The Empress Dowager’s face turned livid at his bold defiance, but with matters pressed to this point, if she refused to show the edict, it would only make her seem guilty and deepen the ministers’ suspicion.
Her expression cold and dark, she signaled to a nearby eunuch.
The eunuch carried the imperial edict down the steps, presenting it one by one to the six senior ministers standing to either side of the hall.
These veterans of the court, long familiar with every formality of imperial documents, the script, the seals, the language, crowded close to inspect it carefully. Then they nodded to one another and murmured:
“The ‘Imperial Seal of Heaven’s Mandate’, the foremost of the twenty-four royal seals, is indeed upon it.”
“The handwriting is that of Lan Xi from the Directorate of Ceremonial.”
“The phrasing and tone match His Majesty’s usual style.”
“Could it be… His Majesty truly changed his mind in illness?”
“Then should this edict be obeyed, or not?”
“If this was His Majesty’s final will, then as loyal subjects we must obey.”
“Yet… something still feels amiss…”
Their murmuring grew into a low buzz of debate.
The Empress Dowager’s eyes cut toward Zhu Helin, cold and imperious. “The edict has been shown to all, His Majesty’s will is beyond doubt. What more can you say, deposed Crown Prince? The document in your hands, even if genuine, served only to summon you back to hear this very edict.”
Without waiting for his reply, she barked: “Guards! Seize this insolent, defiant former Crown Prince!”
The court was thrown into shock. Many ministers fell to their knees, pleading for mercy, while others, staunch defenders of the rightful heir, threw themselves down before the steps, weeping and imploring her to reconsider.
The Empress Dowager remained unmoved. At her signal, the imperial guards in embroidered uniforms advanced to seize Zhu Helin. The officials refused to yield, clinging to the prince’s legs. When the guards drew their blades, the ministers spread their arms before him, shielding him with their bodies.
The grand hall of state erupted with shouts, cries, and pleas, anger, grief, and chaos filled the air.
Then a commanding voice rang out above it all: “—The true imperial edict, written in His Majesty’s own hand, is here! All present, heed the Emperor’s decree!”
The words were powerful as a temple bell, freezing the pandemonium in place. Ministers and guards alike turned in astonishment, searching for the speaker.
Another edict? A second imperial decree, written by the Emperor himself?
All eyes turned toward Yang Ting, the Grand Chancellor, who now stood holding aloft a scroll of yellow silk. His gaze swept over the hall, and the mild, indecisive face that everyone knew now shone with a stern, unyielding majesty.
He had kept this scroll hidden in his robe for two whole months.
After the “Gate Incident,” Emperor Jinglong had secretly summoned him and the Minister of Rites, Yan Xing, for a private audience. When Yang Ting stepped out from the Imperial Study that night, this very scroll was already tucked against his chest.
He had carried it with him day and night since then, burning against his heart like a live coal.
For the past two months, he had lived under the weight of a terrifying possibility, unable to eat well or sleep soundly, losing several pounds in the process. If not for the fact that he shared this secret with one trusted ally, the two of them supporting each other, he might have collapsed long ago under such unbearable mental strain.
Now, within the grand hall, Yan Xing, the Minister of Rites, was watching him intently. With hands clasped before him, he silently conveyed: I stand with Lord Yang, whatever may come, we advance and retreat together.
They were both secretly appointed by the Emperor himself, like the guardian deities that stand beside the Buddha. Yet in those dark, storm-tossed days, when the future seemed uncertain, they had both doubted their own strength and resolve, even felt fear.
They dared not meet in either of their official residences, fearing too many eyes and ears, and so they disguised themselves as commoners and met in a remote teahouse to discuss their course of action and draw courage from one another.
But neither of them imagined that this private meeting would be secretly discovered by Yu Wang. What they discussed that night stirred deep unrest in his heart.
Yu Wang was ambitious, driven both by pride and by conscience, torn between loyalty and desire. The tangle of conflicting emotions compelled him to summon his most trusted advisors, Zong Zhangshi and Commander Hua, for a confidential meeting, to test the hearts of his subordinates, and to search his own.
