“No, no, no… We can’t do it. He is the Son of Heaven, the Emperor. How could we, as weak women, assassinate him?” Consort Li repeatedly retreated, her expression panicked.
Did she hate Emperor Chang? Yes.
Did she want to escape? Yes.
But she had never thought of killing Emperor Chang, never once considered it. Assassinate the emperor? That was too absurd!
Gu Jianli took two steps forward and gently took Consort Li’s hand, leading her to sit down together on the embroidered stool. She said softly, “When I was very young, my aunt told me a story.”
Consort Li turned her head to look at Gu Jianli woodenly.
“Once, there was a clan in decline. The clan offered their most beautiful woman to a neighboring clan for peace. After marrying far away, the beauty collaborated with a powerful general from the neighboring clan to strangle the leader of the neighboring clan, thus overthrowing the decayed rule of her own clan and bringing peace and prosperity to her people.”
“The beauty said that women are like water, gentle but capable of turning into a blade.” Gu Jianli’s eyes sparkled with a dreamy smile. “Later, I learned that the person in my aunt’s story was my mother.”
From the moment Gu Jianli started speaking, Consort Li knew she was talking about Li Yunyan. Thinking of her sister, who was once revered as a goddess by their clan, Consort Li’s chaotic mind gradually calmed down.
“What should we do? Even on the bed, can the two of us really muster the strength to kill him? And what about afterwards? The death of the emperor would plunge the entire country into chaos!” Although Consort Li had tacitly agreed to work with Gu Jianli, she was still full of concerns.
“Aunt, do you know where His Majesty keeps the edict for establishing the crown prince?” Gu Jianli asked.
“Of course, it’s in a sandalwood box above His Majesty’s dragon bed in his sleeping quarters. The edicts for establishing crown princes of the Ji Kingdom have always been kept there. Whether the name is left blank or not, I’m not sure. His Majesty was originally going to appoint the second prince as the crown prince, but after the incident at the last Lantern Festival, the second prince is now on his way north. The people of the Eastern Depot whispered in His Majesty’s ear that the fifth prince is trying to sow discord between the second and third princes, so he was punished as well. The choice of the crown prince now lies between the third and fourth princes. Wait… Why are you asking this?”
Gu Jianli frowned, lowered her eyes, and pondered.
After a moment, she didn’t explain to Consort Li but instead asked, “Aunt, do you know which concubine in the palace has a good relationship with the Supervisor of the Western Depot?”
Gu Jianli guessed that not many people knew about Chen He’s matter, so she asked indirectly.
Consort Li thought for a while, shook her head, and said, “The Supervisor of the Western Depot is a reclusive person. I haven’t seen him close to any concubine in the palace. Oh… I remember, he had a good relationship with the late Consort Xue. They were from the same town, maybe that’s why.”
Passed away?
Gu Jianli was stunned.
“What’s wrong? Why are you asking about the edict for establishing the crown prince and the Supervisor of the Western Depot? What does that have to do with what we need to do?” Consort Li frowned deeply, puzzled.
Gu Jianli collected her thoughts and asked, “Aunt, could you send a trusted person to the Western Depot to invite Chen He?”
“This…” Consort Li hesitated, “He might not come.”
“Just tell the messenger to say—I can help him kill the person he wants to kill.”
Consort Li trembled with fear but reluctantly nodded. After a while, she nervously asked, “Then… how should I respond when I go to see His Majesty this afternoon?”
Gu Jianli leaned in close to her ear and whispered quietly.
Listening to Gu Jianli’s calm and unhurried voice, Consort Li was momentarily dazed, recalling the time years ago when her clan was in chaos, and her sister had calmly taught her step by step what to do.
After Gu Jianli finished speaking, she sat up straight. Consort Li looked at her face, finding her more and more like her mother. Through Gu Jianli’s face, she remembered her sister. For a moment, Consort Li even felt it was no wonder she could only be her sister’s substitute for life. Her eyes dimmed briefly, but the next moment, a look of determination slowly crept over her. She had followed fate blindly for so many years, and now it was time to resist, even if it meant a grave death.
In the afternoon, when Consort Li went to Emperor Chang’s sleeping quarters, Chen He’s figure flashed by, slipping through the side door into Yongli Palace. The buildings around Yongli Palace, like other palace buildings, formed a circle, with a three-story wooden pavilion in the middle, built entirely in the style of the Li clan. Consort Li usually lived on the third floor of this pavilion.
Chen He quietly made his way to the third floor.
Gu Jianli turned around, dismissed the palace attendants, and spoke directly, “His Majesty disregards the ethical order and wishes to imprison me here. My aunt and I have decided to take advantage of his unpreparedness and kill him.”
Chen He crossed his arms, his long fingers resting on the smooth brocade fabric of his sleeves. Listening to Gu Jianli’s light words, he smiled and said, “Madam, do you know how many secret guards from the Eastern Depot are by His Majesty’s side? You speak lightly, so I suppose you don’t know what it means to kill.”
“I have killed before.”
Chen He raised an eyebrow in surprise, looking at the delicate girl before him, finding it hard to believe.
“At first, I was scared, but when the hot blood stained my hands, face, and body, it wasn’t so frightening. I did have nightmares a few times afterward, but as time passed, when I recalled it, I found it quite exhilarating,” Gu Jianli said candidly.
Chen He frowned, suddenly recalling his own first kill. He re-evaluated the girl in front of him.
