Chapter 1589: Between Fortune and Misfortune

As the only son of the Pure Consort, the Seventh Prince, Duke Wu Liu Hui, rushed into the palace the moment he heard the news. But no matter how fast he moved, even riding through the forbidden zones, he still failed to see his mother one last time or personally see the Pure Consort off.

"Father, my mother, she..." Liu Hui arrived breathless, not bothering to rest for even a moment. Seeing Emperor Liu walking out of Shulan Hall in silence, his voice choked with emotion as he anxiously asked.

Liu Hui was nearly twenty years old. Having inherited his mother's good genes, combined with the refined bearing cultivated since childhood, he grew ever more elegant and charming. Thanks to two years of training in the imperial army, he had also gained more masculine vigor, and his skin had taken on a healthier tone.

Not angered by Liu Hui's late arrival, Emperor Liu looked at this son whose brow carried the Pure Consort's temperament, sighed softly, reached out to pat his back, and said in a low voice: "Go see your mother, see her off on her final journey!"

Even though he had sensed it coming, when the terrible news truly arrived, Liu Hui felt as if struck by lightning. His eyes reddened in an instant, and he hurriedly stumbled toward Shulan Hall, walking so fast he nearly tripped on the threshold. He paid it no mind, staggering onward. Soon, amid the sobbing, Liu Hui's heart-wrenching cries of grief rang out as well...

Emperor Liu did not linger long at Shulan Hall. With heavy steps and a gloomy expression, he returned to Chongzheng Hall, as if shrouded in a thick, unbreakable cloud of darkness, with a chilling glint flashing from time to time in his eyes.

Yan Tuo followed nervously, treading carefully at his side. Seeing Emperor Liu's heavy mood, he hesitated for a moment, then cautiously offered consolation: "The Pure Consort lady has already passed. Please, Your Majesty, restrain your grief, do not be too sorrowful. Your imperial health is what matters most!"

"Restrain grief! Restrain grief?" Hearing this, Emperor Liu showed no appreciation, turning his head and snapping irritably: "What do you know of sorrow? You have no woman, you've never lost a woman!"

Startled by Emperor Liu's fury, Yan Tuo trembled, lowered his head, and dared not speak another word. With His Majesty in such a foul mood, he would not distinguish good advice from bad—at times like this, it was best to keep quiet.

Still, on the other hand, letting His Majesty vent was also good—bottling it up in his heart would be worse. Without any slackening of his pace, Emperor Liu suddenly stopped, nearly causing Yan Tuo, who was following closely, to stumble.

Emperor Liu looked up and saw that throughout this palace complex, on the halls and towers, festive ribbons and decorations from the Mid-Autumn celebration still hung, fluttering in the autumn breeze. The palace lanterns, though touched with a bit of dust, remained bright and festive.

Seeing the sea of red decorations, Emperor Liu's eyes seemed to be dyed red as well. He said sternly: "Take all of these down for me!"

"Yes! I will arrange it immediately!" Yan Tuo hurriedly replied.

Having vented somewhat, though Emperor Liu's mood remained poor, that restless, man-eating rage gradually subsided.

Returning to Chongzheng Hall, Emperor Liu thought of something and ordered: "Go find Zhang Dejun and bring him to me!"

At Chongzheng Hall, the Duke of Ji, Senior Academician Xue Juzheng, was on duty. News of the Pure Consort's death spread quickly—in just this brief moment, it had already circulated throughout the vast Bian Palace and was even spreading beyond the palace walls.

Xue Juzheng had naturally heard of it as well. Seeing Emperor Liu return with an expressionless face, Xue Juzheng could not help but offer careful consolation, hoping he would restrain his grief. Though it was the same comfort, toward a high minister like Xue Juzheng, Emperor Liu was naturally not as crude as he was with the servants around him, and he politely expressed his thanks.

"Xue Qing, draft an imperial edict announcing the Pure Consort's passing!" Emperor Liu instructed Xue Juzheng.

"Yes!" Though Xue Juzheng felt that issuing a formal edict for a mere harem consort was somewhat excessive in ceremony, he dared not raise any objection at this time, so he agreed readily. There was no need to make trouble.

"Also! They say you, Duke Xue, wield a pen as sharp as a blade. I hereby charge you personally to write the Pure Consort's biography and compose a spirit-path stele inscription, describing the Pure Consort's conduct and virtue clearly, so that posterity may know the talent and grace of the Pure Consort in her lifetime!" Emperor Liu continued.

