The chill of winter lingered in the air at the onset of February. Ge Jin conversed a while with the princes who came to confer felicitations before he bowed and took his leave.
The moment he stepped out of the reception hall, Ge Jin smoothed out his eunuchs’ livery; his mouth pursed as he squinted at the setting sun in the west and his heart burned with impatience.
Today was meant to be a joyous occasion for his master, but his master remained unconscious and unmoving. How infuriated would his master be once he awoke and found out the emperor bestowed Shen family’s ugly daughter to him as his principal wife?
That ugly woman was the empress’s niece. Her eyes were crooked, her mouth slanted, and there were a few screws loose in her head. Last year when she was admitted into the palace and met his master, she—taken away by his master’s magnificence—single-mindedly set her heart on marrying him. Though the emperor may not be fond of his master, he had to consider his reputation. Appointing an ugly woman to be his eldest son’s wife would be ignominious. But he never reckoned the emperor would proceed with the bestowal of marriage on behalf of Shen family’s daughter’s willingness to chongxi1arrange “an event of great joy” such as a wedding for a very sick young man in hopes it will hasten recovery, all the while his master was unconscious from poisoning.
One was like an orchid and jade tree, while the other was a black crow in a pigsty. How could the emperor be so biased!?
Ge Jin couldn’t bear the thought of his master—who was like a celestial being— being violated. Desperate, he brought his master’s favorite black-naped oriole to the master chamber. After dismissing the other eunuchs, Ge Jin knelt beside the bed and whistled to coax the oriole to sing and then stared at his master who was wan from the poisoning.
The poison was particularly rare—so much so that the imperial physicians couldn’t identify what strange illness his master had contracted—but no poison could escape Ge Jin’s eyes.
“Your Highness, if you don’t wake up, we have no way of stopping that woman,” Ge Jin wailed miserably.
The imperial eldest prince Xiao Yuan lay motionless, unaware of the happenings around him.
Ge Jin held up the birdcage, joggled it in his master’s face, and implored dejectedly, “Your Highness, open your eyes! You’ve been unconscious for so long— this bird is losing its feathers without you teasing it. You…”
“What rubbish are you spouting!?” A reprimand suddenly burst from behind him. Ge Jin knew who it was without looking. His head didn’t even turn as he explained, “His Highness treasures this bird the most. He would frown if it lost a single feather. I’m only giving him a little scare. Who knows, perhaps he will be so worried he’d wake up?”
Lu Jun was Xiao Yuan’s personal guard. A man of few words, he couldn’t stand Ge Jin’s constant blathering. Presently, from within, His Highness’s life was threatened; meanwhile, outside, an ugly woman was planning to take advantage of the situation. Yet Ge Jin was still in the mood to utter such nonsense! Lu Jun was at the end of his ropes. He snatched the birdcage away, hissing spitefully, “Don’t you claim to be the disciple of the godly doctor? What’s taking you so long to cure His Highness?”
Ge Jin was prodded by him daily and has become accustomed to it. Gazing at his master’s gaunt face, he sighed, “The poison has already been extracted. As for why His Highness doesn’t regain consciousness—I honestly can’t diagnose the problem—but I promise all is well with His Highness, so you can be at ease. The only thing to be afraid of is when His Highness wakes up and discovers he’s married to that ugly woman. He’ll have recovered just to be angered into another coma.”
His master had high standards. Up until now, he’s never taken a woman, only amusing himself with birds. If he woke up and realized he’s been taken advantage of by that ugly woman, how could he not be furious?
Lu Jun remained silent.
His master’s family on his mother’s side, the Yan family, was the prestigious Duke Huguo Manor. The emperor borrowed the power of the Yan family to seize the throne, but after achieving his ambition, he turned his back on the Yan family. He promoted the Shen family and framed the Yan family with treason and banished the Yan family to Eastern Liao. That same year, Empress Yan died a suspicious death, leaving behind his then two-year-old master. The emperor then married Shen family’s daughter as the step-empress. Upon his birth, the second prince was conferred the title of Crown Prince. Compared to the crown prince, his master’s situation worsened year by year, as if banished to the cold palace.
Perhaps his master’s poison had something to do with the emperor? Or was it someone else?
Lu Jun thoroughly recalled every person his master encountered that day…
Just as he thought of a few, the birdcage in his hand was snatched away by Ge Jin. Lu Jun couldn’t stand to watch his tomfoolery and reached out to snatch it back. Ge Jin refused to hand it over and the two of them started grappling over it. The precious black-naped oriole in the cage fluttered its wing in panic and cried in protest; its cry, crisp and mellifluous, clearly conveyed its anxiety.
As a result, before Xiao Yuan could even open his eyes, he heard his beloved bird’s cry of fear.
His brows furrowed as he tried to open his eyes; the bright light that poured in stung them.
Xiao Yuan promptly snapped them shut. Hearing what his two trusted aides were doing, he muttered in a low voice, “Put down the cage.”
Having just recovered from his illness, his voice was almost inaudible; however, both Ge Jin and Lu Jun heard him and simultaneously whipped their heads toward the bed. Even the black-naped oriole became tranquil upon hearing its master’s voice after such a long absence, cocking its head at him.
