The slow drip of water from the bronze clepsydra outside the hall echoed softly against the gilded beast-patterned water vat. Within the hall, each person was lost in their own thoughts, and for a moment, no one spoke.
The Emperor's emotions surged like the tide—one moment recalling Huo Chong's voice and smile, the next pondering how to deal with Huo Bu Yi. As the ruler of a nation, no matter how deep his grief, he could not afford to show weakness like a woman. He had to provide a plausible explanation to his ministers, yet Huo Bu Yi's future must also be arranged in a manner befitting his late sworn brother's heroic spirit.
Just as the Emperor was silently strategizing, the impatient Third Prince spoke up again: "Your Majesty, I know you are benevolent, but the Ling Brothers are truly despicable. I believe nothing short of exterminating their entire clan will suffice to honor the martyrs! Leave none alive, and let it serve as a warning to anyone who dares betray their country!" His words, though ill-timed, reminded the Emperor of another matter.
The Emperor straightened in his seat and glared. "The Lings will not be spared lightly, but neither will you! Last night, Zisheng mobilized troops not for his own sake, did he? You two little brats—all these years pretending so well, either avoiding each other or exchanging harsh words when you met, yet you've been colluding all along! Tell me, was it you who instructed Zisheng?" As he spoke, his gaze flickered imperceptibly toward the brocade curtain.
The Third Prince looked as though someone had stuffed a rotten peach down his throat. He stammered, "Well, Your Majesty, Zisheng and I do argue in private as well—it wasn’t all an act..."
Huo Bu Yi gave a bitter smile. "Your Majesty, it is true that the Third Prince and I have long been in contact. But I swear upon the heavens, the Third Prince knew nothing of what happened the night before last—because I had already used the Eastern Palace's seal to divert him to the Red Willow Camp to investigate a case of embezzling military supplies. The accusations against me for forging an imperial decree are entirely justified."
The Emperor resisted the urge to glance at the brocade curtain and roared, "You—how could you do this to the Empress and the Crown Prince?!"
Huo Bu Yi lowered his lashes and murmured, "Indeed, I have wronged them."—He had wronged not only the Empress and the Crown Prince but also someone else, someone he dared not even think of now.
The Third Prince squared his shoulders and declared, "Father, don’t scold Zisheng anymore. When he was carried up the cliff this morning, he was not only covered in wounds but also burning with fever. It’s a miracle he can even sit up now. If you must scold someone, scold me!"
"Of course I will scold you! What has the Crown Prince ever done to wrong you that you should resent him so? When you fought with the Second Prince in the past, the Crown Prince nearly had his head smashed protecting you! And the Empress—you were raised under her care as a child! You ungrateful, deluded wretch, have you forgotten all that?!" The Emperor bellowed with such vigor that it was clear berating his own son was far more satisfying.
"I have not forgotten," the Third Prince replied without flinching. "But I swear upon my life that all these years, I have never laid a finger on the Crown Prince! In fact, there were times when Zisheng was away at war, and I secretly resolved crises in the Eastern Palace. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may investigate!"
"Don’t tell me you didn’t secretly rejoice when Lou Jing and Wang Chun got into trouble!"
"One is a hypocrite, the other a true villain. Before, there was no excuse to act, and I could only watch as the Crown Prince trusted them. Now that we finally have a chance to drive them out, would you have them stay in the Eastern Palace until the Shangsi Festival?!"
"The Shangsi Festival has already passed!" the Emperor roared.Even with the gloom in Shao Shang's heart, she couldn't help but want to laugh at this moment. Peering through the curtain gap, she saw the royal father and son shouting at each other with such force that the veins on their foreheads bulged in nearly identical spots.
Excluding the one who died young, the Empress and Consort Yue had borne Royal Uncle ten sons. Although Royal Uncle was mild-tempered by nature, he was still the supreme ruler who held the power of life and death. When his face darkened, every prince and princess would tremble in fear, lowering their heads in submission. Even the unruly Second Prince wouldn't dare talk back to the Emperor—this was the first time Shao Shang had witnessed such a scene.
After taking a couple of deep breaths to calm himself, the Emperor said sternly, "Don't try to wash your hands of this so cleanly! Although you weren't aware of Zisheng's troop deployment the night before last, there's no need to hide what you've been secretly plotting all these years or the thoughts you've harbored. If you had the courage to act, have the courage to admit it—speak!"
Indeed, the older ginger was spicier. His words hit the mark. The Third Prince's expression changed several times before he gritted his teeth and said, "That's right! I believe the Crown Prince is unfit to be heir apparent. He cannot bear the weight of this empire!"
Such blunt words made Huo Bu Yi sigh softly beside him.
The Emperor flew into a rage, pressing his hands against the floor to stand up. He grabbed the sword hanging on the wall and struck the Third Prince heavily with its scabbard, shouting, "You insolent rebel! If he can't bear the empire, can you?! No matter how flawed the Crown Prince is, at least he's more benevolent than you!"
After only a few strikes, Huo Bu Yi quickly rose to stop the Emperor.
