Everyone knew that the Duke of Chengguo was deeply favored by the First Emperor. While other military generals, after fighting for years and turning their hair gray, would find it extremely difficult to obtain even an earldom, the Duke of Chengguo, a rising star in his prime, was conferred a dukedom.
"Back then, instead of saying that the First Emperor overrode all opposition, it would be more accurate to say that the Crown Prince gave his utmost support."
Huang Cheng's study was once again bustling with esteemed guests. Beautiful maidservants moved gracefully amongst them, a mingling of fragrances—wine, tea, and powder—filling the air, intoxicating those present.
Seated leisurely behind a small table, Huang Cheng sipped on a cup of tea and spoke slowly.
"That much I know," a man quickly said, raising his wine cup. "Back then, when the Crown Prince advised the First Emperor in the Imperial Study Room, I was there."
"Yes, yes, I've heard of this as well. Because of this matter, the First Emperor and the Crown Prince even quarreled. Though the Crown Prince seemed frail and gentle, he was extremely stubborn. They argued fiercely, and the First Emperor, in a fit of anger, picked up a paperweight and threw it at him, even striking the Crown Prince's head."
Another man pushed aside the maidservant beside him and eagerly added.
Huang Cheng smiled, nodding, and drank the rest of his tea in one gulp.
"Indeed, the Crown Prince was frail and sickly but still possessed great ambition," he reminisced with a hint of wistfulness. "The boldness of an emperor who establishes a dynasty is a blessing for the nation. But for a ruler maintaining it, too much boldness can be a detriment. Just look at him—he drained himself of his vitality and perished."
The people present all laughed.
"That's why he's called a ruler chosen by Tianze!" They all chimed in.
Huang Cheng raised his teacup.
"Come, let's toast to the wise ruler," he said with a grin. "May he bring enduring peace to the Great Zhou."
Everyone raised their cups, laughing loudly as they toasted together, cheering for long life.
"The bestowal of titles and rewards was thanks to the Crown Prince's efforts. Later, the Duke of Chengguo's unparalleled authority in the northern lands was also due to the Crown Prince's continued support," Huang Cheng said, lowering his teacup. "The Crown Prince often said to the First Emperor that 'a general in the field does not have to heed the emperor's every command.' He repeatedly reproached the censors, urging them not to become lost in factional disputes and forget the broader needs of the nation."
It hadn't even been ten years since the deaths of the Crown Prince and the First Emperor, and most of those present had entered officialdom by then. Although some held lower positions and had no direct contact with the Crown Prince and First Emperor, they were all familiar with their conduct.
As they recalled those times now, a sense of unreality overtook them.
"Let's not speak of these old matters," someone interjected, feeling inexplicably uneasy.
Huang Cheng chuckled softly.
"Indeed, old matters need not be spoken of but must not be forgotten," he said. "The Crown Prince is gone, and now Prince Huai is plagued by evil spirits. We all feel a deep sadness, but surely the Duke of Chengguo is even more troubled, isn't he?"
He smiled as he spoke.
"After all, the Duke of Chengguo has always been a person who loves even common folk as his own children. He's willing to sacrifice his life to protect them, let alone the son of the former Crown Prince to whom he owes such a great debt of kindness."
"Yes, in this hot summer, if [Prince Huai] were sent to the Imperial Mausoleum without anyone to care for him, who knows if he could even make it through the summer," one man lamented, shaking his head.
"But what can be done? Even the emperor can't do anything about this. It's not an illness; calling for a doctor or the divine doctor won't solve it," another man said, also shaking his head. "What's the opposition about? Could it be they're accusing the emperor of trying to harm Prince Huai?"
The group exchanged glances and burst into laughter simultaneously.
"But what if the Duke of Chengguo doesn't oppose it?" a man suddenly asked, having thought of something.
The room fell silent for a moment.
"Then it doesn't matter. The Duke of Chengguo is just that—a person who, no matter how generously rewarded, is ultimately nothing more than an ungrateful dog," Huang Cheng said. "Using Prince Huai to let everyone see this clearly would be putting him to his fullest use."
After all, they had nothing to lose.
The group exchanged meaningful glances.
"Though there remains one critical issue," one man furrowed his brow and said.
Before he could continue, someone rushed in hurriedly.
