Chapter 79: The Day of Remembrance

Chapter 79: The Day of Remembrance

Of the two golden pills refined by Chong Xiao, one was used to test on a prisoner. After consuming it, the prisoner's face glowed, his eyes were dazed, and he lay on the bed happily, seemingly conversing with someone in the void. Occasionally, he would chuckle endlessly and chatter nonstop. Then, he would close his eyes and sleep deeply for a long time. When he woke up, his cheeks were rosy, and he appeared full of vitality.

Upon the prisoner's account, he said that after taking the pill, his soul seemed to float away as if it had left his body, soaring to the ninth heaven. There, amidst the celestial land above the clouds, he saw palaces and gardens connected by jade buildings, with willow-silk clad fairies standing on the steps. Many fairy maidens, with snowy skin and flower-like faces, gathered around him. A kind fairy even took him to meet the mighty Heavenly Emperor from afar, who was incredibly majestic. Another fairy sent a servant girl to attend to him. During that spring night, he experienced something indescribably delightful.

Yuan Zixu, upon hearing the inner guards' report about the pill's effect, was surprised and ordered the prisoner to be brought before him.

The prisoner, escorted by the inner guards, arrived at the hall. Before he could kneel down, he saw Yuan Zixu from afar and exclaimed in shock, prostrating himself immediately.

From a distance, Yuan Zixu was intrigued and asked, "Why such behavior?"

The prisoner lifted his head, filled with awe. "That noble figure up there is astonishingly similar to the mighty Heavenly Emperor I saw in the ninth heaven!"

Upon hearing this, Yuan Zixu's gaze narrowed but he called the prisoner into the hall for further questioning. The prisoner provided a detailed account, especially when describing the fairy maiden who served him. His eyes wandered, lost in a trance, and he couldn't help but ask with a smile, "You're just a mere mortal prisoner. How could a fairy have taken an interest in you? Perhaps it was just a fleeting dream after a night of indulgence."

The prisoner replied solemnly, "Though I was imprisoned for my crimes, I did study for a few years. Could this not be the scholar's encounter with a fairy in a dream? The fairy told me that originally, I had no connection to the divine realm, but by chance, I received the protection of a greatly fortunate person. By benefiting from their blessings, I had this one-night encounter with the divine, altering my destiny. My original lifespan was short, but now, with this divine connection, though I may not ascend to immortality, I will live to a hundred years old and have many descendants. Among my offspring, there will even be a great general!"

Suddenly, Yuan Zixu's expression darkened, and he shouted, "Bring this deceitful prisoner who dares to deceive the emperor! Drag him out and execute him at the Gate of Supreme Harmony!"

The prisoner's face paled at the words, but Yuan Zixu sneered coldly, "Now, as I order your beating to death, see how you can still alter your fate."

The prisoner gazed steadily at Yuan Zixu and, with remarkable calm, bowed once more. "The fairy maiden said that destiny is not constant, but changes at every moment. Your Excellency's countenance resembles the Heavenly Emperor, so surely you hold the power over life and death, determining people's fates. Perhaps the previous encounter with the fairy was also bestowed by you. Thus, I harbor no resentment. I only beg for your mercy, to grant me a swift end, dying at your command, for perhaps there remains a connection to the divine."

Yuan Zixu fell silent for a moment before ordering the man dragged away. Initially, he decided to have the prisoner beaten, but then changed his mind and ordered him to be returned to confinement. He also instructed the imperial guards to thoroughly investigate the prisoner's background, origins, experiences, and recent contacts within the imperial prison, in case someone with ulterior motives had approached him.

The emperor was known for his suspicions and unpredictable nature, and such scrutiny was typical. The imperial guards thus began their investigation, meticulously examining every detail for half a month. Their report revealed nothing out of the ordinary: the prisoner came from a military family, imprisoned due to his father's corruption. Originally, the entire family was to be executed, but because of his robust health, he was selected for the prison to test elixirs.

