Chapter 106: Two-Sided Smoothness

Not long after Zhang Yunxiu left, Xu Jue turned to the side to refill Feng Bao's cup with hot tea, then asked cautiously, "Master, since we have that woman in our hands, isn't it a bit unkind of us to keep leading Young Master Zhang on?"

Hearing this, Feng Bao's hand, holding the teacup, paused in mid-air. He slanted a glance at Xu Jue, set the cup back on the small table, and asked with a cold sneer, "What, has it become your turn to call the shots in this house?"

"I wouldn't dare. I wouldn't dare."

A chill ran down Xu Jue's spine; his knees went weak, and he plopped down onto the floor.

"Then shut your mouth," Feng Bao said viciously, his fair face full of dissatisfaction, and added, "Think about it, does Empress Dowager want that brat dead, or alive?"

"Of course, dead," Xu Jue replied.

"So that brat must die, but he happens to be a hot-headed youth who insists on pulling the whiskers of Empress Dowager's tiger; there is nothing I can do. Caught in the middle, I must answer to Empress Dowager, yet I also have to let this brat struggle a bit," Feng Bao said, picking up his teacup for a small sip.

"I understand now," Xu Jue said, suddenly enlightened, and praised, "Master, you are like a kitchen knife cutting tofu—smooth on both sides. Ginger really is spicier when it's old. Since that's the case, why don't we just..."

At the end, Xu Jue's eyes were full of venom; he pressed his palms together like a blade and made a chopping motion downward.

"Forget it, just keep a close watch on the person. I am old now; it is time to accumulate some merit for myself," Feng Bao shook his head, stood up, and paced out of the hall with his hands clasped behind his back.

This year's winter arrived earlier than in previous years. Once December began, Beijing was filled with heavy snow, and the biting cold wind wandered through the deserted streets.

There was another heavy snowfall last night, and by dawn, the snow was four or five inches deep; one would sink into it upon stepping.

Early this morning, the young eunuchs of Cining Palace were sweeping the accumulated snow on the steps when they saw Feng Bao walking over quickly from afar.

Several eunuchs hurriedly stopped their work, bowing their heads and standing with their hands at their sides.

"Eunuch Feng."

Waving his hand, Feng Bao signaled for them to continue sweeping, while he walked quickly inside.

Entering Cining Palace, Feng Bao was led to the reception hall to wait.

The floor heating in the hall was burning quite warm, and from the Xuande Incense Burner inlaid with emeralds, a refreshing and exotic fragrance gushed out incessantly.

For a moment, the exotic fragrance filled the hall, making Feng Bao feel invigorated.

Ever since he received the request from Zhang Yunxiu that day, Feng Bao had been thinking it over.

He prepared to find a good opportunity to explain the matter clearly, without defying the Empress Dowager's face or harming this new favorite of the Emperor.

After waiting for three days, he finally got his chance.

And so, early in the morning, he came to Cining Palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager.

According to custom, every day when Empress Dowager woke up, she would first wash her face and hands to transcribe a scroll of the Heart Sutra before dining and receiving guests.

This was her unchangeable rule.

After waiting for about two quarter-hours, the dazzling sunlight shone in from outside the window, causing Feng Bao to squint; he was just about to change his position.

Suddenly, a sound of footsteps came from the inner hall.

Feng Bao hurriedly looked toward the inside.

Empress Dowager walked out from within with a stern expression.

She was wearing a loose velvet long dress, and to keep out the cold, a snow-white fox fur was draped over her fragrant shoulders.

Her jet-black hair was coiled at the back of her head, adorned with several jade phoenix hairpins.

"This old servant pays respects to Empress Dowager."

Feng Bao dared not be negligent and performed a respectful bow.

Empress Dowager waved her hand to signal Feng Bao to forgo the formalities, then moved her lotus steps to sit on the embroidered couch.

A palace maid brought a stool for Feng Bao. After Feng Bao thanked her and sat down, Empress Dowager asked impatiently, "Eunuch Feng, does that thug really have a reason for beating people?"

"According to the investigations of my subordinates, there are many different opinions, and everyone has their own version of the story," Feng Bao began to play tai chi.

"Hey, aren't you making me guess a riddle?" Empress Dowager was clearly dissatisfied with this explanation; she knitted her brows and chided, "If there really is a reason, then it must be investigated clearly; otherwise, what will the people of the world think of me?"

