Chapter 159

Chapter 159: Disappearance

Master Weiyi was oblivious that his past was about to be thoroughly unearthed. At that moment, he sat in the palace, nervously sipping a bowl of soup. Made from ingredients he could never have afforded, it had been simmered overnight, yielding just this small portion. Yet, his hands trembled so violently that half of what he tried to drink spilled before it reached his lips.

The attending eunuch kept his gaze lowered, observing the spilled soup stains on the floor. He couldn't help but inwardly lament the waste of such a fine broth. He discreetly sniffed; the enticing aroma from the small pot made his mouth water. If it were he drinking, not a single drop would be left—no trickle would escape his lips, and if it did, he’d lick it clean.

“You all can share the rest. I need to rest for a while,” Master Weiyi said after a few sips, barely touching the food before setting down his chopsticks.

One of the young eunuchs nearby cheerfully responded, “Thank you, Master.” They cared not that it was leftovers; without them, they would never in their lives taste such delicacies.

Master Weiyi hummed faintly in acknowledgment before retreating to the side chamber and lying on the bed.

The two eunuchs clearing the table worked quietly and efficiently, then carried the leftovers to a side room where they eagerly devoured them. The taste was as exquisite as they had imagined, and as they ate heartily, their conversation grew more unrestrained.

“What’s wrong with him? He can’t even eat such delicious food, especially this soup—it’s so good I could die. But him? He spills as much as he drinks.”

These two eunuchs hadn’t originally been assigned to close attendance. It was only after Master Weiyi entered the palace and required personal attendants that they pulled strings to secure the positions.

When Master Weiyi first arrived at the palace, he had eaten like a starving ghost, leaving nothing behind of the meals served—everything went into his stomach. He’d even looked as though he wanted to lick the plates clean. So why was it that now he couldn’t bring himself to eat anything?

The two eunuchs couldn’t fathom it.

“Exactly! He’s highly respected now. When Prince Qihui returns and takes the throne, he’ll have to thank Master Weiyi properly. Nobody would dare cross him then? I don’t know what he’s so afraid of.”

Both were perplexed. After finishing their meal quickly, they burped and had junior eunuchs clear the dishes. Then they returned to the room to await their next assignment.

Although they weren’t serving the emperor, his consorts, or any princes or princesses, their positions were still far better than those of most eunuchs. Content with their situation, no matter their private criticisms, they served diligently.

They finished their meals faster than servants in other palaces, afraid of missing when Master Weiyi needed them.

Naturally, Master Weiyi didn’t hear the eunuchs’ conversation. Lost in thought, he tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. Hearing footsteps outside, he grew anxious and curled up, waiting silently. When no one entered, he realized it was just his attending eunuchs returning.

They stood in the outer room to avoid disturbing him, ready to respond at his call.

The emperor had yet to awaken, so the consorts and princes took turns attending to him—a duty they couldn’t delegate, as it was an opportunity to show how devoted they were. After days and nights of this, coupled with their own schemes, many consorts and princes had grown visibly exhausted.

-

Prince Wulie had developed blisters on his lips and was drinking a tea to reduce internal heat, sent by his wife. He’d already consumed three pots of it, but it had done no good.

Although he didn’t need to personally tend to the emperor—the most he did was tuck in the blankets—he inevitably encountered his brothers at the palace. Seeing their father unconscious and their fifteenth brother, Prince Qihui, backed by an imperial decree, his brothers had grown bolder, almost taunting him for his years of planning yet being overshadowed by a brother who hadn’t even established his own household outside the palace.

No one questioned the authenticity of the decree anymore; it was quietly accepted as real. Grand Tutor Song insisted it was the emperor’s handwriting, and Eunuch Huang verified that Master Weiyi had been the most trusted by the emperor before his collapse.

Prince Wulie took another sip of tea, touched the corner of his mouth, and winced at the sting. He slammed the cup down onto the table angrily. “Prince Qihui returns to the capital tomorrow, and you still haven’t found out about Master Weiyi’s past?”

His subordinates exchanged glances, silently enduring his anger.

Venting his frustration made Prince Wulie feel slightly better, so he continued to yell. However, aware that he hadn’t yet ascended the throne, he knew he had to treat his retainers well. Thus, his personal guard took the heat, made to kneel and endure the abuse.

“He’s just a con artist brought into the palace by the fifteenth prince, and you can’t even uncover his background? How dare you show your face before me?”

The guard stammered an explanation: “Your Highness, while I was investigating, another group was also looking into him. I didn’t dare attract attention, so I took my time.”

