Chapter 61: Dead End
In the end, Fang Jian withstood all the pressure and insisted on sentencing Shen Yue and Ji Yuanshi to caning. The two of them cursed Fang Jian as they received their punishment, their voices going from full-throated to hoarse with exhaustion. Fang Jian accepted it all calmly, as if she were not the one being cursed. When they had finished their punishment and were helped away by their families, she even performed the proper salute of a subordinate to a superior.
The Prefect and Vice Prefect of Jingzhao Prefecture pleaded with her again and again, finally managing to stop her from going any further and submitting a memorial of impeachment. Both the Reformist and Conservative Factions had a hand in this matter; bringing it before Her Majesty and the chancellors would do neither side any good. In a rare moment of tacit agreement, the members of both factions chose to conceal the matter, and they truly did manage to keep it under wraps.
Fang Jian, for her part, continued in the style of the Iron-Faced Judge. The only difference was that before, she had targeted the capital's dandies, but from this incident onward, she no longer went easy on the scholar-officials or the great families. The Reformist Faction was largely composed of men from humble backgrounds who had risen too quickly, and many of their sons, newly rich, had made mistakes. Fang Jian caught them and punished them severely. Their families even had to thank Fang Jian for her discipline. Gradually, the scholar-officials from humble backgrounds who had once sung Fang Jian's praises also began to avoid her. Though they dared not say anything to her face, they treated her with considerable coldness.
"So this is what it feels like to be isolated." Fang Jian stood before the window in her study, looking up at the bright moon outside.
Cui Miao stood behind her, at a loss for words, unsure whether to comfort her or curse others on her behalf.
Fang Jian turned to look at her and smiled. "It's not so bad."
Cui Miao breathed a sigh of relief. "Our futures are in Her Majesty's hands. We have no need to curry favor with them."
"You're right. Behind us is the imperial family, the supreme power in the land. The power of the chancellors, the great families, the political factions—none can stand against imperial authority. It is better to borrow Her Majesty's power than anyone else's."
But the emperor's power was not so easily borrowed.
As Cui Miao knelt in Yong'an Palace, a chilling aura surrounded her. All she could perceive was the might of the sovereign. She had been kneeling for a long time, but as long as Wei Qi did not bid her to rise, she could only remain kneeling, her body prostrate and her head bowed. Her legs grew numb and ached, and sweat beaded on her skin, dampening the small patch of floor beneath her palms with a misty haze.
In a place she could not see, Wei Qi was watching her. This was her young official—talented and capable. With proper polishing, she had a promising future. She also had a good family background and fine looks. If only she were a man, she would be without flaw. A pity.
Wei Qi frowned, recalling how Wei Zhi had lost her composure over this woman.
"A'zhi, I have selected some young men for you. Come and have a look."
This was not the first time Wei Qi had brought up her marriage. Wei Zhi had managed to evade the topic time and again by acting spoiled, but this time, she could not escape.
Wei Qi tossed the album of portraits into Wei Zhi's arms, her voice tinged with anger. "I thought my tolerance for your games until now was already a show of great magnanimity."
"Elder Sister, I am not playing games." Wei Zhi was no longer the mischievous young girl of years past. She had grown up, become more composed. When she raised her face to look at Wei Qi, her expression was one of utter resolve. "I have already chosen the person I want."
The emperor's fury was like the dense clouds before a storm—gathering but not yet unleashed, casting a suffocating gloom over the entire palace. Wei Qi's voice was grave. "Cui Miao, is it?"
"Yes." Wei Zhi's reply was resolute.
"She is a woman."
"I know."
"What do you know?" Wei Qi stood before Wei Zhi. The sisters were of similar height, but Wei Zhi felt crushed by Wei Qi's aura, struggling to breathe. Still, she held her ground and did not retreat. "Your surname is Wei! You have enjoyed the glory of the Wei clan, so you must bear its responsibilities! I have only A'xi. If you, too, have no heir, what face will I have to meet Mother!"
