Chapter 97: There’s No Familial Love In An Imperial Household
Du Minghuan went to the yamen at dawn to strike the drum.
If following Du Yu’s earlier idea, with the several thousand troops of the Imperial City Department, it would be better to raise the flag and fight, but only Du Minghuan knew how naive this young man’s idea was.
The great power of the Imperial Court has never been in their hands.
Even though the Imperial City Department previously served the Emperor, passed down to their Du Family in that form, they fundamentally never had the chance to become the Emperor’s close ministers.
Among those several thousand troops in the yamen, a large portion are still Prince Duan’s old subordinates; Prince Duan has only been dead for three years, everyone’s hearts are still fervent, and once they learn that Princess Yongjia was killed by them, they will surely pin Prince Duan’s death on their heads too.
Three years is really too short, far from enough for their Du Family to gain a foothold.
After the He Family and Zhang Family that were cultivated were quietly eliminated by Yue Tang, there are almost no people left that can be directly employed.
So-called raising the flag would just mean dying faster and more thoroughly.
When the Prince’s Mansion guards delivered the message at dawn, he picked up the petition he had long prepared, along with all the organized evidence that could serve as corroboration, and went to the Supreme Court Yamen to strike the drum as instructed.
With Yan Bei handling things at the yamen, Yue Tang staying in the Prince’s Mansion was not idle either.
After Yan Bei left, she sat in the west side room of A Li’s courtyard, brewing tea while listening to the messages brought back by the guards dispatched in all directions, and flipping through A Li’s prescriptions and daily records from these past years.
With Du Minghuan striking the drum to accuse first, Yan Bei followed up swiftly, and soon a session was held in the Supreme Court Yamen.
The Chu Family has entrenched itself in the Imperial Court for many years, naturally with eyes and ears in every yamen; starting from the Du Family’s accusation, the news must have reached the Chu Family.
The Chu Family’s next moves will decide how long this battle will last and how it will be fought.
Things were progressing very smoothly; she first learned that Chu Xuan had gone out, then Chu Rui returned to the mansion in the rain, and next the Chu Family’s eyes and ears hurriedly went to his mansion to report.
“Lord Jiang, send more people to watch the Chu Family from all sides tightly; all people and horse carriages going in and out must be tracked to their exact destinations.”
Considering that her side truly needed manpower, Yan Bei had left Jiang Shao with her before leaving.
Jiang Shao was also very willing to follow orders and act early; he divided the people into several shifts, always keeping a line of personnel outside the courtyard gate awaiting dispatch.
“Mother!”
After Jiang Shao left, A Li came in wearing slippers, stretching out his little arms wide from afar, and walked toward her affectionately.
Yun Niang followed behind holding clothes, full of trepidation: “The young heir apparent woke up looking for the Princess; this servant couldn’t stop him.”
Yue Tang took A Li into her arms on her lap and reached out to take the clothes from Yun Niang’s hand: “No matter, I’ll dress him.”
While dressing him, she looked at Yun Niang again: “You go do your things first, then bring A Li’s breakfast; I’ll feed him.”
Yun Niang acknowledged and withdrew.
Yue Tang kissed the fragrant soft child’s cheek, then helped him dress layer by layer, and slowly said: “Does A Li like Father King more, or Mother more?”
A Li, playing with the slingshot, said: “Like Mother!”
Yue Tang said delightedly again: “Then in a few days we’ll go back to our own home; how about bringing A Li along?”
“Good—”
The child drew out the sound and finished, then lifted his little face: “Where Mother goes, A Li and Father King go.”
Yue Tang’s hand paused, then she spread her five fingers to ruffle his messy hair, gazing at him with warm soft eyes: “We won’t bring Father King; he has his own home, and we have ours.”
A Li thought for a moment, then nodded, counting on his fingers: “Then we’ll bring Grandpa Gao, Grandpa Jin, Mama Yun, Cousin Cui, Uncle Jiang, Ru Yi, A Niu…”
“Alright, alright,” Yue Tang hurriedly pressed down his fingers, “We’ll wash up first.”
“Good, after washing up, I’ll have A Niu bring his parents too.”
Yue Tang’s scalp began to tighten; she mumbled two uh-huhs and lowered her head to wring a handkerchief for him.
After her guidance these past two days, he could already do little things like eating, drinking water, and wiping his face by himself.
Watching his clumsy but focused movements now, Yue Tang sighed inwardly.
After this battle, her next step was to return to Prince Duan’s Mansion.
The child definitely had to go back with him; she had already shortchanged him for three years, and in this lifetime she could not possibly leave him out there anymore.
But in these three years, with such deep entanglements with Prince Jingyang’s Mansion, it seemed not so easy to take him away smoothly like before.
“Princess!”
