Chapter 16 Dim Light (Part 7) "You never had a manhood to begin with..."
Yan Chao sat in his study, listening to the howling wind outside. His hand holding the pen trembled slightly, and a drop of ink the size of a bean fell onto the paper.
She frowned, glanced briefly at the already clumsy and crooked handwriting, sighed, shook her head, and moved the paper aside to rewrite it. Her hands clenched slightly unintentionally, still feeling some pain; it seemed she would have to wait a while longer to fully recover.
The words and phrases were already deeply ingrained in my mind, but I wrote slowly, and after staring at them for a long time, they became unfamiliar.
Ying stood quietly to the side, trying to persuade her several times, but seeing her serious expression, she didn't dare to disturb her.
It wasn't until Xiao Jiu entered that the somber atmosphere in the study was broken. Yan Chao put down his pen, and when he looked up, what came into view was a cluster of red plum blossoms held in Xiao Jiu's arms. The slender branches and delicate blossoms were brightly colored, and the fragrance of plum blossoms was mixed with frost and snow. The sparse and cold fragrance had its own elegant and refined style.
Xiao Jiu bowed respectfully, but before he could explain, the plum blossom petals in his arms fell to the ground. He looked embarrassed and quickly apologized, "Your Highness, please forgive me. These red plum blossoms were sent by the Lady of Yongning Palace."
Yan Chao nodded and pointed to the empty white-glazed bottle on the desk, saying, "Let's put it back in there."
Every now and then, a few more flowers and plants would appear on her desk. Some were the seasonal flowers of the month, others were the Three Friends of Winter, some were as vibrant as peach and plum blossoms, others as delicate as pine and bamboo. Consort Ning enjoyed pruning the flowers in her spare time, so Yongning Palace sent more of them. Shenwei would occasionally bring a few in from outside the palace, or perhaps Xiao Jiu would pick a beautiful one by chance.
What was it that I put there last time? It was when Meng Huai was still alive, that Shen Wei went to the Meng residence and asked for a piece of pine branch covered in snow. Before it even entered the East Palace, the snow on the pine needles had already melted completely. Later, after the pine branch dried up and scattered all over the ground, the vase has remained empty ever since.
Xiao Jiu placed the plum blossoms into the vase before recounting everything Yan Chao had instructed him to do. Yan Chao listened with surprise.
"Is that palace maid Shuying in Zhaoyang Palace Lan Huaien's sister? I've never heard anyone mention that before." No wonder her face seemed vaguely familiar that night; it turns out she has some connection with Xu Zhen and Lan Huaien.
Xiao Jiu nodded and said, "However, Xu Shuying is born out of wedlock. She is not born of the same mother as Imperial Censor Xu and Eunuch Lan. Her birth mother died at the hands of Old Madam Feng more than ten years ago. Later, she entered the palace as a maid. When Lady Zhaoyang saw that she was lively and clever, she wanted to come to her own palace to serve the young prince."
Seeing Yan Chao frowning and remaining silent, Xiao Jiu tentatively said, "This servant thinks that Shu Ying and Eunuch Lan should have no connection. Eunuch Lan has always been hostile to the Xu family and ignores his younger sister Shu Ying. I've never heard of the two of them having any interaction. Shu Ying is innocent and simple-minded, and she only does some simple tasks with His Highness. She is very well-behaved..."
"Judging from your tone, it sounds like you've already asked her directly."
Xiao Jiu realized she had talked too much, and her face flushed. She lowered her head and fell silent.
Yan Chao glanced at him indifferently, without scolding him, and then asked about another matter: "What about Lan Huaien? Has the matter been investigated?"
It would have been better if she hadn't mentioned it, because once it was brought up, Xiao Jiu became even more ashamed. She lowered her head and stammered, "This servant is incompetent. From beginning to end, he kept repeating the same few sentences, insisting that there was no one guarding outside the palace and that he was worried about Your Highness's safety, so he entered the palace without permission. He also said that he only helped to wick the candles and did nothing else, saw nothing, and knew nothing else."
Yan Chao's breath hitched, his expression changed, and his heart skipped a beat: What should he have seen? What should he have known? Yet he was unsure if he was just imagining things, and for a moment he was filled with doubt and uncertainty.
Xiao Jiu frowned and complained, "We've already hit him and scolded him, but one minute he pretends to cry and beg for mercy, and the next he's making a scene, demanding to see His Highness, claiming he's innocent. If pushed too far, he threatens His Majesty with him. I'm at a loss; I'm afraid if something really happens, it'll be hard to explain to His Majesty. But his ambiguous presence in the Eastern Palace is ultimately a hidden danger..."
Yan Chao was distracted and somewhat absent-minded. He seized on a few words and asked him, "Threat? What is he threatening me with?"
“Lan Huaien still has influence in the Eastern Depot and the Directorate of Ceremonial, and I fear he might retaliate against Your Highness if he regains power…” Xiao Jiu hesitated, his face filled with fear and unease. He secretly observed Yan Chao’s expression, but saw no reaction from her.
