After Emperor Chongzhao left,
Qu Dubian put on a token show of fussing for a bit before finally settling down. Placed on the imperial bed by Ye Banban, he didn't even whimper.
He was truly quite exhausted.
His cheap father hadn't slept all night, and neither had he, managing only fitful dozes at best.
However, judging from last night's events, his cheap father's tolerance for him was a bit higher than he had imagined. Even without much father-son affection cultivated since childhood, he was willing to personally care for him all night, out of consideration for his mother and his fever.
Qu Dubian carefully reviewed the events of the past two days.
He used the prank dream to make his cheap father anticipate his fever in advance, then used the missing note to provoke his guilt, and finally laid bare the fact of drug overdose and attempted poisoning.
Thus, his image shifted slightly from a mother-cursing cursed child to a victim whom someone wanted dead.
There was much to ponder in this transformation.
As a victim, when did the attempts on him begin?
The change in his cheap father's attitude was also because of this—perhaps, along with the influence of his maternal grandmother. He had overheard his grandmother's words last night, but wasn't entirely clear about the importance of his maternal grandparents in the emperor's heart.
Another key point was that fire.
He was being carried at the time and heard someone report to Emperor Chongzhao, faintly catching words about a great fire at the Astrological Bureau and a character for 'lie' burned into the ground.
Whether it was the work of the Astrological Bureau's political enemies, or people sent by his grandparents, or some other party secretly helping him, Qu Dubian sincerely felt that fire was a stroke of genius!
Though blunt and crude, when combined with everything else, the Astrological Bureau would undoubtedly bear the brunt of the emperor's suspicion.
After all, according to their claims, his so-called cursed influence was currently at its peak; if the emperor paid him attention, got too close, or was in close proximity, misfortunes would occur.
Now that he was residing in the Zichen Hall, closest to the emperor, greater disasters should be appearing throughout the palace. Yet, with the successive incidents, the emperor's fury, and the palace already under strict lockdown, any further moves would carry a greatly increased risk of being caught.
The inevitable outcome could only be that while he lived in the Zichen Hall, the palace remained calm.
He wondered how those who wished him harm would explain this, and how they would avoid this reckoning?
Before falling asleep, Imperial Physician Yang came to check his pulse once more.
Ye Banban's inquiring voice murmured softly by his ear.
"His Highness still feels feverish to the touch. When will his temperature finally go down..."
"Throughout the night, it's been fluctuating. We can only suppress it with medicine for now. The overdose he took earlier is affecting the absorption of subsequent medication. We must observe him closely."
Imperial Physician Yang replied one by one.
"If he pulls through safely, he'll be fine. But he must be nursed carefully from now on. The young prince's constitution is far weaker than children his age. However, it's not a permanent hindrance; it can be built up over the next few years..."
Qu Dubian relaxed his mind and gradually drifted off to sleep.
-
Qianji Palace.
The court officials, well-informed as ever, had more or less heard about last night's events.
Whatever schemes each one harbored, today they all behaved most obediently, fearful of provoking the already displeased emperor.
Emperor Chongzhao sat on the dragon throne, listening to the ministers' reports, but images of his youngest son's fever-flushed, weak face flashed in his mind.
Had he been crying nonstop since he left?
Emperor Chongzhao sighed.
The Minister of Works, who had finally reached the point of requesting funds from the Ministry of Revenue, was reciting his plans for the silver allocation. Hearing the sigh, he paused, "Your Majesty, did I say something incorrect?"
"No, continue."
Minister of Works: "...Yes."
Emperor Chongzhao frowned. The fever that had just subsided a little—could it have spiked again from crying in the short time he was away? Feeding him medicine was also so difficult, far more troublesome than with his older brothers and sisters.
He sighed again.
The Minister of Works thumped to his knees. "Your Majesty, I am loyal and devoted! I absolutely have no intention of embezzlement! Every coin, every fraction, will be used where it ought to be!"
Emperor Chongzhao: "..."
Before the minister could begin his lament, Emperor Chongzhao quickly said, "Minister, I did not mean that."
