Character Index
Feng Yi: A broke merchant who was conned into spying on Kayla as a red herring for Xianchun's other spies by Liu Boyue. After receiving Kayla's help, he promises to repay her.
Xianchun: The Seventh Prince of the Imperial Family, is diverging further and further from the person he became in the original timeline, largely due to Kayla stirring the pot.
Liu Boyue: Xianchun's best friend, right-hand man, and most trusted strategist. He has been making moves behind Xianchun's back, resulting in conflict when Xianchun finally learns of it through Feng Yi.
Liu Hongyu: Former Central Secretariat (no relation to Liu Boyue, there are lots of people with the same surname), he was accused of lese-majeste by Kayla and died afterward.
Zhao Wei: Former Minister of War, one of Wenyuan's uncles.
Yao Gongzhuo: Former Director of Logistics in the Ministry of War, serving as interim Minister. One of Xianchun's supporters.
Du Xuanlin: One of Xianchun's supporters, a scholar of the Hanlin Academy. Introduced in this chapter.
Wei Guang: Imperial Edict Bearer, teacher of the Emperor's generation, moderator of their succession struggle, and currently Kayla's godfather and mentor.
Tao Qian: Kayla's new bodyguard, a man of few words. Recommended by Hu Qing.
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Minister Liang's younger brother and rightful heir of the Liang household, he initially joined Kayla for shits and giggles but has found himself enjoying his new job much more than expected.
Zhao Yuanji: A mid-ranking official, one of Wenyuan's many uncles and the son of one of the Grand Duke's "cousins".
Zhao Ke: A low-ranking official, one of Wenyuan's many uncles and the son of the Grand Duke's youngest "cousin".
Zhao Yihui: One of Wenyuan's many uncles and the son of one of the Grand Duke's "cousins".
Zhao Mingfang: A member of the Zhao clan's side branch, not an official. In the same generation as Zhao Wei. Introduced this chapter.
Zhao Mingfu: Brother of Zhao Mingfang, not an official. Introduced this chapter.
Shi Jingyou: Brother-in-law of Zhao Mingfang, not an official. Introduced this chapter.
Housekeeper Wang: The Grand Duke's loyal servant, just as sadistic as his master.
Zhao Kangyu: Son of the Grand Duke's adopted younger brother (actually his cousin and the legitimate heir of the previous Lord Zhao), he was adopted by the Grand Duke under a compromise that the Grand Duke would remain the Zhao clan's heir if Lord Liang's biological grandson is adopted as the Grand Duke's son. He grew up in an isolated and abusive environment until the sudden death of the Grand Duke's biological son, upon which Zhao Kangyu suddenly became the heir and married the Imperial Princess. He was poisoned by the Grand Duke during a plague, and his death was passed off as due to disease.
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After receiving Xianchun’s summon, Kayla headed over immediately.
He wouldn’t kill Feng Yi, would he? She felt responsible for the rather pitiful man.
The atmosphere in Xianchun's household was extremely tense, and an oppressive silence leaned its crushing weight over the estate.
Something must have gone down.
“This way please, the prince is in the study,” Xianchun’s steward said. Kayla nodded and went on alone.
“Wenyuan humbly greets the Seventh Prince,” Kayla bowed her head in greeting as she entered the study.
“Come in and close the door!” Xianchun ordered. He had stopped mid-step from pacing the room. Kayla quietly obeyed.
“My prince, have you gotten a chance to speak with Feng Yi?” Kayla asked.
“Where the hell did he come from?!” Xianchun demanded.
“He’s a merchant who came to the capital about ten years ago. He doesn’t have any criminal records or misdemeanors, and his business recently went bankrupt,” Kayla explained.
“How does a bastard like him have a clean record–never mind that! Who the hell sent him?!”
Xianchun’s anger was tinted with a feral thirst for blood. Intimidating as it was to be in his proximity, it wasn’t half as bad when his anger wasn’t directed at Kayla.
“We’ve done a check, but he doesn’t have any ties to the Grand Duke or the Third Prince. It’s probably someone else. Framing a prince is a serious crime, and we’ll definitely get to the bottom of this. Don’t worry my prince, I won’t rest until I find the truth, until the investigation makes the water recede and the rocks emerge,” Kayla promised.
“Don’t!” Xianchun snapped.
Kayla gave him a startled look.
“There’s no need to stir up a fuss over such nonsense! My reputation will suffer if this gets dragged out and gains too much attention,” Xianchun said in frustration.
“Are you sure?” Kayla asked.
