Chapter 70: Empress Dowager’s Scheme
At noon, His Majesty summoned Consort Zheng to accompany him for lunch.
In the afternoon, His Majesty, accompanied by Consort Zheng, went to Wu Yi Hall to watch a play.
The founding Emperor of our dynasty was extremely fond of opera and music. In the second year of Yongle, Prince Zhou hunted in Junzhou and presented a Zou Yu, along with nine odes of praise, to the court, which was celebrated by all officials. From then on, it became a trend.
Great Ming court drama, adorned with music and song, depicted peace.
Under the current His Majesty, court drama has reached an unprecedented level of prosperity.
Consort Zheng initially gained favor for her talent in composing lyrics and her understanding of music.
Recently, as the Empress Dowager’s birthday approaches, Consort Zheng has newly composed a play, 《Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix》, as a birthday gift.
“No matter how much the Empress Dowager dislikes this concubine, all this concubine thinks about is how to show filial piety to the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager is His Majesty’s mother, and the mother of all people. This concubine works diligently, and to be able to bring the Empress Dowager a moment of joy is this concubine’s fortune.”
His Majesty was pleased with her understanding and cleverness, praising her greatly.
In Wu Yi Hall, music played melodiously. It gathered the loyalty, filial piety, and righteousness of ages, forming the joys and sorrows of the time.
The beautiful time gradually passed.
As His Majesty was immersed in it, the Minister of War reported that the Tatars had invaded the border again in the north.
Such military and state affairs could not be ignored.
His Majesty reluctantly rose and went to the Palace of Heavenly Purity for discussions.
Consort Zheng saw His Majesty off to the entrance of Wu Yi Hall. Dusk was already blurring, and the sky, filled with the colors of the sunset, was gradually fading, losing its hue.
She felt a sense of worry, fearing that the ministers in the Imperial Court would seize this opportunity to bring up the matter of the Crown Prince again.
That Minister of War was one of the ministers clamoring for “the establishment of the Crown Prince.”
All she had was His Majesty’s favor. However, the First Prince Zhu Changluo possessed not only the support of the Empress Dowager and the ministers but also the ancestral rites and laws.
Fortunately, the matter of the Imperial Son-in-law had been resolved.
No one understood His Majesty’s thoughts better than she did, nor the rift between His Majesty and the Empress Dowager. She had skillfully grasped and exploited this point.
His Majesty had been deeply angered by the Empress Dowager these past few days. The mother and son’s argument in the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility. The palace servant’s son, Zhu Changluo, increasingly disgusted His Majesty. She seemed to see the dawn of victory.
At this critical juncture, nothing could go wrong.
She went from Wu Yi Hall to her sleeping quarters.
She did not know that Feng Gao, severely injured, had, under the Empress Dowager’s arrangement, silently infiltrated the inner room of Cheng Qian Palace during the guard change.
Feng Gao’s punishment with the pipa had left him with torn flesh and bleeding wounds, only his feet could still bear his weight. He had to do what the Empress Dowager had instructed him to do. Only then would he have a chance. He knew this well. Having served in the Eastern Depot for many years, he had long cultivated the ability to “endure what ordinary people cannot.”
Consort Zheng entered the inner room and saw a dark shadow by the curtain.
Just as she was about to cry out, she saw that the dark shadow was quite familiar.
It was Feng Gao of the Eastern Depot.
Wasn’t he imprisoned in the Imperial Prison? How could he be here?
She thought for a moment, dismissed the maids, and then walked in calmly.
She saw Feng Gao’s body covered in wounds and smiled faintly, “Director Feng is indeed Black Impermanence; even with such injuries, you can still come to see this consort.”
Feng Gao bowed and said softly, “This sinner has an important matter to report to Imperial Consort, and wishes to ask Imperial Consort to make a decision.”
Consort Zheng listened and said slowly, “If there is something, you may report it to His Majesty for his imperial decision. This consort only knows of family matters, not state affairs.”
Feng Gao said, “This matter, this sinner can only tell Imperial Consort.”
