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“Who killed the emperor?” Mingzhu asked but Jiang remained silent. “Who. Killed. The. Emperor?”
Mingzhu exhaled, the worry trickling out of her body. The mountain clan had not doubted her. They were willing to accept her reconciliation. Yet, the prince''s actions made her anxious. “Why?”
“I killed her!” Jiang whaled. Tears streamed down her wrinkly cheeks. “I plunged the sword into Yenay’s heart for only in death, would her suffering end!”
Silence brewed. The rain pelted down outside. A coldness seeped into the room. The truth had been revealed. But Mingzhu struggled to accept it.
She stared at Jiang. In her dark eyes, she saw her own reflection. Blame, loathing and desperation danced together in dark harmony. It made Mingzhu scared to confront her own demons. Instead, she focused on Jiang, the woman who had cared for her over the months. That was another debt she had to repay. “Do you wish to be saved?”
Jiang shook her head. “I have nothing waiting for me. I am too old to marry and the only person I loved with my whole heart is dead. I am ready to die.”
“I understand.”
Unsure what to do and unwilling to leave because of her ocean of emotions, Mingzhu sat down and hummed her mother’s song to soothe herself. In the dulcet melody, she sadly accepted the answer of fate. The sobbing woman beside her wasn’t the senior she knew. Jiang always remained strong and harsh. Compassion hardly shined. Yet, this woman showed her weakness and pathetic side without restraint. It made Mingzhu fear what she, herself, could become.
“Tell me about the empress you killed.”
“Imagine the feeling of a glorious summer’s day with your toes dipping in a cool stream. That was Yenay. Beautiful and soothing. Her beauty was incomparable and her heart remained pure, no matter the struggles she faced. I met her as a child in the village and was taught to be her personal handmaiden. I knew she was destined for great things and most men fell in love with her virtue and grace. I was not surprised the emperor requested her hand in marriage. That love sapped her happiness. Jealousy followed her everywhere. She blamed herself for each miscarriage, not the abuse happening around her. The reason I was demoted to a housemaid was because I protected her. The only joy that came from the palace was her baby. I will never forget the way she looked when her son was born. The day Yenay gave birth, her face was shining so bright that demons would burn in her presence. In that moment, I knew her child was destined for greatness, just like her.”
Mingzhu froze. Jiang said her real name. “You mistake me for someone else.”
“A name is not all I figured out,” Jiang replied and returned Mingzhu’s teal fabric. “Do not let the enemies triumph in the palace. You must protect the true heir of Shanhe. I know you are capable of great things.”
“When did you…?” Mingzhu was lost for words. Jiang knew everything.
“My condolences for your sister. The Lotus Palace is execution for those pure and fair. You lost your sister and I lost my empress. Do not let this tradition continue. Fulfil the lost prince’s destiny to rule Shanhe, as the rightful heir to the throne. Perhaps then, the world will be a brighter place.”
Mingzhu clenched her fist and looked Jiang straight in the eyes. “I will not let you die in vain. I will avenge the wrongdoings of the guilty. In the spirit world, I hope you find peace with this act.”
“Protect the prince and you protect the kingdom. That will bring peace to Yenay and I.”
If Jiang said anything else, Mingzhu did not hear because she ran away. The soldiers had stirred outside, groaning and groggily waking from their forced slumber. Mingzhu had to leave.
The wind stung her eyes and the cold rain seeped into her skin, chilling her to the bone. They both worked together to drown out any other sounds. None of this natural torment compared to the pain in Mingzhu’s heart. Life would be easier if she genuinely cared less for others.