Chapter 42: Rooting Out the Cause, Killing Intent Arises

It was only a morning.

The Forbidden City suddenly felt much busier.

Inner court officials hurrying about.

Palace maids walking with heads bowed.

Guards patrolling with heads held high.

It seemed as if they were all rendering a tense atmosphere in unison.

Empress Dowager Chen originally lived in a separate palace, but after Zhu Yijun ascended the throne, she followed the request of the Ministry of Rites and discussed with Empress Dowager Li to vacate the Cixi Palace for him.

The Cixi Palace was originally the Eastern Palace, and Zhu Yijun had lived there for six years, so he was naturally familiar with it.

But when Zhu Yijun arrived at the Cixi Palace, the feeling was quite different.

The familiar architecture seemed stern today.

Naturally, someone reported his arrival for him.

Zhu Yijun waited quietly outside the hall.

Before long, the eunuch Zhang Jing ran back with small steps.

With some fear on his face, he said: "Your Majesty, Chief Eunuch Chen said that the Empress did not rest well last night, the imperial physician prescribed medicine, and she just fell asleep."

Zhu Yijun stood outside the hall, not moving for a moment.

These words were exactly the same as the reply he received when he first went to the separate palace to pay his respects to Empress Dowager Chen.

He hadn't noticed it then, but looking at it now, it was truly hard to describe.

He had been shut out then, and naturally, it was no exception now.

One could not simply barge into the bedchamber of one's legal mother just because one had become Emperor.

In the end, he could only pay his respects from afar outside the palace, perform the full rites, and turn to leave.

He still couldn't understand why Empress Dowager Chen would assist Gao Gong.

For power?

Zhu Yijun shook his head and quickly rejected it; Gao Gong's "Memorial on the Five Urgent Matters" advocated strengthening the Grand Secretariat, consolidating imperial power, and isolating the inner palace from interfering in government.

If both were for power, they could never reach a consensus.

Even taking a step back, even if Gao Gong made some concessions, Empress Dowager Chen had no son; what other extravagant hopes could she have?

When he came of age and settled accounts, wouldn't it all be for nothing?

For status?

Zhu Yijun rejected this conjecture again.

In any case, she was the Empress Dowager; at worst, she would be on equal footing with Empress Dowager Li. Moving was not as good as staying still; why would she risk helping Gao Gong?

It wasn't impossible, just the probability was too low.

He thought about it, and other things like relatives, favors, etc., were even more impossible.

He almost couldn't think of a reasonable possibility.

She couldn't just be deceived by Gao Gong, could she?

That would be looking down on the people of the world too much.

Since he transmigrated, he had suffered losses to Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong one after another precisely because he looked down on the ancients.

Now, it was impossible for him to hold such a belittling attitude again.

Regardless of what Empress Dowager Chen's purpose was, he had to prepare for the worst.

Zhu Yijun pondered countermeasures.

In history, Gao Gong's "Memorial on the Five Urgent Matters" was dismissed just two days after it passed.

This showed that after Zhang Juzheng rushed back, he quickly had a countermeasure and convinced Empress Dowager Chen, letting the Emperor and the two palaces issue an edict to dismiss Gao Gong.

Since there were no major twists and turns, Empress Dowager Chen's side must be easier to break through than Gao Gong's.

He didn't know what means the iron triangle used.

But Zhu Yijun knew that he couldn't drag it out any longer.

If Empress Dowager Chen and Gao Gong truly held the government, the situation would be difficult.

However.

Zhang Juzheng's collusion with the inner court had to go through Feng Bao.

Gao Gong naturally couldn't bypass the eunuchs to communicate.

That was why people like Chen Hong were jumping around so fiercely.

Then... if he wanted to break the situation now, he probably really had to rely on the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot.

Zhu Yijun sighed.

In the end, holding a sharp blade in one's heart, killing intent arises on its own.

Thinking of this, he looked at Zhang Hong's godson, Zhang Jing, and ordered: "Tell me about Empress Dowager Chen."

Zhang Jing replied: "What does Your Majesty want to hear?"

Zhu Yijun waved his hand: "Tell me everything."

Facing such an ambiguous request, Zhang Jing could only start from her life: "In the fourth month of the 37th year of Jiajing, the late Emperor's primary consort passed away."

"In the eighth month of the same year, Shizong issued an edict to select a successor consort for the late Emperor."

Zhu Yijun was stunned and interrupted: "Only four months? Didn't she need to mourn for a year?"

