Chapter Sixty-Eight: The Incident (Combined Chapters)

Early the next morning, the winter chill lent a unique tranquility to the palace grounds, but this peace was abruptly shattered by the heavy clang of a bronze basin crashing to the floor in Consort Li’s chambers. The jarring sound tore through the serene dawn, and a maid’s shrill scream followed, “Consort Li—Consort Li has passed away!”

In that instant, the palace, still barely awake, erupted into chaos.

Meanwhile, in the chambers of Consort Shu, Zhu Yu was roused from sleep by the commotion outside. Instinctively, he tightened his arms around the warm body beside him, his tone irritable as he muttered, “What’s going on out there? Are they trying to raise a ruckus to the heavens?”

Consort Shu, born of the Murong family and skilled in martial arts, had already awakened when the noise began. But feeling Zhu Yu’s embrace, she remained still so as not to disturb his sleep, listening intently to the uproar beyond the doors.

At Zhu Yu’s question, Consort Shu relaxed into a more comfortable position and, hesitantly, replied, “I couldn’t quite make out the details, but it sounds as though Consort Li has died.”

Zhu Yu, still groggy with sleep, snapped awake at her words. “Consort Li is dead?”

“That’s what I heard, but I might have misunderstood.”

“Someone, come in,” Zhu Yu commanded, alarmed by Consort Shu’s uncertainty.

A servant entered, and Zhu Yu noticed that the person standing outside was not the usual head eunuch on night duty, but rather Eunuch Wu.

Though surprised, Zhu Yu wasted no time. “Eunuch Wu, what is happening outside? Why such commotion?”

“Your Majesty, word has just come—Consort Li has passed away. Please accept my condolences.”

“Passed away?” For a moment Zhu Yu was baffled—what did that mean? Then he remembered: in the palace, death was called by many names, and this was but one of them.

Fully awake now, Zhu Yu could hardly remain in bed. Though he held no deep affection for Consort Li, they had nonetheless shared nights together. Moreover, he distinctly recalled spending the previous evening in Consort Li’s chambers—she had seemed perfectly well, lively even.

“Someone, bring my clothes,” he called, and as he dressed, he questioned Eunuch Wu, “She was fine the day before yesterday. What happened? Do we know the cause?”

“Your Majesty, the Imperial Physicians have only just arrived at Consort Li’s chambers. It will be some time before they can determine the cause. But, if I may, from what I observed, it appears she was murdered. Of course, that is but my humble opinion—the final word must come from the physicians.”

Zhu Yu’s expression darkened as he finished dressing, Consort Shu likewise attended by her maids. “Let’s go see for ourselves,” he said, and set off for Consort Li’s quarters.

As they arrived, the Imperial Physicians were filing out. Zhu Yu stepped forward. “What is the situation? How did she die?”

After bowing, the physicians exchanged glances, and one stepped forward. “Your Majesty, there were no outward signs of injury, but her chest was noticeably sunken. We conclude that Consort Li did not die of natural causes, but was killed by a violent blow. However, we lack expertise in martial arts—we recommend you summon someone versed in such matters.”

Hearing that Consort Li had been struck to death, Zhu Yu’s face clouded further. He demanded, “Who was in charge of palace security last night?”

At once, a man hurried from within Consort Li’s quarters and bowed deeply. “Your Majesty, I was responsible for security last night.”

This was none other than Cao Zhengchun, Director of the Eastern Depot.

“You heard the report just now?” Zhu Yu asked.

“I did, Your Majesty. I have also examined Consort Li’s injuries—there is neither fist nor palm mark upon her chest, suggesting the assailant did not use conventional martial techniques, unless by design. Moreover, the internal damage suggests the killer is of Grandmaster rank.”

Cao Zhengchun laid out all he had observed.

“So you’re telling me,” Zhu Yu said coldly, “that a Grandmaster slipped into my palace last night, killed my consort without raising an alarm, and then left undetected? If this murderer had come for me instead, would I not be dead as well?”

Zhu Yu’s anger burned, mingled with a deep sense of dread.

“Forgive me, Your Majesty. I swear, all my men were vigilant last night—not even a fly could have breached the palace walls.”

“So you claim I am blaming you unjustly? Or is the murderer still within the palace?” Zhu Yu’s sharp retort left Cao Zhengchun speechless. If not a soul could enter, then the killer must be one of their own—and Cao Zhengchun was the only Grandmaster present last night. As for Huang Shang, though capable, he had no reason to harm Consort Li, and they had never even met.

Just then, a timid palace maid at the edge of the crowd spoke up, “Your Majesty, last night Chief Liu Xi came to visit Consort Li.”

Cao Zhengchun glared fiercely at the maid. “You must be certain of your words. If you lie, death will be a mercy.”

Cao Zhengchun’s reaction was not out of loyalty to Liu Xi, but fear of false accusation—Liu Xi was one of his own, and if found guilty, the Eastern Depot would suffer dire consequences.

“Cao Zhengchun, do you dare threaten a witness in my presence?” Zhu Yu’s voice was icy.

“Never, Your Majesty.”

“Take this maid to the Western Depot and explain everything to Yu Hua-tian. If the Eastern Depot wishes to question her, they may do so there. And let me make this clear: if this maid’s testimony changes under any kind of duress, there will be no mercy for your men.”

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Cao Zhengchun replied, wiping cold sweat from his brow.

“You have three days to uncover the truth. If you fail, either you or Liu Xi will lose your head—choose wisely.”

