At the very moment when Mandakini was discovered by the other palace women in the sculpted hall, a heated argument was raging between the Emperor and the Prime Minister.

No sooner had the daughter of Malayaman left than Prime Minister Aniruddha said, “Your Majesty! I have always maintained that certain matters should not be spoken of in the presence of women. Now, it has become necessary to speak of them and resolve them. The Pandya assassins are still lurking and moving about in this land. They are waiting for the right moment to fulfill their terrible vow.”

“This is nothing new, is it? Is this not news I already know? Is it not for this very reason that the Pazhuvettaraiyars have arranged such formidable protection for me?” the Emperor replied with a sardonic smile.

“It is true that you know about the assassins, but you cannot possibly know that these conspirators are receiving financial assistance from the very treasury of the Chola kingdom!” said the Prime Minister.

“Ah! What a fantastic tale this is!” exclaimed Sundara Chozhar.

“I am compelled to tell you even more astonishing tales than this. New gold coins from the treasury vault of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar were found heaped in the midst of the Pandya assassins. Here is my disciple Thirumalai, who saw it with his own eyes. If you command, he will describe it in detail…”

“That is not necessary. The Pazhuvettaraiyars have, for generations, shed their blood and laid down their lives for the Chola dynasty. Even if Harishchandra himself were to come and tell me that they are giving gold coins from my treasury to a band plotting to kill me, I would not believe it.”

“Forgive me, I am not accusing the Pazhuvettaraiyars of such treachery. But is it not possible that, without their knowledge, gold coins from our treasury could be reaching the conspirators?”

“How could that be? Can a soul depart without Yama’s knowledge?” “If Yama, perchance, had married a young maiden in his old age, perhaps even that might have been possible, Your Majesty!”

“I too did not approve of Periya Pazhuvettaraiyar marrying at this age. I have told him so myself. But for that reason, I cannot tolerate such accusations of treachery being leveled against him.”

“Emperor! I am not accusing Pazhuvettaraiyar of treason. It is upon the young queen he has married that I lay my charge.”

“It is one thing to accuse men; that can be borne. But to cast blame upon an unfortunate, helpless woman—this, I find most distasteful.”

“No matter how distasteful it may be, there are certain truths about the young queen of Pazhuvur that I must reveal to you. Once before, I failed to tell you an important truth at the right time, and I have had to regret it ever since. Just now, you too were angry with me. Therefore, I ask you to listen with patience.”

Hearing these tactful words from the Prime Minister, the Emperor smiled. “You always manage to