“Of course I am! Are you deaf?!” Xianchun whirled upon her in rage. Kayla carefully kept her face in a look of shock.
Ah, I see. He’s not angry, he’s afraid.
“I apologize, my prince. I know how frustrating it is to be framed,” Kayla said sympathetically. “I remember how humiliating it was to have my office turned inside out and to be questioned by my former colleagues. That’s why I wanted to make sure you had the option of resolving this privately, but not knowing who’s behind this puts you at a disadvantage. Are you really sure you want me to drop the investigation?”
“Just forget it. Life and death are decided by fate, what threat could some second-rate plotter pose to me? It’s not as though it’s even a believable case! Feng Yi’s a fool for buying into it, and the one who set it up is just as foolish,” Xianchun scoffed, trying and failing to hide his boiling irritation.
“Then I will follow Your Highness’ wishes,” Kayla replied.
“That Feng Yi’s case has nothing to do with me,” Xianchun assured Kayla. “Just put it on file as a misunderstanding that was resolved privately.”
“I understand, shall I take Feng Yi back to the Court of Judicial Review?” Kayla asked.
“Yes. Since you’re the one who sent him, I’ll let him go. Make sure he leaves the capital as soon as possible,” Xianchun replied. He watched Kayla intently for a long moment.
“Why did you let him go after you caught him?” Xianchun asked.
Kayla let out a sigh, shaking her head slightly. “I was furious when I caught him spying on me and wanted to teach him a lesson, but I took a closer look, and he was just a normal man who was down on luck and out of options. It’s not like I don’t know the feeling of not having any choices, so I couldn’t bring myself to punish him. I just didn’t expect it would cause so much trouble for you, my prince. I’m truly sorry.”
“You thought he was one of mine, you said as much last time,” Xianchun said accusingly.
“I wasn’t sure if he was yours, but I couldn’t cross out that possibility based on conjecture alone. Most of the other households added new eyes and ears quite recently and wouldn’t risk bringing in another person, so the only ones who would require a distraction would be your spies and some of Liu Hongyu’s former spies. But Liu Hongyu’s people are too preoccupied with finding an exit plan to arrange all this now that their master's dead, so...well...” Kayla trailed off.
“And you thought I would do such a ridiculous thing?! Just what the hell do you think of me?!” Xianchun demanded.
He’s still testing me.
Kayla lowered her head contritely.
“I apologize, my prince. I thought that it was unlikely, but one can never be too sure about these things, especially when one’s life hangs in the balance. I could only draw conclusions from the information available to me,” Kayla said apologetically. “It’s my fault for judging a great man with the perspective of a small-hearted person. Please punish me as you see fit.”
Xianchun evaluated Kayla’s sheepish expression for a while, before shaking his head, both disappointed and relieved. Disappointed that he couldn’t blame this on Wenyuan rather than his beloved friend, and relieved that Wenyuan wasn’t behind this.
“Forget it, I can hardly blame you. That man really does seem to believe in everything he’s saying, it’s hardly strange for you to be doubtful. Just take him and go.”
Kayla bowed her head. “Thank you for your magnanimity, my prince. Please don’t let this trouble you any further, I’ll make sure that this is wrapped up without any loose ends. On the bright side, you’ll be receiving good news soon, so please look forward to it.”
“Alright,” Xianchun said in a weary voice. “I’m ready to move on the Ministry of Rites at any time.”
Kayla bowed and took her leave of the prince, heading over to pick up Feng Yi.
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The following days were turbulent for the Imperial Court, and thus, the capital. Zhao Wei’s resignation sent ripples throughout the entire court. Allies of the Zhao clan began re-evaluating their options, and several officials of the Grand Duke’s faction quietly sent their families away from the capital, relocating them to cities near the Khaganate’s border.
Kuang demonstrated admirable restraint, making sure to do so both publicly and privately, and successfully convinced the Emperor and Empress Dowager of his trustworthiness. It barely took a few more days for the Ministry of War to officially appoint its new minister, Yao Gongzhuo, the palace’s last doubts disappearing as the Third Prince’s faction held their breath and collectively refused to take any action. No bribes, no petitions, not even any whispers in the offices, it was almost as though the Third Prince didn’t even want the Ministry of War. But the military wanted the Third Prince.
Yao Gongzhuo’s appointment caused a ruckus in court, with more and more officials growing certain that Kuang would be the one to become Crown Prince. But before they had even fully made up their minds, a new incident drew their attention.
