In the Imperial Study, Liu Jiushao, the commander of the recent Shanglin Garden excursion, finished his detailed report and added, "The Right Guard of the Four Guards Battalion, totaling over five thousand men, with most of its commanders being Zhou Jin's confidants, secretly dispersed and mobilized without authorization after Your Majesty left the city. This was Zhou Jin's contingency plan for a forced abdication should the assassination fail. All confessions are complete and await Your Majesty's judgment."
After speaking, he noticed the emperor staring fixedly at the candle flame on the desk, his figure motionless, his face slightly pale. Not daring to look further, Liu Jiushao lowered his head.
After a long silence, the emperor finally spoke, "Your timely actions this time demonstrate loyalty and bravery. Well done. You may leave for now; rewards will follow later."
Liu Jiushao kowtowed in gratitude and withdrew. Outside the hall, he saw Pei You'an quietly waiting and hurried over, addressing him as "Lord Pei."
His admiration for Pei You'an was now boundless. Had it not been for Pei You'an's prior warnings and precautions during the Shanglin Garden trip, given the meticulous planning of the assassination and coup attempt, it was hard to imagine what might have transpired. Even now, the thought sent chills down his spine.
Pei You'an nodded slightly.
Knowing he couldn't linger outside the hall, Liu Jiushao whispered before leaving, "My lord, though you did not accompany us to Shanglin Garden, I made sure to truthfully report your contributions to His Majesty."
Pei You'an smiled faintly.
As Liu Jiushao departed, Pei You'an stood at the foot of the palace steps, gazing up at the row of mythical ridge beasts perched atop the glazed roof.
The beasts stood in orderly rows, their fierce faces and bulging eyes arrogantly surveying everything below.
A palace attendant emerged and bowed to him, saying, "Lord Pei, His Majesty summons you."
Pei You'an withdrew his gaze and stepped forward, entering to kneel and pay respects to Xiao Lie.
Xiao Lie sat rigidly behind the desk, his face still tinged with pallor, silently observing Pei You'an kneeling before him.
Pei You'an remained kneeling, unmoving.
"You'an, Liu Jiushao just reported to me that during the Shanglin Garden trip, he received advice from you?"
"How did you anticipate the Crown Prince's assassination plot? If you had suspicions, why not inform me earlier?"
"Look up and answer me!"
Xiao Lie finally spoke, his voice unusually grave, carrying a hint of accusation.
Pei You'an raised his head, meeting Xiao Lie's gaze with composure.
"Your Majesty, this is something I could not say before, but today, I must. It is simply because the Crown Prince has always judged me with disloyalty in mind, forcing me to take precautions."
Silence fell over the Imperial Study. After a moment, Xiao Lie spoke again, "Why are you so certain the Crown Prince cannot tolerate you? I have repeatedly taught him that I shared a brotherly bond with your father and hoped the two of you would—"
His voice grew slightly hoarse before trailing off, his gaze desolate.
Pei You'an slowly kowtowed to the ground.
"I am guilty of failing in my duty as a subject, causing the Crown Prince's unresolved grievances and disappointing Your Majesty so deeply."
He spoke softly.
Xiao Lie remained silent.
Pei You'an straightened and called for an attendant, instructing them to bring the item he had carried earlier. The attendant handed it over, and Pei You'an unfolded it—a woman's underwear, one sleeve stained with a yellowish mark, evidently aged.
The emperor was taken aback. "What is this?""Your Majesty, this is the garment my wife wore when she attended the birthday banquet of the Crown Princess's mother. Upon returning that night, she told me that when the Crown Princess offered wine and ordered her attendants to pour for the guests at their table, she noticed something unusual about the way the palace maid held the wine pot when it came to her cup. Fearing to drink, she discreetly poured the wine into her sleeve. Later, recalling the Crown Princess's public frenzy, she grew apprehensive and puzzled, so she informed me. As Your Majesty knows, I have some knowledge of medicine. Since childhood, for treatment purposes, I've also studied foreign substances. Suspicion arose, so I examined the wine stains on her sleeve and, after thorough investigation, discovered it was actually a secret Tantric drug that induces drunken madness."
Xiao Lie's expression gradually tightened.
