Several days later, the Minister of Imperial Sacrifices received the memorial Song Liang had annotated and sent back. He nearly fainted from fright and hurried to the chancellor’s residence by carriage that very night.
Yin Zhui was just about to retire when his steward announced that the minister urgently requested an audience. He could only throw on a robe and come out to receive him.
Before Yin Zhui could ask what was wrong, the minister lunged toward him.
“Chancellor, save me!”
Already exhausted from several nights of poor rest, Yin Zhui nearly toppled over. Irritation crept into his voice.
“What could possibly bring you here in the middle of the night, wailing like this?”
“It’s that memorial I submitted!”
The middle-aged minister sounded close to sobbing.
“You told me to add the consort selection to my memorial congratulating His Majesty. Now he’s not only sent it back, he’s written five words on it!”
“What five words?” Yin Zhui asked.
“Mind your own affairs first!”
“…”
Yin Zhui felt utterly weary.
“You came here at this hour over those five words?”
The minister wept even harder.
“How can you speak of it so lightly, Chancellor? Those aren’t merely five words. They’re my head and the lives of my entire clan!”
Yin Zhui sighed.
“His Majesty may act decisively, but he is not bloodthirsty.”
Through tear-blurred eyes, the minister stared at him in disbelief.
“How can you say that? Weren’t you standing right beside me in Zhaoyang Palace that day?”
Yin Zhui: “…”
He remembered now. When His Majesty had cut off Jiang Wei’s head, someone had fainted on the spot.
It had been this man.
Wiping his tears, the minister continued, “The head landed right beside my feet. Blood sprayed onto my face! When I finally made it home, I found blood inside my collar too. I’ve been terrified that Jiang Wei will turn into a vengeful ghost and come looking for me…”
Yin Zhui pressed his throbbing temples.
“You are an official of the court. Why are you so superstitious about ghosts and spirits?”
The minister looked at him wide-eyed.
“That’s my profession!”
Yin Zhui: “…”
So it was. The Minister of Imperial Sacrifices oversaw the ancestral temples, sacrificial rites, and ritual music. Belief in spirits was rather central to the position.
“His Majesty is the true Son of Heaven. With him presiding over Yanjing, Jiang Wei’s ghost would never dare trouble you.”
To prevent another bout of wailing, Yin Zhui returned to the memorial.
“Did His Majesty say anything besides those five words?”
“No.”
The minister looked puzzled.
“But I don’t understand. Why did you ask me to mention the consort selection in the first place? The whole capital is in an uproar over the reopening of the Rong case and the Prince Regent. Shouldn’t you be concerned about the struggle between His Majesty and Xie Yun?”
Yin Zhui fell silent, then sighed softly.
“I fear there is something between His Majesty and the Prince Regent even more dangerous to the order of the court.”
He recalled what he had heard during his visit to Shoukang Palace, as well as the news from the inner palace the day before. His Majesty had ordered a moon-white robe made from the tribute fabric known as Moonshadow Gauze—not in his own measurements, but in the Prince Regent’s.
Then he had known that Qin Zhiwei had told him the truth.
For the first time since Emperor Shizong, Great Yao had finally found a rare emperor who resembled Emperor Gaozu. Yet his heart had been stolen by an ambitious man who bore a grudge against the Chen imperial family.
Yin Zhui closed his eyes. His strength had been failing him more and more lately. He was truly growing old. He did not know whether he would live to see His Majesty name an heir.
“You need not raise this matter again. I will discuss it with His Majesty myself.”
“Yes, Chancellor.”
The Rong case was a matter of immense importance, involving the reigning Prince Regent himself. After the assembled civil and military officials argued before Song Liang for three days, they finally agreed that the Ministry of Justice, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate would conduct a joint trial. Throughout the proceedings, all case files and testimony were to be submitted to His Majesty for review. No favoritism would be permitted.
The petitioner would remain at the Court of Judicial Review, under the chief justice’s sole responsibility.
As for the accused, not one of the assembled officials dared suggest how he should be handled. Even the heads of the three offices conducting the trial had not proposed summoning him for questioning. No one wanted to incur the Prince Regent’s displeasure.
In the end, Chancellor Yin stepped forward. He suggested retrieving the original case files and verifying the evidence before deciding whether to summon Xie Yun. If he was not implicated, there would be no need to trouble him. If he was, His Majesty could question him personally.