Quietly and without any hints or warnings, a secret investigation had indicted the Minister of Rites for corruption and dereliction of duty. A member of the Seventh Prince’s faction, a formerly unassuming Hanlin Scholar by the name of Du Xuanlin, seamlessly stepped into the seat of Minister. The Seventh Prince, who had grown much more pensive and reserved in recent days, did not demonstrate joy and excitement as would be expected but rather took the news with stoic composure. His dignified reaction improved his image in the eyes of some officials, who had thought him too hot-blooded and impulsive.
Amid the excitement at court, the role of Zhao Wenyuan was almost completely obscured, and no one took the time to notice that Wenyuan hadn’t returned to the Zhao household in quite a few days now. No one noticed the rather large sum of money Zhao Wenyuan gave to a merchant as a parting gift when sending him off to Chang’an either.
Kayla sat opposite her godfather in Wei Guang’s study. Wei Guang had insisted on extending Kayla’s stay, certain that she would end up dying of “illness” if she returned to the Zhao household without sufficient preparations.
“Let’s see if you can negotiate with the Emperor, once your marriage is announced, it would make sense for you to start living in your new residence,” Wei Guang urged her. “There’s plenty of precedent and rites that could justify it.”
“But when will I act? If I don't return, I don’t have a chance to kill him,” Kayla replied.
Wei Guang sighed, shaking his head. “Indeed, what a headache. Then let’s do it like this, your marriage will be officially announced at the convening of the court in ten days' time. Return to the Grand Duke’s household until then, and find an opportunity. If you can, wait until the marriage is announced to act.”
Kayla nodded.
I need ties to the Khaganate to ensure that the palace can’t just push me to the side.
Once there are no more birds, the bow is stored away. The Emperor wanted to keep Kayla, but there was no telling what the Empress Dowager would do in order to appease the court.
“Alright then, I’ll head back tomorrow,” Kayla replied.
Their conversation was cut short by the steward rushing in, looking rather flustered.
“Apologies, my lord, young lord. Some guests just arrived, and they want to see you, young lord,” the steward said.
“Who is it?” Wei Guang asked.
“It’s the former Minister of War, and several other members of the Zhao clan,” the steward replied.
Wei Guang and Kayla exchanged a glance.
“Take them to the sitting room first,” Wei Guang instructed. The steward bowed and left.
“They probably want to either convince me to stop or side with me,” Kayla muttered.
“Most likely the latter,” Wei Guang assured her.
“Godfather, can these people be trusted?” Kayla asked.
Wei Guang sighed. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s worth a shot. If their lives hang in the balance, then they’ll have to support me no matter what,” Kayla replied.
“And that means they’ll change sides the second someone else offers a path to survival,” Wei Guang pointed out. “You must be careful in what you say, don’t give them your full trust, and don’t carelessly make promises.”
Kayla bowed her head. “I understand. Thank you, godfather.”
She headed over to the sitting room, where Tao Qian was already waiting outside the door. Kayla nodded to him on her way in and he bowed in response, remaining outside. Four men she vaguely recognized as relatives of the Zhao clan were waiting for her, Zhao Wei included among them.
“Uncles,” Kayla greeted them. She met Zhao Wei’s cold gaze with a smile. “Thank you for coming all this way.”
“Young lord,” Zhao Wei led the men in a round of stiff greetings. “We were quite surprised to find you here rather than at the Zhao household.”
“Ah yes, I’ve been imposing upon my godfather recently in order to improve my knowledge of the affairs of the state,” Kayla replied. “I apologize for being so difficult to reach, but I’m glad I got a chance to say goodbye before you left the capital, Uncle.”
A look of irritation flashed across Zhao Wei’s face, the other three scowling in silent disapproval. Kayla pretended not to see anything.
“Please do sit down,” Kayla said, gesturing at the chairs. “Uncles, is there anything this nephew can do for you, or is this just a social call?”
“The Grand Duke will not be writing a letter of repentance,” Zhao Yuanji said after a long silence.
So they’ve thrown in their lot with me. Kayla quashed down the rush of victory in her chest. It was far too early to be happy.
“What a pity,” Kayla replied. “But I must thank you for suggesting it to him.”
She allowed the room to sink back into awkward silence. Kayla wanted their support, but she didn’t need it. She knew all too well how these men operated.
They’re afraid of the strong but pick on the weak, the kind of person who specifically selects softened persimmons to squeeze. I can’t be the one to give them a stair to step down on.
“There’s no need for you to thank us, wasn’t it your idea to begin with?” Zhao Yihui pointed out. “Nephew, I must say that your suggestion really has infuriated the Grand Duke. How on earth will you take responsibility for that?”
