Hu Shanwei simulated the seating arrangement for the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet and the counterattack process of luring enemies into a trap on the chess board, saying, “…Your Majesty, if there are no other issues, we’ll proceed according to plan.”
Emperor Jianwen stared at the chess board where the enemy and allied forces were represented by black and white pieces respectively—black and white clearly distinguished. He remained silent for a long time. His birth mother and younger brother were all black pieces; they wanted to kill him and his son. Because his wife was pregnant and might be carrying a male heir, this time they wouldn’t even spare his wife.
If not for Hu Shanwei’s secret defection, tonight all four members of his family would have marched together onto the road to the underworld.
“Proceed entirely according to plan.” Emperor Jianwen’s eyes frosted over, and the last trace of mother-son affection was completely worn away.
Hu Shanwei hesitated for a moment, then said, “This subject dares to speak frankly—the Empress is six months pregnant and has been kept completely in the dark about Your Majesty’s plan. Tonight at the family banquet, though there will be shock without real danger, still, swords and blades have no eyes. If something should happen… the Empress’s condition is delicate, and this subject worries about mishaps. Could we find an excuse during the banquet to have the Empress leave early?”
Emperor Jianwen didn’t think deeply and immediately refused, “No. The plan is that halfway through the family banquet, the Crown Prince’s soup will contain a small amount of laxative medicine. He’ll have mild diarrhea and return early to the Eastern Palace to rest. But if the Empress also leaves early, it will certainly arouse the Empress Dowager and Prince Heng’s suspicions. Once they withdraw, our plan will fall through completely.”
The Crown Prince was the heir apparent. As a precaution, Emperor Jianwen’s plan was to have the Crown Prince leave midway under the pretext of diarrhea, so that even if an unexpected slip occurred despite careful planning, at least the Crown Prince could be preserved.
The three-year-old Crown Prince had already begun his education, and his study companions were all sons of prominent Beijing families. When Emperor Jianwen served as heir apparent, things had been too rushed—most of the Crown Prince’s Palace administrative staff were mediocre incompetents of humble birth, causing his current governance to be weak and chaotic. Learning from this bitter experience, Emperor Jianwen gave his son the very best to make up for past regrets.
This included hope for survival—Emperor Jianwen wanted to ensure the Crown Prince’s absolute safety.
After all, there was only one Crown Prince, but wives… could be remarried. Countless women would want to bear children for the Emperor.
Hu Shanwei felt chilled, but still wouldn’t give up, continuing to persuade, “Since the Crown Prince feels unwell, it would be perfectly normal for the Empress, as his mother, to check on him midway and then return. She could just say she’s going to see the Crown Prince. Your Majesty can rest assured—with this subject secretly mediating, the Empress Dowager will certainly not become suspicious.”
Emperor Jianwen still didn’t agree, saying, “My mind is made up. I will protect the Empress. Palace Director Hu, go make arrangements.”
Empress Ma’s role in attending the family banquet was to give Empress Dowager Lu and Prince Heng a reassuring pill. After all, the imperial couple had deep affection—the only two other consorts in the palace were mere decorations. Empress Ma held exclusive favor in the rear palace, just like the filially devoted Empress Ma, her position unshakeable.
Emperor Jianwen’s insistence that the pregnant Empress Ma take risks was both outside Hu Shanwei’s expectations and within them.
Imperial power most corrupts the human heart. The world’s unique authority, absolute supreme power, was simply too tempting. Once touched, one never wanted to lose it, willing to sacrifice everything to protect imperial power.
Hu Shanwei had grown accustomed to the deep conjugal affection of imperial couples. Back then, Ancestral Emperor and Empress Xiaoci had met when both were humble—one a former monk-turned-soldier who had just returned to secular life, the other the adopted daughter of a peasant rebel leader. Together they weathered countless storms, supporting each other. The Ancestral Emperor respected and loved her, yet in the end, Empress Xiaoci still chose to treat being Empress as a profession. Her identities as wife and beloved had already been worn away by years of political power and various hardships.
