Chapter 18: Matters of the Past

Chapter 18: Past Matters

A few days after the Winter Solstice, it was Zhu Yunxuan's birthday. In the first year of the new emperor's reign, it should have been a grand celebration. However, since the previous emperor had passed away less than a year ago, Zhu Yunxuan dismissed the suggestion from the Ministry of Rites and decided not to celebrate. Instead, he personally went to Yuanji Temple in the southern outskirts to perform a memorial ceremony for Empress Xie, who had passed away many years ago.

Empress Xie had died during childbirth while giving birth to Zhu Yunxuan, the legitimate second son. Thus, his birthday coincided with her death anniversary. For Zhu Yunxuan, this day had never been a joyous occasion. Since the day he was born, he had lost his mother, and throughout his childhood, people whispered behind his back that he had brought about her demise. Sometimes, even he himself believed that he might truly be an ill-omened person. His mother had passed away early, his father didn't favor him, his elder brother had faced difficulties, and ultimately, he was left alone in the vast imperial city, unsupported and vulnerable – perhaps it was retribution.

Now, by doing this small act for his mother, he sought solace in his heart.

The abbot at Yuanji Temple was an old friend of Empress Xie. In the past, she would donate a substantial amount of money to the temple annually and often visit personally to burn incense and pay respect to Buddha. Zhu Yunxuan learned about their friendship from an elderly maid who had served Empress Xie when he was in the palace.

The memorial ceremony lasted the entire day, and by the time the final memorial tablet was lit before Zhu Yunxuan, the sun was setting.

He then went to kneel and bow before the Buddha statue, lighting incense with devotion. Liang Zhen followed, also kneeling and offering his own incense.

For dinner, they had the temple's vegetarian meal, which was simple yet tasty. Zhu Yunxuan wasn't picky, and Liang Zhen enjoyed it immensely. Zhu Yunxuan's gaze lingered on the Buddhist beads around Liang Zhen's wrist, causing him to pause slightly. He couldn't help but ask, "Didn't you say you don't believe in deities? Why did you follow Your Majesty to burn incense before, and why do you always wear this string of Buddhist beads?"

Liang Zhen smiled. "Your Majesty is observant. Should I feel honored or alarmed?"

Noticing Zhu Yunxuan's displeased expression, he coughed softly, dismissing his playful tone. He explained earnestly, "My father believes, and these beads belonged to my father. It's the only thing I have from him. As for me, I believe more in the power of human determination over fate."

Zhu Yunxuan pondered earnestly. Perhaps Liang Zhen's arrogance stemmed from his disdain for all or his fearlessness due to having no attachments. But if it were anyone else, they would still cling to hope and seek the slightest divine protection, at least... that was what he would do.

They spent the night in the temple, as Zhu Yunxuan found the peaceful atmosphere appealing and decided to stay for two or three days before returning to the palace.

In the silent winter night, only the crackling of embers in the fire pit disturbed the tranquility. Seated in the meditation room, Zhu Yunxuan read by the dim light, feeling an unprecedented calmness within.

Liang Zhen approached stealthily, bringing a chill with him when he entered. Zhu Yunxuan lifted his gaze, his expression unruffled as he looked at Liang Zhen. "Why is Prince Zhao here?"

He wasn't worried that Liang Zhen would bother him with nonsense today. Even if Liang Zhen was daring, he wouldn't dare desecrate the sanctity of the Buddhist temple.

After warming himself by the fire for a while, Liang Zhen moved closer to speak with Zhu Yunxuan. "What is the Emperor reading?"

"Just some Buddhist scriptures."

Liang Zhen sighed inwardly. He genuinely feared that Zhu Yunxuan would become increasingly constrained by rules, weighed down by restrictions until he turned into a rigid and inflexible monarch, akin to the revered Buddha statues.

"It's Your Majesty's birthday today. I've prepared a birthday gift for you. Please do me the honor of taking a look."

Zhu Yunxuan's gaze shifted from the book to the object in Liang Zhen's hand, which was a warm yellow jade. Liang Zhen smiled as he handed it over to Zhu Yunxuan. "Feel it."

Zhu Yunxuan held the jade in his palm, feeling a subtle warmth seeping through it. Liang Zhen explained nearby, "This jade is quite unique. It's naturally warm in winter and cool in summer – a rare kind of gem. Keep it if you like, Your Majesty."

Zhu Yunxuan's emotions were mixed. Last year, Liang Zhen had also given him a birthday gift, a precious inkstone that once belonged to a great scholar from the previous dynasty. It was a gift for his coming-of-age ceremony, but with the late emperor gravely ill, there had been no formal ceremony. Only Liang Zhen had remembered the occasion. Unfortunately, in a fit of rage, Zhu Yunxuan had carelessly knocked the treasured inkstone off the desk in the imperial study, shattering it.

"Your Majesty, what are you thinking?" Liang Zhen called out gently, noticing Zhu Yunxuan's distraction.

Zhu Yunxuan snapped back to reality, replying calmly, "This is a fine gift. Thank you, Prince Zhao."

A faint smile played on Liang Zhen's lips, just as the temple bell tolled, echoing softly, deeply, and endlessly.

Gao An whispered a reminder to Zhu Yunxuan, "Your Majesty, it's time to extinguish the lights."

Following the temple's rules, Zhu Yunxuan nodded and told Liang Zhen, "Prince Zhao, you should return."

Liang Zhen smiled slightly. "Your Majesty, rest early. Tomorrow, I'll show you around the temple again."

Zhu Yunxuan slept soundly throughout the night, waking up only when the sky was bright. After finishing his breakfast, he noticed Liang Zhen was absent, so he wandered around the temple on his own.