"My lord," the newcomer saluted, "the Duke of Chengguo's heir is outside Prince Huai's mansion."
At these words, the expressions in the room grew tense.
"He's the most reckless one of them all."
"If he forces his way in, with his father backing him, he'll only be scolded and locked up for causing trouble. They can't very well kill him."
"Using the younger one to make a scene up front, while the elder one provides support in the rear—that father and son pair have done this plenty of times before."
"Shameless."
The group grumbled aloud.
The newcomer raised a hand to interrupt them.
"However," he continued, "the Jinyiwei have blocked him."
These words left the group stunned once again.
"Can they hold him back?" a man reflexively asked.
The newcomer nodded.
"They've sworn not to retreat, even at the cost of their lives," he said.
The severity of this order made everyone exchange looks of astonishment, as though they could hardly believe it themselves.
Huang Cheng burst into laughter.
"Go and deliver the fine stew simmering on the stove to Princess Jiuli," he instructed with a grin, "and let Lord Lu know there's no need to worry about Prince Huai. His Majesty is benevolent. Even if Prince Huai were sent to the Imperial Mausoleum, he would still be properly cared for."
Even if the emperor were unwilling, Huang Cheng would ensure he was persuaded. After all, Huang Cheng prided himself on being a man of his word. Since Thousand-Man Commander Lu had lent him a carriage, he was obliged to repay the favor. Lending and repaying had to be done right for future borrowing to be smooth.
The newcomer assented and retreated.
"Alright then, no further concerns about this matter," Huang Cheng declared, raising his teacup to the group once more.
The men around the room, too, quickly raised their wine and tea cups, smiles returning to their faces.
"Ah, Official Bo, you were about to say something?" Huang Cheng turned to one of the men.
The man, who had been interrupted earlier, smiled.
"I was just expressing concerns regarding the Duke of Chengguo's heir," he said. "But it seems I worried too much. My lord already has everything well in hand."
He raised his wine cup high and bowed.
"The old master's plans are flawless. I am in awe."
The others followed suit, lifting their cups and bowing deeply.
"We are in awe."
"This lowly official offers his respects."
Listening to the praise and looking at the gathered crowd bowing before him, Huang Cheng laughed heartily.
"Mere luck, mere luck," he said, downing his tea in one go.
......…..
......….
Zhu Zan stared at the row of men who had fallen in front of him, but without hesitation, they scrambled to their feet and charged at him again. Behind them, more Jinyiwei advanced.
Unlike their usual ferocity, this time the Jinyiwei were still fierce but had abandoned their weapons, resorting instead to hand-to-hand combat in a manner akin to throwing themselves to their deaths.
Many Jinyiwei lay on the ground, heavily injured or unconscious.
Zhu Zan clenched his fists, one hand resting on his waist.
Tucked beneath his waist was his trusty short dagger.
The twilight gradually faded, and night slowly descended. Before him, Prince Huai's mansion became increasingly obscured.
Though shrouded in shadow, it was so close, right within reach.
Zhu Zan gripped his dagger and stepped forward again, only to be stopped by several men who rushed in to grab him around the waist.
"Second Brother, stop this madness."
"Enough—this won't work."
Sifeng scolded him in low tones.
Zhu Zan struggled to break free, but the three held him firmly in place.
"If you manage to kill even a few Jinyiwei, it will only serve their purpose," Sifeng said urgently, pressing down on his shoulder. "This is Prince Huai's mansion. If you force your way in, the charges against you will be irreversible."
"Exactly! They're determined to hold their ground at all costs, Second Brother. You can't storm your way through," Zhang Baotang added.
Zhu Zan glared ahead, his face ashen, his body taut, but his feet finally stopped.
Sifeng, relieved, exchanged a look with Zhang Baotang and the others, signaling them to release their grip cautiously.
Zhu Zan didn't charge forward again.
"Second Brother, though this is the Prince Mansion," Sifeng said, gazing at Prince Huai's mansion, his tone heavy and devoid of usual mirth, tinged with melancholy, "the emperor is no longer the emperor he once was."
For a moment, the street was frozen in silence.
Neither they nor the Jinyiwei across from them moved, the black-clad imperial guards forming an unyielding wall in front of them.
"We must plan and act carefully," Sifeng urged in a low voice.
Zhu Zan said nothing, turning abruptly and striding away.