Discovery at 93

“It’s all thanks to Noble Consort Yan that we can gather with His Majesty today,” He Meiru said, the words barbed even as she expressed gratitude, voicing the accumulated grievances of the women present.

“See, Consort Ru is dissatisfied with me.” Guan Canghai immediately spoke up to shield Yan’er from the remark. “Come, Consort Ru, tonight I toast you. You’ve managed the affairs of the inner palace so meticulously these days that I truly have to see you in a new light.”

“Canghai, what about me?” Li Yihe’s sweet, sulky voice chimed in.

“And you too, Yihe. Tonight, I shall drink with my two virtuous consorts.” Guan Canghai smiled, raising his cup and draining it in one go.

Consort Ru and Consort Hui exchanged glances and drank as well; whatever they wished to say had already been brushed aside by the emperor. He Meiru could not say more, and her gaze happened to fall upon Xia Man’er.

“Man’er, if there’s anything you dislike, have the servants remove it,” He Meiru said. Though her status was not as high as Yan’er’s and she sat to the side, only Yan’er and Xia Man’er were beside the emperor now.

“Here, try this,” Yan’er said, offering a piece of cake. “I adore this.”

It was almost an order. No matter how many people were present, no one had ever heard Li Banshuang address Guan Canghai as emperor; their relationship clearly surpassed all others.

Guan Canghai obediently took the cake, bit into it, and found it truly delicious. “Tasty. Anything you like, I like too.” He affectionately ruffled Yan’er’s hair in front of everyone, an act that stirred jealousy in many hearts.

“I wonder what Man’er likes…” Yan’er peered around Guan Canghai at Xia Man’er.

“She’ll eat what she likes. This cake is excellent. From now on, have one sent to my study every day,” Guan Canghai instructed the eunuch.

“Just because you like it doesn’t mean Man’er will, especially since she’s with child,” Yan’er pushed Guan Canghai gently.

“Hehe, Noble Consort, I absolutely love this cake too,” Xia Man’er said, taking a bite. Anything favored by the emperor, Xia Man’er liked as well!

Indeed, the ordinary-looking cake was fragrant and soft, with a floral note that lingered.

“If Man’er loves it so much…” Guan Canghai glanced at Yan’er, then instructed the eunuch, “Besides the study, send one daily to Lady Xia’s quarters.”

This favor delighted Xia Man’er; she lifted her chin, glanced at Yan’er, then cast a challenging look at the other women.

“Thank you, Your Majesty,” Xia Man’er said, touching her belly.

“See, now summer’s here and the flowers are all in bloom,” He Meiru spoke tactfully, easing the tension.

“Let’s go admire the flowers.” Yan’er addressed both Guan Canghai and the others.

“Your Majesty…” Xia Man’er suddenly grabbed his hand, tracing circles in his palm with her delicate fingers.

“Will you walk with me among the flowers?” she asked shyly, her head lowered in a plaintive gesture.

“Very well.” Guan Canghai glanced helplessly at Yan’er, who merely smiled reassuringly. He had no choice but to rise and walk arm-in-arm with Xia Man’er at the head of the group, admiring the imperial gardens.

Guan Canghai was not particularly fond of flowers. A grown man, after all, could hardly be expected to take a liking to such things. He merely wandered, glancing here and there, chatting with Xia Man’er and the women trailing behind.

“Noble Consort Yan is truly formidable,” He Meiru said quietly as she and Yan’er fell behind, as if admiring the flowers.

Yan’er heard He Meiru’s words and deliberately kept her distance. She knew how skilled Guan Canghai was; whatever they said, if he wished to hear, he would hear it clearly.

Yan’er plucked a branch, smiling at the rose.

“Noble Consort Yan,” He Meiru called, annoyed that Li Banshuang ignored her.

Yan’er feigned returning from her reverie. “Ah? Consort Ru, what is it?” she said, deliberately embarrassed.

Both women were clever. Though they’d never openly conspired, much was understood between them. He Meiru had hoped to draw closer to Li Banshuang today, but Li Banshuang purposely acted oblivious.

He Meiru took the rose from Yan’er. “This flower is lovely, but in your hand, it pales. No matter how beautiful it is, it can’t match your face.”

“Mmm,” Yan’er nodded politely, saying little more and catching up with the others.

He Meiru tossed the flower aside, watching Yan’er’s retreating figure. She was puzzled; Li Banshuang had clearly intended to ally with her, so why was she coldly avoiding her now?

