After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 2

“Understood. You may leave.”

Once the servant had departed, Fang Zhiyan walked slowly toward a bronze mirror that stood half as tall as a person and gazed quietly at his reflection.

The figure in the mirror had jet-black hair flowing like a waterfall, features that were spirited and delicate, a high chest, and a waist as slender as a willow branch. No matter how one looked at it, this was a beautiful young woman.

He raised a hand to lightly stroke the spot where his Adam’s apple was. It was not prominent, just a slight protrusion. Usually, wearing high-collared dresses could hide it completely.

If he could just survive this one year safely, he could take the money and return to Zishui Town to live a life of wealth he once never dared to dream of.

Thinking of it that way, although it was a bit dangerous, it was worth it.

The Third Year of Yong’an, the fifteenth day of the ninth month. A day auspicious for weddings and a day auspicious for entering the Palace.

Fang Zhiyan sat inside the carriage entering the palace, dressed in elaborate court attire, wearing jewelry on his head and makeup on his face. He felt wrong all over.

The skirt was too long, making it easy to trip while walking. The jewelry was too heavy, making him feel as though his neck were about to snap. Worst of all, he had stuffed two freshly steamed buns into his chest, and they were a bit hot.

Lan Ruo, who had entered the palace with him, saw that he had no sense of modesty as he squirmed around in the carriage. She silently looked away.

“Whose bright idea was this?” he whispered. “Did they have to be hot buns?”

Lan Ruo pursed her lips and spoke up, “Young Master, or rather, Madam meant that warm ones look softer and more realistic, after all.”

Fang Zhiyan stopped pretending and rolled his eyes.

The carriage drove all the way into the Imperial Palace and stopped in front of the Palace of Chuxiu.

Fang Zhiyan stepped down. Looking around, the courtyard was filled with candidates who were plump or slender, each with her own unique charm. Some were talking in low voices, some were tidying their appearance, and some were so nervous that their hands were shaking.

Looking around, Fang Zhiyan’s mood suddenly brightened.

A whole courtyard full of beauties!

Thinking back to when he was just a poor boy from a small town, he had never seen so many beautiful sisters. It was almost overwhelming.

Even though he was there to be a candidate, he still had the eyes of a man. Seeing so many beauties gathered together was truly like a paradise on earth.

One candidate noticed his gaze and whispered to her companion, “That Miss Fang, why is she smiling so frivolously today?”

The companion looked closely. “Indeed. Is it not said that the daughter of the Fang family is the top talented woman in the capital? Why does she look so improper?”

Fang Zhiyan’s ears were sharp. Hearing this, he immediately pulled back his expression and tried his best to look dignified and gentle.

But he really was not used to it.

He had been dignified for less than three seconds before he could not help but steal a glance at a particularly beautiful candidate nearby. That candidate happened to look over as well, and their eyes met.

Instinctively, Fang Zhiyan gave the person a smile. The candidate was startled, nodded slightly, and lowered her head.

Fang Zhiyan felt smug. This was truly an eye-opening experience.

Just as he was secretly excited, the sound of footsteps approached, followed by the shrill voice of a eunuch:

“Her Highness, Consort Shu, has arrived!”

The candidates in the courtyard knelt down in unison.

Fang Zhiyan knelt along with them, remembering what the governess had said. This was the only high-ranking consort in the harem, Cui Jinglan, the Emperor’s childhood sweetheart. It was said the two shared a very deep bond.

Consort Shu sat in a four-man sedan chair. She did not bother to step down, instead leaning her head on her hand and lazily scanning the crowd. Seeming bored, she waved her hand for the attendant to announce the decree.

“By order of the Empress Dowager: Fang Zhiwei, daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Fang Zheng’an, is of gentle character and outstanding talent. She is hereby bestowed the title of Concubine Zhuang and granted residence in the Eastern Annex of the Palace of Jingyang.”

The eunuch’s shrill voice echoed over the Palace of Chuxiu. The kneeling candidates kowtowed to express their gratitude.

Kneeling in the crowd, Fang Zhiyan’s head was buzzing.

Concubine Zhuang?

What happened to keeping a low profile? What happened to not standing out?

His father had sworn up and down that the current Emperor worked from dawn to dusk and had no interest in women. Yet here he was, a fake, promoted directly to the rank of Concubine.

Wait, he realized the decree came from the Empress Dowager, not the Emperor.

That was better. The old Empress Dowager probably just assigned titles based on family background.

