Chapter 66 The Cold-Hearted Mandarin Ducks (Part 4) "Yang gives birth to Yin, Yang kills Yin and Yin hides..."
The early summer morning was still quite refreshing, the sunlight soft and bright, golden rays shimmering and flowing on the green tiles and flying eaves, casting pale and quiet shadows. Inside the East Palace, the palace servants should have been busy with their tasks as usual, but their tranquility was shattered by a scream from the back wing.
Outside the Crown Prince's sleeping quarters, Liang Lu knelt with his head bowed, his face ashen, unable to conceal his panic even in his reply.
Yan Chao was clearly also a little angry, scolding as he walked out: "You've been a senior servant of mine for a long time, how could you be so reckless? Since you found his behavior suspicious and knew the matter was serious, you should have interrogated him carefully, but instead, you beat him to death first."
Liang Lu prostrated himself and kowtowed: "This servant deserves to die. It was because this servant was too hasty that I made such a terrible mistake. Now that things have blown up, I'm afraid it's no longer possible to suppress it. This servant is guilty and willing to accept punishment. Please, Your Highness, punish me and decide my fate."
Last night, Liang Ren's henchman stole his key and sneaked into the storeroom, unaware that Liang Lu was fully aware of the situation. Before the henchman could even open the door, he was apprehended.
Upon learning of this, Liang Lu dared not delay and immediately returned to Yan Chao. Yan Chao only instructed that the interrogation be conducted first, but unexpectedly, Liang Lu used excessive torture, and the man died this morning.
Yan Chao was about to leave and couldn't deal with the matter at the moment. She glanced at Liang Lu but didn't respond to him.
"Tell Xiao Jiu to clean up the mess first."
After noon, the emperor suddenly summoned the crown prince.
Yan Chao initially guessed it was about the morning court session, so he didn't dare delay and went by sedan chair. Upon entering the Qianqing Palace, Lan Huaien came up to him and whispered a few words of advice, causing Yan Chao's expression to change abruptly.
The emperor had just finished his meal and was preparing to take a nap when he was disturbed, and his face was full of displeasure. The eunuch kneeling on the ground wept bitterly and recounted the whole story again.
It all started with the young fire-bringer who died in the Eastern Palace this morning. He had an older brother who worked in the Imperial Household Department. The brother was shocked and outraged by the terrible news, believing that his younger brother's theft of the storeroom key was not a capital offense and was determined to seek justice. However, Xiao Jiu didn't take him seriously at all, and the brother took advantage of his duty to make a scene before the Emperor.
The emperor yawned and asked Yan Chao with slight impatience, "What did the Crown Prince say?"
"Your Majesty! His Highness the Crown Prince didn't kill him by accident; he was settling a personal score and deliberately wanted to kill Xiao Bu!" He mustered his courage to interrupt the emperor, immediately kowtowing several times, his cries of grief echoing, "Xiao Bu used to work in Wan'an Palace, but after entering the Eastern Palace, he was always ostracized. Ever since Consort Li was convicted, his existence has been like a thorn in our side. Otherwise, why would he kill someone out of mere suspicion!"
These words were quite sharp, bringing up Lady Li of Wan'an Palace, seemingly intended to stir up some suspicion in the emperor. Sure enough, the emperor frowned deeply, but only stared at the eunuch, saying nothing.
Yan Chao turned around and rebuked, "Insolence! There are witnesses and evidence to prove it. How dare you speak nonsense and make wild guesses before the Emperor!"
"Enough!" The emperor, annoyed by the commotion, pinched his brow and said irritably, "For slandering the Crown Prince, give him thirty strokes of the cane and he shall never serve before me again." He then immediately ordered his men to drag him out.
The hall fell silent. The emperor was exhausted and had no desire to speak further, simply waving for Yan Chao to leave. Yan Chao had just bowed when Lan Huai'en lifted the curtain and entered, announcing that Consort Ning requested an audience.
"Whatever it is, we can discuss it later. I don't want to see her right now." The emperor rose and went into the inner room.
Lan Huaien was about to go out to report when he saw Yan Chao give him a signal, so he quickly stepped forward and went inside to serve the emperor.
