Memories of the PalaceCh47 - The Villain

Zhang Wenru stood in the center of a modestly decorated room. The furniture was made of dark wood, the trinkets lining shelves were refined and expensive, glimmering in soft shades of whites and pastels. Their trip cut short, it took two days to return to the Capital, and it was already nearing the end of the day. The fading sunlight filtered through the slats in the window shades, but a servant moved about turning on a candle and an oil lamp.

His eyes settled on the lightly shadowed figure hidden behind a long, sheer blue curtain that hung in a way that helped separate the main room to a more private inner chamber that housed a large bed. The figure reclined in a long chair to the side, and that Zhang Wenru could see were the long ends of the figure’s billowing blue silk robes and a pair of hands resting neatly on their lap. One of the delicate hands lifted and dismissed the servant, who bowed low and scuttled away. Once alone, Zhang Wenru went about business. rhYqtl

“I think we can shift the blame to the Fifth Prince, Jin Ai.”

“Hmm…” the figure hummed softly. “What makes you say that?”

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“One of our sources informed me that he saw His Highness poisoning the horse’s trough with some hallucinogenic herb. It appears that His Majesty is already suspicious of his Brother. Since he left me in charge of this investigation, I could easily manipulate evidence to point it to him.” TIlting his head, Zhang Wenru added, “I think if we move too hard to blame the Li’s, I will appear impartial and it will backfire on us. Li Changyu is in favor with His Majesty, and he seemed unmoved by our pleas.”

“I was afraid of this.” The figure craned their head back, their sigh heavy. “I do not know how Li Changyu does it, but he is not like that deceiving harlot Qin Yuze.” 8dPorN

Expecting more, Zhang Wenru waited while the figure paused.

“…” Another sigh, followed by a cluck of their tongue. “Have you noticed His Majesty behaving…oddly?”

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He tried to recall all his observations that his spies noted, which was very little. His Nephew had become adept at slipping away, and there were some sudden guard shifts. His people were still “entertaining” the Empress Dowager, Mu Qiuye. To Zhang Wenru, the Empress Dowager did not deserve the Jin name. His fool of a Nephew bestowed it upon him after he gained the throne, as some sort of filial gesture. If Zhang Wenru could have his way, the entire Jin line would be extinguished immediately – but that was not in the cards.

Yet.

Zhang Wenru considered the question some more then asked, “Do you suspect he regained his memories?”

After Zhang Wenru had poisoned his Emperor Brother, Jin Zhan Long, his Nephew assumed control fairly quickly. Jin Xiyan’s accident had been a blessing in disguise. Because Jin Xiyan was incapacitated, it bought them some time to gather their resources to execute their plan this year. It was easier to skew the court while his Nephew suffered bouts of memory loss.

“I cannot say for certain…” The figure tapped one of their long, elegant fingers against the others. Whether it was a nervous gesture or not, Zhang Wenru did not know. “Do you know if Qin Yuze is still drugging him?”

Zhang Wenru was aware of what went on in the Emperor’s bedchambers, as his spies had noticed it. Right now, he could not be certain of it. V8sYXG

“I have not received word that it has happened recently, but I can say that we have not seen Qin Yuze entertain his Majesty in a while.”

The tapping stopped and the figure leaned forward to elegantly rise. Long, jet black hair swayed into view as the figure moved to the nearby window, their back to Zhang Wenru.

“…We always knew it was a risk that seeing Li Changyu may trigger his memories.” The figure put their hands behind their back, clasping them together in a refined pose as they peered out the window. “We need to find a way to drive another wedge between them.”

“I may have a suggestion for that.” 6xcCO

“Oh?”

“I do not know where your hard line is, but…” Zhang Wenru cleared his throat, “An attempt on His Majesty may not have provoked enough of a response, but if it were perhaps to one of the children…”

“You are suggesting we follow the same plot? Miscarriage?”

“No,” he shook his head. “We can target one of the other children. Do you have a preference?” 960EN1

His Nephew had a sore spot for his children. He doted on each of them, and it was an angle that worked for them in the past. Having Li Changyu miscarry was a blow to not only the Empire, but to Jin Xiyan, who dearly loved children. It was the easiest method to cause a rift between the pair.

“Any one of them will do, but a potentially pregnant Li Changyu is a dangerous one.”

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“You do not honestly believe he could be with child like he claims?”

“Do you not remember how quick it was for him to become pregnant last time?!” snapped the figure. Their shoulders stiffened and they sucked in a harsh breath. Their body went slack as they exhaled slowly. Calmer now, they said, “Plan for both. Use one of our little mice to let the news leak out into the harem. It will not take much provoking to get someone to do our dirty work when it comes to Li Changyu.” zn0Vd

“And–” A dog barked outside, making Zhang Wenru stop mid-sentence. Mangy mutts he grumbled to himself. “And with Jin Xiyan’s children…how should I proceed?”

“What? Are you asking me if there are any limits?”

“Yes.”

The figure turned their head and a pair of familiar amethyst eyes flashed at him. FRHsrG

“There are none.”

Author’s Note: Just a short chapter to answer questions, make you question things even more, and kick your emotions!