Chapter 8: Power Struggle

This was only the second time Yan Zheyun was meeting the empress dowager and the first since the spring festival banquet. He had straightened up from his kowtow earlier but was still on his knees, and hence, when the entire courtyard rushed to greet this troublesome woman, he had no choice but to fold over once more. 

Liu Yao's eyes darted to him briefly before looking back at his mother. He didn't tell Yan Zheyun to rise, which Yan Zheyun had already suspected would be the case; even if Liu Yao had been foolish enough to do so, he would have remained kneeling in a display of supplication, so as to not give the empress dowager any leeway to pick on their relationship. 

Not that it was going to stop her, it seemed. 

For a middle-aged woman, the dowager had matured beautifully, the faint signs of age not detracting from her splendour in the slightest. Her features had a stronger resemblance to the fourth prince than to Liu Yao; the hypocritical scholarly airs that the fourth prince exuded became a nobleness in her, and despite being of a slight build, she carried herself with so much dignity that she felt larger than life, even when in her immediate presence. She had a gentleness to the shape of her features that reminded Yan Zheyun of the softer southern beauty that was characteristic of the region that Yan Zheyun had come from in his world, which was commonly described as a mild delicateness like refreshing spring water. 

But this froze over into ice whenever she regarded Liu Yao and Yan Zheyun knew that she harboured the same discontent towards him. 

"Favouring the concubine over the wife," the dowager lectured harshly. "If this mourner didn't intervene now, was Your Majesty planning on letting that suspect get away free whilst you pin the blame on another? Have you returned all your lessons to your tutors?!" 

Liu Yao rose from his greeting bow and returned her cold stare with one that could rival it. "Royal Mother has spent many days in seclusion and is mistaken. The phoenix headdress does not sit upon anyone's head as of yet. This sovereign has no wife." 

"Preposterous! You performed your three bows during your marriage ceremony, asking even the heavens and earth to acknowledge your matrimonial bond—"

"Please allow this sovereign to remind Royal Mother of the heavens' response. The empress star vanished the night Noble Consort Li entered this sovereign's rear court. They have decreed that she does not befit the role." A mirthless smile played on his lips as he shot the haggard Noble Consort Li a glance. "Pity that there is no matching 'crown princess star'. One wonders what other signs the heavens would have communicated to us through that." 

Noble Consort Li was too distraught to care about the jibe. The appearance of the dowager was like a beacon of hope to her and she renewed her struggling now, managing to pull away from the brocade guards who had to take care not to touch her inappropriately. 

"Empress Dowager Niangniang! Niangniang, please save this consort, this consort has been maligned!" The elaborate huadian (1), the decorative little red lotus that had been painted to adorn her forehead had smudged and tendrils of her hair had come undone from its complicated updo, precious hairpins hanging on precariously as she stumbled over to throw herself at the dowager's feet. "Niangniang, this consort has been framed by this wicked concubine, please help me!" 

Yan Zheyun could only look upon her wordlessly. He wanted to say the same thing too but he suspected it would be taken with a lot less sympathy by the dowager. 

Although, judging by the disdain that flitted over the dowager's face, she didn't think too highly of this 'daughter-in-law' that she was so set on defending. 

He lowered his lashes demurely even as the cogs in his brain worked overtime. The dowager and the emperor evidently didn't have a good relationship, even though she was his birth mother. The dowager was the fourth prince's mother. The dowager was here to offer Noble Consort Li assistance. 

His eyes narrowed imperceptibly. If what he guessed was true, her personality was as terrifying as it was worthy of disgust. As the saying went, even a vicious tiger wouldn't eat its child. Should the dowager have betrayed Liu Yao, then she was completely deserving of it should Liu Yao choose to move against her. 

Those who insisted that filial piety should be the first and foremost priority spoke too easily. Despite the bizarre trials and tribulations he'd had to face in this lifetime, the weirdest of all being transmigration, he had been blessed in his childhood with a loving family and had never had to suffer at the hands of the very people whose role was to nurture and protect. His affections and appreciation for them were unconditional but this didn't mean he was ready to apply the same set of rules to any parent he came across. 

Right here was a parent who was very likely undeserving of Liu Yao's efforts. He didn't need the full picture to see how what little regard she had for him, had launched into her grand opening just now like an enemy troop flanking its unsuspecting opponent. 

"Your Majesty wishes to investigate Noble Consort Li? Very well." The dowager's gaze was hard as adamantine, landing on Yan Zheyun with a weight that had him straightening his back in response, as though he had to brace himself for an incoming onslaught. 

"Since Noble Consort Li holds the phoenix seal but will be indisposed of as a result of this investigation, this mourner shall resume control of the affairs of the inner palace and shall head this investigation." She didn't sneer at Yan Zheyun as she said this but her tone was dismissive when she spoke of him like he was nothing more than an insignificant piece of lint on the magnificent piece of embroidery she had spent years weaving; harmless but irritating to look at and to be dusted off at the first given opportunity. "This mourner will not let any unrest in the inner palace distract Your Majesty from your duties in morning court! All suspects must submit to interrogation, including this precious Lord Yue of yours." 

