32 3.3 (2/2)

Full of doubt, the emperor sent a hidden guard to find out what Consort Jing was intending.

In fact, Chen Yu had walked out purely because he felt that he'd accomplished what he'd come for and wished to peacefully enjoy his liquor. But having reached a secluded stone table and stools, he'd scarcely relaxed the ties on his robe and poured himself another cup when a slightly childish voice sounded.

It seemed the crown prince was touring the garden. Since Chen Yu was sitting in an inconspicuous spot, he didn't immediately stand up to greet him, instead he leaned his head on one hand, listening as the boy discussed philosophy with an elite imperial scholar, and hoped not to be bothered.

Yet, how could things be so easy?

Too trivial to be noticed by Chen Yu, a male concubine had been stalking him the whole evening for just such a chance. If Consort Jing wasn't brought down, he, as another man in the harem, would have to continue being compared to that exquisite appearance! Thus, he harshly shoved Zhang Hua, sending him hurtling toward a fake mountain arrangement in front of the crown prince. Falling at that angle, his face would be ruined, both physically and socially. To publicly cause a fuss in front of the crown prince was equivalent to disrespecting the emperor!

Having already dulled his sense of pain, Chen Yu made no move to avoid the collision and barely shifted sideways to rescue his features.

So, there was such a brave little concubine...While he was thinking about this, he landed sharply on his shoulder.

When the other people in the area turned at the thud, ready to see the drunkard who'd embarrassed himself at an imperial banquet, they found a delicate man leaning against the rock formation, his disarrayed gown exposing a sliver of his delicate collarbones. The impact had jostled his hairpins, making his long hair flow down like silk, and his robe, having been splashed with the wine he'd been holding, clung wetly to his figure. Combined with the bright red patch flowering on his chest, the man seemed to exude a demonic charm.

Instantaneously, the scorn in the hearts of the crowd evaporated.

Moreover, although his eyes glistened with a layer of mist from the pain, Consort Jing perfectly demonstrated his refinement by doing all that was proper—standing up, he bowed to the crown prince, then apologized to everyone present for shocking them.

Despite the fact that the crown prince had met many beautiful people, he fell into a daze staring at this man. The boy marveled, the new consort had stood out at a distance, not to mention standing so closely. How could there be such a seductive person in this world?

But a moment later, anxiety surfaced. Would his imperial father be tempted by this man? Would imperial father allow this consort to give birth?

The hidden guard who'd been sent to follow Consort Jing had done nothing to prevent the crash, but seeing this scene, he turned and reported to the emperor.

After hearing what had happened, Emperor Taihe tapped his long fingers one by one, then rose from his seat. Waving off the courtiers who swarmed to follow him, he passed steadily through the middle of the crowd, which naturally separated for him.

When he arrived at the center of the scene, he found the crown prince gazing at Consort Jing with a peculiar look. Noticing his presence, Zhang Hua bent to kowtow, but he gripped his arm to stop him, gently asking, ”My beloved consort, this emperor heard that you have been injured. Come, let this emperor take a look.”

Saying so, he stroked Zhang Hua's hair concernedly and personally straightened his robes, his face expressing earnest distress. Everything exactly matched the image of an affectionate lover, except that his eyes lingered an instant too long on the bloodstain.

Chen Yu sneered in his heart. He'd been wondering why the original owner had been tortured so viciously after being convicted when the emperor wasn't even sincerely concerned about the crown prince. So this pervert's fondness for blood was the reason.

On the surface, Consort Jing glowed at the emperor's solicitude and lightly replied, ”It was nothing but this consort's carelessness, Your Imperial Majesty. This consort should rather plead forgiveness from the honorable crown prince.”

Emperor Taihe's eyes deepened.

He'd displayed such exceptional tenderness that the courtiers around them were all reevaluating his value, but this consort's perfunctory smile held no emotions at all.

When he'd first brought Zhang Hua in, he'd intended to use him to compromise with the general's ambitions and, alternately, to hold a Zhang Jia descendant's life in his hands.

Seeing Consort Jing's detachment, however, he began contemplating other options.

The man had a strong background, which could have threatened the emperor, except that he had long been spayed and didn't seem to pursue anything but leisure. A beautiful but empty vase, such a placeholder for the phoenix seat would not be bad. Of course, Consort Jing could be acting, but if he was able to so thoroughly conceal his greed, he was worthy of keeping close.

Furthermore...if the left prime minister complained, Zhang Jia was no pushover, the two would occupy each other nicely.

In any case, Lu Guanting resolved to try exclusively favoring Consort Jing. For one thing, doing so might expose any unsuitability or hidden desires on Zhang Hua's part, while those who wished to pull this new player down would constantly pay attention to him and promptly report any suspicious movements to the emperor.

Decided, he swept his hand down along Consort Jing's back and held his waist, pressing them closely together so that he held almost all of the other man's weight. Utterly disregarding his son, he indulgently murmured, ”How could the crown prince blame this emperor's beloved?”

The audience sucked in a breath of cold air at the emperor's slightly but significantly altered form of address, only to nearly choke when Emperor Taihe coolly demanded, ”What is the crown prince waiting for, not quickly reassuring his consort mother?”

The courtiers took a step back. Consort mother? Was this suggesting that Consort Jing would be made the empress?

While the crown prince didn't understand why his imperial father was humiliating him for this man, he could only grit his teeth and bow. But in his heart, hatred for Consort Jing brewed.

Watching any relationship the two might have formed be severed, Lu Guanting's eyes flashed a satisfied light.

Chen Yu was also pleased, lowering his head, he curled his lips and silently mouthed, 'Got you.'