Character Index

  Zhou Yunqi: Emperor of the Wu Dynasty.

  Qiu Jinwei: Yunqi's advisor, holds an important role but no title.

  Han Daizhi: Brain of the Shandong faction.

  Zhou Ying: Previous Emperor, posthumously titled Emperor Xuanzong.

  Empress An: Yunqi's wife, Kuang's cousin.

  Empress Dowager An: Kuang's birth mother.

  Zhou Chenqian: Kuang's son.

  Zhou Kuang: The deceased Grand Prince, Yunqi's older brother.

  Zhou Xianchun: Archduke and former contender for the throne, Yunqi's younger and only surviving brother.

  Lord Cao: Chenqian's maternal grandfather.

  Fifth Princess Consort: Yunqi's first wife from a powerful family, died of "illness" due to political intrigues.

  Li Que: Vice-Director of the Imperial Investigation Bureau, head of the new palace branch.

  Chen Qian: Li Que's protege, Chen Caichun's brother.

  Halime: The Royal Consort, Ashina's sister.

  Consort Huang: One of Yunqi's consorts and former favorite.

  Consort Li: One of Yunqi's consorts, was injured in an attempted assassination.

  Wei Guang: Former Imperial Edict Bearer and Minister of Censure, teacher of Emperor Xuanzong.

  Yunqi returned to his study after the convening of court, somewhat relieved to finally have left the Inner Palace, however briefly. He had not freely wandered the Imperial city in years now, in hindsight. Even as a prince, he had stayed out of sight and mind to escape Emperor Xuanzong's wrath and suspicions–the place he'd gone to most often was Kuang's household.

  If it can be arranged, it would be good to go out in commonplace clothes to survey the city with my own eyes.

  Just seeing the city from the gates or the city walls on major holidays was not enough for him to gain a sense of how life had changed or stayed the same. It was clear from the reports and the state of the treasury that the reforms were improving the nation's finances, but how did that translate into on-the-ground conditions?

  The reforms can't stop. No, they can't be stopped anymore. At this point, it was more about making sure that the reforms didn't cause unintended consequences. Determined to think only of national affairs and not of Consort Huang's multiple pleas for an audience, Yunqi moved towards the pile of petitions and paperwork, stopping to glance at the strategist standing right next to his desk.

  Qiu Jinwei didn't speak up, and Yunqi offered him a smile before turning to his work.

  It didn't take long before Yunqi gave up. Qiu Jinwei's hovering presence was beginning to wear on him.

  "Speak," Yunqi said resignedly.

  "My liege, letting Zhao Wenyuan go without even an admonishment is too much, isn't it? Han Daizhi is not high-ranking, but he is still a fifth-rank of the Imperial Court. For Zhao Wenyuan to insult him right within the Inner Palace?" Qiu Jinwei asked. "If it were someone known for their temper, perhaps it could be overlooked. But this is not a man who forgets himself–his actions reflect how he views his own power!"

  "It is Han Daizhi who was at fault," Yunqi said. "He is a lower-ranking official whose duties have no direct connection to Wenyuan. Not only does he seek to get away with offending a superior official, he also seeks to smear the name of my cousin?"

  He ignored Qiu Jinwei's look of consternation.

  "But my liege, I thought…" Qiu Jinwei gestured helplessly. Hadn't Yunqi wanted to seize the opportunity to restrict Zhao Wenyuan? It was what Qiu Jinwei had worked towards, and he'd collected enough to at least force the Duke down a few pegs–intimidating the Empress, threatening an official, interfering in a confidential investigation–any single one of these matters was enough to quash any other person. Not the Emperor's cousin, certainly, but it was still enough to ensure that Zhao Wenyuan's ambitions couldn't soar too high, that he didn't end up with merit that eclipsed his liege.

  He'd thought that the Emperor was in agreement. And yet Yunqi's current ambivalence was beyond his comprehension. Presently, the Emperor went on as if nothing was wrong.

  "Cut Han Daizhi's pay for the next three months. Since this is his first known offense, I will not demote him nor publicly admonish him by name this time. But let this serve as a warning to all that I will not tolerate any attempts to stir up trouble in my court," Yunqi said.

  "My liege, the crux of the matter lies in—"

  Yunqi lifted his hand, and Qiu Jinwei fell silent.

  "I know exactly what you hope for, Jinwei. But establishing the Palace branch of the Bureau is more than sufficient. There's no need to temper Wenyuan any further."

  "I only ask you not to follow in the footsteps of the Grand Duke and Emperor Xuanzong in raising a tiger to become a threat," Qiu Jinwei said.

