Chapter Forty-Five: Rumors of Mi Xi’s Strange Obsessions

Within the royal palace of Yu Capital in Great Xia, Witch Eighth Generation Pearl and Wu Tong were hastening their return. Though the palace appeared tranquil these past two days, within the Palace of Inclination, Sister Xi seemed transformed since that fateful night. To recount this, we must return to the night King Wu, Cheng Tang, fled through Xuanwu Pass—on that night, Seventh Lady Xi lost herself to the Palace of Inclination. The maid Xiaohua, seeing Seventh Lady Xi in madness, was at a loss, only managing to comfort her into sleep after a night’s gentle care.

The following day, Xia Jie indeed visited the Palace of Inclination, but at that time, Seventh Lady Xi displayed no resentment, instead appearing exceptionally docile. This anomaly puzzled even Xiaohua, who, harboring suspicion, chose to quietly observe. From then on, Xia Jie indulged Seventh Lady Xi in every whim, showering her with affection, fearful only of displeasing her.

On this day, Xia Jie, delighted, invited Seventh Lady Xi to the Moon-Viewing Palace, where a hundred palace maidens would perform music and dance—a grand banquet rarely seen in the court. Many esteemed ministers gathered, chiefly to congratulate the impending capture of Cheng Tang, whom the Grand Tutor Ranlong was personally dispatched to apprehend.

Seventh Lady Xi, clad in a golden gown of rainbow hues, was a vision of grace and beauty, enchanting all civil and military officials present. None could deny that her radiance surpassed even fairies, her beauty enough to topple kingdoms.

Xia Jie rose in person to welcome Seventh Lady Xi to her seat—a display of imperial favor unprecedented in history. Seventh Lady Xi became the sole woman in Xia who could compel the emperor to such lengths.

As the music and dance faded, and wine flowed halfway, the officials withdrew, leaving Xia Jie and Sister Xi facing each other under the moon. Xia Jie, ashamed of the events of that night, avoided mentioning it, and instead asked, "Beloved Consort, you appear well today! Did you enjoy the performance just now?"

"Your Majesty’s favor humbles me; the dances were a rare delight," Seventh Lady Xi replied casually.

"What does my beloved most desire? Whatever it may be, I shall see it done today!" Xia Jie, noting her indifferent manner, shifted the topic.

"It is said there is fine silk in the realm; I delight in the crisp sound of silk being torn—its sharp and pleasant tone. I wonder if any composer might craft a melody from that sound?" Seventh Lady Xi’s answer startled Xia Jie, for such whimsical creativity was rare even among monarchs. It promised a unique musical experience.

"You are truly a remarkable woman! Only you could think of such a thing. I shall arrange for a composition of silk music today!" Excited, Xia Jie left the Moon-Viewing Palace, instructing the eunuchs to escort Sister Xi back to the Palace of Inclination.

On the return journey, Sister Xi showed no emotion, a faint smile at her lips lending her an eerie unpredictability—an unusual demeanor for one so serene.

Xiaohua, the maid, never left her side. Raised in the palace, she excelled at serving others, and over time became intimately familiar with Sister Xi, attending to every detail.

In truth, Xiaohua held another identity: she was a spy for Wu Tong, the witch of Seven-Star Tower. On the day Sister Xi entered the palace, Xiaohua was assigned to observe her every move.

Yet, the unpredictable heart led Xiaohua to bond deeply with Sister Xi, with no distinction between mistress and servant. Sister Xi treated her as a true sister, always considering Xiaohua’s welfare. She rarely allowed others to comb her hair, preferring to do it herself, but in this palace, she would comb Xiaohua’s hair—a gesture of affection that startled Xiaohua, who feared others might see and report her to the king, risking her life. Nonetheless, Sister Xi persisted, knowing well that Xiaohua was sent by the Grand Priestess Yuan Ji to monitor her. Rather than engage in intrigue, Sister Xi chose to win Xiaohua’s heart, treating her with sincerity and kindness, understanding her vulnerabilities, and ultimately succeeded in gaining Xiaohua’s loyalty.

At that time, with the turmoil surrounding King Wu, Cheng Tang, the witches of Seven-Star Tower slackened their surveillance, giving Sister Xi and Xiaohua time to understand one another.

Not long after their return to the Palace of Inclination, word arrived that King Xia Jie himself was coming.

"Beloved Consort, I have procured the finest silk from the people and invited master musicians to perform a melody of silk for you today!" Xia Jie’s voice preceded him as he entered.

"Your Majesty’s devotion overwhelms me; I never imagined such swift action," Sister Xi replied, amazed by the efficiency afforded by imperial power.

