The next day was a rare clear day. The somewhat glaring sunlight shining on people could just dispel some of winter’s chill, as if it were a different world from yesterday’s snow-shrouded capital.
In a shop facing the street, Xu Da watched steaming buns and porridge arrive at the table. He first took a sip and felt thoroughly comfortable. Opening the window, he was initially startled into shivering by the rush of cool air, but soon wore a smile as he watched the crowds gathering below growing larger.
“I heard yesterday that in the end the Five Cities Military Commission arrested twenty or thirty people,” Xu Da said, leisurely scooping up a spoonful of porridge with his bowl, his tone carrying obvious schadenfreude. “Wonder if the Five Cities Military Commission plans to make another round of arrests today.”
The steward from the Chen family of the Hanlin Academy bent at the waist to pour tea for Xu Da. Hearing this, he glanced down below and saw crowds of people surging toward the Five Cities Military Commission offices. His face bore a smile he couldn’t suppress. “Indeed. Yesterday they arrested so many people, and in the end even used cudgels, insisting that those causing trouble were all ruffians and scoundrels. This has already aroused public outrage. Today the matter is bound to escalate even more. At this rate, the Five Cities Military Commission’s offices won’t be able to hold so many people. The Shuntian Prefecture and Ministry of Justice will definitely have to make room.” Speaking of making room, the steward’s eyes gleamed with hope. “That’s good too. Only when they go in can our masters come out.”
Xu Da slowly ate a dumpling, then picked up his tea and took another sip. Feeling warmth in his belly, all the slight discomfort from rising early had vanished completely. Only then did he nod. “Exactly right. Only when some people make room can your masters come out. So let’s go watch the excitement.”
The steward bowed and scraped with an acknowledgment, happily summoning the shop boy to settle the account. He followed closely behind Xu Da, then was suddenly called back by him. “Oh, right… That Fourth Young Master from Earl Changning’s residence—isn’t he leaving the city for Shu today?”
This matter had already been investigated long ago. The steward nodded without hesitation. “He departs today. Yesterday the Crown Princess and Crown Prince left the palace specifically to see him off.”
Xu Da made an acknowledging sound, smiled, and gave his order. “Pick an opportune moment. Kill him.”
The steward couldn’t quite react for a moment. When he finally did, he hesitated somewhat. “My lord, this isn’t advisable, is it? Right now affairs in our capital are all in chaos. How can we spare attention to do this? Earl Changning’s young master travels with officials receiving him all along the way. If something else happens because of this, it would be counterproductive.”
Xu Da furrowed his brows and glanced at him, the smile at the corners of his mouth fading. “If your master were here, do you think he would ask such a foolish question?” The steward was momentarily at a loss for words. Xu Da looked at him askance. “I’m telling you to do it, so you go and do it. The rest of the matters need not concern you.”
Startled by his glare, the steward involuntarily retreated several steps. This master was the type who would kill someone with a blade without hesitation—he couldn’t afford to offend him. Hearing this, he came to his senses and immediately nodded repeatedly in agreement, going off to arrange and prepare.
Xu Da then led his people to continue watching the excitement.
Today was indeed destined to have excitement to watch. Though First Master Chang held official rank, he had requested leave and wouldn’t attend court. At home he was anxious as an ant on a hot pan. With great difficulty he waited for Changxing, who had gone to court with Chief Minister Chang, to return. He immediately called him in and asked point-blank, “Was there anything amiss outside?”
Though it was such cold weather, Changxing’s face was covered in sweat. Breathing heavily, he replied, “There were plenty of things amiss. The old master said something was definitely about to happen and had us return first.”
Something happening would be good. First Master Chang leaned back against the soft pillow, his head resting on it as he thought hazily—let the chaos erupt quickly. Once it erupted and broke through the heavens, only by lancing the abscess early and applying medicine would be the proper course of action.
Today was originally a grand court assembly. The plan to request the Crown Prince assume regency had already been decided earlier. But as soon as the Minister of Rites opened his mouth, he was immediately interrupted by indignant officials. “Though the Crown Prince is the legitimate eldest son of the Crown Prince, he has not yet been formally invested as Imperial Grand Prince. For him to assume regency would be improper and unjustified.”
Chen Dezhong and Fu Youde exchanged glances, both their faces deathly pale. Since hearing about the Vermillion Bird Street incident yesterday, they had guessed that trouble was definitely coming. Popular anger had already been stirred up—how could they possibly get through this easily?
Before Chief Minister Chang could speak, the censors came forward one after another in support.
“This subject seconds the motion. Though His Highness the Crown Prince is called Crown Prince, he has in fact not been formally invested. This is improper and unjustified.”
“Moreover, His Highness the Crown Prince is deficient in virtue and truly lackså¾·è¡Œ. He is unworthy of this position.”
These words were somewhat excessive. Quite a few members of the Eastern Palace faction couldn’t stand to hear it and came forward to refute.
But the opposing voices only grew louder.
“If His Highness the Crown Prince truly were a person of virtue, how does one explain yesterday’s incident on Vermillion Bird Street?” Someone gave a cold laugh. “Those on Vermillion Bird Street were just common people. Never mind whether what they said was true or false—there should never have been orders for the constables to suppress them forcibly.”
Another person immediately followed with sarcastic words. “Exactly right. I’m afraid it’s a guilty conscience at work.”
As soon as these cutting remarks came out, the atmosphere in the court hall immediately became tense as drawn bows. The Eastern Palace faction and the rest of the pacifist faction glared at each other, almost ready to roll up their sleeves and fight.
Chief Minister Chang shook his head and sighed inwardly. This was precisely why—a state cannot be without a ruler for a single day. That was the principle.
Prince Gong Han Zhengqing clearly understood this principle well. Deliberately trying to poison Emperor Jianzhang served two purposes: first, to throw the court into chaos, and second, to conveniently frame Zhou Weizhao.
The atmosphere on the floor was becoming uncontrollable. A court official rushed out from the ranks toward the dragon throne at the head and kowtowed continuously, wailing loudly. “His Majesty’s sage wisdom illuminates all, yet he was particularly deceived by petty men, resulting in… resulting in damage to the dragon body.”
Whom this “petty man” referred to was already self-evident. Everyone’s gazes uniformly turned toward Zhou Weizhao standing at the head of the ranks, then withdrew their gazes and settled on the official wailing in front.
“What do you mean by this?” In the end it was Cen Biliang who couldn’t stand it and came forward to rebuke him. “If you have something to say, speak. Don’t start crying at the drop of a hat!”
That official indeed stopped his tears and wailing. He turned his head righteously to glance at Cen Biliang, then deeply and respectfully kowtowed three times toward the dragon throne. His voice like a great bell, his manner imposing, he said, “I have no other meaning. I only ask that the Cabinet Elders order the Three Judicial Offices to jointly retry Prince Gong’s case and thoroughly investigate the matter of His Majesty’s illness. The doubts of the people outside are not without reason.” His gaze, neither deflecting nor wavering, fixed straight ahead. He pronounced each word deliberately: “This subject requests an investigation into the cause of His Majesty’s illness!”