36 3.7

Soon after the scene in the audience hall, a eunuch with the crown prince's identification badge appeared, accusing Consort Jing of capturing and torturing him. But seeing that he had no marks on his body and that the crown prince denied any association with him, claiming that the badge must have been stolen, everyone pretended not to notice when this servant disappeared.

Several days later, one of the emperor's senior attendants visited Consort Jing to assure him that, in the future, there wouldn't be such lapses in the training of the palace retainers. To this promise, Chen Yu merely glanced up briefly from the little puzzles he'd been toying with, neutrally acknowledged it with a "This consort knows," then turned away.

When the eunuch described the consort's apathetic response to the emperor, he laughed delightedly.

Consort Jing's method of using this eunuch both as a target to vent his anger and then, by throwing the servant to him, a chicken killed to scare the monkeys, was exactly to his taste, although, of course, he could have just been lazily pushing the clean-up to the emperor. Then to so nonchalantly put the matter aside, he was very good.

In any case, after these incidents, Lu Guanting firmly resolved on crowning Zhang Hua as empress.

The emperor had long recognized how intelligent Consort Jing was from his perceptiveness in discerning that he'd been fed infertility medicine, but now, Lu Guanting had been thoroughly convinced by the decisive, subtle way that the consort had handled the crown prince's ploys.

The problem was Zhang Hua's temperament.

The man didn't pursue money, nor status, nor luxury. The only thing he liked was to leisurely idle his time away. If such a man was forced to bear the burdens of being empress, who knew how he would retaliate? Imagining the schemes the clever consort might come up with, Lu Guanting chilled.

Nonetheless, there was no one whose personality and background were more suitable, and Emperor Taihe refused to have anyone less competent occupy the phoenix seat. First, he decided, he'd have to ingratiate himself with Zhang Hua.

Thus, over the following few months, the palace servants developed the ability to perfectly carry out their duties without raising their eyes out of fear that they would blind themselves watching the heavenly son blatantly woo the consort. The same emperor who'd deemed the members of his harem interchangeable, the same emperor who'd been hailed for being the most impervious to beauty traps, this very same emperor constantly demonstrated that he had no bottom line when it came to Consort Jing. The servants sighed, they didn't dare have an opinion, they only begged the emperor to flaunt his love on the bed, behind the dividers, anywhere but everywhere!

On the other hand, one of the most disturbing points for the ministers was that Emperor Taihe began flouting palace regulations to sleep in Consort Jing's suite. If that consort could bewitch the Holy One to defy such long-standing tradition, what would he do next?

In reality, however, Chen Yu had nothing to do with Lu Guanting's recalcitrance. If anything, he wished the man would go away and let him sleep.

Rather, it was Emperor Taihe who was unable to separate himself from the pleasure of his consort. Perhaps because of his short period of abstinence, Lu Guanting surprised even himself with his obsession with Zhang Hua's body. Each time he seemed to feel hotter, tighter, more responsive, each time he was the most sensual feast he'd ever tasted. Truly, watching that flushed skin and those exquisite lines, Lu Guanting could hardly suppress the urge to swallow him whole. He was so attached that he was reluctant to withdraw even when they'd finished.

Given such a delicacy, the emperor naturally wouldn't miss any chance to eat him up, regardless of old customs and ministers' petitions.

Because of the emperor's overflow of passion, Chen Yu really put his golden finger to full use. Despite using his ability to block out pain, however, he couldn't fix his fatigue, so that his life became limited to shuffling between his bed and the chaise lounge.

Today, as usual, he'd been sleeping after being tossed again in the morning when the emperor returned from court. Lu Guanting gently gazed at Zhang Hua's charming, rosy face hiding in the blankets, his black hair spread like a waterfall over the pillows. His cherry-like lips were slightly parted, puffing at a tendril of hair clinging stubbornly to the corner of his mouth.

Lu Guanting realized that he must have been too extreme if this careful man was so exhausted that he didn't even rouse at the emperor's entrance. As for whether he could show some moderation next time, that had to be seen...

With an unconsciously softened smile, Lu Guanting sat down on the bed, tucking the strand that had been irritating Zhang Hua behind his ear. Looking at that defenseless face, he was almost unable to bear waking him up. But he'd confirmed that the consort hadn't taken the morning meal, so he stroked away the man's pout and whispered, "Beloved, come have some food."

Chen Yu wrinkled his eyebrows and turned away, unwilling to be bothered. This stupid pervert, what food, rest was clearly what this body needed ah.

Lu Guanting, however, insisted, lifting him up into his embrace and biting his ear. In a deep voice, he coaxed, "If you don't want to eat, shall this emperor accompany you on the bed?"

At the threat, Chen Yu promptly blinked open his sleepy eyes, rasping, "This consort begs pardon for the trouble, Your Imperial Majesty."

Lu Guanting lowered his eyes, his thin lips curled self-mockingly. No matter how often he gave the consort permission to drop the use of titles in private, Zhang Hua refused to step a shade closer, even when he was so dazed. Beyond a doubt, such restraint had originally been a key motive in the emperor's decision to favor Consort Jing, but for some reason, this distance had increasingly become a thorn in his side—Lu Guanting wasn't sure why, whether it was because it offended his pride or delayed his plans to title Zhang Hua as empress, or if it was something else.

All he knew was that this couldn't continue.

Chen Yu, who'd predicted that the emperor would become impatient by now, caught the renewed determination on his face, but he simply closed his eyes and rested his upper body on Lu Guanting. Hearing the other's indulgent chuckle, he muttered, "It is too tiring to sit."