As if sensing her worry, and fearing she might reveal something amiss in her panic, Ying casually shifted her body, causing the vase to bump into the pen holder with a "clang." She quickly righted the vase, and before she could apologize, Yan Chao waved his hand, indicating it was alright.
Yan Chao had already come to her senses and was instructing Xiao Jiu: "There's no need to interrogate him anymore. Have someone apply medicine to him. I'll go see him when I have some free time."
.
Lan Huaien's confession was full of loopholes.
According to Liang Lu, on the day of the incident, one of the eunuchs guarding Lan Huaien had an upset stomach and left without permission since it was still early, which gave Liang Lu the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
Lan Huaien, who possessed some martial arts skills, escaped through the window and stealthily infiltrated the palace eunuchs, following them all the way to the vicinity of the sleeping quarters. Liang Lu, who was not on duty, was still resting in the side room. It was nearly dawn, and the night watchmen of the sleeping quarters were changing shifts. The next shift of palace servants arrived a little late, and Lan Huaien unexpectedly took advantage of the situation, brazenly slipping in.
Yan Chao found it absurd and laughable, and was only half-believing Lan Huaien.
Hearing what he said to Xiao Jiu, which seemed like nothing, his suspicions deepened. However, not knowing Xiao Jiu's true nature for the time being, he had no choice but to suppress his emotions and not act rashly.
But the matter was of great importance, and it was making her irritable and restless. Even though the study was quiet, she couldn't concentrate on writing. After a long period of frustration, she finally let out a deep breath, leaned back, and asked Liang Lu, "How long has he been in the hall?"
Liang Lu replied, "According to the palace servants on night duty, it won't take more than the time it takes to drink a cup of tea."
"knew."
Yan Chao glanced out the window, estimating that it was still early, got up, gathered the paper and pen on the desk, and walked out: "Let's go take a look in the backyard."
Liang Lu immediately took the cloak and draped it over her shoulders. Upon seeing this, Madam Ying quickly ordered someone to bring a hand warmer and placed it in her arms. She then carefully examined her from head to toe to make sure there was nothing wrong before letting her go out.
The rear hall of the East Palace was originally the residence of the Crown Prince's wives and concubines. After the death of Crown Prince Zhaohuai, Crown Princess Sun moved to Zhaoyang Palace, and the two or three concubines were also dismissed from the palace in accordance with the Crown Prince's last wishes.
When Yan Chao arrived, since she was the only mistress, the courtyards in the back hall were left empty and locked. The huge palace, though inhabited by the crown prince, was cold and deserted.
Lan Huaien had a special status and was a "wanted criminal," so Yan Chao simply pointed to a secluded courtyard to lock him up. Xiao Jiu was quite unhappy at the time, feeling that it was a waste of talent: someone like Lan Huaien only deserved to be thrown into the woodshed.
Once Yan Chao stepped into the small courtyard and got a feel for the surroundings, he could roughly guess how Lan Huaien had effortlessly crossed most of the East Palace and found his bedchamber.
The courtyard was indeed very remote, but it was precisely because the palace servants did not come and go often that he could roam around without any scruples. On the side of the room where Lan Huaien was imprisoned, there was a small window with carved square latticework. Outside the window, only a few steps away from the palace wall, there was an inconspicuous path hidden among a tangled bamboo forest. The guards here were extremely lax, and even if someone passed by, they would hardly notice.
The guards in the vicinity are now heavily armed; having learned their lesson once, they dare not be complacent again. The eunuch in charge of guarding Yan Chao reported the current situation, adding at the end, "Your Highness, rest assured, he is seriously injured and cannot even get out of bed. There is absolutely no way he can escape again."
Yan Chao snorted lightly, thinking to himself that Lan Huaien's cunning was not something that could be guarded against by just anyone.
The eunuch opened the door, and as she was about to step inside, Liang Lu instinctively stopped her: "Your Highness..."
"You stay here and guard the place, don't let anyone near. I'll go in and take a look, and I'll call you if anything happens."
"yes."
For a moment, Liang Lu was at a loss as to which to worry about first. Lan Huaien was always wicked, vicious, and cunning. If he really had ulterior motives, His Highness's illness had not yet been cured... However, seeing Yan Chao step inside, he still reached out and closed the door, his expression gradually becoming solemn.
Yan Chao lifted the curtain, and a wave of warmth rushed in. She glanced around the room; it was simple as it was, but spotless. There was a table, a chair, a bed, and a charcoal fire burning in the corner. She raised an eyebrow but didn't say anything.
When I turned my head and saw Lan Huaien, he was lying weakly on the bed, the blanket only covering half of his body, leaving a large part of his back exposed. His undergarment was tattered and torn, with dirt and bloodstains, hanging loosely on his body. Lan Huaien was lying face outwards, and even though there was a charcoal fire burning in the room, his face was as pale as paper, without a trace of color.
Having lost power and prestige, Lan Huaien is now worse off than even a normal palace servant.
Yan Chao pursed her lips and walked towards the bed. After taking only two steps, she saw him slowly open his eyes. Although he was still weak, the fatigue in his eyes had lessened, as if he was pleasantly surprised: "Your Highness is finally willing to see this servant."
