Character Index
Sir Zheng: An eunuch in the Inner Palace, loyal to Xianchun.
Zhou Ying: The current Emperor, father of Kuang, Yunqi, and Xianchun, older brother of the Imperial Princess, Wenyuan's maternal uncle.
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince, became the Crown Prince in the original timeline.
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, husband of Cao Shuyi and father of Zhou Chenqian.
Zhou Yunqi: The Fifth Prince, in Kuang's faction. The two grew up together due to the friendship between their mothers, daughters of generals who felt stifled in the Inner Palace.
Li Que: A Senior Imperial Investigator, Chen Jian's mentor. He worked with Kayla in the past and was quietly supportive of her.
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Minister Liang's younger half-brother and Kayla's retainer.
Chen Jian: A young Imperial Investigator who is being trained as Li Que's successor, he is Chen Caichun's older brother.
Empress Dowager: Mother of the current Emperor and the Imperial Princess, in the original timeline she passed away a few months after Wenyuan's death.
Consort Chen: Xianchun's mother, she was a serving maid for the Emperor who later became part of his harem.
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“I’m coming with you,” Hu Qing said. “I’ve always wanted to travel up North”.
“Alright.” There weren’t any words that could describe her gratitude, and Kayla didn’t try for any.
The scene became blurry along with Kayla’s vision, and she blinked away the moisture in her eyes. When she opened her eyes again, she was on a horse in the middle of a grassy plain. The vastness of green grass and blue sky that stretched to the horizon overwhelmed her, and Kayla couldn’t quite reconcile the vastness of the beauty with everything she had just seen. She glanced over at the sound of laughter.
An unfamiliar young man who looked to be from the steppe tribes was laughing joyfully, his head tossed back and his throat exposed under the bright sunlight. Kayla didn’t know who he was but knew that he was important to her.
“How can you lose to my sister ten times in a row?” He cackled. “Did you even eat breakfast?”
“You lost to Hu Qing,” Kayla said.
“He also lost to my sister,” he pointed out.
“Everyone loses to your sister.”
The young man began laughing again, and Kayla couldn’t help but laugh as well. She fell quiet, her smile fading as she saw a figure appear in the distance. The young man’s face grew serious as well, tensing as the rider approached.
“Halt! What is it that you want?” The young man demanded.
“Mister Zhao, you need to hurry up and go back! There’s someone from the palace looking for you,” the new rider shouted back from where he had stopped, just within hearing distance.
Kayla shared an uneasy look with the young man.
“What do we do?” The young man asked.
“There’s nothing else I can do except to go meet them,” Kayla replied.
“I’ll go with you,” he said, any trace of mirth gone from his face. Kayla nodded, and they followed the messenger to what appeared to be a small town. Kayla mechanically entered a house that was probably hers. It was small but looked to be in good repair. From the eccentric decorations that left one with too many comments to say in one breath, Kayla could see that it was Hu Qing’s handiwork.
A eunuch stood in the center of the room, imposingly staring at them. His robes, while relatively simple compared to the princes and officials of the court, still stood in stark contrast to the simple clothing of the townspeople.
“Greetings, sir,” Kayla said politely.
“Greetings, Zhao Wenyuan. I come bearing the Emperor’s decree,” the eunuch said. Kayla knelt, the messenger and the young man watching curiously from just outside the doorway.
“Zhao Wenyuan humbly accepts the Imperial decree,” Kayla said.
“On orders of His Majesty the Emperor, Zhao Wenyuan is to return to the capital immediately. He is thereby granted a complete pardon and restored to the status of a Third-Rank official, eligible to inherit his familial title. Due to the unforgivable crimes of the Zhao clan, the title of Grand Duke is demoted to the title of a Marquis, to be effective immediately upon receiving the edict.” The eunuch announced.
Kayla found herself flooded with dread.
“This subject humbly receives the decree and gives thanks for His Majesty’s boundless benevolence,” Kayla replied, bowing her head to the ground. She got up, glancing at the eunuch uneasily.
“Congratulations, Lord Zhao,” the eunuch said politely. “Please follow me.”
“Wait, are we leaving right now?” Kayla asked.
