Thirty-five
Two days passed after they drank together under the moon. The attacks on Bao Zheng in the court intensified, and there were even signs that the Eighth Prince's "ineffective recommendation" was being implicated. The Empress Dowager also sent people several times to inquire about the progress, and her words clearly indicated that she was putting pressure on him.
Inside the imperial study, candlelight shone brightly.
Zhao Zhen looked at the several newly delivered secret reports on his desk, his face grim. One report was about the progress of the secret guards' investigation; the eunuch who had led the way had vanished into thin air, and the trail had almost gone cold. Another report concerned the unusually frequent private communications between several officials in the court recently. And there was a report from the border, mentioning that the Liao delegation would be arriving in Bianjing soon.
A time of great turmoil.
He rubbed his temples and said in a deep voice to Bao Zheng and the Eighth Prince, who were standing solemnly to the side, "Minister Bao, I entrust you with the investigation of Zhan Zhao's matter in secret. Do not be disturbed by the opinions of the court. You may secretly mobilize some of the Imperial City Guard personnel as needed. What I want is the truth, the sooner the better."
"Your Majesty, I obey!" Bao Zheng's spirits lifted. The Emperor's explicit entrustment of the power to investigate this case in secret was the greatest trust and support he could receive.
“Eighth Imperial Uncle,” Zhao Zhen said, looking at the Eighth Prince, “I would appreciate it if you would keep a close eye on those who are stirring up trouble in the court. See who is behind them and stirring up trouble. The Liao delegation is about to arrive, and I do not want things to fall into chaos before we arrive.”
"This old minister understands." The Eighth Prince nodded.
After Bao Zheng and the Eighth Prince withdrew, Zhao Zhen sat alone on the dragon throne, gazing at the flickering candlelight, lost in thought. Zhan Zhao had to clear his name as soon as possible; otherwise, not only would he be ruined, but Kaifeng Prefecture might also collapse, and it would expose the internal discord within the Song Dynasty to the Liao envoy.
The inner door opened silently, and Xuan Yuantian walked in, still dressed in that dazzling red robe.
"What, still no clue?" She walked over and sat down opposite him, pouring herself a cup of tea.
Zhao Zhen looked up at her, his face showing no surprise: "You went to see Zhan Zhao?"
"Hmm." Xuan Yuantian took a sip of tea. "I watched him drink a few mouthfuls of wine in silence, and then I tried to cheer him up."
How is he?
“You’re stronger than you think.” Xuan Yuantian put down his teacup and looked at him with clear eyes. “But even the strongest person can’t withstand endless slander and delays. We must break this deadlock as soon as possible.”
Zhao Zhen met her gaze, and they both saw the same determination and weighing of options in each other's eyes.
"I can still handle the pressure at court for a while. But the Empress Dowager's side, and the upcoming Liao envoy... time is running out," Zhao Zhen said slowly. "The secret investigation takes time, and that's exactly what we lack most right now."
“Therefore, we need a shortcut,” Xuan Yuantian interjected, his tone calm and even, “a shortcut that can immediately silence the gossip of the world and make all the slander against him fall apart.”
A brief silence fell over the imperial study. The candlelight crackled, illuminating the equally calm and profound eyes of the two men.
Zhao Zhen's fingers tapped lightly on the table; he understood what she meant. This thought had been swirling in his mind since he decided to confine Zhan Zhao rather than imprison him. It was the fastest, most effective, and also... the most thorough method.
"Have you thought it through?" he asked, his voice devoid of emotion.
"This is the most advantageous option I can think of right now, for him, for Kaifeng Prefecture, and for you to stabilize the court," Xuan Yuan Tianyi answered without the slightest hesitation. "After all," a faint smile curved her lips, "how can I, Xuan Yuan Tianyi, allow others to slander and defame my people?"
Zhao Zhen looked deeply into her eyes, seeing the resolve in them, and beneath that resolve, perhaps even she herself wasn't fully aware of her feelings and protectiveness towards Zhan Zhao. A complex mix of emotions swept through him—a sense of relief, bitterness, and a quiet peace that felt like the dust had settled.
As an emperor, he made the most advantageous choice; as a friend, perhaps he also fulfilled a certain destiny.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes held the clarity and decisiveness of an emperor:
"Very well. I... will draft an edict immediately."
After Xuanyuan Tianyi left the imperial study, Zhao Zhen stood alone by the window for a long time. As dusk deepened, his shadow stretched long and thin, reflected on the cold, smooth gold bricks, making him appear even more lonely. Finally, all his emotions dissipated into a barely audible sigh, vanishing into the deepening night.
He turned back to the dragon desk, his expression now regaining its usual calm and dignified imperial bearing.
"Xu Yao".
"This old servant is here." The eunuch Xu Yao approached silently and bowed to receive orders.
"Grind the ink."
"yes."
