LoT Phoenix 1

Chapter 86: Who's the Pawn?

The news of Consort Zhuang's imprisonment and demotion to common concubine was happily received by many in the palace. The Noble Consort was reinstated and Shu Xian finally allowed out of her quarters.

Xiu Ying: Everyone else seems to think this business is finished, but I have so many unanswered questions.

You decide to pay Zhuang a visit, and get to the bottom of things.

Shi Lian: [Frowning at the palace ruin] I didn't know this place existed! So cold and dark. Banishment would be preferable to this...

You know what she means. For one thing, Zhuang had committed adultery, a crime there's no coming back from... besides which, she performed all kinds of evil deeds to cover her crime, making herself powerful enemies along the way. But winds change direction quickly in the palace... Everyone knows, when your enemy is down a well, you'd best drop a rock in him.

Zhuang is sitting curled up in a corner, her hair everywhere. It's only been a day, and her face is still covered with blood and bruises. She hears you enter and turns to face you.

Zhuang: [Smiling] Oh, it's you. What? Have you come to keep me company, my Lady?

She gets to her feet unsteadily, then runs straight at you, talons out. Eunuch Gui steps in and throws her to the floor. Last time you saw Zhuang, she attacked you, hurled abuse at you. This time you're not taking any chances, so you asked Eunuch Gui along to prevent just this kind of thing from happening.

Xiu Ying: You hated me so? To go so far as to poison a painting!

Zhuang: Does my foresight astound you? But you're like a cat with nine lives - You. Just. Wont. Die!

You didn't expect Zhuang to admit to it so quickly. Her face is drawn and vicious, and she looks nothing like the elegant woman you once knew.

Xiu Ying: So you admit it was all you? The poisoned painting, getting Eunuch Yin to do your dirty work, it was all your doing? You and I have had our disagreements, but we never hated each other. Why would you wish me a painful death?

Zhuang: Never hated each other? You got in my way! Didn't I try to befriend you in the beginning? Is it my fault you didn't appreciate my kindness?

MC: You went to a lot of trouble to destroy me. You even dragged the 4th Prince into it. I suppose you have a vendetta against him too?

Zhuang: [Smiling coldly] The 4th Prince, now there was a stroke of good fortune! I will be Empress and later I will have children and they will be princes!

Her insane laughter fills the chamber. You watch calmly as tears fill her eyes. A smile slowly dawns over your face.

Xiu Ying: A lowly concubine still dreams of being Empress and having princes... Your ambition is not diminished, I see.

Zhuang: Who isn't ambitious among the palace women? Why shouldn't I be Empress! It will just go to Noble Consort or Consort Rong otherwise. [Ruthless glare] If it weren't for you, I would still be at the Emperor's side! I am Consort, mere steps away from being the Empress...

At which, she starts to struggle ever more fiercely against Eunuch Gui, who is having a hard time holding her down. Shi Lian rushes over to help him restrain her.

Xiu Ying: Is that so? But you admitted to it very readily... which seems way out of character for you.

As if sensing herself at a dead-end and seeing no need to conceal anything from you, Zhuang recounts her misdeeds towards you, one by one. But it all seems too easy. If Zhuang hated you so much as she claims, why admit her crimes? Wouldn't she be more likely keep silence to make you squirm?

Zhuang: [A flash of doubt crosses her eyes, followed by a cruel smile] What is my temper like? Do you even know me well? Get off your high horse! The only reason you're not dead yet is dumb luck!

Xiu Ying: I think I do understand you to a certain degree. That's why I think it is strange that you admit to everything so quickly. Also there's a lot of coincidences and lucky guesses in your account.

You've known the truth. But looking at Zhuang now, you were confused. You wondered who the real pawn was.

Zhuang: [Laughing] What do you want me to tell you? That someone was behind me, pulling my strings? Yes! There were! Lots of them! Happy now? Haha. Now get lost.

It doesn't look like Zhuang is going to say any more, so you beat a retreat, your mind clouded by doubts. What you can't quite figure out is why someone in Zhuang's position of imperial concubine and recipient of the Emperor's grace would debase herself like this, and for whom. Suddenly a name jumps to mind.

Xiu Ying: That maid Xiao Zhen who was always at Zhuang's side, where is she now?

Eunuch Gui: Her testimony brought many things to light, but the Emperor sentenced her to fifty strokes of the paddle in the Hard Labor Camp. Apparently she's still not walking.

On hearing this, you turn on your heel and make a beeline for the maid's quarters. When you arrive, Xiao Zhen is lying on her stomach, her face drained of color. At first she's reluctant to tell you, but when you tell her you can help get her out of the Hard Labor Camp, she decides to cooperate.

Xiao Zhen: [Hesitating] Her lover is her childhood friend. He's probably been torn apart by horses already... Zhuang loves him very much... Perhaps even more than the Emperor. I thought it was strange when Zhuang suddenly insisted that we move against you. She said it was because you're a rival for the Empress's throne. If anyone can manipulate her, it's him.

Xiu Ying: And how would I go about finding this person?

Xiao Zhen: [Astonished] But isn't he dead already? Quartered by horses?

Xiu Ying: Just answer the question.

Xia Zhen hesitates, but then tells you everything she knows. You commit it all to memory, planning to investigate further when you get back. Assuming he really is manipulating her, judging from Zhuang recent performance, he is well and truly alive.