Just as she sat down with A Li by the kang table, Huo Yun came in quickly, caught A Li who called him “Brother Huo” in her arms, and walked to Yue Tang without stopping: “Chu Xuan accused Empress Dowager Shen, saying that the two princes capsizing and falling into the water on their way to the capital was her doing!”
Yue Tang fixed her gaze: “This is just mudslinging?”
So far, they had not obtained definite clues of the Shen Family’s involvement in that conspiracy, so if that capsizing incident really had someone behind it, shouldn’t it have been the Chu Family and their accomplices who did it themselves?
“Doesn’t seem like it!” Huo Yun put A Li down on the kang, “When the Chu Family accused the Shen Family, they brought along a large group in the Imperial Court, speaking with reason; they listed the entire sequence of events, though much was speculation with scant evidence, but with that kind of lineup, if it were a counterattack, it would surely bring trouble to the Chu Family themselves.
“Empress Dowager Shen and the Shen Family are no pushovers; if they found evidence that the Chu Family were the real culprits, wouldn’t that be jumping into a ditch themselves?”
Yue Tang stood up, “Then it’s strange; the Chu Family has such confidence, could the two princes’ mishap truly have nothing to do with them?
“But if not them, why did it happen so coincidentally? Why could they coordinate so tightly with people in the Palace?
“The news of the princes’ mishap reached the Capital City, worsening the Former Emperor’s condition, then the Former Emperor punished Father King; this was the premise for their murder plan, so how could the Shen Family be cooperating with them?”
She paced a few steps, then asked Huo Yun: “What’s the Shen Family’s reaction now?”
“Shen Yi immediately started cursing at the Chu Family on the spot, and conveniently exposed the Chu Family’s murder of the Princess and young heir apparent to all the civil and military officials in the Imperial Court.
“Originally, some hadn’t heard yet about the Du Family accusing the Chu Family. This accusation on the spot caused an uproar in the hall.
“It’s said the Emperor was very shocked too; Empress Dowager Shen also arrived at the front hall; the two sides are now arguing fiercely. With Prince Jingyang absent, now with these two families quarreling, only the Emperor and Mu Family are left to watch.
“This came from officials in the Bureau of Military Affairs.”
After Yan Bei took over the Bureau of Military Affairs, he naturally placed some confidantes in key positions. Before acting today, he had also greeted them.
With the Chu Family’s accusation, regardless of whether it succeeds, this chaos in the Imperial Court is to her benefit.
The Shen Family cannot afford this crime no matter what; if they are not the culprits, they must find a way to prove it; if they are, they must even more find a way to shake it off, and the best way is naturally to attack the Chu Family’s weaknesses.
“Let them argue first. We’ll talk when there’s a clue.” She lit an incense burner by the window, “You go eat something first, then go keep watch again.”
After speaking, she looked up again: “You said the accuser was Chu Xuan, what about Chu Ying?”
“Chu Ying didn’t go to court today!”
“Didn’t go?” Yue Tang paused, then straightened up from above the incense burner: “Then I understand.”
She took out two pieces of silver fragments from the sachet beside her: “Get food on the way. Immediately inquire about Chu Ying’s whereabouts and report back quickly!”
“Princess,” Jiang Shao brought two guards in from outside the door, “The brothers watching the Chu Family found that half a shichen ago, four horse carriages left the Chu Family mansion one after another, heading in different directions, all circling around in the city!”
Yue Tang walked over: “Did they see who was in the carriages?”
“Didn’t see anyone, and not sure if there was anyone!”
“Then one of them must be Chu Ying! Xiao Huo, take these guard brothers and go right now!”
“Yes!”
The guards left.
Yue Tang stood under the curtain lost in thought.
A Li tugged her sleeve: “Mother, are you going out too?”
Yue Tang hugged him back onto the kang: “If Mother goes out, will A Li go find Grandpa Hua and Aunt Qin?”
A Li shook his head: “A Li wants to go with Mother.”
Yue Tang stroked his head and said nothing.
……
For days in the Capital City, cases related to Prince Duan’s Mansion have been spreading; if Du Minghuan accusing the Chu Family of murder was just for covert watching and discussion, then Chu Xuan accusing the Shen Family of killing the two princes has the discussions in the Imperial Court nearly flipping the roofs inside and outside the Imperial Palace.
The Chu Family laid out their formation and pursued the Shen Family relentlessly, while the Shen Family, probably not even fully awake from sleep, suddenly became the target, panicked at first but soon began counterattacking.
Since ascending the throne, the Emperor has humbly claimed youth and inexperience, listening to Yan, Mu, Shen, and Chu Families speak first on all matters great and small before speaking himself; three years unchanged.
And among them, only Yan Bei was appointed by the Former Emperor with natural authority; when he insisted on neutrality, the others quarreling had limited impact.
