THE LAST COURT OF LIAN

This story is set two decades before the events of Darkest Night.   DRAMATIS PERSONAE:

• Lian Xi, Grand Princess Liyang, later State Duchess of Yin [Affiliation: Imperial Family of Lian]
• Yular Hailan, Consort Yuen, later Noble Consort Yuen [Affiliation: Yular Tribe of Das’Yulan]
• Liya Rou, Empress of Da'Lyan [Affiliation: Liya Tribe of Das’Liyan]
• Lian Fengxing, Yunle Emperor [Affiliation: Imperial Family of Lian]
• Yular Yihuan, Concubine Xian [Affiliation: Yular Tribe of Das’Yulan]
• Yuwen Kai, State Duke of Yin, Commanding General of the Lianmeng Army [Affiliation: Yuwen Tribe of Das’Yuweng]
• Lian Arken, Second Prince, later Taizi (Crown Prince) [Affiliation: Imperial Family of Lian]
• Lian Arkai, Third Prince, later Grand Prince of Ning [Affiliation: Imperial Family of Lian]
• Empress Dowager Ouyan [Affiliation: Ouyan Tribe of Das’Ouyang]
• Ouyan Xun, Consort Yu [Affiliation: Ouyan Tribe of Das’Ouyang]
• Lian Qin, Grand Princess Jimin, Commander of the Imperial Guards [Affiliation: Imperial Family of Lian]
• Ouyan Zhi, Marquis General, Commander of the Ouyang Army [Affiliation: Ouyan Tribe of Das’Ouyang]
• Master Puyan Tao, martial artist and later Commander of the Puyang Army [Affiliation: Puyan Tribe of Das'Puyang]

CONTEXT   In the 2nd year of the reign of Honglu Emperor (birth name: Lian Yongqi), a son was born to his fourth-ranked consort, Consort Zhe of the Khitar Tribe of the northern stronghold Das'Khitan. Honglu Emperor named this son Lian Fengxing and cherished him well for this Third Prince was the first son to be born after his (peaceful) ascension to the Mar'Kaa Throne. Two years later, Consort Zhe died of illness. As the Ouyan Empress, the legal and legitimate wife of Honglu Emperor, was childless and long thought to be infertile (she had been married to Honglu Emperor for over a decade without bearing heirs), she adopted the Third Prince, Lian Fengxing, as her legal child. Given the lack of legal heirs (since legitimacy of birth is determined by the mother's rank, only true born sons of the Empress are considered to be "legal" sons) and the Honglu Emperor's fondness and preference for the Third Prince, as well as the Third Prince's adoption by the Empress, Lian Fengxing was regarded by many in court as Honglu Emperor's successor.   However, within two years of the Third Prince's adoption by the Empress (and thus four years after his birth), the Ouyan Empress gave birth to a son: Lian Fengxi, the Fifth Prince. Given that the Fifth Prince was a true-born son of the Empress, he was of "legitimate" birth and thus held the highest status amongst the Emperor's Five Princes. Breaking tradition (most Princes are given their Imperial Titles at the age of 16), the Honglu Emperor immediately titled his only "legitimate" (Empress-born) son, the Fifth Prince, as Grand Prince of Bao - the same title he had once held as his father's prospective though informal heir (a formal heir would be titled Taizi - Crown Prince). The Third and Fifth Princes (although the Fifth Prince had an Imperial title, he was still referred to as Fifth Prince casually) grew up together, raised by Ouyan Empress, with little difference in their upbringing despite the Fifth Prince now have taking his older brother's informal status as heir apparent. When the Third Prince became of age, he was granted the imperial title of Grand Prince of Yu. The Ouyan Empress also gave birth to another child, a daughter by the name of Lian Qin, the Seventh Princess, who was later entitled as Grand Princess Jimin.   In the 22nd year of his reign, the Honglu Emperor fell ill and died, before titling a Taizi, or Crown Prince. Thus, the "Great Strife of Princes" began, in which the Three Princes (First, Second, and Fifth) with their maternal Tribes behind them fighting for the Throne. At the time, Grand Prince Yu supported his younger brother, the Grand Prince Bao, the Fifth Prince, in the fight for the Throne to respect his adoptive mother's wishes. No matter how much she cherished Grand Prince Yu, the Ouyan Empress, now Empress Dowager, preferred her true-born child, the Grand Prince of Bao to ascend to the Throne. However, given that Grand Prince Bao was still relatively young, it was his older brother, the Grand Prince Yu who "handled" most affairs related to the fight for the Throne. It became apparent to many that Grand Prince Yu was more suited to ruling than his younger but legitimate brother, the Grand Prince Bao. Eventually, with the help of his maternal Khitar Tribe as well as his wife's (Liya Rou, then Princess Consort of Yu) Liya Tribe, Grand Prince Yu not only defeated his older brothers, the First and Second Princes, but decided to take the Throne for himself. Grand Prince Bao was killed by the father and second brother of Princess Consort of Yu (Liya Rou) when he heard the news of his brother's betrayal and sought to rebel against him.   Given that Grand Prince Yu was the only surviving son of the Honglu Emperor left standing after the "Great Strife of Princes", he was the clear winner. However, he knew that to ascend to the throne properly, he needed to make peace with his adoptive mother, the Empress Dowager, and her Ouyan Tribe. The validity of his ascendancy and thus his future reign would always be questioned if the Empress Dowager's grace was not extended to him (essentially, he needs her permission to legalize his ascendancy to the Throne). The Empress Dowager was still rightly furious at the Grand Prince Yu for killing her true-born son. To appease her, Grand Prince Yu gave up/sacrificed his wife's father and second brother of the Liya Tribe (he allowed them to be killed by the Empress Dowager). He also married Ouyan Xun, a lady of the Ouyan Tribe who was betrothed to Grand Prince Bao as his intended legal wife (and thus future Empress), and entitled her as the third-ranked Noble Consort Yu. Given that Ouyan Xun, now Noble Consort Yu, grew up alongside Grand Princes Yu and Bao, there were (ugly) rumors that Grand Prince Yu wanted her for his own and thus betrayed his younger brother.   