After their return to the palace, the Grand Empress Dowager was placed under house arrest in Shoukang Palace. Everyone attending her was replaced, and she no longer appeared at court to govern from behind the curtain. Song Liang merely told the ministers that she was unwell. Having already heard about the assassination attempt in the Western Hills, they understood his meaning and asked no further questions.
After morning court, Chancellor Yin requested an audience at Zhaoyang Palace. Song Liang admitted him and spoke before he could say a word.
“I hear that rumors find no purchase with the wise. What do you think, Chancellor Yin?”
“Naturally, Your Majesty,” Yin Zhui replied.
“I consider myself wise. So when I heard that Chancellor Yin was having an affair with the Grand Empress Dowager, I did not believe a word of it. Would you say I acted correctly?”
“…”
“Still, since you have come to see me in person, I must show you some consideration.”
Song Liang set down his brush and had the edict before him delivered to Yin Zhui.
“But you must agree to two conditions.”
“First, I have been very busy lately. I would trouble you to oversee the execution of the entire Jiang and Yang clans on my behalf. Can you agree to that?”
“…”
“Second, how much do you know about the Duke of Ying’s treason case?”
“…”
Yin Zhui folded the edict, his gaze composed.
“Your Majesty is reopening the Duke of Ying’s case in order to move against the Prince Regent?”
Song Liang offered no explanation.
“Do you agree, Chancellor Yin?”
Yin Zhui nodded. “I do.”
“You have my permission to visit Shoukang Palace and inquire after her health.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“…”
“Should I go and listen in?” Song Chuyang asked.
“No need.”
Song Liang watched Yin Zhui walk out of the hall.
“When two people have become strangers for the sake of power, it is difficult for them to mend what was broken. Suspicion has already taken the place of trust. Even when one reaches the end of the road, that thorn will not easily disappear.”
“Even if it began as a misunderstanding, they have long since taken the paths they chose. There is no turning back. All they can offer each other now is a little dignity.”
“Will you and the Prince Regent end up like that too?”
The question came hesitantly. Song Chuyang tilted his head, carefully studying Song Liang’s expression, then added, “I think Chancellor Yin is sad.”
And he did not want His Majesty to feel that sadness one day.
Watching Yin Zhui’s figure almost disappear from view, Song Liang blinked slowly and gave a quiet laugh.
“I don’t know either.”
With the Grand Empress Dowager stripped of power, control of the imperial jade seal returned fully to its rightful owner. A series of investigations stemming from the Western Hills assassination attempt saw members of the Qin family dismissed and imprisoned one after another, beginning with the Golden Plume Guard’s left and right commanders.
Even Qin Shu, the Earl of Zhongyi and a Grand Secretary of the Inner Cabinet, submitted a memorial requesting retirement. Fear gripped Yanjing. Some speculated that the Qin family was about to fall; others believed the Prince Regent, Xie Yun, would be next.
Half a month later, Chancellor Yin Zhui submitted a memorial stating that Jiang and Yang had committed treason against their sovereign and deserved death. However, as His Majesty had only recently assumed power, he should govern his subjects with mercy and extend his grace to the people. Yin Zhui therefore begged him to punish only the two men’s immediate families and spare their collateral relatives the death penalty.
The emperor approved. The ministers knelt and kowtowed, praising His Majesty as a benevolent ruler. Three days later, the immediate families of Jiang and Yang were beheaded at the Eastern Market, with Chancellor Yin Zhui personally overseeing the executions.
“The Marquis of Wuying is bedridden with serious injuries. Three of the five military commissioners have been thrown into the imperial prison, and another is under investigation. His Majesty means to uproot the Qin family’s influence completely and reclaim command of the realm’s armies. Even Chancellor Yin has sided with him…”
The speaker’s face was drawn with worry.
“Your Highness, if you do not act soon, we may be the next to face his blade!”
“Indeed, Your Highness. One of my students merely shared drinks with the Left Army’s commissioner a few times, and His Majesty had him hauled off to the imperial prison. It is a terrible injustice!”
“Now I can’t even see the memorials impeaching me. His Majesty has also said he intends to bring new people into the Inner Cabinet…”
“…”
Seven or eight officials sat in the spacious, elegant study, each a senior court dignitary of the third rank or above. Now they all looked anxiously toward Xie Yun behind his desk, hoping he would say something.
