Chapter 60: More domineering than ever. [Four updates]

Chapter 60: More Assertive Than Ever. [Fourth Watch]

After dinner, the two proceeded to Danruo Hall as usual.

Jiang Yunran attended to the writing for a while, then, feeling lazy, coyly complained of aching feet. Jing Huayan promptly urged her to rest.

Having deliberately startled Ruan Hanzhen earlier, she was in high spirits and not particularly sleepy that evening, so she chatted idly with Xue Yan.

Thanks to their deep conversation that afternoon, Xue Yan felt a newfound closeness to her and spoke more freely.

They secretly gossiped about other imperial concubines.

For instance, Noble Consort Yao and Virtuous Consort Xu had entered the palace with high ranks and quickly ascended to high-ranking positions, after which they never again visited Danruo Hall.

Xue Yan had never served them and wasn't very familiar with them, having only seen Consort Yi a few times.

She told Jiang Yunran, "When Consort Yi first entered the palace, her rank wasn't very high; she was merely a Cai Nu. She used to have a gentle disposition and never got angry with us servants, which is quite different from how she is now."

Jiang Yunran replied, "Consort Yi's change is understandable, given the Eldest Prince's illness. As a mother, her difficulties are comprehensible."

Xue Yan massaged her shoulders, saying, "Little Master, you may not know this, but when Consort Yi first conceived, her pregnancy was very stable. At that time, both Her Majesty the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Dowager Consort were delighted, especially since Noble Consort had just given birth to the Eldest Princess, and the scarcity of heirs in the palace was a cause for concern."

"The pregnancy was very stable?"

Xue Yan smiled. "Indeed, very stable. But it gradually worsened. I remember Nanny Xia Qing saying that after five months of pregnancy, Consort Yi often lost her hair and had to resort to wearing a wig to manage her hair into a bun."

Jiang Yunran felt a stir in her heart.

Something felt amiss.

Logically, Jing Huayan was quite healthy. If Consort Yi Zhou had been in good health early in her pregnancy, why would she give birth to an unhealthy child?

With the Eldest Princess being healthy and lively, the Eldest Prince’s frailty seemed particularly out of place.

She couldn't shake the feeling that there was something suspicious about it.

Just as their conversation reached this point, a deep voice interrupted, "Everyone, withdraw."

Jiang Yunran looked up to see Jing Huayan striding briskly into the bedchamber.

She hurriedly rose and approached him. "Your Majesty, have you finished your work?"

Jing Huayan nodded and instructed, "Prepare a bath."

Having been busy all day, Jing Huayan intended to bathe.

Jiang Yunran stepped forward to help him undress.

"The weather is turning cooler, yet Your Majesty is still dressed rather lightly," Jiang Yunran remarked. "If you wish to enjoy the moon in the courtyard tonight, I would need to wear a cloak."

Jing Huayan was also reminded that winter was approaching.

He said, "Tomorrow, I’ll have Liang Santai bring you two warm cloaks to keep you warm in the winter."

In truth, Jing Huayan was very attentive. If he was so considerate of her, a mere Cai Nu, it was even more unlikely that he would allow a child to be harmed.

As she untied his belt, Jiang Yunran noticed he was still wearing the sachet she had given him. She couldn’t help but smile.

"Your Majesty, another day, I will make two more sachets for you—one blue and one purple—to match your outfits."

Returning kindness with kindness, Cai Nu Jiang was a person of principle.

Jing Huayan’s expression softened. He looked down at the pink velvet flower in her hair and said, "Then I thank you in advance, Beloved Concubine."

Jiang Yunran assumed Liang Santai would assist Jing Huayan with his bath, but the man pulled her into the warm room instead.

The warm room was steamy, so Jiang Yunran had to put up her long hair again and sit by the bathtub to wash his hair.

Jing Huayan’s hair was jet-black, thick and strong, clearly that of a robust young man.

"Your Majesty, regarding the ice cellar matter you mentioned earlier, how is the investigation progressing?"

Since it concerned her, Jiang Yunran asked naturally and frankly.

This was one of the qualities Jing Huayan most admired in her.

