Chapter 5:
Dawn light penetrated through the high windows of the greeting hall, turning the golden dragons on the wall into flickering shadows .
Helian Jue sat on the throne absentmindedly. Officials spoke around him in careful voices as Prime Minister Wei gestured at a map unrolled on the low table.
"Your Majesty, if we strike down–"
Helian Jue's gaze drafted to the empty seat beside him. The particular one he had ordered prepared for Jade Consort Shen. The morning audience had started ten minutes ago but there was still no sight of him.
He barely heard the Prime Minister's voice words as his fingers tapped once on his chair.
'Where is he?' Helian Jue thought.
"...and the Yun's family loyalty must be verified." Prime Minister Wei finished, bowing.
Helian Jue's jaw tightened as he opened his mouth to answer but his eyes kept flicking to the hall entrance. A strange restless crawled through him. He wanted to see Qingyu's face and hear those soft voice again.
Meanwhile, in the dim passage beneath the outer walls of the palace, Shen Qingyu moved quickly. He had slipped from his pavilion before the sun rose, with Xiao He at his side.
Xiao He darted ahead at the prison gate, discussing loudly with the two guards on duty.
"Brothers, look what I brought from the kitchen. Fresh steam buns and a jar of wine."
The guards grinned, turning their backs. Qingyu used the chance and slid past them like a shadow and down the stone steps into the cold holding cells.
The exact prisoner he was searching for sat against the far wall. He looked up the moment Qingyu reached him.
"You came faster than I thought." The man rasped, his mouth curving into a smirk.
Qingyu stared at the man from a brief moment and uses his hairpin to work on the lock attached to the cell before he walked inside, stopping two feet away.
"Tell me about my mother's death. I want to hear the entire story." He demanded, his voice low and steady.
"I don't know the full truth, little consort."
Qingyu's hands clenched. He stepped closer, grabbing the front of the man's ragged tunic.
"You spoke of the old faction last night. Speak."
The prisoner's eyes gleamed with mischief. "I will only answer to the emperor himself. Bring him here then I will talk."
Anger flared hot in Qingyu's chest. "Why? What does the emperor have to do with any of this?" His grip tightened on the man's fabric. "You're in this cell for a reason. Tell me why. Tell me what you know about Empress Dowager's people and my mother."
The prisoner leaned in, holding his gaze. "Because some secrets belong to the throne and is better off not knowing. Only the emperor can hear the rest. Unless you want your sister Qinglan to end up like your mother–"
Qingyu's fist flew across the man's face before he could stop it. The prisoner's head snapped sideways and Xiao He rushed forward, his hands clamping around Qingyu's arm.
"Young Master, stop! Guards are coming! We have to leave now."
Qingyu yanked gain the hold, breathing hard. "One more word. Just one."
The prisoner spat blood and smiled crookedly. "Ask the emperor why he keeps me alive. Ask him about the late Empress Dowager's last letter. That's all I'll say."
Xiao He dragged hesitant Qingyu backward through a side tunnel they had scouted earlier, narrow. They burst out behind a storage shed just as shouts rose from the main gate. No one saw them.
Back in the open air, Qingyu's chest heaved as his mind raced with several thoughts. Why only thing emperor? Could Helian Jue know something about his mother's murder?
He shoved the idea away. No. There was no how it would be possible. The prisoner was just playing with his thoughts.
But Qingyu's chest ached more at the thought of the emperor who had once signed his execution order for treason. If the Helian Jue had done it to him in his past life, what more could he not do?
Qingyu swallowed it down and straightened his robes. He reached the greeting hall just as the doors were about to close and the scene he witnessed had him dead in tracks.
Helian Jue stood, one hand locked around an official's throat as the man's feet dangled an inch off the floor.
"The rebels move on my consort's family and you dare suggest we investigate then first?" the emperor growled, his eyes bloodshot. "Speak again and I will feed your tongue to the dogs."
The hall was dead silent.
Then Helian Jue's gaze found Qingyu at the entrance and his grip loosened at once. The official crumpled to the floor, gasping for air.
Helian Jue waved a hand. "Meeting dismissed. All of you, out."
