Chapter 251 - You're Here to Catch a Traitor Aren't You?
Tang Yue's anxiety heightened with each passing moment. He instructed the butler to ready the carriage, returned to his chamber to change attire, and then proceeded to the palace by carriage.
“Forgive me, Crown Princess. The king has decreed that you are not to be disturbed. Shall I convey your presence later?” Outside the Imperial Reading Room, the eunuch smirked at Tang Yue.
Tang Yue understood he lacked the authority to act independently. The decree must have come from the King of South Jin himself, so he inquired, “Is the king attending to the envoy from Chu State?”
“Yes, he discerned the purpose.”
“How much time has elapsed?”
“Less than half an hour.”
“Do you know the contents of the message?”
Once again, the eunuch grinned, “I'm a mere servant, how would I be privy to such information as this?”
Tang Yue opted not to press the matter. He lingered outside the door, even pressing his ear against it, yet discerned no sound from within.
“Crown Princess, this conduct is unbecoming. Should you be seen, the repercussions… Why not retire to the side hall for a time?”
Tang Yue declined, shaking his head. “It's unnecessary. I'll remain here.”
“Fear not. Should any activity occur within, I shall promptly inform the king.”
Eventually, Tang Yue retreated to the side hall. Many court officials lingered near the Imperial Reading Room, eager to engage him in conversation. However, he lacked the inclination to engage, preferring seclusion in the side hall.
A palace maid entered, presenting a teapot and assorted pastries. Tang Yue hadn't consumed much throughout the day. Upon sight of the refreshments, he sampled a few pastries and took a sip of tea.
However, whether due to dehydration or some other cause, he soon found his mouth parched and his throat scorched. “Someone, attend to me!” he called out.
A palace maid entered with bowed head. Tang Yue, without a close inspection, instructed, “Fetch me another cup of water.”
“Yes.”
A palace maid approached Tang Yue slowly, carrying a cup of steaming tea.
Tang Yue extended his hand to grasp the cup, but the maid had already let go, causing the hot tea to spill onto his thigh.
“Hiss…” Tang Yue leaped up in pain from the scalding heat, shaking off the water droplets from his outer robe.
“Your Highness, please forgive me. This servant didn't intend for this.” The palace maid hurriedly approached, kneeling before him and bowing her head in admission of her mistake.
Under normal circumstances, Tang Yue might have offered her reassurance. However, today, he was in no mood to do so. He gestured for her to leave without expressing any desire to punish her.
Unsure if she was utterly terrified or something else, the palace maid crawled to Tang Yue's feet and used a handkerchief to dab away the water stains on his clothing. “You still have to meet with the king later. This won't do. Why don't you remove your garments, and this servant will have them dried and returned to you?”
Tang Yue was well aware that meeting the King of South Jin in such a state would be impolite, but he wished to avoid causing any disturbance in the palace. He instructed, “Go to the royal chambers and request someone to fetch the Crown Prince's attire. I'll simply change into those.”
Tears welled in the palace maid's eyes as she pleaded, “You have shown mercy to this servant. If the queen were to learn of this, she would certainly punish me.”
Impatiently interrupting her, Tang Yue remarked, “Just inform them that I accidentally stained my clothes.” He believed in the necessity of a well-rounded education, emphasizing the importance of knowing when to retreat and how to assess a situation.
The palace maid lifted her gaze, her eyes as clear as ink, as she spoke in a gentle tone, “This servant… This servant once served the Crown Prince. They won't believe it.”
“What?” Tang Yue's initial thought was that the maid had been involved with Crown Prince Zhao. However, upon further consideration, he deemed it improbable. If Crown Prince Zhao had indeed been involved with any woman, he wouldn't have left her in the palace to serve as a maid. He wouldn't have consented even if the queen had insisted.
Tang Yue had no interest in delving into the reasons behind her attempt to evade responsibility. “Very well, you may leave now.”
“This…”
Tang Yue's patience wore thin. Just as he teetered on the brink of losing his temper, footsteps approached from beyond the door. Assuming they heralded his audience's arrival, he rose from his seat, poised to greet them.
Little did he anticipate that a misstep would send him sprawling to the ground, landing atop a soft, warm figure. His hand, whether by coincidence or design, came to rest upon a generous bosom.
