Upon receiving the summons, Cheng Shao hurried to Qianqing Palace.

His Majesty sat on the large kang by the window. The early summer morning sunlight shone through the bright glass window onto his face, which was sallow and waxy, weary and haggard.

Cheng Shao was secretly alarmed, thinking of some fragmentary words he’d heard in recent days.

Could His Majesty’s health truly be deteriorating day by day?

He dared not show any unusual expression and respectfully stepped forward to pay his respects.

His Majesty had someone clear away the memorials from the kang table and said, “Sit down and talk.”

After over twenty years as sovereign and subject, Cheng Shao didn’t stand on ceremony. He removed his shoes and sat cross-legged on the other side of the tea table.

Eunuchs, slightly bowed, walked in softly and quietly to set up the chess board.

But His Majesty didn’t pick up the pieces as usual. Instead, he waved his hand to dismiss everyone serving in the room and asked Cheng Shao, “How are your two great-grandsons?”

Cheng Shao was somewhat surprised and said, “Are you asking about Abao and Aren?”

His Majesty nodded.

Cheng Shao smiled and said, “Both children have very pure and good character. As for whether they’re the studious type, it’s still too early to tell. But compared to before, their temperaments have become much more lively. Every time they go to Zichuan’s home, they play with Zichuan’s eldest son, teasing birds and chasing dogs, making quite a ruckus.”

Hearing this, His Majesty laughed and said, “It seems the children are quite close!”

Cheng Shao said, “The Cheng family in the capital only has these few people in total. Getting together during festivals and holidays makes things more lively.”

His Majesty nodded and said, “That’s also because you all get along warmly. Otherwise, children are the most perceptive—who treats them well, who treats them poorly. They may not say anything, but they have their own scales in their hearts. Otherwise, an adopted grandson raised in a charity hall wouldn’t dare to tease birds and chase dogs with legitimate young masters.”

Cheng Shao smiled and agreed, wisely not continuing the topic—His Majesty was probably thinking of his several sons.

Who knew His Majesty would cling to this topic and say, “I heard that several young masters from the Earl of Pengcheng’s household are all studying at Chaoyang Gate?”

Cheng Shao smiled and said, “After Zichuan’s eldest son was born, my sister-in-law discovered that the children of our several in-laws in the capital were all about the same age. Thinking the children could encourage each other studying together, she hired a retired Hanlin scholar to teach at home and provide elementary education for the children. The Earl of Pengcheng saw that three generations of our family produced six successful scholars and always felt our family had some secret to studying. So he sent his children to Chaoyang Gate to study with our in-laws’ children. As you know, my eldest sister-in-law had a very good relationship with Lady Fengsheng back then. Because of this, she doesn’t treat the Peng family children as outsiders—the children just crowd together to study.”

His Majesty smiled and said, “Their family is quite single-minded about studying to pass down scholarly tradition through the generations.”

Cheng Shao heard some appreciation in his tone and followed His Majesty’s words, saying, “When children read more books and become literate and reasonable, the brothers in the family also become more loving toward each other.”

Hearing this, His Majesty gave a cold laugh and said, “Are the teachers I found for my princes not learned enough? How is it that those wolves with wild ambitions don’t know what brotherly respect means?”

Cheng Shao said jokingly, “The only thing to blame is that your family fortune is too abundant. Even the teachings of sages cannot stop it.”

His Majesty’s expression eased slightly.

Cheng Shao could tell that His Majesty wasn’t here to play chess today—his heart was troubled.

“The weather is quite nice today,” he simply said. “When I came, I saw that all the azaleas in the rear hall have bloomed. Would Your Majesty like to walk in the rear hall? If we wait a bit longer, the sun will come out.”

And then the flowers would wilt.

Only last night had His Majesty learned that the Fourth Prince’s consort had entrusted her niece from her natal family to Cining Palace.

He had been restless and irritable ever since. He had barely endured until morning court ended today, but this anger not only hadn’t dissipated—it had grown thicker. He didn’t want to be angry over these matters anymore, which was why he had summoned Cheng Shao.

