Chapter

Zhu Hao looked at the two men’s solemn expressions, nodded, and his own face became grave as he declared, “By the authority of the imperial dragon carriage, I hereby restore Xie Gang to his position as Commander of the Palace Guards. Take immediate control of the Guard, seal the palace gates, and without my express command, no one is permitted to enter or leave. Any who attempt to do so without permission are to be executed without exception!”

Upon hearing this, Xie Gang saluted in the military manner, replying, “Your order is received!”

Zhu Hao then turned to Hua Rong and continued, “By the authority of the imperial dragon carriage, I hereby appoint Hua Rong as acting Deputy Commander of the Palace Guards. Assist Xie Gang in assuming command and sealing off the palace!”

Hua Rong also saluted and replied, “Your order is received!”

At Zhu Hao’s signal, Hua Rong and Xie Gang withdrew from the room. Once they had left, Zhu Hao turned to Wei Xiaobao and Shi Qian and instructed them directly, “You two are to inform Master Gongsun that from now on, Central Intelligence is to maintain strict surveillance over every palace. Pay special attention to the Palace of Heavenly Purity, Palace of Earthly Tranquility, and Lady Zheng’s residence. Any intelligence regarding these three palaces is to be treated as one grade higher in priority than before!”

Wei Xiaobao bowed with respect. “Your servant obeys!”

Shi Qian followed suit, bowing. “I obey, Young Master!”

Zhu Hao waved his hand, signaling that they could withdraw. Once the two had left, Zhu Hao seemed utterly drained. He collapsed to the floor, his previously composed facade vanishing, replaced by deep and evident worry.

It was only today that Zhu Hao truly understood how difficult it was to wield power from above. To rule was not just to issue commands and have others work for you—it meant that in times of life and death, one must remain calm and direct affairs with composure. However great the fear within, not a trace could be shown. Moreover, not only must one remain unflustered, but one must also soothe the fears of subordinates, giving them confidence to stand together in adversity. Only then could one be considered a worthy leader, the kind whose followers would weather the storm at his side.

Thinking thus, Zhu Hao sighed inwardly: “If it weren’t me, but an ordinary child of eleven or twelve, how could anyone possibly face all of this?”

Sitting there, Zhu Hao gasped for breath, forcibly suppressing his unease and panic. Eventually, he rose and began pacing the room, trying to calm his anxious heart as he waited for news from Xie Gang and Hua Rong about the takeover of the Palace Guards.

Zhu Hao knew all too well that he was the weakest party in this current turmoil. Only by controlling the Palace Guards could he hope to execute the plan in his heart. Otherwise, all would be empty talk. If he failed to take control, he could do nothing but await death here in the residence with his mother.

Compared to Zhu Hao’s restless anxiety in his chamber, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was in utter chaos. The two most powerful women in the realm had begun quarreling, casting aside all former dignity and comportment, and now resembled nothing more than village shrews hurling insults in a brawl.

…

Empress Guo jabbed her finger at Lady Zheng’s nose and berated her, “You venomous woman! Was it you who poisoned His Majesty?”

Lady Zheng shot back without yielding, pointing at Empress Guo, “You insolent wretch! Is that how you speak to your elders? If I hadn’t saved you that day, the Emperor would have cast you away and you’d be weeping in some cold palace right now! Watch your tone when you address your elders!”

Empress Guo scoffed at Lady Zheng’s self-important words. “Elder? Respect? What a joke! Is it wrong for me to call you a venomous woman? Then explain to me, why did His Majesty die so suddenly? If you can give a reasonable answer, I’ll kneel and beg your forgiveness!”

Lady Zheng, icy as frost under Empress Guo’s relentless questioning, replied coldly, “Do I owe you any explanation? This matter has nothing to do with me. His Majesty died after taking the ‘Elixir of Immortality’—what does that have to do with me? If you want someone to blame, blame the one who presented the elixir, not me!”

Though Lady Zheng spoke forcefully, a guilty conscience undermined her confidence. Empress Guo, observing this, became all the more certain of her suspicions and sneered, “Don’t try to lie your way out! Everyone knows Fang Congzhe is your man. It was he who brought the elixir into the palace, and you who pleaded with His Majesty to take that damned pill! Don’t try and tell me this has nothing to do with you. Who do you think you’re fooling?”