"I'm not the only one in the Wei imperial clan. At worst, I can just adopt a child."
"You!" Wei Qi was choked by her response. Suppressing her anger, she continued, "Is that woman so wonderful that you would disregard even your duty to produce an heir for her?"
"She is wonderful. Wonderful in every way, and she treats me well." Wei Zhi smiled faintly, then pleaded, "Elder Sister, I will listen to you in all other matters. If you tell me to enter the court, I will enter the court and never be lazy again. Even if you order me to guard the frontiers, I will do it."
"You…" Wei Qi paused, then suddenly laughed, a chilling coldness in her voice. "Are you not afraid that I will have her killed? A sycophantic villain who uses her looks to serve her master. It would not be excessive for me to grant her death."
The color drained from Wei Zhi's face. She dropped to her knees at Wei Qi's feet. "Elder Sister! I beg you, don't!"
Wei Qi looked down at her sister, a complex feeling in her heart. "For her, you would disregard even the dignity of the imperial family?"
"Elder Sister, I beg you, please grant me this." Wei Zhi clung to her leg, pleading. "Elder Sister, you and Palace Attendant Zheng are also…"
"Insolence!" Wei Qi's fury erupted. She kicked Wei Zhi away. "Who gave you the audacity to comment on my affairs!"
Wei Zhi took the blow, falling to the ground. She scrambled back up and knelt at her feet once more. "Elder Sister… if not, then you might as well take my life along with hers."
Wei Qi was livid and kicked her again. "Are you threatening me?"
"This subject would not dare." Wei Zhi endured the pain and prostrated herself.
"Remember your station! Now, get out!"
Silence reigned in Yong'an Palace. The palace attendants had all withdrawn. A'zheng stood guard by the door, her ears pricked for any sound from within, ready to be summoned by Her Majesty.
Cui Miao didn't know how long she had been kneeling. Waves of pain assaulted her senses, and sweat beaded on her forehead.
Finally, she heard Wei Qi's voice. "Raise your head."
At her command, Cui Miao straightened up. Her stiff bones creaked and cracked, causing pain that made her break out in a sweat, but she dared not show it in the slightest.
"Let me see what kind of beautiful face could make Xinyang so utterly infatuated," Wei Qi sneered.
"This subject would not dare!" Cui Miao was both shocked and terrified, prostrating herself once more to beg for forgiveness.
"Not dare? I think you are both quite daring."
Wei Qi descended from the throne and crouched before Cui Miao. She reached out, gripped her chin, and lifted her head, forcing Cui Miao to meet her gaze. "Cui Miao, you can be considered my student. As long as you know your place, a fine future awaits you. Why must you walk this path to ruin?"
Cui Miao's heart had been pounding with fear, her hands hidden in her sleeves trembling uncontrollably. But at this moment, she suddenly grew calm. She audaciously met Wei Qi's gaze and said firmly, "Her Highness Xinyang is of noble station. That she is willing to condescend to be with one of lower status is my great fortune. I possess no great talent, but I would not dare fail her."
"Heh, and you're so certain she won't fail you?" Wei Qi remained crouched before her, speaking to her in this posture. Cui Miao had never been so close to the sovereign. The emperor's majesty pressed down on her, leaving her no room to escape. She forced herself to remain calm, mustering all her courage to face Wei Qi.
"How Her Highness chooses is her own affair, and I have no right to comment. But my path is my own choice. If I were a weak person who curries favor with the powerful, how could I be worthy of being Her Majesty's subject? How could I be worthy of Her Highness's favor?" She answered with frankness, possessing the air of a gentleman as warm as jade.
Wei Qi chuckled, her laughter laced with mockery and cold severity. Her voice was grim. "Cui Miao, do you know what crime it is to bewitch your master? Are you willing to gamble with the lives of your entire Cui clan?"
