At dawn the next day, Emperor Xiande took his place at the main grounds of the autumn hunt. His body was too weak to ride, so he had prepared some prizes and instructed the men of the imperial guard to compete at the hunting grounds for a chance at glory.
Li Jianheng struggled to mount his horse, kicking several times before finally getting on. Xiande watched him and said, “Jianheng, set an example—let me taste the fruits of your hunt!”
Li Jianheng gripped the reins. He had already instructed his guards that even if he failed to hit anything, he would not return empty-handed. So he set off in high spirits, the rest of the guards following closely, with Xiao Chiye riding at his side.
The Southern Forest Hunting Grounds stretched flat and wide, ending in a dense forest. Yellowing leaves hung with morning dew, and the startled game scattered across the grass at the sound of hooves and shouted commands.
Li Jianheng drew his bow with effort on horseback, aiming at a lone rabbit. The arrow hit the ground weakly, falling short. There was a brief cheer, and then a guard went to retrieve a pre-caught rabbit to present to him.
Li Jianheng grinned at Xiao Chiye. “My archery’s still good, right? Grandfather taught me well!”
Sincerely, Xiao Chiye said, “I’ve never seen such skill even in the Northern Capital.”
Li Jianheng laughed. “You’ve been in the capital so long, have you forgotten how to draw a bow?”
Xiao Chiye had only a simple bow, weaker than what the Embroidered Guards could draw. “Let me show you a shot,” he said.
He drew his bow and released an arrow toward an open patch. It was weaker than Prince Chu’s, barely striking the ground. The guards cheered blindly again, much to Xiao Chiye’s amusement.
Qiao Tianya, growing impatient at the back, laughed when he saw this. “See? No proper practice, and yet they heap praise on you like a fool!”
Shen Zechuan, watching Xiao Chiye’s shoulders and arms, remembered the bone ring and couldn’t help smiling.
Prince Chu did not ride long before his waist and back ached, refusing to go deeper into the forest. The effects of drinking too much last night left him uncomfortable everywhere. After wandering aimlessly for a while, he signaled a return.
The guards behind him had yet to finish their shooting. In a whirlwind of hooves, they followed him back, bypassing the eastern woods entirely.
Li Jianheng dismounted and knelt before the emperor. Pan Rugui counted the game. Li Jianheng’s excitement grew. “Your Majesty! There’s even a fire fox—perfect fur for your wind-collar!”
Xiande laughed. “More spirited than in the capital! Pan Rugui, give it to Prince Chu.”
Li Jianheng eagerly lifted the silk covering—and found beneath it a bow far too powerful for any ordinary person. His enthusiasm evaporated, though he still said, “Thanks for Your Majesty’s gift!”
Xiande chuckled, coughing lightly. “Don’t like it? This wasn’t for you to use. This bow belonged to the founding emperor, made of black iron with dragon sinews, weighing 120 jin—it’s impossible even for the Four Generals of the realm to draw. I give it to you to remind you always of the hardships behind the founding emperor’s great work.”
Li Jianheng accepted it and had the bow carried away.
At dinner, Xiande summoned Li Jianheng to sit close, leaning against him—a clear, unspoken message. All present officials understood, yet they feigned ignorance, for Hua Sixian still sat as an equal to Prince Chu.
After the meal, the bonfire was lit. Xiande remained without resting, and so did all in attendance. Li Jianheng, already weary, noticed the emperor showed no intention of stopping.
What was happening?
Li Jianheng exchanged glances with Xiao Chiye, who pretended not to see.
The singing and dancing had ceased, the fire roared fiercely, and Xiande suddenly straightened and called out: “Hai Aiqing!”
Hai Liangyi adjusted his robe, kneeling respectfully. “Your servant is present.”
“What are you doing today?” Xiande asked.
Hai Liangyi kowtowed. “Today I recommend that Minister of the Six Ministries, Xue Xiuzhuo, be granted the right to present memorials directly to Your Majesty.”
Hua Sixian had noticed something. Stroking his beard, he said, “Ren Shi, why say this? The Minister of the Six Ministries already has the right to remonstrate directly.”
“That may be so,” Hai Liangyi said, “but Xue Xiuzhuo’s memorials have repeatedly failed to reach Your Majesty. It would be better to see him directly.”
“What memorials fail to reach me?” Hua Sixian asked.
Xiande said, “I am curious myself. Hai Aiqing, bring him up.”
Pan Rugui received the order. Exchanging a glance with Hua Sixian, he took two steps forward: “Summon Minister of the Six Ministries Xue Xiuzhuo for an audience!”
Xue Xiuzhuo arrived without official robes, looking dusty from travel. He knelt before Xiande and kowtowed.
“What is your matter?” Xiande asked through the wind.
Xue Xiuzhuo said: “As Minister of the Six Ministries in charge of household accounts, I inspected the detailed finances. In March of Xiande Year Five, I audited the previous year’s expenses and found a subsidy of two million taels. To ensure accuracy, I personally traveled to Juexi. After reconciling accounts with the provincial administrator Jiang Qingshan, we found that of the subsidy, only 1.53 million taels reached the thirteen cities; 470,000 taels disappeared. In August, the Ministry of War disbursed 2.8 million taels for frontier troops: 1.8 million for the five Qidong counties, 1 million for the Northern Capital commandery. But when I tracked it to Luoxia Pass, only 830,000 taels remained! Numerous such cases—how much of the treasury is lost? Who took the money? Your Excellency, Hua, is unaware; I have documented each and presented it to Your Majesty!”
