Character Index
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince and the one who killed Wenyuan in the original timeline. He was manipulated into participating in the Grand Duke's death to preemptively cut off his revenge arc before it culminated in mass murder.
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince and one of the primary contenders for the throne.
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: The new Lord of the Liang clan, younger half-brother of Liang Shen, and Kayla's friend.
Liang Shen: The Minister of Justice and a member of the Seventh Prince's faction, former Lord of the Liang clan. He practically raised Hu Qing after stealing his younger half-brother's inheritance.
Housekeeper Li: Formerly known as Matron Li, Kayla's right-hand woman inside the Zhao household. She was sent to help Hu Qing through the processes of regaining his inheritance.
Ke Yongqian: One of Hu Qing's employees, formerly one of Kayla's employees who was brought onboard by Hu Qing.
Great General Liang: The Great General of the West, he was framed and executed, resulting in the scattering of his family to avoid persecution. It was while his son, Hu Qing's father, was on the run that Hu Qing was born.
Jun Shao: Minister of Personnel and a member of Xianchun's faction. His daughter was one of Xianchun's harem members in the original story.
Lady Yue: Wife of Governor Yue Wuxuan (wrongfully executed for opposing the Grand Duke in the early chapters). Her death was one of the direct catalysts for Wenyuan's murder in the original timeline, but Kayla managed to avert that through an improvised collaboration with Xianchun that also kick-started his faction-building.
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Kayla stared at Xianchun’s furious countenance, her tongue making the decision before her mind could.
“If you really think I am a threat to you and to this dynasty, then please go on,” Kayla said, spreading her arms out plaintively. “Kill me.”
“Zhao Wenyuan, just what are you playing at now?!” Xianchun snarled.
Kayla opened her palms in a deferential gesture. “Nothing, my prince. There are no tricks or games, the decision is entirely in your hands. You can kill me, or you can trust me to do what’s best for you and for this country. Those are the only two options we have.”
“I have no interest in entertaining your foolishness,” Xianchun said frostily. “I’m not making the same mistake twice–or do you think I’m that easy to play?”
“No. You wish to end me? You have a chance to do so. But I will not suffer the humiliation of repeatedly being subjected to your scrutiny at every single turn, simply for the right to do my duty,” Kayla said, her voice sharp with a brittle intensity. “If you fear that I will become the next Grand Duke, then you may cull it in the bud. If you believe I have overstepped my bounds and outlived my usefulness, then you have an opportunity to do something about it! But if you do not, then I will continue down my path, and I won’t be deterred by anything.”
“Bold words from a man who cowered in the shadows for most of his life! Tell me, Wenyuan, where was this courage to do or die when your grandfather was wreaking havoc upon the court? Where was it when you were signing off on documents that sealed the fate of good men? Or is your fiery nature only alight when it benefits you? I didn’t trust you because of pretty words or transparent flattery. It was because I trusted the changes that I saw in you. But look where that got me–and where it got you! You dared to use a prince as a stepping stone, and you think I wouldn’t dare to take your offer?!” Xianchun snarled, a hand clenching around the hilt of his sword.
Kayla stepped forward, extending her hands out to either side, displaying her empty fingers.
“I know you would,” she said, lacing her voice with as much sincerity as she could muster. “That’s why I’m saying this to you, and not Third Cousin.”
Xianchun scrunched up his face, startled by the unexpected admission.
“If there is anyone who would destroy me in this court, it would be a righteous man,” Kayla said calmly. “Not because he would be any cleverer or more adept than the rest, but because he would be the only one whose judgment I would accept. At court, the wolves and jackals are joined in traitorous union and politics is carried out through bribery. Throughout the four seas, the country is filled with crop-yielding fields, and yet farmers starve to death. If the people would condemn me, I would accept, but they cannot. But the officials? They have no right to judge me.‘’
“You think yourself above the law?” Xianchun scoffed in disbelief.
“I think myself above the ones who carry out the law,” Kayla shot back. “Above the officials and clans who crush the bones and suck the marrow of the populace. You know as well as I do that no one’s hands are clean, yours and mine included. But you, at least you still believe in justice. You’re still righteous at heart.”
To her surprise, she actually meant the words.
“You’re one to speak of righteousness, and certainly the wrong person to think yourself any better than the rest,” Xianchun said in a low voice. “You’ve done far worse than many of those officials have and yet you think yourself above their judgment? Don’t think I know nothing about the support you received from your relatives. And are they not criminals? Were they not accomplices in the Grand Duke’s actions, if not worse? And I know for a fact that they’ve done worse than that. If you cover for them for political support, then you’re just as bad as your grandfather!”