“Your Highness, you’re awake!?” Ge Jin was the first to snap out of his daze, throwing himself on the bedside, his eyes brimming with joy.
Xiao Yuan ignored him and covered his eyes with a hand to adjust to the room’s brightness, then he slowly sat up.
Ge Jin steadied him and helped him to lean against a pillow for support. So concerned he was with his master’s health, he didn’t even ask before grasping his master’s arm and taking his pulse attentively. Lu Jun was levelheaded, nodding at his master before taking his station outside.
Xiao Yuan saw him off with his eyes, then turned his sight to the black-naped oriole inside the cage. His expression was serene as if he merely dreamt the entire night.
“Good news, Your Highness. If proper care is taken, Your Highness will be able to recover for the most part after five days,” Ge Jin rejoiced after his diagnosis.
“Who planted the poison?” Xiao Yuan was still feeling slightly worn out, so his eyes closed as he spoke. The instant he passed out, he knew he had fallen right into someone’s trap.
Ge Jin had much he itched to discuss with him. Before he started, he considerately poured a cup of water for his master and offered him the drink. After he took a sip, he supplicated in a lowered murmur, “Lu Jun and I suspect someone had tampered at the palace banquet. We sent two undercover spies to investigate…but we didn’t find anything.” In the Imperial Palace, the emperor was the master, and the empress was the mistress. The couple was wary of his master, so they couldn’t overtly investigate, nor could they risk sending too many people. Lacking manpower, the progress on investigations stagnated, allowing the culprit ample time to burn any evidence and erase their trail.
Xiao Yuan’s remained impassive as he gazed out the window and asked, “What’s causing the ruckus outside?”
Altogether, there were only three princes living in the Eastern Palace. In all those years, it hadn’t been as rowdy as it was presently.
Ge Jin’s eyes were evasive, stammering as he informed his master of the emperor’s bestowment of marriage.
Xiao Yuan’s thick, full eyelashes trembled. Just as Ge Jin thought his master would snap open his eyes in rage, Xiao Yuan merely chucked, “Chongxi?”
The final syllable rose up a notch, lacing his words with a hint of derision.
Tactfully, Ge Jin didn’t answer.
“Withdraw, I’ll rest a bit more. When it turns dark, carry me over.” Xiao Yuan lay back down, propping the birdcage by his bedside.
His master seemed unperturbed by the marriage, yet Ge Jin was unsettled as he asked the man who already turned away, “Your Highness, do you really plan to marry her?” The Shen family consisted of two branches. The ugly woman was a shu daughter from the second branch. Even if she possessed the looks of a goddess, she wouldn’t be worthy of his master, let alone the fact she was of such unsightliness.
“I have my own plans,” Xiao Yuan said lazily.
Realizing that his master didn’t plan to reveal his intentions, Ge Jin could only let down the muslin canopy and head towards the entrance of the inner chamber. Suddenly, he recalled his master’s words. Carry him over? Did that mean his master intended to conceal the fact he had woken? Mulling over this, he turned back. Through the gossamer veil, he could vaguely discern the man’s silhouette. He didn’t make out what his master had done, but the black-naped oriole was caroling a musical number, jocund and mellifluous.
His master seemed unconcerned. Ge Jin shook his head and went to Lu Jun to make arrangements.
Twilight fell; darkness closed in.
The few remaining guests dispersed. Ge Jin arranged for the eunuchs to carry the ‘unconscious’ Xiao Yuan to the bridal chamber.
The bride donned a crimson red dress. A heavy layer of makeup coated her face as if she wasn’t aware of how ugly it was. Ge Jin felt nauseated by looking at it and silently cursed Empress Shen. If the ugly woman wasn’t of this sort, Empress Shen would probably never have allowed her niece to marry his master. Fortunately, his master woke up; Ge Jin believed his master won’t allow the ugly woman to succeed, so he ushered out the other attendants.
Young Lady Shen was heady with exhilaration as she perched on the edge of the bed, blissfully gazing at her newly married husband. Others had joked that her admiration for Xiao Yuan would only lead to her self-humiliation, but she did it! She really married him! Such a beautiful man! Even if he were to die tomorrow, she was satisfied to have slept on the same bed as him even for a single night.
Such was the intensity of her gaze that Xiao Yuan could feel it with his eyes closed. He didn’t bother to put on an act as he sat up.
“Ah, Your Highness, you’re awake!” Young Lady Shen cried in sweet surprise. She didn’t know where to put her nervous hands, her heart racing.
Xiao Yuan didn’t look at her and got up and said, “Help me bathe.”
Water was already prepared in the side chamber. Young Lady Shen could just visualize the scene in her head; she bashfully lowered her head and followed him obediently.
Ge Jin stood guard outside and perked up his ears to eavesdrop. He heard only the splashing of water, and then a quarter of an hour later, his master called him in.
