The corridors of the royal palace were steeped in tension. Prince Hanyu paced the length of his quarters, his eyes dark with intent. His plan to unravel Lady Yanli's reputation had taken root through carefully crafted rumors, and today was the day to add fuel to the fire. This time, however, he had more than his mother, Consort Mei, by his side.
Lady Lian, his current lover and co-conspirator, sat in the shadows, her gaze focused and calculating. While Consort Mei publicly stood as the supportive mother, Lady Lian worked discreetly, nurturing the rumors and playing her part in subtle ways. Her involvement was delicate; in the eyes of the court, she was merely a courtier, but to Hanyu, she was an invaluable ally—a woman whose cunning matched his own.
"You understand your role, Lian?" Hanyu asked, turning to her.
Lady Lian gave a wry smile, her fingers lightly tracing the edge of her silk fan. "Of course, my prince. I shall be the compassionate witness, the sympathetic friend, the one who gently fans the flames of your 'suffering.'" Her voice dripped with irony, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.
Consort Mei, seated near the window, looked on approvingly. She and Lady Lian were an unusual pair—a mother and a lover both working to protect Hanyu's reputation and secure his place. Yet, their goals aligned for now, and each woman understood her place in the scheme.
Consort Mei addressed Hanyu with her calm authority. "Remember, son, you are the wronged prince—the man whose loyalty has been met with betrayal. You need only plant the seeds of doubt; let the ministers arrive at their conclusions naturally. Lady Lian's… sympathies for you will only add credibility."
Lady Lian nodded, playing with the delicate chain on her wrist. "I'll make sure that the ministers' wives understand the 'tragedy' you've endured. Though we women cannot attend court, my words will be felt in that hall."
Hanyu crossed his arms, a faint smirk curling on his lips. Lady Lian's subtle presence at court gatherings had proven effective before, and today, he would leverage her influence to perfection. "Let the ministers see my pain," he said, his voice lowering to a whisper. "If Zhen chooses to support her, he will only lose credibility."
But a hint of uncertainty shadowed Hanyu's gaze. Zhen had always been an enigma. If he chose to act, Hanyu knew he might have to contend with more than just court gossip.
Consort Mei seemed to sense her son's hesitation, her voice softening. "Remember, Hanyu, this is not just for you. It is for our family, our legacy. Allowing this matter to slide would be a stain upon our name."
Hanyu's gaze hardened. "Yanli's name must be dragged down. I will not let her walk away unscathed."
The grand hall buzzed with anticipation as the court assembled. Prince Hanyu entered the hall with a solemn, controlled expression, his bearing marked by quiet dignity. A few ministers glanced at him with what seemed to be pity, their sympathies subtly influenced by Lady Lian's whispered words.
"Prince Hanyu," a senior minister said, his voice filled with concern, "it is truly grievous to see a prince so unfairly treated."
Hanyu inclined his head, feigning modest acceptance. "Thank you, Minister Lu. It is indeed painful, but I must serve the kingdom first, despite my personal sorrows."
A murmur of agreement spread through the court. Lady Lian's influence was evident in the ministers' expressions, each sympathetic look and whisper a testament to her influence. In that hall, she played the role of the loyal friend, discreetly supporting Hanyu in a way that fed the court's perception of him as a wronged man.
When Zhen entered the hall, his expression remained unreadable. Despite the rumors, his calm presence had a way of commanding respect. Hanyu saw a flicker of irritation in his eyes and wondered if Zhen had guessed at his and Lady Lian's manipulation. But he brushed the thought aside, confident that Zhen wouldn't dare to oppose him openly in court.
The emperor, seated upon his throne, addressed the gathering. "Today, we speak of a matter that has touched the heart of this family and the kingdom." His gaze swept the hall, lingering on Hanyu before moving to Zhen. "Rumors concerning members of this family reflect upon us all, and we must decide how best to address them."
The emperor's gaze settled on Hanyu, who inclined his head, his voice steady as he addressed the court. "Your Majesty, it pains me to acknowledge these rumors, but the truth must be known. My intentions toward Lady Yanli were sincere. I honored her with my affections, yet… it seems my loyalty was met with betrayal."
A hush fell over the court as ministers exchanged scandalized glances. Hanyu's words, coupled with Lady Lian's whispered influence and Consort Mei's public show of maternal sorrow, painted a compelling image. The court seemed poised to condemn Yanli, their eyes filled with disapproval.
Lady Lian, positioned discreetly near the exit, exchanged glances with a few noble wives gathered in the shadows. She nodded, her expression one of sympathetic distress. Her gestures were enough to fan the embers of gossip even among the most hardened court officials, subtly spreading doubt about Yanli's character.
Zhen, however, remained silent, his expression calm but intent. His gaze locked onto the emperor, and for a moment, a flicker of something dangerous sparked in his eyes.
Finally, he stepped forward, his voice cutting through the murmur like a blade. "Your Majesty, may I address these rumors directly?"
The emperor inclined his head, interest flickering across his face. Zhen took a breath, his gaze steady. "I wish to announce my intentions to take Lady Yanli's hand in marriage."
A wave of shock rippled through the hall. Hanyu's jaw tightened, disbelief flashing across his face. This was not how he had envisioned the court session.
The emperor leaned forward, his expression unreadable. "Prince Zhen, this is indeed an unexpected proposal. Are you certain you wish to take this step?"
Zhen's voice was unwavering. "I am certain, Your Majesty. I have come to know Lady Yanli well, and I am convinced of her integrity and honor. The rumors are baseless—nothing more than slander against her name."
Hanyu's fists clenched at his sides. All his carefully laid plans, his efforts with Lady Lian and Consort Mei to paint Yanli as a woman without integrity, crumbled as Zhen stood before the court.
The emperor regarded Zhen thoughtfully, approval flashing in his eyes. "Very well, Prince Zhen. Your loyalty and sense of justice are commendable. I shall grant my blessing."
With those words, the matter was sealed. The emperor's endorsement left no room for doubt, and Zhen's proposal restored Yanli's honor. Any suspicions about her character were dismissed, and the narrative Hanyu and Lady Lian had woven was rendered useless.
Consort Mei's face remained expressionless, but her eyes were filled with fury. Lady Lian, meanwhile, struggled to mask her shock. She had not anticipated Zhen's decisive move, and now the sympathies she had carefully orchestrated were irrelevant.
As the court session concluded, Zhen approached Hanyu, his expression calm but his eyes steely. "Hanyu," he said quietly, "I will not let you ruin her. She is under my protection now."
Hanyu's jaw clenched, his gaze dark with anger. He had lost this round, and Zhen had made his victory known.
With a final nod to the emperor, Zhen left the hall, his head held high, the respect of the court following him. Hanyu watched him go, his plans undone, his reputation diminished. Lady Lian and Consort Mei would have to regroup, and this time, they would have to be far more cunning.