Had the Crown Prince not returned to the capital in time, perhaps Yu Wang might have chosen an entirely different path.
But that very night, the Crown Prince returned, and Su Yan returned with him.
Thus, Yu Wang’s heart was finally at peace.
That same night, after the five of them set a plan to divide their forces into three routes, Zhu Helin and Su Yan went together in secret to meet Yang Ting and Yan Xing, and learned the whereabouts of the true imperial edict.
Today, Su Yan had wanted to accompany Zhu Helin into court. But for once, the Crown Prince, who had always been so fond of keeping Su Yan close, involving him in everything, refused.
Zhu Helin said, “As the Crown Prince, if I lack even the courage and ability to stand alone and fight for what’s right, how can I ever command respect or lead others in the future? Besides, as Left Shilang of Rites in Nanjing, it would draw suspicion if you suddenly appeared in the capital. It’s better you stay out of sight for now.”
Su Yan thought the Crown Prince had truly matured, not only responsible, but now strategic and composed. It filled him with quiet pride.
Because they had met to finalize details the night before, Yang Ting and Yan Xing were slightly late to court, but just in time not to miss this decisive moment.
Under the gaze of the entire assembly, Yang Ting unrolled the yellow silk in his hands and, in a clear voice, read aloud the true edict entrusted to him two months earlier by Emperor Jinglong:
“I, of meager virtue, ascended the throne in my youth and have borne the ancestral legacy for eighteen years. Day and night I have labored in fear and diligence, seeking the utmost governance, yet still fear my virtue and grace have not reached all under Heaven, and that there remain among my people those who suffer want.
Now stricken by illness and nearing my end, I accept this as the natural order of life and death, fate shared by all, ancient and modern alike, thus there is no cause for fear or regret. It is my fortune that the empire has a worthy successor, upon whom the nation and its people may rely. Even should I depart this world, I shall have no regret.
My eldest son, Crown Prince Helin, is benevolent, filial, and wise, possessing innate virtue and clarity of mind. He shall immediately ascend to the throne as Emperor, with all civil and military officials of the court united in loyal support, to fulfill my will.
My second son, Prince Hezhao, though young and intelligent, shall be raised with care under the guidance of Consort Shu. Upon reaching fifteen years of age, he shall leave the palace and take up his domain.
The Empress Dowager, compassionate and devoted to the Dao, who has toiled for half her life, shall relocate to the serene Eastern Gardens to enjoy her years in peace and repose.
The funeral rites shall follow the late Emperor’s precedent, simple and frugal, without burdening the people or depleting the treasury. On the twenty-seventh day, mourning shall end; music and marriage ceremonies may resume. All garrison commanders and high-ranking ministers must remain at their posts. Princes and dukes residing beyond the capital are excused from attending court to offer rites.
May all officials within and without the capital serve with loyalty and integrity, assist the heir in securing everlasting peace for our realm, and bring happiness to the people. Let this decree be proclaimed throughout the land.”
As the words rang through the hall, the Empress Dowager’s complexion grew paler and paler. When Yang read the line “shall relocate to the serene Eastern Gardens”, all color drained completely from her face.
Her mind went blank. Her grip on the young Second Prince’s arm unconsciously tightened so hard he cried out in pain, struggling free to crawl up onto the adjacent dragon throne, curling up and sobbing in terror.
The Empress Dowager could no longer care about him, her mind was in chaos. One thought echoed over and over:
The Emperor… had left a backup plan!
According to protocol, there were to be two identical copies of the imperial edict, one sent to the Grand Secretariat, one kept in the inner palace. That copy, ghostwritten by Lan Xi, was simple, merely naming the Crown Prince as successor. The Empress Dowager had hardened her heart and burned it.
She never imagined that was merely a decoy. The true edict, written personally by the Emperor’s own hand and hidden with Yang Ting, was the secret safeguard!
