Chapter 32: The Unfaithful and Indiscreet Same-Sex Affair

Chapter 32: The Unfaithful and Indiscreet Same-Sex Affair

The emperor sat high on his dragon throne, his eyes gazing intently below without uttering a word.

Ye Jiangbai entered with a worried and sorrowful expression. He approached and bowed. "Your Majesty, this subject has examined the Seventh Prince's injuries. He has over ten knife wounds all over his body, bleeding profusely, a ghastly sight. The imperial physicians are doing their utmost to save him, but..."

He heaved a deep sigh, seemingly unable to continue.

Zhang De, kneeling nearby, trembled slightly. He inwardly cursed the Duke for his audacity in fabricating such a story. If the Seventh Prince were truly so severely injured, the imperial physicians wouldn't be standing idly by.

However, Zhang De lacked the courage to speak up. Everything that had transpired today was too surreal, and he still couldn't grasp the situation.

"The emperor is experiencing a headache," the monarch on the dragon throne turned his head to Ye Jiangbai. "Esteemed minister, please proceed with the interrogation."

"Your servant obeys," Ye Jiangbai replied with a bow, turning sideways to look down at Zhang De. "Does Commander Zhang know your crime?"

Zhang De's facial muscles twitched. "This subject is unaware of any crime."

"You, as the commander of the Chengyang Gate, neglected your duty, resulting in the loss of a central palace maid's life – that is your first offense; you left your post without orders, which is your second offense; and you allowed an assassin to roam freely within the palace, failing to protect the Seventh Prince's safety – that is your third offense." Ye Jiangbai frowned. "For these three crimes, the punishment is death by decapitation."

With the word "execute" echoing, Zhang De was shaken to his core. He hurriedly pleaded, "There's a backstory to today's events. Please allow this lowly officer to explain!"

"Go on, Commander," the ruler said.

Swallowing hard, Zhang De continued, "Today, I was indeed guarding the Chongyang Gate as instructed. However, a guard reported that they saw a suspicious person running towards the Autumn Palace. That's why I led my men to investigate."

"But your explanation doesn't make sense," Ye Jiangbai interjected. "Even if there was an assassin, once they left the jurisdiction of the Chongyang Gate, you should have informed the commander in charge near the Autumn Palace. Why did you personally lead your men to pursue them?"

Zhang De could only force a bitter smile. In the palace, commanders were judged by their achievements. Who would willingly give away a chance to earn merit? But he couldn't voice this thought before the emperor. Instead, he bowed and confessed, "This lowly officer was foolish."

"The palace maid from the Autumn Palace said she didn't see any assassin," Ye Jiangbai pointed out. "Then who caused those injuries on Seventh Prince?"

He was curious about that too! Zhang De gritted his teeth. He hadn't even seen Seventh Prince's face, let alone harmed him. The palace maid might have been too scared to think straight, saying she didn't witness the assassin. Could it be that his men were responsible for Seventh Prince's injuries? He didn't have the courage to do such a thing, even if he had the intention!

"Does Commander Zhang have anything else to add?" The emperor, supporting his forehead with a hand, fell silent for a moment, seemingly lost in thought. Then, he suddenly spoke in a grave tone.

Sweating profusely, Zhang De was at a loss for words. He chose to prostrate himself instead. "I beg for Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

"You've held your position without any notable accomplishments, and now, you've made numerous mistakes. Why should I forgive you?" The emperor tapped the armrest of his throne. "Bring him forward. Take away his commander's sash and sword. Lock him up in the prison first."

"Your Majesty, I am innocent!"

But cries of injustice were futile. The Imperial Forest Army nearby was swift in their actions, dragging the man out of the hall. Zhang De's wails only served to deepen the wrinkles on the emperor's brow.

The grand hall gradually fell silent. The emperor rubbed his temples wearily and said to Lin Mao, "You shall take charge at the Gate of Everbright for a while."

"I, your humble servant, will obey your command."

The Gate of Everbright was an excellent posting, tantamount to a promotion. Lin Mao was slightly pleased and, as he bowed and withdrew, he shot a grateful glance at Ye Jiangbai.

