The Crown Prince and the Spy
When the sedan curtain was abruptly lifted, the breeze carried the sweet scent of sugar candy sold at the street corner.
Quincy, you go down first!
Calvin Clark's voice was laced with impatience as he reached out to grasp my wrist.
I wore marriage clothes embroidered with phoenixes; the golden thread at my sleeve brushed against the back of his hand, tingling with itchiness.
Outside the sedan chair stood a woman clad in a pale pink gown.
Her brows were lowered, her fingers nervously twisting the corner of her garment, giving her a fragile and delicate appearance.
I recognized her at once—Linda Lewis, the spy the enemy country had placed in the Capital City for three years. In my previous life, it was she who ruined the entire Scott family.
"His Highness the Crown Prince," I clenched the red veil in my hand, the tassels brushing against my palm, "to switch brides on the wedding day—should His Majesty find out, it would be a crime punishable by death for nine generations."
Calvin's expression darkened, and Linda Lewis behind him coughed twice at just the right moment.
"Your Highness, perhaps... I should leave?"Linda's voice trembled with tears, "Please don't suffer on my account, bringing harm to you and Ms. Scott."
Those words made it seem as if I were the one troubling her.
In my previous life, I fell victim to this—I tore Linda from the sedan chair on the spot, sparking a scandal that spread far and wide.
And the consequence? Calvin held a grudge against me; after he ascended the throne, the first thing he did was consign me to the palace of the abandoned, implicating my father and elder brother, who were exiled to the North Territory.
The plaster on the walls of the palace of the abandoned peeled away, layer after layer.
In winter, the wind seeped through; in summer, the rain leaked in. Wrapped in a moldy quilt, I counted the frost on the windowpanes for thirty years.
On the brink of death, Calvin Clark stood before the palace of the abandoned's gate, clad in a bright yellow robe, smiling like a madman.
"Quincy Scott, do you know?"He crouched down and nudged my broken bowl with the tip of his boot. "Linda is the one I hold closest to my heart. Because of you, Father Emperor branded her a spy, had her executed, and displayed her head in public at the palace gate!"
He drew the dagger from his waist, the cold tip pressing against my neck.
"I have tormented you for thirty years, and it is still not enough. I will make sure that even in death you do not rest in peace. Your head will be hung at the palace gate alongside hers for ten years."
The pain on my neck still seemed to linger.
I snapped back to attention; Calvin Clark was still pulling at my wrist, and Linda Lewis's eyes held a barely perceptible smile.
I must not force things—last life's lessons were harsh enough.
I followed his lead and slowly stepped out of the sedan chair.
The wind blew, and the hem of the marriage clothes swept past my ankles, cool and soothing.
"Your Highness, I will follow your command."I lowered my eyes and softened my voice, "There are too many prying eyes outside the palace. If I am recognized and it is said that the Crown Prince is replacing his bride on his wedding day, it might implicate Miss Lewis."
Calvin froze for a moment, clearly not expecting me to submit so readily.
Linda Lewis also panicked slightly. She stepped forward, trying to grasp Calvin's arm, "Your Highness, this..."
"How about this," I interrupted her, looking up at Calvin, "take me back to the Crown Prince's Palace as well. Once inside, I will find a place to hide and wait for the commotion to die down before leaving. That way, no one will find out."
Calvin Clark furrowed his brow slightly, as if weighing the pros and cons.
Suddenly, the sound of wheels came from the intersection. An old man carrying a basket of vegetables approached, and upon seeing me outside the marriage sedan, he smiled and said, "Oh dear, why is the bride standing outside the sedan? The auspicious hour must be near, isn't it?"
Linda Lewis's face turned pale.
Afraid that lingering would only invite trouble, Calvin pushed me sharply back into the sedan. "Enough, we'll do as you say! Once inside the palace, behave yourself and don't cause me any trouble!"
The sedan curtain was lowered again, and darkness instantly engulfed the interior of the sedan.
I leaned against the sedan wall, listening to Calvin Clark speak softly and tenderly to Linda Lewis outside, a cold laugh stirring in my heart.
In my previous life, I thought he was deceived, but only before death did I realize they had long been secretly conspiring.
