As the situation unfolded, Shen Zaiye’s doubts only made Chu Shan more convinced. He immediately headed towards Zhilan Palace.
The writing on the wall was carved at an unknown time, crooked but recognizably in the emperor’s handwriting. It must have been carved in a moment of crisis, stating only: “If something happens to me, depose the Crown Prince and enthrone the Prince Nan.”
“Depose the Crown Prince?” Chu Shan frowned. “This must be from long ago, carved when the Crown Prince plotted rebellion?”
“It should be,” Shen Zaiye nodded. “It’s no longer valid now.”
The ministers fell silent. Chu Shan glared at Shen Zaiye: “If the Chancellor still refuses to hand over the edict, we’ll have to accept this as the decree and welcome Prince Nan to ascend the throne.”
“How do you plan to accept it?” Shen Zaiye raised an eyebrow. “Will you pry this wall off?”
“You!” Mei Fengchang couldn’t hold back anymore and frowned, “This official originally thought the Chancellor had a loyal heart for the country, but I didn’t expect you to show your true colors so quickly! The late emperor has passed, the throne is vacant, and the imperial seal is in your hands. If you don’t establish a new emperor, what are your intentions?”
What else could his intentions be, if not harboring treasonous ambitions?
Everyone present understood this clearly. Chu Shan gritted his teeth and immediately ordered, “Escort Chancellor Shen to the Court of Judicial Review!”
“Who dares?” Nangong Yuan arrived with his sword drawn, pushing through the crowd to surround and protect Shen Zaiye with the imperial guards. “The Grand Commandant and the Chancellor are both among the Three Excellencies. What authority do you have to detain the Chancellor?”
“Lord Nangong,” Chu Shan frowned, “You are the General of the Imperial Guard in this palace. How can you help this traitor?”
“The Chancellor hasn’t usurped the throne or acted recklessly. How can you call him a traitor?” Nangong Yuan said. “This official believes he is a good minister who serves the country and its people!”
Shen Zaiye’s actions could be called serving the country and its people. Chu Shan and Mei Fengchang laughed. Both sides were at a standoff, swords drawn and bows bent.
Inevitably, bloodshed erupted in the palace. Shen Zaiye ordered that Chu Shan and the others not be harmed, but Chu Shan’s faction aimed directly for his head! The two sides fought fiercely for a day and a night, turning the palace into a river of blood.
Everyone thought it was over. Even if Shen Zaiye hadn’t initially intended to usurp the throne, he would now be forced to rebel. If the situation descended into chaos and court officials began taking sides and fighting, it would be a catastrophe for Great Wei!
However, as dawn broke, the palace gates were opened.
Prince Nan, Mu Wuxia, arrived in military attire, his eyes sharp with determination. He rode directly to Qianyuan Hall with his troops.
The warring factions were dispersed by the soldiers. Mu Wuxia sat on horseback in the morning light, glaring at Shen Zaiye: “What is the meaning of this, Chancellor?”
This questioning, tinged with hoarseness and anger, made Shen Zaiye lower his eyes.
Chu Shan was overjoyed. He quickly ran to Prince Nan’s side and bowed, saying, “Fortunately, Your Highness has returned in time! The late emperor has passed away. We implore Prince Nan to ascend the throne quickly!”
“We implore Prince Nan to ascend the throne quickly!” Those behind Chu Shan also knelt, their voices shaking the heavens.
Mu Wuxia was stunned for a moment. He looked at the white banners hanging high on the eaves of Qianyuan Hall, then turned to Shen Zaiye with reddened eyes: “Why did you have to do this?”
Why didn’t you trust me? Why didn’t you wait for me? His five thousand troops had defeated the enemy, recruited over two thousand, and suffered minimal losses. It was a brilliant victory! With this, he could have surely persuaded his father to grant his wishes. Why… why did he return to face this scene?
Why hadn’t he been told a single word in advance?
Shen Zaiye sighed softly and said, “There was no other way, nothing else to say.”
Chu Shan and the others didn’t understand, assuming that Prince Nan was questioning why the Chancellor had rebelled. This strengthened their determination to support Prince Nan’s ascension.
“‘No other way, nothing else to say,’ indeed!” Mu Wuxia’s throat tightened. “The Chancellor truly doesn’t see me as a person.”
He hadn’t truly been seen as an adult.
Shen Zaiye said no more. He gestured for Nangong Qin to withdraw his weapons, and those behind him also threw down their swords. Seeing this, Chu Shan immediately ordered Shen Zaiye to be arrested.
Mu Wuxia dismounted, watching him being led away with a complex expression. He whispered something to the person behind him. That person accepted the order and left. Chu Shan didn’t question it and immediately led him into Qianyuan Hall.