"You need not be so modest. You alone dwell in my heart. Whatever you desire, I would reach for the moon or dive to the depths for you!" Xia Jie, seeing her surprise, was filled with joy.

Moments later, a troupe of dancers and musicians entered, the most skilled from across Yu Capital. Outside, slaves waited with the finest silk, hand-sewn by common folk, the cost incalculable. If all were destroyed today, it would deplete much of the kingdom’s resources.

Xiaohua dared not think further, covering her mouth in fear. She realized the depth of Sister Xi’s scheme—a plan so meticulous she dared not ruin it. As a palace maid, she despised the palace’s decadence, and if such a place were to fall, she would rejoice.

Perhaps the entire palace, inside and out, had been played by Sister Xi, and this was only the beginning of her revenge against Xia. Such ingenuity allowed her to exhaust the king’s wealth without his knowledge. As resentment among the people grew, it would give Cheng Tang time to rise.

The previous night, while Xiaohua slept, Sister Xi used her last bit of spiritual power to send a paper crane message to Shangqiu.

She hoped that King Wu, Cheng Tang, would understand her true intentions, though she wondered what he would think upon learning the truth.

"The Palace of Inclination under blue skies, with immortal paper cranes outside the window."

Thus, news of the palace’s debauchery spread through Yu Capital. After the destruction of so much fine silk, the people’s resentment grew, and officials repeatedly admonished King Xia, to no avail. The sycophant Zhao Liang vigorously supported Sister Xi’s ideas to please the favored consort, dismissing loyal ministers.

In Seven-Star Tower, Grand Priestess Yuan Ji sat elegantly in her chambers. Witch Eighth Generation Pearl and Wu Tong had just returned, while Guo Jingyuan, the Four-Eyed, Six-Eared minister, went directly to the palace.

"Teacher, that is how matters stand," Wu Tong reported every detail without concealment.

"It seems we all underestimated Shangqiu’s power. King Wu, Cheng Tang, has remarkable fortune, and the Immortal Master of the Cave has hidden under my nose for years. Perhaps I was too careless," Yuan Ji mused, showing no undue concern, even smiling at the unexpected news.

"Teacher, what should we do next?" asked Witch Eighth Generation Pearl.

"We shall wait for Gala to return before making a decision," Yuan Ji replied, irritated, rising with indifference.

The two witches dared not speak further, knowing well the terror of Gala’s presence.

Meanwhile, in the palace, Guo Jingyuan reported the truth to Xia Jie in the Hall of Dragon Virtue. Hearing the report, Xia Jie felt conflicted. With internal and external crises—Grand Priestess Yuan Ji within, Cheng Tang’s rebellion without, the turmoil among the Nine Barbarians and the Five Heroic States—Xia Jie feared giving Yuan Ji any opportunity. After much inner struggle, he ordered Grand Tutor Ranlong to return and rest for two years, postponing the campaign against Shangqiu.

Guo Jingyuan, as a minister, could not oppose the emperor’s will and departed in frustration.

Resentment swept Yu Capital. Far in Mingtiao, Grand Tutor Ranlong was furious—such a decadent emperor spent his days in pleasure, neglecting governance, missing the perfect opportunity to attack Shangqiu.

Two days later, upon receiving the imperial order, Ranlong reluctantly withdrew his troops, and on the journey, Guo Jingyuan explained the current state of Yu Capital.

"Grand Tutor, loyal ministers are full of grievances, saying the emperor heeds Zhao Liang’s slander, squandering resources on banquets and debauchery, even commissioning musicians to compose silk music for Sister Xi’s pleasure," Guo Jingyuan recounted the rumors, astounded by such folly.

"Zhao Liang, the chief minister, is a cunning flatterer—I have long heard of him. When I return, I shall execute this traitor!" Ranlong, seething, vowed to rid the court of such corruption.

General Wu Qigong listened in silence, his brow furrowed. As a victorious general, he cared little for court affairs, focusing solely on training his troops.

The state of Great Xia was declining; the people of Yu Capital cursed the emperor in the streets, comparing him to the sun itself.

"The toil of millions goes unrewarded; one smile from Sister Xi costs the labor of all."

"The blazing sun shines without virtue; when will it perish, so we may fall together!"

Countless commoners pointed at the sun, cursing, wishing to perish alongside the depraved Xia Jie. All their precious silk, the fruit of their labor, had been squandered for Sister Xi’s pleasure, and hatred filled Yu Capital.

Meanwhile, a fragile paper crane, imbued with spiritual power, drifted toward Shangqiu—the last desperate message from Sister Xi, hoping it would reach King Wu’s mansion.

What follows, we shall see in the next chapter.