Chapter Forty-Four: Intimidation

Both women dismounted at the same time, tossing their reins aside with practiced coordination, and headed toward the Emperor’s study in the Palace of Celestial Purity. Morning court had already ended, and in fact, during that assembly, the ministers had all submitted memorials denouncing Xiang Lian, convinced that keeping her here would only bring disaster. They argued it would be better to send her back to Tianshang and let her await her fate there. Yet the Emperor of Celestial Purity had remained silent, declaring only that the matter would be discussed later, pending the recovery of the Tianshang prince’s injuries.

At this hour, the Emperor was certain to be in his study.

However, just then, the guards at the Gate of Virtue barred their way; by imperial decree, Feng Xiaoli and Yue Wanqing were forbidden from entering the palace.

The two women exchanged bewildered glances, a trace of shock flickering across their faces. What did this mean? Was the Emperor making it clear that neither of them was to interfere in this affair?

But neither woman was one to give up so easily. Their expressions turned grim as they faced the guards.

“Let us in!” Yue Wanqing called out.

A young noblewoman raising her voice startled the guards, but their training quickly reasserted itself. The Emperor’s order was absolute: no matter what, these two must not be allowed inside!

This thought only fortified their resolve. No matter how bold these women were, surely they would not dare defy the imperial command.

But they were wrong—gravely wrong. These two had never played by the rules. The more you tried to push them back, the fiercer their resistance, as if they were possessed by an unyielding, fearless spirit. The emperor’s prohibition only served to unleash the temperaments they had long suppressed.

“Out of my way!” Yue Wanqing shouted, brandishing a nine-section whip.

This whip was a gift from Old Snowmist. At first glance, he had recognized Yue Wanqing’s extraordinary talent for martial arts, and over five years had taught her everything he knew, even bestowing upon her the weapons he had forged himself, much to Feng Xiaoli’s envy.

Feng Xiaoli, on the other hand, lacked both intelligence and skill, and had no perseverance. If not for Yue Wanqing’s intercession, Old Snowmist would have sent her down the mountain long ago.

Seeing Yue Wanqing draw her weapon, Feng Xiaoli instinctively stepped back, fearing injury. She knew well enough that blades and whips recognized no friends.

“How dare you behave so brazenly under the Son of Heaven’s roof! We are carrying out the Emperor’s command, and his word is law. We know you are the daughters of the Prime Minister and the Prince Chun’s estate, so we will not report this to His Majesty. Please, ladies, just leave at once!” The guards, initially stern, quailed at the sight of the formidable weapon in Yue Wanqing’s hand. If wounded, it could cost them their lives. Their tone softened to pleading.

“If you report us, so much the better; I would be glad to see the emperor now. Let us in at once, or you’ll find out what this whip can do. I won’t be responsible for your lives if you persist. I’ve made myself clear—defy me, and you’ll die!” Yue Wanqing’s words were ruthless, offering not the slightest deference to the emperor.

The guards shuddered, recognizing she was not bluffing. Still, failure to carry out the emperor’s order meant only one fate for them. If they must die, better to die in service to their sovereign.

Seeing their resolve, Yue Wanqing swung her nine-section whip. She had given warning; since they would not listen, she would show no mercy. The thought of Xiang Lian’s current suffering darkened her face and filled her eyes with grim determination as she lashed out.

Suddenly, the whip was caught and held fast. The guards, bracing themselves for pain, opened their eyes in confusion. The woman who had come with Yue Wanqing—Feng Xiaoli—had used a red silk ribbon to entangle the whip, stopping it in its tracks.

“A’Li, what are you doing?” Yue Wanqing’s tone turned frigid at this unexpected betrayal.

She had not thought that, at this critical moment, Feng Xiaoli would hinder her instead of helping.

Feng Xiaoli shook her head, urging, “Wanqing, this is not the way. There are other paths. Don’t hurt anyone—if you do, Xiang Lian will only suffer more. The court is already denouncing her; if we resort to violence, we’ll only make things worse for her, not better.”

Her words brought clarity. Yue Wanqing’s agitation subsided. Yes, had she harmed someone just now, further charges would have fallen on innocent Xiang Lian.

The thought of Xiang Lian caused Yue Wanqing’s eyes to darken once more.

The guards, feeling as if they had been granted a new lease on life, hurriedly thanked Feng Xiaoli. Had she not intervened, their corpses would already be cooling on the ground. Still, gratitude aside, their vigilance remained. Who knew what these two might do next?

At that moment, the Gate of Virtue swung open, and the guards greeted Prince Chun with reverence. Feng Xiaoli’s eyes lit up at the sight of the old prince and she hurried forward, but he motioned her to stop.

“Old man, can you take us inside? Xiang Lian’s situation is dire—we must see the emperor and clear her name!” Feng Xiaoli pleaded, trying to move past him, but he blocked her way.

“A’Li, the emperor’s order is clear: neither you nor Miss Wanqing may enter the palace. Only when the truth comes out will you be allowed inside.”

Both Feng Xiaoli and Yue Wanqing looked frustrated and perplexed. They could not fathom why the emperor would issue such a command. Was he denying them the chance to see Xiang Lian? Was he preventing them from seeking the truth? Or was there some deeper secret at play?

“Old man, are we not even allowed to see Xiang Lian? If we cannot meet the emperor, at least let Wanqing and me see her. We want to hear her side of the story—that’s the only way we can help. Or, at least, you could tell His Majesty that I know a little medicine. Let me examine Luo Wensheng and determine what poison he’s suffering from. That might help Xiang Lian as well!”

“A’Li!” Prince Chun rarely spoke so sternly. “A’Li, you and Wanqing should return for now. This is not as simple as you think. The guards from Tianshang trust only their own imperial physicians and refuse to believe those of the Imperial Medical Academy. Even if you went in, it would do no good. Better to return and wait for news.”

“I don’t want to sit and wait, that’s why I came here! Are we not even allowed to see Xiang Lian?” Feng Xiaoli pressed.

“It’s not that you can’t, but—”