Fang Donger's Hidden Secret
One silent night, out of curiosity and a love for forbidden adventures, Imperial Concubine Fang Donger sneak out of her palace to start her nightly wanderings around the royal palace.
Fang Donger has a secret that no one in the palace except her attendants knew: her love for adventure and exploring the royal palace's hidden gems.
It was an interest that stayed with her throughout her younger days before she entered the palace to become the Emperor's Imperial Concubine, although not the favoured one like Consort Shu Yuhuan of the East Palace.
The Cold Palace was the one place Fang Donger always wanted to explore due to the various rumours and haunted stories spread by maids and eunuchs in the royal palace. Out of curiosity, she decided to make this change by setting up on her journey to the Cold Palace
Journey to the Cold Palace
After a while, Fang Donger finally reached the Cold Palace. The atmosphere was cold and silent, unlike the warmth that was always around in the palace where Lady Fang usually spent her time inside. Lady Fang felt goosebumps around her arms, despite wearing clothes that were extra protective against the cold. Maybe the rumours about the Cold Palace is true as spoken by the maids and the eunuchs.
Out of impulsiveness, Fang Donger decided to explore the walls. She was amazed by what he found. Hidden in the walls were ancient secrets that could unlock the mysteries of the past. Fang Donger was astounded and determined to uncover the truth.
The strange markings etched into the walls of the Cold Palace were first discovered during a brief and ill-advised exploration of the outer corridors. At first glance, they seemed like the idle scratches of someone maddened by isolation. But their deliberate nature—symmetrical shapes, flowing lines, and a consistent pattern—suggested a deeper meaning.
As she traced her fingers over the intricate patterns, a chill ran down her spine. The dim light from the flickering torches revealed that these marks were more than mere doodles; they formed a map leading to secrets long buried within the palace's ancient walls. Driven by curiosity and a sense of foreboding, Fang Donger realized that these markings could hold the key to unravelling the palace's darkest mysteries.
Lady Fang, though known for her impulsiveness, was intelligent enough to recognize that she had stumbled upon something significant. Instead of venturing further, she relayed the discovery to her mistress, Consort Qi Yuzhu of the West Palace.
The Scribe's Investigation
Consort Qi, though wary of the Cold Palace, understood the potential power of knowledge. She discreetly summoned Liu Zhen, a scribe known for his expertise in ancient texts and languages. Under the pretense of cataloging the Cold Palace's condition for imperial records, Liu Zhen was granted temporary access to the forsaken building.
Accompanied by a single eunuch carrying a lantern, Liu Zhen entered the Cold Palace at dawn, hoping to avoid the ominous atmosphere that blanketed the place after sunset.
The markings were found on the walls of what had once been Lady Rui's personal chamber. Some were faint, scratched shallowly into the wood, while others were deeper and more prominent, as if carved in desperation. Liu Zhen noted the symbols' resemblance to an archaic script that predated the empire's current linguistic traditions.
This script, known to scholars as Guwen, had been largely forgotten, its use abandoned centuries ago after a devastating rebellion linked to practitioners of dark rituals. Many in the court considered it a cursed language, one capable of invoking malevolent spirits or sealing cryptic incantations.
Liu Zhen was fascinated by the symbols, and determined to uncover their meaning. He travelled to remote parts of the empire, searching for any trace of Guwen. He eventually discovered a few ancient texts that contained the script.
As Liu Zhen carefully transcribed the symbols, he felt an unshakable sense of unease. The air in the chamber seemed heavier with every passing moment, and the eunuch assisting him grew increasingly agitated, muttering prayers under his breath.
The Findings
Liu Zhen's initial analysis suggested that the symbols were not random scribbles but a fragmented message. Certain characters seemed to repeat, forming what could be interpreted as warnings or invocations.
One recurring phrase, when translated loosely, meant: "Bound by betrayal, chained by truth."
Another fragment appeared to reference a "cycle of vengeance," though its exact meaning was obscured by time and the decay of the carvings.
Liu Zhen realised that the information gathered in the Cold Palace might unravel secrets that could destabilize the entire empire. The fear was that such knowledge, if misused, could give rise to powerful factions seeking to challenge the emperor's authority.
Additionally, there was a concern that it could lead to unrest among the populace, who might be swayed by the allure of hidden truths.
The Presentation to Grand Chancellor Li Heng
Upon completing his transcription, Liu Zhen approached Grand Chancellor Li Heng with his findings. The Grand Chancellor, ever pragmatic, listened with growing impatience as the scribe explained the potential significance of the symbols.