  Yunqi smiled sardonically at that, an expression that looked strangely like a mix of mockery and pity, one that Qiu Jinwei had rarely ever witnessed on his master's face in his many years of service.

  Despite his trepidation, Qiu Jinwei kept his peace and waited for Yunqi to say something or offer an explanation. But the Emperor had gone disconcertingly silent.

  From the outside looking in, a passing eunuch would have thought he'd passed a statue. The Emperor of the Wu was sitting completely still in his chair, staring intently at nothing in particular. The only sign that he was a human and not a monument was his index finger, which tapped on the armrest as if it had a volition of its own.

  "Jinwei."

  The first word that broke the silence was in a tone so foreign to its owner in coldness that Qiu Jinwei took a moment to react.

  "Your Majesty?"

  "If by chance I have a son," Yunqi said slowly, eyes still focused on something no one else could see. "If I'm lucky enough to have an heir, what happens if I die early?"

  The proper thing to do would be to assure Yunqi that he would both have a son and live a long life, and then only address the issue after his mood was soothed, but Qiu Jinwei did not. He was brought into Yunqi's household to be a blunt instrument and that was the role he would play.

  "The Empress and the Empress Dowager would rule as regent until he is of age, as per tradition,” Qiu Jinwei replied. "History merits that it would also be wise to arrange for a panel of high-ranking officials who can balance out the influence of the Inner Palace, allowing neither side to achieve dominance over the throne."

  "When Emperor Wu of Han arranged for four officials to assist his son, yet Huo Guang still came to dominate the court. When Emperor Wen of Wei did the same, the Sima Clan usurped the dynasty," Yunqi retorted. "A panel is of no use if it cannot keep itself intact."

  "If you believe anyone is intent on usurping the dynasty, then the best choice would be to kill them while you are still alive rather than leaving it to a child," Qiu Jinwei said. "It is easy for an Emperor to kill a subject–it is your right to do so as their liege. But rather than court officials, it is trouble within our walls that I fear."

  "The An clan," Yunqi murmured.

  Qiu Jinwei nodded grimly.

  "Both the Empress and Empress Dowager are from the An clan, which further holds military power," Qiu Jinwei said. "Though their men are all stationed in posts outside of the capital, it is only a matter of how fast a horse can ride."

  "You ask me to imitate my father's actions then?" Yunqi asked sardonically.

  Qiu Jinwei didn't flinch at the mention of Emperor Xuanzong's murders of his mother and wife. "It may not be necessary to go to such extremes, my liege."

  Yunqi was still looking into the distance as if he were trying to see into the future.

  "Allowing the Inner Palace to dominate politics…it can be troublesome, but not irreversible in any other time. But not with the North watching us as a tiger watches its prey."

  He was silent for a while before speaking again.

  "What about the Cao clan?"

  Yunqi didn't wait for a reply. "This nephew of mine, the only son that my brother left behind…if I have no son of my own, then he is my best choice. But if I have an heir, then he becomes a threat."

  Slowly, the Emperor stood up, looking suddenly weary beyond his years.

  "Then, of course, there's Xianchun. If I die…"

  "Then he should die with you," Qiu Jinwei calmly supplied. "His ambition will not fade with time, my liege. Removing him will be the best option for the sanctity of this dynasty."

  Taking Yunqi's silence as permission to continue, Qiu Jinwei drew a sharp breath.

  "And not just him."

  "No, of course not," Yunqi said. "If I die while my son is still a child, or if I am yet without a son, there will be ugly tasks that need to be carried out. Lord Cao, perhaps even the Empress Dowager and my only remaining brother…"

  Qiu Jinwei winced involuntarily–something inside prickled with unease, a discomfort close to a roving itch that lay beneath the flesh and out of reach of his fingernails.

  "I cannot bring myself to kill them," Yunqi stated. "Yet someone will have to take charge…whether to kill them or to keep them in their places, something to prevent them from invoking chaos throughout the land."

  "Perhaps if sufficient measures are implemented…" Qiu Jinwei said, trailing off uncertainly. There were no fail safes that could not be overturned with time. There was nothing so final as death.

  "And who will take responsibility for that? Will you?"

  "My liege," Qiu Jinwei began haltingly, the itch threatening to crawl out from inside him. But Yunqi ignored him entirely.

  "I will not leave things to chance. I must act while I am still in good health and sound mind. I will appoint a regent," Yunqi said, almost as if talking entirely to himself now. "A regent who is not the Empress, who is not an Imperial in-law nor a direct member of the Imperial Family. Someone who has the ability to hold down the court and the Inner Palace, who can keep the North in place. Someone who can carry all these sins in place of the dynasty."

