Character Index
Hu Qing/Liang Hongfei: Lord of the Liang clan and Vice-Censor.
Zhou Hong and Zhou Yong: The deposed First and Second Prince, sons of the deposed Empress Gongsun.
Lin Jie: Attendant Censor in the Office of Censure. Has a bad arm.
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, a contender for the throne.
Zhou Yunqi: The Fifth Prince, supporting the Third Prince.
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince, a contender for the throne.
Xie Rengui: A farmboy who came to serve Kayla, and then Hu Qing. Named after the historical general Xue Rengui.
Wei Guang: The Imperial Edict Bearer and Minister of the Office of Censure. He was the teacher and fellow researcher of the Imperial Princess, and the one to place her older brother on the throne.
Zhou Kangyu: Wenyuan's father, a withdrawn but gentle-mannered man who was married to the Imperial Princess. Abused in his childhood by the Grand Duke.
Tao Qian: Kayla's retainer, a solid and reliable man recommended to her by Hu Qing. Accompanied her to the North.
Shu Ling: Kayla's retainer, a woman who was sent with Feng Yi as a guard. Recently returned to the Zhao household after Kayla used her wedding as an excuse to scoop Feng Yi and Shu Ling out of Kuang's clutches.
Sun Zhong'e: Kayla's retainer, a capable middle-aged woman who has healing abilities.
Housekeeper Li: Kayla's servant, served the Grand Duke under the orders of his cousin/adopted sister, Empress Zhao.
Ashina: Personal name is Ibilga, Princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate and Kayla's wife.
Zhou Mingda: The Sixth Princess, granddaughter of Commander Tumidu of the Uyghur tribe.
Governor Huang: Governor of Shengzhou in the North. Strongarmed into cooperating with Kayla. Recommended to her by Yunqi.
General Yan: General of the Xiazhou outpost in the North. Also was strongarmed into cooperating with Kayla. Recommended to her by Kuang.
Meral: A young attendant who serves Ashina, and has a double role as Chuluo Khagan's spy.
Derin: Ashina's faithful attendant and lady-in-waiting.
Xiang Daozong/Qu Boyong: Lord of the Xiang clan, formerly sought revenge against the Grand Duke. Also a maternal nephew of the Emperor (aka his half-sister's kid, not his brother's kid).
Yao Gongzhuo: Minister of War, Kuang's supporter.
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Kayla finished giving Hu Qing the briefest update she could manage, rubbing a hand down her face tiredly. The communication device sat haphazardly propped on a pile of documents, its glow standing out in the master study of the Zhao household.
“Dang, that’s a mess,” Hu Qing said with a note of sympathy in his voice. Kayla had a brief flash of nostalgia to the unholy glee he used to take in her troubles when they’d first met. The younger man had matured somewhat since becoming a Lord in his own right, though aesthetically displeasing ornaments continued to pop up in her office and in the Zhao household every time Hu Qing made an appearance. Kayla hardly minded.
Who would’ve thought we would get this far in the first place? The thought lightened her mood a little.
“A mess indeed, but we have the advantage of being well-informed,” Kayla said, heaving a sigh.
“Then since the Emperor’s gone and said it already, should I stop looking into who might be targeting the First and Second Prince?” Hu Qing asked.
“No, continue as you were–actually, you should avoid getting involved yourself. Let Lin Jie do it. Tell Lin Jie to request whatever he needs from the Bureau,” Kayla said. “But avoid anything directly related to the First and Second Princes. I should’ve expected this, but the Emperor is still very sensitive towards any mention of them.”
“I’ll tell him,” Hu Qing promised. His face creased into a frown. “I haven’t gotten you into trouble by suggesting it, have I?”
“No, not at all,” Kayla assured him. “Just be careful, alright? The political implications can get messy. Someone with ill intent might try to frame it as a ploy to chase the tiger into eating the wolf before pushing a puppet ruler to the throne. The princes themselves are probably also sensitive to these things. I wouldn’t want the Third Prince nor the Seventh Prince to think that I might prop up the First or Second Prince at the very last moment, or they’ll really have reason to destroy me.”
“I understand, I’ll tell Lin Jie to act carefully,” Hu Qing said. “But Xie Rengui–remember that farmboy who joined my household?”
