Xie Xuanying rested at home for a night. The next morning, he summoned the imperial physician to take his pulse and, after confirming that he was fine, only then entered the palace to await an audience.
The emperor knew that he had deliberately gone home to bathe and have his pulse taken so as not to carry any illness into the palace, and he felt quite pleased. He summoned him immediately.
Xie Xuanying entered the hall and knelt to pay his respects.
“Rise,” the emperor said, in a good mood. “Give him a bowl of cool tea – it is so scorching outside.”
A eunuch brought over an iced cool drink.
Xie Xuanying thanked him and took a sip before saying, “I have already investigated the matter at Huiyuan Temple thoroughly.”
The emperor had already heard about it.
Yesterday afternoon, Chief Steward He returned to the palace and went directly to see Eunuch Li. After Eunuch Li asked for the details, he immediately reported to the emperor, not only about the matter of Willow Pond, but also about the Eastern Depot’s investigation into the people around the Young Prince An.
In the end, it was found that the eunuch who had led Young Prince An to fetch water was someone from the palace. He had been severely tortured, but no major problem was uncovered – he had likely just been trying to be clever and win favor with his master, never expecting to harm anyone.
The emperor had said nothing at the time, but Eunuch Li understood. He went back and had Chief Steward He have the man strangled and dumped in the mass grave – and that was the end of it.
But hearing only the Eastern Depot’s account was not enough.
“Tell me,” the emperor said.
Xie Xuanying recounted the entire matter truthfully, concealing nothing about the contamination of the water in Willow Pond. He reasoned that neither Director Pan nor Chief Steward He would be foolish enough to conceal the truth.
The Eastern Depot was the emperor’s running dog, and loyalty was paramount. Director Pan needed the emperor to know of their side’s sacrifices and would never truly take the blame, and Xie Xuanying was the same.
He needed to be more objective, more impartial.
He did not conceal the Eastern Depot’s little schemes, telling the emperor that the chief eunuchs of Consort Zhuang and Consort Shun had met with Chief Steward He.
Nor did he protect Director Pan’s calculations, clearly explaining the female officials’ negligence and responsibility.
As for himself, he did not shy away from admitting his own selfish motives either.
“Huiyuan Temple has always enjoyed a good reputation among the people. If this matter spread, it would cause panic, and if petty villains took advantage of the chaos, the losses would outweigh the gains. So I disclosed the matter to the abbot and had it patched up as quickly as possible.”
Sensible people would know that the Buddhist temple had simply suffered an undeserved calamity, but the common folk were ignorant. If wicked and deceitful people spread rumors claiming that people fell ill after using the temple’s water, it would not be hard for such talk to be twisted into “the ruler lacks virtue, and the Buddha is punishing him.”
It was precisely with this in mind that Xie Xuanying helped Huiyuan Temple cover things up.
“Furthermore, the Empress Dowager’s devotion to Buddhism reflects her benevolent heart and also Your Majesty’s filial piety,” he said. “Therefore, I took the liberty of minimizing this matter and concluding it as an accident. Everyone at Huiyuan Temple is deeply grateful for Your Majesty’s grace and is willing to bear the medical expenses of the people at the foot of the mountain – such is the vastness of imperial grace.”
The emperor uttered a “Mm” and smiled faintly.
For many things, the truth was not necessarily the best answer; a suitable outcome was what those in power wanted most.
This time, Director Pan had done very well, Chief Steward He had not done badly, and Xie Xuanying had handled things thoroughly.
“You have grown up and can share my burdens now,” the emperor said with emotion. “Alas, if only you were my own son – what would I have left to worry about?”
These words were too weighty, and Xie Xuanying could not bear them. He immediately rose and knelt down. “I am deeply frightened.”
“Get up, get up.” The emperor waved his hand. “Just a couple of grumbles – look how scared you are.” He shook his head again. “When you were little, you could still call me ‘uncle’ a couple of times. Now it’s ‘Your Majesty’ at every turn – say ‘uncle’ a couple of times and let me hear it.”
Xie Xuanying: “…Uncle.”
The emperor was finally satisfied. “Come, take a stroll with me.”
The Western Park was different from the Forbidden City. Because water served as a natural barrier, many trees had been planted around the palaces. Their dense canopies intertwined, casting large patches of shade, and being close to the water, a breeze made it extremely cool.
As for the mosquitoes and insects that ordinary people worried about, they were absolutely impossible here.
The entire palace was covered by a huge canopy. Fine mesh netting, like a giant mosquito net, enveloped the buildings, so that no matter how the wind blew or the rain fell, the interior of the palace never got wet. On clear days, the windows could be opened and the breeze allowed to pass straight through the hall.
In this way, there were no mosquitoes indoors, and one could fully enjoy the coolness of summer by the water.
The emperor strolled in the courtyard, chatting about everyday matters. “Next month, it will be time to choose a husband for Rong’an.”
Xie Xuanying was startled for a moment, then said softly, “When a daughter grows up, she must marry – such is the great principle of human relations. If Your Majesty cannot bear to part with her, you might choose a site for the princess’s residence nearby.”
