A/NÂ The editing was rushed so forgive me for mistakes >-< Happy 2024 everyone!! I'm back to school now so updates are going to slow down again...also exam season, yikes!
Although the incident was resolved quickly, not even the power of the heavens could stop people from wagging their tongues. Amidst the chaos, the truth distorted little by little like a giant game of telephone. Who didn't know that the king was chasing his bodyguard? Yet, that bodyguard carelessly threw away the king's favour and instead, boldly trasped around the palace with his little lover. Of course, when he was discovered, the king loved him so much that he couldn't bear to hurt him and instead turned his anger on the unfortunate Noble Consort.
Xiu Ying, sitting at a daliplated table with fragments of porcelain around her feet, gritted her teeth in anger and fear. Her loyal maid lay trembling at her feet, a hint of a bruise forming on her pale cheek. She didn't understand! Clearly, she had no fault in this matter, why was she sent to the cold palace?! Those two words were enough to send every woman of the harem into a shock. Indeed, the cold palace's accommodations were poor, but the true meaning was symbolic; they were no longer in the king's favour. For the consorts and concubines, that was the worst future they could have.
Outside the imperial bedroom, Liu Qingyuan ignored the burning gaze on his body and stood silently, waiting. It was still early morning and the sky was just becoming lighter, awash in shades of pale blue that made one's eyes hurt to look at after the dark comfort of the night. He glanced lightly to his side, making eye contact with the palace guard always stationed here. That guard's shocked expression was quite funny to look at, even as he hurriedly looked away.
The guard, young in the ways of the world, peeked up again, wondering if the rumours were true. Liu Qingyuan was no peerless beauty, but his handsomeness lay in the angles of his face and the temperament that flowed quietly under the surface like a steady river. With the morning light highlighting his profile, the guard could understand how the king's heart might have been snatched. Though...the thought of two men together was really baffling...
"Is something the matter?" The mellow voice shocked him out of his daze and he hurriedly shook his head, not willing to face that frosty gaze. Before another incident could occur, the door of the imperial bedroom slid open and the king, in all his glory, appeared.
"Your majesty,"
"Y-your majesty!"
"En." The palace guard flushed slightly in shame, lowering his head and not daring to look up. Jiang Zhilan caught his actions at a glance, but he only inwardly sighed and ignored the impulse to pinch his brow.
"Let's go."
"En." The pair of them set off for the throne room, trailed by a perpetually anxious Eunuch Shuang. The palace guard couldn't resist giving their backs a few more glances.
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"Your majesty, forgive this servant's incompetence. All traces of the assassin's have disappeared without a trace." The official bowed low, face blushing slightly in shame and indignation as scolding murmurs rose around him. He gritted his teeth secretly. It really wasn't his fault! If those in a higher station than him decided to cause drama, what authority did he have to investigate it? It was simply unfair!
Jiang Zhilan hummed, steady gaze bearing down on the official's back. "Investigating such plots are often dangerous tasks. Right State Minister, you've worked hard. Take the next week to recuperate at home. Don't worry your family."
"...yes, your majesty. Your majesty needn't care about this humble servant's wellbeing." Such words were slightly muffled, forced from his throat. He straightened, glaring at the official next to him who was looking at him with smug disdain. Although the words sounded fancy, suspending him from court for a week was really a punishment due to his incompetence. In the next seven days, he wouldn't be able to observe the court dynamics, putting him behind in the politics unless he found a good informant.
Jiang Zhilan saw all of their thoughts at a glance and sighed secretly in his heart. In truth, he'd long suspected there was something fishy behind those attempted assassinations, but motions still had to be carried out and the incompetent had to be punished; even if it was merely for show.
In an attempt to leave a lasting impression before his house arrest, that same official stepped out once again. "Your majesty, I have one comment to make. Recently, those assassinations...there are some suspicious points..." Immediately, an uproar broke out at the audacity to so brazenly discuss the king's life and death. Attempted assassinations were still shady business and everyone was careful when mentioning the word.
"You're cursing him!"
"Impudent!"
"How dare you!"
"Enough!" At that one shout, the whole room immediately quieted, lips pursing to hold back several choice words for their colleagues. "The Right State Minister...is right. This king also thinks...that there seems to be a problem." Originally, he'd wanted to keep his suspicions hidden in order not to beat the grass and startle the snake. But, there really was no other path; everything had hit a dead end.