“You're right.” Kayla replied. “But if you think I plan to protect them, then you were mistaken. They’re still useful to me, but I have every intention of bringing them to justice when I’m done with them. That was what they agreed to as well–the only condition was that their family members would remain safe and under my protection. That much is acceptable, is it not?”
“After all the lies you’ve spouted to me, you expect me to believe you?”
“That’s up to you,” Kayla said firmly. “If you don’t believe me, then kill me.”
Xianchun looked genuinely tempted, his sword already partially unsheathed. Only the Imperial Guard and direct members of the Imperial Family could carry weapons within the palace, and only openly so. Kayla–and Wenyuan, for that matter, had never had that option.
She looked at the glint of metal impassively, lifting her gaze back to Xianchun with a challenging look on her face.
“You grow more arrogant and brazen by the day,” Xianchun said through gritted teeth.
“Much of it is thanks to you, my prince. I thought I could never be rid of the guilt I was born and raised into, that I’d never be any more than what the Grand Duke made me. Your judgment proved otherwise.” Kayla gestured to his sword. “It was thanks to you that I became Grandmother’s weapon of choice–if not for how easily you went along with my plans, neither one of us would have made it this far. You were the one who guided the knife, cousin. Now it is up to you to wield it.”
Xianchun’s gaze was slowly filling with apprehension and unease as he glanced Kayla over again, trying to decide if she had gone insane. She briefly wondered if he saw a lunatic or a reflection of himself.
“And what do you expect me to do? Kill you and destroy my own future?” Xianchun finally said with a scoff.
“If you really think me that much of a threat, and if you really value the country over yourself, then you will. But really, I’m not worth that much drama now, am I?” Kayla asked.
“I’ve had enough of your foolishness,” Xianchun retorted, sheathing his sword with an irritated movement. “Don’t think that I’ll let this go–I’ll be watching your every move from now on. The same goes for your supporters!”
“Duly noted,” Kayla replied, bowing her head slightly in a mockery of respect.
Xianchun let out an angry huff, shooting her a glare before storming off. Kayla glanced up at the sky. Dusk had fallen during their confrontation, and night was creeping upon her.
The levee did break after all, Kayla thought to herself dazedly. And I didn’t die. I’m long past being someone that can be disposed of. The realization filled her with a surge of elation that faded as quickly as it had emerged.
Just because Xianchun can’t outright murder me doesn’t mean he can’t kill me, Kayla reminded herself. The irony of it was that she only managed to stall his murderous rage by flinging herself at it headfirst, but that was only a temporary solution.
Well, too bad.
“He’s had his chance,” Kayla muttered to herself in English. “He’s not getting another one.”
The moon began to brighten over the palatial rooftops, the sky around it darkening into a deep, rich blue. Kayla glanced indifferently over the garden and left.
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Hu Qing sat at the desk, his mannerisms the very image of someone raised for this very position. He was well aware that his older half-brother was seething at the sight, but was unable to do anything but swallow his anger.
Good. Let him squirm. Hu Qing put his seal on the final document produced by the notary from the palace, giving the man a winning smile.
“And that’s the last of it?” Hu Qing asked.
The notary bowed his head politely. “Indeed, my lord.”
Hu Qing didn’t shy away from the title or gloat over it, settling into it with feigned naturalness that few people could see through. “Thank you for your trouble,” Hu Qing replied, gesturing for the steward to pay the notary. The steward glanced at Liang Shen over Hu Qing’s shoulder, who gave a sharp nod of his head. The steward complied, offering up the payment on a tray.
“Oh, there’s no need, my lord. It has already been paid for by His Majesty the Emperor,” the notary said.
“Still, I must thank you for your trouble,” Hu Qing replied.
“You’re much too kind, my lord,” the notary protested.
“And you are much too humble given the quality of your services. Please, I insist,” Hu Qing said.
“Well, if you insist, then…Thank you, my lord.” The notary took the smaller pouch of money that Housekeeper Li tactfully offered up, bowing before taking his leave.
“That’s done then, I suppose,” Hu Qing said, standing up from the desk with a sigh. He glanced between the steward and Liang Shen with unpleasant amusement.
Is that how you think things are going to go? Hu Qing gave his brother a smile, hiding the viciousness inside his chest.
“Thank you for walking me through this, brother.”
A vein pulsed in Liang Shen’s jaw. “It’s only what I should do.”
