On his way to Youning Palace, Zhao Zheng felt exceptionally heavy-hearted.
Having just crossed paths with Empress Qian for the first time, he could feel the woman’s overwhelming presence. Fortunately, the aura he had projected did not lose out to hers; otherwise, he might have given himself away.
After calming down, Zhao Zheng thought it over carefully. Empress Qian was clearly at odds with the Emperor of Dazhen and desperate for him to die—why, then, would she suddenly appear at Yuxiao Palace, feigning concern for his recovery? Could it be that Empress Qian’s brother had sent her to test the waters and see if the Emperor of Dazhen had truly recovered from his serious illness?
Zhao Zheng stroked his chin, his pupils suddenly constricting. It seemed there were always people secretly monitoring the Emperor of Dazhen from within the harem. His every word, every movement—everything was under their watchful eyes. This was hardly living like an emperor; it was worse than being a prisoner in a dungeon. With zero privacy, how could he ever sleep soundly if he didn't purge the harem?
"Your Majesty, we have arrived at Youning Palace."
Youning Palace was chilling and desolate. The palace entrance was unkempt, with dead, withered leaves swirling about. Zhao Zheng stepped off the royal carriage and walked into the palace.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Despite the eunuch’s announcement, there wasn't a single servant in sight to welcome him. Why was this Noble Consort living in such a miserable state?
"All of you, withdraw. Today, I shall spend the night at Youning Palace."
One old eunuch promptly gave the others a stern look, and they all retreated. This man was Eunuch Wei, the Chief of the Directorate of Ceremonial, who had served the Emperor of Dazhen for many years. He was still unaware that Zhao Zheng was a stand-in. The eleven eunuchs following him were all officials from the Directorate, granted immense power by the Emperor and wielding terrifying influence at court.
"Eunuch Wei, the Emperor was hanging by a thread just a few days ago. How is he so full of vigor now that he's returned from outside the palace?"
"Indeed! The Emperor used to take a detour to avoid Youning Palace. Why is he acting like a completely different person today?"
"Eunuch Wei, if the Noble Consort regains favor, should we start shifting our loyalties?"
Eunuch Wei narrowed his eyes and said in a low voice, "When the Noble Consort fell from grace in the past, we sided with Empress Qian. If we switch to the Noble Consort now that she is back in favor, wouldn't we be offending both sides?"
"Besides, the Grand General has always wanted to eliminate us, and the Empress is not exactly a reliable pillar of support. Since the Noble Consort has yet to consolidate her power, we must wait and see. We must not act rashly and disrupt our own footing."
"If only we had known the Emperor would find a physician from the common folk to treat him; we should have followed the Empress’s demands back then and let the foolish monarch die so we could install a new one. At least then we would have had a chance at survival."
"Eunuch Wei, our previous actions were all capital crimes of deceiving the monarch. If the officials impeach us, the Emperor might not be able to protect us under such pressure."
Eunuch Wei glared at them, chiding, "I am not panicking, so why are you? Don't forget why the Emperor let me take power in the first place—was it not to be the sharp blade in his hand?"
"We must learn to navigate the inner court with ease; only then will the Emperor feel comfortable entrusting us with power to keep the noble clans and in-laws at court in check. As long as we keep the Empress appeased, the Grand General won't dare move against us. When the Noble Consort gains favor, we can curry favor with her as well. Wouldn't that be killing two birds with one stone?"
The old eunuchs gathered around Eunuch Wei and chuckled. "Eunuch Wei is truly the most thoughtful among us!"
Hearing their flattery, Eunuch Wei’s very gait seemed to take on a new air of arrogance.
News of Zhao Zheng spending the night at Youning Palace soon spread through the harem. Several concubines of lower rank gathered with Consort Zhang, chattering away.
"Sister, the Emperor didn't come to see you tonight. Was it the Empress who instigated this?"
Consort Zhang took a light sip of tea and smiled. "Is the Emperor’s will something we women of the palace could ever guess?"
"Sister, your temperament is too soft. It's easy for the Empress to bully you. She is eyeing the position of Crown Prince with great greed; she will show no mercy to anyone who threatens the Prince's status."
"Exactly! Look at how miserably the former Noble Consort Li was persecuted by the Empress. Even the servants in the palace dare to bully her now."
"Sister, do not follow in Noble Consort Li's footsteps. You must plan ahead, lest you end up in the same tragic state."
Consort Zhang set down her teacup and bit her lip gently. "I think today’s events may not be the Empress’s doing. Perhaps the Emperor feels guilty toward Noble Consort Li."
"Sister, I know you are kind-hearted, but if you want to gain a foothold in this harem, you cannot have a merciful heart. Compassion for others is cruelty to oneself."
Consort Zhang held her forehead and sighed. "I am a bit weary today. Shall we gather another time? Yulian, show them out."
"Ladies, please this way."
Once the concubines had left, Consort Zhang hurried back to her room to write a secret letter, which she handed to her personal maid. "Have someone deliver this to my father's residence."
"Mistress, did the Emperor really stay at Youning Palace because of the Empress?"
Consort Zhang said in a low voice, "Those concubines weren't offering well-intentioned advice. It looked more like an attempt to stir up conflict between the Empress and me. In this deep palace, one should not have the heart to harm others, but one must have the heart to defend against them."
"The Empress views me as a thorn in her side. If she truly wanted to fight me to the death, she wouldn't need to use Noble Consort Li as a pawn and hand the Emperor over to her. I fear that the Emperor’s stay at Youning Palace was his own intent. For the sake of the Third Prince, I must plan early. I cannot sit here and wait for my demise."
...
Jiade Villa.
Behind the screen in the sleeping quarters, the Emperor of Dazhen asked weakly, "Did that commoner spend the night at Changning Palace?"
Cao Zhengchun bowed and reported, "Your Majesty, he did not stay at Changning Palace. He went to Youning Palace."
The Emperor of Dazhen let out a secret sigh of relief behind the screen. "That commoner knows his place; he knows Consort Zhang is my favorite, so he dared not touch her."
Cao Zhengchun hesitated for a moment before voicing his doubts. "Your Majesty, if this continues, many people will likely grow suspicious of his identity, which would be counterproductive."
The Emperor of Dazhen said coldly, "Can you not stir up rumors behind the scenes? Spread word in the palace that I have fallen out with Consort Zhang, making it only logical that he would spend the night at Youning Palace?"
"Your old servant is just worried that this man might have designs on Noble Consort Li, which would be detrimental to Your Majesty’s reputation."
"She is the descendant of a foreign race; it matters not if she is toyed with by that commoner. But you must warn him for me: he must never cross any other lines, or I shall ensure he dies without a burial place."
"This servant understands."
"Minister Cao, you have worked hard in the inner court lately. If not for your absolute loyalty to me, I wouldn't know what to do."
Cao Zhengchun prostrated himself, pledging his loyalty. "This servant is but Your Majesty’s hound, willing to sacrifice everything for you."
"Minister Cao, rise. You are the only one left by my side that I can use. Do not let me down."
"This servant will certainly not fail the mission."
"Cough, cough... I am weary. You may withdraw."
Cao Zhengchun slowly backed out of the hall and left Jiade Villa immediately with his men. Once outside, his expression shifted entirely.
"Have people watch every move at Jiade Villa. Report to me whoever the Emperor meets."
"Rest assured, Eunuch. We have our men watching all the outer gates of Jiade Villa."
Cao Zhengchun looked back at the villa, his eyes filled with a sinister glint.