Chapter Eighty-Three: The Palace Transfer Case Emerges

The palace maids and eunuchs, hearing Empress Guo’s words, all knelt before Zhu Hao and thanked him in unison, “Thank you, Fifth Prince, for saving our lives!”

Zhu Hao simply waved his hand at them, saying nothing more. Though he had been raised for over twenty years in a world where equality and humanism were fundamental values, he knew well that such ideals were meaningless in this strictly hierarchical feudal dynasty. Here, the lives of maids and eunuchs were as cheap as grass; their fates went unnoticed and unmourned by anyone.

All Zhu Hao could do was sigh deeply and try not to be tainted by the dregs of this feudal world, striving to treat everyone with respect as much as possible.

He no longer looked at the kneeling servants, instead turning to Empress Guo. “Mother, where should we begin searching for the Crown Prince?”

Empress Guo considered the question for a moment, casting Zhu Hao a look of appreciation before replying, “It’s fortunate you sealed off the palace; otherwise, things would have become truly troublesome. The Crown Prince must still be somewhere within the palace grounds. As long as he hasn't left, he won’t be hard to find.”

With that, she turned to Spring Peach, her trusted maid, instructing, “Spring Peach, mobilize every resource at our disposal. Search the palace thoroughly. Find the Crown Prince and bring him to me as quickly as possible!”

Spring Peach accepted the order and hurried away. Watching this master and servant, who seemed as much friends as they were superior and subordinate, Zhu Hao couldn’t help but think of his own relationship with Wei Xiaobao—so alike, yet lately, burdened by endless affairs, he had become somewhat moody. As a result, Wei Xiaobao’s warmth as a friend had been replaced by a hint of fear.

So it goes in this world—coincidences abound, and people have a way of appearing just as you think of them. As Zhu Hao pondered Wei Xiaobao, the man himself appeared before him.

Wei Xiaobao looked flustered, and Zhu Hao immediately sensed something had happened. He was about to ask when Wei Xiaobao, panting, spoke first: “Your Highness, I’ve searched the entire palace for you! If I hadn’t found you soon, something important would have been delayed!”

“What has happened?” Zhu Hao asked urgently. “Speak quickly!”

Wei Xiaobao glanced at Empress Guo, hesitated, but she, sharp as ever, instantly understood and said, “I have matters to attend to at Kunning Palace. Zhu Hao, come find me there later.” With that, she turned to leave.

Zhu Hao did not wish Empress Guo to suspect him of anything. Though the Central Intelligence Office was his most vital tool, he had come to a new understanding of the Empress through Spring Peach’s descriptions. He simply could not believe that a benevolent and gentle empress would covet his power. So, as she turned, he called out, “Mother, there’s no need for that.” Then, feigning annoyance, he looked at Wei Xiaobao and said, “Whatever you have to say, speak plainly! There are no secrets from my mother!” He punctuated his words with a mock kick and continued, “You foolish servant, acting so suspiciously—are you trying to sow discord between me and my mother?”

Wei Xiaobao was startled, then deeply puzzled. He couldn’t fathom when his master and Empress Guo had become so close; he simply couldn’t keep up.

Zhu Hao snorted coldly, “Did you not understand my words?”

At once, Wei Xiaobao grasped his meaning. Though he still didn’t understand how his master had suddenly become so amicable with his former adversary, the Empress, the message was clear: give a frank report. Realizing this, he hurried to say, “Forgive me, Your Highness! Forgive me! I bring ‘Class A Intelligence’: the Crown Prince has been taken by Lady Li to the Hall of Heavenly Purity!”

Though Empress Guo didn’t know what “Class A Intelligence” meant, she understood the rest. Her expression changed dramatically, and she exclaimed, “What did you say? The Crown Prince has been taken to the Hall of Heavenly Purity? What is that wretch thinking?”

Her sudden outcry startled Wei Xiaobao, who blurted, “I—I don’t know…” Only halfway through did he realize the Empress’s anger wasn’t directed at him. He quickly stopped himself, cast a sheepish glance at Zhu Hao, and bowed his head in shame.