“I should meet with the other clan members now, shouldn’t I? I know for a fact that my uncles and cousins are already whispering with each other inside your courtyard,” Hu Qing said innocently. Liang Shen ground his jaw together. The former clan head had been forced to remove his personal belongings and move his wife, concubines, and children into a smaller courtyard within the household, emptying out the quarters of the head of household for Hu Qing.
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Without Hu Qing, Liang Shen had fewer retainers to rely on, while Hu Qing had some of the most skilled persons in the capital. There wouldn’t be any secret meetings without Hu Qing’s knowing, and he intended to make that clear.
“Indeed, they should be notified,” Liang Shen finally said. “I’ll send for them to come over.”
“No need, let’s go over together,” Hu Qing said. “This is quite a sudden change, I should accommodate them where I can. Brother, if I don’t know what to say to them, you’ll back me up, won’t you?”
Liang Shen did not reply, looking as though he wanted to start cursing at Hu Qing. Housekeeper Li bowed slightly and left the room, staying behind as Hu Qing and Liang Shen headed over with the steward in tow. The atmosphere of the household was oppressive, filled with the sticky viscosity of resentment.
The three of them entered into Liang Shen’s new courtyard without announcement, startling the Liang clan members who were milling about. There were more people than Hu Qing had expected. Some of his nephews were there as well, looking as outraged as he had expected. Most of them had spared no effort to curry favor with Liang Shen’s eldest son, the former heir of the household, only to have all their troubles come to nothing.
“Hu Qing,” one of his uncles said in alarm. Hu Qing stepped forward, ignoring the uneasy look that Liang Shen trained on his back. He spread his arms out, smiling broadly in greeting.
“Hello everyone, it’s me, Hongfei. Your new Lord.” He swept his gaze over them languidly. “And I’d like to thank you all for gathering here today.”
The shocked expressions on their faces quickly faded away, and the Liang clan members regained their poise. One of Hu Qing’s cousins stepped forward to offer his congratulations, and the others quickly followed suit. The discontent was palpable in the air. Hu Qing could practically count the seconds until there was an outburst.
Who will it be? Seventh Uncle? Tenth Cousin? He withheld a smirk of amusement as his eyes caught the mulish set of his nephew’s jaw. Or stubborn little Thirteen over here?
“So we’re just accepting this?” The scandalized voice drowned out the timid congratulations of Hu Qing’s cousin, who quickly scurried out of the line of fire. As he had expected, Liang Shen said nothing, remaining as silent as a lump of dirt.
So it’s Seventh Uncle, Hu Qing glanced over the old man from head to toe, making his scrutiny obvious.
“And you intend to…do what then, exactly?” Hu Qing asked, his voice painfully patient to the point where it was almost mocking.
Seventh Uncle bristled and rose to the bait. “You lack the qualifications to be our Lord–to think the head of the household would be the son of a lowly courtesan! The humiliation of it! How on earth is the Great General supposed to rest at ease under the nine springs?!”
“Oh, Uncle, I wouldn’t worry about that,” Hu Qing said as patronizingly as possible. “After everything this clan has been through, this wouldn’t even surprise him anymore.”
“You unsightly little–!” Seventh Uncle glared at the clan members around him. “And the lot of you would just congratulate this upstart?! We would just hand the clan over to Zhao Wenyuan’s dog?!”
“Hey, watch yourself now, uncle,” Hu Qing cut him off with sharp reprove. “Aren’t you forgetting something here? I was never Minister Zhao’s dog, I was the Liang clan’s dog. You’re forgetting all that trouble I went through for that post you didn’t even get? And all that fuss about your son’s mistress getting pregnant right before he married his wife?”
Seventh Uncle’s face reddened and then turned ghostly white before settling on a sickly green.
“You–you–!”
Hu Qing spread his hands out with a wounded expression on his face. “After all that I did for you, for all of you, and all that you put me through, you’re just shoving me off to Minister Zhao so heartlessly?”
“You bastard! Do you think that we would accept a lowborn like you as our–”
“Uncle, watch your tongue,” Hu Qing cut him off, his voice dangerously low. The man gulped at the menacing look in Hu Qing’s eyes, involuntarily taking a step back.
“The Emperor himself acknowledged my birth and made me a lord, and yet you think you know better? It’s fine if you want to think of me as a hunting dog, but this dog is your Lord now, and I have the right to bite you as I please. You should be groveling, you old lump,” Hu Qing taunted.
The old man looked as though he were trying to decide between blowing up at Hu Qing or cowering away. The other Liang clan members looked at Hu Qing uneasily, shooting Seventh Uncle warning looks that only served to fuel his temper.
