There's Something I Have To Tell You (Rise of the Phoenixes)

Chapter 8

In Yilan Palace, Ya Le was sitting on her bed in the main quarters that had been cleaned up for her temporary use. She didn't mind. After all, she had spent the better part of two decades locked up at the command of the Emperor. Changes in scenery were to be welcomed.

Ya Le could hear movement outside, and she could make out Zhao Yan's voice, announcing the Emperor's impending arrival. She sat up a little straighter, cursing herself inwardly that she still bothered to do so in his presence.

The door swung open, and Zhao Yuan came in. He was followed by two eunuchs who set up a gold chair for the Emperor to sit on facing Ya Le's bed.

The Emperor entered, and the servants retreated wordlessly.

"I came to see you and how you're doing in Yilan Palace," the Emperor said.

Ya Le nodded quietly.

"You do not appreciate my gracious visit?" he asked.

"Let's not pretend you're a gracious ruler," Ya Le said bitterly.

The Emperor's eyes widened for a moment before he gave a small laugh.

"What are you laughing at?"

"I'm happy," he replied, "I'm happy you are still the only one who dares to say such things in my presence."

"My candor comes at a high price, I may as well make good use of it," Ya Le replied.

"Zhao Yuan," the Emperor summoned.

Zhao Yuan entered with his head bowed. He held a small box in his hands and brought it to Ya Le. He held it out to her.

Ya Le looked to the Emperor, who nodded for her to take it.

Zhao Yuan bowed and backed out of the room.

"What is this?" Ya Le asked, lifting the lid.

"This is something Yueling gave me," the Emperor told her.

Ya Le bit back a reply. She should remain calm until the Emperor revealed what he wanted of her by handing her this. After nineteen years of this captivity, she had better learn to just take things slowly. He had shown no sign of relenting in her incarceration.

"Tell me what's in it," the Emperor said. It was more of a challenge rather than an order.

"A test?" Ya Le scoffed.

"Something like that," the Emperor responded vaguely.

Ya Le's eyes narrowed. She had been imprisoned for both his vanity and his pettiness. She had been accused of and quite guilty of witchcraft. And now you come to test my knowledge of it? She withdrew a gold perfume box from what Zhao Yuan had given her. She knew this box. For nineteen years, the only time her hands were busy was when the Emperor wanted a new batch of her perfume for this box. It was a crazed reminder of better times, when his favor rested on her, before she felt herself threatened, before she resorted to her old craft to ensure her son's survival. Before this prison, she thought ruefully.

Without even bringing it to her nose, Ya Le could smell the contents. Age had not yet robbed her of her sharp sense of smell. Without needing much else, she could grasp why the Emperor had decided to seek her out tonight. "No, I don't think I will help you with this," she said simply, tossing the golden trinket back in the box.

"Not even for your son?" the Emperor asked. It was polite, said without an ounce of malice.

Ya Le had expected him to get angry at her refusal. After all, the man was vain and self-centered. Ordinarily, he had people placed on house arrest when he was displeased. Nobody said no to the Emperor. "You would threaten the Sixth Prince?" she asked, challenging him. The Shuangsheng spell had not been broken. The Emperor would never. Or would he?