But today Yan Bei had gone to the Supreme Court to preside over Du Minghuan’s accusation against the Chu Family; no one left could hold back both sides’ offensives.
In fact, the Emperor himself was woken early this morning by reports of Du Minghuan accusing the Chu Family of plotting to murder Yue Tang; unexpectedly, before this was clear, the Chu Family accused the Shen Family at the morning court.
Truly a pot of porridge.
The Emperor looked toward Mu Chang.
Mu Chang slightly furrowed his brows, fixedly watching the two sides clashing in the hall, silent.
The Emperor leaned forward slightly: “In Uncle’s view, what should be done?”
Mu Chang withdrew his gaze, turned to him: “Dismiss court first.”
The Emperor nodded docilely, facing below: “Where is the Supreme Court?”
But the arguing voices from both sides almost drowned his words.
Mu Chang sternly rebuked: “Can’t you all hear the Emperor’s question?”
After all, the Grand Tutor had authority; the Chu Family people quieted first, then the Shen Family, faces full of anger, also stopped.
Supreme Court officials hurriedly stepped forward.
The Emperor said: “The Shen Family was deeply trusted by the Former Emperor, Empress Dowager Shen is Qi King’s birth mother, with great merits assisting the Imperial Court these years; how could they be the murderers of me and my imperial brother?
“But since the Chu Family submitted the petition, the Three Judicial Offices should take it for thorough investigation; what propriety is this endless quarreling?
“Grand Tutor, please oversee the trial of this case; Supreme Court, investigate per the decree.”
“As decreed!”
Led by Mu Chang, everyone acknowledged the decree.
Here, the herald announced court dismissal; the Emperor said “Grand Tutor stay,” then led Mu Chang all the way back to Zichen Hall.
Upon entering, the Emperor stood by the screen first, then turned, with a hint of doubt: “The imperial ship incident back then was indeed suspicious. I remember that night after drinking tea and bidding farewell to Eldest Imperial Brother to return to my cabin, a lightning bolt struck the ship, and guards immediately surrounded to protect.
“Both Eldest Imperial Brother and I were surrounded in the crowd.
“Such a large ship with ample space to move, why did it suddenly get crowded?
“And precisely in that crowding, both Imperial Brother and I were swept into the water by the guards.”
Mu Chang was silent for a moment, then slowly said: “But time has passed; it was chaos then, everyone focused on rescue, no culprit caught; now even less possible to investigate.”
The Emperor nodded slightly, reached out to pick up a yellow leaf fallen on the windowsill, then couldn’t help saying lowly: “But Eldest Imperial Brother’s body was never recovered to the end. The current was so swift; if Uncle hadn’t promptly led sailors to chase and fish me out, I would have ended the same.
“A little bit more, and the Imperial Court would not be as it is today.”
Mu Chang’s gaze flickered slightly: “Does Your Majesty think it’s the Shen Family?”
The Emperor shook his head: “I was panicked then, remember no details. Empress Dowager Shen and Shen Family were single-handedly supported by Father Emperor; with how he doted on me, he shouldn’t harm me.
“But Empress Dowager Shen did indeed want to push Fourth Brother onto the throne.
“So, Father Emperor’s actions are truly puzzling.”
Mu Chang looked deeply at him: “Your Majesty has a benevolent heart, a blessing for the realm.
“But since Your Majesty’s youth, this minister has kept advising: imperial family blood ties matter, but not to overvalue them.
“Empress Dowager Shen has her own son; you are but one of Former Emperor’s many children; now ascended, the realm and people depend on you alone; hope Your Majesty avoids the great taboo of a ruler, harboring womanly mercy.”
The Emperor was silent.
Mu Chang cupped hands to withdraw.
He looked over again: “Uncle stay.” Saying so, he went to the curio shelf, picked up a white jade wine dipper: “Got this a few days ago; thought of Uncle’s habit of small sips, specially kept it; perfect to give you.”
Mu Chang looked at the wine dipper, unspeaking.
The Emperor smiled: “Take it quickly. Without Uncle, no me. No matter how Uncle teaches, I always remember Mu Family and Uncle’s grace to me.”
White Jade gleamed softly in the dim light, much like the youth before him.
Mu Chang breathed slightly deeply, took it in hand, knelt to thank for the grace.
The rain outside the hall had fallen all morning; under the corridor eaves was also wet.
Mu Chang exited the hall door, quickly passed several palace buildings before stopping under the corridor: “How long has he been waiting?”
The person behind the corridor pillar stepped out: “Already waited an hour.”
Mu Chang gripped the jade in hand, stepped toward the palace gate: “Bring the horse carriage to the palace gate.”
See you tomorrow at seven.