  Alarm spiked through Qiu Jinwei's veins, a warning of what was about to come. It pushed him to his feet before the man himself could react.

  "Your Majesty–!"

  "You couldn't do it," Yunqi said, as calmly as if Qiu Jinwei had given no reaction at all. "You are a planner, not an administrator. You wouldn't be able to carry it out, nor could you handle the court. It is not in your nature. This isn't a bad thing, Jinwei. It may in fact be fortunate for you."

  "Your Majesty, who do you have in mind?" Qiu Jinwei asked, somehow already knowing the answer.

  "It's still far off yet," Yunqi said dismissively. "I am only speaking of what we must plan for."

  "You already know," Qiu Jinwei accused him. "My liege, please tell me that you're not thinking of such a foolish course of action!"

  Yunqi waved him off. "What course of action? I have only begun seriously considering the matter."

  Qiu Jinwei felt the cold seep to his bones. Yunqi's recent actions began to make more sense as the pieces fell together.

  Then why? You let me do all this and yet you–

  "Surely you're not considering Zhao Wenyuan."

  The words fell out heavy and wooden.

  Yunqi glanced at Qiu Jinwei, his expression apologetic and discomfited, then glanced towards the distance again. It was not just the Emperor's field of vision that floated away, but almost as if he could witness a specter departing from the flesh, Qiu Jinwei could sense the gulf widening between them as Yunqi the man made way for Yunqi the Emperor.

  "I would have an edict drafted," Yunqi said in lieu of a reply. "If I am to pass away before my heir is of age, whether he be Chenqian or a son of my own, Zhao Wenyuan is to act as regent until the new Emperor is sufficiently mature to handle court affairs independently."

  There it was, the vague fear that had crystallized over the past few days. Qiu Jinwei had worried this would happen from the moment Yunqi began seriously considering himself as a father, and yet he had held out hope that the Emperor would not be so short-sighted.

  "Please do not act in haste, Your Majesty! I strongly advise against that course of action," Qiu Jinwei said through gritted teeth. "You place too much power in the hands of a man with such strong ties to the North! If he wished to usurp the throne, all he would need to do is to exchange Anbei and Youzhou to his father-in-law for military support. This country that generations of the Wu have protected can end up as a vassal state!"

  Yunqi shook his head. "He would not do such a thing. Wenyuan was the one who made me Emperor, Jinwei. Don't forget that."

  "I certainly would not, my liege. The problem is that he won't ever forget it either! And that's fine for now–though we cannot lower our guards, he also has no intention of usurpation. But with a young child on the throne, and so much power in his hands?" Qiu Jinwei spread out his palms plaintively. "Could your son keep him leashed?"

  "When my brother died, Wenyuan was the one who took me to my father. He made me Crown Prince, then made me Emperor. And at which step along the way has he demanded a reward? While his duties have increased, his rank and salary remain the same as it did three years ago. At what point has he complained? I won't deny he needs to be watched, Jinwei. There is no official in court that can be trusted without reservation. But what other person beneath the heavens could I entrust this country to?" Yunqi said wearily.

  "But given his influence…not to mention his position as a member of the Imperial family–! The An clan could dominate the court for a time, but they could never take the throne for themselves!"

  "Jinwei."

  At the tone of Yunqi's voice, Qiu Jinwei fell silent with a befuddled look.

  "Wenyuan has had permission to ride a carriage in the Inner Palace and to bear a sword before the Emperor since my father's time. When have you ever seen him do that save for in an emergency?" Yunqi asked.

  Qiu Jinwei took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. "My liege, that's precisely the problem. Do not forget for how long he concealed his own ambitions under the Grand Duke–this may well be a repeat of the same. Or worse, he genuinely does not desire anything. Such a person is the most dangerous! Greedy men will bow to gold, lustful men will be swayed by beauty. Yet he who believes he only desires the best for the country is the most likely to push it to destruction, and all in the name of the greater good!"

  Yunqi shook his head. "But as a loyal subject," he gave Qiu Jinwei a sharp glance before the man could cut in with a statement about Emperor Xuanzong, "Not of any specific person but of the dynasty itself, he deserves to be considered a pillar of the nation. He knows the chaos that would come after he usurps the throne–our country is not yet in such poor shape that people would gladly accept a new dynasty. There would be countless rebellions. That's the last thing he wants to see! Worry as you might, Wenyuan is not so foolish."

