[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor":3,"chapter-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-47":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Wanli, the Enlightened Emperor",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2321869,4542,"Chapter 47: Midnight Intrusion: Baring Heart, Opening Chest","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-47",47,"\u003Cp>Ciqing Palace, just past midnight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With the summer heat deepening, ice blocks were placed in every pavilion and hall so the nobles could sleep peacefully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When she lived in the separate palace, Chen Empress Dowager had never enjoyed such treatment; now, rare as it was, she relished this cool summer night and had gone to sleep early.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this hour, the usual eunuchs and maids had long since withdrawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager, with her elegant neck and slender form, rested peacefully upon the bed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Suddenly, an uneasy expression crept across her face; her delicate brows slowly furrowed, as if haunted by a nightmare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A sudden pang of heartache jolted her awake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Weary, she tugged the bell beside her bed, intending to summon a maid for water.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But after waiting a while, no maid came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, someone unexpected entered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager blurted out: “Mother, how are you here?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her eyes filled with suspicion as she watched her aging mother slowly step in from the outer chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>These past days, the Chen family had repeatedly sent messengers to contact her; she had given them not the slightest courtesy, rejecting them all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now her own mother had entered Ciqing Palace! How had she gotten in!?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen’s mother regarded her daughter with a complex expression.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet she offered no explanation, merely sat gently on the edge of the bed and said: “Empress Dowager, you’ve grown much thinner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager frowned, drew back, and called out: “Someone! Come here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That cry brought no one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen’s mother took Chen Empress Dowager’s hand and said tenderly: “Chen Suan was the one who brought me into the household—he still owes me this much.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come, let Mother dress you. We’ll go to the main hall—I have words for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager stared blankly at her mother.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was no fool; the fact that her cry brought no one told her everything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What nonsense about Chen Suan owing her favors—there were others in the palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was clearly a replay of the past.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back then, when she was banished to the cold palace, the Chen family had sold her out exactly like this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now it was the same again… if she went to the main hall, what awaited her would surely be Li Shi and Li Jin, Feng Bao, and the rest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, she let out a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her mother move to dress her, she suddenly stilled her emotions, sat upright, and said firmly: “Dress me in my ceremonial robes!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen’s mother fell silent, then nodded after a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two exchanged no words, stood in silence, delayed for a long time, then finally fetched the ceremonial attire and began to dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Empress Dowager’s ceremonial robes were worn only for investiture, temple visits, and court assemblies; her demand for them now clearly marked this moment as extraordinary.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager allowed her mother to fasten her ornaments, then took the crown into her own hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The crown was a circular frame, covered in jadeite, adorned with nine dragons and four phoenixes—unparalleled in dignity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once dressed, she gently adjusted the twelve-tree floral ornament atop the crown and stepped forward first: “Let’s go. I want to see who dares visit me in the dead of night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The main hall of Ciqing Palace.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager saw the second unexpected person of the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the Emperor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After Chen’s mother withdrew, the vast hall held only the reigning Emperor and the Empress Dowager.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun glanced at the ceremonial robes on Chen Housheng and gauged her state of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet he maintained full ceremonial decorum: “Your servant, Emperor Jun, pays homage to Mother Empress Dowager.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager stared steadily at the Emperor, her expression dazed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had assumed Li Shi was waiting for her; she had never imagined it would be this young Emperor, whom she had even come to like.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her gaze, drawn back from the hall’s entrance, returned to the Emperor with confusion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he come as a front for his birth mother?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or had the inner court fallen entirely under his control?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager gave a slight nod and probed: “Your Majesty’s midnight visit to me violates propriety. What is your purpose?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the Emperor’s reply took her entirely by surprise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun bowed again, as if burdened by countless emotions: “I have come, Mother, to question you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager said nothing, waiting for him to continue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun went on: “Mother, Gao Gong has bullied the Directorate of Palace Affairs, coerced the sovereign, and insulted my birth mother—surely he acted with your backing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, in court, Gao Gong speaks with absolute authority, oppresses the sovereign, and makes my life unbearable—yet I cannot believe this is your doing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve gone days without sleep, tossing and turning through the nights—today, I could bear it no longer and came to ask you directly!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother! Am I not your son?