Chapter 31: Meeting with the Senior Grandmaster
Qi Yun nodded. “Don’t concern yourself with this matter. Your priority now is to protect yourself. I’ll insert my people into my second brother’s circle.”
“As you wish.” Jun Huang didn’t argue. There was nothing else she could do to help.
“Moreover, my second brother’s power cannot be underestimated,” said Qi Yun. ”There must be someone in a higher place supporting him behind the scenes.”
“My thoughts exactly. After he was caught for embezzlement, I expected him to be abandoned in court. Someone, however, secretly gained many officials’ support for him, and when they were asked about that person’s identity, they gave no answer. It must be someone with great power.” Jun Huang’s expression was severe. Dealing with Qi Chen had become a more and more complicated matter. It was a gift that kept on giving.
Qi Yun felt a pang of frustration at the sight of her tightly-knitted eyebrows. He spent years cultivating his power. And now here he was, needing the help of a fragile scholar. This shouldn’t be a burden for this gentleman to bear.
Qi Yun patted Jun Huang on the shoulder and sighed. “Don’t worry too much. Now we just have to wait and see. The rest we’ll consider later.”
“How about the crown prince?” Jun Huang asked.
Qi Yun let out another sigh and told her about what had happened. Jun Huang broke into a smile. “I didn’t expect the crown prince to end up like this. Still, it’s good news. Finally he got a taste of his own medicine.”
“Alright, Qi Yun. We can’t stay here any longer. Qi Chen must have left for his manor now. If I’m late, he will be suspicious of me again. You better return to your manor as well.” After that she took her leave.
A sense of loss suddenly hit Qi Yun. He let out a sigh filled with melancholy, whipped open his fan, and returned to his manor. His dreams and ideals were long lost; now he was only an ordinary man trying to survive in a war between brothers.
As Jun Huang expected, she arrived about the same time as Qi Chen did. He was carried here from the palace in a sedan chair – a clear sign he now enjoyed the emperor’s favor.
“Brother Feng, where did you go?” Qi Chen spotted Jun Huang at a distance. He commanded the carriers to let him down. Then he ran up to Jun Huang, his eyes crinkled. It was clear from his expression that he was again praised by the emperor.
Jun Huang changed the subject and asked the obvious question. “I went for a walk. Did Your Highness just return from the palace?”
Qi Chen nodded. “I was paying the crown prince a visit when Royal Father invited us to the palace. Then, Royal Father asked me to stay for a talk. He praised me for a job well done for what I did at the border.”
“I believe that brother Feng’s talent should not be overlooked. If you are willing, I’ll say some good words for you before Royal Father. You can become an official too.”
That got a reaction from Jun Huang. Immediately she replied, “Your Highness, you must not do this. I only want to offer my service to you. If the emperor is to grant me a position in the palace, it would be near impossible for me to continue being your strategist.”
What Jun Huang said made sense to Qi Chen. He nodded and entered the manor side by side with her. He even invited her to share a meal with him. Their talk was pleasant enough. Originally, Jun Huang intended to get some information out of him. Unfortunately, in his excitement he got drunk and passed out not long after. There wasn’t anything Jun Huang could do.
After getting Qi Chen settled, Jun Huang went to her own building. Wei Qian was waiting for her at the door.
“Where did the gentleman go?” she asked.
Jun Huang was amused. Normally she would just make up an excuse, but today she felt like teasing Wei Qian. She affected a cold tone and said, “Did the prince ordered you to keep an eye on me?”
“Of course not,” Wei Qian nervously said, worried that Jun Huang would get the wrong idea.
“If that’s the case, I don’t have to answer your question. I’m tired now. You can leave as you please.” She walked into her room and chuckled as she shut the door.
In Prince Nan Manor, a shadow guard stood beside Nan Xun, awaiting his order. After some consideration, Nan Xun took out a pen and a piece of paper and wrote down a few words. He handed the paper to the guard. “Take this to Prince Chen Manor and gave it to Feng Baiyu. Remember, Qi Chen must not know about this.”
“Understood.” The shadow guard took the paper and left silently.
Night fell. Within the imperial city only the night watchmen1 still walked the street. The shadow guard’s footsteps were quick but soundless. He reached Prince Chen Manor promptly.
He considered the high wall. A push of his foot and he leaped into the air, landing on the tiles making a quiet noise.
Wei Qian was well-trained, and she wasn’t deep in sleep. Immediately her eyes snapped open and she rushed to Jun Huang’s room. After a moment of hesitation at the door, she knocked. “Has the gentleman gone to bed?”
There was the rustling sound of clothes. Then the candles inside the room were lit. In the dim light she saw Jun Huang getting off the bed and coming to get the door.
“What’s the matter?” Jun Huang asked blearily, rubbing her eyes. She had a gown wrapped around her body, and her hair was a little messy. Her face remained passive as Wei Qian gave her room a once-over.
“It was nothing.” Wei Qian looked away and shook her head. “I’m only here to check up on the gentleman.”
Jun Huang nodded. “I’m fine.”
“Then Wei Qian would take her leave.” She turned around and walked away. Jun Huang’s eyes followed her until she went back into the side room. Jun Huang shut the door after herself.
The shadow guard had left, leaving the window open. Jun Huang frowned, a little bewildered. Then she noticed a slip of paper on her desk.
“Qi Chen now holds power over the imperial court. Even though the embezzlement is a stain on his reputation, there are still people supporting him behind the scenes. Now the only viable plan is to convince someone whose loyalty to him has already wavered. This I cannot do myself. I’ll leave it in your capable hands. Tomorrow, the Senior Grandmaster will be at the tavern waiting for you.”
The letter was written in strong and decisive strokes. Jun Huang considered the situation carefully. This was a good move on Nan Xun’s part. She took another look before holding the paper over a candle. Her mind was clear as the paper turned into ashes.
The next day, Jun Huang woke up at the crack of dawn. Wei Qian would be accompanying Qi Chen today, and Qi Chen normally let Jun Huang freely go as she pleased. There was nothing stopping her from leaving the manor.
