Chapter 26: Changle Hall
The main hall of the bedchamber in Ziwei Palace is named Changle Hall. Though it is a bedchamber, it is also extremely gorgeous, with red walls and yellow tiles, flying eaves and angled corners, carved beams and painted rafters, resplendent in gold and jade, very spectacular.
On both sides of the platform in front of the hall were displayed gold-gilded flying dragons, colorful phoenixes, qilins, and male lions, showcasing the nobility and majesty of the emperor. There were also sundials and standard measures on display, symbolizing the emperor’s impartiality and fairness, honest and equal to all people under heaven. Of course, like hell anyone believes that.
Upon entering the main gate of the bedchamber, Chang Le Gate, the old eunuch handed the black cat to an attendant and walked with Director Lin to the front of Changle Hall, where the emperor immediately summoned them.
The two removed their shoes and swords outside the hall door, bowed and entered the hall, kowtowing to the Initial Emperor seated high on the golden couch.
The Initial Emperor was just over forty this year, thin in build with speckled temples, narrow eyes with prominent crow’s feet at the corners, looking at least over fifty. He wore a nine-dragon robe with black base and red trim, a flat crown inlaid with pearls on his head, holding a jade ruyi in hand, listlessly sitting on the golden couch, looking at the two old eunuchs for a good while before speaking: “What use do I have for keeping you?”
“We deserve ten thousand deaths!” The old eunuch hurriedly kowtowed to confess his guilt.
“Less nonsense.” The Initial Emperor snorted coldly and asked in a deep voice: “I only want to know now, is the rumor about the Imperial Seal true?!”
The old eunuch glanced at Director Lin, who hurriedly reported in a trembling voice: “Your Majesty, it should be true. This is no longer a secret within Taiping Dao, and they have no intention of concealing it.”
“What exactly do they want to do?!” The Initial Emperor asked sharply, his tone laced with shame and annoyance. Ever since learning of the appearance of the Imperial Seal of the State, he had been unable to eat or sleep well. It was well known that his emperorship was not obtained rightfully, and with powerful ministers suppressing him, he had never been able to assert himself.
For ten years, the Initial Emperor had been overshadowed by the Xiahou Clan, despised by the great aristocratic families… Therefore, no one in the world wanted the seal more than he did! Nor was anyone more worried that the seal would fall into someone else’s hands!
“According to the analysis of the Investigative Bureau…” Director Lin swallowed and said softly: “They probably intend to wait for the highest bidder…”
“Hmph!” The Initial Emperor grunted sullenly, his face growing even darker, rubbing the ruyi in thought for a good while before saying to Zuo Yanqing: “What do you think?”
“In this old minister’s view,” the old eunuch slowly replied: “Taiping Dao fears the world is not chaotic enough; this is them casting bait to let the fish fight over it.”
“Mm…” The Initial Emperor slowly nodded, paused, and asked again: “What about the Xiahou Clan?”
“Wolves with wild ambitions, plain as day!” the old eunuch said concisely.
“Your Majesty,” Director Lin reported again: “The Xiahou Clan’s armies have been mobilizing frequently lately, with clan generals leaving the Capital City one after another…”
“Xiahou Clan!” The Initial Emperor’s eyes flashed with hidden fury, gripping the ruyi tightly, gnashing his teeth: “Are they forcing a showdown with me?!”
“Shouldn’t go that far.” the old eunuch slowly shook his head: “We can’t do anything to them, and they similarly have no confidence in breaking with Your Majesty…”
“Hmph!” The Initial Emperor’s chest heaved, and after a good while, he exhaled a turbid breath: “Noble clans, great scourge of the state! I finally empathize with my imperial brother’s words!”
Before the words had fallen, a young eunuch crawled in on his knees and reported in a thin voice: “Your Majesty, Grand Tutor Xiahou requests an audience.”
“He still dares to come see me?!” The Initial Emperor’s brows twitched, and after a moment, he waved his hand signaling the two to withdraw. “Announce him.”
“Announce the Grand Tutor into the hall!”
Amid the drawn-out announcement of the eunuch, a majestic and burly old man with bristling beard and hair, wearing official boots and a long sword at his waist, strode into the hall!
“Your old minister Xiahou Ba pays respects to Your Majesty, may Your Majesty live ten thousand years without bound!”
The resounding voice echoed through the golden hall, making ears buzz.
Xiahou Clan Leader Xiahou Ba, current father-in-law of the emperor, Grand Tutor of the court, ten years ago for his merit in enthroning, granted the special honors of wearing sword and shoes in court, and being addressed with praise without using his name!
