Volume One Chapter One: Sent to the Celestial Prison Awaiting Death
On a snowy, bitterly cold night, the north wind tossed fine flakes through the darkness. In one corner of the capital stood the Imperial Prison, its ancient stone walls mottled and eroded by time, appearing both ominous and mysterious in the storm.
A carriage glided by in silence.
Xie Qiqi was deep in sleep when she felt herself being moved. As she opened her eyes, a hand clamped tightly over her mouth.
“Qiqi, be good, don’t make a sound…”
Still groggy, Xie Qiqi blinked and saw her mother's face just before she was lifted down from the carriage.
A man stepped from the shadows, carrying someone else, set the figure on the carriage, then took Xie Qiqi from her mother’s arms.
The stench of sweat from the man startled her fully awake. Panic-stricken, she struggled fiercely, clutching desperately at her mother’s hand.
“Mother…”
Where was this man taking her?
Had her mother abandoned her?
Xie Qiqi gripped her mother's hand with all her might, and with a twist, her small body slipped from the man’s grasp.
She tumbled and crawled frantically, throwing her arms around her mother’s leg, sobbing in terror.
“Mother, I’ll be good, I’ll behave… Please don’t leave me!”
Her mother, Yue Huijuan, quickly covered her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks as she whispered urgently, “Hush, Qiqi, be sensible, don’t cry. Mother has no choice…”
The Yue family—her own family—would face execution at dawn. As a married daughter, she could do nothing to help them. But Qiqi and her niece, Yue Yue, were both only six years old; exchanging Qiqi for Yue Yue would arouse no suspicion.
“Qiqi, Yue’s family is loyal and honorable. Someone must survive to carry on their bloodline. By dying in Yue’s place, you’re making a noble sacrifice, an act of great virtue…”
With tears in her eyes, Yue Huijuan steeled herself and pried Qiqi’s fingers from her dress one by one.
Qiqi was far too young to understand talk of noble sacrifice. She clung to her mother’s leg, weeping harder.
Yue Huijuan backed away quickly, her voice trembling. “Qiqi, consider this a debt your mother owes you. If there is another life to come, be my daughter again, and I swear I’ll repay you double for all I owe you in this one!”
She dared not look at Qiqi again, climbing hurriedly back onto the carriage.
“Mother…”
Qiqi cried out, trying to follow, but the man seized her and covered her mouth.
He tucked her under his arm and carried her into the Imperial Prison.
The soaring stone walls loomed like a giant beast, swallowing little Qiqi and the swirling snow into its gaping maw…
…
Eight years later.
The Crown Prince’s Residence, Crimson Snow Pavilion.
Today, the Crown Princess was hosting a plum-blossom viewing banquet and had even brought out her treasured masterpiece, “Admiring the Plum Blossoms,” for her guests to admire.
All the young ladies present were daughters of noble families, personally invited by the Crown Princess. They clustered around the painting, each voicing opinions and praise.
Xie Qiqi stood awkwardly in a corner, her gaze complex as she watched Yue Yue—poised and charming—standing at the Crown Princess’s side.
Years ago, when Qiqi was led to the executioner’s block, she was spared by the emperor’s pardon, escaping death only to be made a government slave. For eight years she served, until, a year ago, the new emperor ascended and the Yue family’s name was cleared. Only then did her parents bring her home.
But after eight years without education, Qiqi was illiterate and rough in manner, unable to fit in among these refined young ladies.
She was lost in thought when Yue Yue approached her, taking her hand with a warm smile.
“Sister, why are you standing here alone? Come join us and admire the painting!”
Qiqi was led to the table but hadn’t even glimpsed the painting before a sharp “rip!” sounded.
Yue Yue quickly thrust the painting into Qiqi’s hands, feigning shock. “Sister… How could you be so careless? This is a work by Master Sikong, worth a fortune…”
Her words drew the attention of all the noble ladies who hadn’t yet left, and the Crown Princess herself.
