Chapter Fifty-Three: Loyalty?

“Your Majesty, although Ye Zhanqing has not confessed, in my years of experience, she is about to break.”

Originally, Yu Huatian merely wanted to curry favor for Ye Zhanqing, but then he thought, if this false display of loyalty is remembered by the Emperor and causes trouble in the future, who would be blamed?

With this in mind, Yu Huatian quickly amended his words and reminded himself: As the Governor of the West Chamber, why should he fear a mere assassin from Black Stone? Even if they were colleagues, only Black Stone's upper ranks could stand as his equals.

No, Yu Huatian soon contradicted himself. Why?

Of course, because Ye Zhanqing is beautiful. Given the Emperor’s temperament, she might well become a future concubine.

Zhu Yu was quite surprised at Yu Huatian's words. After all this time, Ye Zhanqing still hadn't betrayed anyone? Based on Fatty Chen's assessment of her and his own memory of the original story, Zhu Yu had fully expected her to expose Black Stone completely during interrogation.

But Yu Huatian’s report elevated Ye Zhanqing’s standing in Zhu Yu’s mind—it was a pleasant surprise. It also made him realize Yu Huatian’s unreliability; he no longer wanted to entrust him with the Flower Palace affair. With a few more reprimands, Zhu Yu returned to the palace.

After Zhu Yu left, Yu Huatian pondered for a long while, then went to find Jiang Yuyan, intending to share his suspicions with her.

Jiang Yuyan had never expected her rival for a man to be one of Zhu Yu’s subordinates. The matter thus had to be dropped, and she privately rejoiced that Yu Huatian hadn't implicated her.

Let us set that aside for now and return to Zhu Yu.

In the Imperial Study, Zhu Yu summoned Cao Zhengchun.

Once Cao Zhengchun arrived, Zhu Yu ordered everyone else to withdraw.

Seeing Zhu Yu’s demeanor, Cao Zhengchun easily guessed the Emperor had important orders and grew even more cautious in his bearing.

Noting this, Zhu Yu’s eyes gleamed with approval. Now this is a man who knows how to conduct serious affairs.

Without further hesitation, Zhu Yu said directly, “I’ve called you here to assign you a task.”

Hearing what he had expected, a slight smile flickered on Cao Zhengchun’s lips. He saluted and replied, “Your Majesty, please give your orders. I am willing to brave fire and water for you, to die a thousand times without regret.”

Zhu Yu nodded with a show of solemnity and asked, “Do you know about the recent newcomers to the palace?”

“Your Majesty, I have some knowledge. The boy called Fishy was the friend you made during your last visit to Dali. Another is the daughter of the poison doctor, Su Rushi. As for the third, I am less familiar with him.”

“The third is Yan Nantian, missing for nearly twenty years,” Zhu Yu revealed.

“Ah—Your Majesty, although Yan Nantian’s reputation is quite positive, having a veteran grandmaster residing in the palace is far from appropriate.”

“Yan Nantian is Fishy's uncle. He was gravely wounded over a decade ago and has been comatose ever since, only recently regaining consciousness. However, after waking, he suffers from amnesia and spends his days in a delirious state. Fishy entered the palace this time to seek a cure for Yan Nantian’s illness.”

Zhu Yu offered a brief explanation.

At this, Cao Zhengchun shuddered and urged, “Your Majesty, reconsider! Even when he was of sound mind, he was a risky presence. Now, in his deranged state, all the more so. Please command that I send Yan Nantian to the East Chamber, to be watched under my personal supervision.”

“Tsk! Stop interrupting me. You’re leading me off track.”

“Yes, I was wrong. Please continue, Your Majesty.”

“I want you to keep Yan Nantian under constant watch. If he recovers, he will most certainly seek revenge on Yao Yue and Lian Xing at the Flower Palace. The outcome will be one of a few possibilities, but no matter what, Yao Yue and Lian Xing will be injured. When that happens, I want you to take your men and wipe out the Flower Palace!”

Cao Zhengchun was shocked. Hesitant, he asked, “Your Majesty, how do you know Yan Nantian will go to the Flower Palace once he recovers? And what grudge does he bear? I have never heard of any such enmity.”

“Just follow my orders. No need to pry into what does not concern you,” Zhu Yu chided when he sensed Cao Zhengchun’s curiosity.

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Cao Zhengchun bowed, his thoughts unreadable.

“And one more thing—never mind, just keep the operation as secret as possible. If you can capture Yao Yue and Lian Xing, do so.”

Zhu Yu had intended to make secrecy an absolute command, but as he began to speak, he realized the personnel in the East Chamber were a motley lot: there were men from Dragon Guard Manor, from the West Chamber, and as for the Six Doors...

Though old Zhuge Zhengwo seemed upright, the Six Doors was half an intelligence agency itself. To say he never placed men in the East Chamber—Zhu Yu would never believe it.

So, a strict order would be pointless. He could only hope that when Cao Zhengchun handpicked his team, he would avoid choosing anyone from the Dragon Guard Manor.

As for why Zhu Yu desired secrecy—unlike Fishy, whose martial skills were mediocre, Hua Wuque was a genuine grandmaster, barely over twenty, a true prodigy. As the protagonist, he had a better chance of reaching the realm of supreme masters than most.

Zhu Yu wanted to test himself: could he recruit Hua Wuque to his side even as he destroyed the Flower Palace?

After receiving Zhu Yu’s command, Cao Zhengchun saluted and returned to the East Chamber to make his arrangements.

With that matter settled, a new battle unique to women was brewing in the Imperial Medical Bureau.

In the Medical Bureau, Ye Zhanqing was wrapped like a mummy, only her face exposed, her body wracked with pain that paled before the shock in her heart.

She had asked herself more than once: Was the man in the dragon robe truly the leader? Was the leader also the Emperor?

Ye Zhanqing was certain of what she had seen, but still feared the vision was a pain-induced hallucination.

While she wavered, the one person who could confirm her suspicions appeared.

Jiang Yuyan entered, resplendent in court attire, a phoenix hairpin crowning her head, walking elegantly toward her.

“You…” At the sight of Jiang Yuyan, Ye Zhanqing wished to speak but faltered.

“How are you feeling now? It’s all my fault, knowing nothing and letting you suffer such pain for nothing. In the future, if you ever face trouble, just come to me.”

Jiang Yuyan smiled gently, her concern evident.

Though her words were disjointed, Ye Zhanqing grasped her meaning and demanded angrily, “Why?”

“Why must there always be a reason? If you must blame someone, blame your own beauty—I simply couldn’t rest easy. Besides, I’m only trying to ease the Emperor’s burdens. There are so many consorts already; the harem is nearly overflowing, there’s simply no room for newcomers.”

Jiang Yuyan, her face pure and innocent, spoke words that filled Ye Zhanqing with dread.