From CEO to Concubine
"Lord Yue. Lord Yue?"
Yan Zheyun woke up to a gentle shaking of his shoulders. He hummed sleepily and reached up to scrub a tired hand over his face before peering up blearily at whoever it was that disrupted his peaceful slumber.
It turned out to be Deputy Eunuch Zheng, who gave him a respectful bow as he sat up and covered a yawn.
"Zheng Gonggong, how long have I been asleep for?" Liu Yao's bedchambers was familiar to Yan Zheyun by now; a couple of months ago, he wouldn't have dreamt of becoming so well-acquainted with the ornate canopy and the lavish silk sheets, at least not without sex involved. But over the past few weeks, he'd shared the dragon bed so often that it had quickly become his favourite resting place. Nestled in Liu Yao's arms, it was easier to believe that their relationship would be able to have some of the normalcy he craved for.
"In response to Lord Yue, you have been asleep for 2 shichen. His Majesty is discussing matters with Empress Dowager Niangniang in the main chamber and has instructed you to join them after freshening up and eating dinner."
Yan Zheyun blinked. The dowager was here already? But the time limit wasn't up yet…unless she had caught wind that Liu Yao had released him from prison. Then it would make sense for her to come over and cause a fuss, he supposed, even though he didn't have any idea why she had decided to involve herself in this issue.
She claimed to have done so out of obligation to her duties to the inner palace; as dowager, it was natural for her to step in and assume the mantle of leader when there was discord amongst the concubines or underhanded tricks used against the emperor. But Yan Zheyun felt like that was just her excuse. The idea that she would be involved in her own son's drugging would have been unthinkable to Yan Zheyun back in the past but this was no longer a naivety he could afford to have.
He rose and allowed the servants to assist him into his robes, now used to their indifferent attention whilst they tended to him. The table had been laid with food that was still piping hot. He tried his best to eat some mouthfuls but found himself too restless to sit still, a mix of paranoia and anxiety drawing his thoughts over to where Liu Yao must be facing off with his mother even as attempted to finish this bowl of soup.
"Lord Yue!" the maid attending to him protested mildly when he stood up to leave the table. "Lord Yue has barely touched the food, is it not to your tastes?"
Yan Zheyun shook his head and gave her a reassuring smile. "This concubine has just woken up and doesn't have much appetite at the moment," he explained. "Leave it, for now, this concubine will continue with the meal later."
Without further ado, he headed over to where Deputy Eunuch Zheng was waiting patiently for him. He too gave the table a concerned glance but chose not to lecture Yan Zheyun.
"If Lord Yue is ready, please follow this servant this way."
Yan Zheyun had expected to be led into the main chamber of Qianqing Palace with a loud announcement and come under the vicious scrutiny of the dowager at once. But instead, Deputy Eunuch Zheng led him over to a small side door that he had never noticed before, which brought him right behind a tall, elaborate gold-gilded screen, where a divan had been laid out with a small tea-table on the side.
Deputy Eunuch Zheng had fallen silent once bringing Yan Zheyun here, pointing at the divan and placing a finger on his lips to ensure that Yan Zheyun remained quiet despite all the curious questions he wanted to ask.
It didn't take him long to understand why he was here though; he could hear the conversation going on in the main chamber, loud and clear.
If the dowager's angry tirade could be called a 'conversation'.
"Emperor!" she shouted in indignation. "This corrupt eunuch tampered with the evidence and for the sake of one lowly male concubine, you're going to turn a blind eye?! How did this mourner's son turn out so muddle-headed?! Don't tell this mourner that you've forgotten all the warning stories about giving too much power to the departments!"
Yan Zheyun took a seat and listened intently. This must have been Liu Yao's intention; for him to be part of the proceedings without having to stand in the spotlight and face the unfair wrath of this formidable woman.
"Royal Mother's words are careless," he heard Liu Yao say. "Royal Mother insists that the suspects' confessions were fabricated? What is Royal Mother's proof for this?" His voice coming from very nearby; he was just beyond the screen, must have been seated before it like he was secretly keeping guard, hiding Yan Zheyun out of harm's way. By sound alone, Yan Zheyun couldn't tell what he was feeling at the moment. His tone was one of cool detachment, a stark contrast to the fury that practically radiated off the bite of the dowager's words.
