POISONOUS FLOWERS

       "What?" Empress Li said as she stood up from where she was seated.

       "His Majesty the Emperor has publicly charged you for not taking proper care of the monarch and has demanded that the case of His Majesty's poisoning be publicly opened and investigated as it had long been forgotten." Liu Zhan replied.

       "Does he intend to make a mockery of me?" Empress Li asked.

       "I heard that pressing old wounds is one of His specialties." Chiyun Ling said.

       "That old sly fox just doesn't know when to give up?" Liu Zhan said.

       "And now that he has even dared things will be much better on our side." Empress Li said as she smiled ghastly.

       "Enlighten me Your Highness, as far as I know we were the ones that were responsible so does he intend to expose you?" Liu Zhan asked.

       "The mere fact that I was confined with a number of my attendants betrays his allegations and on the other hand it isn't that hard for us to convince my husband." Empress Li said.

       "Your Highness, blood is thicker than water, whatever relationship the Retired Emperor shares with His Majesty can be used to your disadvantage and that's something that we can not afford to support." Chiyun Ling said.

        "However thick blood is too much water will make it dilute." The Empress remarked as she bent over to look Liu Zhan in the eye, "After the Assembly His Majesty realised that there's no way in the world that His father would give him absolute control over the country and secondly he saw for himself that a majority of the powerful Courtiers are just too Loyal to His father and not him which caused him to think that they didn't accept him as their ruler." Empress Li muttered.

       "The odds forsake us." Liu Zhan said lowly.

       "Even if the world distrusts us but we give my husband every reason to distrust his father's affections then it might be the perfect door for us to breach the Empress Dowager and the Retired Emperor's might." She added., "By then who will and will not be against each other and when blood flows who in the Palace shall the world hold most responsible?" She asked while Liu Zhan nodded as though catching on what her mistress was saying.

         "It's nearly the Lantern Festival a couple of days from now." Chiyun Ling said.

        "Aside from the normal prayers in the Imperial household there's another outstanding feature." Empress Li remarked.

        "Who is supposed to conduct the sacrifices." Liu Zhan concluded.

        "Yes." Empress Li replied as she smiled ghastly, "It was the Emperor's sacrifices of Feng shui that drove The Wu Hao Dasheng and the Courtiers apart, the sacrifices to the Earth that drove Empress Liu and the Renzong Emperor apart." She added.

      "So who can say that they won't drive the Emperor and Retired Emperor apart?" Chiyun Ling asked.

       "Yes." Empress Li muttered mockingly.

          Han Touzhou seated in his study the doors were opened and Lin Xue walked in while being accompanied by his older brother Han Guang.

         "Brother?" He said as he stood up from his seat and rushing over to his side he quickly embraced him into a very tight hug.

         The two separated shortly and Han Touzhou pointing ahead at one of the nearby seats his brother sat down.

         "You must be exhausted from the border." Han Touzhou muttered while he sat down beside him.

         "Keeping the Jurchens away isn't an easy deal and now that they are rather skilled raiders we have to chase them up and down the order there is rather hard to conjure." Han Guang replied.

        "Yet I hear that it is very well wrapped within your hands." Han Touzhou remarked.

        "When we ceased Xiangyang it's wealth came to us." Han Guang said.

        "Thanks to General Yang." Han Touzhou muttered, "and to think that I was afraid of him, at last I saved my neck and his descendants unable to do a thing they survive at my own mercy." He added.

         "I haven't heard much about them." Han Guang said.

        "The Eldest Yang Cishan was posted to watch the South trade but what more can he do with a very small and fragile weak army." Han Touzhou said.

          "The most dangerous person in the world is the one that breeds vengeance because they are no different from a deadly viper that is waiting to strike." Han Guang remarked.

         "But they shouldn't be the greatest of our worries." Han Touzhou said.

         "Why is that?" General Han Guang asked.

         "It's been a very long while since you were in the capital and the Court has become more dramatic with the day while the Empress and the Dowager are lingering at each other's throats and now the fight has also garnered the attention of both the Retired Emperor and his son." Han Touzhou replied.

         "Yet you are rather quiet." Han Guang remarked.

         "We haven't heard the best of times and the Princess Consort has to safeguard our Imperial heir, a fight within the Inner Court is something we can't afford to lay low while the Giants destroy themselves is our best course of action." Han Touzhou replied.

        "I haven't seen our little dragon in a while." Han Guang said.

        "No worries, in a short while I can assure you that since the Lantern Festival is at hand we shall be welcome to the palace soon enough." Han Touzhou said and picking up a small cup and making a toast to his brother, the latter drank from it and once empty he lowered it onto the table.

        "It might sound wrong if I were to ask but who do you think was responsible for those mishappenings that crippled our income?" Han Guang asked.

        "A while ago I was suspicious of our allies but realised much later that I had overestimated them and then I could look at the Empress Dowager because she wasn't the type of person to read or predict what she is up to but when she didn't seem excited or alarmed I had to abandon those suspicions, at last I could hold the Empress accountable but if she really had that much dirt on me she wouldn't worry much about me shifting my loyalties." Han Touzhou replied.

