Тhе еmреrоr hаs no privаtе аffаirs; mоvements within the innеr рalaсe oftеn bесоmе indiсators оf court dynamics.
Mоrеovеr, due tо thе distinсtiоn betwееn mеn аnd wоmen, thе emperоr’s innеr pаlace is аn absolutе forbidden zоnе fоr соurt оffiсials.
It is difficult fоr сourt оffiсiаls to еven shаrе the samе sеntiments оr interests, let аlone gathеr infоrmаtion. Sоme have thus turnеd thеir аttentiоn tо thе fаmiliеs оf impеriаl cоnsorts.
Тhis is why manу new еmреrors mаkе рurging thеse consоrt families their first order оf business upon аscending thе thronе.
Тhe Сheng family, being a proper scholarly household, naturally would not take the path of relying on consort connections. Yet, even with their influence extending into the palace, it is no easy task to discern the happenings within the Eastern and Western Palaces.
Now, with Chang-shi’s help, Cheng Chi quickly received news regarding the niece of the Fourth Prince’s consort.
“The girl is only eight or nine years old?” Cheng Chi sat in Cheng Shao’s study, sipping tea brewed by Chang-shi herself, and spoke solemnly with Chang-shi and Cheng Shao. “Do we know her background?”
In this dynasty, daughters from families of officials ranked fifth grade or higher are ineligible to be selected as imperial consorts.
“Her father is a ninth-grade storehouse clerk.” Having once served in the Qianqing Palace, Chang-shi was well-informed. She replied, “Five generations live under one roof, and her mother is a well-known ‘complete fortune’ woman in the capital. She has four older brothers and two younger sisters.”
Complete fortune, auspicious for bearing sons.
Such families are most favored by the imperial household.
In other words, this girl is intended for the Imperial Grandson.
“He actually managed to find such a family,” Cheng Chi remarked with a smirk.
Chang-shi couldn’t help but add, “The Fourth Prince is unlikely to accept this quietly. Fourth Master, it would be wise to remain cautious.”
It would be best neither to antagonize him nor to become too close.
Cheng Chi thought his new aunt was quite perceptive. After a moment’s consideration, he said, “As one of the Imperial Grandson’s tutors, and with the Imperial Grandson having granted me permanent estate lands, even if I wished to avoid offending the Fourth Prince, who knows how he would react if he were to succeed? For now, I can only navigate this situation carefully.”
Chang-shi fell silent for a few breaths before sighing bitterly, “With Grand Secretary Song acting this way, it’s hard to say whether he’s helping you or harming you.”
Cheng Chi felt that if even Chang-shi could sense the Fourth Prince’s ambitions, Song Jingran, a self-made grassroots grand secretary, could not be entirely unaware.
He chuckled and said, “Perhaps he believes that by stepping away from the storm for now, if I were to fall into hardship, he could pull me back into the fold as long as he retains his position at court…”
If not for Zhou Shaojin’s warning, he might have thought the same.
He might even have felt grateful that Song Jingran was leaving to observe mourning at this time.
But with Zhou Shaojin’s account of her past life, the Cheng family’s safety now hinges on the imperial family itself—a matter beyond Song Jingran’s control.
The Cheng family would have to find its own way.
Having made up his mind, Cheng Chi went to see Shi Kuan.
Perhaps due to the Fourth Prince’s impending departure from the capital, there were many trivial matters to attend to. Shi Kuan appeared somewhat weary.
The two met at a small tavern, ordered a few side dishes, and a pot of wine.Cheng Chi sipped his wine while listening to Shi Kuan speak: "...Once the Fourth Prince departs, even if he returns to the capital for celebratory audiences, it will be limited. The pearwood furniture in the main hall is beloved by the princess consort, the hundreds of green calyx plum trees in the rear garden are cherished by the Fourth Prince, along with the crabapple blossoms in the eastern warm chamber and the century-old osmanthus in the western courtyard. Then there are the pair of peacocks in Biyi Pavilion—all sorts of things. There’s no way everything can be packed up before the fifteenth of July. The Fourth Prince has asked Master Xiong to put in a good word before the Imperial Grandson, so that we can take all our belongings. When the time comes, we hope Lord Cheng will also help speak favorably on our behalf."
