Character Index
Ashina: Personal name Ibilga, princess of the Eastern Turkic Khaganate.
Zhou Yunqi: Crown Prince.
Wei Guang: Imperial Edict Bearer, the Emperor's teacher and Kayla's godfather.
Zhou Xianchun: The Seventh Prince.
Qiu Yun: A young serving-girl who is responsible for Kayla's clothing.
Cao Shuyi: The Third Princess Consort, mother of Chenqian. She shared a deep connection with her late husband.
Zhou Chenqian: Son of Kuang.
Captain Jiang: A young captain in the Imperial Guard, Kayla's ally.
Commander Jian: Wei Guang's ally, a semi-retired Commander who has great influence in the guard. Appeared briefly in Book 2 Chapter 87.
Zhou Kuang: The Third Prince, deceased.
Liu Hongyu: The former Secretariat Director, the Grand Duke's ally. Deceased after being accused of lese-majeste by Kayla.
Li Que: An Imperial Investigator, secretly sided with Yunqi.
Tabuyir: An Imperial Investigator, allied with Kayla. His nephew is currently residing in Kayla's household as a hostage.
Zhou Ying: The current Emperor. He took the throne in a coup after the previous Emperor named a three-year-old as the heir on his deathbed.
Wise Consort: Yunqi's birth mother.
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Between the preparations for the coup and her usual duties, three days passed in the blink of an eye. Any hesitation or guilt was swallowed up by the fast pace of Kayla’s work, and before she had even managed to catch her breath, the agreed date had arrived.
I still haven’t told Ashina, Kayla realized as she returned to the household for dinner. These days, she usually spent all day at the office and ate with Ashina before heading over to the Eastern Palace to assist Yunqi. It wasn’t until past midnight that she returned to her own household to spend a few hours before the next day began.
Kayla brushed off the dust on her robes, cursing the heavy winds of the season. To avoid disrespecting the Crown Prince, Kayla was forced to change into a fresh set of official robes each evening before going to meet Yunqi.
At least it gives me a chance to tell Ashina before I act, Kayla thought with a note of foreboding. If I don’t tell her, she’ll never forgive me.
Kayla had waited long enough as it were.
Kayla gently took hold of Ashina’s hand.
“Listen, tonight…”
Ashina tilted her head. “Yes?”
Kayla fell silent, unsure of how to proceed.
“Ibilga, I–”
Ashina frowned now. “Yes?? What is it?”
“Tonight, the Emperor will pass away.”
“What?” Ashina’s look of confusion dawned into one of horror. “Good gods! You–”
“It is the Crown Prince’s will! I wasn’t sure of whether we would go through with it until today,” Kayla defended herself.
“But the Emperor’s already made him regent!” Ashina said.
“And the Emperor can take that away again. You know how the Emperor can be–”
“Yes,” Ashina said flatly, no doubt remembering what had happened when the First and Second Princes had died.
“I’m afraid as well,” Kayla admitted. “But I must support the Crown Prince as the one who stained my hands with blood to put him in that seat.”
“And will he protect you afterwards?! Or is he just going to discard you?!” Ashina demanded.
“My godfather will help us. He will take care of the Emperor. I will simply protect the Crown Prince and ensure that the Seventh Prince cannot take advantage of the chaos to escape or cause a commotion,” Kayla said.
She tightened her grip on Ashina’s hand.
“Ibilga, no one can know of this. Even my own men will not know what’s going on until the very last minute.”
“That goes without saying,” Ashina said. “The fewer people know of this, the better!”
“No one, Ibilga. No one should know of this! Not even your attendants, not even Meral. The Emperor will die of natural causes, and that will be it.”
Ashina nodded. “I know, Wenyuan. This is life or death. I know it.”
Kayla sighed, thinking of the young girl Ashina had been only months ago. “I’ve put you through a lot, Ibilga. I’m very sorry to drag you through more turmoil.”
Ashina shook her head. “Don’t say that. I’m just glad you told me. So, what do you want me to do?”
“Nothing just yet. But when the time comes, help me convince your Father to accept the new Emperor.”
Ashina nodded slowly. “I understand.”
“No matter what happens from now on, our words must match each other’s. I went to the Eastern Palace in the evening to discuss the matters of the state with the prince, and our discussion dragged into the night.”
“And thus you happened to be in the palace when the Emperor passed,” Ashina finished for Kayla.
