The palace had become a place of controversy. No external officials were allowed to enter, and naturally, the princes, princesses, and consorts within could not summon outside officials.
So Princess Huaiqing must have something to discuss with me. Xu Qi An immediately followed the captain of the guard, mounting his beloved mare, and hurried to the Huaiqing Mansion.
The Huaiqing Mansion was located in the highest and most heavily guarded area of the Imperial City. This area housed the residences of the royal clan and the mansions of princes and princesses like Lin’an. It was second only to the palace in importance.
“Although I’m the main official in charge of the Chu State case, and I’m not at the center of the storm right now, I’m still one of the key people involved. Why would Huaiqing summon me at this time? It’s not because she hasn’t seen me in a while and misses me terribly…”
To be honest, this was Xu Qi An’s first visit to the Huaiqing Mansion. He had been to the Second Princess’s residence many times. If it weren’t for the numerous spies and the impropriety, Xu Qi An could have had his dedicated guest room in Lin’an’s mansion.
The layout of the Huaiqing Mansion was similar to Lin’an’s, but the overall atmosphere was more serene and elegant. From the plants in the courtyard to the furnishings, everything exuded a sense of tranquility.
In the spacious and bright reception hall, Xu Qi An met the long-absent Huaiqing, a woman as elegant as a snow lotus.
She wore a plain palace dress with a light yellow gauze draped over it, simple yet not austere. Her jet-black hair was half loose, half tied up in a bun, adorned with a jade hairpin and a golden step-shake ornament.
Her features were exquisitely beautiful yet three-dimensional. Her eyebrows were delicately long and straight, her eyes large and bright, with a depth reminiscent of a clear autumn pond.
“Your Highness!”
Xu Qi An cupped his hands in greeting. He had wanted to ask her with a smile if she liked the seal he had sent, but the words died on his lips as he lost the mood for jest. At Huaiqing’s gesture, he took a seat.
“Tell me about the details of what happened in the northern border,” Huaiqing said, her expression calm but her eyes slightly grave and melancholic, seemingly not in the mood for banter either.
Xu Qi An then recounted in detail the events that had transpired in Chu State.
After listening, Huaiqing remained silent for a long while. Her beautiful face showed no emotion as she said softly, “Accompany me for a walk in the courtyard.”
The rear garden of the princess’s mansion was vast. The two walked side by side without speaking, but the atmosphere wasn’t awkward. There was a sense of tranquility and the warmth of old friends reuniting.
“Father was wrong,” Huaiqing sighed after a long while. “Prince Huai was first and foremost a prince, and only secondarily a warrior. In this world, the higher one’s position, the more one must consider the seat one occupies. This is the foundation of one’s standing.”
“So, Prince Huai deserved his fate, even though Great Dafs has lost a peak warrior because of it.”
What about your father? Doesn’t he deserve the same fate? Xu Qi An thought, but said softly, “Your Highness is righteous.”
Huaiqing shook her head, her beautiful face showing a hint of melancholy. She said gently, “What does this have to do with righteousness? It’s just that the blood hasn’t cooled yet. I… am very disappointed in Father.”
Xu Qi An was about to speak when he suddenly received a telepathic message from Huaiqing: “Father’s seclusion in the palace is not out of cowardice, but his strategy.”
Princess Huaiqing’s cultivation is not shallow. To use telepathy, one must reach the Spirit Refinement realm. She’s been hiding her true strength… Xu Qi An was inwardly shocked. He telepathically asked back: “Strategy?”
Huaiqing nodded slowly and explained via telepathy: “Have you noticed who among the civil officials blocking the palace gates these three days has left, who has come, and who is just watching the commotion?”
Xu Qi An was speechless.
Glancing at him, Huaiqing continued her telepathic message: “When the news of Prince Huai’s massacre reached the capital, whether treacherous officials or loyal ones, whether indignant or seeking fame, any scholar couldn’t remain indifferent. At this moment, emotions are running high, and the tide is at its fiercest. That’s why Father is avoiding its sharpest point by secluding himself in the palace.
“However, the first push is the strongest, the second weaker, and the third exhausted. When the officials calm down when some have achieved their goal of gaining fame when other voices emerge in the officialdom, that will be the time for Father to truly engage in a battle of wits with the officials. And that day won’t be far off. I guarantee, within three days.”