This handwritten decree bore greater authenticity and authority, not only more detailed in content, but carefully laying out the fates of both the Second Prince and the Empress Dowager. One to be raised by his shu mother and sent to his domain upon adulthood, cutting off all path to the throne; the other to retire to a distant residence, withdrawing completely from politics. And all this, to be proclaimed to the entire realm!
It was as though a basin of ice water had been poured over her head, her body went rigid with cold. Her hands trembled uncontrollably; her fingers twisted the embroidered silk of her robes, long nails snapping one after another.
Ah, Tang’er, my son… You and I, mother and child, once supported each other, sharing triumph and loss alike. How did it come to this, distrust, suspicion, and the ruin of our bond? To turn from kinship… to enmity?
“—It truly is written in His Majesty’s own hand! Beyond the ‘Imperial Seal of Heaven’s Mandate,’ it bears the four additional seals, ‘Son of Heaven,’ ‘Bearer of Destiny,’ ‘Receiver of Mandate,’ and ‘Decree of the Emperor!’”
Yan Xing stepped forward, declaring loudly: “This edict was entrusted personally to Lord Yang by the Emperor. I, Yan, was there in witness! If any doubt its truth, step forward, I shall answer every question one by one!”
“Two edicts, contradicting each other, how can that be? Which are we to follow?”
“Is it not obvious? The authentic one is written in the Emperor’s own hand, sealed by the proper marks, in accordance with Heaven’s will and ancestral law!”
“Then the edict held by the Empress Dowager…”
“That one cannot be genuine! To act upon it would be…”
The Empress Dowager could no longer hear the murmuring of the ministers, nor see the expression on Zhu Helin’s face. Her mind was a tangled storm of fear, rage, humiliation, and desperate spite.
Suddenly, she struck the armrest of her throne and rose to her feet, shouting sharply: “The deposed Crown Prince conspires against the throne! The Grand Secretariat spreads false edicts to stir rebellion! Why have these traitors not been seized? Command the Jinwu Guards and Yulin Guards, enter the hall at once, quell the traitors, and protect the throne!”
At her words, one of the armored commanders stepped forward, answered loudly, and ran toward the doors, calling out at the top of his lungs: “Where are the Jinwu Guards! The Yulin Guards! Attend your duty!”
His voice echoed through the vast square outside the Hall of Heavenly Order, but no response came.
Growing anxious, the general shouted again, louder, his voice cracking through the silence: “Jinwu Guards! Yulin Guards!”
Outside the high walls flanking the palace square, in the two palace passageways, a troop of Jinwu Guards and a troop of Yulin Guards knelt in dark ranks, hands clasped behind their heads. From atop the walls, countless arrows were aimed down at them, black as storm clouds.
The head of their commanding officer had already rolled into a pool of blood.
Shen Qi wiped the blood from his Xiuchun saber onto the officer’s robe, then said sternly to the remaining kneeling soldiers: “The chief culprit has been executed. You were compelled to follow orders, your lives will be spared. You should give thanks to His Highness the Crown Prince for his benevolence.”
Having narrowly escaped death, the soldiers were filled with both fear and gratitude. They kowtowed repeatedly, crying out, “Young Lord is merciful!”
Not far away, beneath the palace gate, Su Yan stood watching Shen Qi’s back, clad in his indigo, gold-embroidered Flying Fish uniform. Turning to the Commander of the Tengxiang Guard, Longquan, he said, “Many thanks, Commander Long. Without your men’s help, the Embroidered Uniform Guards alone would not have been able to subdue both elite units so easily.”
Longquan cupped his hands in salute.
“Lord Su need not be so polite. His Majesty had long ago issued me secret orders, once the Young Lord returned to the capital, I was to do everything in my power to ensure his safety. His Majesty also said that when that time came, Lord Su would likely come find me personally.”
Su Yan froze slightly, murmuring to himself, “His Majesty… already foresaw that I would abandon my post and escort the Crown Prince back to the capital… I…”
Longquan smiled. “His Majesty bade me tell you, what Qinghe has done is an act of courage and sincerity, both sword and zither in one. He not only foresaw it but also gave his consent, so it does not count as dereliction of duty.”
