Chapter 3
The imperial study fell into silence as the messenger knelt on the floor, sweat beading his forehead despite the cool air drifting through the open windows.
Helian Jue's hand remained on Qingyu's waist, fingers pressing into him as if afraid the new consort might slip away.
"Your Majesty, the rebels number at least three thousand. They carry banners of the fallen Southern Alliance and move directly toward the Yun estates. Scouts report they have already burned two outlying villages."
Helian Jue's gaze turned murderous as he released Qingyu from his grip.
"Leave us," he commanded the guards and the messenger. "Bring the Prime Minister and the Minister of War immediately. And summon General Zhao from the north."
They all rushed out at that one order. Qingyu used the chance to step back, smoothing his robe as his cheeks still burned from what had happened earlier.
In this new life, Helian Jue had never been this bold on the very first day. The intensity of those oceanic eyes unsettled him more than anything.
"If Your Majesty permits, this consort will withdraw so you may attend to state affairs. My father and my little sister are still at the southern estates. I would not wish to distract you at such a critical hour."
Helian Jue's gaze snapped back to him immediately, a flicker of protectiveness in his eyes. The emperor was undeniably handsome with refined features that could make poets weep and enemies tremble.
"You will stay." That wasn't a plea. It was an order as he gestured to a nearby chair. "Sit. I want you here."
Qingyu's stomach tightened but he obeyed and lowered him to the chair, his thoughts racing. The southern rebels appearing this early was wrong. In his memories of the previous path, it had erupted after a few months. Why now?
The doors opened again and Prime Minister Wei entered first, an older man with a thin beard and calculating eyes, followed closely by Minister of War Chen and General Zhao.
Surprise flickered on their faces when they noticed the new Jade Consort seated so close to the emperor on his first night.
"Your Majesty," Prime Minister Wei began, his voice low. "The southern situation is concerning but manageable. The Yun family has long been accused of withholding taxes. We should send troops to secure the estates and question the Duke directly."
Qingyu's fingers shook in his sleeves now. His younger sister, Shen Qinglan was only sixteen and still grieving their mother's murder years ago.
Qingyu's mother had been poisoned during a seemingly tea gathering and her death had been blamed on unknown assassins.
The pain of that loss still ached in Qingyu's chest like an old wound that refused to heal.
Helian Jue leaned back into his chair. "Question the Duke? While rebels march on his lands?" His tone was deceptively mild. "Explain how three thousand armed men crossed our borders without warning, Prime Minister."
Wei hesitated, glancing briefly at Qingyu as if the consort's presence irritated him. "Spies may have been at work within the Yun household itself, Your Majesty. The Duke's son is now here in the palace. Convenient timing, is it not?"
The accusation made Qingyu gasp silently. Though he still kept his expression innocent, but within, anger simmered in him alongside fear for his sister. He had planned to move the silver, not to gain suspicion on day one.
Before he could speak, Helian Jue interrupted. "Convenient? The Yun family helped me secure my throne with their wealth and soldiers when others plotted against me. You would accuse them without evidence while rebels threaten the southern grain routes?"
General Zhao trudged forward, bowing. "Your Majesty, I can mobilize two legions by dawn. We can crush the rebels before they reach the main estate. But we must act swiftly."
Helian Jue nodded once then his gaze returned to Qingyu. "Consort Shen, you know the southern lands better than most here. What would you advise?"
The question stunned the room. Prime Minister Wei's mouth opened and closed for a few seconds. Consorts were rarely asked for military opinions!
Qingyu rose slowly as his heart pounded hard in his chest, a hint of worry in his voice.
"Your Majesty, my family has always served loyally. My little sister Qinglan is still there. If the rebels are moving so boldly, there may be traitors within the border feeding them information. Perhaps a faster force could secure the family while the main army cuts off the rebels' supply lines."
Helian Jue studied him for a long moment, astonished. A proud smile ghosted his lips before he looked at the others.
"Wise words. General Zhao, take five hundred elite riders and secure the Yun estates. Bring the Duke and his daughter to safety while the main force will follow at first light."
General Zhao bowed and left quickly. Prime Minister Wei and Minister Chen exchanged uneasy glances but offered no further protest.
As the officials departed, Helian Jue stood and approached Qingyu again.
"I'm actually surprised by your words, Consort Shen." he murmured, lifting a hand to tuck a stray strand of Qingyu's long black hair behind his ear. "You think like a strategist. Maybe I'm going to make you more than my consort."
Qingyu's heart almost exploded in his chest as he lowered his lashes. "This consort only wishes to be useful to Your Majesty."
Helian Jue's fingers trailed down to his jaw, alluringly. "Useful? I find myself wanting more than usefulness for you, Qingyu."
Qingyu's breath hitched this time. This was getting way too much and he didn't like how his heart kept racing. His Majesty really knew how to flirt.
"Your Majesty…"
A sudden knock interrupted Qingyu from saying further as Eunuch Liu entered, his face pale.
"Your Majesty, urgent news from the Cold Palace wing. One of the imprisoned former officials claims to have information about the southern rebels. He swears it involves the late Empress Dowager's old faction, the same ones rumored to have poisoned Consort Shen's mother years ago."
Helian Jue's hand froze on Qingyu's face before he dropped it. The mention of Qingyu's mother seemed to strike deeper than expected.
Qingyu looked at Eunuch Liu this time, if the prisoner truly knew something…
"Bring him in," Helian Jue ordered, cutting Qingyu's thoughts off. He glanced at Qingyu again. "And you stay by my side tonight."
Instead of refusing, Qingyu just nodded his head to hide the rapid beating of his pulse. The emperor's protectiveness felt both comforting and suffocating.
As two guards dragged in a chained prisoner, Qingyu stood frozen. The prisoner looked up, his gaze darting between the emperor and the consort.
"Your Majesty the rebels are not what they seem. They were hired by someone inside the palace to destroy the Yun family. Just like they murdered the late mother of your new Jade Consort."
The room tensed as Helian Jue's hand found Qingyu's wrist, gripping it possessively.
Qingyu felt the emperor's pulse, almost frantic through that touch.
Why did Helian Jue react as if the news personally wounded him?
And why did the prisoner's eyes flicker with strange recognition when they landed on the emperor?