Yuan Zixu had been consuming medicinal pills for a decade, and the prison housed a large group of test subjects. Access to them was strictly prohibited, and each time a pill was tested, an eunuch and an imperial guard would draw lots. Adding the numbers and dividing by two determined the prisoner's cell number for testing. This system, devised by Yuan Zixu himself, ensured that no one could manipulate the selection process.

Receiving the report on the prisoner's background, Yuan Zixu made no comment, simply setting it aside without mentioning any decision about freeing or executing the prisoner. As for the other pill produced in this batch, he did not consume it, instead instructing that Chong Xiao be closely monitored. Chong Xiao remained unperturbed, continuing his daily routine of alchemy, scripture reading, and meditation, displaying no signs of anxiety.

In the blink of an eye, it was the anniversary of the late empress's passing. The crown prince rose early, donning mourning attire, and personally harvested some winter greens from the garden. After cleansing them in a purified chamber, he lit incense before the portrait of Empress Shen and bowed in prayer. He then entered a meditative state, emerging only at noon for lunch, which consisted solely of fruit and vegetarian dishes. Afterward, he resumed calligraphy, composing a poem and placing it on the desk. His face held a sheen of tears, but they quickly subsided, and he resumed reading.

However, the poem he wrote was promptly sealed in a box and delivered to the emperor's chambers.

Yuan Zixu opened the box and scanned the untitled four-line poem inside:

"Born with no desire to linger, the crane returns to the mountains; not seeking to endure the chill of mortal years. Occasionally venturing beyond the clouds, once ascending to the ethereal ninth heaven, there's no turning back."

He gave a cold laugh. "How noble, 'not remaining on earth to endure the bitter cold,' and 'leaving for the unreachable heights of the ninth heaven.' The Crown Prince has truly lofty aspirations."

He threw the poem back onto the imperial desk without comment, and instead asked, "Today is Empress Shen's memorial day. Didn't the Crown Prince mention going to the temple for worship?"

The inner guard replied respectfully, "No, Your Majesty. Only in the early morning, he paid his respects and offered incense to the portrait of the late Empress."

Yuan Zixu found it somewhat unexpected, yet he refrained from commenting. Given the current circumstances, even if the Crown Prince were to genuinely request, as in years past, to visit the temple for worship, he might not be so willing now. Naturally, Yuan Zixu couldn't help but suspect that perhaps the aged monk Wuwang had already formed an alliance with the Crown Prince.

Now he suspected both the Empress and the Crown Prince, and he couldn't bring himself to trust the elixirs refined by Chong Xiao. This inevitably stirred his anxiety. However, as night fell and the palace gates were yet to be closed, a petition was delivered from the residence of the Marquis Cheng'en. The Imperial Uncle, Marquis Cheng'en Shen Pingye, requested an audience with the Emperor, stating that there was an urgent matter to report.

Yuan Zixu was somewhat surprised. He had already instructed the Ministry of Rites to distribute tributes for Empress Shen's memorial day a few days prior. Shen Pingye had also requested an audience then, but Yuan Zixu had not granted it; instead, he received only a gratitude letter. Today being Empress Shen's memorial, why would he seek an audience again?

After some thought, he decided to summon Shen Pingye for an audience.

In no time, Shen Pingye entered, performing the customary three kneelings and nine prostrations. Yuan Zixu asked, "What is so pressing that you needed to rush into the palace to report?"

Kneeling once more, Shen Pingye replied, "I humbly beg the Emperor to forgive this old minister's delirious words. Today marks the memorial day of our late Empress. I had already instructed my people to donate money at temples, inviting high monks to perform rituals for her soul, and also provided charity to the common folk. In the inner chambers where the late Empress once resided, we lit incense before her portrait. However, I never expected that something unusual would occur this evening, causing this old servant great alarm."

Yuan Zixu was startled and asked, "What kind of anomaly?"

Shen Pingye replied, "In the room where the late Empress once resided, there were poems written by the Princess and His Highness the Crown Prince in the past, enclosed in silk frames on the wall. But today, four new lines appeared as if out of nowhere, with fresh ink as if someone had just filled them in. However, apart from my son who paid respects and offered tributes today, no one else has entered the room since it's the late Empress's memorial day. Upon seeing these verses, I didn't dare to touch them nor keep it hidden. Thus, I felt compelled to report this matter to Your Majesty and seek your guidance on how to proceed."