  "Because you have someone to hold over him," Qiu Jinwei pointed out. "The death of the Grand Duke, the bodies of his assassins–without that, do you think that he could possibly remain so docile?"

  Yunqi gave Qiu Jinwei a fond look. "Jinwei, he's the head of the Bureau. Do you think that he couldn't find where the bodies are buried if he wanted to? There's only one reason he isn't trying, and that's to show his loyalty. Even if he dominates politics for a lifetime, better to allow it than to see the dynasty fall into civil conflict! It is unlikely his children will be able to uphold his legacy–let the next generations find their way forward at that time."

  "Let the–my liege, this is hardly something we can entrust so carelessly to the future!"

  Yunqi smiled sardonically, a look that was almost out-of-place on him. The sight of it only heightened Qiu Jinwei's unease. More and more often, he felt as if he could no longer understand the man before him.

  "And let us be honest with one another, as old friends," Yunqi said, in a way that did not feel like they were speaking as old friends.

  Qiu Jinwei bowed his head slightly, hiding his confusion.

  "If the dynasty can protect its people, then even if Zhao Wenyuan has thoughts of usurpation, it will come to nothing. If the dynasty cannot uphold its duties, then even if Zhao Wenyuan does not push the Zhou clan off the throne...won't someone else do it?"

  Qiu Jinwei could only manage to gape in shock for what seemed to be the longest moment. Even breathing in felt difficult in the face of the words he had just heard. A stuttering gasp of air finally hit his lungs and he spoke before his mind could even put together a response.

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  "My liege! How can you say such a thing?!"

  Yunqi gave a bitter laugh from the bottom of his chest.

  "We all say a dynasty will last for tens of thousands of years. Have you ever heard of one that's lasted more than a few centuries? So what if our forefathers won this land by blood? Raise me a single dynasty was not birthed in bloody conflict! I mean what I say, Jinwei. The only way to let this dynasty survive is by ensuring it can do what it is meant to do. Otherwise, we will fall into ruin anyhow. You, my pragmatist, surely understands this."

  Qiu Jinwei grimaced, suddenly as uncomfortable as if he had seen something he shouldn't have. The darkness in Yunqi's voice was not a single day in the making–whatever resentments and regrets the Emperor held, he had held them for quite some time now. He shuffled awkwardly, turning away from what he could not comprehend.

  "So as regent, Zhao Wenyuan will take full charge of political and military affairs?" Qiu Jinwei asked.

  "Yes." Yunqi finally turned towards him now, evaluating Qiu Jinwei with that same strange detachment that had fluctuated about him throughout the entire exchange. "And you, Jinwei, you will become the Grand Preceptor of the next Emperor."

  Grand Preceptor… Qiu Jinwei winced nervously.

  "One day as a child's teacher and you become like a father for the rest of his life–You will be responsible for protecting the next Emperor until he is of age," Yunqi said. "No matter who it is that threatens him, you will be the one to handle it."

  Qiu Jinwei bowed his head. "I humbly accept, Your Majesty."

  Even Wei Guang had never made the position of Grand Preceptor, despite being Emperor Xuanzong's teacher.

  "But may I ask what brought this on? Do you feel any discomfort with your health?" Qiu Jinwei asked uneasily.

  "No, nothing like that. It's just that…"

  Yunqi stood up now, pacing forward to where the sunlight was spilling in.

  "I look at my wife and I see a girl," Yunqi said, voice heavy with resignation. "A girl who is young and afraid, just like my first wife who was young and afraid and who always will be since she never had the chance to grow older."

  "I seem to have a special talent for ruining the lives of beautiful young women," Yunqi sighed, briefly turning his face away to hide the sudden wave of emotion that swept over it.

  "Please don't say that, my liege," Qiu Jinwei said helplessly. "It is an honor for both the Princess Consort and the Empress."

  Yunqi shook his head. "My Empress was raised within the inner courtyards and now constricted within the walls of the inner palace. Just maintaining her dignity as Empress is a strain on her. What hope does she have of handling the struggles of the court?"

  He waved his hand in the direction of the Empress Dowager's quarters.

  "And the Empress Dowager…she is the mother of my brother, and I have great respect for her. But she has suffered a great deal, and cares far too much for her family to act fairly if I were to place the country in her hands. My brother and my uncles are of course out of the question, and Lord Cao is too attached to my nephew to be of much use to my son. Tell me, Jinwei, what choice do I really have?"