          "Then perhaps it's an unknown person." Han Guang said.

          "I have committed many atrocities and have made great a number of my foes, the unknown cause me to shiver because with them I can not tell where and when the storm is bound to strike." Han Touzhou replied.

           "You are right." Han Guang said.

           "I never thought that there would be a remarkable foe that would give me chills." Han Touzhou remarked.

           "Anyway, forget about it for now." Han Guang said as he tucked his hand into his cloak and from there he pulled out a small envelope that he placed on his table.

          "What's this?" Han Touzhou asked.

          "While in Xiangyang I learnt a number of things and it was there that I met a very strange man." Han Guang replied as his brother took the envelope and opening it he pulled out a piece of paper which he unfolded and his eyes perused through.

         "What is this supposed to mean?" Han Touzhou asked.

         "There's a famous Mongolian trader called Khan Talha who possesses immense wealth and surprisingly no one's ever seen his face yet a number of the people in Xiangyang over the past couple of years have become wealthy from bring financed by his house." Han Guang replied.

         "Khan Talha?" Han Touzhou asked.

         "A while ago I struck a healthy deal with his subordinates and I have raised enough wealth to sustain and expand the army at the border." Han Guang replied.

         "Now that you mention him I feel that he is quite familiar." Han Touzhou said and something occurring to Lin Xue he spoke up.

         "He is the owner of the Silver House." He said.

         "And we have been doing business for a while otherwise I wouldn't have gotten back onto my feet had it not been for him." Han Touzhou said.

         "Then I have no news to tell you." Han Guang said as he took the paper from his brother and tucked it back into his clothes.

         "Yes." Han Touzhou replied picking up his cup of tea and preparing to take a sip.

         "What about the Lantern Festival in the Palace?" Han Guang asked him all of a sudden that he stopped halfway and he lowered it back onto his table.

          "Nothing is certain." He replied.

          "That is to say...?" Han Guang asked.

          "The Empress is only started so there must surely be something up her sleeve, regardless of what it is the best we can do is watch and later add fuel to already burning fire." Han Touzhou replied as he smiled at himself ghastly.

         "After all it is to her benefit that we profit." Han Guang remarked and the two brothers laughing at one another made a toast.

        Yang Meizi sat in the comfort of her Chambers as her mind drifted away in thought she couldn't help it but caress her temples while she thought harder and harder.

       Nuwa walking in with a tray in her hand she noticed how absent minded her mistress was.

       "What is it this time around?" She asked.

       "I feel so uneasy." Yang Meizi replied.

       "How so?" Nuwa asked as she picked up the jug and then poured her some tea in a small cup.

       "His Majesty the Retired Emperor is suspicious for the first time today he seemed so eager to rid himself of my presence." Yang Meizi replied.

        "Could it be that he knows?" Nuwa asked.

        "And what is there for him to know, we have been too cautious and some of our stories lay deep in Oblivion." Yang Meizi replied.

        "One thing is certain though and that is the fact that rumours are one thing that these Crimson Palace walls can hardly contain." Nuwa remarked.

         "Something for us must be done and soon enough." Yang Meizi replied, "Perhaps we are over exertive and for that His Majesty is curious but in the very least it is to our advantage that his resentment towards the Empress becomes much worse." She added.

         "Everyone is anticipating the auspicious sacrifices and they readily believe that the Head of the Imperial house who is the Retired Emperor himself should perform these being the closest to God and to the ancestors, it will be regrettable if the Emperor was abolished from performing these  in his father's stead." Nuwa said.

        "Everyone looks for an opportunity where they can profit and the Empress is like that, being interested in creating a wedge between father and son she'd certainly use this to her advantage." Yang Meizi said.

         "And what shall we do then?" Nuwa asked.

         "It shall be well with our souls though for our allies I can't possibly guarantee the same." Yang Meizi replied.

         "You do realize that this could cause so much commotion in the Palace." Nuwa said.

         "You didn't think that it would be any peaceful with our arrival all those years back then." Yang Meizi replied, "Once we had chosen to  set foot within these walls it was the begining of the end and surely every storm was bound to be stirred to our very own advantage." She added.

         "Suppose we lose, His Majesty only being distant could simply mean that we can not hold him any longer, at this point it is likely that he'll hold his composure much more." Nuwa remarked.

         "Even if he did it wouldn't be the first time that the Empress would force his hand, the Emperor however calm is like the string of the bow, the harder you stretch it , the quicker and harder it shall snap." Yang Meizi replied.

         Emperor Xiaozong sat in his Chambers as Eunuch Gao slowly made his way inside.

         "Greetings Your Majesty." He said noticing that the Emperor had hardly touched any of the dishes on his table he merely looked at the Imperial Jade seal in his possession as he kept quiet.

         "Your Majesty." He called again.

