Chapter 9
The rumors about Fengxian Pavilion grew increasingly outrageous, eventually becoming more explicit than a lewd novel.
What began as a scandal within the palace quickly spread to the court. The following morning, during the imperial court assembly, the officials began condemning the palace eunuchs for their lack of discipline. Some even subtly insinuated that the commander of the imperial guards was failing to keep his men in check, as the rumor involved a guard.
“Your Highness, forgive my boldness,” a righteous-looking official said. “The Emperor is still young and does not understand that the conduct within the palace directly affects the foundation of the nation. If these eunuchs are allowed to continue disregarding the rules, it won’t be long before a great disaster befalls the imperial city.”
Li Zhan glanced at the official, and though he remained silent, the official couldn’t help but shrink back.
The official was puzzled—after all, the Regent had once been quite amiable. However, since returning to the capital, he seemed much colder. Just a glance from the Regent made the official feel as though he had misspoken.
“The eunuchs in the Inner Attendant Department should have been dealt with long ago.”
“Today, they dare to have illicit relations with guards; tomorrow, they might conspire with outsiders.”
“The Fengxian Pavilion is a place meant for the worship of the late emperor’s memorial tablet. How can such shameless acts be allowed there?”
“Who knows how many people they’ve had improper relations with? I’ve heard that more than one guard was involved, and it’s unclear how many on duty that night were part of it.”
“To engage in such debauchery and licentious acts—how disgraceful!”
Li Zhan stood by, his face clouded with anger.
Dong Dong, who was aware of the truth, stood beside his Wang Ye, worried that if Li Zhan heard more of these increasingly absurd rumors, his fury might push him to draw his sword and start killing people.
Fortunately, before Li Zhan could speak, the commander of the Imperial Guards, Gu Yiheng, couldn’t hold back any longer.
“You all speak so confidently, accusing my guard of having illicit relations with an eunuch. Do you have any evidence?” Gu Yiheng angrily questioned. “I ask you, who is this eunuch that supposedly engaged in such acts in the Fengxian Pavilion? And who is the guard involved with him? If any of you can name them, I will immediately request permission to arrest them. If it’s proven that one of my guards has committed such a vile act, I’ll personally take up the blade and execute the scoundrel!”
The imperial censors had no idea who the culprits were; they had heard a dozen different versions of the rumor. They couldn’t even remember who passed the story to them, let alone name the individuals involved. When Gu Yiheng questioned them so directly, they were left speechless.
“Investigating and arresting suspects is the responsibility of the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of Personnel, and the Office of Judicial Review. There’s no need for the commander to get so worked up,” one of them remarked.
“You’ve already thrown mud on my face, and now I can’t even ask a few questions?” Gu Yiheng, being a straightforward military man, had always despised the censors’ endless prattle. Now that this disgraceful matter implicated the Imperial Guards, he refused to take it lying down. He immediately knelt before the young emperor and the regent, passionately declaring, “I beg Your Majesty and the Prince Regent to clear the name of the Imperial Guards.”
With that, he slammed his head onto the ground in a forceful kowtow, breaking the skin on his forehead. Blood trickled down his face, making for a frightening sight. The young emperor, Li Cong, only five years old, had never seen such a scene before. Staring at the blood on Gu Yiheng’s face, he hesitated, then pouted and began to wail.
Gu Yiheng: …
Li Zhan: …
The civil and military officials: …
The farce ended with the young emperor Li Cong crying loudly.
After the morning court session, Li Cong clung to Li Zhan, refusing to let go, sobbing with tears and snot streaming down his face.
Li Zhan, not skilled in comforting children, tried to soothe the young emperor for a while, but to little effect. He considered handing the child over to the eunuchs, but Li Cong was very particular about the eunuchs who served him. The only one he liked was Tu Dayou, who, unfortunately, hadn’t been attending to his duties lately due to injuries.
“Stop crying!” Li Zhan sternly placed the young emperor on the ground, his face stern and unyielding.
The young emperor was startled and actually stopped crying.
“When selecting attendants for His Majesty today, let him choose for himself,” Li Zhan instructed Dong Dong.
Dong Dong was taken aback and asked, “Won’t we follow Mr. Lu’s recommendation from the literary examination?”
“It’s just someone to accompany His Majesty in his studies, not selecting a top scholar,” Li Zhan replied, sounding a bit impatient. He was genuinely worried that if they chose someone who didn’t meet the young emperor’s approval, it would be useless at crucial moments, like being unable to comfort the child.
Having cried himself out, the young emperor was now tired. Seeing Li Zhan working on official documents, he moved closer.
Li Zhan turned and saw the young emperor’s eyes wide and curious, still slightly red around the edges, giving him a pitiful look.
Li Zhan’s heart softened, and he reached out to lift the young emperor onto his lap.
