Chapter 36: Sister Stone

Shi Mei was the name used for Shi Mei within the palace. It was not only a homophone for her actual name but also served to distinguish her from her elder sister.

Unlike her sister, who was graceful and fair, Shi Mei was plain-looking and could only work in the palace's lowest ranks as a menial laborer. Thus, when she was summoned by an official and told she was to receive a reward, she felt both astonishment and joy.

She knew it must be because her sister had been rewarded again. Her sister had always been so clever; ever since their parents died and they had been left to roam the streets, her sister had always found a way for them to survive. Now that they had entered the imperial palace, although life was arduous, they at least had food and clothing. Her sister’s dancing skills were superb, and she frequently received rewards. The sisters had gradually saved some money and had begun to look forward to the day they would be released from the palace, hoping to find good husbands and live a life of domesticity.

Therefore, the moment she stepped into the Northern Palace and saw her sister's corpse, she did not react at all. It was as if she had just woken from a dream; she rubbed her eyes, struggling to comprehend the reality before her.

Looking at her sister’s body again, if not for the arrow deeply embedded in her mouth and the dried blood, it would have seemed as if her sister were merely sleeping beside her.

An official stood at the front, reading the reasons for the reward: her sister had performed brilliantly and was the first dancer capable of catching the Emperor’s arrow with her mouth. The Son of Heaven was greatly pleased and therefore wished to bestow a heavy reward upon her family.

Gao Yang watched this scene with excitement. In the past, there had always been hot-blooded individuals who would rise in resistance, but before they could lunge forward, the Imperial Guards would subdue them, leaving them to be slaughtered at the Emperor’s whim under trumped-up charges.

However, Gao Yang was disappointed. The woman before him, called Shi Mei, knelt obediently as the attendant finished reading, appearing entirely unmoved by the wrongful death of her sister.

He curled back into his seat in boredom, failing to notice the tightly clenched hands of Shi Mei as she knelt to offer thanks, nor the bloodshot, hate-filled eyes hidden beneath her hair.

"Raise your head and let Me see you."

Hearing the man’s words, Shi Mei felt a jolt of panic. In that instant, she wanted to rush forward and kill this beast.

But she knew she could not, and she feared that this hatred might be discerned. Overcome with terror, tears and mucus streamed down her face as she stammered, "Th-thank you, Son of Heaven, for the reward!"

She tried her best to hold it in, but a sob still escaped from the depths of her soul. Some ministers, unable to bear the sight, closed their eyes.

"Truly deep sisterly love," Gao Yang shook his head slightly, marveling. "Send two men to help her carry the body, and take care of the funeral rites as well."

An attendant stepped forward to help her up, saying with a smile, "So many rewards—many people would give anything for such fortune. You should be grateful!"

Shi Mei could no longer endure it. A savage, murderous intent appeared on her face. To cover it, she slammed her head against the ground with such force that the crisp sound vibrated against the bowstrings, and both sisters bled from the same spot.

Gao Yang had lost all interest. With a flick of his finger, the attendant dragged Shi Mei away. As she left the palace, Shi Mei took a daring, final glance with the corner of her eye.

The young man dressed in silk women’s clothing, his face painted with rouge and powder, was her enemy. Since he was already the Son of Heaven and possessed everything, why did he have to kill her sister?!

Beside him stood a delicate youth whom the surrounding crowd whispered was the Crown Prince. If he were to die, she wondered how this beast would react—but it certainly wouldn't be more painful than what she felt now.

The early winter wind howled, the chill penetrating her clothes and piercing her marrow, reminding Shi Mei that in this world, she was now truly alone.

Such matters were lighter than the wind, unable to stir even a thread on the noble Emperor of Great Qi. Even Gao Yin, a modern soul, could only lower his head and pretend not to see.

He was now Crown Prince Gao Yin. To change such a situation, he could only wait until he became Emperor.

And for him to become Emperor, the prerequisite was the death of the father standing before him.

