Chapter 135: The Path to the Throne (1)

Chapter 135: The Path to the Throne (1)

Emperor Chengde did not particularly like Mi Tai Fu, but since Mi Tai Fu had mentioned that he was not in good health, he had to show some concern.

"Mi Tai Fu, I will send for the imperial physicians to check on your back and see what is wrong."

Mi Tai Fu quickly responded, "My back is just a bit sensitive to the wind. My body is otherwise fine, and I wish to continue teaching the Crown Prince. I earnestly request that you allow the Crown Prince to leave the palace and study under my guidance."

Mi Tai Fu smiled, his face wrinkled like the petals of an old chrysanthemum, for he was already eighty years of age.

"Long ago, I recognized that the Crown Prince has extraordinary talent. Seeing him brings me joy and makes me eager to guide him further, helping him compose more poetry, perhaps creating timeless masterpieces."

"Previously, the Crown Prince's focus had been on the Four Books and the Five Classics, with no one to guide him in poetry. This old minister has some insights in this area. Outside the palace, taking the Crown Prince fishing, appreciating flowers, and enjoying wine could inspire great poetry."

"I believe since the Crown Prince is also learning proper conduct and does not need to attend court, it would be beneficial for him to follow me and experience more of the world."

Emperor Chengde was taken aback. Recently, he felt that the cold weather had numbed his mind, for he had missed the best opportunity to remove Mi Tai Fu from the position of the Crown Prince’s tutor and instead inquired about Mi Tai Fu’s health, inadvertently giving the old man the upper hand.

He Lan Ting had previously mentioned to Emperor Chengde that Mi Tai Fu was too old and should not be overly exerted. Of course, He Lan Ting’s concern arose because Mi Tai Fu was a highly respected elder official, and she did not want the Crown Prince to gain too much support.

Now that Mi Tai Fu had spoken, Emperor Chengde could not easily replace him as Zhao Jiaze’s tutor. He had missed the best opportunity to do so.

However, upon reflection, it was not a bad idea for Mi Tai Fu to continue mentoring Zhao Jiaze in academic pursuits without teaching him the art of governance. Maintaining the status quo was acceptable.

As Mi Tai Fu aged, the more the entire court was satisfied with the Crown Prince, the more Emperor Chengde wanted to firmly hold onto power. As the emperor of the Great Qi, he held authority and believed he could live for many more years. Why should he relinquish power to the Crown Prince at this time?

The Crown Prince should start by learning humbly.

Emperor Chengde looked at the two figures in his study. Mi Tai Fu gazed eagerly at him, while Zhao Jiaze stood with his hands folded, displaying the utmost respect.

Even if Mi Tai Fu had some talent in his youth, he was eighty now! So old, likely senile.

Moreover, Mi Tai Fu had been in Jiang Nan for many years, far from the central court. What connections could he possibly offer Zhao Jiaze? It would be beneficial for him to learn more poetry.

"Very well," Emperor Chengde rubbed his temples, perhaps feeling oppressed due to the winter cold, the use of charcoal fires, and the frequent closing of palace doors.

"We, the old minister and the son, thank Your Majesty."

Their wish fulfilled, the elderly minister and the young man left the imperial study.

·

After the Crown Prince and Grand Tutor Mi left, Emperor Chengde went to the imperial garden to breathe fresh air.

Although the frost had withered the seasonal flowers, the evergreen trees and red maple leaves remained. Emperor Chengde had He Lanting invited to enjoy the scenery with him.

Lately, He Lanting had only been seeing Emperor Chengde at night. When she saw him in broad daylight, her heart skipped a beat. She felt that Emperor Chengde did not look well.

Upon closer inspection, the emperor's brows were relaxed, and it seemed her earlier impression had been mistaken.

He Lanting looked at the emperor intently and gently touched the corner of his eye.

Emperor Chengde's favor was her foundation in the harem.

"Why are you staring at me, my beloved concubine?" Emperor Chengde found the autumn air refreshing, which relieved his earlier chest constriction. His beloved wife's affectionate gaze made him feel content for the rest of his days.

Seeing the emperor's expression, He Lanting took his hand and whispered, "It's rare for you to invite me out for a walk in the daytime. Are you feeling tired? Please don't overwork yourself, my lord."

When He Lanting called him "husband," it always softened Emperor Chengde's heart.

Her clear, dark eyes held only his image. Emperor Chengde's voice softened, "My dear, I don't find it hard."

With the appointment of a crown prince, the court officials no longer scrutinized the harem as closely. The princes who had their eyes on the crown prince's position, whether they accepted Zhao Jiaze's legitimacy or not, had all quieted down.

Now that Zhao Jiaze's reputation was exceedingly prominent, the civil and military officials in court all spoke of his legitimacy for some time. These princes, even if they had good relations with civil and military officials, found it futile. It was better to wait and see. Even the most active Third Prince had ceased his efforts.

