On the night Deng Qinyao was thrown into the heavenly prison, another tragedy struck the Deng family. His eldest son, Deng Yan, was murdered in his own bedchamber, his limbs severed, his head gone. The entire household had heard nothing.
Three days later, the head was found on a flagpole in the south of the city, weathered beyond recognition. The killer was unknown. The mystery deepened, and the streets buzzed with rumors.
In the morning, Murong Jin sheathed her soft sword.薛流岚 took the cloak from her hands and tied the ribbons for her.
"Did you hear about Deng Yan?" she asked, casual.
"The whole city is talking about it. How could I not?"
"Was it you?"
"Deng Qinyao is in prison, facing execution. Do you think I need to waste my energy on a useless son like Deng Yan?" He smiled, a look that said he knew everything but wasn't telling.
He turned to go back inside.
"Stop," she said, resting a hand on his shoulder.
He paused, his smile widening. In a single step, he was behind her, his arm around her shoulder. "Then I won't."
She rolled her eyes at his playfulness, but she didn't back down. She stepped back, hooking her leg behind his, grabbing his arm to throw him.
He sidestepped, caught her hand, and leaped, landing in front of her. The momentum carried her forward, and she stumbled into his arms.
"Hahaha! Still trying to show off?" He laughed, holding her close.
"A year without practice, and I'm rusty as old iron," she grumbled.
"You'll get it back. Since when does the Little General Murong get discouraged?" He looked at her tenderly.
She lowered her head. "You are safe now. But my father is still alone on the frontier. I'm worried."
"Why not bring him to Jindu to retire?" he suggested after a moment, watching her closely.
"I thought about it. Let him rest here for a while. I can take over Wuchuan."
His face darkened. His grip on her arm tightened. "You mean you want to go back to the border?"
"Just for a while." She met his gaze calmly. "Wuchuan is the foundation of my family. He won't trust anyone else."
He gritted his teeth. He wanted to strangle her.
"Your filial piety always comes first," he said, tapping her forehead in frustration.
She bit her lip. "If you send someone else, he'll be suspicious. Only if I go, if the command stays with a Murong, can he truly rest."
Her distress, her twisting hands—it hurt him. He took her cold hands in his.
"Then I suppose your father will just have to keep working." He grinned a wicked grin. "It's not very filial, I know. But I can't bear to have my wife a thousand miles away. Given the choice between my father-in-law and my wife, I choose my wife without hesitation."
She looked up, a smile slowly spreading across her face. "You romantic scoundrel. You haven't changed a bit."
"Depends on who it's for." He raised an eyebrow.
"Be serious." She punched his chest lightly. "It's time for court. Go change."
His smile faded. "Come with me."
"Hm?" She paused. Since Qi'er was born, she had stayed out of politics. The last time she stood in that golden hall was a year ago.
"Today will be hard for Murong Yu. I want you there with her." He said quietly. "Whether it was for love or not, everything she did was for my brother."
Even if she had killed the Crown Prince, she was still the woman he had loved most. As his brother, Xue Liulan had to look after her.
In the grand hall, Deng Qinyao knelt in the center, the officials averting their eyes from the fallen giant.
The Emperor had not yet arrived. Xue Liulan and Murong Jin stood to the side. She thought of Yi's face when she left—innocence turning to rage—and suppressed a smile.
She was at court, so someone had to watch the little prince. Yi was the only choice.
"What are you laughing at?" Xue Liulan whispered.
"I was thinking… if you had agreed to let me go to Wuchuan this morning, Yi would have been the first to draw his sword on you."
He rolled his eyes. "So, to save your husband's life, you'd better drop that idea."
She pretended to think. "I could take Qi'er with me."
"Murong Jin!" he hissed through gritted teeth.
Heads turned. Realizing their impropriety, the officials quickly looked away.
He composed himself. "Just wait. We'll settle this when we get home."
"The Emperor arrives!" Guo Shangzhong's voice rang out.
"Long live the Emperor!"
"Rise." The Emperor sat on the Dragon Throne, facing south.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Everyone stood, leaving Deng Qinyao alone on the floor.
Before the Emperor could speak, a voice announced: "The Empress arrives!"
The Empress? Murong Jin frowned, glancing at Xue Liulan. He just smiled calmly, as if he had expected this.
She knelt again. She felt a sharp gaze sweep over her. Through her lowered lashes, she saw the gold-embroidered phoenix skirt. Empress Deng stood before her, a smile that didn't reach her eyes.
Murong Jin lowered her head. She stole a look at Xue Liulan. His face was blank, his hair hiding his eyes.
"This concubine greets the Emperor." Empress Deng curtsied.
"Rise," the Emperor said. "You may all rise."
Everyone stood. Except the Empress. She remained kneeling.
"Please sit." The Emperor looked displeased.
She looked up at him, her voice ringing out. "Today, I come as the family of the accused. By the rules of the dynasty, I should kneel. Besides, my father kneels before the court. How can a daughter sit above him?"
The Emperor choked. He glanced at Li Yan. "Minister Li?"
Li Yan bowed. "The Empress is the mother of the nation. For her to kneel… it damages the dignity of the state."
"Then what do you suggest?"
"The accused has not yet been convicted, and Lord Deng is advanced in years. Perhaps… grant them both seats?"
"Your son disagrees." Before Li Yan could finish, Xue Liulan stepped forward.
"Oh? Why?"
"A prince who breaks the law is guilty as a commoner. Even if there is no verdict, Deng Qinyao is a suspect. How can a suspect sit with his judge? Furthermore, the Empress's willingness to kneel with her father shows great filial piety. It will be an example to the people and show the impartiality of the law. How does this damage the state?"
Empress Deng glared at him. Cut the weeds and dig up the roots. The saying was true.
The Emperor thought for a moment. "Valid. Let the Empress kneel."
Xue Liulan smiled faintly and stepped back to Murong Jin's side.
"You calculated for her, too?" she whispered.
He nodded. "She usurped my mother's position for ten years. It's time she gave it back."
"She is the Empress. Are you sure you can take her down too?" Even if convicted, she would only be confined to the Cold Palace. But Murong Jin knew he wanted more.
He just smiled, his gaze on the kneeling father and daughter. His mind drifted back to last night.
In the garden of the Fifth Prince's residence, Xue Liulan and Guo Shangzhong sat opposite each other.
"Why the late visit, Eunuch Guo?" He had come through a side door, unannounced. It must be urgent.
Guo Shangzhong suddenly dropped to his knees. "I beg the Fifth Prince to avenge Empress Murong."
"What?" Xue Liulan shot to his feet, grabbing the eunuch by the collar. "What happened?"
"Empress Murong did not die of illness. She was poisoned. A slow poison." Guo Shangzhong trembled, feigning fear.
Xue Liulan stepped back, frowning. "Go on."
"Deng Qinyao wanted his daughter to be Empress. He conspired with the physicians to poison her food. I was powerless then, so I hid the truth, waiting for the day you were strong enough to know."
"Do you have proof?" Xue Liulan asked coldly.
"Yes. Yes." Guo Shangzhong pulled a cloth bundle from his sleeve and placed it on the table.