In the imperial court, Zhou Zhao coldly observed the officials arguing about matters concerning the Crown Prince.
Soon, the Vice Minister of Revenue stepped forward: “Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is currently indulging in debauchery, showing no ambition or self-awareness befitting his position. He lacks self-discipline and self-reflection. This minister believes we should remove him from his position and select a new heir apparent.”
Lai Luozhi glanced at the man, a slight smile curving his lips.
This statement angered Zhang Xingwei. He thrust his ivory tablet forward and retorted: “The Crown Prince is the heaven-chosen heir. How can we select another? Ridiculous.”
“Moreover, the Empress has only one son. If we remove the Crown Prince, are we to choose an outsider? Would you dare speak thus if Emperor Gaozong were still alive?”
This was a veiled reference to the Zhou clan, as everyone knew the Empress had once inquired about passing the throne to her nephew Zhou Changqing.
The Empress lowered her gaze, resting her head on one hand and her chin on the other, leaning back against the dragon throne without comment.
Someone let out a cold snort. Zhang Xingwei looked in that direction to see a fourth-rank official known to be friendly with the Zhou clan.
“Minister Zhang seems rather backward-thinking,” he said, first bowing to the Empress before facing Zhang Xingwei with a formal posture. “Passing the throne to the worthy has precedent. Yao passed it to Shun, and Shun to Yu, thus establishing the legacy of the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors. Our Empress, in her wisdom and virtue, surely would not pass the great Zhou empire to someone unworthy.”
“As long as the person is capable, we will support them. May Your Majesty consider this.”
With that, he retreated into the ranks.
Zhang Xingwei’s beard bristled with anger as he pointed at the man, glaring. If not for the presence of the Empress and other officials, he likely would have unleashed a torrent of curses to vent his fury.
To dare compare the rightful Crown Prince to someone unworthy – such audacity! Did they not know why Li Zhong behaved as he did?
At this moment, Zhou Zhao slightly raised a hand. Zhang Baohuang stepped forward to support her and fan her.
Zhou Zhao casually swept her gaze over the assembly. All fell silent, every argument dissipating.
“You are all so eloquent and learned,” she said in a leisurely tone, her eyes filled with mockery, “Why not speak more and broaden my horizons?”
A chill ran down everyone’s spine. These grown men found themselves struck speechless by Zhou Zhao’s imposing presence.
Zhang Xingwei tugged at his beard, somewhat amused as he looked at those cowardly mice.
After half an hour of silence, Zhang Baohuang leaned close to the Empress, then stood up and called out:
“If there are matters to report, speak now. If not, the court is dismissed.”
When no one responded, Zhang Baohuang announced the end of court and helped Zhou Zhao retire to the inner palace to rest.
Zhang Xingwei was the first to leave the hall, not bothering to associate with the rest.
The others left in small groups, whispering among themselves.
Inside the Zichen Palace, Zhang Baohuang gently removed the Empress’s crown and handed it to a palace maid to put away. He then began combing Zhou Zhao’s long black hair.
Zhou Zhao lay back with her eyes closed, enjoying Zhang Baohuang’s ministrations. After a while, she sighed wearily:
“Baohuang, your combing is so soothing.”
Zhang Baohuang knelt by the couch, smiling as he spoke: “Your Majesty must be tired from listening to all that talk. It’s affected your spirit. I’ve already called for someone to prepare a calming tea. It should be ready soon.”
“Mm,” Zhou Zhao nodded, raising her hand to caress the face close to hers. So handsome, still so handsome after all these years. “You’re so attentive. I know.”
Zhang Baohuang grasped Zhou Zhao’s hand in return, his peach blossom eyes misty: “Your Majesty treats Baohuang well, and I know it. Rest now. Let me massage you a bit. I guarantee Your Majesty will be free of worries and troubles.”
He stood up again, setting down the jade comb. His well-manicured, slender hands rested on Zhou Zhao’s temples, gently massaging.
Zhou Zhao glanced at the mirror standing nearby and remarked casually: “I’m starting to get white hair.”
When she didn’t hear Zhang Baohuang’s expected flattering denial, she looked up in surprise to see him staring blankly at the mirror. His rosy lips parted, and after a moment he burst out laughing.
