After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 14

Now that Fang Zhiyan had a better understanding of the situation, his words were no longer aggressive. Instead, he spoke more slowly and deliberately. He did not realize that this composed demeanor only increased the psychological pressure on Noble Lady Zhou.

“We have found the source of the Bewildering Incense in the medicinal soup, but where did the powder on these clothes come from? Noble Lady Zhou, do you have any leads?”

Noble Lady Zhou raised her pale face, her voice trembling. “Concubine Zhuang, what do you mean? How could I possibly know?”

An attendant from the Imperial Garden came to ask when the fireworks and firecrackers should be lit. All events for the Empress Dowager’s birthday were calculated by the Directorate of Astronomy. Fearing that missing the auspicious hour would displease the Empress Dowager, Fang Zhiyan looked toward Xiao Huan. Their eyes met, and in that instant, the Emperor understood his meaning.

“We will not mention this matter further today. Tomorrow, it will be handed over to Consort Shu for a full investigation.”

Consort Shu rose and performed a salutation. “I will certainly get to the bottom of this.”

Princess Taijia took the opportunity to stand and support the Empress Dowager. “Mother, let us go. We should watch the fireworks; I heard there are many new displays.”

Fang Zhiyan’s legs had gone numb from kneeling. He turned to give Lan Ruo a look, signaling for her to help him up.

Lan Ruo looked pained and whispered, “I was too agitated earlier and slammed my knees onto the floor tiles. I have not recovered yet.”

Fang Zhiyan remained silent.

A large hand was suddenly extended before him. Looking up, he saw the Emperor’s features were relaxed and unusually gentle. “Get up.”

Fireworks erupted in the sky, lighting up the faces of the crowd below in a kaleidoscope of colors. The sounds of laughter and exclamations of wonder merged into one. Fang Zhiyan and Lan Ruo stood in a corner, both with heavy hearts. Xiao Huan stayed by the Empress Dowager’s side, but unlike the others who looked upward, he kept his gaze lowered, watching the reflections on the surface of the lake.

Princess Taijia leaned toward him and whispered, “Look, your Concubine Zhuang looks so pitiful.”

Not far away, Fang Zhiyan and Lan Ruo supported each other, limping away from the area with a stubborn sense of perseverance. Their retreating figures looked somewhat desolate.

Just as they stepped out of the Imperial Garden, Eunuch Li called out behind them. “Your Ladyship, Concubine Zhuang, please wait.”

Fang Zhiyan stopped as a small sedan chair carried by four people was lowered beside him.

“I will see Your Ladyship back,” Eunuch Li said, his face wrinkling into a smile. “You were wronged today. The Emperor must accompany the Empress Dowager for now, but he will visit Jingyang Palace to see you later tonight.”

Fang Zhiyan climbed into the soft sedan with difficulty. Hearing this, he felt even weaker. “Eunuch Li, please beg the Emperor on my behalf to let me rest in peace for a few days.”

Eunuch Li said nothing.

By the time they reached Jingyang Palace, an imperial physician was already waiting. Fu An and the other servants looked solemn; after such an event, they did not know if the Emperor would come to demand accountability tomorrow.

When his trousers were rolled up, both of Fang Zhiyan’s knees were bruised purple. The physician produced a medicinal salve. “When applying this, you must use some force to ensure the medicine penetrates the skin.”

Fang Zhiyan asked him to check on Lan Ruo immediately as well.

After Eunuch Li left, Fu An came in wiping away tears and kowtowed on the floor. “Your Ladyship, it is my fault. Fu Xi was practically my apprentice. I never imagined he would be so malicious and bring such harm to you and Miss Lan Ruo.”

Fang Zhiyan leaned against the soft couch, looking weary and drained of energy. “I do not blame you. Leave us.”

“Go fetch some water,” Lan Ruo said, gently stretching her legs. She then urged Fang Zhiyan, “I will help you bathe and change so you can rest early.”

This was said for the benefit of those outside. Every time he bathed, Lan Ruo would turn her back and stand to the side.

Meanwhile, Eunuch Li returned to Xiao Huan’s side, looking as though he wanted to speak but hesitated. By then, the festivities had ended and everyone was returning to their respective palaces.

“What did he say?”

Eunuch Li forced a smile. “Oh, Concubine Zhuang is truly a thoughtful person. She understood that Your Majesty would be tired today and told me to urge you to rest early.”