For these reasons, Liya Rou, once Princess Consort of Yu and now Liya Empress of Da'Lyan, never got along with her mother-in-law, the Empress Dowager. After all, her father and brother died at the hands of the Empress Dowager. Similarly, the Empress Dowager still holds a grudge against the Liya Tribe (and the Liya Empress) for killing her son. It is also no secret that she favors Noble Consort Yu over Liya Empress, another sticking point to Liya Empress. Given the rumors that the Grand Prince of Yu, now Yunle Emperor, sought the throne only to win Noble Consort Yu, Liya Empress always guarded against her.   Matters are made worse when Liya Empress and Noble Consort Yu become pregnant around the same time. While Liya Empress gives birth to a daughter, Lian Xi, Noble Consort Yu gives birth to a son, the Eldest/First Prince, Lian Arqin (arr-chin). This makes Liya Empress even more insecure in regards to her standing. Noble Consort Yu now has an Ouyan Prince, whereas she only has a daughter. Thankfully, years later, Liya Empress gives birth to two more children, sons: Lian Arken, the Second Prince, and Lian Arkai, the Third Prince. Although Liya Empress feels less insecure, she is still worried about the Eldest Prince for he and his mother are both heavily favored by the Emperor.   Tragedy strikes when at the age of 10, the Eldest Prince dies from the Sleeping Sickness. In her grief, Noble Consort Yu accuses Liya Empress of killing her son. Given the gravity of her accusations but lack of proof, the Emperor demotes her from the third-ranked Noble Consort Yu to fourth-ranked Consort Yu.   STORY   It is the 26th year in the reign of Yunle Emperor. Lian Xi, Grand Princess Liyang, is the eldest daughter of the Emperor by the Liya Empress [age 25]. She has been at the southern frontlines (fighting against Onderian aggression) for the last five years, alongside Consort Yuen of the Yular Tribe of Das'Yulan [age 30], a senior consort of her father's who has been overseeing the war effort for nine years. Consort Yuen was given to Yunle Emperor a decade ago by the Yular Tribe. The Yular Tribe had backed the eldest son of the Honglu Emperor who lost the battle for the Throne. To get back into the good graces of the current Emperor, the Yular Tribe had granted Consort Yuen, a notable warrior, to Yunle Emperor to oversee the war(s) against the Onderians. At that time (16th year in the reign of the Yunle Emperor), the Emperor had no brothers (he was the only surviving son of Honglu Emperor due to the battle for the Throne) to directly lead the southern defenses against the increasingly aggressive Elvira, an Onderian Princess of the Second Rank and her Fifth forces. None of his children, male or female, were old enough or had sufficient experience. Therefore, he could only entrust the war at the southern borders to Consort Yuen. Given the Yular Tribe's prestige, especially when producing past Emperors (they are often the maternal Tribe of many a Da'Lyan Emperor), Yunle Emperor was happy enough to have them on his side now.   However, the situation at the border has stabilized. The Onderian Forces have seemingly "given" up and are now dealing with their internal struggles (regarding the death of their Heir to the Throne, Elvira's ascension from Princess of the Second Rank to Heir). Grand Princess Liyang and Consort Yuen are preparing to return to the capitol, Das'Vengar, though they have differing feelings regarding their return. Knowing that she would be "forced" to marry upon her return, Liyang is unhappy. On the other hand, Consort Yuen is hopeful. Despite being married to the Yunle Emperor for a decade, she had bore no heirs, largely because for nine of those ten years, she was at the Southern borders overseeing the war. Now, with peace in front of them, she can return and have the Emperor's children - Princes and Princess of the Yular bloodline. We see a flashback of a conversation between Consort Yuen and the Emperor a year ago. He apologized to her for not "visiting" her often - he could not risk her becoming pregnant and thereby unable to manage or remain at the Southern borders. The Yunle Emperor had recognized how unfair this situation was to her - after all, the Emperor's consorts' primary duty is to bear his heirs and she is not able to fulfill it. He promised her that things will change when she returns next.   Grand Princess Liyang and Consort Yuen return to the capitol of Das'Vengar. They are both commended by the Emperor for their contributions to the safeguarding of the Southern borders. However, to Consort Yuen's shock, she finds that her tribe has sent another consort, a young Concubine Xian, to "replace" her. The Yular Tribe was worried about the lack of Yular imperial heirs and decided that they could not wait for Consort Yuen to return to the capitol. And that is not the worse thing. Consort Yuen learns from the Liya Empress and the other members of the Inner Palace that the Yunle Emperor has gone completely crazy for Concubine Xian - he is neglecting every other consort/concubine despite Concubine Xian seemingly remaining "cold" towards the Emperor and not returning his feelings. Consort Yuen is very hurt by the Emperor's attitude towards her - very flippant, a sharp contrast to his promise to her last year that things will be different this time around. She has always been insecure regarding her status, knowing that the Emperor only married her for her leadership abilities on the battlefield. With Liya Empress's help, Consort Yuen is promoted as the third-ranked Noble Consort by the Yunle Emperor for her services in the battlefield. This would make her the highest-ranking consort after the Empress.   