Chapter 136 Male Concubine

How could she possibly be reluctant to part with Yuan Zaichun? She was simply reluctant to part with the supreme wealth and nobility of the imperial family.

Right from the beginning, she had wanted to get close to him entirely because of his status. Perhaps a sliver of genuine affection had become intertwined along the way, which was why she had grown so obsessed. But now, having tasted the treatment reserved for a mere beauty, she understood that as long as she clung to the towering tree of the Crown Prince, she would be provided for and worry-free for the rest of her life.

"Quickly! Take her away!"

As soon as Yuan Zaichun and Liufu reached the doorstep, they saw several eunuchs dragging Bu Shenglian, stripping every single valuable item from her body with ruthless efficiency. Not a single gold hairpin or silver ornament was allowed to remain with her. By the time she was dragged to the entrance, her hair was completely disheveled, and she was crying so hard that her makeup was completely ruined.

The moment she caught sight of Yuan Zaichun, Bu Shenglian acted as though she had seen her savior. She lunged forward to clutch the hem of his trousers, kneeling on the ground as she wept like pear blossoms drenched in rain. "Your Highness! Save this concubine! I don't want to go to the nunnery! Your Highness!"

Little Shunzi glanced at Yuan Zaichun and, seeing him remain silent, grew bold. He stepped forward and kicked Bu Shenglian roughly to the side, then beckoned impatiently. "What are you waiting for? Hurry up!"

His expression was as cold and indifferent as if he were dragging away a beast rather than a human being.

"Your Highness, this is an errand assigned to this slave by the Emperor himself. How could this slave fail to fulfill the decree?" Little Shunzi bowed deeply to Yuan Zaichun.

The man cast a single glance at the struggling Bu Shenglian being hauled away, then nodded at Little Shunzi. "You've worked hard, Eunuch."

"It's no hardship at all, no hardship at all. It's just that Listening Bamboo Courtyard will probably need a thorough cleaning and redecoration; the inside has been completely smashed to pieces."

With that, Little Shunzi took his leave.

Yuan Zaichun led Liufu all the way to Listening Bamboo Courtyard. The maids outside knelt in a neat row. Once inside, where was there any trace of the place where Qiao Qingyun used to live? The rooms were packed to bursting with various extravagant and garish decorations.

Liufu frowned with disgust. No wonder the expenses had been so astronomical during that period.

"Change everything on that bed."

Touching the bed where Qiao Qingyun had once slept, Yuan Zaichun spoke in a slightly hoarse voice. Liufu understood immediately and waved his hand sharply.

The servants behind him swarmed forward, eagerly stripping away all the disorderly clutter from the room and carrying it outside.

"Your Highness... what about that tree outside?"

"Have the old peach tree replanted."

The man sat down on the newly made bed, running his fingers over the silk coverlet as he issued his low command.

Liufu asked no further questions, instead ordering the servants to restore everything to the exact layout from the days when Qiao Qingyun lived here. After a vigorous bout of clearing and rearranging, the courtyard was finally returned to its original appearance.

Liufu hurried over to Yuan Zaichun with a hint of a smile on his face. "Your Highness, rest assured. If the Crown Princess... if the Princess returns, she will surely be pleased."

"I hope so."

With that, the man stood up and strode out of Listening Bamboo Courtyard, leaving strict instructions for the former staff to clean the place daily.

This action sparked a flurry of discussions among the household. A maid who used to serve Qiao Qingyun alongside Qingluo whispered, "Could the Princess be coming back?"

"Who knows?"

"Alas, the Princess had it so hard. She was driven out so ruthlessly. I wonder if the Prince finally realized her worth and wants to bring her back."

"Keep your voice down, lest others hear you."

Over in the Zijing Palace, Qiao Qingyun had finished changing her clothes amidst a bustling crowd of attendants. Having finally managed to wash herself and lean back against the bed to rest, Zhong Shi walked in carrying a tray of pastries.

Noticing that Qiao Qingyun was lost in thought, he gently set the pastries down and turned to leave, only to be stopped by her voice. "Wait."

Zhong Shi paused in his tracks, turning his head back with a puzzled look. "Is there anything else the Princess requires?"

Qiao Qingyun chuckled softly and tried to shift her position, scaring Zhong Shi out of his wits. He hurried over to support her. "Princess, please don't move around so carelessly. It will be bad if you reopen your wounds."

"Zhong Shi, do you blame me?"

The woman asked out of nowhere. Zhong Shi froze, his hands halting in mid-air. He raised his gaze to meet her inquiring eyes. "What is there to blame? This subordinate is simply the Princess's Zhong Shi. Whatever decision the Princess makes, this subordinate will always follow."

"Half a year."

Qiao Qingyun dropped another bombshell, throwing Zhong Shi into a panic. "Princess..."

Before Zhong Shi could ask, Qiao Qingyun reached out to lightly stroke his cheek, her eyes turning slightly red. "I have always known your feelings for me. But there are too many unavoidable constraints and unspeakable hardships—even now, it is the same. I was once a married woman. If you were to be with me, you would inevitably suffer the scorn and contempt of others."

"This subordinate is not afraid."

Zhong Shi declared resolutely, but Qiao Qingyun merely sighed. "I am afraid. I am afraid I will implicate you. The Empress holds immense power; who can guarantee she won't strike again? As for Yuan Zaichun, it would be a lie to say I hold no lingering affection for him at all. But more than anything, I hope you can find someone you truly love—someone who is a proper match for you."

Hearing this, Zhong Shi felt as though his heart was on the verge of breaking. How was he supposed to declare his true feelings? How could he make it clear that the only person he loved in his heart was Qiao Qingyun alone?

Yet the words died on his lips, forcibly swallowed back down.

He did not want to make things difficult for Qiao Qingyun. If his presence brought her trouble, he would rather retreat to a distant place—even if it meant yearning for her from afar, just catching a glimpse of her from a distance would be enough.

"The Princess need say no more. Zhong Shi understands."

Qiao Qingyun let out a long breath, staring down at her wounds, which still bore traces of blood. "If, after half a year, I decide to leave with you, I will not stay behind. Trust me."

"Yes."

Zhong Shi was capable of handling anything, save for one thing: defying Qiao Qingyun's wishes. Because Qiao Qingyun trusted him implicitly, there had been countless opportunities for him to make her entirely his own, yet he had never once crossed the line. He feared the look of disgust in her eyes if she were to wake up; he feared she might do something desperate, resulting in him losing her forever. Either of those outcomes was entirely unacceptable to him.

At noon, sensing that it was time for a meal, Zhong Shi carefully supported Qiao Qingyun into the hall. No sooner had she seated herself than a voice rang out from beyond the door.

"This palace has come to see the Princess!"

Yuan Rou's voice echoed through the room. Qiao Qingyun glanced toward the entrance and turned to Zhong Shi. "Go and see who it is."

"Yes."

Qingluo and Yuanbao were attending to Qiao Qingyun nearby. Ever since Yuanbao learned that the recent ordeal involved the Empress, his attitude had undergone a complete transformation. In his mind, only Qiao Qingyun had ever treated him truly well; apart from her, anyone who had harmed her deserved to die!

As soon as Zhong Shi reached the threshold and saw it was Yuan Rou, he immediately waved his hand. "No need to stop her. Please enter, Your Highness."

"Hey? Aren't you... aren't you that male concubine by the Princess's side?"

Zhong Shi: "..."

What a splendid male concubine he had become!

Feeling as though he had suffered a critical blow, Zhong Shi could only offer a hesitant nod before hastily escorting Yuan Rou into the palace.