“His Majesty has arrived—— “
The long sound of the announcement of the emperor’s arrival sounded in their ears. Everyone looked back and saw a melon-shaped palace lamp hoisted up in the air coming toward them. Under the lamp is the emperor’s imperial carriage. On the carriage, the old emperor’s face looked tired, appearing quite old.
Everyone bowed down to the ground. The emperor didn’t get down from the carriage but after casting a far-off glance in the direction of the room, waved his hand and said, “It’s the middle of the night without a single shadow (of the assassin) in sight. What’s with all this ruckus? Be gone.”
All were stunned after hearing the emperor’s words. No one had imagined the emperor would dismiss the guards without asking a single question. Ning Yi immediately straightened up and said, “Yes, Your Majesty.” and order his guards to leave.
His heart sank at the sight of the emperor coming, Wu Wenming knelt weakly on the steps, his legs stiff and uncontrollable, beads of sweat rolled down his forehead.
“Scholar Wu must be tired after dithering around all night.” The emperor glanced over at Wu Wenming, with neither joy nor anger in his tone, “You should go back and rest.”
There wasn’t anything wrong with the sentence on the surface but the use of the phrase “dithering around” caused Wu Wenming’s lips to tremble, and uttered with much difficulty with his shaking voice “Yes.” as he bowed his head deeply to the ground.
“You are a civil servant, a scholar of the palace.” The Emperor of Tiansheng sat high on the imperial carriage, his face hidden in the shadow of the lamp. In the half shadow half light, one could only see a mouth opening and closing, the words he spit out were unemotional and chilling, “A civil servant needs to keep his heart firmly on serving his sovereign and to be an example to the people. He needs to examine his heart constantly, keeping it free and clear of anything that would stain it. After more than a decade of studying hard, filling your head with words of morality and justice, you should be careful not to put that heart in the wrong place. Things like conspiring for self-interest should be avoided like the plague. No one would be able to save you if you don’t know your place and ended up getting tangled up in it. Here is a copy of “The Discourse of Ministers” written by Li Wenzheng, the former priminister of the court. Take it and read it carefully. Come tell me when you have read it thoroughly.”
A book was thrown down in front of Wu Wenming’s knee.
Wu Wuming reached out with a shaking hand, making several failed attempts to pick up the thin book.
Feng Zhi Wei and Ning Yi exchanged a look.
The emperor’s words were very harsh, almost stripping off Old Wu’s face (face= dignity) completely. The words seemed to be encouraging and comforting but also seemed to be a warning and chastisement as well. The tone was severe and harsh but in the end, all Wu Wenming got was to self-reflect behind closed doors. No one could tell if the emperor meant that Wu Wenming would never be used by the court again or if he would just be ignored for a while.
Ning Yi lowered his eyes, hiding the chilling smile in the depth of his eyes– there are four scholars in the imperial court. Two of them could be counted to be in his camp. This Scholar Wu was originally promoted by the emperor as a check and balance with him in mind. Although Old Wu didn’t live up to the emperor’s expectations and got involved in the court’s power struggle so soon, the Tiansheng emperor was still willing to give him a chance. In order to make sure the court will not fall completely into his control, the emperor did not plan on punishing Old Wu severely despite knowing that he is guilty.
The art of checks and balances has always been like this for an emperor.
The wind in the spring night got cooler, and the shadows of the trees oscillated, like countless ghosts hidden in the dark laughing and jeering at the treacherous deceits of this imperial court.
“That’s it. You all can leave.” The emperor cast a look of disgust at Wu Wenming. A few big strong guards came up to half drag and half help him out. The was a vague wetness on the bottom of Old Wu’s robe. Wherever he passed there was a slight stench– someone was so frightened that he peed his pants.
Feng Zhi Wei chuckled but then frowned slightly, thinking inwardly that something is off with the old emperor. Why would he not get off his carriage? Of course, it is best he didn’t get off the carriage. If he had spotted any issue with the young eunuch then all of them would be in trouble. However, the fact that he didn’t get off the carriage or approached closer seemed strange too.
From a distance, the emperor looked in the direction of Wei Zhi’s room again and said calmly, “The people of Yuming Palace behaved inappropriately, the Ma Ma in charge is responsible for not teaching and disciplining well. She will be fined three months’ salary and go to the palace internal affair to receive a hundred lashes as punishment.”
Feng Zhi Wei was startled but Ning Yi stopped her with a look when she wanted to speak. Looking calm, Liu Ma Ma has already bowed her head to the ground and thanked the emperor.
“You have the right to deal with the crime committed by those under you.” the emperor continued, “Theft is a serious crime. He will be beaten to death.”
Liu Ma Ma acknowledged the order again in a low voice. Feng Zhi Wei frowned, vaguely feeling that something is off– when did the emperor have so much time that he would personally intervene in the punishment of a young eunuch of the inner palace?
And the punishment he gave Liu Ma Ma was also strange.
What does he know?
“Whi Zhi.” the emperor suddenly called her name.
Feng Zhi Wei knelt and move a step forward, “Your servant is here.”
“You are in charge of the Ministry of Rites, there is something for you to do.” the expression in the emperor’s eyes was slightly strange, a bit angry, and a bit resigned. His cold gaze swept over Feng Zhi Wei before he said, “Princess Shao Ning was widowed before she was married. (I believe that’s when Shao Ning personally made sure she was widowed because she was unwilling to marry anyone other than Wei Zhi) The abbot of Changde Temple said she was fated to have a trial when she turned 20. I am thinking it would be good to build a small imperial temple over at the west street for her and let her meditate there for a while to get past this period. Her title will be temporarily taken away, and be given a Buddhist name…Yongning. (Young Ning- forever peace).
Feng Zhi Wei’s heart skipped a beat. Her fingers on the ground curled up, the wet and cold soil getting all over her hands.
The emperor knew Shao Ning was in her room!
That was why he never got off the carriage, and quickly sent everyone away.
That’s why he order the eunuch Xiao Jizi to be killed—in a manner that the body would be completely unrecognizable– the one that is soon to be beaten to death is not this fake “Xiao Jizi” in front of them but the real one that is still back in Yuming Palace, the Xiao Jizi who is still sleeping in his room and has no idea what disaster had fallen on him from the sky!
That’s why he punished Liu Ma Ma– not because she didn’t manage the Yuming Palace servants properly, but it was to punish her for not keeping a close enough watch on the princess. However, thanks to Liu Ma Ma’s quick thinking, the princess and the imperial dignity were preserved so her life was spared.
That’s why he wanted to send Shao Ning out of the palace— this matter cannot be covered up forever. Once Shao Ning leaves the palace, then everyone in Yuming Palace, those who were here, and all who were connected to this matter, will be purged!
But why does he want Shao Ning to become a Buddhist nun (not a real one, so she will not be shaving her head)? Why put the imperial temple on the west street? Why is she the one to take care of this matter?
Feng Zhi Wei was instantly covered with cold sweat– because of the old emperor’s unmatched cunning, because of how he was able to manipulate everything to achieve his goal, because of his deep love for Shao Ning, and for himself as well.
The Tiansheng emperor forcefully suppressed his anger, and dealt with this matter in the most gentle way for Shao Ning, making it clear that he is going to grant his daughter’s wish.
This is a cunning ruler, but also a very calculating and thoughtful father.
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I forget, at this stage, has the Emperor already knew that Wei Zhi is a woman?
No, the Emperor has no idea.
What a closing! I am scared for Wei Zhi