Xiao Huan, who had been looking at memorials, raised his head to look at Eunuch Li. The eunuch’s voice grew smaller and smaller, his old face full of guilt. Xiao Huan gave a short laugh, dropped his pen, and rubbed his brow. “Fine.”

The hall fell silent for a moment before he spoke again. “Their hands have reached too far. They could not even wait this long.”

Eunuch Li lowered his head and agreed carefully. “Minister Sun is about to retire, and Xue Li’s chances of winning are slim. It is natural that they are restless.”

Setting aside court matters, Xiao Huan engaged in a rare moment of self-reflection. “I dragged her into this mess and nearly let her be harmed. Was I being too harsh?”

Eunuch Li naturally took his master’s side. He chose his words carefully. “Since she entered the palace, she is Your Majesty’s person. Both glory and hardship are gifts. Besides, you treat Concubine Zhuang very well, and she is a person of understanding.”

Observing the Emperor’s expression, Eunuch Li plucked up the courage to suggest, “However, this favor is only on the surface. If Your Majesty truly feels indebted, why not just,” Eunuch Li searched for the right words, eventually choosing a delicate phrase, “make the act a reality?”

Xiao Huan walked slowly to the window. On the soft couch beneath the window frame, a miscellaneous book had been tossed haphazardly. Next to it, on a small table, were pens, ink, paper, and an inkstone. A few drawings lay there. Xiao Huan picked up a few to look at. The one drawn with the most care was the third one, which depicted a small tiled house. Looking at the style and structure of the house, it was different from those in the capital.

Fang Zhiyan slept for an entire day. When he woke up groggily in the evening, he saw Xiao Huan sitting in a chair by the window, reading a book.

“You are awake.”

Lan Ruo heard the movement and came in to help Fang Zhiyan to the side room to wash up and clear his head.

Fang Zhiyan lowered his voice. “When did he arrive?”

Lan Ruo whispered, “About two hours ago. I intended to wake you, but the Emperor stopped me.”

Fang Zhiyan gave her a slightly reproachful look. “That was foolish, Lan Ruo. Next time something like this happens, you should shout ‘Long live the Emperor’ at the top of your lungs. Otherwise, if he took a whim to pull back the covers, we would be finished.”

“I will remember that.”

By the time the master and servant emerged, Fu An had already led others in setting a table of food. Xiao Huan told him to sit.

“Eat. You must be hungry after sleeping all day.”

Fang Zhiyan did not stand on ceremony; he was indeed very hungry.

“Consort Shu has reached a conclusion regarding the Bewildering Incense,” Xiao Huan said, leaning his head on his hand. His tone was measured. “The Zhou woman bribed a servant in the tailoring bureau to sprinkle powder on your clothes.”

Fang Zhiyan did not stop eating, not at all surprised.

“As for Fu Xi, he was a pawn planted in Jingyang Palace.”

The person he referred to was certainly not Noble Lady Zhou. This likely concerned matters of the imperial court, which did not interest Fang Zhiyan. He gave a flat “oh” in response. Realizing his attitude was not respectful enough, he softened his tone. “Thank you for telling me these things, Your Majesty.”

“You were wronged in this matter. What do you want?”

I want peace and quiet, Fang Zhiyan thought. In truth, there was nothing he really wanted. No matter how many rewards he received, what would they have to do with him once he and Fang Zhiwei swapped identities back?

Thinking of this, he answered perfunctorily, “It is enough that Your Majesty is thoughtful. I do not dare to ask for anything.”

A gust of wind blew outside, and the candlelight in the room flickered, blurring the expressions in their eyes. After finishing the meal, Fang Zhiyan chatted idly with Xiao Huan as usual, waiting for him to return to his own palace.

However, not only did the man not leave, but Eunuch Li also came in to ask, “Your Majesty, it is late. Why not stay here tonight?”

Fang Zhiyan stood up abruptly, exchanging a startled look with Lan Ruo. Xiao Huan seemed surprised by his intense reaction and asked with interest, “What is it? Why are you so agitated?”

Eunuch Li smiled from the side. “Concubine Zhuang has likely looked forward to this day for a long time.”

You must be blind, Fang Zhiyan thought, his face turning red with anger.

Lan Ruo wanted to step forward to say something, but Eunuch Li was quick to grab her and pull her out. “The insects in the courtyard are quite noisy. It is hard work, Miss Lan, but come with me to catch them so the Emperor and Her Ladyship can have some peace.”

Lan Ruo looked back with every step. “Eunuch Li, Her Ladyship said she finds the sound of the insects quite soothing for sleep.”

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