The bet was simple, to get the Imperial Court to reject Noble Consort Ju's request to be named Empress and feign displeasure.
When the ruler falls ill, it concerns the whole nation.
The last time there was gossip, it led to the imperial consort selection. This time, Chang Yan was very curious what it would bring about - a long feast?
An attendant guard asked, “Your Highness, shouldn't we do something?”
Chang Yan thought for a moment, first shaking his head, then nodding.
“What does that mean?” The attendant scratched his head, puzzled.
First reject the Empress title, then feign displeasure - that would be enough to alert Noble Consort Ju to be vigilant. Anything more would be overdoing it.
If it provoked displeasure from the Imperial Court, it could ruin their original bet.
The nod was because at the critical moment, more fuel had to be added to make the fire burn brighter.
“But isn't it obvious to anyone that the Noble Consort wants the Empress title to pave the way for the Eldest Prince to take the throne?” The attendant guard muttered. “How can the Imperial Court not see through it?”
Chang Yan just smiled without responding.
Often those involved are blind, while onlookers see clearly.
Moreover, could he really not see through it at all? Then why would he have agreed to this absurd bet?
The human heart is complex - it may sense something wrong yet deny it, but still force itself to admit it.
Some cruel and bloody truths can only be seen when torn apart.
It is liberating and thorough.
“So what should we do next, Your Highness?” The attendant asked again.
Chang Yan pressed his lips together and gave just one word in response: “Wait.”
The Imperial Court had rejected Noble Consort Ju in private. The people of Fengjing didn't know the truth, and the gossip grew louder and wilder.
Now it was very difficult for the Ju Family.
To argue would be humiliating.
To not argue would be like pouring oil on the fire.
Often at times like this, actions reveal one's true thoughts.
When Chang Yan received word that the Ju Family had only quietly tried to suppress the rumors instead of publicly refuting or explaining them, he knew the main event was about to begin.
The gossip in Fengjing grew rampant, while complex emotions stirred endlessly in the palace.
After receiving a definitive rejection, Noble Consort Ju had indeed sulked for days. But as the Imperial Court fell ill, she tenderly made him chicken soup and attentively kept him company, even personally feeding him meals.
“Your Majesty, please try Consort Ju's stewed lotus seed and white jade soup, perfect for recuperation.” Though nearly forty, careful maintenance made her appear stunning, while maturity lent her plumpness and charm beyond young maidens, and her elegant brows and eyes compelled admiring glances.
As a man, one takes pride in giving the beloved woman security, and letting her live indulgently.
For the companion of one's youth to still be by one's side in old age was a persistence few could manage.
The Imperial Court sighed softly and sipped from the spoon.
“Is it good?” Noble Consort Ju asked gently, hope glimmering in her eyes.
It was as if they had returned to the past, when she was still that mischievous young girl.
“It's good,” the Imperial Court said, unable to contain his doting tone. “Anything A'Ruo cooks is good.”
Not believing him, Noble Consort Ju tasted it herself from the spoon and quickly spat it out with a grimace. “Blech! It's so awful, how could you swallow it?”
Waving her hand, she had the servants bring new congee.
Picking dried white peony with rouged fingers, she brought it to him again. “It's my fault, for letting Your Majesty dote on me these twenty years yet still not learning to cook tasty white jade congee. Next time I will definitely learn to make delicious white jade congee.”
The Imperial Court obediently opened his mouth and swallowed as she fed him.
“Leave the cooking to the servants. Just be carefree and happy every day.”
“I can't do that.” Noble Consort Ju's tone held blame. “The congee I make is different from what others make. I'm the one who walked alongside Your Majesty, not them. They don't love you like I do.”
“Your Majesty, my heart holds only you.”
“I...want to be with you forever and ever.”
In life, and death.
Love was possessive, unwilling to spare even a bit.
But in an imperial family, much was out of one's hands.
The Imperial Court's brows furrowed deeply as he watched Noble Consort Ju go from teasing and pleading to disappointment and despair, before kindling hope once more. Still he steeled his heart and shook his head.
“A'Ruo,” his voice was low and sickly. “You know I promised Father Emperor. I cannot go back on my original vow.”
Noble Consort Ju froze, stopping in the middle of feeding him congee, not even noticing the Imperial Court's regret.
“Is that vow so important that it hasn't wavered in twenty years?” Her voice trembled. “But back then, we fell in love first!”
That night, the Imperial Consort left unhappy once more.
If even their past affection could not sway his vow, what in the world could win her the Empress title?
By wit? Coercion? Or begging?
Tears streamed down Noble Consort Ju's face as she gazed blankly like dead ashes.
And this was when Chang Yan made his move. He had the Imperial Hospital fabricate news of the Imperial Court's declining health, and relay it to the Ju Family in utmost secrecy.
Utmost secrecy meant even the Emperor didn't know.
The trump card the Yan Family had accrued over decades emerged at this moment.
At the end of the new year, the Ju Family head used New Year greetings as an excuse to pass new information to Noble Consort Ju.
Chang Yan didn't know the exact contents, only hearing the siblings had quarreled fiercely enough to smash two sets of teacups.
It was certainly Noble Consort Ju who had lost her temper. The Ju Family head knelt and patiently persuaded her, finally swaying her somewhat.
What could they have discussed?
Nothing other than the Empress title, paving the way for the Eldest Prince, and establishing the Crown Prince.
With the ruler grievously ill, it meant a new successor had to rise up and take on the responsibility.
The Second Prince lacked power and influence, even if he wanted to contend.
The Fifth Prince was too frail, keeping a low profile.
That left only the blazing Eldest Prince, who only needed the legitimate eldest position to have proper cause to succeed smoothly and logically.
The Ju Family must want that spot, definitely.
After who knows how much anguish and struggle, after who knows how much bitter torment, Noble Consort Ju fell ill for seven days in Chengqian Palace before forcing herself up, eyes swollen with tears, to personally cook congee.
The news reached West Third Court. Chang Yan didn't even open his eyes, just gazed in the direction of Qianqing Palace.
Other than fabricating the Imperial Court's declining health, he hadn't used any connections or intervened in anything.
This meant the man lying in Qianqing Palace would know everything he knew.
“Your Highness, will the Noble Consort really poison the Imperial Court?” The attendant guard asked fearfully. “That would be punished by execution of nine familial exterminations!”
She might poison him, staking everything on the Empress title.
Or she might not poison him, to see who was more cunning.
Noble Consort Ju's struggle was too obvious. Her haggard appearance was bare for all to see, clearly telling everyone: I harbor hatred out of love, I will fight for a future for my son.
If the Imperial Court grew wary and dumped out the congee, then found no poison, he would feel guilty and might truly grant her the Empress title out of remorse.
On the other hand, what if the Imperial Court guessed Noble Consort Ju's withdrawal was a ploy, and deliberately drank the congee? Then the Ju Family could take the chance to poison him and assassinate the ruler.
With Noble Consort Ju's abilities, she could easily control the inner palace, issue an imperial decree granting herself the Empress title, issue one establishing the Crown Prince, and control the entire court.
In the end, it came down to who thought further ahead and had deeper cunning and greater skill.
“Heavens, there are so many twists and turns here that I still feel Consort Ju won't poison him - that would just be too stupid, leaving her with eternal infamy if found out.” The attendant muttered.
This time Chang Yan laughed.
She might not poison the congee, but that didn't mean...it contained no poison.
