Chapter 21: The Verdict

The Crown Prince was brought into the hall in a plain white coat, with no crown and no chain.

The Emperor had said there was to be no chain.

He was still his son.

Gu Zhirui walked up the long aisle with his head high, and the officials on both sides drew their sleeves back as he passed.

He stopped at the foot of the steps and bowed to his father.

Then he turned and bowed, very slightly, to Wanning.

"Aunt," he said.

"Nephew."

"You have done well. I congratulate you."

"I haven't finished."

His smile was gentle and unbothered.

"What more is there? The Marquis has sold me, and the old physician has spoken."

"My mother has offered her neck. I have lost, and I know how to lose."

"You haven't said anything."

"I have nothing to say."

"The Emperor has a stack of papers," Wanning said.

"He has a ledger with the Empress's accounts in it, and a physician who can name the poison, and a Marquis who will name you."

"But there is one thing none of them can give him."

"What is that?"

"The order, in your voice, in this hall."

Zhirui laughed under his breath.

"You want me to confess."

"I want you to say it."

"Why on earth would I?"

She did not answer him.

She turned instead to the throne, and bowed.

"Your Majesty. The Empress has said she did it alone."

"She has."

"Then she is to be put to death, as the author of the poison, the trial and the false oath?"

The Emperor's hand closed on the armrest.