Chapter 11: Imperial Aunt

The Hall of Supreme Harmony held three hundred officials, and every one of them turned to look at the doors when the herald cried the Prince's name.

Prince Wei walked in on his own feet.

He wore black court robes with a silver wolf on the breast, and his hair was bound under a plain crown.

His left hand rested on the hilt of his belt knife, where nobody could see it shake.

Wanning walked half a pace behind his shoulder, in plum silk, with a needle case hidden in her sleeve.

No woman had stood in that hall in forty years.

The Emperor himself had allowed it, in a note carried to the estate at dawn.

Bring the Princess, the note said. I wish to see the woman who woke my brother.

Whispers ran through the hall from the front rows to the back.

The Emperor sat on the dragon throne, thin and grey, with a rug over his knees.

He lifted one hand from the armrest as the Prince bowed.

"Brother," he said. His voice was cracked and warm. "Three years."

"Your Majesty."

"Stand up. Stand up, and let me look at you."

Chengxiao straightened.

The Emperor looked at him for a long moment, and his eyes were wet.

"They told me you would not wake," he said. "I am glad they were wrong."

"I have my wife to thank, Your Majesty."

"So I hear."

The old man's gaze moved to Wanning, and rested there.

"Lift your head, child."

She lifted it.

"You are very young."

"I am twenty-four, Your Majesty."