When word reached the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Emperor Shunyuan trembled with rage. He nearly failed to catch his breath as he slammed a hand against the dragon throne and sternly ordered that Shen Chen and Consort Yi be brought before him.
The talismans and wooden sword from the ritual altar outside the palace, along with the bronze basin inside the palace containing hair and pieces of clothing, were all presented as evidence.
Emperor Shunyuan swept his gaze over those occult objects and thundered, “Resorting to such heretical practices to harm the Crown Prince—what do you mother and son have to say for yourselves?”
Consort Yi was terrified out of her wits. Scrambling forward on her hands and knees, she threw herself at Emperor Shunyuan’s feet, clutching desperately at his leg as she wailed, “Your Majesty! I have been wronged! The Crown Prince is perfectly safe and unharmed. You cannot condemn me merely on my sister’s one-sided accusation!”
Jun Mulan stepped forward, her teeth clenched in fury. “If I had not discovered it in time, you would already have succeeded—and you still dare deny it!”
Consort Yi immediately turned to Jun Mulan with a wounded, resentful expression. Then she raised her hands, covered in fine scars, for Emperor Shunyuan to see. “Your Majesty, look! These past days, I have embroidered shoes for my sister every day and sewn court robes for the Crown Prince. My hands have been rubbed raw. I only wished to mend our relationship sincerely. Why will Sister not trust me?”
“You merely used the chance to get close to steal the Crown Prince’s clothing and hair, then colluded with a sorcerer to perform these rites!” Jun Mulan exposed her without mercy.
Shen Zheng stood to one side, his expression composed. “When the Military Patrol Bureau discovered the ritual altar, the sorcerer had already fled in panic. This son has ordered a citywide search. Once he is captured, the truth will naturally come to light.”
Consort Yi’s face went deathly pale. She looked as though she could no longer hold herself together.
But Shen Chen suddenly knocked his head heavily against the floor, each blow landing with a resounding thud. His face flushed red as he cried, “Father Emperor! Your son confesses! Mother was indeed performing a ritual—but she never intended to harm the Crown Prince!”
Consort Yi froze, staring at Shen Chen in disbelief.
Shen Chen continued his defense. “Mother has a distant cousin in Nanzhou. That cousin has a daughter, now of marriageable age. She is obsessed with chess, and ever since she witnessed the Meng School’s techniques, she has greatly admired the Crown Prince and has long wished to serve at his side. Though the Crown Prince has yet to take a wife, how could the daughter of a wealthy Nanzhou household possibly hope to marry him? So she came to Mother for help.”
Shen Chen paused. A complete story had already taken shape in his mind.
“Mother was merely swayed by selfish concerns. She feared that, once the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he might treat Mother and me coldly. She wished to secure some measure of safety through this marriage. And seeing that even a beautiful foreign woman like Mingzhu had failed to move the Crown Prince’s heart, she became desperate and grasped at a folk remedy. She took the Crown Prince’s clothing and hair, intending to burn them together with those of that girl, hoping only to bring about a marriage match.”
“Mother is foolish and ignorant, but she only hoped her niece might find a good home; she hoped that, amid the Crown Prince’s busy duties, someone considerate might care for him; she hoped that Mother and I might live in peace in the future... Father Emperor, I beg you to show mercy and forgive Mother this once!”
As though waking from a dream, Consort Yi hurriedly kowtowed and echoed him. “Yes! Your Majesty, that was exactly my intention! The clothes had not yet been burned when Sister discovered us. Nothing has actually happened. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness!”
Listening to this lie riddled with holes, Shen Zheng laughed instead.
What sort of person was Shen Chen, after all?
He had no real brilliance, only an endless supply of petty cleverness—like a shameless, wretched rogue. He could never stir up any great trouble, but every now and then, he still managed to disgust people.
He knew perfectly well that although Shen Chen appeared to be arguing his way out of guilt, he was actually trying to provoke Emperor Shunyuan into choosing a consort for him, hoping to drive a wedge between him and Wen Zhuo.
Shen Chen had once refused to believe that Wen Zhuo could turn the tide and determine the Crown Prince. Now, he believed it more than anyone: if Wen Zhuo were eliminated, the position of heir would return to him.