With that, Zhu Yu turned and left, the others dispersing as well, save those charged with tending Consort Li’s body.

On the surface, the palace returned to its former calm, but everyone knew a great storm was brewing. Now, all were cautious beyond measure, longing to do nothing but lock themselves away and avoid attention.

Yet exceptions always exist.

Jiang Yuyan, dressed in ordinary attire, slipped quietly through the palace, avoiding all watchful eyes as she made for the gates.

As she neared the exit, a sudden greeting halted her steps. “Greetings, Consort Yan. May I ask where you are going? Would you care to tell this old servant?”

Startled, Jiang Yuyan turned to find Eunuch Wu standing ten paces behind her—she had not sensed his presence at all. Long ago, when Eunuch Wu taught her martial arts, she had suspected he was no ordinary eunuch. Now, faced with this uncanny skill, her suspicions grew.

“Eunuch Wu, what a coincidence! Are you leaving the palace as well?” she asked with a smile.

“Not at all, Your Ladyship. I am here for you. Surely you know that consorts are forbidden to leave the palace without permission?”

Though he smiled as kindly as ever, Jiang Yuyan felt a chill within. She remembered his teaching: from the upper ranks of martial skill onward, trust your instinct above all else.

Obeying her intuition, Jiang Yuyan glanced about, ensured no one else was near, then stepped closer to Eunuch Wu and quietly recounted the previous day’s events—though she claimed her visit to Consort Li was born of boredom and a wish for conversation.

Eunuch Wu listened, eyebrows knit in surprise, and then asked, “Would you care to explain, Your Ladyship, why you killed Consort Li?”

Jiang Yuyan replied righteously, “She was about to deceive His Majesty—surely that is crime enough? If she could trick him today, who knows what she might do tomorrow? Better to act early and spare future trouble.”

Seeing her proud expression, Eunuch Wu was at a loss. So this was the unease he had felt when teaching her martial arts—was she perhaps not quite right in the head? Since when was deceit a capital crime? And this was a consort of the Emperor!

Rubbing his brow, Eunuch Wu sighed and said, “Let us say you have your reasons, Consort Yan. But why are you leaving the palace now?”

“I want to see how Liu Xi reacts, and also to get a look at Prince Duan…”

Before she could finish, Eunuch Wu interrupted her in alarm. “Your Ladyship, you mustn’t! That is a prince, the Emperor’s own brother—how could you even think of acting against him?”

“I’m not planning anything foolish. I just want to see what Prince Duan looks like, maybe gather some evidence. I’m not stupid—he’s the Emperor’s own brother. If I really did anything, what if His Majesty got angry?” she retorted, rolling her eyes.

Eunuch Wu could only smile wryly—she spoke with such conviction, yet hadn’t she just killed a royal consort without a blink?

“Eunuch Wu, is it truly forbidden for consorts to leave the palace?” she asked cautiously.

“Do you think I would lie to you, Your Ladyship?” This time, Eunuch Wu laughed in earnest.

“No, no—but what am I to do if I need to find evidence? Now is my best chance. If I wait, it will be too late,” she fretted.

After a moment’s thought, Eunuch Wu drew a token from his sleeve and handed it to her. “Take this token, Your Ladyship. It will allow you to come and go from the palace. But you must return it to me when you come back.”

Though surprised, Jiang Yuyan gratefully accepted the token, turning it over in her hands before thanking him. “Thank you, Eunuch Wu. If there is nothing else, I shall take my leave.”

With no further word from him, she turned toward the palace gates. But after only a few steps, his voice drifted to her ears.

“Your Ladyship, what you have done is unwise. Though your intentions are for the Emperor’s good, all actions must follow his will. It is an ancient command: the inner palace must not meddle in affairs of state. I hope you will remember this.”

Jiang Yuyan turned to reply, but found herself alone—Eunuch Wu had vanished. With no one to argue with, she swallowed her words and left the palace.

Once she had parted from Eunuch Wu, Jiang Yuyan quickened her pace and soon arrived near the Eastern Depot. There, she spotted Liu Xi moving hurriedly, though she could not guess his destination. She slowed her own steps and trailed him from a distance.

After some time, Liu Xi entered a grand mansion. Jiang Yuyan looked up and saw the signboard: Prince Duan’s Residence.

Guards stood watch at the entrance, but this posed no obstacle for Jiang Yuyan. After surveying the grounds, she slipped unseen through a secluded corner of the wall.

Getting inside was easy—finding her target was not. She had to avoid being seen while searching, and only after much effort did she finally hear familiar voices.

“Your Highness, I swear I laid not a hand on Consort Li last night. How could I know who killed her?” This was Liu Xi, just as he had sounded the night before.

“What do we do now? The palace knows you visited her last night—will they trace this back to me?” came a young man’s voice from within; it could only be Prince Duan.

Liu Xi was surprised that Prince Duan cared only for his own safety. After all, Liu Xi was his only Grandmaster subordinate.

“Rest assured, Your Highness. Consort Li is dead—so long as I keep silent, the Emperor will never know you were involved.”

Prince Duan exhaled in relief. “Good. Now, what have you discovered about Fifth Prince?”

“Your Highness, I found that Prince Yu is not only in contact with the Star Sect, but also, in his manor, I found traces of the Esoteric Buddhist Order.”

“The Esoteric Order? Isn’t that the state religion of Mongolia? How can that be?” Prince Duan exclaimed in shock.