Chapter 119: The Emperor's Demise
Gao Shi was making winter socks for Ye Xian. His hands and feet were prone to cold, so the socks needed to be thick. As she finished the edges with tight, meticulous stitches, the socks turned out neat and well-crafted.
She placed the finished socks in the sewing basket and lifted her head, feeling a dull ache in her neck. A maid nearby quickly stepped forward to massage her.
"Is he still copying texts in the study?" Gao Shi asked.
The maid replied respectfully, "Yes, he is. The Changxing Marquis's Heir's page brought over a box of mandarins and dried persimmons, said to be a gift from the Gu family."
Ye Xian had been confined to her courtyard for several days now, with Gao Shi forbidding him from stepping beyond the gate. Men like Li Xianhuai had requested multiple times to see him, but Gao Shi had turned them all away. Ye Xian might be the heir to the Marquis of Changxing and their master, but he was also her son, subject to her discipline.
Gazing at the endless autumn rain outside the lattice window, Gao Shi felt a pang of pity for Ye Xian. The study only had a chaise lounge. The last time she visited, she saw his tall frame curled up on it, covered only by a thin quilt. The study window was open, leaving the room bitterly cold. After returning to her chambers, she had sent a hand warmer and a thicker quilt over…
After a long moment of hesitation, Gao Shi finally told the maid to put things away—she would go check on Ye Xian.
Meanwhile, Ye Xian retrieved a note hidden beneath the mandarins, unfolded it, glanced at it, then crumpled it into his sleeve.
Zhi Shu whispered, "Guard Li said it was delivered posthaste. The news will likely spread within the hour. The Marquis has already entered the palace and probably won’t return until this afternoon. Mr. Xiao remains quiet in the side chamber..."
Ye Xian said nothing.
The note bore only four words: The Emperor has passed at si hour.
These four words carried an immensely complex message. The current Emperor had long been weakened by indulgence in wine and women, his health deteriorating for years. Recently, he had taken to his sickbed, giving Lord Zhang the opportunity to purge dissenting factions from the court. Yet, his death had come too abruptly—especially now, when the Changxing Marquis's household was beset by troubles both within and without. It was truly adding frost to snow.
The Emperor's death would be announced at noon, with the obituary posted at the Ancestral Temple. The capital would then be placed under martial law, with no tolling of bells or drums. Officials would don mourning attire and enter the palace to lament. The city would observe twenty-seven days of mourning, while the rest of the empire would mourn for thirteen.
This was an opportune moment... Ye Xian thought of Prince Rui's rebellion. If the prince intended to act, he would likely strike while officials and titled ladies of the third rank or above were gathered in the palace to mourn—when the court would be at its most chaotic.
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Xian instructed Zhi Shu, "Tell Li Xianhuai to have men keep watch on Prince Rui's residence. As for Xiao Qishan—detain and interrogate even a mere servant if they attempt to leave..."
Zhi Shu acknowledged the order. As he carried the basket out, he happened to run into Gao Shi, who had come to check on Ye Xian. He bowed with a smile and greeted her.
Gao Shi glanced at the basket in his hands.
Zhi Shu opened it for her to see. "Madam, these are this year's Tangqi mandarins, along with dried persimmons and longans. Would you like to try some?"
Gao Shi dismissed her suspicions and waved him off. "These things are either too heating or too cooling—don’t bring them to the heir in the future!"
Zhi Shu gave an awkward smile—these treats had only been a pretext. He bowed and took his leave.Gao Shi entered the study and saw Ye Xian diligently practicing calligraphy. She instructed her maid to place a bowl of lamb lung soup with Chinese cabbage and honey dates on the side table. Ye Xian greeted her respectfully before resuming his writing. Observing his childlike precision—each stroke deliberate and his handwriting neat and elegant—Gao Shi remarked, "...You've been practicing all morning. Drink the soup before continuing."
Ye Xian had already detected the lamb lung in the broth, which he disliked for its gamy odor. "I'm not thirsty, Mother. Please don't worry."
Just as Gao Shi was about to respond, a maid hurried in to announce that the chief steward from the outer courtyard urgently needed to speak with her.
Her heart tightened. The chief steward typically reported only to Marquis Changxing. His seeking her out now surely meant something grave had occurred. After instructing Yu Qin to ensure Ye Xian drank the soup, Gao Shi hastily left with her maids and matrons.
Soon, news of the emperor’s passing spread rapidly among the nobility in the capital. By noon, the announcement from the Ancestral Temple confirmed it.
From princes to commoners, all of Yanjing learned of the event swiftly.
The emperor’s death marked a state funeral.
Madam Feng ordered mourning attire and hemp shoes to be prepared hastily, while Gu Deyuan and Gu Dezhao changed into mourning clothes and rushed to the palace in their carriages.
Shortly after, Fifth Madam was summoned by Madam Feng.
Seated on the Arhat bed, Madam Feng clasped her hand and said, "...Who can predict the affairs of this world? The emperor’s passing was so sudden—who knows how things stand in the palace now. Your mother holds the rank of first-grade noble consort; she’ll surely attend the mourning rites. With no one managing affairs at Marquis Changxing’s residence, perhaps you should return and investigate. Send word back to ease this old woman’s worries..."
Fifth Madam understood: Madam Feng wanted her to gather intelligence—whether the emperor’s death would impact the Marquis’s household or their Gu family. Rising to curtsey, she replied, "Rest assured, Mother. I’ll go at once."
Jinchao remained silent, though she longed to stop Fifth Madam. In the coming days, Marquis Changxing’s household would descend into chaos. Even Ye Xian would need half a year to untangle the mess—how much danger might Fifth Madam face?
Madam Feng’s anxiety was unmistakable. With an emperor’s death, upheaval was inevitable.
