“Feng Shui Moves All Things”
This is an ancient saying. In historical records from the past, there are instances in which the wisdom of feng shui masters decided the outcomes of wars or controlled volcanic eruptions. Unlike divination oracles of shamans, however, feng shui belongs to the realm of scholarly disciplines.
The correct approach is to thoroughly understand the principles of feng shui, which influence all things, and incorporate them into action when appropriate.
As such, feng shui masters were highly valued in royal courts. At the highest rank, they were granted authority equivalent to that of ministers of the six departments, holding titles such as Shangshu or Bianguan.
Even venues for seasonal banquets were determined by feng shui masters, who analyzed the climate and other factors each year to identify the most suitable location. Since feng shui could also affect the efficacy of medicine, Fei Ling had gone to inspect the venue before preparing the medicinal concoctions.
At the site, a stage for the banquet was being constructed over a large waterway.
Graceful weeping cherry trees swayed in the wind along the banks of the waterway. Their reflections in the water, like a tapestry of drooping blossoms, perfectly complemented the springtime atmosphere, making it an ideal venue for the banquet.
Gathered near the stage were imperial consorts, watching it from a distance and whispering excitedly. While it seemed they were simply looking forward to the banquet, their excitement had a different cause.
“Oh, I wonder if the feng shui master might come down soon. I would love to see him again.”
“Not only is he strikingly handsome, but he’s also an accomplished feng shui master. I heard he constructed a spiritual shrine to ward off calamities in a land plagued by constant floods.”
The consorts all blushed with admiration.
Since the inner palace was strictly male-free except for eunuchs, even a visit from court officials stirred a buzz of excitement.
(Is that how it is…? Well, if he’s truly that skilled, I wouldn’t mind meeting him myself.)
The stage was positioned to receive the most sunlight between the late morning and early afternoon hours. Moreover, it was aligned with the spring breeze that blew from south to north. Sunlight and wind—both essential for revitalizing the body and mind after winter.
It was an impressive feat of feng shui mastery. However, precisely because it seemed so flawless, Fei Ling sensed something amiss.
She approached one of the stage’s supporting pillars and touched its surface.
There were nine pillars in total—a propitious number. The limit of nine consorts in the imperial court also stemmed from this auspicious tradition.
Inspecting the wood grain of each pillar one by one, Fei Ling found the source of her unease.
(This is strange. This one is constructed using reverse wood grain.)
The patterns in wood always flow in a certain direction, symbolizing the life force of the tree. Even as lumber, the circulation of its energy follows this grain. However, if a pillar is installed with the roots pointing upward, this flow is disrupted, causing stagnation and potential harm to those living there—a phenomenon known as “wood poison.”
A skilled feng shui master would never overlook such a detail. The mistake likely lay with the carpenters.
(I need to report this… But would that be disrespectful?)
As an inexperienced young woman, raising such a point might provoke the feng shui master’s displeasure. While contemplating her next steps, a commotion arose among the consorts as the feng shui master descended from the stage.
Turning decisively, Fei Ling was surprised to see a familiar figure. It was Zhen.
“As I predicted, we meet again,” he said.
“Lord Zhen! It was you?”
Fei Ling couldn’t hide her surprise, and Zhen, with a teasing smile, replied:
“Is it so shocking to find me assessing the banquet venue? Didn’t I tell you this was by the Left Chancellor’s orders? Or did you think I was bluffing to keep the eunuchs at bay?”
“No, I assumed you were an accomplished feng shui master given you’re permitted in the inner palace… However, I never imagined you’d be entrusted with the feng shui for the spring banquet. It’s one of the most significant responsibilities for a feng shui master.”
“Celebration can easily turn into calamity.”
This old adage came to mind. Historically, emperors had often been assassinated or ambushed during grand festivals. Just as potent medicine, if misused, can become a deadly poison, so too could festivities invite disaster.
Lowering her voice to ensure no one overheard, Fei Ling approached Zhen to speak.
“I have something I’d like to inform you of. It seems that one of the pillars at the northeasternmost part of the stage has been constructed with reversed wood grain. I would appreciate it if you could check it later.”
