Chapter 22: The Poison of Chu Xiuying
Within the Imperial Study, the dim glow of lanterns cast wavering shadows upon the walls. The room was cloaked in silence, broken only by the occasional whisper of the crane-feather brush as the Emperor meticulously inscribed upon the parchment before him. His countenance was stern, his gaze fixed upon documents concerning the appointment of an Empress…
Li Gonggong knelt at his side, cautiously lifting his eyes to regard His Majesty. In his hand, he held a paper fan, gently waving it.
"Li Gonggong…"
The Emperor's voice was calm, yet imbued with authority.
"…what think you? Should I restore authority to appoint He Suxiao as Empress?"
Li Gonggong flinched slightly, then clasped his hands in reverence, responding with deference.
"Your Majesty… this humble servant believes it fitting to appoint her."
The Emperor raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Why so?"
"Consort He Suxiao is the mother of the Crown Prince…"
Li Gonggong continued.
"…her grace is sufficient to assume the role of Empress. Moreover, there is none more suitable at present…"
The Emperor set down his brush abruptly, his voice cold as he scoffed.
"None more suitable?!"
Li Gonggong trembled, hastily lowering himself further.
"Er… Your Majesty, I meant…"
The Emperor waved a hand dismissively.
"Enough! Retire to your rest!"
Li Gonggong started, quickly bowing before rising and retreating swiftly.
But before he reached the door, the Emperor's voice rang out again.
"Wait!…"
Li Gonggong froze, his foot mid-step, and hurriedly turned back, clasping his hands.
"…Your Majesty, what is your command?"
The Emperor sighed, then spoke evenly.
"Summon the Ninth Prince, Dongyang, to attend me at once."
Li Gonggong hesitated, his eyes flickering. "Er… Your Majesty, it is late… the Ninth Prince may already be abed. At this hour, it may not be fitting…"
The Emperor cast a chilling glance, his voice firm.
"I am well aware. I command you to summon him, so do it—bring him here!"
Li Gonggong jolted, bowing low in haste.
"Yes, Your Majesty! I shall go at once!"
He vanished from the Imperial Study with swift steps…
Within the Imperial Study, silence reigned, so profound that the sound of breathing seemed audible. The Emperor sat behind his desk, his expression inscrutable. Qi Dongyang, the Ninth Prince, stood before him with a bowed head, silent. Long moments passed, yet the Emperor spoke not a word.
The silence stretched too long…
Qi Dongyang stole a glance at his father's face, but could not discern his thoughts. Why had he been summoned so late, only to stand in wait? Was this some jest, or did a deeper purpose lurk?
At last, the Emperor let out a sigh, speaking in a cool, measured tone.
"Of late, the city of Donghai has suffered natural calamities."
Qi Dongyang lifted his head slightly, listening intently.
"The people are in great distress. Numerous petitions have arrived, accusing local officials of corruption, oppressing the populace, and embezzling relief funds."
The Emperor tossed a stack of petitions onto the desk before him. Qi Dongyang glanced at the script, his brow furrowing slightly.
"What think you should be done?"
Qi Dongyang met the Emperor's gaze.
"Does Your Majesty wish for this servant to investigate?"
The Emperor paused briefly, then spoke evenly.
"Indeed… go. Uncover who orchestrates this corruption, and alleviate the people's suffering."
Qi Dongyang studied his father, wondering if this mission was merely a pretext. Was it a test, or did it conceal another motive?
"This servant accepts Your Majesty's command."
The Emperor nodded, waving a hand to dismiss him. Qi Dongyang clasped his hands in reverence, then turned and left the room.
Donghai… it seemed this was no mere matter of natural disasters!
Beneath the faint moonlight, Yuehua Palace lay in serene stillness, yet a solitary figure stood before his chamber. The familiar woman in black, Yao Ninghe, stood with arms crossed, her gaze cold yet composed.
Upon seeing him approach, she stepped forward, clasping her hands in salute before reporting.
