The imperial palace lay directly north of Chang’an City, overlooking the people below like the North Star.
Clip-clopping hooves echoed as Jiang Kui sat within a small azure-colored sedan chair, traveling along the winding imperial thoroughfare toward the palace. She secretly lifted a corner of the brocade curtain, glimpsing outside the soaring palace walls disappearing into clouds, the dazzling crimson facade vivid beneath the sunlight. The shadows of tall locust trees on both sides stretched across the surface, mottled and disjointed.
A light morning rain misted faintly. Jiang Kui alighted from her sedan. A petty eunuch hurried forth with a gossamer silk parasol to shield her. Glancing up, she noticed the marble tablet between two vermillion lacquered pillars inscribed with the characters for Tonghua Gate.
“Esteemed Jiang clan young lady, please come this way.” A small eunuch beckoned, holding a horsehair duster. Two more petty eunuchs followed behind her in lockstep, one to each side.
The winding azure stone path finally opened upon a spacious lotus pond. Soft rainfall dimpled the waters with dense ripples, unsullied pinkish-white lotuses rising proudly from the rain.
No one else lingered in the secluded vicinity except their small procession, with only the rustling of shoes and robes permeating the heavy silence.
Jiang Kui narrowed her eyes warily. Too quiet…the anxiety-inducing kind.
This wasn’t Jiang Kui’s first time entering the palace.
Her young aunt, her father Jiang Chengzhi’s sister Concubine Jiang Tang, currently reigned as the emperor’s pampered favorite. With few women remaining in their diminished clan as most had accompanied their husbands on military postings, whenever Tang wished to unburden herself among kin, she would summon Jiang Kui to her side by imperial decree.
But the summons this time hadn’t come from the Concubine.
The edict failed to specify the convener, and these eunuchs seemed unfamiliar. The entrance used wasn’t the Yong’an Gate she knew well either. Everything about this secluded lotus pond set her ill at ease.
“Young Lady, please be careful,” a petty eunuch suddenly squeaked behind her, forcefully shoving her forward a step.
Though seemingly assisting Jiang Kui, his strength had stealthily propelled her ahead. Their leader rounded a bend up front and abruptly vanished. Jiang Kui’s foot landed in shifting ripples that swallowed her whole with a splash.
Someone wanted her dead!
Despite appearing shallow, these unknown depths could drown her easily. Azure waters closed overhead while long weeds tangled her feet, pulling her further below the disturbed surface.
Hmph, she sneered to herself, too bad this young lady isn’t truly a helpless weakened maiden who can’t swim!
She decided to play along for now.
“Glug glug…”
Jiang Kui thrashed dramatically in feigned struggle, her small pale hands repeatedly slapping the water. Hairpins and silver steps scattered as her loose hair floated like pond weeds amidst the greenish depths.
Using the exertion as excuse, she furtively breathed at intervals before pretending to weaken, holding still beneath the surface while keenly observing the bank.
The three petty eunuchs watched aloofly until she sank out of sight, only then shrilly crying for help: “Save her–someone’s drowned!”
Their voices faded, seemingly to seek rescue.
Shortly after, the placid pool erupted into splashing.
Jiang Kui broke the surface for air, preparing to climb out and secretly trail the treacherous trio.
Unexpectedly, more sounds neared rapidly:
“Your Highness! Your Highness! Think of your precious health!”
“Saving her takes priority.” That voice stubbornly insisted.
Now who was this annoying interloper obstructing her plans? Jiang Kui fumed silently.
The late summer waters bit with cold. Suppressing a shiver, she grumpily submerged once more beneath the murky green depths.
Eyes shut, she relaxed and imagined herself as the unfortunate fallen lady she pretended to be…endlessly sinking within the vast watery void, a soundlessly twirling flower petal adrift in wind…
A warm steady hand grasped her wrist.
Opening her eyes, someone swam toward her through the dim bluishness. Though his features remained vague, she glimpsed floating robes like an overflowing cloud.
