At that moment, Yin Zhuli was perched in a tree in the front garden of Zhaohua Palace, snapping off a branch of plum blossoms. From her vantage point, she saw Zhang Qing sprinting into the palace grounds like a gust of wind. She was quite surprised; she had never seen him so discomposed before.
"Mother Consort!" He spotted her on the plum tree from a distance. "Quick, you must leave!"
Yin Zhuli hopped down from the tree and brushed the fallen snow from her clothes, not forgetting to use his sleeve to wipe the dust and grime from her hands. "Commander Zhang, it has been a while. What is the cause of such haste?"
Ignoring the breach of etiquette, Zhang Qing grabbed her and pulled her toward the rear garden. "Grand Tutor Fu is coming with his men. If you don't leave now, it will be too late!"
Yin Zhuli was utterly bewildered. "Is Fu Chaoying staging a rebellion?"
Seeing her so unhurried, Zhang Qing was frantic enough to stomp his feet. "Mother Consort, earlier today, Tianxin delivered a bowl of sweet soup to the Emperor's imperial study. After drinking it, His Majesty fell into a deep coma, and the entire Imperial Medical Academy has been summoned. Empress Dowager He has already rushed to his side, and Grand Tutor Fu has mobilized troops to arrest you!"
Yin Zhuli scratched her head with a jade hairpin, her expression remaining indifferent. "But if I run, even if I’m not caught, won't I become a wanted criminal? Zhang Qing, the monk can run, but the temple cannot. There is no escaping this."
Zhang Qing stamped his foot again. "Mother Consort, do you truly not understand the Emperor's painstaking efforts for you?"
Yin Zhuli patted his shoulder. "No need to rush. Even if the sky falls, Fu Chaoying will be the first to prop it up—he’s taller than both of us, haha."
Before Zhang Qing could say more, Fu Chaoying arrived, leading several squads of the Imperial Forest Guards. Although Zhang Qing was currently the Commander of the Imperial Forest Guards, the military forces of Chang'an were still firmly in Fu Chaoying's grasp. A general leading new troops requires time to build rapport; without it, they cannot truly command them.
Zhang Qing did not hesitate. He spun around and drew his waist saber. The dozens of guards who usually protected Zhaohua Palace followed suit, raising their spears in a defensive stance. Yin Zhuli stood in the center of the courtyard with her hands behind her back. The garden was filled with blooming winter plums, their petals fluttering down around her like a scene of a celestial descending to earth.
"Zhang Qing! What is the meaning of this? Do you intend to rebel?" Fu Chaoying’s voice was cold yet authoritative. With the military might of the entire capital behind him, he had every right to be imposing.
In contrast, Yin Zhuli’s voice was laced with a smile. "What is all this for? Put your weapons away."
Zhang Qing’s voice was low but resolute. "Mother Consort, the Emperor gave strict orders. Even if we must all sacrifice ourselves, we must ensure your safety."
Yin Zhuli reached out and patted his head with an air of maternal affection, a gesture that left everyone present at a loss for words. Her voice, however, rang out clearly: "Lord Fu is the Grand Tutor of the current dynasty and oversees the military of Chang'an. Now that the Son of Heaven has been mysteriously poisoned, it is only right that he comes to take the suspect for interrogation."
Zhang Qing said urgently, "Mother Consort! If you fall into their hands, how can you possibly survive? They won't let you live long enough for the Emperor to wake up!"
Yin Zhuli’s smile didn't fade. "If I flee, everyone here loses their lives. If I surrender, you all might live."
The dozen or so guards around her were visibly moved. Zhang Qing’s expression remained determined. "I would rather fight to the death and fall before you. Only then would I have the face to meet the Emperor!"
Yin Zhuli turned to look at him and couldn't help but praise, "Good boy. Then, go ahead."
Zhang Qing gripped his saber and was indeed about to charge forward when, caught off guard, he felt a sharp blow from Yin Zhuli’s hand to the back of his neck. He collapsed instantly. The surrounding guards fell into a panic. Yin Zhuli’s expression turned stern. "Look at the state of you all. Put down your weapons!"
Having lost their leader, they didn't know who to follow. Though they still held their blades, the sharp, suicidal killing intent from a moment ago had vanished. Yin Zhuli walked slowly toward Fu Chaoying. Seeing He Jian and Empress Dowager He approaching from the distance, her expression turned flat. "Lord Fu, let us go."
Fu Chaoying studied her with a searching gaze. Her smile deepened. "Is Lord Fu wondering why I seem so fearless?"
Fu Chaoying cleared his throat, turned the archer's ring on his thumb, and said softly, "Take her away."
Yin Zhuli was thrown into the Great Prison. According to Empress Dowager He’s wishes, she was to be executed immediately. However, He Jian voiced his doubts: "Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, Empress Wenxu is not one to sit idly and wait for death. She must have a hidden hand to play. If we kill her rashly, I fear..."
Empress Dowager He grew irritated. "It is precisely because of your constant hesitation that she has lived until today. A person of her cunning and intelligence will never remain submissive."
Seeing her expression, He Jian did not dare speak further. Fu Chaoying, however, agreed with He Jian’s assessment. "I will go to the prison to see her first. This person cannot be underestimated."
He Jian nodded. "I shall go with the Grand Tutor."
Yin Zhuli was faring reasonably well in prison. Which official in Chang'an, high or low, had not received favors from her? Though they couldn't help her in this crisis, they would still look after her in the shadows. After all, those truly without a conscience were a minority.