Comforting himself with these thoughts, Fang Zhiyan’s mind remained a mess. However, he did not dare show a hint of it on his face. He followed the eunuch leading the way, kowtowed in thanks with a dignified posture, and did not dare to make a mistake.

Fitting for “Concubine Zhuang,” the “Zhuang” character meaning dignified, he was indeed very good at “Zhuang-ing” or faking it.

Consort Shu yawned on her sedan chair, lazily sweeping her gaze over the people kneeling below. Her eyes lingered on Fang Zhiyan for a moment.

“Concubine Zhuang.” She repeated the title, her tone unreadable. “Raise your head and let me have a look.”

Fang Zhiyan raised his head as ordered and met the eyes of the woman on the sedan.

Consort Shu, Cui Jinglan, was in her early twenties. Her looks were not exactly peerless, but her eyes were remarkably clear and spirited. Her whole being radiated an aura of calm and high-mindedness. She was like a white lotus that knew nothing of the world’s filth.

Consort Shu watched him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. “A beautiful creature indeed. The Empress Dowager’s taste is, as expected, never wrong.”

The words were polite, but Fang Zhiyan felt there was a hidden meaning. However, he did not think much of it. He was here to be a “salted fish” anyway. Regardless of what she meant, he just had to lay low for a year and call it a day.

“I thank Your Highness for the praise.” He lowered his eyes, assuming a submissive posture.

Consort Shu said nothing more and waved for the eunuch to continue. The sedan chair moved off slowly.

Kneeling on the ground, Fang Zhiyan caught glimpses of several candidates stealing looks at him. Some looks were envious, some jealous, and some meaningful. Everyone else envied him.

Only he knew how bad this was. With such a high rank, it would be impossible to keep a low profile.

After the announcement ended, each palace sent people to collect their new masters.

Four people came from the Palace of Jingyang. The head eunuch was named Fu’an, in his thirties, with a round face and a friendly smile. He was clearly a smooth and tactful character.

“This servant greets Your Highness, Concubine Zhuang.” Fu’an led the others in kneeling. His attitude was so respectful that one could not find a single flaw.

Fang Zhiyan put on airs and gave a faint, “Mm. You may rise.”

Lan Ruo stood behind him, silently observing. She thought to herself that the Third Young Master’s pretentious manner was even more like a lady than the actual Young Miss.

The group headed toward the Palace of Jingyang.

The Palace of Jingyang was not large among the palaces of the East and West, but it was pleasantly secluded. The side hall was not as grand as the main hall, but it was exquisitely decorated. There was an old osmanthus tree in the courtyard, currently in full bloom, filling the space with fragrance.

Fang Zhiyan walked into the side hall, looked around, and nodded in satisfaction. It was much better than he had imagined. At the very least, it was several times better than his broken little shack back in Suzhou Town.

Fu’an introduced the place enthusiastically. “Your Highness, this is the main hall, used for receiving guests. To the east is the bedchamber, to the west is the small study, and there is a small kitchen in the backyard. If Your Highness is not used to the food from the Imperial Kitchen, you can cook for yourself.”

“Cook for myself?” Fang Zhiyan’s eyes lit up. “I can cook?”

“The Emperor is generous and does not wish to be harsh over such small matters.”

From the sound of it, the Emperor seemed quite kind.

Once they entered the bedchamber and Fu’an and the other maids stepped out, leaving only Lan Ruo, Fang Zhiyan finally could not hold it anymore. He slumped onto the bed and let out a long breath.

“I am exhausted,” he said, as he reached into his chest for the buns. “These things have been stifled all day, I feel—”

“Your Highness, this servant still has a matter!”

Fu’an bowed as he walked back in. He looked up and was startled. Fang Zhiyan and Lan Ruo were also shocked by this sudden intrusion and froze.

Fu’an let out a cry and said, “Your Highness must be hungry! It is this servant’s fault for being negligent and forgetting that Your Highness has not had a drop of water or a grain of rice all day. Xiao Xizi, go to the Imperial Kitchen quickly and get some food.”

He spoke as he turned to leave. Fang Zhiyan silently stuffed the buns back in and whispered to Lan Ruo, “Watch the door.”

Lan Ruo gave him a flat look but turned to stand guard at the door.

Halfway through eating, Fu’an came back in, his face beaming with joy. “Congratulations, Your Highness! Great news! Word has come from the Emperor. He says he is coming here tonight!”

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