"Yes..." The minister glanced around slyly, briefly meeting the scorching gaze of the eldest prince. He quickly looked away. "I..." He hesitated appropriately.
Jiang Zhilan gestured with his chin. "Speak."
The official straightened his back, "Yes, your majesty. This servant has noticed that maybe," he paused again, glancing in Liu Qingyuan's direction, then bowed low. "Perhaps these issues began when the new regiment of guards arrived..." Liu Qingyuan glanced over at those words, his eyes impassive but inquiring. As the personal bodyguard of the king, how could he not know what he meant? It was his job to ensure the king's safety, yet all these things kept happening.
Jiang Zhilan wasn't oblivious either. He raised an eyebrow. "This king has verified the skills of all the new bodyguards. Are you saying this king made the wrong choice?"
The official bowed lower, if that was even possible. "This servant doesn't dare. This servant is only worried about the king's body and hopes the king can live a long life." Liu Qingyuan looked down, clenching the sword in his hand tighter, his mind spinning. There was something fishy about it. Was this another one of his master's schemes? Was he kept in the dark this whole time? Face hidden, Liu Qingyuan's mouth twisted in a self-mocking expression. As expected...
"Your majesty," Another official stepped out. "This servant...also thinks it's a bit inappropriate."
Jiang Zhilan's eyebrows really did furrow this time. "What is?" His tone was a little sharp.
"This servant..."
The Right State Minister hastened to speak. "It's just that this servant is concerned whether guard Liu really is...trustworthy."
"Yes, yes!" The second official chimed in, eager to contribute to a 'good' deed. "In his position...distractions can easily become disastrous..." His disdainful gaze wasn't missed by Liu Qingyuan. The official hastily looked away as a third official stepped up to voice his option.
"Yes! Your majesty, the situation with the heir still hasn't been solved." What heir?! Jiang Zhilan was really baffled. They were talking about the assassins. How did it end up on the topic of his heirs?!
"You-"
"Your majesty," The eldest prince took the initiative to step forward, his bearing graceful and confident. "This prince also agrees." Jiang Zhilan frowned, gaze turning a little frosty at his half-brother's interference. What did he want to do now? What agreement? Before he could speculate further, Jiang Baiyi continued. "It's good to enjoy oneself, but extending the royal bloodline is of utmost importance." Jiang Baiyi paused as if uncertain whether to say his next words out loud in such a public place. Liu Qingyuan narrowed his eyes. He thought he'd seen a trace of contempt and gloating within Jiang Baiyi's gaze. But it was too quick, and he wasn't sure. "Regarding guard Liu's position...I'm afraid it really isn't proper."
"Eldest prince is right!"
"Yes, yes, it does seem to be so."
"Eldest prince is wise, this official agrees!"
"This official also agrees."
"A man and a man...tsk!"
"Enough!" Jiang Zhilan slammed a hand down on the dragon shaped armrest of his throne. A loud bang resounded but his hand also hurt from the impact. He secretly withdrew his arm into his sleeve, face flushing slightly red at the chorus previously ringing around the room. While he never worked hard to keep it a secret, it was still rather embarrassing for his relationship to be laid bare in front of the entire court. Especially since he wasn't yet sure that Liu Qingyuan was completely caught just yet...
Jiang Zhilan glanced at Liu Qingyuan standing guard at the base of the platform. He met his steady gaze and suddenly felt a lot calmer.
"You covet this king's things?" An uneasy murmur rose up, but quickly died down, nobody willing to say a word.
"This..." a meek old man's voice rang out in the silence, truly shocking his fellow colleagues. You still dare?! "This old servant believes guard Liu has too many suspicious points!"
"Very well, huh. Very good," Jiang Zhilan sneered.
"You crazy old fart!" The official standing beside the old man nudged him. "Hurry up and beg his majesty for forgiveness!" But the old man didn't even glance at his colleague, only stubbornly facing the king's stormy gaze. Within the depths of his gaze, a trace of insatiable greed glimmered. The things he was promised if he spoke out...the things he was promised...
Jiang Zhilan leaned arrogantly backwards, his gaze chilly and resolute. "You dare speak of these king's affairs? Are there not more urgent issues to attend to? The disaster relief plan has been ruined yet again, and all you can think about is the affairs of the inner court?!? Do the common people not matter?!" At his tone, all the officials' faces turned green and they hurried to bow down.