“Yes, there is no need to pack. Your needs will be provided for,” the eunuch replied. Kayla felt a cold pit open up in her stomach. She glanced at the young man helplessly, and he gave her a nod of assurance. Kayla instinctively understood that he would notify Hu Qing, and gave him a grateful nod in turn.
“Take care, Kayla,” the young man said seriously. Kayla thanked him before following the eunuch outside, where a carriage was already waiting. She had assumed it was meant for the eunuch, but it seemed that it had been prepared for her. Kayla had a fleeting notion of running, but gave up at the number of Imperial Guards around the house, resignedly entering the carriage.
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The scene flickered and transformed, and Kayla found herself standing stiffly in the Inner Palace. The luxurious robes no longer felt comfortable on her skin, too constricting and formal compared to the clothing of the steppe tribes.
“The Emperor will see you now,” a familiar-looking eunuch said. Kayla recognized him as Sir Zheng, the one who had been the one to deliver the Imperial Edict that had made Kayla a third-rank official, in what seemed to be a lifetime ago. She nodded and entered the Emperor’s bedroom.
Kayla froze in shock. The Emperor she remembered was handsome and spirited, but the man lying on the bed before her was so thin and fragile that she couldn’t reconcile the two images.
“Uncle,” Kayla said in shock. The Emperor opened his sunken eyes with great effort, his gaze lighting up as he caught sight of her. He reached out a bony hand, and Kayla rushed over to his bedside, dropping to her knees as she took his hand.
“Wenyuan, you’re finally back,” the Emperor said in a feeble voice. “Thank the heavens, my nephew has returned to me safely.”
“Uncle, this unfilial nephew is overjoyed to see you again,” Kayla replied.
How much time has passed? How could his health have deteriorated this much?
“I’m sorry, Wenyuan. You’ve suffered greatly,” the Emperor said.
Kayla shook her head. “Not at all, I’m grateful for your concern.”
He sighed, eyes clouding with despair.
“Wenyuan, I called you back because I need your help,” the Emperor said. “I’ve made a mistake. I never should’ve named Xianchun the Crown Prince.”
Oh shit. Kayla’s heart skipped a beat.
It had been three years.
Kayla held the Emperor’s hand, which was now thin to the bone. Her heart pounded fearfully as he continued on.
“Please, save Kuang and Yunqi,” the Emperor said, a tear sliding down his face to the pillow. “I let Xianchun handle court affairs because of my health, but now-now–”
Kayla nodded. She could only nod. There wasn’t any other option.
Xianchun’s really going to kill them, and then he’ll probably kill me as well. What the hell can I possibly do?
“Wenyuan, I’m naming you–” the Emperor coughed, a eunuch scurrying forward to help him spit out blood-flecked phlegm. Kayla watched with a heavy heart as the Emperor lay down again, exhausted by the movement.
He’s dying. The sight of it made her heart twist painfully. The Emperor had been genuinely fond of her, and she had reciprocated that at least a little. As unreliable as he was, his affection was sincere, and some deep part of Kayla’s paranoid psyche had rejoiced in that.
“I’m naming you the Imperial Edict Bearer,” the Emperor finished. Kayla bowed her head.
“This unworthy one will obey Your Majesty’s wishes,” she replied. The Emperor waved at a eunuch, who came forward bearing two golden plaques.
“You can enter anywhere with this,” the Emperor gestured to the first one. “And this one, you can command the Imperial Investigators with it.”
It was more power than Kayla had before, but it was barely worth anything now that Xianchun was in charge. She bowed her head, respectfully accepting the plaques with both hands.
“Thank you, Uncle. I will do my best,” Kayla said.
“Come and see me often,” the Emperor said weakly. He seemed to have run out of energy. “Kuang and Yunqi…I’m leaving them to you.”
“Of course, Uncle,” Kayla replied. The Emperor’s eyelids fell shut, and within moments he was asleep. A eunuch quietly came forward and helped Kayla up, escorting her out of the room.
She gave him an imploring look, silently inquiring about the Emperor’s condition, but the eunuch only sadly shook his head. Kayla left, keeping her footsteps as soft as possible. Outside, the bright sunlight couldn’t drown out the growing iciness in her bones.
Sir Zheng led Kayla out again but suddenly came to an abrupt halt.