Ye Jiangbai stood with his hands in his sleeves, his expression kindly.

When everyone else had left, the emperor spoke softly, "My dear minister, do you believe that Nian'er's misfortune is merely a coincidence?"

Ye Jiangbai nodded slightly. "Your Majesty's judgment is divine."

How could it be a coincidence? In the depths of the palace, there were countless invisible acts of bloodshed. Life and death were all part of human schemes.

Recalling how Ye Jiangbai had previously said that the crown prince would come to understand fraternal bonds, the emperor grew even more furious.

Princess Chang Nian had always been nonchalant and unassertive. Recently, however, she was embroiled in the case of the prison historian's assassination, causing the Crown Prince to repeatedly make things difficult for her. At first, he thought that the Crown Prince was merely acting out of youthful impulsiveness when he punished her with caning. But now, with talk of murder within the palace walls, how would that reflect on their emperor father?

With Zhang De around, the emperor naturally associated her with the empress. The empress was an amiable person and had no reason to suddenly cause trouble for her own son unless it was at the instigation of the Crown Prince.

The more he thought about it, the angrier the emperor became. He slammed his palm on the imperial writing desk and declared, "It's time for a lesson."

Ye Jiangbai smiled but remained silent. It was the emperor's own overthinking that led him to this conclusion; it had nothing to do with Ye Jiangbai.

Three days later, the emperor issued an imperial edict assigning the military grain supervision to the Third Prince. Since the Seventh Prince had contributed to solving the prison historian's case, he was rewarded with 500 taels of silver and a list of silk and precious treasures. He was also allowed to leave the palace to recover from his injuries. The commander of the Chongyang Gate was replaced, while the central palace was penalized with a two-week confinement for its failure to maintain discipline.

Sitting in the carriage as she left the palace, Chang Nian munched on a crisp biscuit, saying between bites, "Why is Father so angry all of a sudden?" She continued, "Red Ti mentioned that the Crown Prince has been kneeling outside the imperial study for two incense sticks of time."

Disgusted, Ye Jiangbai brushed off the crumbs from the corners of her clothing and said, "The Crown Prince is simply unlucky."

If there hadn't been a murder case at the Chongyang Gate, Zhang De might not have lost his position. If Princess Chang Nian hadn't been "on the brink of death," the central palace might have escaped punishment.

Unfortunately, both incidents occurred unexpectedly and to his advantage. They could only blame their misfortune.

"Perhaps His Highness is a harbinger of good fortune," Ye Jiangbai commented. "Since befriending you, everything I've done has proceeded smoothly."

Upon hearing this, Chang Nian's eyes lit up as she looked at him expectantly, "Right? I always felt that I bring good fortune to people. Duke would definitely make the right choice by bringing me along!"

"You're really taking your cue from a little praise, aren't you?" Ye Jiangbai chuckled softly before continuing, "In Duke's residence, Your Highness can rest assured without worrying about paying respects to the Empress. It'll also be more convenient for you to visit the Ministry of Justice."

"Thank you, Duke," Chang Nian was deeply moved. "You're truly the kindest person I've ever met!"

With a slight curve of his lips, Ye Jiangbai glanced at her sidelong. "How kind am I? Kinder than General Beitan?"

"Huh?" Unprepared for such a question, Chang Nian was momentarily taken aback.

To Ye Jiangbai, her hesitation seemed like a denial. It had been a lighthearted remark, but seeing her reaction, he suddenly felt a bit annoyed.

Could one like men and still have feelings for multiple men?

Was this how disloyal and unfaithful those with same-sex inclinations were?

"Ah, please don't be angry. I believe you and General Beitan are two different kinds of people, incomparable," Chang Nian hastily said, sensing the sudden change in the atmosphere beside her. "He's cold and detached, like an immortal exiled from heaven. He's not necessarily bad, but not particularly good either. But you're approachable and amiable. How could they be compared?"

Still talking about immortals, wasn't she just finding another way to praise him? Ye Jiangbai gave a cold smile. "If Your Highness prefers a cold demeanor, I can manage that too."