"Please, calm down your majesty!"
"However," That one stubborn old man raised his head daringly amidst the horrified gazes of his colleagues. "Perhaps it isn't the plan that is flawed, but...people working to foil it."
Although everyone had been thinking the same thing(how could they not, when nearly every one of them had reviewed the plan at one point, deeming it perfect?), no one dared to voice that thought out loud, especially because the one so obviously being pointed at was none other than Liu Qingyuan, and the king had already declared his stance on this matter.
Before Jiang Zhilan could retort angrily, Jiang Baiyi stepped forward again, smiling like a snake. "Your majesty, how about we review this matter? It may as well be related..."
"Yes!"
"Please review this, your majesty!"
"The eldest prince is right!"
"Suspicious, truly suspicious!"
A chorus of shouts drowned the hall in din once again. Jiang Zhilan furrowed his brow, feeling a headache coming on. This group of officials, why were they all so stubborn?!
"Your majesty," An official stepped out into the aisle. "Forgive this servant's impudence but I was simply worried about your majesty's well-being. As a loyal subject, this servant rashly took it upon himself to secretly investigate when I heard of this matter. The disaster relief plan is so well-thought out. Of course, his majesty's intellect is parallel to none..."
"Get to the point."
The official coughed embarrassedly. "Yes, yes. It's just..." He bowed low. "Allow this servant to present a witness." At his words, the room once again broke out in chaotic whispers. A witness? Was...Qingyuan actually somehow involved in this? It couldn't be... But in the midst of court, where, truthfully, the king didn't have full power, he could only wave his hand dismissively.
Among the chatter, a trembling young woman was brought in, a high status maid's uniform adorning her body. Although it wasn't a senior maid's uniform, anyone could tell that she was qualified to serve one of the royals...
The girl kneeled down slightly stiffly, saluting Jiang Zhilan in a slightly clumsy bow. "Xiao Ju greets his majesty the king."
"Mm. You may rise." Jiang Zhilan happened to glance to the side, gaze pausing then turning back to the girl. His brow was furrowed slightly. Liu Qingyuan...was staring intently at her, a puzzled frown on his face. His eyes widened in a movement so subtle, no one noticed. Xiao Ju? Wasn't that the maid from the dowager's room who caught him with the cabinet's lock in his hand many months ago? He didn't think...they really did weave a seamless net.
Xiao Ju looked up timidly, catching the brunt of Liu Qingyuan's icy stare. How could she have forgotten this man? But it'd been so many months, combined with the feeling of guilt, that the encounter shocked her, freezing her in place with her mouth slightly open.
Who couldn't see this? A young woman terrified by the sight of her perpetrator, even as he looked away indifferently. In the minds of many people, a dog-blood story began to roll out.
"Maid!" Jiang Baiyi called for the second time, a sneer twisting on his face from annoyance. "You dare ignore this prince? Hurry up and speak!"
"Easy, brother." Jiang Zhilan retorted, his lips twisting into a wry smile. "You'll scare the poor girl." Although his words were gentle, his tone was cold and the gaze that landed on the girl held a fervor for the truth. His Qingyuan...he couldn't have really...
"T-this servant...this servant...a c-couple months, no, several months...I-I"
"Speak properly girl!" An official shouted.
Under the gazes of the entire court, the timid Xiao Ju began to sweat, tears pooling in her eyes. Her nails scratched at her hands with such force that red streaks marred her skin. But in a place as vicious as the palace, a lowly maid like her would garner no sympathy. She could only force the words to straighten themselves.
"I saw...guard Liu...he...he was holding..." She swallowed hard, feeling like her soul was floating away. The voice that came from her mouth seemed not her own. "That day...guard Liu came by with a gift for her majesty the Dowager. But her majesty wasn't in so I-I told him to put it in the tea cabinet...When I came in, he had-he held the lock to her majesty's special cabinet in his hand...I didn't-I didn't dare...
He-he! I! I was threatened! Forgive me, your majesty! This servant deserves death!!" Xiao Ju broke down crying on the floor from the pressure. No one paid her no mind though, every eye turning on Liu Qingyuan's solitary figure standing by the foot of the throne. Liu Qingyuan simply lowered his eyes, staring impassively forward into the smirking face of the eldest prince. By his side, his hand clenched hard onto his sword. Unfortunately, he did do those things, and...it technically was because of treason. He'd done it with the goal of killing the king. Although things were different now, that didn't stop the truth from being as such.
