The Emperor rarely displayed anger, yet at this moment, his expression was visibly twisted. Tea leaves clung to his lips after a sip, adding a trace of disheveled indignity to his fury. He seldom unleashed such wrath upon the Empress; the last occasion was when Li Zhang was still in his teens.
At the time, the Emperor had intended to bestow favor upon Lady Liu, a palace garden official of rare allure, elevating her to the rank of consort. Unexpectedly, accusations arose—claiming an illicit affair between her and the Second Prince, Li Zhang. For a prince to consort with a palace woman—consort or not—was a grave breach of decorum. Lady Liu defended herself, claiming her chastity had been forcibly taken by Li Zhang, and declared her willingness to die to prove her innocence. Enraged, the Emperor had ordered a flogging. The Empress had burst into the Purple Radiance Hall to shield her son, defying her sovereign. Since then, harmony had reigned between them—until now.
Though questioned by the Emperor, the Empress betrayed no panic."What does Your Majesty mean by this?" she asked softly. "I humbly beg you to speak plainly."
The Emperor gave a stifled cough, then asked heavily, "Eight years ago, did you assist Yan Jide in executing palace staff who knew the truth, to conceal his crime?"
A flicker of shock and humiliation crossed her face."Your Majesty," she rose with composed dignity and bowed, "I have resided in the central palace, overseeing the six palaces in dutiful service. By day, I do not indulge in extravagance that might disgrace the legacy of the late emperor; by night, I dare not sleep in abandon, ever mindful of danger amidst peace. With vigilance and restraint, I safeguarded the royal lineage and fostered harmony within the harem. Eight years ago, Consort Shun fell into madness—none within the palace reported any connection to Yan Jide. I acted per palace protocol in punishing the staff. Yet now, Your Majesty suspects me of colluding with an outsider. If that is so—"
She stepped back and bowed deeply, her voice steady and resolute."Then I beseech Your Majesty to revoke my golden seal and title, and depose me as Empress to serve as chastisement."
Her bearing was solemn and unwavering, suffused with unbending righteousness. The Emperor stood stunned, his chest tight with frustration, yet unable to utter another word—for indeed, he had no proof. Moreover, the Imperial Physicians had once stated that Consort Shun's madness was the result of grief over her lost child and the terror she endured during a palace fire. Before the Empress executed the servants of Hantang Hall, he had already promoted Yan Jide to Commander of the Imperial Guard. There had been no fault on the Empress's part—no matter how he conjectured, she had not violated palace law.
"You…" the Emperor raised his hand and steadied her arm, saying at last, "It was my baseless suspicion. I have wronged you."
But the Empress did not rise immediately. Only when the Emperor applied gentle pressure did she slowly stand, her body leaning against his. The fierceness on her face had melted into silent grievance and melancholy. She bowed her head without protest, choosing not to further inflame the quarrel.
The Emperor felt somewhat consoled, though suspicion lingered, and anger still burned within him. At that moment, shouts rang out from beyond the hall—Imperial Guards approaching and reporting aloud:
"Your Majesty, Prince Zhao has breached the Danfeng Gate unarmed and alone!"
This announcement ignited the Emperor's rage anew.
"He dared to storm the palace? Insolent fool! I'm not yet dead, and they already defy all rules, wild and lawless! Beat him! Twenty heavy strokes—make an example of him!"
The Empress, who had just regained composure, turned pale instantly. She trembled as she pleaded,"Your Majesty, even a god could not withstand twenty lashes!"
Before her words faded, Li Zhang's voice echoed from outside:"Father Emperor, I beg you to forgive Fifth Brother's ignorance!"
"Ignorance?" the Emperor was enraged. "He is thirty! At thirty, a man should stand firm. Had he brought weapons today, it would have been treason! Strike him! Prince Jin shall oversee the punishment. Should a single blow be spared, you shall be held accountable!"