“This lowly servant greets His Highness the Crown Prince!” Sir Zheng’s voice came out a little panicked, knowing that trouble was in store once Xianchun saw Kayla. Kayla bowed as well, not even glancing up to see where Xianchun was. Fear, resentment, and something Kayla vaguely recognized as hatred blended together and faded into a numb blankness.
“You,” Xianchun snarled. Kayla straightened, staring into the face of the Crown Prince. He was different now. There was a hard edge to his entire being the way there hadn’t been before, almost like how he had been when they had first met in the Emperor’s study, but crueler and more devoid of mercy.
“Wenyuan humbly greets His Highness the Crown Prince,” Kayla said.
Xianchun’s gaze was venomous, but it seemed to be mixed with something she couldn’t put her finger on.
“So Father’s brought you back after all,” he said coldly. “And what position has he given you?”
“His Majesty has been gracious and granted this undeserving one the position of Imperial Edict Bearer,” Kayla said. That set Xianchun off, his hatred taking on a murderous edge.
“And you dared to accept it?” Xianchun snarled. He partially unsheathed his sword, glaring at Kayla. “You shameless bastard!”
“M-my prince, the Emperor’s orders…” Sir Zheng nervously intervened. Kayla looked at the sword, but couldn’t summon any feelings of fear. She felt strangely empty. She looked back at Xianchun.
“Apologies, Your Highness. Though it may displease you, this one does not dare disobey His Majesty’s wishes for the sake of Your Highness,” Kayla said simply. Unexpectedly, Xianchun’s face twisted and he briefly looked as though he had been struck. He resumed a cold glare again.
“Pathetic,” he scoffed. “Does he think you can change anything?”
Kayla didn’t reply, silently bowing her head until Xianchun waved for them to leave.
She bowed and left without glancing back.
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Kayla stepped forward, the world rippling around her. She found herself standing in a familiar room. She looked around in confusion before realizing it was the Third Prince’s household.
“In any case, I have already handed over the Ministries and the Chancellory,” Kuang was saying. “If Xianchun–if His Highness the Crown Prince is worried about political power, then I practically have nothing. If it’s our military influence he’s concerned about, there’s nothing I can say. I’m well-liked because I’ve been with them longer, what could he expect me to do about that?”
“I understand,” Kayla replied automatically.
Kuang let out a heavy sigh, his brows furrowed in frustration.
“Wenyuan, do you think he can be convinced?”
Kayla turned to the side, unsurprised to see that Yunqi was also there. He looked much more pallid and thin than before, and she couldn’t help but feel an instinctive rush of sympathy.
“I don’t know,” Kayla replied honestly. “At this point in time, antagonizing him is the worst possible option. The more the military supports you two, the more determined he’ll be to kill you, regardless of the consequences. I’ve gone around to the senior officials, but while most of them were sympathetic, none of them dared to join me in petitioning for your sake.”
“When the person leaves, the tea cools. It can’t be helped,” Kuang replied.
Kayla recognized the look in his eyes, the quiet desperation of a man whose lifelines were disappearing one by one, even as he tried to grasp onto them. It was the same feeling that had haunted her ever since arriving in this world.
Kuang used to be my favorite character, but now, I just want to help him.
Once, in another world, they had only been characters in a book. Once, Xianchun had been her second favorite, his ruthlessness and fierce personality making him a fascinating character. But now, standing in Kuang’s sitting room and sharing in his helplessness, she couldn’t help but feel that fate had played her for a fool.
“I’ll try again,” Kayla said. Kuang gave her a grateful look. It was a futile endeavor, but they were trying regardless.
But in truth, both of them understood.
There’s no way this will end well.
“The victors are lauded as kings, the defeated are disparaged as bandits. I accept my defeat,” the Third Prince said. “All I wish for is that my family is spared.” The words seemed to relieve a burden from his shoulders, and he grew more relaxed in the presence of another man who had lost.
“I promised Uncle to keep you all alive, and I’ll do everything within my power to see it through,” Kayla replied.
She was done for. Kayla didn’t even need to think it over to know that the second the Emperor passed away, she would also be killed. The question was whether her years of absence left her enough political leeway to give Kuang and Yunqi even the smallest chance at survival.
“Would you be willing to leave the country?” Kayla asked. “The Khaganate would likely welcome you.”
