Chapter 77: Beloved Concubine, I miss you so much after not seeing you for days. [One + two updates]

Chapter 77: Beloved Concubine, I've Missed You Dearly These Past Few Days [First + Second Update]

Jing Huayan's gaze settled on Jiang Yunran's face.

After days apart, all traces of illness had vanished from Jiang Yunran's face. Having rested in her bedchamber for several days, her complexion had grown even fairer, like fine, smooth, luminous mutton-fat jade, glowing in the sunset's afterglow.

Especially her clear eyes—they remained just as they were before.

A slow smile formed at the corners of Jing Huayan's lips. Instead of answering, he asked, "Didn't you say your health hadn't improved? How then are you able to chat with others?"

Jiang Yunran raised an eyebrow.

"What," she rose on her toes to look at him, "is Your Majesty upset?"

Jing Huayan looked down at her with a thoughtful gaze, pausing for a long moment before saying, "How could I be? I am very glad to see your health restored."

Their eyes met, emperor and concubine sharing a smile.

"Your Majesty treats me best, and I understand this well in my heart."

The two stepped into the bedchamber. Jiang Yunran invited Jing Huayan to take a seat before asking, "Has Your Majesty eaten dinner yet?"

Jing Huayan's life was very regimented; he rarely dined early or late.

"Not yet," Jing Huayan said. "Today, I came specifically to have dinner with Beloved Concubine."

He nodded to Liang Santai, and his staff quickly got busy.

As it turned out, the north wing had been unoccupied all along; today, it was perfect to set up a dining table without feeling cramped.

Once the two were seated, Jiang Yunran's eyes lit up at the sight of the crispy fried Su Huang Du.

"I've been really craving this today. Does Your Majesty like this dish?"

Jing Huayan picked up his chopsticks first, saying, "If you like it, have more. You've lost a lot of weight."

After all these days of turmoil, Jiang Yunran had indeed lost some weight, and she seemed less energetic than before.

There was a bit more delicate and tender about her.

But when he held her hand earlier, it was much warmer than before, no longer icy, showing that the medicine was working.

Jiang Yunran thanked him politely and took a bite of the Su Huang Du.

Su Huang Du was made by steaming taro slices, then coating them in a batter mixed with crushed torreya nuts and almond powder, before frying until golden and crispy. Some versions were served with savory bean paste, others with sweet bean sauce, offering both savory and sweet flavors.

When eaten, the exterior was crispy while the inside remained soft, carrying the taro's distinctive fragrant, powdery texture, complemented by the rich aroma of nuts—it was exceptionally delicious.

Jiang Yunran had tried it once in her youth and had always remembered how it tasted. Remembering it today, she had Qian Xiaoduo specially request this dish.

"Mmm," Jiang Yunran murmured appreciatively, "it's truly delicious. The imperial chef's cooking is exceptional."

She looked especially happy while eating, eyes narrowed, cheeks puffed out, like a rabbit with a secret snack—utterly adorable.

Jing Huayan watched her quietly, lost in thought, as he picked up a piece of Su Huang Du himself and took a bite.

Somehow, a dish he usually found too sweet today tasted sweet and delicious.

"It’s good, isn’t it?"

Seeing him eat, Jiang Yunran asked with a beaming smile.

The two interacted with ease, just as they had before.

"Not bad." Jing Huayan, noticing she had finished, served her another piece.

After finishing their meal in comfortable silence, Jiang Yunran asked, "Would Your Majesty care to go for a walk?"

"Gladly."

The two drank a few sips of tea before walking along the veranda, slowly traversing the grounds of the Listening Snow Palace step by step.

The winter evening wind was chilly, making Jiang Yunran’s cheeks flush.

"Are you cold?" Jing Huayan glanced back at her. "If you're cold, let's return."

Jiang Yunran shook her head, saying, "I haven't left my room these past few days and feel quite stiff. I'm not cold."

"Mm."