Upon hearing about the four lines, Yuan Zixu's heart stirred, and he asked, "What are those four lines?"

Shen Pingye promptly took a scroll out of his sleeve. Li Dongfu approached to receive it personally and instructed a young eunuch to unfold it for the emperor's perusal.

Yuan Zixu glanced down and saw the words "Leaving the world without a heart, the crane returns to the mountains." He was taken aback, looked closely, then turned to Shen Pingye with a composed expression. "Did you copy these lines yourself? Based on your observation, does the handwriting resemble that of the late Empress? Could it be her spirit manifesting?"

Shen Pingye looked a bit embarrassed and bowed again. "I dare not deceive the emperor. The writing on the wall doesn't resemble the late Empress's handwriting but... appears to be the Crown Prince's."

Yuan Zixu chuckled. "The Crown Prince spent the entire day in the palace and did not leave."

Shen Pingye nodded. "Yes, that's correct."

Yuan Zixu turned back to look at Shen Pingye, noticing his slight tremors and the fear and anxiety in his expression. He laughed softly. "A casual sojourner beyond the clouds, gone forever to the heavens' heights. This is a rephrased version of Liu Qingtian's poem about a swan soaring to the ninth heaven, unattainable. Liu Qingtian knew the past five hundred years and foresaw the next five hundred; he was especially proficient in astronomy and astrology. Yet, despite his longing for seclusion, he couldn't achieve it and died in despair... This poem seems detached, but its meaning is ominous."

Shen Pingye's face darkened, and he continued to bow without speaking.

Yuan Zixu turned to instruct the imperial guards, "Go with Li Dongfu to Marquis Cheng'en's residence and retrieve that poem scroll for me to inspect. Also, investigate if there have been any unauthorized individuals entering or leaving the palace in the past few days. In addition, look into the Crown Prince's recent whereabouts."

Shen Pingye's face grew increasingly pale. Yuan Zixu gently helped him up, saying softly, "My lord, there's no need to worry. Your descendants will have their own destiny." He inquired about the family's well-being and engaged in some casual conversation. Before long, the imperial guards returned with the scroll. Upon inspection, Yuan Zixu confirmed that it was indeed the Crown Prince's handwriting – the ink was still dark and lustrous, as if freshly written. Comparing it to the Crown Prince's previous poem, he noticed an uncanny resemblance.

Yuan Zixu didn't comment further but instructed the guards to escort Marquis Cheng'en back home and thoroughly inquire about the situation at his residence. The guard replied, "The late Empress's courtyard has always been heavily guarded. Today, Marquis Cheng'en's heir, Shen Anlin, personally presented the offerings and lit an extremely valuable agarwood incense, said to be a gift from the late Empress. Normally, he doesn't use it except on the late Empress's memorial day. It's said that the writing suddenly appeared early in the morning. After Shen Anlin offered the incense and stepped out to receive a plum blossom for the offering from a serving maid, he turned around and saw the lines of text on the wall. He was startled, assuming someone had scribbled them carelessly. He immediately ordered an investigation, but indeed, there was no one else in the room at that time."

Yuan Zixu was taken aback. "Agarwood incense?"

The guard confirmed, "Yes, the scent is very distinctive. Once we entered the room, we could smell it. I didn't recognize it, but Lord Li recognized it as the agarwood incense the Empress used to scent her clothes, which was a gift from His Majesty. It's no longer offered, so it's quite rare. Each stick burned is one less. Everyone who entered that room today carries the aroma of the agarwood incense on them."

Li Dongfu personally brought forward the incense burner, saying, "Anticipating the Emperor might ask, I've already ordered that the incense burner and other items from the altar be brought back for the Emperor's inspection."

Yuan Zixu examined the translucent white jade lotus-shaped incense burner and indeed, the alluring fragrance wafted out, mesmerizing anyone nearby.