“Yes. And after this, do not initiate contact with my godfather until he does so first.”
“Alright,” Ashina said, having never initiated contact with Wei Guang once in her life. She placed her hands on Kayla’s shoulders, lightly squeezing them. “I wish you the best of luck, Wenyuan.”
“Thank you, Ibilga,” Kayla said. She pulled Ashina into a hug. The princess hugged her back, sighing worriedly.
“Then I will go prepare,” Kayla said.
“Go on,” Ashina said. “And be careful!”
“I will,” Kayla promised.
She made her way back to her own rooms, summoning Qiu Yun to help her change into a fresh set of robes.
Waiting for Qiu Yun to bring the newly laundered clothes, Kayla began to review her plans again.
Cao Shuyi would have dinner with the Royal Consort, who now had more energy during the night than during the day due to her depression. The Princess Consort and her son would then remain with the Royal Consort for the night, or be brought to a side annex of the Consort’s residence rather than returning home. That was far away enough from the Emperor’s quarters that Kayla didn’t need to worry about them.
Xianchun was easier to keep under control, already being under heavy surveillance and knowing it. The Prince wouldn’t notice anything out of the ordinary until everything was already over, or perhaps not even then.
Wei Guang would secretly visit the Emperor and drink with his student for old time’s sake. Somehow, Wei Guang would persuade the Emperor to drink the poisoned wine he prepared.
And if Wei Guang failed…they couldn’t be allowed to fail. If the Emperor refused to drink the poisoned wine, then they would kill him by force. Three hundred Imperial Guards could be mobilized under the combined leadership of Captain Jiang and Commander Jian, Wei Guang’s old friend. It wasn’t a lot, but it was more than enough for their purposes. The Emperor would never have the chance to call for reinforcements or guards, not with his palace already cut off from any communication devices by wards.
Kayla nodded slightly as Qiu Yun returned with the robes, her mind still in the palace.
They would surround the Emperor’s quarters, force him to take poison, and then name Yunqi the new Emperor. Even in the worst case scenario, they would put Yunqi on the throne.
Kayla thought of the Grand Duke’s death all those months ago with a small tinge of trepidation. It hadn’t been an easy task, even when the one she was cornering was her enemy. Now that it was her former benefactor…she shook her head, pushing aside those doubts.
Regicide had to end in success–failure meant that everyone who had been dragged into the plot would die painfully.
She jolted out of her thoughts as Ashina entered the room with a tray of clothes.
“Your Highness,” Qiu Yun said in surprise.
“Go, I’ll dress the Duke,” Ashina said.
Qiu Yun’s eyes widened slightly and then the young girl bowed, practically bouncing out of the room.
“What’s with her?” Kayla muttered.
Ashina shut the door, handing the tray to Kayla.
“Put this on,” Ashina ordered, lifting the robe on top to reveal a shirt of fine chainmail. Kayla lifted it in wonder, amazed at the lightness. The soft clinking was almost completely silent, but the chainmail was undeniably sturdy.
“Just in case things do not go well tonight,” Ashina said tersely.
Kayla stared at the chainmail for a moment before shaking her head.
“No, even if it might become dangerous, I can’t take the risk of being caught in armor,” Kayla said firmly. “Thank you, but not this time.”
Ashina’s frown deepened. “Then you must be careful.”
“I will,” Kayla promised.
“Put this robe on and give me what you’re wearing right now,” Ashina demanded. Kayla obediently started undressing, catching the robe with one hand as Ashina flung it at her.
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Yunqi’s unease quieted down somewhat as Wenyuan finally arrived at the Eastern Palace. The Duke was not late–in fact, the man was early, but not by enough to arouse any suspicions.
He smiled, stepping to greet his cousin.
“Wenyuan, you’re here,” Yunqi said, careful not to sound overly relieved.
“How is Your Highness’ health?” Wenyuan asked.
“Well enough,” Yunqi said. “My sister-in-law will be arriving soon with Chenqian.”
Wenyuan bowed his head slightly, masterfully concealing any sign of awkwardness.
It isn’t you who should have to feel awkward around her, Yunqi thought guiltily. Cao Shuyi still didn’t know that her husband had died at the hands of Yunqi’s kin. He didn’t think he could ever tell her.
It would break her heart. But where did that leave Wenyuan, who was innocent in all of this?