“Yes, of course,” Kayla quickly replied.
“I made him my personal aide recently. He’s too smart to be left unchecked anyways,” Hu Qing explained. “But he suggested that we should investigate the recent mass grave the Bureau found in tandem with any potential conspiracies regarding the First and Second Princes. And not only that, the matter of the assassination attempt against you might also be linked to this.”
The assassination attempt? Which one? Kayla quickly wrote off an attempt by the Grand Duke, the fake attempt by Wei Guang, and then another attempt by the Grand Duke–
Hu Qing hastily interjected, seeing the blank look on Kayla’s face. “The attempt from when you hired me, remember? Other than the man whose arm I cut off, they never found the other assassin, the one they think killed the Investigators on duty. Considering that the single survivor also got offed suspiciously, it wouldn’t hurt to consider this as potentially being related.”
“You say Xie Rengui suggested this?” Kayla asked.
“Yeah.”
“It might just be conjecture, but it doesn’t hurt to try,” Kayla admitted. “That kid might just be on the right track.”
Hu Qing scrunched up his face. “He’s older than me.”
Kayla paused at that.
“Anyways. Then I’ll be leaving it in your capable hands,” she said. “Don’t overwork yourself, these things are no less tiring than running around and getting into fights.”
“I’ve noticed,” Hu Qing said drily. “You should also take it easy.”
“I will,” Kayla promised. “Alright then, I’ll see you soon.”
Hu Qing gaily bid goodbye and ended the call. Almost on cue, or perhaps because Tao Qian had already been waiting outside the study door for the muffled conversation to end, there was a knock on the door.
“My lord, it’s Tao Qian,” he helpfully supplied.
“Come in,” Kayla called.
“My lord, you asked for me?” Tao Qian asked.
“Yes, I have a task for you. You can hand off your security duties to Shu Ling in the meantime,” Kayla said.
Tao Qian nodded silently.
“I’m sending you and Sun Zhong’e to my mother’s villa with some other servants. But I need you two to do something for me secretly.”
“Whatever you need, my lord.”
“Listen carefully now, this is very important–take all of the repeated scrolls on the Third Floor back to me,” Kayla ordered. “If you’re not sure which ones to take, just take all of the scrolls. And be discreet about it.”
Tao Qian nodded.
“As you wish, my lord.”
“More importantly than anything else, make sure neither the Imperial Palace nor my wife’s servants learn of this no matter what.”
Tao Qian bowed his head slightly.
“Understood.”
“Thanks, you can go.”
Tao Qian bowed and left the room without further question, thoughtfully leaving the door open for the next visitor. Housekeeper Li stepped in soon after, knocking on the open door hesitantly when she saw Kayla buried back into her paperwork.
“My lord, I’m here,” Housekeeper Li called.
“Great, come on in,” Kayla greeted the woman. Housekeeper Li closed the door behind her and carefully approached the desk.
“How may I be of service, my lord?”
“Housekeeper Li, I need to send a few people over to the villa and set it up in advance of the princess’s visit,” Kayla said. “I’ll send my retainers as well.”
“Of course,” Housekeeper Li replied, not batting an eye at the unnecessary guard detail.
“Then I’ll send Sun Zhong’e and Tao Qian,” Kayla said. “As for the servants…I’d like you to select a few who I can trust.”
Housekeeper Li was beginning to sense something was off, but refrained from questioning Kayla’s intentions.
“While they’re there, I want my retainers to set up the third floor study for my use. But I don’t want any of the servants in there,” Kayla went on.
“They will stay away,” Housekeeper Li promised. “Should I go to supervise?”
“I can’t do without both you and Sun Zhong’e at once,” Kayla replied. “She’ll keep an eye on things at the villa.”
Kayla didn’t know how she would manage without the administrative and managerial skills of the two middle-aged women. Rather than Kayla, who was almost always occupied with political matters of the court, those two were the ones who kept the household running.
“Understood,” Housekeeper Li replied, reliable as always. “Then, the princess…?”
Kayla withheld a sigh. Ashina was not in the mood for a vacation.
“I’ll go and ask her when she’d like to go, but we’ll get the preparations started now, just in case,” Kayla said.
