Chapter 7
Eunuch Liu stared at Helian Jue, mouth open. His hands trembled as he tried to steady himself.
The deadly promise of every guard who touched the consort would lose their heads still rang in his ears. And if the emperor could threaten that, he could easily turn on his own trusted eunuch too.
The emperor could literally do anything!
Liu bowed low, voice shaking. "Y-Yes, Your Majesty. Right away."
He backed out of the chamber, his heart pounding. Outside the doors, he snapped at the waiting guards. "Go to the lower cells. Bring Jade Consort Shen here at once. Do not harm him further. His Majesty wants him now."
The guards exchanged looks. "R-Really?"
"Quickly!" Eunuch Liu snapped, his voice loud. The guards wanted to question further but they just nodded and hurried off.
Inside the bedchamber, Helian Jue leaned back, breathing hard. Each breath he took felt tight, like something clawed at his lungs. Sweat dotted his forehead more and more.
Eunuch Liu returned and picked up the spilled cup, pouring a fresh dose of dark medicine.
"Your Majesty, please," Liu said softly, holding it out. "This will ease the pain. The physician said you must take it or the poison could flare again. We can't afford to lose you."
The emperor sneered at Eunuch Liu's words.
"Your Majesty..." He started again, persuasively. "Please have a drink. It'll make you feel relaxed."
Helian Jue turned his head away. "Not until Qingyu is here. I won't drink."
Eunuch Liu sighed, defeated. He knew he couldn't do anything at that moment.
In the cold cell, the iron door creaked open and two guards stepped in without a word. They unlocked the chains from the wall, cut them off and grabbed Qingyu's arms, pulling him to his feet.
"Get up! We're leaving."
Qingyu stumbled, his legs wobbling. "Where are you taking me?" he asked, trying to pull free. But they didn't give him a reply.
He twisted against their hold, fear mixing with confusion. "Answer me!"
The guards said nothing. They dragged him through the dim passages, up the narrow stairs, and into the brighter side of the palace where the emperor's chambers lay.
Qingyu's heart beat faster as he recognized the familiar corridors. The emperor had woken and asked for him? After everything, he still wanted to see him?
They stopped outside the grand doors. One guard pushed them open and shoved Qingyu inside.
Helian Jue now sat on the edge of the massive bed, robes loose, face pale. Eunuch Liu stood beside him, still pleading with the cup in hand.
"Please, Your Majesty, just one sip–"
Helian Jue's gaze locked on Qingyu the moment he entered. The emperor's expression softened for a split second.
"Qingyu…"
Qingyu stopped in the middle of the room, refusing to move further. Instead, he lowered his lashes and put on a gentle, innocent look. His messy hair and stained robes only made him more pitiful.
Eunuch Liu glanced between them, hesitant. "Your Majesty…"
"Leave us," Helian Jue ordered, his voice firm, leaving no room for discussion.
Liu bowed and backed away slowly, reluctance clear on his face. The doors closed with a click, leaving only the two of them.
"Come here," Helian Jue said, patting the space beside him on the bed.
Qingyu hesitated, then walked over on unsteady legs. He stopped in front of the emperor, standing while Helian Jue remained seated.
The emperor still struggled to breathe normally, his chest rising and falling in short bursts.
"Take your medicine first," Qingyu muttered quietly. "You need to get better."
Helian Jue ignored the words as his eyes searched Qingyu's face. "Did you poison me?"
Qingyu met his gaze but could not look away. He wanted to feel something– pity, anger, but his chest felt empty.
"Answer me," Helian Jue pressed, hope flickering in his eyes. "Tell me you did not do it."
Qingyu stayed silent, watching him.
Helian Jue reached out, his large hand covering Qingyu's smaller one. The touch was warm despite his weakness. "Do not lie to me, Qingyu. Tell me the truth. Whoever did this… I will kill them myself once I know."
Qingyu's stomach twisted. He felt a sudden pity for the unknown culprit. If the emperor found them, their death would not be a quick one. He pulled his hand free at once.
"Take your medicine," he repeated, voice softer this time.
He turned to the small table, poured a fresh cup of the dark liquid, and brought it back. His hands shook slightly as he held it out.
Helian Jue did not take the cup. Instantly, he caught Qingyu's wrist and pulled him closer. The medicine nearly spilled. Qingyu gasped, his body tilting forward until he bent between the emperor's knees.
"Give it to me yourself," Helian Jue murmured, eyes never leaving Qingyu's.
Qingyu's breath caught. He lifted the cup with shaky fingers and brought it to the emperor's lips. Helian Jue drank slowly, throat moving with each swallow, his free hand resting lightly on Qingyu's waist to keep him close.
The position felt too intimate for But Helian Jue didn't seem to care.
They stayed like that, eyes locked, the room silent except for the soft sounds of drinking.
The doors suddenly burst open.
A woman in elegant purple robes rushed in, her face lined with worry. Helian Jue's aunt, the respected Princess Consort Dowager, swept past Eunuch Liu who tried and failed to stop her.
"What is this I hear about poison–" She stopped mid-step, her eyes widening at the sight before her: the emperor weak on the bed, the disheveled consort standing between his legs, feeding him medicine from his own hand.
Helian Jue did not break eye contact with Qingyu. His voice came out low and commanding, like a threat. "Liu."
Eunuch Liu hurried forward, bowing. "Yes, Your Majesty."
"Take my aunt out. Now."
The Princess Consort Dowager's mouth opened in shock. "Nephew, you cannot–"
"Out," Helian Jue repeated, still looking only at Qingyu.
That moment, Eunuch Liu wished the ground could open and just swallow him whole.