As Luo Yining returned to her chambers, she sat in quiet contemplation for a long while. The candle’s fading light cast large, flickering shadows on the window paper.
Young Bao lay sprawled in his mother’s arms, sleeping peacefully. Despite the late hour, Yining remained wide awake.
“My lady, the hot water I’ve prepared has gone cold three times now. Perhaps you should wash up and rest,” Zhenzu said softly. Of all the servants, only she dared speak so candidly to Yining.
Yining acknowledged her with a quiet “Mm” before asking, “Has young Ting gone to sleep?”
“The young master seems to have taken a liking to young Yu. They’re likely still playing at this hour,” Zhenzu replied, sending for more hot water.
Suddenly, the sounds of children’s voices carried from outside. A maid entered to announce, “My lady, the young master, and young Yu have come to see you.”
Zhenzu smiled. “Speak of the devil,” she said, her youthful face softened by the lamplight.
Yining invited them in. Yu stood hesitantly at the doorway, while Wei Ting darted inside without hesitation. Only the sight of baby Bao sleeping in his sister’s arms stopped him from jumping into her lap. Noticing Yu’s shyness, Yining asked Daimao to take him for some pear-sweet soup in the east wing.
Stroking Wei Ting’s coarse hair, Yining asked, “How is it that two years at the garrison haven’t cured you of this clingy nature? Are you getting along well with Mother at home? You’re not giving her trouble anymore, are you? Remember, she’ll be your mother for life. You must treat her with respect, understand?”
Wei Ting blushed. In the garrison, he never complained about the grueling training – horseback riding, archery, and squats. But seeing his sister was like a mother hen returning to her nest. He longed to throw himself into her arms.
Taking a step back, he clasped his hands behind him and said, “It’s fine. I don’t give her trouble anymore… She’s quite nice once you get to know her.”
“That’s good,” Yining said, visibly relieved about the affairs of the Ying Guo Gong household. “I haven’t had a chance to visit lately. I’ll go see Grandmother and the others in a few days. Will Father not return for the New Year?”
“The Emperor dares not let him return, lest the border be left undefended,” Wei Ting replied, showing wisdom beyond his years.
Yining nodded, an inexplicable unease settling in her heart. Her slender fingers caressed Bao’s soft hair as she asked softly, “Ting, don’t you find Bao adorable?”
The baby slept peacefully, his plump belly rising and falling with each breath. Tiny gold anklets jingled with every twitch of his feet.
Wei Ting studied the infant for a moment before deigning to reply, “He’s alright, I suppose.”
Yining couldn’t help but smile. Then she said, “He’s your little nephew, still so small. It’ll be many years before he’s grown. You’ll be the Ying Guo Gong one day, a great general. Will you help protect him as he grows up?”
Wei Ting would never betray his sister’s trust, but he couldn’t bring himself to make grand promises. Instead, he said, “Don’t worry. As long as I have food to eat, he’ll have soup to drink!”
The maids in the room stifled their laughter, not wanting to wake the young master.
“Where did you learn such crude talk?” Yining chuckled. “Alright, that’s enough mischief. It’s time for bed!”
Wei Ting agreed and dashed off to find Yu. After he left, Yining quietly instructed a servant, “Prepare my formal attire for tomorrow morning.”
The servants bowed in unison, rushing to prepare everything for the grand occasion.
Yining rose early to wash and dress. Baby Bao was still asleep when she kissed his little face. The wet nurse took him to the gauze-curtained alcove to continue his rest undisturbed.
Daimao styled Yining’s hair in an elaborate coiffure, adorning it with layer upon layer of ceremonial headdresses. Though she hadn’t received the official decree of her new title, which was likely with Luo Shen Yuan, she assumed it would be for the third rank. The formal attire had already been prepared, though it was more complex to don than usual formal wear. When Yining finally gazed at her reflection, she barely recognized the dignified, noble woman staring back at her.
She marveled at how mature and composed she appeared.
As she emerged, a few stars still lingered in the pre-dawn sky. The snowy paths remained unswept. Dao Yan stood waiting by the screen wall, hands clasped behind his back.
Noting her resplendent appearance, he said coolly, “I’ve been waiting for you for two-quarters of an hour.”
He had risen early for his morning prayers – merely part of his ascetic practice.
“Let’s talk in the carriage,” Yining said, climbing in first. Dao Yan followed.
