From CEO to Concubine-Chapter 192: Insider

The sun had just set when Yan Zheyun woke up from a long nap. The hazy golden glow on the horizon washed over the gardens just outside the window of his study and as he sat up on the noble consort divan and stretched, a luxurious fur blanket slipped off his shoulders to pool about his waist.

"Has His Majesty returned?" he asked around a silent yawn. It was nearing dinner time. They had an unspoken agreement to take their meals together as much as they could and no matter how busy Liu Yao became, even in complicated situations like the one they were still facing, Liu Yao didn’t allow himself to forget to eat with Yan Zheyun.

The blanket soon returned around Yan Zheyun’s shoulders as Xiao De promptly bundled him up in it, playing the role of Head Eunuch of Aiyun Palace effortlessly.

"His Majesty’s entourage is already on its way over. He sent word ahead so the kitchens have already commenced plating the food for serving."

Very good. After a nice, restful sleep, Yan Zheyun didn’t even have to ask to have the finest delicacies in the land served up on a platter. The life he led now was rather akin to going to one of those top-tier luxury honeymoon getaways, the kind with private villas, personal butlers, and a handsome doting husband. It would be even more pleasant if he didn’t have to fear for their lives on a daily basis.

"Did the kitchens prepare a snow pear pork rib soup as well?" The heavily padded curtains covering the dragon sedan still weren’t that effective in keeping out the chill and Liu Yao was a stubborn sort when it came to the hand warmers, often telling Head Eunuch Cao not to bother preparing one in advance as his commute was only a short distance.

Yan Zheyun didn’t approve and he made it clear via the endless hot soups he ordered every single mealtime on Liu Yao’s behalf. There was a sort of ’cold’ that went along the lines of ’your husband thinks you’re cold’ (1). Whether Liu Yao enjoyed the attention or was just content to let Yan Zheyun fuss over him, Yan Zheyun wasn’t sure. However, every day without fail, Liu Yao would insist that he wasn’t cold only to return to either of their palaces with freezing hands and Yan Zheyun would scoop out a bowl of soup for him with a pointed look.

It was their little ritual by now.

"Tonight’s soup has been prepared exactly according to Master’s instructions." When it was just the two of them, Xiao De had finally taken to dropping all the fancy formalities and addressing Yan Zheyun with a simple ’Master’. "Another bowl has already been set aside for Head Eunuch Cao and hot tea for the rest of the entourage. This servant thanks Master on their behalf."

Yan Zheyun shook his head. "It is as much hard work on my part as lifting a hand (2)."

Xiao De smiled. "That Master even thought to think about us servants is the hardest work to be done."

The restlessness that nagged at Yan Zheyun these few days returned along with his wakefulness and it wasn’t long before he didn’t wish to sit still anymore, choosing instead to step out into the main courtyard despite Xiao De mild protests to wait for Liu Yao where it was warmer.

"Aiyo, Master, His Majesty’s heart would ache if he saw you standing out here in the wind."

Yan Zheyun raised a hand to prevent the maidservants from following him. He knew he wouldn’t be able to convince Xiao De to stay indoors whilst he stepped out to stretch his legs a little so he accepted the company and walked into the winter evening.

"Careful not to slip, Master. It will hurt if you fall on such hard ground."

Yan Zheyun chuckled. The paths were freshly swept and free of snow, what was there to slip on? The efficiency of the palace servants was nonpareil. "I’m hardly that fragile."

"That’s not very believable," he heard Xiao De mumble under his breath. "A little knock here, a little bump there and Master’s skin is bruised for days..."

"..."

Okay, sure, but that was hardly Yan Zheyun’s fault. This world was based on a perverted novel wanted his love marks to be on display to all and sundry. What could Yan Zheyun do about that besides accept defeat graciously?

He was about to make a dry retort when he heard a shuffling sound near one of the walls. This as soon followed by a loud ’whump’ and a muffled wail.

He exchanged a look of astonishment with Xiao De.