But seeing Cheng Shao, he couldn’t help but ask about Cheng Shao’s family affairs. Even he himself didn’t know what kind of answer he hoped to hear…

Should he set these matters aside for now?

He was getting old and always hoped his children would all turn out well.

His Majesty went with Cheng Shao to the rear hall, casually looked at the azaleas, and kept Cheng Shao for lunch at midday.

Cheng Shao always ate his fill honestly, which was one reason His Majesty liked to keep him for meals.

After eating, Imperial Physician Cao came to check his pulse.

Cheng Shao prepared to withdraw.

But His Majesty kept him to play chess.

When they started playing chess, His Majesty’s mood gradually improved. The two talked and laughed. In the evening, Cheng Shao was on duty at the Hanlin Academy, while His Majesty, because the Empress Dowager was returning from Daxiangguo Temple, went early to Shenwu Gate to welcome the Empress Dowager back to the palace.

Cheng Shao had been paying attention to the movements there.

Hearing that His Majesty had dined at Cining Palace, chatted with the Empress Dowager for a while, and had already returned to his palace, he couldn’t help but breathe a long sigh of relief.

What Cheng Chi worried about hadn’t happened, showing that the Fourth Prince didn’t have such great courage yet.

But this meant the Fourth Prince’s ambitions remained, the Crown Prince’s heir was young, and His Majesty was advancing in years—the court would likely have no peace from now on.

The Cheng family would also have to “guard against thieves for a thousand days” from now on, living their days in trepidation.

In that case, wouldn’t it be better to have this one battle?

To have life or death settled once and for all!

Cheng Shao smiled bitterly as he lay down on the hardwood plank bed that Huai Shan had prepared, picking up a book he’d brought into the palace to pass the long night.

All around was quiet and still. The sound of insects chirping was even clearer and louder.

Cheng Shao grew drowsy.

A young eunuch ran in with panicked footsteps, calling urgently, “Lord Cheng, His Majesty summons you.”

Cheng Shao was astonished and said, “At this hour?”

The young eunuch said, “Yes! His Majesty asks you to come quickly.”

Cheng Shao hastily dressed and went out.

Standing beside the young eunuch was a tall, imposing guard who looked very familiar, though Cheng Shao couldn’t immediately recall who he was.

The guard saluted Cheng Shao and said, “The palace has already been locked. Though the young eunuch has the proper token, it would still be better for me to escort you both to Qianqing Palace.”

The duty quarters were in front of Xiuxin Hall, but to go from the duty quarters to Qianqing Palace, one needed to enter through Yuehua Gate.

At this hour, Yuehua Gate should already be locked.

The guard said “escort,” but in reality it was surveillance—this was also palace protocol.

Cheng Shao smiled and nodded at the guard. The group went to Qianqing Palace.

Qianqing Palace was quiet and still, with only the Eastern Warm Pavilion lit.

Grand Eunuch Chen Li, along with several of his subordinates, stood with folded hands in the corridor of the Eastern Warm Pavilion. Seeing Cheng Shao enter, he smiled at him and said, “His Majesty is waiting for you! Please go in quickly!” As he spoke, he personally lifted the curtain.

Cheng Shao walked in.

He saw two people in the room.

One sitting, one standing.

The one sitting was naturally His Majesty.

The one standing… should have been hundreds of miles away at this moment, yet here he was in military uniform—the Fourth Prince.

Cheng Shao’s heart skipped a beat. He stood there with stiff hands and feet.

Behind him came Chen Li’s voice, which usually sounded gentle and courteous but now felt sinister, “Lord Cheng, His Majesty is waiting for you!”

How did the Fourth Prince get in? How did he persuade Chen Li? Was the Empress Dowager’s leaving the palace related to the Fourth Prince… Various suspicions came flooding in, but Cheng Shao dared not think too much.

He concealed his panic and strode forward to salute His Majesty, “Your subject Cheng Shao, summoned before you. Please command me, Your Majesty.”

