Character Index
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince and one of the contenders for the throne.
Liu Boyue: Xianchun's strategist, right-hand man, and childhood friend.
Yue Wuxuan: Former Governor of Anling Province, he was executed after being framed by the Grand Duke. The subsequent death of his wife and children was the catalyst for Wenyuan's murder in the original timeline.
Yu Bianfu: A female military officer and formerly the head of security in the Empress Dowager's palace. She is one of Xianchun's childhood friends and supporters. Was transferred out of the capital on the Empress Dowager's orders to balance the scales of military support between Kuang and Xianchun.
Sir Zhang: An eunuch in the palace who is part of Xianchun's faction.
Princess Ashina: A young princess from the Eastern Turkic Khaganate, Kayla's wife-to-be.
Liang Shen: Former Lord of the Liang clan. He is the Minister of Justice, and is a member of Xianchun's faction.
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince and one of the contenders for the throne. Enjoys popular support from the military.
Zhou Yunqi: The Fifth Prince, he is a part of Kuang's faction, but is currently inactive in politics on account of the heavy scrutiny his maternal relatives are under.
Zhang Dingyong: Right Secretariat of Justice and a member of Kuang's faction.
Yao Gongzhuo: Minister of War and a member of Kuang's faction.
Feng Yi: A bumbling, good-natured merchant who was swept into the political plots of the capital elite and became part of Kayla's plan to establish a power base in the provinces. The case was co-opted by Kuang during Kayla's imprisonment, and sensing that she could no longer effectively intervene, she conceded Feng Yi and his case to Kuang, much to Feng Yi's dismay.
Zhao Wei: The former Minister of War and nephew of the Grand Duke. Sensing that the Zhao clan's demise was near, he switched allegiances to Kayla and willingly accepted his demotion to commoner status, leaving the capital with his family members.
Lin Yaoguang: A servant of the Grand Duke, mentioned once over three dozen chapters ago. Don't worry if the name doesn't ring a bell.
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: The new Lord Liang, younger brother of Liang Shen and Kayla's right-hand man.
Xiang Daozong/Qu Boyong: The new Lord Xiang, he formerly lived undercover as a guard to seek revenge against the Grand Duke. He is currently a part of the neutral faction.
Wei Guang: The Imperial Edict Bearer and Kayla's godfather, he is an enigmatic man whose only loyalty is to the continued survival of the dynasty, much to the ire of people who end up getting screwed over in the process.
Chen Caichun: A young woman who serves as Chamberlain in the Court of Judicial Review. A member of Kayla's faction.
Sun Ruhui: The Left Secretariat of Justice and a member of Kayla's factions. Has concerns for where Kayla is headed, and whether she will be construed as a "new Grand Duke" by the court on account of her actions.
Housekeeper Li: Formerly Matron Li, Kayla's loyal servant and a maternal figure to Wenyuan.
The Merchant: A spy of the Khaganate. True name has not been revealed yet.
The Shopkeeper: A spy of the Khaganate. True name has not been revealed yet.
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Xianchun paced the confines of his study, irritation bubbling under his skin.
“Do you think Zhao Wenyuan has lost it, or was he just taunting me?” Xianchun demanded.
Liu Boyue frowned thoughtfully. “I cannot say for sure, my prince. I was not present, and even if I were, Zhao Wenyuan is not easy to make sense of.”
“He’s planning something big, even more so than the Grand Duke’s death. I’m sure of it,” Xianchun said grimly. “We need to be prepared.”
“Indeed, we need to closely monitor his movements if we are to foresee his next move,” Liu Boyue replied.
“No, I do not speak of planning ahead, but right now,” Xianchun replied. “He’s not going to lie low or wait.”
“Why do you think so, my prince? By all rights, he should be winding down after making so many high-profile moves to minimize the chances of a united attack from the court,” Liu Boyue said. Xianchun shook his head slowly.
“Since when was Zhao Wenyuan a man who followed common sense? The way he spoke today, he sounded exactly like he did during the Yue Wuxuan case,” Xianchun explained. Liu Boyue allowed a subtle look of confusion to cross his face.
