Chao Yan watched the python swallow the food and said, “It is your first time entering the palace; it is only natural to be nervous. I will not fault you. Be more careful next time… for the sake of your family.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
The matter was then carried out as instructed.
Once finished, Chao Yan ordered the cage covered with black cloth and secured to the carriage, to be taken to the Emperor.
The shopkeeper’s son, experienced in handling snakes, accompanied them. Officials from the Right Spring Palace had already instructed him in court etiquette.
—
In the inner palace, main hall.
The Emperor sat in the west-side warm chamber, consuming a medicinal meal. The Imperial Medical Director stood outside the chamber on duty, ensuring the Emperor’s safety.
The Emperor slowly finished his meal and summoned the physician to take his pulse.
“How is it?” the Emperor asked, his cloudy eyes bright with interest.
The physician chose his words carefully. “Your Majesty, rest assured. This medicinal meal has been formulated by the entire Imperial Medical Bureau. It is suitable for Your Majesty. Its effects are not immediate, but over time it will certainly replenish qi and blood and strengthen the body.”
The Emperor’s expression darkened at once.
The physician dropped to his knees. “Your Majesty, your constitution cannot withstand strong tonics, only gentle nourishment! Your body is too weak for excess supplementation!”
The Emperor pointed at the door. “Get out! Get out!”
The physician gathered his case and fled in disarray.
Eunuch Huang entered at that moment, pausing briefly with a cup of tea in hand. After observing the Emperor for a moment, he stepped forward.
“Your Majesty,” he said carefully, placing the tea on the low table, “I have heard that a wandering physician of great skill has appeared in Huainan. Shall I invite him?”
The Emperor snapped without hesitation, “Do I have to instruct you on everything? What use are you?”
Eunuch Huang immediately knelt, smiling ingratiatingly. “This servant knows his fault. But how would I dare act without Your Majesty’s command? You are the sun and moon; all matters must naturally await your instruction.”
The Emperor cursed, “Useless thing.” But did not pursue it further.
Eunuch Huang rose and offered tea. “Your Majesty, please try this year’s newly harvested Dianhong Golden Needle.”
The Emperor took a sip, finally moistening his throat. A young eunuch knocked at the door. Eunuch Huang went to listen, then returned and said softly, “Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince requests an audience.”
The Emperor said, “At last he is back. Admit him.”
—
Father and son met after several months apart. A single glance confirmed neither had changed.
Chao Yan stepped forward and bowed. “Father.”
The Emperor smiled kindly, asking after his injuries and other matters. “You have suffered during this time.”
“I failed in my duties, causing Father concern and delaying affairs.”
Chao Yan knelt. The Emperor signalled to Eunuch Huang, who immediately helped him up.
The Emperor said, “It is not your fault. Bai Cheng, as commander of the Tiger Guard, had no battlefield experience. I intended for him to train alongside you, but instead he brought you disaster. Fool. Utterly incompetent!”
Chao Yan replied softly, “It was General Bai’s first campaign; mistakes were inevitable. Minor faults need not be punished harshly.”
The Emperor replied, “I leave his handling to you.”
Chao Yan requested, “Then I ask that General Bai be fined three years’ salary, to compensate wounded soldiers.”
The Emperor’s smile faded slightly. “It is good that you are merciful, but without law and order, the state cannot be governed.”
Chao Yan lowered his eyes. “Your son has learned.”
The Emperor then pronounced judgment: Bai Cheng’s crimes were serious; his family would be spared due to merit, but Bai Cheng himself was to be forced to commit suicide in prison. The soldiers under his command would receive punishment.
Chao Yan acknowledged the decree.
The Emperor then shifted to the Ascension Tower. Chao Yan supported the project enthusiastically, praising imperial virtue and celestial mandate. The Emperor was pleased and assigned him oversight of its construction.
After further exchanges, Chao Yan proposed that construction materials should be infused with “dragon qi.” After a brief back-and-forth, he subtly suggested that even ordinary materials could become extraordinary if touched by the Emperor.
This pleased the Emperor further.
Finally, Chao Yan presented the python as an auspicious omen. The Emperor ordered it taken to the imperial menagerie and rewarded the Crown Prince. Chao Yan redirected credit to the snake-catcher, who was then granted a nominal military post with no real authority.
Chao Yan observed the arrangement calmly, fully aware of its political purpose: a controlled reward, close surveillance without empowerment.
The Emperor, satisfied, prepared to rest. The memorials from the ministers would be dealt with the next day.
However, when he turned around, his good son was standing there, quietly watching him. When the other party said nothing, those pitch-black eyes staring back were especially unnerving.
The Emperor was startled, and once again remembered that this “good son” had been born at the most humiliating moment of his life. Because of that, when naming him later, he had casually picked the character “yan 恹” from a book on his desk. He had once considered changing it, but doing so would inevitably bring up that old disgraceful incident. After thinking it over, he abandoned the idea. When addressing him now, unlike his other sons, he did not call him directly by name. Instead, he used his style name, “Ziyu”, or combined surname and style name, “Chao Ziyu”.
The Emperor said unpleasantly, “Why are you still not withdrawing?”
Chao Yan slowly curled his lips and gave him a shy, almost maiden-like expression.
The Emperor nearly toppled backwards onto the bed, a wave of disgust running through his entire body. “Chao Ziyu, speak properly.”
Chao Yan stopped performing and said, “Father, I would like to confer the title of Secondary Consort.”
The Emperor said, “Mm. Mm?”
Grand Eunuch Huang leaned forward and reminded him softly, “The young lady brought back by His Highness the Crown Prince.”
The Emperor remembered. He had already heard from the Chancellor about what had happened during these past days. He looked at Chao Yan. “What kind of bewitching potion has she given you? You want to make her a Secondary Consort? A Secondary Consort is equivalent to a wife. This title originally existed to placate noblewomen who could not become Crown Princess.”
