It was a plum pit.
Tie Ci looked up and saw Pingzong, who had been peering around curiously from the beam above, had now turned over to face her backside toward her.
Tie Ci couldn’t help but laugh. “Niece, long time no see.”
The niece remained unmoved.
Tie Ci turned to Dan Shuang: “The gifts I brought for the Princess – have they been delivered?”
Dan Shuang replied: “Chi Xue is handling that. We just arrived today, so there probably hasn’t been time to organize them yet. Besides, there are quite a lot…”
Before she finished speaking, Pingzong had already turned around, her eyes bright: “A lot? How much is a lot? As much as a whole cartload? I saw Noble Consort Jing return to the palace with a cartload of good things. Do I have that much too?”
Tie Ci frowned slightly. “Her Ladyship brought so much but didn’t send you a few pieces?”
Pingzong pouted: “Our lady is like a pixiu – hoards everything. Besides, would she be willing to give me anything?”
Before Tie Ci left for Yannan, she had repeatedly instructed Father Emperor and Mother Consort to treat Pingzong well. Father Emperor seemed to have done so – Pingzong could sit and lie casually here with him. But Noble Consort Jing… Tie Ci wanted to sigh again.
“That cartload wasn’t from me, it was from your young uncle-in-law. I can’t always take your uncle-in-law’s things. If you like them, I’ll get some from Gui Qizhai to make it up to you later. Otherwise, you can go play at Her Ladyship’s tomorrow and ask for whatever catches your eye.”
“I’m not going there. If I go, all I hear is her nagging – ‘Oh no, don’t knock that over!’ ‘Oh no, you can’t touch that!’ ‘Oh my, how can a lady sit on the ground like that!’ ‘Oh my, you mustn’t make noise while eating!’… Can’t touch this, can’t look at that. It’s exhausting.”
Tie Ci was silent for a moment, then changed the subject: “What are you doing out here?”
“Grandpa’s bathing. Grandpa now bathes three times a day, all sneaky-like, not allowing anyone near the inner palace. You’ll have to wait too.”
Tie Ci glanced at the Western-style floor clock. Father Emperor used to enjoy evening baths, sleeping right after washing. Now this time was neither early nor late, and she had sent word earlier that she would come. Why was he bathing at this hour?
Pingzong said: “Grandpa bathes at fixed times, preparing a whole bunch of stuff. Really, even more particular than my Aunt Qiong back then…”
She blurted out Xuanqiong’s name, then her mood immediately dropped. She turned over and ignored Tie Ci.
Tie Ci waited in the outer hall for a while. When she heard movement from the inner palace, she went in and indeed saw two little eunuchs dumping bath water. Tie Ci gestured to Dan Shuang, who went forward to help.
Tie Yan stood on the steps wearing casual robes, looking quite well. He actively rolled up his sleeves to show Tie Ci his wrists: “Father is getting old and has developed some minor ailments. The imperial physicians say it’s caused by dampness, so they prescribed medicinal baths three times daily to expel the damp poison. It’s much better now.”
Tie Ci saw Father’s wrists indeed had many red bumps, clusters of hives-like things that did look like allergic reactions. Seeing Tie Yan’s calm expression, she felt much more at ease and set the matter aside, following Tie Yan into the hall.
As they entered, she said seemingly casually: “Passing Ciren Palace on the way, it was quite peaceful.”
Tie Yan was silent for a moment, then said: “The Empress Dowager has been unwell recently and has been very quiet throughout.”
Tie Ci stroked her knee without speaking.
Tie Yan looked at her uneasily. He felt his daughter had become even more imposing and dignified after her trip, especially when silent.
With a soft sigh, he said: “It was I who ordered that she not be disturbed. After all, she raised me from childhood, and before this she never sought your or my life…”
Tie Ci also sighed: “Father Emperor, before was before, now is now. Previously she stood on high, looking down on you and me like ants beneath her feet. Who would care about the lives of ants? But now…”
Originally she had thought to strike while the iron was hot and find a way to remove this tumor that was the Empress Dowager. But having received no news of the Empress Dowager’s death while in Yannan, she knew things weren’t going smoothly.
She didn’t continue speaking. After all, Father Emperor was the emperor, and filial piety was paramount – he was in a difficult position too.
Besides, with Sang Tang there, killing the Empress Dowager truly wasn’t easy.
Soon Grand Tutor He, Second Assistant Minister Duan, Zhu Yi, General Qi, Minister Gu, Xia Houchun, and many other high officials from Tie Ci’s faction came to the study for secret discussions about eradicating the Xiao family.
Before this, Tie Ci had actually exchanged many letters with Grand Tutor He discussing this matter. As a core figure of the Crown Princess faction, Grand Tutor He had spent considerable time during this period building alliances and uniting all forces that could be united. With him there, along with the Crown Princess’s academy experience and her current standing among scholars, most court officials now stood with the Crown Princess. Those who previously had connections with the Xiao family were gradually beginning to distance themselves.