Yuanji Temple was nestled in the mountains, occupying the entire hilltop. With its scenic surroundings of mountains and water, the temple was an enchanting attraction. Even high-ranking officials from the capital would occasionally visit for short stays. However, due to the emperor's visit for the religious rituals, the temple had closed its doors to other visitors, making it even more serene and tranquil.

Zhu Yunxuan ascended to an elevated pavilion, offering a panoramic view of the temple grounds. The monk guiding him was articulate and fluent, narrating the historical anecdotes and legends behind each hall and pavilion in the temple. Zhu Yunxuan held the jade stone that Liang Zhen had given him yesterday, attentively listening to every detail.

After a moment, Gao An, who was standing behind, stepped forward discreetly to remind Zhu Yunxuan, "Your Majesty, Prince Zhao is over there."

Following Gao An's indication, Zhu Yunxuan saw Liang Zhen sitting in a pavilion below, engrossed in a game of chess with an elderly, benevolent abbot.

Zhu Yunxuan narrowed his eyes slightly, watching as the chess game ended and Liang Zhen rose to walk towards him.

Upon approaching, Liang Zhen greeted him with a smile, "I noticed Your Majesty was still resting earlier, so I didn't disturb you. Instead, I played a game of chess with the old abbot. I didn't expect Your Majesty to have risen and be strolling in the garden."

Zhu Yunxuan nodded nonchalantly. Liang Zhen dismissed the guiding monk and instructed the attending guards to stay ten paces behind. He then led Zhu Yunxuan onwards.

Listening to Liang Zhen's knowledgeable narration about the temple, it was evident he knew just as much as the previous monk. Curious, Zhu Yunxuan casually asked, "Prince Zhao seems very familiar with this place and has a long-standing relationship with that old abbot?"

Liang Zhen did not hide anything, answering truthfully according to Zhu Yunxuan's question, "Yes, we've known each other for a long time. When I was eight, I accompanied my grandmother here to burn incense and met the old abbot. It was he who told me that my father had hidden here to give birth to me back then."

Zhu Yunxuan was taken aback, never expecting such an answer. He had always speculated about Liang Zhen's true background, piecing together bits of information from his occasional remarks. He had verified that there was indeed a companion from the Marquis of Anle's household during the late emperor's youth. However, he couldn't comprehend why, if the late emperor truly cared for Liang Zhen's father, he couldn't elevate him to a male consort. Why was Liang Zhen left as an illegitimate child, separated from his father for over a decade?

The Great Yan Dynasty, established over two hundred years ago, had only one male empress at its inception. But out of the six or seven emperors in between, most had male consorts in their harems, with varying ranks and some even fathering children. Emperor Zhaoyang was the exception, favoring Concubine He in his early years and then exclusively adoring Empress Chen in his later life. Despite his respectful treatment of Empress Xie, her residence, Fengyi Palace, remained untouched and her memorial tablet was enshrined there until the crown prince was deposed, leaving the emperor disillusioned and finally removing it.

It was believed that Emperor Zhao Yang did not have a preference for the southern wind, yet paradoxically, the illegitimate child he doted on with all his heart and soul was born of a man.

Noticing Zhu Yunxuan's hesitation to speak, Liang Zhen's lips curved into an indistinct smile, his eyes tinged with mocking darkness. "Emperor Qing Hui was the adopted son of Empress Dowager Qing Hui. For the throne, he followed his mother's advice and married the daughters of the powerful Xie and He families, one as empress and the other as concubine. After ascending the throne, he still wasn't satisfied and wanted to include my father in his harem. The Empress Dowager disagreed, so she secretly sent my father to this temple. At that time, my father was already expecting. And then..."

Liang Zhen's words were a mix of truth and fiction, making Zhu Yunxuan's heart tighten. He had a feeling that what Liang Zhen was about to say might not be what he wished to hear. Liang Zhen chuckled. "Not long after my father gave birth to me, he was discovered. Some were concerned that his son might pose a threat to the crown prince's position, forcing my father to a dead end. He leaped off a cliff on the back mountain, meeting a tragic end. I was saved by the old abbot and sent back to the Marquis of Anle's residence, becoming the son of the then heir's wife."

Zhu Yunxuan unconsciously clenched the jade in his hand. "A threat... to the crown prince's position?"

Liang Zhen looked at him, his lips curving into a strange, enigmatic smile. "The former Duke Xie, Xie Chongming, was Your Majesty's own maternal uncle, correct?"

Jade pebbles rolled across the floor as Zhu Yunxuan stared blankly at Liang Zhen, his lips trembling, unable to utter a single word for a long while.

Liang Zhen bent down to pick up the jade, which had chipped and gained a noticeable crack from colliding with the hard stone surface. Despite not shattering, its once flawless polish was now marred.

He returned the jade to Zhu Yunxuan nonchalantly, saying, "That former Duke is now long gone, not even ashes remain. One could say he got what he deserved."

Indeed, back then, the Xie family had been so arrogant. They had callously forced people to their deaths in their quest to protect the crown prince's position, only to ultimately trap and doom both the prince and themselves. It seemed karma had struck swiftly and relentlessly.

A flood of memories from the past rushed into Zhu Yunxuan's mind, and he suddenly understood why the late emperor had removed the plaque of Fengyi Palace after his brother's incident and Liang Zhen's return. He also realized why the late emperor refused to let his brother come back, even knowing he was innocent. It wasn't just about paving the way for Liang Zhen; he was retaliating against the Xie family. Despite both he and his brother being the late emperor's biological sons, they still carried the blood of the Xie family, the very blood that had belonged to the man the late emperor cherished most. They were, in essence, the enemies who had caused the death of the emperor's beloved.

"…Was all that you did to me… also… a form of retaliation?"