Kayla gave him a quizzical look. “I need to take responsibility for such a thing? Oh come on now, uncles, all of us have a duty as members of the Zhao clan to suitably advise and remonstrate the Grand Duke, don’t we?”
“If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t even be in this situation! You little–” Zhao Yihui was forcibly silenced by Zhao Ke kicking him in the leg.
“Young lord, what we mean to say is that our clan is in a bit of a predicament right now, and we wanted to discuss this with you. Let’s not go in circles, we’re all family here,” Zhao Ke said in a strained voice. “May I ask what your plans are?”
“I intend on fulfilling my duties as a court official to the best of my abilities in order not to let down the Emperor’s hopes,” Kayla replied.
“That’s not what he means and you know it,” Zhao Yihui said accusingly. Kayla gave him a look of incomprehension. She watched Zhao Wei out of the corner of her eyes. He was the one who was really in charge, even if he was no longer an official.
“Young lord, we did not come here to question you or give you a hard time,” Zhao Wei said, breaking his silence. “Rather, we came here to ask for your help.”
Here it is! Kayla carefully kept her face in a polite smile.
A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
Zhao Wei clenched his jaw, eyes glinting with frustration.
“I don’t recognize you as the heir of the Zhao household,” he said plainly. “You’re a coward and a snake, unfilial and disloyal. You don’t even care about what happens to the Zhao household so long as it doesn’t drag you down!”
Kayla’s smile didn’t falter at the string of insults. “Is that so?”
Zhao Wei shook his head with a sigh, rising from his seat in a sudden motion. “Despite all that, you’re the only one who can save the Zhao clan.” Under Kayla’s disbelieving gaze, he knelt, lowering his head. “I humbly beg you to lead us out of this disaster.”
The other three were just as shocked, taking a moment to process the situation before quickly kneeling as well. Kayla had to keep herself from gaping at the unexpected development.
“Stop it, get up!” Kayla said in alarm. She glanced around the room, taking in the hopeful looks directed at her. Kayla let out a deep sigh.
“Uncle, crime calls for punishment. I can’t open one side of the net, even if it’s for my own clan members,” Kayla said firmly. In other words, Zhao Wei was still done for, along with everyone else who would be implicated.
“I don’t dare to hope for such a thing,” Zhao Wei said through gritted teeth. “But I ask for you to save my family members. We’re all headed towards the fate of extermination to the ninth degree, you’re the only one who can prevent this!”
Kayla sucked in a deep breath, letting it out slowly as she observed their reactions. From the grim looks on their faces, they had accepted that.
“Even if you didn’t say anything to me, I would have done it regardless,” Kayla replied after a long silence. “In fact, that had been my intention from the very start. Not because you are my relatives, but because I don’t believe in killing family members of the guilty.”
She took a step closer to Zhao Wei, looking down at him. “Uncle, what are you willing to do in order to protect your family members?”
Zhao Wei gave her a blank stare. “I’m willing to die if it would spare them.”
“Good,” Kayla said with emphasis. “I promise that I will do my best to ensure the Zhao clan’s survival, but I hope that you all will cooperate with me.”
“We will follow your arrangements, young lord,” Zhao Wei said firmly, the other three murmuring their agreements.
“I’m greatly relieved to have your support,” Kayla replied. “Please get up.”
Zhao Wei rose to his feet, his cousins following suit.
“The four of you didn’t just come on your own behalf, did you? Who else can I count on for support?” Kayla asked.
Zhao Wei reached into his sleeves and pulled out a scroll.
“You can see their signatures and thumbprints here,” he replied, handing it over to Kayla.
They’re really serious.
Kayla opened the scroll, carefully hiding her shock. This is basically half the Zhao clan members in the capital.
“This is very reassuring,” Kayla said calmly.
“Are you going to tell us your plans?” Zhao Wei asked bluntly.
“I can only reveal one step at a time, right before it happens,” Kayla replied.
Zhao Wei frowned but didn’t protest.
“I’ll try speaking to the Grand Duke myself, but if that does not work, I’ll move on to other plans,” Kayla told them. “Here, take these communication talismans, and I’ll keep you updated as we move along.”
She passed around the talismans she had Hu Qing prepare ahead of time.
“Then we’ll be at your service, young lord,” Zhao Wei replied.
Kayla smiled at Wenyuan’s uncles. “Good, I’ll be relying on you all.”
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Zhao Mingfang paced the room, his hair frazzled from tugging at it in frustration.
“Brother, stop it! You’re making me dizzy!” Zhao Mingfu complained.
