After the Substitute Male Bride Fled, the Emperor Turned Dark - Chapter 8

“With just one word, he was ready to have someone beaten to death,” Fang Zhiyan tutted. “Can you believe how terrifying that is? He seemed quite easygoing the few times I saw him before. Are all emperors this temperamental?”

Lan Ruo made a shushing gesture. “You cannot say such things out loud! You will lose your head if the wrong person hears you!”

Fang Zhiyan brushed her hand away and waved dismissively. “I know, I know. I am only telling you. I am not stupid.”

His heart, however, was still pounding. He had thoroughly learned his lesson from the scene at Qianqing Palace today. Xiao Huan’s approachability was a facade; he was cold to the bone. In future dealings, Fang Zhiyan knew he had to keep his head down and stop pushing his luck. He still needed to return to Suzhou to care for his maternal grandmother.

Just then, a young eunuch entered to report that Eunuch Li had sent over several boxes of pastries and fruit, all freshly made by the Imperial Kitchen.

Fang Zhiyan glanced at them and felt puzzled. He had just finished eating before coming back. Lacking any appetite, he said, “Lan Ruo, distribute these to the others. Let everyone have a taste. They have all suffered through this confinement with me.”

“Then lock the doors. I am exhausted.”

The Empress Dowager preferred peace and quiet, and the position of Empress remained vacant. Aside from specific festival days, the ladies of the harem were not required to pay their daily respects.

Fang Zhiyan had not only been personally released from confinement by the Emperor but had also spent three consecutive days at Qianqing Palace without a break. Gradually, rumors began to circulate throughout the harem. People whispered that the Emperor and Concubine Zhuang were not only spending every night together but were also indulging in daytime trysts.

The gossip was vivid and detailed. The most convincing evidence was that Concubine Zhuang spent two hours in Qianqing Palace every time he visited, and he always emerged looking drained and unsteady on his feet.

It was enough to drive anyone to jealousy. After all, besides Consort Shu, the Emperor had never set foot in anyone else’s quarters.

Regarding this, Fang Zhiyan could only offer a sorrowful smile. The most despairing thing in the world is sitting on pins and needles in front of the Emperor while everyone else thinks you are reveling in his bed. He did not even dare to have a good cry, fearing people would assume he was overwhelmed with pleasure.

While he was lost in his indignation, Lan Ruo tugged at his sleeve. “Your Highness, the person ahead looks like Lady of the Rank Zhao’yi, Xue.”

Fang Zhiyan looked in that direction. This path connected Qianqing Palace to the inner harem, and three or four people were arguing near an arched gate.

“Eunuch Huang, my lady has been ill for many days. The Imperial Physicians have seen her, but she is not getting any better. This servant begs you to ask His Majesty to visit her!”

“Why must you be so difficult? His Majesty is occupied with a myriad of state affairs. If he had to visit everyone in the palace who fell ill, he would never have a moment of peace.”

The young maid wiped her eyes with her sleeve, weeping bitterly. “This servant will say something disrespectful: the people in this palace are experts at fawning over the powerful and trampling the weak. They see that my master is not favored, so they are not treating her illness properly!”

Eunuch Huang’s voice turned shrill. “You truly wish for your master’s downfall by saying such things!”

Hearing this, Fang Zhiyan felt a wave of sympathy. When he lived in the small town, most of the people he knew were commoners. Since there were fewer conflicting interests, there was more genuine feeling. In this palace, even if one were a pampered daughter of a noble family before entering, they could be treated like dirt if they failed to catch the Emperor’s eye.

He led Lan Ruo forward, intending to pass by as if nothing were happening by hugging the wall. However, the young maid spotted him and ran over to kneel at his feet.

“Your Highness Concubine Zhuang, I beg you to save my master! Please!”

Fang Zhiyan was immediately put in a difficult position. He and Lan Ruo exchanged a look.

When Eunuch Huang saw him, he immediately bowed and scraped with a smile. “This servant greets Your Highness Concubine Zhuang.”

The maid’s eyes were red and swollen from crying. Fang Zhiyan felt a dull ache in his chest. He did not want to get involved; truthfully, he was the one in the most dangerous and agonizing position in this harem.

Seeing his hesitation, Lan Ruo whispered a reminder, “Your Highness, let us go.”

