Now I understand why she would enlist us to her cause. We are relatively unknown in the capital, and it is easier to ensure our loyalty.
“You believe it is someone in the Court of Officials.” Lian raises an eyebrow. “Perhaps even one of the ministers. Not another kingdom attempting to undermine the strength of Dàxī.”
Zhen shakes her head. “Talum to the west is undergoing civil war, and its ruling family is occupied with their own concerns. The northern kingdoms have to make their way through the Pillars of Sky in order to present themselves as a threat. Their navies are too limited to be of consequence.”
Lian quotes a familiar phrase, “The tree may stand strong, but the rot starts from within.”
With a grimace, Zhen continues. “It is natural to speculate that it would be outside forces trying to cause unrest, but all my sources point to officials who are influential within the court. They have joined in their support of one who they believe has a better claim to the throne.”
“The General of K?iláng.” Even I can figure this out.
“Yes.” She sighs. “My ambitious uncle. I know there are those in the court who believe he should have been the emperor years ago.”
“You think he is involved then? In the poisonings?” I’m unable to hold in my emotion, so desperate is my need to know. “And you believe the poisoned tea bricks are the key to finding out who is exerting that influence?”
“Precisely,” Zhen states. “It is a major strike against the heart of the people, but in doing so they revealed much of themselves, more so than with the previous assassination attempts. I’m attempting to analyze the provinces they targeted, whether there’s a pattern. But our analysis of the tea bricks leads to but one conclusion—the poison was created with magical influence. The work of a particularly talented shénnóng-shī.”
I should have known from the beginning. Its undetectable nature, the elusiveness of the antidote …
Lian frowns. “You had to find a way to gather the shénnóng-shī and the most promising shénnóng-tú to the palace to continue the investigation.”
Zhen nods. “The induction of the court shénnóng-shī involves lengthy rituals. Without calling for this particular competition, I would have no other reason to summon all the shénnóng-shī of the realm to Jia.”
She rises from her seat and walks to a wall scroll, pulling it aside. The scroll cleverly hides a doorway, and she calls out for whoever is in the next room, before returning to her cushion.
The chancellor enters, flanked by guards. It’s confirmed then. He is in cooperation with the princess to unearth the mastermind behind the poison, and that is why he was watching our residences so carefully.
“Did you uncover the identity of the one who tried to attack the bird, Chancellor?” Zhen asks. Seeing his hesitation, she waves her hand. “You may speak freely in front of them.”
The chancellor inclines his head and provides his report. “The thief gained entrance to the residence by the rooftop and the opened window. He had gloves and attempted to grab the bird, but it spat in his eyes, blinding him. When he let it go, it bit him at the wrist. When the saliva entered his blood, it took its course, and he perished.” Resulting in the mess remaining on the floor of our residence.
“Those cursed birds can fetch a high price in the black market,” Lian states. “I’m not surprised he tried to steal it instead of killing it.”
“It would have accomplished two purposes: put coin in his pocket and eliminated both of you from the competition,” the chancellor says.
The princess nods. “I suppose we will see who shows up with a bird tomorrow and who does not.” After a pause, Zhen’s attention returns again to me. “We should speak about Kang.”
Ah yes, the discussion I’ve been dreading. I can feel the weight of all their gazes on me, just like the eyes of all those figures on the murals. Because she asked me in front of the chancellor, it must mean he is privy to our agreement.
I start, voice shaky, “He took me to Língy? Monastery.”
Chancellor Zhou regards me as if seeing me with new eyes, painfully reminiscent of my father’s disapproval. But I stare back, holding my head high.
The questions come, one after another.
“Língy??” Zhen asks. “Why Língy??”
“Did he take you to meet the abbess?” the chancellor asks. “Did she say anything about an alliance with his father, or give hints about their plans?”