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun knew well the power of striking first and shaping perception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he meant to pressure Chen Empress Dowager, he would never resort to brute force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seizing the moral high ground was essential.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Humans are masters of self-deception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If she did not feel morally compromised, her psyche would violently recoil under pressure—I am innocent, why does everyone persecute me?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should she become emotionally overwhelmed and, seeing all hope lost, hurl herself against the hall’s pillar, Zhu Yijun would be covered in mud—whether guilty or not, he’d be blamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Once entangled in such a scandal, it would be a lifelong political stain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Censors, unofficial histories, conspiracies—like flies, they would swarm beneath his seat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Chen Empress Dowager died here tonight, no matter who truly caused it, outsiders would blame him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that point, not only would his grip on power be shaken, but even Gao Gong would seize this flaw to make a final desperate lunge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even the entire literati class, the court and the realm, would place a massive question mark over this Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under such conditions, progress would not be impossible—but it would be twice as hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, this was his only concern tonight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He must gently pressure Chen Empress Dowager—absolutely no room for tragedy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager, clad in ceremonial robes, moved with serene grace toward him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She studied the Emperor from head to toe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fine son—truly a fine son.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without her noticing, he had amassed such overwhelming power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had thought he came for Li Shi; now she saw she had underestimated this Holy Monarch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager’s face was expressionless: “Of course you are my son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Precisely because you are my son, I have overseen state affairs for you, entrusted the old ministers, for you are still young—you overthink.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew well he had come with backing—every corner of Ciqing Palace was likely his.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But she would not admit fault.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Worst case, a length of white silk—she had waited three years in the cold palace already.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It could not get worse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet Zhu Yijun had no interest in her pretense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He stripped away all disguise and, looking at Chen Empress Dowager with pain, said: “I know the two courts are at odds; I understand your actions have cause.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But… what fault have I committed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his chin stubbornly, meeting her gaze directly: “My birth mother is mother; my legal mother is mother too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, this conflict between the two courts is tearing me apart inside!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I wish to honor you, Mother, and let both of you enjoy every honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother, if there is even the slightest chance, please do not force me into the sin of filial impiety.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“My heart is sincere—please understand!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This argument was unassailable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had always been filial, regularly paying respects, sharing fine things with her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>More than that, his frequent inquiries into scholarship proved he was truly filial and kind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The only one she ever felt slightly guilty toward was the Emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But… that was before. Now that he had broken into Ciqing Palace at night, and still played the victim, he was grossly underestimating her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She met his gaze squarely and spoke sharply: “You broke into Ciqing Palace at night—just to put on this performance?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he truly been so obedient, he would never have secretly seized control of the inner court.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Nor would he have stormed her bedchamber, leaving her unable to summon even a single attendant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun shook his head, voice broken: “Mother has her vigilance; I have my grievances. Had there been any other way, I would never have broken into the palace at night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I know you plan to brand me as unfilial, to depose me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Had Gao Gong not privately threatened to install my four-year-old obedient younger brother as emperor, why would I have panicked so much as to disrespect you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Chen Empress Dowager froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This took her completely off guard; she asked instinctively: “The Chief Grand Secretary said he would depose you!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t even know about this herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing he had thrown off the rhythm, Zhu Yijun pressed his advantage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He lifted his head, his expression stubborn: “Why must Mother ask such a question? Without your approval, how could Gao Gong have spoken these words?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun could never allow this Empress Dowager to portray herself as a perfect victim—only he was worthy of that role.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though she and Gao Gong shared some tacit understanding, their ultimate goals were different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She herself cared little for state and realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What Gao Gong thought was none of her concern; at best, they merely exchanged favors.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Chen finally sighed and helped her son to his feet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned her head awkwardly and added, “I didn’t mean it that way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deposing the Emperor was shocking, but she truly didn’t care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paid no mind to grand strategy or the realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All she wanted was to settle the accounts that needed settling; the rest, she had no heart left to tangle with.