Chapter 138: The Deceitful Courtier

Chapter 138: The Deceitful Courtier

The emperor didn’t immediately answer, gestured for Xing En to leave, then walked over to Zhu Yan, taking a bowl of calming soup from Qu Gu and asking her to leave as well. He then sat down and said, "The medicine has cooled down. Drink this first, then get some good sleep and rest."

Zhu Yan took the medicine bowl in both hands but didn’t drink it. She looked at the emperor with slightly furrowed brows, hesitating, “Was what you said earlier just to placate me?”

“Ah Yan, my promise to you stands,” the emperor assured her.

The emperor hurried to soothe Zhu Yan, then looked at her seriously, “But in some matters, once the arrow is shot, it cannot be taken back. I can spare her life, but she can no longer remain as the Empress. She must enter a Taoist convent. That is my final limit.”

Perhaps Empress Liu was truly gentle and virtuous.

But after this incident, it was hard to guarantee she wouldn’t harbor resentment.

He never liked to gamble on people's hearts.

Even though he reluctantly agreed to spare Liu’s life for Ah Yan's sake, he still needed to minimize potential risks.

Zhu Yan opened her mouth, wanting to say she never intended to be Empress, but at this stage, it seemed inevitable and to deny it would appear pretentious. Besides, the emperor wouldn’t take such statements seriously. Saying more might only arouse his suspicions.

The emperor continued, “Regarding the affairs of the old palace, you can manage them if you wish. If not, Xiangyang can take over for you, or in the future, after Ah Ji and Ah Xie marry, Ah Xie can help you with it.”

Ah Xie referred to Ah Ji’s fiancée, Xie Wan, the future Crown Princess.

“You decide.”

Zhu Yan murmured, looking down. Holding the medicine bowl, she sipped the bitter brew slowly, as if torturing herself. After a long while, she added, “No matter what happens to the Empress’s status in the future, do not reduce her treatment as Empress.”

“Fine, as long as she behaves.”

The emperor nodded in agreement. He wouldn’t be harsh on Empress Liu in this regard. After all, Liu had been the Crown Princess for two years and the Empress for sixteen, never at fault. Aside from their marital bond, her years of service and hardship deserved recognition.

Once Zhu Yan finished the medicine, the emperor called in Qu Gu to help her rinse her mouth, then carried Zhu Yan back to their sleeping quarters to rest. He lit calming incense and stayed by her bedside, watching her fall asleep.

Whether it was the effect of the medicine or the exhaustion from the day’s fright, Zhu Yan quickly fell asleep as soon as she lay in bed.

The emperor watched Zhu Yan’s delicate sleeping face. Even in sleep, she clung to his hand, a sign of her dependency he usually cherished. If it weren't for these circumstances, Ah Yan’s attachment to him would have brought him even more joy.

——

Tianquan Hall, the Political Affairs Hall.

Where the chancellors worked. Receiving a message from Changxing, Imperial Secretary Hua Guang was the first to ask, "What has happened in the palace that His Majesty is so preoccupied he cannot attend to state affairs?"

"Nothing serious."

Changxing respectfully shook his head, replying formally, "The honorable chancellors should follow His Majesty's orders in handling state affairs, not neglecting them, to fulfill His Majesty's trust."

Hearing this sanctimonious response, Hua Guang couldn't help but feel frustrated.

The Imperial Secretary Linghu You pondered for a moment, then called Changxing aside and asked softly, "Is His Majesty currently in the Yaoguang Hall?"

"Your insight is as clear as a mirror," Changxing praised, reluctant to say more.

Linghu You didn't care for such praise. He wished he knew nothing. As a favored official of the Emperor, a key figure in the imperial government, and a chancellor, his name would surely be recorded in history, provided he committed no treason. The only question was whether he would be remembered as a wise or a corrupt official.

The difference lay in whether that eternal name would be that of a virtuous or a villainous chancellor.

Ever since the incident at the Zongzheng Temple, the Emperor has handled the Zhao royal line with thunderous methods. With his keen political intuition, he had an ominous premonition that this time, his actions were not merely aimed at restructuring the royal family, but also had implications for the inner court.

He didn't pay much attention to the Emperor's exclusive favor towards Noble Consort Yuan in the inner court.

After all, with the fourth prince being granted the title of Prince of Jingzhao and becoming the first royal to participate in the court as a feudal prince since the founding of the dynasty, the fourth prince was essentially the confirmed Crown Prince, lacking only a formal coronation. For Noble Consort Yuan, the mother of the fourth prince, continuous favor was a good thing.

The court officials desired a Crown Prince with a stable position.

Linghu You was more concerned that the Emperor intended to depose Empress Liu and elevate Noble Consort Zhu to her position. The current Zongzheng Temple Minister, Zhang Yi, personally promoted by the Emperor, was unlikely to oppose this.

He did not want to meddle in the Emperor’s internal affairs.

However, historically, the deposition and appointment of empresses have always been significant matters for the court, especially since Empress Liu is widely known for her virtue.

If he supports it, he fears being labeled a treacherous minister; opposing it might displease the Emperor and the Fourth Prince.

Taking a step back, Linghu You realized that if the emperor was determined to do something, there had never been a case where he couldn't achieve it. Previous Imperial Secretaries Liu Leque and Xie Wuzu couldn't stop the emperor, and now, neither could he and Hua Guang. With this realization, Linghu You quickly made a decision in his mind.

By evening, as he was leaving the Political Affairs Hall, he heard news from the inner court: Empress Liu was critically ill, and Princess Xiangyang had entered the old palace to assume the duties of the Empress.

Hua Guang muttered, “How did she suddenly fall ill?”

Linghu You, upon hearing this, internally acknowledged the inevitability and felt a weight lifted off his chest. He turned to Hua Guang and said meaningfully, "Brother Zhaozhi, this is the emperor's family matter."