Yan Chao stopped and heard Lan Huaien's low voice: "...After hearing about His Highness the Crown Prince's matter, Consort Ning rushed over and said that she knew that dead Xiao Bu. Last year, she personally saw him touch Empress Wen Hui's belongings in the Eastern Palace. His hands were indeed not clean."
The emperor seemed to say something she didn't quite hear, so she silently turned and went out, only to find Consort Ning still waiting in the corridor. She greeted him and gave a general description of the situation inside, without mentioning anything about Lady Li.
After hearing this, Consort Ning said, "Since the matter is already settled, my trip here seems unnecessary."
Yan Chao followed her down the steps, his voice calm: "Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Your Majesty. But since you knew about Xiao Bu, why didn't you tell me back then?"
"I don't remember. I only remembered he had a mole at the corner of his eye after I went to see him." Consort Ning said this casually, then ignored her and left with the help of a palace maid.
The matter was left unresolved. Liang Lu received thirty strokes of the cane and rested for almost half a month before returning to Yan Chao's side. After that, he became even more cautious in his actions.
Duan Shou's investigation also uncovered an important clue: the inlay craftsman's grandson inadvertently exclaimed, "Grandpa, why are you deliberately not setting the gold jewelry securely?" After careful questioning, it was learned that the old inlay craftsman had muttered in a half-asleep state, "You're trying to ruin my craft."
Yan Chao had no intention of investigating further, nor was there any need to dwell on it any longer.
As you might have guessed.
If she remains completely unaware of the extent of her relationship with Consort Ning, she might not even know how she died.
The Crown Prince's Palace also needed to be strictly guarded against, lest a second Xiao Bu appear. Liang Lu took the opportunity to carry out a thorough rectification, swiftly eliminating anyone found to be suspicious. Coupled with the precedent of Xiao Bu, a sense of solemnity prevailed throughout the palace.
However, the rift between Yan Chao and Consort Ning is growing wider and wider, and it may be difficult to repair.
For several days, she began to have recurring nightmares, mostly about old memories that seemed both real and unreal, which disturbed her peace of mind.
The illusory dream twisted and spun, and her thoughts drifted with the current, plummeting downwards in a dizzying, turbulent state.
Those fervent calls instantly transformed into ferocious and terrifying beasts, howling and luring her to push open the door. Someone slowly appeared, smiling broadly as they brought her a newborn stillborn infant.
I looked up and saw my mother.
Bloodshed and death enveloped her, a familiar yet powerless sense of suffocation, as if she were there herself.
I awoke in the middle of the night to find the outside world utterly silent. Occasionally, I could catch a glimpse of Shen Shi, but she was always quiet, only offering water and adding lamps when Yan Chao needed her.
After Yingniang left, Yan Chao never had anyone so close to him again.
Feng Jingmo prescribed her a sedative. However, the sedative seemed to have a particularly strong effect on Yan Chao, who often felt drowsy during the day. Fortunately, it was not a serious problem, and her daily diet was fine, so Yan Chao did not pay much attention to it.
Shenwei and the Crown Prince have always been in frequent contact. Recently, she noticed that Yan Chao always seemed a bit depressed in private, so she suggested that she go out of the palace for a stroll. At present, the summer heat has not yet become too intense, and the weather is mild and sunny, which is perfect for an outing to relax.
Yan Chao chose his next day off and planned to go to the North Lake at the North Water Gate in the north of the city for sightseeing.
The emperor didn't bother with her, but Yan Fei overheard the plan and begged Yan Chao to take him along. Madam Sun strongly disagreed, but the emperor granted her request: "Fei'er is still young, and he'll get bored staying in the palace all day. It'll be good for him to go out and about. Besides, it'll get hot soon, and he's too weak to travel." Madam Sun had no choice but to order a few more people to accompany him.
Since Yan Fei had been mentioned, the emperor became interested and couldn't help but meddle in another matter: "Let the concubine from the Crown Prince's Eastern Palace come along. I think she's bored and spends all her time going to Yongning Palace."
She then went to speak with Consort Ning. Consort Ning had no objections and remained indifferent, only instructing her to protect Madam Xu.
Yan Chao had originally planned to travel incognito with only a few guards, but now that he had an extra weak person and a child, he had to be more cautious. With more people accompanying him, arrangements also needed to be made in advance at Beihu.
The weather was fine on the day of the departure. The procession left the palace gates and headed north of the city.