         "What do you think?" The Retired Emperor asked.

         "About what Your Majesty?" Eunuch Gao asked. 

         "About the Lantern Festival." Emperor Xiaozong replied.

         "The Lantern Festival?" Eunuch Gao spoke curiosly.

          "Everyone must have expectations, everyone must have predictions, everyone at least has a thing or two that they are certainly thinking about, what's your opinion?" Emperor Xiaozong asked as he turned to Eunuch Gao.

       "I know nothing about politics but tradition is the foundation of our Dynasty, we once thought ourselves to be the world but there are larger nations that are around us, as the land stretches and it never changes so must the norms, they remain preserved so that is something that is out of the question." Eunuch Gao replied.

        "Could traditions not tear people apart?" Emperor Xiaozong asked.

        "It is funny that Your Majesty seems rather worried." Eunuch Gao remarked.

        "And why shouldn't I be?" Emperor Xiaozong asked, "my son must resent me so deeply as a father I can't help it but ask myself where ai have certainly failed in my duty." He added.

        "There's enemies all around us and blood after all is thicker than water, with time you can only expect His Majesty to understand that everything that Your Majesty is doing is for his own good will, as it is the obligation of a father to look out for their children, protect them, cherish them, Your Majesty is not short of that responsibility, managing the people of the world and the people of the world managing him." Eunuch Gao replied.

"Good will you say?" The Emperor Xiaozong asked.

"Yes Your Majesty." Eunuch Gao replied.

"Who are the Emperor's people, who are the Emperor's children, the men and women beyond the Palace walls, the children beyond the boundaries of Lin'an." The Emperor muttered as he folded his hands and caressed himself while he reclined in his seat.

"It is awfully cold, I need to have a word with the Courtiers." Emperor Xiaozong said.

"I'll have them sent for immediately." Eunuch Gao said bowing his head.

"It is something that can wait until tomorrow's morning Assembly." Emperor Xiaozong replied.

"But your health Your Majesty..." Eunuch Gao objected briefly.

"You said it yourself, it is the obligation of a father to look out for their children, protect them, cherish them, Your Majesty is not short of that responsibility, managing the people of the world and the people of the world managing him." Emperor Xiaozong remarked.

"But what do I know as a Eunuch when it comes to politics, I can best understand norms and traditions but for the Son of heaven to rely on my advice I feel ashamed and unworthy." Eunuch Gao said.

"We are all men that are obliged to our nation as the mandate of heaven was granted to Zhao through the Taizu Emperor, we can count ourselves blest above all and it is our duty to preserve this land that our predecessors fought so hard for and keep the people in peace." Emperor Xiaozong replied.

"But I fear for Your Majesty that blood shall flow through the Palace." Eunuch Gao muttered under his breath.

"All shall be well, it always has been, it always will be." Emperor Xiaozong replied as he closed his eyes slowly drifting away into what seemed to be a temporary slumber eventually silence had filled every inch of the room and the Eunuch watching gracefully he bowed his head in respect before he withdrew.

       It was early in the morning and the Courtiers were gathered in the Imperial Court room, the golden map of the great Song beneath their feet carved in gold it marked out the provinces of the kingdom and while the doors of the hall were opened a short while later, the Retired Emperor walked through as he trampled on it amidst the murmurs of the ministers.

        "What's His Majesty doing here?" They asked one another.

        "I don't know." A few would reply in the most common manner as he mounted the stairs of glory each bearing the carving of two dragons and a sun while he made his way up to the Golden throne where facing the rest of the world they bowed their heads.

        "Long Live Your Majesty." They shouted in unison as the Old Emperor sat down on the throne.

        "At ease." He spoke astutely it wasn't long for the Courtiers to stand once again.

        "Your Majesty has surely graced us this morning." Minister Li said.

         "You all must be curious about the reason as to why I have chosen this morning to meet you." Emperor Xiaozong muttered.

         "We are quite awed Your Majesty." Minister Li replied with the others as they bowed their heads.

         "Awed?" The Retired Emperor asked.

         "Yes." Minister Li replied.

         "Great." Emperor Xiaozong muttered while Han Touzhou quietly standing not far from the front he looked on as the rest of the Courtiers started exchanging stealthy glances.

         "I won't detain you much longer, I only had a couple of things to put across and I felt it necessary in the presence of all Courtiers standing witness that these are my own words and this is my oral decree." Emperor Xiaozong said.

        The silence was still granted to him.

        "You are all aware that the Lantern Festival is not so far away and my father the Emperor that is seated in heaven decreed that in this event there shall be sacrifices ordered to Earth and to heaven for the prosperity of the Dynasty." Emperor Xiaozong said.

        "This issue Your Majesty....." Minister Li still saying he was interrupted.

        "The worship shall be led by His Majesty that is my son." Emperor Xiaozong added and the Courtiers surprised Han Touzhou widened his eyes seemingly studying the facial expression of the man that sat in front of them all.