What sort of thief or spy didn’t even bother waiting until it was fully dark to sneak in? And with such lousy skills too? Which cunning noble or ambitious concubine was in such dire financial straits that they had no choice but to go for a cheap for-hire?

The guards and door eunuchs surrounding Aiyun Palace were quick to report back, the confused hesitation on their faces just intriguing Yan Zheyun further.

"Reporting to Imperial Noble Consort Yue Langjun, the intruder is...Third-class Attendant Zhang."

Attendant Zhang? Why on earth?

"Escort her into the main hall," Yan Zheyun decided. "Xiao De, a cup of warm tea, please." Despite the hostility she’d shown him in the past, he saw no need to make life unnecessarily difficult for a little girl, especially when she hadn’t brought any tangible harm to him yet.

This was why, when Liu Yao finally made it back home all ready to sweep Yan Zheyun up into his arms for a tight passionate embrace, he came face to face with a scene straight out of an inner palace drama; a bedraggled low-ranking concubine in soaked robes with her head hung low and a powerful regal consort seated on the dais with a naturally haughty expression painted on that perfect face.

Yan Zheyun had to bite the inside of his cheek to stop himself from bursting into laughter at Liu Yao’s flummoxed face. That adorable expression soon vanished, replaced with the emperor’s stoic mask, but the fleeting remnants of it had spoken volumes.

"Attendant Zhang, what are you doing here?" Liu Yao asked curtly. "It is almost time for the inner palace curfew."

Attendant Zhang trembled under the weight of his gaze. The momos had gone to fetch a set of suitable robes for her to change into but they hadn’t returned yet. As such, she was only wrapped in a set of blankets as she knelt on the floor in front of the dais.

Yan Zheyun made to stand up and offer his seat to Liu Yao but the firm set of hands on his shoulders kept him in place, Liu Yao choosing instead to stand by his side whilst listening to Attendant Zhang tell her story.

Her subdued mannerisms were a far cry from the spoiled noble lady Yan Zheyun could still recall from their first meeting in Zheshan Palace. But then again, she was a far cry from the Lady of Bright Deportment she’d been back then. Yan Zheyun had expected Liu Yao to restore her rank after her brother’s achievements in the North but this had yet to happen and he had to wonder if the relationship between Envoy Zhang and Liu Yao had taken a turn for the worse.

In-between sniffles, Attendant Zhang started to talk about how, shortly after Yan Zheyun gained the favour of the emperor, rumours of his true nature as a fox spirit began to spread amongst the servants.

"It was Imperial Concubine Hui," she said plaintively. "Back then, this concubine was so—was so jealous, I told her I didn’t understand why Imperial Noble Consort Yue managed to capture the undivided attention of Your Majesty and Imperial Concubine Hui planted the idea in my mind that it was because he was a fox spirit..." She shuddered. "I don’t know why, she was so convincing I found myself believing it so...so when I was demoted I couldn’t take it and..."

"...and told your servants to spread the rumours about me," Yan Zheyun answered for her. He kept his tone mild—the word had reached him via Xiao De but he hadn’t been too perturbed back then, definitely had taken them to be nothing more than jealous antics—but Attendant Zhang flinched like he had slapped her and folded into a deep bow on the ground.

"This concubine begs Your Majesty for forgiveness! Begs Imperial Noble Consort Yue for forgiveness!"

Yan Zheyun sighed. He was a man in his mid-twenties, he didn’t wish to be calculative with a young lady fresh out of her teenage years. He didn’t want to have much to do with her in general and wished she would just finish stating her piece and leave them to decide what to do with the new information.

"Get to the point," Liu Yao said. There was an icy glint in his gaze that told Yan Zheyun no one was getting off easy tonight. "You have more to say, haven’t you?"

Attendant Zhang nodded. In her anxiety, she’d chewed straight through the corner of her bottom lip and it left a smudge of red that was more eye-catching than her normal bright lip paints.

