Chapter 734: Another Old One Gone

The north wind howled, bringing wave after wave of cold air, as if trying to freeze Kaifeng City solid. After three consecutive days of heavy snow finally cleared, a thick layer of white covered the city inside and out, somewhat dazzling to the eyes.

In the city, on the streets, before buildings, on eaves, the scholars and commoners of Kaifeng endured the biting cold weather, clearing away the accumulated snow, as if trying to sweep away the chill that shrouded their surroundings.

In the winter of the eighth year of Qianyou, Kaifeng City was no colder than in previous years, yet it carried a touch more sorrow—within the pallor, a hint of blood-red. The atmosphere of the entire capital felt oppressive, much like the gloominess of the sky.

In the markets, alleys, taverns, and eateries, things remained lively; strong liquor and hot food were still enjoyed by the propertied classes. Only, compared to usual, their idle chatter carried more restraint. On certain taboo subjects, they wisely kept their mouths shut, lest someone report them.

With bloody lessons before them, those who came after would naturally have to mind their own heads—one swing of the blade and it was all over, with no grievance to appeal.

"How is the atmosphere in the Eastern Capital's streets these days?" In Wansui Hall, Liu Chengyou wore a grave expression as he asked Li Chongju, who stood below.

"After the previous rectification, the mood among the people has changed greatly. In the streets and markets, no one dares to speak recklessly or speculate any longer!" Li Chongju said.

Liu Chengyou nodded lightly. Under the white terror, no one dared to defy the current and court disaster. It could be imagined that Kaifeng would be much "cleaner" from now on. At the same time, Liu Chengyou could not help but reflect—no wonder rulers preferred policies of keeping the people ignorant. For the court, honest and simple-minded common folk were the most suitable subjects to rule. Compared to discussing politics and speaking freely about the realm, they cared more about their own livelihoods, more about daily necessities and family trivialities.

As for what the Son of Heaven was doing, or what officials the court had lost—that had little to do with them. This latest disturbance was the same; those who truly "freely discussed current affairs" in the streets and stirred up public sentiment were the propertied ones—those with some status, some wealth, some learning.

But the harmful influence these people brought was that they bewitched the ignorant masses at the bottom of the Eastern Capital. Believing every rumor they heard, watching a spectacle was human nature, and the ignorant were no different—so much so that the "fall of meritorious ministers" was embellished with more narrative flair and legend, making it all the more appealing.

In any era, freedom of speech had its limits, and in an age of monarchical centralization, the word "freedom" was hardly worth mentioning. As an emperor who had completely completed his evolution (assimilation), facing such a challenge to his authority and reputation, he would only suppress it ruthlessly and mercilessly, without the slightest hesitation or discomfort.

"Let this matter end here!" Liu Chengyou thought for a moment, then instructed: "Also, this disturbance has made quite a stir. Next, the Wude Office must conduct a secret investigation into whether enemy spies or those with ulterior motives were stirring up trouble in the midst of it!"

"Yes!"

Acknowledging the order, Li Chongju produced a memorial and presented it: "Your Majesty, this is what the Capital Patrol Office has discovered—several minor officials, using this incident, have framed the innocent and seized private property for themselves."

Liu Chengyou remained quite calm about this. Whenever there was turmoil, there were always those who seized the opportunity to stir up trouble and abuse power for personal gain—it was largely human nature. In Liu Chengyou's view, such matters were commonplace, hardly capable of stirring any ripple in his heart. Standing so high above, he could not even be bothered to spare them much attention.

"These corrupt officials, profiting from the occasion, are even more detestable!" However, he had to maintain the proper stance, so Liu Chengyou spoke with feigned anger while keeping a calm face: "Hand over all the evidence to the Kaifeng Prefecture and let Li Gu investigate and deal with it!"

At the end of the eleventh month, Li Gu formally returned to the capital, took charge of Kaifeng Prefecture affairs, was appointed Grand Academician of the Duanyuan Hall, given the concurrent title of Director of the Chancellery, and elevated in rank to Marquis of Ruyin.

"Yes!"

"Additionally, the Duke of Dai's condition has worsened!" His voice lowered somewhat, carrying caution, as Li Chongju reported further.

Sure enough, at these words, Liu Chengyou's expression darkened, his face almost condensing with frost. Since the start of this winter, the Great Han had already lost too many important meritorious ministers. From Li Chongju's words, Liu Chengyou vaguely sensed something ominous—it seemed it was the Duke of Dai's turn next.

Who was the Duke of Dai? He was the grandfather of Worthy Consort Zhe, a former Commissioner of Military Affairs, who had long governed the frontier. Even setting aside his status as a relative of the imperial family, his contributions to the Great Han court alone were worthy of great praise, and he commanded genuine respect from Liu Chengyou.

"I understand!" Liu Chengyou said with a sigh.

After pondering for a moment, Liu Chengyou turned his head toward Zhang Dejun: "Notify the Imperial Medical Bureau to send physicians to reside permanently at the Duke's residence, to examine him constantly. They must do everything in their power to treat the Duke!"

"This humble one understands!"

This time, Liu Chengyou's emotions were not as agitated as before, nor did he issue stern orders to the physicians threatening their lives. Birth, aging, illness, and death were the natural course of human affairs, the principle of nature. If one did one's utmost and still could not turn the tide, there was no need to force it.