The young emperor glanced at the documents in front of him, furrowing his brows in deep thought for a moment before suddenly asking, “Uncle, what does ‘illicit relations’ mean?”
Li Zhan paused, his red brush hovering over the document, his expression turning quite complex.
Finally, he took a deep breath and said to Dong Dong, “When choosing His Majesty’s attendants, make sure to find someone who understands propriety and knows how to speak appropriately.”
The young emperor was at an age where curiosity was boundless, always asking strange and unexpected questions. They needed someone who could provide answers without speaking nonsense, or else the child might be led astray.
Dong Dong silently took note of the new requirements for the young emperor’s attendants: someone His Majesty liked, someone who understood propriety, and someone who knew how to speak properly!
The events of the morning court session quickly spread throughout the Inner Attendant Department.
Those eunuchs who had previously enjoyed watching the chaos never imagined the fire would reach their own heads.
If the imperial censors’ accusations became too severe and the Prince Regent decided to reform the Inner Attendant Department, they would all be implicated. The department was in a state of panic, with everyone praying that the imperial censors would hold their tongues and that the eunuch involved in the rumors would quickly confess to avoid dragging them all down.
Although Tu Dayou was not on duty, he was well aware of the situation in the palace.
His subordinates reported the events of the morning court session to him as soon as it ended. Upon hearing it, Tu Dayou’s expression grew serious, realizing that the situation had become increasingly difficult. If they didn’t come up with a solution, there would be no saving Ji Qingshou.
Once the truth came out, would the Regent really take on the criticism from the entire court just to protect a eunuch like Ji Qingshou, with whom he had no personal attachment? That was impossible!
Fortunately, the rumors had not named anyone explicitly. Even the Regent likely wasn’t certain that the person from that night was Ji Qingshou.
“There must be a way,” Tu Dayou said.
Ji Qingshou replied, “I’ve thought it over carefully. There’s no solution to this. We don’t even know what other information the person spreading these rumors might have… I fear not even the Regent can do anything about it. How can we, mere eunuchs, possibly turn the tide?”
“We have to do something,” Tu Dayou insisted.
“Don’t get involved,” Ji Qingshou replied. “After today’s exam, I plan to request an audience with the Regent…”
“Are you out of your mind?” Tu Dayou exclaimed.
“Rather than letting them drag me out to be humiliated in public, I’d rather end it on my own terms,” Ji Qingshou said.
Tu Dayou’s expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. He spoke up, “I have a plan. Don’t act rashly unless absolutely necessary.”
“What are you planning?” Ji Qingshou asked. “At this point, if you take risks for my sake, you’ll only end up getting yourself dragged into this mess.”
Tu Dayou suddenly chuckled softly, reached out to ruffle Ji Qingshou’s hair, and then quickly turned and walked away. Ji Qingshou watched his retreating figure, intending to follow, but Tu Dayou moved too swiftly, disappearing from sight in just a moment.
In the afternoon, it was time for the literary examination, and Ji Qingshou went to the palace school.
It wasn’t until right before the exam began that Tu Dayou rushed in.
Seeing that he had returned safely, Ji Qingshou finally breathed a sigh of relief.
Tu Dayou merely raised an eyebrow and smiled at him, looking as though he had everything under control.
The exam questions were set by Lu Tingyi, and each person was given a blank sheet of paper to answer.
Although Ji Qingshou had practiced calligraphy, his handwriting was merely neat and not particularly outstanding. Additionally, being a modern person, his answers were straightforward and simple, lacking the elegance expected. With his mind preoccupied, he simply scribbled down some answers to get through it.
After everyone handed in their papers, Lu Tingyi sat down nearby to grade them on the spot.
Ji Qingshou, however, couldn’t focus, his attention repeatedly drifting to Tu Dayou, sensing that something was off about him.
Meanwhile, after hearing that the eunuchs had submitted their papers, Dong Dong brought the young emperor over.
His Wang Ye had entrusted him with this task, so he didn’t dare delay. Today, he had to help the young emperor select an attendant that met his approval.
But just as they arrived at the entrance of the palace school, a young eunuch came rushing up in a panic and suddenly fell to his knees before Dong Dong. The young emperor was startled by the sudden action, and Dong Dong immediately scolded the eunuch, “Why are you in such a panic?”
“Lord Dong, please forgive me… May I ask if Wang Ye is in the palace?” the eunuch hurriedly inquired.
“What do you need with Wang Ye?” Dong Dong asked.
The eunuch, panic-stricken, replied, “The… the eunuch who was found having an affair in Fengxian Pavilion… has been discovered!”
“What?” Dong Dong’s expression changed drastically upon hearing this. His heart sank, and he immediately turned and rushed toward the Imperial Study.
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Obrigada pela tradução! 🥰💕