         "But Your Majesty, this is the tradition of the Imperial house." Minister Zhao Ruyu remarked.

         "My father who preceded took to practice the very same thing that I am doing." Emperor Xiaozong said.

         "In his case as Retired Emperor he ailed from the battles that he had fought to protect the Dynasty from the Jurchen overthrow, his health betrayed him long enough to justify his cause and those were the days of Your Majesty's near youth." Minister Li added.

         "I am old as it is and the State should be trusted with my able son, however frail he may seem my bones have grown weak over the years that I can hardly sit upright." Emperor Xiaozong replied, "when our Dynasty is thriving and it has come to fluorish there should be harmony and greater affiliation between the Sovereign and his people." He added.

         "If Your Majesty wills then so it shall be." Minister Zhao Ruyu said and leading all the others to bow down they kowtowed to the old Emperor while he smiled contently.

         Emperor Guangzong opening his eyes he noticed the brilliance with which the sun shone through his Chambers, he could feel the air around him heavy and as though aware that something wasn't right he quickly sat up in his bed and faced the silk curtain that separated him from the Eunuch Qin and his other attendants.

       "Good morning Your Majesty." They greeted him in unison.

       "What time is it?" Emperor Guangzong asked as Eunuch Qin keeping his head bent low was hesitant to say a word.

       "Do I need to rephrase my question?" Emperor Guangzong asked again and at that moment the old man looking at him found it hard to say another word yet again he simply bowed his head.

       "Alright." The Emperor said as he stood up and flinging the curtain open his eyes rested on his company that could feel the rage under his most solemn gaze.

        "Please appease your anger Your Majesty." Eunuch Qin muttered.

        "Even if you hardly say a word I can still tell that you know it's already too late for the daily morning Assembly, yet you didn't bother to wake me up as a servant you must be wicked and it seems to me that there is something that you are hiding." Emperor Guangzong said.

        "I am at fault Your Majesty but His Majesty the Retired Emperor has presided over the Morning Assembly and it ended about half an hour ago." Eunuch Qin remarked.

        "And his excuse was that I was ailing I can only be an Emperor in name, His Majesty's hand can surely bring order to the Empire he is still as doubtful as always of my capabilities." Emperor Guangzong said.

        "Not at all Your Majesty, the memorials were all turned down and none of the petitions were read, it's just that His Majesty chose to settle what he thought was the most pressing matter and that is the sacrifices of the Lantern Festival around the corner." Eunuch Qin replied.

         "His Majesty may head the Imperial house but for what reason may he surely call the Courtiers for a trivial matter that can be resolved amongst the members of the Imperial clan?" Emperor Guangzong asked, "it's clear he wished to show that regardless of how old or how it may seem that he has a son that is just about old enough to govern in his stead, the final say shall surely rest with him alone." Emperor Guangzong remarked.

        "Your Majesty.....?" Eunuch Qin tried to speak in opposition.

        "Am I wrong?" The Emperor interrupted.

        "All Imperial prerogatives dissolved His Majesty has decided that in the event of his inability accompanied with his ill health, you are his own flesh and blood and you are a descendant of Zhao." Eunuch Qin replied, "His Majesty made a formal decree and insisted that the Courtiers recognize you as Sovereign where they shall with utmost respect greet your Majesty with honour and with love and reconcile you with both the Court and the people as you ascend to perform all the praying rites." He added that the Emperor widened his eyes in disbelief.

        "Impossible." He muttered.

        "Congratulations Your Majesty." Eunuch Qin and all the others present in the hall bowed their heads to the Emperor who could hardly believe a single word that they had said.

         "Could it really be?" He asked himself inwardly and trapped in his own thoughts he looked at the others in front of him that dated not raise their eyes.

         "This is unacceptable Your Highness." Li San muttered.   

         "And why do you think so?" Empress Li asked.

         "The Retired Emperor is another old and sly fox, he must have been made aware that the Lantern Festival could poison the father and son relationship which he cherishes above all things that he chose to employ this most ultimate move to maneuver such a happening." Li San replied.

         "And what makes you think that I found him to be an idiot." Empress Li asked as she turned and faced her brother.

         "Initially one would think that as His Majesty would choose to preside over the rituals he still considers himself Sovereign, two Emperor's on the same setting is unfeasible another would have to remain in the Palace of which it would be my brother in law, as though that alone isn't enough what is the assurance that the Courtiers with all due respect will acknowledge the ruler that they have rather than the one in the Palace of Virtue and Longevity, this seemed to me the best way of forging an even greater rift between father and son." Li San muttered.

       "Suppose it wasn't?" Empress Li asked.

       "I can hardly tell your thoughts sister." Li San replied.

       "There's more than one way to kill a rat, more than one tactic to win a battle, every set back can be an intended design and who would tell if you were an average thinker like most people?" Empress Li asked.

        "You mean to say that Your Highness expected such an occurrence?" Li San asked.