Shen Zheng spoke calmly. “Father, setting aside whether Sixth Brother’s claims are true or false, the very act itself is already a monstrous crime.”
“They dared to use sorcery to manipulate Your Majesty’s marriage. Who can say they have never used sorcery to manipulate Your Majesty’s will in the past?” Shen Zheng lifted his eyes, his gaze heavy as he looked toward Emperor Shunyuan. “Father, think carefully. In all these years, have you ever had clothing or strands of hair mysteriously go missing?”
At these words, Emperor Shunyuan’s entire body shuddered, and his expression changed drastically.
Of all things, an emperor most dreaded having his mind manipulated by sorcery and his decisions influenced by others. No matter how mysterious or absurd the matter might sound, it could never be treated lightly.
Shen Chen hurriedly kowtowed and protested hoarsely, “I absolutely had no such intention! Why is the Crown Prince making wild accusations and saddling me with such a grave crime?”
Shen Chen lowered his eyes and shot him a glance, his voice cold and deep. “In your eyes, setting up a private altar and attempting to manipulate the Crown Prince is nothing more than a trivial matter. It is clear that you have long since become stubborn and beyond reason!”
Cold sweat poured down Shen Chen’s forehead. He knew he had brought this disaster upon himself, yet he still struggled desperately. “Crown Prince, do not twist my words! Mother merely sought a marriage match. She never had the slightest intention of harming you. Talismans and spells only work if one believes in them—if one does not, they do not. Why must you hound us so relentlessly?”
“Shut your mouth!” Emperor Shunyuan roared, his fury shooting to the heavens. “You put your faith in an evil charlatan and plotted against the Crown Prince, yet you still dare claim innocence!”
In his younger years, Emperor Shunyuan had also sought immortals and consulted Daoist masters. He knew all too well the sinister and devious nature of folk sorcery. He also understood even more clearly that before imperial power, the bonds between flesh and blood were as thin as paper. Shen Chen was absolutely not as innocent as he claimed.
“Guards! Strip Consort Yi of her title and reduce her to a commoner. Send her to the Cold Palace, where she is never to leave the palace for the rest of her life! Shen Chen has shown contempt for his sovereign and harbors malicious intentions. Confine him to the rear quarters for three months and have him reflect on his actions behind closed doors, as a warning to others!”
“Your Majesty! This concubine knows she was wrong. I beg Your Majesty for mercy—please do not abandon me!” Consort Yi’s tears fell like rain. She lunged toward Emperor Shunyuan like a madwoman, only to be held fast by two young eunuchs gripping her arms.
Her shrill wails gradually faded amid the thick palace walls.
Shen Chen stood frozen in place, his eyes filled with panic.
Now that he no longer had Gong Jinjin managing matters in the harem, nor Gong Zhiyuan and Xie Langyang maneuvering on his behalf in the court, he was entirely alone. Returning to the rear quarters this time, with no one to care for him and no one to pull strings on his behalf, his situation would be a hundred times more miserable than before.
He crawled forward on his knees for several steps and clutched the hem of Emperor Shunyuan’s robe with all his strength. His voice trembled so badly that it was nearly unintelligible. “Father! I don’t want to go back to the rear quarters! I truly did not harm the Crown Prince. I beg you to investigate the matter clearly!”
“Would you rather go straight to Fengyang Terrace and wait to die?” Emperor Shunyuan said grimly.
Shen Chen gave a violent shudder and collapsed limply to the floor. His lips trembled, but he no longer dared utter another word.
After Shen Chen was taken away by the guards, Emperor Shunyuan’s murderous fury had yet to subside. Suddenly, his chest churned violently. His rage had risen to his heart, and he could no longer suppress it. He abruptly turned his head and spat a mouthful of blood onto his dragon robe.
The hall instantly descended into chaos. The palace servants and eunuchs were thrown into a panic, at a complete loss. Some rushed forward to support him and help him catch his breath; others knelt to offer water; still others gently pounded his back and massaged his chest. They crowded tightly around the emperor, who had slumped against the head of the bed.
Before long, the imperial physician came running in, sweat beading his brow. Without even stopping to pay his respects, he immediately drew out his silver needles and stabilized Emperor Shunyuan’s breathing.