Su Yan rubbed his face hard, trying to calm himself before asking, “Has His Majesty still not awakened? I wish to see him.”
—
Inside Fengtian Hall, the Empress Dowager had already issued a phoenix decree to seize certain persons, yet no response came. The Jinwu and Yulin guards she had arranged in advance had seemingly vanished into thin air, no trace, no sound.
An awkward silence filled the hall. Then, the Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Attendants, Lan Xi, appeared at the entrance, followed closely by Duo Guier and several young palace attendants from Yangxin Hall.
“It’s Eunuch Lan! He never leaves the Emperor’s side, why would he come to court now? Could it be…?” murmured several ministers at the back, whispering to each other.
Lan Xi walked steadily to the center of the hall, did not stop, and continued up the steps until he stood before the dragon throne. With a flick of his horsetail whisk, he smiled and said, “Ah, Your Highness the Second Prince, how naughty! How can you climb onto the dragon throne? That’s where your Imperial Royal Father sits, you know? Come down quickly now.”
He reached out, picked up the sniffling Zhu Hezhao, and handed him to the attendants behind him.
“By order of His Majesty, send the Second Prince to Consort Shu’s palace.”
The Empress Dowager’s face darkened like iron. She stepped forward, nearly losing her composure, trying to snatch the child back.
“The Emperor is still gravely ill and unconscious, where would such an edict come from? Are you, old slave, daring to forge an imperial decree?!”
She knew Lan Xi all too well, not entirely disloyal, yet not the kind to risk his life for loyalty either. When pressured, he bent like a reed in the wind: if told to draft an edict, he drafted it; if told to seal it, he sealed it. Ever pliant and prudent, he had survived by yielding to her will.
Who could have imagined that now he’d grow a spine, daring to defy her and the entire court in open daylight!
Lan Xi waited calmly for her scolding to finish, then bowed slightly and, in his usual humble tone, delivered words that struck like thunder through the hall: “Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty has awakened.”
He turned to face the assembled officials, straightened the back that had been hunched for two long months, and proclaimed in a piercing voice: “His Majesty has awakened! His Majesty urgently summons the Crown Prince, the Grand Council Ministers, the Six Ministries’ Ministers, and the Left Shilang of Rites from Nanjing, Lord Su Yan to Yangxin Hall for immediate audience!”
The Emperor has awakened…
My son has awakened… the Empress Dowager thought blankly.
But, the first person he summoned wasn’t his own mother… No, he hadn’t mentioned his mother at all!
—
In Yangxin Hall, Zhu Helin paced back and forth in restless anxiety, glancing repeatedly toward Su Yan.
Su Yan sat silently on a round stool brought by an attendant, his face shadowed and grim.
When he had first received Lan Xi’s message, his heart had soared, surely the Emperor was fine after all, and the last two months of “grave illness” had only been an elaborate ruse to deceive their enemies.
But upon arriving, he realized the truth was not so simple.
The fastidious Emperor Jinglong, who had always prized dignity and composure, had not chosen to receive his ministers in the main audience hall, but instead had them led to the bedchamber. Unless His Majesty was truly unable to rise from bed, there could be no other reason.
Yu Wang and Ah Zhui had infiltrated the palace in the third watch of the night. By the fourth watch, when the palace gates opened, chaos had already erupted at Fengtian Hall. Now, by the fifth watch, dawn was just breaking.
As the first batch of summoned officials exited the bedchamber and stood waiting in the courtyard, the eastern sky lightened from deep indigo to pale gray.
Hearing footsteps approaching, Zhu Helin rose instinctively and asked anxiously, “When will my Royal Father see me?”
The attendant bowed his head.
“His Majesty requests Lord Su to enter first.”
Zhu Helin turned to grab Su Yan’s wrist, intending to go in together, but the attendant stopped him.
“His Majesty summons Lord Su alone. Young Lord, please remain here and wait.”
