Empress Ma was the emergency firefighter, putting out fires wherever they erupted.
When eunuchs discussed politics and the Hongwu Emperor wanted to kill the eunuchs, they sought out Empress Ma.
When ministers opposed the feudal system, predicting it would lead to future “Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms,” and the Hongwu Emperor wanted to “arrest them immediately so I can shoot them personally,” they sought out Empress Ma.
The Eastern Palace was a “fire outbreak” disaster zone. When the Crown Prince and the Hongwu Emperor quarreled over political disagreements, and the Hongwu Emperor, unable to match the Crown Prince’s scholarly citations, resorted to physical violence, they sought out Empress Ma.
Everyone habitually sought out Empress Ma as a cure-all remedy, but they forgot that Empress Ma was not made of copper and iron—she was a person of flesh and blood. She bore the pressure to extinguish fires, often getting burned and scalded by the flames herself.
Previously, when Noble Consort Sun was there to accompany and comfort her, she had an outlet for the pressure and grievances she endured. Now that outlet was closed, she had visibly grown silent and haggard, yet everyone still habitually sought out Empress Ma whenever trouble arose.
Seeing only Hu Shanwei emerge alone, Consort Lu, who had come seeking reinforcements, was quite disappointed. But since Hu Shanwei had said the Empress was unwell, she dared not question it, only reminding her: “When His Majesty flies into a rage, he’s absolutely terrifying. How does司言 Hu plan to rescue His Highness the Crown Prince?”
Hu Shanwei held the scroll, appearing calm on the surface but actually panicking inside. She had nearly had her eyes gouged out and knew all too well how the Hongwu Emperor became like a fire-breathing dragon when enraged.
But Empress Ma’s physical condition was truly concerning… After saving this crisis, what about the next one? The Crown Prince would have to learn to save himself and not rely too heavily on Empress Ma.
However, Consort Lu seemed to view the situation too pessimistically. By the time Hu Shanwei reached the Imperial Study, the Hongwu Emperor had already stopped beating the Crown Prince. After all, he was the heir to the throne—the Emperor couldn’t bear to strike too harshly.
Hu Shanwei saw from afar that the Crown Prince was kneeling on the cold jade steps outside the study. Though it was just the beginning of winter and not yet freezing, kneeling outside was still quite cold.
Hu Shanwei asked a young eunuch, “Why is the Crown Prince still kneeling?”
The young eunuch replied: “The Crown Prince is kneeling to beg His Majesty’s forgiveness for Song Lian, refusing to rise.”
Hearing this made Hu Shanwei want to hit someone. His Majesty had already stopped beating you—you should leave quickly and think of other solutions. By kneeling here refusing to rise, are you waiting for Empress Ma to come and help you convince the Hongwu Emperor to release Song Lian?
Protecting the Crown Prince and releasing Song Lian were two different matters—the former was a legitimate mother’s responsibility, the latter was politics.
When needed, they shamelessly summoned Empress Ma.
When not needed, they loudly declared that the harem must not interfere in government affairs.
Consort Lu hurried over: “Your Highness the Crown Prince, are you alright?”
After the Crown Princess died, Zhu Biao had not remarried. Apart from Consort Lu, there were no other women in the Eastern Palace. The two had deep affection for each other. Zhu Biao said quietly: “Why did you come? Leave quickly.”
Seeing the Crown Prince’s mouth was swollen from being beaten, Consort Lu felt heartbroken: “Your Highness, you must take care of your health. Seeing you like this breaks my heart.”
Watching the two being lovey-dovey, Hu Shanwei felt a headache coming on. So they were all counting on Empress Ma to save the day.
Hu Shanwei walked over with the scroll and said to the Crown Prince: “If Your Highness wishes to save Song Lian, please rise first. Kneeling will not solve the problem.”
Since司言 was Empress Ma’s mouthpiece, the Crown Prince thought Hu Shanwei’s words represented Empress Ma’s intentions and complied. Having been beaten and then kneeling for so long, his knees were numb with pain, and his legs buckled when he tried to walk. Consort Lu supported him from the side.
Hu Shanwei led him to a warm pavilion to rest first. The eunuchs monitoring outside reported this to the Hongwu Emperor, who sneered: “Didn’t he say that if I don’t release the prisoner, he would kneel indefinitely? How did Hu Shanwei get him to rise with just a few words? His ears are too soft.”