Cui Miao prostrated herself in terror, her forehead striking the floor tiles with a heavy thud. "Your Majesty! This is my crime alone. I am willing to accept punishment; death by a thousand cuts, I will bear it all myself. I would never dare let Your Majesty bear the name of a tyrant. I implore Your Majesty to pass sentence!"
Wei Qi smiled enigmatically and placed a hand on the back of Cui Miao's neck, which was exposed as she bowed. The back of the neck was one of the most sensitive and vulnerable areas. Having her vital point touched by another made the hairs on Cui Miao's arms stand on end, and her breathing grew ragged. Yet she had to suppress her instincts, not daring to move a muscle.
She heard Wei Qi's smiling voice, but the words she spoke sent a chill down Cui Miao's spine. "Cui Miao, did you know? Not long ago, your mother also knelt here, begging me to spare your life."
This sentence completely shattered Cui Miao's defenses. She had broken her mother's heart, yet her mother was still running about on her behalf. Her eyes reddened, and her body trembled. She had to clench her jaw to keep the tears from falling.
"Cui Miao, a woman as proud as your mother cast everything aside for you. Tell me, are you worthy?"
"This guilty subject… is not worthy." Cui Miao felt as if something was blocking her throat, making it ache. The words were almost squeezed from her. "This guilty subject knows she is disloyal and unfilial, having failed both her sovereign and her loving mother. But if I were to retreat now, I would be betraying myself. With what face could such a person serve as Her Majesty's loyal subject, or her mother's filial daughter? It is death if I advance, and death if I retreat. This guilty subject implores Your Majesty to grant me a swift death!"
"Hahaha, good, good, good." Hearing this, Wei Qi burst into laughter and patted her on the head. "Alright, alright. For your mother's sake, I will give you this chance. Go and do what you must. Let me see if you have the ability."
"Now, you too can get out."
"This subject… thanks Your Majesty for your profound grace!"
Yong'an Palace returned to its silence. Wei Qi sat on the steps below the throne, quiet for a long time. A'zheng entered and stood beside her, keeping her company. After a while, Wei Qi extended a hand to her. A'zheng took it to help her up, but was pulled forward, stumbling into her embrace with a small cry of surprise.
"Your Majesty…"
"Don't move. Just let me hold you for a moment." Wei Qi held her, closing her eyes wearily and murmuring, "A'zhi has grown up. She'll talk back to her elder sister for someone else's sake now."
"Does Your Majesty truly wish to separate the Eldest Princess and Drafter Cui?" A'zheng asked.
"Heh, the paths of this world are not so easily walked. How could I let them have their wish so easily? It is only right that they suffer a little more." Wei Qi closed her eyes, resting against A'zheng.
A'zheng held her gently, allowing her a moment of relaxation.
"That young lady from the Cui family does have some backbone, at least," Wei Qi said after a moment. "If she had uttered a single word to shift the blame onto A'zhi just now, I would have had her ground to dust today!"
"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on gaining another fine official."
"Hmph, she is still far from it."
Author's Notes
Jiang Shu is so good, wuwuwu.
Her Majesty is also very good. So good. PS: Her Majesty is the biggest winner in this wave, gaining three high-quality laborers.
To abandon a lover and return to an ordinary life may seem like a betrayal of one person for the happiness of all others, but the one who dies is yourself. Cui Miao did not choose Wei Zhi; she chose to be loyal to herself. A weak person who sells their own soul is not the Cui Miao that Wei Zhi loves, nor the Cui Miao that Jiang Shu so earnestly hopes for.
Am I writing about Cui Miao?
This is the answer, right or wrong, that I found during my long process of self-acceptance, along with some naive expectations.