"Your Highness… the Prin—"
"Inside first," Li Feitian, or Qi Dongyang, interrupted, opening the door and entering without waiting for her to finish.
Yao Ninghe paused briefly but followed, closing the door behind her.
Within the chamber, an oil lamp cast a warm glow. He shed his outer robe, tossing it onto a chair, then turned to ask in a level tone.
"Speak. Which 'Princess,' what matter?"
Yao Ninghe looked up, meeting his gaze without flinching.
"Princess Chu Xiuying, Your Highness."
Qi Dongyang's brow furrowed slightly, his icy gaze fixed on the woman in black standing sentinel.
"What trouble has she stirred now?"
Yao Ninghe glanced briefly at the door, then lowered her voice, speaking calmly.
"Princess Chu Xiuying is causing a commotion. She refuses to eat or rest, insisting loudly on returning to her military camp at once."
Qi Dongyang raised an eyebrow, letting out a soft chuckle.
"Hm? Does she mistake herself for a prisoner?"
Yao Ninghe sighed faintly, her tone unchanged.
"She claims we have no right to detain her here and demands immediate release, or she will cause even greater chaos."
Qi Dongyang laughed in his throat, his eyes sparkling as if he found the matter amusing.
"Hmph… how could she cause greater chaos?"
"I cannot say, Your Highness, but if she continues, she may truly disrupt the palace."
Qi Dongyang narrowed his eyes, murmuring to himself.
"Intriguing… the warrior princess of Chu must be unaccustomed to confinement."
With that, he strode to the door and pushed it open without hesitation.
In the chamber, a lantern's flickering light reflected off scattered belongings. A table lay overturned, and prepared food remained untouched.
At the room's center, a woman in purple robes stood defiant, her beautiful face alight with fury.
Her resolute eyes locked onto him, unyielding.
"Send me back at once!"
Qi Dongyang closed the door slowly, a faint smile curling his lips, and stepped closer.
"Why such a tantrum?"
Chu Xiuying fixed him with a blazing stare, her eyes like flames.
"I am not your prisoner! You have no right to hold me! Send me back now, or else—"
"Or else what?"
Qi Dongyang interjected, his tone calm but tinged with mockery.
"You'll cause a scene? Slay me here and now? Or burn Yuehua Palace to ashes?"
Chu Xiuying gritted her teeth.
"I am not of the Qi Kingdom! I must return to my camp!"
Qi Dongyang shook his head slowly, turning to lift a jar of wine and pour it into a cup with composure.
"You misunderstand, Princess. This is no dungeon, and I have not imprisoned you. If you wish to leave, you may."
Chu Xiuying faltered, her brow knitting.
"What do you mean? I tried to leave, but that woman at the door blocked me with her sword. And now you say I can go?"
"Why not fight her and escape, then, Princess General of Chu?"
His final words carried a hint of scorn.
"As swift as a forest sprite—who could hope to best her in combat?"
Qi Dongyang chuckled softly, sipping his wine before setting the cup on the intact table.
"I did not forbid your departure. However…"
He narrowed his eyes, studying her closely.
"…why did Chu send a princess to join the fray? Could it be… Chu lacks worthy generals?"
Chu Xiuying clenched her fists, her voice sharp.
"My Chu Kingdom brims with skilled commanders! I chose to fight myself!"
"You chose it? Hmph… does a woman like you not find it taxing to dwell in army camps? Why not remain in a comfortable palace?"
"That is my affair!"
Qi Dongyang laughed lightly, lifting his cup again.
"You likely thought Qi weak, marching in with full confidence. Yet you never imagined this lamb… would turn into a ferocious tiger beyond your control."
Chu Xiuying bit her lip tightly.
"It was but a minor misstep."
"A minor misstep? So be it. But I wonder… what terms did Chu offer Minister Liu Shang and the Second Prince, Qi Feizhen, to entice such easy rebellion?"
Chu Xiuying sneered.
