As soon as Kuang Xuexian left, Li Qing led the horses over and presented the urgent message delivered by carrier pigeon from the temporary palace.
Xiao Changming had drafted two lists early that morning.
One was a roster of officials to be “punished for their crimes.” Over the past two years, apart from a few like Liu Wenyuan, the governor of the Western Capital, most officials in the city had become loyalists of Prince Fu. The exceptions were cautious officials like Su Hui, who, hailing from prominent Western Capital families with deep-rooted influence, managed to remain neutral.
Since Chancellor Xie intended to assign blame, those likely to face punishment were undoubtedly Prince Fu’s supporters. Sure enough, the lengthy list laid bare Chancellor Xie’s intentions.
Li Qing pursed his lips and stole a glance at Fu Yan, noticing a faint, cruel smile curling at the corners of his lips—like a hunter watching prey gradually step into a trap, a blend of delight and ruthlessness.
Truly, joy brings vigor.
The emperor seemed unusually relaxed today, revealing a hint of his true nature.
The other list was for officials temporarily appointed to fill vacancies. Though Xiao Changming was the adopted son of Princess Xiangguo, rumors swirled that he was her favored lover. Aware of these whispers, Xiao Changming grew even more arrogant in his conduct, attempting to suppress and intimidate the gossip through sheer audacity.
Little did he know that when dragons and tigers clash, the first to fall are often such reckless upstarts. Fu Yan mounted his horse and headed straight for the temporary palace, followed closely by Li Qing, Ying Qi, and others on horseback.
Since the explosion incident, Ying Qi and his team had shouldered heavier security duties. For this trip to the temporary palace, several guards cleared the way ahead, while they rode alongside as attendants, with over a dozen more guards bringing up the rear.
Once past their defensive perimeter, ordinary citizens appeared on the streets. In recent days, the common people had grown wary of officials, and upon seeing the mounted entourage approach, they hurriedly stepped aside.
The group rode their tall steeds through the streets, heading directly toward the Phoenix Palace. Amidst the overgrown weeds and fluttering banners, the palace gates stood wide open, facing the imperial path. Spotting Fu Yan and his men galloping from afar, someone immediately shouted inside,
“The Emperor has arrived!”
“The Emperor has arrived!”
“The Emperor has arrived!”
The announcement echoed from the entrance inward, startling crows into flight within the palace grounds. Officials inside hurriedly rose and lined up in the courtyard. Nearly all officials of the seventh rank and above were present today, numbering over a hundred. Led by Prince Fu, the assembled officials prostrated themselves in front of the hall as the emperor rode through the palace gates.
Li Qing followed closely behind Fu Yan into the palace on horseback and saw rows of armored soldiers outside the main hall of the Phoenix Palace. Xiao Changming, the chief secretary of the chancellor’s office, was pinned to the ground by imperial guards from the Western Capital’s Imperial City Bureau.
Upon seeing the emperor approach on horseback, he struggled and cried out urgently, “Your Majesty, save me!”
Although Li Qing had anticipated the emperor’s move against Xiao Changming, he was still startled to see him so disheveled and pinned to the ground. Xiao Changming had the backing of Princess Xiangguo, the only daughter of the Grand Empress Dowager, whose status in the imperial family was second only to the Grand Empress Dowager herself.
Moreover, he enjoyed Chancellor Xie’s support. In the capital, he had always acted with impunity—fond of luxury, meticulous in appearance, and often adorned with powder and flowers. Now, his brocade robes were in disarray, his black gauze cap lay on the ground, and no matter how he struggled, he could not rise.
Fu Yan rode leisurely up to him, leaned forward slightly, and looked down at him. “Chief Secretary Xiao, what seems to be the matter?”
At this moment, the golden morning light from the east shone brightly behind him. Silhouetted against the glow, he wore plain attire, his appearance elegant and refined, yet the oppressive aura of authority around him still poured forth like a torrent of golden light.
This reminded Xiao Changming of Fu Yan in the early years of his ascension to the throne. At the funeral of Emperor Daizong, he had seen him for the first time. The sixteen-year-old emperor was thin and pale, dressed in plain hemp robes, completely shielded behind the Empress Dowager, Princess Xiangguo, and Chancellor Xie. Back then, he had thought this puppet, carried out of Shuocao Island in a small sedan chair, looked pitifully weak. In those days, the emperor would still smile and call him cousin. Now, he only addressed him by his official title.
In his current state of embarrassment, Xiao Changming felt a mix of arrogance and resentment. “Prince Fu wants to kill me, Your Majesty, save me!”
