Cloudlike hair, flowerlike face, golden swaying hairpins; a warm lotus curtain sheltered a spring night

The Tongzhou Prefectural Governor knelt on the floor, trembling, not daring to raise his head.

Only after a long while did a quiet voice drift down from the dragon throne. "The child said he was afraid someone in Chang'an would harm him, and that he dared not come home?"

The Tongzhou Prefectural Governor answered respectfully, "The Prince of Yan washes his face with tears every day, living in constant dread. He often clutches my robes and asks over and over, 'Will they only be happy once I'm dead?' Your humble servant had no answer. I was filled with fear and trepidation."

On the dragon throne sat a figure whose majesty was as fearsome as a prison, her entire body enveloped in incomparably splendid imperial robes. Nine dragons and the twelve imperial emblems were embroidered upon them. She resembled a vast, blazing sun that none dared look upon directly.

She seemed devoid of emotion, yet everyone in the hall could feel an intense sorrow.

"I have only this one son. Can they not even tolerate him?"

"All I want is for this son to live in peace, safe and free of care. Can they not even allow that?"

"Why must Chun'er die? Why must Chun'er die?"

The voice was flat, without the slightest emotional inflection, yet its sound surged like a tide, rolling and thundering until the entire palace could hear the furiously indignant questions of this woman who ruled the realm and wielded overwhelming power!

No one could answer, and no one dared answer. After all, this was a question destined to have no answer.

"I am weary. You may withdraw."

Sweat drenched the Tongzhou Prefectural Governor's back as he slowly withdrew from the hall. When the wind outside blew over him, he revealed a faint smile and murmured in