The small imperial kitchen spent the night brewing the strongest restorative medicine, infused with slices of aged ginseng. They pried open the emperor’s teeth and forcibly poured it down his throat.
After a night of utter turmoil, Emperor Shunyuan was finally dragged back from the brink of death shortly before dawn. Slowly, he opened his eyes.
This brush with death, however, finally forced Emperor Shunyuan to see reality clearly.
No matter how unwilling he was to admit it, his body had long since run out of strength. He did not have much time left.
Before life and death, an emperor’s pride was no more than a brittle thing. Lying upon the dragon bed and staring at the patterns on the canopy above, he found himself recalling one line from Shen Chen’s words—
“The Crown Prince was unmoved even by a foreign beauty as exquisite as Mingzhu.”
To ensure the future stability of the realm, to keep the maternal relatives in check, and to leave no lingering concerns within the inner palace, he had to arrange a suitable marriage for Shen Zheng.
Suitable—not beloved.
Only at this moment in his life did he finally understand the painstaking intentions of the late Emperor Kangzhen.
Lady Liu had been sharp-tongued, difficult, and harsh throughout her life, and had irritated him beyond measure. Yet in the early days of his reign, the Liu family had rendered tremendous service in stabilizing the court and counterbalancing the meritorious nobles.
Royal marriages had never been about love. They were only ever about political calculation.
Once he had made up his mind, Emperor Shunyuan, despite his weakened state, first ordered an attendant to inquire after the whereabouts of the Tatar Jewel. He wished to see whether the woman had been placed in the Eastern Palace to attend to the Crown Prince’s daily needs.
The attendant’s report was that Noble Consort Liang had indeed assigned Mingzhu to train horses in the Southern Grounds. She was doing exceptionally well and had earned the praise of the Imperial Guard from top to bottom.
Emperor Shunyuan: “...”
He remained silent for a long while. Shen Zheng was already twenty-one years old; as the dignified heir to the throne, he did not even have a single concubine at his side. It was truly indefensible.
“Liu Quan,” Emperor Shunyuan called hoarsely.
“This servant is here.”
“Draft a list. Include every eligible girl between thirteen and eighteen from the households of all capital officials ranked fifth grade and above—provided her family background is respectable and she has no blemish on her record.” Emperor Shunyuan paused, then added, “Pay particular attention to the offices held by her father and brothers, and to the strength of her family. There is no need to be overly demanding about looks or talents.”
Liu Quan understood at once. He promptly bowed and withdrew, dispatching people that very night to investigate and compile the information.
In less than a day, a list containing the names and family backgrounds of more than thirty young women was presented to him.
Forcing himself upright, Emperor Shunyuan put on his reading glasses and ran his finger down the list, examining each entry one by one.
He crossed out those whose families were too powerful, lest they become a future threat, and those whose foundations were too weak to offer meaningful support. In the end, he selected five.
“Send the names of these five women to Jingren Palace and let Noble Consort Liang review them. Ask what she thinks.” Emperor Shunyuan handed the list back to Liu Quan.
Before long, Liu Quan returned with Jun Mulan’s reply.
“Her Highness says that His Majesty has a discerning eye, and that those he has chosen must all be exceptional young women. She has no objections. However, Her Highness also says that the Crown Prince has been accustomed to the constraints of palace rules since childhood. For a marriage to last, both parties must be willing and the couple must live in harmony; it must never be forced. As for His Highness’s preferences, he favors a woman of peerless beauty and outstanding talent. She need not be gentle and meek—instead, one with an independent spirit, distinctive character, and exceptional nature would be the better choice.”
Emperor Shunyuan paused slightly upon hearing this.
He understood the hidden meaning in Jun Mulan’s words: she was blaming him for having forcibly brought her into the harem years ago in order to check Marquis Yongning’s power, ruining the free life she should have had.
A trace of guilt passed through his heart. Emperor Shunyuan closed his eyes. “I understand. Summon Gu Weizhi to see me first.”
Gu Weizhi’s niece was the daughter of the Assistant Prefect of Bozhou. Her father was upright and incorruptible, and her family had little influence, but she was deeply trusted by the Crown Prince, which made her a reassuring choice.