Once inside, he handed her some calling cards, now appropriate for her new status as an ennobled lady. He also gave her an imperial edict from the Empress, without which she couldn’t enter the palace.
Yining planned to enter the palace with Madam Xu, representing the Ying Guo Gong household. As a man, Dao Yan couldn’t enter the Jing Ren Palace. He sat cross-legged, seemingly pondering something. After a long silence, he said, “There may be unusual activity around the Empress at today’s palace banquet. Just pay attention to who comes and goes near her. If anything unexpected happens, we should be prepared.”
Yining smiled at this. “Master, I have a question.”
“Speak,” Dao Yan said simply, opening his eyes.
“If you merely wanted someone to monitor the Empress, wouldn’t Concubine Zhao have sufficed? There are many noblewomen, and some even bring maids into the hall. Surely it wouldn’t be difficult for you to bribe a maid. Why insist on me? What are you after? If you wanted to kill me, you needn’t go to such lengths,” Yining said languidly.
Dao Yan chuckled at her words. “I’ve never thought of killing you. But since you ask, I’ll tell you this much: I do have plans, but I can’t reveal them now. Someone by the Empress will tell you what to do next. This is all for Luo Shen Yuan’s sake. If the Empress succeeds, Luo Shen Yuan likely won’t survive. You can still back out if you’ve changed your mind.”
“I haven’t changed my mind,” Yining said with a soft sigh.
She wasn’t sure if Dao Yan would harm her, but she was certain he wouldn’t harm Luo Shen Yuan.
Lost in thought about the Empress’s situation, Yining fell silent. As the carriage left Xinqiao Hutong, she lifted the curtain to look outside. Lanterns hung everywhere, though shops remained closed. The number of patrolling soldiers had nearly doubled.
By the time they reached the outer Zhongzhi Gate, the sun was just rising. Many carriages had already arrived. Yining bid farewell to Dao Yan, who assigned her a quiet, pretty maid to serve as a messenger.
She had sent word to Madam Xu yesterday about entering the palace together. Now, Madam Xu waited for her at the palace gate.
Dressed in the robes of a first-rank noblewoman, Madam Xu took Yining’s arm with a smile. “Where is the Minister?”
“He went ahead. He should be in the Taihe Hall by now,” Yining replied, smiling as they entered the palace together. The noblewomen alighted from their sedan chairs here, proceeding through the side entrance to the Empress’s Kunning Palace. However, the Empress was still meeting with several princesses, so the ladies were directed to a side hall for tea.
A palace maid in a blue jacket with double buns approached Madam Xu at the entrance. Curtsying, she asked, “Are you the wife of the Ying Guo Gong, madam?”
This was Zhao Mingzhu’s maid, who had been waiting for Madam Xu to escort her to see Zhao Mingzhu.
Yining, curious to see how Zhao Mingzhu fared after several years, accompanied Madam Xu to Zhao Mingzhu’s palace.
Zhao Mingzhu resided in the Xifu Palace, a compound with three courtyards. The main hall had five rooms with polished floors so smooth they reflected like mirrors. The rooms were heated by floor furnaces and filled with fragrant incense. Zhao Mingzhu reclined on a pillow, eyes closed as a maid painted her nails. Hearing that Ying Guo Gong’s wife and Madam Luo San had arrived, she quickly sat up and invited them in.
Yining saw that Zhao Mingzhu wore a gold-embroidered jacket and several tinkling gold and jade bracelets. Her peony-shaped hairdo was adorned with pearls and kingfisher feathers. She had grown slightly plumper, indicating she lived well.
Zhao Mingzhu took Yining’s hand and sat her down, calling for refreshments. She smiled and said, “How are you? You’re a minister’s wife now. I was present when your title was conferred. The Emperor initially suggested the third junior rank, but I recommended the third senior rank.”
“It seems you’re doing well in the palace!” Yining remarked, examining Zhao Mingzhu’s delicate, uncalloused fingers.
She had heard that the Emperor favored Zhao Mingzhu, her status recently surpassing even Consort Dong’s.
Zhao Mingzhu said, “After serving him for years, I’ve learned his temperament. He prefers less intelligent people.” She shrugged slightly. “It hasn’t been easy. There are many higher-ranking concubines here. I’ve avoided pregnancy to prevent jealousy, secretly drinking contraceptive tea when favored.”
“The Emperor doesn’t mind?” Yining was surprised by this calculation.
