Zuo Xunxiao selected a heavy bow from the rack, tested its weight, and turned to look at Murong Jin.
She just ran her fingers lightly over the bows, finally selecting one of dark ebony. Its body was a gleaming black. When she plucked the string, it sang with a clear note.
High on the platform, the Emperor watched, his gaze fixed on that bow. He could still remember the day the late Empress Murong had come to the martial arts field alone. Her expression then, as she chose her weapon, had been just like Murong Jin's now—a look of near-reverence.
"A bow is like a person," she had said. "Each has its own temperament. You must choose one that suits you."
Murong Jin, bow in hand, turned and bowed. "We are ready."
The Emperor returned from his reverie. "Good. Beat the drums."
The drums began, a slow rhythm that quickened, the mallets becoming a frantic blur, a torrential rain upon the drumheads.
Murong Jin gestured politely. "General, after you."
Zuo Xunxiao didn't hesitate. He stepped forward, nocked an arrow, and drew the bow to its full, moon-like arc. The arrow flew and struck the target with a solid thud. Dead center.
"Good!" the officials cheered.
Murong Jin nodded, a smile of appreciation on her face, but in her heart, she was frantic.
She was next. She had secretly clenched her fist, and the wound on her right arm had throbbed. She could switch hands. But her accuracy would be off, and for a general of her reputation, to hold a bow incorrectly... Most importantly, she had wagered her chance to see Xue Liulan. If she didn't give it her all, it would only raise suspicion.
"My lady," Zuo Xunxiao said.
She smiled and looked at the target. All three of his arrows were in the red, but only one was in the bullseye. She frowned.
"The General seems to be off his form today." In Wuchuan, he had been known as the 'God-Arm General'.
He lowered his gaze. "It's been a long time. I'm afraid I'm no match for you."
"I see," she said, her smile wooden. Her hand tightened on the ebony bow.
She took a deep breath, nocked an arrow, and slowly raised her left arm. As she drew the string back with her right, a searing pain tore through her shoulder. She could see a dark, wet patch of red blooming on her sleeve.
Zuo Xunxiao's face changed, his eyes wide with shock.
At the same instant, a small, satisfied smile touched Xue Feiyan's lips.
Suddenly, a cold light flashed from the side.
"Careful!" Zuo Xunxiao yelled, but it was too late.
Murong Jin flinched, twisting away. A sharp wind brushed her arm. She looked down. Blood welled. A new three-inch gash.
"Assassins! Protect the Emperor!" Guo Shangzhong shrieked, throwing himself in front of the throne.
The officials scrambled to form a human shield. Xue Feiyan, carried by the crowd, moved as well, his eyes fixed on the dagger now embedded in the wooden platform.
The palace guards ran in circles, yelling.
Murong Jin's bow clattered to the ground. She ripped a strip of cloth from her skirt and tied it around her arm, her face pale. She was out of the contest. And she had her excuse. A strange, faint flicker of relief touched her eyes.
When the chaos subsided, the Emperor sat, his face a mask of fury.
"Where is the assassin?" he demanded.
"Your Majesty, he was too cunning…"
"Useless! Seize him! Beat him to death!"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger." Murong Jin stepped forward and knelt, her voice strained. "Today's incident was my fault. I am willing to accept any punishment."
"Oh? How so?" the Emperor asked, his gaze resting on her tightly bound arm.
"Your subject had a bow, yet failed to stop the assassin. Is that not my failure?"
The other ministers, hearing this, all turned and bowed. "We are also guilty."
The Emperor's hand clenched. He let it go. "The assassin was sudden. You all moved to protect us. You are absolved."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Murong Jin let out a breath and stood, blood seeping through her fingers.
"Is the wound serious?" the Emperor asked, forcing a smile. "Guo Shangzhong, summon the physician."
"Yes." The eunuch scurried off, pausing for a fraction of a second as he passed her.
Murong Jin's mind raced. She heard the Emperor turn to Xue Feiyan. "Any clues?"
"Only this dagger, Father. I don't recognize it. Perhaps General Murong does?" He handed it to her.
It was short, razor-sharp. The hilt was wound with gold thread.
She thought for a moment. "This is from the royal clan of the Turkic Tata tribe."
"The Turks?" The Emperor's eyes widened. "The audacity!"
Xue Feiyan glanced at her. "Father, if that is so, then today's events become clear."
"Speak."
"The dagger was aimed at General Murong. The Murong family has repelled countless Turkic invasions. It's only natural they would hate her to the bone."
"That makes sense," the Emperor mused. "In that case, Murong Jin, We assign this matter to you. Find the assassin."
"Your subject obeys." She bowed, hiding the worry in her eyes.
After being treated, she was sent home. The Emperor sat alone in the library, in the seat his late Empress had favored. She has been gone so long, he thought. Why do I see her shadow everywhere?
"Your Highness! What happened?" Ning Bi cried out as Murong Jin entered, her sleeve soaked in blood.
"It's nothing." Murong Jin stopped her. "It's already bandaged. Just help me change."
After bathing, she dismissed her maids. The heavy scent of the medicinal salve on her arm filled the room, sharp and clean. She stood for a long time, watching the sun bleed out of the sky. The noise of the court felt a lifetime away. Only when the first lamps were lit did she walk to the pavilion. Two unopened jugs of wine sat on the table. She was waiting.
As the lamps brightened, a figure emerged from the shadows and sat across from her, immediately popping the seal on one of the jugs.
"You have the nerve to drink my wine after what you did?"
"It was only a flesh wound," Liu said, and took her jug as well. "You're injured. You shouldn't be drinking."
She just smiled. "What if they caught you?"
"You have that little faith in me?" He took a long drink. "I was outside the Imperial Study. I heard Guo Shangzhong found out about your visit to the prison. That's why he arranged today's 'contest'."
"Guo Shangzhong?" She had thought it was Xue Feiyan. But his reaction had been one of simple opportunism.
Liu set down the jug. "I thought he and Xue Liulan were allies, but it seems not."
"If he can use the Emperor's hand to get rid of me, Xue Liulan loses a powerful asset. A puppet is easier to control when it's weak," she said, her voice cold. "Even if Xue Liulan finds out—he'll blame Xue Feiyan. Guo Shangzhong gets rid of me, pleases the Emperor, doesn't offend his ally, and sows discord. He plays a good game."
"The old ginger is the spiciest."
"A brilliant mind," she agreed. "A fine ally."
"But a wolf in the house, if you succeed."
"Exactly. After this, I'll have to guard against him." Her brow furrowed. "You need to be careful, too. Though the blame for the assassin hunt has fallen on me, he or Xue Feiyan might still move against you."
"I know." He drained the jug and rose to leave.
"Liu."
He stopped.
She walked up to him, her gaze steady. "Be careful. In all things."