Upon receiving the summons, Gu Weizhi hurried into the palace. In response to Emperor Shunyuan’s gentle inquiries, his expression grew solemn.
“Your Majesty’s gracious favor overwhelms this subject with gratitude. However, my niece became betrothed three years ago to a water-conservancy official from Qianzhou. Both families approved of the match, and the young couple grew up together as childhood sweethearts. They have long since pledged themselves to one another. His Highness the Crown Prince is a dragon among men, while my niece is as plain as a willow—she is truly unworthy of him. We would never dare break our promise and betray the engagement, sullying the reputation of the Eastern Palace.”
Emperor Shunyuan’s brows drew together. Though a water-conservancy official held a low rank, he was a practical and capable civil servant, and the marriage between the two families was perfectly reasonable. What a disappointment.
He had no choice but wave his hand. “Very well. Since she was betrothed first, we will not force the matter.”
Next, Xue Chongnian was summoned. He wore an even more troubled expression and shook his head repeatedly.
“Your Majesty, you do not know my little cousin’s temperament. She is stubborn and cares for nothing but the writings of the sages. Six months ago, she met a jinshi from a poor family, and the two fell deeply in love. My cousin insists that she will marry no one else. Her parents love their daughter dearly and have already tacitly approved the match. We truly dare not go against her wishes and ruin His Highness the Crown Prince’s prospects.”
Unwilling to give up, Emperor Shunyuan successively summoned the Minister of War and the commander of the frontier forces.
“Your Majesty, my daughter is unruly by nature. She spends all day practicing with blades and has none of the refinement expected of a proper young lady. Besides, she already has someone in her heart. She is unfit to become the Crown Princess.”
“Your Majesty, my daughter was raised on the frontier. She is rough and uneducated, knowing only how to ride and shoot. She has no desire to be confined within palace walls. I beg Your Majesty to choose another virtuous lady.”
Not one of the five carefully selected candidates had worked out!
Their reasons were all perfectly respectable: some were already betrothed, some had someone they loved, some were incompatible in temperament, and some cherished their freedom. It was almost as though becoming the most honored woman under Heaven meant entering a den of dragons and tigers rather than receiving an incomparable honor!
Emperor Shunyuan’s chest tightened with frustration. He abruptly flung the list to the ground.
“Choose another five from the remaining names and send them to Jingren Palace at once!”
Liu Quan did not dare delay. He hurriedly picked up the list, selected another five candidates, and sent their names over.
Yet Jun Mulan’s reply remained unchanged:
“Those chosen by His Majesty are all excellent matches. This consort has no objections. I only ask that no one be forced into anything against her will.”
Once again, Emperor Shunyuan summoned several ministers whose names appeared on the new list. The outcome was no different.
Some claimed their daughters were frail and unequal to the duties of mistress of the Eastern Palace. Others said their daughters had long since been promised in marriage, though the news had not yet been made public. A few simply declared that they had consulted a fortune-teller, who said their daughters’ destinies were incompatible with entering the palace.
Emperor Shunyuan’s head buzzed with fury. “I am giving them the chance to rise by marriage into the imperial family—what do they all mean by this? Is the imperial house some sort of dreadful beast?”
The palace attendants were so frightened that they all fell to their knees.
After venting his anger, Emperor Shunyuan collapsed wearily onto the imperial couch and let out a long sigh.
Since the founding of the dynasty, there had never been a case of an official unwilling to marry his daughter to the Crown Prince. The matter struck him as deeply strange.
His thin, withered fingers rubbed absently over his sleeve. Then he suddenly asked, “Chief Steward, do you think there is something suspicious about this?”
Liu Quan stood with his head bowed beside the couch. “Your Majesty is benevolent and gracious, unwilling to force anyone against their wishes. That is why the officials dare to speak their minds. In this servant’s humble opinion, His Highness the Crown Prince is peerless in bearing and possessed of both talent and virtue. Why should he worry over finding a suitable match? The time has simply not yet come. Your Majesty need only wait in peace.”
The flattering words only made Emperor Shunyuan more irritable. “How can I afford to wait? Whenever I faced a difficult matter in the past, I would discuss it with Wanshan. He could always cut straight to the heart of it with a single remark. But alas...”