“You–”
“That’s enough,” Liang Shen cut the man off, shooting him a look of reproach. “This is a sudden change, but we must all accept it. Do not tarnish our clan’s reputation any further with such tasteless floundering.”
Hu Qing settled back, watching Liang Shen contemplatively as the Minister sternly reprimanded his kin.
“Perhaps we should call it a day,” Liang Shen said to Hu Qing.
“Very well then,” Hu Qing replied. He stood up, slipping on a poised look with practiced ease. “Thank you all for coming today, and I do apologize for any unpleasantness. I look forward to your support in the days to come.”
The whiplash of change in Hu Qing’s behavior was making them squirm, and Hu Qing relished in the feeling. He had no hope of winning them over with honeyed words from the start–the only option was to startle them out of their fixed views of Hu Qing’s background, and then divide and conquer.
The Liang clan members left quickly, and Hu Qing was left alone with Liang Shen in the courtyard. Liang Shen turned towards him with a look of exasperated irritation.
“What were you thinking?!” Liang Shen hissed.
Hu Qing smiled at him innocently. “I just said what the situation required.”
“Your behavior was atrocious! Have you not an ounce of decorum?! You’re the clan head now, you can’t just go about acting like a hoodlum on the streets!”
“You didn’t help me like you agreed to,” Hu Qing shot back. “What was I supposed to do? Let him mock me?”
Liang Shen fell silent, looking at Hu Qing with a strange look on his face.
“Ultimately, this is because I don’t have a strong foundation in the family,” Hu Qing said, working a smidge of contrition into his voice as he proceeded with Wenyuan’s plan. “I think it’s about time that I showed myself as more reliable. They all say that a man grows more steadfast when he forms a family of his own–perhaps I should take a wife.”
Liang Shen raised his eyebrows in surprise. “You? A wife? I didn’t even think you liked women.”
“And what of it? I could still marry, and act as a good husband to boot. I doubt she’d mind my dalliances on the side so long as I take no concubines and promise to make her child my heir,” Hu Qing replied.
Liang Shen frowned contemplatively. “That…well, I suppose there’s not much I could say to that. In terms of age, twenty three is a good time. I got married when I was two years younger than you are now–I’m just surprised you’re interested at all.”
“Not just interested, brother. I have someone in mind.”
Liang Shen’s frown deepened. “You do? Who?”
“Young miss Jun, the daughter of Minister Jun Shao,” Hu Qing said. “She’d make an excellent match, wouldn’t she?”
“Absolutely not!” Liang Shen snarled. “Don’t even think about it! How can you even speak the words out loud, you thick-faced brat?!”
Hu Qing spread his hands, an innocent look on his face.
“And why not? It would deepen the friendship between our two households, isn’t that a good thing?”
“And you think the Seventh Prince would just stand by and allow you to do that? You’re so blatant that it goes beyond shamelessness!” Liang Shen said accusingly.
“I’m doing you a favor here, brother. Think about it, if your Seventh Prince is the one to end up on the throne, then Miss Jun becomes another competitor for the seat of Empress or for influence in the harem–whether for your daughter or for one of our nieces or cousins, she becomes a threat to our interests. Factions only serve you well until you’re all at the top, and then it just splinters off into more competing interests,” Hu Qing said brazenly. “I’m helping our clan out, aren’t I? Not to mention that I won’t actually stir up any trouble with the Seventh Prince’s faction, this is more about keeping the Liang clan in line than holding Miss Jun over your head. Got to mess with those old geezers a bit, you know?”
“You little–” Liang Shen nearly forgot the rift between them for a moment, lapsing into the familiar patterns of outrage and reprimand, only catching himself at the last second.
Hu Qing regarded him with wide, earnest eyes. Liang Shen settled for shooting Hu Qing a reproving glare.
“Absolutely not. I have nothing to say when it comes to your Lordship or your ties with Zhao Wenyuan, but I will not permit you to maliciously meddle in the affairs of the Seventh Prince’s faction,” Liang Shen declared.
“Not maliciously, just preemptively,” Hu Qing replied. “I’m tied to the neutral bloc, nothing good comes out of messing with him.”
“You are thoughtless and impulse-driven, you would make a mess of it without even trying,” Liang Shen shot him down.
Hu Qing slumped his shoulders in disappointment. “Fine then,” he said petulantly. Liang Shen relaxed slightly at the familiar display.
