Chapter Seventy-Two: Zhu Hao's Maneuver

Zhu Hao kept repeating this sentence in his heart, standing motionless for a long time, lost in silence. This frightened Wei Xiaobao, who stood by his side and assumed Zhu Hao was so stunned because he could not accept the news, and so, with tears in his voice, he began to comfort him, “Your Highness, the Emperor has already passed on. You must take care of yourself! Your humble servant knows your heart aches, I beg you to weep a few tears—don’t hold it all inside. If you harm your health by keeping it in, His Majesty will not rest easy in the afterlife! Your Highness!”

Wei Xiaobao’s words seemed to strike a chord in Zhu Hao. He threw his head back and cried out in anguish, “No! You wretched heavens, you’ve taken my father’s life—I will make you pay the price! In this life, I will defy fate itself!” As he spoke, it was as though all the strength left his body; he collapsed to the floor, clutching his hair in agony, and sobbed, “Father! Your son is unfilial! When you were ill, I wasn’t at your side! Now you’re gone—what am I to do, where am I to turn? Wuuu—ah! Wuu!”

From the heavens above came two thunderous roars in quick succession, then a sharp crack, and a pear tree outside Zhu Hao’s chambers was split in two by a dazzling bolt of lightning. It was as if the heavens themselves were responding to Zhu Hao’s words.

This sudden turn of events did nothing to interrupt Zhu Hao’s sorrow inside the room. Kneeling on the floor, Wei Xiaobao saw his master so overcome with grief that he too was wracked with emotion, unable to offer any comfort other than to weep alongside Zhu Hao. While master and servant cried aloud within the room, three peals of the palace bells rang out across the imperial city. Then, from the direction of the Palace of Heavenly Purity, a mournful voice rang out: “The Emperor has ascended to the heavens! All palaces, observe mourning!” In that instant, the entire palace, indeed the Forbidden City itself, was drowned in wailing and lamentation.

Amid this sea of grief, Zhu Hao suddenly regained his clarity. He wiped away his tears and glanced at Wei Xiaobao, who was still kneeling and weeping, and said sternly, “Xiaobao! Now is not the time for sorrow. With my father’s passing, my own position is perilous! Only if I survive will I have the right to mourn!”

Wei Xiaobao, hearing his master speak thus, hastily dried his tears and replied solemnly, “Your Highness, what would you have your humble servant do? Please give your orders!”

Zhu Hao had already formed a plan when he spoke those words; now, hearing Wei Xiaobao’s question, he replied at once, “Xiaobao, the palace is in chaos right now. Xie Gang must be unguarded within the Imperial Guards. Take Hua Rong and Shi Qian, bring Xie Gang to me from the Imperial Guards! Go now, hurry!”

At these words, Wei Xiaobao immediately kowtowed to Zhu Hao and replied respectfully, “Rest assured, Your Highness. I’ll risk my life if I must—I will bring Commander Xie to you!”

With a nod from Zhu Hao, Wei Xiaobao left Zhu Hao’s bedchamber. This time, Zhu Hao did not remain within his chambers but stepped outside and headed for the main hall, making his way to Consort Liu’s residence.

The moment he entered Consort Liu’s palace, he was met with weeping and wailing. Zhu Hao frowned but ignored the others, heading straight into his mother’s room. There he found her, eyes red and vacant, staring blankly ahead while tears streamed down her cheeks.

His sudden entrance seemed to rouse Consort Liu from her daze. She looked at Zhu Hao and, unable to contain her grief any longer, abandoned all composure. Crying out, “Youjian…” she collapsed onto her bed, overcome with tears.

Seeing his mother in such despair, Zhu Hao felt a deep ache in his heart, yet he didn’t know how to comfort her. Still, with their lives now hanging by a thread, he had no choice but to speak. “Mother, Father is gone, please don’t grieve too much! Right now—”

Before Zhu Hao could finish, Consort Liu, who had just been sobbing on her bed, abruptly sat up and, pointing at him, cut him off in a fury. “You unfilial child! Your father loved you most, and now, scarcely has he left us, you tell me not to be sad? Has your conscience been eaten by dogs? How can you say such rebellious, heartless things? I have no son like you! Get out! I never want to see you again!” With that, she once more collapsed onto her bed, her cries louder than before.

