After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 11

Since returning from Yongning Palace, Fang Zhiyan had not stepped foot outside for two consecutive days. He had even requested a leave of absence from the Emperor. It was not that he did not want to go out; rather, he had broken out in a rash. At first, it was just a few red spots on his arms, but later, a patch appeared on the back of his neck, which was both itchy and painful.

Lan Ruo entered carrying a bowl of medicine. “The imperial physician said it is due to the summer heat. He prescribed a few doses; please take them for now.”

Fang Zhiyan took the bowl and downed it in one go, frowning at the intense bitterness.

“Your Ladyship should avoid going out for a few days,” Lan Ruo said as she took the bowl back. “Wait until the rash subsides.”

This was exactly what Fang Zhiyan wanted. He originally thought a few doses of the physician’s medicine would clear it up, but after several days, he showed no improvement.

“Lan Ruo, is this medicine actually working?” He rolled up his sleeve to reveal another fresh patch of red on his arm.

Lan Ruo was also puzzled. “The physician said it would disappear in a few days if taken on schedule. You have already been taking it for three days.”

“The Emperor has arrived!”

The courtyard grew noisy for a moment before the door curtain was lifted and Xiao Huan stepped inside. Fang Zhiyan rose to perform his salutations, but Xiao Huan stopped him.

“Why is there no improvement after all these days?” Xiao Huan’s expression cooled slightly as he turned to instruct Eunuch Li. “Have Head Physician Lin come over.”

Suppressing the urge to scratch, Fang Zhiyan waved his hand to dismiss the attendants. Having not seen each other for a few days, Fang Zhiyan felt the atmosphere between them had inexplicably grown more distant.

Xiao Huan glanced toward the writing desk on the side. “You certainly enjoy painting.”

Fang Zhiyan replied with a smile, “It is just something to pass the time.”

Remembering something, Fang Zhiyan stood up and walked to the desk. After rummaging through some papers, he brought one to Xiao Huan. “The Empress Dowager’s birthday is approaching. This is a ‘Hundred Longevity’ painting I did for her. What does Your Majesty think?”

Xiao Huan gave it a brief glance and nodded. “It is somewhat unique.”

Fang Zhiyan was delighted. “Does Your Majesty also find it unique? In what specific way?”

Seeing his pride, Xiao Huan placed his index finger on the paper. “The uniqueness lies in this Chengxintang paper.”

Fang Zhiyan pursed his lips and silently tucked the painting away. One day, sooner or later, when people saw his work, their first reaction would be awe at his artistry rather than the feeling that he was wasting high-quality materials.

Head Physician Lin, advanced in years, entered shakily carrying his medicine chest and took Fang Zhiyan’s pulse. Regarding the pulse-taking, Fang Zhiyan had already relaxed halfway after the tests of the past few days. He relied entirely on the fact that his constitution was naturally floating and weak, and that he was thinner than the average man. This prevented the Imperial Academy of Medicine from exposing him through a simple pulse reading.

However, this elderly man was surely different; his medical skills were undoubtedly more profound. The old physician frowned in deep thought and remained silent for a long time. Fang Zhiyan’s heart began to drum. He wondered if this Head Physician was truly that skilled.

Xiao Huan, who had been sitting at the desk drinking tea, now slowly walked to the bedside. He glanced at Fang Zhiyan, who was clearly trying his best to control his facial expression and appear calm. He asked, “Are you nervous?”

Fang Zhiyan immediately denied it. “Not at all.”

Realizing he was being too defensive, Fang Zhiyan simply closed his eyes to avoid having more of his thoughts read. The old physician withdrew his hand and bowed to Xiao Huan. “Her Ladyship’s rash is caused by suppressed emotions and internal fire born of pent-up frustration. It is not serious. She simply needs to relax and go out more for recreation to relieve her boredom.”

Fang Zhiyan had not slept well for several days. He had initially closed his eyes to escape Xiao Huan’s gaze, but he unexpectedly fell fast asleep.

After the physician left, Xiao Huan silently gazed at the person sleeping soundly on the bed. During this selection of consorts, the Empress Dowager’s favorite was this Concubine Zhuang, who shared some history with her. She had even insisted that he visit Jingyang Palace on the very first night the newcomers entered the palace.

He had arrived with dissatisfaction, not because he disliked Concubine Zhuang as a person, but because he felt he had more important matters to attend to. At that time, he felt he should not focus his mind on romantic trifles. However, after spending time together, he found that being with Concubine Zhuang was not as agonizing as he had anticipated.

Who would have thought that the very next day, this person would openly cause a scene at the gates of Cining Palace and be grounded by Consort Shu? His intuition told him there might be more to this story. Visiting Jingyang Palace again proved his guess correct. Concubine Zhuang was not playing hard to get; she genuinely wanted to isolate herself from the palace’s power struggles.

Even when eating simple rice and green vegetables, she did not show a hint of disdain. While others used schemes to climb the ranks, she was content with green vegetables just to stay away from trouble. He grew increasingly curious about this person. She was quiet and docile in front of him, yet acted quite arrogant in front of those of lower status. She was truly mysterious.