The Minister of Works's wail died in his throat. He patted his robes, stood up, and continued his report.
The other officials exchanged glances. All were shrewd; matters that weren't urgent were all withheld. The court session concluded half an hour earlier than usual.
After court, Emperor Chongzhao headed straight for the Zichen Hall.
At the palace gate, he saw Zhang Fanming kneeling. He looked utterly haggard, eyes bloodshot. Upon seeing Emperor Chongzhao, he shuffled forward on his knees. "Your Majesty! This subject has a matter to report!"
Although officials of the Astrological Bureau held rank, ancestral rules forbade them from attending court.
Eunuch Yu glanced sideways.
Tsk. This Bureau Chief has been kneeling here since last night. After so long in this cold, his knees are probably badly injured.
Emperor Chongzhao's steps didn't falter, as if unaware of his presence since the previous night. He tossed out a calm remark, "A coincidence. I also have questions for you."
Eastern Side Hall, Zichen Hall.
The attending palace servants were all dismissed. Only Eunuch Yu stood behind the desk like a transparent presence.
Zhang Fanming knelt in the center of the hall.
Emperor Chongzhao stood before a display rack, his fingers tracing a decorative curved blade.
"Minister Zhang, what do you have to say? The sudden great fire yesterday, the character left burned into the ground of the Astrological Bureau: 'Lie.' Tell me, what is the meaning of this character 'lie'?"
Zhang Fanming held his breath.
"I came precisely for this matter," he kowtowed properly. "I beg Your Majesty to investigate clearly. The Astrological Bureau has absolutely concealed nothing from Your Majesty, nor uttered any falsehood to Your Majesty!"
"The great fire last night was clearly set deliberately by someone to frame me, to place me in an unjust position."
"Oh? Who would frame you, and why?"
Zhang Fanming bowed his head. "I do not know."
"You do know. You merely refrain from saying. I know whom you suspect. But my youngest son—alone in the palace, a child just over two years old—who would help him? Who would have the audacity to burn the stone tablet of your Astrological Bureau?"
"I..."
Shhhh—
Cold light left its sheath. The icy blade pressed against Zhang Fanming's neck.
"I have had you watched for two years, ever since I moved Little Seven to the Ju'an Hall."
Zhang Fanming's heart seemed to stop, his pupils contracting sharply.
Emperor Chongzhao held the curved blade, looking down from above, his eyes frosty and severe. Zhang Fanming's throat seemed constricted, his fingertips instantly turning cold.
The air in the hall seemed to be sucked out all at once, a sense of suffocation pressing down. The hairs on Eunuch Yu's back stood on end.
"You know me. At the beginning of my reign, I killed many."
Zhang Fanming's body trembled slightly.
Emperor Chongzhao: "What was your involvement, if any, in the matter of Consort Yun back then? Was the prophecy that the child was a cursed seed true or false?"
He bent down, grabbed Zhang Fanming's collar, forcing him to meet his eyes, his voice low and rapid, faintly harboring a storm.
"I am aware of certain matters, Minister Zhang. If you have any hidden circumstances, speak them now. In consideration of your ancestors' merits, I will not punish you severely. Causing Consort Yun's death, slandering the prince, and now, even attempting to have the prince moved out of the imperial palace—what is your true intention?"
"Your Majesty!!" Zhang Fanming suddenly lunged forward, allowing the blade to graze the side of his neck. Blood gushed forth as he kowtowed heavily on the ground, instantly drawing blood from his forehead.
"The result of my divination back then was exactly as reported! I have never deceived Your Majesty!!"
His eyes brimmed with tears, his voice trembling. "Only the recent matter regarding having the young prince move to the detached palace was something I hesitated over and did not fully disclose. Beyond that, if there is a single lie, may I die without a burial place! I have served diligently and conscientiously, never imagining I would arouse Your Majesty's suspicion. Since it has come to this, I would rather prove my loyalty with my death!"
With these words, a look of grim determination rose in Zhang Fanming's eyes. He abruptly turned and charged towards a pillar in the hall!
