Chang Hao emerged from the secret passages behind the palace gardens, his wet clothes clinging to his skin and his hair dripping water onto the stone paths.
Guards patrolling the perimeter barely acknowledged his presence in their haste to reach their posts before nightfall.
Inside the palace corridors, servants scattered at his approach, whispering nervously about his disheveled appearance and the grim determination etched across his features. He ignored them all, navigating the labyrinthine halls with purpose born from desperation.
Reaching the grand hall entrance, he encountered General Kenji overseeing preparations for tomorrow's execution. "Your Majesty! What happened to you? You look like a drowned rat!"
Chang Hao grabbed the general's arm forcefully. "Cancel the execution orders immediately. Send messengers to summon every minister and concubine back to court within the hour. We are reconvening tonight."
Kenji's jaw dropped.
Meanwhile, Empress Mei sat in her opulent chambers, which she refurbished out of delight that very afternoon after the court held. She was enjoying a late supper with several concubines. "Did you see how pale His Majesty looked?" Sakura remarked between bites of sweet dumplings. "He nearly fainted right there in front of everyone."
Mei smiled confidently. "Let him rest tonight. Tomorrow morning he'll wake refreshed and grateful for my guidance throughout this difficult period."
As they were celebrating their victory against Bella. A maid runs into the empress tea room unannounced. The empress insulted her for being disrespectful and ill-mannered. After apologizing continuously she rushed to her and whispers the emperor decree in her ear.
The maid's urgent whisper caused Empress Mei's smile to freeze instantly. Her chopsticks clattered against the porcelain plate as she sprang to her feet, startling the other concubines who had been lounging comfortably.
"What did you just say?" Mei demanded sharply, grabbing the maid's arm with surprising strength. "Repeat that order exactly as given by His Majesty!"
Sakura exchanged concerned glances with the other women. "Your Majesty, what is it? Has something happened?"
"The Emperor has recalled court immediately!" The maid cried, trembling under Mei's grip. "He commands every minister and concubine to assemble in the main hall at once! Something about reversing today's verdict!"
Mei released the maid abruptly, sending her stumbling backward. Her face paled as realization dawned - Chang Hao was interfering again. "Impossible! He was practically delirious when he left the throne room!"
In the throne room, everyone sat down tense and careful to speak. The emperor stood, still looked pale, but there was a new raw sense of determination in his eyes.
Without following protocol. He spoke loud. "I am revoking my earlier sentence on Lady Bella's case. My new decree is that she is Banished instead of executed."
The throne room fell into stunned silence as Chang Hao's announcement echoed through the cavernous space. Several ministers exchanged bewildered glances, while concubines whispered frantically behind their fans.
"Banishment?" Minister Aikoku repeated cautiously, breaking the tension. "Your Majesty, with all due respect, that changes the entire precedent set today."
Empress Mei entered dramatically from a side doorway, her expression a mixture of shock and indignation. "My dear husband, have you lost your senses completely? After everything we endured today?"
She strode toward him with practiced grace. "You cannot simply undo an official decree based on emotion! The people expect justice for Lady Akemi!"
Chang Hao's voice remained steady despite his pale complexion. "The decree stands revoked. Lady Bella will be escorted from the palace grounds under armed guard at dawn."
General Kenji stepped forward to address logistics. "Your Majesty, where shall we send her? Exile requires specific arrangements - provisions, escort size, destination..."
Concubine Hana interjected sharply. "Send her to the remote islands! Let her freeze and starve on those rocks until she forgets our faces!"
Several other concubines nodded eagerly at this suggestion. Empress Mei smoothed her gown with satisfaction. "An excellent proposal! The Northern Islands are desolate enough to ensure she never returns."
Minister Ren raised a hand hesitantly. "Your Majesties, may I propose alternative exile locations? The Northern Islands are notoriously harsh during winter months..."
Chang Hao's gaze swept across the assembled court members, lingering briefly on Bella's empty spot near the throne. "She will receive adequate supplies for survival," he stated firmly. "Are you all insane? She killed someone and you all are thinking of banishment, when she should be facing execution".
Cheng's chest heaved in anger. " By doing this we are sending a message to our people that they could easily kill each other without the fear of capital punishment. What if it was one of us? Will you send her to a life of solitude and possibly a start over in another land? What if she doesn't repent from her evil ways and kills more people there?" Won't we be blamed?
Empress Mei's voice rose in pitch as she listed her concerns rapidly. "Of course I am concerned for our safety! Every noble family will wonder why they shouldn't settle disputes with poison or dagger rather than honorable combat!"
Concubine Sakura added her two cents. "And what about justice for poor Akemi? Banishment allows Bella to escape punishment entirely! How can we face our citizens knowing we showed leniency to a murderess?"
General Kenji folded his arms firmly. "Your Majesty, while I understand your compassionate instincts regarding Lady Bella's fate... Empress Mei speaks truthfully about the political implications."
Several ministers nodded gravely from their seats. Minister Aikoku cleared his throat respectfully. "Public opinion will be crucial in coming days. Many citizens already question your judgment regarding this matter."
"My word is final " Chang declared , ignoring everyone. Mei stared at him blankly. She gets her self after a moment and points at him accusingly. " You are a traitor, choosing a criminal over Japan..... Don't you see you are feeding Ichiro's uprising? " She feeds the doubts and anger in the court.
Does a foreign sex slave really have him wrapped around her fingers?. Is he truly worthy of the throne? He thinks with what is in between his legs. He wants to damn is all. Audible questions and whispers arose within the court.
" Silence. This is not up for debate" The emperor's words roared across the room, bouncing off the walls. Everyone kept quiet for a moment .
The throne room erupted into chaos as Chang Hao's guards formed a protective circle around him. General Kenji barked orders for soldiers to secure the exits while Minister Ren tried desperately to calm the furious nobles.
"Order! Order in the court!" he shouted over the din, pounding his fist on a marble pillar.
Empress Mei watched from her seat, her face contorted with triumph as she witnessed the Emperor losing control of his own court.
"See how unstable he's become?" she called out to Concubine Sakura beside her. "This is precisely why I must guide him!"
Concubine Hana rushed toward them anxiously. "Your Highnesses, please reconsider! If Ichiro's spies learn of this division within our ranks..."
Mei dismissed her worries with a wave of her hand. "Let them learn! Perhaps then they'll realize how vulnerable our Emperor has become under that harlot's influence."