Chapter 38
I am going to the palace to have an audience with His Majesty.
The Second Young Master said this move is perilous, that I should think it through carefully, for I might just lose my head on the spot.
He also said, there are still five months until the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month. Xiao Chun, have you really not considered marrying me?
I have not. Whether I live or die, I am determined to be with Chao Jianan.
I am grateful to the Second Young Master. It was he who knelt outside Qinzheng Hall and begged for this opportunity for me.
I have met the current Son of Heaven.
He is a middle-aged man, dressed in a dazzling dragon robe, exuding an imposing presence even in silence, his face solemn.
I kowtowed to him and recounted in detail every case I had committed since entering the Capital.
He let out a cold laugh: “You are honest, and quite bold. Do you realize that you cannot escape a capital crime?”
“I never intended to live. I went to great lengths to seek an audience with Your Majesty, only to ask you one question. Please answer me with equal candor. Do you truly not know how the Loyal and Brave Marquis acquired the military supplies back then?”
“Insolence! I am the Son of Heaven-why should I be candid with a mere commoner? The only reason I agreed to see you was to take a look at the demoness who has so bewitched my officials.”
“That is Your Majesty’s prejudice against me, and against all women under heaven. You are not quite as I imagined. I regret meeting you. You are not a good emperor.”
“Since my ascension, I have rectified the court, governed with enlightenment, and brought peace to the realm-no more rebellions, and the people live in safety. Yet you say I am not a good emperor?”
“Is the Loyal and Brave Marquis a good minister to you? Of course he is, for he serves you wholeheartedly. Is the Guodao Army a fine sword in your hand? Of course, for they are at your command. But forgive my bluntness, we can never acknowledge them as good ministers, because that sword was once turned against us, robbing and killing.”
“Those who were killed by them can never admit they were good men. Just as Your Majesty-you have eaten the rice from my family, yet refuse to acknowledge it. So in my heart, you can never be a good emperor.”
“Insolence! Guards, drag her out and behead her!”
At the emperor’s command, the palace guards stepped forward to drag me away.
I began to laugh, and continued shouting at him: “The world for the people! Lies! All lies!”
“The great way is public, the world belongs to all-it’s all a lie! You will never be a good emperor, I do not acknowledge you! Every single person in Qingshi Town does not acknowledge you!”
Zhang Yunhuai was right-this move is perilous, and I am about to lose my head.
But he was also wrong, for just then a eunuch rushed in to report, addressing the emperor: “Your Majesty, Kaizhou has rebelled!”
In that instant, both the emperor and I were stunned.