Chapter 47: Breaking into the Palace in the Dead of Night, Exposing the Heart and Chest

Ciqing Palace, just past midnight.

Now that the dog days of summer were deepening, ice blocks were placed in every hall and pavilion, allowing the noble residents to sleep soundly.

Empress Dowager Chen had not enjoyed such treatment while at the other palace, but now, rarely enjoying a cool summer night, she had fallen asleep early.

At this hour, the eunuchs and palace maids who usually served her had long since retired.

Empress Dowager Chen, with her graceful neck and elegant carriage, rested peacefully on the bed.

Unaccountably, a look of unease began to appear on her face, her delicate brows gradually knitting together; it seemed she was having a nightmare.

Suddenly, with a heart-palpitating jolt, Empress Dowager Chen opened her eyes.

Feeling somewhat weary, she pulled the bell at the head of the bed, preparing to summon a palace attendant to pour some water.

But after waiting for a while, no palace maid arrived.

Instead, an unexpected person entered.

Empress Dowager Chen blurted out, "Mother, why are you here?"

Her eyes were filled with wariness as she watched her slightly aged mother walk slowly in from the outer room.

These past few days, the Chen family had repeatedly sent people to contact her, but she had given them no face at all, rejecting them entirely.

And now, her mother had actually entered Ciqing Palace! How did she get in!?

Mother Chen looked at her daughter with a complex expression.

She did not explain the question, but simply sat gently on the edge of the bed and said, "The Empress Dowager has grown much thinner."

Empress Dowager Chen furrowed her brows tightly, retreated, and shouted toward the outside, "Someone come!"

This shout did not summon anyone.

Mother Chen took Empress Dowager Chen's hand and said pityingly, "Chen Suan was recruited into the manor by me; he will still give me this much face."

"Come, Mother will help you dress. Let us go to the main hall; Mother has words for you."

Empress Dowager Chen stared blankly at her mother.

She was not a foolish person; since that shout had not brought anyone, she immediately understood.

What face for Chen Suan? It wasn't as if there were no other people in the palace.

This was clearly history repeating itself.

Back then, when she was driven to the cold palace, the Chen family had sold her out just like this.

Now, it was exactly the same... If she went to the main hall, waiting for her would likely be the Li clan, Li Jin, and Feng Bao and their ilk.

Thinking of this, she could not help but smile miserably.

Seeing that Mother Chen was about to help her dress, she suddenly composed her emotions, sat up, and said sternly, "Help this Empress don the crown and robes!"

Mother Chen remained silent, nodding only after a long while.

The two looked at each other without a word, remaining silent. After fumbling for quite some time, they found the crown and robes and began to dress.

The Empress Dowager's crown and robes were only worn for receiving the imperial patent, visiting the ancestral temple, or attending court. Having such a requirement now clearly meant she regarded this moment as an extraordinary day.

Empress Dowager Chen let Mother Chen dress her in accessories while she herself took the phoenix crown.

The crown had a circular frame, inlaid with jade, and decorated with nine dragons and four phoenixes; it was indescribably noble.

Once dressed, she gently adjusted the twelve-tree flower ornament on the crown and took the first step: "Let us go. This Empress would like to see who is paying a visit in the dead of night."

Ciqing Palace, main hall.

Empress Dowager Chen saw the second unexpected person of the night.

It was actually the Emperor!

After Mother Chen withdrew, in the empty main hall, there were only the reigning Emperor and the Empress Dowager of the main palace.

Zhu Yijun glanced at the crown and robes on Empress Dowager Chen, pondering her state of mind.

On the surface, however, he performed the full rites: "Your subject, the Emperor Jun, pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Chen also stared fixedly at the Emperor, her expression dazed.

She had thought it was the Li clan waiting for her; she had not expected it to be this young Emperor, whom even she had somewhat favored.

Withdrawing her gaze from outside the hall, Empress Dowager Chen's questioning eyes returned to the Emperor.

Was the Emperor acting as the vanguard for his biological mother?

Or was the inner court simply under the Emperor's control?

Empress Dowager Chen nodded slightly and probed, "For the Emperor to seek me out in the dead of night is not in accordance with ritual. I wonder what the purpose is."

