Chapter 8: The Scent of Betrayal
Chapter 8: The Scent of Betrayal
The doors to the Empress Dowager Liu Yan's personal chambers opened without hesitation, as if they had been built solely for him. A tall, elegant figure stepped inside — the Second Prince, Li Ren, dressed in deep crimson robes that sharpened his already dangerous charm. His movements carried a casual arrogance, the kind that comes from knowing people will bend for him.
The palace maids lowered their heads, not daring to comment on how he walked into the Dowager's chamber like it was his own bedroom.
The Empress Dowager turned from her mirror. Her eyes brightened instantly.
Empress Dowager Liu Yan:
"My prince… you're early today."
He smiled, that soft, gentle smile he had perfected over the years. The kind that made lonely, powerful women melt and ambitious men fear him.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"How could I keep you waiting, my beloved Dowager?"
He walked straight to her, cupped her chin, and brushed a kiss against her cheek. The Dowager's face flushed, her breathing turning shallow like a young maiden instead of a seasoned palace survivor.
Empress Dowager Liu Yan (softly):
"You always know how to make my day brighter…"
Second Prince Li Ren (low voice):
"Only because you brighten mine."
It was a beautiful lie—delivered with the precision of a master tactician.
He guided her to her seat, poured her wine himself, and held the cup for her lips. She drank eagerly, intoxicated by both the alcohol and the illusion of affection.
The Sweet Words of Poison
He leaned close to her ear, letting his warm breath tickle her skin.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"You look tired, my Dowager. Have the court affairs been troubling you? Is it our young Emperor, Li Feng?"
Her shoulders dropped. He knew exactly what to press and when.
Empress Dowager Liu Yan:
"The Emperor... he ignores tradition. He entertains those new consorts openly and challenges our military requests. He is ruining the stability we worked for."
He stroked her hand slowly.
Second Prince Li Ren (soft, coaxing):
"Of course he is. He was never meant for the throne. Someone wiser... gentler... someone like you should be guiding the nation."
Her heartbeat stumbled. He could practically hear her political resolve dissolving under his honeyed voice.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"But let us not speak of him right now. You deserve peace. You deserve love... Perhaps even a future where you and I rule side by side."
Her wine cup slipped, clattering softly against the table.
Empress Dowager Liu Yan (trembling):
"Future... with you?"
He smiled deeper—a smile that held no affection, only ambition wrapped in silk.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"If my beloved Dowager wishes."
She did. He knew she did.
The Request Hidden in Kisses
Now came the poison. He kissed her hand, then her cheek, then the corner of her lips—just enough to make her dizzy, but not enough to satisfy.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"There is something I hesitate to ask you, my precious, but for the empire's sake, I must."
Empress Dowager Liu Yan:
"Anything. Tell me, my prince."
He feigned reluctance perfectly.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"The northern front is unstable. The Emperor plans to send incompetent generals. If I had... merely five thousand of your elite border troops—just five thousand—I could stabilize the region before disaster strikes."
He paused. The Dowager, despite her desire, retained her political mind.
Empress Dowager Liu Yan:
"Five thousand is a significant commitment, Li Ren. And taking them from the border is a risk. Are you sure you cannot command them under the Emperor's name?"
Second Prince Li Ren (gently, touching her cheek):
"If I command them under his name, he will claim the victory. But if I stabilize the region with your personal guard, the credit, and the loyalty, will be ours. We must be proactive. For us. For our shared future."
She sighed, swayed by the logic of shared power.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"I also fear the lucrative guilds in Xiangfang City will fall into corrupt hands now that the Emperor is investigating finances. If they were temporarily under my administrative care... I could ensure the empire's safety."
Empress Dowager Liu Yan (already melting):
"So you want the troops... and the guilds... to secure our power?"
Second Prince Li Ren (whispering at her lips):
"For you. Everything I do is for you, my Dowager. My future Empress."
The Trap Wrapped in Silk
He pulled out a beautifully carved jade ring.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"A small token. Wear it, and let it remind you of me."
She wore it immediately, smiling like a girl in love.
Second Prince Li Ren:
"There is only one thing left... a formality."
He slid a blank scroll in front of her, then a brush into her hand.
Second Prince Li Ren (gentle, guiding her fingers):
"Write this letter. A simple statement that you are personally borrowing three million taels from the treasury for a private cause."
Empress Dowager Liu Yan (confused, though less resistant):
"Borrowing...? But why borrow when you can allocate funds with your political power, my prince?"
He kissed her lips. Soft. Slow. Overwhelming. Her thoughts vanished.
Second Prince Li Ren (soft against her mouth):
"To keep suspicion away from us. If I take the funds in my name, ministers will notice. But if the powerful Empress Dowager takes a small personal loan for the palace... no one will question. I will repay it quickly, with interest."
She nodded immediately, heart pounding. The letter was written. Her hand trembled from wine and desire. His hand trembled from excitement and triumph.
When she handed him the signed scroll, he bowed... deeply, respectfully.
Second Prince Li Ren (smiling with predator's eyes):
"You have saved the empire, my love."
He left the room with the document tucked into his sleeve—the Dowager's political death warrant disguised as "love."
The moment he stepped outside her chambers, his smile changed. Gentle affection vanished. A cold, victorious curve replaced it.
Heaven Above: The Final Judgment
High above the mortal realm, in a shimmering palace of clouds, the Divine Emperor Xuan Tian lounged on a magnificent cloud-chair.
A heavenly maid slapped his head from behind.
Heavenly Maid:
"You useless old god! Stop tormenting the new Emperor Li Feng for fun!"
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"Ah— fine, fine! I'll leave the boy alone... a little."
But then—he stiffened. A foul, oily scent drifted through the divine winds. A scent belonging to sin, ambition, and betrayal.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian (muttering):
"...So. The Second Prince has made his first move. Betraying his greatest asset. Classic, and terribly cliché."
He rubbed his temples.
Divine Emperor Xuan Tian:
"This mortal court is going to explode soon... and I'm supposed to babysit these fools."
He sighed dramatically. What will our emperor so what is his next move to save or destroy the young dowger