He might not have been unaware of Linda Lewis's identity as a spy; perhaps he had already colluded with the enemy country.
The sedan shook, and Linda's voice came from outside: "Your Highness, are all the Guards at the Crown Prince's Palace stationed at the main gate? What about the side entrance?"
"There are only two Guards at the side entrance," Calvin's voice carried a triumphant tone, "but additional men are posted at night. Rest assured, no one will harm you."
"Where is the granary within the palace? I heard that the food supplies for the Capital City all rely on the palace granary for distribution."
"The granary is in the northwest corner, guarded by the royal guards, but..."
I drew a small piece of charcoal from my sleeve.
This was secretly given to me by my mother before I boarded the sedan chair; she told me to draw a small talisman on the wedding veil to bring good fortune.
I tore off a corner of the cotton pad lining the inside of the sedan chair, and by the faint light filtering in from outside, carefully recorded each location Linda Lewis had inquired about.
The number of side entrance guards, the location of the granary, and the guard shift change times at the Crown Prince's Palace...
Calvin was quite generous; whatever Linda asked, he answered.
I folded the cotton pad into small pieces and tucked them between the layers of the marriage clothes.
Reborn into this life, I will not only survive but also make Calvin Clark and Linda Lewis pay their blood debts with blood!
When the sedan stopped at the gate of the Crown Prince's Palace, I was still straightening the folds of my sleeves.
Calvin abruptly drew back the sedan curtain, his voice urgent: "Hurry up and get down! Find somewhere to hide; don't let anyone see you!"
I nodded; just as I stepped out of the sedan, I saw a young servant in a blue robe standing beneath the corridor.
That is my father's personal attendant, named Felix.
Taking advantage of Calvin turning away to assist Linda, I swiftly approached Felix.
"Give this to Father," I said, pressing the cotton pad concealed within the lining into his hands. "Tell Father to enter the palace at once and find an opportunity to present it to His Majesty."
Felix's eyes sharpened. He took the cotton pad, quickly slipped it into his bosom, bowed, and then withdrew.
I watched Felix's figure disappear around the corner before turning to walk toward the side yard of the Crown Prince's Palace.
After only a few steps, I heard the sound of drums and music from the wedding banquet in the front yard.
In my previous life, I hid in this side yard, watching Calvin Clark and Linda Lewis exchange vows, only to be dragged back to the residence on his orders, branded with the charge of 'jealousy and incompetence.'
This time, I will not hide.
I straightened the collar of my marriage clothes, lifted my skirt, and walked toward the front yard.
The wedding banquet was held outside the main hall of the Crown Prince's Palace; red silk hung throughout the courtyard, and guests dressed in embroidered robes gathered in small groups, drinking and chatting.
As I reached the palace gates, someone spotted me.
"Isn't that Ms. Scott from the Great General's household?"
"What is she doing here? And who is the one marrying the Crown Prince?"
Whispers surged like a tide, and meeting their gazes, I stepped forward into the main hall, one step at a time.
Inside the main hall, Calvin Clark held Linda Lewis's hand, preparing for the wedding ceremony.
The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne at the center of the hall, a smile gracing his face.
Hearing the murmurs outside, the Emperor looked up, but upon seeing me, his smile froze instantly.
"Calvin!" The Emperor's voice was laced with anger. "Explain yourself! What exactly is going on?!"
Calvin Clark's back stiffened. He turned around, and when he saw me, his eyes were filled with shock and fury.
"Quincy Scott! How are you here?! Did I not tell you to hide?!"
"His Highness the Crown Prince," I stepped into the hall and bowed respectfully to the Emperor, "If I were to hide, would that not let His Highness and Miss Lewis's 'affair' pass unnoticed?"
Linda Lewis trembled all over, shrinking back behind Calvin Clark.
Calvin Clark immediately shielded Linda Lewis behind him and knelt before the Emperor. "Father Emperor, I am innocent! Linda and I have long been mutually devoted, and she already bears my child! I will marry no one but Linda!"
"Scoundrel!" the Emperor thundered, striking the Dragon Throne in fury. "I arranged this marriage! How dare you refuse it?! Do you even respect me as your Father Emperor?!"