It was still early when she got to the tavern. Jun Huang told the clerk to brew her a pot of tea, then she sat on a stool and started drinking it. She looked at home where she sat. Her violet silk gown was fanciful, but not flamboyant. Her skin was fair, and the white jade cap framing her black hair was fairer.
That was what the Senior Grandmaster saw when he arrived. He had never met Jun Huang before, and was rendered speechless for a moment, unsure of what to do. Jun Huang gave him a smile and put down the tea cup before standing up.
“This gentleman is Feng Baiyu. I have been waiting for you, sir.” She cupped her hands in greeting with a disarming smile; the Senior Grandmaster visibly relaxed.
He took his seat. Jun Huang poured him a cup of tea. “Sir, this is Bamboo Leaf Green tea of the highest quality. I’ve heard that it’s a favorite of yours.”
The Senior Grandmaster didn’t expect this young man he’d just met to know his preferences. He took the cup with a smile and took a whiff. He knew it was a rare premium breed even before he tasted it.
“Do you like it?” Jun Huang asked.
“The smell doesn’t fade as time goes by.” He took a sip. “And the taste lingers in my mouth. Indeed a good tea.” He was generous with his praises, but Jun Huang still had a calm expression on her face, as if she had anticipated his reaction.
She lowered her eyes and blew the tea leaves floating on her tea. Then she took a sip and smiled at him. “Good things should be left for the person who deserves it. Do you agree, sir?”
The Senior Grandmaster frowned. He wasn’t sure what she meant by that.
“I will stop beating around the bush here. There are things we both know that don’t need to be brought up. Today I came to meet you, sir, because I want to make a deal with you.”
“What deal?”
“I heard that in your early life you were unable to fulfil your potential. It was because of second prince Qi Chen’s support that you became the Senior Grandmaster. To you, Qi Chen was your Bo Le2, the one who discovered your talent. Or have I perhaps been mistaken?” Jun Huang met his eyes. Everything she said was the truth.
The Senior Grandmaster broke out into cold sweat, soaking his collars. He didn’t know how to react in order to not raise any suspicion. Jun Huang, however, wasn’t looking at him. Instead, she walked to the window and looked out over the imperial city.
“I also heard that you, sir, were troubled by Qi Chen’s embezzlement. This gentleman knows that you are a good official who truly cares about the people. Naturally, you cannot stand for what Qi Chen did.” Jun Huang turned to look at him with a soft smile. Senior Grandmaster was shocked. He had not expected anyone to understand him so well. It was as if she was a part of him.
It made him wary. He could feel his heart pounding against his ribcage. Who was this person, exactly? “I wonder what gentleman Feng asked me to be here for. There is no need for pretense.”
Jun Huang smiled. “I only wanted to find out if you are on my side.”
“What do you mean?”
“The world is now governed by three countries, and the three are at peace. But for how long, do you think? Northern Qi is in good hand for the time being, but how about the next emperor? Do you still think that the second prince will be a good leader?”
“The crown prince is a failure and is not suited for the position. The second prince, however, is willing to sacrifice the wellbeing of the people for his own gains. I’ll ask you one thing: If he becomes the emperor, will the nation be at peace? Will the people be cared for?” Jun Huang grew more and more agitated as she spoke. Qi Chen’s crimes were many, and they filled her with rage.
The Senior Grandmaster fell silent. What Jun Huang said was the hard truth. It hit him where he was most tender. Qi Chen’s actions were intolerable. If someone like him became the emperor, it would be bad news both for Northern Qi, and for its people.
Chapter 32: Warning
Jun Huang looked at the Senior Grandmaster. She could see he was wavering. She gave him a few moments to think before she continued her explanation. “Among the princes in the imperial court, sir, I believe only the fourth prince Qi Yun can assume this heavy mantle.”
“The fourth prince?” The Senior Grandmaster thought back to the handsome young man who helped him in the palace that day. With a slight frame and delicate features like that – would he really be able to stay on the throne if he was crowned?
“The fourth prince is an extraordinary genius. Northern Qi must be lead by him.” Jun Huang’s tone was determined and unhesitant. Steely, even. Which made it difficult to deny what she said.
The Senior Grandmaster fell silent. He was inclined to agree with her, but Qi Chen was the one who made him who he was today. He couldn’t reconcile with the fact that he would ever turn on his benefactor.
He couldn’t settle on a decision.
Jun Huang could see right through him. “Do you really think that the fact you owe the second prince a debt is enough justification for him to take leadership of the country? Shouldn’t you choose a good emperor for the people?”
The Senior Grandmaster’s head snapped up, his eyebrows furrowed, “Gentleman Feng mentioned a good emperor, but how do you know the fourth prince will be the right candidate? It’s all guesswork, both for me, and for you.”
“It’s common knowledge that the fourth prince cares deeply about the people. If not for what the mothers of the crown prince and the second prince did, he wouldn’t have been trapped in his manor. In your heart you already know what the right thing to do is. I cannot stay any longer. Allow me to take my leave.” Jun Huang cupped her hands and left without letting him argue.
The Senior Grandmaster considered the matter in the tavern for a long time. Still he could not make a decision. In the end he did choose Qi Yun, but that happened later.
When Jun Huang returned to Prince Chen Manor, she was stopped by Wei Qian before she could get in. Jun Huang stared at her with a frown. “What’s the matter?”
“The prince asked for you.” It seemed that Wei Qian wanted to say more, but chose not to in the end. She only said that Qi Chen had been waiting for her in the main hall for long, and asked her to see him once she was back.
Jun Huang didn’t know what he wanted, but for now she couldn’t afford to offend him. So she followed Wei Qian to the main hall.
Her worries were not unfounded. Qi Chen sat on the main seat with a dark expression, his fingers tight around the teacup. Any moment the teacup could break.
“Does Your Highness have any urgent matter?” Jun Huang asked while approaching.