With a thud! He collapsed to the floor.
Anyone who witnessed it would have to call it an act of fierce resolve.
The scent of blood spread through the hall. Emperor Chongzhao slowly straightened up and beckoned.
Eunuch Yu immediately hurried forward to check. Soon, he reported, "Your Majesty, he has lost consciousness. Imperial Physician Yang is right here. Shall I summon him?"
"Summon him."
Imperial Physician Yang arrived quickly. After applying two acupuncture needles, Zhang Fanming regained consciousness, his head throbbing with severe pain.
Emperor Chongzhao: "What you concealed from me, explain it clearly."
Zhang Fanming's head felt like it was splitting. After recovering for a while, he crawled wretchedly to the Emperor's feet. "It is true that the young prince's baleful influence is exceedingly strong, but moving to the detached palace is not the only solution. There is another method, but it conflicts with ritual propriety and is harmful to the state."
"Continue."
Zhang Fanming: "The position of the central palace can suppress evil influences. Posthumously conferring the title of Empress upon Consort Yun can resolve this situation. However, according to ritual propriety, a deceased consort who has a prince cannot be posthumously elevated to Empress. That is why I did not mention it."
"When you performed the divination, was anyone else present?"
"Only some newly appointed astrologers. I... I did not pay them particular heed!"
Upon hearing this, Emperor Chongzhao did not respond directly to his words. Instead, he threw the knife to the ground.
"Pick it up and place it back in its scabbard."
Gritting his teeth, Zhang Fanming trembled as he stood up. With both hands, he respectfully picked up the knife and returned it to the scabbard on the display rack.
"Zhang Fanming, Director of the Astrological Observatory, concealed information and failed to report, which is deemed deceiving the sovereign. He is to be rewarded with one hundred strokes of the cane and granted the privilege of walking the ten-step nail path."
Zhang Fanming knew in his heart that after one hundred strokes and walking ten steps on a path of nails—this 'reward' and 'grant'—his legs would likely be completely ruined. He closed his eyes deeply.
"I thank Your Majesty for your gracious rewards."
After he was dragged away for punishment, Emperor Chongzhao also had no desire to remain in the blood-tainted hall.
Eunuch Yu asked, "Your Majesty, should we still investigate the cause of the fire at the Astrological Observatory?"
"I tested him just now, you should have seen it," Emperor Chongzhao said.
"Your Majesty did not truly intend to kill Minister Zhang."
Emperor Chongzhao shook his head and instead asked, "How is the investigation by the Imperial Hospital proceeding?"
"There are some leads. It is still under investigation."
"Messages travel too fast, both inside and outside the palace," Emperor Chongzhao said. "Clear out a batch. Also, issue the order: all palace quarters are to strengthen patrols. If the mistakes of these past few days occur again, I will have their heads."
"Yes." Eunuch Yu slowly began to grasp the underlying meaning.
He had been mistaken earlier. His Majesty had clearly intended to kill that Minister Zhang. But Zhang Fanming, under the Emperor's suspicion, that decisive, life-risking act of his had instead crashed open a path to survival for himself. Had he shown the slightest hesitation, the consequence would likely have been far worse than merely losing half his life.
Throwing the knife to the ground was also His Majesty's way of reminding that Minister Zhang not to forget that the power of the Astrological Observatory comes from the Emperor.
What the Emperor can give, he can also take away.
-
Astrological Observatory.
Zhang Fanming lay prone on a bamboo plank, the lower half of his body covered in blood. The soles of his feet were pierced with small bloody holes from the nail path. Crimson blood dripped down through the gaps in the bamboo plank.
When they reached the observatory's stone tablet, he rasped, "Stop."
The two eunuchs carrying the plank halted. Zhang Fanming lifted his head to look at the tablet. The carved ancestral precepts were now blackened by fire, the inscribed characters only visible upon close inspection.
"Uncle, you do not look well."
Zhang Chansi approached, looking down at the miserable state of her blood relative.