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen glanced toward the palace gates, where all was silent, then continued: “Perhaps I’ve spoken too late—should the Emperor prepare to kill me over this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor had come this far—he certainly wasn’t here to complain to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps he merely sought peace of mind, and thought a few words with his own mother would make it easier to act.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Yijun did not accept this assumption; instead, he looked at Empress Dowager Chen with disbelief: “Mother sees me this way?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suddenly seemed hollowed out: “I longed to speak with Mother face to face, but I was always barred from Ciqing Palace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, to see you even once, I was forced to resort to this desperate measure.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He whispered: “I know why Mother relies on Gao Gong.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You resent being the Empress Consort yet bearing no child of your own; you resent that my late father moved you to another palace...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen lost composure—she whirled around, fixing the Emperor with a piercing gaze, each word deliberate: “Who do you think caused it?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor knew nothing—how could he dare come here to persuade her?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all matters of state could be settled by words alone, why did the Great Ming maintain so many armies?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To her surprise, Zhu Yijun nodded: “I naturally know.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not only do I know—I’ve brought the mastermind behind it all for you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared at the Emperor: “Brought... brought him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun stepped forward and supported Empress Dowager Chen: “I’ll take you to see him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen pressed her lips shut and allowed the Emperor to lead her to the screen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In her mind, Li Shi would turn from behind it at any moment and sneer at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But again, she was wrong—the Emperor shoved the screen over, revealing a corpse!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was Feng Bao!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor’s voice rang with fury: “Feng Bao betrayed the throne and corrupted the state—his crimes are grave!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During Jiajing’s reign, he used the Eastern Depot to carry out treacherous deeds; I believe the deaths of several of my late father’s children are tied to him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“During Longqing’s reign, he flattered and offered him wolfish medicines, causing my late father to die young!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now, I’ve heard he sowed discord between the two palaces, poisoning the inner court—his death is too good for him!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I slew this villain myself—not only to uphold the law, but to avenge Mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some things cannot be untangled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best solution is not to untangle them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If there’s someone who can be killed, kill them quickly—have a surface resolution, and that’s enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To dig deeper... would be truly ungrateful.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen’s gaze never left Feng Bao’s body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She seemed stunned—and yet, somehow, satisfied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stared blankly at Feng Bao’s corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zhu Yijun thought the matter was settled and the Empress Dowager would take the offered escape route—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She murmured: “You’ve never lived outside the palace, seen little of the world. Do you know—if a commoner is bitten by a dog, does he chase the dog, or go after the owner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was a direct slap in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun sighed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t want to know, nor did he need to know, who in the inner palace had done these sordid things.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why he never intended to extract anything from Chen Hong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But based on his guess, it was unlikely Li Empress Dowager had ordered it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet many things are beyond human will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Empress Dowager Chen said, a dog is still a dog—the debt must be settled with the owner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could he do? He couldn’t drag Li Empress Dowager here to satisfy her rage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortunately, he didn’t need to please this Empress Dowager—so long as she didn’t become so extreme as to kill herself in the hall, it was enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun spoke: “Mother’s rebuke is just.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All faults under heaven lie upon me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Feng Bao, a servant who betrayed his master—this is the master’s fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All blame must fall upon my late father!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He turned his face toward Empress Dowager Chen and continued: “But a son does not speak of his father’s faults. Since my late father has passed, this debt must now rest upon me, his son.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Mother may strike or punish—let me take it in your stead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen sneered: “What a filial son you are...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her cold mockery was about to spill forth—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When suddenly a cry, thick with emotion, rang out: “Mother!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun suddenly knelt and performed the full filial bow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke sincerely: “I know Mother once resented me—I may be filial, but I am not your own flesh and blood.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But please, Mother, do not scorn my sincere heart!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Whether as stepmother or birthmother, I have always regarded you as my closest kin—never once treated you differently!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you doubt it—I am willing to tear out my heart and liver and lay them before you!