Mourning was required when a primary consort died, but the time was shorter.

Zhang Jing nodded and explained: "At that time, Shizong personally issued an edict to 'seize affection' (waive mourning), and the late Emperor tried to decline but couldn't."

"On the ninth day of the ninth month, Empress Dowager Chen was chosen as the successor consort."

It wasn't strange that Shizong issued the edict.

He had lost too many sons and probably hoped that Prince Yu would have more children.

But if that was the case, it was no wonder there was no affection.

Zhu Yijun nodded, signaling him to continue.

Zhang Jing said: "In the first year of Longqing, after the late Emperor ascended the throne, he elevated Empress Dowager Chen to Empress and granted titles to her relatives."

Zhu Yijun interjected: "How was Empress Dowager Chen's relationship with her relatives?"

This point was also very important.

Empress Dowager Chen couldn't not understand the current actions; her relatives would inevitably be raided.

Yet she still acted willfully; logically speaking, someone with a soft spot shouldn't be so reckless about the big picture.

It was truly puzzling.

Zhang Jing recalled and said: "At first, the relationship was very good, and the noblewomen visited frequently."

"However..."

He paused: "When Empress Dowager Chen was driven to the separate palace by the late Emperor, many censors advised the late Emperor."

"The Chen family also submitted a memorial to advise, but they were intimidated by the late Emperor, so they hurriedly submitted a memorial agreeing, to excuse the late Emperor..."

"From then on, the visits stopped, and even the Chen family members guarding the separate palace were driven away."

Zhu Yijun heard this and thought it was tricky.

Driven into the cold palace, her relatives helped the late Emperor for the sake of wealth; one could imagine how she felt.

This kind of Empress Dowager who came out of the cold palace, plus the persona of not caring about her relatives—wasn't this a standard female lead in a palace drama?

He pressed: "In which year was Empress Dowager Chen driven to the separate palace?"

Zhang Jing thought: "In the third year of Longqing, the late Emperor, on the grounds of having no sons and being sickly, moved Empress Dowager Chen out of the Kunming Palace and drove her to live in the separate palace."

Zhu Yijun frowned and interrupted Zhang Jing again.

He asked suspiciously: "No sons and sickly?"

No sons was no sons, sickly was sickly.

If she had been unable to conceive, it wouldn't be surprising for the late Emperor to dislike her; after all, the times were different.

The problem was, sickly... if she had been sickly, she couldn't have passed the selection for successor consort.

So she became sickly afterward?

Then putting sickly and no sons together probably wasn't without reason.

Zhang Jing hesitated for a while and buried his head: "This servant heard from my godfather that it seems Empress Dowager Chen was pregnant that year, did not give birth, and left behind a root of illness."

Zhu Yijun nodded: "Which year."

Zhang Jing recalled: "The 41st year of Jiajing."

Zhu Yijun signaled him to continue.

Zhang Jing continued: "At first, the outer court's Supervising Secretary Wei Shiliang, Hai Yushi He Yigui, Zhan Yangbi, and others repeatedly remonstrated."

"Asking the late Emperor to move Empress Dowager Chen back to the palace."

Hearing this, Zhu Yijun seemed to remember something.

He asked: "Was the Director of the Directorate of Ceremonial at that time Empress Dowager Chen's slave, Chen Hong?"

These remonstrations, this Director probably didn't contribute little to them.

Zhang Jing bowed: "Your Majesty has a truly good memory."

He flattered him a little and continued: "Chen Hong had also advised the late Emperor, but was almost dismissed by the late Emperor, so he didn't dare to speak again."

Zhu Yijun suddenly waved away those around him.

With a solemn expression, he looked at Zhang Jing and asked in a deep voice: "In this matter, did my mother have any hand in it?"

Zhang Jing was startled.

He looked at the Emperor cautiously and said restrainedly: "Your Majesty, this servant has been in service for a short time..."

Introducing the basics was fine, but if it involved the struggle between the two palaces, he didn't dare to interfere.

But Zhu Yijun didn't let this eunuch go.

He said word by word: "I pardon you!"

Zhang Jing shrank his neck and deliberated before saying: "In the palace, there is indeed this rumor."

"During that time, Feng Bao and Chen Hong were fighting very fiercely..."

"But whether there was any, this servant truly doesn't know."

Zhu Yijun nodded expressionlessly.

Palace grudge? It's best if it's not this kind of bizarre reason...