"I still remember breaking into a cold sweat at the time. Had my wife drunk that medicated wine that night, the consequences would have been unimaginable. It was from that night onward that I became wary. After the Crown Princess's incident, Zhou Jin and Empress Zhou also took their own lives before Your Majesty. Despite Your Majesty's evident paternal devotion, the Crown Prince inevitably suffered collateral damage. I venture to speculate that the Crown Prince may have grown fearful for his own safety. As for Your Majesty's recent visit to Shanglin Garden, the signs originated from White Crane Temple. While treating Chi Hanzhen, I found her evasive, and her condition fluctuated until the night before departure when she fell into a coma, forcing me to request leave. Knowing her prior connection with the Crown Princess and the suspicious timing coinciding with Your Majesty's absence from the palace, I grew concerned for Your Majesty's safety and advised Minister Liu to exercise utmost caution."
Pei You'an raised his eyes to meet the emperor's gaze.
"Ravines can be filled, but greed knows no bounds. Though born with wisdom, men are often driven by ambition and desire without realizing it—this too is suffering. Your Majesty, before the Shanglin Garden incident, all this was merely my speculation about human nature. I couldn't believe the Crown Prince would commit such an act against his ancestors, nor dare I casually come before Your Majesty to sow discord between father and son."
"This is the complete truth, with nothing concealed. For my own self-preservation, I neglected Your Majesty's safety—I am guilty."
Having spoken, Pei You'an kowtowed once more.
Xiao Lie sat motionless as if in meditation, eyes closed. After a long silence, he rose with heavy steps and approached the still-prostrate Pei You'an. Bending down, he helped him up with both hands.
"You'an, what fault is yours to bear? I don't blame you. I too must reflect. For years, my personal conduct has been lacking, my vigilance insufficient, failing to notice the Crown Prince's growing alienation until it reached the point of patricide—a deranged and horrifying act. Though you didn't accompany us to Shanglin Garden, your contribution is no less than Liu Jiushao's."
"To think that I, who hold the world, have no one by my side..."
His fingers suddenly tightened around Pei You'an's arms, his voice trembling as he abruptly stopped speaking. Staring intently at Pei You'an, he seemed to realize his own emotional display and released his grip. After composing himself, he returned to his seat behind the desk.
"You'an, since you came to my side at sixteen, I have trusted you. From this day forward, let us work together with one heart."
"Though this empire is mine, I shall never treat you unfairly hereafter. Do you understand?"
Xiao Lie gazed at Pei You'an, enunciating each word clearly.Pei You'an hesitated for a moment before kneeling again to kowtow in gratitude.
Xiao Lie bade him rise: "We know the Crown Prince is cold by nature. We initially believed the Crown Princess to be virtuous and kind, which is why We arranged their marriage, hoping she could guide him. Never did We expect her to collude with him in wrongdoing—truly disappointing. Originally, We intended to send her away for lifelong confinement as well. However, yesterday, the Eastern Palace reported that she is with child. We shall grant her some time until the birth before deciding her fate. Given her crimes against Zhen, do you think this judgment too lenient?"
Pei You'an replied, "Your Majesty's decision is just. Even my wife would respect it, were she to know."
Xiao Lie nodded. "We are weary. You may retire."
As Pei You'an withdrew, Xiao Lie watched his retreating figure. Just as he reached the hall's entrance, the emperor suddenly called out again.
"Does Your Majesty require anything?" Pei You'an halted.
"With the passing of your grandmother, as the chief mourner, We should allow you to observe filial mourning in peace. But state affairs take precedence over family matters. Your grandmother was ever principled in life; her spirit surely would not blame Us. Recently, urgent memorials from Jingxiang have flooded in—endless disturbances. The resettlement of displaced people remains chaotic. Though you previously devised a strategy, local officials lack competence, implementation is lax, and conflicts with the populace persist. We fear growing resentment may spark unrest—a grave concern indeed. Since you spearheaded this matter and the locals trust you, We recalled you to the capital with the intent of restoring your office despite mourning rites. We wish to send you southwest again to implement policies on Our behalf—benefiting the region while preventing future troubles. What say you?"
Xiao Lie's tone suggested consultation.
Pei You'an stood motionless for a heartbeat before responding, "This subject obeys the decree."
Xiao Lie studied him. "Then tomorrow We shall order the Ministry of Personnel to issue the appointment. Depart at your earliest convenience..."
He paused. "You'an, We know these years have exhausted you—rushing about on Our behalf without respite. We see this clearly. Once this matter concludes, We shall grant you proper rest. You've endured much."
