The eunuch replied: “His Majesty is in the eastern warm chamber of Ruisi Palace. The official who came to report this matter had not been dismissed from the hall when I left.”
Meng Tinghui pressed her lips together, understanding the implication of the eunuch’s words. The Emperor must be in a great rage at this moment, and the Guard Commandant of the Court of Imperial Equipage, Tian Fu, would surely be the first to bear the brunt of his fury, inevitably receiving a harsh rebuke.
The eunuch dared not delay further. He bowed to her, then turned and hurried away.
She stood still, gazing into the distance at the winding palace corridors strewn with fallen leaves. Only then did she lower her eyes with a sigh, return to extinguish the candles close the door, and then walk quickly toward Ruisi Palace.
Autumn had brought a harsh chill, and after nightfall, the wind was piercingly cold.
Outside Ruisi Palace stood a row of palace attendants and eunuchs, their faces somewhat fearful, evidently having been ordered out from inside. Standing there now, unable to enter or leave, they all felt extremely awkward.
Meng Tinghui casually asked one of them: “Is Guard Commandant Tian still inside?”
The palace attendant shook his head and said quietly: “His Majesty instructed Master Tian to return to the Military Commission to explain the situation clearly to Ministers Fang and Jiang, then enter the hall together with them.”
Hearing this, she frowned and said: “I seek an audience with His Majesty. Please announce me.”
The attendant hesitated for a moment before finally answering: “If Master Meng wishes to see His Majesty, you may enter the hall directly…”
Meng Tinghui knew that at this time, everyone feared the Emperor’s anger might harm the innocent, so she said no more. She lifted her skirt to ascend the steps, and without announcing herself outside, directly pushed open the hall door and entered.
A pile of memorials had fallen to the floor below the desk. Among them, the vermilion characters on military reports caught the eye.
She closed the door behind her and looked up. She saw him sitting with his arm propped, his body at an angle, his long legs crossed on the desk, his neck slightly tilted back, and his eyes lightly closed. The jade hairpin behind his hair had been removed, and he appeared to be resting his eyes.
If not for the scattered documents indicating the rage that had swept through this place earlier, she would never have been able to discern any trace of anger remaining on his face.
Suddenly, she recalled the first time they had met alone in the great hall. He had this same relaxed and unrestrained manner then, which instantly made her heart race. She hadn’t expected that even after ascending to the imperial throne, he would still show this side of himself.
Perhaps because he hadn’t anticipated that someone would enter without announcement at this time, he had relaxed, revealing a side that his ministers didn’t know existed. Court officials all knew that since his ascension, he often spent nights in Ruisi Palace, with the bedchamber of Western Splendor Palace being merely an empty shell for show. She could well imagine how exhausted he must have been during this period. Seeing his weariness now, her heart ached for him.
He heard the sound of the hall door opening and closing and suddenly opened his eyes to look over.
His brow was as sharp as ever, his eyes bright, his gaze sweeping directly to her face.
She met his gaze and said softly: “Your Majesty.” Then she took small steps forward, bending down to pick up the scattered memorials and reports from the ground, stacking them neatly, and placing them back on the desk before him.
His posture didn’t change, nor did his expression. He looked at her for a good while, then closed his eyes again without saying a word.
But the more he maintained this unruffled appearance, the more she knew what tumultuous waves of anger filled his heart.
Less than half a year after ascending the throne, a major rebellion had erupted in the northern border. It was a disregard for his imperial authority and power, and more, a challenge to his tolerance. Given his strong character, a garrison of imperial troops mutinying and occupying a city, killing officials—these were unforgivable crimes. If the rebels hadn’t captured Shen Zhishu, he would likely have already ordered troops to suppress them.
Shen Zhishu had grown up with him since childhood, had been his study companion as Crown Prince for several years, and they had shared the same hall. Later, throughout his studies at the Imperial Academy and his official career, until he was appointed as Governor of Qingzhou, he was his trusted minister. Now, following his wishes, he had traveled far to the northern route of Chao’an to serve as Governor of Qingzhou, only to encounter this danger…
What must he be feeling in his heart?
She stood by the desk, looking at his handsome face that showed no emotion. After quite a while, she finally spoke: “Your Majesty, Master Shen is a fortunate man with heaven’s protection. He will surely return safely this time.”
Hearing this, he raised an eyebrow slightly, his face growing even darker, still keeping his eyes closed without making a sound.
