Chapter 52

The capital was, as usual, shrouded in gloomy rain.

Within the resplendent imperial palace of vermilion and gold, Chancellor Meng descended from his carriage with the support of a household servant. Grand Eunuch Huang opened a plain umbrella and walked to his side, holding it over him as the two proceeded shoulder to shoulder towards the main hall of the Inner Court.

No sooner had they reached the hall than a young eunuch hurried forward. Lowering his right hand, stepping half a pace forward with his left leg, and dropping his right knee to the ground, he inclined his upper body slightly and reported, “Chancellor Meng, His Majesty has moved to the Western Garden.”

Security around the Western Garden far exceeded that of the Inner Court’s main hall.

Smiling, Grand Eunuch Huang dismissed the young eunuch. “Chancellor, you’ll have to trouble your legs a little more.”

Chancellor Meng nodded and turned with him towards the Western Garden.

This was not the first time he had come to the main hall only to discover that the Emperor had already moved elsewhere. The last time had been only a few days ago, when the Emperor had pulled exactly the same trick.

Upon arriving at the Western Garden and being announced, they were granted entry.

Inside the bedchamber, the Emperor reclined upon his couch, attended by an imperial physician.

The Emperor was forty-seven this year, an age that could be somewhat dangerous. His hair hung loose, his eyes were slightly sunken, his cheeks hollow, and his complexion yellowish. He wore a yellow under-robe tinged with red. His colour had already been poor, and the robe only made him appear even more unwell, as though he might pass away at any moment.

The moment he saw Chancellor Meng, he began urgently beckoning to him before the latter could even complete his salute.

“One day apart feels like three years, Chancellor.”

Chancellor Meng walked to the bedside and, seizing a pause before the Emperor continued speaking, quickly completed his salute.

“Your Majesty,” he said.

The Emperor sat upright. Grand Eunuch Huang ushered the imperial physician out.

Grasping Chancellor Meng’s hand firmly, the Emperor spoke with heartfelt sincerity. “Now that I’ve seen you, Chancellor, I can finally set my mind at ease.”

Chancellor Meng replied, “Your Majesty is the ruler of the realm. Everyone wishes for your health and well-being. Please do not dwell on such thoughts and instead focus on recovering.”

The Emperor let out a cold laugh.

“Everyone wishes me well? My fine sons have all formed factions and private alliances. Every one of them is waiting for me to die early! As for the women of the harem, the less said about them the better. The officials of the court, apart from you, Chancellor, all harbour ulterior motives. I merely suggested expanding a few residences for my sisters and daughters, and they reacted as though I were taking their lives. They leapt up and down objecting, especially the Minister of Revenue. He actually dared challenge me openly!”

Slapping the bed, he continued,

“If you hadn’t persuaded me otherwise, Chancellor, I’d have had his head removed! Is it really such a major matter? It’s only the expansion of two or three residences. It’s not as though I intended some grand construction project that would exhaust the people and drain the treasury. What’s the point of being Emperor? I’m constrained at every turn and surrounded by enemies on all sides!”

“Your Majesty still has me,” said Chancellor Meng.

As he spoke, he poured a cup of warm water and handed it over.

The Emperor drank it, his mood easing somewhat. “Chancellor, I’m fortunate to have you. Sit down. Don’t remain standing. You’re not young anymore either.”

Chancellor Meng drew over a chair and sat beside him.

“Your Majesty, the whole realm belongs to you. Besides myself, you have many capable people, some already discovered and others yet to be discovered. For example, His Highness the Crown Prince.”

“The Crown Prince?” The Emperor snorted. “He’s acceptable, more or less. At least he’s filial. If only…” He paused, sorrow appearing on his face. “If only the eldest were still alive. Yet he died a few years ago. An old man forced to bury his own son.”

Chancellor Meng rose. “Your Majesty, please restrain your grief.”

He then reported several important matters from recent days, together with his own views and proposed solutions.

After listening with satisfaction for a while, the Emperor said,

“Judging by the route and the dates, Ziyu should have returned to the capital by now.”

Chancellor Meng replied, “This minister has yet to receive any news of His Highness’s return. Presumably something has delayed him on the road.”

The Emperor frowned.

“Send someone to hurry him along. Since nothing is wrong, he should return sooner rather than later! There are countless matters in court requiring attention. As Crown Prince, instead of sharing my burdens, he’s lingering among the common people and indulging himself. It’s utterly improper!”

Seeing the dark expression on the Emperor’s face, Chancellor Meng simply replied, “Yes, Your Majesty.”

The two spoke for a while longer. Eventually the Emperor grew tired.

Chancellor Meng remained seated nearby, keeping watch until the Emperor had fallen asleep before quietly withdrawing. By then, night had already fallen.

Chancellor Meng was assigned quarters within the Western Garden.

The following morning, he dragged himself out of bed and attended the morning court session. The Emperor’s health was poor, and formal audiences were rare. Unless major matters arose, court would usually be dismissed quickly.

Afterwards, the chief ministers would present a selected portion of memorials for imperial review. Most of these memorials contained positive news: auspicious omens appearing in various regions, trade arrangements with foreign states, reports of bandits being suppressed, and similar matters.