Despite being the Emperor's favored consort, Concubine Xian of the Yular Tribe is deeply miserable for she is in love with another man - Master Puyan Tao, who would later become the infamous Yellow Tiger of Das'Puyang. The Yular Chief, the State Duke of Qi, tells Noble Consort Yuen to convince Concubine Xian to give up on her lover and devote herself to the Emperor. They need a Yular Prince, otherwise how is their Yular Tribe, producer of many a Da'Lyan Emperor, supposed to contend with the Empress' Liya Tribe and the Empress Dowager's Ouyan Tribe??!! The Yular Tribe already made the mistake of not backing Yunle Emperor during the Great Strife. They need to make sure that a Yular Prince ascends to the Throne next! Noble Consort Yuen clearly has no desire to convince Concubine Xian to return the Emperor's feelings.   At a courtyard, we see Liya Empress and Noble Consort Yuen sitting together, while Grand Princess Liyang and recently-promoted Concubine Hui of the Kherqin Tribe playing on the side with her six-month old twins, the Seventh Prince, Lian Ke, and the Fifth Princess, Lian He. The Emperor decided to break tradition and give a unique name to Seventh Prince (all the other princes are named Ar-something) given his status as a twin. It is clear that Liyang loves her new siblings. Noble Consort Yuen is being examined by the healers who inform the Empress that despite Noble Consort Yuen's body taking a beating in war from the last decade or so, she is still healthy and can bear heirs. The Empress attempts to console Noble Consort Yuen regarding the situation with Concubine Xian, telling her that she still has a lot of time to bear imperial heirs and that the Emperor will soon grow bored of Concubine Xian. Besides, Noble Consort Yuen has been promoted and holds the highest rank after the Empress. It is some consolation. Liya Empress admits that although the other consorts in the Inner Palace are unhappy with the "situation" (the Emperor's affection for Concubine Xian), she recognizes that it is most unfair for Noble Consort Yuen who has spent close to a decade at the Southern borders.   At that moment, the Empress Dowager and Consort Yu arrive at the courtyards. Empress Dowager and Liya Empress exchange barbs though both Liyang and Noble Consort Yuen are polite towards the Empress Dowager. It is clear that Noble Consort Yuen doesn't really want to participate in the Inner Palace fight/battle between the Empress and Dowager Empress. However, Consort Yu greets Noble Consort Yuen coldly. Liya Empress smirks at that and takes it as a sign of jealousy - Noble Consort Yuen now holds what was once Consort Yu's position. The Empress Dowager wants entertainment and so Consort Yu suggests that Noble Consort Yuen and Concubine Hui "duel". They were both trained as warriors and are from notable war-minded Tribes. However, Concubine Hui just gave birth to the twins six months ago - Noble Consort Yuen doesn't think it's appropriate. Concubine Hui replies that she is physically fine and would like to learn a thing or two from Noble Consort Yuen. They duel. The Second and Third Princes join to watch them.   The Emperor tries to get Noble Consort Yuen to convince Concubine Xian to return his feelings, without taking into account the Noble Consort's feelings. In a moment of hurt and anger, Noble Consort Yuen states her refusal to do so, which gets her a slap from the Emperor. She is hurt and all the observers are horrified - they immediately get onto their knees to beg forgiveness for the Noble Consort. However, this is seen by the Liya Empress. Seeking to take vengeance on behalf of the Noble Consort and slight Concubine Xian at the same time, she summons Concubine Xian and slaps her in return (since the Empress can't slap the Emperor, she will slap his favored concubine). Obviously, the Noble Consort is shocked that poor Concubine Xian was slapped for no reason. The Emperor is furious that Concubine Xian was slapped and so berates the Empress quite aggressively (and punishing her somehow). The Empress only reminds him of how much he owes her and her clan (and what they have sacrificed). This infuriates the Emperor even more and he orders her to kneel. Everyone kneels. However, the Dowager Empress, Grand Princess Liyang, Second and Third Princes arrive on the scene. In the presence of the Empress Dowager, even the Emperor is slightly cowed. The Empress Dowager tells Liyang and the Princes to help the Empress and Noble Consort up, but tells Emperor to keep kneeling. Surprising everyone, the Empress Dowager berates the Emperor. She states that though she may not see eye-to-eye with the Empress, she is still the ruler/owner of the Inner Palace and can punish/reward/teach all the consorts under her. It is not right for the Emperor to berate/get mad at the Empress in such a public scene because it would only undermine her rightful authority as Empress. The Empress Dowager also scolds her adoptive son for his unfair treatment of Noble Consort ("Noble Consort has sacrificed much for you in the last decades. You cannot treat a war hero like that.") as well as his undeserved infatuation of Concubine Xian. Later on, Consort Yu asks the Empress Dowager why she interfered in the Emperor's affair on behalf of the Empress and Noble Consort Yuen. The Empress Dowager replies that not only must the authority of the Inner Palace be unquestioned, she wants to make sure Noble Consort Yuen and the Yular Tribe remain neutral in the fight between the Liya and Ouyan Tribes. Anyways, her interference would get some favor from Noble Consort Yuen and the Yular Tribe (they might look more kindly and favorably on her).   