General Qi, responsible for monitoring recent Xiao family movements, reported first: “Your Majesty, Your Highness, esteemed ministers – our most elite spies have been continuously monitoring the Xiao mansion and the Eastern Ming Xiao family. The capital Xiao mansion has been very low-key recently. All family members and inner court relatives keep to themselves, having no contact with anyone. However, the Eastern Ming Xiao family has caused quite some trouble. After Fourth Master Xiao was bailed out by the Xiao family earlier and returned home, though he didn’t move against the troublemaking second branch, our people kept instigating them. The second branch lived in constant fear and finally erupted. With our people’s help, the second branch bought off quite a group and opposed the first and fourth branches. The old estate now has three scares daily, with various branches taking turns sending people to the capital to seek support from the Xiao mansion. Xiao Liheng has been so disturbed he’s beside himself. I heard he flew into a rage at the mansion, wanting to send his wife and mother back to the old estate to suppress those troublemaking clan members.”
Seeing Tie Ci’s expression, he quickly added: “Your Highness needn’t worry. We’re all keeping watch and paying close attention to Old Madam Xiao and the others, preventing them from escaping the capital under pretenses like burning incense. The city gates have also increased guards – we won’t give them any opportunity.”
Tie Ci nodded and glanced toward the inner palace. Xia Houchun understood and said: “Your Highness needn’t worry about palace affairs. Ciren Palace is also very well-behaved – not even a fly can escape. The people around the Empress Dowager – over the past half year, we’ve bought off those we could and dealt with those we had to. Apart from that black-clothed monster, she has no confidants left.”
If the palace staff around the Empress Dowager were previously loyal, since the Xiao family lost power and Tie Ci’s reputation grew daily, even Ciren Palace experienced wavering hearts. Once there were cracks in people’s hearts, there were plenty of gaps to exploit.
Tie Ci glanced toward Ciren Palace, thinking that in this past half year, this palace ground had probably buried countless more innocent corpses.
But power struggles brook no mercy. The foundation of the throne is built from white bones. From childhood until now, many people around her had been buried deep in this earth. What goes around comes around – it’s just the cycle of fate.
Duan Yande said: “The Xiao clan no longer holds military power. The list of their disciples and old friends is here.” He pushed over a list, categorized by type, containing officials who were either under the Xiao family’s patronage or closely connected with them. Different colors indicated the depth of these people’s relationships with the Xiao family, what issues they were involved in, which ones need no mercy, which must be dealt with, which could be turned, and which were suitable for receiving favor – all very clear.
“This list was compiled through joint investigation by the Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Revenue, and the Capital Prefecture. The parts about the relationship between the Xiao clan’s old estate and forces in the Haiyou region came from contributions by Chancellor Rong and Magistrate Yang.” Duan Yande said.
Magistrate Yang was Yang Yixiu, who after entering court was appointed magistrate of Ziyang County. The socially adept Yixiu actively networked with lower-level officials in Haiyou, gathering much intelligence about the Eastern Ming Xiao family’s old estate. He also helped with a series of arrangements to muddy the waters at the old estate.
Another part came from Rong Pu. As the First Minister’s most valued legitimate grandson, he naturally had access to much information unknown to ordinary people. But some of this information could harm the First Minister, yet Rong Pu was willing to share it, which greatly surprised both He Zi and Duan Yande.
Old Duan couldn’t help glancing at the Crown Princess, thinking: With such deep devotion, even abandoning family – what exactly is the Crown Princess thinking?
The Crown Princess wasn’t thinking anything.
Didn’t dare to think.
She focused intently on those lists, making judgments and analyses one by one. Finally she circled several names: “This one – we can use his illegal salt permit dealings to try getting him to bite back. This one – throw him out directly to intimidate that group. Kill whoever is most devoted to the Xiao family first. Though it’s amusing – the Xiao family doesn’t really trust this person either… This one – if he comes to surrender, absolutely cannot be trusted…”
She explained a pile of details. Everyone listened intently. As He Zi listened, he suddenly felt something was wrong. He felt Tie Ci was overly confident in predicting the Xiao mansion’s reactions. Even with spies planted inside, human hearts are like abysses – how could she be so certain of Xiao Liheng and others’ attitudes?
He couldn’t help raising the question.
Tie Ci smiled and turned a page without answering.
He Zi stopped asking.
Duan Yande then produced topographical maps of the area around Xiao mansion obtained from the Ministry of War. Everyone discussed how to attack if the Xiao family resisted desperately, how to block roads, and prevent Xiao clan members from escaping to seek aid.
Xia Houchun reported that he had already sent people to dig around the Xiao mansion based on the terrain and indeed discovered tunnels, which had all been severed.