She signaled the two young eunuchs to set Zhang Fanming down. After they left and there were no outsiders, she squatted down and sighed. "Uncle, how many more times must you read the Zhang family's ancestral precepts to remember them completely?"
Zhang Fanming coughed up a mouthful of blood, his tone self-mocking and sneering.
"Do you think these past few years of comfortable days you've had at the Astrological Observatory were brought by whom? Without me, the Astrological Observatory would still be a dispensable presence within the palace. Respect? Hah... who would show us respect? What kind of official is an official who doesn't even have the qualification to attend court?"
"The astrological families hold hereditary official posts, but descendants are not allowed to take the imperial examinations. They cannot climb higher. What difference is there from a cage? We are merely songbirds kept by the imperial family and nobility for their amusement. The Emperor can kill us as he wishes. Even if one of us dies mysteriously, the court wouldn't react. They might not even... know about it."
This time, he had gambled half his life to survive.
Zhang Fanming had been betting.
In that moment of quick thinking, he had falsely told the Emperor about the second solution of posthumously conferring Empress upon Consort Yun, and also that he hadn't avoided the newly appointed astrologers during his divination.
Thus, this information might reach other interested ears.
If the posthumous conferral succeeded, the Seventh Prince would, according to ancestral rites and laws, become half a legitimate heir. Under the ritual system passed down from previous dynasties, and given that the current Empress has no offspring, he would naturally possess a superior status.
There would absolutely be many people unwilling to see this happen.
Therefore, regarding the three consecutive fires and the recent events, His Majesty would, to some extent, suspect struggles for power and position.
Looking back now, Zhang Fanming still felt a deep sense of lingering fear.
His Majesty had actually had him watched for two full years before completely trusting him back then. When he heard those words earlier, it was like being seized by the neck by a fierce tiger, his hair standing on end. Fortunately... otherwise, he might not have had the chance to live until now.
He grabbed Zhang Chansi's robe.
"Good niece, have someone carry your uncle inside. Once your uncle is healed, the good days of the Astrological Observatory will remain."
A bloody fingerprint now stained the pale green hem of Zhang Chansi's robe. Her calm gaze held a trace of pity. "Since Uncle is unwell, you should rest and recuperate properly. I recall there is an vacant house in the family estate, most suitable for convalescence. If Uncle stays there for a period, you will surely recover."
Zhang Fanming was incredulous. "You... you intend to place me under house arrest?"
"No, you want to take advantage of this to replace me!"
Even though he had no feeling in his lower body, he felt as if he had fallen into an ice cellar. Staring at his niece's aloof and indifferent face, Zhang Fanming suddenly felt an overwhelming sense of absurdity.
Having narrowly escaped the tiger's mouth in the Purple Palace Hall, only to be stabbed in the back by a member of his own clan.
Zhang Chansi: "Uncle taught me that one must climb upward. Climbing upward is not wrong. Wanting power is not wrong either. But Uncle took the wrong path. The move you made is extremely inauspicious. Seizing this chance to withdraw might still leave a sliver of hope for survival. If you continue down this path, it will inevitably lead to the downfall of our entire family."
She slowly pulled her robe hem from his grasp.
"I am helping you, Uncle."
Zhang Fanming's hand struck the cold, hard ground unwillingly, smearing with the ashes left by the fire under the icy gaze of the stone tablet inscribed with the Directorate's admonition.
-
Zichen Hall.
Qu Dubian woke around nine o'clock.
Ye Xiaoyuan had been keeping watch by his side, occasionally touching his forehead to check his temperature.
Qu Dubian's fever was artificially induced; even after taking medicine, it would quickly flare up again. He raised his hand to touch the cooling cloth wrapped around ice on his head. "Ye Banban."
His voice was hoarse and small.
Qu Dubian felt relieved; at least it didn't sound like a little crow's caw anymore, it was a tiny bit more pleasant.
Remembering Imperial Physician Yang's warning about the fever potentially harming his young master's mind, Ye Xiaoyuan grew worried. Seeing Qu Dubian awake, he asked nervously, "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
Qu Dubian pointed to his head, then his throat, and finally his stomach, before grinning. "Hungry!" He sat up, wrapped his arms around Ye Xiaoyuan's neck, and hung onto him. "Food."
