Once the autumn rains arrived the cold really set in. Fallen leaves blow forlornly across the surface of the lake in all directions. The 6th Prince's crime has been thoroughly decided. Tears streak down the Empress's face, though the Emperor remains unmoved. Before long everyone in the palace is feeling the effects of the Emperor's displeasure.
You are crossing the stone bridge, making use of an umbrella. An aristocratic figure carrying a light blue umbrella approaches from the other direction. His eyes are dark under regal eyebrows.
Yin Zhen: Allow me to take care of it. You should not be seen.
Xiu Ying: Very well.
Yin Zhen: Don't you want to know why?
Xiu Ying: I didn't trust you before, but now I do.
Yin Zhen: [A smile plays behind his dark eyes] Fool. You'd make an easy mark... Lucky for you, you met me.
The 6th Prince's conviction is greeted with some excitement by the other princes, just as the Crown Prince's ousting once had. News of what has been going on in the palace continues to reach you. The Emperor is most grieved by the loss of two princes, and he plans to announce a new heir apparent during Mid-Autumn Festival. The Mid-Autumn feast promises to be a very interesting one.
14th Prince: [Looking at the sky] The rain shows no sign of stopping. I don't think the moon will be visible tonight.
Inside the pavilion court musicians play beautiful music and dancing girls move lithely under the night sky. The Mid-Autumn feast will be held regardless, as is the custom.
7th Prince: [Chuckling] Who cares about the moon, when you can look at beautiful dancers all night?
You sit in your assigned place, eating quietly. Yin Zhi who is sitting next to you turns to you abruptly.
Yin Zhi: Any special activities planned for tonight?
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You almost choke on your chicken wing. You clear your throat delicately, and look at him blankly.
Xiu Ying: 3rd Prince, Mid-Autumn Festival is organized by the Household Department. You should ask them.
Yin Zhi looks like he's about to say something else when a eunuch announces the arrival of the Empress Rong.
Noble Consort: The Empress? What's she doing here?
Since the 6th Prince's arrest, Empress Rong had completely ignored all other palace women, spending all day crying in her chambers, much to the Emperor's annoyance. You assumed she would not attend the Mid-Autumn feast, and are as surprised as anyone by her appearance. She looks positively radiant as she enters the space, every bit the Queen. The Emperor's demeanor softens when he sees her. The Noble Consort clenches her jaw.
Queen Rong: Sorry for my lateness, Your Majesty. Actually there is something I must tell you!
Emperor: What is it, my Lady? Speak up.
Queen Rong: I have evidence that can prove the 6th Prince is innocent.
Noble Consort: [Turning on you fiercely] County Lady, what is the meaning...
Xiu Ying: (Why is everyone looking at me tonight!?) [Ignorantly] My Lady, I have no idea. Why don't we just listen to what Her Majesty has to say? Don't concern yourself.
Noble Consort looks at you through narrowed eyes. Discern by your bewilderment, she is forced to hold her tongue and wait.
Emperor: Is that so? Then please present me with your evidence... Do not worry yourselves, I will rush to judgement.
The Emperor's tone is firm, brooking no dissent. Any of princes objection died on their tongues.
Queen Rong: Your Majesty, I have a witness! One of the assassins at Tianchi was not killed. He has been captured by my brother and is being brought here as we speak!
Noble Consort: Empress Rong, you cannot pick someone off the street and have them pretend to be an assassin!
Queen Rong: [Looking at her calmly] Noble Consort, the assassin in question is not just any assassin. He is the very one who crippled your son! I imagine you would want to meet him?
At this the room erupted into noisy conversation. The Noble Consort's anger dissipates immediately and unconsciously glances at 7th Prince. His fists are clenched tightly and red rage dances across his face. Yin Zhi turns again to look at you.
Yin Zhi: How dull. I'm going. Are you going to stay?
The music has stopped. The Empress looks calm. Everyone is lost in their own thoughts and exchanging alarmed looks, and quickly look away.
Xiu Ying: I will join you.
At the moment no one in the room is looking your way. You are totally insignificant. You left the banquet after Yin Zhi. The moon doesn't seem at all bright this year. Cold win blasts through the courtyard, stinging your cheeks.
Yin Zhi: Someone is sneaking away... Should we be worried about it?
Yin Zhi's observation breaks your reverie. You follow his line of sight, over the bamboo, where you see a familiar figure hurrying towards the palace gate.
Xiu Ying: [Smiling] No, it's probably fine.
Yin Zhi: Aren't you worried that 4th Prince is using you?
Xiu Ying: It's more of a backscratching situation if you want to put it that way.
Yin Zhi looks at you and smiles for some reason. You hardly ever see him smile, and you're a bit stunned.
Yin Zhi: I wish 4th Prince could hear you say that.
You want to ask him why. The guests pour out of the feast, behind the Emperor. The trap has been sprung. There's no turning back now. You walk to the rear of the troop column. Arriving at the palace gate, off in the distance you see a figure restrained on the ground. It is the 11th Prince's manservant.
11th Prince: I panicked. None of the assassins lived of course... You're really something 4th Prince, using the Emperor's own trick against me. Brilliant.
4th Prince: You're too generous, 11th Prince. I am merely a student applying a lesson.
7th Prince: ELEVEN!!! WHY?! WHY DID YOU DO IT?!
7th Prince sits in his wheelchair, raging. If he could stand, you have no doubt he would have charged at the 11th Prince.
11th Prince: [Smiling grimly] Do you really have to ask? How many indignities have I had to suffer at your hands just because my mother was lowborn? I remember them all. Anyway, with brains like yours you'll never be Emperor, so I may as well cripple you and let you suffer.
As the 11th Prince speaks, the Emperor's expression grows livid. He really does sound mad, when he laughs it has an insane edge to it. Distracting the crowd with his laughter, suddenly the 11th Prince pulls a guard's sword out of its scabbard and attempts to attack the 7th Prince. As he does so, somebody shoves you hard in the back.
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