Master Puyan Tao is an anomaly in the world of the Mar'Kaa for unlike most children of the Fallen who bear markings of their paternal lineage, Puyan Tao's markings, while that of his Puyan father's design, are black instead (Puyan markings are white) - the color of his maternal tribe, the Northern Khitar. This "mixing" of markings is considered to be a curse of great misfortune. On the night of his birth, Puyan Tao was "thrown" away by his Tribe, left for dead on the raging tides of  Das'Puyang. Fortunately (but also coincidentally), the baby is saved by a martial arts master who takes the child into his sect. The older Puyan Tao got, the more obvious it became that the boy had an innate talent for martial arts - he always ranked first in many a competition between different sects. When the Puyan and Khitar Tribes realized that Tao was the child they had so cruelly thrown away at birth, they tried to recognized him as one of of their own. At his master's behest, Puyan Tao allowed himself to be recognized as a member of the Puyan Tribe but would forever hold a grudge against the Tribes who left him for dead. He swore to never prioritize the wants and desires of his blood Tribes, and instead serve his Master and their sect only.     Deciding against the advice of both his paternal and maternal tribes, Puyan Tao travels to the capitol Das'Vengar to seek out his beloved Yihuan, now a member of the Emperor's harem, on pain of death. Unbeknownst of Puyan Tao, he is helped along his journey by agents of the Empress, who seek to drive Concubine Xian away from the Emperor's side. Concubine Xian tries to run away with Puyan Tao, and are almost caught by the Imperial Guards. However, Noble Consort Yuen finds them in time and is able to save both their lives, though she has to separate them. After this event, Noble Consort Yuen and Concubine Xian become close friends.   Noble Consort Yuen soon finds out that the Empress was behind the attempted escape and confronts her in anger. The Empress states her innocence - she only wanted to get rid of Concubine Xian. Unlike the Ouyan Tribe (the Dowager Empress and Consort Yu), she didn't try to kill the girl, she sincerely tried to help Concubine Xian escape successfully with her lover. Still, Noble Consort becomes suspicious of the Empress' true intentions for this escape attempt had been extremely risky. Had the lovers been discovered, the whole of the Yular Tribe would be on the chopping block.   It is later revealed that the Emperor knew about Concubine Xian’s attempt to run away with Puyan Tao when he summons Puyan Tao to his throne room. However, given that Puyan Tao is already 8th level martial arts master even at his young age and the Puyan and the Khitar Tribes have (the Emperor's maternal tribe is also the Khitar) high hopes for him, the Emperor decided to overlook his crime and send him back to Das'Puyang. This benefits the Emperor too because it earns him much grace from the Puyan Tribe, a well-known military Tribe who helps guard the South. Before Puyan Tao leaves, the Emperor tells him that he has a choice to make - go forward and seek another, yet untravelled path (which may or may not end in success), or keep trying to turn back onto a path that for sure will lead only to failure and despair.   Grand Princess Liyang is the eldest daughter of the Emperor and is well past her marrying age. Her marriage has been delayed because she’s been at the battle frontlines with Consort Yuen and the Puyang army. However, it is time for her to finally settle down. Her mother the Empress and adoptive grandmother the Empress Dowager disagree on her husband. To break free from their machinations and succession fights, Liyang ends up choosing an outside choice (neither her mother's nor her grandmother's) - Yuwen Kai, State Duke of Yin and the Commanding General of the newly-formed Imperial Lianmeng Army (an experimental army in which tribes fight side-by-side; usually Mar'Kaa armies are divided along tribe lines such as the Ouyang and Puyang Armies). This choice is surprising for the State Duke of Yin already has a son/heir by his deceased first wife. This means that none of Liyang’s future sons can inherit the Yin Dukedom of the Yuwen Tribe, which both the Empress and Dowager Empress find extremely problematic.   Liyang first comes across the State Duke of Yin when she saves his eight-year-old son, Yuwen Li, from a potential accident. After looking into him further, she decides that he is the best choice for her - the best way for her to escape from her mother's and grandmothers' clutches. Though surprised, the State Duke of Yin accepts her proposal of marriage. When the pair choose to marry, they are not in love with one another, though Liyang is very fond of the young Li'er. Both the Empress and Dowager Empress refuse to let her marry Yuwen Kai. However, Liyang finds an ally, perhaps the best ally there is - her father, the Emperor. The Emperor doesn't want any more power to lie in the hands of the Liya or Ouyan Tribes and therefore fully supports Liyang marrying into the Yuwen Tribe. Throughout the story, Liyang and Yuwen Kai do end up falling in love. Liyang’s relationship with Yuwen Kai will be a comparison/parallel to that of her aunt Grand Princess Jimin and her husband, Ouyan Zhi. Her relationship with her stepson, Yuwen Li, will also parallel that of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.   