Chapter Ninety-Four: Suddenly
In the Snow Bamboo Lands, Snow Ze searched most of the area but saw not a soul, and suspicion stirred in her heart.
“Where has everyone gone?”
After a moment’s thought, she had her answer.
“Master and the elder brothers must be out patrolling and reinforcing the defenses. Lotus must have sneaked down the mountain again! Truly, let her off without a beating for three days and she’ll start tearing tiles off the roof. I’ll have to teach her a proper lesson!”
She turned around and was startled, then instantly burned with anger.
“You still dare come back?!”
“Senior Sister, I was wrong!”
“At a time like this, you still went down the mountain without permission. Who gave you such nerve?” Snow Ze raised her hand to discipline Lotus, but in the end could not bring herself to do it. Furious, she turned and walked away. “Go back and reflect on your mistakes. Without my permission, you are not allowed to leave the Snow Bamboo Lands!”
Lotus was shocked and hurried after her in two quick steps.
“Senior Sister!”
“Enough!” Snow Ze stopped and held out her hand. “Give me back the Nine-Bell Pearl. Let me see how you plan to go down the mountain now!”
Lotus reluctantly took out the pearl.
“Senior Sister, I know the Heavenly Mountain’s defenses have been strengthened, so I can’t get out, but, but—”
“But what?”
“Senior Sister, perhaps you should go down the mountain yourself!” Lotus grabbed Snow Ze and said earnestly, “I felt an unusual power in the mortal world. That feeling was like, like a great demon lord.”
Snow Ze froze and shook off her hand.
“What demon lord? With your level of cultivation, what could you possibly sense? Don’t tell me you want me to do your errands again. Wind Walker and Wind Warm are both doing well enough on their own, so don’t meddle!”
“Senior Sister!”
“Be obedient!” Snow Ze gripped Lotus by the shoulders. “Lotus, listen to me and do not cling to obsession! Feelings in the mortal world cannot be indulged!”
Lotus stared at her for a moment, then removed Snow Ze’s hands and said with utmost seriousness, “Senior Sister, my matters can wait. Listen to me first. The villain in the mortal world is not dead. It’s true! Master concealed part of the truth. When I was in the mortal realm—”
“It’s true! This is true!” Lotus was afraid Snow Ze would not believe her and was nearly frantic. “If I had not discovered this, why would I have rushed back in such haste? Think about it: if the demon lord were no longer in the world, why would Master and the elder brothers be so occupied every single day? Heavenly Mountain is on guard against the enemy, and the Snowfield is the key!”
“What did you say?”
Within Bright-Origin Palace, Liu Li was reviewing memorials and approving them one by one.
Most of the recent memorials concerned rumors spreading among the people; the others reported that the White River had suffered a terrible flood and famine had followed.
“The White River is Second Brother’s domain. How could such a matter have been handled so poorly?”
Liu Li sighed softly, then called Gao Hai in.
“Have relief grain and supplies been escorted to the White River? Has the disaster of the past few days been properly dealt with? Have the refugees been settled?”
“Your Majesty, the refugees all live by the river, and most are rural villagers. The best place to house them would be inside White River City, but Second Prince, fearing the refugees would bring chaos, refused to admit them. Now they are being sheltered in the woods outside the city, living under makeshift tents.”
Liu Li was startled and asked with concern, “Recent autumn rains have been endless in the White River. How are the victims to survive? Has Second Brother provided them with clothing and grain?”
Gao Hai paused, then replied, “He has not.”
Liu Li let out a disappointed sigh and looked again at the memorial in his hands.
“How could Second Brother be so heartless? In the past, whenever there was trouble, he would always make proper arrangements for the people. Now he simply turns a blind eye. With rain drenching everything day after day, and neither grain nor clothing, how are those suffering people meant to live?”
“Your Majesty, should we send more men to escort supplies at once?”
“Supplies must be sent, but issue a swift decree as well. Tell Second Brother to properly resettle the disaster victims!”
“Will he listen to you?” The Empress Dowager entered as she spoke, a cold smile on her lips. “Your Second Brother grows less and less obedient by the day, repeatedly bringing disgrace upon North Hua. I think it is time he was summoned to the capital!”
Liu Li was startled and felt a flicker of unease.
“But White River is facing a serious crisis right now. If we summon him from so far away, would that not—”
“Do not worry. Once the one in command leaves, the people below will naturally obey the imperial decree. You need not concern yourself with the refugees. Draft the edict at once and summon the Second Prince!”
Liu Li hesitated before asking in some confusion, “Mother, why must we summon Second Brother now?”
The Empress Dowager glanced at him, deliberately letting her eyes rest on the purple mark on his hand, and said with a smile, “That Second Prince has not come to the capital for many years. He must have grown increasingly fond of the Noble Consort Shu. Perhaps his refusal to obey the summons this time is because of that. Ever since your father passed, the two of them have not been able to see one another as freely as we do. How strange it is: what others long for becomes an obstacle in our hands. Seeing one another day and night inevitably breeds friction, and before long it sows discord. This is truly—”
Gao Hai coughed once, gave Liu Li a meaningful look, and withdrew.
Liu Li knew the red dye on his hand had been seen by the Empress Dowager, so he no longer tried to hide it. He only hoped she did not know of his meetings with the Noble Consort Shu.
“Mother is teasing me. A mother and son do not hold grudges overnight. Anything your son has done to offend you was only to build a better court together; there was no other intent. If Mother can understand your son, then surely you would not be angered. As for the matter of Noble Consort Shu and Second Brother, why did Mother never inquire about it before, yet now wish to help them?”
