The villagers of the Yin dynasty whispered among themselves, their hushed tones carrying an air of foreboding. An elderly woman, clad in tattered black hanfu, stood bound to a wooden pole, her eyes gleaming with a malevolent intensity.
The sound of approaching horses echoed through the air, and a contingent of imperial guards, resplendent in their ceremonial attire, came to a halt before the assembled crowd. The Emperor's imperial carriage, adorned with intricate carvings and silk drapes, arrived moments later, accompanied by the imposing figure of Li Chen, the Emperor's personal guard.
As the Emperor emerged from his carriage, a venerable eunuch proclaimed, "The Emperor has arrived!" The crowd's murmurs ceased, and they bowed their heads in unison, their faces pressed against the dusty earth.
"Arise, my noble subjects," the Emperor declared, his voice authoritative and commanding. The villagers slowly rose, their eyes cast downward in deference.
The elderly woman, still bound to the pole, erupted into a cackling laughter, her eyes glinting with malice as she beheld the Emperor. The villagers exchanged nervous glances, their whispers rising once more.
"Silence!" the Emperor thundered, his voice echoing through the square. The crowd fell silent, their faces pale and frightened.
The Emperor turned his attention to the elderly woman, his expression stern and unforgiving. "What offense has she committed that I was summoned to this place?" he inquired, addressing General Liu Yang, a grizzled veteran with a thick beard.
The General bowed deeply before responding, "My Lord, I apologize for the disturbance, but this woman was apprehended practicing the forbidden art of magic."
A collective gasp rippled through the crowd, followed by an uneasy silence.
"Magic?" the Emperor repeated, his voice laced with disdain. "You are aware of the decree: any practitioner of magic shall be dealt with swiftly and severely."
The elderly woman's laughter ceased, replaced by a defiant smile. "I care not what fate befalls me, Kang Xi," she spat, her voice dripping with venom. "But this I promise: the Red Lotus shall rise, and your head shall hang from our gates."
General Liu Yang's face darkened with anger, his hand instinctively reaching for the hilt of his sword. "How dare you address the Emperor with such impertinence!" he thundered.
The elderly woman's response was a maddening cackle, her eyes glinting with an otherworldly intensity.
As the Emperor's arm rose, General Liu Yang halted, his sword hovering momentarily before returning to its scabbard. The Emperor strode towards the condemned woman, Li Chen shadowing his steps. Turning to face the assembled villagers, Emperor Kang Xi's voice boomed, "Let this serve as a warning to all! Any practitioner of the dark arts shall suffer a fate most ignominious and cruel. I, myself, shall ensure the wielder of magic meets a grisly end!"
With deliberate slowness, the Emperor accepted a sword from a nearby guard. His gaze locked onto the old woman, he declared, "You are the messenger of the Red Lotus." The sword's blade glinted in the fading light as the Emperor raised it for the fatal strike.
The old woman's laughter grew more manic, her eyes flashing with an otherworldly energy. The sky darkened, as if night itself was descending prematurely. A fierce gust swept through the village, sending the villagers screaming in terror. The old woman's voice rose above the din, shouting in an unknown tongue. Her gaze locked onto the Emperor, she spat, "This is the message for you: the Emperor must die!"
With a swift, deadly motion, the Emperor struck, severing the old woman's head from her shoulders. Blood gushed forth, staining the earth as her lifeless body remained bound to the pole. The head, still wearing a twisted grin, fell to the ground with a sickening thud.
As suddenly as it had begun, the tempest ceased. The sky cleared, and an unsettling silence fell over the village. The villagers stared aghast at the Emperor, who stood holding the old woman's severed head. His voice, cold and detached, sent shivers down their spines: "I am prepared for whatever may come."
Within the depths of a foreboding chamber, faint candlelight cast eerie shadows upon the walls. A young, foreign girl attired in the traditional garb of an assassin stood at a respectful distance from an unknown figure shrouded in darkness.
"Proceed to the Yin dynasty," the low, husky voice commanded, "and eliminate the Emperor. Bring me his head as proof of your success."
The girl bowed deeply, her movements silent and fluid. With a quiet reverence, she withdrew from the chamber, vanishing into the shadows like a phantom.