Qi Chen looked up at her. “Where did brother Feng go?”
Jun Huang didn’t falter. “Just wandering about.” She was sure that no one had seen her at the tavern, so she didn’t hesitate before answering.
Qi Chen looked at Jun Huang’s bright eyes as if he was going to look into her soul, but he saw nothing unusual. He put down the teacup. “I heard that recently brother Feng has been going out quite frequently. Is something the matter?”
Jun Huang shook her head. “Thank you for your concerns, Your Highness, but this gentleman was just enjoying the good view of the imperial city.” She knew that she could not let this conversation go on in this direction, lest Qi Chen notice something amiss. She changed the topic. “I heard that the crown prince has been quite rude to Your Highness recently. Is that true?”
Jun Huang must have hit a nerve; Qi Chen forgot to ask what Jun Huang had been busy with and broke the teacup in his hand.
Jun Huang watched him calmly. Qi Chen’s distorted face was a horrifying sight, but if she was affected at all, it didn’t show.
After a good while, Qi Chen looked up at Jun Huang and asked, “The crown prince has crossed the line. First he shamed me in public. Then he acted like he was better than I am several times, embarrassing me. Yes, he is the crown prince, but that’s only because he is my older brother. Someone like him cannot shoulder such a responsibility.”
“What does Your Highness have in mind?” Jun Huang shifted her eyes to him, waiting for him to tell her what ambition he had.
Qi Chen looked back at her. A murderous gleam flashed through his eyes. “I want to teach the crown prince a lesson.”
Jun Huang scoffed inwardly. Qi Chen’s ambition was still too petty. She thought for a moment with her eyes downcast. Then, reaching a conclusion, she smiled, leaned into him, and murmured, “Your Highness, if this gentleman has a plan for you to eliminate this trouble of yours once and for all, what do you say?”
That caught Qi Chen off guard. He looked around at the servants and maids nervously, but at the same time he felt an adrenaline rush. He told everyone to leave the room and asked Jun Huang to sit down.
When the room was cleared, Qi Chen said, “It sounds like the gentleman has a plan already.”
His voice was light and his eyes were brighter than usual. He even forgot to call her his brother. He held her hand in his, trembling with excitement.
Jun Huang lamented the fact that people’s desires could be so destructive. Even blood brothers would turn on each other like this. She sighed inwardly, but it didn’t show on her face. She gave Qi Chen a nod. “I have a plan. No one will find out about it, but Your Highness will have to do it yourself.”
Qi Chen frowned at Jun Huang, trying to determine how truthful she was being. But then he remembered that it wasn’t easy for her to make up schemes for him, and she had helped him many times. There was no reason for him to doubt her. Weighing his options in his mind, he nodded in the end. “As the gentleman wishes. If this is a success, I will award you with beautiful women and riches. I hope you won’t deny me then.”
Jun Huang smiled and took a sip of her tea. She didn’t continue. Qi Chen was getting impatient.
When he couldn’t bear her silence any longer, he finally asked, “What plan do you have to eliminate the crown prince secretly?”
Jun Huang took another sip of her tea. “It is simple, actually. The crown prince is but a lecherous man.”
Qi Chen frowned. He still didn’t get what she meant. “May the gentleman explain?”
Jun Huang put down her teacup and decided to stop talking in riddles. “The crown prince is lustful. If you want to get rid of him without being noticed, you use women. I have been all over the world. I have met many strange people and witnessed many strange things. Once I was taught by a teacher about poison. I know how to make a type of poison that could kill the crown prince instantly. However…”
“However what? The gentleman can just tell me.” Qi Chen was getting more and more antsy, He was unwilling to even look away from her.
Jun Huang sighed. “There is an ingredient that I lack. Without it, this is all but a pipe dream.”
Qi Chen urgently took her hand. “Just tell me what you need. If I don’t have it here, I will find it somewhere else.”
“It is something in your possession.” Jun Huang looked at him, a cunning flash appeared briefly in her eyes, but Qi Chen didn’t notice.
“What is it? I can tell people to retrieve it.”
Jun Huang stood up. “Sometime ago the emperor awarded Your Highness with a box of fava beans. They are edible, but added in with other ingredients, it becomes a potent poison.”
There were no native fava beans in Northern Qi because of its geographical location. The plants are delicate, while the climate here was harsh. Fava beans, therefore, had to be imported from other countries. As a result, they were rarely seen here. Only the emperor had the luxury to enjoy them.
Earlier some were imported, and the emperor awarded a few to Qi Chen to let him have a taste. However, Qi Chen didn’t like the taste, so they were left in the manor.
“The gentleman can just take the beans. I’ll tell people to retrieve them for you.” Qi Chen smiled brightly. Jun Huang nodded. She didn’t expect Qi Chen to be so willing to give her the emperor’s gift.
After some more talking, Jun Huang took her leave. Qi Chen made good of his promise and had people retrieve the fava beans for her.
When she got them, she almost laughed. This man really would not make a good crown prince. He was ambitious, but reckless. He could be clever at times, but he was so easy to deceive. Everyone knew that other than the emperor, only Qi Chen had any fava bean. If this one little fava bean was used to make poison, it would be easy for others to find out. Then it would be Qi Chen’s worst nightmare.
After days of sleepless nights, Jun Huang completed the poison. She was about to ask Wei Qian to hand it to Qi Chen when Qi Chen came to her on his own in his impatience.
“Has brother Feng made the poison?” His voice reached her before he himself could. Jun Huang put down the white ceramic bottle in her hand and walked out slowly.
“This gentleman has been waiting for Your Highness.” Jun Huang smiled and invited him in. She poured him a cup of tea before picking up the ceramic bottle. “I made this. Once the crown prince consumes it, it won’t take long before he dies.”
Qi Chen put down the teacup without drinking and took the bottle, his eyes shining with a strange light. “Is this thing really so effective?”
Jun Huang nodded. “It’s very dangerous. Please be careful.”