After drinking several cups of hot ginseng tea, the Crown Prince’s pale complexion improved slightly. “What clever plan does Empress Mother have to convince Imperial Father?”
Hu Shanwei said: “Her Majesty is unwell and sent me to check on the situation. Since His Majesty has already stopped, why was the Crown Prince still kneeling outside? His Majesty has always been stubborn and unyielding. Using kneeling to pressure His Majesty into pardoning Song Lian is, in this humble servant’s opinion, inappropriate.”
Just a female official—what right did she have to point fingers at him? The Crown Prince was a well-mannered person and didn’t express this outwardly, remaining politely courteous: “Since the Empress is unwell, please司言 Hu return to the palace and take good care of the Empress.”
Having said this, the Crown Prince walked toward the door, planning to continue kneeling. If he couldn’t even save his mentor’s life, how could he face the scholars of the realm?
Song Lian was a key promoter of the Ming Dynasty’s restoration of the imperial examination system. Without Song Lian, matters like how to set questions and establish standards for evaluating candidates would have made the Hongwu Emperor’s decree restoring the examination system nothing more than empty words.
Therefore, saving Song Lian would win the hearts of scholars throughout the realm. How could a mere female official understand the Crown Prince’s intentions?
Having lived long in the palace, Hu Shanwei roughly guessed the Crown Prince’s contemptuous meaning. Since you want to fish for fame and insist on playing the victim, I won’t disturb you. She said: “If the Crown Prince insists on kneeling again, please take this—the Empress ordered me to bring it.”
The Crown Prince opened it and saw it was a painting from his youth, “Carrying a Child.”
Hu Shanwei said: “Her Majesty is unwell and cannot personally come to plead for the Crown Prince. If later, when the Crown Prince is kneeling indefinitely and angers His Majesty into beating you with sticks, should this painting fall from your person at that time, His Majesty will stop when he sees it.”
The Crown Prince’s face reddened as he placed the scroll on the table. “I don’t need it. Take it back.”
This was the best protective charm! Better than any sought from temples. Consort Lu quickly stuffed the scroll into the Crown Prince’s robes: “Your Highness, this is bestowed by Her Majesty. When elders give gifts, one cannot refuse.”
Unlike the Crown Prince’s prideful nature, Consort Lu wasn’t so arrogant and advised: “Your Highness, just now司言 Hu said the kneeling approach might be inappropriate—perhaps司言 Hu has a clever plan. Your Highness might as well listen. Wasn’t the ‘Imperial Filial Piety Record’ His Majesty promulgated inspired by司言 Hu’s suggestions?”
The new funeral rites of equal respect for parents and mourning periods for stepmothers had been fully implemented.
Not mentioning this would have been fine, but bringing up the “Filial Piety Record” made the Crown Prince detest Hu Shanwei even more: “Hmph, mere sycophantic words, only knowing how to speak and act according to His Majesty’s wishes.”
The Crown Prince still wore mourning attire. Having received strict ritual education from childhood, he genuinely resented having to mourn for a stepmother. Throughout history, those of scholar rank and above never needed to mourn for stepmothers, but because of this Hu Shanwei, from now on, whether commoners, scholars, or royalty, all must follow the same mourning system.
Alas, sycophants in power! Why did Empress Mother rely so heavily on this sycophant!
Being classified as a “sycophant,” Hu Shanwei didn’t know whether to be angry or laugh. Fine, if you can do it, then do it. I won’t interfere anymore. As long as I’ve protected your life and don’t implicate Empress Ma, that’s sufficient.
Hu Shanwei took her leave.
Consort Lu hurried after her to apologize for the Crown Prince: “His Highness has this stubborn, straightforward temperament. He’s been beaten by His Majesty since childhood for this. The Crown Prince wasn’t targeting司言 Hu personally—please don’t take it to heart.”
Hu Shanwei smiled. Right, he wasn’t targeting me alone—the Crown Prince was targeting all sycophants.