At some point, the Liya Empress discusses with her eldest child and only daughter her long-held ambitions for Liyang - she wants Liyang to fight for and win the right to oversee the Imperial Guards, to guard against Ouyan dominance. The Imperials Guards are currently led by Liyang's aunt and the Emperor's younger half-sister, the Grand Princess Jimin who is married to Marquis General Ouyan Zhi, the Commander of the Ouyang Army. The Empress apologizes to Liyang that she (the Empress) herself is not skilled in the arts of war and warfare and therefore was unable to pass along these skills to Liyang. That's why she wanted Liyang to be partially raised by Noble Consort Yuen, who was the Deputy Commander of the Yular Army before marrying into the Imperial Family, so she can gain these skills and knowledge. The Empress knows that due to the closeness in their ages, Noble Consort Yuen (she is only five years older than Liyang) is very sincere towards Liyang. Regarding the Imperial Guards, Liyang only tells her mother that she will "think about it".   Later on, Grand Princess Liyang goes to see her aunt, Grand Princess Jimin. Jimin admits to Liyang that she has long seen Liyang as a worthy inheritor of her position as Commander of the Imperial Guards. The Emperor also agrees that Liyang would be most suited to the position, provided she remains loyal to the Imperial Family of Lian and not to her maternal clan, the Liya Tribe.   At some point, Noble Consort Yuen finds out that the Empress might actually be responsible for the Eldest Prince's death. She is shocked and feels betrayed, given that she has always defended the Empress from these terrible accusations. The Empress, however, does not admit that she was responsible. She refuses to deny it. However, Consort Yu finds out about their conversation and takes it as proof that the Empress was responsible (as she had long suspected) for her son's death! This hardens her resolve to do a coup against the Emperor.   The Third Prince, later Grand Prince of Ning, is the overlooked third child of the Emperor and Liya Empress. He is looked down by many because his markings are not characteristically Lian or even the mixed nature of many Lian Emperors (the Lian Emperors, due to marriage with many other tribes, can have mixed/muddled markings), but are entirely Liya. There are rumors that he is not the true blood of the Emperor and that his mother, the Liya Empress had an affair with another Liya tribesman which resulted in his birth. His arc is meant to parallel Puyan Tao's. Unlike Grand Prince Ning who has never really been good at anything, Puyan Tao was able to escape societal demise due to his martial skills despite the similarities in their situations.   The Empress Dowager of the Ouyan Tribe has never truly forgiven Yunle Emperor for winning the throne and causing the death of her son, the legitimate heir of Honglu Emperor. Yunle Emperor is the son of the Honglu Emperor and Consort Zhe of the Khitar Tribe. Although Empress Dowager is Yunle Emperor’s adoptive and legal mother and did raise him since childhood, she is upset that Yunle Emperor became too ambitious and ended up on the throne instead of her own son. Consort Yu, Empress Dowager, and the Ouyan Tribe plot to seek vengeance on the Emperor and Empress. However, they need someone to replace the Emperor (there are no more Ouyan Princes). They decided on Grand Prince Ning, an overlooked Prince despite his legitimate status. Grand Prince Ning is weak-willed, insecure, and greedy, which makes him perfect as a puppet Emperor. For their support, Grand Prince Ning promises to make an Ouyan woman his Empress.   Lian Qin, Grand Princess Jimin, is the Commander General of the Imperial Guards. She is the half-sister of Yunle Emperor, the daughter of Honglu Emperor and the Ouyan Empress Dowager. She must decide whether to remain loyal to her half-brother the Emperor or abide by her mother’s wishes to initiate a coup against him. She and her husband, Ouyan Zhi, a Marquis General who commands the Ouyang Army, are often at odds with one another regarding their loyalties (he’s loyal to the Dowager Empress and the Ouyan Tribe while she is loyal to the Imperial Family and her half-brother the Emperor). Jimin is a mentor figure to Liyang, grooming/training Liyang to replace Jimin as Commander General of the Imperial Guards. She is also the one who catches Puyan Tao and Concubine Xian, but out of pity for Concubine Xian lets them go back into the palace under Noble Consort Yuen's care.   When her husband Ouyan Khi finds out what she did (letting Concubine Xian and Puyan Tao go), he is furious for the Empress Dowager's orders were to get the two lovers caught and subsequently executed. At first, Jimin thinks that her mother wants to remove Concubine Xian from the Emperor's side. However, she becomes suspicious and begins investigating communication between her mother and husband. Jimin finds out that the target all along was Puyan Tao, not Concubine Xian as she had previously thought. The Emperor seeks to instate Puyan Tao as the Commander of the Puyang Army (with the Puyan Tribe's support). The Empress Dowager does not want this to happen and seeks to install her own Puyan candidate as head of the Puyang Army. Through this information, Jimin realizes that her mother is planning a coup against the Emperor (with her husband Ouyan Zhi's help), and becomes conflicted about whether she should inform the Emperor or not - either decision would have devastating consequences.    