Qi Chen was just about to smell the poison when she said that. He quickly put it down. Then, as if an idea just struck him, he clapped his hands. A woman dressed in pink silk walked out. The bells on her ankles chimed. Soon a faint fragrance filled the room.
“What does brother Feng think of this woman?” Qi Chen asked.
Jun Huang took a moment to look her over. The woman’s features were delicate, and her eyes were bright and dreamy. Her dark hair was held up by a wooden hairpin. Simple, but elegant. “The lady is very attractive. A rare beauty of this world.”
Qi Chen smiled as if it was him Jun Huang was praising. He looked at the woman, then at Jun Huang. “If brother Feng were born a woman, you would be an extraordinary beauty,” he said, stroking his chin. “No women covered in powder and cosmetics would be able to rival you. A shame that brother Feng was born a man.” He sighed like this was truly a great misfortune to Jun Huang.
Chapter 33: A Woman’s Revenge
Jun Huang smiled in response and asked, “Does Your Highness plan to have this lady sound the death knell for the crown prince?”
Qi Chen smiled. “Brother Feng is indeed observant. I can’t hide anything from you.” He looked smug all of a sudden. Jun Huang didn’t know why.
Qi Chen handed the ceramic bottle to the woman. She took it and left without a word. Qi Chen left as well after a few more words with Jun Huang.
After leaving Prince Chen Manor, the woman in pink went straight to the tavern. She was told that Qi Yin had been here since morning. Indeed, she saw him drinking on his own in a booth on the second floor.
Qi Yin was again scolded by the emperor for his misconducts, and as before, the emperor kept saying that Qi Chen was so much more considerate, and that Qi Yin was such an embarrassment. Filled with frustration, he drank faster and faster. Soon it was clear that he was drunk.
“Are you alone?” the woman asked. Her voice clear like a water spring. It was captivating.
Qi Yin looked up and saw a woman as beautiful as a goddess. He stared at her, slack-jawed. The woman took the seat next to him, chuckling, her soft eyes meeting his gaze. Before he came to his senses, she sneakily opened the ceramic bottle and poured the amber liquid into the wine.
“If the gentleman is alone, this woman will have a drink with you.” The woman picked up the jug and was going to pour him a cup, but he grabbed her hand and she couldn’t break out of his grip.
“Would the gentleman like a drink?” The woman covered up the disgust in her eyes and picked up the half-filled cup, pushing it against Qi Yin’s lips. Entranced by her beauty, Qi Yin had lost the ability to think properly. He opened his mouth to swallow down the liquor, his hands stroking the woman’s cheek.
She looked at him with steely gaze. Suddenly, Qi Yin’s face turned an unhealthy color and breathing became difficult for him. He held onto his neck, unable to say a word. The woman got to her feet and smiled at him.
Jun Huang was resting in her room when she heard a loud noise coming from the outside. She frowned and went out to check.
“Where did you come from? Get out of my way.” An expensively dressed woman harshly said, pointing at Wei Qian. Her tone suggested that she was the master here, and Wei Qian only a lowly servant.
Jun Huang had seen Qi Chen’s mother before – a woman with too big an ego. She walked up to her with a smile. “May I ask why Consort Zhen has come to my place?”
Consort Zhen pointed at Jun Huang with a trembling finger. “Feng Baiyu, do you know what you have done? You’re putting my dear son in danger.”
Wei Qian watched her like a hawk, worried that the consort may hurt Jun Huang. She must protect Jun Huang from any harm.
“This gentleman does not know what you meant.” Jun Huang frowned. There was no fear in her eyes, which made Consort Zhen even more furious.
She raised her hand like she was going to slap Jun Huang. Qi Chen arrived just in time to stop her. He sighed. “Mother, what are you doing?”
“My son, he has put you in a difficult position.”
“What does mother mean?” Qi Chen frowned.
Consort Zhen glared at Jun Huang, who pretended to be confused as well.
“I’m also at a loss of what the consort meant. Would you be so kind to explain?”
“In Northern Qi, only the emperor and my son own any fava bean. If it is discovered that Qi Yin died of it, who will the emperor suspect?” Consort Zhen’s glare grew even colder, her eyes filled with accusation.
Jun Huang made a split second decision and, before Qi Chen could react, dropped down to her knees. The sound of her knees smashing into the floor was loud enough to draw every pair of eyes in the room. She looked at Qi Chen with a pale face and said carefully, “I was only thinking about eliminating an enemy for Your Highness and made a mistake. I did not intend to put you in danger. If Your Highness doesn’t believe me, my life is in your hand.”
Jun Huang’s words were uttered with conviction, which worried Wei Qian. She knelt down beside Jun Huang. “Your Highness, the past couple of days the gentleman had been working hard to make that poison without much sleep. He really was only trying to help Your Highness. Your Highness knows better than anyone what he has done for you.”
Looking at Jun Huang and Wei Qian, Qi Chen sighed and turned his gaze to his mother. “Mother, brother Feng didn’t think this matter through, but as he said, the fava bean is a necessary ingredient of the poison. There is no other way.”
Consort Zhen looked at Jun Huang. Once she had calmed down she knew it wouldn’t help to put all the blame on Feng Baiyu. Moreover, she heard that it was his idea for Qi Chen to go to the border. He was useful. It may be better to let him off the hook this time.
“This ends here. Listen carefully, Feng Baiyu. You better not turn on us, or I will tear you to pieces.”
“Understood.”
At this moment, a page boy watching the door rushed in. He cupped his hands and bowed, panting. “Your Highness, the lady sent a message saying that the crown prince has passed away. The body was taken by someone from the palace.”
Qi Chen paled. In panic, he took the consort’s hand. “Mother, what should I do? If Royal Father finds out about the truth, he will have me killed. Mother, you must help me.”
Consort Zhen was more experienced and wasn’t panicked like he was. She took a deep breath to calm herself down. “Good thing that I have made preparations. My son, don’t worry too much. If someone asks you anything, just say you know nothing. The rest I will take care of.”
