Chapter 11: Reckoning
In the days that followed, the court and harem of Yu Kingdom underwent a sweeping purge as fierce as a raging storm. A great number of eunuchs, palace maids, guards, and even concubines from Zheng Yuansen’s harem were removed. At least a fifth of all those within the imperial palace were ousted. Among these, some were remnants of the previous dynasty, some were spies from other factions, others had unclear backgrounds, and there were even martial world figures who had concealed themselves within the palace walls. The recent assassination attempt had ignited Zheng Yuansen’s wrath, prompting him to clear out all these unwanted elements.
To further this, Zheng Yuansen established a new organization known as the Shadow Guard, tasked exclusively with intelligence gathering, investigating illicit activities, and making arrests. Even in Zheng Yi’s Xingqing Palace, over a hundred individuals of uncertain origin were apprehended. In an instant, both the Taiji Palace and Xingqing Palace saw their numbers drastically reduced; the remaining palace maids and eunuchs were stretched thin, leaving the halls uncharacteristically desolate.
Nor was the upheaval confined to the palace. The tides of change shook the entire government. All officials with any connection to the former Jin dynasty were dismissed; those found to have ties to the old regime were arrested and placed in custody, their cases to be thoroughly investigated. If found guilty, the harshest penalties awaited them.
This storm even swept through the Imperial Guards, the Tiger Guards, the Dragon Cavalry, and the Imperial City Defense Corps. Many officers and soldiers were replaced by Zheng Yuansen’s own Shenwu Army, consolidating his hold on military power. Seizing the moment, Zheng Yuansen rid himself of those harboring divided loyalties and firmly grasped command of his forces.
This tempest lasted for over half a month, with more than three thousand people arrested. The capital’s prisons, from the Heavenly Prison to the underground dungeons and even the jails of surrounding counties, were packed to the brim—a rare and extraordinary spectacle.
Throughout these weeks, Zheng Yi had not been idle. Attended by Xiao Ruxue and Qiuchan, he spent his days in peace. He had already accumulated forty wisps of Mortal Dust Essence, yet had not used them recklessly. He planned to wait until he had gathered a hundred wisps before using them, hoping for a pleasant surprise.
He also conducted another experiment. After the chaos, only about thirty palace maids and a hundred eunuchs remained in Xingqing Palace. Curious about the effects of the Mortal Dust Flower Register, he tried favoring other palace maids. Five in succession, yet none produced any Mortal Dust Essence—a puzzle Zheng Yi could not unravel.
He speculated that perhaps it was related to a woman’s aptitude, appearance, temperament, or innate constitution. Only those with exceptional qualities among these could generate Mortal Dust Essence. Ordinary women could not, leaving Zheng Yi helpless. It seemed that Beauty Xiao and Beauty Chan were indeed outstanding among the women of the palace. Both were martial artists, which further confirmed his theory.
Thus, he abandoned the idea of favoring every woman in Xingqing Palace. After all, unless specifically arranged, the palace maids sent to Xingqing were all ordinary, most around twenty years of age. Their looks were, at best, delicate—none could compare to Beauty Xiao or Beauty Chan.
As for the five women he had favored, Zheng Yi, with a wave of his hand, promoted them to the rank of stewardess, each in charge of various affairs—effectively making them female officials. Once more palace maids were assigned from Taiji Palace, their authority and monthly stipends would increase accordingly. In doing so, Zheng Yi felt he had fulfilled his duty to the utmost.
To hope to be admitted to Zheng Yi’s chambers and become one of his beauties was now essentially impossible.
That morning, he sat cross-legged atop the Tower of Blossoms Reflecting in Harmony, circulating the Purple Mist Art as he carefully sensed the changes within his body. His blood and energy were vigorous, nourishing his aging frame. His aura grew stronger by the day; he no longer resembled an elderly man in his sixties, but rather a robust man in his forties.
After a long while, he slowly opened his eyes, a glint of purple flashing within them.
“The Purple Mist Art remains at the state of perfection. Cultivation is simply too slow—if only I had the aid of Mortal Dust Essence…”
Zheng Yi knew well that the Purple Mist Art was the Zheng family’s supreme internal skill, passed down for centuries; perfected, it could transcend the mortal to the innate realm. Yet in all these centuries, only the ancestor who created the art had ever achieved this. The rest, at best, reached the stage of refining apertures.
If Zheng Yi wished to break through to the innate realm with the Purple Mist Art, he could only rely on the Mortal Dust Flower Register.
However…
Last time, he had infused fifteen strands of Mortal Dust Essence into the Longevity Cultivation Art, which had produced a mysterious wisp of energy. That sensation had lingered with him ever since.
He needed to ascertain what that mysterious wisp truly was.