Different from the rumors, regarding uncertain things and people, one can only find the truth by getting close and unraveling the details. It did not matter if her secrets were not unearthed in the short term; after all, the days ahead were long.

Xiao Huan did not stay the night. He simply ordered many rare medicinal herbs to be sent over. Led by Consort Zhao, Noble Lady Lin and Noble Lady Zhou came to visit him one after another. Fang Zhiyan had no patience for wasting time with them and had Lan Ruo dismiss them on the grounds that his facial rash made him unfit to be seen.

Xiao Huan also stopped requiring him to act as an ornament at Ganning Palace. Having a rash was wonderful. Fu An, perhaps guided by some expert, had replaced the simple swing in the courtyard with a luxurious version. Fang Zhiyan’s daily routine consisted of lying on it and swaying back and forth. Fang Zhiyan indulged in his own secret fantasies.

On the day of the Empress Dowager’s birthday, the palace attendants dressed Fang Zhiyan in a newly tailored light-red robe from the Palace Wardrobe, paired with a deep-blue silk cape embroidered with clouds and pheasant patterns. On his head was a pearl and jade “Auspicious Cloud” crown, and a gold-leaf flower was applied to his forehead, making his delicate features appear even more exquisite.

The room full of attendants stared in awe. Fu An was the first to speak up with a smile. “Today, Your Ladyship is as beautiful as a fairy descended from the Heavenly Palace.” It was clear he was not very cultured, but he truly wanted to offer praise.

A governess from the tailoring bureau, who had not yet left, remarked with great feeling, “This light red is the most difficult color to pull off; it can easily look gaudy. But on Your Ladyship, it seems the color has gained grace from you, looking inherently more noble.”

Lan Ruo immediately brought out silver to reward all the servants. The servants of Jingyang Palace were used to Concubine Zhuang’s generosity. The governesses from the tailoring bureau felt the heavy reward money in their hands and their faces lit up with joy. Rumors said Concubine Zhuang was the Emperor’s favorite but was overbearing and difficult to get along with. However, what did that matter to servants like them? As long as she was generous, she was the best kind of master.

Fang Zhiyan stood before the mirror, looking at the familiar yet strange person within. He felt a bit dazed. He had never dressed so grandly. No wonder Fang Zheng’an had targeted him; there truly was not the slightest bit of inconsistency. He was even a bit more tall and slender than the average woman.

Lan Ruo frowned as she circled around Fang Zhiyan. “Your Ladyship, you have drunk so much herbal medicine these past few days that there is a faint medicinal scent on your body.”

“Is that so?” Fang Zhiyan lifted his sleeve and sniffed it. “I thought as much. Lan Zhi, go and get the hand warmer.”

Time was running short, so Fang Zhiyan tucked a hand warmer into his sleeve and headed for Cining Palace. The current Empress Dowager had been famous for her low-key nature and dislike of extravagance even before entering the palace; she had been deeply loved by the people for many years. Even though it was her birthday, there was no excessive display; she only invited officials of the third rank and above to bring their female relatives to the palace for the celebration.

Cining Palace was lively yet orderly. Fang Zhiyan arrived somewhat early, though others were earlier still. Consort Zhao was supporting the Empress Dowager as they emerged from the warming room. The Empress Dowager was laughing at something she had said. The entire room rose to pay their respects, and Fang Zhiyan was led by an attendant to his seat. He was seated opposite Consort Shu, very close to the vacant throne of the Emperor.

It would be a lie to say he was not nervous; after all, he had never seen such a grand occasion. Lan Ruo stood behind him, helping him identify people. Xiao Huan did not arrive late. After everyone paid their respects again, the banquet officially began.

Seated to his right was Noble Lady Lin, with whom he had played card games before. The two occasionally chatted and shared a few cups of wine. Seeing that he had finished several cups in a short time, Noble Lady Lin smiled. “Sister has a good tolerance for wine. This Jinhua wine is specially made for the palace. If it were not for an occasion like today, people like us would likely never get to taste it.”

It was an imperial product, which explained why it tasted so good. Fang Zhiyan’s maternal grandmother had been an expert at brewing wine, and he also knew an old traveling merchant who loved to drink. The old man often bragged that after traveling the country for many years, he had tasted countless types of wine. If Fang Zhiyan could give him even a taste of this cup, he would surely be overjoyed.

The Empress Dowager had only one legitimate daughter, who had married the year before last. Today, she had brought her husband to offer birthday wishes. Her eyes remained fixed on Concubine Zhuang, who was drinking alone. While the Empress Dowager was talking to Consort Shu, she nudged Xiao Huan with her elbow. “Brother, that must be Concubine Zhuang. Why does she look so sorrowful?”

The secrets of the palace were both well-hidden and yet not hidden at all; the news of the Emperor’s exclusive favor for the daughter of the Fang family had already spread far and wide outside the palace. Xiao Huan watched in silence for a few moments, then beckoned Eunuch Li over to whisper a few words into his ear.

Support