The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 296 - Seemingly Deliberate

The hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned towards the entrance and saw Pei Yao, wearing a bright yellow dragon robe, walking in with a somber expression. The Empress followed beside him, her brows furrowed.

Pei Yu finally felt a pang of fear, retracting her hand that had just struck someone. She looked around nervously, her eyelids trembling.

She initially wanted to lean on her husband, Yin Zhangce, but he was even more frightened and dropped to his knees first.

Pei Yu, left without support, turned and saw her husband's submissive behavior, disbelief and anger filling her eyes.

In their daily interactions, she had always thought Yin Zhangce was a man of integrity and responsibility. But faced with this situation, he showed his true colors.

Disillusioned, Pei Yu felt both anger and frustration.

Yin Zhangce, seeing she hadn't knelt, pulled her down with him, ignoring her fierce glare.

However, Pei Yao didn't even glance at the couple. He walked past them and went straight to Fang Yun.

Fang Yun, looking scared and pale, was being supported by Qingrong and Yanwei, as if terribly frightened. Her pitiful appearance tugged at everyone's hearts.

Given her known frailty, her frightened act was believable to all.

"Your Majesty..." Fang Yun looked up at Pei Yao, tears in her eyes.

Qingrong quickly spoke up.

"Your Majesty, Princess Duanrou brought up Her Highness's painful memories, saying that her wedding was ruined by Her Highness's accident while carrying the Fourth Prince, calling Her Highness unlucky. Her Highness offered to send a belated wedding gift, but the Princess insulted her, calling her unworthy."

"Her Highness, deeply hurt, ordered Yuanhe to escort the Princess and Prince Consort out to cool off. But the Princess not only struck Yuanhe but also tried to attack Her Highness. Given Her Highness's frailty, this has greatly distressed her!"

Hearing this, Pei Yao's face darkened with anger.

He cast a cold glance at Pei Yu, then pulled Fang Yun close and sternly ordered,

"Princess Duanrou, for your insolence and disrespect, return to your residence and reflect on your actions!"

Pei Yu, wanting to argue, was pulled by Yin Zhangce. Seeing Pei Yao's frightening expression, she dared not speak further.

Frustrated, she was dragged away.

The Empress then gently said, "Your Majesty, Zhao Fei seems very frightened. Given her usual frailty, perhaps she should rest in the side hall and have Physician Zeng examine her."

"Very well, let's go. I'll accompany you," Pei Yao nodded.

With that, Fang Yun, accompanied by Pei Yao and the Empress, moved to the side hall. Inside the main hall, everyone returned to their seats, waiting quietly.

Among them was Yang Fei, who sat down thoughtfully.

"What's troubling you, Your Highness?" Siqi, attending her, asked.

"Nothing." Yang Fei sipped her tea, "I just feel that Zhao Fei seemed a bit impulsive today. While it's true that Princess Duanrou lacks favor, Zhao Fei's provocation and expulsion seemed deliberate, as if she intended to anger the Princess."

Siqi frowned, "Your Highness might be overthinking it. I believe Zhao Fei is becoming more arrogant with the Emperor's favor. Princess Duanrou isn't exactly a good person either, and there's long-standing enmity between them. She was involved in that incident before the Emperor ascended the throne."

She paused, lowering her voice.

"Moreover, constantly bringing up the Fourth Prince is hitting Zhao Fei's sore spot. She must have been infuriated."

Hearing Siqi's words, Yang Fei still had some doubts but couldn't pinpoint anything, so she nodded.

"Perhaps you're right. Her arrogance will only make her fall harder when she eventually loses favor."

However, Yang Fei couldn't have guessed that in the side hall, as soon as Yuanhe closed the door, Fang Yun shed her fragile demeanor, smiling and bowing to Pei Yao and the Empress.

"Your Majesty and Empress, you arrived just in time. A moment longer, and I wouldn't have known how to continue the act."

"You're clever. The Emperor and I explained briefly, and you understood. You did well. Did Princess Duanrou hurt you when she lashed out?" the Empress asked with a smile.

The situation dated back to half a month ago.

Following news of unrest in the northern frontier and activity in Shangyang, Pei Yao's primary concern was military provisions.

While a few minor corrupt officials were dealt with, the more significant corrupt officials who did everything carefully needed thorough investigation.

Among them were significant offenders like Marquis Jinrong's household, the in-laws of Princess Duanrou, Pei Yu.

Before marrying the princess, Marquis Jinrong's title held no real power, as the father and son were spendthrifts. Despite its grand appearance, the household was rotting inside.

But marrying the princess changed everything.

Pei Yu's dowry, though half that of a true princess, was substantial, and Yin Zhangce, being resourceful, turned this money into more money.

What yields quick profits?

Illegal ventures, of course.

Usury was their 'lucrative' path.

Initially kept secret from Pei Yu, the couple later worked together, leveraging Pei Yu's title, which was far more useful than that of the fallen Marquis Jinrong's household.

Married at the end of last year, they now reaped substantial profits from various illicit businesses.

Their opulent attire today clearly reflected this.

Previously overlooked, Pei Yao now found them a target as the treasury needed funds, and they were exposed.

It wasn't just Pei Yao; the Empress's Lu family and Fang Yun's brother Liu Qin had all found some evidence.

But with insufficient evidence for immediate action against his sister, Pei Yao needed someone inside the household to gather proof.

The best approach was to separate and conquer.

Thus, Pei Yao ordered Pei Yu to return to the princess's residence, not Marquis Jinrong's household.

This was to separate the two.

Pei Yu's outburst at the New Year's Eve banquet conveniently created an opportunity for Pei Yao to act against her.

Initially, the Empress was to take charge, but she felt her status too high for Pei Yu to act out. So, after much thought, she recommended Fang Yun.

Hence Pei Yao's visits to Jiaofang Palace and Yuzhang Palace amidst his busyness.

"Don't worry, Your Highness. I was well protected," Fang Yun replied, bowing before turning to Pei Yao with a playful smile.

"Your Majesty, how do you plan to reward me? The Empress sent me lovely fabrics this morning."

Pei Yao smiled, "Reward you, of course. The Empress gave you fabric; I'll give you two sets of new jewelry to match."

"Thank you, Your Majesty," Fang Yun smiled.

The Empress excused herself to return to the main hall to entertain guests.

Pei Yao and Fang Yun remained. After Physician Zeng's brief visit, they too returned to the main hall.

Appearing fragile and frightened, Fang Yun clung to Pei Yao as they entered, a sight that felt like a needle to Wan Lingyi.

Feigning concern, she spoke up, "How did Zhao Fei become frightened? When I saw you arguing with Princess Duanrou, you seemed quite composed, not as delicate as you appear now."