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun suddenly acted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He tore open his robe, exposing his bare chest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then he pulled the bloodied dagger from Feng Bao’s body, wrapped it in a scrap of cloth, and held it out with both hands toward Empress Dowager Chen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This sudden act threw Empress Dowager Chen into panic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor stood motionless, facing death without fear—Empress Dowager Chen was stunned into silence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only Zhu Xizhong, outside the hall, held his breath, watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew the dagger in the Emperor’s hand was a blunt, bladeless weapon arranged in advance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though it could not wound, even a graze or bump would be his, Zhu Xizhong’s, crime!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even though the Emperor had ordered him to enter only if the Empress Dowager moved first—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had already resolved: if she showed any sign of picking up the dagger, he would rush in and pin her down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time seemed to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Feng Bao’s blood still dripped from the dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The solemn atmosphere reached its peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor, bare-chested, was testing the Empress Dowager’s limits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This act, like something from the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, left the parties involved utterly flustered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was not simple self-pity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the Emperor demonstrating in action to the Empress Dowager:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Either compromise and yield—or face open conflict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was no third option.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter what Empress Dowager Chen had planned—whether targeting the Chen family, retaliating against Li Empress Dowager, or merely tasting power—tonight, she must pass through the Emperor’s gauntlet.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Escalating conflict is also a negotiation tactic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun bowed his head, waiting for Empress Dowager Chen’s decision.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This choice would not decide his fate—but hers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whether she believed him or chose to accept this face-saving exit, he would never trouble her again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Conversely, if she refused this exit, he had no other choice but to let her waste away in grief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was also squeezing her options.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thus, she could only choose between compromise or killing her own son—quietly eliminating the possibility of suicide as revenge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time passed slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen took a deep breath and calmed herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She had witnessed the former emperor’s greed and lust, the heartless man who banished his lawful wife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, seeing this emperor risk himself to mend the rift between the two palaces, she felt it a marvel.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The emperor had shown her, through action, that if she wished to support Gao Gong and disrupt the inner palace, she would have to step over his corpse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a filial son indeed—forcing her this way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>How dare he?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Betting on her softness, that she hadn’t yet gone mad?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or was it genuine devotion, pure filial piety?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or… if she so much as moved, would he instantly loose an arrow that pierced her through?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One son, one mother—one kneeling, one standing—the scene nearly froze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one moved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun waited patiently; Empress Dowager Chen stared blankly, while Zhu Xixiao outside was the most anxious of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun heard Empress Dowager Chen’s voice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To force me, Your Majesty has certainly gone to great lengths.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun lifted his head and saw Empress Dowager Chen, eyes shut tight in pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She turned away and waved her hand, signaling the emperor to discard the dagger.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun tossed it carelessly outward, letting Zhu Xixiao retrieve it, then turned back and said: “My schemes are for the sake of this family.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Please, Mother, do not be angry. I shall surely serve and honor you henceforth.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The performance had gone far enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No faces were torn, all had a way to retreat—no obstacle to the real business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, for now, Empress Dowager Chen should not see outsiders; wait until the situation stabilizes, then truly honor her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen seemed drained of all strength, weary: “Where are Chen Hong and the others?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun showed no hesitation: “All have earned death—I have executed them all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The debt of the former emperor’s premature death from too many tiger-wolf medicines should be laid at Chen Hong’s door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing a few eunuchs who sought their own doom, and wiping clean all past debts—isn’t that a good thing?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen grew even weaker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She wished to rebuke the emperor, yet understood: such a threat to imperial authority, with the power to overturn the table, had spared her life—that was mercy enough; to speak of a few eunuchs was absurd.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But they had been her servants for years; her heart ached.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her face hollow, she waved her hand: “No need for attendants. Do whatever you must, Emperor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun did not answer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She appeared resigned to life or death—he could not simply abandon her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke softly: “Mother, wait a moment.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Zhu Yijun stepped out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen sank into self-pity, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not long after, the emperor’s voice sounded again: “Mother, look.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen turned her head and saw Zhang Hong cradling a girl of over a year old.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun spoke gently: “This is the sixth daughter of the late emperor, born to Imperial Concubine Wang—Zhu Yaoe. She is now one year and nine months.