“I have already marked out a place for her – not far outside the East Glorious Gate,” the emperor said. Then he changed tack, his tone ambiguous. “Prince Qi sent a memorial today. Guess what it said?”
Xie Xuanying shook his head.
The emperor said, “He said that he will not be able to attend Rong’an’s wedding, so he has prepared gifts and specially sent someone to deliver them to add to her trousseau. He also said that Jianing is not young anymore, and no young talents of worth can be found in her fief, so he asked me to pick one for her as well.”
Xie Xuanying’s eyelid twitched.
“I thought about it, and there is sense in that,” the emperor said. “Picking one is picking, and picking two is also picking. Didn’t Prince An also send his niece over? I will pick one for each of them.”
Xie Xuanying thought to himself, as long as you do not pick me, everything is fine, and so he said, “Your Majesty…”
Under the emperor’s look of “spare me the nonsense,” his words abruptly changed, and he spoke the truth. “Are you planning to imitate the matter of the sparrow screen?”
The emperor said, “Competing only in martial prowess is meaningless; one must have both civil and martial qualities.” After thinking, he added, “A weighty character is even more important.”
Yet even someone accomplished in both civil and martial arts and of upright character was not necessarily the best choice for a son-in-law.
The key was: “He must know how to cherish and care for others.”
Xie Xuanying immediately said, “As long as his character is benevolent and generous, he will naturally respect his wife.”
“Tsk.” The emperor looked at him – the youth was tall and straight, like a jade tree in a fairy forest, a sight that gladdened anyone’s heart, but as a son-in-law, he might not be so satisfactory.
Too proud.
As a son, he was fine, but as a son-in-law, would his daughter not have to hold him up? It would be better to choose someone who knew how to yield and accommodate, so that husband and wife could be harmonious and loving.
Having made up his mind, the emperor said no more. “Let us go back and have them bring the lotus seed soup.” Then he said to Xie Xuanying, “Eat before you leave.”
“Yes,” Xie Xuanying answered, secretly breathing a sigh of relief.
He had passed the test.
Qingning Palace.
The Empress Dowager summoned Director Pan to inquire about the matter at the temple. When she heard that it was because the staff of the Provisioning Office had failed to adjust the raw and cold foods in time, causing cold to be added to cold and giving rise to illness, she frowned slightly.
In the hottest days of summer, who does not eat cold food? The consorts and concubines had all eaten what the Provisioning Office prepared and had felt nothing amiss. Moreover, there was no rule that meals should be specially adjusted for the palace staff.
If Director Pan said this, there must be something hidden.
She slowly turned the prayer beads in her hand. “Since the Directorate of Palace Discipline has already meted out punishment, then let it be so.”
Director Pan replied, “Yes.”
She withdrew.
A palace maid brought warm tea. The Empress Dowager took a sip and instructed, “Go and make some inquiries about what happened at Huiyuan Temple.”
“Yes.” The palace maid acknowledged and, after withdrawing, casually found a handkerchief as an excuse to go talk with her sisters in the Directorate of Palace Discipline.
But her sisters knew nothing at all and were not clear about what had happened.
The palace maid returned empty-handed and went back to beg forgiveness.
“I have failed in my duties. Please punish me, Your Highness.”
Yet the Empress Dowager vaguely sensed something and did not reproach her much. “Rise. That the Directorate of Palace Discipline is discreet in word and careful in action is a good thing.”
With such tight lips, the matter could be either great or small.
Two days later, the old matron who served closely at her side, half-revealing and half-concealing, told her the truth.
“The Directorate of Palace Discipline would not dare conceal it from Your Highness; they merely did not know how to bring it up,” the old matron said, watching her expression. “Director Pan told only this old servant. I fear Jingyang Palace does not know either.”
Jingyang Palace was where the Imperial Consort resided.
On the Empress Dowager’s well-maintained face, a faint smile appeared.
She had no son and had become empress. During the late emperor’s reign, she had lived in constant fear, terrified of being deposed. Now that she was Empress Dowager and her relationship with the emperor was ordinary, she naturally could not enjoy much family warmth either. Therefore, the only thing she cared about, the only thing she could hold in her grasp, was the honor of her status.
Director Pan was tight-lipped. She had both preserved the face of Qingning Palace and had not concealed the truth from her, clearly regarding her as the mistress of the Six Palaces and placing her above Jingyang Palace. This made her very satisfied.
“Where has the former Provisioning Officer gone?” the Empress Dowager asked.
The old matron said, “The Directorate of Palace Discipline sentenced her to demotion by one rank, a pay fine, and the punishment of carrying a bell, but His Majesty gave the order that female officials be reduced to palace maids, and all the palace staff be sent to the Laundry Bureau.”
This was also an indirect account of where the two people at the Buddhist hall had gone.
“Then tell the Bureau of Food to have her come to me,” the Empress Dowager said.
The old matron smiled and flattered her. “Your Highness has a Bodhisattva’s heart – no different from Guanyin herself.”
Today was the third of July. According to palace rules, all consorts and concubines, high and low, had to attend lessons at Kunyue Palace.