        "The Dynasty florishes and the peasants still suffer with poverty, recently the floods in the South from the sea leave the countryside plunged in famine, a lot of funds need to be reallocated to the South to repair the damages and suddenly epidemics rise amongst the people." Empress Li muttered, "what brother since ancient times do such occurrences imply?" She asked him with a smile on her face.

        "The mandate is not stable." Li San replied.

        "The Emperor must know his father too well to tell that it is unnatural for him to give him such immense power and authority he must have his doubts only looking for one simple way of proving them." Empress Li said.

        "Then how would he prove that his father is an enemy?" Li San asked.

        "It's natural for ominous signs to happen at these most sacred moments and we humans are nonetheless the same when it comes to our common yearnings, if something bad were to happen during the prayers who would the world hold responsible and between father and son, who would be the biggest villain of the nation?" Empress Li replied that her brother smiled hinting on what she had said.

       "You are very smart sister." Li San remarked.

       "He might think himself to have maneuvered by climbing higher into the opinions of the public and the Court but His Majesty forgets that the higher you climb, the harder you fall." Empress Li remarked as she smiled at herself ghastly with contentment in her innermost thoughts.

"How unfortunate." Nuwa said while Yang Meizi reclining in her seat she blew gently at her cup of coffee and she took a sip.

       "What is His Majesty up to?" Nuwa asked.

       "This was his intention in the end after all, it is quite awful that I noticed much later." Yang Meizi replied.

        "Why?" Nuwa asked.

        "I am poisonous because I am smart, trouble shall never end and the Palace shall seek no tranquil, the Empress Dowager and the Empress are at war with one another so can the Retired Emperor's Court Lady join the fight?" Yang Meizi replied.

        "Enlighten me Milady." Nuwa remarked.

        "With or without me can there ever be peace in the Palace?" Yang Meizi asked.

        "He merely wishes to see if you are the root of all disorder?" Nuwa said.

       "And sooner or later he'll have his answer." Yang Meizi replied as she smiled while she sipped at her cup once again, "the Empress is one person whose ambition shall never cease, the more she has and the more she's given she shall plead for more over and over again." She added.

       "But seeking satiety is beyond her." Nuwa remarked.

       "Which is to our best advantage." Yang Meizi replied, "if His Majesty hoped that by giving his rights away to his son he could repair a worn out relationship, sadly it shall be the bitter end of him." She added.

         Lanterns were set up in different parts of the city and the sound of the music rising from the harps and lyres clustered the people throughout the city.

        Yang Meizi and Nuwa walking on the streets stared at the children playing and in a distance ornaments of all kinds were being sold and exchanged.

         As she penetrated further into the crowd, she suddenly halted when she crossed paths together with Shi Miyuan who in front of her and noticing her presence he bowed his head while she did the same.

         The young lady froze that instant and Nuwa seemed to notice then how shy her mistress was she withdrew a couple of steps behind while Shi Miyuan walked closer.

         "Your Excellency." She muttered under her breath as she greeted him as well.

         "Must you be formal in my eyes?" Shi Miyuan asked.

         "I am a Court Lady." Yang Meizi replied.

         "But are you not a woman beyond the Palace walls?" Shi Miyuan asked.

         "Hardly can I tell, I recall barely how beautiful my childhood seemed, I recall too little of the fun under the scarlet lanterns, when was it I last enjoyed such a sincere view?" Yang Meizi asked.  

         "Walk with me." Shi Miyuan requested and Yang Meizi looking around for Nuwa the latter was nowhere to be seen she quickly turned to Shi Miyuan who was smiling in front of her as she slowly nodded her head in approval.

       The Crown Prince standing at the balcony of his Palace he looked up at the stars in the night sky while the Crimson lanterns filled his courtyard and hallways.

        The wind howling smoothly the palace was quiet and unlively with it's dark walls standing tall and golden pillars being watched by a group of Imperial guards it was the most lonely castle.

         "Your Highness." Lan He muttered as he walked up beside his master.

         "What have you to say to me now?" Crown Prince Zhao Kuo asked, "I hope that you won't lie to me." He added.

         "Which of the truths do you wish to learn for yourself?" Lan He asked.

         "Whichever." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo replied.

         "Her Highness would know much better than anyone in the whole palace, servants past and present in the Cifu palace are only aware that Her Highness placed the young girl in the care of Yang Cairen from which she got her name apparently, prior to that she has a rather ambiguous background." Lan He replied.

        "Only two people lack identities, only two people are hard to tell." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo muttered.

        "Your Highness...." Lan He speaking up he was interrupted. 

       "Ghosts have no names and assassins and enemies have no identities." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo added.

       "Then why would Her Highness bring an assassin in the palace?" Lan He asked, "should she beware of her background however why would she protect her all this while?" He added.

        "Let it be." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo muttered with a smirk on his face.

        "Your Highness, you mean to protect a stranger that much?" Lan He asked.