"They were the ones who proposed terms to us."
"Is that so? And what terms?"
"If we supported their rebellion, they would cede ten border cities to Chu and send annual tributes."
"Yet they failed, and you had no chance to send troops to aid them. Is that not laughable?"
Chu Xiuying fell silent for a moment, then asked evenly.
"What of Qi Feizhen and Minister Liu Shang now?"
Qi Dongyang scoffed.
"They'll see no tomorrow. The Emperor of Qi is wiser than most imagine. Had you known him better, you'd not have come to suffer such defeat."
Chu Xiuying stared at him, her eyes glinting with defiance.
"There will be another day."
"You think you'll have another day, Princess?"
"As long as I breathe, I will return!"
"Ha… such stubbornness."
Qi Dongyang drawled.
"Pity… your forces have all withdrawn."
Chu Xiuying froze, her expression wavering.
"Impossible! Hu Bai would never abandon me!"
Qi Dongyang smiled thinly, his eyes mocking.
"Believe what you will. But for now… you are the only one left behind."
The sun dipped low behind towering peaks, the road from the capital to the southern border stretching through dense forests and rugged hills. The wind sighed through pine groves, its eerie whistle like the whispers of mountain spirits. A black carriage rolled along the gravel path, the steady rhythm of hooves striking dry earth kicking up trails of dust.
Qi Dongyang sat within, his gaze fixed on a map spread across a small table. His eyes were calm yet calculating. This road led to Donghai, his destination by imperial decree, to investigate corrupt officials in the border region, particularly near Chu's frontier, where reports hinted at unusual activity.
Outside, Yao Ninghe sat at the reins, her face impassive, but her tight grip on the reins betrayed her vigilance. This route was far from safe. As they neared the border, ambushes by Chu forces or roving bandits could strike at any moment.
As the sky turned indigo, Qi Dongyang ordered a halt at a modest roadside inn. The two-story wooden structure, weathered by time, hummed with the aroma of wine and the chatter of merchants and travelers. Though not luxurious, it sufficed for a night's rest.
Qi Dongyang entered, Yao Ninghe trailing silently. With a single glance, he sensed the inn's tense undercurrent.
As he ordered food and wine, his eyes caught a figure nearby. A young man in blue linen robes, his face half-hidden by a bamboo hat, appeared at first glance an ordinary traveler. Yet, upon closer inspection of his posture and subtle mannerisms, Qi Dongyang felt an odd familiarity.
He betrayed no reaction, merely glancing briefly before taking his seat.
Soon, the young man rose and approached, a faint smile on his lips.
"You seem a man of strong drink. Care to share a cup?"
Qi Dongyang raised an eyebrow, chuckling softly.
"Good wine with good company is always a pleasure."
The enigmatic man's smile widened, his eyes glinting, and he sat opposite, pouring wine into both their cups.
Yao Ninghe, silent until now, fixed the man with a cold stare. She had recognized him from the start, but as Qi Dongyang feigned ignorance, she held her tongue.
Qi Dongyang raised his cup, drinking while observing the man's movements.
Princess Chu Xiuying, disguised as a man, sat before him, challenging him with a subtle smile that hid deeper intent.
"You seem a man of the martial world as well?"
The man in blue spoke, smiling faintly.
Qi Dongyang raised an eyebrow, sipping his wine.
"And you are?"
"I am called 'Xi Hao,' traveling to Donghai."
Qi Dongyang's lips twitched into a smile.
"What a coincidence. I, too, am bound for Donghai. If you don't mind, we could travel together."
Xi Hao's smile was faint, his eyes thoughtful, but he nodded after a moment.
"Then I shall trouble you, good sir."
Their cups clinked softly. In that moment, Xi Hao subtly slipped a small vial from his sleeve, pouring a colorless liquid into Qi Dongyang's cup with deft precision.
Qi Dongyang glanced at the act but pretended not to notice. He raised the cup as if to drink, but before the wine touched his lips, a mocking laugh erupted from a corner of the room.