"Your Majesty overpraises. This subject merely fulfills his duty. With Your Majesty's leave."
Xiao Lie smiled and summoned Li Yuangui, instructing him to escort Pei You'an out.
"Lord Pei, this way please," Li Yuangui said respectfully.
After bowing to the emperor, Pei You'an turned and exited the study. He had taken but a few steps when Cui Yinshui hurried past him into the chamber, face pale with alarm. Noticing Li Yuangui's frown, the eunuch quickly approached and whispered, "Godfather! Trouble in the North Palace! Her Majesty demands an audience, but when the palace women couldn't get word through, they set themselves ablaze! Fortunately discovered in time—no major harm done..."
Li Yuangui stopped short.
Pei You'an smiled. "Eunuch Li need not accompany me further. I can find my own way out." With that, he departed.
As he descended the palace steps, his smile gradually faded. Eyes fixed ahead, he quickened his pace along the palace road.
...
In a residence within the North Palace, Zhou Shi paced frenetically, her face ashen, silk slippers scuffing against the floor.
The empty hall echoed with her hollow, frantic footsteps. Suddenly, she saw a tall figure emerge from the shadows beyond the candlelight's reach—a long, dark silhouette stretching across the ground.The man stood there in the end, staring at him coldly with an indifferent gaze devoid of any emotion, as if even hatred had vanished.
Zhou Shi rushed toward him but dared not get too close, kneeling several steps away with tears streaming down her face. She kowtowed and said, "Your Majesty, this humble concubine received Your Majesty's reprimand and is filled with fear and trepidation. Though Yintang has committed a heinous crime, if not for Zhou Jin's instigation, my son would never have done such a thing! He was momentarily confused—even a vicious tiger does not devour its own cubs. I beg Your Majesty, for the sake of our many years as husband and wife, to spare him this once!"
She continued to kowtow, her forehead striking the ground with loud thuds.
Xiao Lie replied coldly, "You sought an audience with your death, and I thought you had come to repent. For the sake of our twenty years as husband and wife, I came. Yet instead of reflecting on your failures in raising him, you still shift the blame onto others? Lambs kneel to nurse, and crows feed their parents in return—what has your son done? After ascending the throne, I named him Crown Prince. What grievance did he have? Now he attempts patricide to seize the throne, yet I have spared his life. Once Lady Zhang gives birth, regardless of the child's gender, they shall be raised as the imperial heir. For twenty years, I have never wronged you or your son. Reflect on your actions—I take my leave."
With that, he turned and strode away.
Zhou Shi stared with bloodshot eyes at the emperor's retreating figure, then suddenly shrieked, "Your Majesty, you claim you never wronged me or Yintang? Do you think I don’t know where you secretly went during those six months when you left Yunnan? You sneaked into the capital and went to Cien Temple to be with Pei Wenjing, didn’t you? All these years, your eyes have only been on the son Pei Wenjing bore you. When have you ever spared a glance for Yintang? He is your rightful son, the heir to the throne! Your favoritism is so blatant—Yintang’s descent into this path is partly your fault! And what virtue do you possess? Do you think that precious, illegitimate son of yours harbors no resentment toward you? If one day he learns of your disgrace, do you think he would still acknowledge you as his father?"
Her shrill voice echoed through the empty hall, reverberating like ripples in the air.
Xiao Lie abruptly halted and slowly turned his head.
The flickering candlelight cast shadows on his face, now livid with rage. His muscles twitched, his expression twisted into something monstrous, like a beast provoked to fury.
"What did you just say?" he hissed through clenched teeth, advancing step by step toward Zhou Shi, his gaze icy and terrifying.
Zhou Shi shrank back, fear flashing in her eyes. Suddenly, as if snapping out of it, she threw herself at his feet and clutched his legs. "Your Majesty, this humble concubine deserves death for her insolence! I spoke nonsense just now. I beg Your Majesty to spare Yintang, to give him one more chance—"
She wept as if her heart were breaking. "He is my only son. To punish him like this is no different from taking his life!"
Xiao Lie looked down at the woman clinging to his legs, sobbing wretchedly. After a long pause, he sneered, "What is 'rightful'? Since when does the world have so many 'rightful' things? My throne was not obtained by any 'rightful' means—why must it be passed to your son? Insatiable greed invites its own destruction."
With that, Xiao Lie pulled away and left without another glance.
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