At the Hour of Shen (3:00–5:00 PM).
Cao Zhengchun escorted Zhao Zheng away from Jiade Villa. On the way back, he spoke up: "His Majesty has given orders: you are to be prepared to attend the morning court tomorrow and face the ministers."
Inside the carriage, Zhao Zheng was startled to hear this. He hadn't expected that after the massive scene he caused at Youning Palace earlier today, the Emperor of Dazhen would not be angry with him at all. His forbearance was truly something else!
"His Majesty also said that since you are willing to favor Noble Consort Li, you are a clever lad," Cao continued. "I have already made proper arrangements for you in the palace; from now on, even if you visit Noble Consort Li, no one will dare to be suspicious. However, I must solemnly warn you: do not stir up any more trouble at tomorrow's morning court, unless you no longer care whether your younger sister lives or dies."
Zhao Zheng sat in the carriage, closing his eyes to rest, silent the entire journey. As far as he was concerned, the life of the original body’s sister was no threat to him at all. Once he returned to the palace, it would be his home turf again. The Emperor of Dazhen allowing him to come and go from Youning Palace was not merely tacit approval of his survival tactics; it likely held a much deeper meaning. For Zhao Zheng, tomorrow's morning court would be another immense test.
As Zhao Zheng contemplated his next steps, Cao Zhengchun brought him back to Zhengde Hall in the palace. To avoid arousing suspicion from those around them, Cao Zhengchun stood and bowed, announcing loudly, "We respectfully welcome His Majesty back to Zhengde Hall to rest."
Zhao Zheng stepped out of the carriage and entered Zhengde Hall. Cao Zhengchun immediately stationed several guards at the entrance. Internally, Zhao Zheng sneered. This was just another way of monitoring his every move!
The side chamber of Zhengde Hall served as the Imperial Study, where stacks of memorials were piled as high as a mountain. The Emperor of Dazhen was not a diligent monarch; he had always left the task of reviewing memorials to Wei Zhongxiang, the Chief Eunuch. Yet, this old dog, Wei Zhongxiang, was actually neglecting his duties. Was he off reporting to the Empress?
Zhao Zheng sat before the desk and casually flipped through the memorials. Most of them were impeachments directed at Wei Zhongxiang and his faction of eunuchs. In order to check the power of the consort clans and the scholar-officials, the Emperor of Dazhen had allowed the eunuchs to seize control of the government, which in turn made the officials hate the eunuchs to the bone. Little did they know that the power these eunuchs held was granted entirely by the Emperor himself. Without his nod, how could these eunuchs have been so audacious?
He finished browsing through the memorials quickly. The crimes of the eunuch faction were too numerous to record. Not only did they persecute high-ranking officials and force loyal ministers into prison, but they also engaged in the sale of offices, making the political climate increasingly corrupt. The court was entirely dominated by the consort clans and their families, leaving no path to success for scholars of humble origins. Most of these officials from the prominent clans were mediocre, failing to perform their duties while looting the people's wealth.
The Dazhen Dynasty was like a rotting tree, on the verge of collapse at any moment. The seeds of rebel armies had already appeared in various regions, and while they were currently being suppressed by local garrison troops, the growing number of peasant uprisings would only make the dynasty more precarious.
"Does the Emperor of Dazhen really expect these eunuchs to turn the tide and topple the consort clans?"
By the flickering candlelight, Zhao Zheng diligently began to review the memorials before him.
***
At the Hour of Xu (7:00–9:00 PM).
Wei Zhongxiang returned to the entrance of Zhengde Hall with a group of eunuchs, only to be blocked by a group of armed guards.
"Grand Eunuch Cao has given orders: apart from His Majesty's personal attendants, no one is permitted to enter Zhengde Hall."
Wei Zhongxiang’s face darkened as he spoke coldly: "Are you blind? I am the Seal-holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, personally appointed by His Majesty! By what right do you stop me?"
"My apologies, Eunuch Wei, but we are merely following orders."
Wei Zhongxiang was livid. "That dog Cao Zhengchun—does he really think I’m afraid of him?"
The eunuchs behind him pulled Wei Zhongxiang away from the hall to whisper among themselves. "Eunuch Wei, as the Commander of the Nine Gates, Cao Zhengchun controls the inner palace guards. If we try to force our way in, it will be a death sentence."
"Eunuch Wei, our lives are hanging by a thread. If we cannot poison the Emperor tonight, we are finished!"
"It seems Cao Zhengchun has heard whispers of our conspiracy with the Empress and has become wary. What are we to do?"
Wei Zhongxiang realized the severity of the situation, a terrifying glint flashing in his eyes. "Didn't the guard say that any of His Majesty's personal attendants can go in to serve him?"
The eunuchs suddenly realized what they had to do. They quickly arranged for a young, unfamiliar eunuch, ordering him to carry a cup of poisoned wine into Zhengde Hall.
Under Wei Zhongxiang's orders, the young eunuch succeeded in entering. His name was Gao Li, a newly arrived eunuch who had suffered endless humiliation in the palace these past two days, only to now be sent by the Seal-holding Eunuch to deliver poison to the Emperor. If he refused, Wei Zhongxiang would surely kill him! As a lowly eunuch with no backing in the palace, he could only endure in silence if he hoped to ever get ahead.
He soon learned that the Emperor was in the Imperial Study reviewing memorials. Gao Li kept his head low, carrying the tray with the wine as he reached the entrance. Before entering, he had weighed the pros and cons. He would pretend to comply with Wei Zhongxiang to gain entry. Once he saw the Emperor, he would have a chance at survival. If he actually poisoned the Emperor, he would certainly die anyway, for a treacherous man like Wei Zhongxiang would surely pin all the blame on him.
From the day he entered the palace, Gao Li had been unwilling to be a servant driven by others. He wanted to seize power step by step, until he became the most influential eunuch in the inner court.
"Your Majesty, the hour is late. This servant has prepared a cup of fine nectar for Your Majesty."
Zhao Zheng did not even look up. "Place it on the desk and withdraw."
Gao Li dared not look up at Zhao Zheng. He could not understand why such a diligent ruler was called a "stupid emperor" by so many in the palace.
Zhao Zheng continued to review the memorials for a while. When he finally looked up, he noticed Gao Li had not yet withdrawn.
"Why are you still here?"
Gao Li immediately knelt and reported: "Your Majesty, this servant deserves death. Please, punish me."
Zhao Zheng frowned, glancing at the cup on the desk. A cold light flashed in his eyes. "You intend to harm me?"
"Your Majesty, this servant was coerced by the Seal-holding Eunuch Wei! I know my sins are grave, and I am willing to die for Your Majesty!"
With that, Gao Li picked up the cup and prepared to drain it.
Zhao Zheng stood up and knocked the cup of poisoned wine to the floor. As the liquid spilled, it sizzled, emitting a pungent, burning odor.
He had not expected Wei Zhongxiang to make his move so soon. It seemed Qingniao’s words were true: this old dog, Wei Zhongxiang, had thrown in his lot with the Empress and was desperate to poison the Emperor of Dazhen to facilitate the Crown Prince’s ascension.
Since Wei Zhongxiang had stuck his neck out to be cut, he would not be the one to show mercy.
"Gao Li, are you willing to help me purge these traitors?"
Gao Li immediately prostrated himself, his voice filled with loyalty: "This servant is ready to serve Your Majesty with every ounce of his strength!"