A minister remarked, “Could it be Prince Yongming investigating as well?”

Prince Wulie said through clenched teeth, “Who else could it be?” He then kicked the kneeling guard. “You knew others were investigating, yet you didn’t hurry? Do you want them to get there first?”

The guard, unable to complain, fell to the ground from the kick but quickly knelt upright again.

“If you don’t have answers by today, don’t bother returning,” Prince Wulie warned. The guard captain nodded nervously, sweating profusely, and slipped out of the room.

Perhaps motivated by the threat hanging over him, the guard finally made progress. He apprehended several individuals, forced them to write down their experiences with Master Weiyi, and rushed back to the prince’s residence to report.

By then, the officials aligned with Prince Wulie had already retired for the night. Some were elderly and couldn’t endure consecutive sleepless nights; any longer, and they’d likely fall ill like the emperor.

Prince Wulie was awakened by his servants and was about to erupt in anger when he learned it was the guard he’d reprimanded earlier. Assuming there was news, he went to his study to hear the report.

“Your Highness, Master Weiyi is indeed a fraud! Before entering the palace, he made a living by swindling people, even causing families to break apart and ruin. I’ve brought the witnesses—here are their written confessions.” The guard raised the documents overhead.

He had acted decisively, detaining several individuals connected to Master Weiyi. Using threats, incentives, and coercion, he extracted confessions—whether true or false—and hurried back with the documents and witnesses to report. His priority was saving his own skin by delivering results, regardless of their accuracy. Still, he felt uneasy. As the prince took the documents, the guard kept his head lowered, cold sweat pouring down his back.

Prince Wulie skimmed the confessions, his smile widening the more he read of Master Weiyi’s misdeeds.

According to the documents, Master Weiyi’s real name was Liu Yong. He had once sold fake medicine at a street corner in Stone Alley, Anding District, claiming it guaranteed male offspring. A Mrs. Zhang, in need of such a remedy, secretly purchased the medicine. Liu Yong insisted it must be taken continuously for six months, three times a month, swindling eighty-eight taels of silver from her. Before she could finish the regimen, she gave birth to a stillborn child...

The confessions detailed numerous other offenses. The guard himself felt disgusted, thinking, “What a monster.” Yet, not only had Liu Yong escaped consequences, he’d now become a revered master in the palace. If his victims found out, they’d be furious.

The stack of confessions was thick, documenting over ten incidents—though their veracity remained unclear. Anxious for his life, the guard had coerced the witnesses; some timid souls might have fabricated stories. With Prince Wulie’s deadline looming, he had no time to verify the claims and returned with the witnesses and documents.

After reading a few pages, Prince Wulie’s smile broadened. He tucked the confessions away and called for servants to help him dress.

-

Yun Shaohua was deep in sleep when she faintly heard Zi Hui’s voice.

Seeing her awake, Zi Hui hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, Prince Wulie has taken men into the palace.”

Yun Shaohua lay on her couch, slow to process the words. After a moment, she frowned. “What’s happened now that he’s entering the palace with men in the middle of the night?”

In the past, when the emperor was conscious, Prince Wulie would never have dared enter the palace without a summons, especially at night. Even now, with the emperor critically ill, she, as empress, remained. Prince Wulie’s actions clearly treated her as a mere figurehead. Yun Shaohua’s hands trembled with rage. Zi Hui, frightened, whispered, “Your Majesty, Your Majesty...”

Yun Shaohua threw off the covers. The palace maids immediately clustered around to assist with washing and dressing. It wasn’t that she clung to power; rather, Prince Wulie’s sudden move unsettled her, leaving her restless and irritable, with no outlet for her frustration.

Soon, she sat poised on the main hall’s chair, her majestic robes enhancing her imposing presence. The maids finished attending to her and withdrew cautiously to the sides.

“Chen Lianggong, go and find out why Prince Wulie has entered the palace at this hour.”

Even without Yun Shaohua’s order, Chen Lianggong had already intended to do so. Worried about his future comfort, he aimed to curry favor with whoever would ultimately become emperor.

Putting on a show of obedience, Chen Lianggong acknowledged the command and left. En route, an apprentice he’d sent earlier came running back.

Chen Lianggong asked, “Did you find out? Why has Prince Wulie come to the palace?”

The young eunuch, still drowsy, replied miserably, “Master, they wouldn’t tell me.”