“He suddenly went from cowering like a rat before me to speaking brazenly at every turn. I was so surprised that the Grand Duke’s puppet even had it in him to snap at me that I didn’t even mind the defiance,” Xianchun said, his frown deepening. “His behavior tonight reminded me of that time. I'm certain that this is the sign of a coming storm.”
Liu Boyue paused for a moment. “Your Highness believes his rudeness to signal a change in his behavior?”
“You doubt it?” Xianchun demanded sharply.
“I would not,” Liu Boyue quickly replied, turning earnest eyes upon the prince. “Your Highness is more perceptive than I when it comes to Zhao Wenyuan’s behavior.”
“Last time he took this type of tone with me, the court was thrown into greater turmoil in weeks than it had seen in years,” Xianchun muttered. “We cannot lower our guards simply because it would not make sense for him to take drastic action.”
Liu Boyue briefly thought back to the hectic half-month in which Xianchun’s political support suddenly burgeoned and two of the Three Departments saw abrupt changes in leadership. It had been a time of excitement, and also very, very unnerving, but the months since had proven it to be the new norm rather than a one-time occurrence.
But the stakes have risen since last time, for everyone across the board. There’s no telling how far Zhao Wenyuan will take things this time around.
“Indeed,” Liu Boyue said thoughtfully. A communication talisman tucked in his inner robes gave a subtle alert, interrupting the young strategist before he could begin adjusting his plans.
Liu Boyue pulled it out, his frown transforming into a look of surprise.
“It’s Sir Zhang,” Liu Boyue said in confusion.
“Does he wish to meet?” Xianchun asked.
“No,” Liu Boyue quickly scanned the message, the tenseness at the back of his mind easing. “It seems he can’t leave the palace at the moment–the Empress Dowager’s made a move.”
“Grandmother? What did she do?” Xianchun asked.
“The Zhao clan is being held liable for the Grand Duke’s misdirected funds and the subsequent penalty fines,” Liu Boyue announced. “It is expected to be paid within a short time frame–Sir Zhang doesn’t know how long.”
“So Wenyuan has to pay?” Xianchun asked in disbelief. “She wouldn’t even do that to one of the Archdukes! Wenyuan’s been Grandmother’s favorite for all his life, just how did he manage to wear out her goodwill this quickly?”
“That’s not all, my prince. In two weeks time, Zhao Wenyuan is to go to the border to welcome Princess Ashina, on orders of the palace,” Liu Boyue said. He looked up at Xianchun with a smile. “The heavens are helping us, my prince. The Empress Dowager has given us the upper hand.”
“How much does he need to pay to the Treasury? Father wouldn’t let him go bankrupt or take too hard of a fall,” Xianchun said. “He may indulge Grandmother and let her vent her anger, but he would step in if it actually develops into a potential schism in the neutral faction.”
“Sir Zhang does not know the exact sum, but it cannot be a small amount. Whether or not His Majesty intervenes, Zhao Wenyuan’s relationship with the Empress Dowager has evidently hit a snag. Unless he’s able to quickly make amends, news of this will spread like fire, and the court will take it as a signal to unleash their hunting dogs,” Liu Boyue said. “But his trip to the border…that raises new concerns.”
“He’ll be gone, and thus at his most vulnerable when the court is at its most bloodthirsty,” Xianchun pointed out. “And with him being short on funds, he won’t make much headway among the border officials. To them, he's just a spoiled brat. They're too hardened by their environment to lower their heads for some tender-skinned youngster from the capital without some incentives.”
“That may very well have been the Imperial Edict Bearer’s intention,” Liu Boyue replied quietly. “Now, Wenyuan will be in desperate need of help, and Kuang, with his popularity among the military officers, will be the one he turns to.”
“Then what do we do?” Xianchun asked.
“Place Zhao Wenyuan under as much scrutiny as possible, so that he cannot act as he wishes,” Liu Boyue replied without hesitating. “But we cannot be the ones to do it, not until sufficient evidence has emerged to the court, or we will be without a retreat should Wenyuan and the Empress Dowager make amends.”
