Rarely had Huang Yasheng seen anyone so undaunted and fierce in the case of punishment. Granted, it was not a physically exacting punishment. It was, however, a humiliating one.
It would be a lie to say that he did not expect it.
In fact, he dished out this particular punishment precisely because he expected it. No matter how angry he was at her words and actions, he could not bring himself to hurt her.
The punishment was humiliating for a concubine of the harem, noble ladies who grew up with a strict sense of dignity tied to their position and actions as a lady.
Ya’er had pride and dignity in every bone of her body. But that was in herself, not the position that he had handed to her. She had no care for the dignity of the position she found herself in. In fact, he was quite certain she found it shallow and useless. She'd feel insulted, yes, angered at the implications of the punishment. But the humiliation that this punishment was meant to cause would brush off her.
Not that his ministers knew that. In their eyes, this was a fitting punishment. The punishment itself could not be helped. His fiery concubine had questioned him in front of the entire court, and had questioned his authority and dignity as the Emperor. He could not let it slide. No matter how strong she was, it was still a harsh punishment. She'd be seen kneeling not only by the inner court but also by the outer court, the ministers, the officers and even the servants. And for those present in the court, who wore their birth and nobility as their pride, there was nothing worse than this public humiliation.
This was a harsh enough punishment to make a statement in front of the court without truly harming the woman.
Still, though, he had to admit that his newest concubine had a knack for making rage simmer beneath his skin. Otherwise, one hour of this particular punishment was usually enough. She was fortunate that Huang Yasheng had learned not to let his temper get the best of him.
As the agitated atmosphere began to fade somewhat, Huang Yasheng exhaled sharply and sat back down.
“Your Majesty’s wisdom is endless.”
Minister Kang’s words brought him out of his thoughts. He turned his gaze to the man and could immediately see the smirk that he was trying to hide behind his sleeve as he bowed. He must have thought that he was in the clear.
Huang Yasheng nodded at the man and leaned back. “The trial shall resume at a later date.”
Minister Kang’s eyes widened. “But Your Majesty, the Consort has failed to prove her claims.”
“Perhaps. However, We have not yet given our verdict. This is an Imperial Trial. There are rules that must be followed. The trial shall resume at a later date, where both the Parties may present further evidence and We shall give Our verdict.”
Before anyone could object, he raised a hand. “Court is dismissed.”
The journey back to the Imperial Study felt simultaneously longer and shorter than usual. They passed the Imperial Punishment Grounds and he got a glimpse of his concubine. She was kneeling just how he had imagined her, back ramrod straight, head held high, without a hint of remorse, despite people coming to watch her like an animal on display. He suspected she had not even noticed them.
There was that pride.
He looked away as the palanquin moved past. Once he reached his study, he immersed himself in all the memorials submitted to him. The sound of thunder rolling in the clouds above soon drew his attention, however, and he looked outside just in time to see the downpour beginning. He frowned slightly, his eyes shifting slightly toward the direction of the Imperial Punishment Grounds.
“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Li spoke up from behind him. “Lady Qing …”
It was clear what he was asking.
“No need.” He turned back to his paperwork. He was still far too angry and, more importantly, he could not be seen going soft. “The punishment will be over when We say it is over.”
Eunuch Li bowed his head and went silent after that. And Huang Yasheng continued his work, trying not to think too much about it. It was only when the sun was beginning to set that he sent a message that the punishment was over.
Barely half a shichen passed before a maid from the harem arrived at the study, bearing a terrible message that sent chills down his spine.
“The maid… the maid set herself on fire!”
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The smell of burning flesh hit her first.
The screams, second.
Her heart was lodged into her throat, her mind running through the worst case scenarios as she sprinted across the Palace with not a smidgen of care for the etiquette that the Senior Attendant had tried to teach her.
Someone was burning and Samaya had a sinking feeling that she knew who it was.
The scene became clearer as she approached and so did the screams of her maids. She could see the small crowd gathering at the gate of Lady Ren’s residence. Beyond that, she could see smoke rising from the courtyard. She did not even think once before speeding herself up and closing the distance in the blink of an eye.
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Pushing through the crowd, she stepped into the courtyard. For a moment, she could hear nothing but radio silence. The sight of Min and Su as they struggled against the grip of other maids, Lady Ren collapsed on the ground as she watched the fire almost soullessly, and the maids shifting around unsure what to do. Everything seemed to be so far away.
Samaya slowly turned her gaze to the fire itself. Her heart froze as her worst fears were confirmed. There, in the middle of the courtyard, surrounded by horrified onlookers, Rin was on fire. Flames licked at her robes, twisting into the air like vengeful spirits, consuming her. The smell of burning flesh grew stronger, sending a wave of nausea through Samaya, but she fought it back, screaming at the nearest servants.
"Why are you looking on like idiots?! Get me blankets! As many as you can carry!" Her voice carried desperation and command. When they hesitated, she roared, pushing every bit of command and authority she had into her voice. “Now!”
Su and Min were being restrained at the edge of the crowd, their faces pale, wild with horror. Su was struggling against the servants, eyes locked on the burning figure, unable to tear herself away. Min was sobbing, pulling against the grip of two guards. Samaya didn’t look back at them. She had to move quickly, faster than the fire that devoured Rin.
