Chapter 11 — The Secret the Empress Dowager Concealed

The eunuchs present in the great hall struggled to contain their laughter, their heads bowed low to mask their expressions. Emperor Yuan Sheng cast a sharp, knowing glance in my direction.

"You certainly possess a remarkable sense of filial piety," he remarked.

"I have always been a devoted daughter, Your Majesty. However, having been blindsided by my sudden status as a criminal’s kin, my sense of duty feels a bit shaken today."

The Emperor’s lips twitched almost imperceptibly, while the Empress Dowager’s face grew even colder. Xiao Zhi, turning his attention to the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, demanded an explanation. "How exactly did the celestial prison catch fire?"

The deputy knelt upon the cold stone floor. "Reporting to Your Highness, the fire began in the western torture chamber and spread with terrifying speed. The jailers claim they first smelled tung oil, followed immediately by a thunderous explosion."

"Then it was arson," Xiao Zhi stated flatly.

"Indeed, Your Highness."

"Xie Guihong was held in the deepest, most secure level of the facility. How could he have possibly vanished?"

Sweat beaded on the deputy’s temples. "The iron lock on the cell door was melted and severed. Inside, we found two charred remains, currently unrecognizable. However, the rest of the Marquis of Zhenbei’s family—the lady, the second young mistress, and the young master—were all successfully rescued."

My heart constricted in my chest. "Where are my mother and the others?"

The deputy glanced at me briefly. "They are being detained at the palace gate, awaiting further instructions."

I let out a ragged breath, but before I could find relief, the deputy added, "Young Master Xie sustained some injuries." My head snapped up instantly. "How is my brother?"

"He was struck by a falling support beam while shielding the lady."

My fingertips went numb with cold. Xie Wencheng might be sharp-tongued and cowardly, and he had just been the subject of rumors concerning his questionable lineage spread by my own father, but he was still my brother. I turned to the Emperor immediately. "Your Majesty, I implore you, allow me to see my family."

The Empress Dowager interjected, "Request denied." Ignoring her, I kept my gaze fixed on the Emperor. He remained silent for a long moment, pondering the request.

"Escort them to the side hall and summon the royal physicians to attend to them," he finally commanded.

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace," I said, bowing low.

"The Emperor is soft-hearted," the Empress Dowager hissed, "but do not forget, Xie Guihong has already escaped."

The Emperor raised his eyes to meet hers. "Rest assured, Mother, I have not forgotten." He looked toward Xiao Zhi. "Uncle, seal the nine city gates. If Xie Guihong is still within the capital, find him."

Xiao Zhi bowed. "As you command."

"Your Majesty, you cannot seal the gates," I said urgently. Every eye in the hall turned to me, even Xiao Zhi’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Why not?"

I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "If my father has truly escaped, he is not attempting to flee the city. He knows that once the gates are sealed, every eye in the capital will be fixed upon him. Fleeing is not his greatest talent. His true skill lies in blending into a crowd of onlookers."

The Emperor watched me intently. "Continue."

"From the execution ground to the prison, and now to this hall, the shadow behind these events has sought at every turn to frame the Xie family. Now that the prison has burned and my father has vanished, the person most desperate to find him will certainly reveal themselves." I locked eyes with Xiao Zhi. "Instead of searching the city, we should spread the word that before he escaped, my father hid half the clues to the imperial will, and that I, Xie Ming Duong, will present them to the hall by noon tomorrow."

Xiao Zhi’s gaze sharpened. "Draw the snake out of its hole."

"Precisely," I replied.

The Empress Dowager let out a mocking laugh. "A traitor's daughter dares to lecture the imperial court on how to solve crimes?"

I met her gaze steadily. "Your words are correct, Empress Dowager." She seemed surprised by my quick concession. "Since that is the case, may I ask, is capturing my father truly more important than apprehending the one who seeks to assassinate the Emperor?"

The hall fell into a profound, suffocating silence. Then, the Emperor chuckled softly. "Xie Guihong producing a daughter like you—it seems he was not entirely useless after all."

"Your Majesty," I said with earnest gravity, "he mostly raised me with a very hands-off approach."

The Emperor waved his hand dismissively. "Proceed as she suggested."

The Empress Dowager’s expression finally soured. Xiao Zhi received his orders and exited. As he passed me, he whispered, "Are you certain your father will play along?"

I kept my voice low. "I am not."

He looked at me, questioning.

"But if he does not," I added, "my mother will beat him to death herself."

Xiao Zhi was silent for a moment. "That is a sound point."

An hour later, the news had been quietly leaked into the city: Xie Guihong, before his escape, had hidden a portion of the imperial will within the cracks of the prison walls. At high noon tomorrow, Xie Ming Duong would personally identify and present it at the hall. The news was like salt thrown into boiling oil; the capital erupted.

I was settled into the side hall. Xie Xiaoman saw me and rushed over, her embrace nearly knocking me over. "Sister!"

My mother sat on the edge of the bed, her face smudged with soot and her eyes rimmed with red. Xie Wencheng lay on the bed, his leg splinted with wooden planks. As I entered, he tried to sit up, wincing. "Sister, my leg broke with quite a lot of dignity."

My eyes stung, yet I couldn't help but laugh at his words. "It would be better if your dignity could heal bones."

My mother grasped my hand, her voice raspy. "Your father is gone."

I nodded. "I know."

Xie Xiaoman sobbed, "Has father died?"

Before I could answer, a faint, rhythmic sound drifted through the window.