“Oh?”
Consort Zheng stepped forward, saying, “What is it?”
“This sinner is in a dilemma.”
“What does your predicament have to do with this consort?”
“It has something to do with it,” Feng Gao replied.
Consort Zheng’s expression remained calm, but she closed the window as she spoke, waiting for Feng Gao to continue.
“This sinner has served His Majesty for a long time without error. On the day of the Princess’s wedding, there was a problem with the Imperial Son-in-law, and the Imperial Son-in-law was personally brought back from Yangzhou by this sinner. This sinner’s imprisonment was His Majesty’s intention. This action was merely to appease the Empress Dowager and investigate in secret. Imperial Consort should know this, shouldn’t you—”
At this point, Feng Gao glanced at Consort Zheng.
Consort Zheng’s fingers curled slightly.
Feng Gao continued, “Currently, this sinner has obtained evidence, and this evidence points directly to Imperial Consort. This sinner is filled with fear.”
“Nonsense, what does this matter have to do with this consort?” Consort Zheng reprimanded.
“On the third day of the first lunar month, esteemed Father, Yangzhou Prefectural Office scribe Liu Wenzheng, can be entrusted with two or three matters. Next month, an inner palace granny will go to Yangzhou, her…” Feng Gao recited unhurriedly.
What he recited were the contents of that letter, a letter Consort Zheng had written to her father.
Hearing such private content spoken by Feng Gao, Consort Zheng’s expression changed.
She supported the lampstand with her hand, “What do you want?”
Feng Gao said, “Imperial Consort, do not panic. Only this sinner knows the contents of this letter. This sinner knows well that if this letter is given to His Majesty, His Majesty will not publicize the matter and will only use this sinner as a scapegoat. If this letter is given to the Empress Dowager, it will surely offend His Majesty’s dignity and put His Majesty in a very passive position, and this sinner will naturally suffer along with it. Imperial Consort is such a wise person, you should understand that neither of these outcomes is beneficial to Imperial Consort. Nor are they beneficial to this sinner. Therefore, this sinner can neither give the letter to the Empress Dowager nor to His Majesty, but can only… give it to Imperial Consort.”
Consort Zheng stared at Feng Gao, pondering his words.
“Why should this consort trust you?”
“On this matter, Imperial Consort and this sinner share the same stance.”
“But you are His Majesty’s man,” Consort Zheng said.
“Has Your Ladyship not heard the saying, ‘All under heaven bustle, all for gain; all under heaven bustle, all for profit.’ This sinner merely wishes to protect himself.”
Consort Zheng coldly appraised him.
She looked at his injuries, at the deference and flattery on his face.
At this moment, every step she took was extremely important.
After a long while, she said, “According to your opinion, what should this consort do?”
“Your Ladyship must find a way to make the Imperial Son-in-law confess his guilt. This way, Imperial Consort will be unharmed, and this sinner can also escape,” Feng Gao said.
Consort Zheng rubbed the lampstand.
Feng Gao cupped his hands and said, “Your Ladyship is exceptionally intelligent. This sinner awaits Your Ladyship’s good news.”
Consort Zheng said, “Feng Gao, if you play tricks with this consort—”
“This sinner would never dare.”
Feng Gao said, prostrating himself on the ground.
Make the Imperial Son-in-law confess his guilt. A hint of cold, somberness arose on Consort Zheng’s charming face.
The role of that consumptive ghost had been fulfilled.
He should not be kept alive.
Confessing his guilt and committing suicide was his best path.
As for Feng Gao…
Consort Zheng’s palm trembled slightly.
After this matter, Feng Gao could not be kept either.
The palace walls were deep, and could not tolerate those who knew too many secrets.
How could she, the Zheng family, be controlled by a eunuch?
From the moment he entered the inner chamber and mentioned “cooperation,” Consort Zheng’s murderous intent had already begun to stir.
That night.
The Princess’s Manor.
The imperial physician had given the Imperial Son-in-law acupuncture, and the Imperial Son-in-law rested in the study.
The lights were extinguished.
