Chapter Seventy: The Interrogation

“Have there been many people mocking and bullying Consort Yan lately?”

Hearing this question, Eunuch Wu, who had been preparing an excuse, was once again confounded. Still, he answered truthfully according to the information he’d gathered.

“Your Majesty, the only one who has openly mocked Consort Yan in the Palace of Elegance is Consort Li. The others gossip and ridicule behind her back.”

The first part of the answer made Zhu Yu breathe a sigh of relief, but the latter part made his heart clench again.

“The others? Are there many? Does Jiang Yuyan know?” Zhu Yu drew in a cold breath and asked.

“Your Majesty, you are familiar with the atmosphere of the harem. Apart from the few consorts you frequently visit, all the other concubines and noble ladies have participated in the discussions. You know, there are no secrets in the harem. Consort Yan must have known about these things long ago.”

Hearing this reply, Zhu Yu felt his vision darken. He certainly did not wish to be the emperor of Jing who had the fewest consorts in history.

“Hurry, summon Jiang Yuyan. I have matters to discuss with her.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.” Eunuch Wu accepted the order and left the imperial study. Glancing up at the sun, he felt somewhat troubled. He knew Consort Yan was likely outside the palace, but had no idea where exactly. How was he to deliver the summons?

With no other option, he went to the Palace of Elegance and waited.

Heaven seemed aware of Eunuch Wu’s troubles, for before long, Jiang Yuyan arrived at the palace gates.

Upon seeing her, Eunuch Wu hurried forward. “My lady, you have finally returned. His Majesty calls for you—please come quickly with this old servant.”

With that, Eunuch Wu led the way. Jiang Yuyan, hearing his words, abandoned any intention of resting and followed him toward the imperial study.

After a few steps, Jiang Yuyan asked, “Eunuch Wu, did you tell the Emperor everything?”

“There was no time, my lady. This old servant barely began when His Majesty sent me to summon you.” Eunuch Wu was still puzzled by how events had unfolded, and answered with a wry smile.

Finding no answers from him, Jiang Yuyan asked no more.

With their swift pace, they soon reached the imperial study. After the two made their salutations, Zhu Yu instructed Eunuch Wu to leave.

Though Eunuch Wu knew Consort Yan was unlikely to harm the Emperor, there was always a risk. However, the imperial command had been given, so he had to obey, waiting outside the door in case anything happened inside and he needed to intervene.

At this moment, the imperial study contained only Zhu Yu and Jiang Yuyan.

Zhu Yu looked directly at her, and his first question made Jiang Yuyan’s heart skip a beat.

“Did you kill Consort Li?”

Jiang Yuyan lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes, silent for a while. Then she looked up, meeting his gaze and replied,

“Yes.”

Zhu Yu was somewhat gratified that she did not hide the truth from him, though his expression betrayed nothing.

“Why did you kill Consort Li? Give me a reason.”

Unlike her earlier explanation to Eunuch Wu, this time Jiang Yuyan described everything in detail—how she carried the venomous snake to Consort Li’s residence, her intention to harm, even to kill.

Zhu Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his urge to first ask about Prince Duan. Once calm, he looked at Jiang Yuyan and said, “How could you be so reckless? If you’re bullied or wronged, you should tell me. I would stand up for you. What you did—this isn’t right. To kill another consort, and mine at that, is a terrible habit. Are you hoping to rid the palace of all my consorts so you can have me to yourself? If that’s your plan, you’re mistaken. If there are too few, I’ll simply select more to enter the palace. You needn’t plot such things.”

Zhu Yu intended to scold her more before showing his concern and earning her trust, but barely had he begun when Jiang Yuyan’s eyes reddened instantly.

This startled Zhu Yu, who hurried to joke and lighten the mood, hoping to dispel any unwarranted thoughts.

Jiang Yuyan, her eyes tinged with red, felt deeply moved by Zhu Yu’s concern and asked softly, “Your Majesty, do you not blame me?”

“I do blame you. How could I not? She was my consort—a beautiful woman, gone because of you. Let me repeat: if anything happens, tell me first. Don’t make decisions on your own. And remember, you owe me a consort—a great beauty. You must repay me someday.”

Zhu Yu spoke sternly to Jiang Yuyan.

His concern had led Jiang Yuyan to misunderstand his meaning. Blushing, she said, “Your Majesty, may I repay you myself?”

Zhu Yu glanced at her in surprise. “What are you thinking? Aren’t you already mine? When I say you owe me a beauty, I mean you truly must repay me.”

His words left Jiang Yuyan bewildered. Moments ago she was filled with happiness, and now her beloved was asking her to find another beauty to share him with?

This thought brought a flood of grievance, and her large eyes quickly brimmed with tears that fell like broken pearls.

Zhu Yu was taken aback. His intention had been to distract her since she was already on the verge of tears, but he had overdone it and made her cry.

“Ahem.” Zhu Yu coughed awkwardly. This time, he decided not to gently shift her attention but to do so directly.

“You mentioned Liu Xi and Prince Duan earlier. What exactly happened? Tell me in detail.”

Moments before, Jiang Yuyan had been ruled by emotion, unable to think clearly. Now, seeing Zhu Yu’s embarrassment, she easily guessed his purpose.

Still, Jiang Yuyan did not expose Zhu Yu’s clumsy tactic. Her tear-filled eyes cast a unique glance at him, then she began to recount the events of the previous night and her discoveries upon leaving the palace that day.

She had only gotten halfway before Zhu Yu interrupted her.

“You left the palace today? How did you get out? I received no report.” Zhu Yu was puzzled. He clearly remembered the iron rule in the harem: concubines must not leave the palace without permission.

“Well...” Jiang Yuyan hesitated, her mind recalling Eunuch Wu’s role.

Seeing her difficulty, Zhu Yu immediately guessed the truth.

Surely, Jiang Yuyan’s concern for him had led her to disregard the harem’s iron law and leave the palace without permission.

“Never mind. I’ll let it go this time, but you mustn’t leave the palace without permission again. What if someone discovered you?” Zhu Yu said with feigned annoyance.

“Ah? Oh.” Jiang Yuyan was at first surprised, then quickly adopted a meek and obedient demeanor.