Marquis General Ouyan Zhi has a contentious relationship with Master Puyan Tao. Both served as disciples under the same Master, and so they had been close once before. However, Ouyan Zhi realized that good he may be, Puyan Tao's innate talent put him above all others, including him. And so, Ouyan Zhi decided that he needed to seek another way in life - he married Grand Princess Jimin not out of love but out of a desire to advance himself (and his Tribe) and seek power and elevation through the Empress Dowager. Puyan Tao very much disagreed with Ouyan Zhi's life philosophy - he thinks it's a terrible idea to marry someone one does not love. Ouyan Zhi tries to explain his decision (that he must put the needs and wants of his Tribe above all else), but is unable to persuade his friend to see from his perspective. The rift between the two disciple brothers grows widest when Ouyan Zhi betrays their Master for the sake of the Ouyan Tribe and the Empress Dowager. Since that day, Puyan Tao has never forgiven him.   After years apart, Puyan Tao and Ouyan Zhi meet once again Das'Vengar after the former is released by the Emperor's men. Ouyan Zhi disparages his once sworn brother for his actions - how dare he attempt to steal the Emperor's concubine? He hates that because Puyan Tao is Puyan Tao, he gets away with the craziest thing when Ouyan Zhi is always faulted for the most minor things. Puyan Tao replies that at least he has always remained true to his heart, unlike Ouyan Zhi. He still hasn't forgiven Ouyan Zhi for betraying their Master. Ouyan Zhi retorts that he had a choice to make between his Tribe and his martial sect, and he chose the former like any other sane person. He is not selfish like Puyan Tao who clearly chose his own selfish desires over his duty to this Tribe when he tried to run away with Concubine Xian. And for these actions, Puyan Tao is only being rewarded with the position of Military Commander of the infamous Puyang Army. Puyan Tao retorts that his paternal and maternal Tribes left him for dead once - why ever should he prioritize them over the people he truly cares about in his heart (e.g., Concubine Xian, his Master and the sect)?   Noble Consort Yuen finds out that the true reason the Emperor married Concubine Xian was actually because of Puyan Tao. The Puyan and Khitar Tribes thought that Puyan Tao's love for Yihuan far outweighed his sense of duty towards his Tribes (they saw how Puyan Tao chose to remain loyal to his Master and sect while Ouyan Zhi chose the Ouyan Tribe in the same situation), and thus strongly urged the Emperor to marry Yular Yihuan so Puyan Tao would be separated from her (no one else could stop Puyan Tao from striving towards his beloved). She is furious with the Emperor for not only separating the lovers, but also leading everyone, including herself, to believe that he was madly in love with Concubine Xian. She states that it would have been so much better if the Emperor had truly loved Concubine Xian, for at least Noble Consort Yuen could feel happy that the man she loved was content. To find out that it had all been a political scheme had shattered her heart completely. Wanting to be far away from Das'Vengar and the Emperor, Noble Consort Yuen requests that when the Crown Prince starts his years-long tour across the Empire, she be allowed to accompany him to guard him - that way, the Empress would also feel reassured. The Emperor, very sadly and knowing he has completely broken her heart, allows her to go.   Later on, the Empress comes to find her husband the Emperor who is still very much morose after his bust-up with Noble Consort Yuen. She tells him that she should not have lied to Noble Consort Yuen about his feelings for Concubine Xian. It turns out that the Emperor actually is in love with Concubine Xian, but lied to Noble Consort Yuen (in order to show her what kind of person he truly is, and how unworthy he is of her devotion). The Emperor asks the Empress how she can know his true feelings but she just wryly states that she is his wife and therefore, she knows. "The moment you laid eyes upon Xian Bin, that very first time, I saw the way your face changed. It was that look. You looked at her as you looked upon Yu Fei once." The Empress knows that the Emperor has never loved her nor Noble Consort Yuen like he loved Consort Yu, like he loves now Concubine Xian. The Emperor apologizes to his wife but she says, no need - she knew what she was getting into. He feels he has never given her what he owes to her (the sacrifices that her father and brother made to appease the Empress Dowager), but the Empress assures him that he still can - by making sure their son, the Crown Prince, ascends to the Dragon Throne successfully. As she leaves, the Empress laments that the Emperor keeps loving women who will never love him in return. "Yu Fei and Xian Bin both loved another. And I... Well, I did my duty and loved you when it was helpful. Out of us all, only Hailan's heart is truly sincere towards you. She wants nothing...except you." The Emperor admits that he had always admired the Empress and Noble Consort Yuen for their strength and competence - he felt he always needed them more than they needed him. With that, the Empress leaves.   Noble Consort Yuen learns that she is pregnant. However, instead of feeling joyful that she finally has achieved what she had always wanted, she feels only deep sorrow now. She can no longer escape the Imperial Palace (and thus the Emperor) - she will be stuck here forever with this child. She decides that the only way she can leave is if she left now, before anyone else found out. Making her excuses, she leaves the Palace. Both the Empress and Concubine Xian try to stop her in their own ways, but to no avail. Although Concubine Xian is scared that without Yuen Gui Fei's protection, she will not survive long in the Central Palace, but realizing the depth of her heartbreak, lets her go.   