"Big Sister...that is, Noble Consort Dou warned me against associating too closely with Imperial Concubine Hui," she admitted. "At first, I hadn’t understood why and did not take her advice to heart. But one day, I overheard Imperial Concubine Hui talking to Attendant Wu, whom she’d become close to, and—and I realised that she was saying to her the very same things she’d said to me before. And Attendant Wu had fallen for it too, had become obsessed with the idea that Imperial Noble Consort Yue was an evil fox demon that needed to be exorcised..."

Personally, Yan Zheyun didn’t think Wu Yusi truly bought the story. At least, not in the way Attendant Zhang was professing she did. Wu Yusi lacked the sheltered naïvety Attendant Zhang still retained an air of. She would have fully believed him to be human and still have chosen to frame him for crimes that he hadn’t committed, if that was what it took to further her agenda.

"Do you have any proof?"

Attendant Zhang squeezed her eyes shut in despair and shook her head. "No," she said morosely. "Back when I was close to her, I didn’t think about collecting evidence and after, I—I just didn’t want any part to do with whatever plan she was instigating. I avoided her..."

Yan Zheyun couldn’t blame Attendsnt Zhang for choosing to turn a blind eye but it did make things inconvenient now.

He met Liu Yao’s eyes and saw the barely concealed frustration in them.

After dinner?’ He mouthed the words. Knowing Liu Yao, he hadn’t managed to catch a break all day and this was supposed to be his winding down time.

Liu Yao’s brow furrowed as though he was making a particularly difficult decision.

Now, Liu Yao mouthed back. His gaze turned apologetic. I’m sorry this is intruding on our meal together.

Yan Zheyun’s eyes crinkled. That’s all right. The apology was unnecessary—Yan Zheyun knew just how determined Liu Yao was to get to the bottom of this mess—but the value behind it lifted Yan Zheyun’s spirits.

"Prepare the entourage for Xueyu Palace," Liu Yao commanded. The considering manner he regarded Attendant Zhang with would have made even someone with stronger mettle nervous; her face blanched and her busy hands wrung the folds of her skirts. "Attendant Zhang will accompany us and pit her testimony against that of Imperial Concubine Hui’s."

Attendant Zhang had no choice but to accept and thank His Majesty for trusting her enough to give her the opportunity.

Uncertain of what to expect, Yan Zheyun didn’t mention his reservations just yet. He wasn’t sure of how well Liu Yao knew the disposition of the members of his harem but from what he’d personally observed during inner palace assemblies, Attendant Zhang was no match for the sharp-witted glib-tongued Imperial Concubine Hui. Regardless of who was telling the truth, it seemed unlikely that Attendant Zhang would manage to gain an advantage in a debate over her opponent.

When the entourage reached the halfway point between Aiyun Palace and Xueyu Palace, they learnt that it didn’t matter anymore.

The young eunuch that came stumbling up to them was nearly hysterical. He tripped over himself and slid over the snow, coming to a halt just before the guards that surrounded the sedans.

"Your Majesty, something bad has happened!"

His face was an unfamiliar one and he wore the attire of an unranked eunuch, which meant he held a lowly post in the inner palace.

"Loud caterwauling. Where is your decorum?" Head Eunuch Cao was quick to intercept him before he could come any closer and knock into the imperial sedan, earning himself a fatal amount of lashings.

But the eunuch didn’t even seem to notice the favour done to him by the notorious Chief of the Eastern Depot.

"Your Majesty, it’s—it’s Imperial Concubine Hui’s door eunuch," Attendant Zhang stammered. She’d pulled open the curtains of her sedan upon hearing him speak and appeared to be the only one present to recognise him.

Yan Zheyun felt a sickening sense of foreboding.

"What happened? Report now." The edge in Liu Yao’s voice was deadly.

The eunuch collapsed onto his knees and kowtowed.

"Please forgive this servant, please forgive this servant! I—I don’t know how it happened but they just told me—they said that Imperial Concubine Hui Niangniang...has been found dead in her bed!"