  Qiu Jinwei sighed, shaking his head. "My liege…"

  "I have sacrificed too much—everyone has sacrificed too much to place me on this throne," Yunqi said. His voice did not grow thick with emotion as it might once have. Rather, it took on a withered weariness unsuited to his age. "I have lost almost everyone I loved, Jinwei. Do you understand that?"

  Qiu Jinwei lowered his face uncomfortably, wanting to avoid eye contact at all costs. He didn't know what kind of expression he should make in the face of all of this.

  "My older brothers, my parents, my wife, my grandfather and–" Yunqi paused as he thought of his maternal uncles. "Even of those who are still alive, who do I have to turn to? My sister-in-law and nephew resent me, and I have to constantly ward against my one remaining brother. And look at these young women whose fathers are shoving into these walls–what kind of life is this for them? What kind of life is this for an Emperor?"

  He took a deep breath, breathing out slowly.

  "It has to be worth it, to someone if not for me. If I die, I cannot leave the country at risk," Yunqi said, a deep exhaustion in his voice that could not be soothed by sleep. "The Empress cannot be relied on, nor my brother. Do you understand this, Jinwei?"

  "I understand, my liege," Qiu Jinwei said quietly, wanting to look away but not daring to do so.

  Yunqi gave a soft huff. "Good. I knew you would understand."

  He glanced uneasily towards the map that hung on the wall, eyes tracing towards the north and westwards.

  "Any tradition can end in our hands, but this country cannot be destroyed in our time. If I cannot ensure that...then I will have failed everyone who died for my sake."

  Qiu Jinwei lowered his gaze, rage and sorrow mixing in his heart.

  For the Emperor to speak of such things…what madness is this?

  The first Emperor in generations that could be counted as an ideal ruler, a man who hadn't even reached thirty-five yet–did Yunqi fear that he would not live to grow older than his older brothers?

  Qiu Jinwei didn't want to think of it any further. He didn't know how to comfort those fears, nor did he know how to prevent fate from coursing forward as the rivers flow east to the sea. All he could hope for was that this hard-earned era of stability would go on for as long as possible.

  Kayla made her way through the Inner Palace to a small, slightly weather-worn building. It was a mostly-neglected corner of the Imperial Palace where things went to be put into storage. Yesterday, old furniture. Today, Consort Huang.

  She greeted Li Que and Chen Qian with a nod.

  "Director."

  "It's about time, isn't it?" Kayla asked.

  "Yes, thank you for being here," Li Que said.

  "Is the eunuch here with the edict yet?"'

  "Not yet–ah, there he is," Chen Jian pointed out.

  Stepping slightly closer, Li Que lowered his voice. "I appreciate your taking the time," Li Que said.

  Kayla gave him a sidelong glance. Consort Huang was about to lose her status–Li Que didn't really need Kayla here. If it was the Empress or the Royal Consort, then he was indeed at a disadvantage. But he had even arrested Archdukes before, what danger was a divorced consort to him?

  Most likely because this is the first time it's happened before, Kayla noted. He wouldn't want to take sole responsibility if something goes horribly wrong–and if something does go wrong after, I'll be able to vouch for his conduct.

  That, and Li Que wanted to keep up appearances that the palace branch was still part of the Bureau. It was a nice thought, but Kayla had some doubts about how long it could last.

  "Good sirs," the eunuch greeted them, flanked by a group of servants.

  "Thank you for your time. We'll be troubling you then," Kayla said when Li Que deferred. She saw his gaze flick over to the Imperial Guards present.

  Hm? Is that what he was hoping for?

  So it was for their benefit that the show was going on. That was fine, for now. Kayla followed the eunuch inside, taking pause as she caught sight of Consort Huang.

  It was Kayla's first time actually seeing the Consort in-person. The young woman was haggard and slightly unkempt, dressed in robes of rough white cloth. She had not been eating, as Kayla had heard, and Consort Huang had probably hoped to present herself to the Emperor one final time and win his mercy.

  If she appeared before him in this pitiful state, he might actually be swayed. Not that Yunqi would change his mind, but it would just make him feel worse for consigning a woman in the spring of life to eternal winter.

  At such a young age…what path couldn't you have chosen that you had to decide on the worst one possible?

  "What is this?" Consort Huang asked in a trembling voice. "What's going on?!"

  "I bear an Imperial Edict," the eunuch announced. "Kneel down and receive His Majesty's decree!"

  Consort Huang collapsed to her knees, eyes wide with fear and hope.

  "Please, just let me see the Emperor, just for a second! This is all a misunderstanding, I swear it! I was framed!"

  The eunuch cleared his throat.