The study was silent.
After the time it took for two sticks of incense to burn, there was a sound on the roof tiles.
Several men in black descended from the roof, their movements extremely light.
A large saber swung towards the bed—
Suddenly, the lamp lit up.
Several people emerged from under the bed and caught the men in black red-handed.
Witnesses and evidence were complete.
In the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.
The Empress Dowager received the report and asked the eunuch beside her, “Where is His Majesty resting tonight?”
“Reporting to the Empress Dowager, His Majesty is being held up in the Palace of Heavenly Purity by several ministers, discussing the northern defense against the Tatars, and matters of grain and military supplies.”
“Go, summon Consort Zheng to the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.”
“Yes.”
Not long after, Consort Zheng arrived at the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility.
Empress Dowager Li smiled at her, a smile she had never seen on the Empress Dowager’s face before, making her feel as if she were on pins and needles…
In Yangzhou City.
Hibiscus water mist, shallow boats moored. The familiar Jiangnan of old, with lingering floral scents.
Hesitant twilight mist, lamplight obscured by reeds.
I stood at the ferry terminal, gazing north, waiting for news from Qin Mingxu.
It would take at least eight days to return to Yangzhou from the Capital City.
How was the matter handled? Was Dou Ya rescued?
These questions swirled in my mind.
A shop assistant came looking for me, panting, “East… East owner, Maternal Uncle Zheng is here… Steward Hua is blocking the entrance…”
I turned my head, “If he’s here, he’s here. Why are you so flustered?”
“Maternal Uncle Zheng brought a large group of people, with gongs and drums, and carried over a dozen chests of betrothal gifts. He said, he said, he said he wants to take the East owner as a concubine. A propitious date has been chosen, the first of May.” The shop assistant wiped his sweat with his sleeve.
I returned to the counter.
Maternal Uncle Zheng looked at me and smiled.
“Boss Zhu, the reason I’m a few days late is that this Lord was preparing the betrothal gifts. Boss Zhu, take a look. Top-grade pearls and coral from the South Seas, wolf skins and sheep blankets from the Western Regions, agate and gems from the barbarians, all are priceless treasures. This Lord thought, although it’s taking a concubine, Boss Zhu is not like others, so it should be treated with solemnity. What do you say? Is Boss Zhu pleased?”
Hua Lian glared at him.
He waved his hand, and several burly house guards rushed forward.
Hua Lian engaged them in a fight. The Flower Viper raised its head high. Maternal Uncle Zheng was prepared; a red-faced man walked over from behind, poised to capture the snake, skillfully aiming for the Flower Viper’s vulnerable spot. Hua Lian panicked. Outside the Zhu Family Wine Shop, the scene was chaotic.
Maternal Uncle Zheng said, “What this Lord says is like spilled water, never to be taken back. If I can’t even take a concubine, then the face of my Zheng family will sink to the bottom of the Grand Canal.”
“Stop!”
I shouted.
Maternal Uncle Zheng looked at me, “What, Boss Zhu has thought it through?”
“I’ve thought it through.”
He put his hands behind his back, looking at me with satisfaction, “Good. Very good. Those who oppose my Zheng family have no good end. Boss Zhu is indeed sensible. On the first of May, this Lord will send a sedan chair to carry Boss Zhu over.”
He leaned his head forward, “A courtyard has been reserved for you in the manor, all prepared, Ninth Concubine.”
The words “Ninth Concubine” were spoken with great emphasis.
Everyone present heard it clearly.
“This Lord has long said that this wine and this person should become a beautiful tale.”
He left, laughing heartily.
That group of ruffians followed him.
“East owner—” Hua Lian walked to my side, looking worried.
The entire Zhu Family Wine Shop was shrouded in uncertainty about the future.
I never imagined that after my marital fate with Cheng Huaishi, I would face such a humiliating situation: being forced into marriage.
The crabapple has not yet rained, but the pear blossoms have already snowed, half of spring is gone. Dou Ya is imprisoned, Qin Mingxu is absent. The four walls are desolate, and there is no one around.