"Father Emperor!" Calvin raised his head, his eyes blazing with resolve. "If I cannot marry Linda, I would rather die!"
With that, he drew the sword at his waist and pressed it against his own throat.
The guests inside the hall were all thrown into a panic, kneeling in succession to plead, "Your Majesty, please restrain your anger! His Highness the Crown Prince, think twice!"
The Emperor's face turned ashen; he pointed at Calvin Clark, so enraged that he could not speak.
I know this is my best chance.
I stepped forward and knelt before His Majesty: "Your Majesty, I see the deep affection between His Highness the Crown Prince and Miss Lewis, and I am willing to unite them."
His Majesty was momentarily stunned, a trace of surprise shining in his eyes as he looked at me.
"However," I continued, "I earnestly beseech Your Majesty to choose another husband for me."
A flicker of ease crossed the Emperor's eyes. After a moment's contemplation, he said, "Very well! Since you bear no grievance, my prince, choose as you wish! Whom do you wish to choose?"
I lifted my head, my gaze sweeping across the princes in the hall.
The First Prince was composed, the Second Prince arrogant, the Third Prince frail...
Finally, my eyes settled on the Seventh Prince, Robert Clark, standing in the corner.
Robert wore a pale moon-colored brocade robe and held a folding fan, appearing utterly indifferent.
He was known throughout the palace as an idle prince, spending his days either cage-bird watching or going to teahouses outside the city to listen to operas, never involving himself in court intrigues.
In his previous life, after Calvin Clark ascended the throne, he was assigned to guard the imperial tomb and ultimately died of illness there.
"I choose the Seventh Prince."
No sooner had I spoken than a uproar broke out within the hall.
"How could Miss Scott choose him? The Seventh Prince is notoriously unworthy!"
"Indeed, if the Great General's Residence were to ally with the Seventh Prince's house, there would be no benefit whatsoever!"
The Emperor furrowed his brow and said, "Quincy, have you made up your mind? The Seventh Prince..."
"I have made up my mind."I knelt on the ground, my voice unwavering: "I believe the Seventh Prince is of pure character and a fitting match."
Robert stood in the corner; upon hearing my words, the folding fan in his hand paused briefly.
He lifted his head to look at me, and in his eyes there was no surprise, only a faint hint of curiosity.
Calvin rose from the ground, approached me, and gripped my wrist firmly: "Quincy Scott, do not sulk! After I wed Linda tonight, I will come to your residence tomorrow to take you as my consort! Robert Clark dares not marry you!"
I shrugged off his hand and looked at him coldly: "His Highness the Crown Prince, I have already chosen the Seventh Prince and will not go back on my word."
Calvin's face turned pale with anger, yet he was powerless and could only drag Linda Lewis away from the main hall in frustration.
Watching their backs disappear beyond the hall, I knelt once again and said, "Your Majesty, I have a matter to report."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You still have something to say?"
"Linda Lewis, who just married the Crown Prince, is a spy sent by the enemy country!"
"How dare you!" The Emperor slammed the Dragon Throne fiercely. "She is now the Crown Princess, and you dare to slander her?! Do you know the punishment for slandering the Crown Princess?!"
"Your Majesty, I have not slandered her."
A steady voice came from outside the hall. I looked up and saw my father, Tim Scott.
Father was clad in armor, clearly having rushed from the military camp.
He entered the hall, knelt before His Majesty, and declared, "Your Majesty, my words are true. Linda Lewis is a spy sent by the Xiongnu; I have already obtained the evidence."
His Majesty regarded Father, his expression softening slightly. "Tim, you claim she is a spy. Do you have proof?"
Just as Father was about to speak, hurried footsteps suddenly echoed outside the hall.
A guard stumbled hurriedly into the hall, fell to his knees, and shouted, "Your Majesty! Trouble! People of the enemy country have broken into the inner palace! They are wreaking havoc just outside the Noble Consort's chamber!"
Upon hearing this, the Emperor trembled with fury. He drew the dagger from his waist, ready to rush out, shouting, "Rebellion! Rebellion! How dare these people of the enemy country infiltrate my inner palace!"
