Nightfall.
"Your Highness."
Yuanhe entered quietly, calling softly.
Fang Yun, having bathed but not yet retired, was reclining on the beauty couch with her eyes closed. She slowly opened them at the sound.
"Is everything done?"
"Yes, Your Highness. The maid has been sent out of the palace. Young Master Liu received her, and everything is settled."
Yuanhe's respect was evident.
Hearing this, Fang Yun slowly sat up.
"That maid is clever. As long as she stays smart, she'll be safe. If she talks..."
"Rest assured, Your Highness, Yinxiu won't speak again."
Yuanhe immediately reassured her.
"What do you mean?" Fang Yun frowned. "Did you kill her?"
Seeing her misunderstanding, Yuanhe quickly waved his hands and explained.
"I followed your instructions and safely got her out. She endured some pain, but nothing fatal. She requested mute medicine herself, to ensure your peace of mind."
Fang Yun's expression softened, showing a brief hint of regret before it faded.
She had kept her promise to protect Yinxiu's life. Yinxiu took the medicine out of fear.
This sin wasn't on her.
Without her intervention, Yinxiu would have faced punishment for poisoning Wan Lingyi under He Lingyi's orders and wouldn't have survived.
The maid was smart enough to know that taking the mute medicine, though silencing her, would ensure a worry-free future.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you for your hard work. You may go."
Yuanhe bowed and left immediately.
Yanwei then approached and helped Fang Yun up.
"Now you can rest easy, Your Highness. It's late, time to retire."
"Yes."
Fang Yun nodded, allowing Yanwei to escort her to the inner chamber. She then instructed,
"By the way, the Lantern Festival is coming soon. Tomorrow, go to the storeroom and select some items to send to the Liu family. It's a little gift for my brother."
Yanwei smiled, "Don't worry, Your Highness. Qingrong mentioned it earlier, and it's already prepared."
Hearing this, Fang Yun said no more and went to bed.
After a long day, she was exhausted.
While she slept peacefully, the lights in Yichun Palace's Yilan Hall remained lit.
Wan Liangyuan sat cross-legged on the bed, her face dark and filled with hatred.
"Who is targeting me? A mantis stalking a cicada, unaware of the oriole behind? What a well-executed double-cross."
Yuetao, deeply concerned, frowned and shared her indignation.
"We didn't harm He Lingyi. We're the victims. The Empress was too harsh, condemning without clear evidence. You've been wronged!"
Not only had Wan Liangyuan been given infertility drugs, but she was also demoted to Liangyuan, infuriating her.
The only consolation was that the drug dosage wasn't enough to cause permanent harm.
Wan Liangyuan gritted her teeth, "Even if the Empress investigates, she won't find anything. That maid, Yinxiu, planted evidence against me perfectly."
"Yes, how did your jewelry get stolen? It's my fault for not noticing," Yuetao lamented.
Wan Liangyuan's eyes turned fierce.
"There must be a spy in Yilan Hall. You handle everything alone, naturally leaving gaps. Someone exploited them."
"If there's a spy, we must find them. We're confined, but not forbidden from managing our courtyard."
Yuetao quickly agreed, already planning to identify the maid or eunuch who had access to Wan Liangyuan's jewelry.
But Wan Liangyuan doused her enthusiasm.
"Demoted to Liangyuan, many servants were dismissed per regulations. The spy was likely among them, moved elsewhere. Confined for three months, how can we investigate?"
By the time she was released, those moved from Yilan Hall would be scattered.
Yuetao bit her lip in frustration.
"Do we just accept this injustice?"
"What else can we do?" Wan Liangyuan sighed. "I'm too weak to fight now. This is a lesson. When I rise again, I'll clear my name."
During the mourning period, no one could be summoned, making three months of confinement less severe.
Even though she had been demoted, her brother remained a valued official at court. With Shangyang and Great Qi at a standoff, military talent was in high demand.
Wan Liangyuan knew that as long as her brother stayed in power, the Emperor wouldn't completely forget her.
So, she still had a chance for a comeback.
"Let's sleep," Wan Liangyuan lay down. "Many wish for my sleepless nights, but I'll be fine, just to spite them."
Yuetao nodded, tucking her in before lowering the curtains, extinguishing the lights, and leaving.
The turmoil lasted until the Lantern Festival, with no further incidents in the palace.
Five days of brief tranquility offered a welcome respite.
As it snowed again, Fang Yun resumed her routine of staying in the palace, looking after her children.
Pei Yao seemed truly busy, not visiting the harem again.
He silently approved of the Empress's handling of He Lingyi and Wan Liangyuan, indicating he was too occupied to intervene. The ongoing issues with Shangyang likely demanded his full attention.
The tense situation suggested an impending war, though the exact timing was uncertain, leaving a sense of unease.
On the fifteenth day of the first month, during the family banquet, Pei Yao attended but seemed distracted, planning to leave quickly.
"Your Majesty has been so busy with state affairs, you've lost weight. No matter how busy, please take care of yourself," Yang Fei spoke softly, full of concern.
She signaled Siqi to step forward.
"This is a fur cushion made from a bear skin my father sent to the palace before the New Year. It's cold now, and the study isn't as warm as the sleeping quarters. This cushion will keep you warmer while working."
As she spoke, everyone noticed the bear skin cushion and a small wooden box on Siqi's tray.
"A bear skin?" Pei Yao's interest was piqued.
He gestured for Hong Zheng to bring the items.
Touching it, he said, "Not bad, thick and soft, warmer than fox fur. You were thoughtful."
Yang Fei smiled at his praise and pointed to the wooden box.
"Inside the box is a tooth carving from the bear my brother hunted. Though small, it's intricate, suitable for a fan pendant."
Pei Yao opened the box and examined the bear tooth.
"Your brother hunted this bear?" he asked.
"Yes," Yang Fei nodded. "He has been skilled in martial arts and archery since childhood, often bringing back game."
She paused, looking slightly embarrassed.
"But my father says a man skilled in martial arts should defend the country. My brother staying home isn't ideal. Please don't laugh at him, Your Majesty."
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...
