen'er, Chen'er!' Her Chen'er was only eleven at the time—powerless, helpless."
"When I woke up and realized the old man intended to kill me, I pretended to have lost my memory. I acted like I had forgotten everything, like I still respected and depended on him."
"From that day forward, I feigned paralysis. No matter how many doctors examined me, they found no cure. Because, of course, there was nothing to cure."
"At first, he was suspicious. He tested me repeatedly, putting me in dangerous situations, but each time, he failed to catch me. Eventually… he believed me."
"As I grew older, I became more and more 'dependent' on him. To him, I was a harmless little lamb—obedient, filial."
"He fully trusted me and put me in charge of selecting beautiful dancers for the household. While the butler, Liang Quan, oversaw the mansion on the surface, I had my own people secretly pulling the strings."
"Meiji Garden had many concubines, but none were favored by Zhao Ji."
"I know Zhao Ji. She is not a simple woman. She has connections outside the mansion—she was once a famous opera singer. She has always wanted to escape the old man. So, I simply gave her the opportunity."
"Besides, the old man's personal servant, Hong Liang, was always harassing the women in the garden. He was a nuisance. So, everything fell into place naturally."
"Miss Yu, do you think I was wrong to avenge my mother? Should I have let a beast like him continue to live?"
"The prince came all this way just to say this?" Yu Linlang found it incredible.
If he hadn't told her himself, no matter how suspicious she had been, she would never have had solid evidence…
"I've said so much, yet I still haven't convinced Miss Yu to be my friend?" Prince Pingkang smiled. "I like dealing with smart people, and Miss Yu is very smart."
Friendship? He meant feeding her cartilage-softening medicine and forcing her hand. Yu Linlang scoffed inwardly, but her expression remained indifferent.
"The prince need not wait. No matter how long you wait, your medicine won't work on me." Yu Linlang glanced at him. "I am just a weak woman. I cannot be of any help to you, Your Highness."
"How can you not help?" Prince Pingkang raised an eyebrow. "Miss Yu is skilled in medicine. You can help cure my legs within three months, can you not?"
"Every three days, a carriage will be sent to Yuzhai to bring you here. You only need to focus on my treatment. I will ensure you are compensated generously."
Yu Linlang: …
She truly thanked his family's ancestors for eighteen generations!
What a wonderful arrangement. She didn't have to do anything, yet she would receive a medical fee while Prince Pingkang "healed himself."
Yu Linlang's calm demeanor nearly cracked. She was tempted to leave in a fit of rage!
Prince Pingkang, however, remained in good spirits. He even personally had his wheelchair pushed to escort her to the gate of the Prince's Mansion.
Just before stepping onto the carriage, Yu Linlang paused, turned back, and asked, "How does the prince truly intend to let the women of Meiji Garden return home?"
Ye Wuchen's lips curved into a smile, his eyes filled with amusement. He slowly uttered two words: "Guess?"
What a punchable face!
Yu Linlang pulled down the curtain heavily and ordered coldly, "Let's go!"
The wheels rolled forward, the carriage passing along the towering red walls of the Prince's Mansion.
Ye Wuchen watched her retreating figure in silence for a long time, his gaze unreadable.
"Your Highness, are you really letting her go just like that? What if she speaks to Governor Yu…"
"She drank three cups of tea laced with Huagong Powder, yet remained completely fine. Do you know what that means?" Ye Wuchen lowered his gaze.
No hesitation, no missteps—one move, one play, one perfectly executed plan.
"Perhaps, as she claims, she is just an ordinary person with no martial arts skills."
Ye Wuchen nearly lost interest in explaining to the fool.
After a long silence, he waved his hand. "Take me inside."
Yu Linlang could not be an ordinary person. She had no reaction to three cups of Huagong tea in a row.
How interesting.
---
The Liang Palace Scandal
The scandal of Liang Palace, once desperately suppressed, resurfaced in full force when anonymous notes began circulating throughout the city.
The rumors spread like wildfire, continuing into New Year's Eve. Teahouses in Weizhou buzzed with talk of Old King Liang's atrocities. Scholars wrote indignant poems, mocking him as a beast unworthy of being called human—let alone a member of the royal family.
Wu Yong and his yamen runners worked tirelessly, arresting anyone who caused trouble. Two days before New Year's Eve, the jails were packed. Wu Yong was so busy that he barely had time to breathe.
Meanwhile, Ye Wuchen, the newly appointed prince, was criticized for his connection to Old King Liang.
Yet, he remained calm, shutting his doors and refusing to be disturbed.
The only exception was Miss Yu—who was summoned every three days to "treat" his legs.
Though all she did was drink tea at the Prince's Mansion, the routine of going there every three days was exhausting for Yu Linlang.
Even on New Year's Eve, she had to "work." Ever since returning to Weizhou Prefecture, she had hardly enjoyed any leisure time.
So much for the joys of old age!
Luckily, Prince Pingkang was quite generous with his red envelopes. Yu Linlang counted the ten silver notes in her hands, her face expressionless. Then, she tucked them into her pocket.
"The royal family is truly wealthy."
"Indeed," Baliang sighed. "A casual gesture, and it's already a thousand taels. Tsk, tsk… Ordinary folk wouldn't earn this much in a lifetime."