‘Did we run into kidnappers?’

Shortly after, Cheng Xuan rode back and reported in a low voice through the curtain, “Your Highness, those are the servants of Grand Princess Chengyang up ahead. They were bringing some new servants into the city when they were stopped by a passing official. He accused them of illegally abducting children from good families to be servants and wanted to hand them over to the authorities. The servant refuses to comply, and they’re at a standstill.”

Wen Chan’s heart skipped a beat. The more she heard, the more ominous it sounded. “What’s that person’s name? What’s his official post?”

Cheng Xuan said, “This slave dared not reveal Your Highness’s identity and only asked a few simple questions, so I couldn't get the details. Does Your Highness wish to intervene?”

“I really should have checked the almanac before leaving today,” Wen Chan sighed. “Since we’re here, let’s go and have a look.”

The carriage drew near, forcing the two arguing parties to pause. As Wen Chan was traveling incognito, her carriage had no insignia. And although He Jiugao was wearing an official’s robe, he was only a minor official of the junior seventh rank. The other party could tell from the pale green color that he was a nobody. They just assumed he was escorting his family. One of the burly servants impatiently shouted, “Get out of the way! Can’t you see we’re busy here? If you dare to poke your nose into this, I’ll take care of you too!”

He Jiugao bellowed, “Insolent! Do you know who is in the carriage, that you dare to speak such nonsense here!”

His sharp and stern shout actually had some effect. The servant flinched, his arrogance subsiding slightly, but he still stuck his neck out and said, “No matter who you are, this is the family business of Her Highness, Grand Princess Chengyang. Outsiders should stay out of it. If you know what’s good for you, leave quickly and don’t get involved!”

“I seem to have heard someone mention my aunt.” Wen Chan’s nonchalant voice drifted out from the carriage. “Isn’t this a coincidence? I’m really not an outsider. Surely a niece can ask a question without getting beaten, right?”

The servant was suddenly stunned. Cheng Xuan’s face was grim as he shouted sternly, “This is the carriage of Princess Chiming! You have blocked Her Highness’s path, and now you dare to bully others in your master’s name and speak offensively! Men, seize this person! Gag him, lest he says anything else unclean and pollutes Her Highness’s ears!”

The fierce imperial guards immediately swarmed forward, pinning the man to the ground and stuffing a handful of licorice root into his mouth. The rest, seeing this, all trembled with fear, becoming as meek as a litter of rabbits before the well-trained guards. No one else dared to step forward and challenge them.

Only then did Wen Chan order a maid to half-roll up the bamboo curtain. Unflappable, she inquired, “I heard just now that the wicked servant offended a passing official. May I ask how I should address you, sir?”

The official was a thin, middle-aged man dressed in plain clothes, his rank not visible. He performed a grand salute towards Wen Chan’s carriage. “This subject, Attendant Censor of the Left Censorate Yang Tingying, pays his respects to Your Highness. Thank you for your help in this matter, Your Highness.”

‘It really is him...’

Wen Chan had thought the scene felt familiar and hoped it wasn't such a coincidence, but who knew she would actually run into this mess.

This upright censor who got into a dispute with people on the street was none other than Yang Tingying, the key figure who had helped Wen Chan bring down Xiang Guihai in her past life, codenamed “White Egret” in “Deep Forest.”

If Wen Chan had to pick a “model censor,” she would choose Yang Tingying without hesitation. If she had to choose someone to tell “be a good person in your next life and don't be a censor again,” she would also choose Yang Tingying without hesitation.

Because although this person possessed all the essential virtues of a censor—uprightness, abhorrence of evil, integrity, and honesty—his luck was truly terrible. Every target he chose could trigger a storm of debate, yet every single impeachment attempt failed. The accused would emerge unscathed, while Yang Tingying was exiled from the capital. Yet, whenever people mentioned him, they still generally believed he was cut out to be a censor.