Walking side by side, the palace lanterns cast their shadows, overlapping into slanted, overlapping silhouettes on the vitrified bricks.

"Your Majesty, I have something I wish to ask. May I?"

A faint smile touched Jing Huayan's lips; he felt unusually cheerful.

"Speak."

Jiang Yunran paused before saying, "Your Majesty, regarding the matter of Consort Xu being poisoned, is it truly as Commoner Wang claimed, that she acted alone?"

Hearing this question, Jing Huayan's smile slowly faded.

His steps hesitated slightly as he turned to look at Jiang Yunran.

The palace lanterns swayed in the wind, their flames like starlight flickering in the depths of Jing Huayan's dark eyes.

So deep, so bright.

"Is this all you wish to ask?"

Jiang Yunran lifted her head, also halting her steps.

"What else?"

Her expression was calm, her tone indifferent, even carrying a hint of confusion.

"What else would I have to ask Your Majesty?"

She did not ask about Talent Lady Han, seemingly entirely unconcerned about whether he truly intended to favor someone else.

Jing Huayan's face was expressionless. After a moment, he said, "You are right."

He clasped his hands behind his back and turned to continue walking.

"Commoner Wang has already confessed. What doubts could remain?"

Jiang Yunran watched his tall retreating figure, a smile curling her lips instead.

She narrowed her eyes, suppressing a smile, and said, "There are three suspicious points."

"First, if Commoner Wang was such a skilled physician, how could she not have known about Consort Duan Wu's pregnancy?"

Jiang Yunran paused slightly before adding, "I heard that Consort Duan Wu’s pregnancy was discovered only after she fainted at the palace banquet."

Jing Huayan walked ahead, hands behind his back, and remained silent.

Jiang Yunran continued, "Second, there is the eunuch Wang. He claimed to come from a poor background with no one to rely on, yet he used phrases like 'when misfortune reaches its limit, fortune follows,' which doesn't sound like an illiterate person."

Although eunuch Wang was just repeating Commoner Wang’s words at the time, if someone had never learned to read or write, they would never remember an idiom like "when misfortune reaches its limit, fortune follows." For eunuch Wang, it was unlikely he even understood it.

Such a complicated phrase, if not understood, would be forgotten in an instant, let alone remembered months later.

Jing Huayan’s voice was flat and emotionless.

As if his earlier displeasure had been just an illusion, gone without a trace like wind.

"And the third?"

Jiang Yunran said, "Third, Your Majesty didn't punish Commoner Wang’s family."

If Commoner Wang had truly attempted to harm an imperial concubine, it would be an unpardonable offense. Even if her family was not directly involved, such a matter generally would not be handled so lightly.

Yet the incident was handled so lightly.

Apart from Commoner Wang, who was relegated to the cold palace, and the involved eunuch Wang and Master Embroideress, no one else was punished.

There was something odd about it.

However, Jiang Yunran hadn't hurried to ask about it at the time. Only today did she choose this moment to bring it up.

After she finished speaking, Jing Huayan said, "Beloved Concubine, why do you think these doubts exist?"

He returned the question directly.

"Why?" Jiang Yunran was surprised for a moment before she thought about it and said, "I do not know."

Jing Huayan suddenly laughed.

His laughter carried a sense of ease and carefreeness, as if the tension that had built up earlier in the side chamber of Haoran Pavilion had disappeared instantly, without a trace.

As if those suspicions and distance had never existed.

"You do know."

Jiang Yunran pressed her lips together and, seeing Jing Huayan’s easy smile, suddenly spoke: "Because Your Majesty suspects there is another figure behind the scenes, so you temporarily held back and took no action."

Jing Huayan suddenly reached out and took her hand once more.

"It’s good that you know."

Jiang Yunran felt much better.

Since Jing Huayan had doubts, the matter would not be brushed aside carelessly. Surely, countless people were working behind the scenes to investigate.

Jing Huayan held her hand as they crossed the moon gate and arrived at the rather desolate rear hall of the Listening Snow Palace.