Empress Guo’s relentless pressure left Lady Zheng flustered. She glared coldly at Empress Guo and replied with a chilling tone, “Even if it were me, what evidence do you have? Can you convict me? And don’t forget, we’re in this together! If you hadn’t framed Xie Gang, had your brother take over the Palace Guards, and sealed the Palace of Heavenly Purity, His Majesty would never have been so isolated! Remember, it doesn’t matter how the Emperor died—what matters is that you’re an accomplice! Hmph!”

Empress Guo, hearing Lady Zheng’s near-confession, clutched her head and squatted to the floor in misery, tears streaming from her eyes. She muttered, “Your Majesty, I have wronged you! I should never have trusted this poisonous woman. If not for her words, I wouldn’t have framed Xie Gang, my brother wouldn’t have taken over the Guards, and the palace wouldn’t have been sealed. I loved you so dearly, yet became your killer’s accomplice. How can I ever find peace again?”

Her gaze suddenly turned fierce. With a wild cry, she shouted, “Your Majesty, I cannot endure this torment for the rest of my life. I shall avenge you and then join you in death!” With that, she tore the jeweled hairpin from her head and charged at Lady Zheng, clearly determined to draw blood before stopping.

Lady Zheng had never expected such a sudden attack. She retreated in terror, crying out, “Guards, protect me! The Empress has lost her mind!”

Fortunately, the Palace of Heavenly Purity was well-staffed, and Lady Zheng’s fate was not yet sealed. Several attendants rushed in, restraining the rampaging Empress Guo and saving Lady Zheng from disaster.

Once the Empress was subdued, Lady Zheng took a few deep breaths to steady herself after the fright, then called out coldly, “Where is Cui Wensheng?”

Since the emperor’s passing, Cui Wensheng had lost his anchor and feared that the new sovereign would seek retribution. At Lady Zheng’s summons, he hurried over with a sycophantic smile, fawning, “Your servant is here, Your Ladyship. What would you have me do? Please command me!”

Lady Zheng found Cui Wensheng’s ingratiating manner repugnant. She thought to herself, “The Emperor’s just died, and you don’t even trouble yourself to feign grief? You’re useless!” Though she was disgusted, she needed him for the moment, so she refrained from rebuking him and issued her orders coldly, “The Empress, overcome with grief at His Majesty’s death, has developed hysteria and just now tried to attack me. I order you to escort the Empress back to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility for rest and assign her ‘special protection.’ If anything happens to her, I shall hold you personally responsible. Do you understand?”

Cui Wensheng nodded repeatedly, like a pecking chick, and replied, “As you command, Your Ladyship. Please rest assured—even if it costs me my life, I will ‘protect’ the Empress!”

Lady Zheng’s meaning was clear—she intended to place the Empress under house arrest. Empress Guo, though restrained by several attendants, understood this perfectly and shouted angrily, “You dogs, abetting this villain! Release me! I must kill that poisoner myself and avenge His Majesty!”

Cui Wensheng, eager to prove his loyalty to Lady Zheng, threw caution to the wind. He stepped forward and slapped Empress Guo across the face, cursing, “You wretch! How dare you speak to Her Ladyship like that? I’ll teach you some manners!”

Empress Guo had never suffered such humiliation; the pain of the blow was nothing compared to the shame it brought her.

With bloodshot eyes, she glared at Cui Wensheng and spat, “You dog! I’ll remember this. One day, you’ll regret everything you’ve done!”

Cui Wensheng laughed loudly, slapped her again, then spat at her, “You should be grateful I even touch you! You’re not even worth dirtying my hands. Take a look in the mirror—what are you, really?”

Empress Guo ground her teeth in fury. If she hadn’t been restrained, she would have torn Cui Wensheng apart with her own teeth.

But she no longer cursed him. She understood that it was pointless now. She was at their mercy, and cursing either Cui Wensheng or Lady Zheng would only further humiliate herself. All she could do was glare at the two, her eyes red with hatred. The sight made both of them uneasy. Lady Zheng, however, was largely unbothered—she had lived most of her life in the shadowy depths of the palace, seen it all, and so she merely gave a cold snort of displeasure.