With Prince Nan’s return, the catastrophe naturally disappeared. He was now the only suitable candidate for the throne in Great Wei. Although young, he was the undisputed choice. Chu Shan and the imperial protection faction agreed that in this critical moment, the ceremony could be disregarded, and the edict to enthrone him should be issued first.
The edict was retrieved from Shen Zaiye, and it indeed stated that Prince Nan should be enthroned. Everything was falling into place, with no one raising any objections.
Thus, after a day and night of bloodshed, the imperial palace of Great Wei welcomed its new monarch. Once the late emperor’s edict was issued, the new emperor’s first act was not to worship heaven and earth but to deal with Shen Zaiye.
“The Grand Commandant wants to execute him?” Mu Wuxia shook his head at Chu Shan. “Impossible. Half of Great Wei’s territory is in his hands.”
“This servant is truly concerned,” Chu Shan frowned. “He is cunning and ambitious. If we don’t eliminate him…”
“If we eliminate him, my throne won’t be stable either,” Mu Wuxia stood up, looking down at his dragon robe with a mix of mockery and irony, and then walked out. “You needn’t conflict with him further. I will say what needs to be said.”
No one in the world could kill Shen Zaiye. He held too much in his hands and knew too much. Anyone who rashly killed him would surely bring about a great calamity that could topple the empire.
Perhaps this was why he was so fearless.
Shen Zaiye was confined to the Court of Judicial Review. Hearing the door open, he turned to look.
“That attire suits you well,” he smiled.
Mu Wuxia couldn’t smile. He looked at him with a deep expression and said, “I suppose the Chancellor had this prepared early, which is why it fits so well. When I put on this robe, do you know how I felt?”
“You must resent me,” Shen Zaiye chuckled lightly. “The dragon robe was prepared early, yet I never mentioned a word to you.”
“Yes,” Mu Wuxia narrowed his eyes. “In the Chancellor’s heart, am I so unworthy of trust?”
It wasn’t a question of worthiness. Shen Zaiye sighed and sat down nearby. “If this subject had informed you in advance, would you have agreed?”
“No.”
“That’s why,” Shen Zaiye looked at him. “This subject’s political views have always differed from yours, but time waits for no one. I felt that if you took this path, it would save a lot of trouble.”
Mu Wuxia looked back at him, slightly annoyed. “There are many shortcuts in the world. If one can walk an unjust path so easily, what difference is there between right and wrong?”
Shen Zaiye smiled, lightly rubbing his nose with his index finger. “This subject has never considered himself a righteous person, nor have I ever thought of walking a righteous path. In the history books a thousand years from now, I should be classified among the treacherous officials, my name tarnished for eternity.”
“…” Mu Wuxia glared at him. “You’ve lived your whole life just for this infamous outcome?”
“This subject has no grand ambitions,” Shen Zaiye said. “I don’t seek to be remembered for ages, only to complete what needs to be done while I’m alive, to achieve what I desire. How future generations judge me is of no concern to me.”
What difference does it make to be a loyal official or a treacherous one? It’s merely at the mercy of historians’ pens. One lives for oneself, not for others.
Mu Wuxia gritted his teeth. “The Chancellor is truly great. To push me onto this throne, you’re willing to splash yourself with mud. But did you ever ask if I wanted this outcome?”
Looking at him deeply, Shen Zaiye said with full affection, “Did you think that someone of your status had any choice in the matter?”
The most noble in the world are those of the royal family, and the most pitiful are also those of the royal family.
With reddened eyes, Mu Wuxia looked at him and finally said, “I remember saying that if I ever became emperor, I would never employ you.”
“This subject doesn’t mind,” Shen Zaiye glanced at the sky outside and frowned. “However, I hope Your Majesty can release me now.”
The people in the mansion probably couldn’t hold on much longer.
The reinforcements sent had driven the Imperial Guard out of the Chancellor’s mansion, but Taohua and the others still only dared to stay in the secret room of Linwu Court. The group of women was exhausted, each looking pale and haggard. Just as they were about to fall asleep at night, fighting suddenly broke out again outside, frightening everyone into huddling together, fearing the door might break at any moment.
No one came to tell them the news, and they didn’t know the situation in the palace. Naturally, everyone became tense when they heard someone enter the mansion again.
Taohua heard someone enter the study outside and instinctively gripped her sword tighter.
Unlike the careless Imperial Guard, the person outside seemed particularly attentive. Soon after entering, they discovered the mechanism and took two steps outside. With a twist of their hand, the door that had sheltered them for two days slowly opened.