“Who then?” Xianchun demanded. “Surely we will not join arms with the remnants of the Grand Duke’s faction.”
“I only propose to return one’s methods upon oneself–we only need to allow an opportune leak of information, and they will do the rest,” Liu Boyue replied. “Just as Zhao Wenyuan did with Minister Liang.”
Xianchun was quiet for a long moment before he nodded. “Alright then,” he said. “Do it.”
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Zhou Kuang sat in his study, calmly looking at his communication device while Yunqi read on from his side. Zhang Dingyong and Yao Gongzhuo watched on from their seats, patiently awaiting the news.
“It seems that Wenyuan is being held liable for the funds the Grand Duke misdirected,” Yunqi said to the room. “Reasonable enough, given that it is taxpayer money, but the time frame is only two weeks, coincidentally also when Wenyuan is tasked with welcoming the bridal procession from the Khaganate.”
Zhang Dingyong and Yao Gongzhuo glanced at each other in shock but held their tongues at Kuang’s contemplative expression.
“That seems a little drastic, doesn’t it?” Yunqi prompted.
“Perhaps, but the palace is always a little drastic when making their move,” Kuang noted. “Grandmother must be rather displeased with Wenyuan’s recent activities if she’s tallying up the books against him so quickly.”
“He has been a little too active recently,” Yao Gongzhuo noted.
“When has he not been?” Yunqi asked lightly.
“But still, he’s moving much more aggressively–he’s created three Lords within the course of two weeks, and we’re meant to sit by and let him continue?” Yao Gongzhuo pointed out.
“I see no issue with it,” Kuang said. “I’ve always wanted to see him at his true potential, and this is playing out rather nicely. But now that grandmother is bringing the hammer down, the court won’t sit still either. Xianchun certainly wouldn’t, not after losing out on so many opportunities in the aftermath of the Grand Duke’s death.”
“Wenyuan can handle it. Father favors him, as you know. The worst outcome will not come to pass, but he will certainly need more help from us in the border region,” Yunqi said.
“And he shall have it. I am willing to give him as much help as he needs and more. The more help he receives, the more control we gain over him. No matter the circumstances in the future, we can feel secure in keeping him at our side. Is that not ideal for us?” Kuang replied.
Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.
“Your Highness is far-sighted,” Zhang Dingyong agreed. “His recent actions have not endeared him to the court, but that makes him all the better a candidate for your future usage. The more isolated an official, the more loyal he is certain to be.”
“Lord Zhao is too unpredictable to be of use, and we have yet to see the extent of his ambition,” Yao Gongzhuo pointed out. “If he is a white-eyed wolf as the court claims, and as the Empress Dowager seems to agree, then no amount of debt owed and favor received would restrain him.”
“I do not believe Wenyuan to be such a person,” Yunqi said, turning to face Kuang. “He has the greater good of the nation in his heart and is very capable, with the ability to endure humiliations and heavy burdens. I believe he has all the makings of a pillar of the state, and was that not your assessment as well, Third Brother?”
“Indeed,” Kuang replied. “But we still have some time yet.”
“Will we back him should the Seventh Prince make a move?” Zhang Dingyong asked.
“We can make performative attempts to defend him, but there’s no need to throw our full support behind him,” Kuang said decisively. “This way we can avoid offending either Father or Grandmother, and moreover, the more desperate Wenyuan becomes, the more the scales tip in our favor.”
Yunqi frowned slightly in concern. “Wenyuan will hardly be blind to our intentions, would this not deepen his resentment after our attempts to assuage him?”
Kuang gave him a reassuring smile. “There’s no need to worry, Yunqi. At the end of all this, I’ll appease him properly–I’ll leave Wei Guang’s fate in his hands.”
Yunqi hesitantly nodded, and Kuang clapped a hand on his shoulder.
“Now, let’s discuss the provinces. What progress with the case of Feng Yi?” Kuang asked.
Zhang Dingyong cleared his throat and launched into a report, Yunqi’s concerns still lingering in the air as the conversation turned away from the capital’s affairs.
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Kayla stared down Zhao Wei, frustration mounting after failing to get a single useful answer out of him.