Chen Lianggong shot him a sharp glare. The apprentice jolted awake, straightening his posture. “Master, I saw them heading toward the Star-Gazing Pavilion. Prince Wulie brought many guards armed with swords—it was terrifying. I didn’t dare ask more...”

Chen Lianggong never considered his own shortcomings; failures were always others’ faults. Unlike his eloquent self, his apprentice lacked the nerve. But Chen Lianggong failed to realize that confronting Prince Wulie and his armed guards over an urgent matter would yield nothing.

Still dissatisfied, Chen Lianggong froze upon hearing that Prince Wulie had gone to the Star-Gazing Pavilion. That wasn’t a consort’s residence—it was where Master Weiyi practiced his asceticism. Since producing the decree, Master Weiyi had become a respected figure in the palace, whom no servant dared slight. What was Prince Wulie planning with such a show of force?

A terrifying thought crossed Chen Lianggong’s mind. He shuddered, unsure whether from fear or the chilly night air. Not daring to delay, he hurried back to report.

“Your Majesty, Prince Wulie has taken many guards to the Star-Gazing Pavilion. They’re armed with swords—it looks alarming. I wanted to inquire but couldn’t learn anything,” Chen Lianggong said, feigning distress.

Yun Shaohua didn’t doubt him, preoccupied with deciphering Prince Wulie’s motives.

Master Weiyi’s privileged treatment in the palace hinged entirely on his production of the decree, which had shifted the balance of power. Prince Wulie and his allies undoubtedly saw him as a thorn in their side. Visiting him at such a critical juncture surely boded no good.

Yun Shaohua got a headache just thinking about it and said to Zi Hui, "Please send for Imperial Physician Wang."

Zi Hui glanced at her but couldn't detect any signs of discomfort on her calm face. Still, she didn’t dare ask further and immediately went to fetch him.

In the latter half of the night, Zi Hui was woken by the sound of chaotic footsteps outside. It took her a moment to wake up properly and remember she was in the palace, not the marketplace—how could such noise be allowed here?

She got dressed, and by then, the eunuch keeping watch had already gone out to investigate. When he returned, Zi Hui went up to him and asked, "What’s going on? Why is there such a commotion outside?"

The young eunuch had just peeked outside and was startled by Zi Hui’s sudden question, his legs trembling so much he could barely stand. He stammered, "Miss Zi Hui, there are... there are many guards outside."

Zi Hui was furious. What kind of place was this? How dare these guards come here? At that moment, she felt no fear, only indignation that they were disrespecting the Empress!

The young eunuch watched as Zi Hui stormed out with a cold look on her face, and her voice soon echoed from outside, "How dare you! What is this place? How can you just come here?"

The eunuch listened nervously, hearing her voice shake a little.

Under the bright moonlight, the guards held torches and swords, moving from one alley to another. Zi Hui’s words made one squad stop. Their leader stepped forward to explain, "Madam, we are only following orders to capture the criminal Liu Yong."

Zi Hui was a little reassured that he was willing to explain patiently and asked curiously, "Who is Liu Yong?"

"He’s that fraud from the Star-Gazing Pavilion!"

Zi Hui was shocked. Just days ago, Master Weiyi had been treated with great respect in the palace, and now he was suddenly labeled a fraud. The sudden turn of events was too much for her to process.

"Could you please explain what’s going on?" Zi Hui took out two silver taels and slipped them into his hand.

The guard, pleasantly surprised by the unexpected reward, grinned widely, showing two rows of teeth. He said, "His Majesty is wise and heroic—how could he possibly entrust an imperial decree to a fraud? Our prince found it suspicious and sent someone to investigate. Who would have thought this man was truly despicable? Not only did he go around swindling people, but he also caused some families to be ruined. Our prince came to arrest him, but the scoundrel seems to have gotten wind of it and disappeared without a trace."

Zi Hui was half-convinced and half-skeptical. "This is the palace—where could he have gone?"

The guard chuckled without answering.

Zi Hui’s expression turned cold. "If you’re here to arrest someone, you shouldn’t be searching here. First, ask the eunuchs guarding the palace gates if they saw anyone enter. If you disturb the consorts with your actions, you'll be in big trouble." Having served as the chief maid beside the Empress for many years, Zi Hui spoke with authority.

The guard replied, "Our prince has sent us to request Her Majesty’s assistance in overseeing the search. With Her Majesty leading the inspection of the palaces, we won’t risk alarming the consorts."

"Unfortunately, Her Majesty hasn't been well these days, worried about His Majesty’s condition, and has fallen ill herself. The imperial physician advised her to rest properly." Zi Hui glanced at him. "Your presence here is inappropriate. Withdraw beyond the Yonghe Gate, and I will report to Her Majesty."