The third speaker was quickly to interject with such polite mockery that Yan Zheyun could just imagine the sharp spike in the dowager's ire.
"This servant is also curious to know," Liu Suzhi drawled. "The maid in-charge of the incense, the eunuch from the imperial buttery, and even that retired soldier from the hunting grounds, all of them had started off insisting that it was Lord Yue, along with a faction of those loyal to the disgraced ex-prime minister Yue Guozun, who had plotted against His Majesty." He clicked his tongue. "And yet, after entering the Department of Careful Punishment, they've all started to sing a different tune. Makes you wonder, doesn't it? Did they tell the truth before or after the torture?"
The dowager harrumphed. "Perhaps this mourner's investigations proceeded more smoothly then, since this mourner was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the first set of confessions before some devious wrongdoers attempted to hoodwink His Majesty with such nonsense!" There was a rustling noise that made Yan Zheyun guess that she had tossed a stack of paper onto the ground.
He reached as quietly as he could for the cup of tea next to him and took a small sip after removing the lid. There was no saucer provided, just a fine cloth laid over the table that would cushion any clanging he made when he placed it back down.
"What first set of confessions?" the emperor said in confusion. "Supervisor Liu, explain what's going on."
"Yes, Supervisor Liu, tell His Majesty just how come there are two sets of confessions," goaded the dowager with obvious gloating.
When Liu Suzhi had shown up to fish him out of prison earlier on, Yan Zheyun had already suspected that he had formed an alliance with the emperor. Whether this was merely for Xiao De's sake or not, Yan Zheyun didn't mind. He needed all the allies he could get.
Something shattered.
"Insolent! Ridiculous!" Yan Zheyun didn't need to see her to be able to tell that the dowager was livid now. "Interfering with the investigations and muddying the waters with your dirty tricks, Your Majesty, can you see just how your servants do your bidding!"
Liu Suzhi's reply was suitably unapologetic. "But there was no other way to prevent Dowager Niangniang from interfering in the interrogation process, was there?" Yan Zheyun could imagine his insouciant shrug. "Sure enough, after Niangniang received that little piece of misinformation, your spies in the department stopped pulling their little strings and this servant was free to commence a proper interrogation. Wouldn't you say that this servant should be commended for successfully fulfilling my duties as the Head of the Departments?"
The dowager's voice turned shrill. "Lying to the sovereign is a crime punishable by death, Supervisor Liu—"
"In response to Your Majesty," Liu Suzhi interrupted. "This servant has not at any point lied to my sovereign." A sly note crept into his voice. "Unless, of course, Empress Dowager Niangniang is suggesting that she is interested in replicating Wu Zetian's (1) reign?"
"That's enough, Supervisor Liu. This sovereign's Royal Mother has only ever been supportive of this sovereign's reign and would not do anything to oppose it, isn't that right? Royal Mother?"
Even though Liu Yao didn't raise his voice above a murmur, a chill ran down Yan Zheyun's spine. The emperor's soft ire wasn't even directed at him so he could only imagine what the dowager was feeling right now.
True enough, there was a waver in her voice, which had tempered down into something less volatile as she said, "Of course, this mourner supports Your Majesty. You're my oldest son."
"This sovereign is glad that we're of the same heart." There was a short pause before Yan Zheyun heard the emperor continue. He seemed to be ruffling through some memorials; Yan Zheyun could hear the clattering. "The suspects have confessed that Grand Protector Li is behind this sovereign's poisoning. Along with utilising the servants to smuggle black fragrance into the inner palace and change this sovereign's incense, Noble Consort Li was also working on his behest to frame Lord Yue for the crime." His laughter was cold. "What a loyal subject and consort this sovereign has."
The dowager made one last attempt at remaining firm. "Your Majesty," she said, her words dripping poorly veiled poison. "You've trusted one man's word on this matter and started to question the loyalties of an old subject who has served the throne for three generations!" If Yan Zheyun could see her now, he would see how her stare pierced Liu Suzhi with a viciousness that twisted the beauty of her features. "This eunuch is nothing more than a plaything of the late emperor—"
"And yet, this servant is a plaything that would have been dowager if the late emperor had just remained alive for a couple more months," Liu Suzhi concluded smugly. "Or is Dowager Niangniang going to pretend you didn't know about the plans to depose of you?"