“Come on now, seriously. What do you want in exchange?” Kayla demanded.
“There is nothing, my lord. I have no desire for anything. I am not attempting to extort you, I simply do not have any answers,” Zhao Wei replied.
“Don’t be ridiculous, you were the Minister of War for over a decade and the Grand Duke’s trusted subordinate meanwhile. If even you do not have any answers, then perhaps I should lead the entire clan in throwing ourselves into the river,” Kayla snapped. “So tell me, please, what do I do?”
Zhao Wei looked at her warily.
“My lord, a criminal such as myself doesn’t dare to–”
“Cut the bullshit, Uncle. You know far more about the clan’s finances than I do. Who did the Grand Duke funnel the money through?”
If it really becomes a public spectacle in which the Zhao clan comes to ruin, what then? Kayla wouldn’t die, and she might not even lose her position, staying on as a figurehead. What happens a few years down the line when all hell breaks loose? There’s so much shit to do and so little time, I’m already screwed enough as it is, how am I supposed to do anything if I also have to claw my way back into power in the meanwhile?
Zhao Wei was silent for a long moment, but finally seemed to come to a decision.
“My lord, if you truly want my answer, then please give me your word first,” Zhao Wei said.
“For what?” Kayla asked.
“Swear not to retaliate against me should my words be unpleasant to you,” Zhao Wei replied.
“I swear it upon my mother’s grave,” Kayla said without hesitation. “Please give me your advice.”
“If you seek out the person the Grand Duke made use of, you will find a name at most and nothing else. There is a man that key members of the faction knew as Lin Yaoguang, but you will never find him. Not because he is dead, but because he does not exist,” Zhao Wei said bluntly.
“What does that mean?” Kayla demanded.
“Lin Yaoguang is an alias for multiple people spread across the country,” Zhao Wei explained. “If you are willing to undertake the intensive labor to track them down and force the secrets out of them, then you will likely succeed, but certainly not within this time frame. In the worst case, it may take years.”
“Fuck,” Kayla muttered under her breath. “So that’s not an option. We’re screwed.”
Would the palace let me forfeit the estates as payment in-value? Or are they gonna make me cough up the cash? Are there any in-laws I can subpoena? But no, wait, then their assets would just be seized under their own name, that wouldn’t count as part of our payments.
“Not quite. There really is only one solution to all this, my lord, and I believe you know it too, but for some reason, you seem unwilling to acknowledge it,” Zhao Wei said.
“Please point it out to me regardless,” Kayla insisted through gritted teeth.
“I hope to remind you of your oath,” Zhao Wei said. “I trust that you are a man of your word.”
“Of course,” Kayla replied.
“If you pay what you can and then bow your head to the Empress Dowager, she would show clemency and allow you to make amends with her,” Zhao Wei said. “Play the part of an obedient lapdog–you are far from unfamiliar with that role, no?”
Kayla let out a disbelieving scoff. Zhao Wei continued on, ignoring her reaction.
“It is a good thing to be familiar with groveling, my lord. A great man can bow down or extend himself, and thus retains a chance to achieve greater merits in the long run. The palace can hardly reach out to strike a smiling face,” Zhao Wei finished.
“So what should I do? Offer up my alliances or supporters? The seat of Lord?” Kayla demanded.
“Nothing you have actually belongs to you, my lord. I thought you knew that. You have nothing to offer to her, only to return to her,” Zhao Wei said. “In this regard, the Empress Dowager thinks no differently from your grandfather. If you could not have gained it without making use of her help, then it is hers, not yours–that is her belief. Playing along with it is but a temporary pitfall that will serve you well in the long run.”
“So I should just hand over the reins to her, right before the wedding? She’ll demand so many concessions that we'll be prohibited from even defending ourselves! And then what? What about all the people I’ve offended for her sake? The princes’ I’ve been acting against on her will?” Kayla asked. “They won’t just step back and leave me alone–the Zhao clan won’t remain intact either.”
“Then don’t offer up everything, just act as if you’re willing to do so and make a key concession,” Zhao Wei replied. “I suggest using Lord Liang.”
