There it was, her game revealed. I had invited her in good faith, yet she had devised a trap. She wanted to take me hostage, to trade me for Liwei’s compliance. My stomach roiled in revulsion, and I was relieved for the absence of fear. And most of all, that I had anticipated her deviousness and was not quite the fool she had expected. In dealing with vipers, I had learned to think like one. I swung with deliberate measure to the corner of the teahouse where Wenzhi sat, his great sword lying on the table in full view. As my gaze collided into his, he raised his cup in a mocking toast—even as his other hand clasped the onyx scabbard of his weapon in a barely veiled threat. He need not fear offending the Celestial Empress; she had no hold over him or his family, which was why I had asked him to come instead of Shuxiao.

The empress’s eyes blazed. “The traitor. Is my son aware of this?”

“Is he aware of your scheme to force his choice?” How liberating to not mind my words, to discard the mask of humility I had been compelled to wear in her presence.

Shoving back the stool, she uncoiled to her full height. “I have nothing more to say to you.”

“I have plenty more to say to you.” I bit back several choice insults. “Tell me, what happened to Liwei?”

A long pause. I thought she would leave, but then she sank back onto the stool. “He’s being held captive, under watch by those who should rightfully bend their knees to him. It would have been prison had I not intervened, he had infuriated his father so.”

“Liwei did nothing to deserve such treatment,” I said fiercely.

“It’s that vile pretender, Wugang, pouring venom into my husband’s ear about our son.”

“Wugang?” Hatred seared me like a burning coal. I drew a long breath to calm myself, to focus on what might be done. “What of General Jianyun? Can he intercede?” Selfish of me to ask, with the general’s own troubles.

“General Jianyun has been retired with an honorary title. Wugang convinced my husband to grant him full control over the Celestial Army. I always believed that was the pinnacle of that upstart’s plans. It is now clear he intends to usurp my son’s rightful position as heir—to taint the throne with his mortal blood, and rule after my husband.”

Did she despise me for my mortal heritage too, that I was not merely low-born but “tainted”? I did not care. The empress was of the noblest blood in the realm, and yet I could not stand her.

“Would the emperor displace his own son for Wugang?” This seemed a step too far, even given his unforgiving nature.