Three cracks of the ceremonial whip. The court officials performed their ritual prostrations. The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, facing south, accepting their reverence.
When the ceremony was complete, they rose and took their places. The Emperor nodded to Guo Shangzhong. The eunuch stepped forward. "Announcing the presence of General Zuo Xunxiao and the Lord of Yuling, Murong Jin."
The call echoed down the sixty-four steps of the grand staircase to where they stood waiting.
"After you, my lord," Zuo Xunxiao said, gesturing.
"General," she replied with a curt nod.
As they ascended, he whispered, "This attire is… unwise. Aren't you afraid of the Emperor's wrath?"
She just laughed softly. "This is how it must be."
What? He glanced at her, but her gaze was fixed ahead, her steps steady. What was she planning?
Their figures appeared in the grand hall. The Emperor's eyes landed on her, and a flicker of displeasure crossed his face. She wore the cloud-brocade court dress of a princess consort, her hair in an elaborate knot, adorned with a single jade-and-gold pin. Her face was exquisitely painted, as beautiful as a peach blossom in spring. But her eyes were cold. She had come to be rewarded, but there was no joy in her expression.
"Your subject, Zuo Xunxiao, greets the Emperor."
"Your subject, Murong Jin, greets the Emperor."
"Rise," the Emperor said, his voice a low, cool tone. "The Imperial Astrologer has declared today an auspicious day. For your meritorious service in the defense of Sushen and for killing the Yanyun leader, We reward you both with a fief of one thousand households. May this serve as an encouragement for you to continue to serve the dynasty with valor."
"We thank His Majesty for his grace." They knelt and kowtowed.
Guo Shangzhong descended the steps with a red lacquer tray, on which sat two golden plaques—the proof of their new fiefdoms.
They accepted them and rose.
"If there is nothing else, the court is dismissed," the Emperor said with a lazy wave.
"Your Majesty," Murong Jin said, stepping forward. "This subject has a matter to report."
"Oh?" He looked down at her, a cold smile on his lips. "Does it concern the Fifth Prince?"
"Your Majesty is wise. It does indeed concern my husband." She knelt. "Upon my return, I heard he had been imprisoned. This subject begs Your Majesty to show mercy and allow me to see him."
The Emperor tapped the arm of his throne. "The Ministry of Justice has found evidence linking him to the assassination of a high minister. If he is truly innocent, you will see him soon enough."
The meaning was clear: permission denied. She lowered her head. "Your Majesty, this subject is willing to trade this reward for the chance to see the Fifth Prince."
"Murong Jin, do not be so insolent," Zuo Xunxiao hissed. He turned to the Emperor. "Your Majesty's rewards are not for bargaining. Apologize and withdraw at once."
Even as a lord and a princess, in this army, she was his subordinate. His words were half a command.
She looked up at him, then back down, her voice ringing through the hall. "I beg Your Majesty to show mercy."
"Hmph." A cold sneer from the throne. "Murong Jin, you came today to be rewarded for your military service, yet you wear the robes of a princess consort. Are you trying to make a statement?"
Zuo Xunxiao's hand clenched at his side.
"This subject would not dare," she said, her head to the floor. "This subject is merely following Your Majesty's own wishes."
"My wishes?"
"Yes. When I married into the Fifth Prince's household, you yourself commanded that we live in harmony. By wearing these robes, I am simply showing that I have not forgotten my place as his wife."
The Emperor was speechless. Every word was a perfect, unassailable defense. But according to the Seventh Prince's report, Xue Liulan had secretly raised a force of assassins. To allow them to communicate now…
Guo Shangzhong watched from the side. She had backed the Emperor into a corner.
The Emperor hesitated. "You have just returned from the frontier. You do not know the details of this matter. We will consider your request."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." She let out a breath and bowed.
The Emperor sat alone in his study, his fingers tapping an unconscious rhythm on the table.
Crash. Guo Shangzhong rushed in. The Emperor was clutching his right hand, a shattered teacup on the floor.
"Your Majesty! What happened?"
"It's nothing." The Emperor waved him away and began to pace.
"Is Your Majesty troubled by the matter of the Princess Consort?"
"Mm."
The eunuch hesitated. "Your Majesty, this slave has an idea. A way to prevent her from seeing the Fifth Prince."
"Oh?" The Emperor stopped. "Speak."
Guo Shangzhong leaned in and whispered. A slow, cruel smile spread across the Emperor's face.
"Excellent. You are truly my most loyal servant." He clapped the eunuch on the shoulder. "It was not a mistake to have promoted you all these years."
"To be loyal to Your Majesty is my duty. But to have used the Imperial Guard for a private matter… I beg Your Majesty to punish me." Guo Shangzhong knelt at his feet.
"Get up." The Emperor gave him a playful kick. "Did I not tell you that you have free rein to command them? And this time, you have rendered a great service."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for sparing my life." As Guo Shangzhong bowed his head to the floor, a vicious glint appeared in his eyes.
Murong Jin sat in the garden, lost in thought.
"Your Highness!" Little Dingzi came running.
"Get up," she said with a tired smile.
"The Emperor summons you to the palace. A celebratory banquet for you and General Zuo."
"So soon?" she mused, rising. If he had no counter-plan, he would have avoided me.
The carriage did not take her to the usual banquet hall, but to the martial arts field in a corner of the palace.
"Here?" she asked, looking at the young eunuch who had led her.
"His Majesty said the banquet will be held here today."
She nodded, a growing sense of unease in her heart. He had never held a victory celebration here before.
"Announcing the Lord of Yuling, Murong Jin."
She walked up to the high platform and knelt. "Your subject, Murong Jin, greets Your Majesty."
"Rise." The Emperor smiled, as if the morning's confrontation had never happened. "The weather is fine today. A good day for a display of martial skill, don't you think, my dear minister?"
"Your Majesty is correct." She kept her head bowed, her eyes darting to the side. The guests were all military commanders, Zuo Xunxiao and Xue Feiyan among them.
She was given a seat beside Zuo Xunxiao. Not far away, archery targets had been set up. Bows and arrows were already laid out.
"Today, We celebrate our two generals, and We also wish to test the skills of Our loyal commanders," the Emperor said, gesturing to the targets. "Let us have a contest of archery."
"Yes, Your Majesty!"
Damn it. A cold dread washed over her. Her right arm, the one Xue Feiyan had injured, was not yet fully healed. To draw a bow now… the wound would certainly reopen. Is this his plan? To break me completely?
"Let us have General Zuo compete against General Murong," the Emperor said, a smile on his face.
They both rose and bowed.
"I heard both our generals returned from the campaign without a scratch. Truly impressive skill," Xue Feiyan said, rising as well. "Today, we will have the honor of seeing it for ourselves."
Murong Jin's face was a placid mask. She walked to the weapon rack.
"Your Majesty, a contest without a prize is rather dull," Guo Shangzhong said, kneeling.
"True." The Emperor thought for a moment, then a smile lit his face. "My dear minister, what if the prize were the very thing you requested this morning?"
Her hand froze. She whipped her head around to stare at him.
"Father, is this not a bit childish?" Xue Feiyan asked.
"General Zuo is not an easy man to defeat. You must be careful, Murong Jin," the Emperor said, ignoring him.
She gritted her teeth. She had no choice.
Her gaze dropped, then she looked up, a bright, defiant smile on her face. "Murong Jin will do her best."