Chapter 18 Dim Light (Part 9) "Easily surrendering oneself..."
Lan Huaien took a deep breath.
"Your Highness, please calm your anger and allow me to explain in detail. About a month ago, when the Eastern Depot was investigating a case, they came across the Meng family..."
Mentioning the Meng family, he suddenly felt the gaze above him sharpen even more, making his forehead twitch and causing him to swallow hard.
"...Meng Huai's grandson, Meng Tingke, had dealings with Li Wensui, the son of Grand Secretary Li, so the investigation led to Li Wensui. When the Eastern Depot's spies were following Li Wensui, they inadvertently discovered that his personal attendant had visited a household in the suburbs of Beijing several times. The owner of that household was Ying Chunwu's mother. Coincidentally, Ying was also outside the palace those days. My servants witnessed her having private dealings with the Li family. However, because this matter was not related to Meng Huai's case, the Eastern Depot's investigation only went this far and did not delve deeper. Therefore, the specific details of their interactions remain unknown."
Yan Chao had calmed down and gave him a deep look: "You Eastern Depot really know everything and are unaware of everything."
Lan Huaien twitched the corner of his mouth, not daring to reply for a moment.
After a long while, he silently looked up and noticed that she was pursing her lips and frowning, her face full of solemnity. He couldn't help but feel saddened and said softly, "This servant has no reason to lie to you. If Your Highness does not believe me, you can have someone secretly investigate and you will know the truth."
He paused, then continued, "If there's anything the Eastern Depot can do to help, this servant will gladly die for it. Cheng Tai is temporarily in charge of the Eastern Depot; if you give him any orders, he will naturally..."
"Are you using me to contact Cheng Tai?"
Yan Chao recalled Cheng Tai's request for an audience that day, and his mind suddenly cleared. During the days Lan Huaien lived in the prison, he was almost completely cut off from the outside world, and the only thing he could rely on to survive was the Eastern Depot. He could not possibly give up the power of the Eastern Depot.
Lan Huaien nodded in acknowledgment: "This servant did indeed have that intention, but..."
"Let's keep things separate. The Eastern Depot is only loyal to His Majesty. If I were to secretly collude with them, I would be courting death. After this incident, it's best if we go our separate ways and leave each other alone..."
"Your Highness actually thinks you can completely extricate yourself. Do you think that's possible?"
Lan Huaien looked up into her eyes and caught a hint of impatience and fatigue.
"Lan Huaien, what exactly are you trying to do!"
Yan Chao suppressed the unease in his chest and rebuked in a deep voice.
Lan Huaien spoke gently: "Your Highness, please don't misunderstand me. What I mean is that we are now bound by life and death, so wouldn't it be better to work together? I didn't mean to oppose you, and you don't need to be so resistant. I know you hate me and disdain to win over the eunuchs of the Eastern Depot, but now that things have come to this, joining forces is the best choice."
"I hate nothing more than being threatened by others."
Yan Chao lowered her eyelashes and bit her lip, refusing to look at him.
She was well aware of the pros and cons. Prince Xin's favor was constant, and besides Consort Li and Prince Xin himself, Ji Weixian was an indispensable part of it. If she had her own spies within the Emperor's court, she wouldn't be isolated and helpless, and the situation wouldn't be so tense.
The best choice is Lan Huaien.
In the past, she dared not easily touch those in the imperial court because of her status; now that they have a rare opportunity to cross paths, she has no choice but to do so.
But upon closer examination, Lan Huaien is both favored by the emperor and wields power, yet he has no one to rely on. If he were to remain loyal to her, that would be the best outcome.
Lan Huaien is indeed a dangerous person, but as the saying goes, you can't get a tiger cub without going to the tiger's den. If he can really help her on her way to becoming the Crown Prince, she might as well take the risk and trust him this time.
We just need to be more vigilant in the future.
Lan Huaien couldn't discern her expression, but continued to coax her gently, "...This servant did not threaten Your Highness, I was merely stating the facts. You probably feel that because of your high status, you are at a disadvantage compared to me no matter what, but my life is also a life. If I really wanted to harm you, why would I wait until now to say it to you in person? We are both just doing this out of necessity. I cherish my life, so I had no choice but to offend you."
He stretched and looked at her earnestly: "Although I am cunning and treacherous, I am by no means a useless person."
Yan Chao remained silent, then nodded in agreement: "You have a clear understanding of yourself."
Seeing that her tone had softened a bit, Lan Huaien felt slightly relieved and took the opportunity to cautiously ask, "Could Your Highness please pour me a glass of water?"