Li Zhang knelt beyond the hall, enduring the weight of that moment. Finally, he responded,"Your son obeys."
By the time Li Ce arrived, the Imperial Guards had already detained Li Jing beneath the Danfeng Gate. Deputy Commander Yan Congzheng restrained the struggling prince and sighed,"Your Highness, the gate has been sealed. A forced entry may alarm His Majesty."
"Let me in!" Li Jing shouted, then turned to him, "Is the Empress safe? Is Prince Jin safe?"
"I do not know," Yan replied, turning to see Li Ce approaching. He looked surprised."Your Highness carries the token—no need to follow Prince Zhao in trespassing."
"I've come to take him back," Li Ce said solemnly. "He acted recklessly today. Tomorrow, I shall bring him before the Emperor to atone."
A clear attempt to downplay the offense. Yan hesitated. Word of Li Jing's intrusion had already been reported. Without the Emperor's command, it would be improper to release him now.
Li Ce added,"Prince Zhao drank too much. His mind was clouded—it's not uncommon. If His Majesty inquires, just say I persuaded him to leave."
If he had been turned away at the gate, the crime would have been lessened.
"Then…" Yan had just begun to speak when an inner court eunuch shouted from within:"Prince Jin approaches!"
Li Jing's face lit up, his tense shoulders loosening in relief."Thank heavens!" he breathed.
A row of palace lanterns emerged from the inner courtyard, carried solemnly by attendants. At their head was none other than his full-blood brother—Prince Jin, Li Zhang.
Seeing that Li Zhang was unharmed, Li Jing was overjoyed."Is Mother well? May I enter to greet her?"
"She has returned to the Lìzhèng Hall," Li Zhang replied coldly.
From behind him emerged two eunuchs holding thick bamboo rods and wearing fierce exorcist masks.
Li Jing's expression shifted at once."Brother, aren't you here to take me home?"
"No." Li Zhang stepped aside. The eunuchs approached wordlessly. A flicker of pity crossed Li Zhang's face, but he declared,"I am here to supervise the punishment."
Everyone under the Danfeng Tower turned ashen. Li Ce moved instinctively to shield Li Jing, but the guards accompanying Li Zhang had already forced him to the ground.
Li Zhang stepped forward and declared icily,"By the Emperor's command—Prince Zhao, Li Jing, for unauthorized entry into the palace, is to receive twenty heavy strokes. Any who interfere—shall be executed."
Li Jing lay prostrate, the bravado of his intrusion completely gone. His face had turned ashen. After a long silence, he murmured,"Your son accepts the punishment."
The guards stepped aside. The bamboo rods rose—but a voice interrupted:"Wait."
Li Zhang looked up at the speaker—Li Ce—his voice devoid of emotion."Will the Prince of Chu defy the decree?"
He stood beneath the tower's blazing lanterns, his face impassive, yet his gaze was conflicted—hopeful and apprehensive at once, as though urging Li Ce to act while dreading what that act might be.
"No," Li Ce removed his cloak and gently draped it over Li Jing."I borrowed this from him earlier. I'm merely returning it."
Though it was early spring and not as cold as winter, most men in the capital had long shed their winter cloaks for lighter mantles. Only now did the onlookers realize that Li Ce still wore a thick cloak—clearly Li Jing's, based on its cut and color.
The executioner eunuchs turned to Li Zhang, their demon masks gleaming under the lantern light, silently asking for confirmation.
Li Zhang appeared not to notice the cloak folded over Li Jing's back and hips. He raised his hand.
"Proceed."
The rods came down. Even with the thick cloak, Li Jing's pain made sweat pour like rain. Every so often, a muffled cry escaped his lips. At first, he tried to count the strokes himself, fearing an extra one. But he couldn't even reach halfway before his voice failed.
He collapsed like a limp rag, cheek pressed to the ground, eyes blurring. In his fading vision, all he could see were the black boots of Li Zhang.
"Enough!" someone cried out—clearly…