"Hahaha! We're in luck tonight—such a crowd! I fear this inn's coin will slip through our fingers!"
A burly man strode in with a band of black-clad rogues, their eyes glinting with greed and cunning.
The room fell silent, the faint clink of swords against sheaths echoing as travelers shrank into corners.
"None of you plan to leave this inn without paying a toll, do you?"
One of the bandits sneered.
They advanced toward Qi Dongyang's table. Xi Hao frowned but remained silent.
The bandit leader slammed the table, barking orders to his men to collect valuables from each table. As he reached Qi Dongyang's, a filthy hand extended.
"Hand over your coin."
Qi Dongyang smiled, his demeanor unruffled. He lifted the cup Xi Hao had just poured, twirling it briefly before swiftly splashing its contents into the bandit's mouth.
"Gulp—"
The bandit's eyes widened, swallowing the wine involuntarily.
"You… you dare…!"
He drew his sword, raising it to strike, but the effort only hastened the poison's effect.
Xi Hao paled, her lips tightening.
In moments, the bandit's stomach gurgled loudly. His face contorted from shock to agony, clutching his abdomen.
"Argh! My stomach! My stomach!"
He howled, stumbling toward the inner door, but his legs gave way, and he collapsed in a heap.
A foul stench filled the inn, eliciting gasps of disgust. The other bandits recoiled, stepping back in horror.
"P… poison?!"
One cried in panic.
Qi Dongyang sipped his wine calmly, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Fascinating. How does this poison work so effectively?"
Xi Hao met his gaze, her eyes wide with disbelief, yet Qi Dongyang smiled, tapping his cup lightly on the table before continuing.
"Will you hand over your valuables, or join your comrade on the floor?"
The bandit's agonized cries echoed as he writhed, clutching his stomach, his face twisted in pain. Another wave of gurgling preceded an unthinkable event—a putrid stench spread through the inn's hall!
"Argh! My stomach!"
The doomed bandit's screams rang amid the chaos.
His comrades retreated, faces pale, covering their noses and turning away. The stench was so vile that some coughed and gagged. Many patrons fled outside, unable to endure the scene.
Chu Xiuying, or 'Xi Hao,' in her male guise, hastily pulled her sleeve to cover her nose, stunned. She hadn't anticipated the poison she slipped into Qi Dongyang's cup would be so potent. The bandit convulsed on the floor, eyes rolling back, pleading for help, but none dared approach amid the pervasive stench.
Qi Dongyang continued sipping his wine, unperturbed, observing the scene before turning to her, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
"Your poison is more formidable than I expected," he said evenly, with a trace of mockery.
"I…"
Chu Xiuying faltered, unprepared for Qi Dongyang to know she was the culprit—and that she was Chu Xiuying.
"Chu Xiuying, if I were you…"
Qi Dongyang leaned back in his chair, relaxed.
"…I'd test the poison first before using it. Had I drunk it, I'd be no better off than them."
She bit her lip, baffled at her mistake, unable to fathom how Qi Dongyang knew—or if he'd merely been cautious and feigned drinking.
The inn descended into chaos. After the bandit's symptoms began, patrons fled, some seeking other inns, unable to tolerate the stench and squalor. Shouts and clamor spilled outside.
As Qi Dongyang stepped out, a disheartening sight met his eyes.
Dozens of ragged beggars littered the roadside—men, women, children, and the elderly. Young boys and girls, clutching bowls and gourds, approached passersby for alms.
A frail girl in tattered clothes tugged at his sleeve, her clouded, round eyes gazing up with hope.
"Good sir, please… I'm so hungry."
Qi Dongyang looked at the girl, his eyes narrowing slightly. The scene underscored the suffering of the people. Throughout his journey to Donghai, he'd witnessed their hardships, and here was no different.
He said nothing, merely handed her some coins before walking away, his mind heavy with thoughts.
To be continued…