She tore a thick blanket from a maid’s arms and, without thinking, threw herself forward, wrapping it around Rin’s torso and pressing her body into the flames. The heat was unbearable, searing through the fabric and into her hands.
“More blankets! Now, you imbeciles!”
Some of the braver maids, following her lead, ran forward, tossing more blankets over the burning figure, smothering the fire until the courtyard fell silent, save for the crackling of smouldering fabric and the laboured breaths of the gathered servants.
The fire had subsided. Samaya’s heart pounded in her chest as she carefully cradled Rin’s burned body, taking in her unconscious face, the severity of her wounds made all too clear beneath the charred remnants of her robes. The girl was unrecognizable, Samaya could see her bones peeking from her charred flesh and skin. Swallowing down her bile, she wrapped the blankets properly around the girl. Without hesitation, she lifted Rin into her arms, the lightness of her frame a stark reminder of how close to death she was. Samaya turned, barking orders as she started toward the Imperial Infirmary.
Su and Min followed close behind, Lady Ren trailing them, her face ashen, her lips set in a thin, trembling line. Servants parted, whispering in hushed tones as they watched the procession. Samaya could feel the weight of their gazes, their confusion, their pity. But she had no room for such things. All she could focus on was Rin—her pale face, her body broken by heat and pain.
Physician Hou was there when they arrived, thankfully. If she had to fight another person just for a maid to be given the consideration of a human being, she would kill that person. His face betrayed only a moment of shock before he moved forward, gesturing for Samaya to place Rin down on the examination table. Samaya stepped back, her hands numb from carrying her, but she did not leave her side. Su, Min, and Lady Ren crowded around, all eyes fixed on Physician Hou as he worked swiftly, his hands moving with practised precision over Rin’s burns, assessing her injuries.
Minutes stretched, dragging time into a terrible, unending moment of silence as the physician examined her. The faint crackle of flames from earlier seemed to echo still, reverberating in Samaya’s ears, filling the room with a haunting presence. She could hear Su’s faint, broken breaths, Min’s restrained sobs, and Lady Ren’s laboured silence. It was unbearable.
Physician Hou straightened up at last, his face grave as he turned to the waiting women. His words were delivered softly, with a kind of reluctant gentleness that made them all the more crushing.
“She will not survive the night.”
Su’s knees buckled, and she collapsed to the floor, silent tears streaming down her face. Min clutched her hands over her mouth, shoulders shaking. Lady Ren closed her eyes, face turned away as if by not looking she could somehow deny the reality before her.
Samaya stared at Rin’s still face, her mind a tempest of rage and despair. Rin had been such a kind soul, loyal to her mistress, and her loved ones, a beautiful soul that everyone could not help but love. She was more than a servant; she was a friend, a sister to some, a lover to Su—a treasured presence in their lives. And now, because of one cruel man who couldn’t keep his hands to himself, she was slipping away.
Samaya could hear the ragged, broken breathing of the girl, every heave painful.
“Is there nothing that can be done?” She asked, her voice strangely calm.
The physician shook his head. “No. Not unless we find an Immortal Saint to provide a miracle. She would not survive long enough for us to even look for one.” The man frowned. “It would be better for her to pass on quickly, rather. She is in much pain.”
Samaya slumped, her chest so tight she could hardly breathe. Su was already on the ground, suppressing a guttural scream in her throat. Samaya could hear Min sobbing as well. She clenched her teeth, trying with every fibre of her being not to break down. None of her training prepared her for … for this. For watching someone kill themselves so painfully. For standing over their burned body, unable to do anything.
Surprisingly, it was Lady Ren who was the most composed of them.
“It would not do for us to break down now.” She stepped forward and lifted Su. “She can still hear us. If … if we cannot hold ourselves together, it will be hard for her to pass on.” She looked at Samaya. “We cannot bring her back from this. But we can stay beside her until she passes, assure her that we will be alright.”
It must have gotten through to the girls. Despite tears running relentlessly down their cheeks, they nodded. Lady Ren took Min to the other side, while Samaya and Su stayed at their place.
Gently, Lady Ren pressed a hand over Rin’s, barely touching. Min followed suit. At Lady Ren’s gesture, Samaya and Su did the same.
Lady Ren spoke, barely keeping her voice from trembling. “It is alright. Do not be afraid. You … you will go to a better place. We will be alright here.”
Min nodded, unable to do more than stutter out a soft “Y-yes.”
Su, on the other hand, seemed far more composed. “Go,” she whispered. “I’ll meet you on the other side.”
And it was finally Samaya’s turn.
The tears she was holding back spilt. She leaned her head back a bit so that it wouldn’t fall on Rin and hurt her even more. “I’m sorry, I’m s-sorry… I couldn’t … keep my promise. Forgive me. Please forgive me,” she whispered, her voice trembling. “You will be okay. So will Su and Min. I will take care of them. This promise, I will keep no matter what.”
This really seemed to be what she was waiting for. She turned both her hands and squeezed the pair of hands above each, holding back a clearly pained groan. After that, it only took a few more heaves for her breath to stutter out and her body to go lax.
She was gone.