“Cheng… Yuan Qing, if there’s a chance, I would like to see your son.” The Emperor gazed at the canopy above.
Yuan Cheng replied coolly, “When Daqiu no longer invades and the realm is at peace, I’ll have Mo Zi bring Yuan Bao to you then.”
“Yuan Bao? Yuan Bao?” The Emperor chuckled. “What an adorable name. Did Mo Zi choose it?”
“Yes. She wanted to use it as his formal name, but those who came to the full moon celebration disagreed. In the end, we chose the character Hao—the great waters of momentum.” Yuan Cheng revealed this “family embarrassment.”
“Yuan Hao. A fine name.” The Emperor retrieved a jade pendant from beneath his pillow. “Consider this my gift for the child’s first birthday.”
Yuan Cheng stepped forward to receive it, then retreated behind the curtain. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”
“You… know?” The Emperor trembled. From Yuan Cheng’s natural acceptance of the gesture, a certain feeling suddenly arose within him.
Yuan Cheng didn’t answer.
“You truly do know.” The Emperor grew somewhat agitated.
“Whether I know or not makes no difference.” Yet Yuan Cheng’s voice turned cold. “I am the last male descendant of the Yuan family. My children will all continue the Yuan bloodline. Mo Zi and I will enter the Yuan family tomb after our hundred years. This will never change in this lifetime.”
The Emperor opened his mouth, but in the end could only heave a long sigh. He was powerless against Yuan Cheng’s decision.
“Your Majesty, if there’s nothing else, Yuan Cheng takes his leave.” Yuan Cheng’s heart was as firm as stone.
“…Go then. I’m relying entirely on you.” At least he could still wholeheartedly trust this child.
Yuan Cheng retreated backward, not uttering a single word of reassurance.
The next day, when the Empress brought the Second Prince to court, Eunuch Liu Ning rushed in and shouted, “His Majesty has taken food!”
This news brought joy to some and gloom to others. Those rejoicing were the officials led by the Xiao and Wei families, including Prince Li. Those gloomy were the Empress and Wang He and others who were secretly preparing to establish a new ruler.
At dusk, Yuan Cheng and Mo Zi received the Empress’s summons, stating that the Emperor’s health was recovering and it seemed not to be caused by fresh fish after all, so she invited the couple to the palace to clear up the misunderstanding.
Mo Zi naturally didn’t want to go. Who knew Yuan Cheng would agree.
She pulled him behind the door and whispered, “Once we enter the palace, can we still come out alive?” Within those false courtesies, she detected killing intent.
“Mo Zi, the time for a decisive battle has come.” Yuan Cheng’s lips curved in a slight smile.
Mo Zi grew serious and released his sleeve. “A decisive battle? Today?” This seemed rather sudden.
Yuan Cheng nodded. “After we enter the palace in a moment, we’ll go see the Emperor. He’ll find an excuse to send you to Consort Chen. No matter what you hear, don’t panic.”
“Can’t I stay with you?” Mo Zi knew he was arranging this to protect her.
“If you’re safe, I’ll be safe. Besides, you must remember to open the door for me.” The plan had been discussed beforehand, but when the actual day of action arrived, it still felt rushed.
Mo Zi realized she had a task to fulfill—this wasn’t the time to act coquettish and cling to her husband. She immediately agreed silently.
Upon reaching the palace, the Empress sat beside the Emperor, one hand covering the other. At first glance, they appeared to be a perfectly harmonious and loving couple. Not a trace of mutual deception could be detected.
When the Empress saw Yuan Cheng and Mo Zi, she smiled. “Speak of Cao Cao and Cao Cao arrives. His Majesty was just blaming me for acting rashly, imprisoning the Grand Minister and Madam without investigating clearly first. I was misled by those incompetent physicians and acted in desperate anxiety, which is why I did such a thing. I’m truly sorry.”
Yuan Cheng answered simply, “As long as His Majesty’s health can recover, that’s good.”