Looking at Hu Shanwei’s expression, Consort Lu couldn’t quite read whether she was angry or not. This female official had been in the palace less than two years, yet three noble personages had fallen by her hand: the former Noble Consort Hu, Prince Qin, and Consort Deng. The Hu family was exterminated to the third generation, Prince Qin was still at the frontier earning merit to atone for his crimes without restored rank, and Consort Deng died under mysterious circumstances—Mao Qiang claimed it was suicide from guilt, but few believed it…
To be safe, Consort Lu returned to the Eastern Palace and had her subordinates prepare a gift list: “Make it generous—this is for司言 Hu.”
Consort Lu kept her tail between her legs outside, but once back in the Eastern Palace with its green glazed tiles, surrounded by attendants, she carried herself like the mistress of the household, even holding her head high.
Her subordinates prepared the gift list for Consort Lu’s review. Finding it insufficient, she added several valuable gifts. When delivered to Hu Shanwei’s residence, it was refused by the young palace maid Haitang: “司言 Hu says she won’t accept unearned rewards. Please return them.”
When the subordinates reported back, Consort Lu thought: This is bad—司言 Hu seems angry.
Meanwhile, after drinking his ginseng tea, the Crown Prince went back to kneel outside the Imperial Study, clutching the scroll Consort Lu had forced into his robes.
The Hongwu Emperor thought Hu Shanwei had persuaded the Crown Prince, but unexpectedly, the Crown Prince was kneeling outside again, begging him to pardon Song Lian.
The Hongwu Emperor flew into a rage, ran out and delivered a flying kick. The Crown Prince fell, and the “Carrying a Child” painting dropped from his robes. As the scroll rolled open, the somewhat naive artwork appeared before the Hongwu Emperor’s eyes.
Seeing Empress Ma carrying the young Crown Prince while fleeing on horseback, the Hongwu Emperor immediately recalled those difficult times and indeed stopped beating the Crown Prince.
The Hongwu Emperor ordered: “Send the Crown Prince back to the Eastern Palace. Without my permission, he’s not to leave the Eastern Palace.”
Having been kicked until he coughed up blood, the Crown Prince still struggled to kneel and plead: “Imperial Father, please pardon Song Lian.”
Two sturdy eunuchs quickly supported the Crown Prince from both sides, even covering his mouth, and forcibly carried him away.
The world was finally quiet. The Hongwu Emperor looked at the scattered “Carrying a Child” painting on the ground, sighed deeply, picked up the scroll, and said to a nearby eunuch: “Go to Kunning Palace and say I’ll join the Empress for dinner tonight.”
In Kunning Palace, Empress Ma was half-reclining on her bed, drinking medicine newly prescribed by Physician Ru. Even Physician Ru couldn’t detect any serious illness—just physical weakness and poor spirits. She prescribed body-strengthening medicine and advised plenty of rest without overexertion.
Actually, palace affairs didn’t require Empress Ma’s concern—everything could be handled by the Six Bureaus and One Department. What worried Empress Ma were other matters—things she had no authority to control but felt compelled to address.
Hu Shanwei and a eunuch from the Hongwu Emperor’s side arrived one after the other to report. Empress Ma said: “Tell His Majesty not to worry—I’m fine.”
She then said to Hu Shanwei: “Summon Head Cook Xu.”
Hu Shanwei went to the Imperial Kitchen Bureau to relay the message, and Head Cook Xu came.
Empress Ma instructed: “For tonight’s dinner, use only vegetarian dishes—not even meat oil.”
Head Cook Xu asked: “His Majesty’s meal will also be served in Kunning Palace—should it also be entirely vegetarian?”
Empress Ma nodded: “Yes, all vegetarian, the simpler the better.”
Head Cook Xu had managed food since the Prince of Wu’s residence and had served faithfully for over twenty years. Hearing this, she asked no questions and immediately went to instruct her subordinates.
Hu Shanwei, being young and having spent little time in the palace, didn’t understand Empress Ma’s intention: “Your Majesty, Physician Ru said your diet should focus on health maintenance with balanced meat and vegetables—you shouldn’t eat only vegetables.”
“It’s just one meal—no harm done.” Empress Ma smiled weakly. “You’ll understand tonight.”
Winter darkness came early. By lamp-lighting time, the Hongwu Emperor arrived at Kunning Palace carrying the scroll to inquire about Empress Ma’s health.
When dinner was served, it was all thin vegetarian soup and plain vegetables.
The Hongwu Emperor was puzzled: “Zitong, what’s this about?”
Empress Ma said: “I’m eating vegetarian meals for Master Song.”
