[Regent vs. young emperor]
In court, he and I clashed openly, while the entire assembly of civil and military officials held their breath. He flew into a rage time and again, but only docked my salary, never laying a hand on me. Until I once more acted first and reported later. At last, outside the Meridian Gate, in front of everyone, he had me given fifty strokes across the buttocks. Blood soaked through my official robes.
Everyone thought my favor had finally run out. Loyal ministers rejoiced, while corrupt officials began to stir.
Yet no one knew that in the dark of the imperial palace, the same hands that had pointed at me would wipe the blood from my wounds. The voice that had coldly rebuked me in court would whisper by my ear, its worry and tenderness unmistakable. We turned the entire court into a chessboard and wagered the realm, staging the most dangerous of dramas. He and I were each other's sharpest swords, and each other's shields.
The writing is so great. A Chen and A Ting, the loving monarch and minister, are so exciting. It's so exciting 👍 The acting confuses the enemies in court, and the interactions in private are so loving 😳