The messenger raced up the road leading to the villa as if he could outrun a vengeful ancestor spirit with a quick enough pace. Ah-Duo 's household was well trained. The moment he was spotted at the bottom of the hill, the housekeeper waited with a cup of honeyed water ready at the entrance. A groom stood beside her, waiting to take custody of the messenger 's horse, even as the sound of children 's laughter retreated, their caretaker herding them toward the courtyard at the back of the villa, and the lady of the house was summoned.

The messenger slid off the horse, handing the reins to the waiting groom and gulping the water. 'My thanks. Lady Ah-Duo - '

'Will be present momentarily, ' the housekeeper responded calmly. 'Do we need to evacuate? '

'No, ' he answered. 'The household is not in danger. I have news from the Imperial Court. '

A gallant figure appeared on the front doorstep, her demeanor as calm as her eyes were grave. 'Urgent news, it would seem. '

The messenger bowed low. 'Lady Ah-Duo. I come bearing news about the Moon Prince. '

The corners of her lips tightened, even as her heart began to race. 'I see. Come inside and report, ' she managed with a reasonably level tone.

'Yes, my lady. ' The messenger followed her into the parlor and knelt before her.

Ah-Duo took a deep breath and braced herself as if to receive a blow. 'What has happened? '

'Lord Hao challenged His Majesty in front of the entire court to remove the Empress ' son from the line of succession and reinstate the Moon Prince 's title as Crown Prince, on the grounds that the Moon Prince was truly His Majesty 's firstborn son, not his younger brother. ' The messenger 's eyes never left the carpet, his tone never wavered, but the set of his shoulders was tight.

She let out that breath in a rush. 'On what grounds did he make this accusation? '

'It seems that one of the Empress Dowager 's former ladies-in-waiting became suspicious after her dismissal with the others. She appears to have spoken of her suspicions to two people - Lord Gyoku-ou shortly before she died and her sister shortly after her dismissal. '

'I recall Chue 's report. It seems Lord Gyoku-ou had quite a lascivious imagination on him as well as an indiscreet disposition. The rest of his siblings would not dare spread such a story, however. Surely, Lord Hao could not have brought this version before court? ' Ah-Duo crossed her arms in front of her - a bad habit, to be sure, but one she felt free to indulge in within her own home.

The messenger shook his head. 'No, my lady. Lord Hao sourced this rumor via the sister, who was previously in Lord Hao 's service. She is now elderly and has begun to show signs of dementia. '

Ah-Duo 's eyes went wide. 'He brought an accusation like that to bear in front of the entire court on nothing more than the ramblings of an old lady who is beginning to lose her faculties?! ' She began to pace. 'What an utter fool! '

'Indeed, my lady. Unfortunately, he was foolish enough to make his case publicly. He first told the story as it was told to him - that the two babies looked so much alike that it was difficult to tell them apart at a glance. Also, due to the close timing of the births, my lady and the Empress Dowager had been known to spend a great deal of time together, unattended. How the Empress Dowager seemed especially shaken after the death of a mere servant 's child. How the very doctor who had saved the Empress Dowager 's life and her fertility was driven out of the rear palace before the Empress Dowager 's ladies-in-waiting were dismissed as well - as if to make certain that anyone who could have told the two boys apart had left the palace. ' The messenger 's tone had begun to lose its distance, a fine tension threading his voice. No doubt it had been a dramatic scene.

She continued to pace. 'Go on. '

The messenger raised his hands respectfully. 'Of course. From there, the story devolved into base speculation. How the Moon Prince 's whims have been indulged, time and again. His ruse to appear as a eunuch and only appear masked and coddled by the Emperor and Empress Dowager made absolutely no sense. The fact that he both led the Forbidden Army to subdue the Shi Rebellion while also suppressing any thought of war with Shaoh during his time as acting governor of I-sei Province was a demonstration of his competence and virtue in matters of war and foreign policy. The fact that the Moon Prince 's foresight prevented a plague of insects from plunging this country into famine while gracefully handling the workload of multiple officials without a hint of complaint is a sign of his wisdom in matters of domestic affairs. '

'In other words, why wait for an infant of dubious value to grow up when a perfectly trained Crown Prince is sitting right there? ' Ah-Duo pinched the bridge of her nose with her fingers.