Gao Yin’s feelings toward Gao Yang were complex. As a human with basic morality, Gao Yin felt that Gao Yang deserved to be tortured to death and have his remains scattered to the wind to atone for his crimes—even wiping out his entire clan would not be an issue.

Yet, Gao Yin was the very "root" that would inherit all his legacy. He could hardly kill himself, could he?

It was not he or his mother who had committed these acts, and Gao Yin certainly did not agree with being held responsible for them.

However, he had indeed benefited from the exploitation and plunder Gao Yang had inflicted upon others. To say he was completely uninvolved was something Gao Yin, who had not yet completely sold his conscience, could not do.

As a political entity, he even had to praise his father’s martial prowess or benevolence for the sake of appearances. Look at the ministers below; they were all the same. Those who refused to wallow in the mire were not here to begin with.

"This is forbearance before achieving a dream," countless people thought, compromising with reality first, only to forget their original intentions once they reached their dreamed-of heights.

Of course, Gao Yin did not have to wait that long. Next year, in the tenth year of Tianbao, Gao Yang would kick the bucket.

Gao Yin could even pinpoint the date: the tenth day of the tenth month of the tenth year of Tianbao.

He did not know if Gao Yang truly understood divination or what, but ever since the era name "Tianbao" was adopted, he loved playing word games, believing that "Tianbao" could be broken down into "One Great Man, Only Ten," signifying he would only be Emperor for ten years.

Later, when he asked a Taoist, the Taoist said "thirty." Gao Yang said it was exactly right, as thirty referred to the tenth day of the tenth month of the tenth year, and he did indeed die on that day.

It was now the eleventh month of the ninth year of Tianbao; Gao Yang had less than a year left.

Conversely, in a year’s time, Gao Yin would have to face that pack of wolf-like Xianbei nobles, the Gao clan relatives, and his own ambitious grandmother, the Empress Dowager.

It felt even more difficult than what Li Shimin had faced.

Although Gao Yin also believed Gao Yang deserved to die, he hoped Gao Yang would live a little longer to make his own path to the throne smoother and flatter.

Therefore, regarding everything unfolding before him, Gao Yin could only tell himself in his heart that these were the limitations of the era, a helpless choice, a necessary sacrifice.

Let the common people suffer for a while; once he ascended the throne and implemented reforms, everything would get better.

Gao Yang killed no one else. He simply drank and made merry for a while longer before announcing the end of the feast, ordering the Crown Prince to follow him.

The ministers, as if granted amnesty, rose in unison and knelt to Gao Yang. Amidst the mountain-like cheers and sea-like shouts, Gao Yang and Gao Yin left the hall and arrived at a garden.

Attendants set up stoves and moved screens, creating a warm, spring-like space within the garden, occasionally cooled by passing breezes. Gao Yang partially disrobed, using an ivory comb to gently brush his hair.

Gao Yin could not help but tighten his sleeves. Seeing this, Gao Yang smiled and said, "Still feeling cold? Then let the fire burn brighter."

The shivering maids nearby hurried to add fuel, then retreated tactfully, leaving only the two most beautiful and nimble ones. They extended their slender fingernails and began to gently scratch Gao Yang’s body with tender force.

After consuming Five Minerals Powder, one’s body would grow feverish and the skin would become hypersensitive. Thus, long-term users wore thin clothing, let their hair hang loose, bathed in cold water, stood in the rain, or even slept naked in the open air—all to suppress that internal "evil fire."

Therefore, to Gao Yang, the touch of delicate maidens’ fingers against his skin, coupled with the occasional chill, was a form of enjoyment.

"Speak," Gao Yang said after squinting in comfort for a while. "What do you have to do now?"

"Nothing escapes Father’s sharp eyes."

Gao Yang hummed softly. "When have you ever come to see me without a purpose? Every time I summon you, you have that mournful look on your face. Are you afraid of being haunted by ghosts?"

Gao Yin could not help but mutter to himself, *So you are aware of that, are you?*

He rose and performed a salute, then said, "I wish to mobilize some people from the Imperial Clan to serve as my support."

"So, you truly intend to attack Dongyong Prefecture?"