Prince Fu turned around, the jewels on his attire clinking softly.
“Before His Majesty, how dare you address yourself so informally? Are people from the Chancellor’s Office allowed to disregard etiquette like this?”
He then cupped his hands and said, “Your Majesty, this man is now a suspect in the fireworks factory explosion case. As the military governor of Xijing, I cannot ignore this. I request Your Majesty’s permission to arrest and interrogate him.”
Upon hearing this, Xiao Changming’s eyes widened in shock. “I… Your humble servant was ordered by the Chancellor to thoroughly investigate the fireworks factory explosion case. How could I become a suspect? I only arrived in Xijing yesterday!”
Fu Yan dismounted from his horse and glanced down at Xiao Changming. Whether it was due to the backlight or not, Xiao Changming felt as though he were being looked at like an insect.
Prince Fu waved his hand, and his subordinates immediately presented a list. “Xiao Changming claims to have been ordered by Chancellor Xie to strictly investigate this matter and detain all relevant officials. Although these officials are all my subordinates, I dare not question Chancellor Xie’s lawful handling of the matter. However, Xiao Changming discussed with officials like Minister Liu throughout the night and submitted a list of temporary replacements. Upon seeing it, I was truly shocked.”
Xiao Changming retorted, “What is wrong with the list of personnel I submitted?”
He then added, “Some of them are even Chancellor Xie’s disciples. Or does Prince Fu have some issue with Chancellor Xie’s followers?”
He invoked Chancellor Xie’s name, hoping to intimidate Prince Fu into backing down. Instead, Prince Fu raised an eyebrow and sneered coldly. Though not tall in stature, he was dressed lavishly, exuding a sinister yet striking aura. “Of the thirty-some people on this list, eleven were already detained as suspects the day before Xiao Changming arrived in Xijing. Such a coincidence is truly shocking to me.”
Xiao Changming was stunned. “What?!”
Prince Fu turned to Fu Yan and bowed. “I once again implore Your Majesty to detain Xiao Changming. As Chancellor Xie’s handwritten letter states, the assassination attempt on the emperor is truly appalling and must be severely punished. It is better to kill the wrong person than to let the guilty go free!”
He then presented Chancellor Xie’s handwritten letter. Fu Yan took it and glanced at it briefly. This was Xie Yi’s “imperial sword” for Xiao Changming. The letter clearly stated that “the assassination attempt on the emperor” was “appalling” and must be “severely punished,” with all officials in Xijing to be “dealt with harshly.”
Fu Yan curled the corner of his lips. Before he, the notorious tyrant, could even speak, Chancellor Xie, renowned for his benevolence, had already abandoned his facade of kindness and handled the matter with such ruthless efficiency.
Xiao Changming had indeed come to sever the wings Prince Fu had grown in Xijing over the years on behalf of Chancellor Xie.
Fu Yan tossed the letter and the list in front of Xiao Changming. “You say this list was chosen by you?”
Xiao Changming’s face turned deathly pale, his composure shattered. He stammered, “Your Majesty, I have only just arrived in the Western Capital. The individuals I selected were all chosen after careful deliberation with Minister Liu and others. I know nothing of their arrests.”
Upon hearing this, Liu Wenyuan, the governor of the Western Capital, fell to his knees with a thud. “Your Majesty, I strictly followed the regulations in recommending these candidates. I… I…” He was too terrified to continue.
Fu Yi frowned and scanned the room. “Who else?”
Immediately, several more officials dropped to their knees. “Your Majesty, we truly had no idea these individuals were involved in treason!”
Regaining his senses, Xiao Changming cried out, “Prince Fu claims these people are traitors—where is the evidence? And where are these so-called traitors now?”
Prince Fu replied, “Whether there is evidence or not, since you are implicated, you must be detained immediately. Assassinating the Emperor is a crime punishable by the extermination of nine clans. Such a grave act of treason—even if you are the son of a princess, Xiao Changming, does that mean you can disregard the laws of our Great Zhou? I advise you to cooperate fully with the investigation. As you yourself said today, what is there to fear? It is merely an investigation. Once the truth is uncovered, you may be released without charges or reinstated to your position. If you are innocent, why should you be afraid?”
Known for his silver tongue and arrogant temper, Prince Fu had endured many slights from Xiao Changming in the capital in his youth. Now that he held the upper hand, he pressed on relentlessly. “Just now, you mentioned that many on this list are protégés of Chancellor Xie? I advise you to choose your words carefully. Chancellor Xie is loyal to the throne and devoted to the nation. You came to the Western Capital representing him, yet you promoted a group of his protégés—does that not suggest factionalism? Is treason not enough? Must you add another crime to the list?”