Uninhabited for months, though not overgrown with weeds, it felt empty without people.

Houses and palaces alike need people's energy to feel alive; without it, they gradually decay and fall into disrepair.

Although the palace maids cleaned regularly, the courtyard still didn't look well-kept.

Jing Huayan held her hand as they walked forward step by step.

Only then did he speak: "You already have the answer yourself, don’t you?"

Jiang Yunran was surprised for a moment, then smiled: "Your Majesty is brilliant."

"Yes, I suspect that the person behind this initially intended to kill not Consort Xu but me."

Once a seed of doubt is planted, it takes root and sprouts.

Because the summer-dried grass, which clashed with Autumn Wind Entanglement to form the poison Blood Linglong, was also present in Jiang Yunran’s summer-heat remedy.

Jing Huayan’s palm was warm, firmly holding her hand.

He said, "And then?"

Jiang Yunran thought for a moment before saying, "The ice was originally meant to be delivered to me, but through some mix-up, it was sent to Consort Xu’s Lingxin Palace."

"The first shipment of ice was accidental, but the second and third kept being delivered, indicating that even if the person behind this couldn’t kill me, killing Consort Xu was also acceptable."

"After all, if they realized it was delivered to the wrong place, they wouldn’t have continued sending ice through eunuch Wang."

Since Consort Xu ultimately suffered poisoning and vomited blood, it meant the dosage was strong enough to make her seriously ill.

Jiang Yunran looked up at Jing Huayan and asked, "Your Majesty, am I correct?"

Jing Huayan’s smile remained unchanged.

He looked ahead where the palace lantern at the corner of the veranda illuminated the nearby pillar, faint and blurry, as if someone were holding a lamp waiting there.

In the blink of an eye, the familiar figure disappeared completely.

Jing Huayan sighed softly.

"Eunuch Wang is suspicious in many ways. Even after being taken to the Court of Judicial Review, he insisted that Commoner Wang was the mastermind, without changing a single word of his testimony. Beloved Concubine, do you know what that means?"

Jiang Yunran said, "It means he is being threatened, and even in the face of death, he dare not speak the truth."

Jing Huayan nodded and said, "There’s more."

"Additionally, he could also be a death guard specially trained since childhood."

Jiang Yunran suddenly felt a shiver down her spine.

She shivered slightly and moved closer to Jing Huayan.

The man was tall and strong, like a sturdy wall capable of blocking all icy winds and snow.

Jing Huayan noticed her movement, slowed his pace, and patiently waited for her to come to his side.

"If he is a death guard, all the doubts surrounding eunuch Wang would be explained."

Although this provided a conclusion, Jiang Yunran was even more confused.

This matter was definitely not orchestrated by Ruan Zhongliang or Ruan Hanzhen. If the Ruan family had such elaborate plans, there would be no need for them to engage in deceitful tricks.

Count Nan'an’s household couldn't either.

Who could it possibly be?

Jiang Yunran unconsciously voiced her thoughts: "I am merely a minor consort, from a common family, nothing special."

"Who would hate me so much, resorting to poison and assassins, all to ensure my death? I do not understand."

"I am not belittling myself, but given my background, I am simply not worth such extreme measures to poison."

Jiang Yunran continued: "Moreover, even after realizing the wrong target was poisoned, they didn't call off the attack. Who could hate both me and Consort Xu so deeply?"

Whoever it was, Jiang Yunran couldn’t figure it out.

Whether in terms of birth or status, emotional entanglements or family grudges, she and Consort Xu were completely different. No one would simultaneously bear hatred for both of them.

It was totally baffling.

She had refrained from asking Jing Huayan precisely because she couldn't make sense of this point.

But Jing Huayan stopped by the palace lantern.

He turned around, the halo of light spreading behind him, yet failing to illuminate the stars in his eyes.

His face was hidden in shadow, making it difficult to discern.

