Scoundrels under the Tyrant

13th Regnal Year of Emperor Shensheng, Second Month, Twenty Sixth Day.

26/02/22

The smallest distraction drew my attention from the clutter of documents, all coming from Prosperity, the bane of my existence. The tiny expansion of a spider’s web, an inescapable trap for unfortunate prey, was being laid in one of my room’s corners. The cleaning staff had evidently been lazy, cutting corners to meet deadlines. My mind wrestled with the question of personally exterminating the insect with a swipe of my hand, though it would be repugnant. Instead, I did my best to ignore the little black bug, focusing instead on the latest reports from Prosperity. I received a significant upgrade from my old quarters in Shaozi Palace, since the days when I clung like a mere guest to the outer walls. Yet, my older quarters were far better maintained by my competent Weishun maids, trained to my exacting standards. The rooms within the Palace of Longstanding Merit contained far less gold, yet were spacious, clearly designed for an office man. Worse, an office dwelling Zheng man, concerned with the gold in his pockets, rather than proper decorations befitting an Imperial Cabinet member. The bedroom had to be virtually torn down, as the sleeping quarters instead seemed to be constructed like the barracks of the Imperial army. They smelt worse than one too, though perhaps it comes with being Zheng. They always did tend to stink. Dull, corporate greys and browns dominated Longstanding Merit, ill fitting, for a central stage Palace within the Imperial Centre.

Since Hongli’s takeover and spring cleaning of the entire nation, we, as a government, let out the air. My predecessor had grown lazy in his last few months, devolving much of the service’s activities to regional commanders in their squalid offices. My loyal support for the now Consort Chancellor, professionally and casually, assured me first pick on any cabinet position I was qualified for. Naturally, I picked the role within which I may have the greatest impact on the future of our people. As head of Prosperity, the task of maintaining and enhancing operational security fell to me, which granted me sweeping authority. However, I was generally swamped with paperwork, I felt more like a secretary. The Empire’s restoration had the side effect of dramatically increasing anarchist terrorist activity, particularly in the southern territories, and the universities. My agents have begun fermenting resistance to such pitiful ideas through rallying the Yanxu Party oligarchs, with student leaders taking an active role in suppressing anti-Imperial ideologies. The Minzhu Party was officially denied political representation in student societies, with prominent members tagged for surveillance. Three separate dissidents from Zhijing University attempted to assassinate Hongli himself, when he visited the University. My agents successfully prevented their vile schemes, for which, I was awarded several honours, that I happily accepted. Now, I was reading a report from the regional departments, typically sent to Zhijing on a fortnightly basis. Honeypot operations in the deep south were proceeding apace, requesting additional funds, and requisition requests for seed funding… Truly, such boring work! My head started to pound, as I felt aches coming in to torment me, as my mind returned to the spider, still casting its web. I felt affronted by the pest’s existence. I am the greatest Princess of the Great Zhi Celestial Empire, and such freaks are unworthy of me. I did not deign to swat the pest, instead, I called out, in a loud voice.

“Servants!”
I rested my head on my arm, exhausted for a moment, before correcting my posture the instant two of the addled idiots rushed to my side. They prostrated themselves to me, as demanded, and I rolled my eyes in contempt. I recognised the faces of these two men, though their names escaped me. I typically numbered my servants since the coup, if they desired my recognition, then their service must be worthy of my notice.

“The both of you are to kill that spider on the wall, and remove the web.”
One and Two exchanged nervous glances, and rose to their feet. For a moment, my eyes locked with One’s, as he stole a glimpse at me while rising to his feet. I narrowed my eyes into daggers with raw contempt, One’s brown eyes conveyed nothing, he was soulless, and meek. No Zheng, no matter their mental fortitude, was an equal to a Weishun, though One was particularly weak. Zheng’s weak resolve broke. He cut off eye contact, and he stumbled to coordinate with Two to remove the spider from my room.

“Your servants obey!”
Both of their scurrying was little different from how the spider fled, in vain, from the blithering idiots attempting to swat it. Two, always the more dim witted, tripped over himself, his dull, overinflated head landing shamefully at the foot of my desk. I dug my heeled shoes into his spine with contempt. He groaned in pain, though unlike One, he had the sense to avert his gaze from my face. Finally, the task was completed, as One clumsily clamped his oversized hand down on the insect. I sighed, as the pair of servants approached with pitiful smiles on their faces, presenting their hands in a salute. I was utterly disgusted with their conduct, as I caught the briefest vision of the black entrails of the small pest over their filthy Zheng hands. They seemed to giggle, chuckle even, as if they had performed the task to a perfect standard. I covered my gentle eyes, and screamed in protest.