Qi Chen nodded. It suddenly felt like he was a little child again. Every time he got into troubles, he could only hide behind his mother and cry helplessly.
After that, Consort Zhen left with her entourage, and Qi Chen went with her, leaving only Jun Huang and Wei Qian. Wei Qian stood up and helped Jun Huang up. Only then did Jun Huang realize that she had used too much force and scraped her knees. The stabbing pain made her wince. She returned to her room with Wei Qian’s assistance.
It turned out that Consort Zhen had planted her own people at the crown prince manor. The emperor had ordered the royal doctor to check Qi Yin’s body and fava bean was found in his system. Naturally he suspected Qi Chen. Then, however, the consort’s spy told the emperor that Qi Yin had sent people to buy fava beans from a country that produced them.
“Is that true?” the emperor asked with a frown.
The page boy took out a piece of paper and handed it to a eunuch. “This is the receipt of their transaction.”
“No. It can’t be true. My son would never do something like that. Everyone knows that secretly buying products from other countries is felony. Yin’er would never be so foolish.” The empress collapsed onto the ground and started sobbing.
The emperor only felt annoyance. He didn’t want to stay here with the empress any longer, so he left, leaving the others to console the empress for her loss.
The empress just sat there. The servants didn’t know what to do. After a long while, the empress slowly stood up and glared angrily at the outside. “Do you really think I’ll believe what a lowly peasant said? Qi Chen, you and your mother will pay for this.”
She clenched her teeth, seething in rage. None of the servants dared to approach her, afraid that she would take her anger out on them. Then the royal uncle walked in. He gestured at the servants to leave them.
“Little sister, what happened?” Looking at the empress’s bloodshot eyes, the royal uncle asked with knitted eyebrows.
At the sight of her own brother, the empress started tearing up again. She struggled to his side and sobbed, “Big brother, Yin’er died. He was murdered. What should I do? What should I do?”
Her brother sighed and patted her on the back. “Stop crying. I will get to the bottom of Yin’er’s death. Those murderers will get what they deserve.”
The empress nodded.
The royal uncle’s people started to pressure Qi Chen, obstructing him at every move.
The imperial court was dead silent. The emperor just lost a son and was depressed. The officials didn’t dare to say anything. Qi Chen, on the contrary, was delighted, but on the surface had to pretend that he was devastated as well.
“My condolence, Royal Father. Brother – he would not want Royal Father to be overwhelmed with sorrow and harm your body.” Qi Chen choked, as if he was on the verge of crying.
“The second prince is too cold-blooded. After all the crown prince was the emperor’s first son. Of course a father will mourn the loss of his eldest son. We are deeply disappointed that the second prince is acting like this.” The royal uncle covered his face and started crying.
Many officials were filled with a tangled mess of emotions. The crown prince had just been freed, but now he was in a different world. A young man passed away just like that. It was such a tragedy.
Qi Chen remained silent. He balled his hands up and looked at the people crying for the crown prince with clenched teeth. In his mind he was scoffing. Qi Yin was no more. Henceforth, he would be the crown prince.
Qi Chen’s supporters, of course, could not let Qi Chen be attacked like that. One of them said to the royal uncle, “No one wanted the crown prince to die. He himself bought items from other country, which led to his death. What does that have to do with the second prince?”
“What are you saying?” the royal uncle exclaimed. ”Do you mean to say the crown prince brought this to himself?”
“Enough! Now we should let the crown prince rest in peace.” The Senior Grandmaster could not bear it no more. He spoke up with a sigh.
Qi Chen threw him a icy glance. Ignoring the prince, the Senior Grandmaster faced the emperor and said, “May Your Majesty leave the crown prince’s burial to this official?”
Everyone frowned. This should be left to the Ministry of Rites. Besides, anything related to the crown prince invited troubles. No one wanted to deal with it. Yet the Senior Grandmaster volunteered to take on his burial?
“Then I will leave this matter to the Senior Grandmaster.” The emperor himself didn’t want to get involved, so he followed the current and gave the official the opportunity.
When the meeting was over, Qi Chen stopped the Senior Grandmaster, looking at him coldly. “Do you know what you’re doing?”
Chapter 34: Alliance
The Senior Grandmaster met Qi Chen’s eyes without fear, very much unlike his cowardly past self. It was as if he’d suddenly grown a backbone.
A long silence lingered in the air, only to be broken when he said, “The gods see everything. I know what I’m doing. But how about you, Your Highness? I hope you know what you’re doing as well.”
A coward like the Senior Grandmaster going against him like this? Qi Chen did not expect it. He balled up his hands and glared at the Senior Grandmaster as he left. Their relationship ended here. From this moment on, they were no longer friends, but enemies.
With his arms crossed, Nan Xun watched as everything unfolded. He quirked his lips into a lopsided smile. Jun Huang indeed had a good eye for character. The Senior Grandmaster was not a brave man, but he cared about the people and loved the people. It was inevitable that he would part way with Qi Chen one day. Now it seemed Qi Yun was the best candidate they had.
After he left the palace, his shadow guard came up to him. “Your Highness, brother Feng invited you to meet him at the tavern.”
It’s been a while. Nan Xun smiled and nodded. After changing out of his court attire, he went straight to the tavern.
Not too long ago Jun Huang still considered the tavern a place for thugs and troublemakers, while he believed it was the safest place for conversations. Now, however, Jun Huang often asked him to meet her at the tavern when there were matters she wanted to discuss with him. Nan Xun couldn’t help but smile a little.
Around the same time, Qi Yun, who was drinking tea in his garden, received Jun Huang’s invitation as well. He put down the teacup and made arrangement for the meeting.
It didn’t take long for Nan Xun to reach the tavern. When he arrived, Jun Huang was on her own, a distant look in her eyes. Hearing him approach, she turned around and smiled with the sun shining on her from behind. The image was forever burned into Nan Xun’s memory.