“Then you think of a solution!” Zhao Mingfang threw up his hands in exasperation. “All you know how to do is complain, your head’s completely empty! You useless fool, you’re just a rice container and clothing rack!”
Zhao Mingfu let out an angry huff, shaking his head.
“Brother-in-law, there’s no need to panic,” Shi Jingyou said comfortingly. “It’s not so bad as that. So what if Zhao Wei and some of the other clan members decided to side with the young lord? Zhao Wei’s already done for, and the rest don’t have enough influence to be of any threat.”
“What do you mean they’re not a threat?!” Zhao Mingfang demanded.
“It’s really not that bad,” Shi Jingyou tried again. “Even if something unexpected happens, it’s unlikely to affect you much.”
“Not affect me much?! Jingyou, you bastard, you were the one who suggested killing the young lord! What the hell do we do if Zhao Wei hands my head over as an expression of sincerity?!” Zhao Mingfang screeched.
“Brother-in-law, there’s no way they could possibly trace that back to us,” Shi Jingyou patiently explained. “I poisoned the servant from the Wei household in advance, he would have died before saying anything. If he said anything, we would have been arrested already. He didn’t even say a word before he died, and now you’re worried about a corpse?”
“Good heavens!” Zhao Mingfang groaned, turning his face upwards towards the sky. His younger brother and brother-in-law shared a look of utter exasperation.
“What’s done is done, what good will worrying do? Brother-in-law, we went through all this trouble to please the Grand Duke in hopes of getting you a position at court, but if we just sit back and let Zhao Wei and the others do what they want, that will only ever be a dream,” Shi Jingyou said calmly.
“Then what do I do?!” Zhao Mingfang demanded.
Shi Jingyou smiled, guiding Zhao Mingfang into a seat.
“Brother-in-law, why not go and report this to the Grand Duke? He surely knows by now that his power base is crumbling, but he’s already fully occupied with the mess in court, while we’re the ones with eyes and ears on the ground. If you go to him with a list of those who have betrayed him, you’ll achieve the same objective,” Shi Jingyou said.
Zhao Mingfang gave him a look of surprise. “What? But then Zhao Wei and the others will–”
“You weren’t afraid to assassinate the young lord, why be fearful now? Brother, I heard that the young lord returned to the main household earlier in the evening. This is the perfect timing!” Zhao Mingfu urged him.
Zhao Mingfang glanced at Shi Jingyou, who nodded encouragingly.
“Very well then, I’ll go at once,” Zhao Mingfang said reluctantly.
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Kayla shifted uncomfortably. It had only been a few days, but it felt like forever since she had been in Wenyuan’s quarters. Tao Qian wasn’t allowed to enter the house, but she knew he would find a way to sneak in later on.
Wei Guang’s household had been quiet, but in the Zhao household, she was truly alone. In the silence of the empty room without even Wenyuan’s presence to rely on, the unease constantly at the edges of her psyche simmered into irritation.
Killing the Grand Duke’s going to be hard as hell. The Zhao clan members can’t be relied on for such a thing, having them solves some problems but creates new ones. Am I going to have to do it myself or something?! If the heavens are willing, either Hu Qing will find a way or a chance will appear by itself.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock on the door.
“Young lord, the Grand Duke is asking for you,” Housekeeper Wang said smugly through the door.
“I'm busy right now,” Kayla replied, irritation increasing.
“I’m afraid he insists,” Housekeeper Wang replied.
Kayla sighed and opened the door, sweeping past Housekeeper Wang to make her way toward the Grand Duke’s study.
“Wenyuan is here,” Kayla said, stopping outside the door.
“Get in here and close the door,” the Grand Duke snarled. Kayla couldn’t see his face, but already knew what kind of expression he was wearing.
Fuck, what now?
Kayla braced herself and went in.
“Grandfather,” Kayla greeted him. “How have you been?”
A scroll flew at her face, Kayla barely dodging it by a hair’s width.
“So this is what you’ve been up to in that bastard Wei Guang’s household?” The Grand Duke hissed. Kayla glanced at him and then at the scroll, cautiously picking it up to take a look.
What the fuck? All the names Zhao Wei had given her, in addition to a few others, were listed there in tidy handwriting.
“What’s this? Are they all being removed from their posts?” Kayla asked in a surprised voice. “Grandfather, you can’t blame all this on me! Even the Ministry of War wasn’t directly caused by me, much less all this!”
“Don’t play the fool with me! How dare you covet what is mine?! Do you think that by recruiting a few members of the Zhao clan you could replace me?!” The Grand Duke shouted.
