Chapter 35
Astrahan Khan saw the two people suddenly stiffen in fright. The sound of their quiet intake of breath only fueled his anger further.
“Did you not hear the princess’s words? Speak at once!”
Empress Ayulshiran, gauging the Khan’s mood, raised her voice sharply.
But the eunuch and the maid only trembled, unable to utter a word.
“Argana.”
“Yes, Father.”
“You speak. Who exactly are these insolent wretches?”
“As you command.”
Argana, hands folded politely, glanced down at the two prostrated figures before speaking.
“This man is an attendant eunuch of Prince Yoshmut, and this one is a maid of the Hall of Illusions.”
“What? The Hall of Illusions?”
“Yes. She is a maid who serves at Lady Turegen’s side. Father, you have seen her before.”
Argana then looked toward one of the guards. Understanding her meaning instantly, the guard grabbed the maid’s hair and yanked her head up.
“Aaagh!”
“Insolent! How dare you raise your voice in His Majesty’s presence!”
At Isoon’s rebuke, heavy tears rolled from the maid’s eyes. She tried to stammer some excuse, but the Khan’s deep voice cut her off.
“Was it Lady Turegen who ordered this?”
The maid’s face drained of all color. She darted her eyes about, torn by indecision, but instinctively shook her head.
“N-no, it was not Her Ladyship. She knows nothing of this…”
Argana interjected smoothly.
“Father, do not take her words at face value. How could a mere maid scheme such a thing on her own? There must be someone behind her. Only by uncovering the truth will the innocent be spared.”
The Khan, straining to control his rage, growled:
“The princess speaks true.”
Ayulshiran quickly added her own support.
“Your Majesty, you must press Lady Turegen about what she knows of this matter. And since this man is a eunuch of Prince Yoshmut… perhaps the prince himself is involved…”
Her words trailed off with deliberate craft. Even Argana admired her subtlety.
She did not push her opinion harshly, as a concubine might, yet she left no room for Lady Turegen to escape suspicion. With her fragile, sorrowful demeanor, she captivated their father’s heart—quite unlike Sorcate, the fourth empress.
I may dislike this side of Mother Shiran, but since it helps me now, I’ll let it be, Argana thought.
“Summon Yoshmut! And bring Lady Turegen here at once!”
At the Khan’s order, Isoon waved his hand. Attendants and guards scattered instantly, leaving the hall in tense silence. Astrahan Khan glared at the eunuch and maid with bloodshot eyes and roared:
“Take them away and flog them seventy times!”
The guards hauled the pair to their feet, and screams rang out.
Seventy lashes—such a punishment could easily mean death. And by the looks of things, this was only the beginning.
The maid realized that loyalty was no longer worth her life. If she could escape even a single lash, she would sell out anyone.
“Your Majesty! Spare me, please! I beg you! I—I was threatened by the prince! I had no choice!”
She broke free of the guards and crawled desperately toward the Khan, but Argana’s sword blocked her path.
“Insolent wretch, do you wish to die here and now?”
“Your Majesty! Princess! Please, I beg you, spare my life! Prince Yoshmut said if I did not obey, he would kill my entire family! I—I had no choice! Have mercy, Your Majesty!”
“What?”
The Khan’s brow twitched.
“Say that again. Yoshmut threatened your family?”
The maid nodded frantically.
“Yes, Your Majesty! Yes! Not only the prince, but Lady Turegen also threatened me. She said she would slaughter my whole family if I disobeyed! I am innocent, please, I beg you!”
Argana instantly knew the maid was lying.
During the bracelet incident, Lady Turegen had scolded her, but nothing more. And if the maid had truly been under such threats, would Turegen have showered her with expensive bracelets and shoes?
Impossible.
But just as she had let Ayulshiran’s transparent maneuvering slide, Argana saw no need to correct this lie. After all, her true goal was the downfall of Yoshmut and Lady Turegen. If the maid wished to dig their graves deeper, why stop her?
The Khan growled:
“Tell me—why did Yoshmut and Lady Turegen threaten you?”
“T-that…”
“Speak the truth at once!”
At that moment, the eunuch, seeing the maid spared from flogging, broke free of the guards and crawled forward like a dog.
“Great Khan! Your Majesty! I will confess all! Prince Yoshmut—pardon my boldness—has long frequented gambling dens among the commoners. To pay his wagers, he threatened me… forced me to gather money for him…”
His shrill, whining voice turned into sobs.
The Khan’s face darkened to a furious crimson. Argana worried he might collapse then and there, and glared at the eunuch.
“When a master strays into wickedness, it is the servant’s duty to lay down his life to stop him! Yet you not only failed to speak, you abetted his great evil?”
“Princess! Princess! I am innocent! The prince often beat me and demanded I fetch him money. I could not endure it! I swear, I am wronged!”
Argana smirked inwardly. The plan was unfolding even more smoothly than expected.
They’re strangling Yoshmut themselves.
The Khan, trembling with rage, bellowed:
“Guards!”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Imprison these wretches! Bring Yoshmut and Lady Turegen here at once! I must know if their words are true. Move!”
“As you command!”
The maid and eunuch were dragged away. They had escaped immediate flogging, but their chances of surviving what came next were slim.
“Father.”
Argana quickly approached the Khan, soothing his shoulders and back. She sensed Ayulshiran’s sidelong glance but ignored it—this was not the time.
“Father, please calm yourself. I understand your anger, but your health must come first.”
“I know you speak from concern, child. But tell me—you too have seen and heard with your own eyes and ears, have you not? I never imagined Yoshmut to be so utterly rotten until this very day!”
“The truth will come clear once the guards bring my brother here. Please, calm your heart.”
Argana turned sharply.
“Eunuch Isoon, what are you doing? Serve tea to Father, at once!”
“Yes, Princess.”