Liu Yao's face darkened. He didn't look over, had his back to Yan Zheyun, in fact, standing in-between the dowager and him as though he was a strong wall that was determined to provide shelter from her ire. But he held one hand behind his back, holding himself in a posture that would have radiated a measured poise if Yan Zheyun couldn't see his fist clench, tight enough to whiten his knuckles. 

Yan Zheyun could feel the uncertainty threatening to consume him too, kept at bay only through sheer willpower. This was beyond his scope to protect himself; he didn't doubt that Liu Yao intended to save him but in the light of the current situation, would he be able to? 

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Being the emperor wasn't always like the movies or the cute rom-com dramas that Lixin had adored before BL novels had changed her life. Liu Yao didn't have absolute power; in some ways, he had more shackles than the average peasant tilling the fields did. Yan Zheyun understood this even as he'd understood that Liu Yao was his safest bet. 

But the oak tree that could tuck a small sapling in the comforting arms of its sturdy branches and nestle it safely away from the turbulent winds was still young and tender itself. 

"If Royal Mother wishes to burden yourself with this investigation, this son would be very grateful, even though it fills me with remorse to disturb Royal Mother's peaceful retirement in her palace," Liu Yao said finally, his words so calm that it was impossible to guess at his true emotions by relying on them. "However, since Royal Mother has taken this upon yourself, this sovereign needs to share some important information with you." 

His footsteps clicked against the polished courtyard stone until he was a mere metre away from her, close enough that she must have felt intimidated by the way he towered over her because Yan Zheyun could detect a slight rigidity in her spine, which hadn't been there before. But far enough that she would not be able to accuse him of an open threat. 

"Perhaps Royal Mother hasn't forgotten the discussion we had about Liu Wei's temporary dismissal from morning court"—at the mention of this, Liu Yao's expression turned almost wry whilst rage bled into the dowager's—"but this sovereign has reason to believe that the two incidents are related and since this concerns the integrity of the spring examinations, this matter no longer remains solely that of the inner palace." 

He gestured towards Head Eunuch Cao, who stepped forward and greeted the dowager. 

"This sovereign hereby commands the Eastern Depot and the Brocade Guard to assist Royal Mother in the investigation of Lord Yue and Noble Consort Li, as well as the servants in their respective houses. Should evidence be discovered, the Court of Judicature (2) will proceed with the case." His voice hardened. "No torture is to be performed on anyone without this sovereign's express permission, on pain of death. Is this sovereign clear?" 

The dowager's mouth flattened. "The Eastern Depot and the Brocade Guard work personally for Your Majesty, who has already expressed biased in this matter. If Your Majesty wishes to be fair, the Ministry of Justice should hold a trial for the case in tandem—"

"This son has the matters of the court well in hand and would not trouble Royal Mother to wear yourself out worrying about them for me. As for Royal Mother's concern…" A funny lilt entered Liu Yao's voice. It was almost inquisitive. "Royal Mother implies that the Ministry of Justice does not work directly for this son?" 

The dowager froze. "Of course not," she snapped. "You know what this mourner means." 

Liu Yao laughed softly. "This sovereign can't say that he does." He didn't waste any more time exchanging barbs with her and Yan Zheyun was still watching his back so he caught Liu Yao's eyes the second he turned around and saw them soften with affection and something that might have been remorse but was gone so quickly Yan Zheyun hadn't had the time to decipher it. 

Yan Zheyun felt some of the tightness in his chest dissipate. He had to trust that Liu Yao had a solution. All he had to do was ensure that he kept himself alive until then, avoid the cloak and dagger schemes that would no doubt be thrown at him the second Liu Yao's back was turned. 

No big deal, right? 

Yeah, right. 

"This sovereign commands that all servants from Lord Yue's house and Noble Consort Li's house are to be taken to the Department of Careful Punishment for interrogation. Lord Yue and Noble Consort Li are to be escorted to individual cells as well and not permitted contact with anyone uninvolved in the investigation until this sovereign issues further orders." 

Compared to the anguished protests from Noble Consort Li, Yan Zheyun's quiet bow was far more dignified. But no one heard the sigh he let escape from his lips as he thought about what lay ahead. 

Kitchens, stables, and now prison. Slave to concubine to criminal suspect. He'd thought that he'd finally made a bit of progress in his plans so why did it still feel like his life was regressing? 

[A hug now would be nice,] he thought, even though he knew that it wasn't possible. Liu Yao had to keep his distance unless he wanted to shatter whatever tenuous illusions of impartiality he had halfheartedly conjured up for her sake. 

"This is a matter of urgency and this sovereign would like it resolved as soon as possible. Hence, this sovereign expects an update by this hour tomorrow." 

One day. Twelve shichen, twenty-four hours. 

He could do this.. And then, after, once the stress had killed whatever vestiges of embarrassment he might have at acting coquettishly in front of Liu Yao, he was going to crawl into Liu Yao's lap and demand a cuddle for as long as it took for the anxiety to wear off.

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