Chapter 75 – Dare to Covet the Consort

Chapter 75 - Dare to Covet the Consort

The most shocked by this matter was, of course, the person involved.

All etiquette, pride, composure, and temper were forgotten by Zhu Yan. He was never one with a good temper to begin with, and he crushed the wooden beads he was playing with in his hand. Calling out "Lan Tian," he coldly approached on his own.

"Bang—"

He kicked open the door and swiftly moved in front of Wen Ruan, blocking Gong Rongxue's view. His gaze was frosty and fierce. "What did you just say?"

What was this about begging the young master for mercy, admiring him for years, yearning for him, willing to be a servant, willing to be a horse, willing to die for him?

It wasn't your turn! What was this king doing?

Gong Rongxue furrowed his brows and scooted sideways, not wanting to lose sight of Wen Ruan.

Zhu Yan wouldn't allow it. As Gong Rongxue moved, he followed, determined to block his view of Wen Ruan! If it weren't for Wen Ruan's dislike of bloodshed, he would have struck him dead upon entering!

Gong Rongxue was displeased. "Who are you?"

Zhu Yan: ...

Not only him, but everyone in the room, and those outside listening to the news, were all stunned. Weren't you here to take advantage of the life-saving grace, hinting that you were the White Moonlight of Prince Jian, with whom you had a fleeting romance? After such a fleeting romance, how could you not recognize the face of your fleeting lover?

The atmosphere in the room was strange. The man before them had an ashen face, seemingly too angry to speak. Gong Rongxue briefly regained his senses, pulling his attention away from Wen Ruan. He bowed respectfully to Zhu Yan and sincerely apologized. "I'm sorry, I had only seen the prince's portrait before, and I didn't recognize you at first."

Only... seen... a... portrait!

To dare slander him based on a mere portrait, to dare approach Ah Ruan and provoke him, recognizing this king haphazardly and perfunctorily, yet recognizing Ah Ruan accurately at first sight, confessing feelings and seeking pity!

Zhu Yan's hands clenched tightly inside his sleeves. He felt it would be unwise to kill the man right away, as it would make him seem petty, and speaking to such an annoying thing felt beneath him. Especially with Wen Ruan watching, the scheming and ruthless Prince Jian was momentarily at a loss for what to do. In the end, he glared angrily at Wen Ruan, his expression mirroring that of a dog tattling on someone to its master: Look at him!

Wen Ruan: ...

"Your Highness, come sit over here."

Zhu Yan then walked over with a grim expression.

The tent room was less formal than the rooms in the palace. The main seat to the north was actually a short couch, with a small square table placed in the middle to separate it. There were designated positions on either side where people could sit, with the small square table for tea. Wen Ruan sat on the right side. Zhu Yan could have sat on the left, the more honored position, but he deliberately squeezed next to Wen Ruan, sitting shoulder to shoulder with him.

Though called a short couch, it was actually long enough to comfortably accommodate three people sitting shoulder to shoulder, let alone two on one side. However, this was against protocol, and how would one drink tea if they were seated so far apart?

Unexpectedly, Zhu Yan reached across Wen Ruan and without hesitation picked up Wen Ruan's tea, drinking it.

Wen Ruan: ...

Do you have to be so childish?

Zhu Yan even stretched his foot out, placing it under the dog's belly, lifting the entire dog and tossing it aside.

He disliked how close the dog was to Wen Ruan, snuggling up to him, affecting his mood.

"Woof!" The dog, upset, leaped onto the short couch and nestled behind Wen Ruan, snuggling closer! I'll snuggle even more! What are you going to do about it!

Zhu Yan narrowed his eyes, as if considering reaching out again.

But Wen Ruan, feeling warm, reached back to protect the dog, smilingly reminding Zhu Yan, "Your Highness isn't busy?"

Didn't you say you were very busy and couldn't come, leaving everything to me to handle, which was perfect for avoiding suspicion?

"It's done."

Zhu Yan lied without blinking. How could he not come? If he hadn't, his home would have been stolen! Who would have thought that the one who needed to avoid suspicion was not him!

Wen Ruan: "Your Highness is efficient."

Zhu Yan: "There's no helping it, someone was urging me."

Wen Ruan could only be more efficient as well, turning to look at the kneeling Gong Rongxue. "Get up first. Did you encounter some trouble that you want my help with?"

He didn't know Gong Rongxue, but the other party's behavior was a bit obvious.

"Yes..." Gong Rongxue's face flushed slightly. "But what I said earlier was true. I've always admired the young master and have no ulterior motives!"

Wen Ruan: "When did you meet me?"

Gong Rongxue's eyes softened. "Does the young master remember a place called Ox Horn Gully?"

Wen Ruan searched his memory but couldn't recall.

Nanxing, sensing the moment, bowed slightly to remind him. "A small village, also part of Sizhou. The young master has never been there, but he sheltered refugees from that area... four years ago."

"Oh," Wen Ruan remembered, but could also confirm, "I've never met you."

