Chapter Sixty-Five: The Emperor Seeks Medicine

Snapping out of his shattered memories, Fang Congzhe shouted in anger, “Enough! Yingying, this is the last time I will call you that. Time is gone and will never return. I have grown old, you are no longer in your youth, and everything we once had has long since changed. You are now the honored Dowager Consort—what more could you possibly want? His Majesty is a rare wise and enlightened ruler; I would never harm him, no matter what. I urge you to let go as well!

These years, I have done many things against my own principles at your behest. I am truly tired and cannot go on like this. You should stop too.”

At his words, Dowager Consort Zheng sneered coldly, “Stop?” Then, raising her voice in fury, she cried, “No! I will not stop. The late Emperor left an edict, naming me Empress, but it was those hateful Donglin faction members who prevented me from fulfilling my wish! Since they took away my rightful position, I will seize it for myself! I must become the most exalted woman under heaven!”

After venting her rage, her tone softened as she said sweetly, “Congzhe, is it because Yingying has grown old that you refuse to help her? The Congzhe in my memories would never deny me anything! Brother Congzhe, you must help me this time. If not, I will die before your eyes today!” As she spoke, a dagger appeared in her hand, pressed against her throat.

At this, Fang Congzhe was shocked and cried out urgently, “Yingying, no! Don’t do anything foolish!” Seeing that Dowager Consort Zheng remained unmoved, he gritted his teeth and stomped his foot. “Put the knife down. I’ll do as you ask!” Sighing heavily, as if all his strength had left him with those words, he slumped to the ground.

Seeing him yield, Dowager Consort Zheng put away the dagger, her face blossoming into a smile. “I knew you were the best, Brother Congzhe. You would never refuse me!”

Slowly rising to his feet, Fang Congzhe spoke in a defeated tone, “Yingying, tell me your plan. What must I do? I will not go along with anything too outrageous. And this will be the last time I help you. When it’s over, I’ll resign and return to my hometown, never to set foot in the capital again.”

Dowager Consort Zheng paid no heed to his resolute words, for she knew this man loved her deeply. With but a beckoning gesture, he would return to her side at any cost.

It must be said, the power of love is immense. It can rob anyone of their reason, bending them to its will, even to the point of self-harm. Sometimes love is a double-edged sword, hurting both parties; other times, it is more like a broad blade that wounds only one—depending on who loves more. In this case, Fang Congzhe was the latter. Even one so brilliant as the Grand Secretary of the court was not immune; is it any wonder that so many in the world are mad for love?

With a smile, Consort Zheng answered Fang Congzhe, “Brother Congzhe, rest assured. After this, we shall part ways, and I will never disturb your peace again. I know you are a renowned scholar, destined to be remembered in history, and would never do anything treasonous. Nor would I ask that of you. What I need you to do is simple: in a short while, Vice Minister Li Kezhuo from the Office of Ceremonies will come to you to discuss presenting the Elixir of Immortality. All you need do is introduce him to His Majesty. You need not do anything else, nor know any more.”

Fang Congzhe realized his fears were about to come true, yet before this woman he was powerless to resist, cursing his own weakness. He stamped his foot bitterly. “I understand. You may rest assured, Your Grace, that I will do as you command.” With that, he turned and left the turret.

Watching his departing figure, Dowager Consort Zheng stood motionless for a long time, murmuring, “Brother Congzhe, in this life I can only fail you. If there is another life, I will not let you down again.” Two crystal tears slid down her cheeks.

Meanwhile, in his bedchamber, Zhu Hao awaited news from Wei Xiaobao. Every report he received brought only bad news, each one chilling his heart further:

“Your Highness, His Majesty has taken neither food nor water!”

“Your Highness, His Majesty has fallen unconscious again!”

“Your Highness, the imperial physicians are at a loss concerning His Majesty’s illness!”

Hearing that his father’s condition worsened with each report, Zhu Hao was consumed by helpless anguish, able only to pray that his father could survive this ordeal.

Thus, Zhu Hao spent a long night in worry and prayer. When the twenty-fifth day of the ninth month, the first year of Taichang, arrived, there was less than two days until the twenty-sixth—the date recorded in history—and Zhu Hao still had no effective way to prevent the coming calamity.

Unable to sit still, Zhu Hao finally received another update from Wei Xiaobao, who rushed into the room, about to bow and pay respects when Zhu Hao cut him off impatiently, “Enough, skip the formalities. Tell me at once—how is my father?”