“I have absolutely no interest in replacing you, what good would that do anyone?” Kayla shot back, her temper flaring. Not dealing with the Grand Duke for a few days had left her with a lower tolerance for his bullshit. “If I don’t dismantle the mess you’ve built up, the palace will do so by force! Why can’t you see that we’re out of options already?!”
“Dismantle it? Do you know how much blood and sweat I’ve put into building this up?!”
Kayla gave him an impassive look. “And what about it? Are we not in danger all the same?”
“You bastard, do you think you’d be off the hook just because you changed sides? You owe me, and the palace knows it too!” The Grand Duke snarled.
Kayla glared at the Grand Duke, the last vestiges of restraint slipping from her grasp.
“I owe you? What do you mean I owe you?” Kayla demanded.
“Even the most unfilial of descendants would at least know to have some shame when openly going against the man who fed and clothed them for their entire life! I’ve taken care of you for your entire life, your education, your entry into the court, and your subsequent career!” The Grand Duke shouted. “You ingrate! You’ve gained everything you have today from the Zhao clan! Even if we were to go down, there’s no way I’d allow you to continue unscathed!”
“I know. It’s not the first day we’ve met, I’m fully aware of exactly what kind of man you are,” Kayla said coldly.
The Grand Duke’s eyes took on a dangerous glint as his fury crystallized into something sharper and far more deadly.
“This little piece of shit…ever since you feigned your illness, you’ve started going around with that infuriating look in your eye. I don’t know what got into you or why, but it makes me want to gouge your eyes out,” the Grand Duke snarled.
“What a reasonable response to have,” Kayla shot back sarcastically.
“You think you’re better than me, you brat? Everything you have today, you have because I gave them to you, and yet you dare to look at me like that?!” The Grand Duke shouted.
Kayla stared at him in shocked silence for a moment before shaking her head.
“You’ve misunderstood, grandfather. I don’t think I’m better than you, I know I’m better than you. I mean, you’re a murderer. You literally steal food from the mouths of starving refugees. There’s really not a whole lot of people who aren’t better than you,” Kayla replied before she could stop herself. “Not to mention that you’re a domestic abuser-”
Almost as if to prove the point, Kayla was cut off by a forceful blow to the face. Caught off guard, she was knocked to the ground, crashing into a table en route. Pain exploded in the left side of her face, a sharp stinging in her shoulder where she had hit the corner of the table. It had been a good while since she’d actually been struck, the sudden violence catching her shorthanded.
Kayla tried to spit out the blood filling her mouth, but couldn’t move the left half of her jaw without scorching pain. Instead, she only managed to open her mouth a little. The hot blood dripped down her chin and onto her neck, staining the collar of her robes and landing in red spots on the floor.
Kayla resigned herself to swallowing the blood instead of the unpleasant feeling of having it travel down the inside of her robes. She gingerly snapped her jaw back into place, patting it with a wince as she got back onto her feet.
“You unfilial bastard, I’ve never heard of it being a crime to educate one’s descendants as one sees fit!” The Grand Duke raged at her. He had been going on while Kayla reoriented herself, but she’d missed most of his words only to snap back to attention at his last sentence.
This fucking asshole--
“You slapped me in the face at my father’s funeral,” Kayla shot back.
“You were carrying on so shamefully, the entire family’s reputation would’ve been damaged by such a weak heir,” the Grand Duke retorted.
“I was a child,” Kayla said flatly. The incident had been scarring for Wenyuan, leading to his inability to stand up for himself. Even though it happened publicly, not even his mother, who he’d trusted to keep him safe, was able to do a single thing to stop the Grand Duke.
And he wants to blame Wenyuan for it?
“You were more than old enough to learn that there were consequences for everything!”
Kayla gave him a look of disbelief. “Are we seriously going to do this? Then fine, how come I was the only one who ever faced consequences? What consequences did Liu Hongyu face when you learned I was poisoned at his place? Sure, I ended up fine because the alcohol negated the poison, but how come you never did a thing about that? You even sent me to his household again right after!”
“Of course he faced the consequences. My heir was poisoned at his household, it was only natural that he back down on the conditions of our deal,” the Grand Duke said dismissively. “And it’s not as though you weren’t warned. I told you to drink as much as you can that night, and you did, didn’t you?”
Kayla stared at him incredulously. “Wow, I-you have literally tried to kill me at this point and I’m still surprised at how you can manage to go even lower,” she said, shaking her head in disbelief. “You poisoned me to get a discount. Your own heir, for a goddamn discount. That was back when I still did everything you told me to as well, and you were fine just doing that to me? You really hate me, don’t you?”