She gently rose on her tiptoes, reaching out to arrange his disheveled robes, and continued: “If Your Majesty is feeling distressed, you can talk to me about it. Holding it in only makes it worse.”
He pressed her hand firmly against his chest.
For a long time, there was silence.
The warm candlelight in the hall flickered, thin wisps of smoke dissipating. Her hand was being gripped so tightly it hurt, yet she stood calmly, not saying another word from beginning to end.
She knew he had never been one for many words, but the less he spoke, the more her heart ached for him. She wished he could be like her, speaking his mind and doing as he pleased without reservation, but how could that be possible? He was the one person in the realm who should have the fewest concerns, yet he was also the one with the most.
Suddenly, there were footsteps outside the hall. This time, an attendant came to announce: “Your Majesty, the officials from the Secretariat and the Military Commission have arrived.”
He slowly released her hand, opened his eyes, and said: “Let them in.” He withdrew his legs, shook out his robes, sat upright, and assumed a solemn expression.
The relaxed demeanor from moments ago vanished instantly.
The two vermilion doors were flung open, and a procession of officials in purple robes with jade crowns entered, lining up in the hall, all addressing him: “Your Majesty.”
She stepped back several paces, quietly observing. She saw that the arrivals were Left Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Gu Qin, Right Vice Director of the Department of State Affairs Xu Ting, Left Assistant Director Zhou Bi, Right Assistant Director Wang Yuande, Participants in Determining Government Matters Ye Shi and Wu Qing, Military Commissioner Fang Kai, Deputy Military Commissioner He Dan, Associate Administrator of the Military Commission Jiang Ping, Guard Commandant of the Court of Imperial Equipage Tian Fu, and Director of the Bureau of Operations Chen Yuan—eleven people in total, filling both sides of the hall, making the chamber seem suddenly cramped.
When she had heard the eunuch say that the Emperor had summoned senior ministers of the two departments for a consultation, she had never imagined that the summoned officials would be eleven ministers from the Secretariat, Military Commission, Ministry of War, and Court of Imperial Equipage. Her heart sank, realizing that her coming here had been an impulsive and rash act. She immediately wanted to excuse herself and leave the hall.
The row of senior ministers had also seen her, and they exchanged glances with unnatural expressions.
Meng Tinghui was quite tactful. She lowered her head and said: “I was ordered to compile the Imperial Diaries and came to the hall to ask Your Majesty to add notes to yesterday’s entries. I dare not disturb the ministers’ deliberations at this time. Please excuse me as I take my leave.” With that, she bowed deeply to the throne and started to retreat.
“That won’t be necessary,” he spoke. Seeing her stop in her tracks, he turned his gaze toward Gu Qin, saying coldly: “Do you all know the situation now?”
Tian Fu quickly stepped forward and said: “I only had time to inform the officials of the Military Commission. The ministers of the Secretariat don’t yet know the details.” Seeing Meng Tinghui at the side, he became hesitant in his speech, then after a while spoke again, briefly outlining the cause and current status of the Liuqi Garrison mutiny to everyone.
Liuqi County was one hundred and eighty li east of Qingzhou. Due to its proximity to the northern border, imperial troops had been stationed there for decades. Although these imperial soldiers did not usually patrol, their provisions had always been more generous than those of other garrisons. Since the establishment of trade between the two countries a year ago, Wen Di, the Transport Commissioner of the northern route of Chao’an, had cited the pacification of the northern border as a reason to reduce the idle provisions and silver for the Liuqi Garrison. Unexpectedly, the imperial troops at Liuqi, habitually arrogant and fierce, rebelled even before the order arrived, in opposition to Wen Di’s proposal. When the magistrate of Liuqi County, Gao Hai, imprisoned the lead sergeant and had him beaten to death, the entire garrison of soldiers became resentful and angry. They rose in rebellion, killed Magistrate Gao Hai, displayed his head on a wooden post, and shot arrows at it day and night. Upon hearing of the mutiny, Dong Yicheng, the Pacification Commissioner of the northern route of Chao’an, didn’t dare report to the court. He urgently ordered Shen Zhishu, the Governor of Qingzhou, to bring provisions and silver to pacify the rebellious imperial troops, promising not to reduce their provisions by even half a percent. However, unexpectedly, as soon as Shen Zhishu approached the county, he was seized by the rebellious troops and taken into the garrison. They claimed to know that rebellion was a serious crime and did not believe Dong Yicheng’s promise not to punish them. They insisted that the court issue an edict pardoning everyone’s crimes before they would release Shen Zhishu and surrender their weapons.