The room was dry, and after talking with Yan Chao for so long, my mouth was parched, my lips were chapped, and my throat felt like it was on fire.
Yan Chao said "okay," silently got up, poured a cup of water from the teapot on the table, and brought it over. Lan Huaien struggled to sit up, and without even thanking him, he took the water, trembling as he brought it to his lips, drank it all in one gulp, and then suddenly started coughing repeatedly.
Yan Chao frowned and took the cup from his hand: "What's the rush? Nobody's going to take it from you."
Lan Huaien caught his breath and looked at her awkwardly.
"Want some more?"
"Why don't you just give me the teapot?"
After he finished drinking, Yan Chao said, "I know you are reliable and I have also seen some of your sincerity. So, Lan Huai'en, what do you want?"
Lan Huaien smiled and said, "This servant is a eunuch like Ji Weixian. Without clinging to my master, I have no way out. Your Highness is the crown prince, so this servant naturally asks for your protection. In the future, when Your Highness ascends the throne, please spare this servant's life."
Yan Chao remained noncommittal. After a moment of silence, she wrapped her cloak around herself, held up her hand warmer, and said to him, "I will have Liang Lu come in later to check on your injuries. I will take care of the rest; you don't need to worry about it."
She still didn't believe it.
Lan Huaien blinked and replied with a helpless "yes".
He watched Yan Chao turn and walk away, the white crane shadow on his cloak flickering at the corner of the curtain before disappearing. A sudden sadness settled over him, and he lay back on the bed, letting out a silent sigh.
Did he just give himself to her so easily?
.
The expression on Liang Lu's face confirmed everything.
After he finished reporting, he heard Yan Chao instruct him: "Send a reliable person to take care of him. There's no need to interrogate him anymore. Just be careful to prevent any accidents from happening."
Liang Lu responded, but before taking his leave, he couldn't help but ask her, "Your Highness, can Lan Huai'en really be used by us?"
Such a person, with such a status and such character, is hard for anyone to trust. He is currently trapped in the Eastern Palace; who knows what will happen if he returns to the Emperor's court?
He was really worried.
"I have no choice but to trust him. Only in this way can we have a better chance of winning and more security."
She had made up her mind without the slightest hesitation. Liang Lu knew she was sensible and said nothing more, but his worry and vigilance remained undiminished.
After comforting him, Yan Chao summoned her personal guard Duan Shou and said, "Go and secretly investigate Lan Huaien. I want all his background information."
Duan Shou clasped his hands in a fist and accepted the order: "Yes."
She ultimately dared not let her guard down.
Duan Shou, who commands the Crown Prince's personal guards, is always cautious and thorough in his work. Entrusting this matter to him is the most appropriate course of action. Firstly, Lan Huaien is not to be underestimated, and secondly, it would be more convenient for him to carry out his actions both inside and outside the palace.
.
The weather has been fine and sunny for days, and with the Emperor in good health and the New Year approaching, the atmosphere inside and outside the palace has gradually become more lively, breaking away from the previous somber mood.
On this day, Princess Yongjia left the Qianqing Palace, but instead of leaving in a sedan chair as usual, she took her daughter, Princess Miaohua, to Zhaoyang Palace for a short visit.
Since it was the end of the year, Madam Sun did not restrict Yan Fei's studies and allowed him to go out and play with Miao Hua.
Miaohua was just over 18, a time of innocent joy and carefree spirit. She had always liked her lively cousin, and the two children quickly became friends after finally meeting. Outside the courtyard, they chattered and made a ruckus, a rare occurrence for Zhaoyang Palace.
Princess Yongjia turned her gaze from the window back to Madam Sun and smiled, "This is how a child should behave... Sister-in-law, you keep Fei'er confined in the palace all day long. You may not find it boring, but he certainly does."
Sun's gaze swept over her bright and beautiful face, and she was momentarily stunned before saying softly, "He does find ways to have fun, so he doesn't get bored after a while."
Princess Yongjia knew her temperament, so she didn't say anything more. She lowered her head, took a sip of tea, and asked her, "Fei'er has reached the age for her early education. I wonder what your plans are, sister-in-law? Although there have been eunuchs teaching her all along, are you really content with that?"
What should I be unwilling to accept?
Sun asked her a question in return, a hint of indifference in her eyes. Her hand holding the cup tightened involuntarily, but her expression remained unchanged.