Kuang frowned, shaking his head. “I would not besmirch my country’s honor by surrendering to the Khaganate. I am a prince, I was raised on the populace’s coin, how could I possibly do such a thing just so I could survive?”
Kayla nodded, her heart slowly sinking. “I understand. Allow me to consult with the Imperial Investigation Bureau, and I’ll see what I can do.”
“Thank you, Wenyuan.” He hesitated for a moment before reaching out to take her hand. “Before your godfather passed, he asked me to protect you. But now, it’s the other way around. I’m sorry.”
Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
“Don’t say that, Third Cousin. The future is not written in stone.” Kayla assured him. He patted her hand and let her leave.
Kayla stepped through the door and the location had changed. She blinked away the disorientation and found herself kneeling in a familiar lobby. She recognized it as the Imperial Investigation Bureau. A eunuch stood before her, holding an Imperial Edict.
Another one? How much time has passed?
“...In light of the Imperial Edict Bearer’s virtue, His Majesty the Emperor hereby appoints Zhao Wenyuan as the Crown Prince’s Advisor, to be held in conjunction with the post of Imperial Edict Bearer, hence it is decreed,” the eunuch read, looking increasingly nervous as he finished.
Kayla glanced to the side and understood why. Xianchun stood in the center of the lobby, resplendent in the golden embroidered robes of the Crown Prince and surrounded by uneasy Imperial Investigators. It was clear that he hadn’t endeared himself to the Bureau. The Investigators looked at him warily but looked at Kayla with concern.
“This subject humbly receives the decree and gives thanks for His Majesty’s boundless benevolence,” Kayla said, bowing her head to the floor. She got up, thanking the eunuch who quickly backed away and scurried out of the room.
Kayla turned towards Xianchun and bowed to him politely. “This lowly one will do his utmost to fulfill the Emperor’s expectations in assisting Your Highness,” Kayla said.
Xianchun’s face was flushed with rage. The message was clear enough–the Emperor didn’t trust the Crown Prince at all. He stormed off, heading out of the Bureau. No one went after him.
Investigator Li Que approached her, looking much wearier than he did before.
“My lord,” he said quietly, his voice dripping with worry. He didn’t voice his concerns, but Kayla understood him very clearly. The role of Imperial Edict Bearer wasn’t enough to save Kuang and Yunqi, but the role of Crown Prince’s Advisor might be. But the higher the rank, the more violent Kayla’s death would be.
“Please seek out Hu Qing for me,” Kayla said quietly. “Tell him not to come to the capital.”
Li Que stood still for a long moment before bowing his head and leaving.
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Kayla turned away and found that she was once again kneeling. From the room’s decorations, it seemed to be inside the Inner Palace. Looking up, she caught sight of Xianchun’s mocking sneer and understood that this was the East Palace.
“Please have some mercy, Your Highness,” Kayla said, the words popping out unbidden. “They’re your siblings, not your enemies.”
“Not my enemies? They’ve sent you to plead for their lives!” Xianchun snarled.
Kayla bowed her head. “Your Highness, this one’s life will end in your hands sooner or later. You and your brothers are like limbs that grow on the same body, are you really willing to gain a reputation of fratricide just to spite a decision your father made on his sickbed?”
Xianchun stepped closer, glaring down at her.
“Sooner or later?! If I could, I would cut you down right here!”
“If that would soothe Your Highness’ rage, then I have no complaints,” Kayla replied, knowing full well he couldn’t kill her. “But Confucius has said that a great man does not promote a man solely based on what he said, nor does he reject advice solely because of the man who said it. Please choose wisely, Your Highness.”
Xianchun calmed down a little, disdainfully stepping away again. After a long moment of silence, he smirked.
“Very well then, tell my brothers that I am more than willing to show mercy to them. However, I will do so only if they’re willing to take a magical oath,” Xianchun said, a note of malicious glee in his voice.
A magical oath? Kayla froze. Magical oaths never meant anything good, being coercive enough that it was generally frowned upon to make use of them.
“Your Highness,” Kayla hesitantly objected. Xianchun cut her off.
“If they take a magical oath of subservience, I will spare them. Simple enough, isn’t it?” Xianchun sneered. Kayla’s heart dropped.
