Chapter 47: The Burning at the Stake (I)

"The Empress is a demon?" The Imperial Consort, awakened from her sleep and sitting up in bed, was suddenly wide awake, startled out of her wits. Then she broke into a delighted smile and laughed aloud, "Who could have known my heart so well? Now things are perfect—no need for me to act, those who hate her to the bone will leap forth themselves."

In the quiet bedchamber, bamboo shadows swayed gently. The maid Butterfly, kneeling by the footstool, was not overly frightened, since she hadn't witnessed anything firsthand. In fact, she even suspected the Empress was being framed. Yet the messenger who brought the news was clearly petrified, hastily saying, "Your Grace, I don't know if it's true, but the person who came to report spoke convincingly, hard to doubt. They said His Majesty has already imprisoned the Empress in the Heavenly Prison. The Noble Consort is bedridden with fear, and the servants of the Marsh Orchid Pavilion have all fallen ill, acting strangely, and have been dealt with by His Majesty."

Lu Xiangjun fell silent, her delicate body slowly tensing. "The Empress really has been thrown into the Heavenly Prison?"

"Yes. The news is absolutely reliable."

"The Noble Consort is seriously ill?"

"Yes." Butterfly's eyes flashed with worry, but she quickly tried to flatter, "With this, Your Grace will again be unrivaled in the harem. Congratulations!"

She should have been overjoyed, struck by such good fortune, but Lu Xiangjun showed no trace of happiness. Instead, she seemed somewhat lost, murmuring, "What is this? I haven't even made my move yet." She had schemed painstakingly, expecting a fierce battle, only to be told on the eve of action that all her enemies had vanished, and victory was hers. Her chest felt hollow, and it all seemed absurd.

"Prepare my attire. I must go before His Majesty—no, send word immediately to Lady Kang. Tell her the plan has changed."

By then, dawn was just breaking, and the sound of roosters had begun.

Yet the rumor that the Empress was a demon swept through the streets overnight. The people looked at each other in disbelief: some ignorantly believed it all, some denounced it as utter nonsense, and others waited, half-convinced, for what would come next.

At the Loyal King’s residence, the men were up before sunrise, practicing martial arts as usual. The servants dared not sleep in; the steward in charge of provisions returned from the market with a changed expression, hurriedly reporting the rumor to his master.

At that moment, the Loyal King, having finished his exercises, donned his outer robe and sat upon a stone drum stool outside the training hall, listening quietly to the morning birdsong.

"Father." The eldest son and legitimate heir, You Hui Feng, approached, his dark face furrowed with thick brows, clenched fists betraying his anger.

"What is it?" The Loyal King saw through him, but remained impassive. After a lifetime in the military, he had cultivated a heart of iron.

"Someone is deliberately slandering Daidai, calling her a demon. The rumors outside are spreading fast—this is utter madness!" Unable to contain himself, You Hui Feng vented his fury as soon as he opened his mouth.

Unexpectedly, You Jiang’s face changed instantly. His cup slipped from his hand, shattering on the stone tiles, and he sprang to his feet.

"Father?" You Hui Feng was taken aback.

"Hui Feng, go at once to see your aunt, tell her to request an audience with Her Highness. No, I’ll go plead with His Majesty myself." With that, You Jiang strode off.

"Father, I’ll go with you." You Hui Feng hurried after him.

The Loyal King’s residence was among the first to receive the news. Riding urgent horses straight to the gates of the Great Celebration Palace, they found the imperial guards had doubled in number.

At that moment, the morning sun rose above verdant mountain peaks, its rays dazzling. After the recent rain, the hills were fragrant with flowers and birdsong, and the palace, embraced by mountains, gleamed all the brighter after last night’s thunderstorm.

Those who frequented the Great Celebration Palace were all trusted ministers. The commanders of the imperial guards knew them well; normally, they would let them pass without checking their badges. But today was very different.

"Your Grace, halt." As You Jiang strode forward as usual, the guard commander, who usually greeted him with utmost respect, raised a hand to block his way.

You Jiang shot him a cold, knife-like glare. The commander retreated three steps in fright, bowing with trembling hands, "Your Grace, please do not make things difficult for me. I am only following a royal decree."

"Step aside, or I will not be merciful," You Jiang’s eyes flashed with murderous intent, startling the commander into gripping the sword at his waist.

Sensing his father’s unusual mood, You Hui Feng quickly stepped in to break the standoff, apologizing with a bow, then whispered urgently to You Jiang, "Father, don’t be reckless—this is the palace gate, and defying authority here is a capital offense."