“Lord Liang is my ally, I would not leave him at the mercy of the palace,” Kayla dismissed the idea. “What about Xiang Daozong?”
“I would not recommend it. He could be primed into a useful weapon against you, given enough backing and resources. Better to offer up someone whose loyalty you can be sure of.”
“Lord Liang…no, the risks are too high. He has yet to solidify his position in the Liang clan, and if he were to be plunged too deeply into the palace’s debt, it would be too great of a loss for us,” Kayla decided.
“I understand,” Zhao Wei said reluctantly. “Then there is one other person you can consider–your godfather.”
Kayla gave him a look of utter confusion. “The Imperial Edict Bearer?”
“He’s the one who the Empress Dowager bears the greatest grudge against,” Zhao Wei reminded her.
Kayla felt a spark of relief as pieces of a plan clicked together in her mind.
“Thank you, Uncle. I think I know what to do now,” Kayla said. Zhao Wei gave her an uneasy look, sensing that it wasn’t anything good.
“My lord, please be cautious not to burn yourself when starting a fire,” Zhao Wei said warily.
“I won’t,” Kayla promised. “I’m grateful for your help on this matter.”
Zhao Wei took that as his cue and gracefully excused himself. Kayla leaned back in her seat, looking at the ceiling thoughtfully for a moment before starting a new call to Chen Caichun and Sun Ruhui.
“I apologize for disturbing the two of you so late at night yet again,” Kayla said apologetically. “Housekeeper Li’s probably notified you about the new development by now, and I have to say, things don’t look good. But I have a solution. It’s time to sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight.”
“My lord, who are the tigers you speak of?” Sun Ruhui asked, his concern plaintively written over his face.
“Wei Guang and the Empress Dowager,” Kayla said. “I’ll offer up one to the other, and let them tear each other apart.”
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Though it was late at night, the main streets of the capital were still far from empty. The Turkic quarters were no exception, merchants heading to their rented residences or to a drinking establishment, most of them pleasantly tipsy if not flat-out drunk.
The Khagan’s spy moved amongst them, keeping his own pace slow and relaxed to avoid standing out. A few people recognized him, calling out to him by one of his aliases. Only when the merchant turned into a quiet side-street did he quicken his pace, approaching a small tea-shop and entering after glancing around.
“Uncle!” The merchant called out, firmly closing the door behind him. “Uncle, are you sleeping?”
“I’m over here,” the shopkeeper called from the back of the store. The merchant pushed his way past the curtains and into the storeroom, crowding into the shopkeeper’s space impatiently.
“Our contact in the palace has news,” the merchant announced.
“I already know,” the shopkeeper said drily. “She sent it to me as well. Will you lower your voice?”
“The place is soundproofed,” the merchant said, a little miffed. “But this is good news for us, isn’t it?”
“The Empress Dowager is rushing things, there must be a reason for it,” the shopkeeper said. “The Khagan must be notified.”
“Of course. But why are you surprised that the old woman’s making her move? I knew it was only a matter of time,” the merchant said cheerfully.
“No you didn’t, you thought Lord Zhao was her favorite all along,” the old shopkeeper shot back accusingly.
“Whatever,” the merchant scoffed. “The point is, the palace and Zhao Wenyuan are openly at odds now! This is our chance!”
“Call him Lord Zhao, he’s to be our Prince Consort,” the shopkeeper wheedled.
The merchant rolled his eyes, giving a long-suffering sigh. “Could you stop nagging at me for these small things? We need to make a move. How about we focus on that instead?”
“Very well, you overgrown brat. Then I’ll trust this to you–trap him. Arrange for the money to be made available to Lord Zhao through an inconspicuous intermediary. Do not use any of our usual contacts, and find a Han merchant to make the loan on generous terms. As for the reason why the merchant is willing to help, come up with something convincing. Be sure that the merchant’s tax records are clean going back as far as five years and that his motives align with his familial background–”
“I know, you don’t need to teach me how to do things,” the merchant cut him off. At the shopkeeper’s irate glare, the merchant shrugged his broad shoulders. “I’m just saving you several hours worth of lecturing, at your age you should save your breath.”
