Chapter Thirty-Two: The Empress Dowager

Zhu Yu closed his eyes and pondered for a long time. When he opened them again, he looked at Liu Xi and said, “I recall you were preparing to practice the Absorbing Energy Technique, specifically the ability to draw power from a distance? And you needed to gather the Five Yang and Two Yin to cultivate it? Is that right?”

Liu Xi’s expression changed slightly at Zhu Yu’s words. He forced a bitter smile and replied, “Your Majesty, please don’t tease your servant. An Yunshan has already mastered the Absorbing Energy Technique to its highest level, but even he never achieved the ability to absorb energy from afar. It’s nothing but a rumor.”

“Whether it’s a rumor or not is beside the point. Since you can’t practice this martial art, the Five Yang experts you captured are useful to me. What levels are they?”

“Your Majesty, among the Five Yang, there is one of mid-tier first class, one of lower-tier first class, and three of upper-tier second class.”

Zhu Yu nodded and said, “Send these five men to the capital’s prison. I have use for them and must be able to see them at any time.”

Liu Xi nodded, his face tinged with bitterness.

Though he could not master the technique to draw energy from afar, these five formidable experts could still provide considerable internal energy. But the emperor had spoken—he could not refuse. Capturing the Five Yang had cost Liu Xi dearly; now it was all for nothing.

Yet, where had the emperor learned of this? It seemed there were other eyes and ears around him. Liu Xi resolved to investigate thoroughly upon his return.

“Liu Xi, although you cannot master the Absorbing Energy Technique, why not try it on someone? After all your preparations, will you be content with nothing at all?” Zhu Yu spoke with tempting persuasion.

Liu Xi was unsure of Zhu Yu’s intent and cautiously asked, “Your Majesty, do you mean for me to absorb internal energy from one of the Five Yang?”

“Of the Five Yang and Two Yin, the Two Yin are more important. Use a Yin subject to test.”

“Your Majesty, perhaps you don’t know. The Five Yang experts have been in my custody for some time, but there’s been no sign of the Two Yin. If not for learning the technique is impossible, I’d still be anxious about it.”

“You truly have no information on the Two Yin?” Zhu Yu’s question carried an inscrutable tone.

Cold sweat broke out on Liu Xi’s brow, but he finally gritted his teeth and revealed his latest information.

“Your servant has heard that the imperial consort was born at a Yin hour, but I swear I have never harbored the slightest wicked thought. I beg Your Majesty to see the truth.”

Zhu Yu covertly curled his lips and said, “How could I blame you for something that hasn’t happened? Besides, I’m not talking about the consort. I’ve found a Yin hour woman for you; you can use her for your experiment.”

Relieved by Zhu Yu’s words, Liu Xi nevertheless felt new doubts arise.

“Your Majesty, whom do you mean by this Yin hour woman?”

“The Empress Dowager was born at a Yin hour.”

This statement struck Liu Xi like a thunderbolt. Though a supreme master, he felt himself trembling.

“This... this... Your Majesty, surely the Empress Dowager doesn’t seem like someone born at a Yin hour?” Liu Xi probed, as carefully as possible.

Zhu Yu looked at Liu Xi and spoke deliberately, “I say she is, and so she is.”

He then pressed, “When will you practice this martial art?”

“It must be on the day when the Seven Stars align,” Liu Xi answered.

“The Seven Stars align? That’s hardly scientific—when will that happen?”

“I had someone calculate it. Three months from now is the day of the Seven Stars’ alignment.”

“Good. Then in three months, after the alignment, I want to hear the results of your experiment.”

At these words, Liu Xi wished he could bite off his own tongue. Why hadn’t he said ten years, or twenty? Why had he reflexively blurted out the day he’d remembered for so long?

Seeing Liu Xi’s troubled expression, Zhu Yu patted his shoulder in comfort. “You are the master of Jing Nation. With your martial arts advancing, Jing Nation advances as well. For our nation’s prosperity, even the Empress Dowager would be willing. Though she and I share no blood, we are closer than mother and son by birth. I know her heart—go forth boldly.”

Liu Xi wiped the cold sweat from his brow and nodded helplessly.

...

Meanwhile, at Jiang Biehe’s mansion, deep in the back courtyard in a secluded room, the night was silent.

“You little dog, you’ve got a pretty face, just like your mother, and you’re quite skilled at seducing people. The servants have all been bewitched by you, their minds muddled. With your talent, why not go to the Emerald Red House and enjoy yourself, earn some money? Why come to Jiang Mansion and vex me?”

The speaker was Jiang Biehe’s wife, Jiang Liu, nominally the stepmother of Jiang Yuyan.

Jiang Yuyan had thought finding her biological father would end her hardships, but her journey into hell began the moment she entered Jiang Mansion.

Not only did she fail to receive the treatment due a young lady, she was worse off than the servants—forced to do the hardest, most exhausting work every day, unpaid, and fed only the leftovers of the household.

Moreover, Jiang Liu gave her a name of utmost humiliation: Little Dog.

Were it not for her mother’s dying words and her longing for Young Master Zhu, Jiang Yuyan would have ended her own life long ago.

Unlike her usual benevolent demeanor, which had earned her the reputation of a living Bodhisattva, Jiang Liu’s face now was twisted with venom, as if she wished to devour her husband’s illegitimate daughter alive.

Jiang Yuyan was bound to a stool, face down, back up, her clothes filthy and torn in many places, revealing bruised skin beneath.

Perhaps to avoid disturbing others, her mouth had been stuffed with rags. Once filled with hatred, Jiang Yuyan now found her resentment deepening at Jiang Liu’s words.

Jiang Liu had come expressly to vent her anger, ordering her men to drag the exhausted Jiang Yuyan from bed—not just to berate her, but for more.

She produced a pre-prepared rattan whip and lashed it savagely across Jiang Yuyan’s back and hips, the whip cracking sharply, tearing her scant clothing.

This was how Jiang Yuyan’s few garments had been ruined.

In the past, whenever Jiang Liu beat her—even with her mouth gagged—Jiang Yuyan would scream with all her strength, hoping her father might hear and rescue her. But he seldom did.

Even when her father came, Jiang Liu would not stop; instead, she beat her harder, though she would relent after a few more blows.

Today was different. The usual cries were absent.

Jiang Yuyan was simply too exhausted—dragged from sleep, her fatigue only worsened, her mind growing more muddled.

Even the pain of the whip felt less acute than before.

Still, Jiang Yuyan glared at Jiang Liu with hatred from the corner of her eye.

People have different tastes in cruelty. Jiang Liu liked to gag Jiang Yuyan and listen to her screams as she was beaten. But this time, her arm ached and still the wretch made no sound.

Growing more furious, Jiang Liu struck harder and harder.