But the Emperor's answer was not within her expectations.

Zhu Yijun bowed down again, as if filled with a thousand emotions: "Your child comes to question the Empress Dowager!"

Empress Dowager Chen remained noncommittal, waiting for him to continue.

Zhu Yijun continued: "Mother, that Gao Gong, oppressing the Directorate of Ceremonial, coercing the sovereign, and bullying my biological mother—is this not all relying on the Empress Dowager's power!"

"Now, Gao Gong's word is law in the court, using his position as a subject to suppress the sovereign, making your child suffer unspeakably. In my bitterness, I find it hard to believe that this was instructed by the Empress Dowager!"

"After days without sleep or rest, tossing and turning all night, today I finally could not help but come to ask the Empress Dowager!"

"Mother! Am I your son!"

Zhu Yijun was very clear about what it meant to strike first and gain the advantage.

Even if he wanted to coerce Empress Dowager Chen, he could not use force.

Occupying the moral high ground from the start was a very important matter.

Humans are the most adept at self-brainwashing.

If he did not force her into a position of moral weakness, her mindset would strongly rebound when coerced—"I am a pure white lotus, why is everyone bullying me?"

At that point, if her emotions flared up and she saw the situation was lost, she might dash her head against the hall pillars and die. Zhu Yijun would then be like a man with mud in his trousers—if it's not excrement, it's still excrement.

Once involved in such a scandal, it would be a political stain for a lifetime.

All the censorate officials, unofficial histories, and conspiracies would swarm like flies beneath his backside.

It could be said that if Empress Dowager Chen died here tonight, then regardless of whether he did it, outsiders would believe he did.

At that point, let alone being affected in holding power, even Gao Gong would grasp this flaw to struggle in his death throes.

Even the literati of the world and the civil officials of the court would place a giant question mark over him as Emperor.

Under such conditions, not to mention being unable to move an inch, the difficulty would at least double.

Therefore, this was his only concern tonight.

He had to gently coerce Empress Dowager Chen; absolutely nothing unbearable could happen.

Empress Dowager Chen, dressed in her crown and robes, calm and composed, walked closer.

She looked the Emperor up and down.

A good son, truly a good son.

Unknowingly, he had already built up such immense power.

She had thought he came on behalf of the Li clan; now it seemed she had underestimated this sage ruler.

Empress Dowager Chen said expressionlessly, "The Emperor is naturally this Empress's son."

"It is precisely because you are this Empress's son that I must supervise the state well for the Emperor and value the old ministers. It is because the Emperor is still young that you are overthinking."

She naturally knew the Emperor had come prepared—inside and outside this Ciqing Palace, they were likely all his people.

But if he wanted to find fault with her, she would not admit it.

At worst, it would just be a strip of white silk. She had already waited three years in the cold palace.

It could not get any worse.

But Zhu Yijun did not want to watch her affectation.

He stripped away all pretense and disguise, looking at Empress Dowager Chen in pain: "I know the two palaces are at odds, and Mother has her reasons for acting this way."

"But... what is your child's sin?"

He stubbornly raised his head, looking straight into Empress Dowager Chen's eyes: "The biological mother is a mother, and the principal mother is even more so a mother."

"Now the dispute between the two palaces is like a battle between heaven and man in your child's heart!"

"Your child also wishes to serve Mother filially and let both elders enjoy supreme honor."

"Mother, if there is even the slightest possibility, could you please not trap your child in a place of unfilial conduct."

"Your child's sincere heart, Mother, please bear witness!"

These words were indeed impeccable.

The Emperor had always been filial, paying respects every few days, and whenever he had good things, he would share them with her.

Not to mention his frequent requests for scholarly guidance, which made it clear to her that the Emperor was indeed a filial and benevolent person.

The only thing she felt somewhat guilty about was facing the Emperor.

But... that was before. Now that the Emperor had broken into Ciqing Palace in the dead of night and was still feigning pity, he was truly underestimating people.

She looked straight at the Emperor, her tone hardening: "The Emperor broke into Ciqing Palace in the dead of night just to put on this act?"