“What are you laughing at?” Zhou Zhao frowned. “Be careful, or I’ll have someone give you a good beating.”
Zhang Baohuang stopped laughing and quickly begged for mercy: “Please spare this humble servant, Your Majesty. I wasn’t laughing at you, but rejoicing for you.”
Zhou Zhao was utterly confused: “What’s there to rejoice about getting white hair?”
Zhang Baohuang sobered, his expression turning serious: “This white hair comes from Your Majesty’s hard work. Now that the Crown Prince is coming of age, why doesn’t Your Majesty pass some affairs of state to him? It would allow you to rest more.”
Zhou Zhao fixed him with an intense gaze. Zhang Baohuang broke out in a cold sweat, kneeling on the ground and not daring to raise his head.
Zhou Zhao looked away: “Enough, get up.”
Zhang Baohuang stood.
“Who sent you to test me?”
Zhang Baohuang shook his head: “No one. It was my thought.”
“Bang!” An object was thrown. Zhou Zhao raged: “Didn’t you hear all those ministers criticizing the Crown Prince in court today? Why would you suddenly speak up for him?”
Zhang Baohuang knelt again, his face sincere: “Your Majesty has your thoughts. It’s not for Baohuang to influence. Besides, Baohuang only knows how to accompany Your Majesty. I know nothing else.”
With that, he kowtowed.
Zhou Zhao waved her hand: “Get up.”
As Zhang Baohuang rose, a palace maid arrived with the calming tea. He took it and personally fed it to the Empress.
The Empress stared at his beautiful face and sighed deeply:
“This throne of mine… it’s not easy to sit on.”
—
The next day, an imperial edict flew out from the Daming Palace, proclaiming to all under heaven:
Crown Prince Li Zhong has failed to uphold ancestral virtues and disobeyed Our teachings. He indulges in evil, violence, and debauchery too vile to speak of. Disregarding proper conduct and his elders, he has even violated Princess Yong’an. His virtue does not befit his position. Therefore, We strip him of his title as Crown Prince and demote him to Prince. He is to move out of the Crown Prince’s residence immediately to reflect on his actions. So it is decreed.
With Li Zhong deposed, the position of Crown Prince was left vacant.
Upon hearing this news, Zhang Xingwei overturned his desk in anger.
“Absurd, utterly absurd!” He pounded the desk furiously. “Violating Princess Yong’an? What a ridiculous claim!”
His hand rested on the desk as his mind raced in confusion.
These people would resort to any outrageous lie to depose Li Zhong.
Yong’an was born to Consort Xiao, who had been eliminated when the Empress was still just the Empress Consort. Both Yong’an and Li Zhong were Emperor Gaozong’s children – they were siblings. How could there be any talk of violation?
“False Zhou woman, you’re the one severing the former Emperor’s legacy.”
—
In the imperial garden, Zhou Zhao sat in a pavilion admiring flowers, with Zhang Baohuang by her side.
As autumn approached, the peonies had long since withered. But in the garden’s Jade Pool, lotus leaves stood tall and lotus buds were ready to bloom, their fragrance wafting on the gentle breeze – a different kind of beauty.
However, neither of them was in the mood to appreciate the scenery.
With the Crown Prince deposed, Zhang Xingwei led the Li faction officials in submitting memorials daily. Xu Wan was exhausted from responding but had no choice but to reply to the mountain of documents.
Empress Zhou Zhao simply claimed illness and stopped attending court, avoiding the smoky battlefield of court politics.
Zhang Baohuang naturally saw through her thoughts and took the initiative to pour tea: “This is made from dew collected from lotus leaves and flowers this morning. We chose lotus buds just about to open to brew tea for Your Majesty. It’s most calming for the mind and spirit. Please try it, Your Majesty.”
Zhou Zhao took a sip. The fragrance was indeed refreshing, the taste pure and sweet. “Not bad. Good tea.”
Zhang Baohuang turned: “Did you hear? All those who prepared the tea today will be rewarded.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
Zhou Zhao waved her hand, and the servants withdrew. Zhang Baohuang stepped forward, hesitating for a moment before asking: “Is Your Majesty thinking about Minister Zhang?”