Wei Xiaobao, knowing his master’s mood, replied without hesitation, “Your Highness, His Majesty has just awakened and sent for Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe!”

Zhu Hao quickly asked, “What? Did His Majesty summon anyone else? Did Fang Congzhe bring anyone with him into the palace?”

Wei Xiaobao shook his head. “No, Your Highness. I came to report as soon as I heard. There are no indications that Grand Secretary Fang brought anyone else.”

Zhu Hao sensed disaster was near and hurriedly ordered, “Go, investigate further and report back!” With that, he pushed Wei Xiaobao out the door.

While Zhu Hao was frantic, Fang Congzhe, upon receiving the imperial summons, hastened to the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

When Zhu Changluo saw Fang Congzhe, he reached out his trembling hand and grasped Fang’s. “These past days, I have been dizzy and weak, unable to attend court. All affairs of state have burdened you.”

Fang Congzhe quickly replied, “Your Majesty’s grace is vast and boundless. How could I not devote myself utterly to the nation?”

Zhu Changluo nodded and continued, “Minister, you may approve memorials in my stead. The Crown Prince is timid by nature; I hope you will support him. The imperial consorts have yet to be enfeoffed; you may draft their titles as per precedent.”

These words left no doubt that Zhu Changluo was making arrangements for what lay ahead. Fang Congzhe understood at once and hurried to reassure him, “Your Majesty is in your prime. This is but a minor ailment and should not cause concern. Please, focus on your recovery and do not let such thoughts weigh on you.”

Zhu Changluo shook his head sadly, then suddenly asked, “Has the Shou Palace been completed?”

Fang Congzhe knew what he meant—the Shou Palace referred to the imperial mausoleum. Zhu Changluo was asking about his own resting place.

This put Fang Congzhe in a difficult position. After some thought, he responded evasively, “Your Majesty, the late Emperor has already been interred, and the Tianshou Mountain Mausoleum was covered over the day before yesterday…” Since Zhu Changluo had only reigned for a month, he was referring to the Wanli Emperor’s tomb.

But Zhu Changluo, a rare wise ruler of the late Ming, was not to be so easily misled. Cutting Fang Congzhe off, he said, “I am asking about my own Shou Palace!”

At this, Fang Congzhe dropped to his knees, stammering in panic, “The imperial physicians have reported that Your Majesty is only somewhat weak. There is no imminent danger.”

Zhu Changluo replied impatiently, “The Imperial Medical Bureau is full of incompetents. I do not trust them!”

Fang Congzhe paused, then said, “If Your Majesty does not trust the Imperial Medical Bureau, I can issue an edict to summon famed physicians from across the realm.”

At the mention of summoning famed physicians, Zhu Changluo recalled what Dowager Consort Zheng had told him and asked, “I heard that an official from the Office of Ceremonies came to present medicine. Why hasn’t it been delivered yet?”

Fang Congzhe glanced deeply at Dowager Consort Zheng, whose face remained impassive, thinking to himself, “You still don’t trust me! This news of the elixir must have come from you. If you do not trust me, why should I do anything against my conscience?”

With this thought, Fang Congzhe made up his mind to prevent it from happening. He replied, “Vice Minister Li Kezhuo from the Office of Ceremonies did submit a memorial, claiming to have an elixir that could cure Your Majesty. But after consulting with the cabinet, we concluded his words were unreliable. Thus, I dismissed him.”

At these words, Dowager Consort Zheng shot Fang Congzhe a cold, murderous glare. “This old man cannot be trusted after all. Alas, it’s because I am no longer young and beautiful—no longer able to sway him as I once did!”

Just as Dowager Consort Zheng thought the plan was ruined, Zhu Changluo, displeased, said, “If the imperial physicians are useless and the elixir can’t be trusted, am I to sit here and wait for death?”

Fang Congzhe sighed inwardly; perhaps this was fate. He kowtowed repeatedly, begging, “Your Majesty, please calm yourself. How could I defy you? But Li Kezhuo’s claims truly cannot be believed. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!”

But Zhu Changluo would not be persuaded. With a firm gesture, he ordered, “Go and summon Li Kezhuo at once. Tell him I wish to try this elixir myself!”

Seeing Fang Congzhe hesitate, Zhu Changluo’s anger flared. “Are you defying my orders? Go, now!”

Fang Congzhe’s heart filled with despair. He wanted to confess everything Dowager Consort Zheng had told him, but feared it would only bring harm to himself. In the end, he could only sigh in resignation. “I would not dare! I will obey. Please wait, Your Majesty.”