The Double
Chapter 343 - 124 Opponent

Chapter 343: Chapter 124 Opponent

The Drum of Injustice in front of Changan Gate hadn’t been struck for many years.

The sound of the drum traveled through the sky, startling the people inside the palace.

Emperor Hongxiao was in the garden playing chess with Consort Li, the oldest among his harem, even older than himself, yet also the most favored. Compared to those newly entered, either spoiled and wilful or virtuously gentle maidens, she was more charming, more amusing.

Furthermore, her beauty had not faded; she still looked youthful and lovely, and she possessed an allure those maidens couldn’t match.

Therefore, whenever Emperor Hongxiao found himself with some free time, he preferred not to visit the Empress or other concubines, but Consort Li. As if a few more words with her could sweep away all the weariness and discomfort from the imperial audience hall.

Today was no different.

Emperor Hongxiao’s black pieces had been largely devoured by Consort Li’s white pieces. This was where she differed from the other women in the palace; those women either truly lacked skill in chess, or they had the ability to win against Emperor Hongxiao but would feign incompetence, losing to him instead.

Only Consort Li never gave him any quarter, a rarity in the palace with true temperament.

"I’ve lost again," Emperor Hongxiao said with a chuckle, shaking his head.

"It’s just good luck on this concubine’s part," Consort Li said with a laughing smile, "that Your Majesty would lose to me."

"Don’t be modest, I’ve always been no match for you in chess. Anyway," he said jokingly, "if you were a man, I would definitely make use of you."

"I am merely good at chess; I wouldn’t dare meddle in the affairs of the world," Consort Li lifted her teacup and took a gentle sip, "The grand tasks men undertake are really too tiring, I would rather play chess in the garden every day, seeking idleness. I have no interest in dealing with such matters."

She subtly elevated Emperor Hongxiao again.

Emperor Hongxiao laughed even more heartily. Eunuch Su, serving at the side, inwardly marveled at how formidable the eldest daughter of the Ji family was, to keep the emperor so happily contented. Now the emperor’s main concern was the power of Prince Cheng; although the young emperor showed no sign, he had to be wary of the power struggles around him. In any case, Consort Li at least showed herself to be uninterested in interfering with court affairs, and thus the emperor trusted her more.

There was no emperor who would guard against such a seemingly insignificant woman.

As he was reflecting, a vague sound of drumming came from outside the palace, echoing across the sky.

At first, the drum sounds were not very clear, but later, they grew louder, as if the drummer had switched to someone with more strength, striking the drum with great force, producing a loud sound. While it was not as though the drums were right by one’s ear, it was now quite clear.

Emperor Hongxiao frowned and asked, "What’s going on outside?"

Eunuch Su responded, "Your Majesty, this servant will go and find out." He beckoned over a junior eunuch, gave him a few instructions, and the eunuch left for a moment. Soon after, he returned and bowed before the two, reporting, "Your Majesty, outside the palace, at Changan Gate, someone is beating the Injustice Drum."

"Beating the Injustice Drum?" Emperor Hongxiao was taken aback.

"It’s the Second Miss from the Grand Secretary’s household," the junior eunuch said cautiously, "with the people of Tongxiang in Xiangyang, and they have already reached Changan Gate. It is said that they returned this afternoon and headed straight here."

Emperor Hongxiao looked towards Consort Li: "Oh? It’s your sister’s stepdaughter."

Consort Li smiled slightly, "Yes, it is." She then expressed some surprise, "I had also heard some rumors about it from outside before, but I always thought they were mere hearsay, gossip among the people. After all, I have met that young lady myself, she’s so gentle and doesn’t seem like someone who would stir up trouble. I didn’t expect the rumors to be true, and that she actually led people into the capital."

"Stirring up trouble?" Emperor Hongxiao said, "Not necessarily. I know one must receive fifty canings to beat the Drum of Injustice, to make such a sacrifice just for causing a disturbance would be quite irrational." He stood up and said, "We should see for ourselves what this is all about. Let’s go outside and hear what they have to say. Eunuch Su, come with me."

Eunuch Su hurried to keep up.

Consort Li quickly stepped aside and bowed to see Emperor Hongxiao off. She did not follow him; having been with the emperor for so long, she knew his temperament well—when it came to official matters, it was best for her to stay away. What the young emperor detested the most was political interference from the harem. Back then, Prince Cheng’s mother, Empress Dowager Liu, relied on the Late Emperor’s favor and her family’s power, and almost made Prince Cheng the emperor. If not for the current Empress Dowager’s mediation, his position might not belong to him now.