For the past two days, the Emperor had not attended the morning court, and as his Imperial Preceptor, Ruan Jinyu was not required to assist with state affairs in the main hall. Having nothing else to do, he found it pleasant enough to simply eat his meals and watch the sky from his room.
However, this peaceful life was not as tranquil as he had hoped.
Quite some time had passed since the new Emperor’s ascension, yet these days had been far too quiet—so quiet that Ruan Jinyu, a strategist accustomed to living on edge, felt somewhat uneasy. The late Emperor had passed and a new one had risen; yet, did this new Sovereign not lack the conviction of his people? Why was everyone acting with such eerie calm?
The more peaceful it was, the more Ruan Jinyu felt that something monumental was hidden behind the scenes, waiting to erupt. He could not yet see clearly when it would reveal itself.
Lost in thought, he shifted his gaze to the chopsticks he had been holding aimlessly for some time. A small portion of rice remained in his bowl, but he had lost his appetite. He set the chopsticks down and allowed the servants to clear the table. He had no intention of going out, thinking it would be good to simply close his eyes and lie down for a while after the meal.
He was just about to remove his outer robe when a sudden knock sounded at the door. Only Qian Qi would knock like that.
“A total victory at the Heng River! Why has our garrison been abandoned?”
“They say the Heavens do not defeat the righteous, but are they simply stepping over the flesh and blood of men to claim imperial merit?”
When Ruan Jinyu heard this news, he cast everything else aside and prepared to rush to the main hall. However, just as he stepped out of his room, he met Eunuch Hong En, who had come to deliver a message. “His Majesty summons you. Please follow me, Imperial Preceptor.”
They walked briskly to the main hall. The fact that these rumors had reached Ruan Jinyu’s ears meant they had already spread throughout the Capital. The Emperor had missed court yesterday and again this morning due to illness. Normally, the ministers were capable enough that the Sovereign wouldn’t need to involve himself fully while unwell, but this matter had grown too large to be suppressed.
Hong En led him into the Palace of Ultimate Bliss, but not to the library; they went instead to the Sovereign’s private bedchamber. The heavy, dark doors were tightly shut. Ruan Jinyu hesitated for a moment before the solemn entrance. Hong En glanced at him and said, “Wait here, My Lord. I shall go in first.”
“Very well.”
Ruan Jinyu remained outside while Hong En entered the bedchamber. Before long, the eunuch returned. He didn’t mention the Emperor’s current state but said, “Imperial Preceptor, please come with me.”
As Hong En emerged, Ruan Jinyu noticed a scroll of yellow silk in his hands. The eunuch led him to a side pavilion and stood tall. “Imperial Preceptor, this is His Majesty’s decree. His Majesty requests that you handle this matter personally.”
The “matter” was undoubtedly the news currently spreading like wildfire among the court and the common folk.
“His Majesty is sending General Xue to the Heng River?” Ruan Jinyu asked, confused. “The six provinces along the Heng River line in the Northwest were reinforced by the Fuwei Garrison, originally under the King of Manyi. Now that the garrison’s morale is shattered, why are we forbidding them from going?”
Ruan Jinyu was profoundly confused, but the Emperor was claiming illness and showed no intention of seeing him. In fact, he seemed to have no intention of seeing any minister at all. It had been quite some time since the incident occurred, and many officials had already come to the hall seeking an audience.
Though Ruan Jinyu was full of questions, Hong En remained professional. “Imperial Preceptor, simply carry out the order. This is the Emperor’s decree. I fear I cannot resolve your doubts.”
Ruan Jinyu could say nothing. Hong En watched over him, following him out to announce the decree and proclaim the imperial will. To fulfill this, Ruan Jinyu even had to leave the palace.
General Xue was currently at his estate. Ruan Jinyu arrived at the gates accompanied by the Emperor’s personal eunuch. General Xue emerged to receive the decree; he accepted it without a hint of defiance.
This was Ruan Jinyu’s first time entering the General’s residence. There were very few people there—hardly any servants or maids. As for family, the entire household was expected to emerge to kowtow to the decree. Only three people appeared. One was the General’s younger brother, whom Ruan Jinyu had met once before. The other was a woman at the very back who kept her head bowed low. Ruan Jinyu didn’t need to think; there was only one woman in the Xue household. He had mentioned her to the Empress Dowager previously, but this was the first time he had seen her in person.
Once the decree was delivered, Ruan Jinyu and Hong En prepared to leave. Before exiting the gates, Hong En added, “The General is requested to depart the Capital for the Heng River immediately. You must reclaim the remaining troops.”
General Xue looked stern. He did not offer any hollow flatteries to the messengers; in fact, he seemed to have no desire to speak to them at all. Once the decree was accepted, he saw them out. The General was still the General—distinctly different from the fawning crowds of the Capital.
His task complete, Ruan Jinyu headed back to the palace. The streets were filled with commoners living their lives, seemingly unaffected by this “great matter of state.” Yet, words are formidable; a single sentence from everyone is enough to send the court into a panic.
