Chapter 52

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The capital city, as usual, was a rainy, overcast day.

In the magnificent, glittering imperial palace, Prime Minister Meng, supported by his household servant, alighted from the palanquin. The Chief Eunuch Huang propped up a plain umbrella, came beside Prime Minister Meng, and held it for him. The two walked side-by-side to the main hall of the inner court.

Just arriving at the main hall, a young eunuch approached them. He lowered his right hand, stepped half a pace forward with his left leg, bent his right knee and knelt touching the ground, bowing his upper body slightly forward, and said: "Prime Minister Meng, His Majesty has moved to the West Garden."

The level of security at the West Garden far exceeded that of the main hall of the inner court.

Chief Eunuch Huang smiled and dismissed the young eunuch, saying: "Prime Minister, you'll have to exert your legs a bit more."

Prime Minister Meng nodded and turned with him to head for the West Garden. This wasn't the first time he had come to the main hall only for the Emperor to move to the West Garden ahead of him. Last time, a few days ago, the Emperor had just pulled this maneuver with him.

The two men arrived at the West Garden. After being announced, they were allowed entry. Inside the bedchamber, the Emperor reclined on the couch, with an imperial physician attending at the side.

The Emperor was forty-seven this year. This was a somewhat precarious age. His hair was unbound and loose. His eyes were slightly sunken, his cheeks gaunt, his complexion yellowish. He wore an undergarment that was a yellowish-red hue. His complexion was already poor, but set off by this undergarment, it looked even worse, as if he might pass away at any moment.

Seeing Prime Minister Meng, before the latter could perform his salute, he eagerly beckoned him over.

"One day apart feels like three autumns, Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Meng walked to the bedside and, catching the moment when the Emperor was about to continue speaking, performed his salute.

"Your Majesty," he said.

The Emperor sat up. Chief Eunuch Huang ushered the imperial physician out. The Emperor grabbed Prime Minister Meng's hand with both of his. His words were earnest: "Seeing you, Prime Minister, puts my heart at ease."

Prime Minister Meng said: "Your Majesty, you are the ruler of the nation. Everyone hopes for your well-being. Do not overthink. Recovering from your illness is the priority."

The Emperor let out a cold laugh: "Everyone hopes for my well-being? My good sons, forming cliques for private gain, every single one of them hopes I die early! The imperial consorts, not worth mentioning. The court officials, apart from you, Prime Minister, all harbor dissent. When I said to build larger residences for my sisters and daughters, it was like asking for their lives! They jumped up and down in opposition, especially the Minister of Revenue, who actually dared to openly argue with me!"

He slapped the bed: "If not for your counsel, Prime Minister, I would have taken his head! Was it such a big deal? Just expanding two or three residences? I didn't want to launch large-scale construction, draining the people and wasting wealth. What meaning is there in me being this Emperor! Shackled everywhere, besieged on all sides!"

Prime Minister Meng said: "Your Majesty, you still have me." He immediately poured the Emperor a cup of warm water.

The Emperor drank it, his emotions easing somewhat. He said: "Prime Minister, it's fortunate I have you. Sit down, don't stand. You are also no longer young."

Prime Minister Meng pulled a chair over and sat beside the Emperor. He said: "Your Majesty, the entire realm is yours. Beyond me, you still have a host of talented people, already discovered or yet to be discovered. For instance, the Crown Prince."

"The Crown Prince? Barely satisfactory, I suppose. At least he's filial. If only..." The Emperor paused, sorrow showing on his face. "If only the eldest were still on this earth. Yet he passed away a few years ago. The white-haired send off the black-haired."

Prime Minister Meng stood up: "Your Majesty, restrain your grief." He then proceeded to report some important matters from the past couple of days, along with his own views and handling methods.

The Emperor listened contentedly for a while, then said: "Calculating the journey and the days, Ziyu should have returned to the capital by now."

Prime Minister Meng said: "I have not received news of the Crown Prince's return to the capital. Presumably, he was delayed by something on the way."

The Emperor said: "Send someone to urge him. Since he's unharmed, he should return early! There are many affairs at court. As the Crown Prince, if he doesn't share my burdens but instead lingers among the common folk indulging in pleasure, it truly is unbecoming!"

Prime Minister Meng glanced at the Emperor's dark expression and said: "Yes."

The Emperor talked with Prime Minister Meng for a while longer, then grew tired. Prime Minister Meng sat to the side, staying until the Emperor fell asleep before quietly withdrawing.

By now, night had fallen. Prime Minister Meng did not arrange to sleep at the West Garden.

By the next morning, he forced himself to get up and attend the morning court session.

The Emperor was in poor health, so court sessions were rare.

If there were no significant matters at court, it would adjourn quickly.

The prime ministers would then select a portion of memorials to present for the Emperor's review. These memorials were mostly positive: signs of auspicious omens appearing somewhere, trade projects with foreign tribes, who had suppressed bandits in which region, etc.