Qiqi, terrified, stumbled backward, blurting, “It wasn’t me… Yue Yue, you tore the painting. Why are you blaming me?”
She trembled from head to toe. The painting was so valuable—if the Crown Princess became angry, she would not forgive her lightly!
Lin Xiaojing, the Minister’s daughter, snapped, “Xie Qiqi, the painting tore in your hands—we all saw it! And now you want to blame your own cousin? How malicious!”
Miss Sima, of the Sima family, sneered, “Cousin Yue is gentle and virtuous, a model of grace. You’re just jealous she outshines you and resort to such despicable tricks. Ugly inside and out!”
Qiqi was slight, her dress neither new nor shabby, her timid demeanor making her appear insignificant. If not for her family’s standing, these young ladies would not even acknowledge her.
Qiqi stammered, “No, I didn’t try to frame her, it really was her who tore it… Eldest Brother, Second Brother, you believe me, don’t you…”
She looked imploringly at her two brothers, standing nearby.
Her eldest brother, Xie Wenyuan, eyes narrow and cold as blades, scolded her harshly. “Xie Qiqi, you should own up to your mistakes rather than blame them on Yue. Is this how I’ve taught you?”
Second brother Xie Wentao, with sword-like brows and star-bright eyes, looked at her with even greater contempt. “Xie Qiqi, ever since you came back, things like this have happened over and over. Do you really think we’d fall for your tricks again?”
“Kneel and apologize to the Crown Princess at once!”
In the pavilion, the Crown Princess, resplendent in her finery, observed Xie Wenyuan with a subtle, mocking smile.
He met her gaze, only to look away at once.
The Crown Princess’s smile froze, her eyes growing cold and menacing as she turned to Qiqi.
“Xie Qiqi, I’ll give you one more chance. Will you confess your guilt?”
Frightened, Qiqi knelt, pleading helplessly, “Crown Princess, it truly wasn’t me. Yue Yue was the one who tore the painting…”
The Crown Princess gave Xie Wenyuan a mocking look. “Lord Xie, the Xie family is known for its strict discipline and refined manners. Your sister destroyed my painting and refuses to admit it despite the evidence. What do you say?”
She was deliberately trying to embarrass Xie Wenyuan. Everyone knew she had once been fond of him, but he always claimed he did not wish to marry. Disappointed, she had wed the Crown Prince instead. Had Xie Wenyuan only begged her, she would never have cared about a mere painting.
Xie Wenyuan, of course, understood her intention. Yet he was always strict and principled, never one to turn a blind eye even if he knew Qiqi was innocent.
He lowered his eyes. “Xie Qiqi has done wrong and refuses to admit it. I am ashamed to have such a sister. Punish her as you see fit, Crown Princess.”
Qiqi’s heart twisted with pain, her eyes lost and forlorn as she gazed at her brother.
Why did everyone take Yue Yue’s side? Why did no one believe her truth?
She could forgive strangers, but her eldest and second brothers were her own kin, while Yue Yue was merely their cousin. Why did they trust Yue’s every word but dismiss hers as nothing but lies?
The Crown Princess glanced once more at Xie Wenyuan, laughing coldly. “Take Xie Qiqi and throw her into the lake. She may come out only when she admits her guilt!”
Let’s see how long you can keep your pride, Xie Wenyuan!
Two matrons stepped forward, seizing Qiqi by the arms and dragging her to the lakeshore.
She hadn’t even reached the water before the icy cold seemed to pierce her very bones, making her shiver uncontrollably.
Physician Wang had said that eight years of servitude had ruined her health; she had consumption, with at most a year or two left to live. If she took care, she might live a little longer; if she fell seriously ill, even a bad chill could end her life.
Lake water in the dead of winter was like an icy tomb—how could she survive being thrown in?
She didn’t want to die!
“Eldest Brother, Second Brother, save me…”