Previously, Hu Shanwei couldn’t understand Empress Xiaoci’s detachment—her eventual abandonment of the will to live, refusing treatment from imperial physicians and female doctors, facing death with composure and even anticipation.
Now, witnessing firsthand the process of Emperor Jianwen and Empress Ma from their first meeting, marriage, love, childbirth, and empress installation—from mutual support through hardship to the point where, knowing Empress Ma faced danger, he would still have her attend the Hongmen Banquet for his imperial power—Hu Shanwei finally understood Empress Xiaoci’s choice.
Empress Xiaoci had seen through everything long ago. Perhaps back then she had harbored some expectations for her husband, just like the current Empress Ma?
It was one incident after another that made her clear-headed, gradually disillusioning her from things she once found warming, repeatedly examining her marriage and family. She gradually abandoned the roles of lover and wife, choosing only to be an Empress.
Empress Ma was once Empress Ma, and Empress Ma would become Empress Ma—an endless cycle.
The fate of rear palace women followed the same path despite different routes.
On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, Mid-Autumn Festival, when people and moon were both full, the north continuously sent two more victory reports: Sheng Yong’s southern army had recaptured the strategic locations of Dingzhou and Cangzhou. The southern army was turning defeat into victory.
Emperor Jianwen was overjoyed and naturally gave Sheng Yong generous rewards. Li Jinglong had planned to laugh at Sheng Yong—”If you think you can do better, try it yourself”—but when Sheng Yong took charge, he really could do it. Li Jinglong’s face was slapped, and to make matters worse, he wasn’t even invited to the Mid-Autumn imperial family banquet, despite being Emperor Jianwen’s maternal cousin and a great contributor to feudal power reduction. Duke Cao’s mansion, which had been the hottest destination in Jianwen’s first year, suddenly became deserted.
Li Jinglong had originally been a fence-sitter, but now the harsh realities of social climbing pushed him toward Prince Yan’s side. He spent day and night hoping for the southern army’s defeat and Prince Yan’s arrival in the capital.
During the day was the imperial family banquet where princesses, feudal princes who had fled to the capital, and other imperial family members gathered for a grand party. People enthusiastically discussed news of the southern army’s victories, greatly praising commander Sheng Yong, though thinking privately: The southern army outnumbers the enemy several times over, yet after fighting for over a year, they’ve only won a few battles—is this worth celebrating?
Hu Shanwei secretly observed the feudal princes. Each one was in his prime with sharp eyes. As they toasted Emperor Jianwen one by one, it felt somewhat like wolves circling their prey.
Prince Yan was right—if Emperor Jianwen died, any feudal prince who took power would be harder to deal with than Emperor Jianwen, so he must be well protected.
By evening, as the palace gates were about to close, imperial family members bid farewell and departed one after another. Only Prince Heng and Prince Xu, Emperor Jianwen’s own brothers, remained in the palace for the family banquet.
As night fell, countless lanterns illuminated the Chrysanthemum Terrace like daylight, and the family banquet began.
The mourning period for Ancestral Emperor had passed, so the rear palace could dress in colorful splendor. Around the Chrysanthemum Terrace were patterns of “Flowers Blooming in Wealth” and “Dragons and Phoenixes Bringing Good Fortune” assembled from various colored flower lanterns. Using flower lanterns as brushes and the night sky as paper, they painted a perfect scroll depicting the wealthy splendor that belonged only to the imperial palace.
Morning banquets for court ministers, afternoon banquets for the imperial family, and evening time with family—Emperor Jianwen had drunk quite a bit this day and seemed slightly intoxicated. When palace attendants brought fine wine and were about to pour for him, Emperor Jianwen pressed his left hand to his forehead as if with a headache, extending his right palm, “I’m already drunk and cannot drink more—bestow this pot of wine upon my second brother.”
The wine was poisoned.
