Imperial wrath
This man, with features as striking as if sculpted from marble, ebony-black eyes, and an awe-inspiring regal bearing, made me hesitate to approach. My instincts told me that although he was young, he was truly formidable.
“Xuan’er, is that you? Come to your mother at once!” The moment Zhang Jieyu saw the young man, her expression softened into maternal affection as she beckoned him over.
Later, I learned he was the ninth prince, Jiang Xuan.
“Xuan’er still has lessons with his tutor and cannot stay long.”
Zhang Jieyu forced a smile and said, “But I heard from the Grand Tutor that your studies aren’t going well. Last time your father, the Emperor, asked you about your lessons, you couldn’t recite them properly.”
Jiang Xuan remained silent.
Zhang Jieyu admonished him earnestly, “Even if you don’t love your studies, you should apply yourself. Only then will your father favor you, and perhaps one day you could become Emperor.”
“I do not wish to be Emperor.”
“Nonsense, how could—”
“Aren’t you worried someone might hear you say such things, Mother?”
That single remark left Zhang Jieyu speechless. She glanced cautiously outside and replied, “This is Cuiwei Palace; there are no outsiders here.”
Jiang Xuan said nothing more.
From these few exchanges, it was clear Zhang Jieyu was ambitious but not especially clever, her actions lacking forethought. Jiang Xuan, on the other hand, seemed precociously shrewd for his age. As for his claim of not wanting the throne, who could say if it was truth or pretense?
“Enough, your studies are paramount, Xuan’er. I hope you will apply yourself so your father will be pleased with you.”
“Is Father’s favor really so important to you? He has so many consorts, he can’t even favor all of them—where would he find the time to favor me?”
“Xuan’er, you—”
“The Ninth Prince should go to his lessons, Your Ladyship. I’ll tend to you here,” I interjected.
Jiang Xuan nodded slightly and left without another word.
I remained kneeling, forgotten by Zhang Jieyu. She sat down again with a sigh. “See? Xuan’er is indifferent no matter what I do. What am I to do? I’m getting old, and soon a new batch of court maidens will enter the palace. Then it will be all smiles for the newcomers, and who will care for the old? I am only thinking of him.”
Yunqing brought her a cup of tea and tried to comfort her. “Please don’t worry, Your Ladyship. The Ninth Prince may not yet understand your pains. He is still young and unsettled, but in time he will come around.”
“Ah, all my hopes rest on Xuan’er,” Zhang Jieyu lamented.
Then Yunqing asked, “Your Ladyship, about the Empress…”
This reminder made Zhang Jieyu recall my presence, and she said impatiently, “What more is there to say? Why are you still here? Go about your duties!”
I was about to leave when Yunqing gave me a look to stay. She said to Zhang Jieyu, “Don’t be upset, Your Ladyship. There’s no need to act rashly over this.”
“What do you mean?” Zhang Jieyu asked.
“First, it would not do to offend the Empress. The Emperor hasn’t visited in some days, and if the Empress meddles, it will only worsen matters for you. Second, the eunuch said to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, which means the Emperor is already involved. If you refuse to let Xiao Xiaozi go, you might displease the Emperor as well. Third, although the Ninth Prince spoke little, it’s clear he wishes you to agree. Why not go along with his wishes?”
After weighing Yunqing’s words, Zhang Jieyu relented. “Very well, let him go. No, Yunqing, you go with him. See how this matter is settled.”
“Yes, I’ll go at once.”
“Your servant takes her leave.”
Led by Yunqing, I went to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, only to find a crowd of palace maids and eunuchs already kneeling inside.
Seated within were a man in imperial yellow and a woman adorned in majestic finery—the Emperor and the Empress, without doubt.
“We greet the Emperor and Empress. May Your Majesties enjoy long life and peace,” Yunqing intoned, bowing low.
I quickly followed suit, prostrating myself before them.
The Emperor said nothing, his expression tinged with anger. The Empress spoke instead, “You may rise.”
“Thank you, Your Majesties.”
I stood with Yunqing.
The Empress addressed Yunqing, “So you came as well. Is Sister Bitong well?”
“Your Majesty, Her Ladyship is well. Given the gravity of this matter, she feared this servant might lose his way or transgress palace protocol, and so sent me along.”
The Empress smiled approvingly. “Yunqing, you have always been reliable. I know this well.”
“Enough,” the Emperor finally spoke. “Empress, you say this eunuch witnessed the incident. Tell us what you saw.”
“Xiao Xiaozi, recount everything you saw last night,” the Empress instructed me.
I stood straight and replied, “Your servant was unwell and bedridden in the palace. Last night, I awoke thirsty, opened the window, and saw three corpses lying in Eunuch He’s chambers. I was so frightened I knocked over a vase, which drew others’ attention.”
“Other than that, you saw nothing?” the Emperor asked.
I hesitated, then shook my head. Long Zhan was not someone I dared cross—I could say nothing.
“Empress, what do you think? How should we proceed?” the Emperor queried.
“Your Majesty…” The Empress faltered and glanced toward Ming He.
Ming He stepped forward and bowed. “Forgive your servant’s boldness, Your Majesty. Eunuch He was occupied outside with the selection of court maidens, but the Dowager Empress summoned him back posthaste, said to be urgent. Might that be pertinent?”
“My mother? Are you suggesting this is connected to her?”
“Your servant would not presume! I only find it odd that Eunuch He suffered misfortune the day after his return.”
“With so many Imperial Guards patrolling, for such an event to occur—am I, the Emperor, also in peril within my own palace?”
At these words, all present fell to their knees.
“Your Majesty, we have found something,” Qiu Ronghai burst in anxiously.
“Why the panic?”
“Forgive this old servant.”
“Speak.”
Qiu Ronghai beckoned outside, and Qingzi entered, kneeling respectfully with a tray.
“Your Majesty, this was found when moving Eunuch He’s body.”
The Emperor rose to look. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a jade pendant and a fine thumb ring.
The Empress quickly rose to explain, “Eunuch He must have been hiding these belongings. But, Your Majesty, he was a servant for over twenty years—surely he amassed something. This is an unspoken rule in the palace. Even if I wished to control it, I could not.”
“Indeed?”
The Empress nodded earnestly.
“Your Majesty, your subject seeks counsel,” came a voice. Long Zhan strode in, bowing with a presence both imposing and heroic.
“Speak.”
“Your Majesty, please look outside!” Long Zhan gestured.
Everyone turned to see several large chests filled with gold and jewels.
“Where did these come from?”
“A tip led me to Eunuch He’s residence outside the palace, where I found these.”
“Outrageous!” The Emperor erupted in fury.
“Calm yourself, Your Majesty—care for your health,” the Empress urged, stepping forward.
The Emperor flung his hand, nearly knocking her down; Ming He caught her just in time.
“Stay your anger, Your Majesty. I am wronged!” The Empress pushed Ming He aside and knelt herself.
“Wronged? A mere steward dares to steal so brazenly. You knew your servants had their little dealings, but do you truly claim ignorance of such vast embezzlement? Can you really escape responsibility?”
The Empress was left speechless.
The Emperor eyed her. “Does the Empress truly wish this matter investigated to the end?”
The Empress started, then gritted her teeth. “I admit my fault.”
“Admitting fault is enough. You are fined three months of your stipend, to discipline the harem and set an example for masters and servants alike.”
“Yes, I accept the punishment.”
“Withdraw. That wretch deserved death; there’s no need to investigate further. Long Zhan, see to the rest.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
“Your servant takes his leave.”
“Your handmaid takes her leave.”
No one could have foreseen such an outcome. On the way back, the pieces began to fall into place in my mind.