The officials scrambled to bow and leave. When the doors shut, only the two of them remained.
Helian Jue stepped down from the dais, his eyes locked on Qingyu. "You turned down my order. You didn't come when I summoned you for the audience. And you are not wearing the hairpin I sent."
Qingyu bowed, calm and polite. "This consort was delayed by personal matters, Your Majesty."
Helian Jue stood close enough that Wings could feel the heat from his body. He sensed the coldness in Qingyu's tone and frowned. "What happened?"
"Nothing worth troubling, Your Majesty." Qingyu replied immediately.
Helian Jue studied him for a moment longer. Then, unexpectedly, he said. "I will keep your family safe. The rebels will not touch the Yun estates. General Zhao already rides with my personal seal."
Qingyu's breath hitched and he quickly averted the emperor's gaze. This was getting out of hand. Before he could respond, the side door opened.
Consort Lian swept in, her silk robes flowing with a bright smile ghosting her lips. "Your Majesty, the midday meal is prepared in your private garden. I thought we could–"
Qingyu stepped back at once. "This consort will not intrude." He bowed and left before the emperor could speak.
Later, in a silent corner of the outer harem, Qingyu met Xiao He behind the lotus pond. They moved three small chests of silver from different merchant contacts, sending words to the Duke of Yun.
As they finished and started leaving, Consort Lian appeared with two maids, blocking their path.
"So the new consort thinks he can charm the emperor with a few pretty words and stolen nights," she muttered, her voice sweet and bitter at same time. "I will not let you use His Majesty like a toy. He belongs to those who know how to keep him."
Qingyu met her eyes with a cool smile. "Keep him? I thought he kept what he wanted. Or did he send you away last night?"
Consort Lian's face flushed with embarrassment and her maids gasped. She spun on her heel and stormed off.
Qingyu watched her go, the small victory tasting bitter-sweet.
Once it was nighttime, a single note came from Eunuch Liu: 'His Majesty requires your presence in the imperial chambers.'
Qingyu dressed with ease–his inner robes of deepest crimson clung to his frame. He left his hair down, the lotus hairpin tucked visibly at his temple as he walked to the emperor's chambers.
Helian Jue waited inside, his dragon robes half-open, broad chest rising and falling. The moment Qingyu entered the room and the doors closed, the emperor covered the distance in two strides.
"I need you tonight," he declared, voice rough. "I will not stand another refusal like last night."
Qingyu let out a knowing smile and moved closer, fingers trailing lightly down the emperor's arm. "Then take what you want, Your Majesty."
But when Helian Jue reached for him, Qingyu twisted away, pressing instead against the emperor's chest, lips brushing his ear. "Slowly."
Qingyu's fingertips traced the scar above Helian Jue's brow, his mouth hovering at his throat without kissing, hips rolling once against the emperor's in a slow, teasing grind. Every move promised more and gave nothing.
Helian Jue's breath grew ragged and he gripped Qingyu's waist at once, growling impatiently. "Qingyu, stop playing."
Qingyu smiled against his skin and pulled back just enough to look him in the eye. "I am not playing. I am giving you what you asked for." He slid one hand inside the emperor's robes, stroking down the hard lines of his stomach, stopping just short of where Helian Jue clearly ached. The emperor shuddered, pressing forward.
Qingyu moved away again, letting the outer robe slide from his shoulders, revealing smooth pale skin. "If you want me, come and claim me properly."
Helian Jue lunged at him. Qingyu dodged, laughing softly, then allowed himself to be caught and pinned against the bedpost. Their mouths met–hot, hungry.
Helian Jue's hand roamed his body, desperately. Qingyu gave him just enough friction before pulling away once more.
The emperor's face flushed and he swayed suddenly, one hand to his temple. "What…?"
A sudden migraine twisted across his features and his knees buckled. Before Qingyu could register the change, Helian Jue collapsed onto the bed, his eyes rolling shut.
"Your Majesty?" Qingyu called, shock destroying the haze. He dropped to his knees beside the bed, hand on the emperor's chest. "Helian Jue!"
Immediately, the doors burst open and imperial guards poured in, swords drawn.
"Seize the consort!" the captain shouted. "The emperor has been poisoned!"