The messenger huffed. 'That sentiment was expressed, almost word for word, by other members of the Empress Dowager 's faction - especially given that the Moon Prince 's virtues as exalted by Lord Hao did not require his theory be correct. ' There was a pause as the messenger took a deep breath. 'But then Lord Hao took it one step further. '

Ah-Duo felt a chill go down her spine. 'What did he do? '

'He challenged His Majesty before the entire court and the Moon Prince, to go ahead and deny his son to his face, if it wasn 't true. ' The messenger finally met her eyes, his own wide with horror - and sympathy.

'Yoh ' ' she whispered, covering her mouth with one hand. A wise ruler he might be, but he could also be unbearably sentimental. 'Did he do it? Did he throw Lord Hao out on his ass, like he should have?! ' she demanded, almost desperate to hear an answer she knew would never come.

'No, my lady. He did not. The court was utterly silent for a full minute as he failed to deny the Moon Prince 's paternity. '

The words fell like lead weights in the room. 'And Yue ' ' she trailed off.

The messenger took another deep breath. 'No one in the court who saw his reaction has any doubt that the Moon Prince did not know before today. He was utterly shocked, just staring at His Majesty before silently walking out of the court without so much as a by-your-leave. '

Her ears began to ring, tears springing to her eyes and her fists clenching as she attempted to simply breathe. If her foster brother had been standing in front of her at this moment, she would have slapped him, mandate of heaven be damned. 'Fool, ' she breathed. 'You just threw this nation into chaos, all because you couldn 't deny Yue was your son in public?! No matter how it might destroy him? '

'My lady, I 'm sorry, but there is more. ' The messenger 's tone became more urgent.

Ah-Duo looked at him. 'What else is there? '

'Lord Hao is on his way here, to see you specifically, as the rightful mother of the nation. '

She squared her shoulders. 'I see. I shall prepare a suitable welcome for him, then. '

Lord Hao arrived with all the pomp and circumstance that could be expected of a man who had won the most significant political skirmish of a generation on sheer luck alone. His guards preceded him into the room, obviously checking for threats to their master before the scrawny little man entered himself, his still boyish face attempting an expression of gravity. 'Lady Ah-Duo, I thank you for receiving me. '

She stood in the parlor, offering a bow of pure courtesy and nothing more. 'Lord Hao, ' she said, her face studiously blank.

He gestured to a seat, inviting her to sit in her own home. 'I imagine you must wonder why I have come? '

She took her accustomed seat. 'I can 't imagine why you would have cause to seek the company of His Majesty 's milk sibling. It has been years now since I was in any way affiliated with the court. '

'Come, now, my lady. ' He leaned toward her with a smile that was clearly intended to be ingratiating. 'His Majesty clearly holds you in high esteem, still. The reason why does you credit. '

She arched an eyebrow. 'Is that so? '

'My lady, you do not need to exercise such delicacy and caution with me. ' He opened one hand in a gesture of confidentiality. 'Your true status has finally been revealed to the admiring eyes of the court. The Moon Prince has been acknowledged by His Majesty as his firstborn son, and yours. '

Ah-Duo smiled ever so slightly, but with no mirth behind the expression. 'I see. '

Lord Hao continued, oblivious to the bite behind her words. 'The current Empress is a beautiful woman, no doubt, but her 'exotic appeal cannot hold a candle to the grace and dignity of a true mother of the nation. '

'And yet, Empress Gyokuyou is, in fact, the mother of the Crown Prince. ' Her tone was flat, final. A wise man would have known not to push any further.

Lord Hao continued to prove his foolishness. 'Crown Prince is nothing more than a title, my lady. It can - and must be - bestowed upon another, more fit to stand at the apex of the nation than a foreign born infant. '

'Babies do grow, Lord Hao. His Majesty is yet in good health. There is no reason to assume that the Crown Prince will not grow into a fine young man, with his father 's wisdom and his mother 's beauty before such a sad occasion as our current ruler 's death. '

Her unwelcome guest made a convincing show of sadness. 'I love my nephew dearly, Lady Ah-Duo, but I cannot allow that to blind me to the risks of losing him. Only a few months ago, surgery was necessary to save his life! Imagine the chaos that would have engulfed the nation had the country been left in inauspicious hands! '

You think you 're being clever referencing Yue 's true name? I wonder if you 're bold enough to say it to my face?

She growled the question mentally, since she did not yet wish Lord Hao to stop speaking. He took her silence for assent, like the foolish, avaricious man he was.

