Through Wang Daxia's mediation, Lu Bing was finally able to rest peacefully at Sanlitun, spared from being exhumed and mutilated.
The Lu brothers, Lu Yi and Lu Cai, were sent to guard the border at Tieling, mirroring the exact fate Ding Wu had once endured. Lu Yi's father-in-law was the former Minister of Personnel, Wu Peng, who shared the closest bond with Lu Bing. Wu Peng's youngest son had even married Lu Bing's youngest daughter, Fifth Miss Lu, further cementing the familial ties between the two families.
Wu Peng arranged for people to accompany his son-in-law and Lu Cai along the journey, providing constant care until they reached Tieling. They settled in the former residence of Ding Wu and Wei Caiwei, where the house, vacant for a decade, once again saw smoke rise from its kitchen chimney, marking the beginning of a new cycle.
Yan Shaoting was exiled to Quanzhou for military service. Second Miss Lu, deeply devoted to her husband, could not bear to see him suffer alone and moved with their children and two nephews to settle in Quanzhou as well. Yan Shaoting abandoned his literary pursuits for martial arts, and despite starting from scratch in middle age, he diligently practiced combat skills without complaint. He eventually achieved notable success, even earning merit by fighting Japanese Pirates, which cleared his status as an exile, restored him as a commoner, and led to his promotion as a military officer.
For Yan Shifan to have fathered such a son of fine character and resilience was truly like a golden phoenix rising from a chicken coop.
Li Shi and her grandchildren remained safe, continuing to live by the Sacrificial House. Lu Ying proposed moving her mother and nieces and nephews to a suburban estate, but Li Shi declined, saying:
"Your father arranged all his posthumous affairs well in advance. Though the Lu family has declined, we still have the Sacrificial House and Sacrificial Field exempt from confiscation, so we can manage our lives without relying on you married daughters. Besides, the children are still young; experiencing some hardships early on is not a bad thing. I see how Fourth Son-in-Law Ding Wu turned out—he was exiled to Tieling at ten, and all his suffering over the years was not in vain. Not to be partial, but of the five sons-in-law, he is my favorite."
As the saying goes, the last comer is the best served. Li Shi had five daughters but held the latest arrival, Fourth Son-in-Law Ding Wu, in the highest esteem.
Unable to persuade her mother, Lu Ying frequently visited Sanlitun to see her family.
The Lu family case was finally settled by the year's end when snow began to fall.
Gao Gong had not expected Meng Chong to defy him this time and actually exonerate the Lu family. Accustomed to acting autocratically, Gao Gong flew into a rage at Meng Chong, "...You've ruined my plans!"
Even a clay figure has a bit of temper, let alone Meng Chong, the legitimate Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs, Supervising Eunuch. Wiping the spittle Gao Gong had sprayed on his face, Meng Chong coldly retorted, "Grand Secretary Gao has been in this position for so long that it seems you've forgotten who brought you here from your hometown. I am your benefactor, not your puppet. Why should everything be as you say?"
Those who have held power for too long often believe themselves omnipotent. Gao Gong said, "You seem to have forgotten who strongly recommended you, pulling you from the kitchen to the Directorate of Ceremonial. Search your conscience—do you think you deserve it? You never studied at the Inner Study Hall and only know a few characters. I faced immense pressure to insist on placing you in this position. Instead of gratitude, you mock me and think you can burn the bridge after crossing the river? It's not that easy."
Gao Gong threatened Meng Chong, "From now on, you must obey me. None of my Draft Recommendations are to be rejected, or else... just as I raised you up, I can bring you down."With that, Gao Gong stormed off in a huff, leaving Meng Chong pale with rage. What could he do? Aside from cooking and presenting the Red Pills, he was despised by eunuchs educated at the Inner Study Hall—even ordinary palace servants looked down on him. He was the most incompetent Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial Affairs in history. Without clinging to the emperor’s mentor, Gao Gong, he had no other means to secure his position.
Though resentful, Meng Chong was powerless. Wang Daxia, true to his word, handed over the forged Arrest Warrant. Meng Chong immediately tossed the damning document into a brazier and burned it.
With the deal done, Wang Daxia showed no intention of leaving. "Old sir, our cooperation went smoothly. Shall we go out for a drink to celebrate?"
Fresh from Gao Gong’s threats, Meng Chong had no mood for socializing. He gestured toward the tea, a clear sign for the guest to depart. "I have matters to attend to. Please do as you wish."
Wang Daxia, thick-skinned as ever, ignored the dismissal and lingered. "You seem upset, old sir. How about I take you somewhere to lift your spirits?"
Having learned from past mistakes, Meng Chong replied warily, "So you can seize another leverage over me? I won’t repeat old errors. Inspector Wang, please leave."
Wang Daxia tugged at him insistently. "Come on, let’s have some fun! There’s a new play called The Crying Phoenix lately—it dramatizes how Xia Yan and Yang Jisheng battled the treacherous Yan Song, using their real names. It’s thrilling! The theater is packed, with people sitting on the floor. I’ve reserved a private box—let’s enjoy it together."
The Crying Phoenix was written by Wang Shizhen, a scholar who had passed the imperial examinations at both levels. Theoretically, such a politically charged play should have been banned. However, since it portrayed the Jiajing Emperor as a foolish ruler blind to loyalty and treachery, and the Longqing Emperor enjoyed seeing his father criticized, it was not prohibited. Instead, it was promoted as an anti-corruption drama, swiftly becoming a sensation across the Ming dynasty.
Wang Daxia knew how to entertain. Once dragged to the theater box, he lavished flattery on Meng Chong, who soon forgot the humiliation inflicted by Gao Gong and cheered up.