Ge Jin knew his master definitely wouldn’t touch the ugly woman but was curious about the splashing sounds. Hearing the summons, he darted into the side chamber. Parting the curtains, he saw the ugly woman’s rumpled form lying on the floor beside the tub; her hair and upper body were wet; she lay there lifelessly. Coupled with the splashing from earlier, it was clear she was drowned by his master.
“Clean this up. Once you’re done, report to my Imperial Father in person. Tell him the Princess Consort’s love moved the Heavens; the chongxi was a success; I woke up, but she, for reasons unknown, passed away.” Xiao Yuan was drenched by the water; he nonchalantly removed his outer garment and tossed it on the floor as he instructed Ge Jin gravely.
A wife—one who was a perfect match for him—he would choose one for himself. As for any other woman who couldn’t take the hint and insisted on throwing herself at him, she only had herself to blame for her death.
The man was unfazed—killing was as easy as stepping on an ant. His viciousness and ruthlessness were disproportionate to his breathtaking appearance of an immortal. Ge Jin, however, admired this the most about his master. Brushing off the stuffiness that loomed over his heart for the past month, he grinned as he worked, cleaning up the ugly woman’s face and even thoughtfully touching up her makeup.
An hour later, Emperor Xuande was awakened from his slumber and received the good news that his eldest son had regained consciousness and the sad news of his daughter-in-law’s sudden death.
Empress Shen monopolized the emperor’s favor in the harem and slept with him every night. She was by his side when he received the news; her bare yet bewitching face turned glum. She turned to her husband with a pleading look. How can a perfectly healthy person die so suddenly? It must be that Xiao Yuan was displeased with their arrangement when he came back to his senses and heartlessly killed her shu2born from a concubine niece.
If she was able to conclude this, naturally Emperor Xuande would also come to the same conclusion. His chest heaved with fury, and he cursed, “Unfilial runt!”
After dismissing the palace servants, he held his wife in his arms, asserting coldly, “Don’t worry, I won’t let someone of your Shen family die in vain.” He didn’t care if the ugly niece died or not, but that unfilial runt was slapping him in the face indirectly—how could he allow this to pass? For the sake of his own flesh and blood, he would spare his life, but while the death penalty could be dismissed, punishment must be enforced.
Empress Shen looked up at him, “What does Your Majesty plan to do? Since he dared to commit murder, he wouldn’t leave any tracks. He can even use that strange illness that made him unconscious as a cover for the death of the chongxi bride. Some might consider it an exchange of one life for another, which matches our original intentions when we bestowed the marriage. If we insist on probing, the commoners will condemn us.”
What she said made sense—Emperor Xuande fell silent.
“I have an idea,” Empress Shen simpered suddenly. She wrapped her arms around the man’s neck and whispered softly in his ear.
Emperor Xuande listened earnestly. The more he heard, the more he was pleased with the idea. He squeezed her salaciously, “Oh you, where do you come up with these wicked ideas?”
Empress Shen tittered slyly, gazing into the man’s eyes, “Black ink stains what it touches. I learned it all from His Majesty.”
No matter how much this man spoiled her, she would always be the step-empress. In terms of status, her two sons would always be inferior to Xiao Yuan. Though her eldest son had already been named crown prince, she still considered Xiao Yuan a thorn in her side. As killing him would elicit distrust from the emperor, instead, she’d make it so he couldn’t take another wife—this way he wouldn’t be able to borrow the power of his wife’s family; and then she’d banish him to the furthest corner of the country—out of sight and out of mind.
Wickedness turned the woman more seductive and alluring. Emperor Xuande was captivated and lay back down embracing her.
Three days later, Emperor Xuande issued an imperial edict at morning court. The edict proclaimed that the first prince Xiao Yuan, in order to commemorate his wife’s deep love for saving his life, submitted a memorial that he won’t marry another in this life. The emperor was touched and sanctioned his petition; what’s more, he conferred on the first prince the title of Prince Qin and he was to leave for his fief, Shanxi, forthwith.
Both civil and military officials were in an uproar.
Meanwhile, Xuan Yuan was leisurely recuperating in his courtyard. He only learned of this matter when the messenger eunuch arrived.
“Your Highness, will you accept the ordinance?” The eunuch urged softly. Looking at the eldest prince—now His Highness Prince Qin—kneeling in front of him, he only felt scorn. Shanxi was the territory of the guojiu3Imperial Brother-in-law, a direct sibling to the Empress . If Prince Qin were to go there, even if he was a prince, he would inevitably be oppressed by the local tyrant— there would be no hope for him to make a comeback in this life.
Xiao Yuan’s expression was inscrutable as he received the edict; an atlas of the various regions of Shanxi visualized in his mind.
He turned his head, signaling Ge Jin to reward the eunuch.
The eunuch was dumbstruck. Did he not understand or was he just pretending? How was he in the mood to hand out gratuity?
Ge Jin could see right through him. When his master was quite a distance away, he reached into his sleeve, took out a small ingot, and threw it at the eunuch’s feet. “Here take it and get lost!”
Since they were leaving anyways, why be polite?
Sneering coldly and after appreciating the fluctuating red and white color on the fellow’s face, Ge Jin turned to chase after his master.