“My prince, please reconsider,” she pleaded. Xianchun froze at the change of honorifics before letting out an angry huff.
“My decision is final!”
Reluctantly, Kayla bowed her head.
She straightened up and found herself sitting in the Third Prince’s study. Yunqi sat beside her, his face pallid and weary.
“A magical oath?!” Kuang raged, pacing back and forth across the room in large strides. “I refuse! If he wants to kill me, then let him have at it. A man can be killed, but not humiliated!”
Kayla winced. It was what she had expected, but there were no other options left.
“Third Cousin, please don’t be like this,” Kayla pleaded. “Think of Fifth Cousin, if you don’t accept, then he’ll definitely be killed alongside you!”
Yunqi gravely shook his head. “Thank you, Wenyuan. But I do not fear death. I would prefer death to seeing my brother humiliated.”
Kayla looked between them, increasingly desperate.
“Then what about your mothers and their families? Third Cousin, what about your wife, your son? The members of your faction? If you won’t do it for yourself, then do it for them!”
Kuang slowed to a stop at Kayla’s words. He gave her a torn look, sighing deeply.
Seeing that he was swayed, Kayla pressed on. “I’ll do whatever I can to ensure that you can preserve your dignity. There are definitely ways to tie Xianchun’s hands, I’ll make sure to use everything within my disposal!”
Kuang let out a shaky breath, closing his eyes in defeat. “Leave me alone for a bit. Let me think about it,” he said quietly. Kayla bowed her head.
“As you wish, my prince.”
She left with Yunqi following shortly after. He looked just as resigned, if not more so than Kuang. They walked side by side out of the Third Prince’s residence, wordlessly sharing in their gloom.
“Ride with me, I’ll send you back,” Yunqi offered. Kayla nodded, getting into Yunqi’s carriage after him. The carriage set off in utter silence until Yunqi finally spoke again.
“A magical oath of subservience,” Yunqi said glumly. “Xianchun really is cruel to do such a thing. With Third Brother’s pride, this fate is worse than death for him.”
“Indeed,” Kayla said quietly. “It really is a fate worse than–”
Kayla froze, belatedly reacting to Yunqi’s words. A bad feeling curled up in her stomach. Yunqi seemed to have thought of the same thing, meeting her eyes with a startled look.
Kayla flung open the carriage window. “Turn the carriage around! Head back at full speed!” She shouted. The horseman jolted in surprise but complied.
“Shit!” Kayla cursed under her breath. She reached into her robes, pulling out the golden plaque for the Imperial Investigation Bureau and activating its communication function. It connected immediately.
“Tell whoever’s on duty in the Third Prince’s household to confirm His Highness’ safety! Now!” Kayla ordered. She turned it off before someone could reply. Yunqi had gone completely pale, frozen in his seat.
“He-he wouldn’t,” Yunqi said in a small voice, trembling from head to toe as he stared blankly into the distance.
Shit, he’s about to crack. Kayla reached over and grabbed his hand.
“Fifth Cousin, neither of you should be acting so short-sightedly! Do you not remember the nullification talismans that Grandmother gifted to us?! Have you used it yet?”
Yunqi stared at her in shock, startled out of his panic. “That talisman? No, I haven’t.”
“Has Third Cousin?”
“No.”
Kayla nodded. “Exactly. Then the oath doesn’t really matter. It’s only a way of preserving your life until you gain another chance! I should’ve said so earlier, but I assumed you would’ve tacitly understood,” she said. “Come and explain to Third Cousin with me, alright?”
Yunqi nodded, collecting himself. The carriage jolted to a halt, Kayla and Yunqi spilling out before it even came to a full stop. They sprinted into Kuang’s living quarters, stumbling to a stop in the doorway of his study.
Kuang was fuming, a venomous glare fixed on Chen Jian while pointing a sword at the young man’s throat. From the small cut on Kuang’s neck, it was apparent that Kayla’s guess had been correct–Kuang was seeking death over humiliation.
“Chen Jian, I didn’t know you were on duty,” Kayla said as casually as she could. “Good work, you can go now.”
Chen Jian gulped, backing away from the Third Prince while keeping a watchful eye. Yunqi rushed forward immediately, grasping Kuang’s blade with both hands. The sword cut through Yunqi’s palms, but the Fifth Prince didn’t seem to notice.