Light shone in from outside, and everyone gasped, screaming in unison!
Jiang Taohua also instinctively drew her sword and stood up with Qingta, but she stepped on her skirt and lost her balance, falling to the side!
“My lady!” Qing Tai called out, about to reach out, but saw the newcomer skillfully catch her in his arms.
Taohua was stunned. She grabbed the person and felt his waist. Before she could look up at his face, she burst into tears: “My lord!”
The secret room smelled terrible. Shen Zaiye frowned in disgust, picked her up, and retreated outside. He looked down and said, “You’re still alive. That’s quite an achievement.”
Only then did the others see who had arrived. They all ran out, surrounding him like a flock of hungry chicks. Some cried, and some wailed, instantly giving Shen Zaiye a headache.
“All of you, be quiet!”
Taohua pitifully closed her mouth, pointed at her face, then at the secret room behind her, then at the concubines around, with tears in her eyes, and stuck her head into his palm.
Amused, Shen Zaiye stroked her head and said softly, “Tell them to be quiet. You can speak directly.”
“This concubine wanted to say, you’ve finally returned,” she said. “Staying in the secret room was too miserable. Everyone was about to give up. You need to comfort us.”
The others nodded in agreement, each stretching their necks towards him. Shen Zaiye chuckled, glanced at the others, and picked up Jiang Taohua to leave. “You all smell quite strong. Go back and wash up before coming to pay your respects. The Chancellor’s mansion is safe now. No one will dare to intrude forcefully again.”
Gu Qingying unhappily clutched her handkerchief, watching Shen Zaiye’s retreating figure. “What’s the use of reflecting? The lord still likes the mistress the most.”
“After escaping death, you still have the heart to be jealous?” Gu Huairou stepped out. “Let’s quickly go back and check on our courtyards.”
With this reminder, the group of beauties suddenly remembered that their jewelry was still in their courtyards. They hurriedly screamed and scattered, rushing back to see if anything was missing.
For the first time, Taohua willingly let Shen Zaiye carry her, even feeling glad that he could carry her like this.
“Is everything settled?”
“It’s settled,” he said, leading her to the bathhouse in the back courtyard while ordering people to prepare hot water. “Prince Nan has ascended the throne. The court is still in chaos, but I don’t need to worry about it. Someone will naturally take care of it. In ten days, it will probably be time for the coronation ceremony.”
So fast? Taohua was startled. “You… took action?”
Emperor Mingde was still in his prime. There was no reason for him to suddenly pass away.
“If I hadn’t taken action, would I be standing here listening to your nonsense?” Shen Zaiye snorted lightly. When the water was ready, he picked her up, stripped off her clothes, and tossed her into the pool like a dumpling, then began to undress himself.
Taohua was shocked and kept backing away. “My lord, we just escaped death. Are we going to be this intense?”
Rolling his eyes to the sky, Shen Zaiye sank into the bath and closed his eyes tiredly. “You’re thinking too much.”
Who still had the energy to do those things now? He was exhausted and just wanted to lean against someone and rest well, but with this bloody smell on him, he couldn’t sleep.
Taohua was slightly stunned. She swam to his side and reached out to massage his temples. “It seems these past few days have been difficult for you too, my lord. Then this concubine is relieved.”
Half-opening his eyes, Shen Zaiye looked at her silently.
Feeling a chill down her spine, Taohua immediately became serious and said, “Don’t misunderstand, my lord. That’s not what I meant. I meant that these past few days in the mansion have been tough. Knowing that you’ve suffered along with us, I suddenly feel a bit happy.”
It wouldn’t be fair if she had to bear all the hardships alone!
Snorting lightly, Shen Zaiye raised his hand, wiping the dirt from her face bit by bit, then pulled her into his embrace.
“It’s fortunate you’re clever.”
If she had gone to the imperial palace, he would have had to watch helplessly as Emperor Mingde ordered an attack on Zhao. If she hadn’t led everyone to hide, reducing his burden, he wouldn’t have been able to perform the next act so well.
Having a smart woman behind him was truly a fortunate thing.
Taohua blinked, her long eyelashes brushing against his chest. She wrapped her arms around his waist and said, “It’s also fortunate that you didn’t let this concubine down.”
The autumn breeze was cool, but the water in the pool was warm. The two stayed quietly for a while before washing clean and returning to the main house.
The mansion was in chaos, with many courtyards losing gold, silver, and jewels, filled with wailing. Taohua and Gu Huairou were helping to take inventory, preparing to make a list for Shen Zaiye to demand an explanation from the Imperial Guard, when unexpectedly, someone appeared at the entrance of Linwu Court.
(End of Chapter)