“Then let’s do this instead–place Lady Yue and her daughter into my care. I need to do something to show I’m a responsible, reliable, honorable, whatever else kind of guy,” Hu Qing demanded.
Liang Shen shook his head instinctively. “They’ve been through a lot, you should not bring them into this.”
“I’ve been through a lot! It’s not like I’ll actually be the one taking care of their needs, they can continue their current lifestyle and whatnot, and the servants will be the ones doing the actual work. I just need them to be under my protection. It doesn’t hurt them in the slightest, it also reminds everyone of the good deed you’ve done,” Hu Qing argued. “Not to mention, what makes me look more reliable than taking care of a widow and her mute daughter?”
“Don’t speak of your cousin like that, she’s not just a piece to be made use of,” Liang Shen snapped.
“Like I was?” Hu Qing shot back. Liang Shen drew his breath in sharply, his shoulders tensing.
“Fine, you have a point,” Hu Qing acquiesced, leaning back in his seat. “But I’m doing this one way or another, and I need you to openly support it.”
“You need to actually take care of them properly,” Liang Shen said.
“I’ll take that as a yes,” Hu Qing smiled at him. “Excellent. Then you make the arrangements, brother. Both of us will feel more at ease about it if you’re in charge of this.”
Liang Shen let out a weary sigh. “Alright.”
“Make the announcement tonight,” Hu Qing added. “I’m going to move fast to outmaneuver the old geezers.”
“They’re your kin,” Liang Shen said disapprovingly.
“Alright, alright, whatever you say,” Hu Qing waved him off. “I’ll leave it to you then, I’m heading back.”
He left before Liang Shen could get another word in otherwise, leaving the older man to shake his head in exasperation.
Sorry, brother, Hu Qing thought wryly. But there’s no way I would let you just run about without a leash now, is there?
Hu Qing nodded at the steward awkwardly standing aside, and continued down the hall to his new quarters.
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Cultural Notes
利刃出鞘/Sharp sword [is] unsheathed: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to drawing a sharp blade, either literally or metaphorically. It can, for example, refer to unleashing someone particularly skilled/talented/dangerous on your enemies after keeping that person hidden away until now. It can also mean to stop hiding ones true skills/intentions or to truly unleash oneself in offense or defense.
不甘受辱/Discontent with withstanding humiliation: An Ancient Chinese proverb. Given the significance of honor and reputation, especially among the educated classes, this could result in drastic action in some cases, potentially resulting in murder or suicide.
狼狈为奸/Wolves and jackals in traitorous union: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning that evil forces are joined together to benefit one another. The "jackals" here is actually meant to refer to a *bei*, a legendary wolf-like creature in Chinese legend, but translating it as "wolf and legendary wolf-like creature" is much too wordy, so I switched out the animal.
政以贿成，而刑放于宠/Politics is shaped by bribery, and punishments are deferred out of favor: A quote from the Ancient Chinese historical record Zuo Zhuan/The Commentary of Zuo.
四海无闲田，农夫犹饿死/Within the four seas there are no idle fields, yet farmers still starve to death: A couplet from a set of poems written during the Tang Dynasty by Li Shen, who started off as a man with good intentions but turned out to be an overly harsh official who became involved in a wrongful misjudgment in a case that cost him his career. He is, however, remembered primarily for his genuine concern for the populace's interests in his early career writings.
榨骨吸髓/Crush [the] bones and suck [the] marrow: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to extract/exploit every last bit of value one can from a weaker group/person, often under harsh conditions without any regard for their safety and well being.
Calling people by their birth order: Hu Qing refers to one of his nephews as Little Thirteen. This follows a tradition within large families in Ancient China where all children within a generation were nicknamed by birth order. This means you can end up ranked twentieth if not thirtieth in an extended family.
九泉之下也不瞑目/Can't close his eyes [in rest] even under the nine springs: A Chinese saying meaning that someone is tossing and turning in their coffin. The Nine Springs often is used to refer to the underworld.
成家立业/Establish a family and a career: An Ancient Chinese proverb and practice that refers to the progression of life in which a man is expected to come into his own after marrying.
这话怎么说得出口/How can you even speak the words out: A Chinese saying to express outrage/scandalized disbelief. For example, you tell your mom that you don't want to get married and you're fine having a string of mistresses instead, and she'll probably reply with that.
厚脸皮/Facial skin [is] thick: A Chinese saying meaning that someone is shameless and isn't easily embarrassed (even when they probably should be.
孤儿寡母/Orphan and widowed mother: An Ancient Chinese proverb that often refers to a widowed mother and her child rather than an actual orphan.