“Brainless roaches! Clean yourselves to at least the Zheng standard!”
I threw Imperial handkerchiefs at the pair, while continuing to avert my gaze. The table rumbled with simultaneous contempt, as the pair rattled it in a clumsy manner. Upon the scruffy completion of this minor task, I slowly opened my eyes, and the pair awaited this opportunity to kneel, begging for death, as I had grown accustomed to.

“Your lowly servants deserve three slow deaths!”
One’s face grew red, he panted in terror, but these meek protestations did no favours in endearing them to me. In these months of service, One and Two, like so many Zheng servants, had failed to meet the proper standard of servants. I simply must appeal to the Consort Chancellor, so that he may amend the law to permit me to choose my own servants.

“Three deaths will not be enough, for your impertinence demands far greater suffering.”
I raised my voice, and arose from my desk, slamming it downwards as I walked towards the pair, who squealed like the pigs they were. I elected to punish the offenders with branding by hot iron, before ten lashes for every year they have cursed this world with their existence. From this day onwards, their skin would bear the marks of failure, and their capricious souls shall be tamed. I smiled upon this concept, and unclipped my pen, to write the edict. Their protestations were dulled out by this fantasy, a fantasy made manifest by the Golden Dragons, spinning the fates in heaven. Reality dances to the tune of the Weishun, and to step out of line with our will is to fall into the endless abyss. Their faces, covered in the hallmarks of fear, soon shall be covered in the scars of their failures, though before I was able to give the order, I heard a jovial voice calling out. Dropping the pen as this figure knocked on the office door, I narrowed my eyes in contempt.

“Blessings upon you, Princess Minister!”
He repeated this simple greeting thrice, each time, I failed to respond and looked down at the ornate pen at my feet. There existed no valid excuse for declining him entry, even claiming isolation on behalf of femininity would not deter him. The petulant cries from the pair of piggies before me, weeping with all the gusto their self preservation had probably alerted the entire Palace. I shot a death glare at One, nodding silently to him, allowing the pair to scurry away and open the gates for the interloper. Slowly I returned to my regal posture while sitting down, as I properly continued inspecting the documents. The young man who entered my chambers wore an enormous grin, unbecoming of a man of such value to the Empire. Yinggun, the Guard Commander of Shaozi Palace, stood tall, with appropriate posture for one born of a noble Clan. For but the briefest of moments, my scowl remained exposed, for I was unable to conceal my frustration regarding his interruption. He approached me, and bowed in the traditional Weishun style, to which I deigned to respond with the same gesture, and words.

“Blessings upon you, Commander Yinggun.”
I returned the gesture, and spoke the proper words, though embraced speaking Weishun exclusively, after the slimy pair of Zheng servants had scarpered off. Yinggun, no doubt appreciating the gesture, followed my example, and spoke the ancestral tongue. Though the words he spoke drove me to both incredible anger, and howling laughter.

“I do very much hope you are treating the lower orders with the respect and decency they deserve, Your Highness.”
Yinggun spoke warmly, with his grin prominent, his features highlighted by his superior posture, and great height. The man stood ahead above his contemporaries, and even I, burdened with femininity, felt slightly overwhelmed by his masculine vitality. My scowl broke, and we shared the joke together, of course, that pair deserved no respect! Yinggun understood, of course, the true nature of this world.

“Commander, your empathy for the servants is astounding, but unnecessary. I am not one of the maids you do love to entice.”
The two of us giggled quietly, almost like old school friends. Yinggun was about my age, coming from the Iholo Luncan Clan, he was of excellent genetic stock. He stood aside in cooperation with Hongli during the restoration, demonstrating his great merit and devotion. Our Consort Chancellor, when not in dalliance with the Emperor, rewards the faithful. Overseeing the thorough purge of the Palace Guards gave the two of us plenty of time to work together, so much so, that it felt as though he were my brother. Initially, I had been wary of the man, despite his allegiance. Someone so willing to expunge their own compatriots, ruining their livelihoods for a political cause, must have some psychological problems. Though the hypocrisy of my suspicions was not lost on me, I committed myself fully to the destruction of Second and Third Brothers’ regime, and condemned so many of my siblings to rot in house arrest. Perhaps, Yinggun and are were simply destined by Heaven to be kindred spirits.

“Quiet, Your Highness! I may be Commander of the Palace Guards, but I’m not immune to gossip! This place has ears everywhere!”
Just before his words left his lips, Yinggun put a finger to mine, and I recoiled slightly, knocking over my pen again. When he finished speaking, I felt my cheeks flush crimson for a moment, before removing his hand playfully, leaning in and speaking in a softer tone.


