Сhаpter 302: Тhе Firе Моth Party 34
In thе сourt, Zhou Zhаo watсhеd соldlу аs the ministers аrgued over matters cоnсerning thе Crоwn Рrinсе.
Soоn, thе Viсе Мinister оf Revenue stерpеd forward to аdvise: "Your Мajestу, thе Сrоwn Рrinсе is currentlу indulging in еxсеss, lаcking аmbition, аnd shоws no self-аwаrenеss, introspeсtion, or self-disсiрlinе befitting his рosition. I beliеvе thе Crоwn Рrinсе shоuld bе deроsed, аnd a nеw Chosеn Onе sеlеctеd."
Lаi Luоzhi glаnced at this mаn and curved the cоrners of his lips slightlу.
Thesе words аngеred Zhаng Xingwei. With his usual clear stance, he presented his ivory tablet before him and retorted: "The Crown Prince is the Chosen One. How can there be talk of selecting another Chosen One? Ridiculous."
"Moreover, the Empress has only one son. If the Crown Prince is deposed, are we to choose an outsider? If Emperor Gaozong were still alive, would you dare speak like this?"
This was a veiled reference to the Zhou clan, as everyone knew the Empress had once inquired about passing the throne to her nephew, Zhou Changqing.
The Empress lowered her gaze, resting her head on one hand and her chin on the other, leaning back on the dragon throne without uttering a word.
Someone snorted coldly. Zhang Xingwei looked over and saw a fourth-rank official who was on good terms with the Zhou clan.
"Prime Minister Zhang seems somewhat stagnant," the official stepped forward, first bowing to the Empress, then turning to face Zhang Xingwei with proper decorum. "Passing the throne to the virtuous has existed since ancient times. Yao passed the throne to Shun, and Shun passed it to Yu, thus achieving the great accomplishments of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Our Empress, being wise and virtuous, would naturally not pass the Great Zhou's throne to an incapable person."
"As long as the person is virtuous and capable, we will support them. May Your Majesty discern clearly."
After speaking, he retreated back into the ranks.
Zhang Xingwei was so angry that his beard bristled. Pointing at the man, he glared fiercely. If not for the presence of the Empress and the other ministers, he would likely have unleashed a torrent of abuse to vent his anger.
How dare they compare the legitimate Crown Prince to an incapable person? Such audacity! Do they know why Li Chong ended up as he did?
At this moment, Zhou Zhao slightly raised a hand. Zhang Baohuan stepped forward to support Zhou Zhao and began fanning her.
Zhou Zhao casually swept her gaze over the court below. All fell silent, and the arguments vanished without a trace.
"Each of you is eloquent and learned," she said in a gentle tone, her eyes tinged with mockery. "Why not speak a few more words and broaden my horizons?"
Cold sweat broke out on everyone's backs. A group of grown men were actually rendered speechless under Zhou Zhao's imposing pressure.
Zhang Xingwei stroked his beard, somewhat amused as he watched these bullies who only preyed on the weak.
After half a moment of silence, Zhang Baohuan leaned close to the Empress, then stood up and announced loudly:
"If there are matters to report, do so now. If not, the court is dismissed."
In an instant, no one responded. Zhang Baohuan called for the court's dismissal and supported Zhou Zhao as she retired to the inner chambers to rest.
Zhang Xingwei was the first to leave the hall, unwilling to associate with these people.
The others exited in twos and threes, forming small groups and whispering among themselves.
Inside the Zichen Hall, Zhang Baohuan gently removed the Empress Zhou Zhao's imperial crown and handed it to a palace maid for safekeeping. He then began combing Zhou Zhao's long black hair.
Zhou Zhao lay half-reclined on the couch with her eyes closed, quietly enjoying Zhang Baohuan's attentions. After a long while, she sighed, her voice weary:
"Baohuan, your combing is truly soothing."
Zhang Baohuan knelt before the couch and replied with a smile: "Your Majesty is weary from listening to arguments, which has harmed your spirit. I have already sent someone to prepare a calming tonic. It should be ready soon."
"Mmm," Zhou Zhao nodded, raising her hand to caress the face that drew near. Beautiful. After all these years, still so beautiful. "You are thoughtful. I understand."Zhang Baohuan clasped Zhou Zhao's hand in return, his peach blossom eyes misty with emotion: "Your Majesty treats Baohuan so well, and Baohuan understands. Please rest, let this humble servant massage you again, ensuring Your Majesty is free from worries and troubles."
He stood up again, setting down the jade comb, and placed his well-maintained, slender jade-like hands on Zhou Zhao's temples, gently kneading.
