Chapter 827: Cleanup

Wansui Hall was very quiet, so quiet that the sound of the winter wind blowing through the bracket arches and roof beams was clearly audible. The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive. The palace attendants had all been dismissed. The Son of Heaven sat on one side, the Empress on the other, both silent and wordless.

All of Liu Chengyou's emotions had already calmed down. From his angle, he could only see Empress Fu's profile, sulking in silence. With a slight sense of guilt, Liu Chengyou nevertheless shifted his body closer, picked up a bowl of congee from the food table, and said with an ingratiating smile to the elder Lady Fu: "You haven't had your morning meal yet, have you? Have some congee, it's getting cold..."

Facing Liu Chengyou's attentiveness, the elder Lady Fu shot him a sidelong glance. The anger in her jade-like eyes had already subsided considerably, but she still turned her head away and gave a light snort.

Seeing this, Liu Chengyou put down the congee bowl, moved around to face the Empress directly, took a deep breath, and said: "On this matter, I was muddle-headed, my considerations were improper, and my methods were inappropriate. But what's done is done, and regret is useless. Just stop being angry with me!"

"From what His Majesty says, you still don't think you were wrong?" The elder Lady Fu's tone was not as intense as it had been in Bihua Hall, but it remained forceful.

"You won't leave me even a shred of leeway?" Liu Chengyou seemed somewhat helpless.

"You've already done such a sordid thing, and now His Majesty feels his dignity is at stake?" Empress Fu said.

"Your Majesty, Commissioner of Military Affairs Guo Rong has come to Chongzheng Hall requesting an audience!" At this moment, a palace eunuch announced from outside.

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou immediately roared angrily: "Not seeing him!"

After a pause, he moderated his tone and said: "Have him wait a moment. I will go there later!"

"Yes!"

"Do you want me to proclaim to the world over this trivial matter and issue an edict of self-blame?" After dismissing the eunuch, seeing that Empress Fu still wore that gentle-yet-firm expression, he grew somewhat displeased.

At this question, Empress Fu's clear eyes were calm as water, and she said: "Now you know to protect your dignity? If word of this matter gets out, with our His Majesty's wisdom and sagacity, how do you think the ministers and people of the realm will speak of you?"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou laughed instead — a cold, detached laugh — and replied: "Why should I fear others' gossip? Who would dare to speak recklessly?"

Seeing this, the elder Lady Fu also smiled and said: "Right, who would dare to criticize you, the Emperor? But even if you can silence the clamoring mouths, can you silence the hearts of the realm? If you truly had no scruples and feared no rumors, why did you use Pure Consort Zhou's name to invite them to that remote Bihua Hall?"

Facing the elder Lady Fu's gaze, Liu Chengyou felt as though the Empress had pressed him to the ground and rubbed his face in it — extremely humiliating, even though there were only the two of them in the hall.

With the look of one turning from embarrassment to anger, Liu Chengyou abruptly rose, took a few quick steps, pointed outward, and said in a loud voice: "They are merely two women! Must you insist on harping on this matter? Can these two women overshadow my achievements and merits of the past decade, or topple the state and ruin the fortunes of the Great Han?

The Meng clan carved out the southwest, defying the imperial army, costing me how many soldiers and how much national strength. I set aside past grievances, did not punish their crimes, granted him high rank, bestowed money and grain, provided him fine clothes and delicacies, letting him live out his remaining years in comfort — is that not generous enough?

A fallen ruler, a man living on borrowed time — can he even count as my subject? He is merely my war trophy, a display for the world to see, showcasing my martial achievements. If I take one or two things to enjoy, what is wrong with that? You say I was sneaking around? I will issue an edict right now, ordering Meng Chang to present the two women, granting them palace titles. I'll take them openly and aboveboard. Let me see who dares to object!

Do you think Meng Chang would dare to refuse?"

The more Liu Chengyou spoke, the more agitated he became. Though his manner was fierce, his confidence was still somewhat lacking. His words sounded more like sophistry and self-consolation...