"No matter how learned a eunuch is, he is still just a eunuch," Princess Yongjia said, her brows furrowed as she leaned forward to persuade him. "Fei'er is my brother's only bloodline, the eldest grandson of the emperor, with a noble status. Don't let those eunuchs hold him back!"
Madam Sun poured herself a cup of tea, glanced at her, and smiled faintly: "Look at the situation my son and I are in now. So what if he's the eldest grandson of the emperor? Whether he's noble or not is still up to His Majesty's word. No matter how much His Majesty loves Fei'er, he can't hide the fact that his father, Crown Prince Zhaohuai, has been dead for many years. The Crown Prince has changed, and now my son and I can still live peacefully in the palace. It doesn't matter if our lives are a little hard. Let's not talk about the noble status of the eldest grandson of the emperor anymore. Here we only have a young child and a mother who hopes he will grow up safely."
When the Crown Prince Zhaohuai was mentioned, even Princess Yongjia couldn't help but lower her eyes and become sentimental.
She was the eldest princess, and from a young age she was taught to shoulder the responsibilities of an elder sister, to be dignified and proper, and to protect her younger siblings. But she only had one older brother who was willing to pamper her, protect her, and let her act spoiled and silly.
He is the best brother in the whole world.
As her thoughts returned to the present, a profound sense of loneliness and sorrow evoked sympathy for the Sun mother and son, while also giving rise to a strange expectation.
“Parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. I don’t believe you’re so depressed, otherwise you wouldn’t care about Fei’er’s studies every day and sometimes even tutor him yourself. Fei’er has a better future, and you must understand what I’m saying.”
She looked at Madam Sun, her eyes gleaming.
After a moment of silence, she finally couldn't help but pour out all her thoughts: "When the late emperor was alive, my brother was made the crown prince at a young age because of his outstanding talent, so it's not impossible for Fei'er to be made the crown prince as well. Furthermore, my mother was the first empress, and my father and mother were a loving couple. Fei'er was also quite favored by my father. In any of these respects, no one can compare to the unlucky son of a stepmother."
Madam Sun sighed, "Fei'er is still too young. He is not worthy of that position. I only wish for his peaceful and smooth life. Besides, the path of the Crown Prince is so difficult... His Highness was favored by the late Emperor, but countless people gossiped about him in private. In the end, father and son fell out, and His Highness became so haggard that he fell seriously ill. How can I bear to watch Fei'er follow the same old path..."
His eyes were already slightly moist after he finished speaking.
Princess Yongjia was also moved, but she was still somewhat anxious: "That's why I'm making plans for Fei'er. If Yan Chao ascends the throne, how could he possibly spare you and your son..."
Madam Sun resolutely said, "His Majesty is in the prime of his life, so please, Princess, refrain from such disrespectful words. Although I dislike the current Crown Prince, I have no intention of plotting against him. I will simply stay with my Fei'er and live a peaceful life. Why should a woman from the inner palace fight over such risky and unpredictable matters?"
She withdrew her gaze, her tone hardening: "No one can scheme against my Fei'er. If anyone dares to harm my son, I will make them pay with their blood."
Princess Yongjia, seeing that she couldn't reason with her, could only grit her teeth in frustration and take her leave.
Yan Fei and Shu Ying entered the hall and, seeing that Madam Sun's expression was not good, both lowered their heads and remained silent, proceeding cautiously. Madam Sun recovered her composure, beckoned her son over, gently touched his slightly cold cheek, and asked him kindly, "What were you playing with Miao Hua?"
Yan Fei snuggled against her mother and softly replied, "We were playing hide-and-seek. As soon as it was my turn to cover my eyes, Mother called us in."
Sun's gaze deepened as she looked out the window. The sky above the corridor was narrow, and all she could see were the dark, imposing eaves of the palace walls.
Back when she was in the Eastern Palace, she would often lean against the window, resting her chin on her hands, gazing blankly outside. From petals falling to leaves rustling in the wind, from lush greenery to heavy snowfall, from beautiful mornings to moonlit nights, every scene was enchanting. His Highness would sit opposite her, appreciating the sights with her, listening to her chatter on and on.
Later, when His Highness fell ill and could not get out of bed, she still carefully read the book and then knelt by his bedside to explain it to him little by little. She thought that way, it would still be considered that they enjoyed it together.
Later, she only had Fei'er left. When it was Fei'er's turn to ramble on and on, she listened attentively.
Perhaps she also resented him. He didn't keep his promise to grow old with her, and instead left her with a son who looked four or five times like him. She thought about him day and night, unable to forget him, unable to let go.
A note from the author:
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