  "Consort Huang, show some respect before an Imperial decree," Kayla said. Consort Huang's gaze fell upon her, pleading and desperate.

  "Duke Zhao, please–"

  "By decree of His Majesty the Emperor," the eunuch cut in, raising his voice. "Consort Huang has been found lacking in virtue, being jealous and conniving in nature. She is guilty of harming an Imperial Consort and conspiracy for murder. This crime should be punishable by death, but in consideration of her merits of serving the Emperor for many years, she is to be spared her life."

  "Thus it is declared: Huang Luorong is hereby stripped of her status as a Consort and reduced to the rank of peasant. Her marriage ties with the Emperor are severed henceforth."

  "No!"

  The eunuch continued, ignoring Consort Huang's wail of despair.

  "She is to leave the Imperial Palace immediately and depart the capital, relocating to the Imperial Villa in Hebei. Huang Luorong is not to return to the capital nor leave her new residence without permission. Thus decrees the Emperor!"

  "Please don't do this!"

  Kayla shared a discomfited look with Li Que. Their shadows spilled into the room from the doorway and stretched over the way, looming over Huang Luorong's slight frame.

  The young woman's face was streaked with tears, the effect accentuating her beauty like pear blossoms in the rain. Kayla turned away uneasily.

  It really is a pity. If she hadn't done such a foolish thing, she would have had a solid future. Yunqi would have always had a soft spot for her, no matter how many other women there were.

  Perhaps it would have been best for everyone if she had never entered the palace at all. Yet this pitiful looking girl before her had nearly killed Consort Li in one of the most awful ways you could kill someone. Consort Li's face was somewhat fixed, but it was likely that her newly reconstituted looks would never quite be the same–the young woman still had trouble chewing, and startled as easily as a baby bird. It was possible that Consort Li would never fully recover from the traumatic incident or lead a normal life again.

  Looking at Huang Luorong's desolate form, Kayla found herself thinking once more of the past.

  Wei Guang was right. If you want to destroy someone, don't oppose them, but rather let everything go their way. Consort Huang had excellent prospects, but having Yunqi's special favor ended up ruining her in the end, and by her own hand at that.

  "No, you can't do this!"

  Huang Luorong tore at her hair in despair, glancing wildly from the eunuch to Kayla and Li Que.

  "The Emperor can kill me if he wishes, but how can he divorce me? I have lived as a Consort, let me die as one too! Never in the history of the Wu has such great humiliation been rendered upon a woman of the Imperial harem!"

  "His Majesty, in his infinite mercy, will not claim your life, nor refuse to support your needs. Though it certainly will not be at the level of a consort, you will have enough to sustain your livelihood. None who follow your footsteps will ever have cause to thank the gods for such fortune," Kayla said in a heavy voice. "Miss Huang, please prepare to leave."

  "No! No, you can't–" Huang Luorong glanced around pleadingly, hoping for someone to intercede. "I want to see the Emperor. Let me see the Emperor!"

  "Escort her out," Kayla ordered. Two eunuchs stepped forward, lifting the young woman by her forearms.

  "Let go of me! Don't do this to me! I want to speak to the Emperor!"

  Kayla was glad that Yunqi chose not to be present–or even within hearing distance of Huang Luorong's wails. If someone didn't know what she had done, they would have found the scene heartrending. As it was, the young woman's screams made Kayla's tinnitus flare and crackle in her right eardrum, eliciting an irritated wince.

  With a sudden burst of strength, Huang Luorong wrested herself loose and sprinted towards the closest pillar.

  "Restrain her!" Kayla shouted. Chen Jian was there in a flash, stopping the young woman before she could dash her head against the pillar's stone base.

  "Don't do this! I can't leave like this! Duke Zhao, please, please have pity on me! Let me see the Emperor! Or-or the Empress! At least let me speak with my father first!"

  Kayla and Li Que glanced at each other uneasily, ignoring her pleas.

  "We haven't even headed out yet and she just tried to kill herself. We can't just leave things be or she'll be dead before we're out the palace!" Kayla said under her breath.

  "Shall we cuff her?" Li Que asked quietly.

  "You might need to shackle her as well," Kayla muttered. "She's a fast runner."

  Li Que gave a sharp nod to his subordinates, who moved forward to pin down Huang Luorong. Kayla winced slightly at the shrieks of horror that set off the tinnitus in her other ear as well.

  "You really should get some female Investigators," Kayla said, watching the scene with great discomfort. "This looks awful. If someone didn't know what we were doing they would assume the worst of us."