“Yunqi!” Kuang said in a panicked voice. He hastily lowered the sword, Yunqi loosening his grip in turn. The blade clattered to the floor. Kuang grabbed Yunqi’s hands to check the wounds. Kayla nodded at Chen Jian, who bowed his head and quietly slipped away.
“Your Highness,” Kayla said, handing over a small stack of healing talismans.
“Third Brother, how could you do something so foolish?! Where does that leave me? Where does that leave Sister-in-law and Qian’er?!” Yunqi furiously reproached Kuang, who looked increasingly guilty as he one-sidedly accepted the berating while healing Yunqi’s hands.
“I’m sorry,” Kuang said quietly. “I can’t stop Xianchun from destroying me, but I can at least keep him from destroying my dignity.”
Kayla activated a privacy talisman, stepping in closer with a sigh.
“It is my fault for not explaining clearly,” she said apologetically. “Third Cousin, don’t you still have the nullification talisman from Grandmother?”
Kuang frowned in confusion. “The nullification talisman from Grandmother?”
He lit up as he caught on to her meaning. “The nullification–Wenyuan, you mean–?!”
“The military adores you,” Kayla said. “The less success Xianchun has with them, the more capable you’ll seem in their eyes. Patience, Third Brother. Chong’Er once was left without shelter or food, Qin Shi Huang was once abused as a hostage, and Han Xin was once forced to crawl between a man’s legs. What do these humiliations matter if you can become the victor?”
“I see,” Kuang said, a new fire ablaze in his eyes. “Thank you, Wenyuan. I was a fool. Please tell Xianchun that I humbly accept and will swear the magical oath.”
“Be careful to hide away the talismans,” she warned them. “If you can obtain any more, then please do so. Should I still be alive by then, I may be able to provide more.”
Kuang and Yunqi nodded, not questioning how she would do so. Even with just two, it was enough.
“Thank you,” Yunqi added.
Kayla bowed her head slightly. “There’s no need for thanks, I’m only fulfilling my duty.”
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Kayla straightened her head after bowing to Yunqi, and found that the location had changed yet again so that she was now sitting at the Emperor’s bedside.
“So Xianchun’s agreed to spare them…” the Emperor said weakly. “But a magical oath…” He trailed off, sighing.
“They’ve agreed,” Kayla assured him. “It may be difficult for them to get used to at first, but at least their safety will be ensured.”
The Emperor shook his head. “It’s not enough. Xianchun won’t be satisfied with just that, they’ll just become unable to resist if he wants to kill him.”
Kayla’s heart sank. It was true, but not if you also counted in the nullification talismans. She couldn’t say it here, not when there might be Xianchun’s eyes and ears around, so she settled for giving the Emperor’s hand a reassuring squeeze.
“It’s not enough…” the Emperor muttered to himself before turning to a eunuch.
“Call the Crown Prince, and the court mage,” the Emperor ordered.
The eunuch scurried off, leaving Kayla to look at the Emperor in confusion.
“Uncle, what are you planning to do?” Kayla asked.
“Xianchun…he’s a monster,” the Emperor said, so quietly it was almost a whisper. “I’m afraid he’ll kill them.”
The Emperor was no longer in any shape to rein Xianchun in, much less to change his decision. There was only so much he could do now. Kayla watched the Emperor, unease curling through her chest.
“Uncle, surely you’re not–” Kayla began. She stopped as the court mage entered, kneeling to greet the Emperor.
“I called you here to prepare a magical oath for the Crown Prince,” the Emperor ordered. Kayla could barely keep her expression still.
The court mage hesitated, going completely pale, but had no choice but to bow and accept the orders.
“Uncle, this isn’t a good idea,” Kayla warned him. With Xianchun’s temper, it would only have the opposite effect. From what she knew, Xianchun also still had his nullification talisman. Even if by some chance he failed to remember its existence, he was the Crown Prince. Finding a nullification mage was no difficult task for a man in his position.
“He needs to be restrained,” the Emperor replied. “This is for the best.”
“I don’t believe that–” Kayla began, cut off by the announcement of Xianchun’s arrival. Kayla’s heart fell, knowing that there was no more she could do. Kayla backed away to the side of the room, bowing politely as Xianchun arrived.