“Mysterious energy… cultivation…”
He muttered to himself. More than half a month ago, Zheng Yi had asked Wang Zhonghai whether he could meet the two immortal cultivators who served as court consecrators. The answer, of course, was no. Although both had been recruited by him, they had since pledged allegiance to the Riverlong Sect. Because of his previous actions, the sect now viewed him with displeasure.
His confinement in Xingqing Palace had been ordered by his son, Zheng Yuansen, but it was also the will of the Riverlong Sect. He’d even heard that a Daoist named Master Yunhe had recently returned to the sect with three young men, all of whom possessed spiritual roots and were to begin their cultivation there. The parents of these three youths had been elevated in rank, becoming high officials and titled ladies, causing much envy among the court.
Zheng Yi, too, felt envious, but—unfortunately, his own body lacked spiritual roots. All he could now hope for was that the Longevity Cultivation Art, sustained by Mortal Dust Essence, would allow him to sense that mysterious energy once more.
“Supreme Emperor! Supreme Emperor!” Suddenly, Wang Zhonghai’s voice rang out, accompanied by his hurried footsteps.
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty, His Majesty the Emperor has come to pay his respects.”
“Oh?” Zheng Yi’s eyes brightened. “Take him to the main hall to wait.”
“Yes, sir!”
Zheng Yi exhaled slowly, gathered his energy, and made his way to the main hall of the Tower of Blossoms Reflecting in Harmony.
“Your son greets Father. May you live a long life and enjoy robust health!” Zheng Yuansen bowed respectfully.
Zheng Yi nodded. “There’s no need for such formality. You are busy with state affairs—what brings you here today?”
“Father, I—” Zheng Yuansen began, but quickly paused, astonished. “Father, you…”
“What about me?”
“You look younger! Your hair has darkened—this is a blessing to our great Yu!”
“Truly?” Zheng Yi chuckled. “With no mundane matters burdening me, I have devoted myself to the arts of longevity and made progress in martial cultivation. That is why I appear more youthful. Your praise is excessive.”
“By the way, about the assassination attempt—are you unharmed?”
“I am fine.”
Zheng Yuansen continued, “In fact, that is why I came today.”
“Oh? Speak.”
“After investigation, I discovered several senior ministers colluding with the former Jin, and many elders within the palace…” Zheng Yuansen bowed again. “Some among them are my own elders. I am unsure how to deal with them, so I have come to seek your counsel.”
“The elders?” Zheng Yi frowned slightly, glancing at his son. How to handle them? That is for you to decide. Seeking my advice—clearly, you wish to avoid leaving yourself open to criticism. Or perhaps… do you intend to investigate me as well?
“This is a matter of the court,” Zheng Yi declared. “I have abdicated and do not concern myself with politics. The decision rests entirely with you.”
“But Father, among them are—”
“No matter who they are!” Zheng Yi swept his hand dismissively. “If the Son of Heaven breaks the law, he is punished as the common folk are—let alone a few old officials. Break the law, and they must be judged. The decision is yours.”
“And in future, unless there is some grave matter, do not trouble me.”
“Seeing you in good health is all the comfort I need,” Zheng Yuansen replied, finally allowing himself a sigh of relief. “Now I know how to proceed.”
Zheng Yi suddenly said, “There is, in fact, one matter I wish to discuss with you.”
“Please, Father.”
“When will the selection of palace maidens begin?” Zheng Yi asked directly. “Xingqing Palace is far too empty. In my quarters, there are only Beauty Xiao and Beauty Chan. They are lonely, and I wish to find them companions, so they will not trouble me. I leave this matter in your hands.”
The corner of Zheng Yuansen’s mouth twitched, and he sighed. “Yes, Father. Your son will obey. I have already instructed the Ministry of Rites to arrange the selection of maidens. At most, it will take a month—”
“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” Suddenly, Ye Ge came running in panic, forgetting all formality and nearly tripping on the threshold.
Zheng Yuansen rebuked her sharply, “Before the Supreme Emperor, how dare you be so flustered!”
Ye Ge immediately knelt, her voice urgent. “Your servant deserves death! I beg the Supreme Emperor and Your Majesty to forgive me! But there is an urgent matter of utmost importance—please forgive my intrusion!”
“What is it?”
“Your Majesty—” Ye Ge glanced furtively at Zheng Yi, hesitant to speak.
Zheng Yuansen frowned. “In the Supreme Emperor’s presence, what secrets can there be? Speak plainly!”
“Yes… yes!” Ye Ge yielded. “An urgent report from Wild Prefecture: the former crown prince’s third son, Zheng Hongyuan, has joined forces with Yang Shaoyong, Prefect of Wild Prefecture—they have rebelled!”