Father hurried forward to restrain him, saying, "Your Majesty, please control your anger! The safety of the inner palace is paramount; you must not recklessly endanger yourself!"
I quickly added, "Your Majesty, the Seventh Prince must have already rushed there."
The Emperor was momentarily stunned: "How could he have gone there?"
No sooner had the words fallen than Robert Clark's voice rang out outside the hall: "Father Emperor, I have faithfully fulfilled my duty and subdued all the enemy country's intruders who breached the imperial harem!"
Everyone turned their gaze to the palace exterior, where Robert Clark stood clad in a strong outfit, clutching a long sword. Behind him marched several royal guards, escorting a dozen or so people of the enemy country, their hands and feet tightly bound.
Those people of the enemy country wore tattered clothes, their faces bearing the unmistakable scent of alcohol.
The Emperor gazed at them, his face flushed with fury: "Good! Very good! And the Crown Prince?! I entrusted you with the Crown Prince's Palace; is this how you guard it?!"
Everyone in the hall lowered their heads; no one dared to speak.
Robert Clark stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Father Emperor, I just passed by the Crown Prince's Palace and overheard my Royal Brother enjoying himself with Miss Lewis inside the hall."
"I called him over to escort Your Majesty, but he rejected."
"Scoundrel!" The Emperor kicked over the table beside him. "I have no such son! Guards! Bring the Crown Prince to me at once! I want to question him personally about his true intentions!"
Several royal guards received the order and swiftly ran toward the Crown Prince's Palace.
Father stood and said to the Emperor, "Your Majesty, since Linda Lewis is a spy, there must be accomplices of hers within the Crown Prince's Palace. I request permission to take men to search the Crown Prince's Palace and capture all the spies at once!"
The Emperor nodded, "Very well! I entrust this task to you. Be sure to exercise caution and do not harm Calvin."
Father bowed to acknowledge the order and then turned to leave the hall.
I watched my father's departing figure and let out a sigh of relief.
In my previous life, we failed to swiftly capture Linda Lewis's accomplices, allowing her to remain hidden in the palace for so long and ultimately bring ruin upon my father and elder brother.
In this lifetime, with my father personally conducting the investigation, there should be no more mishaps.
Just as I was thinking this, I saw Robert Clark walking toward me.
The folding fan in his hand had already been folded away, and the carelessness on his face had noticeably lessened.
"Ms. Scott," he began, "thank you for what happened today."
I paused in surprise. "Why does Your Highness thank me?"
"If you had not chosen me, I fear I would still be at the teahouse outside the city, listening to opera."Robert smiled faintly, though there was no mirth in his eyes. "But your choice of me surely was not solely because of my 'pure character', was it?"
My heart tightened, but my expression remained composed: "His Highness is jesting; I only meant that he is a worthy match."
Robert looked at me, paused for a moment, and then said, "Whatever your reasons, since you have chosen me, I will not let you suffer."
After speaking, he turned and walked toward His Majesty, leaving me standing alone, my heart a turmoil of emotions.
Soon after, the royal guards who had gone to the Crown Prince's Palace to deliver the edict returned.
They knelt, faces pale: "Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince... refuses to come. He said that without his orders, no one may enter the Crown Prince's Palace."
The Emperor's rage clouded his vision as he pointed towards the Crown Prince's Palace, his voice quivering: "Good! Very good! Today, I shall depose this Crown Prince!"
Speaking thus, he ordered the eunuch beside him, "Bring ink and brush! I must draft an edict!"
The eunuch hurriedly brought the ink and brush. The Emperor seized the imperial brush, inscribed the words "Depose Crown Prince Calvin Clark" upon the Imperial Edict, sealed it with the jade seal, and handed it to the royal guards beside him: "Take this Imperial Edict to the Crown Prince's Palace and proclaim it!"
The royal guards received the Emperor's command and swiftly proceeded to the Crown Prince's Palace.
All the guests inside the hall kept their heads lowered; no one dared to speak.
They all knew that after today, the heavens over the Capital City would change.
I waited for a long while in the side yard of the Crown Prince's Palace before I saw my father return.
His armor was streaked with dust, and his face bore the marks of exhaustion.
"Father, how did it go?"I stepped forward and supported his arm.
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