“He understands but doesn’t speak of it,” Zhao Mingzhu said in a low voice. “But I’m content now. Minister Luo has even arranged properties for my second brother because of this. They live in luxury. I don’t expect them to become officials anymore—lest they cause more trouble for me in the future.”
She seemed even more animated than before, clearly enjoying her life of luxury.
“Contraceptive tea can harm your body. You might not be able to conceive even if you want to later,” Yining said, concerned for her future. Without a child to rely on, life would be difficult for an aging imperial concubine. She added softly, “…You should plan for your future, Jieyu.”
Zhao Mingzhu smiled. “We’ll see about that later! It’s rare to see you here. I have many fine things—let me give you some to take back. I know you don’t lack anything with a minister at home, but please accept this as a token of my feelings.”
The three women chatted over tea in Zhao Mingzhu’s quarters until word came that they could now see the Empress. Zhao Mingzhu accompanied them to the Kunning Palace, where they knelt and paid their respects to the Empress.
Seated on her phoenix throne, the Empress’s gaze immediately fell on Luo Yining. Her eyes narrowed, and her slender fingers tightened on the knob of her teacup lid.
“So it’s Madam Luo San. Rise,” she said.
How strange that this woman would appear here! Zhou felt both puzzled and excited by Luo Yining’s presence. Though reportedly close to Lu Jiaxue, she was Minister Luo’s wife. Lu Jiaxue now seemed indifferent towards her, but regardless, this woman could be valuable. She glanced aside at Xie Yun and Cheng Lang standing nearby. She knew Cheng Lang had been sent by Lu Jiaxue and understood his purpose.
The noblewomen took their seats according to rank. Only a few could converse directly with Zhou, while the rest chatted quietly among themselves.
Cheng Lang slowly turned his gaze to Luo Yining as she sipped her tea, his brow furrowing.
Why was she here? Had Luo Shen Yuan sent her? Didn’t he realize how dangerous the situation was? How dare he risk her safety! If chaos suddenly erupted, who would protect her?
As Xie Yun chatted with her aunt, she noticed Cheng Lang’s distraction. Following his gaze, she realized he was looking at Luo Yining.
“What’s wrong?” Xie Yun said with a cold smirk, lowering her voice. “Want to catch up with your cousin?”
Cheng Lang placed his hand on her shoulder, his tone gentle: “…Shut up.”
From the moment Luo Yining spotted Cheng Lang standing inconspicuously in the room, her brow furrowed slightly, and she felt tense. Why was Cheng Lang here? If this were just an ordinary banquet, would his presence be necessary? Who could command him to be here?
She sipped her tea nonchalantly and whispered to her maid: “Do you know who that is?”
When the maid shook her head slightly, Luo Yining said, “That’s Censor-in-Chief Cheng of the Censorate. Go outside and bring me some almonds.”
The maid understood Luo Yining’s intention and retreated with a bow. After leaving the palace gate, she returned with a plate of almonds. As she brushed past a palace maid, she whispered a few words.
By the time the palace maid returned to the Western Warm Chamber, the banquet was about to begin.
Empress Zhou rose from her phoenix throne and spoke to Cheng Lang: “When the feast begins, Fourth Uncle will signal for action. We must control all the noblewomen here to restrain the court officials. Do you have enough men?”
“Your Majesty need not worry,” Cheng Lang replied with a smile, hands clasped behind his back.
The noblewomen adjusted their dresses and followed Empress Zhou hand in hand. Due to the winter weather, the banquet was set in the Jiaotai Hall. But before they left the warm chamber, a eunuch rushed in, his legs weak and unsteady. He approached Empress Zhou and whispered: “Your Majesty, something’s happened at the Taihe Hall.”
The Imperial Guards serving in the Emperor’s presence had suddenly revolted, restraining the Emperor! Subsequently, the civil and military officials in the hall were surrounded. The situation was now critical.
The noblewomen sensed something was amiss, and panic spread through the crowd. Empress Zhou’s lips curled into a cold smile as she commanded harshly: “No one is to leave!”
Cheng Lang made a gesture, and suddenly countless Imperial Guards rushed out, surrounding the noblewomen.
Even Zhao Mingzhu began to tremble, squeezing Luo Yining’s hand: “What is the Empress doing? Has she gone mad?”
