The Emperor’s Game of Chess

Serving directly before the Emperor turned out to be relatively painless for Murong. She was clever, a quick study, and possessed a knack for reading people and situations. A month slipped by without any major blunders, though she couldn't shake the feeling that Kangxi's gaze, often subtle and hard to pin down, was constantly observing her. Murong, who felt she'd weathered her share of life's storms, wasn't overly concerned. She simply decided to watch and wait.

Sometimes, strolling along the palace walls, gazing at the symmetrical, resplendent golden architecture, the Forbidden City felt less like a palace and more like a magnificent gilded cage. The lines of an old poem drifted through her mind – "Three thousand li from home, twenty years in the deep palace; one mournful song, and tears fall before the lord." A wave of pity washed over her for the pampered canaries trapped within these walls. Then again, she thought with a flicker of irony, wasn't she just another bird in the same cage? The people she encountered most frequently were the princes, the Agēs. And what did they see? Only her face, dreaming perhaps of claiming her, only to lock her away. The thought left a bitter taste of contempt in her mouth.

Ever since Doctor Han Feng had miraculously brought her back from the brink, his reputation had skyrocketed, earning him a direct promotion from Kangxi himself. The Emperor was a man keenly interested in health and longevity, often summoning Han Feng during his leisure hours to check his pulse and chat about medical principles. This meant Murong saw Han Feng more often. In the suffocating depths of the palace, Murong felt he was perhaps the only person she could completely trust. She couldn't quite put her finger on why, but his presence always settled her nerves, bringing an inexplicable sense of peace.

Han Feng frequently advised Kangxi to eat lighter fare, emphasizing fruits and vegetables. Kangxi readily agreed, instructing Murong to arrange the new menus with the Imperial Kitchen. Carefully considering the Emperor's usual tastes and consulting with Han Feng, Murong devised detailed meal plans. The dishes often looked elegant and simple but tasted refreshingly complex, with new variations appearing daily. Kangxi was thoroughly pleased. One afternoon, beaming with satisfaction, the Emperor bestowed upon both Han Feng and Murong a pair of exquisite jade ruyi scepters. This, however, seemed to muddy the waters in the Imperial Medical Academy; the way the other physicians looked at Han Feng grew distinctly envious. Soon, whispers started circulating – juicy anecdotes about Murong and the handsome doctor. Murong herself paid them little mind, but the rumors managed to infuriate several of the princes.

One day, while Murong was on duty, a lady-in-waiting named Yaqing pulled her aside, her voice tight with panic. "Murong, you have to help Doctor Han! I don't know how, but he's angered the Crown Prince, and His Highness wants him flogged! You know what the Crown Prince is like—no one dares to plead for him. Haizi told me you were on duty today, please, you have to think of something!"

Murong knew Yaqing's concern was genuine. Han Feng was generally well-liked; he treated the ladies-in-waiting, palace maids, and even the eunuchs with kindness and respect.

Flogging. The punishment could range from a few token strikes to a brutal beating. The Crown Prince had a notoriously cruel streak; if he was in a foul mood, Han Feng's life could easily be forfeit. A knot of anxiety tightened in Murong's own chest. Forcing herself to remain calm, she composed herself and walked into the Imperial Study. She went straight to Kangxi and knelt.

"Your Majesty, forgive this servant, but I have a request." Kangxi lowered the brush he'd been writing with, looked up at her, and nodded for her to continue.

"Your Majesty often teaches us that even a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Doctor Han saved this servant's life. I just heard that he has made some mistake and is to be punished by the Crown Prince. Knowing Doctor Han is more scholar than soldier, I fear he may not withstand the blows. If something were to happen to him, I could never repay my debt, and my heart would be deeply troubled. Furthermore," she added quickly, "I worry that if Doctor Han meets with misfortune, he will no longer be able to serve Your Majesty and ease your burdens. This servant boldly requests Your Majesty's permission to receive the punishment in Doctor Han's place."

Kangxi rose and walked closer, his eyes fixed on Murong. "Repay kindness? The ancients often spoke of offering oneself when there was no other way to repay a debt. You speak so fervently of repayment… Can it be you wish to marry Han Feng?"

"Your Majesty," Murong replied, keeping her gaze lowered, "marriage is not for this servant to decide. I know only my duty to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly. I have no other thoughts."

"You don't dare? Or you don't want to?" Kangxi pressed, a faint smile playing on his lips. "The rumors about you two circulating in the palace lately have been quite… spicy."

"Your Majesty is wise; rumors cease with the wise," Murong stated firmly. "My conscience is clear. I humbly ask for Your Majesty's discernment."

"You certainly keep your composure," Kangxi chuckled softly, leaning closer still, his tone teasing. "But if We were to spare Han Feng… how would you repay Us?"

Murong feigned delighted surprise. "This servant thanks Your Majesty for your immense generosity! Your Majesty is a sage ruler, magnanimous and benevolent, loving the people as your own children. Unworthy as I am, I can only offer to serve Your Majesty faithfully, like an ox or a horse."