If it really were, then Empress Dowager Chen was too out of place among these old foxes like Zhang Juzheng and Gao Gong who were always thinking about major government affairs.

But he really didn't understand women, so he could only make a note of it for now.

The entire palace was a sieve; the events of this morning spread before long.

Court officials and inner court officials soon learned what had happened.

Empress Dowager Li naturally found out later.

When Zhu Yijun arrived at the Cixi Palace, he only saw fragments of porcelain on the ground, tables overturned, and chairs flipped.

And Empress Dowager Li, who was furious.

Zhu Yijun didn't go up to pay his respects immediately, but instead pulled Feng Bao, who was serving on the side, to the side.

He whispered: "Chief Eunuch, what's wrong with my mother?"

Feng Bao's mood was equally terrible; now the three of them could be said to be tied to the same rope by Gao Gong.

He remained clear-headed and said respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Empress is unhappy after hearing the titles granted by the Ministry of Rites."

Read as "unhappy," written as "furious."

Zhu Yijun frowned: "Has the Ministry of Rites' memorial reached the Directorate of Ceremonial?"

Feng Bao nodded: "After the Ministry of Rites' discussion this morning, it was approved by the Senior Grand Secretary; since it didn't involve other departments, there was no need for a court session."

"As for now... it has already been sent to the Cixi Palace by the Office of Transmission."

Feng Bao finished speaking and shut his mouth.

The two stood silently in front of the door, speechless for a while.

Both knew in their hearts that once this memorial reached the Cixi Palace, there was no possibility of stopping it.

Empress Dowager Chen would definitely approve this memorial.

Could Zhu Yijun veto it?

A veto required a reason; was it because Empress Dowager Li's title was too low? Or because Empress Dowager Chen's title was too high?

If it were the former, it would just mean passing this memorial, and then Gao Gong would continue to add titles to the two Empress Dowagers.

In this way, as the tide rises, the boat floats; Empress Dowager Li would have two characters, Empress Dowager Chen would have four, Empress Dowager Li would have four, Empress Dowager Chen would have six, always being suppressed.

And if the latter, daring to complain that the legal mother's honorific title is too high? That is unfilial!

No one dared to touch this reputation, which was big enough to depose an Emperor.

Then what if he explicitly demanded that the titles of the two palaces be consistent? Still the same sentence: as long as Empress Dowager Chen said that not honoring the legal mother was unfilial, the problem would be too big.

When one's status was below others, any attitude was too powerless.

Zhu Yijun asked: "Was the Senior Grand Secretary's retirement memorial also rejected by Empress Dowager Chen?"

It was certain they were working together; it just depended on the extent.

Feng Bao shook his head: "It was kept in the palace by Empress Chen."

Zhu Yijun was stunned.

He reacted immediately.

Not rejected; it seemed they weren't in such a close cooperative relationship, otherwise Empress Dowager Chen would have rejected it directly, and wouldn't have needed to use it to hold Gao Gong hostage.

Zhu Yijun didn't say anything more and was about to go in to see Empress Dowager Li.

Suddenly, Feng Bao called him: "Your Majesty!"

Zhu Yijun turned his head.

Feng Bao bowed: "Health is important; Your Majesty, please persuade the Empress well."

Zhu Yijun looked deeply at Feng Bao.

This old fellow, now he knew fear, and knew to ask for his support?

Zhu Yijun nodded: "I will persuade my mother well."

"Chief Eunuch Feng, you might as well go to the Directorate of Ceremonial and watch over things."

Feng Bao bowed and took his leave.

Zhu Yijun also turned and pushed the door open to enter.

"Mother, your son has come to pay his respects."

Empress Dowager Li said nothing.

Zhu Yijun silently straightened the stool on the ground and kicked the porcelain shards away.

Empress Dowager Li finally looked back and couldn't help but ask with concern: "The porcelain shards will cut your hands; let the palace servants do it."

Zhu Yijun didn't stop his actions.

While tidying up, he said: "It is my fault as a son for not making Mother feel smooth and causing you true anger."

"Letting the servants clean it up, how can it make up for my son's sin."

This gesture somewhat dissipated Empress Dowager Li's anger.

She snorted from her nasal cavity: "It's not my son's business; it's that Cixi Palace..."

Habit formed among the people, she almost let out foul language in her true anger.

Seeing it was her son in front of her, she hurriedly changed her words: "It's that older sister who is too much!"

Zhu Yijun didn't answer.

