Chapter 23
Edward Quan ·
And resolute.
The banquet had begun when I arrived.
The emperor and empress occupied the head seats.
Crown Prince Zhao Yi and Third Prince Zhao Kai sat to either side.
Qin Wanrou was beside Zhao Yi.
Her makeup was especially radiant today.
Triumph and excitement showed between her brows and in her eyes.
Seeing me, she raised her cup with a meaningful smile.
Like looking at a condemned prisoner awaiting sentence.
I smiled back and sat at ease.
Zhao Heng was beside me. In formal princely robes, he looked less sickly, more like an imperial son in full authority.
He took my hand, his palm warm and steady.
“Don’t be afraid,” he said softly. “I’m here.”
I nodded, suddenly and strangely calm.
Music, dancing, and lively company presented a prosperous, peaceful world.
After three rounds of wine, Zhao Yi stood.
Raising his cup to the emperor, he declared, “Father, I recently obtained a rare treasure. I offer it as a small expression of filial love.”
He clapped.
Two eunuchs brought a large tray covered in red cloth.
He approached and pulled it away himself.
Exclamations filled the hall.
A Mountain of Longevity, carved from one whole block of Hetian jade.
Exquisite craftsmanship.
Still more precious was the flawless, translucent stone. One look revealed its immense value.
The emperor smiled with satisfaction.
“Good. Very good.”
“How thoughtful, Yi.”
Zhao Yi smiled proudly.
“I only wish you blessings, health, and boundless longevity.”
Then he deliberately glanced at me.
As though saying: I’m still Father’s favorite crown prince. Choosing a cripple was the greatest mistake of your life.
I couldn’t be bothered.
I only lowered my head and sipped clear tea.
Just then, Qin Wanrou stood.
Her skirts brushed the cold tiles as she went to the center and bowed.
“Your Majesty.”
Her clear, soft voice held just enough sorrow to move a listener.
“I… am guilty.”
The hall fell silent. Every eye turned.
The emperor frowned.
“Of what?”
She looked up, tears gleaming. She glanced at the still-startled Zhao Yi, then me, still smiling calmly.
Drawing the three letters from her sleeve, she raised them above her head with both hands.
“Of concealing the crown prince’s wrongdoing!”
The hall erupted in shock.
Zhao Yi went paper-white.
“Wanrou! What… what are you saying?”
He lunged to seize the letters.
She deftly moved aside.
“Even now, will you remain blind to your errors?”
Her eyes held heart-rending pain.
“For your lasting greatness, for Great Zhou’s realm…”
“I cannot keep concealing this!”
She sounded righteous, a woman who put country and people above private affection.
In an instant, Zhao Yi became the misguided man she was counseling.
I laughed coldly within.
A retreat that would serve her ambitions perfectly.
She wanted every charge on his head, while claiming duty above love to gain renown—perhaps even the emperor’s favor.
A clever calculation.
His face was frighteningly dark.
“Bring the letters.”
Eunuch Li accepted all three and respectfully placed them on the imperial desk.
The emperor opened the first.
One glance.
His hand began trembling uncontrollably.
Bang!
He slammed it onto the desk, his chest heaving.
“Disloyal son!”
He pointed at Zhao Yi, too furious to speak coherently.
“You… you dare… do this!”
Zhao Yi collapsed to his knees, stunned with fear.
He had no idea how the letter reached Qin Wanrou.
“Father, I’m innocent!”
“I didn’t write that letter. Someone framed me!”
“Oh?”
The emperor laughed coldly.
“You mean they are false?”
“Yes! False!”
Like a dying man clutching his last lifeline, Zhao Yi cried, “It must be Qin Yue! She forged them to frame me!”