Keyan looked in widening disbelief from me to Caihong. Now his resigned tolerance of me was replaced with loathing. “Ignore her, Father,” said Keyan. “She lies to save herself—”
“P-please,” Consort Caihong said, and her high-pitched voice, so out of place in the throne room, seemed to startle her audience into a stillness of sorts. “Let me explain.”
“It’s all a ploy,” said Keyan, speaking over her as she tried to address the Imperial Commander. “Don’t listen to—”
“Enough!” Liu Zhuo ordered, looking even more tired than before, if that were possible. “Caihong, what is it?”
She prostrated herself before him and I felt my stomach tighten with nerves. I had forced her into the spotlight, which she hated, and made her share what she considered her most hideous secret.But I had promised her—and myself—I would not let her bear the consequences alone.
“Your Majesty,” she said, her voice wavering only a little. “After you elevated me as your consort, I was loyal to you and only you. But Prince Keyan—having long coveted what you possessed—pursued me in secret. After I rejected his advances, he forced himself on me. When I tried to seek help, he blackmailed me, so that I could not tell a soul. Please,” she said, and now her voice caught. “Forgive me, my love—”
He backhanded her so hard blood flew from her mouth. I started forward but the guards at the dais raised their swords. He struck her again and Caihong did not so much as lift a finger to defend herself.
“How dare you,” he snarled, his breathing heavy as he reached for her throat, “and with my own son—”
“Did you not hear—he forced himself on her! It’s not her fault!” I shouted. “Stop!”
I did not know if I spoke with compulsion, but the Imperial Commander suddenly went still, dropping Caihong. She crawled away to the edge of the dais, her face streaked with tears.
“Youbitch—” said Keyan, lunging for her and grabbing her by her hair. But even this act of possession seemed to enrage his father.
“Do not touch her!” he roared.
“Father,” said Keyan, backing away. “They are conspiring against me—”
His father’s face was altered with rage. I saw now that to Liu Zhuo, there was no deceit more personal than this. Even Sky’s supposed treachery paled in comparison. “You don’t think I know her? You don’t think I know she does not lie?”
Prince Keyan stared open-mouthed, at last understanding that the tides had changed course. “I—please—”
“Get out of my sight.”
“Father,” he pleaded.
“You are no son of mine,” he said. “Get out of my sight now—or I’ll murder you where you stand.”
Keyan stumbled back. So engrossed was I in their exchange, I did not notice Princess Yifeng until her talon-like nails dug into my shoulder. “I warned you,” she breathed, her eyes alight with malice. “You little rat, you’ll pay for this—”
I wrenched her off me. “You believe I don’t know the scent of poison?” I whispered. Her eyes widened, though I was only bluffing. “I could take you down with your dear husband,” I said, “but I’ll spare you this time, and this time alone.”
Yifeng bared her teeth in a growl. “I won’t be cast aside so easily.” Her voice carried certain promise. “I’ll find my way back, and I’ll take my revenge. I don’t make idle threats, Lady Hai—you’ll learn that soon enough.”
She clearly wished to say more, but her husband had already turned on his heel and run, and she had no choice but to chase after him, lest she too attract the Imperial Commander’s wrath.
Behind me, Winter whispered a few choice words to the imperial guards, who, though still restraining Sky, did not lead him away. Sky caught my eye and gestured for me to back away from the dais, but I shook my head.
I turned my attention back toward the throne.
“I should kill you,” Liu Zhuo was saying, looking down at Caihong prostrating herself before him.
“Please,” she begged, her hand grazing his shoe. He flinched and jerked back.
“Don’t touch me.”
She flinched, as did I, remembering the weight of their collective disgust against me. Liu Zhuo returned to his throne, his facecast with that same disgust, but also unease, and I understood then how much she meant to him.
“Your Majesty,” I tried. “None of this was her fault—”
“Silence!” Liu Zhuo interrupted with growing impatience. “Tell me,” he said to Caihong, rubbing his forehead. “What would you have me do with you?”
