Palace intrigue · 声匠原创 · 4:27

The Cold Palace Wine I Won't Drink

Deposed Jiang Wan is sent 'imperial' poisoned wine. She exposes her rival's fake pregnancy, the Emperor walks in, and the rival's last words point at him.

NarratorJiang WanConsort LiuXiaoheThe Emperor

NarratorSnow had fallen on the cold palace for three days. It was Jiang Wan's hundredth day there, without a single brazier of coal.NarratorShe was once the Emperor's favorite. Then Consort Liu miscarried, and safflower turned up in the soup Jiang Wan had sent her. The next day her father, the great general of the north, gave up his command seal.NarratorHer maid Xiaohe burst in.XiaohefearfulMy lady! Consort Liu is here, with wine. She says it's from the Emperor!Jiang WanBring my old cloak. I won't let her see me shiver.XiaoheAren't you scared? Wine in the cold palace always means...Jiang WanI've waited a hundred days for that wine. Do just as I taught you.XiaoheBut I'm scared.Jiang WanGood. Real tears are more convincing.NarratorIn swept Consort Liu, wrapped in red fox fur.Consort LiumockingLittle Sister Jiang! Your face is whiter than the snow.Jiang WanBarely recovered, my lady, and you brave the snow for me?Consort LiuYour father gave up his seal and went home to farm. No one's left to protect you.Jiang WanAt least my father knows what he's growing. Some can't say what's in their own belly.Consort LiuYou!NarratorThen she laughed behind her hand.Consort LiuLast night His Majesty said the cold palace is so cold, sending you off early would be a mercy.NarratorA matron set a white jade wine pot on the table.Consort LiuHe grants you a dignified end.XiaohecryingNo! The Emperor would never!Consort LiuOne more word, girl, and you go with her.Jiang WanIf he wanted me dead, a decree would do. Yet you came in person, through the snow. Afraid I'll live until he remembers me?Consort LiusarcasticYou won't live that long.Jiang WanThen where is the decree?Consort LiuI heard his words with my own ears.Jiang WanchucklesOf course. Your ears are so sharp, you knew you were pregnant before the physicians did.NarratorConsort Liu's smile froze.Consort LiucoldMeaning what?Jiang WanFor two months, only Physician Wang could take your pulse. And your bloody handkerchief smelled of cinnabar.Jiang WanYour child wasn't lost. There never was one.NarratorSilence. Only the snow.Consort LiulaughingClever girl. So what? Physician Wang fell down a well last night, drunk. Dead men don't talk.Jiang WanHis handwritten records do.Consort LiuYou mean these?NarratorShe drew a yellowed scroll from her sleeve and held it to the candle.Consort LiuXiaohe, tell your mistress who gave me these.XiaohesobbingForgive me, my lady! They took my little brother!NarratorJiang Wan watched it burn, and slowly smiled.Jiang WanGet up, Xiaohe. You did well.Consort LiuWhy are you smiling?Jiang WanThat was my copy. I had Xiaohe give it to you. How else would you come here and confess to Wang's death?Consort LiuangryXiaohe! Don't you want your brother alive?XiaoheMy lady...Jiang WanMy people took him off the Liu estate last night. You have no one left to threaten.XiaohegaspsTruly?NarratorConsort Liu spun toward the door. Only snow.Consort LiuNo one's here but you two! Pour it down her throat!XiaoheMy lady, run!NarratorTwo matrons pinned her. The spout touched her lips. Then a deep voice came from the door.The EmperorI'd like to know when I granted this wine.NarratorThe pot shattered. Everyone knelt. Snow lay thick on the Emperor's cloak. How long had he been listening?Jiang WanYour Majesty. Physician Wang's real records reached your study three days ago.The EmperorI read them. And your note: come to the cold palace before the snow stops, and watch a play. Quite a play.Consort LiupleadingYour Majesty, she set me up! The records are fake!The EmperorI heard your explanation from the door.Consort LiuEight years at your side! You'd throw me away for her?The EmperorcoldLady Liu deceived the throne with a false pregnancy. Strip her title and take her away.NarratorDragged out, she clawed at the doorframe, laughing through tears.Consort LiulaughingYou think you've won, Jiang Wan? You think the safflower was my idea alone?Consort LiuAsk him whose hands your father's seal ended up in!NarratorThe Emperor's face went dark.The EmperorGag her.NarratorHe held out his hand to Jiang Wan, gentle again.The EmperorWanwan, I came too late. Come home with me.Jiang WanYou're not late, Your Majesty. You're right on time.NarratorShe took his hand, meek as ever. Passing Xiaohe, she whispered.Jiang WanwhispersLady Liu was only the knife. The hand that held it, we'll deal with back in the palace.

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