Yan Fei, having finally managed to leave the palace, chattered incessantly the entire way. Shu Ying was arranged to ride in the same carriage with him. At first, she was quite reserved, but soon she was infected by Yan Fei's innocence and cheerfulness, and forgot all her worries. The two whispered to each other, thoroughly enjoying themselves.
When they got off the carriage at Beihu, both of their cheeks were flushed. Yan Fei greeted him with a grin, calling him "Sixth Uncle," while Shu Ying tried her best to control herself and awkwardly bowed her head in greeting.
Yan Chao couldn't help but smile at their appearance, then turned back and again instructed Duan Shou to stay close to them. Yan Fei was taken aback, tilting his head and asking, "Aren't we going to play on the lake? Isn't Sixth Uncle coming with us?"
"No, you two go and have fun. Just let Duan Shou know if you need anything." With her around, the two of them felt more restrained.
After watching them depart, Yan Chao and Shen Wei boarded another small boat. Shen Wei rolled up her sleeves and rowed the boat into the lake herself. The lake in May was calm and clear, and the distant mountains stretched out like a hair bun, while gulls and egrets stood gracefully on the shore, creating a picturesque landscape painting.
The light boat glided slowly, and a waterside pavilion came into view. Beneath the pavilion, a pond of lotus leaves clustered together, interspersed with a few delicate pink buds, their blossoms not yet in full bloom, only peeking out shyly. Yan Chao sat leisurely at the bow of the boat, inhaling the faint fragrance of lotus carried on the gentle breeze.
Yan Chao was slightly dazed. She hadn't gone to Hangzhou; all she could remember were the lotus flowers in Zhuoyuan Garden in Suzhou. Those days were busy, and she only caught a glimpse of them occasionally as she passed by, which only brought her some solace.
She smiled and said, "Jiangnan is a land of beautiful scenery, and its lotus flowers are certainly renowned. I recall many years ago, the lotus pond in the back garden of the Shen residence. Perhaps it was not as lush and expansive as the ones outside, but it was superior in its serene atmosphere and profound sentiments."
Her memories naturally traced back to the past, when she was just a child, an innocent and playful age. She secretly followed Shen Wei into the Shen residence and sneaked into the back garden like a hide-and-seek game.
The two walked through the rugged artificial hill and hid behind a recessed stone wall by the water, sitting barefoot on the stone slab. Shen Wei picked two bright green lotus leaves and placed them upside down on her head. The cool water droplets dripped into her clothes, tickling her so much that Yan Chao couldn't help but laugh and shiver. She almost fell off her seat, her heart pounding with fear, and she instinctively clung to Shen Wei tightly.
Two pairs of small feet leisurely paddled in the water, a cool and fragrant breeze wafted through the lotus leaves, cicadas chirped incessantly, and the scorching summer heat dissipated among the layers of lush flowers and leaves. Sunlight spilled out from the gaps, scattering finely on the water's surface, shimmering with golden light that danced and rippled with warmth.
A single lotus leaf shelters a patch of green shade, while a pond full of lotus blossoms blocks out the sky. She still remembers the endless view she couldn't reach even when she stood on tiptoe and craned her neck, and she also remembers those sincere and open years with Shen Wei. But all of that has gradually faded into the distance.
"Your Highness still remembers? That lotus pond flourishes year after year, always waiting for Your Highness." Shen Wei couldn't help but sigh. Now, the Yan Dynasty is busy with official duties, and even the opportunity to leave the palace is rare, let alone easily visit the residence of a subject.
Not wanting to linger in a secluded spot for too long, the two wandered for a while before paddling towards an open area.
Yan Fei and Shu Ying's boat was not far away, and Yan Fei's clear laughter could be faintly heard, while Shu Ying was also laughing heartily. They both looked extremely happy.
Yan Chao took a sip of wine and casually said, "I remember that Tan Ze got married this year."
"Hmm, how so?" Yan Chao found it intriguing, studied him for a moment, and teased, "Logically speaking, your family background, appearance, and career path are all top-notch."
Shen Wei felt a little uncomfortable under her gaze, turned his head away, and chuckled dryly: "I sent someone to inquire privately, and she said that I am weak and spineless, and have no interest whatsoever. Her ideal husband should be a first-rate man of unyielding integrity and a first-rate man of arrogant and open-mindedness."
