The first rays of morning sunlight shone on Jiuzhou Terrace, gradually revealing two lines of blood-red characters on the high wall: “As long as Qingfeng lives, chaos will ensue.”
Everyone present saw the two lines of blood-red characters.
The older generation knew that the Great Empress Dowager’s given name was “Qingfeng”. Among phoenixes, “Feng” is male and “Huang” is female. Wasn’t this implying that the Great Empress Dowager was the source of all the turmoil?
Everyone thought of Yuwen Chu and then connected it to the recent uproar caused by the prophecy. They couldn’t help but think this was the Regent’s revenge. Unlike the Great Empress Dowager’s covert methods, the Regent acted swiftly and without regard for consequences.
Fu Mingcheng sneered and said, “I wonder who has the ability to climb up to the Jiuzhou Terrace and write these two lines. Their penmanship is quite strong.”
Someone whispered, “This handwriting looks like Emperor Wenzong’s.”
Fu Mingcheng’s face darkened, and he glared at the person who spoke. Suddenly, he heard a gasp from the crowd. Turning around, he saw the blood-red characters on the wall of the Jiuzhou Terrace rapidly disappearing. In the blink of an eye, they were gone, as if it had all been a dream.
A murmur of discussion arose. Fu Mingcheng shouted loudly, “Trickery! This is the work of a malicious person! Where is the emperor? I must implore him to order the capture of this criminal and have him torn apart to set an example!”
No one paid him any mind because, as the sun rose higher, two more lines of characters appeared on the wall: “Heaven blesses Da Xia, Da Xia will prevail.” These words also vanished quickly.
Fu Mingcheng sneered, “Contradictory, isn’t it?!” He ordered the imperial guards, “Search the area immediately and arrest all suspects.”
Someone shouted, “This is the late emperor’s decree!”
A few terrified eunuchs knelt down, kowtowing. The officials remained silent. Everyone knew that eunuchs, being isolated and illiterate, were the most superstitious. They, on the other hand, prided themselves on their rationality and education. But someone shouted again, “Heaven blesses Da Xia! Da Xia will prevail!”
This couldn’t be ignored. Many joined in the chant, and soon a chorus of voices followed. Fu Mingda knelt down silently. His action prompted others to do the same, leaving Fu Mingcheng and his faction standing conspicuously alone.
Jiang Youyuan’s sharp voice pierced the air, “The emperor asks, is there anything wrong with ‘Heaven blesses Da Xia, Da Xia will prevail’? Do those standing object to this?”
Ignoring the earlier phrase “As long as Qingfeng lives, chaos will ensue,” the latter phrase was indisputable. Fu Mingcheng knelt reluctantly and said with difficulty, “Heaven blesses Da Xia, Da Xia will prevail.”
The news of the late emperor’s decree at Jiuzhou Terrace spread quickly. Even those in the Changxin Palace, including Yuwen You, heard of it. Yuwen You wanted to laugh and quietly told Yuwen Xin, “I know the emperor’s handwriting best. I wish I had seen it to verify its authenticity.”
Yuwen Xin finally felt relieved, having completed the task given by Yuwen Chu. He glanced at the still-sleeping Grand Empress Dowager and replied softly, “This is no joke, Ninth Brother. Be careful with your words.”
Yuwen You sneered, “You did it, didn’t you?”
Yuwen Xin gave him a cold look, “You mentioned knowing the emperor’s handwriting best. Wasn’t it you who said that?”
“Fine, I’ll say nothing more.” Yuwen You gestured to Yuwen Xin, “She’s awake.”
Fu Zifei, worried, clutched her handkerchief, unsure whether to inform the Great Empress Dowager of the incident. Even if it was clear that this was Yuwen Chu’s revenge, the superstitious populace would spread and believe the rumors. If the Great Empress Dowager knew, she might not survive it. If she died, what would happen to Fu Zifei and her father?
The Great Empress Dowager, preoccupied, didn’t notice her anxiety and asked, “What time is it? No word from those sent to the Great Temple?”
Fu Zifei quickly replied, “No news yet. Even if my aunt received the message immediately, she wouldn’t arrive until noon.”
The Great Empress Dowager closed her eyes to rest and said, “Have breakfast served.” Noticing Yuwen Nuo, she called him over, “Good child, come to Grandmother.”
Yuwen Nuo, often brought here to talk with her, went over cheerfully, “Grandmother, are you feeling better? I was so scared when I saw you asleep.”
The Great Empress Dowager smiled, “What are you afraid of?”
Consort Jing anxiously called out, “Your Highness!”
Yuwen Nuo looked at his mother, too afraid to answer. The Great Empress Dowager said, “Are you afraid I’ll die?”
“Niang Niang!” Consort Jing and others knelt. Yuwen Nuo remained silent. The Great Empress Dowager rubbed her temples and instructed, “Take this child to the back to rest.” She turned to Yuwen You and Yuwen Xin, “I want to see Peng Liang.”
Yuwen You raised an eyebrow at Yuwen Xin.
Yuwen Xin smiled, “Since Mother wishes to go, we will arrange it.”
The Great Empress Dowager ordered Fu Zifei and Sang Shen, “Prepare me.” Peng Liang was her most capable general, and she wouldn’t let Yuwen Chu eliminate him so easily. Though trapped that night, today she might have a chance. With the current commotion, word would soon reach the front court. She doubted Yuwen Chu would easily forfeit his reputation.
At this moment, rumors and gossip outside were at their peak. If the Great Empress Dowager were to make a scene now, wouldn’t it only further prove the validity of those mysterious imperial edicts? Fu Zifei was anxious: “Grandmother, you cannot go.”
The Great Empress Dowager replied coldly, “Why not?”
