Shen Zechuan was led inside and knelt outside the curtain.
The Xian De Emperor was half propped against the headboard, the Empress Dowager seated beside the bed. Pan Rugui held a bowl of medicinal soup, stepping back slightly to reveal Shen Zechuan’s figure.
The Xian De Emperor mustered his strength and said, “The Eight Battalions reported seeing your laborer at the pond. I ask you, what was he doing there?”
Shen Zechuan replied, “Your Majesty, Uncle Ge was waiting for the palace eunuch.”
“By whose order?”
Shen Zechuan paused, then kowtowed: “By this guilty minister’s order.”
The Xian De Emperor coughed a few times. “You are confined in Zhao Zui Temple, with provisions for food and clothing issued monthly. How did you become involved with Little Fuze?”
“Your Majesty’s grace allowed me to meditate in the temple. You not only granted me mercy, but also provided food. Yet recently, my illness and old ailments have made rising increasingly difficult,” Shen Zechuan said, his voice tinged with sorrow. “Although the palace supplied meals, no medicine was provided. Uncle Ge, having served long in Zhao Zui Temple, pitied me and arranged for the palace eunuch to purchase some medicine for me. I then entrusted Uncle Ge to request some oil lamps for blessings.”
“The lamps are meant for prayers, but you have no family,” the Empress Dowager asked. “Why do you need them?”
“I know my sins are immense,” Shen Zechuan said devoutly, “so I light lamps in the temple for Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager day and night, and recite sutras for the loyal souls who fell at Zhongbo Tea Stone. I also grew some vegetables in the temple, which Uncle Ge sold at the morning market for a few coins. With my illness, it seemed wiser to exchange those coins for oil lamps rather than medicine.”
The Empress Dowager sighed: “Though guilty, you are not beyond forgiveness.”
The Xian De Emperor, weary, lowered his eyes. “Little Fuze is dead now. Do you know if he had any enmities?”
Shen Zechuan shook his head. “Though I dared entrust the eunuch to purchase the lamps, I never met or corresponded with Little Fuze.”
“And you?” Xian De Emperor gestured to Ji Gang. “Tell me, did he ever mention anything?”
Ji Gang, fearful as a common laborer, replied hesitantly: “Your Majesty, the eunuch usually went out for errands, busy with duties. Mostly he sent attendants to deliver things.”
The Emperor seemed to smirk faintly, glancing at the expressionless Pan Rugui.
Ji Gang continued: “Only once, when delivering to the eunuch at the sedan chair, I overheard him saying that His Highness was angered and might cause trouble. I hurriedly handed over the money for the lamps. The eunuch, busy that day, told me to wait in the West Garden today, which led to the soldiers seeing me wandering near the pond.”
Pan Rugui interjected: “Did you hear that clearly? He said ‘His Highness,’ no one else.”
Ji Gang kowtowed repeatedly: “I would not deceive the Emperor. Many people saw me at the market that day; they can confirm I speak the truth.”
The Xian De Emperor remained silent. The room smelled strongly of medicine. The Empress Dowager used a handkerchief to cover her mouth and leaned toward the Emperor: “Your Majesty, the death of Little Fuze cannot rely solely on Xiao Chiye’s word. This happened just steps from the imperial carriage. If it were truly, as he claims, Prince Chu seeking Little Fuze’s life, why would Xiao Chiye act so evasively?”
“Your Majesty,” Pan Rugui said softly, “Little Fuze’s life is insignificant. If Prince Chu killed him out of personal grievance, that would be one matter. But perhaps it’s more complicated. You rarely leave the palace, while Little Fuze often does. Why must it happen today?”
The Xian De Emperor coughed violently, brushing aside Pan Rugui’s hand and dabbing his own bloodied lips. “Jianheng is my own brother; I know his character best. Since this case has escalated, let Ji Lei conclude it. Little Fuze acted arrogantly, violating rites, causing resentment. Punish A-Ye with a fortnight of house confinement, Ji Lei and Xi Guan’an with three months’ pay. Pan Rugui, deliver this message and let them disperse.”
“…” Pan Rugui looked to the Empress Dowager.
She remained silent.