Two years ago, Emperor Jianwen had defied imperial orders to save his mother, intercepting the poisoned wine Ancestral Emperor had bestowed upon Empress Dowager Lu. Yet two years later, not only did his mother show no gratitude, but she used a pot of poisoned wine to harm him!
Round and round, this pot of poisoned wine had changed from being bestowed upon to being the bestower. From savior to victim. From mother and son sharing prosperity to mortal enemies killing each other.
Upon hearing this, Prince Heng quickly feigned intoxication as well, “What Your Majesty bestows, this subject cannot refuse. However, hearing that our army has won consecutive victories and recaptured lost territory, this subject was overjoyed and lost restraint. I also drank too much during the day and feel unwell now. I cannot drink more. This subject will take this pot of wine back to the prince’s mansion, and when the three armies return in triumph, I will certainly bring out this imperial wine to drink heartily.”
Empress Dowager Lu busily helped her second son save face, “Drinking is for happiness—if it harms the body, it’s not worthwhile. Tonight’s family banquet has only family members, so there’s no need to worry about etiquette or face. Drink if you can, and if not, have some soup instead. Don’t harm your stomach.”
The virtuous Empress Ma beside them, seeing her husband had entertained all day, felt very sorry for him. She ordered the wine pot removed and lifted the crystal pot from her own table, which contained bright red liquid:
“This subject is pregnant and cannot drink alcohol. This is ‘appetite wine’ that Palace Director Hu specially ordered the Imperial Kitchen Bureau to brew for this subject. It’s sweet and sour, very refreshing. Would Your Majesty and Prince Heng like to try some?”
Prince Heng quickly seized the opportunity, “Thank the Empress for bestowing ‘appetite wine.’ This subject has only heard its name but never tasted it.”
“Give me a cup as well.” Emperor Jianwen nodded, saying to Hu Shanwei, “Palace Director Hu is thoughtful. I’m busy with state affairs all day, and Palace Director Hu takes very good care of the Empress.”
Hu Shanwei said, “This is this subject’s duty. Moreover, this ‘appetite wine’ is a recipe that Ancestral Emperor ordered the Imperial Kitchen Bureau to create for Noble Consort Duanjing, who wasn’t good at drinking, during the Hongwu reign. It was ready-made—this subject merely borrowed flowers to offer to Buddha, having the Imperial Kitchen Bureau make it according to the old recipe.”
Empress Dowager Lu quickly steered the conversation elsewhere, laughing, “Palace Director Hu’s tongue is truly clever, and her heart is careful too. If only when playing chess with me, you would let me win a few times—then you’d be perfect.”
Hu Shanwei joked back, “Too many people lose to the Empress Dowager—this subject doesn’t want to join that crowd. Every time I play chess with the Empress Dowager, I give my all, so I win more and lose less. This way, the Empress Dowager always remembers this subject and thinks to reward me when she gets good things—”
Hu Shanwei rolled up her sleeve, revealing a jade bracelet on her wrist like a bay of jade water, “I just received this recently. The clarity looks like ice formed from the half-melted, half-frozen jade waters of early spring—very beautiful.”
Now the rear palace was harmonious, the southern army frequently recaptured cities, the Emperor was in excellent spirits, and Empress Ma was pleased with both domestic and state affairs. She also set aside her reserve to joke, saying coquettishly to her mother-in-law Empress Dowager Lu, “Such good things, yet none are given to your daughter-in-law.”
Empress Dowager Lu said half-jokingly, half-seriously, “If the Empress could always beat me too, she could pick anything from my trunks.”
Everyone burst into laughter, and the Chrysanthemum Terrace was filled with joyful atmosphere.
Midway through, Empress Dowager Lu excused herself to change clothes due to the autumn breeze being cool. Before leaving, she gave Hu Shanwei a meaningful look. Hu Shanwei understood and followed. Empress Dowager Lu added a cloak, “The Emperor wouldn’t drink the wine with ‘special ingredients’—is this coincidence, or does he suspect something?”