Kangxi let out two sharp, cold laughs. He summoned his chief eunuch, Li Dequan. "Transmit Our decree: Summon Imperial Physician Han Feng immediately."

"Yes, Your Majesty," Li Dequan bowed and hurried away. Murong let out a silent breath she hadn't realized she was holding. Kangxi's swift agreement had taken her by surprise.

Haizi, the eunuch, arrived just in the nick of time. Han Feng had only endured a few lashes and wasn't seriously injured. Haizi breathed a sigh of relief, but the Crown Prince's face darkened ominously. "You, surname Han! Remember this. Don't think just because someone has your back you can act high and mighty. They might shield you today, but can they shield you forever? Taking your life would be as easy for me as crushing an ant. If you dare cross me again, don't blame me for being merciless!"

Haizi kept his head bowed, pretending not to hear the tirade. With an obsequious smile, he offered a quick bow and helped Han Feng away.

"Your servant greets Your Majesty," Han Feng knelt immediately upon entering the study.

"Rise. How did you manage to offend the Crown Prince?"

Han Feng quickly knelt again. "Your servant thanks Your Majesty for saving him! I can never fully repay Your Majesty's grace. It was my own incompetence that led to the Crown Prince's displeasure and deserved punishment."

"Murong," Kangxi said, his voice laced with meaning, "help Doctor Han up. It is not Us you should be thanking."

Han Feng looked up, his eyes meeting Murong's. He caught the flicker of genuine concern in her expression, and a sudden warmth spread through his chest. He quickly looked away, unsure how to respond. Kangxi, however, seemed suddenly weary. "You may both leave," he said, waving a dismissive hand.

As Murong quietly retreated, she glanced at Kangxi's tired face. It held a complex mixture of disappointment, worry, helplessness, and other unreadable emotions. And the only person capable of evoking such turmoil in the mighty Emperor, Murong knew, was the Crown Prince. It was currently the 42nd year of Kangxi's reign. She recalled from her history lessons that the Crown Prince would eventually be deposed in the 47th year. Clearly, the Emperor's disillusionment with his heir was a slow burn, not a sudden flare-up.

Lost in thought as she backed out of the room, Murong heard Han Feng's soft voice near her ear. "Thank you. Take care of yourself. Don't let this drag you down."

Slightly startled, she looked up. Han Feng gave her one deep, searching look before turning and walking away, his shoulders heavy. An unfamiliar tightness gripped Murong's heart. It was the first time she'd ever felt genuine anxiety for a man's safety. Well, she thought to herself, a surprising little flutter of something almost like cheerfulness rising within her, maybe I'm not entirely cold-blooded after all.

Her steps felt lighter as she headed to the Imperial Library to select books for Kangxi. The Emperor embodied the virtue of lifelong learning, rarely seen without a book or scroll in hand during his leisure moments. Last month, selecting his reading material had been Lingyue's duty; this month, it fell to Murong.

Approaching the library entrance, she saw two eunuchs waiting outside: Xiaopingzi, who served the Third Prince, and Xiaolizi, from the Eighth Prince's household. Murong held a generally favorable impression of the Third Prince, so she offered both men a polite smile as she pushed the door open. Inside, she found the princes themselves.

"Miss Murong," they both greeted her with smiles. The Third Prince's smile was warm and open, radiating a comfortable energy. The Eighth Prince's was lighter, more refined, projecting an air of scholarly elegance.

Murong quickly curtsied. "This servant greets Your Highnesses, the Third Prince and the Eighth Prince." She explained, "I've come to select some books for His Majesty."

The Third Prince stepped closer, holding a booklet. "Miss Murong," he said, handing it to her, "I've had an idea recently. I'm thinking of compiling a comprehensive collection of texts, both ancient and modern, for future reference. One of my retainers and I have drafted a preliminary outline these past few days. I was hoping you might offer some thoughts."

Murong accepted the booklet respectfully. "Your Highness honors me too much. How could this humble servant dare offer opinions on Your Highness's work?" Despite her words, she carefully opened it. It looked like the embryonic stage of the famous Gujin Tushu Jicheng encyclopedia! A thrill of excitement ran through her. The Third Prince's elegant calligraphy filled the pages. She flipped through it quickly, her eyes scanning the contents. The Third Prince watched, a hint of disappointment crossing his face at her apparent casualness, until Murong began to offer several specific, insightful suggestions. He looked both pleased and puzzled.

The Eighth Prince, who had been observing quietly, stepped forward with a gentle smile. "We have long heard that Miss Murong can read ten lines at a glance. Seeing it today, it appears the rumors are true."

The Third Prince's eyes widened in understanding, and he looked at Murong with renewed admiration.

Murong flushed slightly, realizing she'd unconsciously slipped into her speed-reading habits. "Your Highness praises me unduly," she demurred. "I've simply always been an impatient reader since childhood, so perhaps I read a bit faster than most."

After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Murong selected several volumes Kangxi favored, tucking in a book of Tang poetry for lighter reading, bid the princes farewell, and returned to the Qianqing Palace.