Song Lian again. The Hongwu Emperor said: “I haven’t killed him yet.” The man isn’t even dead—why eat vegetarian for him?
Empress Ma said: “Master Song retired in the tenth year of Hongwu, living peacefully in his hometown of Jinhua, Zhejiang. He only comes to the capital once a year on Your Majesty’s birthday, the Longevity Festival, dragging his aged body to offer birthday congratulations. Therefore, regarding the matter of his eldest grandson Song Shen and second son Song Pu’s association with Hu Weiyong—he’s just a country elder. How could he know what his descendants were doing in the capital?”
Empress Ma’s influence was indeed greater. The Hongwu Emperor sighed: “Treason requires extermination of nine generations of kin—this is national law. How can I show favoritism?”
Empress Ma never pleaded with the Hongwu Emperor using only benevolence or sentiment. She slowly presented facts and reasoned logically. She dipped her finger in clear water and wrote the characters “Warm Tree” on the dining table.
“This is the name of Song Lian’s study. Master Song has always modeled himself after Kong Guang, the virtuous chancellor of the Western Han Dynasty. When Kong Guang was chancellor, someone asked him what flowers and trees were planted in the warm chamber of Changle Palace. Kong Guang didn’t answer. Therefore, the name ‘Warm Tree’ means keeping the emperor’s secrets. Master Song, like Kong Guang, frequented the palace and served before Your Majesty, writing countless imperial edicts. All drafts were burned—not a scrap of paper left his study.”
“Your Majesty, Master Song indeed erred in not properly disciplining his children, but his personal loyalty to Your Majesty is absolutely sincere.”
As a literary leader with excellent writing skills, many of the writings credited to the Hongwu Emperor were actually ghostwritten by Song Lian. The most famous was the “Northern Expedition Proclamation” issued when Xu Da led the northern campaign in the first year of Hongwu—logical, clear, and magnificently imposing, it was a model proclamation. The achievements of the northern expedition owed much to the civil officials’ contributions.
All past events floated before his eyes. Once upon a time, the Hongwu Emperor regarded Song Lian as a national treasure, entrusting the Crown Prince’s education to him.
Seeing the Hongwu Emperor’s expression, Empress Ma knew it was almost time for the final push: “Common people spare no effort to maintain propriety when hiring teachers for their children. If even common folk do this, the imperial family should respect teachers even more. If even a teacher like Master Song cannot escape death, who will dare teach the imperial princes and grandsons in the future?”
After eating a vegetarian meal, the Hongwu Emperor issued a decree pardoning Song Lian’s crimes and exiling him to Kuizhou.
After the Hongwu Emperor left, Hu Shanwei rehung the scroll in the study. Empress Ma asked her: “I heard the Crown Prince called you a sycophant. Are you angry?”
Hu Shanwei said: “This servant dares not be.” Well, she was still somewhat angry. Different paths don’t lead to cooperation—from now on, when facing the Eastern Palace, she would absolutely not take an extra step or say an extra word.
Empress Ma said: “You female officials exist to share concerns for me and His Majesty. The Crown Prince cannot understand now because his perspective is limited—it’s not your fault. When the Crown Prince ascends the throne someday, he won’t think this way anymore.”
Empress Ma’s support for Hu Shanwei made her feel somewhat warm. As a female official, she was merely a tool for the emperor and empress to govern the palace. Masters needn’t care about a tool’s thoughts and feelings, especially compared to the Crown Prince heir—Hu Shanwei was utterly insignificant.
But Empress Ma had offered her small comfort, which made Hu Shanwei feel overwhelmed by the favor. Empress Ma retired early, and when Hu Shanwei returned to her residence, Mu Chun came to see her: “I heard the Crown Prince called you a sycophant? Is this true?”
Hu Shanwei frowned: “How did what happened in the Imperial Study reach everyone in the harem in less than a day?”
Mu Chun hit the nail on the head: “Many people can’t stand you, and many people can’t stand the Crown Prince. This incident is bad for both you and the Crown Prince, so naturally it spread quickly.”
Mu Chun also comforted her: “The Crown Prince also calls me a clown behind my back. A ‘sycophant in power’ and a ‘clown’—what a perfect pair.”
Author’s Note: Song Lian was exiled to Kuizhou, which is present-day Chongqing.