        "She's fearless as it is, I admire that she was the first woman to treat me like a human and not a god, I admire that she was just as courageous to mount my back and go over the wall and I admire that she dares to stand up against me." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo replied as he took a deep breath and then sighed, "many would call me by my title Your Highness, none was closer than you in calling me by my name, nonetheless I have learnt to bend and I never thought that I would see what the people see and feel when they look at someone they cherish and they respect." He added.

        "Please rescind Your Highness." Lan He said.

        "What for?" Crown Prince Zhao Kuo asked.

        "Shouldn't you be cautious?" Lan He asked.

        "She is too good, however deep you dig the result shall be still very hard to tell, rather than wasting all your efforts and directing my anger to what is vain, she is someone that I'll need by my side." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo replied.

        "She is just another poisoning snake, Your Highness, the closer you bring someone as venomous to you the more you'll hurt from the trouble she'll cause you, for once listen to my advice." Lan He still opposed.

         "Han Touzhou is a man with many schemes and machinations and the harem is as good enough in his hand, if my mother left me in this world there wouldn't be another to protect me within these palace walls as well as my heirs." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo muttered.

         "Your Highness, even any great warrior can dare not wield a sword without a haft, to do so would be to invite his own room." Lan He remarked.

         "Me and you are no different from ordinary people but if my Great Grand mother would labour in what was an endeavour to protect a young girl without a name, I can take it not for granted she must have certainly had her own reasons which I must consider." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo said.

        "But Your Highness, her heart doesn't belong to you." Lan He remarked.

         "Maybe it doesn't but it soon will." Crown Prince Zhao Kuo swore as he smiled at himself while looking up at the night sky once again.

          Yang Meizi and Shi Miyuan reached a bridge that overlooked the small river that ran through the city, beaming with celebration up and down the two leaned on it as they watched the moon shining in a distance above their heads.

          Yang Meizi quiet she was lost in thought and Shi Miyuan noticing he cleared his throat to get her attention in which he succeeded.

         "What are you thinking about?" He asked.

         "I have never felt this way." Yang Meizi replied.

         "How?" Shi Miyuan asked.

         "I am a scheming woman in the palace and looking deeper into the walls what have I done out of my good will that makes me happy?" Yang Meizi asked.

         "So much more." Shi Miyuan replied.

         "I am beyond the Palace but my heart resides their, I am anxious what will happen and to whom, if my enemies shall live up to my expectations or they shall disappoint me." Yang Meizi said.

          "For just this once can't you reconsider?" Shi Miyuan asked.

         "Tomorrow is the worship and I can as well be prepared for the worst, but every time I have been able to close my eyes and feel free that awful picture of my mother, my Uncle and my brothers and sisters who died come to my mind." Yang Meizi replied.

         "I'm sorry I asked." Shi Miyuan said.

         "Everytime I hope that keeping all that anger would make me strong but when I speak out to you it makes me feel lighter." Yang Meizi replied.

         "Then tell me more and teach me how to look at you." Shi Miyuan said.

         "I'm afraid you are another of those people that I cherish who will hurt, I am afraid to turn the Crown Prince against you, suppose I made you another enemy of the Empress what would be of your father, what if you made me your Queen would you shoulder the hate that the world would give you?" Yang Meizi asked.

         "And why wouldn't I?" Shi Miyuan asked.

         "You wanted to be a good official this I know, it made you struggle so hard to make our nation Great again and I wouldn't want you to kill your dream because of me." Yang Meizi replied.

         "You are the light that I follow and that which shows me the way, without you I am lost and I don't know what to do and where to go, I don't know when to hold on or let go, breathe or even quit." Shi Miyuan remarked, "whatever it is I am certainly it isn't that hard for us to do together." He added.

        "And wouldn't it be a burden much too cumbersome?" Yang Meizi asked, "I hope you understand that I am still not yet ready to choose between you or my own aspirations and I am uncertain about what the future holds for us so would you please let me think about what I want for once, what is real and what is before me because above all things in life I do, none should be a decision in my own thinking that I should come to regret." She added.

        "You may think as you wish on your part, on mine I already made up my mind that my feelings for you are something I dare not reciprocate, I won't hope for you to feel the same, I'll only hope that you understand regardless of the path you choose to walk in this life, from the moment that I met you I had long decided that I wanted to always be by your side every step of the way." Shi Miyuan said and smiling he looked up to the moon as well while Yang Meizi from the corner of her eyes could imagine how sincere he looked she was trying hard not to show her excitement.

       The Ceremonial drums were sounded and the members of the Imperial family gathered a sedan chair that was carrying the Guangzong Emperor made its way through the small road that led him to Temple.

        It halted at a distance and was lowered down while the Emperor walked out in his Golden Imperial dragon robes and slowly mounted the stairs that led him onto a certain raised platform.

         He halted when one of the ladies in waiting brought him a Jade green ceremonial tablet which he picked up from the tray and taking into his hands he positioned it right in front of himself as he raised it slightly towards the heavens.