Xiao Changming flushed crimson with anger, fear, and anxiety. He had assumed his arrival would go unchallenged, that he would simply issue orders. He had never imagined he would become entangled in accusations of treason and factionalism. With his powerful background, he was not overly concerned for his life, but the prince had turned his own words—used earlier to dismiss officials—against him, leaving him at a loss for a rebuttal. In desperation, he turned to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, surely you do not believe Prince Fu’s claims?”
At this moment, Fu Yi showed no trace of gentleness.
“Prince Fu speaks reason. While your lives may be worthless, I cannot bear to see Chancellor Xie implicated in this.
” He addressed Prince Fu, “Since this matter involves Chancellor Xie, it is no longer appropriate for him to intervene. You must immediately draft a letter to inform him of the situation. Beyond that, you need not concern yourself.”
Prince Fu was taken aback.
“Your Majesty, as the military governor of the Western Capital, this matter should be entrusted to me to handle fully.”
Fu Yi glanced at the officials kneeling on the ground, as if he had restrained himself for days and could finally reveal his true nature—a fleeting glimpse of bloodthirsty menace. “When it comes to killing,” he said, “I never delegate to others.”
Prince Fu sensed a change in the Emperor. He seemed more imposing, more spirited. The way he looked at the despised Xiao Changming was as if gazing at a dog.
He had never been this arrogant before.
The Emperor’s prized magpies, Daxi and Xiaoxi, were remarkably intelligent. Wherever they flew, they attracted flocks of crows. Now, they perched in a row on the somewhat dilapidated eaves of the Phoenix Palace, their dark eyes fixed on the crowd outside, as if eagerly awaiting the blood that would soon stain the ground.
In stark contrast to its ancient exterior, the interior of the Phoenix Palace was resplendent and newly adorned. Upon entering, one was met with a dazzling display of gold and jade, a magnificent testament to imperial grandeur.
Prince Fu said, “Now we’ve seized a good opportunity, but Your Majesty should avoid an open break with Chancellor Xie. Let me handle this; even if I fail, it’s no matter. I am willing to be Your Majesty’s vanguard.”
Fu Yi opened a small box and took out a piece of black jade adorned with a red oxalis knot—a jade he had previously worn on his person. He tucked it into his robe and said casually, “My reputation for wickedness is well-known, and these days of quiet have likely made even the people of the Western Capital feel it’s unlike me. Rest assured, I am no longer someone who can be easily deposed.”
Chancellor Xie had deep roots and an intricate web of influence, but having long been in a high position, he had grown complacent and careless. By the time he realized the young emperor was gradually gaining strength, he had already missed the stage where he could depose or kill at will.
All of this began in the second year of Tianfu. Before Fu Yi left the capital, Chancellor Xie, seemingly dissatisfied with the young emperor’s maneuvers before his throne was even secure, used the pretext of ancestral worship before Fu Yi’s departure to take the emperor and others to the imperial mausoleum.
They first paid respects to Emperor Xianzong and other past emperors, finally offering sacrifices to their eldest brother, Emperor Daizong. At that time, the palace officials and guards were all in attendance. Chancellor Xie stood bathed in autumn light, exuding an aura of an immortal sage, and said to the emperor, “I have been dreaming of Emperor Daizong lately. I recall often telling him back then that becoming emperor does not mean one can act on whims. Had he been willing to listen to me, he wouldn’t have died suddenly just months after ascending the throne.”
The official explanation for Emperor Daizong’s early death was that he overdosed on elixirs and died from excessive indulgence.
But those in the palace whispered that his death was suspicious.
For he had been the most robust among all the princes. Hearing this, Fu Yi felt only trepidation, but unexpectedly, his elder brother seized the moment.
After returning from the imperial mausoleum, this elder brother of his wrote dozens of edicts to Chancellor Xie, enumerating his loyalty, bravery, and integrity, praising him for having “no surplus wealth at home, no extravagance in his chambers,” and lauding his “loyalty to the sovereign, shining like the sun and moon above, firm as metal and stone below, a model minister for all ages.”
Such fervent adulation would normally have raised alarms, but coming from a frightened, powerless young emperor who had just been chastised, it seemed perfectly reasonable—a desperate attempt to flatter.
Moreover, Chancellor Xie relished such a reputation. Yet the very reputation that exalted him also constrained him. After all, when a paragon of virtue falls from grace, the collapse is terrifying.