Su Yan’s heart was a storm, but he feigned calm, patting Zhu Helin’s hand.
“I’ll go first. You haven’t seen your Royal Father in over a year, if His Majesty calls you last, he must wish to speak with you more personally.”
Zhu Helin could only sit back down, eyes full of worry and reluctance, watching until Su Yan’s figure disappeared behind layer upon layer of curtains and paneled doors.
Passing through the familiar corridor, Su Yan saw Lan Xi standing by the door to the bedchamber. He suddenly felt the old eunuch had aged a great deal since they last met. The arrogance and cunning that once marked a court eunuch were gone, leaving only a face lined deeply with worry.
Moved by the sight, Su Yan saluted respectfully before stepping forward, but just then, Lan Xi said softly: “At the fourth watch, His Majesty ordered me to escort Yu Wang and a certain commoner out of the palace. His Majesty said, the palace has its own rules and dignity; even if one acts out of loyalty and merit, it is not permissible to come and go across its walls and rooftops.”
So, it was indeed Yu Wang and Ah Zhui who had awakened the Emperor. But why, then, had His Majesty summoned the Crown Prince and his ministers, yet not retained the royal family?
Lan Xi went on quietly: “Lord Su, please persuade His Majesty to let that martial expert who came with Yu Wang stay in the palace. Have him assist Doctor Chen Shiyu in treating His Majesty’s head ailment.”
Su Yan was startled. “Did Ah Zhui notice something?” he asked.
Lan Xi briefly summarized what Jinghong Zhui had done and said. Before he could finish, the emperor’s personal attendants all exited the bedchamber, bowing deeply to Su Yan.
“His Majesty commands Lord Su to enter at once. No further delay is permitted.”
Lesions in the brain, massed and hardened, their shape and texture already abnormal… Su Yan had no time to think it through. At the summons, he merely bowed again to Lan Xi and quickly stepped into the inner chamber.
The air inside was thick with a faint medicinal scent, a subtle mixture of bitterness and spice, the aroma of strange herbs.
Behind half-lowered bed curtains, the Emperor’s profile was half-reclined against his pillows.
“Your official, Su Yan…”
Su Yan was just about to kneel and perform the formal greeting when the Emperor spoke: “Look around, there’s not a single outsider here… Qinghe once said to me, ‘In this chamber, what we share is the bond of the mandarin duck and fish.’ Was that true?”
“It’s true.”
Su Yan smiled, though his nose stung with emotion. He gave up the formalities, crossed the small gallery to the dragon bed, stepped onto the footboard, and sat sideways on the edge. Then, leaning forward, he wrapped his arms around the Emperor’s neck.
Pressing his face against the Emperor’s chest, he murmured softly: “In Nanjing, I missed Your Majesty more with every passing day. ‘We meet only to part again; in this life, such is fate between us’, I’ve come to understand the full weight of those words.”
The Emperor placed one arm around Su Yan’s waist and back, breathing in the faint fragrance of his hair.
“I missed you too,” he said quietly, “even in my muddled dreams.”
Su Yan’s eyes grew damp. “Then… may I kiss you?”
The Emperor gazed into his eyes and asked in return: “After months of illness, am I now so thin and wretched that I’m unfit to look at?”
Su Yan smiled through his tears.
“Your Majesty will forever be as handsome and noble as when I first saw you.”
He leaned forward to kiss him, but the Emperor turned his head, so the kiss only brushed his cheek.
“I am afflicted with a grave illness,” the Emperor said quietly. “If it were to infect you, that would not do. Keep some distance.”
But Su Yan ignored him. Holding the Emperor’s face firmly between his palms, he showered him with a flurry of quick kisses, chu, chu, chu!, and insisted: “It’s no grave illness! Let Doctor Chen treat you, and let Ah Zhui help, together they’ll cure you in no time!”
The Emperor could neither evade nor resist. His face was left wet with kisses, and at last he sighed, pulling Su Yan tightly into his arms.
“Qinghe…” he murmured.