Meddlesome fool, she swore silently.
Then she closed her eyes, limply letting him pull her ashore as a frail weakened girl who accidentally slipped in the lake. To successfully feign a victim, she even deliberately inhaled more frigid water before bursting into violent coughs, trembling uncontrollably. Raindrenched and pallid, her petite face flushed appealingly from the wheezing fits.
Her rescuer also started coughing heavily in turn, even louder than her.
Please, she was the one half-drowned! Who lacked the sight to emulate her?
Wait…why did his coughing seem so familiar?
“Fetch an imperial physician, quickly!” A panicky petty eunuch exclaimed. “The crown prince is susceptible to chills–he can’t risk catching one!”
“I’m fine,” the man opened a thick cloak held out by the anxious eunuch. Yet he carefully tucked it around Jiang Kui instead, his gentle voice lowered in concern. “Please forgive my impertinence, Lady. Preserving your life outweighs all else.”
Through the rainy mist, Jiang Kui squinted slightly for a glimpse of this figure. Drenched crimson gauze robes over soaked white undergarments peeked out at the collar, accentuating the appealing straight lines of his reddened cough-rasped neck. She failed to discern his countenance in the rain’s blur, only a vaguely upright side profile against the haze like a stalk of bamboo.
Her intended husband–Donggong Crown Prince Xie Kang, courtesy name Wuyan.
Upon reopening her eyes, she saw before her a pair of beautiful fair hands, charming fingertips stained pink with rouge vine flowers. They tenderly caressed her face, gently wiping the fine beads of sweat along her brow.
“You’re awake?” the hands’ mistress softly laughed. Within her bright almond-shaped eyes, deep rippling affection swirled.
“Dear aunt.” Jiang Kui sweetly addressed her.
Though seemingly unconscious, she actually feigned oblivion to stay alert. Shadows moved about her obscured vision while she faintly discerned being carried up and later spoonfed medicine. Numerous pulses were checked until much time passed and she arrived at Concubine Tang’s Peach Blossom Court. Eventually the concubine banished everyone to privately tend her alone.
“His Majesty is already investigating your near drowning,” Consort Tang gently stroked her damp hair. “The three eunuchs who brought you in had only recently entered the palace. When found, they had all drowned within a secluded pond.”
Jiang Kui inhaled sharply. What vicious mastermind murdered three lives simultaneously to eliminate loose ends?
“The summoning edict originated by decree of His Majesty,” the consort continued gravely.
The emperor wanted her dead? Shock overwhelmed her.
“Cease your wild speculations, silly girl.” Lady Tang laughed gently at her expression, firmly tapping a fingertip against her forehead. “Seeing you was mere idle imperial curiosity over the outstanding beauty who thoroughly captivated the crown prince. After all, His Highness had only just met you last night before hastily requesting marriage consent the very next morning.”
Jiang Kui lifted her head from the solid flick, eyeing the exquisite golden phoenixes frolicking across the canopy overhead. Just what had so enraptured the obscure Eastern Palace prince? Could he have empathized with her weak constitution?
The consort then solemnly added: “En route to the palace, your carriage was secretly switched along the way.”
Jiang Kui stirred, eyes flashing. Indeed, the travel route had seemed rather odd…
“With so many tangled threads, the truth remains unclear for now,” sighed Lady Tang, still gently petting her. “My dear Little Full, neither your father nor I wish you wed into the precarious imperial family. Yet against the finalized betrothal, what can we do? You must take utmost care from now on and trust no one…not even the man who shares your bed.”
Even as she stroked Jiang Kui’s hair, her own eyes lowered toward her abdomen. “Why do you suppose, despite years of doting favor, I remain without child?”
Jiang Kui shook her head reflexively.
Such matters had never occurred to her. The past carefree decade of her alter ego–the female knight-errant Jiang Little Full–thought only of wine and combat.