The ministers agreed, and Song Liang approved.
That should have left everyone satisfied. Yet just as court was about to adjourn, Yin Zhui suddenly spoke.
“This subject has a matter to present.”
Song Liang had been about to rise. Hearing this, he sat back down and asked casually, “What is it, Chancellor?”
“Now that Your Majesty governs in your own right, you should appoint an empress and consorts to secure the foundations of the state. I therefore petition Your Majesty to choose a date to summon eligible noblewomen of Yanjing for an audience and select those who will enter the imperial harem. I beg Your Majesty’s approval.”
“…”
Silence fell over the court. The casual air vanished from Song Liang’s face.
“I have not yet turned eighteen. I am still young. Why are you so eager for me to appoint an empress and consorts? Do you think I will die young, before I have time to marry?”
The sudden suggestion of an offense against the sovereign sent a shock through the assembled officials. Yin Zhui himself, however, remained perfectly calm. Lifting his robes, he knelt and bowed low.
“I would not dare.”
“But appointing an empress and securing imperial heirs are matters of national importance. Both the late emperor and Emperor Shizong appointed their empresses upon ascending the throne, when they too were only in their teens. Your Majesty is nearly eighteen and has assumed personal rule. You should appoint an empress and consorts to continue the imperial bloodline and ensure the succession.”
“…”
Song Liang regarded him evenly.
“Have you heard something from someone, my minister?”
Yin Zhui remained prostrate on the floor without a word.
After a long standoff, Song Liang said coldly, “There will be no selection. I am still young. One empress will suffice.”
This was already a concession. Remembering the ruthless decisiveness of the man on the dragon throne, the officials felt a stir of fear. Yet the man kneeling below persisted.
“May I ask whether Your Majesty has chosen an empress? Which family’s daughter is she?”
“The Grand Preceptor’s granddaughter, Fu Yue.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Yin Zhui kowtowed again. When he rose, he swayed slightly, and the minister beside him hurried to support him.
Song Liang watched coldly.
“You truly are growing old, Chancellor Yin. If you can barely stand, how can you help me uphold the Chen dynasty?”
Cold sweat broke out across the assembled officials. Even Cheng Qu’s heart lurched as he looked anxiously at his teacher.
Yin Zhui’s expression did not change.
“My heart is devoted to the Chen realm. I hope only to live to see Your Majesty name an heir. Then I could retire to my hometown with peace of mind.”
Song Liang swept him with a cold glance, rose, and left Taiji Hall.
Behind him, the officials felt as though they had been granted a pardon. Wiping the cold sweat from their brows, they began declaring that the chancellor had lost his judgment. Could he not see that His Majesty did not want to appoint an empress? Why insist?
Their emperor was eager to consolidate his power. Once he had dealt with Xie Yun, he would naturally turn his attention to appointing an empress and consorts and enjoying their tender company.
Even Cheng Qu could not understand why his teacher had insisted on provoking His Majesty this time. Yin Zhui said nothing. He brushed aside Cheng Qu’s supporting hand and walked out alone.
Rong Jing, waiting outside, had also heard what happened. Seeing Song Liang emerge with an icy expression, he immediately approached to reassure him.
“A subject has no right to coerce his sovereign. Your Majesty is steadily gaining power, while Chancellor Yin is already advanced in years. You need not submit to his threats.”
“He isn’t threatening me. He’s driving a wedge between us.”
Song Liang’s expression remained grim.
“Before long, all of Yanjing will know I intend to appoint an empress. Xie Yun will hear too.”
Rong Jing paused. That had not occurred to him. Recovering quickly, he said firmly, “Your Majesty is so devoted to him. If he does not trust you, then he is not the right man for you.”
“…”
Song Liang stopped and turned to look at him.
Song Liang: 【This boy really is painfully sincere.】
3085: 【That’s wisdom hidden beneath apparent simplicity—the protagonist shou’s personal charm!】
Song Liang sighed softly and patted Rong Jing’s shoulder.
“Whether he’s the right man is beside the point. Have you considered that he might rebel?”
Rong Jing’s expression changed.
“…I’ll go explain to him on your behalf.”
Song Liang looked pleased.
“Go on.”
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