After Tian Fu finished speaking, Gu Qin and the others’ expressions changed dramatically, but they remained silent.
She stood silently by the throne, listening with her heart pounding. Although she knew that the imperial troops stationed at the northern border for years were impoverished, she hadn’t expected these garrison soldiers to be so arrogant and fierce, completely disregarding the law, and killing a county magistrate without hesitation. And now Shen Zhishu was being held by the rebellious troops in the garrison—to say his life was hanging by a thread would not be an exaggeration.
He quickly scanned the expressions of everyone present, then said: “Issue an edict relieving Dong Yicheng of his position as Pacification Commissioner, temporarily appointing him as Prefect of Chongzhou. Elevate Qingzhou to Qingzhou Prefecture, and move the Pacification Commission of the northern route of Chao’an from Chongzhou Prefecture to Qingzhou Prefecture. If Shen Zhishu survives this ordeal, he will assume the position of Prefect of Qingzhou Prefecture. The position of Pacification Commissioner will remain vacant pending further discussion.”
Everyone was startled again. They had expected him to first discuss how to deal with the rebellious troops to secure Shen Zhishu’s release, but instead, he impassively spoke of elevating a prefecture and moving the commander’s office.
Gu Qin frowned and stepped forward first: “Your Majesty’s plans are far-reaching. At present, Shen Zhishu is in the midst of the rebellious troops’ camp. We must first devise a foolproof plan to ensure Shen Zhishu’s safety.”
The senior ministers all knew that Imperial Tutor Shen Wuchen had only this one son, and Madam Shen regarded him as the flesh of her heart. If Shen Zhishu were to come to any harm this time, how could the Emperor face this senior minister who had served the country and the throne for decades across two reigns?
He looked at Gu Qin, still expressionless, and said: “I will personally write an edict. Select a senior minister from the court to carry it to Liuqi County to announce the order of pacification, and dispatch ten thousand men from the Qingzhou garrison to accompany them to the outskirts of Liuqi County. If the rebellious troops are willing to lay down their weapons, their crimes will be pardoned, and they will be removed from the military registers to become civilians. If the rebellious troops refuse to surrender, they will be eliminated within the city, killed to the last man.”
Gu Qin was stunned into silence. After a while, he turned his head to look at the ministers beside him, who were also shocked and at a loss.
No one had expected him to be so ruthless.
If this plan were followed, and if the rebellious troops did not surrender, once the imperial army attacked and cleared the garrison, Shen Zhishu would surely be killed by the rebels in the camp.
Meng Tinghui felt a chill run down her spine. Thinking of his expression when he was alone in the hall earlier, compared with this emotionless cold face now, her heart suddenly ached, and she remained frozen for a long time.
…She still didn’t truly know him after all.
He then looked at Fang Kai and said: “Minister Fang has been familiar with military affairs in various regions for many years. If troops are to be dispatched from the Qingzhou garrison this time, who should command them?”
Fang Kai didn’t respond immediately. After being quietly prompted by someone beside him, he snapped to attention, looked up at the throne, and frowned as he said: “In response to Your Majesty, I believe the Mobile Corps General Song Zhirui from the Qingzhou garrison should take command.”
He nodded slightly and looked at all the senior ministers in the hall. After a long while, he asked again: “Who from the court can carry my edict to the northern route of Chao’an?”
Everyone remained silent.
All knew that this matter required a senior official from the two departments to stabilize the military morale in the region, and the rebellious troops would only trust an official highly regarded by the Emperor. But which of the senior officials at court would be willing to risk their lives to go before the rebellious troops to announce the pacification edict? And how could the court send a senior official to take such a risk? For a moment, everyone felt trapped in a dilemma, unable to decide.
The officials looked at each other, their gazes complex and hesitant.
Xu Ting raised his head to look at the officials from the Military Commission, and in the process, his gaze suddenly swept over Meng Tinghui standing in the corner. His eyes froze, then brightened.
Tian Fu noticed his gaze and also looked in that direction. Seeing Meng Tinghui, he was first surprised, then his face showed understanding.
The other officials, seeing that these two were looking in that direction, also turned to look. After seeing clearly, they exchanged subtle glances before returning their attention to the throne.
Meng Tinghui could easily read the meaning of these people’s expressions. Her eyes darkened involuntarily. Before anyone could speak, she stepped forward from her place and bowed, saying: “Your subject Meng Tinghui is willing to carry Your Majesty’s edict to the rebellious troops of the northern route of Chao’an to announce the pacification order.”