The Emperor finds out about his adoptive mother's plot against Puyan Tao and her own machinations and designs on the Puyang Army. He decides he had had enough of her schemes and puts her under house arrest. Thus, the Empress Dowager decides that the time is now for the coup against her foster son. However, Grand Princess Liyang and her husband, the State Duke of Yin, discover the plot. At the same time, Grand Princess Jimin also finds out what her mother and husband are trying to do and tries to go to the Palace to warn the Emperor. However, she is found by Ouyan Zhi who imprisons her in their home (for her safety) while he goes to the Imperial Palace to lead the Ouyan troops. Liyang is put under house arrest with the rest of the Imperial Family. Yuwen Kai, who was notified by his wife of the plot in time, leaves the city immediately to gather the experimental Lianmeng Army. He also gets word to Noble Consort Yuen, who immediately goes to Das'Puyang to call for Puyan Tao's aid (she is concerned that the Lianmeng Army will not be enough, especially because of the risk of betrayal and double-crossing by the ranking Ouyan officers of the Lianmeng Army). Puyan Tao only consents to taking the Puyang Army to Das'Vengar when Noble Consort Yuen points out that if the Emperor dies, so too does Concubine Xian. They leave for Das'Vengar.   The Imperial Family is under house arrest. The Empress Dowager, Consort Yu, and Grand Prince Ning argue about what to do with the Emperor and the Empress. Although Grand Prince Ning is a pretty stupid man, he doesn't want to ascend to the throne with the stain of patricide and matricide. The Empress has a face-off with her son who blames her for neglecting him all his life and letting him being humiliated all throughout his life by the rumors of his birth. He insists on hearing the truth from her - is he or is he not the Emperor's son? The Empress swears on her life (and his) that he is. In another room, Consort Yu confronts the Emperor. She tells him she never loved him (and hates him still for stealing the throne from his brother, her lover) and demands to hear confirmation that the Empress killed her son, the First Prince, and the Emperor knew about it but covered up for her! The Emperor consistently claims that she is wrong - the First Prince died of the Sleeping Sickness.   The Puyang Army, led by Puyan Tao and Noble Consort Yuen arrive as Das'Vengar. They are met by Yuwen Kai and his experimental Lianmeng Army at the front gates. It turns out that all the Ouyan members of Yuwen Kai's Lianmeng Army stayed loyal to their commander and the Emperor, unlike their counterparts in the Ouyan Army. The two armies fight their way into the Capitol. Puyan Tao urges Noble Consort Yuen to stay at the gates and not join the fighting since she is pregnant. However, she feels too worried and later joins the battle.   Puyan Tao faces off against his once disciple brother now enemy, Ouyan Zhi. They fight, but Puyan Tao gains the upper hand. In the heat of battle and wanting to avenge his Master, Puyan Tao delivers a killing strike. However, the strike is intercepted by Grand Princess Jimin who had managed to escape her imprisonment. She takes the blow to save Ouyan Zhi. It is only when she dies in his arms that Ouyan Zhi realizes that he loved his wife all along. To honor her last wish, he switches sides and works with Puyan Tao to defend the Emperor and his family. They are met by Noble Consort Yuen in the Imperial Palace, who saves both their lives.    Empress Dowager and Consort Yu secretly plot to murder the Emperor and Empress. They convince Grand Prince Ning to kill his own full-blooded brother, the Crown Prince. However, Noble Consort Yuen (accompanied by Puyan Tao and Ouyan Zhi who has changed sides) arrive to the Throne Room in the last minute. Ouyan Zhi dies saving the life of the Crown Prince. Puyan Tao mourns his disciple brother's death, but is grateful that he got his redemption. In the chaos, Noble Consort Yuen ends up killing Grand Prince Ning to save the Empress' life. However, the Empress is furious and saddened at her son's death. She blames Noble Consort Yuen, despite knowing deep down that Noble Consort Yuen did what she did to save her life.   After the coup fails, the Ouyan Tribe is severely punished. A half-crazed Consort Yu confronts the Emperor and reiterates that she has hated him all along. She again blames the Empress for killing her son, the Eldest Prince. In her crazed state, Consort Yu steals a sword from a guard and tries to kill the Emperor. However, Noble Consort Yuen steps in front of her blade, saving the Emperor's life. In the scuffle, Liyang kills Consort Yu.   Unfortunately, the blade pierced her womb. Noble Consort Yuen miscarries and is told by the healers that she can never bear a child again. She is so heartbroken by the fact that she almost dies from sorrow. However, Concubine Xian and the Emperor slowly nurse her back to health. Due to the Noble Consort Yuen's individual merit in saving the Emperor's life as well as the Yular Tribe successfully defending the Imperial Family of Lian, the Yular Tribe is rewarded. This makes the Liya Tribe very wary. In public, the Empress and her Tribe decide to guard against the re-ascendant Yular Tribe by targeting Concubine Xian, though in private, the Empress mourns on behalf of Noble Consort Yuen, who has lost what she cared about most despite still being angry at her killing Grand Prince Ning. Liyang also reunites with Yuwen Kai.    