He wasn't in pain, just physically weakened and lacking strength from the ordeal. He acted lively to keep Ye Banban from worrying.
Ye Xiaoyuan was both amused and exasperated, and called for someone to prepare some food.
"Banban, where is this?" Qu Dubian knew he was in Zichen Hall, but others didn't know he knew. He looked around, feigning a child's curiosity.
"It's so big, so much bigger than Ju'an Hall."
He marvelled, touching the quilt, the bed curtains, and the bedposts.
Eunuch Bao brought up the food prepared by the palace attendants, which Ye Xiaoyuan had requested the night before, knowing Qu Dubian's tastes.
"Young Highness, this is His Majesty's residence, of course it's grand." Eunuch Bao said with a smile, placing the wooden tray of dishes on the small kang table by the window. He patted the brocade cushion on the kang. "Eunuch Xiaoyuan, bring His Highness here."
The hall was warm, the underfloor heating ample. Qu Dubian, wearing a thin padded jacket, was carried over by Ye Xiaoyuan.
A vase of yellow wintersweet on the small kang table emitted a faint, delicate fragrance.
Qu Dubian took a small bowl himself. His hands were too small to handle chopsticks easily, so he usually used a spoon for meals. Ye Xiaoyuan only occasionally helped him pick up some food.
"Why isn't Xiaochun here?"
"He's at the main kitchens. They are investigating the arson case there." Ye Xiaoyuan watched the young prince's expression, noting there wasn't much reaction upon hearing 'this is His Majesty's residence.'
He quietly filed this observation away.
The young prince left a note while ill, was missing all afternoon, all just to see His Majesty. Why was he so calm now?
Qu Dubian also thought of the Observatory fire. Taking a bite of a soup dumpling, he said, "Xiaochun is so obedient, it's obvious he had nothing to do with it. Ye Banban, tell him to come back soon." His throat was still swollen, making swallowing difficult.
Ye Xiaoyuan replied calmly, "Yes, what Your Highness says is correct."
Master and servant chatted intermittently, a picture of harmony.
Emperor Chongzhao paused behind the screen, lost in thought, and did not enter immediately.
It was Eunuch Bao who noticed him, snapping out of his absorbed state of watching the adorable young prince eat, and hurried to greet him. "Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao hesitated a moment, then stepped inside, his gaze fixed directly on Qu Dubian dining by the window.
The child's cheeks were puffed out, still chewing. His eyes were clear and bright, bearing a ninety percent resemblance to his mother. His little face was thin, making him look like an undernourished, shrivelled bun sitting there.
It was hard to believe this was the same clingy child from last night when he was ill, who couldn't bear to be apart from him for a moment.
Emperor Chongzhao thought to himself that when the child came to cling to him later, he would have to say a few words. The relationship between imperial father and son couldn't be the same as that of common folk.
Qu Dubian, still holding a crystal shrimp dumpling, slowed his chewing.
Ye Xiaoyuan bowed. "Your humble servant pays respects to Your Majesty."
Emperor Chongzhao cleared his throat. "Hmm."
The young child before the table finally moved. He swallowed the food in his mouth, his clear eyes revealing a hint of the intelligence Grand Tutor Fang had mentioned.
Qu Dubian looked at him like that for several seconds.
Then he spoke. "I pay my respects to Your Majesty."
It was 'Your Majesty,' not 'Imperial Father.'
Just like that night when he reached out for an embrace, the unspoken 'Imperial Father' would never again be uttered lightly. There was none of the hope and anticipation from their first meeting, only a quiet stillness.
Qu Dubian gently hid the hand holding the crystal dumpling behind his back.
Even his sitting posture became somewhat cautious, as if he were in a stranger's home. He explained quietly, "I was hungry, that's why I'm eating here. I won't..."
The child paused slightly, his voice lowering.
"I won't leave... anything unpleasant here."