Lecturer: Palace Matron Hong
Content of the lecture: “The Four Books for Women”
Although it was more ceremonial than practical, in any case, a female official lecturing to consorts and concubines had the name of a teacher, and her status was indeed different from that of a palace maid.
The Imperial Consort was the mistress of the Six Palaces, yet every month, without fail, she sat in the front row to listen to the lecture.
After the lecture, she invited Palace Matron Hong to Jingyang Palace to handle matters of the inner palace.
Today’s work concerned the Ghost Festival.
In previous years, on the fifteenth of July, the Western Park would hold Buddhist rites and release river lanterns, and Taoist rites would be held at temples in the capital. Palace Matron Hong needed to ask the Imperial Consort whether they would be held this year and how they should be conducted.
But the Imperial Consort was in no hurry to discuss it. Instead, she said, “Give the Palace Matron a seat.”
“Thank you, Your Highness, for your favor.” The Imperial Consort treated Palace Matron Hong with the courtesy due a teacher, and Palace Matron Hong reciprocated, treating the Imperial Consort as she would an empress. She said respectfully, “But this is a request concerning official business; there is no principle for sitting while discussing it. Please allow me to remain standing.”
The Imperial Consort felt pleased and said with a smile, “I have been instructed. Palace Matron, please.”
The two discussed the matter and finally decided to follow convention.
But to hold Buddhist rites, one could not fail to mention Huiyuan Temple.
Palace Matron Hong answered cleverly as well. “It was the fault of the Provisioning Office. They did not anticipate that the water at the foot of the mountain could be so cold as to bring on dysentery.”
The Imperial Consort seemed to understand something.
Huiyuan Temple.
The main procession returned to the palace in a grand procession, but Cheng Danruo and the patients were left behind. They would not be permitted to return to the palace to serve until they had recovered from their illness.
This was a rare time of peace.
The patients’ symptoms improved day by day, and the medicine was gradually stopped. Apart from the fact that their daily meals came from the temple kitchen and were entirely vegetarian, inevitably somewhat bland, life was much more comfortable than in the palace.
Cheng Danruo’s workload was much reduced. Hearing that the monks were providing relief to the people at the foot of the mountain, she suggested that they boil the medicine before distributing it, so as to save the people the firewood at home.
Do not underestimate that bit of firewood. Poor families have no money to buy firewood, and gathering it is troublesome, which is why most people drink raw water. If they take the medicinal herbs home, they cannot cook meals while boiling the medicine, which is extremely inconvenient.
It would be better for the temple to do it all together. After all, Buddhist temples are wealthy and powerful institutions and need not worry about such a small expense.
When Huiyuan Temple saw that she was a female official from the palace and had also cured the patients, they were willing to adopt her suggestion.
Cheng Danruo then took sole use of the kitchen that had originally belonged to the Provisioning Office, summoned the recovered palace staff, and had them help boil the medicine together.
She herself returned to her old trade and went down the mountain to hold free clinics.
Her excuse was lofty and proper. “The Empress Dowager is compassionate. Since she has built the Pool of Compassion, what harm is there in adding a little more grace?”
The monks naturally could not stop her, and the commander of the guards left behind -Centurion Zheng, whom Xie Xuanying had deliberately arranged – would certainly not stop her either.
And when the common people heard that she was a female physician from the palace, they felt an inexplicable awe and superstition, no longer minding her age or sex, and came flocking to her.
Cheng Danruo worked from dawn to dusk, so busy that her vision swam and her head swelled, and every day she could not even remember what dishes she had eaten.
One day at noon, halfway through her meal, she realized that what she had put in her mouth was not white radish but scallion.
Even so, she still recognized Mei-niang.
In broad daylight, she could see even more clearly.
Mei-niang was about twenty or so, with a slender figure. Her face was not necessarily beautiful, but with fine eyebrows and a small mouth, she had a certain pitiable charm. Yet her cheeks were swollen, her eyes ringed with dark circles, and the corner of her mouth was split, covered with a scab of dried blood.
“Where are you unwell?” she asked.
Mei-niang hung her head, looking like an ordinary country woman with disheveled hair and a dirty face, dim and haggard, entirely unlike the lively woman stealing pleasures that day.
She faltered, “My man broke his leg some time ago and cannot sleep at night from the pain. I would like to beg for a prescription.”
For this trip down the mountain to hold the free clinic, Cheng Danruo had already agreed with Huiyuan Temple that they would supply all the medicinal herbs. Therefore, besides those coming to be treated for dysentery, there were also many common people who had come specifically to ask for medicine.
Cheng Danruo nodded and said a few words to the errand eunuch.
A moment later, the young eunuch quickly brought the medicinal herbs – three large paper packets.
“This is calming medicine,” Cheng Danruo said slowly. “One paper packet is the amount for two nights. Remember that – do not boil it all at once, or it will make the patient sleep for an entire day.”
Mei-niang was startled for a moment, then slowly took them, her palms damp.
Cheng Danruo smiled at her, then returned to acting as if nothing had happened. “Next.”
Mei-niang limped away.
A strong, burly monk carrying boiled medicine on a shoulder pole brushed past her.
