In the deep of the night, Jun Chenyu rose from his bed. In the dim light, a figure hurried into the bedchamber and bowed before him.
Jun Chenyu wore only a black soft robe, its collar loosely draped, revealing the smooth, lean muscles of his well-defined physique. In the faint light, his expression was indifferent and composed. “Have you found out everything?”
The man knelt on the floor. “Your Majesty, everything has been investigated. The guard on duty that night was responsible for the security of Qi Xia Gong. He was bribed with silver, told it was for tea, and asked to arrange a meeting with the newly favored Yun Guiren to request a favor. Unexpectedly, things got out of control.
This servant has confirmed that the knockout drug came from…”
The subordinate paused, as if gauging Jun Chenyu’s reaction. Jun Chenyu frowned. “Speak freely.”
“It came from Yanxi Palace. The drug is not difficult to prepare, and the ingredients match those secretly obtained from Taiyi Yuan by someone sent from Yanxi Palace.”
Jun Chenyu’s eyes darkened. “As expected, it was her.”
The man in black continued, “Moreover, this servant discovered that before the incident, Lady Le secretly visited Yanxi Palace.”
“Lady Le? Who is that?” Jun Chenyu frowned, clearly having no recollection of this person.
“She is the illegitimate daughter of the Marquis of Yongyi’s household, Yun Guiren’s younger sister.”
A cold, sharp glint flashed in Jun Chenyu’s phoenix eyes. “I remember now. The Marquis of Yongyi sent two daughters into the palace at once.”
He narrowed his eyes slightly. “Keep this matter quiet. Do not let any word leak out.”
“Yes!”
Before dawn broke, Jun Chenyu called for someone. Eunuch Lu hurriedly pushed the door open and entered. “Your Majesty.”
“What time is it now?” Jun Chenyu pinched the bridge of his high nose.
Eunuch Lu quickly replied, “There are still two hours until the morning court session.”
Jun Chenyu acknowledged with a sound and prepared to go back to rest, but found the candlelight glaring.
“Xiao Luzi.”
Eunuch Lu rushed in again, flustered. “Your servant is here.”
Jun Chenyu sat up. “Take out the dragon-patterned jade pendant I used to wear and deliver it to Yun Guiren.”
Eunuch Lu was taken aback. “Your Majesty, that was gifted to you by Xian Di himself. Are you truly giving it to Yun Guiren?”
Jun Chenyu’s brow was high, his expression obscured by the candlelight. Suddenly, he said, “Come closer. I have a few words for you.”
Eunuch Lu bowed and approached. After hearing Jun Chenyu’s instructions, his cloudy eyes tightened slightly, and he quickly bowed again. “This servant understands.”
Wen Yunmian had not yet retired for the night. Seeing that it was late, she was about to go to bed when Eunuch Lu arrived.
Learning that he had come to deliver a gift, Wen Yunmian appeared very pleased.
Eunuch Lu smiled and said, “Guiren, please open it and take a look.”
Yun Yang took it and presented the jade pendant to Wen Yunmian. The entire piece was a bright yellow dragon-patterned jade, its color exceptionally fine. The carved dragons playing with a pearl were vivid and lifelike. Just a glance conveyed the imposing aura of this imperial object.
Wen Yunmian’s eyes softened with tenderness. “The Emperor bestows such a precious item upon this concubine; I am deeply grateful. I must trouble you, Gonggong, to convey my thanks to the Emperor and say that I will personally go to express my gratitude first thing tomorrow morning.”
“Yes,” he replied with a smile.
Eunuch Lu glanced at Yun Yang and Yun Fei beside her. Understanding his look, Wen Yunmian had them withdraw first.
Once they were alone, Eunuch Lu said, “Young Mistress, today this servant happened to hear something. I am uncertain whether I should report it to you.”
Wen Yunmian’s eyes grew deep and inscrutable. She lowered her eyelids, concealing all expression within. “What is it?”