Extra · The Object
It was still early when Wei Qi awoke. Today was a rest day, with no morning court, so she could dally a while longer. With this thought, she tightened her arms around the person in her embrace. A'zheng was roused by the movement and sleepily hugged her back. Her hand slipped under the hem of A'zheng's inner garment, caressing her waist. The soft flesh there was delicate, and as she stroked it, her mind began to wander. A'zheng was now fully awake, and she nuzzled obediently against Wei Qi's neck. Wei Qi rolled on top of A'zheng, untied her clothes, and parted her legs, rubbing the heart of her own thigh against hers. The morning was a time of heightened desire. She pressed against A'zheng, grinding until she found her own release, quenching her thirst. A'zheng, too, reached her climax, panting softly in her arms. Wei Qi lay back down, pulling A'zheng into her embrace. The soft, full female body was something she could not get enough of, and her hands roamed from top to bottom. A'zheng, having just been sated, was exceptionally sensitive. Wei Qi's touch stirred her desire anew, and she couldn't help but rub her body against Wei Qi's. Taking the hint, Wei Qi's heart grew hot. Her hand slid down A'zheng's body until it found a slick wetness, and then pushed inside with ease.
Wei Qi's movements were not heavy, just a deep and shallow rhythm that made A'zheng's eyes glaze over, her hips rising to meet the thrusts, controlled by passion. Wei Qi loved to see her take the initiative, loved to see her completely dominated by desire. She kissed A'zheng's temple tenderly, her fingers employing a clever trick that made A'zheng's body tense up before she completely let go. She let A'zheng lie on top of her, holding her close, contentedly feeling the rapid breathing and heaving chest of her afterglow. She whispered something in A'zheng's ear. A'zheng froze, then her face flushed red. She refused, but after some repeated coaxing from Wei Qi, she finally agreed with a bashful nod. Only then did Wei Qi rise, satisfied. She ate her morning meal, feeling refreshed, and then dealt with some urgent official business. She dismissed the palace attendants from the hall, leaving herself alone in the main hall of Yong'an Palace. After a while, A'zheng arrived.
A'zheng's bearing was impeccable. Having received Wei Qi's permission today, she was not wearing her official's robe but a cross-collared ruqun, its hem long enough to cover her shoes, concealing the sensuality beneath. She walked toward Wei Qi with her head respectfully bowed and her steps measured, a faint blush on her cheeks, and came to a stop by Wei Qi's side.
It was the place she always stood in attendance, but today was different. Wei Qi took her hand and guided her closer. Her own hand slid down from A'zheng's waist to her buttocks, kneading their full roundness through the fabric of her skirt. The blush on A'zheng's face deepened.
Wei Qi's hand moved between her legs, still over her clothes. The summer garments were thin and offered no protection from Wei Qi's liberties. The fabric of the skirt behind her clung tightly to her buttocks, outlining their curves, while the fabric between her legs was clamped between her thighs along with Wei Qi's hand. Wei Qi pulled her arm back and forth, rubbing against her sensitive spot. The folded layers of the skirt between them created a friction that made A'zheng's legs go weak, and a wetness seeped out, dampening her skirt.
Wei Qi pressed against the wet spot. The slick fluid soaked through the cloth and onto her fingertips. She pulled her hand out, rubbed her fingers together, and chuckled. A'zheng glanced away in shame and anger, unable to look at her.
Wei Qi swept the documents and objects from the desk with a few motions, then took A'zheng by the waist and pushed her forward, making her lie face down on the desktop. Her push was not forceful, and A'zheng, though embarrassed, obediently draped herself over the desk. Wei Qi lifted her skirt, the fabric bunching up on her lower back. Beneath were two legs without undergarments—calves well-toned, thighs plump and fleshy, the glistening dew between them faintly visible. Wei Qi's palm covered the hidden valley, the heel of her hand pressing against the entrance, grinding the wetness, while her fingertips pressed against the jade pearl in front, kneading it with increasing pressure.