Seeing this, the elder Lady Fu's demeanor instead calmed down. She laughed lightly and said: "What a magnanimous His Majesty. You may issue your edict as you please — I certainly won't stop you!"

At this reaction, Liu Chengyou's momentum suddenly plummeted. Still, having vented, his mood was somewhat improved. He cautiously glanced at the elder Lady Fu, then shamelessly sidled up again and said: "Enough! I admit I was wrong! I won't quibble any longer!"

After exchanging gazes with Liu Chengyou for a while, the elder Lady Fu's expression finally softened. She knew in her heart that pushing him to this point was already the limit. She sighed lightly and said: "It's not that I want to provoke you, but your methods were too improper — a lapse of personal virtue, a violation of the sovereign's dignity!"

"People always make mistakes. I am also a person; I make mistakes too. Isn't that why I have a virtuous wife by my side to help correct my faults?" Liu Chengyou chuckled, reaching out to stroke her back.

"His Majesty need not apologize to me. I am but a woman; I cannot bear such weight!" The elder Lady Fu was not swayed by this. She shook her head gently: "It's the Empress Dowager you should give an explanation to!"

Nodding, Liu Chengyou grew more serious and said: "I will make a trip to Ciming Hall!"

After pondering for a moment, he looked at Empress Fu and added: "Since the mistake is already made, I can only do my best to remedy it!"

"How does His Majesty plan to remedy it?" The elder Lady Fu looked at him.

"I'll have someone secretly send the two women back to the Meng residence, and never summon them again. We'll just pretend this never happened!" Liu Chengyou said with some hesitation.

"Can those two still be sent back? If you send them back, won't Meng Chang feel humiliation every moment?" The elder Lady Fu countered.

They're just two concubines, Liu Chengyou muttered inwardly. But after thinking it over, he said: "Then have them both executed. All those in the know should be put to death as well!"

Hearing Liu Chengyou's indifferent tone, even the elder Lady Fu's delicate body couldn't help but tense up. She asked: "What, the Son of Heaven made a mistake, and others must bear the responsibility?"

"Besides, can you bear to part with two beauties renowned throughout Shu?" The elder Lady Fu asked again.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Liu Chengyou spread his hands.

Taking a deep breath, the elder Lady Fu said: "I will handle this matter!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou's demeanor relaxed slightly, and he immediately replied: "Good!"

"His Majesty should hurry to Chongzheng Hall. Commissioner Chai's request for an audience must involve matters of military importance — don't delay!" The elder Lady Fu said softly to Liu Chengyou.

"Mm!" Liu Chengyou acknowledged.

Before they parted, the elder Lady Fu earnestly admonished him: "I know you hold the heavenly mandate and act as you see fit, but the ministers within and without, and the people of the realm, are all watching you. I hope you will keep yourself pure and upright!"

Leaving Wansui Hall, the personal female attendant cautiously glanced at the elder Lady Fu and said with lingering fear: "Your Grace, forgive your servant for speaking boldly, but you gave your servant quite a scare in Bihua Hall. To rebuke His Majesty like that over two foreign women — it was too much of an offense to the imperial countenance..."

Hearing this, the elder Lady Fu only smiled faintly, though her heart grew even more melancholy. She said: "I am only doing what I ought to do. If he thinks I am wrong, if he thinks I have offended him, he is free to find a reason to depose me!"

The female attendant was greatly startled. Though she knew it was said in anger, she hurriedly said: "Your Grace must not speak thus! His Majesty's favor and respect toward you is known to all within and without — he would never do such a thing!"

"I'm just afraid he thinks I'm presuming on his favor..." The elder Lady Fu murmured in a low voice, then immediately resumed her solemn demeanor and warned sternly: "What happened in Bihua Hall must not be spread. If even a word leaks out, I won't be able to protect any of you!"

"Yes!"

Seeing the elder Lady Fu's solemn expression, the personal female attendant also grew more alert and asked: "Your Grace, where are we going?"

"To Bihua Hall!" The elder Lady Fu said, her jade-like countenance radiating authority. She then instructed: "Also send someone to Shulan Hall to summon Pure Consort Zhou as well!"