His Majesty’s expression was stern, just as when he sat on the golden throne in the great hall—showing neither joy nor sorrow. He said, “I didn’t summon you. The one who summoned you was the Fourth Prince. You should listen to what he has to say!”

Cheng Shao lowered his eyes and bowed to the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince made a show of turning slightly to the side, accepting only half the bow, then personally helped Cheng Shao up. In a gentle and humble tone, he said, “Lord Cheng, His Majesty feels the Crown Prince’s heir is too young and insufficient to shoulder the responsibility of being the nation’s heir. He wishes to pass the throne to me. I ask Lord Cheng to help write an edict.” As he spoke, he pointed to the blank edict placed on the kang table before His Majesty.

Without thinking, Cheng Shao smiled and said, “Fourth Prince, you are mistaken! The nation’s heir is the nation’s foundation. Since ancient times, the legitimate eldest is established. The Fourth Prince has elder brothers before you and a legitimate nephew after you. Even if His Majesty had the intention to pass the throne to you, the court ministers would need to deliberate. How can such a decision about who inherits the throne be made privately like this? Fourth Prince, please forgive this subject’s ignorance—I dare not write this!”

The Fourth Prince raised an eyebrow, his features suddenly becoming sharp as knife edges.

He sneered, “You’re defying the imperial decree?”

“This subject dares not defy the decree,” Cheng Shao said with a smile, his bearing upright as a pine tree. “Court officials must not associate with feudal princes. Please forgive me, Fourth Prince!”

The Fourth Prince gave a cold “hmph” and glanced toward the corner of the wall.

Cheng Shao couldn’t help but look in that direction.

Only then did he discover someone lying in the corner of the room.

It was an old acquaintance of his.

Li Yun from the Bureau of Receptions, who had been on duty today.

Cheng Shao said nothing.

Chen Li’s voice came through the door, “Fourth Prince, it’s nearly time for the guard change.”

Hearing this, the Fourth Prince’s face showed some menace.

Chen Li said, “Today Grand Secretary Yuan is on duty at the Grand Secretariat. Should we summon Grand Secretary Yuan?”

The Fourth Prince thought for a moment and said, “Very well.”

Footsteps sounded outside.

His Majesty suddenly beckoned to Cheng Shao, “Come, play a game of chess with me.”

Cheng Shao straightened his robes and walked over calmly, sitting cross-legged across from His Majesty. He took out the chess board and pieces from under the kang table.

There was something under the chess board.

Cheng Shao unobtrusively placed it in his sleeve.

A flash of relief crossed His Majesty’s eyes.

The two began playing chess.

Soon, Yuan Weichang arrived.

His expression changed drastically. He lowered his head and saluted His Majesty and the Fourth Prince.

The Fourth Prince repeated what he had said to Cheng Shao.

Yuan Weichang’s face turned from green to white as he said, “Fourth Prince, without His Majesty’s sacred will, this subject dares not write such an edict.”

The Fourth Prince laughed in extreme anger and said, “I didn’t expect you all, one after another, to want to be loyal ministers. Very well, then I’ll fulfill your wishes…”

As he spoke, he drew the sword at his waist.

Outside the door came a burst of clamorous shouting… and Chen Li’s terrified voice, “Fourth Prince, Han Ding appeared out of nowhere…”

A trace of panic flashed across the Fourth Prince’s expression, but he quickly regained his composure and said, “Block Han Ding… His Majesty is on our side…”

Before he could finish his sentence, the window shutters shattered in four directions. Guards swung in on ropes from the roof, surrounding His Majesty and Cheng Shao, who were playing chess.

※※※

Zhou Shaojin asked Cheng Chi, “What happened after that?”

Cheng Chi smiled and said, “His Majesty had already detected the Fourth Prince’s movements, but ultimately he was his own son, so he kept hoping he would have a change of heart. He never expected the Fourth Prince to be even bolder than he imagined—to actually take such a desperate risk, trying to use the strategy of capturing the king to seize the throne. He really underestimated His Majesty…”

“That’s not what I’m asking,” Zhou Shaojin said. “I’m asking what Second Uncle took from under the chess board?”