         A Group of Buddhist Monks followed him on either sides while he approached what was an altar that had been put in place outside able to see the three Golden Buddha statues inside the temple whose doors were opened to him but he didn't go any farther he halted right in front of the altar that had been set outside.

        Slowly he descended onto his knees and everyone else following his example they did the same and bowing his head thrice they followed while in a distance there were monks that spectated and praised him.

        His heart uneasy he raised his head and looked at the altar where incense was being burnt and a mild wind howled by.

        There was a silence that followed shortly after that and suddenly the altar broke while everyone was watching the monks were alarmed themselves as the fruits rolled from the basket onto the ground and some even smashed they started to stink.

         An peach rolling towards the Emperor's knees halted and while his eyes studied it keenly he noticed that the innards were black and maggots were rolling out all the people around him gasped.

          The lanterns that were hanging all over the place started to fall down while the rest of the Crowd spectating the Ladies in waiting panicked as the Emperor seemed to be trying so hard to process everything that was going on while staring at the smiling Buddha.

         Before long the lanterns themselves were burning down and everyone in panic had to exit the sight Eunuch Qin and a couple of guards quickly lifted the Emperor off his feet and they dragged him away while he let go of the Jade ceremonial tablet which shattered right in front of his eyes.

        "No." The Emperor kept on saying to himself hardly believing everything that was happening to him but nonetheless with what seemed to be mild resistance, he had let his attendants take control as they returned him to his sedan chair.

         The Empress Li seated in her Chambers she kept on looking at the ring on her hand and caressing it while waiting anxiously when the doors in her Chambers were opened and shortly after, Liu Zhan and Chiyun Ling walked in.

         "Your Highness." The two said as they bowed down and worshipped her.

        "Tell me." Empress Li replied as she turned her attention to them.

        "Everything was ill dated for His Majesty." Chiyun Ling replied and the Empress ghastly smiled at herself.

         "Is that not good enough?" She asked.

        "Congratulations Your Highness." The two said yet again.

        "No, not yet." Empress Li replied.

        "What more do you wish us to do Your Highness?" Chiyun Ling asked.

        "The storm has been stirred but not to it's best potential." Empress Li replied, "spread the news of the ill omen and the Empire"s decline, after all the reign of the Retired Emperor brought us great peace and prosperity, how so it seems that the reign of His Majesty his son has sparked off for us what is the most chaotic and turbulent era we have yet to see." She added.

        "Yes Your Highness." The two replied in unison again while the Empress laughed aloud confident to have suited her best demands.

        Empress Dowager Wu seated in her Chambers Wan'er and Wan Mei rushed in.

     "Your Highness." They said bowing their heads to her while she still retained her composure and quietness for a while.

"I am listening." She muttered.

"His Majesty the Emperor is on his way back into the Palace." Wan'er said and the Empress Dowager looking the other side she sighed.

"The Retired Emperor?" She asked.

"Not doing any better." Wan Mei replied.

"I see." Empress Dowager Wu muttered to herself under her breath.

"Your Highness, such inauspicious events could paint for His Majesty the most appalling picture that could bring down a father and son relationship when we least expect it." Wan'er said.

"This is likely the Empress' doing no wonder she seemed calm even when the Retired Emperor decided to hand over the sacrifice rituals to His Majesty." Wan Mei added.

"She was prepared nonetheless but whether his Majesty underestimated her or not the outcome is more crucial." Empress Dowager Wu remarked.

"Tale bearing has it that His Majesty inherited a prosperous and fluorishing Empire from His Retired Majesty, shortly after famine and floods in the South set in the ill omens at the worship are to be blamed on His Majesty's ill conduct." Wan Mei said.

"It's therefore the most poisonous allegation to His Majesty and the blot on his escutcheon." Empress Dowager Wu said.

"And despite knowing this Your Highness still chooses to do nothing?" Wan'er asked.

"What more can I do?" Empress Dowager Wu asked, "the Empress must have as well poisoned her husband against me and all I have for an ally is the Retired Emperor the mercies of his son can not be guaranteed, the nobel Princes have found all the more reason to protest and claim their rites as sons of Zhao and the incident of Xuanwu Gate is bound to repeat itself again.

Even if the Empress wipes them out with a wave of her hand she shall be the true ruler of the Great Song and the rest of us only traitors to ally with the Princes we shall be branded rebels we'd merely lose our heads.

When the Palace is flooded with blood and the state is unstable, who will yield from the disunited opposition it might as well be the opportune time for the Li and the Han Clans to cease power and repeat Wu Hou's massacre of the Tang Dynasty's Imperial house." She added.

"We didn't think too much about it." Wan Mei said.

"The Empress cast the perfect stone at the most opportune time to use the will of heaven to identify opposition and at the same time centralize all power to herself." Empress Dowager Wu remarked.

"Your Highness, more than ever the dynasty needs you." Wan'er pleaded.

"It isn't yet in our range to act." Empress Dowager Wu replied.