The guard raised his hand, and the armored soldiers retreated in unison.

A cold breeze blew, and Zi Hui suddenly realized she was drenched in sweat. She hurried back into the room and told Yun Shaohua everything word for word.

The guard captain and his men waited outside the Yonghe Gate. Beyond this gate lay the inner palace. The eunuch guarding the gate was trembling with fear, shaking at every gust of wind. The guards laughed mockingly, unaware of the eunuch’s terror—to him, even the wind felt like a blade against his neck. He wanted to stop the guards from entering, but they were armed and unafraid of offending the Empress. The eunuch had a feeling things were changing in the palace, but no matter how things changed, it was people like him who would suffer.

After a while, the chief eunuch of Penglai Hall, Chen Lianggong, came out and delivered the Empress’s message: "Her Majesty has declared that she will personally oversee the search and requires no further assistance from you, lest the consorts be disturbed."

The guard captain was more than happy to hand the task over to the Empress. Although he had his prince’s orders, he would be the one facing the consequences of offending people. The consorts might not be able to harm him directly, but their families held influence in the court.

"With Her Majesty taking charge, we can rest assured."

In the dead of night, palace maids, matrons, and eunuchs were awakened and dispatched to search every palace for the fugitive. With the Empress backing the operation, the consorts dared not refuse, though some who had previously enjoyed favor couldn’t resist making sarcastic remarks. Master Weiyi was not a eunuch; hiding him in their quarters would ruin their reputations. Sending people to search their palaces was an insult, and it was only natural for them to be angry.

Consort Xiang said, "Make sure you search thoroughly, with your eyes wide open! Don’t come blaming us later!" She stood with her hands on her hips, her eyes glaring—a posture and tone unbecoming of a palace consort. Even the palace servants would have called it crude, but her stunning beauty left them speechless. It was no wonder; Consort Xiang was exceptionally beautiful, and even her anger had a captivating charm. Rumor had it she closely resembled Consort Li in her youth—both were willful, beautiful women.

Zi Hui sighed inwardly, admiring the Empress’s foresight in anticipating Consort Xiang’s difficult behavior and sending her to handle the situation.

Zi Hui remained unperturbed and said to the maids and matrons, "Proceed with the search. Do not delay Consort Xiang’s rest."

Seeing Zi Hui’s composure, Consort Xiang flushed with embarrassment and muttered a few more words, just loud enough for everyone to hear. "Instead of questioning the guards at the Yonghe Gate first, they come to search our quarters. As if we frail women could sneak a grown man past the guards..."

Yun Shaohua handled the situation meticulously. Within half an hour, every palace had been searched. Chen Lianggong returned to the Yonghe Gate to deliver the report. The guard captain did not give him any trouble and left with a respectful salute.

Prince Wulie had arrived full of confidence but was now furious. Gnashing his teeth, he said, "How could a living person in the palace just vanish into thin air?"

Everyone bowed their heads. One of Prince Wulie’s trusted aides approached and whispered, "Your Highness, we came without a plan, yet Liu Yong seemed to have known in advance..."

"Are you suggesting there is a traitor among my men?" Prince Wulie narrowed his eyes, suspiciously scanning the surroundings. He no longer trusted anyone. Lowering his voice, he said to the aide, "Go check Prince Yongming’s residence. If he has captured Liu Yong first, all my efforts will have been in vain."

As soon as he finished speaking, another trusted aide hurried over, knelt, and whispered into the prince’s ear, "Your Highness, Prince Qihui has entered the city."

A bloodthirsty glint flashed in Prince Wulie’s eyes. How dare he enter the city alive!

The aide’s words echoed in his mind, and with Prince Qihui’s timely arrival in the capital, everything seemed to connect. Prince Wulie declared sternly, "Prince Qihui is sheltering the criminal. Arrest him at once!"

The aide hesitated for a moment and said, "Your Highness, what if Prince Qihui did not take Liu Yong?"

Prince Wulie replied, "Even if he didn’t, he was the one who brought Liu Yong into the palace. And the imperial decree bears his name. Who would believe they are not colluding?"

The aide felt something was amiss, but Prince Wulie, frustrated by repeated setbacks and pressure from court officials, was determined to capture Prince Qihui.

The aide secretly instructed a guard to inform the Minister, as he was the only one whose advice Prince Wulie might still heed.

Unbeknownst to him, the guard was ambushed and captured shortly after leaving the palace.