"You don't need to worry about my face; let it be what it is."

Feng Bao naturally did not dare to believe these words from Empress Dowager. He smiled and nodded in agreement: "Empress Dowager, rest assured. The Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Eastern Depot, and the Ministry of Justice are all investigating this matter. At the latest, by the third month, I guarantee to give Empress Dowager an answer."

"That is good," Empress Dowager let out a long sigh and added, "By the way, a few days ago I asked Wei Qing to find a substitute for the Emperor to become a monk. Now that one has been found, tell me, which temple would be best for him to become a monk in?"

Don't you already have an answer, Your Majesty?

Feng Bao pondered Empress Dowager's thoughts and stated his own idea directly: "Right now, Zhaoning Temple is in a state of turmoil; it might be best to let the Emperor's substitute go to Zhaoning Temple to become a monk."

"Hmm, that is what I was thinking too. Once the case is closed and Zhaoning Temple's name is cleared, I will let the Emperor's substitute go there to become a monk," Empress Dowager nodded repeatedly and stated her thoughts directly.

"Empress Dowager is wise," Feng Bao smiled and nodded.

Empress Dowager did not speak. Feng Bao mentally prepared his draft and stated his purpose for coming: "Empress Dowager, the one in charge of investigating this case, Zhang Sicheng, has some connection with that Zhao Yong."

"Who is Zhao Yong?" Empress Dowager asked.

"He is the thug who committed the violence," Feng Bao reminded her with a smile.

"Oh, it's him. What connection could he possibly have with Zhang Yunxiu?"

Empress Dowager finally remembered and looked at Feng Bao suspiciously. Feng Bao's old face flushed, and he explained the ins and outs of the matter: "Speaking of this Zhao Yong, he actually has a connection with me as well. My good-for-nothing nephew once had some conflict with his father."

"Is that the Wanping County Magistrate Zhao Lin?" Empress Dowager stood up at once.

"Exactly."

"Ah, how could it be him?" Empress Dowager truly did not know Zhao Yong had this connection, but upon remembering that he had beaten someone to death, her face fell again, and she sighed, "Alas, it is just a pity that County Assistant Zhao was public-spirited and patriotic, law-abiding, and lived in poverty until his death, yet this son has thrown away all his face."

"Indeed," Feng Bao echoed, then continued, "Seeing that he lost his father at a young age and was the descendant of a loyal official, Zhang Sicheng felt compassion and insisted on asking the Senior Grand Secretary Zhang for three months of authority to investigate the case."

"He did not intend to oppose Empress Dowager, but acted out of compassion for the descendant of a loyal official."

At the end, Feng Bao raised his head and carefully peeked at Empress Dowager's expression.

Seeing this noble lady with her brows knitted and her expression as blank as a wooden statue, he did not know how to continue.

Suddenly, Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, covered her red lips, and let out a laugh, asking Feng Bao: "Eunuch Feng, do you think I am a person of narrow mind?" "This old servant would not dare," Feng Bao hurriedly knelt and said.

Empress Dowager waved her hand and said indifferently: "Fine, fine, let him investigate if he wants to. The truth cannot be false, and the false cannot be true, wouldn't you say, Eunuch Feng?"

"Empress Dowager speaks the truth."

"Alright, you may go and attend to your business."

"This old subject obeys the decree."

Feng Bao let out a long sigh, wiped the fine sweat from his face with his arm, and paced out of the palace.

Outside the palace, an old monk wearing a Buddhist robe, with crane-like hair and a youthful face, and a gaunt appearance, came face-to-face with Feng Bao.

"Old Eunuch Feng."

"Master Yiru."

The two exchanged greetings.

"Is it Empress Dowager Li who sent you to chant Buddhist scriptures?" Feng Bao asked.

Master Yiru nodded slightly.

"Then hurry along, don't let the Empress Dowager wait too long." Feng Bao chuckled and turned to leave.

A trace of struggle and hesitation flashed across Master Yiru's face; he shook his head, then stepped into the palace.

On the other side.

Inside the Western Warm Pavilion, the Wanli Emperor sat listlessly on a reclining chair, with Wei Qing standing behind him.

After reviewing a dozen or so memorials, a sense of fatigue permeated his entire body.