A loud crack made Yan Zheyun jump, especially when it was followed up closely by the dowager's angry shout. "How dare you speak to this mourner like that? Kneel! If this mourner doesn't teach this mouth of yours a lesson today—"
"Royal Mother, please calm down. Or does Royal Mother wish for us to degenerate into civil war with the north?"
Silence fell. Yan Zheyun surmised that the dowager was composing herself. When she spoke next, her voice was more level, even though it still contained a tightness that she couldn't conceal.
"Great General Pan is a sensible man and would not rebel against the kingdom he serves for the sake of a mere man." She spat the last word out.
"Perhaps. But this sovereign will not risk it." Liu Yao cleared his throat and a hint of fatigue seeped into his tone as he spoke. "At the moment, this sovereign has a lot of troubles to deal with. The cheating incident is still being investigated and—don't interrupt this sovereign yet, Royal Mother. This sovereign is determined to prove Fourth Brother's innocence and wishes to dedicate more time to investigate that matter. As for the poisoning, since Grand Protector Li has been implicated, this has become a matter of the court and will have to be handled by this sovereign personally."
For the first time in the entire conversation, Yan Zheyun heard Head Eunuch Cao speak.
"May this old servant know what Your Majesty would wish to do about Noble Consort Li?" he asked. His question was perfunctory and it was impossible to tell whether he was co-starring in the emperor's little act or whether he was truly bringing this up at this moment because it had suddenly occurred to him.
The emperor's pause was longer this time. Yan Zheyun held his breath and waited for a verdict. His fingers tightened in the fabric of his robes and he didn't realise just how sweaty his palms had become until they came away damp.
Would Liu Yao? He had an inkling that this was Liu Yao's one big chance to rid himself of an unwanted consort and take her troublesome grandfather down a peg or two but there were so many other things to consider, such as Grand Protector Li's control of the Yulin Army. Would he do it? Or would he hesitate…
"Noble Consort Li has many answers to this sovereign's questions. The bracelet, the black fragrance, and anything else she might have gotten up to behind this sovereign's back, this sovereign would very much like to know."
"This old servant understands," Head Eunuch Cao replied. Yan Zheyun knew him now to be the Chief of the Eastern Depot. Hence, it made sense that he would be the one in charge of such a crucial interrogation.
"What is Your Majesty planning on doing with Noble Consort Li then?" the dowager said woodenly.
"Any punishment can await her confession.. As for the others involved who have already been proven culpable, they are to be executed immediately."
Chapter 12: Behind The Scenes
Yan Zheyun woke up to a gentle shaking of his shoulders. He hummed sleepily and reached up to scrub a tired hand over his face before peering up blearily at whoever it was that disrupted his peaceful slumber.
It turned out to be Deputy Eunuch Zheng, who gave him a respectful bow as he sat up and covered a yawn.
"Zheng Gonggong, how long have I been asleep for?" Liu Yao's bedchambers was familiar to Yan Zheyun by now; a couple of months ago, he wouldn't have dreamt of becoming so well-acquainted with the ornate canopy and the lavish silk sheets, at least not without sex involved. But over the past few weeks, he'd shared the dragon bed so often that it had quickly become his favourite resting place. Nestled in Liu Yao's arms, it was easier to believe that their relationship would be able to have some of the normalcy he craved for.
"In response to Lord Yue, you have been asleep for 2 shichen. His Majesty is discussing matters with Empress Dowager Niangniang in the main chamber and has instructed you to join them after freshening up and eating dinner."
Yan Zheyun blinked. The dowager was here already? But the time limit wasn't up yet…unless she had caught wind that Liu Yao had released him from prison. Then it would make sense for her to come over and cause a fuss, he supposed, even though he didn't have any idea why she had decided to involve herself in this issue.
She claimed to have done so out of obligation to her duties to the inner palace; as dowager, it was natural for her to step in and assume the mantle of leader when there was discord amongst the concubines or underhanded tricks used against the emperor. But Yan Zheyun felt like that was just her excuse. The idea that she would be involved in her own son's drugging would have been unthinkable to Yan Zheyun back in the past but this was no longer a naivety he could afford to have.
He rose and allowed the servants to assist him into his robes, now used to their indifferent attention whilst they tended to him. The table had been laid with food that was still piping hot. He tried his best to eat some mouthfuls but found himself too restless to sit still, a mix of paranoia and anxiety drawing his thoughts over to where Liu Yao must be facing off with his mother even as attempted to finish this bowl of soup.