"She's quite opinionated about her marriage; she's a straightforward girl. But that assessment is somewhat judging her by her appearance." Yan Chaoyang raised an eyebrow, crossed her arms, and glanced at him. "And what about you?"
As expected, Yan Chao's tone became indifferent: "Your marriage is arranged by your parents and the matchmaker. What would it look like if I interfered?"
Shen Wei blushed, his face showing worry: "Both families are determined to make this marriage happen, and as a junior, I cannot disobey. I know Your Highness is in a difficult position; such matters are not easy to bring up, but... but..." He opened his mouth, but his voice became hoarse, and after a long while, he stammered, "I really do not wish to marry..."
The sound of the oars was dull and slow. Chen Wei buried his head and focused on rowing. In the few silent breaths, he even held his breath, feeling inexplicably guilty and not daring to look at her.
When he glanced sideways and saw another ship approaching in the distance, he knew he wouldn't receive a reply from Yan Chao. He felt a mix of disappointment and inexplicable relief, so he stood up and naturally fixed his gaze on Liang Lu.
"Your Highness, Eunuch Lan from the Imperial Guard has arrived."
"Oh, what is His Majesty's decree?" Yan Chao asked, looking towards the shore, but the trees blocked the view.
Liang Lu hesitated, only replying that Lan Huai'en requested an audience. As soon as he finished speaking, a small, covered boat slowly approached from afar, a man standing at the bow, a whisk tucked into his robes fluttering in the wind. As he drew closer, his clear and familiar face came into view.
Shen Wei had always disliked him, but because Yan Chao was there, she could only stand there calmly. However, when Lan Huaien also boarded the ship to pay his respects to Yan Chao, Shen Wei finally couldn't help but frown.
This inconspicuous action was caught by Lan Huaien, who exclaimed "Oh!" with a hint of frivolity, "Lord Shen is here too! Why does he look so unhappy while accompanying His Highness the Crown Prince? Is it because I came uninvited and disturbed your good time alone with His Highness?"
That was really unpleasant to hear. And dragging Yan Chao into it was clearly a deliberate act of offense.
Yan Chao's face immediately darkened, and she glared at him coldly: "Lan Huaien, you had better have an imperial edict to deliver. Otherwise, I will have you thrown into the lake."
Yan Chao was startled and looked up to meet Lan Huaien's gaze. Her expression froze, and she stood frozen in place. After a long while, she heard Shen Wei seem to call her name.
These words came out of nowhere, leaving Shen Wei completely confused. When she finally came to her senses, she was shocked: Why would Yan Chao suddenly talk to him about marriage?
"Shut up! Say one more word and I'll throw you in to feed the fish."
Lan Huaien's shoulders trembled, and he lowered his head in a look of fear.
Shen Wei had no choice but to take his leave and boarded another boat. For some reason, the eunuch rowing on that boat was rowing unusually fast. He turned around, but soon Yan Chao's figure disappeared.
Yan Chao looked at him and said, "This was your idea, wasn't it?"
“You’re wronging me. How could I possibly side with Consort Xu? This is clearly not in your best interest, I understand that.” He smiled at Yan Chao, speaking with righteous indignation: “I should naturally share Your Highness’s burdens. Therefore, even with the imperial edict, I will not push Your Highness toward Consort Xu. I will let her continue to be with Prince Chang Le. Your Highness, I’m sorry to trouble you to stay with me for a while.”
The wind had died down on the lake, and a few crows swooped down from the treetops, their sharp cries adding to the summer heat and making one feel stifled. Fortunately, the boat was propelled by a breeze, making it a little cooler. Yan Chao leaned lazily against the awning wall, reaching for the remaining half-pot of wine, only to find it had vanished.
Lan Huaien was rowing when he caught sight of her movements and couldn't help but laugh: "I'm afraid Eunuch Liang was worried that His Highness would drink too much, so he secretly took him away."
Liang Lu remembered clearly the expression on Yan Chao's face after she got drunk in Jinling. No wonder Liang Lu was worried; he couldn't afford to relax his vigilance about her condition.
"Shen Shaozhan didn't even try to persuade His Highness, and even joined in your foolishness."
Yan Chao's voice was calm: "Why are you always arguing with Shen Wei?"