“Empress, go check on Consort Chen. I’ve been ill these past days and haven’t been able to look after her. Help me send my regards.” The Emperor patted the Empress’s hand.
The Empress’s eyes flickered slightly. “Let the Grand Minister’s wife accompany me. That day on the boat, I accidentally bumped into Consort Chen. Though it was truly an accident, I fear causing another misunderstanding, which wouldn’t be good. Having the Grand Minister’s wife along would be better.”
The Emperor then asked Mo Zi, “What does the Grand Minister’s wife think?”
Mo Zi thought to herself, why would the Empress also go to Consort Chen? But when she opened her mouth, she still agreed.
Thus, the Empress and Mo Zi, each with their respective maids, walked toward the Star-Chen Palace.
“I thought the Grand Minister’s wife hadn’t brought any maids on this trip to the capital.” The Empress casually glanced at the seven or eight women behind Mo Zi who kept their heads lowered.
“I did bring them. But finding their appearance unsuitable and seeing they’d never experienced the world, I left them at the mansion. When Your Majesty urgently summoned us, I felt uncertain, so I brought them to bolster my courage.” In other words, she was directly saying she feared the Empress would frame her. Mo Zi seemed to speak without thinking, then quickly covered her mouth. “Your Majesty, I mean no ill will.”
“I’ve heard the Grand Minister’s wife has a straightforward temperament. Today I’ve witnessed it myself—no matter. A few maids used to bolster courage don’t concern me.” They probably have some martial skills? Several are tall and sturdy. Yet the Empress couldn’t see their faces clearly.
The two women had nothing in common to discuss, so they walked in silence. Suddenly they heard a shrill voice calling out—
“Your Majesty the Empress! Your Majesty the Empress!”
The Empress turned around and scolded mildly, “What’s all this shouting about? Where are your manners?”
A thin eunuch quickly knelt down. “The physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy are kneeling before the Golden Throne Hall crying injustice. Please go take a look quickly.”
“Such audacity? Those incompetent physicians still have the face to cry injustice?” The Empress’s expression darkened with anger. She turned to Mo Zi. “Grand Minister’s wife, it seems I must handle this matter first, lest they disturb His Majesty’s convalescence.”
Mo Zi made a gesture of invitation. “His Majesty’s illness has barely begun to improve. Court matters naturally require Your Majesty to share his burdens. Mo Zi can’t help with that, so I’ll go to Consort Chen on the Empress’s behalf to convey that all is well.”
The Empress smiled “gratefully.” “Thank you for your trouble, Grand Minister’s wife.” With that, she quickly departed with her people.
Mo Zi waited until the Empress and her entourage’s figures disappeared around the corner before turning to continue walking. “Not even leaving me a guide—is she conserving her own people, or does she consider me already dead? That eunuch, with his thick waist, small bottom, and pigeon-toed walk—he appeared just as you arrived. You two are destined for each other.”
A snort of laughter came from behind.
Then that familiar voice cursed, “Brother Mo, stop mocking me.”
The one cursing was none other than Xu Jiu. The one laughing was Leng Liu. The four behind them were the four personal experts from Fu Tian’s side who could whip people into submission, now working with Xu Jiu. The two bringing up the rear were Zan Jin and Lan Yi. The palace was full of the Empress’s spies everywhere—better to disguise themselves as palace maids and walk openly. Though they appeared rather robust, the Empress at this moment was so audacious she didn’t fear a mere handful of people.
The Star-Chen Palace was at the far west. Beyond two palace walls was a small palace gate. Outside the hall, a squad of Right Guards stood watch, under the Empress’s orders not to let Consort Chen leave the palace. As long as the Emperor didn’t die, the Empress would naturally keep Consort Chen alive, waiting for him to close his eyes—then this one large and one small would both be expendable.
“Who are you people?” The Right Guards stepped forward to block their path.
“By order of His Majesty and the Empress, we’ve come to…” Mo Zi suddenly lowered her voice.
“Speak louder.” That Right Guard took a step closer.
“…”
“What?” He took another step closer.
