The Emperor’s expression contorted for the briefest instant, then he laughed. “Even so — even if it means Yanxi will have no descendants through you?”

“Who can say what the future will hold.”

“You don’t care?”

“I care.” Hua Zhi smiled with biting irony. “But was today’s wound something I brought upon myself willingly? Was that brush with death at Yinshan Pass something I sought out? Some things cannot be stopped by caring — no blade or arrow can be deflected by feeling alone. So I can only implore His Majesty to seek justice.”

“Sharp tongue. No wonder Yanxi has taken a liking to you.” The Emperor rose. “Since you’ve been injured, rest and recuperate well.”

“This subject respectfully sees His Majesty off.”

The moment the Emperor left, Madam Zhu came in to ask after her. Satisfied that she was all right, she went out to reassure the others. Nearly everyone who had come today was on the same vessel as the Hua family — keeping their hearts steady was of the first importance.

Shao Yao lay draped over the edge of the bed, holding Hua Zhi’s hand without speaking. Sometimes she truly wished she could not see things so clearly — then her heart would not hurt so much.

Hua Zhi stroked her hair and said softly, “Don’t take it to heart. Getting tangled up with someone incapable of feeling does nothing but wound yourself.”

“I used to always believe His Majesty truly cared for Yanxi-gege — why else would everyone say so? The princes even resorted to all kinds of schemes out of jealousy over the special regard he received. And in the end? His Majesty hasn’t remembered a single thing Yanxi-gege did for him.”

Hua Zhi had many things she could have said to comfort Shao Yao, but apart from falsehoods, truths that brought comfort tended to wound all the same. Stripped to its essence, it was simply this: someone who valued loyalty and feeling deeply had encountered an Emperor who valued neither — what good could possibly come of that?

“All right — don’t make an injured patient comfort you. Apply some more medicine for me, please. It hurts.”

“You could have struck lighter if you’d known it would hurt.” Even as she grumbled, Shao Yao immediately reached for the medicine and applied it gently, blowing softly as she did, afraid of causing any further pain.

“Is the smell of blood still on the Emperor?”

“Yes — heavier than before. When I went to escort him in, I was close enough to take particular notice.”

“From what Chen Qing has told me, His Majesty has almost entirely stopped visiting his other consorts. The only time even Lai Fu would be unaware of his whereabouts is when a consort attends him in the night. Find a way to keep close watch on Hao Yue — her origins are connected to the Heavenly Master, and I suspect the blood smell on His Majesty cannot be separated from her.”

“Hao Yue has been watched all along. Aside from occasionally going to make things difficult for Noble Consort Xu, or accompanying His Majesty, she goes practically nowhere else. Nothing unusual has been found.”

“That makes it all the more suspicious.” Hua Zhi murmured to herself. For the moment, she could not think of where to begin.

“Miss, Steward Chen has arrived.”

Hua Zhi pulled the bedding up around herself. “Please show him in.”

Since this was an inner chamber, allowing a man inside already violated propriety. Chen Qing stood in the doorway and did not advance further. “Young Miss, our people below have already latched on. We are only waiting for them to make contact.”

“Keep the grip tight. Let’s see how many pawns they have to sacrifice.”

“Yes.”

“Stir the waters outside still wider — saying I am on the brink of death would not be an overstatement. Also — do not send word to Yanxi about this matter. He cannot afford any distraction there.”

“But—”

“There are no buts.”

Chen Qing could only comply, yet inwardly he felt glad for his master’s sake. The young miss was being so careful precisely because she held his master dear.

When Chen Qing had gone, Shao Yao climbed back onto the bed and lay beside Hua Zhi. “Is the situation at Jinyang going well?”

“Can a city where gambling flourishes be called going well? However favorable it may be for us, ‘well’ is not the word I’d use.” Hua Zhi sighed. “Yanxi says the gambling houses there are doing a roaring trade. Playing cards and mahjong appeared not long ago and have already taken Jinyang by storm. Many schemes have been thrown against them there, and the Peng family has held firm through all of it. So now those parties want to talk business and make money together. Yanxi hasn’t agreed yet — he’s using it as bait to draw out whoever is behind them.”