It was daytime, and they were in the main hall where official business was conducted. Though the doors and windows were shut and they were alone, A'zheng did not dare to be wanton in such a place. She bit her lip, enduring the waves of pleasure, only the faintest, smallest moans escaping her throat. Wei Qi, receiving this feedback, played with even more vigor. The pleasure built up, layer upon layer, higher and higher, until at a certain moment it suddenly toppled over, collapsing in an instant. A gush of fluid soaked Wei Qi's hand. Using this torrent as lubrication, she pushed her fingertips inside, exploring the walls of the passageway. Gauging that there was still room, she withdrew slightly, and upon re-entry, pushed two fingers in.
It was a little full, a little stretched. A'zheng let out a small hum. Wei Qi's other hand kneaded her waist and hips, stoking her passion and helping her relax. A few thrusts earned a muffled groan from A'zheng—not from pain, but from shame. She bent her knuckles, lightly scraping the inner walls, then spread her two fingers, widening the passage. A'zheng thought she meant to insert a third finger, but instead, she suddenly pulled her fingers out. The passage was tight, and as her fingers withdrew, it pulsed open and closed, as if in a daze. The lower part of her body, having lost its warmth, felt a little cool. A'zheng lifted her head and looked back at Wei Qi in confusion. She saw Wei Qi open a wooden box on the side of the desk and take out a jade obelisk, about two fingers thick.
The cold jade touched her buttocks, making A'zheng shiver. She panicked slightly, her fingertips gripping the edge of the desk. As the jade entered her body, A'zheng's brow furrowed, and she suppressed the moan in her throat, completely accepting the invasion of the foreign object.
But the storm she had imagined did not come. Wei Qi admired the erotic scene of her entrance being filled, then lowered her skirt and gently helped her up. When her feet touched the ground, the object inside pressed against her inner walls, making her legs go weak. Wei Qi held her, supporting her body until she had adjusted, then let go and straightened her skirt for her. The long skirt concealed the mess beneath. Aside from the flush that still lingered on her face, she looked no different from usual.
"Are you alright?" Wei Qi looked at her with concern.
Her lower body tightened in spasms, clenching the cold object until it, too, was warmed by her heat. It was different from Wei Qi's hand; it was a dead thing, plugging the space between her legs. The part left outside had a curved tip that pressed against her pearl. It was utterly uncomfortable, and she dared not move recklessly. She frowned, taking a moment to adjust before nodding at Wei Qi.
Wei Qi was extremely patient. She took her hand and coaxed her to walk. After just a few steps, the object between her legs prodded her with every movement, making her miserable. Her eyes reddened, and she shot Wei Qi a look that was both shy and reproachful. Wei Qi's heart filled with satisfaction. Her eyes crinkled with a smile as she whispered in her ear, "Good A'zheng, go and fetch me a bowl of tea."
A'zheng was somewhat mortified. She boldly slapped Wei Qi once, but Wei Qi, shameless, coaxed her again. She knew Wei Qi's temperament; if she didn't agree, there was no telling how long this would go on. Steeling herself, she clenched her teeth and agreed. There was no tea in the hall; she would have to go outside and call for someone to bring it. She walked step by step, carefully and cautiously. With every footfall, the thing inside pushed against her. By the time she reached the hall door, she was panting heavily. She leaned against the doorframe, taking several deep breaths to calm herself before she could suppress her panting. She straightened her clothes, put on her usual dignified expression, pulled the door open, and walked out, beckoning to a young servant in the distance.
Seeing she was summoned, the young girl hurried over to receive her orders.
"Tea." She heard her own voice, a little hoarse and strained, as if her throat was stuck together. She cleared her throat lightly.
"Are you alright, Auntie?" the young girl asked with concern.
A'zheng's lower body clenched again. She endured it and said, "It's nothing. Perhaps I caught a bit of a chill. Her Majesty is waiting, hurry along."
