Outside the palace gates, Cao Zhengchun had been waiting for a long time, pacing back and forth in a state of extreme anxiety. He had felt that things were taking a turn for the worse the moment he heard Zhao Zheng intended to execute the eunuchs and palace maids who had been bullying Noble Consort Li. By the time he reached Youning Palace, he was already too late.
The entire palace was a river of blood, as horrific as a living hell. Among those eunuchs and palace maids were some who were eyes and ears planted by the Emperor of Dazhen to watch over his body double; they, too, had fallen victim to the massacre. Cao Zhengchun could not fathom what the double was trying to do—to go on such a killing spree within the palace without even consulting him!
Zhao Zheng walked out of Youning Palace as if nothing had happened. Cao Zhengchun and the group of eunuchs with him hurriedly knelt on the ground.
"The Empress Dowager is gravely ill. I request that Your Majesty board the carriage and proceed to Jiade Villa to visit her."
Zhao Zheng knew that Cao Zhengchun intended to take him to the Emperor of Dazhen to be held accountable. After all, a portion of the eunuchs and maids slaughtered this time were surely operatives planted by Cao Zhengchun himself. Zhao Zheng boarded the carriage without a hint of panic.
Cao Zhengchun dismissed the eunuchs accompanying them and drove the carriage himself, spiriting Zhao Zheng away from the imperial palace. The moment they cleared the main palace gate, Cao Zhengchun asked in a cold voice, "Why did you take it upon yourself to slaughter the palace attendants? Do you have any idea how many eyes are watching your every move?"
Zhao Zheng replied languidly, "Grand Eunuch Cao, I had no choice in the matter."
Cao Zhengchun snorted coldly. "Save your excuses for the Emperor."
The carriage soon stopped at the entrance of Jiade Villa, and Cao Zhengchun led Zhao Zheng into the main hall. Behind the screen, the Emperor of Dazhen appeared incredibly frail, slowly emerging with the support of a eunuch.
"Official Cao, what urgent matter brings you to see me in such a rush?"
Cao Zhengchun knelt on the ground, pulling Zhao Zheng with him. "Your Majesty, your old servant has failed you. The eyes and ears I planted in the palace were all slaughtered a few days ago."
The Emperor of Dazhen’s pupils contracted, and he asked with suppressed fury, "Who is so bold as to dare lay a hand on the people I planted?"
Cao Zhengchun shoved Zhao Zheng forward, directly before the Emperor, and reported, "Your Majesty, this is the work of this body double. Just after noon today, he slaughtered a multitude of eunuchs and maids in Youning Palace."
The Emperor of Dazhen’s gaze fell coldly upon Zhao Zheng, his face filled with murderous intent. "You lowly wretch, are you trying to escape my control?"
Zhao Zheng hurriedly prostrated himself, explaining, "Your Majesty, I am wronged! I knew nothing of the people you had arranged!"
"Then why did you slaughter the attendants in the inner palace?"
"I... I have suffered much humiliation over the years, and I felt deep empathy for what Noble Consort Li has endured. Under her incitement, I exercised Your Majesty's authority for the first time, but I never expected..." He sobbed, "I never expected so many people to lose their lives for nothing. I am... I am terrified, Your Majesty!"
Zhao Zheng feigned complete ignorance, weeping bitterly to explain himself while skillfully shifting the blame onto Noble Consort Li. The Emperor of Dazhen and Cao Zhengchun exchanged glances. Seeing that they seemed to find no flaws in his performance, Zhao Zheng continued to pour out his grievances: "Your Majesty, I am but a commoner; I don't know how to be an emperor. It was Grand Eunuch Cao who forced me to do it. My younger sister is still in his hands—how could I dare to disobey Your Majesty's will? All of this was at Noble Consort Li's behest. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare me!"
The Emperor of Dazhen coughed a few times, his expression softening significantly. He waved a hand and said, "Take him away."