Zhu Hao, however, paid no heed to Wei Xiaobao’s embarrassment. Wei Xiaobao’s words had made him all the more anxious. He vividly recalled the historical account of the Palace Transfer Incident—it began precisely with Lady Li holding his brother hostage in the Hall of Heavenly Purity, preventing him from ascending the throne.

Now, the time, place, and people all aligned. Clearly, the Palace Transfer Incident was underway. If this was indeed the case, even if the Empress herself went to demand the Crown Prince’s release, Lady Li would not comply.

Empress Guo, seeing Zhu Hao lost in thought, quickly ordered, “Zhu Hao, why do you hesitate? Come with me to the Hall of Heavenly Purity to bring out your Crown Prince brother!”

Though Zhu Hao doubted their chances of success, he didn’t wish to defy her. He followed silently as they made their way to the Hall of Heavenly Purity.

Empress Guo assumed Zhu Hao’s silence was due to concern for the Crown Prince’s safety and thought little of it. After the time it takes for a stick of incense to burn, their grand entourage arrived at the hall. To everyone’s surprise, Lady Li did not hide or flee; instead, she stood openly at the entrance, facing Empress Guo and Zhu Hao without a trace of fear.

Empress Guo, seeing Lady Li so brazenly standing outside the hall, knew she must have some advantage. Still, as the Empress, she didn’t regard Lady Li as a real threat. She fixed her with a cold gaze and declared, “Hand over the Crown Prince and leave the Hall of Heavenly Purity. Do so, and I will pardon your past offenses!”

Lady Li responded with a coquettish laugh. “Your Majesty, how imposing you are! How fierce! I almost feel afraid!”

Empress Guo’s rage flared at Lady Li’s flippant tone. “Insolent wretch! How dare you address me so? I will say it again: hand over the Crown Prince and leave the Hall of Heavenly Purity, and for the late emperor’s sake, I will forgive your crimes!”

But Lady Li was unmoved, sneering, “Enough, Empress. Spare me your airs. Everyone in the harem knows the late emperor grew tired of you long ago. If not for his sudden illness, your position would have been lost already! Now, barely has he passed, and you’re here, putting on your Empress act in front of me—it’s laughable!”

Shamed by Lady Li’s mockery, Empress Guo could no longer maintain her composure. “You vile woman! Do you know what you’re saying? The late emperor has only just departed, and yet you seize the Crown Prince for your own ends? You dare speak of the late emperor! If he had any spirit left, before deposing me, he’d have torn you to pieces!”

But Lady Li was utterly unmoved. She cast a disdainful glance at the Empress. “Torn to pieces? Ha! The late emperor would have to crawl from his coffin first! Which of you can touch me now? And who says I’ve kidnapped the Crown Prince? He followed me here of his own free will! All of you, blocking the hall and demanding his return—you’re the real traitors, the true evildoers! If anyone deserves to be torn apart by the late emperor, it’s you, not me!”

Empress Guo knew she hadn’t come to argue but to act. She seized on Lady Li’s words, took a deep breath, and tried to keep her anger in check, speaking as gently as possible: “If you claim the Crown Prince is here by choice, then have him come out and speak with me. I’ll ask him myself. If he wishes to remain, I will never interfere again. Is that fair?”

For an Empress, the most exalted woman in the land, to lower herself so before a mere concubine was almost unthinkable. Even Zhu Hao was moved by her humility.

But Lady Li was unmoved. She scoffed, “No! Absolutely not! Why should I comply? My words are the Crown Prince’s words! Don’t think I don’t know your schemes—if he comes out, you’ll seize him at once. How am I to answer to the late emperor then?”

Hearing Lady Li’s baseless accusations and seeing her so obstinate, Empress Guo at last lost her patience. Her fury could no longer be contained. “Guards! Seize this wretch! Search the palace! I refuse to believe we will not bring out the Crown Prince today!”