He stretched, yawned, and asked Wei Qing beside him: "Wei Qing, what has Zhang Yunxiu been busy with lately? Why hasn't he come to see me for so long? Does he still have me, this Emperor, in his eyes?"

"Oh my, Your Majesty, you are wronging the Director Zhang," Wei Qing hurriedly replied with a smile.

"Oh? Tell me, how am I wronging him?"

"Director Zhang has been so busy lately that he hasn't had a moment to rest; he is investigating a case."

"What case?"

"It is... it is a youth who beat a monk to death."

Wei Qing recounted it one by one. The Wanli Emperor raised an eyebrow and couldn't help but ask: "Why did that youth beat the monk to death? Is there some life-and-death feud between the two of them?"

"This servant doesn't know. Some say the youth was acting violently, others say the monk was a lecherous monk. In any case, everyone has their own side of the story." Wei Qing shook his head, not wanting to delve deeper into this matter.

"That must be investigated thoroughly."

The Wanli Emperor nodded slightly.

Having said that, he stood up and paced to the window lattice carved with dragons and phoenixes, looking out into the distance.

In the garden, the pond water was already covered with a thin layer of ice crystals, and the surrounding flowers and plants were wrapped in silver, draped in a thick white coat.

A cold wind swept by, hitting the Wanli Emperor's face, and he instantly felt a bit more spirited.

After a moment of silence, the Wanli Emperor turned his head, looked at Wei Qing beside him, and asked: "Wei Qing, tell me, what is there to do for fun outside in this winter?"

"Winter is cold, unlike spring; it's not a time for playing. If the old Beijingers don't have anything important to do, they wouldn't even want to leave their warm beds, even if they were bursting to take a leak." Wei Qing replied with a smile.

"Boring... boring." The Wanli Emperor shook his head, clasped his hands behind his back, and paced to the East Warm Pavilion.

Before long, Zheng Guifei cautiously peeked in from outside. Because she was pregnant again, the Wanli Emperor was in a great mood and had promoted her directly to Noble Consort.

There are at most two Noble Consorts, ranking above all other Concubines.

Above them is the Imperial Noble Consort, who is the most honorable besides the Empress, and only one is appointed.

Zheng Guifei had only been favored by the Emperor for a little over a year, yet she had already become a figure who could turn the world upside down in the palace.

This shows how much she is favored.

The moment the Wanli Emperor saw his beautiful and charming beloved consort, he instantly perked up and opened his arms to pull her into his embrace.

Zheng Guifei looked disgusted and exclaimed: "Don't! Be careful, your concubine is still carrying the dragon seed."

After Zhang Yunxiu's advice, she dared not frolic with the Emperor for the time being.

"Oh, right, right, right." The Wanli Emperor gave an awkward smile, rubbed his palms together, and led Zheng Guifei to sit on his dragon throne.

Zheng Guifei covered her mouth and laughed, teasing: "Your Majesty, only you can sit on this chair. Who else would dare to sit on it?"

"You have our son in your belly; he can sit on it too." The Wanli Emperor made a face and pointed at Zheng Guifei's belly.

"How does Your Majesty know it is a prince?"

"If I say it is, it is! You are not allowed to talk back!" The Wanli Emperor widened his eyes and pretended to be angry. "Whatever I say goes. You are not allowed to defy me, or I will throw you into the cold palace."

Zheng Guifei's eyes turned red, her mouth pouted, and mist began to rise in her eyes.

"I... I was just teasing you. Don't cry, don't cry. I will grant you whatever you want."

The Wanli Emperor was flustered and hurriedly waved his hands to comfort her. Zheng Guifei sobbed for a while, then broke into a smile through her tears: "This is what you said."

"Once I have given my word, I will naturally not go back on it."

"Very well, then I want Your Majesty to arrest those bald-headed monks, so they don't shout all day long and annoy me so much." Zheng Guifei brewed for a moment and hummed in a coquettish tone.

"Ah? Why do you want to arrest them?"

"Why do you think? The Empress Dowager wants you to become a monk as a proxy. You are the Emperor, the Son of Heaven. Even if it is just a proxy, if you enter the Buddhist gate, how will future history books judge you?"

The Wanli Emperor felt resentful in his heart, but at the thought of his mother's face, he shook his head: "You don't understand. Choose something else."

(End of this chapter)