The Grand Duke scoffed. “Hate? Don’t be ridiculous, do you think I would be dragged along by something as foolish as that? You were useful, and I rewarded you for it, did I not? You’re the one who went around making a mess, and now you come to me spouting all this nonsense about your hurt feelings!”
Kayla gave him a long look, a strange feeling welling up inside her chest. It was distinctively from Wenyuan, but it resonated so strongly that it felt like her own emotions.
“The person I was back then loved and respected you. I feared you too, but I wanted my grandfather to approve of me more than anything else.”
Kayla stared into the Grand Duke’s eyes in morbid curiosity. Mixed in his rage was a hint of what Kayla recognized as discomfort. He had known, surely, but the words had never been spoken out loud.
“I’m not the one who was cruel to you, why was I the one you treated badly?” Kayla asked.
The Grand Duke stilled for a moment before narrowing his eyes. A look of humiliation briefly flashed over his face.
“So you learned of the truth. No wonder you were so quick to betray me,” the Grand Duke said through gritted teeth.
“I only learned of it very recently, way after I took my current stance,” Kayla replied. “It was neither a cause nor an excuse for my behavior, and even if I had never learned the truth, I would’ve made the same choice. How could I not, with the way you’ve treated me, and the way you’ve been carrying on? You’re already a Grand Duke! If you’d held back even a little bit more, Uncle and Grandmother wouldn’t be targeting you like this. Why did you let things get to this point?”
“Ha! Of course, that reason wouldn’t have been enough. If not for that accursed agreement, you never would’ve been even close to attaining the seat of heir, you wouldn’t have even been born!” The Grand Duke snarled. “You goddamn ingrate, I make you my heir, and this how you repay me!”
Kayla let out a sigh. “We're not getting anywhere with this, it’s useless discussing this with you any further. Let’s pretend this conversation never happened.” She turned and made to leave.
“You asked why I let things get to this point? You can’t possibly begin to understand,” the Grand Duke sneered. Kayla stopped and turned back.
“Your father was such a meek and stunted child. He was plain, like his mother, and untalented, like his father. His father and grandfather had caused me so much suffering and humiliation, I didn’t want anything to do with him at all. I tolerated him because I had to. Emperor Gaozong had arranged it himself, so I just ignored your father and let him be,” the Grand Duke said. His eyes seemed to be focused on something far away, and Kayla didn’t know if she felt afraid or disgusted.
“And then when he was six, or maybe he was seven, I struck him for the first time. He’d done something to deserve it, so I disciplined him, it was only natural for me to do as his guardian. But when I saw him crying as though the world was ending, I felt delighted. It disgusted me. It was humiliating! I’ve taken on the entire court for the sake of the emperor, I had changed the line of succession, destroyed countless opponents, and stood at the pinnacle of power, above tens of thousands and only subordinate to a single person! And here I was, reveling in a child’s tears.”
Kayla shook her head. This crazy bastard, there’s something seriously wrong with him.
The Grand Duke raged on, eyes clouded with decades-long resentment. “I wanted him out of my sight. I tried to send him away and have him live in the countryside residence, somewhere I didn’t have to see him or think about him. But the Empress Dowager, that goddamn bitch, she forced me to keep him here so that he would keep shuffling about right in front of my eyes!”
“She must have misunderstood your intentions,” Kayla said heavily. “I'm guessing that only made things worse for my father?”
Poor Zhao Kangyu, what the fuck did he ever do to deserve any of this?
“It must sound repulsive to your ears. Do you think I didn’t find it repulsive myself? I was a loyal subject, I was the Emperor’s sword! I would’ve continued being a loyal subject if the palace hadn’t pushed my hand time and time again! That bitch ruined me, she’s the one who made me like this!” The Grand Duke snarled. “Her and my uncle, they’re like a goddamn curse on my bloodline!”
Kayla could feel Wenyuan’s discomfort and outrage swirling around inside. It made her vaguely nauseous.
“It’s true you were wronged, but you were the one who single-handedly traumatized two generations of your family! My grandmother didn’t intend to make things this way, and you know it. Why didn’t you explain? Why didn’t you let go of your goddamn pride for a moment and ask for her understanding or even her help? You’re only blaming her so you don’t have to blame yourself!”
The Grand Duke gave a cold chuckle. “It’s not just her that I’m blaming. Our family has been cursed for a long time. Perhaps it was simply my fate to create a monster in my own image,” he said.
Kayla grimaced. “My father was a good man, he was nothing like you.”
