After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 21

Upon returning to Yunlai Building, Qiu Runzhi’s father was waiting anxiously at the entrance. Seeing his son return safely, his heart finally settled.

Both father and son were honest, law-abiding businessmen who could fully support themselves by working in the kitchen of Yunlai Building. This time, when the palace suddenly came to recruit masters of Jiangnan cuisine, the manager had originally intended for the elder Qiu to go, but Qiu Runzhi had taken his place instead. Palace regulations were strict; any rewards for a job well done were secondary to the fear that a single mistake might offend someone powerful, making it nearly impossible to escape unscathed.

The two entered the house. Seeing his son looking preoccupied, the elder Qiu could not help but be curious. Qiu Runzhi did not mention the matter regarding Wang Xiaowu. Instead, he asked, “Father, which families do the ‘Twin Beauties of the Capital’ belong to?”

His father glanced at him. “Why have you suddenly become curious about such things today? Usually, you never step foot outside the house or get involved in social matters. I try to introduce you to girls, but you never agree to meet them.”

Qiu Runzhi said helplessly, “Father, you are drifting off topic.”

The elder Qiu stroked his goatee. “They are the daughter of the Cui family and the daughter of the Fang family.”

“Fang?”

That would be the rumored Concubine Zhuang, the Emperor’s most beloved consort. Qiu Runzhi was even more surprised now. She shared the same surname as Fang Zhiyan, possessed a seventy percent resemblance in appearance, and had a very familiar physical stature. Could it be that Fang Zhiyan was actually a son of the Fang family, perhaps a brother to Concubine Zhuang? Did Fang Zhiyan know about this?

“Father, I need to write a letter to Suzhou.” Qiu Runzhi suppressed the various doubts in his heart and smiled. “I have not seen A-Yan in a long time. I wonder how he is doing these days.”

His father waved a hand. “Fine, I shall head back to sleep first.”

In Chengqian Palace, Fang Zhiyan’s level of surprise was not a bit less than Qiu Runzhi’s. Meeting an old friend in a distant land was truly unexpected; he had never imagined that both the Qiu father and son would find their way to the capital.

Lan Ruo came in to inquire, “Has Your Ladyship encountered some troubling matter?”

Fang Zhiyan did not intend to tell Lan Ruo about Qiu Runzhi, even though the two of them currently seemed to be in the same boat. He asked perfunctorily, “Is it that obvious?”

Lan Ruo’s gaze drifted downward. She said awkwardly, “The yellow peonies that were just delivered this afternoon have been plucked bald by you.”

Fang Zhiyan was chagrined. Looking at the bare branches and the floor covered in petals, he muttered, “What a sin. Quickly, hide this pot of sticks away.”

Lan Ruo called over two young maids. They nimbly cleared away the fallen petals and carried the withered branches outside.

The reason Fang Zhiyan had not exposed Wang Xiaowu today was that having Qiu Runzhi remain outside the palace would be more advantageous for his current situation.

The evening meal at Chengqian Palace had just been cleared when the light footsteps of a young eunuch echoed from under the corridor. Fang Zhiyan was looking down, his fingertips unconsciously rubbing the water-colored glass pendant at his waist. The hollowed-out floral pattern cast a soft glow under the lamplight, making his fingertips appear even more fair.

Xiao Huan sat by the table and peeled a freshly delivered lychee, holding it to Fang Zhiyan’s lips. “What are you thinking about?”

Fang Zhiyan snapped out of his thoughts, naturally opened his mouth to take the lychee, and shook his head. He said softly, “It is nothing.”

The two chatted idly for a while about the livelihoods of the common people outside the palace and the shops in the capital. Then, Xiao Huan stood up to leave. His practiced movements were enough to make one feel pity.

Before leaving, he reached out to tidy a stray lock of Fang Zhiyan’s hair. His tone was natural. “In the future, if you feel bored, go for a stroll in the Imperial Garden or invite Consort Shu and the others to Chengqian Palace to play Leaf Cards. You do not need to stay cooped up in the room all day.”