Lan Huaien clicked his tongue, moved closer without making a sound, and bent down to test her. Seeing that she still didn't reprimand him, he simply took the liberty of sitting down.
“The factory supervisor talks too much,” Yan Chao interrupted abruptly, shifting his gaze and glancing casually at the willows by the lake. “Since we’re here for a lake tour, let’s just focus on enjoying the scenery.”
Lan Huaien awkwardly agreed.
Yan Chao didn't intend to say anything more. She lowered her eyes, her breathing became slightly heavy, and her mind was a little drowsy. She couldn't help but yawn: "I'm going to take a short nap. Call me if you need anything."
Lan Huaien agreed, got up, grabbed the cloak from the side and covered her with it. When he looked up and saw her peaceful sleeping face, his heart skipped a beat. He couldn't help but hold his breath. A strange softness and throbbing suddenly came from his chest, which took root and sprouted like crazy in the silence.
He blinked, quickly turned around, and quietly left the cabin, keeping a watchful eye on his surroundings while glancing back at her every now and then.
.
After Princess Yongjia and Princess Miaohua entered the palace to pay their respects to the Emperor, they went straight to Zhaoyang Palace as usual. Summer had arrived, and the capital was getting hotter every day, but Zhaoyang Palace was much cooler. This was not because it was located in a remote area, but because there were several tall sycamore trees in the courtyard. Every year when their branches and leaves were lush, they provided dense shade and were verdant green.
Sun was watering the potted plants in front of the corridor when she saw Princess Yongjia arrive. She dropped what she was doing, invited her into the hall, and ordered someone to serve tea.
Princess Yongjia sat down and raised an eyebrow: "Sister-in-law, you seem quite carefree. Aren't you worried? You went to great lengths to set up such a grand scheme, and now it's all come to nothing."
"It's hot today, Princess, please have a cup of tea to soothe your throat." Madam Sun pushed the tea towards her, her expression still calm, and said lightly, "How can it be considered a failure? Wasn't the goal achieved? The Li family was defeated, and the Crown Prince suffered a setback."
"But that didn't work either. The Li family's downfall didn't even affect their status, except for losing the empress's position. Although our dynasty's ancestral system dictates that the eldest son of the empress succeeds to the throne, with Prince Xin being so favored by the Emperor, it's hard to guarantee that things won't change. As for the Crown Prince, even if Consort Ning has a grudge against him, it won't affect anything." Princess Yongjia frowned, slightly worried: "On the contrary, what if the Crown Prince notices something, wouldn't that be detrimental to you and Fei'er?"
Madam Sun shook her round fan and said softly with her eyes lowered, "This round has helped the Crown Prince. If Yan Chao can weigh the pros and cons, he won't pursue it too deeply. Prince Xin will not let it go easily either. The struggle between the two is far from over. Let's wait and see."
Yongjia was even more confused: "Then what is your purpose in helping Yan Chao, sister-in-law?"
Sun scoffed, "She's utterly useless. She must win the struggle against Prince Xin."
Light streamed in through the window, and dappled shadows of trees swayed in the breeze. For a fleeting moment, one shadow fell upon her slender wrist, as if branding it with a dark mark. She was lost in thought, feeling as if her wrist were firmly nailed to the table, unable to move.
Many years ago, Crown Prince Zhaohuai sat opposite her in the same way. That day, the window was half-closed, and the Crown Prince was bathed in shimmering light, as bright as a god.
She was talking to him with her chin in her hand when she suddenly noticed a light flickering on the dragon's eye pattern on his robe. She smiled and reached out to point it out to him.
Unexpectedly, the moment his hand reached out, it was suddenly grasped tightly by the Crown Prince and gently placed back on the table. His voice was hoarse as he suppressed a laugh and said, "Close your eyes." Then came a sudden, tender kiss.
The hand that was held, and the heartbeat that felt like a fluttering deer, are still unforgettable.
Now, the palace is shaded by towering sycamore trees, blocking out even the sunlight of yesteryear. She now lives in the shadows, and when she occasionally recalls the past, she no longer blushes with embarrassment.
Princess Yongjia called out "elder sister-in-law".
Madam Sun pulled herself out of her thoughts, lowered her head and took a sip of tea, her voice somewhat ethereal: "Princess, you don't know, but before Empress Wenhui miscarried, Consort Ning was ordered by His Majesty to bring her a bowl of soup. After drinking it, the Empress miscarried, and then both she and her child died."
