Chapter 8
Eunuch Liu froze at the emperor's command. "Your Majesty…"
"Did you not hear me clearly?" Helian Jue's voice stayed low, but the threat in it cut than any blade. "Take my aunt out. Now."
The Princess Consort Dowager stood rooted, her eyes wide with disbelief. Her purple robes trembled as she pointed a finger. "Nephew, I came because I heard you were poisoned! And this is how you treat me? For a mere consort–"
Liu stepped forward quickly, bowing again and again. "Princess, please. His Majesty needs rest. Let me escort you out. It is for the best."
The aunt shook off his hand with a sudden jerk. "Do not touch me!" She glared at Helian Jue one last time, her voice laced with hurt. "I worried for you, rushing here like a fool. I see I wasted my time."
She spun around and stormed out, robes sweeping behind her like waves.
Liu followed her to the door, then slipped out himself, closing it softly. The room fell into silence once more.
Qingyu stepped back at once, putting distance between them. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I should not have caused you to push out your aunt."
Helian Jue frowned, still seated on the bed. "Why are you apologizing?"
Qingyu kept his head slightly lowered. "Family should not be treated that way because of me."
The emperor scoffed and reached for the medicine cup himself, drinking the rest in one go. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. "Do you not like staying here with me?"
The question caught Qingyu off guard. He looked up, eyes wide for a moment. Helian Jue repeated it, low and calm. "Do you not like staying here?"
Qingyu's mind raced. He wanted to leave, to run far from this confusing man who kept pulling him closer. But he knew the truth—he was the bridge between the Yun family and the throne. His father had given him off for power. Leaving now would bring trouble to everyone, especially his little sister. He swallowed hard.
"I am staying anyway," Qingyu muttered softly. "I only ask to excuse myself. I need to wash and change. Thank you for releasing me from the cells."
Helian Jue's eyes darkened. "You will take your bath here. And you are not leaving my chambers."
Dismay filled Qingyu's chest. This was insane. A consort using the emperor's private bath? Staying over after everything? Why was Helian Jue doing this? The man who once treated him like decoration now refused to let him go.
Before Qingyu could speak, the doors opened and Eunuch Liu entered again, carrying fresh towels. "Your Majesty, the physician sent more herbs—"
The distraction gave Qingyu the chance he needed. He bowed quickly. "I will take my leave for now." He slipped past Liu and out the door before the emperor could stop him.
Back in his own pavilion, Qingyu finally breathed easier. The lotus pond outside rippled under the afternoon light as he pressed a hand to his chest. His heart raced too fast.
'Don't tell me I am starting to have a soft spot for him.'
He cursed himself silently and went to wash up, scrubbing away the prison dirt until his skin felt raw. Whatever Helian Jue was planning, Qingyu knew he had to step up his game.
When he strode out, drying his long hair with a cloth, Xiao He was waiting.
"Young Master! How did you get released so fast? I thought they would keep you longer."
Qingyu sat down, still rubbing his hair. "The emperor woke and asked for me. He released me himself."
Xiao He's eyes lit up. "See? The emperor is really into you. If you keep getting this close, you can use it pefectly. I'm sure the other consorts will be jealous of you."
Qingyu paused. He wondered again who had poisoned the emperor. Did that person have any link to his mother's death? The prisoner's hints still echoed in his head.
"Get me the finest robes, Xiao He." he instructed immediately. "I am going to have lunch with my sister at the Yun estate."
In a few minutes, Xiao He hurried to bring several sets. Qingyu chose a simple but elegant blue one and left the palace with a small escort.
At the Duke of Yun's residence, the guards let him in without question. His father sat in the main room, face stern when he saw him. "What do you think you are doing here?"
Qingyu met his eyes. "I came for my sister."
Shen Qinglan rushed out from the inner room, her young face lighting up. She pulled him to the table where lunch had been set with simple dishes of rice, fish, and vegetables.
"Brother, sit! How is the palace? Is the emperor treating you well? If it is too hard, you can come back home."
The Duke cut in immediately. "He cannot leave. He knows his duty, Qinglan!"
Qingyu sat beside Qinglan and took her hand gently. "I'm doing fine. The emperor was poisoned two days ago and I was blamed and locked up for two days. He released me this morning."
Qinglan's eyes filled with sadness. "I miss Mother so much. If she had been here, this wouldn't have happened. You wouldn't even be there."
Qingyu's voice softened. "I do not think it was bandits who killed her, Qinglan. I am going to find out what really happened."
The Duke slammed his chopsticks down. "Enough! You cannot get yourself in more trouble. Just let it slide."
Qingyu stared at his father, disbelief filling his expression. "You want me to forget? Just because you have moved on and married another, you do not want to hear Mother's name anymore?"
Before anyone could see it coming, a slap came fast and hard across Qingyu's cheek. The sound echoed in the room, rattling Qinglan.
"You dare speak to me like that?" the Duke growled. "Know your place!"
Qingyu touched his stinging face, anger burning in his chest. He stood up at once."I will find out everything about Mother. Whether you like it or not." He spared Qinglan one last look and stormed out.
Xiao He was waiting outside when Qingyu returned.
"Young Master, is the lunch over already?"
"Let's go, Xiao He. We're leaving."
"W-what?"
"Now!"
They rode back to the palace as night fell, the sky dark and heavy.
As soon as they arrived, a messenger met them at the gates. "Jade Consort Shen, His Majesty summons you immediately."
Qingyu's stomach tightened. He changed into fresh robes quickly and went to the imperial chambers without hesitation.
Helian Jue sat in his chamber, looking stronger but still exhausted. The moment Qingyu entered and bowed, the emperor's voice reveberated through the room.
"Where the hell have you been all day?"