On the surface, it seemed like a simple favor.
But when the Emperor had already denied the request, who would dare to go against his will?
Yet Cheng Chi readily agreed: "...When the time comes, I will certainly speak up for the Fourth Prince."
A flicker of confusion passed through Shi Kuan’s eyes, but seeing Cheng Chi’s open and honest expression, he suppressed his doubts. The two then discussed some matters regarding the Fourth Prince’s departure to his fiefdom.
Cheng Chi asked about Cheng Lu: "Will he follow the Fourth Prince to the fiefdom or remain in the capital?"
Shi Kuan’s heart skipped a beat, but he smiled and said, "He holds an official rank—why would he follow our Fourth Prince to the fiefdom?"
Ever since Cheng Lu, as Chen Li’s son-in-law, began associating with the Fourth Prince, the prince had taken a liking to him. He was often invited to enliven the household banquets, and in his conversations, he subtly encouraged the Fourth Prince to seize opportunities. Although the Fourth Prince never explicitly responded, as a close confidant, Shi Kuan could tell that many of Cheng Lu’s words struck a chord with the prince. When the Fourth Prince was preparing to leave for his fiefdom, Cheng Lu expressed his desire to accompany him to Xinyang. The Fourth Prince said nothing at the time, but when the departure date was finalized, he left Cheng Lu behind, encouraging him to earn his official rank as soon as possible so he could serve as the Chief Administrator in the prince’s fiefdom.
What did Cheng Chi mean by asking this now?
After all, Cheng Lu was an expelled member of the Cheng family.
Moreover, Cheng Lu’s expulsion was related to Cheng Chi’s wife.
Shi Kuan smiled and asked, "Does Lord Cheng have any advice?"
"Not at all," Cheng Chi replied with a smile. "I was just a little curious."
Unable to glean anything further, Shi Kuan set the matter aside.
Cheng Chi smiled faintly and, upon returning home, instructed Huaishan: "Have someone keep an eye on Cheng Lu."
Huaishan was puzzled.
Cheng Chi sneered, "He’s not the type to stay quietly in his place. If the Fourth Prince has any plans, Cheng Lu would see it as an opportunity to rise with the dragon. He would never let such a chance slip away. By keeping an eye on him, we might uncover something useful."
He remembered what Zhou Shaojin had told him: in her previous life, the Fourth Prince ascended the throne by an imperial decree from the Emperor. If it was a forged decree, there must have been someone connected to the Qianqing Palace.
He didn’t know who it was in her previous life, but in this life, it might be Cheng Lu.
Huaishan acknowledged the order and withdrew.
Zhou Shaojin, however, expressed concern: "What if it’s still the same person as before in this life?"
Cheng Chi smiled and said, "We can’t pin all our hopes on Cheng Lu. After all, he’s just one of the Fourth Prince’s retainers. Keeping an eye on him is merely a precautionary measure. Over the past few years, I’ve made many arrangements in the capital. If they’ve aroused suspicion, monitoring Cheng Lu could help divert attention. The one we truly need to watch is Chen Li in the Qianqing Palace."
He had already discussed this with Lady Chang.
Lady Chang had people who could relay messages for them.
They would remain inactive unless Chen Li made any unusual moves. As soon as he did, they would receive word.However, whether the Fourth Prince intended to place that young girl in the Cining Palace for future schemes or merely as a pawn to deceive the Emperor, Cheng Chi could not be certain. He could only prepare for both possibilities. He did not want Zhou Shaojin to anxiously await the outcome alongside him.
“How are the preparations for your temple visit to view the sunning of the scriptures?” he skillfully changed the subject. “Have you decided where to go?”
“We plan to go to Zhetan Temple,” Zhou Shaojin replied with a smile. “Everyone felt it would be boring to always visit Daxiangguo Temple.”
Cheng Chi nodded with a smile and said, “I’ll give you two hundred taels of silver as your private funds. Accompany Mother to Zhetan Temple and have a good time, returning tomorrow.”
“Great!” It was rare for Cheng Chi to actively suggest she stay out overnight. Zhou Shaojin smiled and asked, “Shall I bring back some delicious treats for you?”