Back in the palace, he walked through several galleries to return to his room. Everything seemed to have returned to a state of calm following the Emperor’s single decree, yet an inexplicable sense of unease lingered in his heart.
This was the first time Yan Yan had issued a command without first discussing it with his “Teacher.” Ruan Jinyu didn’t feel slighted; it was only natural. Yan Yan was the Sovereign and he was the subject; how could a minister not obey the Son of Heaven? Furthermore, why should Yan Yan feel obligated to listen to him?
However, Ruan Jinyu couldn’t help but wonder: what exactly was the Emperor’s attitude toward him now? It was becoming increasingly blurred. At first, he thought a suspicious new ruler would never allow a strategist from the previous regime to retain power. But Yan Yan hadn’t stripped him of his rank; he had kept him by his side.
Then, Ruan Jinyu thought he was being used as a tool to consolidate power and dismantle other factions. But now, the Emperor who called him “Teacher” daily didn’t seem to truly view him as a confidant. At least, not presently.
Ruan Jinyu found the Sovereign increasingly difficult to read. It forced him to re-evaluate his own position. The current peace in the palace was far too artificial. Beneath that void of clouds lay a surging undercurrent.
The eruption happened so quickly it caught everyone off guard.
The Emperor, still “unwell,” ignored the court sessions and hadn’t stepped foot in the harem for three consecutive days. Though the consorts were few and newly arrived, the internal strife manifested almost immediately.
The first blow landed on Wen Zhong. Qian Qi, having just received word, rushed in to report the details. “My Lord, Consort Qin was attacked in the Dianluo Garden last night.”
“Her Highness says she did not see the assailant’s face…” Qian Qi hesitated, his eyes meeting Ruan Jinyu’s. “But… she did see Consort Wen.”
It was unknown if the assailant had specifically targeted Consort Qin. She had gone to the garden on a whim and collided with a masked figure in black. For reasons unknown, Wen Zhong had also been in the garden at that same hour.
For years, relations between Nanyu and its two neighbors had been strained. Beyond those two powers, there was also the threat of the barbarians from the Western Wastes. It was normal for the four regions to engage in clandestine sabotage. Even under the late Emperor, assassins frequently infiltrated the palace, seeking secrets or completing tasks. Such events happened often; without proof of which nation was responsible, the palace simply increased its defenses.
In the Emperor’s absence, Consort Qin—frightened by the ordeal—ordered Wen Zhong to be confined in the Lateral Courts (Yeting) until the matter could be investigated.
Ruan Jinyu’s expression darkened. “What else do we know?”
“A maid under Matron Xu told me that Consort Wen’s candles were extinguished early last night; she should have been asleep. Yet, for some reason, she left her courtyard and was caught up in the incident.”
Wen Zhong held only the rank of a fourth-rank Meiren (Consort); she did not have her own palace and lived in the side hall of Ruan Lianjie’s quarters. While there was no formal curfew, it was improper for lower-ranking consorts to wander the grounds after dark. Si Hao, as a Fei (High Consort), had more freedom. But Wen Zhong had no business being anywhere other than her own room at that hour.
“Qian Qi, find someone to get word to Ruan Lianjie,” Ruan Jinyu said, calming himself. This was currently based only on Consort Qin’s word, not a final verdict. As a court official, he could not meet with Ruan Lianjie directly despite their family ties; he could only send a message.
Ruan Jinyu himself went to the main hall. There, he learned the Emperor had finally emerged and traveled to the harem—specifically to Consort Qin’s residence, the Lanqing Palace. He didn’t see the Sovereign, but he spotted Eunuch Hong En passing through the courtyard. He stepped forward to block him. “Eunuch, when did His Majesty…”
“If the Preceptor is looking for the Sovereign, I fear he will not return to the hall today,” Hong En replied, understanding him immediately. “His Majesty heard of the incident involving Consort Qin, and so…”
He trailed off, the meaning clear. Since the Emperor had left for the consort’s sake, he would likely remain there. Ruan Jinyu knew this as well. “Very well, I shall take my leave.”
Hong En watched the Preceptor depart, thinking for a long moment before resuming his duties. He adjusted the items he was carrying and entered the hall to set them down. When he emerged, he came face-to-face with a returning Yan Yan.
Hong En gasped, nearly thinking he was seeing things. “Your… Your Majesty? Why have you returned so soon?”
Yan Yan looked at him, confused. “Why should I not return now?” He stared at the eunuch. “What have you done?”
Hong En’s voice began to tremble. He steadied himself and collapsed to his knees. “This servant’s fault! I should not have presumed Your Majesty’s movements! I deserve punishment!”
Yan Yan narrowed his eyes. “What are you talking about?”
“The Imperial Preceptor came looking for you,” Hong En blurted out, unable to hold it in. “I assumed Your Majesty would stay at the Lanqing Palace and wouldn’t return… so I told the Preceptor to go back and not to come today!”
“…”