He Lanting softly said, "If my husband feels any discomfort, you must inform me."

"They say the emperor is a lonely man, but I am truly blessed to have you by my side."

The two of them shared a tender moment, but soon an eunuch hurried over, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chen, Lady Wei has fallen and is bleeding heavily now."

He Lanting sprang to her feet. Lady Wei’s pregnancy was already seven months along.

A folk saying goes that a seven-month-old fetus can survive, but an eight-month-old one might not. If anything went wrong, He Lanting was determined to save this child!

Lady Wei was being cared for in her own residence, and the Imperial Physician had assured her that the child would be a boy. She had discussed it with the Emperor, and they agreed that the child would be raised by her once it was born.

Outside the palace, He Lanting had raised the young Yan Ji as if he were a little adult. She was confident that she could raise Lady Wei's child just as well.

"Your Majesty," tears welled up in He Lanting’s eyes, "summon the Imperial Physician immediately. There might still be time to save Lady Wei's child and her life."

"Summon the Imperial Physician!"

Emperor Chengde was gradually aging, and his vitality was not what it once was, yet he increasingly wished to prove his prowess.

The child was proof that he was still capable, and even if it hadn't been predetermined that Concubine Chen would raise the child, he still cared deeply about it.

After ordering the Imperial Physician to be summoned, Emperor Chengde said to He Lanting, "My dear, with the Imperial Physician here, Lady Wei and the baby will surely be fine."

"Your Majesty," He Lanting bowed to the emperor, "I will go and see Lady Wei. It is unnecessary for Your Majesty to accompany me. The sight of blood might be too much for you."

He Lanting's words were always tactful. After the emperor left, her expression turned grim. "Return to the palace at once!"

He Lanting was swiftly carried back to her residence in a palanquin, just as Doctor Wang arrived.

"The child in Lady Wei’s womb must be saved no matter what!" He Lanting said concisely, "If the child cannot stay in her womb, deliver it alive for me to raise!"

"I will do my best," Doctor Wang understood He Lanting’s meaning.

Doctor Wang applied acupuncture and administered medicine. Lady Wei, with a ginseng slice in her mouth, used all her strength to deliver the fetus.

Being only seven months old, the baby was small and required less effort to deliver than a full-term infant.

Within half an hour, Lady Wei gave birth to the child. She had taken medication beforehand, knowing the child would not survive. Yet, she asked, "Imperial Physician, how is my child?"

The child’s skin was bluish-purple and limp, and it made no sound. Doctor Wang bent down, used his fingers to open the child's mouth and nose, and after cleaning them, sighed.

"I beg the Imperial Concubine to accept this with composure."

Lying in bed, Lady Wei had never been interested in the child. She had clung to Emperor Chengde solely to take revenge on the eunuch who had tried to arrange her as his "dui shi."

When Wei Meiren was found by Chenfei’s people, she thought that because Chenfei could not have a child herself, Chenfei coveted her child.

Wei Meiren actually wanted a daughter more than a son. If it were a son, he would be raised by Chenfei.

What Wei Meiren did not expect was that the Empress, who usually stayed out of court affairs, also came to find her.

Chenfei wanted her child, offering her wealth and honor, while the Empress wanted to use her and revealed the true reasons behind her family’s downfall.

The evidence of her father’s corruption had been planted by his mentor, who had come to arrange her marriage to her childhood sweetheart.

Her fiancé, who was thriving on the Wei family’s wealth, was advancing confidently in the officialdom, and he had also become engaged to a marquis’s daughter.

Her family was entirely wiped out, leaving only a younger sister, who had been sold to a brothel. Though she managed to escape before being forced to entertain clients, she had taken medication for a long time and might struggle to conceive in the future.

All of this was due to her fiancé’s family, who had aligned themselves with Chenfei and worked for Wei Wuhou. Reversing the Wei family’s case would only be possible after the death of Emperor Chengde.

Originally, Wei Meiren was indifferent to Emperor Chengde, but after learning the truth, she harbored resentment towards him.

Unwilling to keep the child in her womb, she decided to poison Emperor Chengde.

Wei Meiren carried out her plan. To protect the child in her womb, Wei Meiren was living in the side quarters of Chenfei’s residence, where she frequently saw the emperor during his visits.

While Chenfei and other concubines fiercely competed for the emperor’s favor, they did not guard against Wei Meiren, enabling her to harm both her child and the child’s father.

Thinking of this, Wei Meiren closed her eyes, refusing to look at the stillborn child.

The imperial physician checked Wei Meiren’s pulse again, confirming that her pulse was stable, and after some tidying up, carried the child to Chenfei.

"Empress Chenfei, I have failed; this child was stillborn."