Withholding a sigh, Yunqi patted Wenyuan on the shoulder.
“Her Highness the Third Princess Consort is here,” an eunuch announced.
Yunqi lit up with excitement. He had missed Cao Shuyi and his nephew. The young prince was now climbing out of his carriage before it had fully come to a stop, and merrily bouncing up the stairs to greet Yunqi. Yunqi pulled Chenqian into an embrace as Cao Shuyi hurried over.
“Your Highness, I humbly greet the Crown Prince,” Cao Shuyi said in a harried voice. “Chenqian, don’t be disrespectful! Get down here and greet your uncle properly.”
“It’s alright,” Yunqi chuckled. He set down the squirming boy and let Chenqian run back over to his mother.
Yunqi stepped forward, a small smile on his face. He reached out to take Cao Shuyi’s hands. “Sister–” He stopped short, smile fading at the forlorn look in Cao Shuyi’s eyes.
“Sister-in-law,” Yunqi said, his hands dropping back to his sides. “You have suffered greatly. My sincere condolences.”
“How shameless I must seem to you, to survive my husband without even considering following him in death,” Cao Shuyi said, lowering her eyes.
“What in the heavens are you saying? Who would dare fault you for that? This family cannot be without both of you, sister-in-law. Since we have already lost Brother, we cannot possibly lose you too!” Yunqi said.
Cao Shuyi nodded reluctantly. She took in the sight of Yunqi dressed in the robes of the Crown Prince, tears welling in her eyes. She had once hoped to see Kuang in those robes. It was not just out of personal ambition nor out of patriotic hopes, but out of love for her husband.
Now, his cherished younger brother stood before her, so similar but so different as well.
Our tragedy has accomplished your success.
The uncharitable thought made Cao Shuyi lower her head in shame, unable to meet Yunqi’s earnest gaze. It wasn’t as if she resented Yunqi–rather than him–Cao Shuyi cast a cold look in the direction of Zhao Wenyuan, where the Duke stood with his head slightly bowed a distance back.
If only…Cao Shuyi didn’t even bother finishing the thought. No matter how desperately wished for reality to twist in her favor, Kuang was already dead. Thinking of how he would have looked in those robes, standing on the steps of the Eastern Palace with Cao Shuyi on one side and Yunqi on another only brought her unnecessary pain.
“Thank you for agreeing to visit the Royal Consort,” Yunqi said gently. “She has missed you greatly.”
“No, thank you for arranging it,” Cao Shuyi said, voice thick with unshed tears. “I should have visited my mother-in-law days ago, I am ashamed to only be going to her now.”
“She will be very glad to see you and Chenqian,” Yunqi said. “Shall I walk you over?”
Cao Shuyi shook her head, a bit more vehemently than she had meant to. She regretted it at the fleeting look of disappointment that crossed Yunqi’s face, but she really didn’t think she could stand walking at Yunqi’s side all the way to the Royal Consort’s quarters.
Cao Shuyi loved the man who had become her younger brother, but the sight of his earnest face twisted in her heart like a blade.
A widow’s path is watered with tears, Cao Shuyi thought wearily. With one final bow to Yunqi, she left with Chenqian in her arms.
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Yunqi gazed after Cao Shuyi and Chenqian as they disappeared into the distance.
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“My prince,” Kayla said concernedly, stepping closer to him. Yunqi didn’t respond, blinking rapidly.
“My prince?”
He jolted back to attention, shaking his head slightly. He quickly dabbed the corners of his eyes with the back of his hand, taking a deep breath.
“Let’s go,” Yunqi murmured. Kayla followed him back to his study, waving for the eunuchs to leave them alone.
Yunqi began pacing the room, tension stiffening every inch of his body.
“Sister-in-law won’t know a thing,” Yunqi said, sounding almost as if he were talking to himself. “She needn’t know anything. Even–even Father needs not know anything that would hurt him.”
His voice took on a pleading note. “It will be painless. He won’t even know what happened. This is the best decision for everyone.”
Seeing Chenqian and Cao Shuyi must have made him waver, Kayla thought to herself grimly. She had hoped for the opposite–that seeing them would strengthen Yunqi’s resolve by reminding him of Kuang’s meaningless death. But it had reminded him of their familial ties instead, and that had spun right back around to the Emperor.