Shao Yao pouted. “I want to go to Jinyang. Yanxi-gege hasn’t even seen what I look like now.”

Hua Zhi wanted to go as well. She pressed her hand lightly over the wound on her chest. Taking advantage of this opportunity to leave the capital — that seemed not entirely out of the question?

No — she had to wait for Sixth Prince to return first, and see his accomplishments properly recorded. After that, His Majesty would move against the salt merchants, and both the Salt Administration and the Transport Bureau would need new arrangements. Then there was the search for raw materials for the sugar. The double-cropping rice would have to wait until the second half of the year… She could leave with complete freedom!

“Cao Cao, how long will my wound need to heal?”

“Come and ask me that again after two months of proper recuperation.”

“That’s not what I mean. I’m asking — how many days before I can move freely?”

Shao Yao raised her head. “What are you planning?”

Hua Zhi looked at her, eyes bright as though lit from within. “Go to Jinyang.”

Shao Yao shot upright, her eyes spinning rapidly. “Are you taking me along?”

“I am!”

Shao Yao was instantly energized. “Your wound isn’t deep. If it were anywhere else on your body, I could have you out of bed in two days — but this location is different from others. If it festers, that would be a great deal of trouble. Let’s keep you in bed a few more days before getting up.”

A moment later, Shao Yao drew close, conspiratorial as a thief, and asked in a hushed voice, “We’re really going?”

“You don’t want to go?”

Shao Yao nodded vigorously. “I want to go!”

“So do I. We’ll go once Sixth Prince returns.” Having not made the decision before, she hadn’t felt much. But now that it was decided, she genuinely wished she could pack up and set out this very moment.

“How much longer until Sixth Prince returns?”

“The last message said he was on his way back. Counting the days, it should be within the next few days — barring any troubles.”

Shao Yao held her face in her hands pitiably. “I already want to leave right now.”

As though anyone felt differently. Hua Zhi looked down at her chest. If she’d known the imperial physician was one of their own, she would have struck a little lighter.

In the Ruilan Chamber, Hao Yue brought a cup of hot tea to the Emperor’s lips. “A new type of calming tea this consort has prepared — Your Majesty, please taste it and judge.”

The Emperor drank a few sips. “It’s good.”

“If it’s good, Your Majesty ought to drink a little more.” Hao Yue made a playful complaint, then lifted her own cup and drank several sips. She glanced at the Emperor, and as though in passing, asked idly, “Your Majesty seems displeased about something. Who has provoked you?”

“The people in the palace have their various connections, and word from outside reaches them no later than it reaches me. Come now — are you saying you don’t know?”

“Those people Your Majesty speaks of certainly don’t include this consort. I’ve only been in the palace such a short while, and I have no family outside to help me make connections — where would I find such channels?”

Fair enough. The Emperor nodded and gave her a brief account of the attack on Hua Zhi.

“That really is… what sort of grievance runs so deep that one would resort to killing?” Hao Yue touched her belly, as though soothing the startled child within.

The Emperor also touched her already-showing belly, and gave a short, amused laugh. “Oh, there truly is such a grievance. Having chosen a side and become tutor to Sixth Prince, she must be prepared for the consequences. Without her, the Sixth Prince loses half his strength — of course there are those who cannot tolerate her existence.”

A flicker crossed Hao Yue’s eyes. “Is she truly so important?”

“Hua Yizheng could hardly have imagined what kind of person he raised.” Hua Zhi had the proud spirit and courage of the Hua family — and also a sharpness and headlong drive that the Hua family lacked. Perhaps because she was a woman, Hua Yizheng had let her read whatever she pleased. At the rigid eight-part essays required for examinations, she might not surpass the average student, but in breadth of learning — few could truly match her.