Chapter 46: She Never Gave Up
At this time, the pregnancy in my womb was already over two months. The doctor said the fetal condition was gradually stabilizing. I still couldn’t stomach meat, but I could eat a little plain broth and fruits.
One day, Madam Qin and I were doing needlework in the East Courtyard. I lost my focus for a moment, and the embroidery needle pricked my hand. I put my finger in my mouth.
Madam Qin asked with concern, “Sang Yu, what are you thinking about?”
“I’m worried about Second Master. He stayed in the disaster area for a month before returning. I know his temperament. Seeing the suffering of the disaster victims, he would definitely disregard everything else. Today, he has gone to the Imperial Palace to report. After completing this task, I don’t expect any rewards from above, but I fear His Majesty might blame him… I’m always uneasy.” I looked up at the sky.
It had been a while since the start of autumn, yet it was still very hot. The autumn tiger was exhausting. The common folk say: If it’s not truly autumn after the start of autumn, there’s still a month of good hot weather.
The sky was so high and distant, without a single cloud. It was a deep blue that made one feel uneasy.
Madam Qin said, “I saw in Taishang’s letter that he mentioned His Majesty was taught by him since childhood and has read the Books of Sages thoroughly. I believe he can understand Lord Cheng’s compassion for the people. Sang Yu, you mustn’t be too pessimistic.”
I managed a nod, but my heart was still unsettled.
After thinking for a while, I got up and ordered the servant boy outside the courtyard to hitch the horse.
I went into the house to pack a few changes of clothes and shoes for Cheng Huaishi and decided to go to the Imperial Palace to see the Empress Dowager.
Those clothes and shoes were covered in mud and bloodstains.
Every item spoke of Cheng Huaishi’s diligent efforts and arduous journey over the past month.
I hoped the Empress Dowager would sympathize with this loyal heart and perhaps speak to His Majesty on his behalf, to spare Cheng Huaishi.
When I was conferred the title of “Lady Yidexiang,” the Empress Dowager had said that when I was not on duty, I could request to enter the palace at any time.
After layers of eunuch notifications, I entered the Imperial Palace.
When I reached the gate of the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, the Head Eunuch said, “Lady of the Manor, please wait a moment. The Empress Dowager did not sleep well last night. After lunch, she finally managed to doze off. When she wakes up, I will inform her.”
I nodded, “Thank you, Eunuch.”
It seemed someone inside heard the commotion, and the Empress Dowager’s voice came, “Xiao Fuzi, who is it?”
The Head Eunuch quickly replied with a smile, “Empress Dowager, Lady Yidexiang has come to see you.”
The Empress Dowager said, “Let her in—”
“Yes.”
I walked in nervously. The palace servants lifted the beaded curtain, and the scent of sandalwood filled the hall. Several large copper basins were placed in various corners of the hall, each filled with ice, emitting a cool mist.
Outside, the sun blazed fiercely, but inside the Palace of Compassion and Tranquility, it was cool and refreshing.
Empress Dowager Li was leaning on her couch, slowly opening her eyes, “Sang Yu, you’ve come.”
I bowed and said, “Your humble wife was thinking of the Empress Dowager at home. Yesterday, I obtained a Jade Lotus Platform, which is crystal clear and radiates Buddhist light. I am young and don’t understand such treasures. Everyone says the Empress Dowager is the Nine-Lotus Bodhisattva, so I thought it would be most fitting to offer it to her.”
I presented the Jade Lotus Platform. The palace servants took it and handed it to the Empress Dowager.
I added, “I have nothing to do at home, so I’ve personally transcribed 500 copies of Buddhist Scriptures. If the Empress Dowager doesn’t mind my ugly handwriting, it would be my blessing to have them used for offerings to Buddha.”
The Empress Dowager held the Jade Lotus Platform and examined it, then set it aside. She smiled at me and said, “It’s rare for you to have such thoughtfulness. Sit down. I didn’t sleep well yesterday and my body is not comfortable. I was just thinking of having someone transcribe some Buddhist scriptures to send to the Baohua Palace. I’ve seen your handwriting; it’s delicate, clean, and very good.”
I accepted the invitation to sit and said, “If the Empress Dowager is restless at night, you could try some sour jujube seeds; they are very helpful.”
She waved her hand, “I have something on my mind. Yesterday, Mr. Zhang came—”
She looked at me, “Sang Yu, I know why you’ve come today.”
I bowed, “Your Majesty is wise.”
She said, “Mr. Zhang raised tens of thousands of Silver Notes from various sources, saying he wanted to offer them to the royal family for temple construction. It was difficult for him, running around with his illness. I know you are all doing this for Lord Cheng. I only know about household affairs; I should not interfere in external matters.”
She paused and added, “Mr. Zhang and I both overlooked one fact: His Majesty is grown now; he is not the same as before.”
A hint of sadness appeared on her round and noble face.
I said, “Your Majesty is a benevolent mother. His Majesty is nurtured by the world and shows utmost filial piety. If you speak, His Majesty might listen.”
She said, “His Majesty’s thunderous wrath has already decided to imprison Lord Cheng.”
I brought out the Blood-stained Clothes and muddy boots from home, knelt on the ground, and wept, “Empress Dowager, my husband has been loyal and diligent. In the disaster area, he did not slack off in the slightest. For the sake of the royal family, for His Majesty, he deserves to die from exhaustion. I only beg His Majesty to show leniency and spare his life. My family will be eternally grateful.”