“Yan Chao will definitely find out,” Madam Sun closed her eyes, not answering her, but gripping the teacup tightly in her hand, pondering, “What will she do when she finds out?”
But both the Emperor and Consort Ning are a huge blow to Yan Chao. If she were to do something outrageous because of this, all the better.
Sun lowered her eyes, her fingers tracing circles on the bottom of the cup, secretly calculating in her mind: given the current power dynamics in the court, to bring down Prince Xin's faction, she would have to rely on Yan Chao for the time being.
Zhaoyang Palace should have had many powerful backers: the Cao family, the Sun family, and even the Xue family, the husband of Princess Yongjia. However, the Cao family had been suppressed in the past, and now their descendants were mediocre, showing signs of decline. The Sun and Xue families were scattered and unable to exert much influence. In this deep palace, she could only rely on herself.
But recently, many of her spies planted in various places have been uncovered, and no matter how carefully she plans, she will have to abandon them if absolutely necessary. She is worried that the situation will become increasingly out of control.
"Speaking of which, Grand Secretary Cao is Fei'er's maternal uncle, but due to etiquette, we are only reserved and polite when we meet. The princess has more freedom to enter and leave the palace than I do, so if you have time, take him to visit her more often."
Princess Yongjia nodded upon hearing this: "I know. We should get closer, after all, we both have the blood of the Cao family flowing through our veins."
Speaking of bloodlines, Princess Yongjia sighed with emotion: "If my brother were still here, watching Fei'er grow up healthy, our family would be happy and harmonious. How wonderful that would be."
Madam Sun shook her head resolutely: "Offspring? No way. It's a pity for Shuying, such a good girl, what a waste."
.
Prince Xin remained quiet and unassuming for several months. The Prince's residence had a new advisor, a man of mediocre status in the court, but highly respected for his talent and learning, a great Confucian scholar of the time. So Prince Xin used the pretext of seclusion to reflect on his mistakes and devoted himself to studying. In his spare time, he would either immerse himself in calligraphy and painting or go horseback riding and hunting, truly appearing like a carefree prince.
Recently, Prince Xin also introduced several Taoist priests to the emperor, all of whom were said to be Taoist masters. One of them, Master Wu, was over seventy years old, yet still sharp of hearing and sight and in good health. It was said that he had lived in seclusion in the mountains for many years, devoting himself to Taoist cultivation, and that his Taoist practice and cultivation were extremely high, and that he could even refine longevity elixirs.
The emperor tried the elixir offered by the Taoist priest and indeed felt refreshed and invigorated, which rekindled his desire to cultivate Taoism.
This is not surprising. In the past two years, the emperor has noticed that the signs of aging on his body are becoming more and more obvious. Even though he pays special attention to health care, he cannot escape the ravages of time. Therefore, he seeks ways to prolong his life everywhere and often meditates to cultivate his mind. He has a great fondness for Taoism.
This time, however, the emperor was clearly even more obsessed. He not only frequently visited the Qingfu Palace in the Western Garden, but also neglected many state affairs and began to devote himself to the study of Taoism.
As the weather grew increasingly hot, the emperor resorted to his old trick, claiming to be unwell and needing to move out of the palace ahead of schedule. However, this time, the emperor's destination was not the Southern Terrace.
Lan Huaien suggested that there were still several vacant palaces in the Renshou Palace in the West Garden, which could be easily renovated and occupied immediately, without incurring excessive expenses. Moreover, the palaces were close to Taiye Pond, refreshing and pleasant, and more importantly, they were far from the hustle and bustle of daily life yet close to Qingfu Hall, making them perfect for cultivating one's mind and practicing Taoism.
The news was met with unanimous opposition from the court officials.
Last year, when the emperor insisted on going to the Southern Terrace, the ministers disagreed, let alone the even more remote Western Garden. Moreover, there are places like the Silkworm Altar and Mulberry Garden near the Palace of Benevolence and Longevity, and the Qingfu Hall is near livestock pens, where wild animals such as leopards and tigers are kept. How absurd would it be for the emperor, the supreme ruler, to live in such a despicable place?