The Minister of Justice, representing both the Ministry of Justice and the Court of Judicial Review, reported on recent personnel purges and transfers in both departments. A batch of reliable people had been installed to ensure no mishaps in the trial of the Xiao clan and their associates.
Minister Gu of Revenue reported on current storage and surplus grain in the capital, various material preparations, and the Revenue Ministry’s response measures for possible market fluctuations in the capital’s prices and economy.
Qi Ling stated that military power of the Five Military Commissions was currently in his hands. The Capital Guard had been under the Capital Prefecture’s administration recently, with Deputy Prefect Ying Yu being a professor from Yueli Academy – solidly Crown Princess faction. During this time he had been making transfers and covert purges.
Currently, besides the Five Military Commissions guarding the palace city, the Three Great Camps were in the inner city while the Capital Guard was in the outer city. Once trouble started, the Capital Guard and Five Military Commissions troops would clamp down on the Three Great Camps. The Three Great Camps had been cultivated by the Xiao family for years. After the spring examination incident, Tie Ci took the opportunity to replace the Three Great Camps’ commanders, but couldn’t replace all the mid-level officers who could actually control soldiers. Replacing large numbers of generals without cause was also taboo in military circles, so currently they could only be controlled and monitored, keeping the Three Great Camps trapped in the inner city where they could neither advance nor retreat. If anything happened, the Capital Guard and Five Military Commissions would directly attack from both sides.
Qi Ling produced detailed troop distribution maps. Tie Ci requested he also provide contingency deployment plans by the Five Military Commissions based on possible troop movements if the Xiao family became desperate.
Qi Ling pointed outside the capital: “The Capital Grand Camp thirty li outside the capital is the most crucial. For all these years their attitude has been unclear – no one can tell whose people they are. They’ve never offended the Xiao family nor His Majesty. In nearly twenty years, because there have been no rebellion incidents, they’ve never entered the capital. But who knows if this might be a hidden bomb?”
Everyone’s expressions grew grave.
In power struggles, military authority was most important.
Tie Ci said softly: “Di Yiwei has been stationed at Yongping for years. She recently submitted a memorial saying her old illness had flared up and she urgently needed treatment. I have already petitioned for an edict allowing her to return to the capital first to rest and recover. To ensure the safety of this meritorious minister of the state, she is permitted to bring whatever escort she deems sufficient to guarantee her personal safety.”
Everyone: “…”
One had to admit, the Crown Princess played word games smoothly.
He Zi clapped his hands and laughed: “Good, everything is prepared.”
He couldn’t help adding: “Your Highness, this past year everything has gone smoothly for you, your reputation has grown daily, while the Xiao clan has retreated step by step, declining like a river running dry. Now they’re already unable to rally, a spent arrow that can’t penetrate even silk. Yet you still rack your brains over this, considering from every angle, constantly strategizing. Aren’t you being a bit too cautious?”
Tie Ci smiled: “Regarding enemies, better to make excessive preparations than be caught off guard with oversights.”
The assembled officials nodded, all thinking admiringly that though the Crown Princess was so young, she was so prudent – Great Qian was blessed.
He Zi noticed the Emperor hadn’t spoken throughout and couldn’t help glancing at him, only to see the Emperor with a distant expression, lost in thought about something.
Everyone had finished their discussions and all felt relaxed, about to relax with tea. But Tie Ci suddenly produced a small paper scroll and spread it flat on the table.
Everyone thought there was some important intelligence and leaned over to look, only to see it was a list of Grand Secretaries.
Among the Cabinet Grand Secretaries in the Four Halls and Six Pavilions, Second Assistant Minister Duan Yande was present here. Wenyuan Pavilion Grand Secretary was Xiao Liheng. Dongge Pavilion Grand Secretary was Li Shen, who had always been Xiao Liheng’s man, but this year seemed rather awkward because Li Yuncheng had been forcibly kept by Tie Ci’s side.
The assembled officials were satisfied with the Crown Princess’s magnanimity and resolve. Whether motivated by protecting talent or driving a wedge between Li and Xiao, the Crown Princess’s elevation of Li Yuncheng was a brilliant move. Under these circumstances, even if Li Shen wanted to continue pledging allegiance, the Xiao family might not dare treat him as before.
Wuying Hall Grand Secretary Chang Jun was a slippery character – such people weren’t too worrying. He was best at reading the winds of change and would naturally lean whichever way the wind blew strongest.
Wenhua Hall Grand Secretary Xie Miao, also serving as Minister of Works, had once been a staunch supporter of First Minister Rong. Now, due to his nephew Xie Jin being killed by Old Madam Rong’s guards, there had been rifts between them. He could no longer be considered part of the Rong faction, but Tie Ci didn’t dare use him now either.
Through Tie Ci’s efforts, the Cabinet was no longer the Xiao-Rong world of the past.
Finally, everyone’s gaze fell on Rong Luchuan’s name.