Chapter 59 Taking the Bait

Leaving the Wanfu Palace, Dequan did not let anyone else follow them, choosing instead to stroll leisurely with the Crown Prince toward the imperial back garden. The back garden was divided into multiple sections, including a plum blossom garden, a bamboo grove, a peach orchard, a peony garden, as well as a lake, artificial rockeries, pavilions, and towers.

Inside the back garden, a few young eunuchs were busy sweeping up fallen leaves. Upon seeing the Crown Prince's arrival, they hurriedly knelt to salute.

"I heard the plum blossoms in the back garden have bloomed. Is that true?" the Crown Prince asked coldly.

"Reporting to Your Imperial Highness, the plum blossoms are indeed in full bloom right now," a young eunuch hastily replied.

"Hmm, is anyone else in the plum grove?"

"Reporting to the Crown Prince, there is no one else in the plum grove, but His Majesty's newly appointed imperial concubines of the Xiuyi rank are currently strolling in the back garden," the eunuch answered. The rank of *Xiuyi* was actually one of the imperial concubine ranks of ancient times, alongside others such as *Shunyi*, *Shunrong*, *Shunhua*, *Xiurong*, *Xiuhua*, *Chongyi*, *Chongrong*, and *Chonghua*.

"Never mind. We are only going to the plum grove to admire the blossoms. You may withdraw for now, and see to it that no one disturbs Us."

"Understood, this servant takes his leave." The few young eunuchs stood up, bowed, and departed.

Zhao Chong walked into the plum grove. Across the vast grove, red and white plum blossoms were bursting into full bloom, resembling clouds of brocade and truly lifting one's spirits. The two of them followed the winding path for a distance until they reached the boundary between the plum grove and the bamboo forest, where they heard the light laughter and playful chatter of women coming from within the bamboo.

The Crown Prince and Dequan exchanged glances. Dequan made an inviting gesture. The Crown Prince glanced around and, finding no one else present, stepped forward onto the narrow path leading into the bamboo grove. The crisp, green bamboo stalks remained lush and flourishing even in winter, obscuring the view of what lay inside. Just as the two of them reached a turn, two pretty women emerged from the other side, playing and chasing each other. Caught off guard, the woman in the lead bumped straight into the Crown Prince's arms. The Crown Prince was instantly greeted by a wave of delicate fragrance, accompanied by the sensation of something soft brushing against his arm.

"Audacious! Who goes there, daring to collide with His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince?" Dequan whispered from the side. Dequan knew precisely when to shout angrily and when to lower his voice; he struck the balance perfectly, ensuring the person before him clearly heard that the man opposite was the Crown Prince, while keeping it low enough not to carry beyond the bamboo grove.

The two women immediately stepped back, knelt, and saluted. "Pardon our offense, Your Imperial Highness."

"Who are you?" the Crown Prince asked softly.

"We are sisters, Luo Yuzhu and Luo Yujin, newly appointed *Xiuyi* concubines from the Qiulan Palace," the woman named Luo Yuzhu replied.

"So it is two of my Imperial Father's newly favored consorts. Rise, my ladies," the Crown Prince said, leaning forward to help them up, and inadvertently clasping Luo Yuzhu's delicate wrist.

Supported by the Crown Prince, the two women stood up and curtsied once more.

Seeing that the Crown Prince stood on no ceremony, Luo Yuzhu relaxed her demeanor slightly and said, "We had long heard that Your Imperial Highness was a man of gentle and refined character, a true gentleman. Seeing you today, it is indeed as rumored."

The Crown Prince chuckled softly. "You flatter me, my lady. But today is not actually the first time we have met. At the New Year's banquet, I had the privilege of witnessing your two ladyships' breathtaking dance, a sight I still find hard to forget."

Luo Yuzhu replied, "You praise us too highly, Your Highness. To have earned your appreciation and danced for you is our sisterly fortune."

Because they were standing quite close, the delicate fragrance lingering on the two women continuously drifted into the Crown Prince's nostrils, gradually stirring an inexplicable impulse within him. Unawares, the Crown Prince took another step forward, pressed close to Luo Yuzhu, and asked softly, "Did you mean what you just said, my lady?"