Wang Daxia subtly mentioned how his wife, Wei Caiwei, had gained favor with Consort Li, hinting that Meng Chong could seek her patronage. This stirred Meng Chong’s ambition, and he thought, Gao Gong, don’t get too cocky. Besides you, I can also rely on Consort Li as my backer.
With "mutual affection and shared interests," the two began to associate, leveraging each other and becoming "good" friends.
At the Palace of Celestial Favor, Li Jiubao had fully recovered her health. The Longqing Emperor eagerly ordered the Recorder of court lady to arrange for her to serve him.
Wei Caiwei smuggled in the infertility potion she had prepared for Li Jiubao, hidden inside wax pills labeled as "Black-Bone Chicken and White Phoenix Pills." She dissolved one and handed it to Li Jiubao. "Consort, think carefully. Once you drink this, it’s like the miscarriage-inducing spring in the Land of Women from Journey to the West—there’s no turning back."
Li Jiubao drained the bowl in one gulp. "Five pregnancies in six years—that’s enough."
From the courtyard came the cheerful sounds of children playing. Peering through the window, Wei Caiwei saw the princes and princesses building a snowman. Surprised, she asked, "Has the Empress sent all the children here?""They sent three over." Li Jiubao said with a mix of sweetness and melancholy, "The youngest, Princess Ruian, is quite unfamiliar with me. She cries as soon as Empress Chen leaves and won't let me hold her. This child has been raised by the empress since birth and is as close to her as a mother and daughter. I, her birth mother, have to take a back seat. But with three children returning, what more could I ask for? One shouldn't be too greedy."
Wei Caiwei remarked, "It seems Empress Chen has come to her senses, extending an olive branch and no longer opposing the consort."
Consort Li said, "Why should women make things difficult for each other? Since she's returned the children, I'll let bygones be bygones and forget past grievances."
This mutual support among women was the outcome Wei Caiwei most wished to see in palace intrigues—rather than fighting to the death over the meager affection bestowed by a man.
As Wei Caiwei left the palace, she looked back at the Forbidden City shrouded in heavy snow—so tranquil, solemn, and beautiful. The snow concealed the filthy frozen mud beneath, much like how the Forbidden City's unparalleled power masked countless broken hearts.
It was snowing. Some matters needed to be resolved quickly. Otherwise, when spring arrived and flowers bloomed, those "filthy things" would have nowhere to hide and would resurface to disgust people.
Gao Gong was stubborn, arrogant, and dictatorial—those who obeyed him thrived, while those who opposed him perished. The Lu family had narrowly escaped disaster, so Gao Gong would surely turn his attention to their other relatives, such as the Duke of Cheng, Ding Rukui, or Wu Peng. They couldn't afford to remain passive, constantly reacting to Gao Gong's provocations. It was time to take the initiative.
Gao Gong's position was unshakable because he had the Longqing Emperor's backing. Without the emperor's support, where would his power lie? So...
Wei Caiwei entered her own pharmacy, holding a Red Pill that Meng Chong had presented to the Longqing Emperor, and began secluding herself. For the entire winter, she scarcely emerged, even taking her meals inside, dedicating herself wholly to her work except for sleep.
By spring, Wei Caiwei emerged carrying a box of pills identical to the Red Pill in color, size, and scent.
She handed one to Wang Daxia, asking, "Can you tell any difference from the Red Pill Meng Chong presented?"
Wang Daxia refused to take it, giving his wife a resentful look. "I don't need this! You know perfectly well how well-equipped I am! It's a shame my talents go unused—only twice in three whole months. Such a waste!"
During Wei Caiwei's seclusion, she had remained focused, and the only two occasions were the result of Wang Daxia's persistent pleading.
Wei Caiwei explained, "It's not for you. It's to replace the Red Pill Meng Chong presented. I've added something to it and named it 'Marrow Witherer.' Anyone who takes it will have their kidney essence exhausted within three months and die from depletion."
"A beauty's body may seem tender, yet she wields a sword to slay the foolish; though no heads are seen to fall, in secret, one's marrow withers away."
Wang Xiaoxia shuddered upon hearing this! Thank goodness I don't use this stuff! What if I took the wrong pill...
Wei Caiwei was a decisive person. Within three days of her rebirth, she had eliminated all her enemies, then focused on winning over Wang Daxia, ensuring his legacy and changing his life.
Now, weary of the endless political struggles, Wei Caiwei knew that without resolving the issue of Gao Gong, Wang Daxia would never be able to retire in peace, and Lu Ying would never return to the Embroidered Uniform Guard to protect the border's peace.Over the past six months, although Lu Ying loved Ding Wu, she had grown weary of being a noble lady in a wealthy household. Such an outstanding woman should not be confined to the inner chambers.
Wang Daxia was also tired of political struggles. The couple, sharing the same sentiment, began to take action.
Wang Daxia, leveraging his recent good relationship with Meng Chong, plied him with fine wine until he was drunk, then swapped the Red Pill with Marrow Withering.
Meng Chong presented the Red Pill to the Longqing Emperor.
In his quest to produce heirs, the Longqing Emperor had taken the Red Pill for six years. Although imperial physicians continuously offered tonics, the rate of replenishment could never keep up with the depletion. The emperor's health had been drained by his consorts.
Marrow Withering, a potent and aggressive drug, did not even require three months to take effect. Within just one month, the Longqing Emperor fell gravely ill. He collapsed suddenly atop a consort during an intimate encounter, losing consciousness entirely.
This illness confined him to bed for two months, leaving the ten-year-old crown prince to oversee state affairs in his stead.
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