Lu Guanting was pleased at this relatively affectionate motion, he curled the slight body into his chest without a qualm. Even after the maids had cautiously set down the plates of food, he didn't rouse the drowsy man, carrying him to the table and settling him on his lap.

The couple often took their meals in this position, so much so that the servants quietly standing near the edges of the room were completely accustomed to it. But each time, Chen Yu paused to squeeze his arms around the other man's waist, calling up the countless moments he'd sat in this way, his gaze turning a bit wistful.

Lu Guanting was used to the consort's quirk, so he didn't think much about it. Instead, seeing that Zhang Hua had made no move to pick up his chopsticks, he focused on skillfully scooping morsels of Chen Yu's favorite dishes into his mouth. Somehow, the emperor had become quite proficient at such tasks over the past few months...

Once Chen Yu had eaten his fill, Lu Guanting didn't linger, simply finishing off a few plates with his hands threaded around the consort before moving to the chaise. Looking at Zhang Hua, who was lying on his thighs with his half-lidded eyes skimming over a collection of paintings, the emperor at last broached his proposal.

He signaled the servants to withdraw, then soothingly stroked through the consort's smooth hair and opened, "Beloved, do such drawings amuse you?"

Zhang Hua lazily glanced over then hummed.

Despite the perfunctory response, Emperor Taihe persevered. "These sights are merely common things. Climbing higher, you can enjoy grander views."

As he'd expected, Zhang Hua immediately grasped what his point was. Unfortunately, he appeared rather unhappy.

Chen Yu had guessed that the emperor would bring this up today, but there was still an undeniable twinge of discomfort at the sign that this play would probably end soon.

Nevertheless, he quickly masked his emotions and languidly sat up to lean on the opposite end of the chaise. Although Zhang Hua's face wore a faint smile, his eyes were like pools of frozen black water. In a slightly sardonic tone, he inquired, "Does the emperor believe that this humble consort is one who seeks grand views? Even if that were so, does the emperor believe that this humble consort would exert himself to climb?"

Emperor Taihe remained silent for a moment, his creased brow seemed to exude tender helplessness.

But before he could try another tactic, Chen Yu picked up a book from the side table, then mildly noted, "The emperor's mention of heights has reminded this humble consort, there is a poem here that this humble consort finds quite pleasing. This humble consort wonders whether the emperor would be willing to hear it?"

Lu Guanting sensed that this was not a good thing, but at the barrage of 'this humble consort's, he was forced to nod.

With his clean, jade-like voice, Chen Yu recited:

"'In the Lunar Palace of autumn cold, the bay in profusion grows,

Year after year, she alone plucks with love the spring that blows.

Though much talk there is on earth in praise of Heaven,

Yet who knows about wistful yearnings for the earth from Heaven.'"

Zhang Hua's rejection could not be more plainly put.

The compliments Emperor Taihe had prepared to appease Zhang Hua stuck in his throat. But after all, he was Lu Guanting, who'd climbed over so many bodies to become the emperor, he recovered almost instantly. Since there was nothing he could do for now, he fondly praised, "Consort Jing is truly noble and learned."

However, the distant air around Zhang Hua didn't thaw a bit.

The consort raised his chin, then kowtowed. "If the emperor likes such poems, this humble consort will naturally devote himself to studying them. Despite the presumptuousness, Your Imperial Majesty, this humble consort dares hope that he does not overstep by making a request."

Emperor Taihe signaled him to speak. Perhaps this would placate his beloved consort?

Chen Yu smiled, "This humble consort fears that he has occupied too much of the emperor's time lately and begs the emperor to rest. While this humble consort will pine in Your Imperial Majesty's absence, the health of the dragon body is infinitely more precious."

In the face of such a politely obvious dismissal, Lu Guanting could only exhale lightly and rise, extending his hand to help Zhang Hua up. Before they could touch, however, the consort stood up and bowed, leaving the emperor no choice but to leave after a brief "Take care, beloved."

Walking out, Lu Guanting coldly ordered the servants to cover up any vantage points for appreciating the moon.

It seemed he'd made a mistake.

---

On the crown prince's side, the second humiliation he'd endured because of that consort eliminated any hesitation he'd previously had toward killing him. Still, he understood that, considering how public the feud had become, he couldn't make a move himself, so he contacted his maternal grandfather.

The left prime minister had also been seething at Emperor Taihe's madness. Not only had the emperor never revealed such ardor for his excellent daughter, but more importantly, if the crown prince failed to retain his position, the left prime minister would also lose much of his power.

Thus, the grandfather and grandson were completely united in their goal.

Even though Emperor Taihe was reputed to be infatuated with that consort, the left prime minister was certain that there was a crime that the emperor would absolutely never forgive. While transgressions like ruined looks or infidelity couldn't guarantee that consort's death, an act of treason would be fatal. Ultimately, Emperor Taihe was not one who would condone a threat to his power.

Of course, the left prime minister was well aware that to execute a trap effectively, he required allies near that consort.

But this was not difficult, since the palace was full of those who had a grudge against Consort Jing. The imperial favor that had previously been equally distributed among the concubines and consorts was now enjoyed solely by Consort Jing, making most of them eager to eliminate this monopolist.

Furthermore, although that consort's servants appeared to have been frightened into unwavering loyalty, his spies had mentioned a young maid who'd recently been punished harshly, even losing her tongue. Many, if not all, of these people would be useful tools.

As they say, old ginger is spicier—with this information alone, the left prime minister managed to swiftly create a plan.