Zhou Zhao glanced at the mirror standing there and said casually, "I already have white hairs."
But instead of hearing Zhang Baohuan's flattering denial, he looked up in surprise to see Zhang Baohuan staring blankly at the mirror, his rosy lips parting, before suddenly bursting into a soft laugh.
"What are you laughing at?" Zhou Zhao frowned. "Careful, or I'll have someone give you a few heavy strokes of the rod."
Zhang Baohuan stopped laughing and quickly begged for mercy: "Your gracious Majesty, please spare this humble servant. I was certainly not laughing at Your Majesty, but rejoicing for you."
Zhou Zhao was utterly perplexed: "What is there to rejoice about having white hairs?"
Zhang Baohuan ceased his laughter, his expression turning serious as he said earnestly, "These white hairs are the result of Your Majesty's exhaustion. Now that the Crown Prince is maturing day by day, why not entrust some of the state affairs to him, so that Your Majesty may also rest a little?"
Zhou Zhao fixed his gaze on him, and Zhang Baohuan, drenched in cold sweat under the stare, knelt on the ground, not daring to raise his head.
Zhou Zhao withdrew his gaze: "Enough, rise."
Zhang Baohuan stood up properly.
"Who sent you to test me?"
Zhang Baohuan shook his head: "No one, it was merely Baohuan's own thoughts."
"Bang!" An object was flung aside as Zhou Zhao angrily said, "Didn't you hear how the ministers in court today were all impeaching the Crown Prince? Why would you speak up for him out of the blue?"
Zhang Baohuan knelt on the ground once more, his expression sincere: "Your Majesty's heart holds its own considerations, beyond Baohuan's influence. Moreover, Baohuan only knows how to accompany Your Majesty; everything else Baohuan does not know."
With that, he kowtowed.
Zhou Zhao waved his hand: "Rise."
Zhang Baohuan stood up just as a palace maid brought the calming soup, so he took the bowl and personally fed it to the Empress.
The Empress stared at his splendidly handsome face and sighed deeply:
"This throne of mine, it sits unsteadily."
—
The next day, an imperial edict flew out from the Daming Palace, proclaiming to the world:
Crown Prince Li Chong, who does not follow the virtues of his ancestors nor heed Our teachings, indulges solely in wickedness, cruelty, and debauchery—acts too vile to speak of. He disregards moral principles and shows no respect for elders, having violated Princess Yong'an. His virtue does not match his position; therefore, We strip him of his title as Crown Prince, demote him to Prince, and order him to vacate the Crown Prince's palace immediately to reflect upon himself in seclusion. So it is decreed.
With Li Chong deposed, the position of Crown Prince was left vacant, an empty shell.
Upon learning this news, Zhang Xingwei overturned his writing desk in fury.
"Absurd, utterly absurd!" He pounded the desk angrily. "Violated Princess Yong'an? Preposterous to the extreme."
His hand rested on the desk, his mind in disarray.
These people, in order to depose Li Chong, would resort to any absurdity.
Yong'an was born to Consort Xiao, and Consort Xiao had been eliminated when the Empress was still the Empress Consort. Both Yong'an and Li Chong were children of Emperor Gaozong, making them full siblings—how could there be any talk of violation?
"False Zhou clan woman, it is you who severed the foundation of the late Emperor."
—
In the imperial garden, Zhou Zhao sat in the pavilion admiring the flowers, with Zhang Baohuan keeping him company.
It was early autumn, and the peonies had long since withered, but in the garden's Jade Pond, lotus leaves stood tall, lotus buds were about to bloom, their fragrance rich and sweet. A gentle breeze blew, offering a unique charm.
Yet neither of them was in the mood to enjoy the scenery.
With the Crown Prince deposed, Zhang Xingwei led the faction of Li's supporters, submitting memorials to the throne day after day without cease. Xu Wan, exhausted from replying, faced a mountain of documents yet had to respond to each one.Empress Zhou Zhao simply claimed illness to avoid court, steering clear of the contentious political battles.
Zhang Baohuan naturally discerned her thoughts and took the initiative to pour tea: "This tea was brewed for Your Majesty using dew collected from lotus leaves and blossoms this morning, with buds just about to bloom. It is most calming and soothing. Please have a taste."
Zhou Zhao took a sip, finding it refreshingly fragrant and sweet: "Excellent, fine tea indeed."
Zhang Baohuan glanced back: "Did you hear that? All those involved in preparing today's tea shall be rewarded."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Zhou Zhao waved her hand, dismissing the attendants. Zhang Baohuan stepped forward and, after a moment's hesitation, asked: "Your Majesty, are you thinking of Chancellor Zhang?"
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