Of course, it was also possible that Liu Chengyou had simply grown accustomed to the sorrow of this winter.

"Also, try to keep the Duke's condition hidden from Qiuhua Hall. Consort Zhe is pregnant—don't let it affect her pregnancy!" Liu Chengyou instructed Zhang Dejun further.

"Yes!"

But the course of events often followed Murphy's Law. That very night, Liu Chengyou received word that the Duke of Dai, Zhe Congruan, had taken a turn for the worse—a persistent high fever, vomiting blood, and fainting...

The next morning, Liu Chengyou rose later than usual. During this period, he had largely delegated government affairs to the Hall of State Affairs and issued an edict for Chongzheng Hall to assist in handling affairs, formally bringing Chongzheng Hall onto the stage. Originally, Chongzheng Hall had merely sheltered behind the emperor, advising on confidential matters. But from the twelfth month of the eighth year of Qianyou, the Great Han's system of "Chongzheng—Guangzheng" two halls jointly managing affairs was formally established.

This was the embodiment of imperial power versus ministerial power, and imperial power further expanded while ministerial power was substantively suppressed and weakened. Although state affairs were still primarily handled by Guangzheng Hall, Chongzheng Hall now also had a voice. And those Academicians and gentlemen—especially the Chief Academician—truly became positions of low rank but great power.

The winter morning was bitterly cold, and standing before the somewhat empty and desolate Wansui Hall only added to the chill. Wearing a fox-fur robe, Liu Chengyou stood silently in the cold wind, his simply tied hair constantly blowing, gazing absent-mindedly at the bleak halls, imperial steps, and watchtowers before him.

A drop of frost fell, striking Liu Chengyou's forehead. The penetrating chill made him shiver involuntarily. Zhang Dejun, seeing this from the side, was startled and hastily took out a silk handkerchief to wipe it for him, but Liu Chengyou waved him off.

Brushing his hand across, Liu Chengyou looked down at the moisture in his palm and suddenly asked: "What day is it today?"

Zhang Dejun said: "To answer His Majesty, it is the fourteenth day of the twelfth month by the lunar calendar."

"This winter is finally almost over!" Liu Chengyou sighed softly, full of melancholy.

At that moment, the sound of hurried footsteps rang out, and Liu Chengyou could almost sense the gasping breath. Turning around, he saw Consort Zhe approaching with her belly protruding, her face full of worry and urgency, with two maidservants anxiously following beside her, trying to support her but struggling to keep up with her pace.

Seeing her expression and manner, Liu Chengyou's heart skipped a beat. He immediately went to meet her and supported her, saying: "The rain and snow haven't dried, the ground is slippery—why are you walking so fast? What matter has you so anxious?"

At his question, Lady Zhe grabbed Liu Chengyou's hand, her spirited, handsome face carrying a hint of displeasure as she directly challenged him: "My grandfather's condition—does Your Majesty still intend to keep it from me?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately turned his head and glared at Zhang Dejun. Zhang Dejun's expression was rather amusing—innocence mixed with fear, before he shrank his head and lowered it.

Liu Chengyou had no mind to dwell on how the news had leaked—in this palace, there was no wall that didn't let the wind through. Looking at Lady Zhe's anxious face, Liu Chengyou could only try to soothe her: "You're with child. It's precisely because I feared you'd worry and fret like this that I didn't want you to harm yourself!"

"Your Majesty, I want to leave the palace to visit my grandfather!" Looking at Liu Chengyou, Lady Zhe bit her lip lightly and said seriously, her clear eyes filled with determination.

This was the first time Lady Zhe had shown such assertiveness toward Liu Chengyou. Seeing this, Liu Chengyou wrapped his arm around her, gently patted her back, and sighed: "Very well. Bring Liu Fang and Liu Yun—I'll accompany you all!"

In truth, Liu Chengyou had long considered leaving the palace to visit Zhe Congruan. The only reason he had held back was a strange feeling. He felt that personally visiting a subject's residence was like setting up a "flag"—he feared that once he went, it would signal the end...

There had been a similar situation before—the Duke of the State, Prince of Linqing, Gao Xingzhou, had been exactly like this. But now, it was time to set aside those idle thoughts. First, Zhe Congruan was indeed gravely ill; second, if she couldn't even see him one last time, Lady Zhe would surely resent him.

When Liu Chengyou arrived at the Duke of Dai's residence with Consort Zhe and their children and saw Zhe Congruan, he was shocked by his sickly, withered state—gaunt and haggard, face devoid of color, hair streaked with white, looking like a man on the verge of death.

And Zhe Congruan was indeed at his final moments, unable even to speak. Only when he saw the emperor arrive with his granddaughter and her children did his cloudy eyes brighten slightly.

Liu Chengyou stood to the side while Lady Zhe, her face full of grief, clutched her grandfather's rough, emaciated hand. His lips trembled several times, as if he wanted to impart some final words, but in the end, he could not speak. Then, under everyone's gaze, he slowly closed his eyes, a slight smile hanging at the corners of his mouth. He passed peacefully.

Wailing cries of grief immediately filled the room......