In short, after three demotions, he returned still a censor.

When He Jiugao heard him state his name, he glanced toward Wen Chan with a strange expression but managed to hold his tongue.

Wen Chan said, neither warmly nor coldly, “So it is Censor Yang. I have long heard of your name. What happened just now? Why did the Censor get into a dispute with the Grand Princess’s servants?”

Yang Tingying was silent for a moment before finally replying bluntly, “This is an official matter for a censor and does not concern Your Highness. I ask Your Highness to proceed back to the city and not to interfere in this matter.”

Everyone: “...”

‘Well now, the last person who told her to shut up and back off is lying right there eating dirt. This blockhead is really unyielding.’

Even He Jiugao knew that Wen Chan was deeply favored by the Son of Heaven and had personally received the bows of all officials at her wedding. Logically, her status was equivalent to that of an imperial prince, so it was naturally within her rights to associate with officials and inquire about political affairs. However, it was rare for princesses to interfere in politics throughout history, and there were precedents of it causing chaos in the court. Not everyone thought the Son of Heaven’s actions were wise and proper. Yang Tingying was clearly one of those particularly old-fashioned and stubborn officials.

Wen Chan: “Oh.”

She was not angered by his refusal, nor did she question him with “Do you know who I am?” She knew all too well what would happen if she argued with this stubborn mule, so she accepted his statement very calmly. “Then I won’t disturb Censor Yang. Men, take these servants who blocked the road away and send them back to the Grand Princess Manor for punishment. Where did these children come from? Never mind, take them all away as well.”

Yang Tingying: “...”

“Your Highness, wait!” Seeing the guards closing in, he cried out urgently to stop them. “The Grand Princess’s servants have forcibly abducted children from good families to be slaves. If Your Highness sends these people back to the Grand Princess Manor, are you not condoning their evil deeds!”

“Censor Yang, watch your words. While I respect you, not just anyone can take a mile when given an inch.” Wen Chan remained as steady as a mountain, speaking unhurriedly. “You were the one who told me not to ask questions and to leave quickly. So what is wrong with me taking these servants who offended me back to the Grand Princess for punishment? Now you jump out and accuse me of sheltering and condoning them. You’ve said both the good and the bad. Are you conducting official business, or are you specifically targeting me?”

Yang Tingying was choked by her words and unwillingly lowered his head to defend himself. “It was this subject’s misspeaking... Your Highness, please understand, this subject had no other intention.”

He Jiugao secretly wiped away a bead of sweat, thinking that the princess’s skill at handling people was truly masterful. He had just experienced it himself this morning, and now Yang Tingying had run right into it this afternoon—and his situation was far more serious.

He Jiugao moved closer to the carriage window and reported softly, “Your Highness, this subject just recalled something. This Censor Yang was demoted from the capital in the fifth year of Yanshou. At that time, His Majesty and Empress Zhenyi had summoned monks, Daoists, and famous physicians from all over the realm to treat Your Highness’s illness. Censor Yang submitted a memorial strongly advising against it. His words were harsh and angered the Son of Heaven, leading to his demotion. He may still hold a grudge about this old matter and harbor prejudice against Your Highness. I implore Your Highness to decide carefully.”

“Mm, well done.”

Wen Chan nodded and said approvingly, “Ziyuan is indeed as meticulous as one could be. It seems you’re finally getting the hang of being a household manager.”

At first, He Jiugao didn’t even react, just thinking Wen Chan was praising him. He murmured a “Thank you, Your Highness,” but after a moment, the realization slowly dawned on him, and his heart gave a sudden leap. ‘Could it be that the princess already knew that Yang Tingying was demoted back then because of her?’

Wen Chan’s gaze returned to the plainly dressed, middle-aged scholar-official. “It’s hot, and everyone has things to do. Censor Yang, I think we should save ourselves the roundabout steps and just be frank.”