“My prince, since we have walked this path this far, we can no longer stop or look back. Please just leave the dirty work to us and lift your eyes above the filth to gaze upon our future. That is what we truly need from a ruler right now,” Kayla assured him.
“I know,” Yunqi said somberly. “We’ve come too far to stop now and risk having our plot discovered. Still–I know how foolish and hypocritical these concerns must seem to you! But he’s my father, and he’s your uncle. I have not only sullied myself, but have dragged you into it as well.”
“History is made of such choices, my prince. Your indecision speaks of your filial piety and compassion. But those things alone aren’t enough to save this country. Since we are determined to resist fate, we have to be able to shoulder this responsibility.”
Yunqi nodded, but she could see the cracks in his resolve.
He would never back out of this and damn us all, Kayla reminded herself. But he will forever drag this behind him like a corpse tied behind a wagon. He’ll let it fester and rot, the stench trailing after him for the rest of his life.
She needed to nip this in the bud. Yunqi needed to walk away from this free of regret. But even as she spoke, Kayla couldn’t stop thinking about the Emperor.
He’s the one who really got me this far, Kayla thought grimly. Without the Emperor, she would be either dead or in prison, awaiting execution.
He may have used me, but when it really boils down to it, I was the one who made more use of him than the other way around.
From the very beginning, she had relied on the Emperor’s favor, from the start of their very first meeting.
“I’m glad to see you doing well, I’d heard you’d fallen ill! Are you fully recovered now?”
The familiar greeting had taken her by surprise when she’d met him. He had seemed so much younger then, so full of vitality that she couldn't imagine how he would die within a few years.
Kayla clenched her nails into her palms.
The Emperor had been the one to destroy Liu Hongyu and avenge Wenyuan’s humiliation.
“Speak clearly, Wenyuan. Your uncle will take charge so long as you’re honest with me.”
He had been the one who gave her the Court of Judicial Review, the one who had arranged her marriage with Ashina.
“You have the blood of the Imperial family, how can I let her look down on you? This is not just a matter of husband and wife, but also a matter of the state.”
When she’d killed the Grand Duke, he had purposefully overlooked any evidence of wrongdoing, burying the matter despite the rampant rumors.
“The Grand Duke’s actions have nothing to do with you. Moreover, it was you who uncovered his crime. From now on, you’ll be the lord of the Zhao clan.”
Delaying the Zhao clan’s debt to the Treasury, her title as Duke, as Director of the Bureau–all of it, she owed to him.
Yes, he had been furious when the First and Second Princes died, but wasn’t that natural for a father? And hadn’t he forgiven her?
Even the list of those who had tried to impeach her, he had given it to her so gaily, as easily as he had given her the right to command the guards–a privilege that, for some reason, he still hadn’t revoked. It might have been for Yunqi’s sake. In some deep part of him that didn’t need to blame someone in order to go on living, it might have been for Kayla’s own sake.
Grief rolled over her like a wave.
If only you weren’t the Emperor at such a time, Kayla silently lamented. If only things had been different, even by just a little bit.
But the last thing Yunqi needed were these empty sentiments. What he needed was an iron will to push him through the patricide he had ordered.
Not just now, but for the future as well–that is what we need, what this nation needs.
A fresh, undamaged Emperor. The truth was as cruel as that.
The affectionate words of the Emperor still ringing in her ears, Kayla spoke to Yunqi.
“This is for the best, my prince. Not just for us and the country, but also for His Majesty the Emperor. Your father has suffered greatly, and he will suffer still,” Kayla said.
“They say a maternal uncle and nephew are just like father and son.”
“If he lives to dispose of you, he will be judged by the future generations as a mad Emperor who destabilized the dynasty. After failing to instate his di sons as heir, he then failed to instate the eldest and wisest surviving sons. He wavered in indecision and suspicion over and over until finally making the most reasonable decision by choosing you. But should he overturn that decision? His Highness the Seventh Prince is not the eldest, the di son, or the wisest one. What kind of choice would that be? What will our descendants say? They will ignore all of your father’s accomplishments and his attempts to stabilize the dynasty after the previous Emperor fell prey to hedonism. Instead, they will only focus on his mistakes. They will lambast him for his paranoia and cruelty without ever considering his circumstances. Please do not give them that chance, my prince.”
“You’ve grown into such a reliable man, Wenyuan. Your mother would be pleased.”