“…claim your lives!” She reached out and struck his neck—snake venom entering the carotid artery.
The Right Guard convulsed all over. In his dying moment, he watched as those androgynous figures felled his men one by one, then closed his eyes in dejection.
A small eunuch poked his head out. Seeing this scene, he was greatly alarmed and turned to run, but Lan Yi strangled his neck from behind.
“Your Ladyship, flee quickly!” The small eunuch shouted rather fearlessly.
Upon hearing this, Mo Zi said, “Lan Yi, don’t kill him. He’s Consort Chen’s person.”
Lan Yi had already realized this and released his hold.
“Little eunuch, His Majesty has sent us to protect Consort Chen. Go announce us quickly.” Mo Zi said.
Only then did the small eunuch react—these people had killed the Right Guards who were keeping the Consort confined, so they probably weren’t lying. He immediately ran while calling out, “Your Ladyship, His Majesty has sent people! His Majesty has sent people to protect you!”
Xu Jiu picked at his ear. “So long-winded. Old Six, let’s get on the roof.”
Xiao Mingrou had palace maids help her out. Without asking how Mo Zi came or why she came, her first words were, “How is His Majesty’s illness?”
“I didn’t expect you to have such genuine feelings for the Emperor.” Mo Zi saw her concern was real.
“I respect him, I admire him. He is my heaven. If he falls, I cannot live.” Xiao Mingrou was very clear about the path she must walk. Before entering the palace, she had yearned for a soul-stirring romance. Now she only hoped her child would be born safely and the Emperor would be her companion into old age.
“His Majesty is fine. He just wanted me to inform you, fearing it would affect the child in your womb. He wants you to remain optimistic.” Mo Zi smiled and helped her sit in the pavilion.
“These past days my eyelids have been twitching frantically. I thought His Majesty might—” might not make it. Xiao Mingrou gripped Mo Zi’s hand tightly. “Something will happen, won’t it?”
“Today, the Empress will most likely seize the palace.” Mo Zi looked toward the Golden Throne Hall. Was it too far? She couldn’t hear any commotion at all.
“Seize the palace?” Xiao Mingrou gasped. “A rebellion?”
“Yes. These past days the Empress has successfully persuaded half the officials to support her. Led by the Wang family, they’re plotting a palace coup to force the Emperor to abdicate in favor of the Second Prince and install her as Regent Empress Dowager. The Emperor would wash his hands of it all as Grand Emperor, and you would be Dowager Consort. Shall I congratulate you?” Mo Zi still had a sense of humor.
Xiao Mingrou couldn’t laugh. “If the Empress seizes the palace, will she let me live?” Impossible.
“Though half the court officials have been persuaded, what about the provincial authorities? She won’t immediately kill the Emperor and you. At least she’ll keep you confined for two years until you fade from people’s view, then claim you died of illness.” Those in power most feared being accused of harming parents, siblings, and close relatives, because people could use this to rebel, rallying widespread support.
“Then why aren’t you leaving?” Palace seizure! Palace coup! Xiao Mingrou’s heart pounded with alarm.
“My husband wants to help your husband, so I’m not leaving.” It could be said that to win over the Great Zhou as an ally, Yuan Cheng spared no effort. Mo Zi dared say that without Yuan Cheng, the Emperor would surely die, Xiao Mingrou would surely die, and the Great Zhou would plunge into chaos. To purge the old imperial faction like the Xiao and Wei families, Empress Wang would certainly carry out mass slaughter. And because she borrowed Daqiu’s power, she would inevitably have to pay a great price. So Empress Wang couldn’t possibly inherit peace and usher in a golden age like Wu Zetian, but would instead accelerate the Great Zhou’s collapse.
“Do you have confidence?” Xiao Mingrou understood the brutal implications of a palace seizure.
Mo Zi answered honestly, “I don’t know.”
“Fireworks!” Xu Jiu shouted loudly.
Mo Zi ran out of the pavilion and saw a fiery red star shoot up into the dusky blue-gray evening sky.