Cheng Chi quickly advised, “Don’t randomly buy food from outside the temple—it’s often unclean. If you want to eat, have the temple’s offerings. Especially for Yun Ge’er, don’t let him eat those sugar paintings or figurines sold outside. Just stroll within the temple grounds…”
Zhou Shaojin nodded repeatedly, her lips curving into a smile.
By the sixth day of the sixth lunar month, Cheng Sheng arrived early, followed by the female relatives of the Earl of Pengcheng’s household, Madam Qiu, Madam Xie, and Cheng Xiao. Only Madam Chang had not arrived even after the agreed-upon time.
Just as Zhou Shaojin was about to send someone to urge her, a young servant from Shuangyu Alley came panting over, explaining that unexpected guests had arrived at home and Madam Chang would not be able to come.
Everyone felt quite disappointed. They asked the servant to relay that they would bring back some vegetarian pastries from Zhetan Temple for Madam Chang, then boarded their carriages and filed out of the alley.
The servant scurried back to deliver the message.
Madam Chang rewarded the servant with a handful of copper coins before turning back to the inner courtyard.
Cheng Chi, who should have been attending court, was instead standing in Cheng Shao’s study. Seeing Madam Chang, he asked, “Have they all left the city?”
His expression was extremely stern.
Madam Chang nodded, hesitating as she asked, “What about the Second Elder Master?”
“Don’t worry,” Cheng Chi said. “I’ve already sent people to follow Second Uncle. Even if he is summoned by the Emperor for questioning, we can still relay messages to Minister Han. As for you, Aunt, you should find a place to hide! The Fourth Prince suddenly fell ill on the road and is refusing to see anyone. Today is also the day for the rotation of guards between the Western Mountain Garrison and the Five City Military Commands. After today, the Fourth Prince won’t be able to secretly redeploy troops under the cover of chaos. If he intends to act, it must be today. The city will surely fall into turmoil. However, Zhetan Temple is guarded by our Cheng family’s protectors. Even if troops from the Shanxi Garrison were to go there, they wouldn’t gain an advantage easily. Besides, today Her Majesty the Empress Dowager will go to Baiyun Temple to listen to Daoist teachings. Even if the Fourth Prince intends to coerce the Emperor, he would head to Baiyun Temple. Zhetan Temple is actually the safest place.”
“I know,” Madam Chang replied calmly and composedly. “That’s precisely why I should stay at home. I promised my dear friend that if things go awry, I would stand by her through thick and thin. If she doesn’t see me, she might think we deceived her. After you leave, I’ll go to her place to await news.”
“How can that be?” Cheng Chi frowned.Lady Chang, however, interrupted Cheng Chi, saying, "It's getting late. Don't you still have to go to the yamen? You should hurry along. It's too late to talk about these things now. Without the Cheng family, there would be no me. I am willing to stand or fall with Second Master. Fourth Master, please don't try to persuade me. If Lady Zhou knew what you were planning, she certainly wouldn't leave the capital either. Isn't that why you're keeping it from her?"
Cheng Chi said nothing more. He bowed to Lady Chang with a clasped hand and said, "Take care," then left Shuangyu Lane through the back gate.
Lady Chang glanced at the quiet and peaceful study before also turning to leave Shuangyu Lane.
In the Qianqing Palace, after the morning court session, the Emperor felt as though something was weighing on his mind.
He reviewed memorials for a while but still couldn't calm his mood. He asked Chen Li, "Where is the Imperial Grandson?"
Chen Li bowed deeply and replied respectfully, "He is studying with Master Xiong in the Shangshufang."
The Emperor asked, "When the Fourth Prince asked Master Xiong to make a plea to the Imperial Grandson, how did the Imperial Grandson respond?"
Chen Li bent even lower and said, "The Imperial Grandson said that this matter must be decided by Your Majesty."
The Emperor felt even more troubled. He set aside the memorial and said, "Summon Minister Cheng to accompany me for a couple of games of chess."
Today, Cheng Shao was on duty at the Hanlin Academy.
Chen Li acknowledged the order.
A quick-witted young eunuch immediately dashed toward the Hanlin Academy.
※
Dear readers, here is today's update.
O(∩_∩)O~
※ (To be continued ~^~)
OpenNovel