The Emperor implored, “Mother, it is a turbulent season. Autumn nears, borderlands unstable, trade disputes increasing. Li Bei, Qi Dong, the frontier counties, all need military stability. Prolonged investigation may harm the people. The pain at Zhongbo has passed, but the shame remains. Mother, this case should not drag on and risk unsettling hearts.”
The Empress Dowager, concerned, tucked the blanket around the Emperor. “Though still ill, Your Majesty worries about state affairs—that is a blessing for the realm. Pan Rugui, you may go.”
She added: “From what I see, the eighth son of the Shen family is truly repentant, unlike Shen Wei. He is a child who can be trusted.”
The Emperor said, “His health is weak; he cannot take on serious duties. Better he stays in the temple.”
The Empress Dowager slowly lowered her hand: “True. Yet now that he has appeared, sending him back without cause would invite suspicion. That would go against Your Majesty’s intentions.”
The Emperor smiled, turning to Shen Zechuan: “Remember the Empress Dowager’s favor. Do not follow the path of your unfilial father. Go to the Jinyiwei; among the twelve divisions, you will find work suited to you.”
Shen Zechuan bowed deeply, grateful for imperial favor.
After everyone left, the Emperor leaned over the bed, vomiting up the medicine he had just taken. The blanket over his hand was crumpled. The room dim, the Emperor’s face pale—his illness grave.
The Empress Dowager, supported by Pan Rugui, walked along the water corridor. Hua Xiangyi held freshly picked lotus flowers, with the attendant maids following at a distance.
“Since the last illness, Your Majesty has grown more obstinate,” the Empress Dowager said slowly. “How can one so gravely ill still manage state affairs?”
“Indeed, illness strikes like a mountain falling,” Pan Rugui said. “His Majesty worries too much.”
“Years ago, I chose Jianyun for his gentle and respectful nature. Though sick these years, he has done his best,” the Empress Dowager said. “Yet who could have imagined his fear of the Xiao family? Every decision weighed, trying not to offend anyone—yet the world is never so compliant.”
“All matters in the capital must follow your instructions,” Pan Rugui said. “Once Wei Bin has a child, the Empress Dowager will have no more worries.”
The Empress Dowager gently patted Pan Rugui’s arm: “Until Wei Bin bears a child, Your Majesty’s health must be carefully tended.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” Pan Rugui said. “I shall watch closely.”
Shen Zechuan left; outside, the crowd had mostly dispersed. He and Ji Gang descended the steps, seeing Xiao Chiye riding away.
“The Imperial Guards aren’t useless,” Shen Zechuan said, noting Xiao Chiye’s waist and legs. “Yet he clearly has not neglected training.”
“Skilled in horsemanship and archery,” Ji Gang squinted. “He hasn’t fought anyone yet; who knows his strength? If he could draw the Great Bow five years ago, now his power must be greater. Chuan’er, avoid fighting him unless necessary.”
Shen Zechuan said nothing, yet he noticed the man turning suddenly in the street and charging toward him on horseback.
Shen Zechuan only watched, neither dodging nor blocking. Xiao Chiye swept past him; Shen Zechuan’s sleeve fluttered in the wind, then fell.
“What is your involvement in this case?” Xiao Chiye circled his horse around him.
“None,” Shen Zechuan smiled. “But it concerns Second Young Master greatly.”
“Pan Rugui lost his dog, I took the blame. No one gains today, yet you profit,” Xiao Chiye leaned from his horse. “How can a person so tough also be so lucky?”
“I merely rode on your favor, Second Young Master,” Shen Zechuan said humbly. “Had you not intervened, I could not have come out.”
Xiao Chiye’s eyes grew cold: “You get your news quickly, don’t you?”
“A small trick,” Shen Zechuan replied.
Xiao Chiye surveyed the sky. A hawk returned with a sparrow, perching above.
“Being out is no harm,” Xiao Chiye whistled; the hawk immediately landed, tearing the sparrow apart. He looked at Shen Zechuan: “In such a large capital, one must find amusement.”
“High-born people are different,” Shen Zechuan said. “Their pleasures differ. I ignore drink, gambling, women. Only interaction pleases me. Yet enjoying it alone is dull; only with you is duller still.”
“I watch you,” Xiao Chiye said, twisting the reins, a grin tugging at his lips. “That alone is fun; others need not meddle.”