Hu Shanwei said, “It’s a fact that the Emperor drank all day. The Empress Dowager is probably overthinking.”
Empress Dowager Lu touched her chest, “Tonight for some reason, my heart keeps panicking for no reason. Palace Director Hu, why aren’t you nervous at all?”
Hu Shanwei said calmly, “Victory or defeat hangs on this one move—what use is being nervous? The poisoned wine can no longer be used. Next we must watch the Court Entertainment Bureau’s dance performance. This assassination must succeed.”
Seeing Hu Shanwei so composed, Empress Dowager Lu immediately regained confidence, “When I was young, I was just like Palace Director Hu. It’s truly that old age makes one timid and hesitant. The plan continues.”
Hu Shanwei helped Empress Dowager Lu return to the Chrysanthemum Terrace, but they heard bursts of laughter. The three-year-old Crown Prince’s face was flushed red as he curled up like a shrimp. It turned out the little Crown Prince had been greedy for moon cakes and other rich, sweet foods, and when the autumn breeze blew, his stomach began rebelling. Being young, he couldn’t control his sphincter muscles and passed gas audibly.
Empress Ma covered her mouth laughing, “Quickly take the Crown Prince away to change clothes.”
This “changing clothes” meant going to the toilet.
Hearing Prince Heng’s explanation nearby, Empress Dowager Lu just found it amusing. Having given birth to five children, she knew children easily got upset stomachs, so she didn’t think deeply about it. The family banquet continued.
But after drinking a round of ‘appetite wine,’ the Crown Prince who had gone to “change clothes” hadn’t returned. Instead, Liu Siyao from the Imperial Kitchen Bureau came to report: “The Crown Prince has had diarrhea twice in a row. This subject examined the Crown Prince—there’s nothing serious, just that he ate too many rich, greasy moon cakes today and couldn’t digest them. This subject prescribed a formula to regulate the spleen and stomach for the Crown Prince to take.”
Empress Ma was a good mother and ultimately couldn’t feel at ease about her eldest son. Maternal instinct drove her to quickly stand up, saying, “This palace will go see him.”
Hearing this, Empress Dowager Lu and Prince Heng exchanged glances, momentarily confused: The Crown Prince wasn’t there, so they couldn’t catch everyone in one net, and now the Empress wanted to leave too—what was happening? Had there been a leak?
Who leaked it? Could it be… both mother and son began suspecting Hu Shanwei. Just as Empress Dowager Lu was about to order cancellation of the assassination plan, Emperor Jianwen took Empress Ma’s hand, preventing his wife from leaving, saying:
“Zitong, the Crown Prince just has a minor ailment. What child doesn’t love to eat? Zitong, don’t be so nervous. We’re about to release Kongming lanterns—this year there are a full thousand Kongming lanterns to pray for our army’s great victory and early pacification of northern rebellion. Zitong, accompany me to watch together, how about it?”
Empress Ma was a virtuous wife and good mother who regarded her husband as heaven. With Emperor Jianwen’s sincere invitation, Empress Ma couldn’t refuse. Secondly, she felt the Crown Prince didn’t have any serious problem, just an upset stomach. Moreover, Empress Dowager Lu was currently braving the autumn wind at the family banquet, talking and laughing happily. As a daughter-in-law, leaving early would seem disrespectful to the Empress Dowager.
So Empress Ma sat back down, nodding to Liu Siyao, “Tonight, please take extra care in looking after the Crown Prince.”
Liu Siyao accepted the order and left.
Watching Emperor Jianwen hold Empress Ma’s hand, Hu Shanwei sighed inwardly, while Empress Dowager Lu and Prince Heng breathed sighs of relief: It seemed like mere coincidence—they had overthought things.
Accompanied by auspicious music, a thousand Kongming lanterns from the rear palace slowly rose. This year’s lanterns were specially made round, and when the lights inside illuminated, the night sky looked like it held a thousand moons.