Empress Dowager Li continued: "We mother and son, considering she lived in the separate palace for a long time, specially vacated the Cixi Palace for her."

"Now it's good; not only is she ungrateful, but to seek a title, she colluded with Gao Gong and wouldn't let him retire!"

Zhu Yijun continued to listen quietly.

Empress Dowager Li seemed to have a belly full of grievances: "That's fine! I can tolerate her!"

"But what kind of person is Gao Gong?"

"He actually wants to abolish the Directorate of Ceremonial and restrict the Emperor's power!"

"As the legal mother, does she not consider you at all!"

"It's simply... it's simply..."

Zhu Yijun heard this and suddenly raised his head.

He interrupted Empress Dowager Li.

In a very light, very flat tone, he asked: "Mother, Empress Dowager Chen was driven to the separate palace by the Imperial Father; did you have any hand in it?"

Empress Dowager Li raised her head.

She looked at her son in astonishment.

She opened her mouth and pointed her finger at the Emperor: "You... are you suspecting that I provoked her first?"

Zhu Yijun stood there without moving.

Noncommittally, he said: "If it were for the title Mother mentioned, I could also grant it to her; there's no need to collude with Gao Gong."

"I just, don't understand, please Mother, solve my doubts."

Empress Dowager Li tremblingly lowered her hand, her eyes slightly moist.

Finally, she lost her composure: "Fine, fine, now that there's a problem, you're looking for reasons on me!"

"I raised you with great hardship!"

"Shizong had eight sons, seven died; the late Emperor lost daughters one after another, and Crown Prince Xianhuai died at five!"

"I was afraid you would be harmed by villains and suffer even a bit of poison."

"My son has grown up now, but instead, he knows how to blame his mother!"

"Just because she colluded with Gao Gong and made you uneasy, you want to blame me!?"

She sat on the edge of the bed and wailed, as if blaming all of today's grievances on her own son.

Seeing that her son didn't move, she felt even sadder in her heart.

Jiang Keqian and Zhang Jing, who were on duty outside the door, stayed far away, not daring to listen to a word.

"Enough!"

A low shout without warning rang out in the room.

Empress Dowager Li looked at him in astonishment.

She had never imagined that her son would treat her with this attitude.

She trembled all over, her emotions clearly out of control.

Zhu Yijun didn't give her a chance to speak again.

He walked closer in Empress Dowager Li's astonished gaze.

Because of his age, even if Empress Dowager Li was sitting on the edge of the bed, she was about the same height as Zhu Yijun.

He stretched out both hands.

Holding Empress Dowager Li's cheeks on both sides, he stretched out his thumbs to gently wipe away the tears.

His forehead leaned close, touching Empress Dowager Li's forehead.

His voice opened, trembling: "Mother."

"Your son remembers everything."

"How could your son forget how Mother protected him."

"Every night, Mother would check on him four or five times."

"Whenever there was a cry, Mother would scold Feng Bao, Zhang Hong, and others, strip your son naked, and check him from head to toe."

"The food that went into his mouth, Mother even tasted it for your son first."

"How could your son forget these things?"

"Mother is kind in raising me, and your son is filial in serving Mother."

"As soon as I ascended the throne, I had the intention to grant titles to the father-in-law."

"Studying diligently every day, just hoping not to let Mother down."

"Attending court earnestly, just hoping to shelter Mother from the wind and rain as soon as possible."

"Now... now..."

"Gao Gong forces me, the legal mother pressures me, the court officials treat me like a child; I am lonely and helpless, besides Mother, who else is there!?"

"Mother is feared by the outer court, bullied by inner court officials, and humiliated by the main palace; you are lonely and have no one to rely on, besides your son, who else is there!?"

"We are a lonely mother and son, depending on each other for survival; how can we tolerate even a bit of suspicion?"

Empress Dowager Li stood stunned in place, facing the Emperor's sudden change in demeanor.

Under her gaze, Zhu Yijun said word by word: "Mother raised me for ten years, and your son remembers it all."

"Now, your son has ascended the throne; please rest assured that I will serve you in the future."

"Speak your words sincerely to your son; and leave the matters to your son to handle!"

"Believe in me!"

After saying this, Zhu Yijun stepped back and knelt.

In his eyes, which were not being watched, a flash of determination passed.

The outer court was one thing, but now there were no more obstacles in the palace's Embroidered Uniform Guard and Eastern Depot.

Did they really think he didn't dare to strike in the dark? ===== CHAPTER 43 =====

(End of chapter)