Ordinarily, the Emperor would never attend court the day after being ill. Who knew what trouble he intended to stir up this time?

Pondering the matter, Chancellor Meng entered the audience hall, exchanged greetings with the other two chief ministers, and took his place.

The Emperor looked somewhat improved.

After confirming that there were no pressing matters, he ordered the Ministry of Works to construct a Heaven-Reaching Tower. The reason soon became clear.

The previous night he had dreamed of an immortal maiden who intended to take him to the Heavenly Palace to cure his illness. Unfortunately, because he lacked a tower capable of reaching the heavens, they had only made it halfway before the immortal maiden regretfully returned him to the mortal world.

The entire court exploded into uproar.

How enormous would such a tower have to be? How much money and labour would it consume? And what exactly constituted a tower capable of reaching heaven?

Yet before anyone could object, the Emperor struck the desk decisively, settled the matter by imperial decree, declared court dismissed, and stormed away in anger.

The assembled officials watched his departing figure, their thoughts churning.

Led by the Ministers of Revenue and Works, a crowd soon gathered around the chief ministers, hoping they would persuade His Majesty to abandon the idea.

The Ministers Zhao and Sun exchanged glances and smiled. “Surely this is a matter for Chancellor Meng. Chancellor Meng enjoys His Majesty’s favour.”

Chancellor Meng offered no response. Instead, he returned to the Secretariat and continued handling routine affairs.

That afternoon, a servant arrived with news from home. Meng Xuan had been injured.

Chancellor Meng immediately returned to his residence. Upon arriving, he summoned his eldest son, Meng Ji, and asked what had happened.

It was already early shen hour in the final days of autumn, and most officials had finished work for the day.

Meng Ji replied, “Little Brother’s personal attendants sent a message by carrier pigeon. They encountered heavy rain near the capital and were unable to continue travelling, so they sought shelter at a nearby post station. Unexpectedly, a criminal infiltrated the station. The man possessed formidable martial skills. Fortunately, the lady accompanying His Highness brought people to assist. Although Little Brother was wounded, his injuries are not severe. Several of his attendants were also injured, and two were badly hurt. His Highness even gave up some of his own medicine, which at least prevented them from dying.”

Chancellor Meng drew a deep breath. “What about His Highness?”

“His Highness is unharmed. He and Ning Qianhu happened to be out purchasing medicine and avoided the criminal. Both His Highness and the young lady accompanying him are already injured, however. According to the young lady, the criminal specifically targeted Little Brother. Father, could it be…”

Chancellor Meng raised a hand.

“The criminal escaped, did he not?”

“Yes.”

“Then do not make accusations without evidence.”

Meng Ji opened his mouth but ultimately closed it again beneath his father’s imposing authority. After a pause, he raised another matter.

“After returning to the post station, the first thing His Highness did was go and see that young lady. He values her far too highly. When Nini eventually marries the Crown Prince, she’ll certainly suffer because of her…”

Chancellor Meng frowned.

“Is this young lady with child?”

Meng Ji shook his head. “Little Brother’s enquiries indicate that she is not. But she may be in the future. If a concubine bears a son before the principal wife has entered the household, it reflects poorly. Father, once His Highness returns, you should advise him. If he refuses to listen…”

Chancellor Meng interrupted him. “That young lady saved your younger brother’s life.”

…

Several hours earlier.

Only after sitting for quite some time did Chao Yan finally announce that he felt better.

The two of them then went to visit Meng Xuan. Meng Xuan insisted on getting out of bed to pay his respects, but Chao Yan stopped him.

Smiling, Chao Yan said, “Take proper care of your life. Otherwise, who will help relieve my worries in future?”

Meng Xuan revealed a pale smile. He also thanked Gu Yun again, saying that he was every bit as capable as a man.

Although the compliment was technically directed at a woman, Gu Yun endured it for a moment before finally failing to suppress his pride and lifting his chin.

Chao Yan caught the expression out of the corner of his eye. Raising a hand, he promptly ruffled Gu Yun’s hair into complete disarray.

Gu Yun: “?”

With his hair sticking up in all directions, he glared furiously.

Wretched Crown Prince. If you can’t control those dog paws of yours, you should chop them off.

Chao Yan merely looked at him in silence. Gu Yun’s expression changed instantly.

Thanks to the invaluable example set by the Prefect of Nanling, he had learned how to flatter His Highness the Crown Prince.

Putting on an earnest expression, he declared, “Your Highness is blessed with boundless fortune. When my hair touches Your Highness’s hand, it feels as though it has been nourished by sweet dew. I can hardly bear to wash it anymore.”

“Really?”

“Three days without washing it!”

Expressionless, Chao Yan reached out and covered Gu Yun’s face with his hand. “What about your face? Has that been blessed too?”

Gu Yun: “…”

Gu Yun thought: I’m going to kill you, you wretched Crown Prince.

Meng Xuan’s gaze darkened as he watched the two interact. His eyes swept around the room before narrowing slightly.

“Why is only Your Highness here?” he asked. “Where is Ning Qianhu? Didn’t he leave together with Your Highness?”