Chapter 2024: A Performance Before the Imperial Presence

As the main hall of the summer retreat palace, Taikang Hall was unquestionably the most magnificent and luxurious among the many halls and towers, and the one that best conveyed authority. It was itself a vast palace complex, densely built with numerous chambers, combining the functions of sleeping quarters, court affairs, meetings, study, martial training, and recreation all in one.

Merely touring Taikang Hall and viewing its basic layout and functions took the old emperor three full days, and those three days left him both exhausted and irritable.

In terms of majesty and grandeur, this hall could not compare with the Qianyuan Hall of the Western Capital, and even the Chongyuan Hall of the Eastern Capital was far superior. But when it came to splendor and luxury, refinement and indulgence, no jade tower or gemmed pavilion in the realm could match it.

The former Southern Yue, the false Tang, and the Meng Shu had been renowned among the states for their lavish construction of palaces and gardens and their extravagant pleasures, yet the summer retreat palace the old emperor had built in Shenzhou surpassed them all, and in the matter of indulgence, he had truly "outdone" his former rivals.

Had the carriage-blocking incident not occurred, the old emperor might not have been much affected, perhaps even self-satisfied. But once it happened, the shock it delivered to the old emperor was tremendous, and within a few days it had gradually become a thorn in his heart.

Staying in Taikang Palace was certainly comfortable, but his mind kept replaying memories of his rivals indulging in pleasure and ruining their states, and it seemed as if a voice he found irritating, even maddening, echoed constantly in his ears: "Hedonistic sovereign."

This situation made the old emperor's heart feel as if a knife were slicing it—aching, bleeding—a tormenting sensation. What tormented him even more was that he had long seen all this clearly; he simply lacked the courage to face it.

Never in his life had the old emperor been so weak and cowardly as he was at this moment.

"Wang Qinruo?" Inside the hall, the old emperor, having heard the investigative report from the Wude Office, murmured the name. His aged eyes held a hint of vagueness; the name seemed as if he had heard it somewhere before.

"Your Majesty!" Seeing the old emperor's reaction, Wang Xuanzhen continued his report: "Through my investigation and interrogation, it has been confirmed that Wang Qinruo, Registrar of Luoshan County, is the writer of that blood petition, and he himself has confessed without denial.

According to the investigation, this man has served in Luoshan County for many years, with a slow career and difficult promotions, and thus has frequently made wild remarks, often holding dissenting views on Shenzhou's governance and regularly voicing criticism.

Therefore, synthesizing the various clues, a preliminary judgment can be made: Wang Qinruo, dissatisfied with his circumstances and at odds with Shenzhou's current policies, secretly resorted to schemes and fabricated the 'carriage-blocking petition' incident, with sinister intentions and extraordinary audacity."

Hearing Wang Xuanzhen's words, the old emperor glanced at him and said coldly: "This does not seem to match your usual style. Since when did you begin making judgments on these matters on my behalf?"

Wang Xuanzhen's heart leaped with alarm upon hearing this, wishing he could slap himself. A misstep, a great misstep! The old emperor was already suspicious, and saying so much was only asking for trouble.

One should know that Wang Xuanzhen was usually extremely adept at maintaining proper measure when reporting matters, rarely letting the old emperor sense the will of the Commissioner of the Wude Office amid his various reports. But on this matter, he had clearly been negligent.

His mind racing, Wang Xuanzhen bowed his head and begged forgiveness: "It was rash of me, I spoke out of turn. I beg Your Majesty to punish me!"

Gazing at the man, the old emperor asked in a low voice: "As you say, this Wang Qinruo is behind the matter. Then tell me, what is this man's purpose? Though he is merely a lowly ninth-rank Registrar, surely he knew the risks—what reason could he have for risking death and the extermination of his clan?"

This question truly stumped Wang Xuanzhen. Wang Qinruo did have an explanation for it: to plead on behalf of the people. However, Wang Xuanzhen did not believe it. That fellow, impeccably dressed and sanctimonious, did not look at all like a loyal and upright minister concerned for the state and the people—this was the intuition and discernment of a Commissioner of the Wude Office.

He could not answer the old emperor that way either. Therefore, after some consideration, Wang Xuanzhen began to display his "mediocrity": "Forgive my dullness, I cannot see through his intentions!"

Whether clever or dull, neither could "convince" the old emperor. However, the old emperor did not care about the little scheme Wang Xuanzhen was playing at the moment.

After a moment of deliberation, he asked: "Where is the man?"

Wang Xuanzhen said: "He is temporarily detained at the foot of the mountain!"

"Bring him here. I wish to see him!" the old emperor ordered, appearing interested.

At this, a trace of hesitation appeared on Wang Xuanzhen's face. Seeing this, the old emperor's tone shifted: "What, do you have something to hide from me regarding this man and this matter?"

"I would never dare, I have absolutely nothing to hide! I will make arrangements immediately and bring him here!" Wang Xuanzhen, his heart pounding with fear, hurriedly declared, disregarding everything else.

Leaving Taikang Hall, Wang Xuanzhen felt somewhat disheveled—mentally so—and cold sweat had broken out on his back, soaking his undergarments. He would need to change into another set.

Nowadays, before these ministers met with the old emperor, preparing a clean set of clothes was a necessity. After all, some had even been scared into wetting themselves; breaking out in a cold sweat was nothing at all.