Gong Rongxue nodded. "It was my sister. She received great kindness from the young master. If not for the young master, she would have died four years ago. Now she's living well, married last year, and gave birth to twins in August this year, a boy and a girl. They're adorable..."

He gently bit his lip. "If not for the young master, she would have died, along with my mother, in that natural disaster... Poverty can devour people."

Wen Ruan looked at Gong Rongxue, his overly delicate appearance, well-maintained skin, fingers with slight calluses, but ones that seemed to come from practicing the pipa and daily handling, not from hardship. "You don't look like a farmer."

"Yes," Gong Rongxue lowered his eyes. "They originally wanted my sister."

Them? Originally wanted her?

Every word of this sentence seemed to carry deep meaning.

But Wen Ruan remained silent, allowing him to continue.

Gong Rongxue: "They wanted girls, and I was gravely ill at the time. My family was poor and couldn't afford medicine. The doctor said I wouldn't survive. My mother only had my sister and me, and I didn't want to leave this world and have my sister follow. That would have left our mother alone. My sister is timid and was crying in fear, so I hid her and let them take me away."

"They weren't too keen on it at first, but because of my illness, I was smaller and thinner than most men. However, I inherited my mother's face, which was still presentable. Since they couldn't get their hands on my sister, they discussed it and decided to take me instead."

"I thought I'd die soon and that would be the end of it, but fate wasn't that kind. They gave me medicine, and I survived."

Living wasn't a blessing but a curse.

They originally sought young girls...

Gong Rongxue was indeed once a farmer, but now, his demeanor had transformed completely.

A sudden thought crossed Wen Ruan's mind. "The 'they' you mentioned... Could it be the Empress Sect?"

Gong Rongxue smiled bitterly. "The Eastern Lotus Holy Mother Sect, which you call the Empress Sect, is known by another name among the common folk."

"You've come to me," Wen Ruan already guessed, "because I've crossed paths with them before?"

In the capital, Feng Guzi, and in Sizhou, their branch, were both taken down by him, with Zhu Yan's assistance. At the salt fields, he even stood up against the local Empress Sect's Purple Virtue. Regardless of any past grievances, he was now an enemy of the Empress Sect.

Gong Rongxue didn't deny it and bowed solemnly again. "Yes, knowing that Young Master is brave enough and willing to lend a hand in this matter."

Wen Ruan: "So, you're here because you've been assigned a mission?"

Gong Rongxue nodded. "I was chosen by the Venerable Purifier. He said they needed me to impersonate a youth who saved His Highness the Prince of Jian two or three years ago. I'm supposed to get close to His Highness, seduce him—but I don't want to do that."

This statement carried significant implications.

The Empress Sect didn't just recruit young women; they also took in men. They used special methods to train and mold them into various personas to complete different tasks.

Gong Rongxue could interact with the Venerable Purifier and was personally selected, indicating he was quite skilled in his line of work.

Wen Ruan didn't think Gong Rongxue was lying.

Deals were easy to make, and benefits could be exchanged, but sincerity was hard to fake. The more lies one wove, the closer they got to unraveling. If Gong Rongxue wanted to deceive him, the last thing he should have done was reveal details about his family.

The moment he received the lute, Wen Ruan had ordered for Gong Rongxue to be restrained. No matter how the situation outside changed, no information could reach Gong Rongxue, ensuring he wouldn't know that his cover was blown. His current actions were what he had planned all along, without any alterations.

He acted from the heart, not wanting to disrupt Wen Ruan and Zhu Yan's marriage.

As for delivering the lute, it was likely due to surveillance, forcing him to act as such. If he didn't do even that much, he wouldn't have had the chance to meet Wen Ruan or Zhu Yan.

Wen Ruan: "This shouldn't be your first mission."

"Yes," Gong Rongxue didn't shy away, meeting Wen Ruan's gaze head-on, unashamed of his past. "I've done many similar things. They trained me to do these tasks. I'm not a good person; I've harmed others to survive. But Young Master isn't like others."

He looked at Wen Ruan. "If someone else had saved my sister and mother, and I behaved this way, they might suspect me of repaying kindness with enmity. But I know that Young Master wouldn't think that. What you think and feel, few understand."

Wen Ruan was slightly taken aback. This person... whom he had never met, seemed to understand him somewhat.

Gong Rongxue glanced at Zhu Yan, lowering his voice but remaining resolute. "Everything I've said is true. I wish to serve as a slave or servant by Young Master's side. If Young Master doesn't wish it, after this matter concludes, there will be no need for my existence. I assure you I won't disturb Young Master..."

How can you guarantee you won't disturb us? Are you planning to kill yourself?!

Wen Ruan cleared his throat. "We'll have to consider it carefully."

He looked at Zhu Yan, his eyes conveying a silent message: Reassured?

Zhu Yan: ...

Reassured about what? I'm even more worried now! This is the rhythm of a lifetime commitment!