Fu Yi excelled at exploiting such tiny cracks to take root and expand. His infamy grew alongside Chancellor Xie’s virtuous reputation. At least in the beginning, Chancellor Xie was immensely satisfied with this contrast.
But the young emperor had learned the trick of “hiding a tree in the forest”—using many anomalies to conceal the true anomaly, using a pile of corpses to hide a specific one.
He possessed cunning and intellect, already capable of standing on his own, yet tinged with a touch of madness. This often unpredictable madness might spell destruction for an ordinary person, but he was the emperor—even if only in name, it was enough. An emperor’s madness could breed power; this was the strength of a tyrant.
Now, Chancellor Xie needed stability and had to act with reputation in mind. A tyrant, however, required only ambition and desire, with no need for other considerations.
Thus, in this lopsided contest, the outcome became uncertain. Now the horns have sounded, with the Western Capital where he resides as the first battlefield.
Battlefields are places where blood is shed and lives are lost. His heart beats a little faster, a mix of excitement and a faint undercurrent of fear. He watched as Fu Li, riding on horseback and surrounded by Li Qing and others, majestically made his way toward the northeast corner of the Phoenix Palace.
He has changed so much. On horseback, he is no longer the frail youth who was carried out of Shuocao Island in a small sedan chair years ago. He is neither hurried nor fearful, exuding a calm, almost reckless indifference to life and death, as if this very attitude makes him invincible.
This is a path that could spiral out of control at any moment. He doesn’t know what Fu Li will become in the future. He thought of his fourth brother. Sometimes, the road to success and the road to ruin are one and the same. Fu Li could become one of those legendary young rulers in history who toppled powerful ministers, or he could become yet another “mad king” deposed at a young age.
Fu Li was in an exceptionally cheerful mood today and headed to the imperial garden in the northeast corner of the old palace. The place had long been abandoned, with red plum blossoms scattered among the ruins and broken walls.
While giving instructions, he plucked two branches and tucked them at his waist before riding toward Golden Crow Street.
Li Qing, riding alongside, flattered him, “Your Majesty is truly wise and mighty. How did you know the bombing was orchestrated by Prime Minister Xie?”
A faint, almost flirtatious smile curled at Fu Li’s lips, more pronounced than usual. “I’m no fortune teller. How could I possibly know? It was just speculation.”
Perhaps because he spends every day scheming and guarding against threats, even the slightest stir makes him suspicious and thoughtful, striving to leave no room for error.
Li Qing suddenly remembered that during the nights Fu Li spent at the Kuang residence, there were no hidden weapons under his pillow. Li Qing rode behind Fu Li, following him and gazing at his elegant, tall figure.
Today, Fu Li wore a frost-white satin robe embroidered with plum blossom patterns, delicate as fragrant dust. With two plum branches tucked at his waist, he rode through Golden Crow Street, his graceful and dashing appearance drawing the glances of passersby.
Truly, he was riding high, his influence growing. They first went to look at wedding beds. Shuangluan City had a specialized furniture market known as the Woodcraft Row. Fu Li knew nothing about the quality of furniture—he simply wanted the most expensive and finest new bed.
The shopkeeper, seeing a customer who spared no expense, was extremely enthusiastic, introducing several of the shop’s most luxurious large beds one by one.
Li Qing, Ying Qi, and others followed along, examining the beds. Ying Qi was a man of few words, but Li Qing couldn’t help but suggest, “Master, perhaps skip the gold and jade inlays. We wouldn’t want Lord Kuang to overthink it.”
Master, do you remember you’re supposed to be a fallen noble?!
Fu Li thought for a moment and said, “I can’t let him feel slighted.”
He still selected a few large lacquered beds with gold tracery. But none of these beds fully satisfied him. He took a liking to a gold-dusted, red-lacquered carved wedding bed, but it was merely an old display model. The shopkeeper said crafting a new one would take at least a year. The bed was exquisitely beautiful, with triple-tiered eaves, hand-carved reliefs, gold and jade inlays, and intricate patterns of pine, bamboo, plum, and chrysanthemum—symbols of the four seasons—rendering it both refined and opulent. Just imagining Kuang Xuexian lying naked on it made him feel as though man and bed were one. The pristine, jade-like Kuang Xuexian deserved nothing less than such a bed, radiant with inner splendor.
And then, to be taken by him, becoming his true empress. He pressed his tongue against the inside of his cheek. Perhaps he was a little too excited today, feeling that not being able to reveal his true form was truly unsatisfying. As an emperor, he had so much he wanted to give to Kuang Xuexian. He wanted to lay all the gold, silver, and jewels before him; he wanted to be a tyrant who reigned without restraint upon the bed.