'The Moon Prince led the country quite ably while His Majesty was indisposed. Many others, not just I, were impressed with the grace and dedication with which he handled the responsibilities of office. My nephew had the luxury to recover from surgery while knowing the country was in safe hands. Surely there is no greater qualification to stand at the apex of the nation? ' Lord Hao smiled, an expression he must have thought was confiding, but his words revealed his pettiness. 'And now that Zuigetsu 's true parentage has been revealed, you no longer need to hide away, shamed and discarded. Truly, His Majesty 's treatment of you both has been quite shabby. '

'

What

did you call him? ' Oh, this was a bold fool indeed!

Lord Hao winced slightly. 'Truly, I forget my place when provoked to passionate defense of my family and country. '

Ah-Duo stood. 'Let me see if I understand your position correctly. Rather than bring your suspicions quietly to either His Majesty, your own honored sister the Empress Dowager or even me, as the Moon Prince 's blood mother, you chose to force His Majesty 's hand in public, before the court? '

Lord Hao straightened in his chair, taken aback at the cold tone of Ah-Duo 's words. 'Well, my lady, I 'm afraid - '

'Or did you attempt to speak to His Majesty privately on the subject and were rebuffed? ' She let her countenance begin to show the chill of anger.

'My lady - ' Like any fool, swimming in political waters too deep for him, Lord Hao stuttered, frozen at the unexpected reaction from Ah-Duo, who he had obviously expected to find grateful for his championship and resentful of the ruler who had cast her aside.

She stared down at this petty minister who had single handedly thrown the nation into turmoil. 'Tell me, Lord Hao, what was the Moon Prince 's reaction when you revealed his parentage

in public

, before the entire court? '

Hao blinked, as if the prince 's feelings on the matter were of no importance. Certainly not worth registering in the face of ambition. 'He 'he was surprised, to be sure! But, my lady, when he has had a chance to understand his true position - '

'Please tell me that you were not so foolish as to think that my son would be grateful to you for your actions? That a potential Crown Prince who has guided the nation so

ably

, as you were so quick to praise him, in its hour of need would look kindly on a minister forcing His Majesty 's hand? ' She folded her arms, using the gesture to squeeze her bicep firmly as her tone remained even.

He raised his hand, as if to try to calm Ah-Duo. 'My lady! '

She shook her head. 'No. You have spoken quite enough today, Lord Hao. It is time for you to listen. My son was the heir apparent from the time His Majesty ascended the throne until Empress Gyokuyou became His Majesty 's legal wife and their son was conferred with the title of Crown Prince. You appear to think that was an accident, but may I remind you who championed the Empress to His Majesty in the time he managed the Rear Palace? '

Hao 's eyes were stretched wide, his mouth gaping open uselessly. He rather looked like an ornamental carp, desperately hoping for some scrap of food to keep his grand aspirations fed.

She continued. 'Upon the succession, His Majesty was fully prepared to permanently bestow the title of Crown Prince upon the boy he had raised so proudly. The only reason he did not is because the Moon Prince himself requested to enter the Rear Palace as a eunuch. '

'But

why

?! ' The question echoed in the middle of the room. Lord Hao 's shock was, at least, understandable. The lot of a eunuch was not a respected one.

She took a careful, deep breath. 'As you have managed to discover for yourself, the Moon Prince is wise, especially for one so young. He learned something very important, Lord Hao. Do you know what that was? '

Lord Hao attempted to regain his equilibrium by folding his hands in his sleeves. 'I do not, my lady. To debase himself as a half-man is beneath the noble blood he carries. '

She bared her teeth with a smile. 'To truly judge a man, do not look at how he treats his superiors, but his inferiors. His Majesty offered as much protection as possible, bestowing him with rank and his own personal guard who followed the Moon Prince undercover, as well as his open favoritism. Do you imagine it was enough to inoculate the Moon Prince from slander? Assault? '

Lord Hao swallowed. A foolish man he might be, but not a deliberately cruel one. Whatever his opinion of eunuchs, his own inclinations would not lead him to molest one - nor would he bother discussing someone so obviously beneath him.