Zhu Hao had never seen his mother so angry with him and felt wretched. Yet he understood she was beside herself with grief and had misunderstood his intent—he bore her no resentment. Knowing that time was of the essence, he could not explain himself further and spoke quickly: “Mother, you’re mistaken! You have lived in this palace long enough to know that with Father gone, the Empress will never let us be! Please, Mother, close your doors now and do not open them for anyone, no matter who comes or what you hear, until I send word. Do not ask what I must do; I have my own plan. Just let me handle everything!” With that, Zhu Hao turned and left his mother’s chambers.

Watching her son’s departing figure, Consort Liu murmured, “Youjian… are you now to protect your mother, as your father did before you? My Youjian has grown up… he has his father’s bearing now…” Unconsciously, her mind drifted to memories of meeting Zhu Changluo, their acquaintance, their love, their long years together, and now, his silent passing. Sorrow welled up within her again and she wept without restraint. Yet despite her grief, she obeyed Zhu Hao’s instructions and shut her doors tight.

No sooner had she done so than a eunuch arrived bearing an imperial edict, knocking and calling at the door. No matter how loudly the eunuch knocked or called, Consort Liu pretended not to hear, and at length the eunuch had no choice but to leave.

Zhu Hao left his mother’s chambers and returned to his own room, where Wei Xiaobao, Hua Rong, and Shi Qian had already returned. With them was Xie Gang, the former commander of the Imperial Guards. When Zhu Hao entered, all four knelt in salute. “Your servant Wei Xiaobao, humble Shi Qian, Commander Xie Gang, subordinate Hua Rong, pay respects to Your Highness!”

Zhu Hao nodded at them. “These are extraordinary times—no need for such formality. Get up!” Then, turning to Xie Gang, he asked, “Xie Gang, it’s not that I refused to help you with your case, but that someone wanted you dead to seize control of the Imperial Guards. I wanted to help, but was powerless. Now that my father has just passed, I have a way to exonerate you, restore you to command, and make you a key supporter in the enthronement of the new emperor. Are you willing?”

Hearing this, Xie Gang immediately assumed Zhu Hao meant for him to seize the throne. He hastily replied, “Your servant is willing to serve Your Highness—no, Your Majesty—with all my strength! Long live the Emperor! Long live, long live!”

The other three quickly followed Xie Gang’s lead, shouting “Long live the Emperor!” Zhu Hao immediately rebuked them. “In the state, there is a crown prince; in the family, an elder brother. How could I covet the throne? Are you trying to label me as disloyal and unfilial?”

Xie Gang realized his mistake as he listened to Zhu Hao’s angry words and saw his expression, and hurriedly apologized. “Please, Your Highness, forgive me! I misunderstood. Didn’t you just say I could be a key supporter in establishing a new emperor? That’s why I—”

Zhu Hao, still indignant, snapped, “That’s enough! Banish these disloyal thoughts at once. If you ever think that way again, you’ll answer to me first! I’m talking about supporting my elder brother, the Crown Prince!”

Xie Gang, hearing this, quickly kowtowed and begged forgiveness. “Your servant knows his mistake—please, Your Highness, forgive me! Please give your orders—I will do whatever you command!”

With a dissatisfied snort and a warning glare, Zhu Hao said, “Rise! I’ll overlook it this time, but don’t let it happen again.” He paused, then continued, “Xie Gang, I know you’ve spent many years in the Imperial Guards. Tell me, if you were to seize control of the Guards by force right now, how confident are you? Don’t worry about anything else—I guarantee that your actions will be rewarded, not punished.”

He added this reassurance to dispel Xie Gang’s fears. After all, under the law, forcibly seizing command of the troops was tantamount to rebellion—a crime punishable by extermination of one’s entire clan. Zhu Hao wanted to ensure Xie Gang would not hesitate or refuse to act, thereby ruining his plan.

Sure enough, Zhu Hao’s words put Xie Gang at ease. He began to consider carefully the prospects and risks of taking command by force. The other three watched him, awaiting his answer, but Zhu Hao did not rush him. At last, Xie Gang clenched his fist and declared, “I’ll follow Your Highness! Whatever you command, I will do! I dare not speak for anything else, but as for those boys in the Imperial Guards—if I return, they’ll all obey my orders without question. You can rest assured, Your Highness!”

Zhu Hao clapped his hands. “Excellent! Commander Xie, you truly have courage! My father did not trust you in vain, and neither did I. Hua Rong will go with you to the Guards—if anyone refuses to obey, execute them on the spot!”

He raised his voice. “Xie Gang, Hua Rong! Hear my command!”

Xie Gang immediately saluted, “Your servant awaits your orders!”

Hua Rong followed, saluting as well, “Your subordinate awaits your orders!”