He Meiru realized she had met her match; between herself and Li Banshuang, there was both rivalry and camaraderie.

The flower viewing finally ended. Guan Canghai, weary, sat upon the couch. “Are you satisfied?”

Yan’er, not looking at him, combed her hair. “Why have you come to my chambers again?”

“Where else should I go?” Guan Canghai lay down.

“They’ve been in the palace so long, and you haven’t visited them yet,” Yan’er said, finishing her hair and standing at the dressing table, watching him.

For a while, he was silent. Yan’er, annoyed, walked over and flung back the covers, staring at the man in bright yellow. “That purple outfit looked better.”

Since entering the palace, Yan’er only revealed her true self when alone with Guan Canghai; otherwise, she was reserved and proper.

“Hey, are you really asleep?” Yan’er doubted, patting his face, but he showed no response.

Yan’er gave up, blew out the candle, and crawled into bed from the foot. Whether Pan Yueyang or Guan Canghai, they always placed her on the inside when sleeping; this protective gesture was one Yan’er gladly accepted.

Yan’er lay quietly at Guan Canghai’s side, admiring his profile in the moonlight. She had once secretly watched Pan Yueyang the same way. The last thing she wanted was to think of Pan Yueyang. She lowered her lids and burrowed into Guan Canghai’s shoulder, finding a comfortable spot. She was tired too, and soon fell asleep.

Through the night, Yan’er slept fitfully, perhaps haunted by thoughts of Pan Yueyang. Every time she closed her eyes, she saw his gaze—responsible, imploring, as if asking for help.

Yan’er forced herself awake, sweating and breathless, staring blankly from the bed.

Why did she dream of Yueyang? The look in his eyes lingered painfully—was that how he looked when he died, hoping someone would save him?

Yan’er, lost in thought, instinctively reached out beside her—empty.

She sat up, looking around the dark room; the bedding was still warm. Guan Canghai had just left. Yan’er cradled her face, gazing at the window, suddenly seeing a shadow flicker past.

Was it a trick of the eye? She shook her head—it definitely wasn’t. Holding her breath, she listened carefully. Guan Canghai?

Someone seemed to be calling the emperor… Yan’er clutched her chest, barely daring to breathe, unable to make out the words but certain Guan Canghai was outside.

She remained seated, neck craned to catch any sound from beyond the window, her heart pounding. Who was Guan Canghai meeting at this late hour? What could be so secret?

Her instincts told her Guan Canghai was discussing something forbidden, and she needed to know.

“Your Majesty.” The figure in black bowed respectfully.

“Rise,” Guan Canghai said, his yellow robe shining in the moonlight.

“That person just woke up,” the black-clad man reported, omitting the name. Yan’er clutched her chest in sudden tension.

“Awake?” Guan Canghai sneered. “Did you tell him Orlan is in my hands?”

“I did, Your Majesty. He showed no reaction at all,” the man replied truthfully.

“Oh? So you mean he’s like a living corpse now?” Guan Canghai mused, though he was keeping the man’s pregnant wife and child well cared for.

The black-clad man was silent.

“Very well. Go back and keep watching him. Report anything to me.” Guan Canghai waved him away, and the man vanished into the night.

Yan’er felt she might suffocate. Yueyang? He’s alive?

She heard the door open. Yan’er quickly calmed herself, feigning a sleepy turn and rubbing her eyes as if just waking.

“Why are you awake?” Guan Canghai asked, seeing her stir.

Yan’er, her back to him, eyes wide, told herself to stay calm, barely breathing lest she betray herself.

“Mmm,” she murmured lazily, composing herself, then flopped back onto the bed, sprawling in the middle. Guan Canghai sat at the edge, amused.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, touching her hair as she lay, habitually undressed, alluring in the moonlight.

“Just woke up, turned over,” Yan’er replied, feigning sleepiness.

Guan Canghai watched her, delighted by her growing dependence, and pulled her into his arms.

Yan’er kept her back to him, her mind racing with the revelation—Yueyang wasn’t dead; he was in Guan Canghai’s hands!

“What are you thinking?” Guan Canghai asked, leaning over her.

Yan’er snapped back to herself, murmuring shyly, “I’m still sleepy, you…”

It was destined to be another night of drama. This time, Yan’er was surprised—she remained with her back to him, yet Guan Canghai persisted… Until nearly dawn, he finally released her. “Sleep a bit longer.”