At the palace gates, Pei Yao swiftly descended from the carriage, followed closely by Hong Zheng, who looked tense.
After a few steps, King Dun hurried up from behind.
"Brother."
Pei Yao turned and slowed his pace. "Zeyi, you got the news too?"
"Yes, my mother has never managed the palace. You should go in quickly," King Dun said solemnly.
With Empress Li imprisoned, Chen Fei, King Dun's mother, was in charge of the harem.
They exchanged no further words and quickly made their way to Emperor Chengjing's quarters.
Several high-ranking consorts, including Chen Fei and Rui Pin, stood together with the Fourth Princess.
With the Third Princess and King Ming imprisoned and the Fifth Prince still young, only King Dun and the Fourth Princess were there to attend to the Emperor.
Ironically, the most neglected children were now the ones fulfilling their filial duties.
King Dun, being male, was somewhat better off, but the Emperor probably didn't even remember the Fourth Princess's age.
Setting aside such thoughts, filial piety was paramount, and children had to uphold appearances even if their father was failing.
Thus, Pei Yao, as the Emperor's nephew, and King Dun led the way.
"The imperial physician said it was the elixir's effect. Its potent properties harmed him, and the Emperor's emotional turmoil today caused him to cough blood," Chen Fei explained.
Pei Yao quickly grasped the key point. "Wasn't he resting? What caused the emotional turmoil?"
Rui Pin answered, "We found out it was the Third Princess. She managed to send a letter through Empress Li's former maid, now Lady Qian, to the Emperor. He read it and coughed blood."
As she spoke, Chen Fei signaled her maid to bring the letter to Pei Yao.
After reading it, Pei Yao's expression darkened.
"Take a look, Zeyi. I'll go see the Emperor."
Handing the letter to King Dun, Pei Yao entered the inner chamber.
Emperor Chengjing lay on the bed, eyes closed, face pale and sickly.
Hearing movement, he opened his eyes and looked toward the bed, eyes narrowing at the sight of Pei Yao. He struggled to sit up.
"Careful, Uncle," Pei Yao said coldly but supported the Emperor, placing a large cushion behind him.
As Pei Yao withdrew, Emperor Chengjing grabbed his wrist tightly.
"Release him!"
The Emperor's voice was hoarse.
Pei Yao met his gaze, seeing his red, pleading eyes.
Unmoved, Pei Yao pried the Emperor's hand off and tucked it back under the covers.
"Uncle is ill. Leave state affairs to your nephew. No need to worry."
"I raised you!" the Emperor exclaimed, eyes bulging like a goldfish's. "I'm not dead yet. You should obey me!"
Pei Yao stood tall, looking down coldly. "I've never forgotten your care. From childhood, I respected you. But don't forget why you were entrusted with me. If not for breaking your promise to my father, we wouldn't be in this situation."
His calm tone belied the intensity of his gaze, making the Emperor's breath catch, feeling guilty and afraid.
At that moment, Emperor Chengjing seemed to see his late brother, the previous Emperor, whom he had feared and respected.
This familiar feeling chilled him, recalling his oath on his brother's deathbed to safeguard the throne for Pei Yao.
Weakened, the Emperor's defiance faded.
Avoiding Pei Yao's gaze, he whispered, "Release Zhecheng. He may be flawed, but he's your cousin. He can't threaten you now. Show mercy. Don't make me bury my child."
"Why didn't you say this when King Ming tried to kill me outside the city?" Pei Yao asked with a bitter smile.
"I told you before, Uncle. Your illness comes from the elixir King Ming gave you. Without this incident, prolonged use would have given you just one or two years. The Imperial Elixir is King Ming's death sentence for you. Do you truly love him so much to overlook this?"
At this moment, King Dun entered.
He remained silent, holding the letter and watching from a distance.
The letter the Third Princess had sent was full of slander against Pei Yao and King Dun, recalling old affections and pleading for Emperor Chengjing to pardon King Ming and Empress Li.
Reading these words, Emperor Chengjing was so distressed that he coughed up blood, wanting to pardon King Ming. How could Pei Yao and King Dun not feel disheartened?
Now, cornered by Pei Yao's questioning, Emperor Chengjing leaned back against the cushion, his head drooping.
"Zhecheng is my eldest son. How did it come to this? Although I confined him, I never intended to take his life. I thought..."
He thought there was still a chance for King Ming to escape with the help of his loyal subjects.
But he had fallen ill, only to wake and learn that King Ming defied imperial orders, conspiring with Empress Li to incite rebellion, only to be captured by the Crown Prince.
Emperor Chengjing had not found peace, and the Third Princess's letter was merely the final straw.
Listening, Pei Yao responded coldly.
"If you had been ruthless and killed me upon ascending the throne, King Ming would now be the Crown Prince. Or, if you had kept your promise and reined in your children, I would be as harmonious with King Ming as I am with King Dun."
Pei Yao lifted his chin slightly, his eyes mocking.
"But you, Uncle, are indecisive, ambitious without courage, and overly concerned with appearances. You brought this upon yourself."
Without your tacit approval, how could King Ming and Empress Li have dared?
Emperor Chengjing's lips trembled, his hands gripping the quilt, unable to speak a word, seemingly struck to the core.
Seeing this, Pei Yao gave no further thought and instructed the imperial physician and servants to care for the Emperor before striding away.
King Dun glanced at Emperor Chengjing but said nothing, following Pei Yao out.
The imperial physician noted that today's bleeding was not life-threatening, and with proper care, Emperor Chengjing could survive the year.
Thus, Pei Yao felt no further concern.
However, he ordered strict surveillance of the Third Princess, realizing she had been overlooked. Her actions justified a harsh response.
Two hours later, Pei Yao returned to the Eastern Palace, already time for dinner.
He didn't intend to disturb Fang Yun but felt troubled and decided to visit Biluo Pavilion anyway.
YOU ARE READING
The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)
RomanceAuthor: Huatang Xiuge Translator: Me (Xiaobai) 东宫掌娇 Upon entering the Eastern Palace, Fang Yun lived cautiously, burdened by the label of a substitute bride and daughter of a traitor. She knew well that, as a daughter of low birth, she had been cas...