“I should beat some respect into you, boy,” the shopkeeper said frostily. “Do not take this lightly, this is our best chance to yoke Lord Zhao without bloodshed, and it may very well be our last. If he needs money, offer him money. If he needs information, offer him information. It can’t just be tempting, it needs to fit his needs and suspicions perfectly in every way–Don’t think that he’ll accept just because it’s too good of a deal to refuse, men like him do not operate by the same principles as us.”
“I never take things lightly,” the merchant shot back. “I’ll make this work. Lord or not, he’s human, isn’t he? Make him desperate enough, and he’d crawl on the ground on all fours in his underclothes to get what he needs. The Wu court’s already hankering to get him to that point for us, all we need to do is offer one last push, and we’ll have him on a leash.”
“By the mercy of the gods, we will succeed without complications,” the shopkeeper said grimly. “But I do not have a good feeling about this. Do not act too quickly or overtly, and ensure that there are no loose ends. It could very well mean the deaths of us and the other agents should we fail.”
“I know,” the merchant shot back. “Just leave it to me, old man.”
The merchant gave the shopkeeper a toothy smile before he turned and left the shop.
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Cultural Notes
乘人之危/Exploiting someone's precarity: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to take advantage of someone who is in danger or a precarious situation. It originates from the historical records Later Han Books, the Biography of Gai Xun. Gai Xun was a famous general during the final years of the Eastern Han Dynasty (right before the Three Kingdoms Era). He is credited with the line "谋事杀良，非忠也；乘人之危，非仁也/Plotting to kill a loyal official is disloyal, exploiting someone's precarity is inhumane" when the corrupt local governor tried to seek his advice for how to get rid of a righteous man who kept getting in the way.
天助我也/The heavens are helping me: An Ancient Chinese saying, it was famously used a number of times in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms.
娇生惯养/Spoiled life coddled upbringing: An Ancient Chinese proverb deriding someone who has never experienced hardships and grew up spoilt and coddled, it is believed to originate from the classic novel Dream of the Red Chamber.
以其人之道还治其人之身/Return thy ways upon thyself: An Ancient Chinese proverb, the Eastern equivalent to "What goes around comes around", except that in this case, you're actively dishing back what they dished out. It originates from the Song Dynasty.
大丈夫能屈能伸/A great man can bow down or extend himself: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning that a great man is able to endure humiliations or hardships, but also rise to the occasion when the opportunity presents itself.
远见高明/Insightful and wise farsightedness: An Ancient Chinese proverb praising someone for their insightful predictions and planning.
孤臣忠君/Isolated officials are loyal to the ruler: A concept in Ancient China is that of the 孤臣/Isolated official or Lonely Official who lacks friends/allies in court but is deeply favored by the Emperor, often because of this isolation. There are several reasons for this, one being that the official is often isolated because they are unwilling to exchange favors or too righteous to do so, making them a trustworthy candidate for important tasks that require strong self-control. Another is that an isolated official can be trusted not to grab power, because he is unable to leverage it through his connections, since he has none. An official without friends is an official without allies, thus you can give him a lot of power without fearing the growth of a faction. There are pitfalls as well, and if you're just a really unlikable person, you probably won't last long no matter what.
白眼狼/White-eyed wolf: A Chinese phrase referring to someone who attacks one's benefactors, who is ungrateful.
国家大义/Greater loyalty to the country: A Chinese proverb referring to devotion to the greater good of the country over personal gain.
忍辱负重/Withstand humiliations and heavy burdens: An Ancient Chinese proverb meaning to endure humiliations in order to achieve greater goals/to survive to achieve greater things in the future.
国之栋梁/A pillar of the country: An Ancient Chinese proverb.
伸手不打笑臉人/If you reach out your hand you won't strike a smiling face: A Chinese saying that means if someone apologizes, you'd be remiss to hold it against them.
引火焚身/Starting a fire to burn yourself: An Ancient Chinese proverb similar to the Western saying of "You're playing with fire".
坐山观虎斗/Sit on the mountain and watch the tigers fight: A Chinese saying that means to pit two people against each other and to benefit as a bystander.