"Yes!"

"Let's go — we have cleanup to do for our His Majesty!"

On Liu Chengyou's side, his mood was somewhat gloomy. A moment of indiscretion had caused him such mental exhaustion. After this incident, his confidence when facing Empress Fu would probably weaken by another notch.

While speculating on how the elder Lady Fu would handle the two women in Bihua Hall, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but wonder — how had the Empress learned of this so quickly? Did news leak that fast?

"Someone! Go find Zhang Dejun for me!" Liu Chengyou summoned a guard and ordered.

The urge to urinate struck him, an impulse demanding release. After giving the order, a eunuch of Wansui Hall immediately presented a jewel-encrusted chamber pot. Raising an eyebrow, Liu Chengyou became intrigued: "I believe I've heard of this object!"

Seeing Liu Chengyou's expression, the attending eunuch immediately wore a fawning smile and introduced: "To answer Your Majesty, this is precisely the 'Seven Treasures Chamber Pot' used by Meng Chang. It was selected and presented by the Commissioner of Palace Attendants. Your servant thought — if even a surrendered lord like Meng Chang could use this object, then Your Majesty, being a heavenly being, surely deserves to enjoy it!"

Hearing this, Liu Chengyou couldn't help but burst into laughter, laughing heartily and freely. Then he flew into a sudden rage, kicked the precious Seven Treasures Chamber Pot flying, and pointed at the eunuch, cursing: "You gelded slave! Are you trying to bewitch me with this? Comparing me to that fallen slave of a vanquished state — what is your intention!"

Startled by this tirade, the eunuch hurriedly knelt, prostrating himself on the ground, and begged for forgiveness in terror: "Your servant misspoke! Your servant is guilty! I had no such intention — please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

"Where are the palace guards?" Liu Chengyou immediately called out.

Two guards immediately entered to await orders. Liu Chengyou's expression was cold as he commanded: "Drag this fawning wretch out of the hall and beat him to death!"

"Yes!"

The eunuch's face turned deathly pale, his lips trembling as the two guards carried him out of the hall like a chicken. Accompanied by the heavy thuds of the beating staff and pitiful screams, the eunuch of Wansui Hall soon met his end.

Liu Chengyou, however, still seemed furious, staring at that pearl-gleaming seven-treasure chamber pot, as if a faint, ethereal voice were whispering at his ear, tempting him to fall.

A cold smile curled at the corner of his mouth. Liu Chengyou again ordered the guards: "Take this chamber pot to the palace gate and smash it to pieces for me!"

On the way to Chongzheng Hall, Zhang Dejun hurried over upon receiving the summons: "What instructions does His Majesty have?"

Toward this capable close minister, Liu Chengyou was still exceptionally trusting and favored, and asked directly: "Do you know anything about the Bihua Hall affair?"

At the question, Zhang Dejun's heart began to churn with unease. Noting the Emperor's expression, he answered cautiously: "This humble one does not know!"

"If you don't even know this, how have you been serving as Director of the Palace City Office?" Liu Chengyou chided lightly.

Stopping in his steps, Liu Chengyou looked at him and said in a deep voice: "No need to be evasive. I'm giving you a task — investigate the Bihua Hall affair, trace it to the very end. Those in the know, those who leak word — deal with them all for me!"

Hearing the Emperor's grim tone, Zhang Dejun was startled, and understood at once. Not daring to be negligent, he immediately accepted the order and departed.

Soon, within a day or two, a tinge of blood was added to the palace. Over a dozen palace attendants were secretly executed, including several palace maids and eunuchs from Empress Fu's side.

Afterwards, after some cover-up maneuvering, a barely passable explanation was put forth, and led by Empress Fu, two beautiful young women were presented to the Emperor, conferred the ranks of Xiuyi and Xiurong.

The Son of Heaven also issued a gracious edict to the Duke of Zhao's mansion, bestowing large quantities of money and goods, and strictly ordered that throughout the Eastern Capital, there must be no harassment or bullying whatsoever — violators would be severely punished.