One real full moon mixed among a thousand fake moons—true and false, one couldn’t tell which was Li Kui and which was Li Gui anymore.
While everyone’s attention was on the thousand and one moons in the sky, Hu Shanwei quietly went to Empress Dowager Lu’s side and whispered, “The Crown Prince has gone to rest in the Eastern Palace. The Court Entertainment Bureau’s dance performance is about to begin. Should we stop? Empress Dowager?”
The poisoned wine had missed, and the little Crown Prince had missed too, but judging from Emperor Jianwen taking Empress Ma’s hand to watch the Kongming lanterns rise together, the first two matters were merely coincidence.
To proceed or not?
Empress Dowager Lu’s gaze flickered like stars in the night sky. Finally, her hands under the table clenched into tight fists with veins showing, but her face bore a smile as if she were merely chatting with Hu Shanwei about how beautiful the Kongming lanterns were, saying, “Do it! Time after time—I’ve lost patience and don’t want to delay anymore. After the deed is done, I have plenty of ways to deal with that little one in the Eastern Palace.”
When the last Kongming lantern disappeared into the starry sky, the dishes before everyone became freshly steamed large crabs. Besides the fragrant crabs on the tables, there were clips, pincers, and other tools for extracting crab meat—of course, the nobles didn’t need to do this themselves, as skilled crab-extracting eunuchs knelt beside the tables to serve.
These “eunuchs” were all young and strong—they were actually Emperor Jianwen’s secretly trained imperial guards, merely dressed as eunuchs.
Before eating crab, everyone washed their hands with warm water infused with chrysanthemum petals, and the Court Entertainment Bureau presented a new dance. This dance was personally chosen by Empress Ma—”Magu Presenting Longevity”—to please the Empress Dowager.
Magu danced surrounded by various immortals. When Magu danced near Emperor Jianwen, the six backup dancers and Magu—seven people total—suddenly drew throwing daggers with blue-black blades from baskets containing immortal peaches and other items, hurling them directly at Emperor Jianwen and Empress Ma!
The seven assassins shouted, “Kill the foolish ruler! Avenge the Yan army soldiers!”
The imperial guards kneeling before the tables extracting crab meat reacted swiftly, pulling out pre-prepared shields from under the tables to block in front.
Thud thud! Several muffled sounds as the poison-laced throwing daggers embedded in the shields.
“Assassins! Protect the Emperor!”
Emperor Jianwen had been prepared and instantly crouched behind his table, while Empress Ma stood frozen in place, almost forcibly pressed down by Hu Shanwei.
The instant Empress Ma crouched down, with a whoosh, a throwing dagger flew over, cutting off half of the false hair bun woven from horsehair atop Empress Ma’s head.
“Don’t move.” Hu Shanwei lay over Empress Ma, pushing her further under the table. Pressing a mechanism, an underground passage opened, revealing a slide. The imperial couple slid together into an underground chamber where a soft cushion caught them.
Simultaneously, Magu and the other assassins had been killed on the spot by the imperial guards. Empress Dowager Lu finally understood what was happening. Prince Heng immediately fled, his back struck by several throwing daggers. Empress Dowager Lu cursed furiously, “Zhu Yunwen, you rebellious—gurgle gurgle!”
But the “eunuch” who had been kneeling at the table extracting crab meat picked up scattered daggers from the ground and slit Empress Dowager Lu’s throat.
Empress Dowager Lu clutched her spurting throat, unable to say another word.
The “eunuch” threw away the dagger but cried out in terror, “Empress Dowager! The assassins killed the Empress Dowager!”
At this moment, the poison on Prince Heng’s back took effect. His legs went weak and he crashed into a lantern frame arranged as a giant peony flower on the Chrysanthemum Terrace. Lamp after lamp of oil spilled down, ignited by the flames, setting Prince Heng ablaze.
The last thing Empress Dowager Lu saw in her life was her second son screaming and rolling in the flames.
No one came to rescue him.