With the Emperor bedridden, the palace concubines gathered in the Empress’s quarters.
When Consort Yun heard Empress Shi’s instruction to break the news of Prince Huaiyang’s survival gently, she exchanged a meaningful glance with Consort Jing, who was from the same palace.
Consort Jing, whose father served under General Sun, immediately understood Consort Yun’s hint. Feigning ignorance, she said, “His Majesty’s love for talent is admirable. However, I’ve heard that Prince Huaiyang is arrogant and not particularly respectful to His Majesty. Why would His Majesty be so heartbroken? … Though I’ve heard that Prince Huaiyang’s new wife is an old acquaintance of His Majesty…”
Empress Shi, her plump face expressionless, replied, “Consort Jing, your words are inappropriate. If the censors were here, you’d be charged with inciting discord between the Emperor and his officials. As Empress, my failure to restrain the concubines’ tongues is a moral failing. I shall copy Buddhist scriptures as penance… Guards, take Consort Jing away and slap her mouth twenty times until she understands what should and shouldn’t be said.”
Everyone was stunned by this pronouncement.
Empress Shi was known as a jovial, Buddha-like figure in the palace – fond of food and drink but rarely interfering in affairs. She had always been courteous to the concubines, never pulling rank. Her apparent lack of shrewdness was why Consort Jing’s provocation had been so crude and obvious. No one expected Empress Shi to assert her authority today, using Consort Jing as an example.
When the Empress punished a minor consort, especially on the grounds of interfering with state affairs, no one dared to intervene. Soon, the sound of sharp slaps and Consort Jing’s wails echoed from outside the hall.
Consort Yun glanced at Empress Shi, who was calmly sipping her sweet tea, seemingly as focused as she would be on a favorite dish…
Sun Yunniang secretly clenched her handkerchief. She believed that Empress Shi, who often shared the Emperor’s bed, must have heard him call out “Mian Tang” in his drunken state.
She had instigated Consort Jing to speak up, hoping to provoke Empress Shi’s jealousy. But this seemingly simple woman, with whom she had been on good terms, turned out to be full of cunning. By slapping Consort Jing’s face, wasn’t she also disregarding Consort Yun’s influence?
At that moment, Empress Shi finally put down her teacup and addressed Sun Yunniang: “Consort Yun, you’ve been by His Majesty’s side for a long time. You should know His Majesty’s passionate nature. How could you allow a consort from your palace to speak so carelessly, like a gossiping market woman?”
Consort Yun quickly knelt, blaming herself for not properly guiding Consort Jing’s speech.
Empress Shi waved her hand, saying, “You may all leave now. Wait until His Majesty recovers before coming to pay your respects…”
With that, Empress Shi rose to visit Emperor Liu Yu in his chambers.
Consort Yun watched Empress Shi’s retreating figure, inwardly scoffing. Although Empress Shi had shown her power today, reacting was better than no reaction at all.
Her husband’s heart harbored a pure, moonlit love, yearning for it night after night. She didn’t believe this plump woman could endure such a situation.
While the palace concubines were engaged in their power struggles, the news of Prince Huaiyang’s safe arrival in the capital shocked both the court and the public.
After His Majesty summoned Prince Huaiyang and his wife to the palace, the officials learned that the previous incident had been a false alarm. However, the attempt on Prince Huaiyang’s life was undeniable.
Most astute individuals could guess who was behind it.
The Empress Dowager summoned Prince Sui to the palace, warning him not to go too far: “Prince Huaiyang is now the Yue Fei of Da Yan, single-handedly repelling the barbarians and winning the people’s hearts. If rumors spread that you tried to harm him, it would greatly damage your reputation!”
Prince Sui, his brow furrowed since hearing of Prince Huaiyang’s safe arrival, replied, “The victor becomes king, the loser a bandit. If he had truly died, what would reputation matter? Mother, your excessive concern for reputation allowed that boy Liu Yu to seize an opportunity.”
The Empress Dowager disagreed: “I know you’re impatient. But look at Liu Yu’s position now – is it secure? If not for his father-in-law’s influence and control over the capital’s military, he would have been overthrown long ago. He’s still obedient now and must heed my words. Judging by his constitution, he’s not destined for longevity. Be patient, and you’ll ascend the throne legitimately… I had you late in life and have seen too many princes perish, so I can’t bear to see you take any risks.”
She paused, then continued, “As for Cui Xingzhou, he’s merely a regional prince of a different surname. No matter how great his military achievements, it will be difficult for him to regain a firm footing in court. The Emperor has defied public opinion by appointing him as Grand Marshal in the Ministry of War. Many are dissatisfied; he and the new Emperor are both sitting on thorns. Do you think maneuvering on the battlefield is the same as court intrigue? He’s still green in matters of state… Why rush and make a misstep?”
Prince Sui knew his mother’s insight into current affairs was keen. He had indeed been too hasty this time. Fortunately, his subordinates had acted cleanly, leaving no fatal evidence. Even if Prince Huaiyang investigated thoroughly, he wouldn’t be able to trace anything back to Prince Sui.
However, there was one point his mother might not fully understand – the deep-seated enmity between him and Prince Huaiyang. Prince Sui felt that eliminating Cui Xingzhou had become half his life’s mission.
