Chapter 059: The North Hua Bulletin
Within the Mingkun Palace, Liu Li sat listlessly, gazing at the censer. His heart was beset by confusion and unrest, his sorrow and indignation mingling with an unshakable sense of loss.
“Who, in the end, has my royal uncle offended? Who beneath the heavens could be so brazen, so ruthless—to not only exterminate his entire household, but to suspend his corpse in public view? If I discover the culprit, I will see him repaid a hundredfold, left wracked with regret!”
Frowning deeply, Liu Li felt the weight of his grief pressing upon him. In his daze, a faint scent of plum blossoms drifted to his nose.
Plum blossoms—in summer?
“Gao Hai!”
“Sire, what is it?”
“Do you smell anything unusual?”
Gao Hai shook his head. “Your Majesty, perhaps you are overwrought with sorrow. You should rest a while.”
“No matter. You may go. But if you witness anything strange, investigate at once and report to me.”
Gao Hai withdrew, leaving Liu Li alone in the quiet hall, his thoughts wandering to unfathomable depths.
He had scarcely begun to untangle his confusion when the Empress Dowager arrived. She had arranged to meet with Liu Li that afternoon.
“Mother!” Liu Li’s heart warmed at the sight of her, and he turned all his attention upon her.
The Empress Dowager nodded, offering him a gentle smile. “Emperor, have you waited long?”
“Not at all, but there is something I must say!” Liu Li stepped forward, gripping her hand in agitation. “Mother, about uncle—”
“I have heard it all. There is no need to repeat it. Such sorrows are best left to time.”
“Mother, you must grant them a grand burial, and posthumously restore their titles!”
The Empress Dowager looked at him kindly. “They are already gone. Of what use are such honors?”
“I know you never favored uncle, but this is a matter of state. Were my father still alive, he would see them honored with dignity! Besides, there is something most suspicious about what befell the prince’s household. Please, allow me to investigate, to grant justice for my uncle’s sake!”
“That is out of the question,” she replied, her tone unyielding.
Liu Li’s heart chilled. He asked softly, “Why must you be so merciless? Do the lives of the royal family mean nothing to you? You did not witness the scene yourself, nor did you watch Liu Qing draw his last breath—it was a grief beyond endurance. If we let it go like this, how can the dead find rest, the people feel secure, or our ancestors sleep in peace?”
“Enough!” The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed with anger as she scolded him. “Do you take me for one made of stone? This matter is strange and perilous. If you insist on probing deeper, who knows what disaster may befall. If you uncover nothing and something happens to you, how could I answer to your father? And if the truth is too shocking, how will the people rest easy? For the sake of the realm, you must reconsider!”
“Mother, I am not afraid—not of hardship, nor of danger. What I fear is being kept in the dark, to die ignorant and bewildered. Rumors have long circulated about father’s mysterious death—now, with this new tragedy, should we endure further slander of the royal house? If every member of the family meets a violent, ignoble end, how can the court ever be stable?”
The Empress Dowager shot him a furious glare. “How dare you! Such reckless words—do you wish me to punish you?”
“I mean no disrespect, Mother, I only speak the truth.”
Liu Li stood his ground, undaunted by her anger. The two remained at an impasse for a long while.
“At times, when I am weary, I have thought of yielding the throne to you,” she finally sighed. “But I always worry that you are too naive and stubborn. And now I see it is so—heedless of circumstance, set in your ways. That is the gravest flaw in a ruler. I cannot relinquish my duties yet, or the people would curse me for years to come.”
“I care not for power, only that you rule wisely. But there are things I cannot condone, nor can I forget the lessons of our ancestors.”
The Empress Dowager snorted, casting him a sidelong glance. “So you mean to defy me? When will you finally grow up? When will you learn from your elder brother? The crown prince was not your father’s favorite, but I have always believed him more capable than you.”
“My brother is indeed both virtuous and accomplished, greater than I. Yet he and I are alike—each with our own mind.”
“That is true enough,” she sighed, her heart filling again with regret for her eldest son. Why did he care nothing for the court, preferring seclusion in his fief? However often she summoned him, he remained cold and distant. All the late emperor’s sons were stubborn, it seemed. The eldest and the third both obstinate, she could only pin her hopes on the second prince now.
Beihuazhou Proclamation:
A strange omen descends; the sun and moon lose their brilliance, the four seas are uneasy, hearts are restless. Past calamities unresolved, now new sorrows arise. Lately, the Beihua court is unsettled, rumors swirl throughout the palace, countless are wounded and maimed—witness the corpses on the back hills, the slaughter at the prince’s manor. It is feared that evil men, monsters, or demons are at large. This proclamation is issued in hope that worthy talents will come forth to advise and aid Beihua, to quell this calamity and uncover the truth. No reward shall be spared for those who answer.
Addendum: Should many talents appear, a contest shall determine the victors, who will be charged with this investigation. Men shall compete in martial skill, women in dance; the best man and woman crowned with gold. All heroes and heroines, exorcists and guardians of the Way are sincerely invited to Beihua on the fifteenth of this month.