She then let out a “huh,” seemingly mocking or disdainful: “Now rumors are flying in the capital, the people are both shocked and angry, and all classes are discussing it. At first glance, it seems like an unstoppable tide. But Father’s true opponents are only in the court, not among those peddlers and porters.”
Xu Qi An furrowed his brow and said solemnly, “But Prince Huai did massacre a city after all. He must give an account to the officials and the people of the world.”
Huaiqing, however, sighed pessimistically: “Let’s see how Prime Minister Wang and Lord Wei make their moves.”
In the heavy atmosphere, Xu Qi An changed the subject: “Your Highness once studied at the Cloud Deer Academy. Have you ever heard of a book called ‘Gleanings of the Great Zhou’?”
Huaiqing thought carefully and shook her head: “I’ve never heard of it.”
…
On this day, the indignant civil officials still failed to enter the palace or see Emperor Yuanjing. After dusk, they dispersed.
But the civil officials didn’t give up. They agreed to come again tomorrow, and if Emperor Yuanjing didn’t explain, they would paralyze the entire court.
Also on this day, different voices indeed emerged in the officialdom.
Some worriedly raised a question: “The Northern King’s city massacre is now known to all. Where is the court’s dignity? The people of the world must be incredibly disappointed in the royal family and the court, right?”
The Northern King was His Majesty’s brother, a noble prince, not an ordinary royal.
At the same time, he was Great Dafs’ God of War, the guardian of the northern border in the hearts of the people.
Such a person, for his selfish reasons, massacred a city!
The aftermath of this incident was the people’s loss of trust in the court, the royal family’s loss of face, and the loss of popular support.
Could a simple “The Northern King has been executed” really heal the wounds in the people’s hearts?
This was different from executing a corrupt official.
For over twenty years, the Northern King’s image had been lofty and grand—he was the God of War, the guardian of the northern border, a prince of his generation.
How could this be compared to a corrupt official? Executing corrupt officials only demonstrated the court’s and royal family’s authority.
But if the royal family committed such a brutal act, would the people applaud as they did for the execution of corrupt officials? No, their beliefs would collapse, and they would lose faith in the royal family and the court.
So the Northern King we praised and loved was such a person.
It might even produce a more extreme reaction.
Also on this day, the Crown Prince of the Eastern Palace was assassinated in his bedchamber after dusk.
That night, the palace gates were closed, and the imperial guards searched the entire palace for the assassin, to no avail.
The next day, the four gates of the capital were closed. Prime Minister Wang Zhenwen and Wei Yuan mobilized the five guards of the capital, the constables of the government office, and the night watchmen to search for the assassin throughout the city.
House by house.
The entire capital was in an uproar.
…
“What does the Crown Prince have to do with this? Why was he suddenly assassinated? Is it a coincidence, or part of a larger game? If it’s the latter, that’s too tragic.”
Early in the morning, upon hearing this news, Xu Qi An immediately went to see Wei Yuan, but Wei Yuan didn’t meet him.
With no other choice, he turned towards the courier station, intending to discuss with Zheng Xinghuai.
“Governor Zheng has gone out and is not at the station.”
Li Han, carrying an ox horn bow on his back, greeted Xu Qi An as he entered the room and said solemnly:
“Recently, some different voices have emerged in the officialdom, saying that the Northern King’s city massacre case is very tricky, concerning the court’s prestige and the popular sentiment in various regions, and needs to be handled with caution.
“Governor Zheng was very angry and left early this morning. It seems he went to lecture at the Imperial Academy.”
Those are all the old emperor’s internet army… Xu Qi An sighed, but he did admire Emperor Yuanjing to some extent. Despite playing power games for so many years and being an incompetent emperor, his mind was not muddled.
He rode with Li Han toward the Imperial Academy.
From afar, they saw Governor Zheng standing outside the Imperial Academy, speaking passionately.
“The sage said, ‘The people are important, the ruler is light’…”
“The Northern King, as a prince, massacred the people, treating them like livestock and sheep. He is truly the common enemy of us scholars…”
“We scholars should seek blessings for the common people, and establish virtue, merit, and doctrine. Thus, I returned to the capital, vowing to seek justice for the 380,000 people of Chu State city…”
Will his actions be effective?