"Lord Yue!" the maid attending to him protested mildly when he stood up to leave the table. "Lord Yue has barely touched the food, is it not to your tastes?"
Yan Zheyun shook his head and gave her a reassuring smile. "This concubine has just woken up and doesn't have much appetite at the moment," he explained. "Leave it, for now, this concubine will continue with the meal later."
Without further ado, he headed over to where Deputy Eunuch Zheng was waiting patiently for him. He too gave the table a concerned glance but chose not to lecture Yan Zheyun.
"If Lord Yue is ready, please follow this servant this way."
Yan Zheyun had expected to be led into the main chamber of Qianqing Palace with a loud announcement and come under the vicious scrutiny of the dowager at once. But instead, Deputy Eunuch Zheng led him over to a small side door that he had never noticed before, which brought him right behind a tall, elaborate gold-gilded screen, where a divan had been laid out with a small tea-table on the side.
Deputy Eunuch Zheng had fallen silent once bringing Yan Zheyun here, pointing at the divan and placing a finger on his lips to ensure that Yan Zheyun remained quiet despite all the curious questions he wanted to ask.
It didn't take him long to understand why he was here though; he could hear the conversation going on in the main chamber, loud and clear.
If the dowager's angry tirade could be called a 'conversation'.
"Emperor!" she shouted in indignation. "This corrupt eunuch tampered with the evidence and for the sake of one lowly male concubine, you're going to turn a blind eye?! How did this mourner's son turn out so muddle-headed?! Don't tell this mourner that you've forgotten all the warning stories about giving too much power to the departments!"
Yan Zheyun took a seat and listened intently. This must have been Liu Yao's intention; for him to be part of the proceedings without having to stand in the spotlight and face the unfair wrath of this formidable woman.
"Royal Mother's words are careless," he heard Liu Yao say. "Royal Mother insists that the suspects' confessions were fabricated? What is Royal Mother's proof for this?" His voice coming from very nearby; he was just beyond the screen, must have been seated before it like he was secretly keeping guard, hiding Yan Zheyun out of harm's way. By sound alone, Yan Zheyun couldn't tell what he was feeling at the moment. His tone was one of cool detachment, a stark contrast to the fury that practically radiated off the bite of the dowager's words.
The third speaker was quickly to interject with such polite mockery that Yan Zheyun could just imagine the sharp spike in the dowager's ire.
The dowager harrumphed. "Perhaps this mourner's investigations proceeded more smoothly then, since this mourner was fortunate enough to receive a copy of the first set of confessions before some devious wrongdoers attempted to hoodwink His Majesty with such nonsense!" There was a rustling noise that made Yan Zheyun guess that she had tossed a stack of paper onto the ground.
He reached as quietly as he could for the cup of tea next to him and took a small sip after removing the lid. There was no saucer provided, just a fine cloth laid over the table that would cushion any clanging he made when he placed it back down.
"What first set of confessions?" the emperor said in confusion. "Supervisor Liu, explain what's going on."
"Yes, Supervisor Liu, tell His Majesty just how come there are two sets of confessions," goaded the dowager with obvious gloating.
When Liu Suzhi had shown up to fish him out of prison earlier on, Yan Zheyun had already suspected that he had formed an alliance with the emperor. Whether this was merely for Xiao De's sake or not, Yan Zheyun didn't mind. He needed all the allies he could get.
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And Liu Suzhi was worth his weight in gold, it turned out, because instead of denying anything or coming up with valid excuses, he said, "In response to Your Majesty, this servant made up the first set of confessions and sent them to Yongkang Palace."Something shattered.
"Insolent! Ridiculous!" Yan Zheyun didn't need to see her to be able to tell that the dowager was livid now. "Interfering with the investigations and muddying the waters with your dirty tricks, Your Majesty, can you see just how your servants do your bidding!"
Liu Suzhi's reply was suitably unapologetic. "But there was no other way to prevent Dowager Niangniang from interfering in the interrogation process, was there?" Yan Zheyun could imagine his insouciant shrug. "Sure enough, after Niangniang received that little piece of misinformation, your spies in the department stopped pulling their little strings and this servant was free to commence a proper interrogation. Wouldn't you say that this servant should be commended for successfully fulfilling my duties as the Head of the Departments?"