Wang Qinruo never imagined that being taken by the Wude Office would actually give him the opportunity to meet His Majesty the Emperor. During the construction of Taikang Palace, when laborers and building materials were being transported to the site, he had personally come, but what the completed retreat palace looked like in its magnificence—this was his first time seeing it.

Even a cursory tour left him deeply shaken, and it also strengthened his mental resolve: such extravagant and opulent palaces, how much wealth and labor had they consumed, how much of the people's flesh and blood had they devoured? Everything he had done was born of public spirit, pleading for the people—and before the emperor, this was the principle he would uphold!

The old emperor's aged face, that ugly countenance—the court ministers had long grown accustomed to it. Some revered and respected him, some feared him, and not a few silently loathed and despised him in their hearts.

However, for the little Registrar of Luoshan County, upon seeing His Majesty the Emperor for the first time, there was no other feeling—only profound awe and adoration. That aged face, which had long grown tiresome to the powerful and privileged, appeared to Wang Qinruo as noble and endearing. This was His Majesty the Emperor.

Beyond excitement, no other words could describe Wang Qinruo's feelings. He prostrated himself immediately, his voice barely under control: "Wang Qinruo, Registrar of Luoshan County, pays respects to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be blessed with peace!"

How long had it been since he had received such a low-ranking official? The old emperor reflected inwardly, until his thoughts grew hazy, unable to recall the length of time. Coming back to himself, he looked down at Wang Qinruo, who was trembling with excitement at the audience, and the old emperor's mood actually improved somewhat. He found the man's performance quite amusing, and what was valuable was its genuineness.

"Rise!" the old emperor said softly.

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Wang Qinruo responded in a trembling voice, but after several attempts, he could not quite stand up. With a crestfallen face, he kowtowed and said: "Reporting to Your Majesty, this humble official is deeply honored to behold Your Majesty's countenance. I am so overjoyed and excited that my whole body trembles and I cannot rise. I presume to beg permission to answer while seated on the ground."

Wang Qinruo's words directly made the old emperor laugh, as if watching an amusing performance. A hint of a smile appeared, then quickly reined in. The old emperor's authoritative voice descended: "That blood petition—did you write it?"

Hearing the old emperor's question, Wang Qinruo's excited mood gradually calmed, and his overheated emotions were slowly suppressed. Though he had not regained the composure and confidence he had in Luoshan County, at least he could converse normally now. Moreover, reason and cunning once again took the high ground in his mind.

"Reporting to Your Majesty, it was indeed written by my own hand!"

"Are the grievances against Shenzhou's governance stated in the petition truly accurate?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, every word is true. I would not dare deceive you!" Wang Qinruo answered with certainty.

Of course it was true. Undertaking such a matter already carried the enormous risk of being ground to dust; speaking with facts was the most basic requirement. How could he dare fabricate anything?

The old emperor was silent for a moment, then slowly asked again: "In your view, the construction of Taikang Palace is a calamity rather than a blessing for the people of Shenzhou and the surrounding prefectures and counties. This great project is, for the locality, a harmful policy that exhausts the people and wastes resources!"

This question, Wang Qinruo did not dare answer casually. The old emperor had asked too directly, too startlingly. With a pained face and sweat beading on his forehead, Wang Qinruo remained tongue-tied, not daring to respond.

Seeing this, the old emperor's face showed displeasure, and he began to apply pressure: "On the petition you bitterly detailed the harms, even using blood characters, yet before me, you dare not speak?"

An overwhelming pressure bore down upon him, nearly suffocating Wang Qinruo. His face contorted in struggle, almost twisted. After a full mental struggle, Wang Qinruo forcefully knocked his head to the ground and gritted out: "Reporting to Your Majesty—yes!"

This was perhaps the most perilous moment Wang Qinruo had experienced in nearly thirty years. In his view, the danger here far exceeded the time he was taken by the Wude Office.

However, beneath this perilous surface, everything appeared calm and unruffled. Hearing his courageously mustered "yes," the old emperor was only slightly taken aback, then asked leisurely: "Is Shenzhou truly filled with grievances and seething with popular discontent at present?"

"Yes!" Having done it once, this time Wang Qinruo answered readily.

Two consecutive "yeses" silenced the old emperor directly, leaving him momentarily at a loss for words. These questions, the old emperor had likely asked himself many times in his heart. He had long had the answers himself; personally inquiring of Wang Qinruo was merely walking once more through that tangled mental journey.

After a long while, the old emperor pushed himself up from the imperial desk, took up his bamboo staff, and slowly descended the vermilion steps, walking to stand before Wang Qinruo. A pair of boots embroidered with golden thread first came into view, followed by the old emperor's clearer voice entering his ears: "Wang Qinruo, tell me—when you submitted the blood petition, why did you not find a way to report directly to me, but instead had two commoners block the carriage to cry out for justice? You do not seem like a deluded man. Did you not know the transgression in such an act?"

Facing this question, Wang Qinruo did not dare raise his head. He knocked his head heavily several times until blood appeared on his forehead, wearing a look of shame: "Reporting to Your Majesty, your subject is weak-willed by nature. I knew well that this act offended those above, and though I wished to plead, fear held me back! In the end, I entrusted only a blood petition to those two men—a failure of responsibility, a gamble that cost both their lives. I am deeply ashamed, beyond regret. Your subject, your subject—"

Lowering his head, silently watching Wang Qinruo's performance, at this moment the old emperor's gaze grew deep and profound. As for his thoughts, they had long drifted far away.