“And not to mention the toll this has taken on his health. He has suffered enough. Ending this would be the merciful choice, though you will be the one to pay for it. You have shouldered the impossible in the stead of all your subjects. You have made a noble choice.”
“You’re capable of shouldering more responsibilities now, it’s time you took a step up in court. What do you say that I raise your title from Marquis to Duke?”
“Whether as your duty as a prince of this country, or as a son of His Majesty, this is the best option we have. Please do not torment yourself or hesitate,” Kayla said. “Please, trust in what you have decided.”
Yunqi nodded haltingly, and then again, more certainly this time.
“Your words give me strength, Wenyuan. You are right. This is…” Yunqi sighed, tilting his head up towards the ceiling with a blank look in his eyes. “This is the right choice.”
“I’m glad to hear you say that, Your Highness.”
They both glanced over as a knock sounded at the door.
“Your Highness, Your Excellency,” Li Que said. “The Princess Consort has entered the Royal Consort’s quarters.”
Yunqi drew a deep breath.
“Good. Tell Wei Guang to begin.”
Li Que bowed his head and left.
Kayla lifted the communication device, switching it on. “Captain Jiang, prepare to seal the palace.”
“Yes sir!”
“What about our backup forces?” Kayla asked.
“Two hundred Imperial Guards are already lying in wait just outside the Eastern Palace,” Captain Jiang replied. “Another hundred have been placed around the Emperor’s quarters. If anything goes wrong, we will take action immediately. The guards on duty at the armory tonight are also our people.”
“Good, my Investigators will back them up,” Kayla said. She hung up, immediately dialing Tabuyir.
“Tabuyir, how are things at the Seventh Prince’s household?”
“We have the Prince under close watch, there is no sign that he suspects anything abnormal,” Tabuyir reported.
“Good, keep it that way.”
The Imperial Guard would manage everything that happened inside the palace, and the Investigators everything outside.
Shared responsibility, shared guilt. Neither can betray the other. Just like…
Kayla turned her attention back to Yunqi.
“My prince,” Kayla said. “We must prepare as well.”
Yunqi nodded, the indecision gone from his eyes. In its place, there was only firm resolve.
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Wei Guang entered the Emperor’s quarters with a heavy heart.
“Your Majesty,” he called into the dark room.
“Wei Guang?” The Emperor sat up from where he had been reclining on a couch. “When did you get here?”
“Just now, Your Majesty. I apologize for approaching you unannounced,” Wei Guang said apologetically. “I had hoped to speak with you for some time now, but the secretaries kept declining my requests, and I did not wish to bother the Crown Prince with such small matters.”
“What?” The Emperor frowned. “Who would dare block you from seeing me? Tell me their names and I will have them punished.”
“Please do not, Your Majesty,” Wei Guang pleaded. “They were only thinking of your health.”
The Emperor scoffed, waving off the excuse.
“If you do not wish me to punish them, I will not. But I will order them to approve your requests from now on,” the Emperor said.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Wei Guang leaned forward tentatively. “Your Majesty, how are you faring?”
The Emperor gave a thin smile.
“How well could I possibly fare after killing my own mother?” He asked bitterly.
“Your Majesty must not say such a thing,” Wei Guang reproached him. “Please take heart, think of your health.”
The Emperor gave a soft laugh, lowering his eyes.
“What health? It doesn’t matter anymore. At the very least, I have a reliable son,” the Emperor said softly.
Wei Guang felt a sharp pang in his heart.
“Yunqi is not as talented as Kuang, but he may actually be a better choice,” the Emperor said. “He can understand the mediocre majority, he can empathize with them. That will make him a good ruler.”
“It is as you say, Your Majesty,” Wei Guang said.
The Emperor nodded, sinking into thought.
“I want him to walk a different path than me,” the Emperor said softly. “I was trapped in the midst of so many vultures, almost like I was cursed. I’ve hurt so many people in an attempt to be a good Emperor, to be different from my father whose reckless abandon nearly doomed us all.”
He shook his head, eyes shining with emotion.
“You know how it was,” the Emperor said. “I know you tried to help me, but I couldn’t relax my guard. I couldn’t do as you had asked and quash my suspicions after everything that had happened! I don’t think I’ve ever felt so much despair as the day when I realized you had stopped trying to admonish me.”
Wei Guang sharply looked away, trying to hold back a wave of emotion.
