Chapter Sixty-One: Blocked from Visiting the Sick

This sudden turn of events left everyone present in a state of panic and confusion. It was Zhu Hao who first regained his composure. Gazing at Guo Mengdie, who lay upon the ground like a white lotus stained crimson by the setting sun, he bellowed in fury, “Why are you all still standing there in a daze? Summon the imperial physician at once to save her!”

Zhu Hao’s shout finally roused Guo Zixuan from his grief. He scooped Guo Mengdie into his arms and, with a cold snort, declared, “Mengdie is a child of the Guo family. Even if she must die, she will die in our home, not in this palace!” He shot a glance at Zhu Hao, adding, “Fifth Prince, this matter is far from over. We shall see what comes of it!” Then, bending low to the unconscious Guo Mengdie, he whispered softly, “Do not be afraid, Mengdie. Uncle will take you home now—right now, I will take you home.”

With those words, Guo Zixuan carried Guo Mengdie out of Zhu Hao’s residence, step by step. Zhu Hao, worried that opposing him might worsen Guo Mengdie’s condition, did not try to stop him. He could only pray in silence that she would pull through unharmed.

After Guo Zixuan departed with Guo Mengdie, the palace guards did not dare trouble the Fifth Prince or Consort Liu and quietly withdrew as well. When the others had left, Consort Liu, her face clouded with worry, turned to Zhu Hao and said, “Youjian, how did you become entangled with that girl from the Guo family? You really do make your mother anxious!”

Hearing her words, Zhu Hao realized that his mother had misunderstood him as well. Yet, he was in no mood to explain, and replied, “I’ll clarify this for you later, Mother. But do you know why Father suddenly collapsed?”

At this, Consort Liu furrowed her delicate brows. “I only heard about it just now. I have no idea what actually happened.”

Learning that his mother knew little of the situation, Zhu Hao pressed her urgently, “Where is Father now?”

Consort Liu, slightly puzzled by her usually reticent son’s barrage of questions, thought perhaps it was a sign of filial concern. She answered truthfully, “Your father should be recuperating in the Palace of Heavenly Purity right now.”

Zhu Hao’s suspicions grew stronger. To confirm his sense of foreboding, he asked, “What day is it today?”

Consort Liu found his inquiry even more perplexing, worried that her son might be suffering some kind of episode. She hastened to reassure him, “Youjian, what’s wrong? Don’t frighten your mother! Today, of course, is the twenty-third day of the ninth month in the first year of Taichang’s reign.”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao thought to himself, “So it is—the date and location are correct. It must be Consort Dowager Zheng and Empress Guo, those old witches, who have made their move!” Zhu Hao recalled from the annals that his father died in the Palace of Heavenly Purity on the twenty-sixth day of the ninth month, first year of Taichang—1620—at dawn. Now, with only three days remaining, and his father suddenly falling ill in that very palace, such a coincidence could only spell disaster if not for the infamous “Red Pill Case.”

Convinced that his father’s collapse was tied to the Red Pill Case, Zhu Hao could not be bothered to explain further to his mother. He seized her hand and hurried toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Consort Liu, believing her son was having a fit, tried to stop him, exclaiming, “Youjian, what’s wrong? Don’t frighten me!” She clung tightly to his arm, preventing him from leaving.

Zhu Hao knew his behavior must seem bizarre, but his anxiety for his father’s safety left him no choice. Gripping his mother’s hand, he implored, “Mother, I’m fine, truly. We must hurry to see Father—I fear someone is plotting against him!”

Consort Liu, reassured by his words, felt her heart settle a little. But she did not believe for a moment that anyone would dare harm the Emperor—surely no one had such audacity. To her, Zhu Hao’s fears were simply the worries of a devoted son.

Though she doubted him, she did not wish to stifle her son’s filial concern and followed him out of the residence toward the Palace of Heavenly Purity to inquire after the Emperor’s health.

To her surprise, however, upon their arrival, they were barred from entering. The one blocking their way was no stranger to Zhu Hao—Cui Wensheng, formerly Consort Dowager Zheng’s close attendant and now Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonials, a key figure in the Red Pill Case.