Knowing the temperaments of his ministers, the emperor simply stopped attending court assemblies for several days in a row, and also stopped going to the Wenhua Hall. Even the memorials were only reviewed after they had been "carefully" selected by the Directorate of Ceremonial.
But the imperial edict had not yet been issued, and the emperor and his court officials remained deadlocked. A group of court officials knelt outside the Qianqing Palace, vowing not to give up.
Enraged, the emperor swept a stack of memorials to the ground and coldly ordered Lan Huai'en, "Go! Tell the people from the Eastern Depot to drive them all away! If they want to kneel, kneel outside the Meridian Gate. Don't get in my way here."
Lan Huaien went out to receive the decree, only to find that the person leading the group was none other than the Crown Prince. He was momentarily at a loss. He knew her temperament and also understood the Emperor's resolve. If the Crown Prince insisted on seeing him now, who knew what the consequences would be if the Emperor became angry?
He naturally hoped to lessen her grievances, so he stepped forward and whispered, "His Majesty's mind is made up. It's futile for Your Highness to try to persuade him further. Why bother?"
Yan Chao remained unmoved.
Lan Huaien sighed inwardly, took a few steps back, and said loudly, "His Majesty's decree states that if the ministers wish to kneel, please continue kneeling outside the Meridian Gate."
He immediately nodded to his left and right, and the eunuchs rushed forward. In an instant, the sounds of pushing, shoving, shouting and howling were chaotic and disorderly, and the area outside the Qianqing Palace was in complete disarray.
However, the eunuchs dared not touch the crown prince. After a short while, a palace attendant came out to announce: The emperor summons the crown prince.
Lan Huaien sensed something was wrong, but dared not stop him, and could only watch him go in with a worried expression.
Upon entering the hall, the eunuchs were cleaning up the mess on the floor. Some memorials were wet and scattered, the writing on them somewhat blurred. Yan Chao personally took a stack of memorials from the eunuch's arms, respectfully presented them, and then bowed in greeting.
The emperor's face was gloomy, and veins on his forehead were bulging, clearly indicating that his anger had not subsided: "Does the crown prince dare to stop me? It seems that the thirty strokes of the cane I gave him before were too lenient. After all this time, he hasn't learned a thing."
Yan Chao lowered his head and said, "Father, please calm down. Renshou Palace is far from the inner palace, making it inconvenient to govern, and the environment is also remote and unsuitable for the emperor to reside in. Your son and the court officials are thinking of your reputation. Your father is diligent and wise, and if this matter causes controversy among the people, wouldn't it damage your holy name? We hope that Your father will think twice before acting."
The emperor chuckled coldly: "Considering my well-being? The summer heat is unbearable. I've been working day and night, and I'm dizzy and weak. Can't I even find a cooler place? The ministers in the court have their own summer retreats in the suburbs! Even you know that it's more comfortable to leave the palace, yet you come to criticize me! You all talk about sharing my burdens all day long, but now you won't even budge if I move to a different place. A bunch of old fogies are kneeling outside, threatening me. How can I feel at ease!"
A memorial was suddenly thrown at her. Yan Chao hurriedly picked it up and closed it. Before she could reply, the emperor, who had just caught his breath, pointed at her and launched into a tirade of angry rebukes.
"And you, you heartless wretch! As a subject and a son, you show no consideration for my heart whatsoever. Have you put loyalty and filial piety into your very being? Relying on your status as the crown prince, you colluded with other ministers to kneel before the palace gates and force me to remonstrate. Do you think I can't see through your intentions?!"
The emperor had clearly vented all his pent-up anger on the crown prince. In that moment, he no longer cared about imperial dignity and poured out all his grievances.
"...Does the Crown Prince think that because I didn't investigate what he did in Nanjing last year, I was completely unaware? I gave you face because it was your first southern tour and the start of the new policies. I never expected you to be so arrogant and domineering, daring to act as my master! I gave you favors, not so that you would kneel here and disobey me today!"
"I don't want to hear your excuses!" The emperor's face was ashen, his chest heaving violently. He slammed his fist on the table: "Everyone praises the Crown Prince for his wisdom and integrity, but I don't think so. Otherwise, why would even your gentle and virtuous foster mother, Consort Ning, distance herself from you? It's clear that you're only good at putting on a show!"
Upon hearing this, Yan Chao felt a sudden chill. She trembled and was speechless for a moment.