"Yun Ran," Jing Huayan leaned down slightly, whispering intimately in her ear as if to a lover.

"If they hate not you, nor Consort Xu, but..."

"But me—the emperor?"

————

Jiang Yunran could hear her own heartbeat.

In the silence of the night, within the deep corridors, it throbbed abruptly and clearly.

Thump-thump.

Like fireworks exploding in her ears.

In that moment, she didn’t know what her expression was.

The scent of ambergris from Jing Huayan enveloped her nostrils, and with each breath, it slowly calmed the shock in her heart.

His earlier words had made her break out in a cold sweat, and now she felt a bit cold.

Jiang Yunran shuddered.

Jing Huayan wrapped his arms around her, holding her firmly against his broad, warm chest, easing her turmoil.

"What are you afraid of?"

Their necks tangled like the most intimate of mandarin ducks.

His low, soothing voice sounded in her ear: "Someone wants to kill you, and you are not afraid, but when it comes to killing me, you suddenly fear?"

Jiang Yunran pursed her lips, fighting back a tremble and trying to calm herself.

"I am worried for Your Majesty."

Jing Huayan gave a low laugh.

"Are you worried about knowing this secret?"

That was why she had thought about it for so long, only daring to ask after more than a month had passed.

After all, no one could be indifferent to matters of life and death.

Jing Huayan stroked Jiang Yunran's back gently, as if in concern and comfort.

He slowly straightened up, facing her.

They were so close that their breaths mingled.

Jiang Yunran wanted to see Jing Huayan's eyes clearly.

But Jing Huayan suddenly reached out and cupped his hand over her eyes, blocking all her sight.

"Be still. Don’t look."

Jing Huayan's voice was low: "My appearance is truly terrifying."

Why terrifying? Because he would never allow anyone to sow chaos in the harem or disrupt the court.

Hating him but not killing him—this person knew him too well.

The other party knew that Jing Huayan did not care much for his own life; what he cared about was Great Chu.

It was the governance that had been plagued by corruption for years.

It was a dynasty on the brink of collapse.

Among all this, there was no place for himself.

To create chaos, it must be thorough, tug one thread and the whole tapestry unravels. The imperial court and the harem are linked together; criticism, poisoning, life and death—all would rock the court.

Consort Xu was an example.

In complete darkness, her hearing sharpened.

"If they fail once, next time they might try a different method."

Jing Huayan's voice was unusually soft. One hand covered her eyes, while the other drifted down, firmly holding her slender waist.

Jiang Yunran rested in his arms like this, listening to his bone-chilling words with nowhere to escape.

"They will likely avoid you," Jing Huayan let out a rare laugh, "because you are too lucky and too clever—it’s easy for them to come to ruin against you."

Jiang Yunran could hear Jing Huayan's calm breathing. Though his words were terrifying, his heart remained as steady as still water.

Jing Huayan feared nothing; under heaven, it should be others who fear him, dread him, and feel awe at the sight of him.

Jiang Yunran let out a slow breath.

The fragrance of jasmine on the woman was entrancing.

She had been a little scared earlier, but suddenly, she wasn’t.

She even said playfully in a very calm voice, "If it is as Your Majesty says, should I thank them for thinking so highly of me?"

"Heh." The man gave a low, ambiguous chuckle.

Jing Huayan lowered his gaze and, beneath his palm, unerringly found her ice-cold lips.

"Mmm."

Taken by surprise at the kiss, Jiang Yunran shivered again.

"Your Maje—"

But his onslaught was unstoppable, leaving her utterly defenseless. All her breath was stolen, and she couldn't utter a single word.

Before her eyes was only darkness, and the man's claiming.

The warmth and softness of his lips were so distinct, as was his undeniable dominance.

She could not resist, nor did she have the strength to.

She could only be held helplessly in his embrace, allowing him to have his way.

It was only when he felt her chest heaving violently and her whole body beginning to tremble that the man finally let her go, though reluctantly.