Though he prevented their entry, Cui Wensheng spoke courteously, “By order of the Consort Dowager, for the sake of the Emperor’s speedy recovery, no one is permitted to disturb His Majesty. During this time, the Consort Dowager, Her Majesty the Empress, and the Crown Prince will attend His Majesty. Any news will be relayed to each palace immediately. Consort Liu, please do not make things difficult for me—take the Fifth Prince back and await word.”

Inwardly, Zhu Hao cursed, “You old eunuch! Don’t think I don’t know you’re Consort Dowager Zheng’s lapdog, conspiring with those two old vipers to harm my father. I won’t let you succeed!”

Suppressing his anger, Zhu Hao stepped forward and demanded, “Eunuch Cui, let me ask you, am I or am I not the Emperor’s son?”

Cui Wensheng forced a laugh. “Fifth Prince, you jest! Of course you are the imperial progeny—who in the palace doesn’t know?”

Zhu Hao nodded, pressing further, “Then tell me, when a commoner’s father falls ill, the son is expected to visit him—otherwise, he is deemed unfilial. Today, my father is ill. As his son, I seek only to fulfill my duty of filial piety. Is that not right? By barring my way, are you trying to cast me as unfilial? What is your motive, Eunuch Cui?”

This sharp questioning left Cui Wensheng no escape—he was painted as a villain. He immediately knelt, pleading, “Your Highness, you wrong me! I dare not harbor such intentions. I am only acting on the Consort Dowager’s orders. Please, Consort Liu and Fifth Prince, do not make things difficult for me.”

Consort Liu, recalling that her son had already offended the Guo family—and thus the Empress—was anxious that he might now fall afoul of Consort Dowager Zheng’s faction as well. She feared that Zhu Hao would soon find no place for himself in the palace.

So she drew Zhu Hao aside and forced a smile at Cui Wensheng. “Eunuch Cui, as Chief Eunuch, your responsibilities are great. I cannot accept your obeisances. Please rise. I am a simple woman—since you are acting on the Consort Dowager’s orders, I dare not defy you.” She then turned to Zhu Hao. “Youjian, your father is under Heaven’s protection—he will be safe. Let us return and await news.”

Inwardly, Zhu Hao lamented, “Mother, how muddle-headed you are!” But as a dutiful son, he could not openly defy her wishes. Besides, he knew her actions stemmed from concern for his well-being. She could not have guessed that a struggle with Consort Dowager Zheng was inevitable—whether or not he offended her today, conflict would come. If only she understood, she might not have stopped him. But these were things he could not say aloud. Thus, he could only follow his mother away from the Palace of Heavenly Purity, unwilling though he was.

After returning Consort Liu to her chambers to rest, Zhu Hao went back to his own rooms, his mind restless as he pondered the troubles to come. Unable to sit still, he immediately ordered someone to summon Wei Xiaobao to him.

Within half a quarter-hour, Wei Xiaobao rushed into the chamber, flustered and apologetic. “Your Highness, this servant is guilty! I deserve death!”

Zhu Hao, surprised by his self-accusation, gave a cold snort. “Oh? Tell me, what is your crime? Why do you deserve death?”

Wei Xiaobao knelt, head bowed, and stammered, “This servant is responsible for intelligence matters, but I failed to keep proper watch over the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. I did not discover that the Empress had left for the Palace of Heavenly Purity, nor did I report it to Your Highness. I deserve death!”

Zhu Hao glanced at him coldly. “Fine work indeed! I’ve only just returned from the Palace of Heavenly Purity to learn the Empress is already there, and you come seeking punishment. Your information is truly up-to-date!”

Wei Xiaobao grinned sheepishly. “Well, Your Highness, you see—gathering intelligence is my job. Naturally, my information is a little faster.”

With a slap on the table, Zhu Hao rose and thundered, “Wei Xiaobao! Do you think I am praising you? How dare you! I told you to keep an eye on the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, but you’ve stationed all your informants around me instead, spying on me! Tell me, what is your purpose? What are you plotting?”

Wei Xiaobao dropped to the floor, kowtowing in terror. “Your Highness, calm your anger! Please forgive me, I am innocent! I have not placed any agents around Your Highness—no matter how bold I might be, I would not dare! Please, Your Highness, believe me!”

Zhu Hao sneered. “Innocent? What innocence? ‘Look closely’? Need I look any closer? Is it not plain as day? If you had not placed agents around me, how else would you know I went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity and that the Empress was there as well? Your news arrives too swiftly. Explain yourself!”