The young girl didn't think much of it and scurried off to prepare the tea. A'zheng stood waiting at the palace entrance, her posture perfectly straight and proper, like a statue of Buddha, as dignified and self-possessed as ever. No one knew that beneath this composure, a spring tide was surging, clenching and releasing, writhing and suckling. The jade object blocked the exit, and the surging tide was trapped inside. Only a little seeped out along the edges, wetting her inner thighs. It grew more and more, trickling down her legs, making them itch. She secretly pressed her legs together, but that only made her clench the object between them even tighter.
The sun was bright, but A'zheng felt dazed. It seemed she had been standing there for a long time, her mind completely consumed by the thing between her legs. The young girl hurried back with a tray. A'zheng took it, dismissed her with a wave of her hand, and turned to enter the palace. She was nearly strengthless, using her body to push the doors shut. There was no one else in the hall. She let her guard down and leaned against the door, panting.
Wei Qi sat leisurely on the throne, watching her go out, watching her standing back, and now watching her lean helplessly against the door, gasping for breath. A'zheng took a while to recover before retracing her steps, one by one. She was holding a tray with tea on it; she had to hold it steady to keep it from spilling. So she had to tense her body again, clenching that thing tightly. Step by step, a tide of passion surged within her, yet it found no release. She was in such agony that her eyes reddened, on the verge of tears.
When she drew near, Wei Qi took the tray from her, placed it on the desk, and then pulled A'zheng into her arms. A'zheng immediately went limp, melting into her embrace. Wei Qi kissed her sweat-dampened temple, praising and coaxing her without reservation. One arm circled her waist, while the other lifted her skirt and slipped underneath, tracing a path up her thigh until it found a handful of stickiness. She lifted A'zheng and sat her on the desk, her hand moving to the space between her legs. She pressed on the jade object. A'zheng clung to her tightly, an uncontrollable moan escaping her throat. Wei Qi kissed her lovingly, grabbing the object and pulling it partway out. It had been inside for some time, and it was still gripped tightly as it was withdrawn. Wei Qi pulled it out slowly, the lips of flesh spitting out the foreign object bit by bit, then contracting as if reluctant to let go, trying to take it back in. A'zheng let out two muffled hums. Before she could react, Wei Qi suddenly shoved the object back in. A flash of white light exploded before her eyes, and A'zheng whimpered, bursting into tears.
"Your Majesty… Your Majesty…" A'zheng could bear it no longer. She clutched the corner of Wei Qi's robe, weeping and begging.
"There, there, A'zheng did so well…" Wei Qi's lips were against her ear, coaxing and soothing her, but her actions were without hesitation. She gripped the jade object, slowly dragging it out, then thrusting it heavily back in. Under this repeated assault from within and without, A'zheng climaxed until she lost her senses.
She laid A'zheng down on the desk. A'zheng lay there, limp and strengthless, letting her do as she pleased. Wei Qi lifted her skirt, opened her legs, and pressed her own pubic bone against the object between A'zheng's legs, gripping her waist and making her thrust against her. The hard jade was pushed in and out, and the chamber full of flower nectar was squeezed out, lubricating the passage. The sound of flesh rubbing against jade was utterly shameful. A'zheng was pushed to another climax. She could no longer hold back, crying and begging Wei Qi for mercy.
Wei Qi kissed away her tears, her hand reaching down to pull out the jade object. The surging tide finally found its exit, gushing out all at once, flowing down the cleft of her buttocks and soaking the skirt beneath her. The entrance pulsed open and closed, as if trying to hold on, but the person who had just ascended to the clouds was now like a dying fish, gasping for breath, her mind a complete blank. She wanted to press her legs together to hide the terrible state between them, but Wei Qi's body was in the way. Wei Qi stood between her legs, bent down, and kissed her. The kiss was soft and dense, warm and gentle—a comfort, a reward, a gift. In that moment, A'zheng allowed herself to wrap her arms around Wei Qi's shoulders, press her cheek against hers, acting spoiled, begging for pity.
She was the person closest to Wei Qi in this world. Only she could see the lofty emperor's ordinary side. But that was all.
Get instant access to all chapters now.
Post a Comment