The Third Prince endured the blows, his jaw clenched so tightly that his cheekbones stood out. Taking a deep breath, he said, "A ruler need not be benevolent or harsh—only act according to reason. Reward and punishment are the two sharp tools in a sovereign's hands, used to command ministers above and govern the people below. Yet the Crown Prince's benevolence has led him to abandon both. From the Crown Princess to the officials of the Eastern Palace, His Highness fails to reward what should be rewarded and punish what should be punished, allowing hidden troubles to fester around him. Does Your Majesty truly believe such benevolence is a virtue?"
"You criticize your benevolent elder brother just because you're narrow-minded and harsh—fine, fine! I never saw this side of you before! I, too, value benevolence. I, too, praise the Crown Prince's benevolence. What will you do about it?!" The Emperor gripped the hilt tightly with his right hand, poised to draw the sword.
The Third Prince seemed to throw caution to the wind and blurted out in one breath, "Emperor Yuan was also exceedingly benevolent, which is why Emperor Xuan, despite disliking his weakness and fondness for scholars, ultimately didn't depose him! Yet the chaos of the previous dynasty began precisely during Emperor Yuan's reign! Emperor Xuan had two other sons—the Prince of Huaiyang, who was discerning and favored law, and the Prince of Chu, who was intelligent and talented. Both governed their fiefdoms for decades without a single instance of misconduct. Had Emperor Xuan appointed either of them, how could the court have deteriorated to such an irreparable state?!"
"You vile wretch!" The Emperor trembled with fury, drawing a section of the blade with a sharp hiss.
Huo Bu Yi, despite his injuries, mustered his strength to push the Third Prince. "Endure small punishments, flee from great ones—Your Highness, leave quickly!"
Only after venting his feelings did the Third Prince snap back to his senses. Seeing how enraged his father was, he hastily lifted his robe and bolted out of the inner hall, vanishing in a flash.
The Emperor didn't order anyone to capture him, merely throwing down the sword in frustration before glaring at his adopted son. "Look at the fine mess you two have made!... Sit down already, go lean over there!"
Huo Bu Yi smiled faintly, pressing a hand to his wounds as he slowly sat down and leaned against the armrest.
The Emperor took deep breaths to steady himself, then turned and asked, "Do you also agree with Ziduan that the Crown Prince must be deposed?"Huo Bu Yi lowered his head in silence.
The Emperor, heartbroken over his adopted son's hardships and pain over the past decade, couldn't bear to scold or strike him. He could only plead earnestly, "Have you lost your mind? The Crown Prince is honest and kind-hearted, and he trusts and values you deeply. Once he ascends the throne, you'll never have to worry again! But if it were the Third Prince... hmph! The day you two quarrel and he loses his temper, banishing you to some remote wilderness, where would you go to cry then? The Crown Prince's succession would be good for all the other princes and princesses, and good for the Empress and Consort Yue as well!"
Huo Bu Yi suddenly asked, "Why is it good for the princes and princesses, good for the Empress and Consort Yue? Why not good for the common people of the realm, good for the stability of the nation?"
The Emperor choked on his words before angrily retorting, "Are you here to anger me too?!"
"This subject dares not," Huo Bu Yi replied with a somber expression. "This subject has interacted with the Third Prince for over a decade, but the thought of changing the heir only arose four or five years ago. From that moment, I knew I would inevitably be branded as disloyal, ungrateful, and a traitor to my lord. But, Your Majesty..."
He slowly raised his head, meeting his adoptive father's gaze, "In just a few years by the Crown Prince's side, I've gained control over all the Eastern Palace's military forces, officials, tax reports, and intelligence networks—every seal and token of authority is in my hands. Once the Crown Prince ascends, I could immediately monopolize state affairs and wield absolute power! Your Majesty, is this what you wish to see?"
With a sharp crack, the sturdy lacquer wood armrest under the Emperor's grip split open. His face darkened as he asked, "Then why don't you monopolize state affairs and wield absolute power?"
Huo Bu Yi answered, "When I was young, I heard Father say to Mother that during the uprising when warlords vied for supremacy, he was older than Your Majesty and his family wealth surpassed yours. In terms of reputation and ability, he wasn't necessarily inferior either. Yet he chose to support Your Majesty because he saw in you a radiance—as steady and vast as boundless earth, as mighty and magnificent as an unceasing river. Strong yet not domineering, gentle yet able to overcome the strong. Father was convinced you were the true Son of Heaven destined to bring peace to the realm and treat the people with kindness."
For the first time that night, the Emperor showed a hint of a smile, though his expression remained stern. "You were just a child then. How could you remember so clearly? You're not making this up, are you?"
Huo Bu Yi smiled faintly. "This subject has always had an excellent memory."
The Emperor nodded. "That's like your mother. I remember after their marriage, your father often boasted about his new bride's erudition and remarkable memory."
A pang struck Huo Bu Yi's heart, his eyes glistening with unshed tears, yet he continued smiling. "Mother's memory was indeed exceptional. No matter how long ago any of my siblings made a mistake, she could recount every detail without hesitation."