If the Emperor were truly this submissive, he would not have secretly gained control of the inner court.

And he certainly would not have broken into the bedchamber, leaving her unable to summon even a single person by her side.

Zhu Yijun shook his head, saying miserably: "Mother has Mother's precautions, and your child has your child's grievances. If there were any other way, your child would not have broken into the palace in the dead of night."

"I know Mother is prepared to pin the label of unfilial on me, the better to depose me."

"If not for Gao Gong privately coercing me today, saying he would support my four-year-old, obedient younger brother to ascend the throne, why would your child be so panicked as to be disrespectful to Mother?"

Empress Dowager Chen was startled.

These words caught her off guard, and she subconsciously asked: "The Senior Grand Secretary said he would depose you!?"

This matter, even she herself did not know.

Seeing that he had diverted the rhythm, Zhu Yijun continued to strike while the iron was hot.

He raised his head, his face stubborn: "Why does Mother pretend not to know! If not for your approval, how could Gao Gong say such things!"

Zhu Yijun absolutely could not let this Empress Dowager claim the role of a perfect victim; that persona was one only he could carry.

Empress Dowager Chen remained silent.

She and Gao Gong certainly had some tacit understanding, but their fundamental goals were different.

In her own heart, she didn't care that much about the state and the world.

What Gao Gong thought, she couldn't control; at most, it could be said they were each taking what they needed.

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Chen finally sighed and helped the son before her to stand up.

Turning her head somewhat unnaturally, she explained: "I did not mean that."

Deposing an emperor was indeed shocking, but she actually didn't care.

What big picture, what world—she didn't take any of it to heart.

But she just wanted to settle the accounts that needed settling; as for the rest, she didn't have the mood to stir up trouble.

Empress Dowager Chen looked outside the palace, where it was silent and still, and continued: "Perhaps I say this too late, but is the Emperor prepared to use this to kill me?"

For the Emperor to go this far, he certainly couldn't have come just to pour out his grievances to her.

Perhaps it was just for peace of mind, to say a few more words to his family before taking action.

But Zhu Yijun did not accept this speculation, instead looking at Empress Dowager Chen in disbelief: "Mother sees me this way?"

He suddenly looked somewhat lost: "Your child has long wanted to express my feelings to Mother in person, but I have always been blocked outside Ciqing Palace."

"Now, in order to see Mother, I had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure."

He said softly: "I know why Mother relies on Gao Gong."

"Mother resents being the principal palace Empress yet having no child of her own, and also resents my late Imperial Father moving Mother to another palace..."

Before he finished speaking.

Empress Dowager Chen suddenly lost her composure. She turned around abruptly, staring at the Emperor, and said word by word: "Who do you think caused it!"

The Emperor knew nothing, yet he dared to try and persuade her?

If the world's affairs could be solved by mouth, why would the Great Ming court raise so many armies?

Contrary to her expectations, Zhu Yijun nodded: "Your child naturally knows."

"Not only do I know, your child has even brought the culprit to Mother."

Empress Dowager Chen stopped abruptly.

She stared blankly at the Emperor: "Brought... brought them?"

Zhu Yijun stepped forward and supported Empress Dowager Chen: "Your child will take you to see."

Empress Dowager Chen pursed her lips, letting the Emperor lead her to the screen.

In her heart, she felt the Li clan would turn and emerge from it the next moment, mocking her.

But, once again, it was beyond her expectations—the Emperor pushed over the screen, revealing a corpse!

It was none other than Feng Bao!

Only then did the Emperor say angrily: "Feng Bao deceived the sovereign and harmed the state; his sins are grievous!"

"During the Jiajing reign, he relied on the Eastern Depot to perform sinister deeds. I observed that several of my late Imperial Father's children died prematurely, and it is not unrelated to this person!"

"During the Longqing reign, he again offered sycophantic gifts, serving my late Imperial Father tiger-and-wolf drugs, causing my late Imperial Father to pass away in his prime!"

"Now, I hear this person sowed discord between the two palaces, causing disharmony in the inner palace; he deserves to die ten thousand times over!"

"Your child specifically executed this villain, both to uphold the state law and to vent anger for my Mother!"