The Empress Dowager gave a feigned laugh and said calmly, “Is it not because I have grown farther and farther from the Emperor lately? Though I have two princes, one is far away in You Prefecture and seldom comes near, while the other is close at hand yet differs from me in his views. Perhaps I am old, and it is time to step aside. But managing state affairs every day gives me such a headache that I do not wish for you to suffer this burden. If you come to power, you will no longer be able to indulge in moonlit flowers and scholar’s fancies. You will lose many pleasures and much joy.”
“On matters of power and rank, Mother need not speak of them again. Your son does not care for such things. So long as Mother can do as she wishes and live in peace and happiness, that is enough. The little I do in place of Elder Brother is only this.”
The Empress Dowager smiled in satisfaction.
“Then what of the Second Prince?”
“Since Mother says so, then your son is also willing to help unite what is beautiful!”
The Empress Dowager nodded with contentment, took Liu Li’s hand, and said with concern, “You lost your imperial father when you were still young. Do not grow more and more distant from your mother. Though Mother often does things that make you unhappy, they are all done with good intentions. Those few disobedient, stubborn, headstrong minor officials—why should you still brood over their deaths? They were merely companions Mother helped you discern as unsuitable!”
“Since the matter has come to this, your son begs Mother not to inflict such severe punishments again or slaughter the innocent indiscriminately. No matter their faults, none deserved to lose their lives. Though Mother believes your son should not keep company with them, even so, matters should be handled according to North Hua law. They cannot simply be executed outright. If the memorials currently in hand are only about past affairs, then so be it—but what if someone were to impeach Mother? What then?”
“Then kill him!”
Liu Li froze.
“Mother, you—?”
Seeing the excitement in his face, the Empress Dowager smiled.
“If such a person truly existed, then I would meet him myself! Your Majesty, rest assured. I have reflected lately and will not repeat such grave mistakes. These past days, our cold war—has it not been enough to change your mind somewhat?”
“So long as Mother knows her mistakes and can correct them, that is enough! North Hua’s future is meant to be bright, with everyone living in peace and happiness, free of war and resentment. That was Father’s dying wish. Your son wishes to accomplish it together with Mother, so as to comfort Father’s spirit in heaven!”
The Empress Dowager nodded.
“That is only natural. Your father and I were deeply devoted and enjoyed a very good relationship. How could I not know his mind? After so many years of affection, in the end we were separated by life and death. Besides raising our children, I also had to help him fulfill his final wish. You need not worry about that. If you have energy to spare, you should put more of it into the concubines. When will I finally hear good news from you?”
“That is not urgent. The state comes before the family; that is your son’s choice! Besides, matters of love require mutual devotion. Though the women of the inner palace are beautiful, they are not to my taste. Mother should care more for her own health, so that others may do their duties without worry!”
Watching the Empress Dowager depart, Liu Li did not know whether to feel joy or sorrow, and could only let out a quiet sigh.
Gao Hai was displeased.
“Your Majesty, should we do something?”
“What do you want to do?”
“The Second Prince and Noble Consort Shu are behaving strangely. I fear they are hiding many dangers beneath the surface, and we cannot help but guard against them. After all, the Empress Dowager is not truly repentant, and at such a critical time she is summoning the Second Prince back to the capital. There may be a reversal on Noble Consort Shu’s side. The mother and son cannot withstand the Empress Dowager. If we do not intervene—”
“I understand what you mean, but this is not easy to handle. Second Brother’s return is a good thing, though it will implicate Noble Consort Shu and also hinder our investigation. Still, how can I obstruct a mother and son from seeing one another? In truth, I have no choice. I can only protect them quietly in secret!”
“This servant understands!” Gao Hai said, then remembered something else. “Your Majesty, as for the heir—Liu Qing, would you like to hear about his present condition?”
Liu Li nodded.
“Of course. How is Liu Qing?”
“You ordered me to inspect Kunlun. This servant found him in perfectly good health, and he is very close to Master Yu. However, when I informed him that the murder case at the prince’s manor had been solved, he seemed dissatisfied. Although we are still investigating the matter carefully, the result announced to the world is indeed chilling. This servant was not in a position to dissuade him further.”
“I know. He must be unwilling to accept it. I am unwilling too, so this matter cannot be left to grow cold. We must keep watch at all times.”
“I’m afraid the matter you need to keep watch over is not this one!”
A clear female voice sounded from within the hall, causing Liu Li and Gao Hai to stare in stunned alarm.
“Who is there?” Gao Hai drew his blade and looked around, only to find no third person in the hall.
Liu Li walked in front of him and stopped him.
“It’s all right. From the sound of it, it seems to be Miss Snow Ze!”
Gao Hai was startled. Before he could reply, a gust of wind swept in with frost and snow.
“Your Majesty, this subordinate takes his leave!” Gao Hai withdrew before Liu Li could react. In the corner of his eye he caught a flash of white, and a faint smile touched his lips.
“Why did he leave?”
Liu Li was awkward for a long while before finally collecting his surprise and replying gently, “There are too many eyes and ears in the palace. He went outside to stand guard, so that no one would overhear us. Why have you come?”
Snow Ze thought of what Lotus had said and let out a sigh.
“Could it be that you do not know?”
“What do I not know?” Liu Li stood rooted to the spot, his face faintly red, his heart pounding as though storm and thunder had stirred within it.
Noticing the change in him, Snow Ze asked softly, “Is your expression like that because my sudden arrival startled you? Then that is truly my fault. I have always been rather direct and straightforward!”
“No, no.” Liu Li lowered his head with a smile, gathered his emotions, and invited Snow Ze to sit. In his heart he thought: How could I resent your sudden arrival? This dreamlike scene is precisely what I have longed for day and night!