Fang Zhiyan nodded. He watched Xiao Huan’s figure disappear down the corridor before slowly withdrawing his gaze. Dinner at Chengqian Palace was always like this; the liveliness lasted no more than an hour before returning to silence.

However, he did not know that this state of “mutual respect” had already reached the ears of the Empress Dowager in Cining Palace.

Inside Cining Palace, the warm pavilion was scented with a faint aroma of sandalwood. The Empress Dowager sat upright on a soft couch, her fingers moving over a string of agarwood prayer beads. Her expression was several shades darker than usual. The head maid stood beside her with her head bowed, reporting cautiously:

“Empress Dowager, His Majesty only dined at Chengqian Palace today. After sitting for a short while, he returned to Qianqing Palace alone. I have inquired, and it has always been this way between the two of them, without exception.”

The Empress Dowager’s hand suddenly stopped moving the beads. Her brows knit slightly, her eyes full of doubt and confusion. “This son of mine has always had deep thoughts. Previously, he and Consort Shu treated each other with mutual respect, but is it still the same now with Concubine Zhuang?”

She was counting the days until she could hold a grandchild, yet it turned out these two had been playing house for months?

The head maid did not dare to respond and stood quietly in attendance. The Empress Dowager remained silent for a moment, recalling a comment Concubine Zhao had mentioned incidentally while serving her a few days ago. A shadow immediately fell over her heart.

At that time, Concubine Zhao had said, “Empress Dowager, Concubine Zhuang has been in the palace for several months now and has yet to become pregnant. Could it be that… she is unwell?”

If what the maid said just now was true, then it made sense. It wasn’t a matter of being unwell; it was that absolutely nothing had happened. This was too absurd. When would she ever get to hold a grandson?

“Go, call Li Mao here,” the Empress Dowager commanded after a moment of deliberation.

The head maid withdrew and returned shortly with Li Mao. He entered the pavilion with his head bowed and knelt in greeting. “This servant greets the Empress Dowager.”

“Rise.” The Empress Dowager looked at him, her tone calm yet carrying an air of authority. “I ask you, when the Emperor goes to Chengqian Palace every day, is it truly just to eat and chat? Has he never stayed the night?”

Li Mao’s heart skipped a beat. He knew the Empress Dowager could no longer sit still. He did not dare to hide the truth; after all, she must have gathered solid evidence before asking. He quickly bowed and said, “In response to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty has indeed never stayed the night at Chengqian Palace.”

“Absurd!” The Empress Dowager slapped the table, her tone turning cold. “One does not stay the night, and the other does not attend to his needs, yet they act inseparable all day long. What do they call this? Are they putting on a show for me?”

Li Mao did not dare to say more and simply stood with his head down. The Empress Dowager calmed herself and said, “Fine, you may leave. Remember, keep this matter strictly confidential. If any word of this leaks out, watch your skin.”

“This servant obeys your command.” Li Mao felt as if he had been granted a great reprieve and hurriedly withdrew.

Inside the pavilion, only the Empress Dowager remained. She looked out the window at the dark sky, her doubts deepening. The more she thought, the more uneasy she became. Could it be that the Emperor had… a problem in that department?

“Pass my decree. Tomorrow, have the Head of the Imperial Hospital go to Qianqing Palace to take the Emperor’s pulse.” The Empress Dowager spoke with an undeniable authority.

Meanwhile, in Chengqian Palace, Fang Zhiyan sat by the window, watching Lan Ruo prune several pots of brightly blooming flowers.

“Your Ladyship, they are all pruned,” Lan Ruo said with a sigh. “These flowers are truly delicate.”

When Eunuch Li returned to Qianqing Palace, he immediately reported the Empress Dowager’s questioning. Xiao Huan set down his memorial and pinched the bridge of his nose, looking quite troubled.

Li Mao stood to the side and said cautiously, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager is simply anxious for a grandchild.”

Xiao Huan walked to the window and looked toward Chengqian Palace. The helplessness in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a touch of warmth. That person was likely swinging leisurely on the courtyard swing right now, completely unaware that the peaceful life he dreamed of was about to be shattered once again.

Support