"Does Dawang want his brother to be overthrown?"
One of Li Xinyi's many books had the quote 'It is only the boldest who can speak despite being amongst fear'. That line had never resonated with Xiao Hui before but that was then and this was now. And now she was almost regretting being brave.
The man she was addressing and his beau were looking at her as if she was talking about fighting a demon. Which in this case might as well have been the same thing.
"Xiao Hui," Han Bingwen spoke slowly, as if explaining to a child. "Surely you know the power my brother holds."
The soft way he uttered the word brother made both Xiao Hui and Shi Ming scoff. Although the maid did so behind her sleeve while the courtesan did so loudly, making the previous King blush in embarrassment.
Coughing slightly to regain his composure, Han Bingwen continued diplomatically, "However, many will be pleased to have someone else take his place."
Shi Ming scoffed once again. "Anyone with a head will be dancing in delight if Han Bohai were to be overthrown. To ask such a question is utterly useless and is a complete waste of time."
At any given moment the maid would have retorted back but this time her mind was stuck on the blatant disrespect that the courtesan showed towards the King. Tyrant King or not, everybody would respect (and fear) him, but Shi Ming was not everyone. For the first time in this conversation, hope bloomed in her heart. Perhaps it would not be too difficult to convince the couple about the (former) existence of the Han fu ren.
But it was easier said than done.
By the time she had finished recounting her experience, the couple had already stopped listening.
Shi Ming crossed her arms below her chest. "To speak about non existing people existing and then stop existing. Does Xiao Hui have no other thing to do other than to waste our time with silly tales?"
"This one is not lying!" The maid said indignantly. "The Han fu ren did exist." She looked desperately at the previous King for support.
"Xiao Hui," Han Bingwen said gently, "I do not doubt that you are speaking what you believe is the truth." Xiao Hui's heart, which had soared a tiny bit, fell to her stomach at his next words. "However you may be imagining about this Li Xinyi. I never married any person. I do not need to, not when I have my baobei."
The maid looked away as he adopted a simpering look at the mentioned baobei who, to no one's surprise, just huffed with exasperation. Their love truly made her eat dog food every time she witnessed it. It also made her wonder if this was what Li Xinyi would have received had Shi Ming never existed. Or would Han Bingwen have showered his affections to another courtesan in her stead.
Her musings were interrupted by the couple in question when they edged towards the door. Fear and hopelessness lodged her throat the closer they got to the exit.
"Wait!"
As soon as the word slips out of her mouth, she recoils back because of her lack of respect. But it did make both of them stop at their tracks; the maid had after all, never raised her voice before.
They were staring at her with anticipation and what could she do but continue her trail even though she wished to go back.
"The Queen Consort's chambers have a box. A box with a carved dragon on top and with gold hinges. No," she realized, "The box is not in the chambers now. It is to be given to the Han fu ren should the King marry."
Shi Ming was looking perplexed but the maid knew that she had won. Han Bingwen's eyes narrowed as he demanded, "Tell me about the parchment."
***
The page was the same as before. Xiao Hui had been scared that it would have by some means, changed or been torn, but to her relief the contents were the same.
"Do not tell me," Shi Ming said, dubiously, "The parchment Xiao Hui was speaking of belongs to the Devil. This is preposterous."
However, the maid thought, it is completely true. For the first time, Han Bingwen seemed to share the sentiment.
"However preposterous it may be, it seems to be the truth." The courtesan stared at him with wide eyes. Her entire being seemed to be screaming, why are you believing this maid over me, your baobei. She felt slightly vindictive at that.
"What does Bingwen mean? Surely, he is not listening to what the maid said. What made him change his mind? Was it the box she mentioned?"
The previous King was quiet for a while but then spoke in a solemn tone. "The box was a wedding gift intended for my betrothed. My mother," his voice choked up at that word, "Had planned everything and even bought the box off a vendor from the Shang empire solely to gift my consort.
"The box was hidden and its existence was only known by my mother and me and my wife had I married. No body else was supposed to know that unless it was shown by either of us three."
Shi Ming gasped softly. "So when Xiao Hui mentioned the box..."
"Yes," said Han Bingwen. "It was evident that she is, at least as far as I know, speaking the truth. I know my mother would have never shown the box to anybody, especially not to a servant who she did not trust from the bottom of her heart. She was always a cautious woman."
Was. That particular tense did not escape Xiao Hui. In the last world, the Empress Dowager had been alive, at least, as far as she knew. If Han Bingwen was using a past tense to refer to her, did that mean she was dead? How had Li Xinyi's existence affect even the Empress Dowager?
Noticing her change of expression, the previous King asked, "Why are did you react so strongly when I mentioned my mother, Xiao Hui? Did something happen to her in the," he paused as if he could not believe his next words but said them anyway, "previous world?"
Xiao Hui sighed. Of course he had noticed. Despite being rather airheaded at times, Han Bingwen had been a King and that made him prone to danger, forcing him to be observant to minute changes.
"Forgive me, Dawang, but it is more like nothing happened to the Empress Dowager."
Both Shi Ming and Han Bingwen's eyes widened at that.
Looking at the book with new eyes, the courtesan said, "It seems like we have more reasons to get rid of the Tyrant King."
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Question:
Have you ever came across a book with a suspicious cover?