Chapter 12: Sowing Discord

Chapter 12: Sowing Discord

In the Xuan De Palace, court was in session.

For the past half-hour, Zhu Yunxuan had listened to Liang Zhen and the prime minister, Zeng Hua, argue incessantly over the new general for Qiong Pass. Neither would budge from their stance from the previous day. Zeng's face flushed red as he grew more agitated, while Liang remained calm and unperturbed, responding to every three of Zeng's words with one of his own, each biting and unyielding, sparing no dignity for the newly appointed prime minister. Yan Shixue chimed in behind Zeng, but the two cabinet ministers combined could not match Liang's sharp tongue and thick skin. They all fumed with frustration.

Everyone else stood idly by, unwilling to intervene. Zhu Yunxuan's brows drew together, his gaze sweeping across the assembly before settling on Liang Zhen. He paused, then interrupted the endless debate, "Since there is no consensus, let the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel jointly recommend candidates. Afterward, present the list to me for a final decision."

The ministers of war and personnel promptly stepped forward, respectfully accepting their orders.

Liang lifted his gaze to meet Zhu Yunxuan's, a slight quirk of his lips. Zhu Yunxuan turned away, refusing to look at him.

Two days later, a joint recommendation list from both ministries arrived before the emperor. It contained three names, all generals from the capital's garrisons, including Xu Sen, the vice-general of the Southern Capital Camp, whom Liang Zhen had fervently endorsed.

The minister of war bowed, reporting with trepidation, "The former deputy general of Qiong Pass, Ding, was stubborn and overly impetuous, unsuitable for promotion to commander. As for the other deputy, General Jiang, his experience is still limited. We believe it's best to send someone from the capital. These three are seasoned, steady commanders with years of military experience. They are surely capable of handling this crucial task. We request Your Majesty's judgment."

Zhu Yunxuan looked coldly at the officials assembled before him, heads bowed in reverence. Their cautious demeanor spoke of deference, but how many truly supported him as emperor was known only to themselves.

"Did you all come up with these names?"

The Minister of War replied, "It was the decision after our discussion."

After a moment of silence, Zhu Yunxuan suppressed his anger and said, "Allow me to think more about it. You may all withdraw for now."

Once everyone had left, Zhu Yunxuan swept his hand across the table, sending the inkwell, brush holder, and paperweight crashing to the floor. The attendants in the palace immediately knelt down. Gao An, with a pained expression, pleaded, "Your Majesty, please calm your anger..."

"Calm my anger?" Zhu Yunxuan laughed in fury. "Does anyone even care if I'm angry? They all obey me superficially while disobeying secretly. Do they even remember that I am the emperor?!"

As he spoke, Liang Zhen entered the room, witnessing the scene. He raised an eyebrow. "Which ignorant one provoked Your Majesty to such anger?"

Zhu Yunxuan lifted his gaze, his eyes cold as he glared at Liang Zhen. Through gritted teeth, he said, "Prince Zhao truly has remarkable skills. Among all the officials in the court, how many have not fallen under your influence?"

Liang Zhen chuckled. "Why can't Your Majesty understand what you're saying?"

"You stop pretending with me! I asked the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Personnel to recommend candidates for the new commander of Qiong Pass. Why did they all align with you, proposing your loyalists from the two capital armies?!"

Liang Zhen shook his head slightly. "Your Majesty, I've said it before. I have no ulterior motives in this matter. Ding Yang is simply not suitable, regardless of his character. Not only is he incapable of taking on the responsibility of the Qiong Pass Commander, but also..."

"And what?!"

"Does Your Majesty insist on having me spell it out?" Liang Zhen gazed directly into Zhu Yunxuan's eyes and said in a somber tone. "Moreover, he and General Jiang Yan, another vice commander of Qiongguan, are both trusted subordinates of Marquis Ding Yuan. They have followed him through life and death, pledging their unwavering loyalty. If you transfer Marquis Ding Yuan to the south while leaving his confidants in charge of this northwest border, how can Your Majesty not be worried with him wielding such military power? Not to mention, there's also the former Crown Prince who has returned from the dead by his side."

Zhu Yunxuan was taken aback, his face turning even more ashen. His dark eyes were now completely tinged with anger. "Prince Zhao, there's no need for you to sow discord here. I may not trust others, but I absolutely trust Marquis Ding Yuan. Don't assume ill intentions where there are none!"

Liang Zhen scoffed. "If Marquis Ding Yuan is a gentleman, then what am I? Does Your Majesty know the phrase 'human hearts are fickle'? When the deposed Crown Prince was unjustly sentenced to death and later escaped under false pretenses, do you truly believe he had no resentment? This throne should have been his. Now that he has Marquis Ding Yuan's support, if he were to harbor any ambitions, what would Your Majesty do?"

Zhu Yunxuan barked fiercely, "Silence! I know my brother better than anyone else. How dare you speculate and slander him like this!"

Instead of stopping, Liang Zhen stepped forward, becoming even more daring and confrontational. "I understand Your Majesty's deep bond with the deposed Crown Prince, but how much weight does that sibling affection hold against the power of the imperial throne? If the deposed Crown Prince were sitting on this throne today, Your Majesty could still serve as a wise prince assisting the monarch. I'm sure he would treat you kindly too. But fate has made you the emperor, while he fell from being the Crown Prince to an outlaw, forced to change his name and live in hiding. Can he truly let go of such a disparity without any grudge? You trust him and Marquis Ding Yuan blindly. If he seizes an opportunity, can you be certain he won't turn against you with disloyal intentions?"