“Your Highness came sooner than I expected.” Jun Huang looked at Nan Xun with her lips curved. Her silk robe fluttered in the wind. She wore a white jade cap to hold her hair up, and there was a fine green jade pendant on her waist. At this moment, she did look like a handsome gentleman.
Nan Xun returned her smile and approached her slowly. The smell of tea wafted in the air. He stood there, looking at Jun Huang. His eagle eyes were not sharp like they usually were, but as soft and tender as water. Unfortunately, Jun Huang had turned around to look at other things and missed it.
“How has the situation in the palace been?”
Nan Xun huffed, then sighed. “The imperial court is split into a couple factions. The death of the crown prince threw the royal uncle’s people into disarray. And now the second prince is rising in power. However…”
Jun Huang frowned at him. “However what?”
Nan Xun was silent for a moment. “The royal uncle’s people believe that Qi Chen was behind the crown prince’s death, but they have no real evidence. They can only try to pressure Qi Chen in the court.”
“Recently, Qi Chen has been trying to please the emperor, so he spoke of rebuilding the border. This proposal was vetoed by the royal uncle, stating that the treasury was too empty for this to be a good idea. The emperor stood on the sideline without intervening. And the empress was in a secret war with Consort Zhen.”
The imperial court was not Jun Huang’s domain, so she didn’t know well the way it operated. Bewildered, she asked, “Then why doesn’t the emperor take action?”
Nan Xun scoffed, his eyes turning sharp. “The emperor does not get involved in matters like this. It’s the modus operandi of the royal family. Do you think the emperor is comfortable on that throne of his? He wants courtiers to keep fighting among themselves.”
Then, a server took a young man in fine clothes to them. It was Qi Yun. He greeted them with a smile with a foldable fan in his hand, his eyes as bright as the stars. He was like water, its taste mild and long-lasting. Nan Xun, on the other hand, was hard liquor. Cool and refreshing. His sculpted features demanded attention, and attention he got.
“Someone came early.” Qi Yun chuckled, eyeing Nan Xun openly. Nan Xun looked at the often housebound fourth prince, a polite but distant smile catching at his lips. Proper, but not how he was usually like.
Qi Yun looked away and smiled at Jun Huang. “Now you remember to invite me? And with someone else here?”
Jun Huang smiled awkwardly. She didn’t expect Qi Yun to talk like this. Today she invited them to discuss business. If they continued to treat each other this way, they would not get along.
Jun Huang decided to break the ice herself. She cleared her throat and asked them to take their seat. “I invited you here for a reason. Now that Qi Chen is in power, there’s no telling what he would do in the future. The important thing now is for you two to form an alliance.”
Jun Huang turned to Nan Xun. “Nan Xun, you don’t want Northern Qi to fall in the hand of someone like Qi Chen, do you? You know better than anyone that Qi Chen cares nothing for the people. He cannot be allowed to gain the throne.”
“Besides, the emperor has always been wary of you. Who knows what Qi Chen will do to you in order to become the crown prince? If you and Qi Yun become allies, you won’t have to fight on your own in the imperial court.” Jun Huang said what she said out of her heart, but it was Nan Xuan who would make the final decision. Nan Xun, however, continued to drink his tea without so much of a reaction.
Jun Huang couldn’t do anything but sigh. She got to her feet, troubled. “The way you two are behaving – we might as well surrender now. You talk things out on your own. I’ll be outside.” With that, she left, her face dark.
Qi Yun looked up at Nan Xun and chuckled. “That’s how Baiyu always is. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Of course.” Nan Xun said. With the way Qi Yun talked, it was obvious he was close with Jun Huang. For reasons he couldn’t fathom, he felt a little jealous.
Seeing the changes in his expression, the smile on Qi Yun’s face became wider. He couldn’t hide it anymore, and he didn’t try to. He wanted Nan Xun to notice. Nan Xun’s responding cold gaze did not intimidate him the slightest. He remained calm as he drank his tea and observed Nan Xun.
After the time it took to drink a cup of tea, there was a commotion outside. Without exchanging a word, they stood up and rushed out.
Jun Huang was upset. Originally she was going to encourage Nan Xun to unite with Qi Yun, which would help them gain a foothold in the imperial court. But both of them were being so difficult about it. She had said what she had to say, and still they pretended to not know what she was suggesting.
As she walked downstairs, cursing Nan Xun and Qi Yun under her breath, she mistakenly stepped into the territory of a group of drunk men.
A man who was clearly from an esteemed family stood up in stupor. A whip of his wide sleeve brought the wine on the table down to the floor. Suddenly the smell of alcohol filled the room. He grabbed the hand of a songstress next to him, uttering obscenities with a lecherous smile on his face. Jun Huang couldn’t just watch and do nothing. She walked up to them, trying to rescue the songstress, but had her wrist grabbed by the man herself.
“Such a pretty lady. Are you alone?” The man was clearly drunk. He leaned into Jun Huang and took a deep breath. The faint smell of flower on Jun Huang’s body was in stark contrast with the smell of alcohol in this chaotic space, which filled him with want. He wasn’t willing to let go. The songstress was long forgotten.
Jun Huang had never encountered anything like this, and she felt flustered all of a sudden. She struggled to break out of the man’s grip, her eyebrows furrowed. “The gentleman must be drunk. Let me go. This is inappropriate.”
The man wasn’t listening. He wanted more. He looped his arm around Jun Huang’s waist, trying to pull her closer. Jun Huang was not one to let others take advantage of herself. She pushed the man away with all her force, jabbing the man with a silver needle to force him to let go.
“Where do you come from? So volatile. But I like it.” The man rubbed at the shoulder that got stung by the needle, his smile growing even more obscene. People around them stood up to watch everything play out like it was the best show in town. They looked between Jun Huang and the man. The man really was too drunk – He called a gentleman a lady!
Again the man grabbed Jun Huang by the wrist. This time he even tried to drag her outside. Jun Huang called for help, but all around her people just watched without even trying to intervene.