"I taught you to breathe through your nose," Jing Huayan nudged her nose with his own, "How come you still haven’t learned?"

"How could I learn?" Jiang Yunran shot back, hearing him let out a soft laugh again.

That sound shattered the stillness of the night.

Jiang Yunran suddenly realized that the estrangement from earlier in Haoran Pavilion had completely vanished.

Jing Huayan must have come to some resolution, no longer dwelling on these trivial matters.

Or perhaps, Jiang Yunran's concealment seemed insignificant in comparison to other matters.

Jing Huayan was a very decisive person; once he decided to let something go, he would never linger over it again.

Just like now.

A kiss, putting their estrangement firmly behind them.

Having finally gotten what he wanted, he loosened his grip slightly, allowing Jiang Yunran to see daylight again.

Jiang Yunran blinked, but before her eyes was still only the fuzzy silhouette of the man.

"Your Majesty, how can you carry on like this in broad daylight?"

Jing Huayan snorted, amused: "Talented Lady, it's already past the hour of Xu—how can it be broad daylight?"

Jiang Yunran felt a wave of heat on her face. She pressed her lips together, feeling as though they were burning.

"But we're still outside the hall."

Jing Huayan laughed and asked, "Are you still cold?"

Jiang Yunran hesitated. She moved her hands and feet and realized she wasn’t cold anymore.

This man...

Jing Huayan took her hand once more and led her forward.

The light of the palace lanterns fell upon his face once more. Jiang Yunran managed a quick glance and saw the contentment in his eyes.

As if all the plots and schemes had vanished, and just a kiss was enough to satisfy the man.

How could that be?

"Your Majesty... earlier..."

Jiang Yunran didn’t finish her question.

Some words, she knew, could not be spoken.

"Don't panic. I was only speculating, but I've already had people look into it discreetly."

At this, he added, "The two eunuchs in your palace were both personally trained by Peng Yu. They are capable and will protect you well."

Jiang Yunran paused, a little reassured. "Thank you, Your Majesty."

"You were innocently implicated. Why should you thank me?" Jing Huayan replied.

Quite a generous emperor.

Jiang Yunran smiled and said, "Your Majesty cares for me, so it is only natural for me to show my thanks."

"Very well. Since you wish to thank me, properly thank me."

That said, since Jiang Yunran had just recovered from a serious illness, Jing Huayan ultimately didn’t spend the night at Listening Snow Palace.

In the following days, he was busy with political affairs and did not call for her again.

Before she knew it, it was early November, and the medicine that had been in the works for months finally reached Jiang Yunran's hands.

Zhao Tingfang came that day to take Jiang Yunran's pulse. After confirming that she had fully recovered, she murmured, "Bo Ruo is incredibly rare. It took a year of inquiries to obtain just this tiny amount. You must use it carefully."

Bo Ruo was a medicinal catalyst ingredient.

This was something Zhao Tingfang had discovered in an old manuscript.

Legend had it that Bo Ruo grew deep in the mountains, under bodhi trees. If used as a catalyst mixed into incense, it would calm the mind and strip away ordinary desires.

Free from greed, anger, and delusion, it was said to lead to a state of emptiness.

But if taken with decoction and swallowed, it would instead intensify emotions, making one abnormally fixated on people and matters.

Especially toward those one truly despised or adored, it would cause a loss of rationality, turning one into a slave to their emotions.

This catalyst was notoriously hard to cultivate, not seen for years. Zhao Tingfang was lucky enough to hear a rumor that it had once been found in the northern forests, which is why she sent Shitou on a long journey to find it.

The result was very gratifying.

Jiang Yunran had to marvel at her own luck.

Having narrowly escaped assassination, rare and hard-to-find medicinal catalysts, and these loyal friends standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her—all were blessings in her life.

Although Mrs. Liao had now entered the palace, it did not get in the way of Jiang Yunran's plans. As long as everything was done flawlessly, no one would know the truth.