“With the court in chaos, of course, she wants to rebel,” Luo Yining grabbed her, trying to calm her. She had anticipated this scene and felt oddly calm until the Empress’s gaze sharpened and she suddenly pointed at her: “Bind her for me!”
“Your Majesty, what wrong has Madam Luo San done that you want her bound?” Zhao Mingzhu, now allied with Consort Dong, was no longer afraid of the Empress. She gritted her teeth and stood in front of Luo Yining.
Dao Yan must want her dead! Luo Yining saw no sign of his planted agents, except for the ordinary-looking maid behind her.
She quickly surveyed her surroundings and made a decision. Dao Yan was likely counting on the Empress not killing her – what would be the point? Keeping her alive offered far more benefits. Her tone carried a hint of stern reproach: “If Your Majesty wishes to bind me, so be it. But this subject has something to say. Once Your Majesty loses this arrow… there’s no turning back.”
Cheng Lang noticed she didn’t even glance at him. A faint smile touched his lips: “Bind Madam Luo San and confine her to the side room.”
When Dao Yan received the message from Luo Yining, he frowned slightly.
To think they had placed Cheng Lang by the Empress’s side – Lu Jiaxue’s involvement was likely more than mere assistance. Today’s situation had become thorny indeed! It seemed he would have to make an appearance after all.
With the chaos in the court, Cheng Lang had surely controlled the noblewomen in Jiaotai Hall to threaten the officials. He had planted people in Kunning Palace, but it wasn’t time to reveal them yet. Luo Yining must be cursing him in her heart for being captured now.
Of course, Dao Yan didn’t care about that. As long as the coup failed, the Empress wouldn’t endanger Luo Yining’s life. She might even be safer in Kunning Palace.
He had a map of the palace laid out before him. While studying it, he instructed the Commander of the Imperial Guard: “The Taihe Hall is easy to defend but difficult to attack. However, Minister Luo has already arranged men around the Emperor to counterattack. You lead your troops to surround and advance from the white marble steps. They will use crossbows, but their numbers are too few, and they’ll inevitably run short of arrows. Charge straight in and subdue them.”
Facing Dao Yan, hailed as the God of War, the Commander stammered: “Y-yes… understood. We’ll follow your orders.”
He then asked: “What about Minister Luo? Master, I must say, even with the Imperial Guard, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, and the troops rushed overnight from Baoding and Zhending, we may not be able to withstand the forces of the Commander-in-Chief and hold the Daming Gate…”
“I have my calculations,” Dao Yan said, picking up a long spear from the table.
The Commander asked no more questions. He gathered his things and immediately led his troops towards the Taihe Hall.
The Taihe Hall, at the center of the Imperial Palace, stood on the central axis with its white marble steps, gilded roof finials, intricate bracket sets, and flying eaves – a picture of solemnity. The Commander of the Imperial Guard saw from afar that the great doors of the Taihe Hall were wide open. He breathed a sigh of relief, realizing the situation inside was largely under control.
Luo Shen Yuan stood beside the Emperor, flanked by the Embroidered Uniform Guard. He had been anticipating this drama since last night and had made thorough preparations. Dressed in a dark, form-fitting outfit, he rarely looked so stern and imposing. The cold wind gusted in, but his robes remained unmoved, exuding a fierce aura.
Wang Yuan couldn’t help but glance at him. His old bones were only waiting to enjoy life now, and he would surely hide at such critical moments. When Lu Jiaxue plotted in the past, he had turned a blind eye, and wasn’t he still alive and serving as Prime Minister? This time, Lu Jiaxue had conspired with the Empress without telling him a word!
Of course, Wang Yuan pretended to know nothing. No matter how the regime changed, he would still be Prime Minister. In peacetime, no one could shake his position.
The Imperial Guards who had suddenly risen to attack were now subdued, their heads pressed to the ground by the guards, teeth cracking under the pressure.
Luo Shen Yuan swept his gaze across the crowd, saying with a smile, “Put down your weapons now and reveal the mastermind, and you may yet live. Otherwise, you’ll end up like this man—”
His tone suddenly turned harsh, and a guard’s blade fell in response. The man’s blood splattered on the golden bricks!
Half a head rolled down the steps, blood slowly flowing. Some officials, unable to bear the sight of the remaining half-head and the still-struggling body, swayed on their feet. The Emperor’s face turned pale. Although Luo Shen Yuan had warned him the night before about possible scenarios today, facing it, in reality, was still unsettling.
The Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard, bought by Zhou Ying You, felt nauseous. With the sounds of encirclement from outside, the knife in his hand became unsteady.
Luo Shen Yuan immediately waved his hand, signaling the Embroidered Uniform Guard behind him to swarm forward and subdue the Deputy Commander.
At this moment, Lu Jiaxue, clad in heavy armor, sat astride a tall horse outside the palace gates. He seemed to hear the commotion from the Taihe Hall and looked up in that direction.
It had dragged on too long; darkness had already fallen. Though some of Zhou Ying You’s bought men were his old friends and some had been planted long ago, their resolve was weak. The abdication edict probably hadn’t even reached the Emperor before the Embroidered Uniform Guard killed them. He turned to the armor-clad Zhou Ying You beside him and asked, “You prepared two copies of the edict, didn’t you?”
Zhou Ying, You nodded grimly. Anyone would be upset seeing their careful preparations fall apart.
Zhou’s fate was tied to the Empress. If the Empress fell, how long could Zhou Ying You, despite his military power, survive? How long could the Zhou clan exist? So he had no choice but to force the Emperor to abdicate in favor of the Third Prince. It would still be the royal lineage; who couldn’t be Emperor? The hasty preparations naturally couldn’t be perfect.
“That’s enough. Tell the Third Prince to prepare the dragon robes!” Lu Jiaxue urged his horse forward a few steps. The large cauldron for battering down the gate was ready. Behind the heavy Daming Gate, guards resisted. The low, thunderous impacts echoed through the palace, growing louder and louder, filling the entire Forbidden City with dread.
Low-ranking palace maids and eunuchs scrambled about, gathering their meager possessions to hide. Faint cries of women could be heard from the Kunning Palace, while the Taihe Hall remained silent.
With a final crash, the gate broke!
Countless soldiers poured into the palace with unstoppable force. Zhou Ying You’s troops rushed towards the Taihe Hall.
Lu Jiaxue suddenly recalled that his attack on the Ning Yuan Marquis’s mansion years ago had been similar – advancing step by step, feeling the excitement and restraint of knowing he was about to reach the pinnacle, the ambition and desire about to break free from its cocoon.
He wondered how Luo Shen Yuan would handle this! The Embroidered Uniform Guard, though elite, couldn’t withstand the sea of soldiers. Lu Jiaxue knew this well.
When Lu Jiaxue finally breached the gate, he saw Dao Yan also mounted on horseback.
No longer in monk’s robes, Dao Yan appeared as he had during his coastal battles against the Japanese pirates, wielding a long spear, all traces of compassion gone, radiating an aura of martial divinity. Behind him stood a massive army, stretching as far as the eye could see, likely having entered through the Xuanwu Gate.
“So it is you!” Lu Jiaxue said with a laugh. “I helped you become the God of War, and now you’ve come to deal with me. For you to personally take the field, it seems you truly care for him.”
“Commander-in-Chief, it’s been a while. I’m grateful for your past kindness. However, you’d best not cross this threshold,” Dao Yan raised his spear. “Form ranks!”
Lu Jiaxue’s expression turned fierce. He brandished his long sword, its tip pointing to the ground. The two armies immediately clashed, surging and killing like a tide. Dao Yan exposed a weakness, which Lu Jiaxue immediately spotted. His sword thrust directly at Dao Yan, aiming to take his head! He forced Dao Yan to retreat several steps, the sword tip grazing his skin.
Lu Jiaxue withdrew his sword, touching the blood on its tip with a smile. “Dao Yan, I’ve never crossed swords with you before. Now, let’s see what you’ve got!”
His aura was overwhelming.
Night fell like a curtain over the earth. Luo Yining had been bound for over three hours, kept separately with Cheng Lang guarding her.
Luo Yining and he just stared at each other, neither speaking nor acknowledging the other.
“Luo Shen Yuan sent you here as bait, and you obediently followed,” Cheng Lang fingered the jade pendant he had carried since childhood and asked, “Do you remember this jade pendant?”
Luo Yining closed her eyes.
“Two taels of silver, such a cheap thing, yet I’ve carried it for over ten years,” Cheng Lang said with a careless smile. “You must find it very amusing, don’t you?”
A rustling sound came from outside. He tucked the pendant back into his robes and asked coldly, “What is it?”
“Sir,” the voice from outside was weak, “The Empress wants you to bring the person out.”