Several eunuchs dragged Zhao Zheng out of the hall. A cunning smile touched the corner of Zhao Zheng's mouth. He had managed to muddle through! The most pressing task now was to build his own power, so as not to be caught in such a passive position again.
Inside the hall, Cao Zhengchun raised his head, looking anxious. "Your Majesty, are you just going to let him go like this?"
"Official Cao, how much of his words do you find credible?"
Cao Zhengchun rolled his eyes internally. Even a fool could hear that there were inconsistencies in Zhao Zheng's story. Could the calculating Emperor of Dazhen not hear them too? But why the Emperor would allow Zhao Zheng to act so recklessly was something Cao Zhengchun could not fathom.
"Your Majesty, his words should certainly not be taken at face value."
The Emperor of Dazhen gave a bitter laugh. "He merely wishes to save his own skin; let him be. Besides, you have already spread rumors of a falling-out with Consort De; let us let Noble Consort Li's fire burn even brighter."
"Your Majesty intends to use the affair of Noble Consort Li to suppress the Empress’s faction?" Cao Zhengchun suddenly understood and hurriedly prostrated himself. "This old servant understands. Your Majesty is wise!"
The Emperor of Dazhen's cold, dark eyes flashed with malice. He said in a low voice, "Tell that lowly wretch to handle the court officials tomorrow and not to cause any more trouble, or I will kill his sister."
Cao Zhengchun replied tremblingly, "Please rest assured, Your Majesty. I will keep a constant watch over him."
***
At the hour of Wei, in Yongning Palace, within the garden pavilion.
General Qian Yong, dressed in casual attire, said in disbelief, "Is what you say true, sister? The Emperor has actually recovered from his illness! If so, our plans for Fu'er's ascension will need to be reconsidered."
"Brother, the Emperor has never liked Fu'er. I fear that now that he has recovered, he may harbor thoughts of naming a different successor."
Qian Yong slammed his hand against the stone table, his voice cold. "If you hadn't been so indecisive back then, Fu'er would have already ascended the throne, and our Qian family would be at the height of its power. Now that the Emperor has recovered, a palace coup will be much more difficult."
Empress Qian remained calm. "Brother, do not be angry. Back then, I was restrained by our past bonds as husband and wife, which is why I did not take such lethal measures. I thought that with the Emperor so ill, he would be dead before long. Who could have foreseen these changes? However, for Fu'er's sake, I have another plan!"
A glimmer of hope flickered in Qian Yong’s eyes. "What plan?"
"Let them in."
A moment later, Wei Zhongxiang led a group of eunuchs and knelt before the Empress. "Your old servant, Wei Zhongxiang, pays his respects to the Empress and the General!"
Seeing the eunuchs, Qian Yong’s blood began to boil. He shouted angrily, "Sister, this is your plan? You are actually employing this cabal of eunuchs? Do you know what these vermin have done to our Qian family?"
Wei Zhongxiang and his faction had long been at odds with Qian Yong in court. Before the Emperor fell ill, Wei Zhongxiang had always acted on the Emperor's behalf, naturally targeting the families of in-laws at every turn. Later, when the Emperor became bedridden, Wei Zhongxiang and his men had defected to the Empress in search of a patron within the inner court.
Qian Yong drew his sword, intent on striking Wei Zhongxiang. The eunuchs begged repeatedly, "Mercy, Empress! Mercy, General! We never intended to harm you in the past; it was always the Emperor's will!"
Empress Qian stopped Qian Yong and whispered in his ear, "Brother, Wei Zhongxiang and his men are now at my disposal. If they can secretly poison the Emperor, Fu'er’s ascension will be legitimate and orderly. I hope you will set aside past grudges and work together for Fu'er's sake. Do not let minor issues jeopardize the grand design!"
Qian Yong sheathed his sword and snorted at the eunuchs. "For the Empress's sake, I will spare your lives for now. If you dare to harm our Qian family again, I will tear you into pieces!"
Wei Zhongxiang and the others kowtowed repeatedly. "Thank you for your mercy, General! Thank you, Empress!"