The dowager's voice turned shrill. "Lying to the sovereign is a crime punishable by death, Supervisor Liu—"
"In response to Your Majesty," Liu Suzhi interrupted. "This servant has not at any point lied to my sovereign." A sly note crept into his voice. "Unless, of course, Empress Dowager Niangniang is suggesting that she is interested in replicating Wu Zetian's (1) reign?"
"That's enough, Supervisor Liu. This sovereign's Royal Mother has only ever been supportive of this sovereign's reign and would not do anything to oppose it, isn't that right? Royal Mother?"
Even though Liu Yao didn't raise his voice above a murmur, a chill ran down Yan Zheyun's spine. The emperor's soft ire wasn't even directed at him so he could only imagine what the dowager was feeling right now.
True enough, there was a waver in her voice, which had tempered down into something less volatile as she said, "Of course, this mourner supports Your Majesty. You're my oldest son."
"This sovereign is glad that we're of the same heart." There was a short pause before Yan Zheyun heard the emperor continue. He seemed to be ruffling through some memorials; Yan Zheyun could hear the clattering. "The suspects have confessed that Grand Protector Li is behind this sovereign's poisoning. Along with utilising the servants to smuggle black fragrance into the inner palace and change this sovereign's incense, Noble Consort Li was also working on his behest to frame Lord Yue for the crime." His laughter was cold. "What a loyal subject and consort this sovereign has."
The dowager made one last attempt at remaining firm. "Your Majesty," she said, her words dripping poorly veiled poison. "You've trusted one man's word on this matter and started to question the loyalties of an old subject who has served the throne for three generations!" If Yan Zheyun could see her now, he would see how her stare pierced Liu Suzhi with a viciousness that twisted the beauty of her features. "This eunuch is nothing more than a plaything of the late emperor—"
"And yet, this servant is a plaything that would have been dowager if the late emperor had just remained alive for a couple more months," Liu Suzhi concluded smugly. "Or is Dowager Niangniang going to pretend you didn't know about the plans to depose of you?"
A loud crack made Yan Zheyun jump, especially when it was followed up closely by the dowager's angry shout. "How dare you speak to this mourner like that? Kneel! If this mourner doesn't teach this mouth of yours a lesson today—"
"Royal Mother, please calm down. Or does Royal Mother wish for us to degenerate into civil war with the north?"
"Great General Pan is a sensible man and would not rebel against the kingdom he serves for the sake of a mere man." She spat the last word out.
"Perhaps. But this sovereign will not risk it." Liu Yao cleared his throat and a hint of fatigue seeped into his tone as he spoke. "At the moment, this sovereign has a lot of troubles to deal with. The cheating incident is still being investigated and—don't interrupt this sovereign yet, Royal Mother. This sovereign is determined to prove Fourth Brother's innocence and wishes to dedicate more time to investigate that matter. As for the poisoning, since Grand Protector Li has been implicated, this has become a matter of the court and will have to be handled by this sovereign personally."
For the first time in the entire conversation, Yan Zheyun heard Head Eunuch Cao speak.
"May this old servant know what Your Majesty would wish to do about Noble Consort Li?" he asked. His question was perfunctory and it was impossible to tell whether he was co-starring in the emperor's little act or whether he was truly bringing this up at this moment because it had suddenly occurred to him.
The emperor's pause was longer this time. Yan Zheyun held his breath and waited for a verdict. His fingers tightened in the fabric of his robes and he didn't realise just how sweaty his palms had become until they came away damp.
Would Liu Yao? He had an inkling that this was Liu Yao's one big chance to rid himself of an unwanted consort and take her troublesome grandfather down a peg or two but there were so many other things to consider, such as Grand Protector Li's control of the Yulin Army. Would he do it? Or would he hesitate…
"Noble Consort Li has many answers to this sovereign's questions. The bracelet, the black fragrance, and anything else she might have gotten up to behind this sovereign's back, this sovereign would very much like to know."
"This old servant understands," Head Eunuch Cao replied. Yan Zheyun knew him now to be the Chief of the Eastern Depot. Hence, it made sense that he would be the one in charge of such a crucial interrogation.
"What is Your Majesty planning on doing with Noble Consort Li then?" the dowager said woodenly.
"Any punishment can await her confession.. As for the others involved who have already been proven culpable, they are to be executed immediately."
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