As her beautiful gentle aunt caressed her soothingly this moment, sudden sorrow welled within those lovely eyes. Jiang Kui realized with a pang that age had caught up to her aunt. While still as stunning as before, lingering grief subtly etched upon her former girlish brightness.
“Every morning, His Majesty insists Court Censor Yu personally bring me a medicinal brew to prevent conception,” the consort whispered.
Jiang Kui stared, nonplussed by this unprecedented revelation.
“Our Jiang clan military authority passes along the paternal line,” Lady Tang intently reminded her niece. “As the sole daughter, whichever household you marry shall gain the Jiang armies’ might. Never forget.”
Rain pattering softly, Jiang Kui soon found herself escorted from the heavily guarded palace back to the estate, followed by numerous servants wielding umbrellas like a small swirling cloud. Her three brothers had also rushed back from their border camps upon her arrival. Fretting anxiously over her, they accompanied her solicitously to her chambers.
Of the Grand General’s three sons, the eldest was steady, the second rash, and the third clever.
“Little sister, this simultaneous incident of your near drowning and the crown prince’s offer seems too timely to sit well with me,” her eldest brother Jiang Luan spoke up first, courtesy name Duan Shan.
“If that so-called prince dares mistreat you, sister, I shall rebel to lead troops raiding the Eastern Palace and bring you back!” declared hot-tempered second brother Jiang Feng, called Chang Feng. He stamped his foot vehemently for emphasis, the sharp sound causing Jiang Kui to wince.
“You two blockheads, what use could upright forthright moves serve for protective self-defense?” scoffed ingenious third sibling Jiang Yuan with a squint. “Why not instead teach our little sister some subtle technique such as the yin-locking spell? That’ll certainly tame that Eastern wastrel.”
Jiang Yuan’s courtesy name was Zhi Yuan.
Both elder brothers visibly shuddered. Jiang Kui blinked, suddenly curious what this so-called yin-locking technique could be.
“Wait until Father next invites the Minister of Rites for tea. I’ll visit the garrison for you all to instruct me in martial skills.” She nodded. “As for who plotted against me, leave it be. I shall investigate personally.”
“How will you investigate?”
“Hmph.” She grinned slyly like a fox. “I have my ways.”
That night, the rain ceased.
Within parting clouds, a brilliant crescent moon emerged, spilling lustrous illumination onto the ancient towering locust tree within the courtyard.
Its vast canopy resembled massive clouds. Jiang Kui nestled atop the highest branch facing the moon, soaking in its splendor as gentle dreams embraced her lovely features. Long lashes shrouding faintly uplifted eyes, an inkling of a crafty smile teased the corner of her mouth.
“Young Lady, Young Lady!” Her maid Little Qing anxiously called up from below. “Climbing so precariously high.. What if the Master sees?”
“With such abundant leafy coverage, how could he?” Jiang Kui lazily retorted.
Nevertheless she shifted position, allowing the burgeoning foliage to better hide her petite form.
A sudden “pa!” sliced the air as something flew over the outer wall amidst frantic rustling leaves.
Jiang Kui’s eyes snapped open and she reached out, clasping the narrow cylindrical projectile. An intricately whittled bamboo tube with a wooden stopper crammed at one end. She pried it out with a fingernail, extracting a tightly rolled thin sheet of birch bark unfurling densely packed small characters that she scanned under the moonlight.
The elegantly succinct message read: “East Tower Lane, the bookstore.”
It seemed rather than her seeking the sender, this person had already impatiently sought her out first instead.
“My lady, where are you going?” Little Qing stared wide-eyed as Jiang Kui leapt down, grabbed the wrapped white hemp polearm reclining against the tree, then vaulted up the wall and disappeared onto the other side.
“Going on a date!” Echoed her fading voice amidst the stirring wind.
Maid Little Qing stood stupefied. A secret late night tryst already? And they only just got engaged…
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