The Concubine Who Was Supposed to Die in Chapter Three novel · Chapter 10 of 24
Chapter 10: The Throne
The Autumn Moon banquet had ninety-nine tables, and Zhiyao's was the farthest from the throne.
It stood by the kitchen door.
She sat between a retired court musician and a plate of pickled radish, and she watched the far end of the hall.
Wuyan sat on the dais under a canopy of gold lamps.
The Holy Maiden sat at his left in a white and silver gown, in the Empress's seat.
Chancellor Cen Hongdao rose with a cup in his hands.
"Majesty," he said. "Heaven has sent us a Holy Maiden."
A murmur of agreement ran through the hall.
"A woman of virtue and grace, a woman every man here would die for."
He lifted his cup.
"I humbly propose that she be named Empress of the Nine Heavens this very night."
Zhiyao watched the Maiden turn white.
She watched Xueling's eyes dart around the room, looking for one face that wasn't smiling.
Then she looked at Wuyan.
He sat forward with his hand on the table.
His eyes were fixed on Xueling, wide and soft and empty, and a gentle smile had spread across his face.
"A fine proposal," he said, in that flat sweet voice. "I am inclined to..."
Zhiyao put down her chopsticks.
She stood up.
She walked straight up the central aisle, carrying the plate of pickled radish.
She passed ministers and generals and a hundred gaping faces.
A guard started toward her and stopped at a look from nowhere.
She climbed the steps of the dais with the plate in her hands.
"Your Majesty," she said loudly, "you forgot your radish."
Every head in the hall turned.
Zhiyao set the plate on the table.
Under the cloth, her hand closed around his.
The spark ran up her arm.
Wuyan blinked.
His head turned slowly toward her, and the empty smile fell off his face.
"Yining," he said, under his breath.
"Hello," she whispered. "I'm kicking you."
"Thank you."
He stood.
Up on the dais, the Immortal Emperor kept her hand in his.
He turned to the Chancellor in front of every lamp in the hall.
"I have a question first," he said, in his own dry voice. "Bring in the steward."
The rest of this chapter is part of the paid portion of the series. Chapters 1–6 of The Concubine Who Was Supposed to Die in Chapter Three are free to read — start from the beginning, then unlock the rest with coins in the app.
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