Ah-Duo pressed her advantage. 'After six years of that treatment, the Moon Prince became an excellent judge of character. He is not easily fooled - nor is he easily influenced. The best any minister or advisor will ever be able to hope, should the Moon Prince take the throne, is that their advice will be heard and considered as a piece in a larger tapestry. ' She stared at this sad, foolish man and shook her head. 'He is twenty-two years old. It is too late for me to become his mother in truth as well as blood. '

Lord Hao attempted to rally. 'Yes, but it is past time for the Moon Prince to take a consort. Surely, even if your relationship is not as close as you might like, your advice on the subject would be - '

'The Moon Prince has not taken a consort because he has already chosen the woman he wishes to marry, Lord Hao. ' Her words landed with the weight of finality, her tone flat.

He blinked. 'But who - '

Ah-Duo shook her head. 'Who he wanted to marry is irrelevant. That union may never happen, now. '

'Who would be so foolish as to refuse the hand of the Moon Prince?! ' Lord Hao cried. 'That 's madness! '

'Is it? ' Her tone was openly cold now. 'It is downright rational for a woman who does not wish to become a mother of the nation. But there is also the fact that the Moon Prince, after spending six years overseeing the Rear Palace, understands the ugliness of the imperial flower garden. The Inner Court is more treacherous by far than the world of men and under no circumstances would a man who has experienced its poison ever condemn a woman he loved to its walls. '

'My lady, clearly you are overwrought. The Inner Palace is the jewel of the court and many ladies flock to its protection. ' Lord Hao rolled his shoulders with a peeved frown on his face. 'But if this union has fallen through, then forgive me, but the Moon Prince is still young, beautiful and of the noblest blood. He will find a multitude of brides who would be overjoyed to give him sons. '

'But would he ever accept them? ' She arched her brows. 'Do you think a man who spent six years as a eunuch and another two remaining chaste and cold, taking no mistresses or lovers, would allow something as base as lust to control him? '

As Ah-Duo laid out every traditional avenue of influence and how it had been closed, Lord Hao grew paler and paler, saying nothing in the face of her cold judgment.

She finally walked over to a small table, picking up the small art piece displayed there - a ceramic the size of her palm, irregular and badly painted with an image of rabbits making rice cakes. A project one of her charges had recently experimented with that she had kept out of whimsy. Her fingers trailed over an absurdly long and lopsided ear. 'Lord Hao, let me be clear. You may have gotten what you wished for, if your goal was to push aside Empress Gyokuyou 's son and install Yue as the Crown Prince. But it will be a hollow victory. ' She turned around and looked him in the eyes. 'My son does not, and has never wanted the throne. He has done everything he could to see to it that he would never stand at the apex of the nation. If you have thrust him there, he will most likely hold the throne long enough to see Empress Gyokuyou and Consort Lihua 's sons grown and educated before he abdicates, taking no wife or consort that could potentially confuse the line of succession. '

'He

can 't

'. ' Lord Hao breathed.

'He can. And he will. And do you think he will look kindly on the man who destroyed all his hopes and wishes for his future? ' She shook her head at him. 'No, Lord Hao. In one fell stroke, you have destroyed any influence you had with His Majesty when you forced his hand. You have ensured that the Moon Prince will only ever, at best, look fairly upon you. And the result is unchanged. Assuming the current Crown Prince grows to adulthood - and assuming that the Emperor does not father any more sons by his Empress - then I-sei Province 's influence will continue to rise within the Empire, as per His Majesty 's intention when he took Gyokuyou as his legal wife. '

Lord Hao stood. 'I see I have disturbed you. I can only hope your natural, motherly concern for your son 's happiness has blinded you to the reality of his position. Lost dreams give way to new ambitions. Broken hearts do mend. It is the fate of the young to think that transient hurt will always remain the same, but time will teach him the wisdom of his elders. '

'With another young man, I daresay you would be right, Lord Hao. But my Yue has always had a tendency toward devotion that no amount of training has ever been able to correct. Otherwise, he would have been declared the Crown Prince eight years ago and I would be the mother of the nation. ' She made a gesture with one finger and a manservant opened the parlor door. 'I believe this interview is at an end. '

Lord Hao 's bow was curt and perfunctory, his displeasure at how this conversation had gone quite obvious, even as his brow furrowed over Ah-Duo 's evaluation of his sunk political hopes. He left in a huff of silk and perfume, inspiring the maid to throw open the shutters, airing out the room that had grown stuffy in his presence.

Ah-Duo sank onto the couch, her head in her hands. 'Oh, Yue. I 'm so sorry. '