Chapter Twenty-Three: The Fox of Qingqiu, Su Moran 1

In the royal palace of Yu City, Great Xia, King Jie hosted a grand banquet to celebrate the completion of the Splendid Palace. The festivities were vibrant, with music and dance filling the halls; the palace maidens, adorned in rainbow-colored garments, danced gracefully in the golden court, while court musicians played celestial melodies in honor of the palace’s completion. Ministers and officials gathered to offer their congratulations, yet among them, Lady Mei Xi, the Seventh Daughter, was conspicuously absent.

Within the Splendid Palace, the Jade Terrace dazzled with opulence, the chambers glittered with gold and precious stones, and the white jade doors shone like silver. Upon the cold white jade platform, countless fresh and beautiful flowers were arranged. The entire palace radiated luxury and brilliance, but Mei Xi sat alone, shrouded in sorrow. Despite her cultivation in serenity and composure, even she could not entirely resist being moved by King Jie’s extravagant gesture. What woman in the world could remain unmoved by such a splendid gift, even if it came from someone she despised? Perhaps, inevitably, there would be a flicker of emotion.

Since then, King Jie spent every night in the Splendid Palace. Though Mei Xi accompanied him, her mastery of sorcery allowed her to preserve her maidenhood for the time being. Yet all these matters did not escape the notice of Mei Xi’s newly acquired maid, Xiaohua.

It was precisely this that made King Jie ever more obsessed with Mei Xi, his anger smoldering and growing. Thus, he chose a day to fulfill his old promise: to invite Mei Xi to visit the place where Cheng Tang was imprisoned, the Summer Platform.

Accompanied by thousands of palace guards and officials, the entire city gathered to witness the event. The Summer Platform loomed like a cage beneath the clouds, a sight both shocking and awe-inspiring. It had always been forbidden; when closed, none could approach it. At its summit stood a steel cage, just large enough for one man. King Cheng Tang was shackled within, unable to stand, forced to squat, his hands chained to the top of the cage. Only a superhuman will and constitution could have sustained him this long.

On the way there, King Jie wondered if Cheng Tang had already perished. Mei Xi, meanwhile, was deeply anxious and conflicted, struggling with how to confront the ordeal. If Cheng Tang learned she had become King Jie’s concubine, how would he react? If he lost his mind in fury, what then?

The former Grand Historian, Zhong Gu, mingled quietly among the crowd, watching the scene unfold. Nearly a hundred years old, his fists clenched and his palms soaked in cold sweat. Before coming, he had met with General Guan Longfeng of the Xuan Gate, knowing that only Guan Longfeng might help Cheng Tang escape his predicament. Among all officials, only Guan Longfeng dared to publicly challenge the king. If his petition succeeded, perhaps—just perhaps—King Jie would pardon and release Cheng Tang before the eyes of the entire nation.

But such an act was tantamount to slapping the king’s face in public, risking his life. Old Zhong Gu had been restless and sleepless, taking risks and conspiring with Guan Longfeng. Much preparation had been made; should King Jie truly become enraged and threaten Guan Longfeng’s life, Zhong Gu would mobilize his disciples, Wang Weizhi, and the left minister Yi Yin of Shangqiu, to orchestrate a rescue. If things went awry, they would act swiftly to save him.

Now, as the crowd watched, King Cheng Tang was clearly visible atop the Summer Platform. Even his steadfast composure faltered upon seeing Mei Xi dressed in the attire of a palace consort; his honest, resolute face grew emotional, his eyes reddening. Already haggard, he gazed at King Jie’s smug grin, clenching his fists in mounting fury.

Once the officials set up the stairway to the platform, King Jie grasped Mei Xi’s delicate, fair hand and ascended the heavenly ladder together toward Cheng Tang’s steel cage.

Below, the gathered citizens and officials began to shout, “Kill! Kill! Kill!” Who had started the cry was unclear, but the ignorant masses took up the chant, and the atmosphere surged to a feverish climax.

King Jie stood proudly before the cage, a few yards away, with Mei Xi following. He gestured slightly, and the crowd fell silent.

Before all eyes, King Jie strode to the cage, looking down at Cheng Tang.

“Criminal Cheng Tang of Shang, I ask you: do you know your crime?” As expected, King Jie dominated the moment, cutting straight to th