"Why is it so Your Highness?" Wan Mei asked, "if you can't act now then when will you?" She added.

"His Majesty is growing old as well and his faculties are questionable as it is, right now if anything were to happen to him who would be held responsible and perhaps a bitter father and son relationship is one that we could as well put to our advantage." Empress Dowager Wu replied.

"But won't that make the Empress more powerful?" Wan'er asked.

"It's not that hard to tell but you can rest assured, if discord is all it takes to garner her strength and might against us, discord is all it shall take to put the Imperial clan behind me." Empress Dowager Wu replied, "I'll strike above and below if I must, but before I die I must put the Empress in her proper place and I shall teach her to fear me well enough." She added.

The Emperor's carriage was being rode through the streets of the capital while he was greeted by the murmurs of the majority backbiting him.

"How sad he must be to experience an ill omen on this very sacred day." Some said.

"Are the heavens really against him?" Another asked.

"This is the beginning of our end." Another lamented fairly aloud.

"The Dynasty is in it's senility." Others commented.

Hidden from the view of the people with Eunuch Qin by his side, the Emperor shed tears where the world could not see and the old man garnered some sympathy towards him.

"Perhaps I am a bad Emperor as they say." Emperor Guangzong said.

"Do not take it to heart Your Majesty." Eunuch Qin tried to comfort him.

"Zhao Kuangyin, Zhao Zeng, Gaozong, all of them ancestors we worship and forefathers of mine that charged onto the battlefield with their steads but here I am unable to even wield a sword in the very least I should have sustained the glorious Empire that I inherited but mine is a regime of famine and plague, pestilence sweeps across the land and the waves consume lifelong hopes, the Jurchens stir trouble in the North the lands of Yongding and Kaifeng seem farther from retrieval now more than ever." Emperor Guangzong said.

"Your Majesty is a good Emperor." Eunuch Qin remarked.

"That's not what I hear the people say." Emperor Guangzong replied.

"Your Majesty is only faulted to love the Great Song too much and disadvantaged to be surrounded by enemies, men with very strong and powerful characters that believe they can do the job much better." Eunuch Qin remarked.

"I have held on long enough and I have been patient which has caused them to abandon their doctrine and worship the Sovereign no more." Emperor Guangzong said.

"Then make it right Your Majesty." Eunuch Qin replied.

"How so?" He asked.

"Prove to His Majesty that you can govern the state." Eunuch Qin replied, "those Courtiers are loyal to the Retired Dragon and not the reigning son of heaven, the Empress Dowager herself is no different she is quiet in her own way, the Empress securing the position of the Crown Prince she has had more than enough that her fair share in politics should come to an end and the harem should go back to order, if I may advise you Your Majesty, it is your time to reign alone." The old man added.

"Amidst pomp on departure and humiliation in return, I shall certainly forget not the work of my enemies." Emperor Guangzong swore.

Yang Meizi walking out onto the balcony of the academy she stood there for a while and waited long enough for a carrier pigeon to land, she picked it up and removed a small piece of paper from it's foot as she pulled it closer to her eyes to read its contents she eventually smiled as she turned to get back inside.

The doors of their meeting room being opened she walked in on the others that were already gathered around a small round table where she sat in her usual seat.

"What is it Milady?" Bao Langya asked.

"As usual, Her Highness lived up to my expectations." Yang Meizi replied.

"So what are we to do?" Bo An asked.

"The Emperor can not rule with the Empress Dowager and the Retired Emperor, the worst case scenario is that one shall have to attack the other and the other will also retaliate." Yang Meizi replied.

"Yours is merely an assumption, you can't convince me that your outcome is certain." Master Bao said.

"I can't convince you that my outcome is certain that is why the reason I have asked us to gather here today is to ask you to help me make it happen." Yang Meizi replied.

Everyone looked at each other.

"You must be out of your mind." Master Bao said.

"Unless I am to act now any moment later than this shall be too late, the longer we hold out Han Touzhou and the Empress shall only become more powerful and before long the whole world shall be at their mercy which is something I can never allow to happen." Yang Meizi said.

"We have already staked too much as it is to get this far." Master Bao said.

"We have no doubts that there is an obligation that requires our fulfilment but swelling a storm that we can not contain ourselves is just as good our most fatal design." Bao Langya added.

"The Empress is most arrogant and thinks herself to be the most conniving, she has her interests to protect and her husband has a country to rule, judging by their grandiose ambitions I'll turn them into poison and I shall watch them tear each other apart if I must that in the very end, I shall bury the Empress with my very own hands if I must and I shall see her descend from the throne she fought so hard for all her life to keep." Yang Meizi swore to herself.

"Milady...?" Nuwa tried to interrupt but the latter convinced seemed to far from changing her mind anytime soon.

"You just wait and see how everything turns out in the end and who shall be victorious, between me and the Empress this is war." Yang Meizi added as she smiled at herself ghastly while she clenched her fists in rage the others knew better than anyone else what that simple reaction on her face meant.