Some things cannot be clearly untangled.

The best solution is not to untangle them.

If there is someone who can be killed, kill them quickly; having a result on the surface is enough.

If one must get to the bottom of it... that would truly be failing to know what is good for oneself.

Empress Dowager Chen's gaze did not move from Feng Bao's body.

She seemed surprised, yet also somewhat gratified.

She stared blankly at Feng Bao's corpse.

Just as Zhu Yijun thought this matter was over and this Mother was going to step down the stairs,

he heard Empress Dowager Chen mutter: "The Emperor has never stayed outside the palace and has seen few things. Do you know, if a commoner is bitten by a dog, do they chase the dog, or do they go and trouble the master of the house?"

This was not giving him face.

Zhu Yijun sighed.

He didn't want to know who did these filthy things in the inner palace, and there was no need to know.

This was the reason he had no intention of asking Chen Hong anything.

But, at least according to his conjecture, it was highly unlikely that Empress Dowager Li instructed it.

However, many things do not shift according to human will.

Just as Empress Dowager Chen said, a dog is a dog after all, and the account must eventually be settled with the master of the house.

So what could he do? You couldn't tie up Empress Dowager Li and let her vent her anger.

Fortunately, he didn't have to make this Mother happy—as long as her mindset didn't become extreme enough to actually dash her head against the hall pillars, it was enough.

Zhu Yijun said: "Mother's instruction is correct."

"If there is sin in the world, the sin lies with me."

"Feng Bao bullied his master as a slave; naturally, it is the master's fault."

"Everything must be blamed on my late Imperial Father!"

He turned his face to look at Empress Dowager Chen and continued: "But, a son does not discuss the faults of his father. Since my late Imperial Father has passed away, this account should be settled with me, the son."

"If Mother wants to beat or punish, please let your child bear it on his behalf."

Empress Dowager Chen sneered: "Truly a filial, good son..."

Her mocking words were about to come out.

Suddenly, she heard a shout full of emotion: "Mother!"

Zhu Yijun suddenly knelt on the ground, performing the great parental rites.

He said sincerely: "I know Mother has been brooding; no matter how filial your child is, I am not Mother's own flesh and blood."

"But please, Mother, do not insult your child's sincere heart!"

"Whether it is the principal mother or the biological mother, your child views both as closest kin and has never treated them with the slightest difference!"

"If you do not believe me! Your child is willing to cut open my heart and dig out my gall to present to Mother!"

Having said this.

Zhu Yijun suddenly acted.

He tore open his upper garment, revealing his open chest.

Then, he casually pulled out the blood-stained dagger stuck in Feng Bao's body, wrapped it in a piece of torn cloth, held it up with both hands, and presented it to Empress Dowager Chen.

This sudden behavior caused Empress Dowager Chen to panic.

The Emperor was motionless, looking as if he were ready to die; Empress Dowager Chen was also stunned and silent.

Only Zhu Xixiao outside the hall held his breath, watching this scene.

He knew that the dagger in the Emperor's hand was a dull, edgeless one arranged beforehand.

Although it couldn't hurt anyone, even a scratch would be his, Zhu Xixiao's, crime!

Even though the Emperor had ordered that he could only rush in when the Empress Dowager made a move,

but in an emergency, he had already made up his mind: if the Empress Dowager failed to know what was good for her and showed signs of picking up the dagger, he would rush in and pin her down.

Time seemed to freeze.

The blood belonging to Feng Bao on the dagger was still dripping.

It heightened the solemn atmosphere to the extreme.

The Emperor removed his upper garment, exposing his chest, testing the Empress Dowager's bottom line.

This performance art, resembling the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, truly left the person involved at a loss.

This was not simple pity-seeking.

This was the Emperor using actual actions to tell the Empress Dowager.

Either compromise and step back, or face each other with weapons.

There was no second option.

Regardless of what Empress Dowager Chen had intended to do before—whether targeting the Chen family, taking revenge on Empress Dowager Li, or even wanting to taste the flavor of power—for all these reasons, tonight, she had to pass the Emperor's test.

Intensifying conflicts was also one of the techniques of negotiation.