Shen Zechuan laughed softly. “How can I take that? I’ve gathered many friends for you.”
“Better to worry about yourself than me,” Xiao Chiye said, withdrawing his gaze. “The Jinyiwei offer a promising path. Ji Lei favors you; you shall have a bright future.”
Shen Zechuan smiled, eyes warm: “We are both fish in a pond, birds in a cage. I have prospects; you enjoy comfort. Free of burdens, alone and unbound. Second Young Master, are you the same?”
Lanterns hung high on both sides, highlighting Shen Zechuan’s beauty, pale as jade. The hawk, having feasted, returned to Xiao Chiye’s shoulder.
“Since we are fish in a pond, birds in a cage,” Xiao Chiye dusted grey from the hawk, “why pretend freedom?”
That night, Shen Zechuan returned to the temple, took his medicine, and sat across a small table from Grand Tutor Qi in the courtyard.
Ji Gang had set up a small courtyard in Zhao Zui Temple, planting some bamboo and a vegetable patch per Grand Tutor Qi’s instructions. Summer nights outside were quite pleasant.
“The Emperor did not wish to pursue it,” Shen Zechuan said. “He allowed my release to protect Prince Chu. You foresaw this.”
“Foresight or not, it cannot yet be concluded,” Grand Tutor Qi said, tapping chess pieces, smacking his lips. “Since the start of the year, the Emperor has been bedridden. Though under care, he is weaker than when in seclusion. Pan Rugui’s efforts are indispensable.”
Ji Gang, at the gate, rubbed a stone. “Most of the anger was directed at them. Even Ji Lei was punished; clearly resentment ran deep.”
“When one feels time short, courage grows,” Grand Tutor Qi said. “Being Emperor, he spent a lifetime accommodating others.”
“The Empress Dowager dislikes Prince Chu, yet he is the only one who can ascend,” Shen Zechuan said, bitterly tasting the medicine. “If Ji Lei bites Prince Chu repeatedly, guided by Pan Rugui’s favor, then surely Pan Rugui has no more worries. There are other heirs easier to control.”
“The late Emperor was strict,” Ji Gang blew off dust. “Impossible. Besides, if there were another heir, how could they remain hidden all these years?”
“Any child bearing the Li bloodline is an heir,” Grand Tutor Qi said, tapping a chess piece. “The late Emperor had none; but now, if a child is born to the harem, the Emperor passes, and the Empress Dowager could rule through an infant, no need for curtains. Hua Sijian could appoint a regent, and the dynasty would be Hua indeed.”
“Yet Xiao Chiye has close ties with Prince Chu. His ascension benefits the Xiao family entirely,” Shen Zechuan mused, rolling a chess piece. “Li Bei will not sit idle. As long as Prince Chu lives, Xiao Jiming, along with Lu Guangbai of the border, could threaten the capital. How can the Eight Battalions fight this?”
Grand Tutor Qi pressed his elbow on the table, scratching his messy hair. “Lan Zhou, foolish! Didn’t the Empress Dowager know? That’s why they wanted Xiao Chiye five years ago. With him in hand, Xiao Jiming dares not act rashly. The Eight Battalions cannot defeat Li Bei’s cavalry; the Qi Dong garrison? The Qi family has no reason to intervene. For ‘loyalty to the Emperor,’ Qi Zhuyin must also deploy forces to stop Xiao Jiming.”
Ji Gang saw Shen Zechuan deep in thought and said, “The Emperor is still alive, why worry? Tomorrow, Chuan’er goes to the Jinyiwei, under Ji Lei’s command. I’m concerned.”
“That’s why I say I am not prophetic!” Grand Tutor Qi said irritably. “The Emperor put Lan Zhou in the Jinyiwei; he achieves his goal and follows the Empress Dowager’s intent. But does he forget who judged him in the imperial prison? When paths cross, what will he do? Tell me, Ji Gang, when you found Little Fuze, was he still alive?”
Ji Gang rubbed dust from the stone with his fingers, pausing. “Hard to say. Time was too tight to observe.”
“I see,” Grand Tutor Qi said to Shen Zechuan. “Think carefully. If Little Fuze was dead before we acted—who then dealt the fatal blow?”