"You said you approached me because of a mission, and this mission is closely related to the Beidi envoy," Zhu Yan stared at Gong Rongxue, not mincing words. "Is your Empress Sect colluding with the Beidi, or have you developed followers within the imperial court?"

Gong Rongxue: "I don't know any Beidi people."

"So it must be officials then," Zhu Yan asked. "Who?"

Gong Rongxue shook his head. "I don't know. That's confidential information only the Venerable Purifier has access to. But if Young Master spreads word of my actions today, someone will surely come to silence this traitor. Now that I'm near the Prince of Jian's residence, not in the general populace, anyone wishing to kill me will have to mobilize more specialized forces. At that time, Your Highness and Young Master can follow the trail."

In other words—

Zhu Yan: "You know quite a bit of confidential information."

Wen Ruan: "You're willing to sacrifice yourself as bait."

Gong Rongxue didn't display any grand sense of righteousness; instead, his cheeks flushed slightly. "I have no other abilities. If I can offer even the slightest assistance to Young Master, I'm willing to go through fire and water, sparing no effort. I only hope Young Master can achieve his desires."

Zhu Yan: ...

When will we finally be rid of this person?!

Wen Ruan didn't drive Gong Rongxue away but listened as he continued, detailing his experiences over the years, recounting his time with the Empress Sect and the things he heard.

After nearly an hour, he said, "Nanxing, you personally escort Gong Rongxue back. Get him a different room and take good care of him using our people."

Nanxing: "Yes."

Wen Ruan: "From now on, have him stay by my side."

Nanxing glanced at Zhu Yan. "Yes."

"Woof!"

Left alone in the room, Dog noticed the atmosphere was off and followed Nanxing out. Wait for me!

Just as a cup of tea finished brewing, Wen Ruan refilled the pot with water. "I didn't expect the Empress to have existed for so long... When Gong Rongxue mentioned thirteen years ago, didn't you find something odd about it?"

There was no response for a while. He turned to look at Zhu Yan and saw that he had been staring blankly at him, expressionless. When he turned, Zhu Yan reacted, pulling him into an embrace and pressing a kiss upon him.

Wen Ruan pushed him away: "We're talking about serious matters..."

"This is also serious business."

Zhu Yan kissed Wen Ruan fiercely, only stopping when Wen Ruan was breathless and couldn't catch his breath. He let him go for a moment, but soon lowered his head to continue.

Wen Ruan covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes still moist: "Zhu Yan!"

Only then did Zhu Yan sigh, pulling down Wen Ruan's hand and kissing the palm of his hand: "That year when you went missing, I wasn't in the capital," his voice somewhat resentful, "And even now, you're unwilling to tell me about the dangers around you."

"If I don't say anything, don't you already know?" Wen Ruan coaxed him, "Nanxing doesn't know as much as you do."

Zhu Yan's expression softened slightly.

Wen Ruan pulled him to sit properly: "Tell me, what do you know? It's just as well that there's nothing to do today, let's have a good chat."

"Alright, let's change locations."

Zhu Yan led Wen Ruan back to his room, where the charcoal brazier was blazing hot, the meat was marinated, and fruits and small dishes were prepared: "Would you like some wine?"

Wen Ruan looked at the things that had suddenly appeared in the room and nodded in surprise: "Sure?"

Zhu Yan: "Listen to music?"

Wen Ruan: ...

"No, I really don't understand it."

Clearly, he was still not over the intensity of the lute from before.

Zhu Yan didn't insist, after preparing everything, he sat next to Wen Ruan: "I've investigated your disappearance years ago, but found little. That Lantern Festival night, there was chaos in the palace, coinciding with the market lantern festival. When the chaos suddenly arose, the surrounding civilians suffered too. You weren't the only child who went missing. Over the years, every family in the capital that lost a child has been troubled by this matter, many have been found, such as your cousin Wen Yu, but your lead was deliberately hidden - with the Duke's Mansion's involvement."

Wen Ruan wasn't heartbroken: "I guessed that, no one in the mansion hopes for my return."

But why, after so many years of ignoring it, would they accept it with a pinched nose? Where did those proofs of his identity come from? Could it be that—

"It's very likely related to the palace. Including the person who wants to kill you." Zhu Yan gritted his teeth, "But I can't find out the root cause, the information I have points to old people in the palace—the dead kind."

Wen Ruan was surprised: "But I was so young then, I've never been in the palace..."

It was even less possible to offend any old man.

He looked at Zhu Yan: "That night, what exactly happened in the palace, could you tell me?"

"That night, not only did the Empress pass away, but two other concubines as well, countless palace servants burned to death or went missing."

Zhu Yan slightly lowered his eyes, his voice trying hard to remain calm, yet still conveyed an indescribable sense of suppression: "Because it wasn't a 'good thing', the palace forbade the news from spreading outside, and the Emperor didn't like others mentioning it."

That night, blood stained the imperial city, the entire city mourned.