The Golden Oriole Sings

“Over the years, what vile things haven’t I done? My good-luck-having master, an old hand before the Empress, once made me catch the phlegm he spat into my mouth.” Zhang Xuanze spoke softly to her, like a snake hissing as it flicked its red tongue. Pei Shu’s nails dug into his arm, breaking the skin. “Do you know how he died?” “I raised a few rats in a cage and fed them until they were full every day. When the time came, I starved them for several days, then tied that lucky man to a chair and fastened the cage to his chest... The rats burrowed down and gnawed at the bones in his chest, digging their way into the flesh... Your Majesty, just imagine the noise he made. He could keep screaming for ages. It was truly a pleasure to hear.” Zhang Xuanze let go of her, calmly straightened his rumpled sleeve, and applied medicine to the wound. Pei Shu huddled in the corner, trembling. She was scared, she was scared. Zhang Xuanze wasn’t remotely normal! Theme: You may be strong, but the one who laughs last is the king.