The young maid let out a wail of despair. “My master is truly very ill. If she does not receive proper treatment, she will truly lose her life. Your Highness, if you say just one word, the Imperial Physician will surely do his utmost!”

Fang Zhiyan opened his mouth, but the words of refusal would not come out. He was familiar with this scene. When his grandmother was sick, he had once begged the doctors at the clinic in the same way.

Eunuch Huang was a man who knew how to read people. Seeing that Concubine Zhuang was being pressured, he stomped his foot and pulled at the young maid. “Fine, fine! Get up quickly! Do not keep Her Highness standing here in the heat with us.”

The sun had just set, and it was stiflingly hot outside the hall.

“Come with me to the Imperial Academy of Medicine. We shall request a different physician to examine the Lady of the Rank Zhao’yi.”

The young maid was overjoyed. She quickly kowtowed three times to Fang Zhiyan and then dragged Eunuch Huang away.

During dinner, Lan Ruo noticed his distraction. As she served him, she asked softly, “Is Your Highness worried about Lady Xue?”

Fang Zhiyan poked at his rice listlessly with his chopsticks. “I have no time to worry about her. This palace looks luxurious everywhere, but in reality, it is a bottomless abyss that devours people.”

“One day, when I am exposed, what will my end be?”

He lowered his head, not letting Lan Ruo see the resentment in his eyes. For over a decade, Fang Zheng’an had ignored him. He had been living a simple but contented life in Suzhou. Because of Fang Zhiwei’s selfishness and Fang Zheng’an’s greed, he was forced into women’s clothing to suffer every day in this palace. He lived in fear that he might wake up one day without his head.

What would his grandmother do then? If she lost him, her only relative, how would she survive?

Lan Ruo fell silent. For the first time, she felt a sense of shared destiny with this master who had appeared halfway through her life.

“Do not be afraid, Your Highness. Whatever happens, this servant will be with you.”

If the truth ever came out, Lan Ruo would be the first one unable to escape.

Fang Zhiyan looked up, hiding his emotions, and began to laugh recklessly again. “True. After all, the entire Fang family cannot escape involvement. At least the whole family will be together on the road to the Yellow Springs. That gives me some small comfort.”

Lan Ruo replied, “Yes. Your Highness, please finish your meal.”

He did not go out of his way to ask about Lady Xue, but a few days later, she came to the Palace of Jingyang herself. Behind her was the young maid who had begged him that day, carrying two large food boxes.

Lan Ruo welcomed them in.

“Your younger sister, Xue Wanbai, greets elder sister Concubine Zhuang.”

Fang Zhiyan had been resting with his eyes closed on a swing. Hearing this, he opened his eyes and stood up, his expression neutral. “There is no need for such formality, sister.”

As they stood face to face, Fang Zhiyan realized he was nearly a full head taller than Lady Xue.

Xue Wanbai was also startled. Looking at him from a distance before, she had never noticed that Concubine Zhuang was so much taller than her. Returning to her senses, she quickly lowered her eyes and took a food box from her maid, smiling somewhat cautiously.

“I heard that I owe my life to my sister’s kindness that day. I am sure you do not lack for valuable items, so I have personally made some pastries. I hope sister does not find them beneath her.”

“You are very thoughtful, sister.” Fang Zhiyan signaled Lan Ruo to accept them and turned to lead the way inside. “Come in; it is hot outside.”

The two sat down in the warm room. Lady Xue tried to start a conversation, but seeing that Fang Zhiyan was uninterested and seemed ready to see her out, she shifted her approach. “I see your courtyard is peaceful, and mine is also quite lonely. Why do we not invite the two sisters from next door to play a game of Yezi cards?”

Fang Zhiyan looked up, appearing slightly uncertain. “I heard earlier that playing such games is not allowed in the harem.”

Xue Wanbai covered her mouth and laughed. “That rule is to prevent eunuchs and maids from gambling and neglecting their duties. It is perfectly fine for us to use it to pass the time.”

Seeing that Fang Zhiyan was somewhat tempted, she struck while the iron was hot. “Sister, you might not know this, but Her Highness Consort Shu is actually a master at the game.”

“We can set small stakes, one tenth of a tael of silver per round. What do you think?”

Fang Zhiyan stood up, straightened his clothes, and his attitude softened considerably. “Sister, please lead the way.”

Playing Yezi cards was one of his greatest joys in life. It was just that back in Suzhou, the stakes were only one copper coin per round.

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