Some pointed at Jun Huang and asked how a man could be so weak. Others said something even more offensive. Just when Jun Huang was starting to feel helpless, Nan Xun and Qi Yun dropped down from the air in front of them.
Earlier they were on the second floor. Nan Xun saw that someone was taking advantage of Jun Huang and, in his haste, he leaped straight down to the first floor. Qi yun was not willing to fall behind, so he followed suit.
“Who are you bastards?” asked the drunk man, pointing at Nan Xun and Qi yun. ”Leave now, or I’ll have my people beat you up so hard your parents won’t even recognize you.”
Nan Xun glared at the man, his eyes as cold as ice. Anyone sane would have trembled under his gaze. The man, however, was too drunk to see him clearly. He made a even bigger fuss.
“Why waste your time? Just beat him until he can’t stand up.” Qi Yun whipped open the fan and stepped forward. Without another word he kicked the man down and quickly grabbed Jun Huang. He pulled her into his arms. His left hand naturally fell under her armpit, coming into contact with the side of her breast.
Jun Huang pushed him away the moment she noticed, but it was too late.
“You – ” Qi Yun stared at his hand. Then he looked at the part of her body he just touched. A blush crawled onto his face.
Feng Baiyu… is a woman? And she looks so much like Jun Huang – Feng Baiyu is Jun Huang!
Qi Yun’s mouth curled upwards. “Jun Huang isn’t dead…” he muttered to himself.
Jun Huang patted herself on the chest and took a deep breath. “Good thing you’re here,” she said with a smile.
Her hair was a little messy, and her cap had fallen onto the ground and shattered into pieces. Her long hair was tied on top with a headband, which made her look a little ridiculous, but no one was paying attention.
The drunk man was clearly no ordinary civilian. His people had been waiting outside the tavern. A gesture from him and a group of men rushed in, surrounding Nan Xun and the others.
The man pointed at Qi Yun. “If you’re smart, you’ll leave the lady here and get going. Otherwise I’ll have your face punched in.”
“I’ll like to see you try.” Qi Yun’s eyes grew murderous, but Jun Huang grabbed his wrist and shook her head at him, silently telling him to not kill anyone.
Qi Yun bristled. He couldn’t let what the man did to Jun Huang go, but still he nodded as an agreement. After exchanging a look, he and Nan Xun stepped forward, leaped into the air, and kicked a few people down.
The men didn’t even had the time to react before they were knocked to the ground, making a fool out of themselves. One of them gained a cruel gleam in his eyes. He got to his feet with clenched teeth, grabbed the stick lying next to him, and swung it at the onlooking Jun Huang.
Chapter 35: Truth
In that split second Jun Huang could only watched as the stick came closer and closer. She squeezed her eyes shut and braced for the pain, but it never came. Instead, she was pulled into a warm embrace. There was a quiet gasp of pain.
When she opened her eyes, what she saw was Nan Xun’s handsome face, his eyes closed and his lips pursed. The vein on his forehead throbbed. He had shielded Jun Huang with his own body, getting hit right in the back. Before the attacker could react, Qi Yun hit his neck with the fan, and the man collapsed onto the ground.
Qi Yun rushed to their side. “Are you hurt?”
Jun Huang shook her head, her face pale. Her heart ached as she helped Nan Xun up. “I’m fine, but Nan Xun got hit. I don’t know if he is alright.”
In her anxiety she even forgot that she knew medicine. When she remembered, Qi Yun had already taken care of everyone, and Nan Xun seemed a lot better.
He coughed and spit out a mouthful of blood, and Jun Huang was barely keeping herself together. With trembling hand, she took his pulse. Only after making sure that all was well did her heart settle.
She helped Nan Xun back to their booth on the second floor. Qi Yun followed behind them. He looked at Nan Xun and asked, “You alright?”
Nan Xun nodded. “I’m fine.”
Qi Yun took his word for it. Jun Huang, on the other hand, was still worried. Qi Yun couldn’t help give her an eyeroll and sighed. “Baiyu, people trained in martial arts know their own bodies. Besides, that man didn’t hit him that hard. No need to worry so much.”
Jun Huang scratched her head awkwardly and let go of Nan Xun’s arm, looking away with a blush. For a moment, none of them talked.
They stayed at the tavern to give Nan Xun time to rest. When they left, Nan Xun felt his back had just about recovered. Jun Huang, however, babbled endlessly about what he had to be aware of with his injury. Nan Xun nodded at the right moment, trying to relax her.
A woman jogged up to them – it was the songstress Jun Huang saved. She looked at Jun Huang shyly and couldn’t say a word. She ended up scurrying away after shoving a handkerchief into Jun Huang’s arms.
“Baiyu is indeed popular,” Qi Yun teased. Jun Huang pursed her lips and put away the handkerchief. It was a sincere gift from a young woman after all.
“Be at ease. The fourth prince and I have reached an agreement. We will cooperate when needed. You don’t have to worry. Just be careful when you’re with Qi Chen.” Nan Xun sighed, watching Jun Huang. He was worried for her safety.
Jun Huang humored him with a smile. “I know. Nothing will happen to me. Qi Chen still needs me to make plans for him.” She gave Nan Xun and Qi Yun a worried look and said seriously, ”You two, on the other hand, are in a volatile imperial court. A wrong move may get you killed. You have to be careful.”
Qi Yun told her to not be too concerned before taking his leave back to his manor. Nan Xun couldn’t walk Jun Huang back to Prince Chen Manor, so he told the shadow guard to follow her discreetly before leaving.
When Qi Yun returned to his manor, the man he sent out happened to be back as well. He asked everyone except for the man to leave.
“Did you find anything?” Qi Yun asked with a frown.
The man hesitated. It was difficult for him to tell Qi Yun what he found. Under Qi Yun’s insistence, he finally answered, “Halfway through my investigation, I got to a dead end. So I diverted some of my people to look into Consort Yu’s living days. I heard…”
“What?”
“That her death was not a natural one.”