Alas, in the case involving “Ode to Wanshan,” he had believed Gong Zhiyuan’s slander, replaced the presiding investigator, and permitted the use of torture on those implicated in the case. In the end, he had chilled Wen Zhuo’s heart.
Since then, Wen Zhuo had remained courteous and respectful toward him, and had accepted his appointment as one of the Crown Prince’s Three Tutors. Yet he was no longer as carefree and unrestrained as before, nor would he playfully pester him for rewards or remain close to him.
“Your Majesty?” Liu Quan called softly when he saw him lost in thought.
Emperor Shunyuan came back to himself. “Never mind. Issue an edict at once. Summon Wen Zhuo to the palace.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
The message made its way to the Wen residence. After a brief consideration, Wen Zhuo said to the eunuch who had delivered it, “Please wait a moment, Eunuch. I will change into my official robes and accompany you to the palace.”
“Thank you, Chief Academician.”
Wen Zhuo turned back toward the bedchamber. The person on the couch had already reached out for him, and he obligingly bent down, only for Shen Zheng’s arms to wrap firmly around his waist and pull him into an embrace.
“I would guess Father has summoned you over the matter of choosing a Crown Princess,” Shen Zheng said, amusement in his voice.
Wen Zhuo turned his head, his eyes gleaming as he arched a brow. “Isn’t it because Your Highness threatened every official in the court?”
Shen Zheng looked perfectly unabashed. His fingertips stroked Wen Zhuo’s waist. “Yes. I have threatened every official in court—except my teacher.”
A smile curved Wen Zhuo’s lips, and his affectionate eyes narrowed into crescents. “Then why not threaten me, Your Highness? Tell me not to offer His Majesty any advice, or help you select a proper and suitable Crown Princess.”
Shen Zheng lowered his head and captured his lips. After lingering over the kiss for a moment, he smiled. “I have already chosen my Crown Princess. More than that, we have privately pledged ourselves to each other. He still bears my marks on his body. If Teacher has a way, then have Father prepare my betrothal gifts as soon as possible.”
“Oh? Which family’s Crown Princess is so unconstrained by propriety that he let you leave marks on him before the wedding?” Wen Zhuo narrowed his eyes slightly, looking thoroughly satisfied from the kiss.
“I formally proposed to him, and he accepted with his own lips.” Shen Zheng pulled Wen Zhuo onto his lap, then gently tugged loose the ties of his everyday robe.
Wen Zhuo’s clothes gradually loosened, his breathing growing uneven as he murmured, “Have you no shame?”
“Is it I who have no shame, or he?” Shen Zheng pressed his forehead against Wen Zhuo’s, his voice laced with suggestive warmth.
“Both.” Wen Zhuo’s breathing quickened further. His eyes, shimmering like autumn waters, gazed fixedly at Shen Zheng.
“You may say that about me, but not about him.” Shen Zheng smiled indulgently. “He often pretends not to care about his reputation, when in fact he values it more than anyone.”
Wen Zhuo immediately straightened his neck and frowned in protest. “When have I ever?”
“My teacher is as radiant and pure as the moon, with wisdom reaching the highest depths. Naturally, you do not care.” Shen Zheng readily conceded, then smoothly changed tack. “I was speaking of my sweet-loving, proud and pampered Crown Princess—so often saying one thing while meaning another, sensitive yet stubborn.”
The tips of Wen Zhuo’s ears grew faintly warm. He rose, shook out his loosened robe, and turned toward the official robes hanging on the clothes rack. “Your Highness’s words are unfair. I will not argue with you.”
“When you come back tonight, do you want savory tofu pudding or sweet tofu pudding?” Shen Zheng called after him.
Wen Zhuo swiftly wrapped himself in his official robe and fastened his jade belt. As he reached the doorway, he tossed back lightly, “Naturally, sweet.”
Upon arriving at the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Wen Zhuo assumed a solemn, proper expression, lifted the hem of his robe, and knelt to offer his formal greeting. “Your Majesty, your subject Wen Zhuo pays his respects.”
Emperor Shunyuan raised a hand. The young eunuch beside him immediately brought over a low stool.