“I just need the Supervisor’s help with a few small matters. During the act, you don’t need to be present. If, by any luck, we succeed, both you and I will be happy. If we fail, I will take my own life and never reveal the Supervisor’s involvement. I have heard that the Western Depot is skilled with poison. If the Supervisor does not trust me, he can feed me poison, and if I survive, he can give me the antidote after we succeed.”
Chen He smiled and said, “There’s no need for poison. What kind of help do you need?”
“First, infiltrate His Majesty’s sleeping quarters and get the precious box containing the edict.”
“Heh, is that what you call a small favor?” Chen He laughed. “What’s next?”
“Second, I’ve heard that the Western Depot and the Eastern Depot are often at odds, frequently clashing. The night after tomorrow, I need you to create a disturbance. Third…”
Chen He slowly stopped smiling. Now, he no longer thought Gu Jianli was acting on a whim. He interrupted her and asked, “Why go through so much trouble? All you need to do is act a bit coquettish, and Ji Zhao would help you. It seems you don’t understand his skills; there’s no one in this world he can’t kill.”
Gu Jianli was taken aback. She hadn’t considered Ji Wujing at all. She said, “These matters have nothing to do with him.”
For minor favors, Gu Jianli was willing to seek help. But for something involving life and death, she didn’t want to involve outsiders.
After a moment, Chen He smiled inscrutably and said, “Just don’t say that in front of him.”
Gu Jianli was puzzled.
Chen He didn’t explain, he just said leisurely, “But I doubt you’ll live to leave the palace.”
He added, “How interesting—”
•
Emperor Chang had summoned a few ministers to discuss state affairs, then rested in his sleeping quarters. He reclined on a Luohan bed, gazing at the woman in the painting he held.
A young eunuch bent over, holding a cup of tea above his head with both hands, respectfully offering it. He glanced at the painting in Emperor Chang’s hand, which was, as expected, another portrait of Consort Li. He flattered in a thin voice, “His Majesty’s deep affection for the Consort moves heaven and earth!”
A portrait of Consort Li?
No, this was a portrait of Li Yunyan.
Emperor Chang slowly put the painting away and lazily said, “Summon Dou Hongyan.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
The young eunuch bowed and retreated, and Dou Hongyan entered the hall.
“How did it go?” Emperor Chang asked.
“Your Majesty, the person has been brought into the palace. Everything went smoothly, without any complications. It won’t be long before the Consort arrives.”
After a while, Emperor Chang asked, “How is Ji Zhao’s health?”
“When I went to the Marquis of Guangping’s residence to fetch him, I didn’t see Ji Zhao. He had fallen into a coma again.”
“Ji Zhao possesses extraordinary skills. What a pity,” Emperor Chang sighed regretfully. He idly played with the tea lid, lost in thought.
Over the years, Ji Wujing had helped him assassinate many traitors and rebels, quelling the arrogance of enemy nations and saving him several times. His martial skills were exceptional, making him an invaluable talent. Emperors need capable people, especially those without desires for power. Because of his value, Emperor Chang often indulged Ji Wujing’s unruly behavior.
If Ji Wujing hadn’t been poisoned with an incurable toxin and could still serve in Xuanjing Sect, Emperor Chang would never have touched his wife. But now, with Ji Wujing not having much time left and losing his value, the emperor had no reason to be considerate.
Outside, the eunuch reported that Consort Li requested an audience.
Emperor Chang casually put down the tea lid, the sound of it clinking against the cup was clear and crisp. He waved his hand, signaling Dou Hongyan to leave, and saw Consort Li alone.
Consort Li arrived with great trepidation, memorizing the words Gu Jianli had taught her over and over again. Now, standing in the sleeping quarters, looking at Emperor Chang across from her, the years of humiliation slowly suppressed her anxiety, making her extraordinarily calm.
She sneered and asked, “What does Your Majesty mean? Using me to replace my sister wasn’t enough, and now you won’t even spare her daughter. Do you have any semblance of the emperor’s dignity left?”
Emperor Chang took a sip of tea, the hot liquid warming his body. He casually adjusted his sleeve and replied unhurriedly, “I have granted my beloved consort’s wish once; it’s only right for you to reciprocate.”
“Granted my wish? When did you grant my wish? If Your Majesty truly had such kindness, please send me back to my clan!”
Emperor Chang seemed to chuckle. He stood up and walked step by step towards Consort Li. Just as he reached her, he slapped her hard. The force of the slap knocked Consort Li to the ground, a metallic taste filled her mouth, and blood trickled from the corner of her lips.
Emperor Chang squatted down and said, “Although I drugged you, wasn’t spending a night of pleasure with Gu Jingyuan exactly what you wanted?”
Consort Li looked up in shock at Emperor Chang.
He grabbed her hair, pulling her face close to his, and hissed, “Does your sister know in the afterlife that you coveted your brother-in-law for years? What was your purpose in treating her two children as your own? Did you fantasize that those two children were yours with Gu Jingyuan?”
“You’re talking nonsense!” Consort Li struggled, her hair in disarray.
“It’s a pity that even drugged and delirious, when he held you, he called out your sister’s name. It should be said that even if he was drugged, if you didn’t look like your sister, he wouldn’t have touched you.”
Emperor Chang grabbed Consort Li’s throat, “You know how to persuade your niece. Otherwise, I’ll let Gu Jingyuan, your sister, your niece, and the whole world know your filthy thoughts!”