“I’ve made so many mistakes, Wei Guang,” the Emperor lamented. “But Yunqi will be different. I’ll make sure of it. I’ll sweep the path clean for him.”
He leaned towards Wei Guang with a small smile.
“You’ll probably outlive me. Won’t you watch over Yunqi for me?”
Wei Guang let out a shuddering sigh, unsure of how he could bring himself to proceed.
The Emperor really–this is the one time he has truly meant it, Wei Guang realized. He truly intends to make Yunqi the Emperor.
But it was too late. The Emperor’s paranoia had already poisoned Yunqi against him, and now that they had started, it was too late to stop.
“I will do my best, Your Majesty,” Wei Guang said. “But I have no wish to outlive you.”
“Don’t say such a thing,” the Emperor laughed.
I’m sorry, Wei Guang silently said.
“Your Majesty, do you remember that time when your father began favoring your youngest brother? The former Emperor harshly criticized you in front of the entire court and humiliated you, praising instead that boy who could barely speak clearly yet,” Wei Guang said, reminiscing upon those days. “You bore it with so much dignity that everyone kept praising you even though you had been chastised so severely.”
“I remember,” the Emperor said with a wry smile.
“You were so proud and courageous in public, but once you were in private, you began to panic,” Wei Guang said. “That was when I promised to protect your position, wasn’t it?”
“Yes,” the Emperor said. “It was all thanks to your teachings that I was able to stand my ground at all. If not for you, I really would have been dragged into the mud and disposed of by my father, and that child would have taken the throne.”
“It would have been a disaster for this country,” Wei Guang said. “I’m not sure what you have been thinking about these past days, my liege, or what Her Majesty may have said to you in her final moments. But you were truly the best choice for the throne, both for the country’s stability and for the Imperial Family’s continuation.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” the Emperor said, genuine relief in his voice.
“Teacher,” he continued.
Wei Guang nearly jolted with pain at the familiar term of address.
“It really was all thanks to you,” the Emperor said. “You always supported me, against Father, against Mother, against my in-laws, and against the Grand Duke as well.”
“It was my honor to do so,” Wei Guang said. “My prince, do you remember that night before your father’s death, when you were shaking with nerves? We drank together that night for the first and only time.”
“Yes, even though you were always the one telling me to abstain from alcohol,” the Emperor said with amusement.
“What do you say that we share a drink again for old time’s sake, to celebrate Yunqi's success as regent?” Wei Guang asked.
The Emperor smiled. “How rare for you to offer. My health no longer permits me to drink, but I’ll make an exception for you, teacher.”
“Allow me,” Wei Guang said. He produced a bottle of wine and a pair of cups. He carefully poured it out, handing the poisoned cup to the Emperor.
“To the dynasty?” Wei Guang offered.
“To the dynasty,” the Emperor agreed. He clinked cups with Wei Guang, smiling as he drank.
Wei Guang lowered his eyes, stifling a sigh. He jolted back to attention as the Emperor stopped drinking, holding out the cup and observing it with a look of befuddled suspicion.
Wei Guang’s heart hammered against his chest, waiting for the Emperor to shrug and finish the wine. Instead, the Emperor’s eyes sharpened.
“Wei Guang, what is in this drink?” He asked in a dangerous tone.
Almost instantaneously, Wei Guang calmed down. Without reason nor basis, he knew he had already succeeded.
“Poison, Your Majesty,” Wei Guang said placidly.
“You–how dare you!” The Emperor rose to his feet, the sharp taste of betrayal in his mouth. The liquid that had gone so smoothly down his throat suddenly seemed to grow sharp and grating inside his body.
“I beg your pardon,” Wei Guang said quietly. “I also did not wish to do this.”
“You bastard! I honored you as my teacher, as my Imperial Edict Bearer, as my Minister! How could you do such a thing?! This is treason–treason!”
Wei Guang knelt, almost painfully calm. “My sins are unforgivable, I know this. But Your Majesty…why do you not throw aside your cup?”
The Emperor stilled, haltingly turning his eyes to the cup of wine in his hand.
“Your Majesty also understands as well, do you not? This was why you killed your own mother and wife…a clean slate for the country. A clean slate–” Wei Guang stopped, his voice shaking with emotion. He breathed in sharply, continuing through the tears that were dripping down his face. “A clean slate for the new generation.”