The Empress Dowager said to a palace servant, “Help the Lady of the Manor up.”
“Sang Yu, come, sit beside me—”
I walked over and sat down, tears streaming down my face.
Huaishi, my husband, has indeed been found guilty.
The Emperor’s will is unfathomable, but what wrong did he commit?
Historically, no official involved in disaster relief has failed to make a fortune and profit from national calamities. Yet, he did not embezzle a single cent and ended up covered in scars. In the end, it led to his downfall.
One cannot achieve much alone.
The Empress Dowager sighed and said, “Sang Yu, after Mr. Zhang left last night, I spoke with His Majesty. His Majesty only said one sentence, and my heart was broken. I think, perhaps, it’s time to avoid suspicion. His Majesty is not the same His Majesty as yesterday, I am not the same Empress Dowager as yesterday, and Mr. Zhang is not the same Mr. Zhang as yesterday.”
I did not understand.
She asked, “Have you ever heard a preposterous rumor, ‘The black-hearted prime minister sleeps in the emperor’s bed’?”
I quickly lowered my head.
Since the Brocade Guards publicly executed dozens of people spreading rumors, this has become a taboo.
No one dares to mention it.
She said, “The late Emperor passed away early, and I have been a widow since I was twenty-six. Mr. Zhang is a minister of the regency and the Emperor’s tutor. He comes to the palace daily to teach His Majesty. I respect his erudition and integrity. I once told him that the young Emperor and the nation’s affairs are entrusted to Mr. Zhang. Some malicious individuals weave rumors, but I never paid them any mind. I thought His Majesty was the same. But last night, in a daze, I recalled a common saying among the people: ‘A grown son doesn’t listen to his mother’—”
I understood. His Majesty had grown strong wings and was trying his best to break free from the constraints of his childhood.
The so-called “black-hearted prime minister sleeps in the emperor’s bed” was merely an excuse.
He did not want the Empress Dowager to interfere too much in state affairs.
At this point, it was truly inappropriate for me to say more.
I knelt on the ground, bowed three times, and said, “Empress Dowager, please take good care of yourself. Your humble subject takes her leave.”
The Empress Dowager said softly, “Sang Yu, you have a decree in your favor, you will be fine. This is all I can do.”
“Your humble subject thanks the Empress Dowager for her compassion.”
I got up and walked out of the hall, merging into the boundless heat.
Defiance.
What the Son of Heaven cannot tolerate the most is defiance.
He would rather have a bunch of obedient useless people than have his subordinates act on their own initiative.
What should I do now?
I left the palace in a daze. As the horse carriage traveled on the road, I heard a commotion.
The common people by the roadside were discussing loudly, “Did you hear? Many disaster victims have arrived outside the Five Phoenix Tower, holding thousands of ‘Ten Thousand People’s Umbrellas’!”
“Lord Cheng of the Ministry of Revenue is in trouble. He offended the court for the sake of the common people, and the people cannot bear to see him suffer.”
“How is it that Lord Cheng, so young, is not afraid of death?”
“By the way, who initiated the Ten Thousand People’s Umbrellas?”
I listened briefly and then quickly ordered the coachman, “Go to the Five Phoenix Tower!”
I saw Xun Yitang once again.
She was still wearing a plain robe, looking thinner than a withered flower.
She stood amidst the surging crowd, standing on tiptoe, trying her best to hold the Ten Thousand People’s Umbrellas high.
Preparing the Ten Thousand People’s Umbrellas required time.
It seemed she had foreseen this disaster for Cheng Huaishi long ago.
She understood him.
She knew his heart was full of ambition, his compassion for all beings, and his dedication to disaster relief. She did not stop him but made preparations in secret to save him.
She had never given up.
Like a candle burning, until death.
“Villagers, whether Lord Cheng can be saved depends on all of you.”
The crowd replied, “We are willing to plead for Lord Cheng.”
“Kneel down with me, and let’s recite together—”
The crowd knelt together, facing the Imperial City within the Five Phoenix Tower.
“King Wen ruled the world with benevolence and righteousness, and the current Emperor bestows grace upon the four seas!”
“King Wen ruled the world with benevolence and righteousness, and the current Emperor bestows grace upon the four seas!”
“We, the ten thousand people, plead for His Majesty’s mercy.”
“We, the ten thousand people, plead for His Majesty’s mercy.”
The scorching sun was high in the sky.
The crowd recited repeatedly.
Despite the palace guards’ attempts to disperse them, they refused to leave.
The commotion shook the entire Capital City.
An hour later, the palace gates opened wide—
An imperial eunuch came out to read an imperial decree.
His Majesty pardoned Cheng Huaishi and allowed him to return home without punishment.
His Majesty prioritized “stability.”
His boundless anger was contained by the people’s pleas.
I stood outside the Five Phoenix Tower and watched Cheng Huaishi walk out step by step. He bowed deeply to the people who had pleaded for him.
He and Xun Yitang, across the sea of people, exchanged a few glances.
They said nothing.
The long day could not end.
The heat seared the lungs. The sun wheel rose high.
The trees on the street looked sick, their leaves covered in dust, curling on the branches.
He looked around and saw me.
The world felt like a steamer.
He walked towards me, took my hand, and we got into the carriage together. He gently said, “Let’s go home.”