Luo Yuzhu's expression flickered with panic. She glanced up at Dequan nearby, took a step back, and said, "Your Imperial Highness..."

Seeing this, Dequan quietly stepped backward and retreated to guard the entrance of the bamboo grove.

Seduced by the fragrance and driven by feverish desire, the Crown Prince stepped forward, seized Luo Yuzhu's hand, and demanded, "Was what you said just now true?"

Seeing this, Luo Yujin beside her also looked thoroughly alarmed and hurried forward to pry open the Crown Prince's grip. "Your Imperial Highness, you must not! We belong to His Majesty now. If he were to find out, it would be a capital offense!"

To Luo Yujin's surprise, her attempt to dissuade him drew her into the mire as well. The Crown Prince grasped her delicate hand too, a look of desperate urgency in his eyes as he said, "You two ladies do not know—ever since I laid eyes on you at the banquet, not a single moment has passed that I could put you out of my heart."

Inwardly, Luo Yuzhu was ecstatic, but her face feigned extreme panic. "Your Imperial Highness, I know your heartfelt sincerity, but what shall we do if His Majesty discovers this?"

The Crown Prince sneered. "As long as you say nothing, and I say nothing, who will ever know? There is no one else here."

Sensing the moment was right, Luo Yujin said softly, "Your Imperial Highness, my sister and I are women of bitter fate. If we truly had a choice, we would naturally choose Your Imperial Highness. Not only are you unmatched in benevolence and righteousness, but you are also handsome and dashing. Which woman under heaven could fail to be moved by you? Yet what can the two of us do? I fear we simply lack the destiny to be with Your Imperial Highness." With that, Luo Yujin abruptly yanked her hand from the Crown Prince's grasp, turned away, and began to sob quietly.

"Yujin, say no more," Luo Yuzhu murmured softly to stop her.

"I am only speaking the truth! Sister, why won't you admit it? In private, haven't you always said how much you admire the Crown Prince's benevolence and virtue? Now that His Highness is right here, you refuse to acknowledge it."

"You..." Luo Yuzhu looked so aggrieved that tears seemed ready to fall.

"Yuzhu, is what Yujin says true? Have you truly spoken such words?" the Crown Prince asked, holding Yuzhu's hands.

"Your Imperial Highness, I..." Luo Yuzhu wore an expression of unspeakable reluctance, her eyes shimmering with shyness and allure.

Seeing this, a surge of pity arose in the Crown Prince's heart, and he immediately declared, "Sooner or later, I shall ascend the throne, and this empire shall be mine. You need not fear. As long as you give yourselves to me, I will grant you endless wealth and glory in days to come, and I shall elevate you both to noble consorts."

Composing herself, Luo Yuzhu unfastened a scented sachet from her belt and placed it into the Crown Prince's palm. "This is a personal token of mine, Your Highness. Please accept it. This is no place for prolonged conversation; if we stay too long, it will be ill if someone sees us. There is plenty of time in the future—we can discuss this slowly then." With that, Luo Yuzhu took Luo Yujin's hand and hurried back the way they came, glancing back at the Crown Prince from time to time as they walked away.

The Crown Prince gripped the scented sachet in his hand, watching the two figures gradually recede and disappear around the bend. Pulling his thoughts together, he walked toward the plum grove. Dequan saw the Crown Prince emerge, said nothing, and quietly followed him back.

"Hmph, what a total fool. I had heard this Crown Prince was brave and resourceful, but it seems he is nothing special, falling just as easily for our charms," Luo Yujin said softly, a look of contempt flashing in her eyes.

"Men—not a single one of them is any good. I thought we would have to exert some effort, but I never expected the Crown Prince to fall into our trap so easily. We truly overestimated the Zhao family father and son," Luo Yuzhu echoed from the side.

"If you ask me, it is thanks to your lethal soul-stealing incense, Sister. Within a few breaths, it drove that Zhao Chong out of his mind and unleashed his wild beastly nature. And as for that old emperor, ever since he inhaled the soul-stealing incense you concocted, he knows no fatigue and performs multiple times a night. I reckon that in less than half a year, his body will be utterly ruined. When that time comes, dragging this Crown Prince down with him will pave the way for the First Prince to be named Crown Prince," Luo Yujin remarked.