By then, ministers reporting for duty had begun to arrive. The commander blocked them as well, announcing, "By order of His Majesty, due to the oppressive heat, you are to return home and rest, and come back in three days to resume your duties."

The ministers were in uproar; those who already knew the rumors pressed insistently, demanding entry to see the emperor. The commander, loyal and stern, refused coldly, sword drawn across the palace gate like a guardian deity.

With no choice, the ministers returned the way they came.

You Jiang said nothing, mounting his horse and galloping back, You Hui Feng close behind.

The rumors had erupted so suddenly and fiercely that suppression was impossible. The Loyal King’s residence was in turmoil; Lady Xing paced anxiously and only calmed slightly upon seeing father and son return, hurrying to ask, "Did you see His Majesty?"

You Hui Feng quickly shook his head, "Aunt, don’t worry yet—the situation may not be as dire as we fear."

You Hai, seated in the place of honor, stroked his black-and-white beard, clearly unsettled.

"Second Brother."

You Jiang sat to You Hai’s right, lowering his gaze in silence for a moment before speaking hoarsely, "Daidai is my daughter. I must protect her life."

"That goes without saying—we must do everything to save Daidai," You Hai replied offhandedly, then immediately caught himself and rebuked, "Second Brother, are you confused? Saying so is tantamount to admitting Daidai is... Don’t lose your head."

Lady Xing’s hands stilled, clutching her handkerchief, heart in her throat. Steadying herself, she ventured, "Second Brother, you must speak plainly. We are family—what happens to one happens to all."

Family members’ oddities are easy to notice, but hard to suspect. Even if suspicion arises, one finds endless excuses for them, never admitting true abnormalities in blood relations unless absolutely forced. Daidai was just such a case for Lady Xing.

"You don’t need to know," You Jiang said firmly. "Hui Feng, instruct the servants to find snake tamers—bring as many as possible. Also, take my name card and seek Master Wuxiang at the Guardian Temple."

"Second Brother, Master Wuxiang departed on pilgrimage a year ago," You Hai said.

You Jiang paused. "Then find snake tamers rumored to be the most mystical, the more legendary the better. Go quickly."

You Hai now understood his brother’s intent and nodded. "At present, this seems the only way. Daidai merely possesses the same skill as those snake tamers—she’s certainly not possessed by any snake demon. Excellent, excellent."

"But Daidai never had such abilities as a child," Lady Xing said uneasily.

Her words brought silence upon the hall. You Hai, You Hui Feng, and others looked to You Jiang.

You Jiang shot Lady Xing a cold glance and slammed the table. "Is it forbidden to learn recently?!"

"Second Brother, that’s your elder sister-in-law," You Hai said angrily.

You Jiang’s face darkened, and he rose abruptly. "I’ll go plead with His Majesty again."

Many sought audience with Ji Ye, but he refused everyone. The palace gates stayed locked for three days; suspicion among the ministers grew—fearful the rumors might be true, many hurried to the city to petition the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager had already heard the rumors, and accompanied by Lady Kang, stormed into the Great Celebration Palace. For others, trespassing was an unforgivable crime, but she was an exception.

In the tranquil rear hall, Ji Ye sat cross-legged in the corridor, meditating for three days. In that time, he hadn’t touched a drop of water, driving Li Fuquan to distraction. Seeing the Empress Dowager, Li Fuquan rushed to report.

"Ah Ye, my son," the Empress Dowager came worriedly, tears in her eyes. Seeing Ji Ye’s thin back, she began to question him, "They say You Daidai is possessed by a snake demon—can this be true? Amitabha! Ah Ye, you must destroy that fiend at once. Do you know, people are in terror, your throne is unstable."

The river lay calm as glass, lotus leaves nearby, red and pink, tender and lovely, the scene picturesque. Yet Ji Ye felt no joy, only emptiness inside, cold wind scraping at his heart.

"I’ll do as Mother commands. In five days, at the Plaza of the Gate of Heavenly Succession—execution by fire, burn the demon." His voice was hoarse, his upturned lips bitterly ironic, his eyes hollow.

The beautiful Lady Kang’s lips curled in a silent smile, then quickly fell as she spoke with worry, "Your Majesty, perhaps you should investigate further, lest you wrong an innocent. The You family is powerful; they must not be offended."

"Mother, take your people and return. Rest assured, tomorrow I’ll order the palace gates opened. The nation cannot be without its ruler even for a day—I know."

All the admonitions memorized overnight were suddenly useless. The Empress Dowager glanced at Lady Kang, seeking her opinion.

Lady Kang nodded, and the Empress Dowager said, "Very well, then Mother will return?" she probed.

"Respectfully sending Mother off."

Author’s note: For the 29th.