The finest pine soot ink dissolved in the Duan inkstone, releasing a rich, lingering fragrance. Zhao Zhen spread out a bright yellow silk scroll, picked up a vermilion brush, hesitated briefly, and then his brush moved with the force of dragons and snakes. The characters were vigorous and powerful, carrying an undeniable decisiveness.
"The imperial edict reads: I have heard that when Heaven and Earth are in harmony, families are at peace; when Yin and Yang are in harmony, the nation is at peace. Now, there is Zhan Zhao, a fourth-rank bodyguard of Kaifeng Prefecture, whose loyalty and bravery shine like the sun, whose righteousness reaches the heavens, and who has repeatedly performed extraordinary feats; he is truly a pillar of the state. Xuanyuan Tianyi, from a distinguished family, is virtuous and intelligent, and has greatly benefited the nation. The two are of suitable age and their appearances are well-matched; they are truly a match made in heaven. I, having received the mandate of Heaven and ruling over all lands, am delighted to see this auspicious union. Therefore, I hereby bestow upon them marriage, and an auspicious day shall be chosen for their wedding. May they be both learned and skilled in martial arts, so that they may serve each other well; may they be a harmonious family, and together set a fine example. This is hereby proclaimed throughout the land, so that all may know. This is the imperial decree."
He put down his pen, took out the Imperial Seal of the State, and solemnly placed it down. The bright red seal, like a brand, froze this marriage involving the relationship between emperor and subject, the martial world, affection and politics, on the scroll of history.
"Issue the decree immediately. Inform the Six Ministries, notify all government offices in the capital region, and proclaim it to the world." Zhao Zhen's voice was calm and unwavering.
"This old servant obeys the decree." Xu Yao accepted the heavy roll of silk with both hands, bowed, and withdrew. His lowered eyelids revealed a flicker in his eyes, knowing full well the turmoil this imperial edict would cause in Bianjing.
When the imperial edict arrived in Kaifeng, Zhan Zhao was practicing his sword in the courtyard. Although he was confined to his quarters, he did not neglect his martial arts. The giant sword flashed and whistled through the air, as if he wanted to cut through all the pent-up emotions in his heart.
"Imperial edict arrives—Zhan Zhao receives the edict—"
The eunuch's shrill voice broke the tranquility of the courtyard. Zhan Zhao stopped his attack, sheathed his sword, took a deep breath, straightened his slightly disheveled robes, and strode towards the front hall.
Bao Zheng, Gongsun Ce, Wang Chao, Ma Han, Zhang Long, Zhao Hu, and others had gathered in the front hall, their faces solemn yet filled with anticipation.
Zhan Zhao knelt down, lifting his robe, and listened intently. When the eunuch read out the imperial edict word by word in that distinctive tone, he felt his heart skip a beat for a moment, then begin to pound heavily again. Every word was crystal clear, yet it seemed as if veiled, not quite real.
"...By special decree, the two shall be married on an auspicious day. This is the imperial decree."
"Your subject... Zhan Zhao, accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude. Long live the Emperor!" His voice was steady, revealing little emotion. He took the roll of bright yellow silk with both hands, feeling its icy coldness and immense weight.
The eunuch delivering the imperial decree beamed with a smile: "Guard Zhan, congratulations! Your Majesty's grace is boundless; you and Patriarch Xuanyuan are truly a match made in heaven. I will return to report now."
After seeing off the eunuch who delivered the imperial decree, the atmosphere in the front hall immediately became lively. Wang Chao, Ma Han, and the others wore genuine smiles and stepped forward to congratulate him: "Lord Zhan, this is wonderful!" "Congratulations, Lord Zhan!"
Gongsun Ce stroked his beard, his eyes filled with satisfaction, yet also with a hint of barely perceptible worry. He looked at Bao Zheng, who nodded slightly, his gaze falling on Zhan Zhao.
Zhan Zhao stood up, clutching the imperial edict tightly in his hand, but his face showed little joy. Instead, his brows furrowed slightly, and he gazed at the quiet courtyard outside the hall, now silent after the commotion.
“Guard Zhan,” Bao Zheng stepped forward, his voice steady, “His Majesty’s move is intended to break the deadlock. Tianyi… her agreement means she approves. Don’t overthink it.”
Zhan Zhao turned around and bowed deeply to Bao Zheng: "My lord, I understand His Majesty's intention to protect us, and I am also grateful for Tianyi's help. However..." He paused, his voice lowering, "This marriage was ultimately caused by my carelessness, which led me into a trap, causing His Majesty and Tianyi to have to resort to this method to quell the matter. I feel ashamed."
Zhan Zhao clearly recognized that this marriage was an extraordinary measure taken by the emperor after weighing the pros and cons, in order to quickly stabilize the court and protect himself. As for Xuan Yuan Tianyi, he believed that she was mostly agreeing to Zhao Zhen's request or for the sake of the overall situation, rather than it being her own true wish. He had witnessed her pride and free spirit, how could he believe that she would willingly be bound by a marriage contract, especially in such a way?
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