Zhen fell silent, as though caught off guard. Fei Ling, concerned that she might have said something to upset him, was surprised when he instead smiled, his eyes twisting with pleasure. A trace of purple spread in his eyes, like a drop of poison in a water mirror.
“You’re quite perceptive,” he said.
The poisonous purple grew closer.
As they passed each other, Zhen leaned in and whispered:
“However, sharpness sometimes leads to one’s ruin—like poison that slowly circulates.”
Fei Ling gasped and looked back.
(Could it be… on purpose?)
In an instant, she understood. He had deliberately incorporated the reversed wood into the stage’s structure to disturb its harmony.
But she couldn’t understand why. If this became public, it would undoubtedly damage his reputation as a feng shui master, and he could even face harsh punishment. Why would he take such a risk?
“What are you trying to do?” Fei Ling asked.
“You’re better off not knowing,” Zhen replied.
Zhen placed his index finger lightly on her throat.
It was just that. Yet it felt as if a snake’s fang was sinking into her throat, freezing her body and rendering her speechless.
“I also have something I’d like to inform you of.”
With a smile, Zhen made a sweeping motion with his finger, as if to sever the delicate neck of a flower.
“There are those who wish for your death—if they could, they would kill you right now.”
Fei Ling had long been disliked and targeted by many, but this had always been out of fear of her. It was far from actual murderous intent.
“Maybe we’ll meet again,” Zhen said with a smile, then walked away.
Fei Ling felt a release, as if the ropes binding her had been loosened, but her legs wobbled. She managed to stay standing, but couldn’t bring herself to look back.
One word echoed in Fei Ling’s mind:
(Frustrating.)
She pressed her lips together.
(To be so paralyzed by something like this…)
Since childhood, she had faced death threats countless times.
The emperor’s heir is constantly at risk of assassination. Even a princess like her was no exception. She had been poisoned upon returning to the palace and had been ambushed on a journey. As a result, she was unfazed by the threat of death.
But there was something primal in her response. The sense of impending death stiffened her legs, tightened her throat, and left her unable to move.
(I need to think, at least.)
What was Zhen planning?
Living in a house built with reversed wood would eventually cause physical harm due to the “wood poison” that would affect the residents. But if the stage was only used for the banquet, the effects would be negligible. If Zhen was planning to assassinate the empress, he would likely choose a more reliable method.
(Then it must be poison… Ah, yes, of course.)
Poison had already been introduced to the banquet.
It was poisoned honey wine.
The honey was made from water laurel (水樒, Mizushikimi) flowers, which had been brewed for eight years.
The scent resembled star anise, which made sense, since the tree that bears the star anise fruit (唐樒, Tōshikimi) is related to the water laurel. Water laurel grows not on land but in ponds and lakes, blooming at the end of spring. Every part of the plant, from the leaves to the roots to the seeds, is highly poisonous, especially the flower nectar. Only a poisonous species of bee, the mercury bee (水銀蜂, Suiginbachi), can collect the nectar from these flowers.
This poison is deadly, but not instantly lethal. Symptoms such as difficulty breathing, dizziness, paralysis, nausea, and hypothermia appear immediately after ingestion, but it takes about seven days for the victim to die from respiratory failure. If the poison is identified in time, it can be counteracted. However, if consumed during the banquet, with the added effects of the wood poison from the stage, everyone would likely perish overnight.
If that happened, the suspicion would fall on…
(Of course, on me.)
If the empress and consorts were assassinated, Fei Ling would undoubtedly be blamed and would face the most severe and brutal punishment—lingchi (death by a thousand cuts). The White Crows would also bear disgrace for her actions.
When she realized the poison, Fei Ling first thought that the mastermind intended to assassinate the empress and consorts and frame her for it. But that wasn’t the case. The plan was the opposite—Zhen’s aim was to kill Fei Ling, using the empress and consorts as collateral damage.
(How grotesque…)
As she thought about this, a smile involuntarily spread across her lips.
What she was about to do—what was different from that?
Fei Ling had no intention of exposing the poison. In fact, she intended to keep it hidden and make the empress and consorts drink the poisoned honey wine.
(I can’t let anyone else find out and take it away. After all, that poison…)
It’s the only thing that can save Princess Xue Mei.