Qi Yun lowered his eyes and looked away. His mother’s death was suspicious. Of course he knew someone was behind it. He, however, had no real clue. After years of investigation, he still couldn’t find anything useful.
The more he thought about it, the more agitated he became. In his rage, he swept the teacups off the table and they shattered on the floor.
His fingers couldn’t help but tremble, and his chest felt tight. Silently, he promised to himself that one day, he would find the truth and make whoever got his mother killed pay.
He was more and more determined to get to the bottom of her death. On the other hand, Jun Huang was meeting different officials for Qi Yun, trying to gain more allies in the court for him.
When she saw Qi Yun again, he had lost weight, and his face was an unhealthy color. In order to investigate his mother’s death, he hadn’t been sleeping very much. Now he even took the risk to visit her late at night.
“What happened? Did you encounter a problem?” Jun Huang frowned worriedly at Qi Yun.
He looked at Jun Huang and reluctantly said, “I didn’t want to trouble you with this, but I’m at a dead end. So – I hope you’ll be willing to help me.”
“Just tell me what happened, Qi Yun. If there’s something I can do, I will do it.”
Qi Yun explained everything to her. He had always thought that his mother’s death was suspicious, but he had no evidence. Jun Huang had heard rumors as well. It was said that Qi Yun’s mother passed away suddenly one night in the palace. Even though a maid had come out and said that the empress and Consort Zhen was behind it, the emperor did nothing. Jun Huang didn’t understand why. Everyone knew the emperor favored Qi Yun’s mother, but her burial was done without care. It didn’t add up.
In the wavering candlelight, Jun Huang looked at Qi Yun’s face. He was not a carefree child anymore. Losing his mother, struggling in this large palace that left no one intact – who knew what he had been through?
Qi Yun looked at Jun Huang with such hopeful eyes; she couldn’t possibly deny him. She nodded and let out a sigh. “Rest assured, I will do all I can to find out the truth.”
After that, Jun Huang started the investigation. All day long she was away from Prince Chen Manor, but Qi Chen had been too busy winning people over, so he didn’t pose much restriction on her. Before, when she left the manor, Wei Qian would always ask where she was going. Now she said nothing.
Jun Huang knew that in this large imperial city, she alone could not really achieve anything. In the end she had to turn to Nan Xun for help.
When Nan Xun heard what Jun Huang was here for, he frowned like this was something particularly difficult. For a long while he didn’t respond. When he turned to look at her, however, he couldn’t say no to her. “You shouldn’t have gotten involved in matters of the royal family…”
“The truth of Consort Yu’s death can’t just be left undiscovered like this. Besides, I have made Qi Yun a promise. I will help him no matter what.” Jun Huang looked at him, her voice determined.
“You must know that her death happened years ago. Neither of us can foresee what we will find. Will you not regret it if we get into trouble?” Nan Xun looked deep into Jun Huang’s eyes, his eyebrows tightly knitted. He really was worried for Jun Huang’s safety.
Jun Huang didn’t expect Nan Xun to be so hesitant and indecisive. She was just about to leave when Nan Xun stopped her.
“I will help you,” he said with a sigh.
Jun Huang broke into a smile. “Thank you for doing this. Qi Yun will appreciate your help as well.”
Nan Xun waved his hand, a touch of resignation in his smile. He didn’t know when it started, but he could no longer deny Jun Huang anything.
Jun Huang bid him farewell afterwards. Nan Xun stood at the spot watching her leave, shaking his head. After a while he summoned the shadow guard and sent him to find out where the maid serving Qi Yun’s mother was now.
Nan Xun’s influence in the imperial city could not be underestimated. Soon he got some information. He sent a message through a pigeon to Jun Huang, who almost jumped up in joy when she received it, very much unlike her usual composed self.
Deep into the night, Jun Huang changed into an all-black outfit and sneaked out, going straight to the meeting point mentioned in the letter – a refugee shelter in the southern part of the city.
Jun Huang had never been here before. At night saw the cold wind increased in frequency. It was a little terrifying. Jun Huang could feel her heart in her throat. She dared not to even breathe heavily.
Nan Xun stood under a roof, watching Jun Huang tip-toeing around. He couldn’t help but smile. He waited a few moments before walking towards her, his footsteps loud on the fallen leaves. Hearing this, Jun Huang turned around and let out a sigh of relief when she saw it was Nan Xun.
“I thought you’d never come,” she said.
Without a word, Nan Xun took Jun Huang’s hand and led her to the front yard. There was a woman who looked close to forty at the door, watching them approach. It was apparent that Nan Xun had been here earlier.
The woman smiled at Jun Huang and made a bow like someone from the palace would. Surprised, Jun Huang turned to Nan Xun for answer.
“She was the personal maid of Consort Yu. She had been serving her since she was little. After the consort died, she escaped from the palace and settled down here.”
Jun Huang nodded. There were still questions left unanswered. She followed the woman into the house. Nan Xun entered as well after checking the parameter. He sat down next to Jun Huang.
The woman poured a cup of tea each for Jun Huang and Nan Xun. She then took a sip to clear her throat. Looking up at Jun Huang, she began to tell them about the memory that had been buried deep in her heart for decades.
“The emperor favored the consort. In a place like the palace, it was all infighting and scheming. No one could stand on the sideline. The consort was kind-hearted. She never hurt anyone, but in the end she was hurt by others… That day, the emperor visited. He had a few drinks with the consort. Afterwards the consort said that she felt unwell… in the afternoon the empress and the Consort Zhen came as well. They asked the consort to watch a play with them. It was very unusual. They just happened to visit the consort on the last day of her life…? At night, the consort started throwing up. Before the royal doctor could come, she – passed away.” The woman choked and started to cry, her old eyes became framed by a few more wrinkles.
“Do you mean that – not only were the empress and Consort Zhen involved, but the emperor as well?”
The woman looked down without a word. Silence filled the room. In the bellowing wind tree branches shook like the shadow of ghosts. Jun Huang’s palms were damp, and cold sweat began to streak down from her forehead.