After seeing Puyan Tao reunite with Concubine Xian, the Emperor feels extremely guilty for their situation. He has also learned a valuable lesson from his one-sided love with Consort Yu that his selfishness has consequences. He allows the lovers to leave together - he will announce to the Empire that his beloved Concubine Xian died during the coup. Puyan Tao and Concubine Xian are initially happy. However, seeing the state that Noble Consort Yuen is in, Concubine Xian doesn't want to leave her in the Palace. Therefore, she declines the Emperor's offer and finally breaks up with Puyan Tao for good. She decides to accept her fate as one of the Emperor's harem. Although Puyan Tao is heartbroken by her decision, he is not surprised. He admires both Concubine Xian and the Noble Consort. He wishes only the best for them. Puyan Tao leaves Das'Vengar with the Puyang Army. However, on the way to the South, he stops besides his old sect to seek his Master's tomb. He tells his Shifu that Shifu had been right all along - Ouyan Zhi was not as hard-hearted as he thought himself to be and he, alas, was able to regain some sense of redemption. Puyan Tao resolves to live no longer in the past and to move forwards upon his new path.   Noble Consort Yuen regains consciousness. Though deeply depressed, she physically recovers, with the help of the Emperor and Concubine Xian who barely leave her side. The Emperor informs her of Concubine Xian's choice to stay in the Harem to be Noble Consort Yuen's companion. Noble Consort Yuen smiles and replies sincerely, "I am glad." The Emperor apologizes for not recognizing that Noble Consort Yuen's strength comes at a cost - he had depended upon it while taking it for granted. She tells him the Mar'Kaa, as the Children of the Fallen, were cursed with not being able to feel pain. Though other species may desire such a fate for themselves, they should not, for the pain of the heart is surely worse than the pain of the physical body. The Emperor teases her that she wouldn't know, for she, like the rest of them, has never felt physical pain. The Emperor asks her what she wants most in the world - he will give it to her, whatever it is. She asks only for permission to stay with him, as long as she can. "I don't deserve you. I never have." "I know. But as long as you try to deserve me, I am content."   Noble Consort Yuen meets with the Empress. She tries to explain to the Empress that she didn't have a choice but to kill Ning the traitor. The Empress states that Noble Consort Yuen now understands what it is like to lose a child (in reference to the Empress losing Ning and Consort Yu losing the First Prince) - no matter how unworthy the child is of their mother's love, the mother's love will always be unconditional. The Empress offers her a chance to make it up to her: get rid of Concubine Xian. She doesn't care if the Yular Tribe finds a replacement for Xian - she just wants to get rid of her. Knowing that it was due to Concubine Xian's care that she recovered and is still alive as well as the sacrifice she made for her, Noble Consort Yuen refuses to give her up and instead promises to the Empress that she will protect Xian at all and any costs. The Empress can try all she wants to kill Concubine Xian, but she will find Noble Consort Yuen standing in her way. An uneasy silence falls upon the two women as they unflinchingly stare at one another.   Grand Princess Liyang is made Commander General of the Imperial Guards. After she goes and sees her grandmother the Empress Dowager (who is still alive but under house arrest), she learns that Consort Yu's accusations were all true. Her mother, the Liya Empress, was behind the Eldest Prince's death! She did not purposefully infect the Eldest Prince with the Sleeping Sickness but certainly helped him on the way (she switched out some of the treatments etc.). Why did she do this? Well, the Eldest Prince had stumbled upon a clandestine meeting between the Empress and her secret lover. Who was this lover? The true father of Grand Prince Ning! To prevent the child from telling others, the Liya Empress arranged a mistreatment of his illness which resulted in his death.   Liyang is very upset with this information. When she tries to tell Noble Consort Yuen and her father the Emperor, Liyang discovers from their reactions that they both knew about it or at the very least had their suspicions. It is also implied that the Emperor knows about the Empress' infidelity. However, given what the Empress and the Liya Tribe have sacrificed for the Emperor, he chose and still chooses to do nothing. This revelation about her mother puts Liyang on a path of no return - she now realizes the true ruthlessness of the Liya Empress and will guard against her for the rest of her life. This eventually leads to Liyang saving the lives of the Seventeenth Prince (Raedin) and Noble Consort Yuen on Darkest Night.     Yuwen Kai, Liyang, and Li'er are sitting together looking at the moon one night. Liyang is still saddened over the death of her aunt, the Grand Princess Jimin, as well as her aunt's unhappy and conflict-filled marriage to Ouyan Zhi, who also died. She remarks that for all their married lives, Aunt Jimin and Uncle Zhi guarded against one another, living in suspicion due to their differing loyalties. Only in death, can they greet each other in peace and faith. She hopes they meet once again in the Hall of Judgement before passing onto their next lives. Yuwen Kai promises Liyang that their marriage will not be like that. The Lianmeng Army and the Imperial Guards, like the two of them, will remain united in their allegiances to the Emperor, and in the future - the Taizi: "of one mind, body, and heart".   Liyang: "Promise?" Yuwen Kai: "Promise."