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The Hall of Mental Cultivation remains unchanged from two years ago, but the incense smoke is thick enough for you to heave difficulty breathing. You follow the emperor into the hall, and prostrate when he turns around.
Emperor: Get up and stop kneeling. Am I to be feared?
Xiu Ying: My life and honor are granted by you. It's fair for me to show respect.
Emperor: It's impossible for me not to be happy when I hear you speak. Come, take a seat.
You stand up and sit. Even though it's comfortably cushioned, you still feel like you are on needles somehow.
Emperor: You already reported what happened in Western Liang in the letters, but I still have many questions, hence this meeting.
Xiu Ying: I will answer everything truthfully and to the best of my ability.
Emperor: [Stares and smiles] Relax. I'm not interrogating you, just wanted to know some details.
You find his comment to relax rather ironic, and force a smile as much as you could. You better present him how he wants you presented.
Emperor: Do you still remember the two reasons you went to Western Liang?
Xiu Ying: Stop Prince Jin from taking the throne and steal the Weapon Manual.
Emperor: You prevented Jin from succeeding... in under two years. Even my best agents would have a problem with managing that.
Xiu Ying: I got lucky.
Emperor: [Changes subject sharply] However, I never told you to help the boy ascend.
You've been waiting for him to grill you on that very issue and are actually relieved that he does.
Xiu Ying: Please forgive me, but I'd do it all over again if I get another chance.
Xiu Ying: I have two reasons for why I wanted him to be the king...
Xiu Ying: First, usurping Jin required sufficient military power and the support of the statesmen. Although the prince is quite young, the loyalists would all pledge their loyalty to him.
Xiu Ying: Second, if he didn't ascend to the throne, Jin's followers will certainly revolt, and we simply cannot risk another Prince Jin, or even a third.
Emperor: Is that your answer?
Xiu Ying: Not all of it, actually. The boy is the most beneficial choice to Your Majesty. Because he is so young, we have at least a decade to surpass Western Liang by a huge margin.
You lower your head and enunciate every word clearly. You can feel His Majesty's eyes probing you but unsure what he is thinking.
Emperor: What kind of person do you think the junior prince is?
Xiu Ying: He's young but has a bright future. He's also kind-hearted. If he keeps this up, he should be a benevolent ruler who will not antagonize us.
You're perplexed by His Majesty's pregnant pause afterward, until his next words strike fear into your heart.
Emperor: I heard you and him have a long history.
After Fu Heng left, you've had no contact in Western Liang and must overcome all obstacles alone. Fortunately, Yin Zhen showed up later and brought Shadow to protect you, or you would have no chance of making it back. Other than that, you would write every two months to inform His Majesty of the progress, but you had never mentioned anything between you and Ze.
Xiu Ying: (But how did His Majesty know? And how much does he know?)
Fu and Yin pop into your mind, but you know they wouldn't tell His Majesty. You trust them after everything you went through.
Xiu Ying: [Reacting quickly] Long history? I don't quite understand what you mean... To overthrow Jin, I did make an effort to get close to the boy.
You can't decipher the meaning behind his smile, which is follow by a harsh glare as he continues the inquiry.
Emperor: Then why don't you tell me how you got close to the boy?!
Calmly, you change the story, describing the chance meeting with Ze as a conscious effort to get close to him instead and skip over your friendship as much as possible. His Majesty withdraws the glower after the explanation.
Emperor: I see.
Meanwhile, however, you're scared out of your wits.
Xiu Ying: (Could it be I wasn't alone in Western Liang, and he sent someone to watch me covertly all the while?)
Xiu Ying: (I can't think of any other possibility. He never trusted me fully, or cared about my life...)
But that's what being the emperor is about, even though you still find it hard to accept.
Emperor: Is the information you gathered on the Weapon Manual genuine?
The door suddenly opens before you can reply and in walks a grinning girl.
Hu Ling: Your Majesty, County Lady, I've prepared tea and snacks for you.
It's Hu Ling. She's grown prettier in the two years that you almost didn't recognize her. She saunters to the table with a full plate when a scroll is slammed on the surface.
Emperor: Who gave you permission to come in? Have I been too lenient with you? Get out!
Hu Ling: [Panics and kneels] My apologies, it isn't intentional. I know the lady loves dessert and thought I'd bring some...
Hu Ling continues to beg for forgiveness. But she was never the clever type, so her response would never pacify His Majesty, and perhaps even exacerbate the situation.
Xiu Ying: [Chuckle] It's my fault I have sweet teeth!
Hu Ling: That, that is what I mean... Please forgive me, my lady!
Emperor: [Annoyed] No improvement after all these years! I want to speak to her alone. No one may interrupt. Got it! Now get lost!
Seeing the emperor is dropping the issue, Hu Ling sighs a breath of relief and leaves the hall.
Xiu Ying: [After a moment of pause] From what I could gather, the Weapon Manual of Western Liang was indeed destroyed many years ago.
Emperor: Actually, I heard the same a decade back, but couldn't verify it. If you reached the same conclusion, it's likely true, then.
So he never planned to get his hand on the manual, just using you to verify the story.
Xiu Ying: I have a request, Your Majesty. I hope to leave the capital and retire with my family in seclusion.
Emperor: What, after I just made you the County Lady? Not to mention the Queen Mother doted on you when she was alive, and she wanted me to take care of you as well!
You know that's not the true reason he doesn't want you to leave. But he is guarded and holds a grudge toward you, so why would he keep you in the palace?
Emperor: Both I and the queen will be relieved if you stay, understand?
You know that's double-speak. They wouldn't be relieved if you were not here, anyway.