Unknowingly from when, every time facing this Xiahou Ba, the Initial Emperor felt immensely suppressed. Even at this moment, knowing full well the other had just done something treasonous, he still couldn’t flare up, and had to order with an ashen face for a seat to be set for Xiahou Ba.
After thanking the grace, Xiahou Ba knelt sat at the lower head of the emperor. His eyes unflinching, meeting the Initial Emperor’s icy gaze, he said in a deep voice: “Your Majesty, your old minister has come to plead guilty!”
“Oh, what crime does the Old Grand Tutor have?” The Initial Emperor said with a half-smile.
“To Your Majesty, my younger brother Xiahou Lei, on imperial orders inspecting Jiangnan, from Wu Commandery Commandery Lieutenant Lu Xin, learned that Southern Dynasties remnants were hiding in Bai Liu Village of the Zhou Family.” Xiahou Ba answered forcefully: “My younger brother, eager for merit, feared the news would leak and the thieves escape. Thus exercising the rights of imperial envoy, without reporting, mobilized troops to surround Bai Liu Village, and indeed discovered the former Southern Dynasties Third Prince Xiao Cheng!”
“Southern inspection imperial envoys have the rights for discretionary action and to execute first and report later.” The Initial Emperor lightly stroked the ruyi, mocking with a smile: “Not only no crime, but great merit.”
“Your Majesty allow report…” Xiahou Ba sighed: “Who knew on Xiao Cheng’s body was discovered one thing…”
“What thing?” The Initial Emperor said indifferently.
“Imperial Seal of the State!” Xiahou Ba said in a deep voice: “My younger brother originally intended to present it to Your Majesty, but it was snatched away by Taiping Dao demon in the chaos…”
“That is truly too regrettable.” The Initial Emperor slightly nodded, his face full of boredom.
“Your Majesty!” Xiahou Ba deeply sighed: “Your old minister deeply knows there must be slandering ministers who will seize the chance to attack our Xiahou Clan for wolfish ambitions, deceiving Your Majesty, coveting the seal, plotting disloyalty!”
“The clear are clear, the turbid are turbid.” The Initial Emperor consoled indifferently: “What sort of person is the Grand Tutor, how could he worry over mere rumors?”
“If trivial, your old minister naturally ignores it. But involving Your Majesty, your old minister must make the words clear!” Xiahou Ba hand on chest, expression solemn: “Your old minister guarantees to Your Majesty, if the Xiahou Clan knew of the seal’s existence beforehand, if there is half a portion of disloyal plotting heart, may heaven and earth curse me, forever fall into Avici Hell!”
“Ai, Grand Tutor what is this?” The Initial Emperor released the ruyi, waved his hand: “I and the Grand Tutor have bond firmer than gold, how could I listen to slander and suspect the Grand Tutor?”
“Thanks to Your Majesty’s trust.” Xiahou Ba said moved: “In any case, this time Xiahou Clan committed a great error, your old minister self-requests punishment, and has already escorted that fool Xiahou Lei back to the Capital City, awaiting Your Majesty’s disposal!”
“No need, he also had good intentions.” The Initial Emperor shook his head: “This matter ends here, Grand Tutor just return at ease, the relation between Royal Family and Xiahou Clan will not waver in the slightest.”
Xiahou Ba gave endless thanks, exited Changle Hall. Turning around, his old face became extremely gloomy.
The waiting eldest son Xiahou Bushang came up, respectfully asked: “Father, how was it?”
“How else?” Xiahou Ba snorted coldly: “He naturally doesn’t believe old man’s words, but what can he do to Xiahou Clan?”
“Ai.” Xiahou Bushang worried: “I’m afraid from now on, it will enter a time of many troubles.”
“Fear what!” Xiahou Ba strode toward outside the palace, said resoundingly: “Meet soldiers with generals, meet water with earth!”
.
Inside Changle Hall, the two Old Eunuch Zuo came out, and saw the Initial Emperor’s face ashen.
For the emperor’s current mood, the two also empathized; that Xiahou Ba where was he coming to plead guilty? He was clearly warning Your Majesty not to act rashly!
Boundless humiliation filled the Initial Emperor’s heart. Compared to the pressure from Xiahou Clan, what humiliated the emperor more was that facing this pressure, he was actually helpless…
“Contact Taiping Dao, have them name their price!” The Initial Emperor smashed the jade ruyi in his hand, gnashing his teeth ordering.