  "I'll get it done as soon as possible," Li Que said, the strain in his voice suggesting that he felt similarly.

  "Don't let her bite her tongue off either," Kayla said. "She might not die from blood loss, but she might suffocate if not carefully watched."

  "We…could gag her," Li Que offered uneasily.

  "I don't know, that feels a bit too much like cruel and unusual punishment," Kayla replied.

  "It would be a bit cruel," Li Que said, evidently not fully understanding the term. "We'll need at least two serving-girls to go with us then, better if it's a matron."

  Kayla turned expectantly towards the eunuch, who bowed immediately. "I'll arrange for Matron Cui to go with her, my lord."

  "How fast can you arrange it?"

  "It's already arranged, my lord. We asked her to be ready just in case. After all, Consorts are pretty prone to suicide."

  "How thoughtful. I'll thank you all for your trouble," Kayla said. The eunuch waved off one of his juniors, who shortly returned with a stout middle-aged woman.

  "Matron Cui?"

  "Your Excellency," she greeted them. "Vice-Director."

  "I'll leave Miss Huang in your hands," Kayla said. "Please ensure that she reaches Hebei safely."

  "As you wish, my lord."

  "If you don't mind, I'd like to buy you some tea for the road," Kayla said, pressing a few coins into the woman's hand.

  "You're too kind, really," Matron Cui protested, but quickly tucked the money away. She glanced at where the Investigators had stepped aside to let the eunuchs stuff Huang Luorong into the carriage. "I will be sure to take good care of her during the trip."

  "Much obliged."

  They watched as Matron Cui approached, easily forcing Huang Luorong obediently into the carriage with only a few sharp words. The guards got onto their horses, and the party left without further ceremony, the privacy talismans on the carriage muffling Huang Luorong's sobs.

  "Even if we can keep her alive during the trip, there's not much we can do about her once she's reached her destination," Li Que said softly. "It'd be best if she's given up the notion by then, but if she commits suicide then…Your Excellency, what should we do?"

  "The Emperor means to kill the chicken for the monkeys to see," Kayla said. "As long as she arrives there in one piece, the rest is up to her own fate. We can't possibly have her under watch for all hours of the day."

  "She's a criminal, but it feels quite awful to do this, doesn't it?" Chen Jian remarked.

  "That it does," Kayla replied. "But remember that she could have killed the Emperor."

  "It's enough to warrant execution," Chen Jian agreed. "It just feels like this is almost worse."

  She glanced at him sharply. "That's the point."

  Chen Jian fell silent at that, and Kayla let out a soft sigh.

  "Alright then, let's wrap this up. Li Que, we should go report to the Emperor and send someone to notify the Empress."

  With the shuffling of robes and armor, the small crowd dispersed.

  Cultural Notes

  微服私访/Go surveying in commonplace clothes: A practice undertaken on occasion by officials and rulers in Ancient China, often to get a good sense of on-the-ground conditions. Without social media or photography, most people didn't know what the Emperor looked like anyways, making this possible.

  功高盖主/Merit that eclipses one's liege: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to a situation where the subject's prestige, reputation, and accomplishments make him a threat to his ruler, often with disastrous consequences.

  养虎为患/Raise a tiger to become a threat: A proverb meaning to allow a threat to oneself to develop, even to directly contribute to its growth. Qiu Jinwei notes that Yunqi reacts with mockery and pity when he says this, but doesn't realize why. In truth, it is because he directly compares Yunqi with the Grand Duke, who is considered a treacherous bastard, and Yunqi's father, a paranoid Emperor who people would generally consider to have become a despot near the end of his life. Generally, one would be very careful about who you compare someone to because of the implications (ex: Are you saying I'll become like X just because I'm not listening to you now?), especially in public or significant occassions. The fact that Qiu Jinwei doesn't have the necessary tact essentially confirms to Yunqi what he already knew: Qiu Jinwei cannot be entrusted with the country.

  汉武帝， 霍光/Emperor Wu of Han and Huo Guang: Emperor Wu, one of the most authoritative leaders of the Han, was a very controversial figure even in his own time. On one hand, he got rid of the threat of the Huns, but he was also was war-hungry and pretty much bankrupted the country. In his old age, he got rid of his adult heir and Crown Prince (or rather, tacitly allowed the Crown Prince to be forced into rebellion and then killed in the suppression) and instated his 7 year old son as his successor. To help this child, he set up a panel of four officials as regents, including Huo Guang.