In the Yin dynasty, villagers went about their daily routines with an air of subdued unease. The events of two days prior still lingered, a palpable tension that discouraged gossip and speculation.
A worn, wooden carriage, resembling a mobile cage, rattled down the streets, conveying a group of young women dressed in tattered, slave-like attire. Their faces, smudged with dirt and fatigue, gazed listlessly from the carriage's confines.
As the carriage approached the imposing gates of the Imperial palace, two guards stepped forward, their eyes scrutinizing the vehicle's occupants.
"What cargo do you bring?" the first guard inquired, his tone firm but polite.
The carriage's driver, a stout, unctuous man clad in commoner's attire, smiled obsequiously. "Exquisite maidens for the Empress Dowager's consideration. Suitable for servitude, and perhaps... more."
The second guard nodded, his expression unreadable. With a curt gesture, he signaled the gatekeeper, and the massive, ornate gates creaked open, admitting the carriage into the palace grounds.
The carriage came to a halt before a stately procession of palace servants, led by the esteemed Lady Xuanhua, a middle-aged woman of discerning elegance. The short, plump man alighted from the carriage, his countenance a mask of obsequiousness.
"Have you brought the maidens as instructed by the Empress Dowager?" Lady Xuanhua inquired, her voice firm yet refined.
The man bowed deeply, his hands clasped together in a gesture of respect. "Indeed, I have. As requested, I have procured the finest young women for the Empress Dowager's consideration."
With a curt command, the man unlocked the carriage, and the girls, their faces etched with fear, descended onto the palace grounds. They stood before Lady Xuanhua, their eyes downcast, as the short, plump man gestured for them to follow him.
Lady Xuanhua scrutinized the girls, her gaze lingering on each face before nodding to a nearby maid. The maid stepped forward, presenting the short, plump man with three pouches of gold coins. The man's face lit up with avarice as he accepted the payment.
"Convey my respects to the Empress Dowager," the man said, his voice dripping with sycophancy, before returning to his carriage and departing.
Lady Xuanhua's expression turned disdainful as she watched the man leave. "Avaricious swine," she muttered beneath her breath.
Turning to the girls, Lady Xuanhua's demeanor transformed, her voice assuming a stern, authoritative tone. "I am Lady Xuanhua, the personal attendant and highest-ranking maid of the Empress Dowager. You have been brought here to serve the Empress Dowager. If you prove unsuitable, you will be cast back onto the streets. Do I make myself clear?"
The girls remained silent, their faces frozen in fear. Lady Xuanhua's expression darkened, her voice rising in anger. "I said, do I make myself clear?!"
The girls responded in unison, their voices trembling. "Yes, Lady Xuanhua."
Lady Xuanhua's countenance softened slightly, her tone assuming a more measured quality. "Very well. Follow me. We have duties to attend to."
With a stately gesture, Lady Xuanhua led the procession of girls and maids into the depths of the palace, leaving the carriage and the short, plump man's avaricious presence behind.
As the day wore on, Lady Xuanhua escorted the girls to the palace kitchen, where they were to receive their assignments. "I shall divide you among various tasks," Lady Xuanhua explained, her voice firm but measured. "Some of you will attend to the laundry, while others will focus on tailoring. A select few will assist in the kitchen, and—"
Her words were abruptly interrupted by the sound of shattering porcelain. A plate had been dropped, and the kitchen fell silent. Lady Xuanhua's gaze swept the room, her expression unyielding. "Who is responsible for this carelessness?" she demanded.
The maids cowered, their eyes darting toward the foreign girl, who stood frozen, her face pale. Lady Xuanhua's surprise was evident, her eyebrows rising in astonishment. "A foreigner, you say?"
Without hesitation, Lady Xuanhua grasped a nearby knife and positioned its blade against the foreign girl's throat. The maids gasped, their faces reflecting their terror.
"Who are you?" Lady Xuanhua asked, her voice low and menacing. "What brings you to the Yin dynasty?".
"I am Veda," the foreign girl replied, her voice steady and devoid of trepidation. A hint of enigmatic amusement danced upon her lips as she continued, "My purpose here is to secure residency within the Yin dynasty."