Of course, they will. Some newly rising great scholars (academic great scholars), before becoming famous throughout the world, liked to lecture at places like the Imperial Academy.
To spread their academic ideas.
If they could gain the recognition of the students and make a name for themselves, then establishing their school of thought would not be far off.
Zheng Xinghuai wasn’t spreading ideas; he was criticizing the Northern King and calling on students to join the critical army.
The effect was quite good. Scholars, especially young students, full of ambition and hot-blooded, were much purer than the old hands in officialdom.
Throughout history, it has mostly been young people who have engaged in protests and demonstrations.
“Hasn’t anyone come to stop him?” Xu Qi An asked.
Li Han shook his head.
This doesn’t make sense… Xu Qi An frowned slightly.
He waited patiently by the roadside until Zheng Xinghuai had vented all his anger and returned with guards like Shentu Baili. Only then did Xu Qi An approach him.
“This is not the place to talk. Constable Xu, please come back to the courier station with me,” Zheng Xinghuai said, his face stern and serious as he nodded slightly.
Back at the courier station, Zheng Xinghuai led Xu Qi An into the study. After Li Han served tea, this scholar who had experienced great ups and downs in life looked at Xu Qi An and said:
“Is it about today’s rumors in the officialdom?”
“That’s only part of it. The rumors are spread by him, but they’re not without reason. We must guard against them,” Xu Qi An sighed and said:
“I’m mainly here about the assassination attempt on the Crown Prince.”
Zheng Xinghuai pondered and asked: “In this case, who has shown the most enthusiasm?”
Xu Qi An was stunned: “Lord Wei and Prime Minister Wang.”
Zheng Xinghuai sat upright and nodded: “This matter is most likely planned by Lord Wei and Prime Minister Wang. As for the purpose, I don’t know.”
What? Lord Wei and Prime Minister Wang want to assassinate the Crown Prince?
What’s the reason? What does the Crown Prince have to do with this case… This answer was something Xu Qi An could never have imagined.
After discussing for a long time, Zheng Xinghuai looked at the water clock in the room and said solemnly: “I still need to visit old friends in the capital and move around. I won’t keep Constable Xu any longer.”
Xu Qi An took the opportunity to stand up. As he reached the doorway, he heard Zheng Xinghuai’s voice from behind: “Constable Xu…”
He turned back to look.
This scholar, whose back was gradually becoming hunched, tidied his graying hair at the temples and bowed, saying:
“A man’s word is worth a thousand in gold. I very much like that half poem of Constable Xu’s. That day on the city wall, I promised the 300,000 wrongfully dead people that I would seek justice for them. Having made that promise, I have no regrets.
“After this matter is settled, I will resign from my official post and return to my hometown. We may never meet again in this life. Therefore, I want to thank you in advance.”
Xu Qi An turned around, his face serious, and returned the bow meticulously.
He opened the door, stepped over the threshold, and walked a few steps. From the room behind him came Zheng Xinghuai’s recitation:
“Youthful chivalry, connecting with heroes of five cities. Liver and gall open. Hair standing on end. Amid conversation. Life and death together. A promise worth a thousand in gold…”
World affairs are tumultuous and chaotic. If one can achieve success and retire, leaving only leisure and ease, a pastoral life, that’s not bad at all… Xu Qi An smiled.
…
In the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Yuanjing sat cross-legged on a rush mat, his eyes half-closed, and said calmly, “Has the assassin been caught?”
The old eunuch shook his head and said respectfully, “No news has come.”
“If he can’t be caught, then there’s no need to catch him.”
Emperor Yuanjing opened his eyes, a cold smile on his face, but his tone was one of sentiment: “In this court, only Wei Yuan and Wang Zhenwen are of any interest. The others are all lacking.”
The old eunuch kept his head down, not daring to comment or evaluate.
Emperor Yuanjing continued: “Send someone out of the palace to deliver a message to those on the list. There’s no need for fanfare, but don’t be too cautious either.”
After a pause, he added: “Notify the cabinet that tomorrow, I will summon the officials to discuss matters in the Imperial Study. We will deliberate on the Chu State case.”
The old eunuch’s breathing quickened for a moment, and he said, “Yes!”