"Shut up! Shut up!" Zhu Yunxuan was furious, leaning on the table to support his faltering body. His bloodshot eyes glared at Liang Zhen, gritting his teeth as he enunciated each word. "Listen carefully, Your Majesty. I insisted on this throne for the sake of my brother. If he wants it back, I'll give it to him. Your opinions are not welcome!"

With the last word, Zhu Yunxuan's eyes closed as he slumped forward. Liang Zhen's pupils constricted, and he instinctively rushed forward, catching him with both hands.

Gao An panicked, hurriedly ordering someone to summon the imperial physician while she looked at Zhu Yunxuan in Liang Zhen's arms with a distraught expression. Through her sobs, she told Liang Zhen, "Since the day Your Majesty ascended the throne, he hasn't slept more than two hours a day, tirelessly working for the country. He caught a cold a few days ago but refused to call for the imperial physician, saying it wasn't serious and didn't want to cause unnecessary alarm. I couldn't persuade him otherwise..."

Liang Zhen's expression turned grim. He lifted Zhu Yunxuan horizontally and carried him into the inner chambers.

The imperial physician arrived hastily and diagnosed the illness as a cold. He assured that after taking two doses of medicine, the emperor would recover. Liang Zhen, leaning against the bed, frowned and asked, "Why hasn't the emperor awakened yet?"

The imperial physician lowered his head, not daring to even breathe heavily as he cautiously replied, "His Majesty was overwhelmed by anger and anxiety, causing him to faint due to lack of breath. He's been unwell recently and has been overworking himself, unable to withstand any more stimulation. He should regain consciousness soon."

"Is he truly alright?"

"The Emperor is young and has a strong constitution, but this cannot continue. His health is paramount. I will prescribe another remedy. If His Majesty takes more rest and follows the treatment for some time, there should be no cause for concern."

Liang Zhen nodded. "Go and prepare the prescription."

Zhu Yunxuan lay with his eyes tightly shut, seemingly unrestful even in his slumber. Liang Zhen tucked the blanket around him, watching him intently.

Gao An sobbed softly, which grated on Liang Zhen's nerves. He scolded him in a low voice, "If you keep crying, get out. Do you have any semblance of a chief eunuch? Is this how you serve His Majesty?"

He suddenly regretted his decision, wishing he had kept Feng Sheng around. At least the old man could have helped monitor Zhu Yunxuan.

Gao An hastily wiped away his tears, preparing to leave, but Liang Zhen stopped him again. "I ask you, was His Majesty truly troubled by the selection of the Qiongguan General?"

"Yes... Yes, he was..."

"What did Lord Zeng tell him?"

Gao An hesitated, unwilling to speak. Liang Zhen shot him a sidelong glance. "Can't you say it?"

"…This servant dares not comment on such matters. I beg Your Highness's forgiveness." Gao An replied stiffly and then, without further words, bowed and withdrew.

Liang Zhen scoffed softly. He could guess what had been said anyway. The old fellow must have repeatedly warned Zhu Yunxuan, accusing him of ulterior motives and a desire to seize control of the military in Qiongguan. That was why he insisted on sending someone from the capital. Zhu Yunxuan was already wary of him; with that rigid old man at his side, he would likely be even more distant.

After a long while, Liang Zhen lowered his head and placed a gentle kiss on Zhu Yunxuan's lips. Sighing softly, he thought, Forget it, I won't oppose you this time.

When Zhu Yunxuan woke up, it was almost dusk. Seeing Liang Zhen sitting by the bed, his expression immediately turned colder. He croaked out an order to the waiting Gao An, "Help me sit up."

Gao An supported him into a seated position and handed him a freshly prepared medicine. Without blinking, Zhu Yunxuan took it and drank it all in one go. Liang Zhen watched his every move, smiling slightly only after he finished the medicine. "Your Majesty has been on the throne for how long and is already ill? So frail, how long can you hold onto your imperial throne if no one needs to do anything?"

Zhu Yunxuan looked at him sternly. "Are you done speaking?"

Liang Zhen shook his head. "Your Majesty, I did not mean to upset you. Why must you react like this?"

Zhu Yunxuan closed his eyes wearily. "Then you may leave."

"From now on, make sure you rest before the hour of the pig each day. I will read your daily records every day," Liang Zhen instructed.

"You-!"

"The imperial physician has advised His Majesty not to be angered. It is imperative for the Emperor to preserve his health."

"Then don't provoke me!"

Zhu Yunxuan's eyes reddened as he gazed at Liang Zhen's shimmering gaze filled with tears. Liang Zhen couldn't help but smile; he had heard the palace elders discuss before how the Fifth Prince was lively, carefree, yet also incredibly delicate. Now that he had ascended the throne, maintaining his regal demeanor, his inherent nature remained unchanged. He couldn't endure injustice, his eyes welling up with tears at the slightest provocation – truly, a stern exterior hiding vulnerability.

Suppressing his laughter, Liang Zhen said, "If His Majesty were seen in this state by court officials, all semblance of imperial dignity would vanish."

Zhu Yunxuan shot back coldly, "Does Prince Zhao think he is not an official himself?"

Liang Zhen chuckled softly and fell silent.