Generally speaking, the Emperor wouldn't attend court the day after falling ill. This court session, who knew what new mischief would arise.

Speculating in his heart, Prime Minister Meng arrived at the court hall. After greeting the other two prime ministers, he took his place.

The Emperor seemed slightly better. After confirming there were no significant matters, he demanded the Ministry of Works construct a 'Heaven-Ascending Tower'.

It turned out that the previous night, he had dreamed that an immortal came to take him to the Celestial Palace for healing. But because there was no tower tall enough to reach heaven, they were forced back midway. Regretfully, the immortal sent him back to the mortal world.

The court hall instantly erupted into chaos.

What scale would this 'Heaven-Ascending Tower' the Emperor wanted built entail? How much would it cost in wealth and manpower? Furthermore, to what degree would it be considered a 'Heaven-Ascending Tower'?

... then forcefully slammed the table to finalize it, announcing the court's adjournment, and left in a huff.

A group of grand ministers watched the Emperor's departing figure, their thoughts churning. The Minister of Revenue, Minister of Works... came over, wanting the prime ministers... to go...

The two prime ministers, Zhao and Sun, looked at each other and smiled... "Prime Minister Meng to go? Prime Minister Meng can capture the Emperor's heart."

Prime Minister Meng did not reply. He returned to the Central Secretariat to handle daily affairs. In the afternoon, a servant from his household delivered a piece of news: Meng Zhao was injured.

Prime Minister Meng went home immediately. Arriving at the residence, he summoned his eldest son, Meng Ji, to ask what had happened. By then, it was late autumn, early in the Shen hour; most officials had already left their posts.

... personal attendant sent a message via pigeon post, saying that upon reaching the outskirts of the capital, they encountered heavy rain and could not proceed. Consequently... a bandit had infiltrated the courier station. The bandit's martial arts were profound. Fortunately, the lady accompanying His Highness led people to rush over. Although my younger brother was injured... he was wounded. Two people were more seriously hurt, but His Highness spared his own medicine for them, and thankfully, they didn't lose their lives.

Prime Minister Meng took a deep breath and asked, "What about His Highness?"

"His Highness is unharmed. He and Commander Ning had gone out to purchase medicine and avoided the bandit. His Highness and the young lady he brought are both injured. According to that young lady, the bandit was specifically targeting my younger brother. Father, could it be..."

Prime Minister Meng waved his hand: "The bandit escaped, correct?"

"Indeed."

Prime Minister Meng said: "Matters without evidence should not be spoken of recklessly."

Meng Ji opened his mouth, then, pressured by Prime Minister Meng's authority, closed it. After a while, he brought up another matter: "Upon returning to the courier station, the first thing His Highness did was check on that young lady. This regard is too excessive. In the future, when Ni Ni marries the Crown Prince, this young lady will inevitably suffer grievances..."

Prime Minister Meng furrowed his brow: "Has this young lady become pregnant?"

Meng Ji said: "My younger brother has probed for information. The woman is not pregnant. However, just because there isn't one now doesn't mean there won't be in the future. If a concubine bears a son before the principal wife has even entered the household, it's ultimately not good. Father, when His Highness returns, you must counsel him well. If His Highness refuses to listen..."

Prime Minister Meng said: "That young lady saved your younger brother's life."

……

Several hours earlier.

Chao Yan sat for a good while before saying he felt better.

The two went to visit Meng Zhao.

Meng Zhao struggled to get up from the ground and perform a salute but was stopped by Chao Yan.

Chao Yan smiled and said: "Take good care of this life of yours. Otherwise, who will help me resolve my worries in the future!"

Meng Zhao forced a pale smile and also thanked Gu Jun, saying she was no less valorous than any man. Although Gu Jun wasn't a girl, this person's flattery was well-aimed. Gu Jun endured it for a moment but couldn't help lifting his chin proudly.

Chao Yan caught this from the corner of his eye, raised his hand, and pressed it on top of his head, rubbing it vigorously.

Gu Jun: "?"

Gu Jun, with a head of disheveled hair, glared at the other party: Damn Crown Prince, if you can't control your dog paws, they can be chopped off.

Chao Yan looked at him quietly.

Gu Jun's expression instantly changed. Through the 'personal teaching by example' of the Nanling Prefect, he had learned by analogy and now knew how to ingratiate himself with the Crown Prince. He said attentively: "Your Highness's fortune is profound and rich. When my hair touches Your Highness's hand, it is like being bathed in sweet dew. I can't bear to wash my hair anymore."

"Truly?"

"Won't wash it for three days!"

Expressionless, Chao Yan reached out and covered his face: "What about your face? The same?"

Gu Jun: "..."

Gu Jun: I'll kill you, damn Crown Prince!

Meng Zhao watched the interaction between the two with a dark, unreadable gaze. His eyes swept around the room, narrowing slightly. He asked, "Why is only His Highness here? Where is Commander Ning? Didn't he go out with Your Highness?"