“Everyone already knows anyway. At least you have good taste in the Weishun girls.”
Indeed, following each one of Yinggun’s conquests, I kept tabs on each of the women, kept them safe, and ensured that their family reputations did not suffer. While I cannot endorse such decadence, the birth rates must increase, and if Yinggun’s little… Well, growing harem made each of those lucky ladies a happy mother, it is my patriotic duty to permit it. Should Yinggun reward the girls’ families appropriately for the… services rendered, no party loses. Yinggun nervously laughed, and pointed towards the official portrait of my dearest husband, Elden, the ancient, jovial man I owe myself to. His smiling picture was a sweet distraction in these trying times.

“Your husband knows not!”
I rolled my eyes in feigned contempt, before answering nonchalantly. These days always seemed so tiring, and these small moments of flirtatious, though deeply scandalous humour provided some small relief. I beckoned Yinggun to sit opposite me, before taking my own ministerial seat, maintaining strong eye contact.

“I doubt he’d care. Anyway, why have you vacated your post?”
My voice came out hoarse, as I shifted the topic obviously, a sharp warning that continuing on this line of discussion was dangerous. While keeping the jovial atmosphere, Yinggun’s grin rematerialised, as he fluttered his hands, full of energy.

“Your Highness is popular, outside the Palace at least. You have a petitioner. One woman, from Bolagulum.”
My eyes narrowed in confusion, attempting to analyse his movements, shifty, yet inscrutable. I felt the truth in his words, yet Bolagulum was a vast distance from Zhijing. Even if it were legal to traverse such a distance, a direct petition to me was inappropriate. I raised my hand in a dismissive wave, while grimacing.

“Such an absurd distance. Send her home with a warning, this woman may not break Imperial law.”
The proper response to such an obtuse and indecent petition. This woman travelled from Bolagulum, a vast distance of hundreds of miles, from the great mountains to the almighty snowy plains of our mighty Weishun territories. The glory of her clan was sufficient to satisfy her throughout her entire life, though she, the vexing whore, craved more. I practically spit out the words with irritation, though Yinggun’s tone turned deathly serious, and I sensed his genuine urge to help.

“Your Highness, this woman begged for your attention over the night on her knees, throughout the entire winter night. May she not plead her case?”
Before he even finished speaking, I reached for my cloak, which would drape from my shoulders to my shoes, wrapping me in warm fur. The violation of Imperial law was important, though this woman’s punishment may await her following this petition. Perhaps her petition may benefit me in some way, though rarely does Heaven work in such blunt ways.

“Oh, alright… You aren’t planning to add her to your collection, are you, Yinggun?”
We shared a mutual, tender smile, as Yinggun led me out of the Palace of Longstanding Merit, before all extraordinary conduct ceased. We transformed into the very image of dedication and order. The dutiful knight escorting the dignified lady to her destination in the cold winter. The snows of Zhijing swam down towards us in a tranquil, graceful manner. Less women, like my obtuse sister Lingwei, would indulge in frolicking, dancing in the snow like children. The brat cowered away from her responsibilities as a Princess, over the prospect of having her phone taken away. Spoiled child, hiding in her room and locking the door. My agents, of course, track her every move, and although she threw away her family phone, I maintain access to her new private one. Yinggun was not exaggerating, as I approached the south gate of Shaozi Palace, and stepped down from the raised plateau separating the commoners from us royals, I noticed her. Her hair was dark, full and proper, typical of superior Weishun birth, though her face remained obscured by the plateau, as she embraced a fully prostrated position. When addressing a member of the Imperial Family directly, it was only natural that a commoner, even a Weishun commoner, would submit in this way. Yinggun beckoned me towards her, and stepped back, allowing a small degree of privacy. Behind the woman, bore the Great Gate, spread open, allowing the commoners outside to see the barest glimpse of the endless dignity of the Palace.

“You have violated several Imperial edicts, and risked the elements for this opportunity. Raise your head, speak your name, and petition.”
My words conveyed authority and grace. As a servant of the Emperor, it was required to balance hardline justice, with humanistic mercy when dealing with the common people. The woman slowly raised her head, and only then were the effects of her pilgrimage revealed to me. Her face was weary, pink from the cold weather and merciless concrete floor. Tearstains covered her cheeks yet further. Heavy bags drooped under her bloodshot eyes, I wondered if this woman had slept in the last year. She spoke in a hoarse, yet overjoyed manner, though her words stuck with me, and compelled me to abandon my stance.

“I am Jianggia, of the Dioran Kalun Clan, though my name is unimportant. I humbly thank your Highness for considering my words in spite of my heinous actions. I submit myself to you, so that you might save my daughter.”