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“After Imperial Concubine Wang died in childbirth, she has been raised by Imperial Concubine Qin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Now that Mother has taken her rightful place as Empress of the Inner Palace, Empress of All Under Heaven, she should naturally be entrusted to you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen slowly walked forward, gazing at the infant in Zhang Hong’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She reached out and gently touched her twice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then turned to face the emperor squarely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This young emperor—she could no longer tell how much was feigned, how much true.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, she was beginning to fear her own son—this insight into human hearts, it was not human.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Was he afraid she would take her own life and threaten his throne?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Or simply saw her lonely and helpless, and gave her a daughter to care for?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She took Zhu Yaoe into her arms and asked absently: “Emperor, what is your true purpose tonight?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun met her gaze, respectfully: “Mother, I truly came for nothing else—to resolve your heart’s knot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yet since I am here, I recall one matter: the rewards at tomorrow’s Xuanzhimen ceremony had some errors; I must revise the edict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It only lacks your name added.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen suddenly understood: “You mean to dismiss Gao Gong!?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She knew perfectly well what she had done.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Precisely because she supported Gao Gong, he had suppressed both inner and outer factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only days passed, and now the emperor breaks into Ciqing Palace—surely, this is why.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Zhu Yijun shook his head: “Grand Secretary Gao is a three-generation elder, virtuous and esteemed, his merits immense—I would never dismiss him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His tone was deep, inscrutable: “I shall reward him handsomely.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen was startled, yet did not press further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For such matters now, she had lost all interest.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She nodded vaguely: “Give me the edict.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant she agreed to add her name.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun stood still, motionless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a pause, he slowly said: “No need to trouble Mother… I have already sent someone to fetch the imperial seals.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two remained wordless for a long while.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Finally, Zhu Yijun bowed respectfully: “Mother, I take my leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Dowager Chen merely held Zhu Yaoe, saying nothing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the emperor had withdrawn, she glanced at his back, and let out a bitter laugh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughing, she suddenly began to weep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun tilted his head, listening to the sounds within the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing faint, intermittent sobs, he finally relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crying was good—it released emotion, and she would not easily take her own life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he walked out, he felt a quiet reflection: this was likely the last time he would so feign youth before the two palaces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Zhang Juzheng shared his tacit understanding.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Empress Li could only rely on him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Yi regarded him as his true sovereign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The lecture officials saw him as a genius.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After tomorrow, when he expels Gao Gong and reorganizes the Grand Secretariat,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He will be, in the eyes of the two palaces, the court ministers, the noble families, and the eunuchs, the true and upright Son of Heaven!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Emperor is the Emperor!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao walked silently behind the emperor, suddenly noticing the emperor unconsciously rubbing his abdomen—then, finding nothing there, he clasped his hands behind his back, walking calmly, composed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This posture, he strangely felt, had transformed the emperor’s aura.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No longer a boy emperor—he resembled a ruler who had held supreme power for years!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still puzzling, he suddenly heard the emperor speak to him: “Zhu Qing, clean up before you leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Xixiao’s thoughts halted; he bowed and replied, “Yes,” then withdrew.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun then instructed Zhang Hong: “Go, find two cats and send them to Mother. Also, have the Chen family women visit her often.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong hurriedly replied: “I shall arrange it tomorrow.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As Zhu Yijun walked out, he seemed to remember something else: “For now, you personally attend to my mother. She has no one to serve her—she will be easily bullied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you need more staff, ask Li Jin.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Hong understood the implication: “I shall ensure the Empress Dowager suffers no indignity, nor shall anyone disturb her peace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun nodded.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he stepped out of Ciqing Palace, he saw Jiang Keqian waiting outside with the edict.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhu Yijun took it, glanced at it briefly—it bore the imperial and both palace seals—and returned it to Jiang Keqian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He ordered: “Let’s go. Rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He looked up at the fading white rainbow, murmuring: “Tomorrow will be busy.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>—\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should be Sanjiang on Sunday, up for subscription next week.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",4097,"2026-06-20T16:31:33.303Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","742a771d2d16a51f742c1c3417da5c07390796aab86736e8b31035b8d9cd704e","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-48","wanli-the-enlightened-emperor-chapter-46",375,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fwanli-the-enlightened-emperor-cover.jpg"]