Fifth Madam soon packed her belongings and departed. Too distracted to review account books, Madam Feng turned to Jinchao: "...Walk outside with me." Jinchao complied, supporting her arm as they left the study.
Privately, Jinchao believed Madam Feng needn’t fret—Second Master Gu would handle court matters, while she need only oversee the inner household. But she said none of this, instead discussing the varieties of wormwood planted in the courtyard pots. Gradually, Madam Feng relaxed, even praising her: "...I didn’t know half of this!"
After days of attentive service, Madam Feng grew deeply satisfied with Jinchao. Gu Dezhao’s daughter was neither arrogant nor willful as rumored, but composed and diligent—speaking only when appropriate and never shirking duties. How had such a disciplined nature earned such a notorious reputation?
Puzzled yet pleased, Madam Feng warmed to Gu Jinchao. When Gu Wuye gifted her a basket of Huaiyuan’s agate pomegranates, she passed them all to Jinchao.Jinchao gazed at the clusters of chrysanthemums in full bloom, her mind still preoccupied with the palace coup.
When autumn comes on the ninth day of September, all other flowers wither after mine bloom... Now is indeed the time.
Officials who had entered the palace gradually returned by evening. The formal mourning in the palace would begin the next day. After Marquis Changxing returned to the estate with Gao Shi, he removed the black mourning band from his forehead and asked her what had been discussed during her visit to the Imperial Noble Consort.
The Imperial Noble Consort was Marquis Changxing’s elder sister.
Gao Shi’s expression was grave as she whispered to the Marquis, "Although His Majesty has named the Third Prince, born of the Empress, as Crown Prince, the Crown Prince is only ten years old. Even if he ascends the throne, he will be manipulated by Zhang Ju Lian. The Imperial Noble Consort is worried for the Empress. Moreover, the late Emperor had many concubines—aside from the Empress, the Imperial Noble Consort, and the Virtuous Consort, who bore children, the rest will likely be buried with him... She is deeply distressed."
Marquis Changxing pondered for a moment before replying, "When you enter the palace again tomorrow, pay a visit to the Empress as well. With me keeping Zhang Ju Lian in check, he wouldn’t dare to truly control the emperor and command the nobles." The Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort had always been on good terms.
Though they held the highest positions in the mortal realm, the Empress was merely a woman, and the Crown Prince still a child. Such an orphaned mother and son were powerless in the current circumstances, left vulnerable to exploitation.
The couple then turned to the matter of Ye Xian, and Gao Shi brought up Gu Jinzhao: "...He actually entered a young lady’s bedchamber—it’s utterly improper. I’ve been keeping him confined to practicing calligraphy these days. What kind of person is that Eldest Miss of the Gu family... Yet he didn’t even try to avoid suspicion!"
Marquis Changxing also had a headache over his only son’s temperament. "He’s always been like this, willful and unrestrained. It’s high time he was disciplined properly."
Just as they were speaking, a maid arrived to report that Guard Liu had urgent news. The Marquis straightened his robes and went to the reception hall to meet him.
Liu Zhou had brought Mr. Wei along, his expression grim as frost: "...My Lord, there’s movement from Prince Rui’s residence!"
Marquis Changxing’s face hardened. After waiting for so long, "Has Prince Rui finally lost his patience?"
Liu Zhou nodded and continued, "A group of guards secretly left Prince Rui’s residence at dusk and headed for the Western City Military Command. We followed them and discovered that Prince Rui had led a heavily armed force from East Ring Mountain into the palace. They’ve already passed the Chengtian Gate and likely entered the Meridian Gate by now..."
Marquis Changxing erupted in fury. "The Emperor has just died, and he dares to lead imperial guards into the palace—does he intend to force the Emperor’s hand?" He exhaled sharply and asked Liu Zhou, "Has the old Marquis been informed?"
Mr. Wei replied, "He has. The old Marquis said he would come at once."
Marquis Changxing nodded. "Summon Mr. Xiao."
Xiao Qishan arrived swiftly, but his expression darkened upon hearing the news.
"If Prince Rui succeeds in forcing the palace, the Marquis’s estate will likely be implicated... However, in my opinion, the troops Prince Rui has brought are not elite—at best, they can handle the Golden Crow Guard and the Military Command. The Embroidered Uniform Guard has many skilled fighters. Prince Rui may not be able to overpower them. What worries me is whether he has some hidden advantage we’re unaware of..."
Xiao Qishan spoke hesitantly.
Marquis Changxing scoffed coldly. "I’ve fought on battlefields for years—if we must fight, then let it be swift and decisive! Prince Rui is nothing but a pampered waste from the imperial city. Does he truly think he can force the palace with his rabble? Let’s see if he can get past me!" His voice deepened. "Mr. Wei, immediately muster the Iron Cavalry Battalion from Desheng Pass and follow me into the palace!"The old marquis had just arrived and, upon hearing his son's words, his face darkened. "Barging into the imperial palace like this—aren't you afraid of being criticized?"
Marquis Changxing called out, "Father," then said, "At a time like this, I can't afford to worry about such things."
The old marquis snorted coldly and turned to Liu Zhou. "While the marquis leads the Iron Cavalry Battalion to the imperial city, you must hurry and summon Minister of War Zhao Yinchi. Have him bring the command tally to mobilize the Five Armies Battalion and the Three Thousand Battalion."
Zhao Yinchi had once served as the old marquis's deputy general. Later, after distinguishing himself in quelling pirate raids and proving his skill in military command, he became Minister of War in his fifties. By summoning Zhao Yinchi, the old marquis not only intended to support Marquis Changxing but also to ensure his son had a proper justification, lest his forced entry into the imperial palace invite censure from the censors in the future.
Liu Zhou acknowledged the order and left.
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