Chapter 3

Chapter 3

Today, Liu Hong summoned me to the Imperial Study.

I knew this day would eventually come.

If Liu Hong was going to acknowledge this child, then he would never allow the child’s biological father to keep living in this world.

Inside the Imperial Study, besides Liu Hong, there was one other person-Minister Fu. He stood silently beneath the window, waiting.

Minister Fu was the Zhuangyuan personally chosen by the Late Emperor, and he was now the leading figure among the upright civil officials.

The Late Emperor had adored Minister Fu’s handwriting; even the edict that passed the throne to Liu Hong was penned by him.

Liu Hong trusted and relied on him so much that, though still young, he held a third-rank post and had already become a Minister.

Liu Hong kept his head down over the paperwork, his voice icy enough to raise goosebumps. “The man the Empress refused to name… I think I’ve found him.”

My palms dampened slightly, but I forced myself to look calm. “Your Majesty, this concerns secrets of the inner palace. An outside official is still here.”

Liu Hong lifted his head and looked between me and Minister Fu.

“Only today did I learn that Minister Fu and the Empress share a teacher-student bond.”

When I met Fu Xingjian, Liu Hong still had nothing to do with the throne.

My father invited him to tutor me. Fu Xingjian didn’t teach women’s virtues or women’s precepts-he taught governance and grand strategy.

Half a year later, my family rushed off to the battlefield. Fu Xingjian returned the tuition and stopped coming.

“Zhao Zhen, from today onward, I am no longer your teacher.”

Later, my entire family died for the nation. Fu Xingjian took the imperial examinations and became the new Zhuangyuan.

I thought Fu Xingjian was truly clever-he must have seen my family’s downfall coming and cleanly severed ties.

Yet I never expected that before the Emperor could bestow a marriage, Fu Xingjian would come in the pouring rain in the middle of the night and solemnly ask for my hand. Sadly for me, it was already too late.

“Lord Fu, Zhao Zhen only wants to be the Empress.”

He clenched the jade pendant in his hand, his gaze tangled with pain. After a long while, he answered softly, “All right.”

Eight years passed. I became an Empress without favor; he became a Minister renowned among the upright officials.

Liu Hong stood from behind the desk, swept Fu Xingjian with a cold glance, and tossed a memorial at him.

“Everyone says Minister Fu’s calligraphy is excellent. So why is the memorial you submitted so sloppy?”

Fu Xingjian picked up the memorial and knelt.

“That night when I entered the palace, a sudden downpour caused the ink to bleed. I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”

Liu Hong’s words tightened around my heart like a fist.

“That night-does the Empress still remember it?”

I steadied myself and smiled as if puzzled. “I don’t know what Your Majesty means.”

Liu Hong grabbed my hand, strode several steps, and shoved me into the warm side chamber.

“Zhao Zhen, you won’t shed tears until you see the coffin, is that it?”

A secret guard dragged a blood-soaked man out from the corner. Heaven knew how many tortures he’d endured.

The man lay facedown on the floor, staring at me. He opened his mouth, but no sound came.

Liu Hong pressed his voice so low it was barely above a breath, as though afraid anyone might overhear.

“Empress, do you still like it? This man is a guard from the abandoned palace. He says you invited him of your own accord-Minister Fu even nearly caught you.”

Liu Hong drew a long sword from the secret guard’s waist and threw it at my feet.

“Empress, you know what to do.”

Fighting down my fear, I gripped the sword with both hands. Shaking, I walked to the man and drove the blade in, granting him a swift end.

That hurdle was over.

On the way back there was a stretch of road where I walked alongside Fu Xingjian.

“The Empress is impressive,” he said. “Even with everything you have on your plate, you didn’t forget to arrange a scapegoat for me.”

I lowered my eyes and smiled faintly. Since Liu Hong wanted to investigate, I had to give him something to find.

That guard had been prepared for him-down to the confession, which I’d taught him word for word.

Fu Xingjian’s smile wasn’t quite a smile. “You killed him today. When the day comes that I’m no longer useful-will I also die by the Empress’s hand?”

I coaxed him softly. “My lord performed splendidly. I’m afraid I’ll have use for you for a very long time.”

Fu Xingjian understood. The tips of his ears reddened, and he quickened his pace.

I followed, curious. “Lord Fu, why didn’t you rewrite the memorial that day?”

Fu Xingjian stopped abruptly, his face dark. “Does the Empress care?”

I didn’t understand. “Care about what?”

“Care about my life, my official career… even my feelings.

“Since the Empress doesn’t intend to leave the palace, then what am I to you?”

Fu Xingjian stared at me so fixedly I felt exposed, with nowhere to run.

He had taught me well-yet I still turned those lessons against him.

Fu Xingjian’s gaze dropped to my lower abdomen. He sighed, so faint it was almost imperceptible.

“Now that the Empress is carrying the dragon seed, live peacefully and behave yourself.”

I lowered my eyes. This was my child with him. Because Liu Hong had reduced the officially recorded number of months, Fu Xingjian would never suspect that it was from that night.

From the look of it, he was far from pleased with me-and this wasn’t the time to tell him the truth.

Not far ahead, my maid approached. Fu Xingjian took his leave.

The maid leaned close and whispered, “The people the Empress asked the Imperial Household Department to select are already waiting.”