Xie Yun wore a dark blue robe without a belt, half his long hair secured with a jade hairpin. His expression was indifferent as he looked down at the memorials delivered from the palace.
Though the Grand Empress Dowager no longer attended court or interfered in government, the Prince Regent still retained his authority. Even memorials bearing the emperor’s vermilion annotations had to be sent for his review. Without his approval, they could not be issued for implementation.
Once, these memorials had borne only his handwriting. Now another hand had joined his—bold and unrestrained, occasionally leaving a character short of a stroke or two when the mood struck. The wording was equally incisive, even the insults delivered with crisp economy. Merely reading the words was enough to conjure the writer’s lofty, amused expression, leaving the reader utterly powerless to do anything about it.
“Qin Shu has retired on grounds of illness. The Inner Cabinet does need another member. As for that student of yours…”
Xie Yun cast an even glance at the official in question.
“He knows perfectly well what he has done. You would do well to find out too.”
A chill ran down the official’s back.
“Understood! I will have the matter thoroughly investigated as soon as I return!”
With those few words, the other officials also found themselves with nothing more to say. They took their leave in trepidation.
“Very few officials reach their positions with clean hands. Even if they themselves are clean, there are bound to be a few among their parents and relatives who aren’t. So long as they remember whom they serve, that is enough.”
Leaning against the windowsill, Cen Huan looked into the room.
“Those were your own words back then, Your Highness. Why are you being so hard on them now?”
“Everything has its limits. They have grown too unrestrained in recent years.”
“It isn’t because they want to oppose the young emperor?”
“…”
“You’re softhearted enough to consider his interests at every turn. But do you know what he’s doing behind your back?”
Cen Huan’s expression turned cold.
“He is secretly investigating the Duke of Ying’s treason case.”
Xie Yun’s hand paused.
“You presided over the Rong clan’s case, and I led the men who confiscated their estate. By reopening it, the young emperor is plainly preparing to move against you.”
Bracing one hand on the sill, Cen Huan vaulted through the window. His voice was cold.
“I don’t know what you see in him. But if you truly want him, there’s no reason you shouldn’t have him. Seize the throne if you must, and confine him in your own harem. Then he won’t be able to escape even if he wants to. Whatever happens, you cannot simply wait for him to bestow his favor!”
“Look at all the young, handsome men around him. He even bedded one of his own maids before. Clearly, he’s easily tempted by a pretty face. Your looks are second to none, Your Highness, but he’s still the emperor. He has to produce imperial heirs—”
“Enough.” Xie Yun interrupted with a frown. “Have you nothing to do?”
Cen Huan stared, taken aback by the rebuke.
“What else would I have to do? I’m your personal guard. My duty is to stay with you, isn’t it? Who else do you want me to follow? The young emperor?”
Xie Yun felt a headache coming on.
“…When did I say I wanted you to follow him?”
Cen Huan’s face darkened.
“It hardly seems far off. Before long, Ruan Chong and I will become part of your betrothal gifts, bundled up and delivered to the young emperor to make him happy. Perhaps you’ll even have me flatter him.”
“…”
“I know what I’m doing.”
Xie Yun rubbed the space between his brows, his expression growing somber.
“But military command is something I will never surrender again.”
Only then did Cen Huan breathe a sigh of relief. Their prince had not quite lost his head. He still remembered the lesson the late emperor had taught him.
Just then, Qi Yunzhang entered the study carrying her medicine chest. Seeing both men looking displeased, she asked curiously, “What’s wrong? Has the cold weather triggered the poison again?”
Xie Yun did not answer. Expressionlessly, he held out his hand for her to take his pulse.
“No hurry. I have something for you first.”
Qi Yunzhang took a scented pouch from the bag at her waist and offered it to him.
“It contains herbs that suppress the poison. My martial brother and I spent several days discussing which ones to use. Carry it with you, and it can help ease the effects when the poison flares.”
Xie Yun gave it a single glance.
“Leave it there.”
Qi Yunzhang did not move. She simply regarded him meaningfully.
“It’s from the young emperor.”
Xie Yun’s expression briefly stilled. Then he reached for the pouch, gently stroking it with his fingertips.
“When did he give it to you?” he asked softly.
Qi Yunzhang: “…”
Cen Huan: “…”
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