“Father, Xianchun has arrived,” Xianchun greeted the Emperor, kneeling before the bed. The Emperor nodded, before gesturing at Kayla.
No, please don’t, Kayla silently bemoaned his actions. You’re just ensuring me a painful death at this point! She had the fleeting thought of killing herself once the Emperor died. It was sure to be better than dealing with Xianchun’s rage.
Xianchun ground his teeth but greeted Kayla as well. “Advisor,” Xianchun nodded at her.
Kayla bowed in greeting, and Xianchun turned away from her.
“Father, how are you feeling?” Xianchun asked. The Emperor gave him a weary look, disappointment and sadness bleeding into each other.
“Xianchun, I heard that you asked your brothers to take a magical oath,” the Emperor said.
Xianchun shot Kayla a glare before bowing his head toward the Emperor. “It is as you heard, father. Even if Third Brother and Fifth Brother are willing to cooperate with me, their factions are still unruly. I hope that through doing this, the rest of the court will quell any unrealistic hopes they have and cease to cause trouble.”
The Emperor nodded. “Just as well, an Emperor needs to be able to control the court. In any case, that’s not what I called you here for. Xianchun, you’re the Crown Prince now. It won’t do for your mother’s position to remain so low. I want to give your mother the title of Imperial Royal Consort and increase her position in the ancestral temple. What do you think?”
Xianchun lit up at the mention of Consort Chen. “Thank you, father! Mother would surely be deeply grateful if she knew of this!”
The Emperor smiled. “Good, good. If she were here, she would certainly be proud of you.”
Xianchun bowed his head slightly, pleased at the praise.
“Filial piety and fraternal duty are the tenets of a man’s virtue,” the Emperor went on. “Once you’ve ascended to the throne, you must honor your mother as the Empress Dowager.”
Xianchun nodded, not sensing the trap the Emperor was setting.
“I was lucky enough to honor my mother as Empress Dowager for many years, and had the fortune to make Archdukes of my brothers,” the Emperor said. “Who else can you lean on in this cruel world other than your own family? I kept all my brothers alive, even when I was urged to kill them, for I would be the one who was condemned should anything ever happen to them. Xianchun, I worry about you and your brothers.”
Xianchun had stiffened, finally catching on to the conditions of the deal.
“Don’t worry, father. I will be sure to treat my brothers well,” Xianchun assured him.
The Emperor nodded, seeming satisfied. “I’m glad to hear that, Xianchun.” He gestured at the Court Mage, who approached nervously. Xianchun seemed to only just register the mage’s presence, looking at the mage, the Emperor, and then at Kayla with the same disbelieving expression.
“Xianchun, once a great man has given his word, even the strongest horses cannot chase them back,” the Emperor said, the previous sentimentality completely gone from his voice. “Take an oath before me here and now, and swear that you will not harm your brothers.”
Xianchun glared at Kayla furiously. She slowly let out a shaky breath, knowing that there was nothing she could do to fix this.
“Xianchun,” the Emperor prompted, his voice taking on a note of severity. Xianchun swallowed his discontentment and repeated his oath, the mage casting a spell to magically bind him to his promise.
It’s over. Not just for Kayla, but for Kuang and Yunqi as well, but Kayla wouldn’t get to see their endings. It was clear she would not survive the day.
Xianchun forcibly kept his anger under wraps, and the Emperor breathed out a sigh of relief. Worn out, the Emperor soon fell asleep. Xianchun stormed out, the Court Mage scurrying out afterward, shaking from head to toe. Kayla stayed where she was a moment longer before leaving as well.
The eunuchs and serving maids gave her wide-eyed looks that one gives to a man getting dragged to the execution block. Kayla ignored them, heading out of the Inner Palace with slow, steady steps.
She came to a stop at the gates. Xianchun stood in the middle of the path, waiting for her. She watched with a cold numbness as he drew his sword, alight with fury.
“Zhao Wenyuan, you bastard!”
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Cultural Notes
人走茶凉/When the person leaves, the tea cools: A Chinese proverb meaning that once someone is out of power, their influence fades.