She was poised, honest, decisive, and never hesitant.

To accomplish great things, one needed to be just like this.

Jing Huayan closed his eyes and gradually relaxed.

"This matter has been entrusted to Peng Yu, and there are already leads," Jing Huayan said calmly. "The ice used in the ice cellars this year was all stored last year at Yuquan Mountain. In late spring, it was transported from Yuquan Mountain to Yujing and temporarily stored in two ice cellars there."

"One is in the palace, and one is at the West Shunmen Gate, sufficient for the use of the palace and the imperial clan this year."

The ice from Yuquan Mountain was clear and pure, suitable not only for ice sculptures but also for cold drinks.

The palace had always used ice from Yuquan Mountain, never changing.

"The General Affairs Bureau oversees ice usage. Every year, it’s the same: ice delivered to the palace is stored uniformly, and when retrieved, it is used in order from the outside inward."

Jiang Yunran’s busy hands didn’t stop. She thoughtfully said, "So, the ice selection is random."

Because the ice cellar couldn’t determine when the nobles would retrieve ice. The ice blocks were used in sequence, so whichever block was next would be taken.

"That means the only time someone could tamper with it is during the period after the ice is taken out and before it reaches the various palaces."

"Clever."

Jing Huayan praised her.

"Peng Yu, under the guise of investigating a theft at the ice cellar, carefully investigated all the eunuchs serving there. Three of them are suspicious."

Jing Huayan’s memory was exceptional. Since beginning his education at age three, his tutors and mentors had trained his memory. To this day, he could almost remember everything after seeing it once.

This wasn’t innate but the result of twenty years of effort.

Now, without needing to review the files, Jing Huayan could explain the matter clearly.

Jiang Yunran was also very capable.

She lathered Jing Huayan’s hair with fragrant soap, pinned it up with a hairpin into a bun, then went to wash her hands and brought over a bowl of Longxin Sparrow Tongue tea.

"Your Majesty, soothe your throat," Jiang Yunran said, not rushing to hear the story. "Today, you sound a bit hoarse. Tomorrow, let the Imperial Kitchen prepare some fritillary bulb and loquat leaf syrup."

Jing Huayan took a sip of tea and lazily said, "I don’t care for it."

Jiang Yunran smiled, sat back on the small stool, unwound Jing Huayan’s bun, and massaged his scalp.

"If you don't like it, how about switching to pear and white fungus soup with lotus seeds?"

The woman's voice was clear and soft, soothing to hear.

Jing Huayan humored her this time: "Alright."

Jiang Yunran smiled.

Listening to her light, cheerful laughter and feeling the perfectly applied pressure of her massage, Jing Huayan felt both body and mind relax.

"Among these three, one is Supervisor Zhou of the ice cellar, related to the Zhou family—a distant collateral relative. He has been promoted by the Zhou family since entering the palace."

"Others say Supervisor Zhou calls Zhou Yan 'uncle.'"

That must be a very distant relation indeed; otherwise, this young Supervisor Zhou wouldn't have become a eunuch to serve in the palace.

"The second is surnamed Li, from the same hometown as the chief maid in Noble Consort Yao’s palace. They entered the palace together in their early years."

*Noble Consort Yao?*

Jiang Yunran kept working without missing a beat, listening quietly.

Jing Huayan smirked, quite satisfied.

"The third is surnamed Wang. No connections have been found with anyone, but he is only sixteen this year and already has some authority in the ice cellar."

In this palace, it is rare to find someone without any connections.

From the same hometown, same county, even sharing a surname can become reasons for forming factions.

Because the servants in the palace enter alone, with no one to rely on, they always seek to find roots for themselves in their hearts.

This eunuch Wang, with no connections at all, stands out as unusual.

"The investigation has reached this point for now. What do you think?"

Jiang Yunran released her hands, combed Jing Huayan’s hair smooth, and fetched a basin of water to rinse his hair.

"I don't think there is any need to rush too much."

She said: "First, Your Majesty’s duties take priority. I know that reorganizing the General Affairs Bureau is urgent, so regardless of whether this matter involves me or not, I am not anxious. With Your Majesty here, I am safe for now."