Ruan Hanzhen hated her to the bone. When the time came, she would likely commit the crime of publicly harming an imperial concubine.

Jiang Yunran nodded. "Mix the antidote first, just in case."

Bo Ruo only targets Ruan Hanzhen and must not affect the innocent palace staff. Otherwise, if the entire Changchun Palace were thrown into chaos, the situation would blow up.

"I understand."

After Zhao Tingfang left, Jiang Yunran instructed Qing Dai to carefully store the Bo Ruo, while she herself rose to taste the freshly made osmanthus syrup.

As soon as the jar was opened, a rich osmanthus fragrance filled the air with sweetness.

"Wow."

Ying Ge exclaimed, "It smells wonderful."

Zi Ye remarked, "When eaten in summer with milk and shaved ice dessert, it’s incredibly fresh."

Ying Ge glanced at the gloomy sky outside and sighed, "We still have half a year to wait before we can enjoy that."

"Greedy girl, what’s the rush?"

Jiang Yunran laughed and tapped her head. "Each season has its own delights, each with a unique flavor."

As they chatted and laughed, Peng Yu’s voice came from outside.

"Greetings to Lady Jiang."

Jiang Yunran turned and saw the elegant Eunuch Peng standing at the entrance of the hall.

"Eunuch Peng, long time no see."

Peng Yu smiled gently. "Congratulations, my lady. His Majesty has summoned you to the Qianyuan Palace to accompany him."

Jiang Yunran had gotten back on the duty roster yesterday, but Jing Huayan had been busy, in meetings about state affairs with ministers in the Lingyan Pavilion late into the night, so he had not summoned her.

Perhaps having learned of this today, he now called for Jiang Yunran to serve him.

Overjoyed, Jiang Yunran said, "Very well, please wait a moment, Eunuch."

Zi Ye cleverly offered Peng Yu a cup of osmanthus syrup to wet his whistle, while Qing Dai and Ying Ge attended to Jiang Yunran’s hair and makeup.

Jiang Yunran deliberately chose a light purple wide-sleeved robe dress, embroidered with intertwining morning glories, paired with a Red Cloud Brocade vest trimmed with rabbit fur, showing off her slender figure and rosy complexion.

Upon arriving at the Qianyuan Palace, Jiang Yunran was taken straight to His Tianyin Pavilion.

It was already past dusk; presumably, the Emperor had just finished his work and wished to relax in His Tianyin Pavilion.

Liang Santai invited Jiang Yunran inside and closed the door behind her, not following her in.

Jiang Yunran didn't think twice about it.

Jing Huayan had many peculiar habits, and today, for some reason, he did not want anyone attending him.

She made her way through the rows of bookshelves, moving forward, and called out, "Your Majesty, I'm here. Where are you?"

The Tianyin Pavilion was silent, with thousands of books standing quietly on the shelves, witnessing the passage of time.

One step, two steps—the pavilion remained still, with only the scent of ink hanging in the air.

Jiang Yunran frowned slightly. "Your Majesty?"

Her voice cut off abruptly.

A pair of strong hands suddenly grabbed her from behind, halting her steps.

The man was tall and broad-chested, pulling her tight against him, leaving no space between their bodies.

"Your Majesty?"

Jiang Yunran’s face turned bright red.

"How did you—?"

She felt an incredible heat.

And also—

?

Her voice almost broke. "Your Majesty!"

The man’s breath was scorching, hitting again and again on the nape of her neck.

"I heard you."

His voice was deep and rough, as if suppressing a beast within his throat, ready to break free at any moment.

The large hand on her waist started moving slowly upward.

Inch by inch.

"No—"

The words of refusal died in her throat as the man covered her mouth.

"No what?"

With a slight exertion of his left hand, he scooped her up effortlessly, pinning her against his body.

His warm lips pressed against the nape of her neck, making her whole body shiver.

"Beloved Concubine, it’s been too long since I last saw you. I've missed you like crazy," his voice was low and husky, "and you?"