He had already let it slip in his moment of panic, so now he had no choice but to be frank. But Yang Tingying had suffered repeated setbacks over the years, rising and falling in the sea of officialdom, and he held no hope for the princes and nobles of Zhaojing. Moreover, there was the old grudge between him and Princess Chiming, and Grand Princess Chengyang was her aunt. No matter how he looked at it, Princess Chiming would absolutely not be on his side.

He had been back in the Capital City for less than a year. After this, he didn't know which remote prefecture he would be demoted to next.

Yang Tingying took a deep breath, composed himself, and recounted the entire story to Wen Chan.

He hadn’t saved much money after so many years as an official, let alone settled down in Zhaojing. Both his parents still lived in their old hometown in the countryside. Yesterday, he heard that his mother was ill, so Yang Tingying took two days’ leave from the Censorate to return to the countryside and attend to her. When he was returning to the city today, he passed by a house and saw that its bamboo fence was mostly destroyed, chickens and ducks were flying all over the yard, and sounds of weeping could be heard from inside. Thinking it had been robbed, he went in to inquire out of curiosity. Only then did he learn that Grand Princess Chengyang had built the “Pouring Gold Garden” at the foot of Falling Flower Mountain ten miles away. The villa had recently been completed, and because there weren't enough servants in the garden, she had allowed her household servants to go to the countryside and forcibly seize farmers’ children as slaves.

Yang Tingying’s life creed was to fight against lawless nobles to the very end. As soon as he heard that the group of servants had just left, he didn't care that he was alone and unarmed. He spurred his horse in hot pursuit and finally stopped the Grand Princess Manor’s carriage and horses outside the city.

Since the other party dared to do such a thing, they were naturally not afraid of a minor censor like him. If Yang Tingying hadn't blocked their path, warning them, “If you want to leave, you’ll have to cross over my dead body first,” they would have long since vanished without a trace.

Wen Chan beckoned Cheng Xuan over. “Go ask those children who their parents are, where they live, and if they came with them willingly.”

The head steward from Grand Princess Chengyang’s manor was whimpering on the ground. At this moment, another thin, middle-aged man in a silk robe, who also seemed to be a steward, got out of the carriage. He fell to his knees with a thud before Wen Chan’s carriage, kowtowing and pleading, “We deserve to die a thousand deaths! We were blind and failed to recognize your greatness, blocking Your Highness’s path! I beg Your Highness, for the sake of the Grand Princess, to spare us this once!”

Grand Princess Chengyang was the Son of Heaven’s elder sister, the Late Emperor’s most beloved youngest daughter. She was married to Yang Hong, the Duke of Guan and son of the founding hero Yang Xingsi. She was a daughter born to the Late Emperor in his old age and was doted on immensely. When she married, the Emperor bestowed countless dowries upon her, and the entire Duke of Guan’s manor treated her with utmost respect. Moreover, when the current Emperor ascended the throne, the princess secretly sent a palace messenger to inform the Prince's Manor in advance. The Emperor, grateful for her support, treated her with exceptional courtesy and favor, and even had the Crown Prince marry Lady Yang’s eldest daughter as his consort. Grand Princess Chengyang’s power thus grew, and she was implicitly regarded as the leader among the princesses in the capital.

In her past life, Yang Tingying’s face was injured by a servant with a horsewhip. He submitted a memorial impeaching Grand Princess Chengyang for her unlawful acts, but the Emperor, pestered by the Grand Princess who had come to the palace to plead, was left with no choice. In the end, he only ordered her to return the abducted children to their parents and did not pursue the matter further. Yang Tingying, however, earned the Grand Princess’s resentment for this and was soon demoted to the distant Huazhou Prefecture in Xichuan on some pretext, where he remained for another three years.

When it came to choosing opponents, he could always pinpoint the most difficult one among a thousand. It had practically become Yang Tingying’s special talent.

