The entire fourth month seemed to be a season of misfortune. While Emperor Jingming was still troubled by the matter of appointing a Crown Prince, news arrived about an earthquake in Qianhe County.
Qianhe County was in the neighboring province, quite close to the capital. On the day of the earthquake, even the capital felt the ground trembling, with chickens crowing and dogs barking in distress.
Upon receiving the urgent report about the Qianhe County earthquake, Emperor Jingming immediately summoned the Ministers of the Six Departments and other high officials to discuss relief measures.
One group after another departed from the capital for Qianhe County.
Message after message returned from Qianhe County.
“The earthquake in Qianhe County has caused countless buildings to collapse, with casualties exceeding ten thousand…”
These shocking numbers made Emperor Jingming’s face grow darker with each passing day.
In this solemn and sorrowful atmosphere, just as the fifth month approached, an even more troubling matter emerged: an epidemic had broken out in Qianhe County!
It was common knowledge that epidemics often followed major disasters. The reason was simple – countless corpses couldn’t be handled in time after the catastrophe, leading to decay and decomposition. Swarms of insects filled the air, and even the drinking water became contaminated.
Under such terrible conditions, an epidemic was almost inevitable.
Even though it was anticipated, Emperor Jingming’s mood couldn’t have been worse. A team of Imperial Physicians was dispatched to Qianhe County with vast quantities of medical supplies.
Such terrible luck!
Emperor Jingming, unable to endure any longer, followed the Imperial Preceptor’s advice. The Imperial Astronomers chose an auspicious date, and he led the royal clan, nobles, and all civil and military officials to pray for blessings at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The Imperial Ancestral Temple was the royal family’s ancestral shrine. Besides the regular annual ceremonial sacrifices, all major events required reporting to the ancestors to seek their protection.
In recent years, the Great Zhou Dynasty had experienced numerous natural disasters. Emperor Jingming had thought he could handle them, but with so many troublesome matters occurring at once, he wanted to seek comfort from his ancestors.
On the day of the ceremony, the weather was fine. The blue sky and bright sunshine made the white jade steps before the temple hall gleam brilliantly.
Led by Emperor Jingming, everyone wore formal ceremonial robes and began to kowtow.
While Emperor Jingming recited the prepared prayer aloud, he silently pleaded: “Ancestors, your unworthy descendant is truly suffering lately. If you don’t look after me, I won’t be able to endure much longer—”
Before he could finish his silent lament, suddenly everything began to spin as heaven and earth shook.
An earthquake had struck the capital!
The earthquake came so suddenly that the royal clan, nobles, and officials were all frozen in shock. After a moment, countless screams erupted, and the scene descended into chaos.
Emperor Jingming couldn’t even stand steady and stumbled to the ground. As a flagpole broke and began to fall, those who witnessed it were horrified and shouted, “Protect His Majesty, quickly protect His Majesty—”
Those far away were helpless, but those nearby—a figure rushed forward, forcefully pushing Emperor Jingming aside, followed by an anguished cry.
Fortunately, this wasn’t the earthquake’s epicenter. Though the chaos felt endless, it lasted only about the time it took to drink a cup of tea before stopping.
When the earth stopped shaking, people could finally stand steadily again.
“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, are you alright?” Countless people rushed toward Emperor Jingming.
After regaining his composure and being helped to his feet, Emperor Jingming looked at the person pinned under the flagpole and cried out in shock: “Lang’er!”
The former Crown Prince’s given name was “Lang.”
Only then did everyone realize that it was Prince Jing who had saved the Emperor.
“Your Highness, are you alright?” everyone asked anxiously.
The former Crown Prince lay motionless, blood seeping from his back.
Emperor Jingming, despite still being shaken by the earthquake, rushed over: “Lang’er, Lang’er, how are you?”
At this moment, Emperor Jingming’s heart was truly breaking, experiencing genuine anguish.
He had to admit that no matter how much he resented this son, he couldn’t erase their father-son bond.
“Lang’er—”
“Cough, cough, cough—” A faint coughing sound came forth as the former Crown Prince struggled to speak, “Could someone… first remove this flagpole…”
Hearing the former Crown Prince’s voice, Emperor Jingming rejoiced and berated the others: “Are you all dead? Quickly lift the flagpole and treat the Crown Prince!”
Having called him “Crown Prince” for over twenty years, the title came naturally in this urgent moment, with “Prince Jing” forgotten entirely.
When the words “Crown Prince” were uttered, Minister Yang Deguang of the Ministry of Rites nearly wept with joy.
This was excellent—the Emperor calling him Crown Prince on such an occasion meant the Crown Prince’s restoration was assured.
Prince Qi, who had just gotten up after falling awkwardly during the earthquake with scrapes all over, froze upon hearing the Emperor’s words.
Treat the Crown Prince?
Did Father Emperor realize what impact this slip of the tongue would have?
His face turned pale, and an anxiety deeper than during the earthquake welled up inside him, gradually turning to despair.
What was an earthquake? This wasn’t the epicenter, and after some shaking, it was over. At most, people suffered some bruises from falling.
But with Father Emperor’s exclamation, all his previous schemes had become like flowers in a mirror or the moon’s reflection in water—all wasted effort…
Prince Qi’s unsightly expression went unnoticed among the crowd who had just experienced the shock. He temporarily suppressed his inner turmoil and forced himself to join others in expressing concern for the former Crown Prince.
The former Crown Prince was carried directly to the palace for treatment.
“How is Prince Jing?” Emperor Jingming anxiously asked when the Imperial Physician came to report.
The physician bowed and replied: “Thanks to Your Majesty’s fortune, the Prince’s back injuries aren’t severe, though his internal organs suffered some shock. He’ll need some time to recover.”
Emperor Jingming sighed in relief: “That’s good. Make sure Prince Jing recovers fully, without any lasting effects.”
The physician quickly agreed.
No jest—he had heard the Emperor’s cry of “Crown Prince” at the Imperial Ancestral Temple. It seemed Prince Jing was about to rise again, and he couldn’t be careless.
Emperor Jingming entered the room and looked at the pale-faced former Crown Prince on the bed, asking: “How do you feel?”
The former Crown Prince struggled to rise, but Emperor Jingming stopped him: “Don’t move, just lie there.”
The former Crown Prince turned his head toward Emperor Jingming and said through his pain: “Son is fine, as long as Father Emperor is safe.”
“You—” Emperor Jingming wanted to ask why he had rushed over so recklessly but finally swallowed these words.
They were father and son. If he had feelings for his second son, how could his son not have feelings for him?
Emperor Jingming gently patted the former Crown Prince’s shoulder and said softly: “Return to Jing Garden and rest well.”
The former Crown Prince, still bearing the title of Prince Jing, was carried back to Jing Garden to recuperate, but everyone knew he might not be staying there much longer.
As the former Crown Prince’s father-in-law, Minister Yang’s visit to Jing Garden was only natural.
After dismissing the servants, Prince Jing excitedly asked: “Father-in-law, do you think Father Emperor has had a change of heart?”
Minister Yang couldn’t hide his joy: “Your Highness risked your life to save His Majesty; His Majesty will surely have a change of heart. Congratulations, Your Highness!”
The former Crown Prince grinned foolishly for a while, then asked: “Father-in-law, did you arrange for someone to tamper with the flagpole?”
Minister Yang was startled, then couldn’t help but laugh: “Your Highness thinks too much. How could anyone tamper with anything in such a setting…”
The former Crown Prince began to sob softly.