Liu Qingyuan looked up at the dais, only to find that Jiang Zhilan was already looking at him. A thousand words and a thousand silences passed between them, stifled questions swallowed in the chasm. Not here, not now.
"Liu Qingyuan," Jiang Baiyi drawled, "What do you have to say about this? It's not true, is it?" He was clearly mocking, knowing that the fish had been caught.
Liu Qingyuan, "..."
Jiang Zhilan gripped the golden dragon under his palm. Why wasn't he saying anything? "Brother," He interrupted the staring match, his gaze turning coolly to Jiang Baiyi's. Causally, he reached down, flicking a dust mote off his robes. "Do you not trust my judgment?" The hall stilled. That sentence was tantamount to questioning the king and his authority. Such wording, it couldn't be taken lightly.
"I don't dare, your majesty," Jiang Baiyi said, a false smile on his face. "However, his majesty's safety is tantamount. This prince dares not neglect his duty." He inclined his head, the perfect picture of loyalty, yet his words didn't allow a single step of retreat.
"If I say there is no problem, then there is none." Jiang Zhilan said coldly.
"Of course, your majesty," Jiang Baiyi tilted his head, the small smile still on his face. "But it should be okay if I investigate first, right? The innocent remain innocent, and the guilty should be punished. Naturally if there are no problems, this prince will take responsibility for creating trouble." The accenting murmurs of the officials accompanied his request, pressuring Jiang Zhilan.
"Jiang. Bai. Yi!" Jiang Zhilan slammed a hand down on the arm of his throne, standing up with the same motion. "You-!"
"The Dowager has arrived!" The turmoil boiling in the room was immediately temporarily curbed, the two rows of ministers turning to pay respects to the woman ascending the steps of the courtroom. Jiang Zhilan too bowed his head slightly, greeting his imperial mother. That grand, stately woman made her way up the steps of the dais, her exquisite robes fanning out at her feet, head supported by countless priceless pieces of jewelry. It didn't make her look gaudy, instead, emphasizing her nobility.
"Lan'er. What is this commotion about?" She turned slightly, a distaining gaze landing on Xiao Ju, her former maid. Her gaze swept around, landing on Liu Qingyuan's upturned face. Their gazes clashed for a moment before he bowed his head in respect.
"That..." The Dowager turned back to him, not really expecting an answer. Although she wasn't the type of woman to meddle in court affairs(Jiang Zhilan was loved by the people after all), she did have a few requirements for him; to continue the family line and to honour his father's memory by developing the country. As long as she wasn't disturbed, she didn't mind what went on outside the inner court. Though it didn't mean she wasn't well informed. "Imperial mother, I-"
She raised a hand, long and sharp gold finger caps glittering in the light. Jiang Zhilan stopped. "Lan'er, I don't care if you want...to keep a man, but the bloodline mustn't fail. Besides, didn't Baiyi just say that that man is a danger to you? I forbid you to continue associating with him. I can find you someone better."
"Imperial mother!" Jiang Zhilan hissed, a little mortified(thank god no one else could hear this conversation), but an imminent sense of crisis arose. Jiang Baiyi...did he coerce their imperial mother into this? He glanced over, finding Jiang Baiyi staring straight at the pair of them. He seemed to know that today, he would win, no matter what.
Seeing his expression, the Dowager softened a little. After all, even if Jiang Zhilan wasn't her blood son, she'd practically raised him. He'd treated her well too. "Fine. But only after he is assessed and you produce some heirs." Beyond that, she wouldn't budge.
Jiang Zhilan frowned, but before he could object, she'd turned around, gesturing vaguely to Jiang Baiyi. He bowed to her. "Take him away!" Guards immediately rushed to Liu Qingyuan's side, forcibly confiscating his weapon. Liu Qingyuan allowed himself to be taken, a calm, blank look on his face. Now wasn't the time, not yet.
"Clean up this mess!" The Dowager stepped down from the podium, waving her hand at the trembling form of Xiao Ju.
"Your majesty-" The maid cried. The Dowager didn't even spare her a glance, walking past in a swish of fine silk.
"Imperial Mother!"
"Court is adjourned!"