Next up is contacting Princess Mingda, and then the Tiele chieftains. And then Governor Huang. And then General Yan. She suppressed another sigh at the thought of more back-to-back meetings.
“As you wish,” Housekeeper Li said, scrutinizing Kayla’s weary face.
Housekeeper Li was kind enough to accompany the absent-minded Kayla to Ashina’s quarters, thoughtfully staying out of the way by waiting in the corridor.
I don’t think the Princess will agree to stay at the villa. Even offering might anger her, Kayla thought to herself. If anything, she’ll be trying to stay inside the capitol at any cost at this juncture.
Just as well. As the Emperor said, surround one point and pick off reinforcements as they come. By tracing those who come into contact with Ashina and her retinue, the Bureau would be able to find the Khagan’s agents. But I can’t let them find too much either…who knows how long I’ll remain Director? Anything I find now might become ammunition against me later on. There’s only so much I can keep off the books without being accused of abusing my power.
“I would like to speak with the Princess,” Kayla said to one of Ashina’s attendants, unable to recall the girl's name. The teenage girl bowed her head and disappeared into the bedroom.
Ever since she had been shunted from the call with her own father, Ashina had been giving Kayla the cold shoulder. The princess stayed inside her own rooms instead of the master bedchamber shared by the two of them.
To be honest, both of them were probably sleeping better for it. Kayla decidedly ignored that aspect.
I can’t let things deteriorate any further. Kayla’s genuine wish was to avoid making Ashina miserable, even if she couldn’t make the princess happy. But in a political marriage, nothing was ever simple.
“I apologize, my lord. The princess is not available at this time,” the young attendant from earlier said apologetically, emerging from the doorway. Kayla carefully kept her face in the same polite mask.
The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
“That’s a pity. Well, please tell her that I apologize for intruding on her time, but would like to speak with her at her earliest convenience,” Kayla said gently. She turned and left, the attendant nervously bowing in her wake.
“My lord,” Housekeeper Li murmured worriedly, falling into step as Kayla turned the corner.
Kayla let out a soft, almost inaudible sigh. There was a flash of nostalgia as she passed Wenyuan’s old rooms, and a shock of white-hot rage flared up, dissipating almost immediately.
“If anyone in the household dares to chew their tongue roots about the princess, fire them,” Kayla ordered.
“Yes, my lord. But if this goes on, the palace might…” Housekeeper Li trailed off awkwardly, thinking of her old patron, the Empress Dowager. The matriarch of the nation. If a marriage went badly enough, she would have a chance to meddle.
“I won’t let it come to that. Make sure the princess has everything she asks for and is treated with complete respect,” Kayla said with emphasis.
“Please be assured, my lord. I will personally ensure it myself,” Housekeeper Li replied, tactfully not mentioning that this was the third time she had been given the same order since last night.
The Duke was evidently worried about both his relationship and his wife’s treatment, more so than was probably necessary. That was the nature of most newlyweds, as Housekeeper Li was well aware, but the Duke’s insistence brought a bitter taste to her mouth.
Zhao Wenyuan was the undisputed, and indeed, somewhat feared master of the house. Even if someone was impudent enough to overstep despite the princess’ status, there was no one reckless enough to do so when the Duke’s wishes were so clear.
The evidence of the bloody change in leadership had been completely buried by Zhao Wenyuan and his allies, but the accompanying fear still lingered in the Zhao household. Evidently, it wasn’t just so for the servants. Paranoia lingered in Zhao Wenyuan as well.
The woman lowered her eyes to hide her troubled expression. Perhaps it was because of the Duke’s own experiences with the household servants, or going back even further, his treatment at the hands of the Grand Duke. But the power and prestige Zhao Wenyuan currently held was not enough to dispel the shadows haunting him.
And Housekeeper Li knew, from watching three generations of the Zhao household stain its foundations with their blood, just how easy it was to be consumed by your ghosts.
But this is the young lord, Housekeeper Li assured herself. The young lord will be different.
The young lord had to be different.
Swallowing her unease along with all her unspoken words of concern, Housekeeper Li smoothed her face into its matronly mask and followed Zhao Wenyuan down the hall.
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Ashina felt a surge of rage as Meral continued badgering her from beside the couch.
“If I don’t want to speak with him, then I don’t want to speak with him! That’s the end of that!” Ashina snapped.
