Chapter 78: To Know a Person Is Not Easy; To Truly Understand One Another Is Harder Still

After leaving the Spring Well, Zhan Wenjun invited Xu You to her chamber for a private conversation. Dismissing her attendants and serving fragrant tea, she asked, "Does the gentleman believe Li Ji's confession is credible?"

"Judging by the severity of the cold spring torture, few could maintain a secret for long. Li Ji has followed the Prince of Hengyang for many years and is accustomed to a life of luxury; it is unlikely he could fabricate such a story under such brutal interrogation."

"So you believe it is trustworthy?"

"Ninety percent, perhaps. The remaining ten percent will be confirmed once Shishu returns. But in this world, where can one find absolute certainty? What does the Lady think?"

Zhan Wenjun leaned back slightly, stretching her slender arms as she reclined against the daybed behind her. Perhaps weary from sitting, she naturally extended her legs, the pale green hem of her skirt sliding back to reveal skin as smooth and white as jade.

"I share your view," she exhaled deeply. "It is a stroke of fortune that Li Ji came alone. Had he been acting under the direct orders of the Prince of Hengyang, this matter would have been far more difficult to resolve."

That the situation was less dire than anticipated was indeed a blessing. Understanding her state of mind, Xu You smiled and asked, "How does the Lady intend to handle Li Ji?"

"That is precisely what I wished to ask you. Li Ji’s life is of little consequence, but he is, after all, a man of the Prince of Hengyang. If he dies here and the news leaks out, it could invite unnecessary trouble." Zhan Wenjun frowned. "Yet, keeping him alive and deciding how to dispose of him is equally troublesome."

Whether Li Ji lived or died was of no real importance to Xu You; the man was base and of poor character, and his fate was of no concern. However, his identity still held utility, and killing him would be a waste.

Lowering his voice and leaning forward, Xu You said, "Li Ji has been in the Prince of Hengyang’s household for many years; he must know many private matters. If the Lady has an interest in the Prince, there is no harm in keeping him at the Spring Well for a while longer." His voice dropped further, his breath nearly brushing her collar. "If you can manage to exert enough influence to fully control him, finding a suitable opportunity to send him back to the Prince’s side later would be far more advantageous than killing him."

The Prince of Hengyang was close to the Crown Prince, acting as a key figure in that faction. Since Guo Mian and the entire Guo clan stood firmly with the Prince of Jiangxia, having a man like Li Ji as a mole was an irresistible temptation for Zhan Wenjun.

Zhan Wenjun’s eyes brightened like golden scales dancing in autumn waters before fading into the depths of her gaze. She looked at Xu You with a strange expression, appearing somewhat flustered.

Xu You understood her thoughts. He sat upright and said, "I was reading the *Records of the Grand Historian* recently, specifically the chapter on Duke Hui of Jin. I felt quite troubled by it. I wonder what the Lady’s perspective might be?"

Zhan Wenjun often claimed her literary talents were average, but one who trained her attendants to speak with such elegance and erudition was clearly no mere mediocrity. She could not be unaware of the story of Duke Hui of Jin—the quintessential historical figure of treachery and ingratitude, who broke his word time and again, only to end his days in disgrace and captivity. The intent behind Xu You’s words was clear.

Zhan Wenjun rose and bowed gracefully. "It is easy to know a man’s face, but difficult to know his heart," she said softly. "The friendship of the virtuous is as thin as water, while the bond of the treacherous thrives on profit. Guan Zhong was satisfied, and Bao Shu was at peace. Their spirits were luminous, and their reputations remained unblemished. Sir, your words make me feel ashamed! I am currently surrounded by enemies, my situation as precarious as a pile of eggs. Since meeting you, it is as if I have encountered a Bao Shu to my Guan Zhong, finding a glimmer of light in the darkness. How could I ever be like the treacherous Duke Hui? Moreover, your arrangements for Li Ji are entirely for my sake—how could I be unaware of that? It is my fault for causing you such unease!"

Since Xu You had dared to speak of the shadow war between the Prince of Jiangxia and the Crown Prince, he did not fear that Zhan Wenjun would turn against him. He knelt and bowed in return. "To be a Guan is easy; to be a Bao is difficult. To judge a horse by its thinness, or a man by his poverty. Guan was poor, Bao was rich, yet they remained at peace. With no regrets regarding profit, and a perfect fulfillment of duty. I am a wretched soul who has lost home and kin; to have survived this long is merely a stroke of luck. Had I not felt a connection with you, I would not have spoken so. I only hope you do not misunderstand. As for the conflict between the Prince of Jiangxia and the Crown Prince, I have no interest, nor the standing to interfere."

They exchanged these poetic sentiments on the bond of Guan and Bao, a conversation that—while not strictly romantic—carried a sense of mutual appreciation and secret understanding.

Zhan Wenjun looked up, her beautiful eyes shimmering, and smiled, a faint blush blooming on her cheeks, which were as bright as the moon. Xu You felt his heart skip a beat and reached out as if to steady her. "Lady, please rise."

"Sir, please rise as well."

When they sat down again, the relationship between them had not grown distant; rather, it felt as though a veil had been lifted, leaving an intimate tension in its wake. Xu You cleared his throat. "Does the Lady know why the Princess of Haiyan has descended upon Qiantang?"

The presence of the high-ranking Princess hiding within the waterfall was clearly not for a vacation. Though Xu You spoke with tact, they both knew the Princess must have committed a grave offense, leading to her exile from the capital and her desperate concealment behind the cascade.

Zhan Wenjun shook her head. "As you heard, I only learned of the Princess’s existence today; how could I know the reason? However... I recall reports from Jinling regarding the Princess suffering from a sudden illness, keeping her doors closed for some time. I thought little of it then, and had it not been for today’s events, I would not have remembered. I never imagined she would have come to Qiantang, right here within my reach."

Xu You pondered for a moment. Sensing the atmosphere in the room growing heavy, he said decisively, "Shishu will return soon. If he verifies Li Ji’s account, the immediate threat can be set aside. We shall proceed with our other plans. Lady, please rest early; you have been under too much strain lately. Do take care of your health."

"My thanks to you, Sir."

Watching Xu You depart, Zhan Wenjun sat with her eyes closed for a long time before clapping her hands. When Wanqi entered, she commanded, "Go and summon Qianqin to see me on the mountain... and please, invite the Divine Concubine to join us as well."

"Understood."

Returning to his quarters, He Ru, Zuo Jun, Lishuang, and Qiufen were waiting. Seeing Xu You’s calm expression, He Ru smiled. "It seems that person is no longer a problem..."

Xu You, always admiring the man’s ability to read others, replied, "Indeed. His name is Li Ji, an old associate of the Prince of Hengyang..."