Wen Chan ignored the male steward, letting him kneel. Cheng Xuan, after making his inquiries, returned to report, “Your Highness, this slave has asked. They are all children from the nearby villages. Some were sold by their parents, while others were forcibly taken.”

Wen Chan nodded. The steward caught a word or two and immediately raised his head, loudly defending himself, “Your Highness, please see clearly! We were carrying out the Grand Princess’s orders to purchase servants. These children were all sold to the Princess Manor willingly by their parents! The transaction was fair and square, there was no abduction. Your Highness, please do not be deceived by that man’s one-sided story!”

Wen Chan mused, “That makes sense. Since this concerns the Grand Princess, we indeed cannot jump to conclusions based on just a few words.”

Yang Tingying’s face turned ashen. The last of his hope finally died, and he sensed that he would not be able to escape his fate this time.

“How about this,” Wen Chan finally thought of a good idea and clapped her hands. “Tie them up first. Tie them all up.”

Everyone: “...”

The male steward cried out in despair, “Your Highness, this is an injustice!”

Wen Chan said, “Take these people to the Capital Prefecture. Ziyuan, you go with them to see Lord He and tell him that these people claim to be the Grand Princess’s servants, but you don’t know if they are kidnappers. Send someone else to the place Censor Yang mentioned and ask the nearby villagers if any of them have lost children, and tell them to report it at the Capital Prefecture.”

Yang Tingying watched, dumbfounded, as the guards tied up several of the servants into a bundle and stuffed them into a carriage. He looked uncertainly at Wen Chan’s carriage. Unfortunately, through the bamboo curtain, he could not see the princess’s expression, only hear her consistently calm tone. “Censor Yang.”

“This subject is here.”

“Today’s matter ends here. You need not interfere any further,” Wen Chan said. “Being an official in the Capital City is not easy, and everything is difficult. Consider this a favor from me. Don’t be so impulsive next time.”

Yang Tingying abruptly looked up. “What does Your Highness mean by this? Are you telling this subject to save his own skin and live a life of compromise?”

Wen Chan’s tone carried a hint of helplessness. “Censor Yang, if this matter falls to me, it’s nothing more than a small misunderstanding between myself and the Grand Princess. Neither of us can do anything to the other, and His Majesty certainly won’t punish us. But if you were to impeach her, the Grand Princess would still be fine, but you would, in all likelihood, be kicked out to some desolate place, and you might very well waste your life away there.”

“This is power, and this is reality. You don’t like it, but you are helpless against it.”

“Don’t you still have an eighty-year-old mother to support? As long as the green mountains are there, you won’t have to worry about firewood. Since you can take a detour, there’s no need to jump into the fire pit.”

Yang Tingying was silent for a long time. Wen Chan had said all she could. She ordered the maid to lower the curtain. The driver cracked the whip, and the long-stalled carriage finally began to move forward again.

Wen Chan stared at the green trees and fields outside the window, somewhat dazed.

She had saved Yang Tingying this time. If things went smoothly, he wouldn’t have to suffer another three years of demotion. But without experiencing major setbacks and numerous hardships in this life, would he still become the Yang Tingying she remembered?

“Your Highness—”

A hoarse cry suddenly came from outside the carriage. The sound of hooves approached from behind, and the driver hesitantly slowed down.

Yang Tingying spurred his horse to catch up with Wen Chan’s, calling out loudly, “As I am a censor, I must perform my duty, to correct and impeach lawlessness. Even if I am impeached in the morning and dismissed by evening, my resolve will not change!”

“If I remain silent today to protect myself, what would that make of the more than ten years of hardship and displacement since I entered office? I can deceive the world, but how can I deceive myself!”

The inside of the carriage was completely silent.

Wen Chan did not offer any comfort, nor did she express support. But Yang Tingying no longer needed anyone to give him an answer. Like a fully drawn arrow aimed at the clouds, he galloped past Wen Chan’s convoy, heading straight for the city gate without a single look back.