“But my princess, please think of–”
Meral cut off mid-sentence, rearing back as Ashina whirled towards her. The princess glared at Meral with furious eyes until the girl bowed and hastily beat her retreat. Ashina herself didn’t realize it, but Meral’s fear had less to do with the immediacy of Ashina’s anger, but the eyes that, for just a brief moment, had been just as intimidating as the Khagan’s.
Derin ensured the doors were firmly shut before making her way back to Ashina’s side and sitting there, as patient and devoid of judgment as before. The woman hadn’t said a word of reproach since Ashina had shut herself up in her personal quarters. Derin hadn’t tried to persuade Ashina, or even express her own opinion on the matter. There was only a patience so serene that Ashina grew uneasy.
“Do you also think I should have met with him?” Ashina asked, unable to bear it any longer.
“I support your choice, my princess. It would have done you no good to see him while in a bad mood,” Derin replied.
The patience in the woman’s voice was grating, and Ashina anxiously sprung up from her seat.
“Derin! Surely you also think I shouldn’t be acting so stubborn while living under his roof?! Don’t you wish to rebuke me like that insolent little wench did?!” Ashina snapped.
Derin had to be secretly exasperated, or at least uneasy, the way that many of Ashina’s attendants were growing. The strange atmosphere of the Zhao household, where fear was never palpable enough to grow oppressive but strong enough to sense, seemed to have changed many of Ashina’s long-time attendants into strangers. Or perhaps it was Ashina herself who had grown strange.
Was Derin not worried at all? The thought opened a new pit of despair in Ashina’s stomach. If Derin thought she was a lost cause and no longer cared to worry–
“I think that if you weren’t stubborn, he would respect you less for it,” Derin replied, the same gentle kindness in her eyes as there always had been, for almost as long as Ashina could remember. “You’re a princess who serves the friendship between our two nations, Your Highness, not an obedient wife whose duty is to serve her husband. Anything in excess would be unsightly, but acquiescence at every term would also be unsightly. There is no right answer for how to deal with such situations, so how can I think you are wrong?”
Ashina relaxed, the irrational worries that had erupted in her mind slowly seeping away.
“But they’re right to be worried,” Ashina said quietly. “We can’t go back to the Khaganate–not without being humiliated. My only choice is Zhao Wenyuan.”
The Imperial household only has two people left other than him–the Seventh Prince and that Xiang-something guy. She didn’t want either of them. The only option she really had was to make this marriage work.
“Indeed,” Derin agreed. “But Your Highness is already aware of the circumstances, so there’s no need for anyone else to continue nagging, is there?”
Ashina felt something tightly coiled in her chest begin to unwind.
“Yes,” she admitted.
“Then I’m sure Your Highness will handle this fine,” Derin said.
“I’ll speak with him tonight,” Ashina grudgingly replied.
Derin’s smile widened, proudly affectionate. “Of course, my princess. I’ll notify the Duke myself.”
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Kuang tapped his finger on the mahogany desk, one hand pensively stroking his chin.
“I see,” he murmured, his gaze flicking up to meet Wei Guang’s through the communication device. “Very well. I will support General Yan.”
It was hardly as though he could support his own maternal relatives, much less the Shu clan. If anything, supporting a man like General Yan might persuade the Emperor to loosen his crushing grip on Yunqi’s clan. War was always a good opportunity, if a risky one.
This may very well decide the final outcome, Kuang mused. Even more reason to support a man with no background to speak of rather than a prestigious clan. Father hates being coerced.
Any Emperor would. If a victorious returning general was both extremely well-born and also openly linked to Kuang, it was far more likely that Kuang would be cast under suspicion rather than being named Crown Prince. Being tied to a nameless commander was safer in that regard.
But should he fail to perform well, it would also be tied back to my vocal support.
It was him, not Wei Guang or Wenyuan, who had the most to lose should the war in the Khaganate go poorly.
Grandmother has already begun to directly act against Yunqi. Kuang’s face subtly darkened at the thought of the purposefully inept Imperial Healers and the mocking smile of the eunuch at Wenyuan’s wedding ceremony. How long could his younger brother last under the intense pressure? How long could Kuang keep him safe, with things as they were?