The cell was a single room. A commode stood against the wall, and straw was scattered beside it. Yin Zhuli sat on the straw for a while. Showing no sign of anxiety, she picked up a piece of charcoal and began drawing a nine-square grid on the floor.
The jailers all knew of this "Big Boss Yin"—the current Empress Wenxu. How many times in a lifetime could one see such a figure? Consequently, they crowded by the bars to watch her. The head jailer dispersed the crowd but was himself puzzled. "Your Majesty can play the nine-square grid against yourself?"
Yin Zhuli replied playfully, "I don't have the habit of entertaining myself." She looked up at the head jailer and smiled. "However, I’ve always been lucky. It won't be long before a person of high status comes to play with me."
The head jailer stared at her for a long moment. The Big Boss of Wealth City, the National Merchant of Great Ying, the Empress Wenxu... he felt a surge of lament in his heart. Word had already come down from above: this Empress did not have long to live.
A short while later, a jailer arrived to report that Chancellor He and the Grand Tutor had come to visit the prisoner. The head jailer hurriedly pulled himself together to welcome them. Yin Zhuli had just finished drawing her grid. As the cell door opened, she looked up at Fu Chaoying and raised a hand in invitation. "Grand Tutor, care for a round?"
Fu Chaoying’s eyes were like burning torches. He suspected Yin Zhuli was bluffing; if he were fooled by an "Empty City Stratagem," he would have no face left. But he had seen her methods before. If this were a game of cards, she would have an endless hand of trump cards to play. Because of this, Fu Chaoying had always felt that such a direct execution was unwise.
He naturally did not sit down. He felt that looking down on her from a height gave him more presence. "With only fifteen minutes left to live, Big Boss Yin still has such leisure. I truly admire you."
Yin Zhuli was a master at stifling people with her words. She immediately shot back, "To receive such appreciation from my father-in-law, this daughter-in-law is truly honored."
Fu Chaoying’s face changed instantly. He looked around at his surroundings, his imposing aura vanishing in a heartbeat. "Hmph! Nothing you say today will matter." He waved his hand, and the head jailer led the other guards out. As the jailer turned back, his voice was soft, but Yin Zhuli heard him: "My Lord, by the rules of the prison, a prisoner must have a full meal before death. I wouldn't want to violate the taboos; I shall go prepare it now."
Fu Chaoying felt a sense of anxiety. He was standing while Yin Zhuli was sitting, yet he didn't hold the slightest advantage in terms of presence. Finally, He Jian whispered, "Grand Tutor, we are old acquaintances after all. This final meal should not be spared."
Fu Chaoying hesitated briefly, then sneered. "No matter. The King won't wake for at least two days and nights."
The head jailer was quick-witted and soon returned with food: white rice, a whole roasted chicken, and a small pot of wine. Yin Zhuli looked up at him, her tone casual. "What is your name?"
The head jailer’s face paled in terror. "Big Boss, this... this is hardly appropriate..." He glanced at Fu Chaoying and didn't dare speak further. Yin Zhuli used the hem of He Jian’s robe to wipe her hands and began eating the chicken right there on the floor. Fu Chaoying waited, his face darkening with every passing second.
By the time she was finished and satisfied, forty-five minutes had passed. Fu Chaoying gave a slight wave, and the head jailer brought forward two items: a bottle of poison and three feet of white silk. Yin Zhuli sniffed the poison and felt the silk, appearing quite satisfied. "I never imagined I would have such a dignified way to die. Lord Fu, my thanks."
Fu Chaoying’s face was cold. "Enough idle talk. Even if you stall, can you stall for two days and nights?"
He Jian was about to speak, but Yin Zhuli beat him to it. "Since Lord Fu has prepared everything, I shall take the poison first, then hang myself. I wouldn't want to waste the Grand Tutor's kindness."
Fu Chaoying didn't know whether to be angry or laugh. "Then be quick about it!"
Yin Zhuli took the poison and tilted her head back as if to drink. Seeing He Jian’s expression—as if he were the one taking the poison—she laughed again. "After I die, I ask that the Grand Tutor immediately don his battle armor. If you mobilize troops for Fucheng now, perhaps there is still time."
Fu Chaoying’s heart skipped a beat. Before he could react, he asked, "Time for what?"
Yin Zhuli looked shocked. "Does the Grand Tutor not know? Ah, look at my memory; I actually forgot to tell you such a major matter!" She leaned closer to Fu Chaoying, her gaze clear and soft. "The Grand Tutor should know that I have two people by my side whose martial skills are quite decent."
Fu Chaoying was suspicious. "Lian Kang and Tan Yue."
Yin Zhuli nodded. "A while ago, they suddenly took an interest in the joys of business. So, they followed the Yin family's merchant ships on a journey abroad."
Fu Chaoying was extremely impatient. "And so?"
Yin Zhuli’s smile was like calm water. "Lord Fu, I was careless and allowed them to take the records of Great Ying’s national treasury, as well as the news of General Qu’s death... If I die, they certainly won't be able to hold their tongues. The Dayuezhi have always coveted the rich lands of our Great Ying. I wonder, if they knew that General Qu is dead, the new Emperor is in a coma, and the national treasury is empty... Grand Tutor, after I finish this cup, shouldn't you be preparing to rush to the border?"