“Rise and sit. I have an important matter to discuss with you.”
Wen Zhuo straightened his official robe and sat with impeccable decorum. He inclined himself slightly, adopting a posture of attentive listening. “Your Majesty, please speak.”
Emperor Shunyuan’s gaze swept over his distant, courteous movements, and a pang of bitterness stirred in his heart.
Suppressing the melancholy within him, he pretended not to notice and gave a light cough before getting to the point. “The Crown Prince has already passed the age of twenty. In the past, when he was in Nanping, I neglected him in many ways. Now that the situation has gradually stabilized, it is time to choose a Crown Princess for him. In your opinion, which family’s daughter would be the most suitable?”
When he finished, Emperor Shunyuan fixed his eyes intently on Wen Zhuo’s face, watching his reaction with great concern.
Xie Langyang’s blood letter had left him deeply unsettled, after all.
Wen Zhuo remained composed. Just then, Liu Quan approached carrying a cup of Songluo tea. Wen Zhuo accepted it with both hands and gently set it on the small table beside him. After a moment of thought, he said, “Strictly speaking, as an outsider official, I should not presume to comment on the Eastern Palace’s marriage. However, as the Crown Prince’s tutor, perhaps I may offer a few humble observations.”
“There is no need to stand on ceremony. Say whatever you think.”
Wen Zhuo spoke unhurriedly. “What Your Majesty has in mind is surely that her family background must be neither too powerful nor too humble; her appearance need not be breathtaking, but she must not be mediocre either; her temperament must be neither too forceful nor too weak and lacking in resolve; and her abilities need not be extraordinary, but she must not be dull or incompetent.”
Emperor Shunyuan felt that these words had pierced straight into his heart. His chest suddenly felt much lighter. “Exactly!”
Wen Zhuo nodded. “His Majesty is wary because the Cao and Liu clans once grew too powerful as imperial in-laws, leaving him with lingering fears. That is why he wishes to choose someone who would be wholly beneficial to the Crown Prince, yet pose not the slightest threat. But His Majesty wants her to keep her place while also treating her relatives with severity—in other words, he wants the horse to run without giving it any carrots. Naturally, the officials have rejected the idea in every possible way. None of them is willing to send his daughter into a situation with no benefits to be gained.”
Emperor Shunyuan fell silent.
He rubbed his brow, still doubtful. “Even so, that seems far too far-fetched. Among all the officials, is there truly not a single one willing to gamble on the empty title of Empress?”
Wen Zhuo rested both hands lightly on his knees, his expression frank and composed. “That, I have no way of knowing.”
Emperor Shunyuan changed tack, his gaze probing. “Has the Crown Prince ever mentioned which young lady he favors?”
“I don’t know.” Wen Zhuo shook his head, the toe of his boot scuffing back and forth against the floor and brushing a small fan-shaped patch clean.
“I hear the Crown Prince favors those of unparalleled beauty and extraordinary talent.”
Wen Zhuo carefully smoothed the edge of his robe. “That is only human nature.”
“Hmph. If there is no exaggeration in that description, then he is looking for someone with the talent of the top scholar. Where is he supposed to find such a person?”
Wen Zhuo toyed with the small folding fan at his waist. “…I don’t know.”
“He also favors those with a distinctive bearing and an exceptional temperament!” Emperor Shunyuan grew more and more troubled. In the end, he simply reclined on the imperial couch. “I want him to find a Crown Princess, not a chief minister!”
Wen Zhuo’s eyes lowered: eyes to nose, nose to mouth, mouth to heart. “The Crown Prince devotes himself wholeheartedly to the realm, carrying out his duties with all his heart.”
“I think he is simply too devoted! His heart and eyes are filled with nothing but state affairs. He completely neglects himself, to the point that he has no time left even for thoughts of a household!”
Wen Zhuo pressed his palm lightly against his thigh through the official robes.
Shen Zheng had kissed and bitten this very spot again and again. The marks had taken days to fade. Clearly, he had plenty of thoughts concerning his household.
“His Majesty is quite right.”
“Wanshan, you have always been quick-witted and silver-tongued. How is it that even you have run out of clever words and have no solution today?” There was unmistakable disappointment in Emperor Shunyuan’s voice.