  So for background: Huo Guang was the younger half-brother of Huo Qubing, who was a brilliant general and Emperor Wu's favorite, but died very young. Huo Qubing, through his mother's side, was the nephew of Emperor Wu's Empress, who was also sister of Wei Qing, also a brilliant general and Emperor Wu's favorite. Huo Guang was not related to the Empress or Wei Qing, but he had a very strong background by affiliation and he himself was very talented. Of the four regents, one died early and another sided with him, and he got rid of the one remaining one to seize full control. He never usurped the throne but held power over three Emperors, retaining power over the Han Dynasty until his death (upon which they found an excuse to purge his clan).

  魏文帝，司马懿/Emperor Wen of Wei and Sima Yi: Emperor Wen of the Wei was another interesting case. This came at the end of the Three Kingdoms era, and Cao Pi, later Emperor Wen, was the son of infamous warlord Cao Cao. Despite using the Emperor of the Han as a puppet, Cao Cao always claimed loyalty to the dynasty. His son, however, actually usurped the powerless Emperor and established the Wei Dynasty. However, he would die at 38 years old, leaving his son Cao Rui to rule with a panel of three officials to support the young Emperor, including Sima Yi. Cao Rui handled them well, but died at age 36, leaving his adopted son Cao Fang to Sima Yi and his cousin Cao Shuang (son of one of Cao Rui's panel of officials). Poor little Cao Fang came to become Emperor at age 7 (you'll notice a pattern here) but never held actual power once in his life. At first the political scene was dominated by Cao Shuang, then Sima Yi just usurped the throne altogether, establishing the Jin Dynasty.

  萧墙之内/Trouble within our inner walls: A pre-Qin proverb referring to the ageless, universal trouble of in-fighting, in the context that "it's not the outside threat we should worry about but those within our own gates".

  虎视眈眈/[As a] Tiger watches its prey: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to someone with bold ambition, usually unchecked and undisguised. Especially used for neighbors to the North. Because of China's economic and geographic conditions, it's generally easier to take the country from West to East and from North to South (in pre-firearm era) but it's a lot more difficult the other way around.

  宫内乘车/Ride a carriage within the palace: A special honor afforded to officials or individuals of particularly high prestige/favor with the Emperor, as this was granting an exception to the rites that Confucianism strongly emphasizes as a way of maintaining social order and stability (aka nothing above or below your station).

  御前佩剑/Bear a sword before the Emperor: Similar to the above, but going even beyond that. Not too different from today, you can't just bring weapons into a room with important governmental officials because of security concerns. Being allowed to bring a sword with you as someone who is not directly there as a guard of the Emperor shows an unusual degree of trust.

  国之栋梁/Pillar of the nation: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to individuals who are seen as extremely reliable in national affairs.

  民心/Hearts of the people: A concept that features centrally in Ancient China's ruling philosophy. It is often believed that "得民心者得天下/He who wins the hearts of the people wins the country" even without democracy.

  Grand Preceptor/太师: One of the highest titles/honors for an official. Doesn't necessarily translate to much direct power in governmental affairs, but usually a great deal of power over officials.

  一日为师终生为父/One day as a child's teacher and you become like a father [to him] for the rest of his life: An Ancient Chinese proverb describing the relationship between teacher and student, often used as a model for how these relationships should work (respect and obedience from the student, support and discipline from the teacher).

  养于深闺之中，困于宫墙之内/Raised within the inner courtyards, constricted within the walls of the inner palace: An Ancient Chinese saying Yunqi uses (in fact he's combining two different sayings, but people tend to use these with some degree of flexibility) to describe the cloistered and confined lifestyle his wife has led, which means she has extremely limited societal experience.

  大江东去/The great river flows east: Refers to the Yangtze river, one of China's largest rivers that spans the country horizontally, flowing from west to east.

  理应当诛/Should reasonably be punished by death/purging: A phrase used in Ancient Chinese edicts.

  多年侍奉有功/Merit of serving for many years: Another phrase used in Ancient Chinese edicts, though the meaning is pretty straightforward.

  梨花带雨/Pear blossoms in the rain: An Ancient Chinese proverb specifically describing the delicate beauty of a crying woman whose tears accentuate her beauty and pitiful state.

  奇耻大辱/Great [and unusual] humiliation: An Ancient Chinese proverb.

  撞头自杀/Suicide through head trauma: Ancient China didn't have MRIs or brain surgery, so aggressive head trauma often ended up being fatal. For people with no other means at hand, this was a relatively common way to commit or attempt suicide.

  杀鸡儆猴/Kill the chicken for the monkeys to see: Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to make an example out of someone.