Before Tang Yue could react, the door swung open, eliciting startled cries. He narrowed his eyes at the disheveled woman before him. How could he not discern her scheme?
Mere moments later, this woman had disrobed, clad only in a pink undergarment that left little to the imagination. Any ordinary man would likely struggle to maintain composure.
No wonder she had been so unwilling to leave. She had lain in wait for him here!
“Crown Princess Tai…?” The onlookers at the door stood agape. Tang Yue's expression darkened as he withdrew his hand, rising to his feet and brushing non-existent dust from his attire before resuming his seat behind the table.
He sneered, “Right on schedule. But what is your purpose? What mischief do you intend in the absence of the Crown Prince, Crown Princess?”
The palace maid knelt, hands clasped over her chest, tears streaming silently. She made no utterance, only appearing as though she had suffered some injustice.
Multiple spectators gathered at the door, including the eunuch who bore the message and two officials from the Censorate.
Upon closer scrutiny, Tang Yue recognized the pair as those he had encountered earlier at the Censorate. Were they here to witness his downfall?
Had this incident occurred outside the palace walls, it might have been overlooked. Yet within the palace's confines, their eyewitness accounts demanded action, lest they jeopardize their reputations and lives.
The imperial censors exchanged bitter smiles, incredulous at their predicament.
They harbored no doubt regarding the authenticity of the scene. With Crown Prince Zhao absent for nearly a year and Crown Princess Tai being a man, it was not unexpected for him to experience physical urges. It was not uncommon for such desires to arise upon encountering an attractive palace maid.
Given their respective genders, such behavior seemed even more plausible.
Yet, Crown Princess, must you succumb to your desires within the palace? Is this not endangering everyone's lives?
Aware that arguing was futile, Tang Yue remained silent, addressing the eunuch instead. “Is it a summons from the king?”
The eunuch, shaken by the preceding events, stammered, “N-no, it was Eunuch Zhang who sent me. The Great King is likely unavailable to see you today.”
“Why?”
“This servant doesn't know.”
“Then did the soldier who was in the Imperial Reading Room come out?”
“This servant doesn't know.”
Tang Yue's lips twitched. “I'll remain here. When will the king return?”
One of the two royal censors offered gently, “Your Highness, perhaps you should return first. The king has convened a meeting with several State Dukes and the prime minister; it's unlikely he'll be available for some time.”
Tang Yue smirked coldly. “Then why are you here? Are you here to apprehend traitors?”
“Well…” The two royal censors realized something was amiss. They had sought an audience with the king at the palace to lodge a complaint against a duke for mistreating a couple. They were informed that the king had yielded after conferring with the lords.
However, a eunuch had mentioned the possibility of the king summoning them upon his return. Hence, they were escorted to the side hall to await his audience. That was when they witnessed the scene unfold.
Reflecting on it now, it seemed the king's concerns about the internal conflict made summoning them improbable. They had inadvertently walked into someone's scheme.
“Regardless of His Highness's belief, this official was unaware beforehand.”
“Ignorance is forgivable, but with just four of us here and one overlooked, how do you both intend to handle this situation?”
The two censors trembled. “Your Highness, please forgive us. Since we've been ensnared, the mastermind behind this likely anticipates we won't conceal it.”
“Even knowing they've fallen into a trap, they still intend to relay false information? Deceiving the king?” Tang Yue understood the imperial censors' character. They were willing to risk everything for their integrity.
Today's incident seemed minor, brushed aside by all. But it was evident the schemer wouldn't let it slide. There might be more tricks in store.
As he muttered, a blur passed before him, followed by a thud. Turning, he saw the woman who had wailed earlier had smashed her head into a pillar, blood spurting as she collapsed.
No need to silence her; she'd done it herself.
Tang Yue rubbed his forehead, foreseeing what would follow.
He'd been careless, perhaps from avoiding harem dramas.
Approaching the maid, he noticed she still breathed. He smiled coldly. “You seek death. Logically, while breath lingers, I could save you. But why bother? Since you desire death, I shall grant it.”
A chill pervaded. The censors dared not look up, pondering their next steps.
Tang Yue watched the maid's life ebb, sighing despondently.
As a doctor for two lifetimes, this futile death wounded him more than any plot.
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