“Absurd!” Hua Sixian shouted. “Accounts are reconciled at the start of each year! How could the Minister of the Six Ministries not know, the Secretariat not know, the Supervisory Censor not know, yet you alone know?!”
Hai Liangyi lifted his head, voice steady: “I know! Since Xiande Year Two, the Ministry of the Six Ministries kept two sets of accounts, one real, one false. Each year, the minister cannot decide which is submitted—it’s you, Hua Sixian, who decides!”
The fire crackled, echoing like thunder, silencing everyone. None had expected Xiande to strike in this way.
“Ah!” Hua Sixian laughed, slapping the table. “Accusations without proof? The Hua faction? All the land belongs to the king! I act with integrity, always putting the emperor first! Any unclear accounts, I present clearly!” He stared at Xue Xiuzhuo. “Xue Yanqing, when you later serve in the capital, remember who recommended you. I count as half your teacher, and you plot against me!”
Xue Xiuzhuo met Hua Sixian’s gaze briefly. “On the court, there are only sovereign and ministers—no teacher or student.”
Hua Sixian turned to Xiande. “Your Majesty, do you believe him?”
Xiande lowered his eyelids. “I believe the accounts.”
Hua Sixian laughed, raising his hands. “Good! Your Majesty, during the tumult in the capital, the late emperor appointed you on his deathbed. Who has always supported you, escorted you safely? Will you now trust a few disloyal, unfilial men?!”
Xiande sipped tea and finally looked at Hua Sixian, eyes full of hatred. “Was it protection or coercion of the lords? Don’t you know?”
Hua Sixian slammed the table. “Ji Lei!”
In an instant, the Embroidered Guards drew their swords.
Hai Liangyi said: “How dare you rebel!”
“I do not dare,” Hua Sixian said. “But now that your blades are at my throat, am I to wait to be slaughtered?”
“What are you plotting?” Xiande said coldly. “Xi Gu’an!”
The Eight Banners surged forward, blocking the front.
“Seize Hua Sixian!” Xiande commanded.
“You dare!” Hua Sixian shouted. “Xi Gu’an, your wife and children are drinking tea with the Empress Dowager! Step closer and the Xi family is finished! The Empress Dowager has treated you well these years. You have been repeatedly misled—retreat now while you can!”
Xi Gu’an, cornered and hesitant, drew his blade slowly, sweat beading on his forehead.
The night sky had grown overcast; the wind before the storm had ceased, banners drooped, and no one moved.
Gritting his teeth, Xi Gu’an raised his sword. “Your Majesty… you are gravely ill.”
“I gave you a chance,” Xiande said, laughing louder and louder, coughing violently, leaning on the table. “I come to this hunt—without certainty, how could I hunt down traitors like you! Qi Zhuyin has already led troops to defend the throne; in less than two hours he’ll be here! Who will you kill? Who dares!”
Ji Lei suddenly spoke: “General Qi is far away in Cang County, Qidong. All correspondence is handled by the Embroidered Guards. Your Majesty, wake from your dream!”
Xiande’s eyes snapped. “Qi—”
Pan Rugui suddenly covered the emperor’s mouth, forcing him to sit. He glanced over everyone and smiled slightly. “Your Majesty, a flare of illness.”
All the civil officials’ legs trembled. Hua Sixian sneered at Li Jianheng. “Prince Chu intended treason at the hunting grounds—he even brought a bow. Evidence is clear! What are you waiting for? Kill him!”
The guards’ blades gleamed instantly.
Li Jianheng dropped his chopsticks, stumbling backward with the chair. “Minister! I have no desire to ascend the throne!”
“Your Highness,” Hua Sixian said, “do you understand the meaning of ‘unable to act freely’?”
Thunder split the sky.
Hearing the rushing steps, Li Jianheng hid among the guards, unable to stand. “I was once a carefree prince! How did it come to this?”
A flash of steel appeared. Li Jianheng screamed. A huge crash followed, the table before him overturned. The back of his neck was seized, lifting him off the ground.
“Given the tyrant bow by the emperor, you are now the Crown Prince of Great Zhou!” Xiao Chiye said, a cold smile on his face. “As Governor of the Capital Guards, let’s see who dares to die by my hand! Chen Yang, help the prince onto his horse!”
“Xiao Er,” Ji Lei slowly drew his sword, “for our friendship, why must you lead this?”
“Been long in the mix,” Xiao Chiye said, releasing Li Jianheng. “It itches.”
“Capture him,” Ji Lei said. “Ensure Second Young Master survives; breaking limbs is sufficient.”
Xiao Chiye removed his cumbersome robe, revealing martial attire underneath. He surveyed the encirclement. “Whoever harms my limbs, I will not only reward with a hundred taels of gold, but also call him ‘Sir.’”
The nearly unused, ferocious wolf-blade slid out steadily, snow-like glint flashing, chilling the heart.
“If it cannot sever, I will take his life.”