Court officials should not intervene.

Zhaozhi is Hua Guang's courtesy name.

Hua Guang's face stiffened slightly, and then, as if guessing something, his expression grew troubled.

Linghu You wasn’t surprised; no one in the central government was a fool.

——

It wasn’t until the next afternoon that the emperor went to Kaiyang Hall to see Yang Xin.

The emperor, without mentioning the sudden recall of Yang Xin, first inquired about another matter, "How has the court reacted to Xiangyang entering the old palace to perform the Empress's duties?"

"The imperial clan and nobility are mostly concerned about the Empress's health. The reactions among the ministers vary, and there has been no significant commentary. Additionally, the Liu family has sent requests to visit the Empress."

"Tell Xiangyang to refuse them all."

After speaking, the emperor instructed, "Later, send for Xiangyang. I want to see her."

Yang Xin promptly acknowledged and then heard the emperor order, "Later, go to Fengyi Palace and deliver my decree. Retrieve the Empress's seal and tell her to feign illness. In six months, citing chronic illness and inability to fulfill her duties, she should request to step down from her position, enter a Taoist convent, and devote herself to the Three Pure Ones, abstaining from worldly affairs. I will spare her life, and she will retain the privileges of an Empress."

"Also, tell her that her future conduct will affect the honor and disgrace of the entire Liu family. She should reflect on this."

Yang Xin quickly accepted the order, not surprised. Once again, he realized that the lady of Yuanguang Hall indeed had the power to change the emperor's mind. Feeling increasingly uneasy, he remembered returning to Qixing Palace with Xing En the previous day but hadn't been summoned by the emperor as quickly as Xing En.

Yang Xin stood at the lower end of the hall, hands clasped, waiting for the emperor to speak and not daring to suggest leaving on his own.

The emperor remained silent.

The great hall suddenly became quiet.

Yang Xin distinctly felt the emperor’s scrutinizing gaze piercing him like thorns. Though it lasted only briefly, to him it felt excruciatingly long. Chills ran down his spine, and fine sweat formed on his forehead. Growing increasingly nervous, he dared not make the slightest move.

It seemed like a long time had passed.

Then he heard the emperor ask, “How did you come to know so timely that Empress Yuan was going to the old palace yesterday?”

“I have assigned guards specifically to watch over Empress Yuan,” Yang Xin answered truthfully, not daring to conceal anything.

“Is someone watching Yuanguang Hall?”

Alarmed by the emperor's suspicion that he was spying on Zhu Yuan, Yang Xin, without a second thought, knelt down abruptly. “I would never dare. I only had guards follow the Empress when she left the palace, to ensure her complete safety,” he explained, gaining some courage to continue as the emperor did not immediately reprimand him.

“Under Your Majesty’s rule, the government is clear and bright. Near the Son of Heaven, it’s a world of clarity and order. But considering the Empress’s invaluable importance, her safety outside the palace cannot be guaranteed as within. It was out of concern for her well-being that I boldly arranged for guards to follow her secretly, to add an extra layer of protection for her travels.”

The emperor’s gaze, sharp as an eagle’s, fixed on Yang Xin as if discerning the truth. After a long pause, he finally spoke, “You are indeed audacious.”

As soon as these words were uttered, Yang Xin quickly bowed his head in apology.

The emperor then said sternly, “Withdraw your men. You are one of my close attendants; you should know very well what you can and cannot decide on your own. I do not wish to see a repeat of this.”

Yang Xin hurriedly acknowledged and only dared to stand up and leave after being dismissed by the emperor. His back was drenched in sweat, as if he had just walked through the gates of hell. Only when he sat in the carriage, assisted by a junior eunuch, did he finally relax. This experience made him even more resolute.

He never dared to underestimate the influence of the inner court.

Therefore, he thought of offering beautiful women to divert the Emperor’s favor, as he had once gravely offended Imperial Consort Yuan. He didn’t believe Xing En’s words that the Consort held no grudges.

After all, no one who had ever offended Imperial Consort Yuan in the palace had met a good end.

His personal attendant then reported, "Eunuch, last night someone from the residence of the Princess of Liyang came seeking your advice. They said the Empress is seriously ill and they are inviting the Emperor to an outing at an external garden to enjoy the flowers. Is it appropriate?"

Yang Xin listened but did not immediately respond. He pondered for a long time, his naturally dark face betraying no emotion.

The young attendant, familiar with his habits after serving by his side for so long, waited quietly.

It was not until the carriage reached the old palace that Yang Xin instructed, "Inform the visitor that after the day after tomorrow, during the funeral of Marquis Anding, I might be ordered to visit the Yang residence."

The Yang residence of Marquis Anding, belonging to the maternal family of Empress Yang from the Taizong era, was now in mourning for the current Marquis. As per tradition, the palace would send someone to convey condolences. If he successfully undertook this task, it would be an excellent opportunity to meet with Princess Liyang in person.

To avoid suspicion, he couldn't openly associate with the princess.

Initially, when Princess Liyang sought him out, it was done covertly through gifts and messages delivered by intermediaries.

However, to ensure the smooth progression of their collaborative plans, he felt it necessary to meet with Princess Liyang personally. Knowing the Emperor's temperament well, he realized this was his only chance. If successful, he would no longer fear the influence of Consort Zhu.

A loss, however, could mean irreparable ruin.

Staking his entire career and life, he had to be extremely cautious.

Renowned and influential through three reigns, Princess Liyang's reputation was well-known. He believed she would arrange the meeting discreetly, an opportunity to assess whether she was worth the gamble and partnership.

On the agreed day, Yang Xin met with Princess Liyang in a waterside pavilion of a secluded courtyard in the Marquis Anding residence.