The Emperor shook his head, laughing weakly.
“Mother was right,” he said quietly. “Mother was right about Yunqi.”
“The Prince did not want this,” Wei Guang said, the lie slipping out glibly from his tongue. “But as your teacher, as the one who placed you on this throne, I have a responsibility to clear the path for your son and allow a pristine Emperor to lead the nation into a new era.”
Pristine? Yunqi was kind, but he was Zhou Ying’s son. He was stained from birth. Wei Guang would not have acted if he hadn’t already gained the next Emperor’s approval. Zhou Ying knew that from his last coup.
The Emperor stared at Wei Guang, feeling more alone than ever before.
He heaved a sigh. “You liar,” he said flatly.
Wei Guang dipped his head. “You may punish me however you see fit in the afterlife,” he said. “I will follow in your footsteps shortly after, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor lifted his eyes to the dark ceiling as if he could see into the sky above it. Even if Zhou Ying called for a healer now, what would it matter? Could he be saved? No, Wei Guang was never a person to act without a backup plan. Even if, by some chance, he managed to save himself, what then? Would he kill Yunqi? Kill Wei Guang? Kill Wenyuan, who was definitely involved somehow? Survive this only to kill the last few souls he placed hope in? There was no point in such a thing.
Yunqi, the Emperor thought with a heavy heart. Wenyuan…even those two…
In the end, he was as alone as he had ever been.
This is what I deserve, he thought. This was what he wanted.
“Don’t bother,” the Emperor said. He slowly raised the cup again, observing the dark liquid inside as it sloshed back and forth. “Don’t follow me, Wei Guang. If there’s a next time, I hope to never see you again.”
He lifted the cup to his mouth. “I hope to never see any of you again.”
Without hesitation, he downed the rest of the wine before letting the cup clatter to the ground. It rolled forward and came to a stop against Wei Guang’s knees.
“Leave us,” the Emperor commanded. He straightened his robes, the first time he had done so in days, and sat down on his couch.
“My liege,” Wei Guang began to say.
“Leave us,” the Emperor repeated. Even in the darkness, he could see that Wei Guang was crying. The old man walked away, his steps slow and heavy.
Is this how mother felt? Zhou Ying wondered as the room became silent. He closed his eyes, breathing out slowly. To his surprise, he was neither angry nor afraid. More so than anything else, he was relieved.
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Cultural Notes
东宫/Eastern Palace: The palace in which the Crown Prince traditionally resides, part of the Imperial Palace. Only the Crown Prince can remain in the Imperial Palace as a grown prince (save for exceptions where a severe disability might prevent setting up an independent household).
烈女/Female martyr: Cao Shuyi refers to the act of a wife killing herself after her husband dies, the highest showcase of virtue afforded to most women in Ancient China who did not otherwise have the ability to showcase their virtue through a public career. This was a moral obligation during some darker periods of history when oppression against women and lower classes were especially harsh, but certainly was not expected of anyone during most of Ancient Chinese history. However, as the wife of an Imperial Prince who had been exceptionally brilliant, Cao Shuyi feels guilty not to add to his reputation by committing suicide and showcasing that he had chosen a virtuous wife.
嫡庶/Dishu system of inheritance: Refers to the difference between di sons, born of the wife, and shu sons, born of concubines in terms of order of succession. Of course, this wasn't set into stone, and fathers often made ample preparations for their shu sons who would not inherit the main estate/business/title of the family.
有嫡立嫡无嫡立长/If there is a di son, instate a di son as heir, if there isn't, instate the eldest son as heir: The tradition of naming heirs in Ancient China was to chose either the most legitimate son (born of the formal wife) or the eldest son. So say your first wife died after bearing a son and you had a second wife with whom you had two more sons? You should prioritize your elder son born of the first wife as the eldest. But if your first wife had two daughters and you had a concubine who had a son, then even if he's older, the second wife's sons have precedence. This was especially important in noble heirs who often only had a single title to inherit per family.
立贤立长/Instate the wise or instate the eldest: Despite all arguments for choosing the eldest son or the most legitimate son as heir, many parents preferred their smartest child, hence the age-old debate of choosing the eldest or the brightest/wisest. Of course, those who choose neither the eldest, the most legitimate, nor the wisest, tend not just to have a hard time themselves, but their chosen heirs tend to meet sad fates as well.