Liu Zhen argued that Lady Rui, in her final days, may have used the ancient script to leave behind a message that could unravel the true cause of her downfall.
"Imagine, Chancellor," Liu Zhen said, his voice trembling with both excitement and fear. "What if these symbols hold the key to understanding the palace's history? What if Lady Rui's death was more than just a punishment for betrayal?"
Li Heng, however, was unimpressed. He dismissed Liu Zhen's theories as "academic ramblings" and chastised the scribe for wasting time on superstition.
"Do not let your curiosity lead you into trouble, Liu Zhen," the Grand Chancellor warned, though his sharp tone belied a flicker of unease. "Some mysteries are better left unsolved. Focus on matters that serve the empire's stability."
Despite his dismissal, Li Heng secretly ordered the transcription to be locked away in the imperial archives, ensuring that no one else could access it without his permission.
The Ripples in the Outer Court
Though the Grand Chancellor sought to bury the discovery, whispers of the symbols spread through the Outer Court. Liu Zhen, though sworn to secrecy, had shared his experience with a trusted friend, and the story quickly gained traction among the palace's scholars, officials, and even the servants.
The intrigue surrounding the symbols exacerbated existing tensions in the court:
The Scholars' Curiosity: A faction of the imperial academy became obsessed with the idea that the markings were linked to forbidden knowledge. Some even petitioned for access to the Cold Palace, claiming that uncovering the truth could provide valuable insight into the empire's history. Their requests were denied, fueling resentment toward the administration.
The Ministers' Division: The court was divided on how to handle the rumors. Minister of Armaments Zhou Yan dismissed the entire affair as irrelevant to the empire's military needs, while Minister of Finance Qian Yu argued that ignoring the Cold Palace's mysteries could lead to greater unrest among the palace staff and common people.
The Guards' Reluctance: The imperial guards, already wary of the Cold Palace, grew increasingly reluctant to patrol its perimeter. Rumors of cursed symbols and malevolent spirits spread quickly among their ranks, undermining morale.
The Nobles' Suspicions: The nobility began speculating about Lady Rui's downfall, with some suggesting that her alleged betrayal might have been fabricated to hide a darker truth. This line of thinking cast a shadow over the Emperor's judgment, subtly eroding his authority among the court's elite.
Consort Qi's Calculations
Consort Qi Yuzhu, who had initiated the investigation, watched the unfolding chaos with mixed emotions. While she had hoped the discovery would grant her an advantage in the harem's intricate power struggles, the escalating tension in the Outer Court was an unforeseen complication. She decided to take a step back and let the events unfold. She was determined to make sure her ambition and schemes were not revealed until the right moment.
Still, Qi understood the value of uncertainty. The rumors surrounding the symbols placed her rivals—particularly Empress De Wanying—on edge. After all, if the Cold Palace held secrets capable of shaking the empire, no one in power could afford to ignore its implications. Empress De Wanying was desperate to uncover the truth, so she sent agents to investigate. Little did she know, the mysterious symbols were just the beginning of a dark secret unfolding over the Great Yin.
Qi was relieved when the agents returned empty-handed, but she knew Empress De Wanying would not be so easily deterred. She knew she had to be one step ahead of her rivals, so she made sure to keep her plans a secret. She was determined to uncover the secrets of the Cold Palace before anyone else.
Qi used the uncertainty of the rumors to her advantage. She was able to manipulate her rivals and gain leverage over them. Ultimately, she was able to use uncertainty to her advantage and gain power. By capitalizing on this uncertainty. She used the information to her advantage, manipulating and weaving the story to her advantage. The Cold Palace became a symbol of mystery and intrigue, and Qi was the ultimate beneficiary.
A Renewed Sense of Fear
The reemergence of the Cold Palace's mysteries reignited the court's collective fear of the past. The ancient script, associated with rebellion and dark rituals, served as a stark reminder of the empire's vulnerability.
In an attempt to restore order, the Emperor issued a decree forbidding any further exploration of the Cold Palace or discussion of its history. Yet the decree only added to the allure of the forbidden, ensuring that the Cold Palace remained a source of speculation, fear, and silent rebellion.
The intriguity of the symbols and the secrecy surrounding it had caught the attention of many, and it soon became an obsession among the palace's inhabitants. This marked the beginning of the search for the truth behind the symbols.
As the Cold Palace stood shrouded in darkness, its walls bore witness to the court's crumbling unity—a silent testament to the dangers of buried secrets and unresolved truths. The mystery of the symbols lingered like a shadow, touching every corner of the imperial court with its insidious presence.