The emperor had risen from his seat at some point and was now standing before her, looking down at her coldly: "What, I wasn't wrong, was I? You are just like your mother; she is a fake benevolent woman, and you are a true hypocrite."
Yan Chao felt his blood rush to his head. He abruptly raised his head, looked up at the emperor, and said, enunciating each word clearly: "My mother has been the empress for thirteen years and has a reputation for virtue. Moreover, the posthumous title bestowed upon her by my father is 'Wen Hui' (gentle and benevolent). Now that you believe the title is undeserved, why not announce it to the world and change the posthumous title?"
How could the emperor not understand the implied meaning: a veiled criticism of his disregard for reputation, and resentment towards his belittling of the empress?
"How dare you!"
Accompanied by a furious shout, a resounding slap landed hard across the face.
Yan Chao immediately felt dizzy and fell to the ground, her face burning with pain, followed by a numb, aching sensation. She thought to herself, "This is even more severe than the ruler I used to discipline you with that year."
She trembled as she propped herself up, her eyes lowered, but her mind remained clear throughout. The surging hatred was now impossible to suppress, but she bit her lip tightly and prostrated herself in worship.
"Your Majesty has spoken out of turn," she said, her voice slightly weak as she suppressed her trembling breath. "It is clear that Your Majesty is still rational. Why should you be criticized for living far away in the Western Garden? If this slap can preserve Your Majesty's reputation, Your Majesty will gladly accept it."
The emperor stared at her silently for a long time, then coldly and disgustedly said "Get out," and left the palace.
Yan Chao thought the emperor had compromised, and the court officials also thought the emperor had compromised. Even the emperor did not punish her, nor did he blame the officials who spoke rudely.
However, on the third day, the emperor suddenly issued an imperial edict: ordering the crown prince to inspect and govern Shaanxi.
Shaanxi suffered a severe drought this summer, and local officials reported the disaster three days ago. The cabinet had already drafted a resolution after the memorial was submitted, and the emperor approved it. Now, the crown prince has been ordered to inspect the province, and the officials simply assume that the emperor is deliberately testing him, so they have no objections.
Yan Chao knew in her heart that the emperor was probably angry at her for her disobedience, which was why he sent her to Shaanxi. But after all, the disaster had harmed the people, and they were still suffering in dire straits. She solemnly accepted the decree and, without delay, hurried to Guanzhong.
However, the day after the Crown Prince left the capital, the Emperor swiftly moved to Renshou Palace in the Western Garden, even ordering the construction of a guardhouse inside Yinghe Gate. When the court officials received the news, they were all stunned, but it was too late; further persuasion was futile.
Yan Chao found out a little late. She touched her cheek, which had already subsided, and sighed inwardly: This slap was really for nothing.
That year, Yan Chao endured the most unbearable summer. The summer in Guanzhong was scorching hot, and although her temporary residence was much cooler than outside, she still felt unbearably hot, which showed that the lives of ordinary people must have been even more difficult.
A homeless beggar by the roadside was singing a song whose meaning I couldn't understand:
"The drought was so severe that it washed away the mountains and rivers."
The drought demon wreaked havoc, causing unbearable suffering.
My heart dreads the heat, my worries are like the scorching heat.
If the officials are all upright, they will not listen to me.
"God of Heaven, would you rather I escape?"①
Yan Chao included this poem in his memorial to the throne and presented it to the capital.
When Yan Chao returned to the capital, she had become noticeably tanned. Even the emperor was surprised to see her, and his previous dissatisfaction subsided somewhat. He only praised her for her hard work and achievements.
When Lan Huaien met her privately, he suppressed a laugh and comforted her, "Your Highness, don't worry. This will help you conceal your identity. Besides, the weather will get colder in autumn and winter, and you'll gradually recover."
Yan Chao: "..."
Yang gives birth to Yin, Yang kills Yin, Yin hides; summer goes and winter comes, seasons change swiftly. Yan Chao carefully drew a winter-dispelling picture for Yan Fei, and taught him to recite the poem "Yun Han". The second half of the year was still full of undercurrents, and Yan Chao walked step by step, cautiously concealing his sharp edge.
The biggest change that year was the emperor's relocation of the palace.
Author's Note: ① This is from the Book of Songs, Greater Odes, Yunhan.
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