Hearing this, Xue Juzheng's brow furrowed slightly. Having him, a pillar of the state, use the pen with which he chronicled the ages to write a biography for a Pure Consort—he seemed to have some psychological resistance. However, looking at Emperor Liu, Xue Juzheng still acknowledged the order.

"And another thing!" Emperor Liu noticed Xue Juzheng's reaction, his tone sinking slightly, speaking with a tone of special emphasis: "I know the style of you historian-officials. When writing the Pure Consort's biography, she must have a name and a surname. Do not write for me something like 'Pure Consort, née Zhou, of unknown origin'!"

Hearing this imperial instruction, Xue Juzheng felt somewhat uncomfortable. He had half a mind to stubbornly argue a few points, but under Emperor Liu's intensely oppressive gaze, he could only say helplessly: "Your servant understands!"

Seeing that Xue Juzheng did not make a fuss, Emperor Liu withdrew his gaze with satisfaction and waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw. However, after Xue Juzheng had left, he could not help but mutter: "Stubborn old fool, the older he gets, the more stubborn he becomes!"

When alone, grief over Pure Consort Zhou surged back into his heart. That feeling was hard to bear, and he found it difficult to shake himself free from that melancholy atmosphere.

It was not only because of the Pure Consort's passing, but also because he realized that not only was he aging, but those close to him were also aging and fading. Among his consorts, the Pure Consort was not the oldest. Over the years, meritorious ministers and old associates had continuously passed away, stirring much grief in him, but never had he felt it so deeply as this time.

The last time he had been so deeply moved was with the previous Pure Consort, the late Consort Geng Chen. But at that time he was still young, his mind more focused on military and state affairs, with less emotion and attention to spare—he grieved for a while and then recovered. As for the death of Consort Huaxin, that was an exception, as there was no emotional foundation there.

While Emperor Liu was immersed in his sorrow, Zhang Dejun hurried over from the Palace City Office. He had a rough idea of why Emperor Liu had summoned him.

"Your Majesty!" Maintaining the humility of a servant, Zhang Dejun also bowed with great care.

Looking at Zhang Dejun, Emperor Liu asked directly: "How is the investigation into the Zhou family going?"

Matters involving imperial relatives breaking the law had always been secretly monitored and investigated by the Palace City Office. Previously, Emperor Liu had received reports of Zhou clan members abusing their power and bullying others, and especially in the Yangzhou case, some Zhou clan members had been implicated, so he had sent Zhang Dejun to investigate.

Thinking "just as I expected," Zhang Dejun, who had already prepared his report, said respectfully: "Reporting to Your Majesty, after our investigation, the Zhou clan members in the capital region have been quite well-behaved. The Ceremonial Reception Director Zhou Fang manages his household strictly, with a clean family tradition and no transgressions.

Those who have misbehaved are some Zhou clan members in Yangzhou, all from distant branches and side lines. They are a prominent local family there, relying on the main house in the capital to act tyrannically in the locality..."

Hearing this report, Emperor Liu's gloomy expression did not change at all. After pondering for a moment, he quickly made a decision and said: "Keep the investigation into the Zhou family limited to Yangzhou. Do not implicate Zhou Fang and the others!"

Zhou Fang was a grand-nephew of Zhou Zong, adopted to head the Zhou family. Though due to established regulations he could not inherit the title, he had inherited the property, prestige, and political resources. Two years ago he had been appointed Ceremonial Reception Director. With the Zhou sisters in the palace, even if the elder Zhou had fallen out of favor, the younger Zhou was still there, so the Zhou family's honor and favor would be long-lasting.

Zhang Dejun's mind was sharp indeed, and he naturally understood Emperor Liu's intention—this was a decision not to dig deeper. Otherwise, if the Yangzhou Zhou family had problems, how could the main house in the capital avoid being affected? The Pure Consort's death had, unintentionally, spared the Zhou family a disaster and upheaval.

After a moment of deliberation, Emperor Liu ordered someone to summon Lü Mengzheng, who had been reassigned as a Grand Secretariat Academician, and directly instructed: "Draft an imperial decree, granting the Ceremonial Reception Director Zhou Fang the first-rank title of Earl of Haiyang!"

Lü Mengzheng hesitated somewhat, clasping his hands and bowing as he asked: "Your Majesty, may I ask under what justification?"

"What justification?" Emperor Liu naturally understood Lü Mengzheng's implication, and his tone could not help but be sharp: "The Pure Consort bore me a son and a daughter. Is that reason enough?"

This was, of course, said in anger. However, Lü Mengzheng did not say another word and obediently replied: "Yes!"