This proclamation was drafted by the Queen herself, reviewed by the Emperor of Beian, witnessed by the High Priestess Mufan, and debated by the ministers. Couriers rushed copies to every corner: to renowned martial sects, places of cultivation, Buddhist and Daoist temples, and the homes of the high and mighty. Yet few met the requirements or dared to answer the call.
After all, the recent events in Beihua were too bizarre; the prince’s corpse displayed as a warning was enough to send ordinary folk into terror. The talented would avoid it, the ambitious would not interfere—only those of the immortal path or strange heroes of the jianghu would dare take on such a burden.
“Sire, do you think, after this notice, that anyone will come to the palace?” Gao Hai asked.
Liu Li did not answer directly, continuing to write. “I cannot say. But surely, in times like these, we must be on our guard and allow no further mishaps.”
Gao Hai raised his brows. “Indeed, sire. Yet, you may need to make some preparations.”
“Preparations? For what?”
Gao Hai smiled. “I suspect the West Sea Prefecture will send someone—and most likely, it will be Miss He Yu herself.”
Liu Li remained unperturbed, writing calmly. “She is a mere physician—what business would she have here? Even if she comes, there is nothing I need prepare.”
“She would come all this way just for a chance to see Your Majesty, even if under the pretense of competing. Win or lose, she would meet you! Besides, she helped you before, aiding in a grand deception—surely that is cause enough! Can Your Majesty really remain indifferent to your benefactor?”
“Haven’t the women of the harem vexed me enough? Must you tease me further?”
Gao Hai’s tone turned earnest. “In truth, Sire, I bring good news!”
Liu Li set down his brush, studying Gao Hai with suspicion. “What is it, to make you so uncharacteristically giddy?”
“After much discreet inquiry, and after questioning Feng Xing, I learned what truly happened during the plague. It turns out, He Yu was but a stand-in. The real healer was from Tianshan—Feng Xing’s benefactor, and the one who helped save the prince this time.”
Liu Li started. “The people of Tianshan have long aided us, that much I know. Why bring this up?”
“Sire!” Gao Hai could not help but laugh. “Do not pretend indifference—I know you too well. Surely, you look forward to meeting someone from Tianshan?”
Liu Li coughed, a faint blush coloring the tips of his ears. “Nonsense—don’t speak so carelessly!”
“The recent happenings have shaken the martial world and spread throughout the land; Tianshan is paying close attention. They have helped us in secret before—this time, they may well send someone openly. And then, the one Your Majesty cares for may finally reveal herself.”
“Gao Hai, enough of this! When have I cared for anyone?” Liu Li protested, but his heart beat faster with every word.
“Sire, after so many years by your side, do you think I do not know your mind? Who did you meet outside Xinghua Village? After that, none could compare. You grew evasive when He Yu’s imposture was mentioned—why? During the rescue, you repeatedly inquired about Feng Xing’s benefactor and showed such curiosity about Tianshan—why?”
“You—” Liu Li shot him a fierce glare and strode away.
Gao Hai had indeed been with Liu Li the longest, and knew his heart thoroughly, always speaking with unflinching candor.
Watching his master’s odd silence and expression, Gao Hai grew anxious and quickly bowed his head in apology.
“Sire, forgive me!”
“Sire! I will not investigate further!”
“Sire! Please, do not be angry!”
Liu Li shook his head helplessly, opening his folding fan and glancing at it. “In truth, I have known her for a long time.”
Gao Hai’s eyes widened. “What?”
Speaking of this, Liu Li’s gaze softened, his features suffused with gentle emotion.
“If you can see this much, do you think I know any less of my own heart?”
“Then, Sire…”
Amused by Gao Hai’s excitement, Liu Li laughed. “Master Gao, when did you become so unserious? You were always so stern—why now so concerned with matters of the heart? Could it be…”
“Please, Sire, do not misunderstand! I am only curious—no, merely concerned for you!”
“Very well. Since our bond is like that of brothers, I will tell you. Ever since I first learned her name, I have sought to know more. At last, on Kunlun Mountain, I discovered the truth—the one called Xue Yan is the very girl I met while studying on Kunlun. Who would have thought she would help me in secret, but as she is a disciple of Tianshan, I never dared approach.”
“No matter—my guess is that Miss Xue Yan, gifted and beautiful, will surely represent Tianshan in Beihua.”
“How can you be sure Tianshan will send anyone? They are a righteous sect, rarely interfering in state affairs, and their disciples conceal even their names—Xue Yan may not even be her true name. How can I hope she will come?”
“True, but given the situation, it is still likely. Beihua’s troubles have drawn Tianshan’s attention, and only someone of their caliber could resolve such calamities.”
Liu Li nodded, smiling. “That is reasonable.”
“But, after your argument with the Empress Dowager, she issued the proclamation. What could be her intent?”
“There’s no need to overthink it. It aids our investigation and protects the people—surely a good thing.”
“Indeed, and it may help us uncover the truth behind the prince’s murder. Those pieces of evidence will finally be useful. Yet, I wonder, how many will come, who will claim the golden crown, and whether some may harbor hidden motives, making us fret in vain…”
Liu Li smiled, glancing at the fan in his hand. “We shall see what time reveals.”