Chapter 13: Old Wei Feels Wronged

Noble Consort Zheng and Li Xuan Shi—these two women were destabilizing elements within the palace. Locking them up for now would suffice; after some days passed, as they aged and fell ill, lingering on their sickbeds for a month or more, they would likely die on their own. It was just that holding funerals would be another expense, and Zhu Youxiao felt a twinge of heartache over it.

"How did the matter I entrusted to you go?" Glancing at Chen Hong, who knelt on the ground, Zhu Youxiao said calmly.

In truth, he had already learned the gist of the matter from Wang An; asking Chen Hong now was merely going through the motions.

Though the Emperor's tone was flat, Chen Hong knew this master before him was not to be trifled with. Nodding vigorously, Chen Hong said cautiously, "Reporting to Your Majesty, it is done."

"Good. And those who leaned toward Li Xuan Shi?" Zhu Youxiao's expression turned cold and stern as he stared hard at Chen Hong.

"This servant has already compiled the list of those people. Does Your Majesty wish to review it?" Chen Hong pulled the roster from his sleeve and raised it with both hands before the Emperor.

"No need. Send them all to the imperial estates to farm—the court is rather short on grain." Zhu Youxiao waved his hand.

Such matters he disdained to manage personally; his only concern was Li Xuan Shi's movements. So long as he plucked out her claws and fangs, that was enough. As for those servants who had run to her side hoping to retire in comfort, he naturally would not trouble himself overmuch. Those people would not be needed for much longer anyway—soon there would be no place for them in this palace.

Three days prior, Zhu Youxiao had issued orders to Chen Hong: besides conducting a strict purge within and outside the palace, he was also to secretly eliminate the eunuchs and palace maids loyal to Li Xuan Shi.

Since Chen Hong spoke this way now, the task must have been completed. After this round, the eunuchs within the palace should grow considerably more obedient, and his own safety would be relatively better secured.

The upheaval in the inner court naturally rippled outward to the outer court as well. Many eunuchs had been executed, and among them were ties to no small number of officials—for a time, the outer court was gripped by fear and unease.

Everyone knew that if an official privately colluded with eunuchs, he would absolutely incur the Emperor's suspicion—it was absolutely forbidden. Now that the Tianqi Emperor was purging the inner court on such a massive scale, how could they not be terrified?

For a time, everyone wondered whether His Majesty was about to launch a great case. Court officials even set aside the matter of Xiong Tingbi, all watching the Tianqi Emperor's next move.

Yet several days passed with no further stir—only a batch of eunuchs and palace maids dismissed from within the palace. The affair was like a small pebble cast into the sea, passing without a ripple.

Though the officials speculated endlessly about what His Majesty intended, they could not fathom it for the moment. Fortunately, His Majesty did not extend his investigation outward, and so the matter gradually came to a close.

This allowed many to breathe a sigh of relief—but then another piece of news began to circulate.

Many had learned the news that His Majesty's decision to promote Xiong Tingbi was due to a dream. Everyone already knew this, so it was hardly fresh—but what followed was a headline indeed.

The reason His Majesty had made such a decision was that a Daoist priest had appeared in the palace. He had interpreted the dream and persuaded the Tianqi Emperor to employ Xiong Tingbi.

He was said to be a cast-out disciple of some supreme immortal sect called the Azure Cloud Sect, named Han Li—a mysterious figure, rumored to be skilled in the arts of longevity.

The moment this news came out, it stirred an enormous uproar.

Emperors seeking immortality was nothing new—history had Qin Shi Huang, and our own Great Ming had a precedent as well: the Jiajing Emperor!

During that emperor's reign, he devoutly believed in Daoism and craved longevity—what kind of days were those?

Think of Yan Song. Think of Yan Shifan!

At that thought, the court officials shuddered—could such a figure be about to appear again now?

For a time, panic spread, and memorials of impeachment flew into the palace like snowflakes—yet all sank into the sea without a trace of reply.

Under these circumstances, another piece of news emerged: this so-called cast-out disciple of the immortal Azure Cloud Sect had been brought into the palace by Wei Zhongxian, brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. For this deed, Wei Zhongxian had received a reward and been promoted to brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial.

In an instant, Wei Zhongxian became the target of everyone's arrows. This wasn't going to produce another Yan Song—this was going to produce a Liu Jin!

And so memorials impeaching Wei Zhongxian once again flew into the Forbidden City.

At this moment, inside the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Youxiao flipped through the mountain of memorials before him, a smile creeping onto his face.

Sure enough, matters were developing in the direction he had set. Since that was so, it was time to begin the next plan.

Tapping the memorials in his hand, Zhu Youxiao said casually to Chen Hong beside him, "Go. Summon Wei Zhongxian!"

Soon Wei Zhongxian walked in from outside. Seeing Zhu Youxiao sitting there expressionlessly staring at him, Wei Zhongxian immediately panicked.

Forgetting all propriety, he dropped to his knees with a thud, pressed his head to the floor, and knocked it repeatedly with heavy thumps: "This servant, this servant—I am wronged!"

These past days had frightened Wei Zhongxian half to death. Now every official outside the court was impeaching him—he hadn't even enjoyed his glory for a few days before running into this mess. The only one who could protect him now was His Majesty.

Though Wei Zhongxian desperately wanted to explain himself to those officials, he dared not. The dream-interpretation matter had nothing to do with him, but could he dare to argue his innocence? Was he supposed to say His Majesty had done it?

It was true that he had found that Daoist priest—but only because His Majesty had ordered him to. Wei Zhongxian was like a mute swallowing bitter medicine—unable to voice his suffering.

Looking at Wei Zhongxian's aggrieved face, Zhu Youxiao said with a smile, "Get up. I never said you did wrong—why kneel?"

Wei Zhongxian was startled, then overjoyed, scrambling to his feet: "Your Majesty sees with perfect clarity—this servant could never repay your kindness even in ten thousand deaths!"

"Enough!" Zhu Youxiao waved his hand to cut off Wei Zhongxian's flattery and said directly, "Things have reached this point—those people want you dead. Inside and outside this palace, it truly isn't easy to do anything at ease. If even I am like this, how much more so you? Don't worry too much—I can still protect your life."

Hearing these words, Wei Zhongxian was suddenly alarmed. Protect his life? Didn't that mean his official position was about to be lost?

What had he castrated himself and entered the palace for? Wasn't it for wealth and glory!

If he lost this position, he might as well die. If it had been before, fine—but now, who was he? Brush-holding eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, controller of the Eastern Depot. How could he fall so ignominiously?

At that thought, a fierce resolve hardened in Wei Zhongxian's heart. You want to destroy me? Then I'll destroy you—let's see who dies first.

Zhu Youxiao saw Wei Zhongxian's gaze flicker uncertainly and felt amused inwardly. This man truly was unwilling to give up what he had gained.

Even a little wealth could corrupt a man's heart—how much more so Wei Zhongxian, who had castrated himself?

If it were himself, he would probably strike back too. Well then, let's see what Wei Zhongxian would do next.

"Enough. I called you here to put your mind at ease—don't be afraid. Go back!" With that, Zhu Youxiao waved his hand, the meaning clear: go back and wait.