State affairs take priority.

Although this matter did surprise Jiang Yunran, it is not yet urgent.

After all, Jiang Yunran is lucky—this matter truly has nothing to do with her, and she even gained several dozen silver taels from Beauty Situ for nothing.

Jing Huayan didn't push the point; he knew Jiang Yunran was not one to say what she doesn't mean.

What she said was sincere.

Jiang Yunran continued: "Second, it's not even clear if this is truly targeted at me. I am not very afraid either. Why Virtuous Consort fell ill is still unknown, and it is unclear whether it relates to the General Affairs Bureau and the ice cellar."

At this point, Jiang Yunran paused to collect her thoughts for a moment.

"Third, even if the ice cellar has been embezzling for years, it likely cannot completely bring down the General Affairs Bureau. The other case Your Majesty has prepared must be far more important than the ice cellar."

Jiang Yunran gave a soft laugh.

"I guess—is it tribute tea?"

That day, Jing Huayan’s words were quite interesting, with a hint of sarcasm she couldn't quite place.

Jiang Yunran already had a guess in her heart.

The ice cellar has limited capacity; how much money could it really make?

Tribute tea is different.

Throughout the realm, among the countless common people, everyone drinks this tea.

If ordinary folks cannot afford it and common farmers never get to taste it, what about the imperial nobles and the rich?

The vast quantity of tribute tea, the imperial garden tea famous for its association with tribute tea, involves significant profits.

Compared to this, the ice cellar is insignificant.

Jing Huayan raised the corners of his lips, swirled the hot water, and sighed: "Beloved Concubine, you are truly clever."

"Your answer pleases me. I can grant you a favor."

"What would you like?"

Jiang Yunran thought for a moment and said: "Could I ask that Xue Yan be granted a favor? She misses Auntie Mo, who once took care of her, and wishes to visit her at the imperial manor."

Jing Huayan opened his eyes slowly.

"It’s for Xue Yan? Not for yourself or one of your own people?"

Jiang Yunran carefully rinsed his long hair clean and toweled it dry.

"I have nothing I want for myself at the moment. Besides, regarding me, even if I don’t ask, Your Majesty would provide."

Jiang Yunran’s eyes curved into smiles, her voice filled with sweetness.

Like a regular married couple, speaking the most ordinary intimate words.

"The palace servants around me, I will reward them myself; there is no need for Your Majesty to intervene," Jiang Yunran said. "After thinking it over, I’ll make it for Xue Yan."

Jing Huayan gave a faint smile.

"Alright," Jing Huayan said. "It's granted."

For such a trivial matter, Jing Huayan was always prompt.

After drying Jing Huayan’s hair, Jiang Yunran stood up: "Your Majesty, I will take my leave now."

When Jing Huayan returned to the bedchamber, he saw her reclining on the bed, eyes closed in pretended sleep.

The bath had taken a while, and it was already past the usual bedtime.

The palace lanterns were dim, illuminating only the peony wool carpet underfoot, which accentuated the woman’s delicate beauty even more.

Jing Huayan quietly approached the bed. As soon as he drew near, Jiang Yunran suddenly opened her eyes.

"Your Majesty?"

Her voice was light and soft, gentle, that tugged at his heartstrings.

Jing Huayan leaned down and swiftly, fiercely, accurately cut her off.

Jiang Yunran was startled.

Her lips parted instinctively, only to be invaded by his hot breath.

The man’s hands, with their prominent knuckles, firmly held her waist from behind, guiding her down onto the bed.

His tongue pinned hers; she couldn’t even make a sound.

"Mmm."

Jiang Yunran tried to push Jing Huayan away but found she couldn’t move at all.

The man was solid as a rock, his entire body pressing down on her.

Her belt came loose, and a chill rushed through her.

Jing Huayan tightly controlled her every movement, leaving her no choice but to submit to his movements.

More forceful than ever before.

And more urgent than ever before.

Jiang Yunran wanted to ask him a question, but all her words were lost to his kisses.

In the end, all she heard was his deep murmur.

"Be good."