Zhu Yijun lowered his head, waiting for Empress Dowager Chen's decision.

This choice did not determine his fate, but hers.

Whether she believed him or was willing to step down from this stage, he would not make things difficult for this Mother in the future.

Conversely, if she refused to step down, he would have no other choice but to let this Mother worry herself into illness.

At the same time, it was also squeezing Empress Dowager Chen's choices.

Thus, she could only choose between compromise and killing her son, quietly extinguishing the possibility of committing suicide to take revenge.

Time passed bit by bit.

Empress Dowager Chen took a deep breath, letting herself calm down.

Having seen the ruthless Emperor of the late reign, who was greedy, lustful, and drove away his original wife,

now seeing this Emperor before her, who risked his own life to bridge the two palaces, she felt it was a spectacle.

The Emperor used actual actions to tell her that if she wanted to continue supporting Gao Gong and disrupting the inner palace, she had better step over his corpse.

Truly a filial, good son, actually using this method to coerce her.

How did he dare?

Betting that she was soft-hearted and hadn't gone mad?

Or was it sincere and pure filial piety?

Or... if she made any move, would an arrow shot from a hundred paces pierce her?

One son and one mother, one kneeling and one standing; the scene was almost frozen.

No one made a move.

Zhu Yijun was very patient; the Empress Dowager was lost in thought; Zhu Xixiao outside was the most anxious in his heart.

Finally.

Zhu Yijun heard Empress Dowager Chen's voice.

"To coerce me, Your Majesty has also spent quite a bit of effort."

Zhu Yijun raised his head, only to see Empress Dowager Chen painfully close her eyes.

She turned around and waved her hand, signaling the Emperor to throw away the dagger.

Zhu Yijun casually threw it out, letting Zhu Xixiao pick it up, and then turned back: "Your child's scheming is also for the sake of this family."

"I hope Mother will not be angry; in the future, your child will definitely serve Mother filially."

Acting to this extent was enough.

Without tearing off the mask, everyone had a way to step down, so it wouldn't hinder proper business.

Of course, it would be better for this Empress Dowager Chen not to see outsiders for a few days; wait until the situation stabilized before serving her filially.

Empress Dowager Chen seemed to have all her strength drained, and said wearily: "What about Chen Hong and the others?"

Zhu Yijun did not avoid the subject: "They all had reasons to die; your child has already executed them all!"

The account of the late Emperor dying early from taking too many tiger-and-wolf drugs should also be settled with Chen Hong.

Killing a few eunuchs who sought their own deaths could clear away old debts; wasn't that a good thing?

Empress Dowager Chen became increasingly powerless.

She had the heart to blame the Emperor, but she also understood that for such a matter threatening imperial power, having the strength to flip the table and leave her, this Mother, alive was already not bad, let alone a few mere eunuchs.

But after all, they were master and servant for many years, and Empress Dowager Chen only felt a pang in her heart.

Her expression was miserable, and she waved her hand: "There is no need to keep anyone to serve; the Emperor may do as he pleases."

Zhu Yijun did not respond.

Empress Dowager Chen looked as if she had seen through life and death; how could he just let it be?

He said softly: "Mother, please wait a moment."

Having said this, Zhu Yijun walked out.

Empress Dowager Chen wallowed in self-pity and did not speak.

Not long after, she heard the Emperor's voice: "Mother, look."

Empress Dowager Chen turned her head, only to see the Emperor beside him, Zhang Hong holding a baby girl over a year old.

Zhu Yijun said warmly: "This is the late Imperial Father's sixth daughter, Zhu Yaoji, born to Noble Lady Wang, now one year and nine months old."

"After Noble Lady Wang passed away in childbirth, she has been raised by Noble Lady Qin."

"Now that Mother is in the principal position of the inner palace, as the mother of the world, she should naturally be handed over to Mother."

Empress Dowager Chen walked over slowly, looking at the baby in Zhang Hong's arms.

She reached out and poked her twice.

Then she turned to face the Emperor squarely.

This young Emperor—she could no longer distinguish how much was feigned and how much was sincere.

Even now, she was beginning to fear this son of hers—this means of seeing through the human heart truly did not seem human.