Lan Huaien tried to sit up, but she couldn't muster any strength. She hissed when she touched her wound. In the end, she simply lay back on the bed and said apologetically to Yan Chao, "Your Highness, please forgive me. I was rude."
Yan Chao lowered his gaze, then nodded slightly, indicating that he wouldn't take it to heart.
Lan Huaien forced a weak smile, his voice hoarse with concern, "How is Your Highness's recovery? How about the injury to your hand? It's been cold these past few days, and I know Your Highness is always sensitive to the cold. Please take good care of yourself; a cold like this requires careful attention, otherwise it could become a chronic condition. I heard it was one of Ji Weixian's men who hit your hand. He's secretly a lackey of Prince Xin, so I'm afraid your injury is quite serious. You'll need to use your medicine carefully. In winter, you don't need to change your dressings too frequently, but you should still be careful not to catch a chill. You absolutely mustn't touch anything cold or icy. Also, I know Your Highness is diligent, but you shouldn't overwork yourself right now. You can put aside reading and writing for a while; your health is the most important thing..."
He suddenly shut his mouth, realizing he might have been too talkative. Yan Chao was the Crown Prince, naturally surrounded by a group of people who doted on him like stars around the moon, and he was also carefully cared for by imperial physicians and palace servants; his concern was superfluous. But he still sighed and said softly, "It is truly an injustice for Your Highness to deign to come to this humble servant's place."
Yan Chao's gaze was fixed unfocused on the headboard. He listened silently until Yan Chao finished speaking before saying, "No need for you to worry. The eunuch said you refused to have someone apply the medicine. Are you determined to die, or are you trying to threaten me with your death?"
Lan Huaien looked up at her, her eyes filled with a hint of grievance: "This servant dares not. But the order to use torture was issued by you, and Eunuch Xiao Jiu is unwilling to show mercy. This servant is covered in new and old wounds, and even if I don't want to die, I am on the verge of death... Moreover, how would this servant know if your eunuchs are secretly obeying or not? What if they poison this servant? Wouldn't I die instantly..."
"My order? You heard me give that order perfectly clearly. You refuse to confess, and you expect me to let you go?"
"This servant swears that everything I have said is true. This servant's trespassing into the imperial bedchamber is an unforgivable crime, but the guards in the rear palace of the East Palace are indeed lax, and there was not a single person in the bedchamber. What if you really encountered any danger? This servant has received your kindness, and naturally I must repay it..."
"Stop with your sweet talk! I won't fall for your tricks!"
Yan Chao secretly tightened her grip on the hand warmer, glared at him, and said coldly, "Lan Huaien, I only ask you, what exactly is your purpose in going to such lengths to enter the East Palace and sneaking into my bedchamber?"
She narrowed her eyes, her fingertips, hidden in her cloak, twitched slightly, touching the short dagger in her sleeve, and she tried her best to calm herself down.
"Xiao Jiu said you wanted to see me. If you don't answer honestly now, I won't protect you."
The charcoal fire crackled and popped inside the room. Because it was charcoal used by the palace servants, it produced a lot of smoke and fumes, and the room was small, making it somewhat choking. Yan Chao's throat felt uncomfortable from the smoke, and he frowned and turned his head away.
"This servant has a difficult matter to discuss, and I beg Your Highness to come closer. This matter is not something that outsiders should know," Lan Huaien seemed to be unable to bear it any longer. She covered her mouth and coughed a few times. Seeing that Yan Chao was still standing there without moving, she could only sigh and show weakness, "This servant really cannot hurt you in this state."
Yan Chao secretly gripped the short dagger in her hand before tentatively approaching. When she was right next to the bed, she saw Lan Huaien struggling to sit up with trembling arms. She said softly, "Just say that."
The two were standing very close, both feeling somewhat uneasy. Yan Chao was extremely wary, fearing he might say something shocking; Lan Huaien, on the other hand, was simply embarrassed, his heart skipping a beat.
Lan Huaien shrank back, tilting her head slightly but not daring to look at her. She then lowered her eyes again and whispered, "Ji... Ji Weixian is determined to kill me this time. I have no other choice but to ask Your Highness for help..."
Yan Chao frowned: "His Majesty hasn't given the order, how dare he touch you? Besides, you must have something on him, right?" Lan Huaien usually manages to keep Ji Weixian under control, so he must have some leverage to suppress him.
"He said I was a eunuch without roots, and he conspired with his men to strip me naked and humiliate me severely..." The usually quick-witted Lan Huaien suddenly stammered, and when he said the words "humiliate severely," he couldn't help but grit his teeth and shudder.
"This didn't kill you," Yan Chao clicked his tongue. Thinking back to the day he had ordered Shen Wei to be stripped naked and tortured, he felt ashamed now that it was his turn. His tone was slightly sarcastic. "It's much better than here with me. If Xiao Jiu had been any harsher, you really would have been dead. You're already penniless, why are you afraid of being humiliated?"
Lan Huaien blushed and stammered, "I...I do have some, but I'm afraid he'll find out..."
Yan Chao's expression suddenly changed: "What?"
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