Unfortunately, Cui Xingzhou’s luck was extraordinary. He had managed to disembark and switch to land travel just before reaching Lian River, without arousing suspicion.
Although he claimed it was to accommodate his pregnant wife and sister, Prince Sui was convinced Cui Xingzhou had acted on inside information.
His resentment intensified. “Cui Xingzhou,” he thought, “since you’ve successfully entered the capital, let’s see how long you, a battlefield brute, can dance in the imperial court!”
Due to the delay caused by the incident en route, Prince Huaiyang’s arrival in the capital was behind schedule, missing the handover time. The previous Grand Marshal had already retired to his hometown due to severe illness, leaving all handover matters to lower-ranking officials.
Coincidentally, it was time for the Ministry of War to audit the military accounts. The entire ministry was bustling with activity, officials too busy to even look up. The official responsible for the handover apologized to Prince Huaiyang, explaining that if they didn’t finish calculating these accounts first, the entire ministry would delay next year’s military salary budget. With thousands of soldiers’ rations at stake, the responsibility was too great. They asked the new Grand Marshal to make himself comfortable and wait for the handover after they finished their urgent work.
Thus, when Prince Huaiyang, the newly appointed Grand Marshal, arrived at the Ministry of War to assume his post, no one served him tea and the atmosphere was notably cold.
All major and minor affairs in the ministry were still being reported to Secretary Ma, the original head of the Ministry of War, for decisions. Cui Xingzhou spent a day at the ministry, leisurely drinking tea all morning.
A younger Cui Xingzhou might not have tolerated this, perhaps using thunderous methods to assert his authority over the ministry.
However, now he was subtly influenced by his wife. He recalled her gentle reminder before he left: “My lord, now that we’re in the capital, it’s a place of many temples and many gods. Although you fear nothing, there’s no need to rush. Take things slowly, understand the dynamics, and then act. Until then, why not collect a few months’ salary? Sometimes, not acting is the best action; acting hastily might be a mistake.”
Wasn’t this how Mian Tang had acted when she first became the Princess of Huaiyang? Delegating matters to his sister, Cui Fu?
Cui Xingzhou had laughed then, teasing Mian Tang for suggesting he apply household tactics to the Ministry of War.
But now, sitting in the Grand Marshal’s office at the ministry, looking at the cold, empty desk, he slowly poured himself a cup of tea. He realized there was some wisdom in Mian Tang’s womanly advice. If someone was deliberately sidelining and isolating him, why rush? He might as well collect his salary for now.
With this thought, Cui Xingzhou stood up and said to Mo Ru, who was looking bored and sleepy nearby, “The sunshine is nice today. Bring a bench, let’s go sit in the sun by the entrance.”
Mo Ru was stunned, taking a moment to react before fetching a bench and following his lord to bask in the sun.
That day, Cui Xingzhou returned home early.
Mian Tang was checking the luggage that had been transported. Due to the ship sinking, many large items hadn’t arrived and needed to be replaced. The household was in disarray, requiring gradual organization.
She hadn’t expected her husband to return so early on his first day in office. She quickly rose to remove his official hat, saying, “Are you hungry, my lord? The kitchen hasn’t started cooking yet… Let me call them…”
Cui Xingzhou smiled, “Don’t worry, I’m not hungry…”
He then turned and went to his study. Seeing he didn’t seem happy, Mian Tang asked Mo Ru if the handover had gone smoothly.
Mo Ru whispered, “Nothing went wrong… His Lordship didn’t do any official business today. He just sat in the ministry’s gatehouse cracking melon seeds all afternoon…”
Mian Tang was stunned, staring at Mo Ru, “What did you say?”
Mo Ru spoke more openly, “Just like when you used to sew shoe soles on North Street, His Lordship sat with a group of gatekeepers and drivers in front of the ministry, basking in the sun and chatting all afternoon…”
Mian Tang’s half-open mouth slowly closed. She turned to Bi Cao and said, “Melon seeds aren’t filling. Tell the kitchen to start cooking quickly.”
Even without Mo Ru’s explanation, Mian Tang could guess that officials like Cui Xingzhou, who transferred from other regions to the capital, inevitably faced exclusion and discomfort.
In Zhen Province, he had been the local prince, his word law. But in the capital, there were many officials with greater influence than him.
No matter how many troops he commanded in the provinces, could he threaten his colleagues with swords to subdue them in their daily interactions? Thus, Prince Huaiyang’s previous advantages were virtually non-existent in the capital’s officialdom.
He wanted to make his mark in the Ministry of War but now found himself constrained, slowly adapting to the local environment.
If he couldn’t adapt, he would naturally face some hardships.
Thinking of this, Mian Tang personally carried a bowl of sweet soup to his study and knocked on the door.
Seeing her through the window, Cui Xingzhou said, “Come in. You’ve learned to knock now, I see.”
Mian Tang entered gracefully, approaching the desk where Cui Xingzhou was practicing calligraphy. His powerful brushstrokes, like writhing dragons, were deeply impressive.
However… what was he writing?
It looked suspiciously like gossip about the neighbors…