“An excellent choice, Your Highness,” Wei Guang said, a small smile on his face. He opened his mouth to say more.
“But,” Kuang cut in before Wei Guang could continue. “I have a few concerns.”
The air around the Third Prince shifted subtly, but Wei Guang sensed the change immediately.
“Of course, my prince. I will strive to answer any concerns you may have,” Wei Guang said.
“What guarantee do we have that General Yan will be selected by Father?” Kuang asked.
Wei Guang dipped his head slightly. “He is objectively the best candidate, and one that Wenyuan contacted with the Emperor’s blessings. The Emperor was amenable to the suggestion when Wenyuan nominated General Yan.”
“I have met that man in the past and know of his ability, hence why I recommended him to Wenyuan,” Kuang said thoughtfully. “Though in all honesty, I hadn’t expected Wenyuan to win him over in a single night. That man does not warm easily. Which is exactly why I worry that General Yan’s cooperation may not be fully reliable.”
“You do not trust Wenyuan’s hold over the man?” Wei Guang asked.
“It’s not so much that I do not trust Wenyuan’s abilities as much as that I fully trust General Yan’s obstinate nature,” Kuang said drily. “And if he truly will fall in line with Wenyuan after a single night of knowing him, then that in itself is unusual to the point of concern.”
Wei Guang was silent for a moment before he spoke in a heavy voice.
“Please be assured, my prince, that Zhao Wenyuan’s loyalty is without fault.”
Kuang took the words in with a note of surprise.
Wei Guang is jumping to his defense with unusual enthusiasm, Kuang noted. He had not actually doubted Wenyuan–the man had just saved Yunqi, and had even gone so far as to preemptively shield Yao Gongzhuo from false accusations.
Did something happen? Or is he simply worried that Wenyuan’s ties with the Khagan will cast a poor light on him?
Whichever it was, Kuang’s silence prompted Wei Guang to elaborate.
“Even if the unexpected happens, or if…if all is lost, you can rely on Zhao Wenyuan to risk everything for your sake,” Wei Guang said.
“Risk everything?”
Wei Guang nodded. He did not elaborate, but the glint of fervor in his eyes sent a shock of anticipation up Kuang’s spine. Kuang’s face smoothed into an unreadable mask, hiding the thoughts racing through his mind as he understood the implications of Wei Guang’s words.
The rumors about Father taking the throne by force…
Wei Guang’s current position as Imperial Edict Bearer…
Wenyuan.
“A kind sentiment,” Kuang finally said, testing for how much Wei Guang would give away.
“More than just sentiments, my prince.” Wei Guang bowed his head slightly.
He has the means for a coup if it comes to that.
“I didn’t realize my dear cousin was so secure in his new position,” Kuang prodded further.
The Bureau is behind us?
“It is not a matter of external appointments, but of inner fortitude,” Wei Guang replied.
Kuang couldn’t make sense of that.
“Strength of virtue, you mean?” Kuang murmured.
Wei Guang’s smile glimmered faintly with something akin to pride.
“That as well.”
So it’s more than just the mental fortitude to go through with it. But what does that mean? Kuang’s mind flitted through everything he knew about Wenyuan, possibilities springing up and disappearing at the speed of light. No reasonable explanation came to mind.
Just what kind of inner fortitude? And why was Wei Guang speaking borderline seditious words at such a juncture?
Perhaps he thinks it might come to that. Kuang was confident and had no reason to think otherwise. But he knew what was at stake if things went wrong. Kuang and Yunqi’s mothers, the princes themselves, and Kuang’s son, all of them would lose their lives. If his father made Xianchun the Crown Prince, Kuang would have to take drastic action. There was no other choice.
Is he worried that I will kill him after he stages a coup for my sake? No, it’s Wenyuan he speaks of.
Or perhaps Wei Guang was protecting his godson far in advance of any tribulations to come. Kuang knew better than to think it was out of sentiment. Wei Guang was not that type of man.
Then for the dynasty’s sake? Kuang’s face slowly pulled into a smile to match Wei Guang’s.
“I am greatly pleased to have such a reliable cousin,” he said.
If that’s the case, I’ll gladly accept.
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Wei Guang leaned back in his chair, slowly letting out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding during the call.