“Not him,” the Grand Duke replied. “You. Looking at you now, you’re just like how I was back then, when I’d decided I no longer craved my uncle’s approval, that I no longer wanted anything from him but the power in his hands.”
Kayla felt her blood run cold.
“I’m nothing like you.”
The Grand Duke smiled, his eyes glinting with sadistic pleasure. “You want me dead and you’ll do anything to see it done, I can tell. You have the exact same look in your eyes as I did. You’ll see, Wenyuan. One day, you will be just like me, and you will face the same fate.”
Kayla stared at him wordlessly, her mind going blank.
Fuck.
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Cultural Notes
水落石出/Water recedes and rocks emerge: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning that the truth becomes clear, or that the truth emerges no matter what.
生死有命/Life and death are decided by fate: An Ancient Chinese proverb that is part of a set, "生死有命富贵在天/Life and death have fate, riches and glory are decided by the heavens", often used by someone who is either extremely confident, as encouragement for someone who is uncertain about their future, or to tell someone "just accept your fate like everyone else".
能耐我何/What can they do [with/to] me?: An Ancient Chinese saying to express derision or disdain for someone else, usually to express confidence that what others do can't/won't affect or change your position.
翰林院/Hanlin Academy: Basically the policy and scholarly think-tank of the Imperial Court, they decide both the interpretation of the classics (aka educational curriculum for standardized tests) and the wording of edicts (drafting policy).
守孝/Observing mourning rites: In Ancient China, mourning periods were expected for the death of one's relatives, during which you could not get married. For a paternal grandfather, the mourning power would be one year.
飞鸟尽，良弓藏/The flying birds are gone, the good bow is stored away:An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning that once there is no more need for them, an official or general will be discarded. Usually in the context where an official or general is used to get rid of the ruler's enemies through political or military means, but the ruler no longer trusts them with that amount of power once there are no more targets to get rid of.
上书请罪/Write an appeal asking for punishment/Letter of repentance: Commonly done by officials and military officers as an act of submission/admission of guilt/declaration of remorse, in order to receive a lighter punishment.
欺软怕硬/Bully the soft afraid of the hard[liners]: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to bully the weak but fear the strong.
挑软柿子捏/Choose soft persimmons to squeeze: A colloquial saying meaning to pick on the weak. The reference to persimmons is because one of the most commonly consumed type of persimmons in China are astringent ones, which are bitter and astringent if eaten before they are soft. In the context of this saying, it means to pick on someone you know to be weak even while being careful to offend someone you suspect might be stronger than them.
以小人之心度君子之腹/Judging a great man with the perspective of a small-hearted person: A proverb from pre-Qin China, meaning to maliciously interpret someone's actions, to interpret in bad faith.
不兜圈子/Not go in circles: A colloquial Chinese saying, the word "兜” is much more informal, pointing to a more casual context.
不忠不孝/Unloyal and unfilial: An Ancient Chinese proverb, it was quite a serious insult back in the day, since loyalty and filial piety were two of the most important virtues.
网开一面/Open the net on one side: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to leave an escape route, to give someone a way out accidentally on purpose or to turn a blind eye.
诛灭九族/Exterminate to the ninth degree: An Ancient Chinese term that was specifically used to refer to the large-scale extermination of someone's extended family.
祸不及家人/Crimes/Punishment is not extended to family members: A common saying that was accepted or rejected to varying degrees over history. In other words, punish criminals but leave their family members alone. Emperors who followed this logic, choosing to spare the family of criminals, and in some cases even continue to use them in court, were often praised as being "仁/humane/kind/benevolent".
饭囊衣架/Rice container and clothing rack: An Ancient Chinese proverb and insult meaning that someone is completely useless.
投名状/Expression of sincerity: In Ancient China, it wasn't uncommon for someone who wants to join in or surrender to bring the head of one of your enemies as an expression of sincerity. Bringing important information could also count.
装傻充愣/Pretend to be foolish and act as though daft: An Ancient Chinese proverb.
一人之下万人之上/Below a single person, above ten thousand: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to positions of great power. Note that the usage of 万/Ten thousand in Ancient China was often used as a representative number for "a lot", rather than the actual, specific number of ten thousand. For example, if someone says they've traveled ten thousand miles, it could mean over a thousand miles or well over ten thousand miles. This is primarily in the context of literature, while Ancient Chinese governments tended to have pretty specific knowledge of exactly how many miles, how many people, and how much money they had, so the relative fuzzy usage of "万" would not apply to contexts of actually using statistics.