Eunuch Lu whispered, “This servant happened to overhear that His Majesty investigated the matter of the guards at Peony Pavilion that day—it was Noble Consort who orchestrated it. This servant believes that since Guiren is now the one held dear in the Emperor’s heart, His Majesty will surely seek justice for Guiren.”
Wen Yunmian tightened her grip on her handkerchief, her gaze fixed on Eunuch Lu’s unchanged expression as countless thoughts raced through her mind.
In her past life, Eunuch Lu had been extremely loyal to the Emperor and never aligned himself with any concubine. For him to come running to tell her this tonight, he must have been acting on the Emperor’s orders.
It was common for palace servants to curry favor with favored mistresses, and coupled with the reward of the Emperor’s dragon-patterned jade pendant, it would easily cloud the mind and judgment of a young girl who had just entered the palace.
If she were truly seventeen, an age where one could not yet conceal their thoughts, hearing such suggestive words would surely lead her to reveal everything.
Although the Marquis of Yongyi’s household had no sons and seemed on the verge of decline, it was still true that they held military power.
At this time in her past life, Imperial Consort Shu’s ambitious father and brothers had approached her own father.
The Emperor’s network of informants was extensive; he must have known.
On one side was the powerful Minister of State and a general holding military power, with a daughter monopolizing favor in the Six Palaces. On the other was a marquis with limited influence but in command of the troops guarding Jingcheng.
He intended to use her to test the intentions of the Houfu.
Imperial Consort Shu’s clan had always harbored treacherous ambitions. While Imperial Consort Shu harming her was inconsequential, if she, representing the Houfu, did not retaliate, it would surely signal the Houfu’s desire to align with Imperial Consort Shu’s maternal clan, the Qin family—and that would likely be intolerable.
The Emperor was truly sinister; indeed, serving a ruler was like serving a tiger.
After all, any woman who entered the rear palace would, to some extent, carry the intentions of her family and brothers. Thus, every action of a concubine was tied to the thoughts of the family behind her.
Just thinking about it sent a cold sweat down Wen Yunmian’s back.
How could she dispel Jun Chenyu’s suspicions?
As she pondered, Eunuch Lu spoke again, “Will Guiren choose to suppress this matter and not mention it?”
Everyone around the Emperor was shrewd; she could sense Eunuch Lu observing her.
Wen Yunmian swallowed hard. If she sought justice from the Emperor but failed to gauge the appropriate degree, this wretched emperor might think she was scheming to climb the ladder of power, perhaps even developing some disdain for her.
Every option seemed unfavorable. The only course of action now was…
Wen Yunmian clutched her chest, her face suddenly turning deathly pale.
Just as she seemed about to fall from the daybed, Eunuch Lu quickly steadied her. “Mistress!”
Wen Yunmian’s eyes reddened. “Eunuch, I… I’m so afraid. Why would Her Ladyship do this to me…”
Before Eunuch Lu could respond, Wen Yunmian’s eyes rolled back, and she fainted.
This left Eunuch Lu momentarily stunned. “Someone, come quickly! Guiren has fainted!”
By the time Jun Chenyu received the news, he had already risen and was preparing for court. Palace maids filed in carrying trays, arranging his dragon robe.
“She fainted?”
Eunuch Lu nodded. “Yun Guiren indeed appears quite timid. As soon as this servant relayed the words Your Majesty instructed, she trembled all over in fear. Before this servant could further guide her, who would have thought Yun Guiren would simply faint from fright.”
Jun Chenyu’s stern expression shifted slightly, making it impossible to guess his thoughts. After a moment, he said, “Summon her to Chaoyang Palace tonight.”
“Yes!”
While Wen Yunmian was having breakfast, Yun Fei rushed in to share the good news, but Wen Yunmian’s heart sank, and she even lost her appetite. “Did the Emperor summon me to Chaoyang Palace to attend the bedchamber?”
Yun Fei was taken aback. “This servant only heard the eunuch who delivered the message say that you are to go to Chaoyang Palace tonight. But aside from attending the bedchamber, what else could one possibly do at Chaoyang Palace~”