Wenyuan’s uncertain, and that makes him paranoid, he wearily thought to himself. And when he’s paranoid enough, he becomes a dangerous beast.
The young man had tried several times now to wrest the truth about his abilities out of Wei Guang. It was evident that Wenyuan wanted to have all the cards firmly in his own hands, including the Grand Duke’s assassins and his mother’s legacy.
But it’s impossible to walk this path alone, without handing out weaknesses and fulfilling obligations. He’ll learn that sooner or later.
The Imperial Princess had understood, and had planned accordingly. The more Wei Guang thought about it, the more the dreadful realization dawned upon him. Wenyuan’s mother had been deathly ill, yes, but she shouldn’t have died that quickly.
That woman has always been… Wei Guang let out an inaudible sigh. He had sensed the steel-like willpower in her bones since she was a child, but it wasn’t until after her marriage that he had seen the full extent of her determination. When the Empress Dowager had attempted to break the relation between the Zhao clan and the Imperial family, back when Wenyuan had still been a toddler, the Imperial Princess hadn’t hesitated to give her child a very small dose of the poison meant to widow her. Zhao Kangyu emerged none the wiser, but both the Empress Dowager and Wei Guang came away with the shocking realization that they really knew nothing about the Imperial Princess after all.
Poisoning someone else’s child was one thing, but what mother could overcome instinct to poison her own child, especially one she loved so dearly? Zhao Wenyuan hadn’t been in too much danger, the dose being too small to do much other than send the entire household into a panic, but even so. In hindsight, Wei Guang had to admit that the poisoning had probably saved Wenyuan in the long run. The Empress Dowager had intended to cull the Zhao clan at that time—Wenyuan had only been three. If the Empress Dowager had successfully carried out her plan, Wenyuan likely wouldn’t have lived to be four.
Perhaps out of vindictiveness, the Grand Duke had used the same poison on Wenyuan in the Empress Dowager’s palace, and that act of malicious spite had inadvertently saved Wenyuan’s life. As for what it did to hasten the Empress Dowager’s growing unease towards her grandson, Wei Guang could not say. But even long after she was dead, the Imperial Princess’s brazen act continued to protect Wenyuan.
Even the Imperial princess’s own death had not been allowed to slip by as an empty chance. Knowing that she was going to die, the Imperial Princess had used a poison of her own creation to hasten her end. Wei Guang knew, despite the lack of toxins found in the body, because he had invented that poison with her. It was too mild to do much to a healthy person, but would have quickly stopped the heart of an ill one.
Dying before her brother could see her one last time just to preserve his guilt for her son? She really was unparalleled in maternal devotion, Wei Guang thought grimly. It had worked, evidently. The Emperor’s already excessive favor for Wenyuan had grown all the more paternal and affectionate after the sudden death of the Imperial Princess. Doubtlessly, the pain of being unable to say goodbye in time served to fuel the Emperor’s doting.
If it were anyone else, Wei Guang would have cursed them as a sorceress who bewitched the Emperor for personal gain. But the Imperial Princess’s willpower seemed to make any accusations fall pale in the face of her actions.
It’s almost hard to believe that anyone could go that far, but she did. Even in death–Wei Guang shook his head. At her funeral, he had noticed something unusual about the Imperial Princess’ burial clothes, ones that she had specified in her dying moments. But it had never occurred to him what they were for. Not until Wenyuan had returned from the North with questions about his nullification magic.
Awe and dismay intermingled in Wei Guang’s heart. He had never felt his duty as a godfather so keenly as he did now.
She bet her life on that boy. She bet the future of the dynasty on Wenyuan. And now, it was Wei Guang’s turn to do the same.
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Cultural Notes
驱虎吞狼/Chase the tiger to devour the wolf: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to a tactic in which you set one of your enemies against another.
假公济私/To falsely use public resources for personal gain: An Ancient Chinese proverb referring to the abuse of authority for personal gain or personal affairs rather than public ones.
嚼舌根/Chew tongue root: A Chinese saying meaning to gossip or speak ill of one's master/organization/employer/senior family member.
母仪天下/Maternal authority over the country: An Ancient Chinese proverb used to describe the virtue and authority of an Empress or Empress Dowager.
寿衣/Burial clothes: This varied by time period and region, but people often had specific burial clothes rather than being buried in their usual clothing.