Was this because he feared she would commit suicide and affect his throne?

Or was it simply seeing her lonely and helpless, and finding a daughter for her to raise?

She reached out to hold Zhu Yaoji and asked absent-mindedly: "Emperor, why did you come tonight?"

Zhu Yijun met her gaze and said respectfully: "Mother, there is truly nothing else; I only came to untie the knot in Mother's heart."

"However, since I am here, your child just remembered one thing: the awards at the Xuanzhi Gate tomorrow had some oversights, so I had to redraft the edict."

"Now, only Mother's name is missing."

Empress Dowager Chen suddenly realized: "You want to dismiss Gao Gong!?"

She naturally knew what she was doing.

It was precisely because she supported Gao Gong that Gao Gong could suppress both inside and outside.

It had only been a few days, and the Emperor had broken into Ciqing Palace in the dead of night; this was likely the reason.

But Zhu Yijun shook his head: "The Senior Grand Secretary is, after all, a veteran minister of three reigns, venerable and respected, with great achievements. How could your child dismiss him."

His tone was deep and unfathomable: "I want to reward him well."

Empress Dowager Chen was astonished, but did not ask in detail.

Now, she had no interest in asking about these matters.

She nodded casually: "Give the edict to me."

This was agreeing to add her name.

Zhu Yijun stood where he was, not moving.

After a pause, he said slowly: "No need to trouble Mother... your child has already sent someone to fetch the imperial seal."

Empress Dowager Chen remained silent.

The two were silent for a long time.

Zhu Yijun then respectfully took his leave: "Mother, your child will take his leave first."

Empress Dowager Chen only coaxed and held Zhu Yaoji, saying nothing.

After the Emperor retreated, she glanced at the Emperor's back and smiled self-deprecatingly.

As she smiled, she inexplicably began to cry.

Zhu Yijun tilted his head, listening to the movement inside the hall.

Hearing the wisps of crying, he finally felt at ease.

Crying was good; once the emotions were vented, she wouldn't easily commit suicide.

As he walked out, he felt some emotion in his heart; this should be the last time he would act so young and naive in front of the two palaces.

Now, Zhang Juzheng had a tacit understanding with him.

Empress Dowager Li could only rely on him.

Gao Yi treated him as the true ruler.

The daily lecture officials viewed him as a genius.

Wait until tomorrow to expel Gao Gong and reorganize the cabinet.

He would be the upright Son of Heaven in the eyes of the two palaces, court officials, nobles, and inner officials!

The Emperor is the Emperor!

Zhu Xixiao followed silently behind the Emperor, suddenly seeing the Emperor subconsciously touch his stomach, then seemingly touch empty air, so he put his hands behind his back, walking with a calm and composed gait.

With this posture, he inexplicably felt the Emperor's aura had changed drastically.

He didn't look like a young Emperor, but rather like a high-ranking official who had held great power for many years!

Still puzzled, he suddenly heard the Emperor speak to him: "Zhu Qing, clean up before you go."

Zhu Xixiao's thoughts stopped abruptly; he bowed in acknowledgment and retreated.

Zhu Yijun ordered Zhang Hong again: "Go, find two cats to send to Mother, and let the Chen family's female relatives come into the palace more often to keep Mother company."

Zhang Hong hurriedly said: "This servant will handle it tomorrow."

As Zhu Yijun walked out, he seemed to remember something: "During this time, you personally serve my Mother; she has no one to call upon and is easily bullied."

"If you don't have enough manpower, go ask Li Jin."

Zhang Hong understood the implication: "This servant will not let the Empress Dowager suffer grievances, nor will I let anyone disturb the Empress Dowager's peace."

Zhu Yijun nodded.

As soon as he walked out of Ciqing Palace, he saw Jiang Keqian waiting outside with the edict.

Zhu Yijun took it, glanced at it twice—it had already been stamped with the Emperor's and the two palaces' seals—and handed it back to Jiang Keqian.

He ordered: "Let's go, go back and get some rest."

He looked up at the gradually dissipating white rainbow light and muttered: "Tomorrow, there is still much to do."

——

The timing was wrong; it was supposed to be at 3:30, annoying.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 48 =====