明知不可为而为之/Knowing that it is impossible but doing it anyways: An Ancient Chinese proverb that serves as an admiration but also a lament for the conviction to do the impossible, usually for the sake of one's ideals or out of loyalty. Originates from a quote from The Analects, the pre-Qin Confucian classic that collects quotes by and regarding Confucius and his students, this was first used to describe Confucius, who attempted to uphold morality and order in a time when the existing social order was devolving into chaos.
成王败寇/The victors are lauded as kings, the defeated are disparaged as bandits: A Chinese proverb often used to refer to transitional struggles between dynasties, usually when several warlords are competing for hegemony, but it can also be used in other contexts. It's the Chinese version of "history is written by the victors". This proverb is broadly used in Chinese vocabulary, and despite popular conceptions that it's from Ancient China, it originated in relatively recent times (between 1900-1950).
太傅/Advisor to the Crown Prince: This was a significant position in the Han Dynasty, but had become a mostly ceremonial position by the Tang Dynasty. However, it holds symbolic and cultural importance, and you'd be hard-pressed to openly disrespect/disregard the Crown Prince's Advisor.
东宫/East Palace: The part of the palace where the Crown Prince resided. While most Imperial Princes had to move out from the palace once they were of age, the Crown Prince had the right to reside within the Inner Palace. As such, allowing a prince to reside in the Inner Palace was a politically significant move. One famous example is Li Shimin, a renowned Emperor of the Tang Dynasty, who preferred one of his other sons (Li Tai) over the Crown Prince and had Li Tai move into the palace with the excuse that "he's too fat, it's difficult for him to walk such far distances". Remember that being of a sturdy build was not a bad thing in the Tang Dynasty, but still, what kind of excuse is that?
残害手足/Brutalize and harm one's hands and feet: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to harm one's siblings. One's brothers were often described as one's 手足/hands and feet, meaning that your siblings are just as important as parts of your body.
子曰：君子不以人举言，不以人废言/Confucius said: A great man does not promote a man solely based on what he said, nor does he reject advice solely because of the man who said it: An Ancient Chinese proverb that essentially means to think critically about what is said, and not be blinded by who said it.
士可杀不可辱/A man can be killed but not humiliated: An Ancient Chinese proverb.
让我静一静/Let me quiet down for a bit: A common Chinese saying that serves as a polite way of telling someone to leave you alone.
寻短见/Search for short-sighted [path]: A Chinese phrase meaning to (short-sightedly) choose death/attempt suicide.
重耳/Chong'Er: A ruler of the pre-Qin kingdom of Jin, he became ruler at over sixty years old after years of political strife that forced him into exile. As the legend goes, he once became so impoverished that he nearly starved to death, but one of his loyal retainers cut off a piece of his own thigh to feed Chong'Er.
秦始皇质于赵/Qin Shi Huang as a hostage in Zhao: Qin Shi Huang, the first Emperor of China, was born in the Kingdom of Zhao rather than in his ancestral homeland of Qin, as his father was living in Zhao as a hostage. Later, his father fled back to Qin, but left Qin Shi Huang and his mother behind in Zhao to remain as hostages.
韩信受胯下之辱/Han Xin's humiliation of [having to] crawl between a man's legs: Han Xin was one of the greatest generals of the late-Qin/early-Han period, and played a crucial role in founding the Han Dynasty. As a youth living under the Qin dynasty, Han Xin buried himself in learning military strategy rather than finding a job, and went about with a few books and a sword. Since he was broke, old fisherwomen often took pity on him and gave him some of their food. Once, a local thug taunted Han Xin and forced Han Xin to either kill him on the spot (which would subject him to execution regardless of circumstances under the harsh laws of the Qin Dynasty), or crawl between his legs. Han Xin chose the humiliation of the latter, but in doing so, kept his life in order to become one of the most revered military strategists and generals of Chinese history.
追封/Posthumously [give a] title: An Ancient Chinese practice in which someone who had already died was granted additional titles/honors after their passing.
孝悌/Filial piety and Fraternal love/duty: These two virtues were extremely important in Ancient China, and while the latter is less important than the prior, they tended to go hand-in-hand with each other.
君子一言驷马难追/Once a great man's words are spoken, even the strongest horses cannot chase them back: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning that a great man cannot go back on his word.