Realizing he'd touched a painful memory, the Emperor swiftly changed the subject. "But you still shouldn't have mobilized troops without authorization! How do you plan to overcome this hurdle now? Have you thought about that?"
Huo Bu Yi replied, "This subject had no other choice. More than one person has already brought this matter to Your Majesty's attention. Yuhou hinted at it during a banquet, but Your Majesty pretended not to understand. General Wu once exclaimed that the Crown Prince knew nothing of military affairs and that sending him to the camps was pointless—so Your Majesty had me assist in the Eastern Palace. Even Yan Divine Immortal said during the Crown Prince's wedding that he was unfit to be heir... If Your Majesty wouldn't listen to even Yan Divine Immortal, what else could this subject do? I had to let Your Majesty see with your own eyes the consequences of the Eastern Palace's power slipping away! Even if it weren't me, anyone cunning and ambitious enough could easily win the Crown Prince's trust."
"Well said!" A jade-like hand suddenly emerged from behind a brocade curtain as the Empress lifted the drapery and stepped forward.
The Emperor sighed inwardly, while Huo Bu Yi's face was filled with shame.The Empress stood before Huo Bu Yi and spoke calmly, "Zisheng's words are all reasonable, but you should also know that since ancient times, deposed crown princes rarely meet good ends."
Huo Bu Yi closed his eyes painfully, then met the Empress's gaze directly. "That year when the scholar came to Everlasting Autumn Palace to lecture on history and spoke of Emperor Gao's story, Your Highness remarked that although Emperor Gao lacked sufficient benevolence—sharing his father's flesh and abandoning his own children—he was ultimately a good emperor. No matter how much he favored Lady Qi and Prince Ruyi, when it threatened the court, he dared not forcibly change the heir, even knowing Empress Lü would not spare them."
The Empress's fingers trembled as she stared fixedly at Huo Bu Yi.
He continued, "In Emperor Gao's heart, the stability of the realm far outweighed his love for his concubine and youngest son. Yet Emperor Xuan, knowing the Crown Prince's flaws, indulged him regardless. In his heart, the bond with his first Empress held greater weight. Thus, beginning with Emperor Gao, the previous dynasty produced six wise rulers in succession, mighty and dominant. But after Emperor Xuan, the court gradually descended into chaos..."
"What lofty words of forsaking love and sentiment!" The Empress's face turned cold. "Emperor Gao endured the knowledge that his beloved son would inevitably die, all for the sake of the realm. So you too would abandon all affection?"
Huo Bu Yi knelt before the Empress, enunciating each word, "This subject knows he has wronged Your Highness and the Crown Prince. I am willing to die to repay your kindness." After a pause, he added, "Truthfully, I never expected to return alive."
The Emperor leaned forward on his armrest, torn between speaking up for his foster son and respecting the Empress's feelings, leaving him suspended in hesitation.
"You misunderstand. I am not speaking of myself or the Crown Prince," the Empress said. "You were already eight when you entered the palace—intelligent, diligent, modest, and robust. I had little cause to worry over you. If we speak of nurturing kindness and guidance, it is His Majesty you should thank. Later, it was you who mediated for the Crown Prince, smoothing over his affairs—your contributions were immense. Were it not for you, the Crown Prince's reputation would have long been ruined—though I know you did it for His Majesty, to spare him worry."
Though she spoke thus, the Emperor, after years of marriage, could see the anger in her heart and dared not interject.
"I speak of Shao Shang," the Empress said coldly. "In this entire matter, His Majesty erred in appointing an heir, the Crown Prince proved incompetent, the Third Prince harbors grand ambitions, you seek vengeance for a blood feud, and I—a doting mother—spoiled my child... Only Shao Shang. This affair had nothing to do with her, yet you dragged her into it, innocent as she was!"
The last traces of color drained from Huo Bu Yi's face. His lips quivered, rendering him speechless.
"You spoke so eloquently earlier—forsaking petty affections for greater love, benefiting all under heaven. Very well, now I ask you: from the moment you rushed to the Ling family's Secluded Residence and mobilized troops without authorization, had you already resolved to abandon Shao Shang?!" the Empress demanded sternly.
Huo Bu Yi pressed a hand to his wound, pain etched across his features. After a long moment, he rasped, "...Yes."
The Empress let out a cold laugh. "Well said!" She strode to the Emperor's desk, where a half-foot-tall exquisite lacquer wood stand held a crescent-shaped bronze chime. She pulled out the small bronze mallet from the stand and struck the chime urgently.
When discussing confidential matters, the Emperor permitted no palace maids or eunuchs nearby—they waited in the outer chambers, summoned only by the chime's sound.
While Huo Bu Yi remained bewildered, the Emperor sighed and rubbed his forehead.
The Empress then walked to the curtain, reached behind a pillar for a rope, and gave it a firm tug.The ornate and densely embroidered brocade curtains parted like cascading waterfalls on either side, revealing a slender young girl kneeling inside the inner chamber. Her long hair draped down her back as she slightly tilted her snow-white cheek. She remained motionless in her kneeling position, her back turned to Huo Bu Yi.
Author's note: More to come tomorrow, around the same time.
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