Chapter 3: Scheming in the Dead of Night
Late at night.
Jiatai Hall.
After imprisoning the Emperor, the Second Prince, Zheng Yuansen, had no time to rest. Around him gathered several trusted ministers and generals, fiercely debating their next steps.
“Your Highness! Now that the Crown Prince has been executed, we must eradicate all his followers in one sweep, or the consequences will be endless!”
“General Cheng is right, Your Majesty. There must be no mercy in this matter. Swift and decisive action is needed!”
“The Crown Prince leaves behind seven sons and six daughters; the Third Prince has three sons and seven daughters. If they’re left alive, chaos will surely follow!”
“What of the families and retainers of the Crown Prince and the Third Prince?”
“All have been thrown into the Celestial Prison, awaiting only your command. However…”
“However, what?”
“All those within the capital have been seized, but some diehard loyalists remain outside, especially those from the Crown Princess’s maternal clan…”
“Issue a nationwide warrant—arrest them all and bring them to justice!”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Your Highness, what of the Crown Prince’s kin and loyalists in the prison, the children and others?”
“Convict them of treason, execute without exception!”
“Your Highness is wise!”
With just a few words, the fate of the Crown Prince, the Third Prince, their families, and retainers was sealed. Then, someone asked, “Your Highness, did you not find the Emperor’s behavior today a bit strange, as if…”
“As if… he knew of our plans in advance? Perhaps even fanned the flames?”
“Master Xu, as sharp as ever! So what should we…”
A flicker passed through Zheng Yuansen’s eyes, recalling his father’s amused gaze earlier. Suppressing his irritation, he declared, “No matter what, we have already won the greater part of this contest!”
“With the Crown Prince and Third Prince dead, and the Emperor’s other sons fallen in the chaos, only I remain to inherit the throne!”
“Xu Sheng!”
“Your servant awaits!”
“I appoint you acting Left Vice Minister of Rites. In seven days, prepare for both the abdication and enthronement ceremonies.”
Zheng Yuansen continued swiftly, “Seven days from now, I will complete the abdication ritual and ascend the throne as Emperor!”
“All of you, loyal ministers, shall be lavishly rewarded!”
The dozen or so present were overjoyed—this was the day they had followed the Second Prince for. They immediately knelt and cried out, “Thank you, Your Highness!”
“Hahaha, at ease, all of you!”
“Thank you, Your Highness!”
Someone then asked, “Your Highness, how should the Emperor be handled?”
“From ancient times, dynasties have been governed by loyalty and filial piety. Though my father favored the Crown Prince and the Third Prince, one cannot deny he is still my father.”
Zheng Yuansen said, “I have already declared today: a new palace shall be built for my father, named the Daming Palace!”
“From now on, my father will reside in Daming Palace, honored as Retired Emperor, to enjoy his remaining years in peace!”
“Shentu Hao!”
“Your servant awaits!”
A burly man with a full beard immediately stepped forward, his expression respectful.
“I appoint you acting Left Vice Minister of Works. You are to oversee the construction of Daming Palace.”
Zheng Yuansen commanded, “Its scale must not fall short of Taiji Palace—I want the world to know I am neither unfilial nor disloyal!”
Shentu Hao’s mouth twitched, but he replied, “Your Majesty, I am a soldier, not a builder…”
Zheng Yuansen shot him a glance. “The Ministry of Works staff will do the labor. You need only supervise. Understood?”
“Your servant… obeys!”
“What of the Retired Emperor’s former consorts and favored ladies?”
Xu Sheng said quietly, “Several of the Retired Emperor’s consorts frequently colluded with the Crown Prince, slandering you and currying favor with him.”
“Especially Lady Zhang and Lady Yin, who even engaged in incestuous affairs with the Crown Prince and the Third Prince. If word of this spreads…”
Zheng Yuansen’s eyes grew cold. “My own mother has long since passed. What are these concubines to me?”
“I order that Lady Zhang and Lady Yin, for consorting with traitors and plotting rebellion, be thrown into Celestial Prison. Once their crimes are proven, they are to be executed with the rest of the conspirators!”
“As for the other imperial consorts—confine them all to the Cold Palace. No visitors allowed!”
“We obey, Your Highness!”
Zheng Yuansen nodded to himself. As for caring for the Retired Emperor, he had already made arrangements. His most trusted agent—a peerless beauty who had even stirred his own heart—should now be at his father’s side.
With her there, his father’s every move would be under his watchful eye.
A eunuch dressed in deep blue robes embroidered with coiling dragons piped up, “Your Highness, rest assured, this matter may be left to your humble servant!”
“Soon enough, I should call you Your Majesty, hehe…”
The faces of those present changed. They immediately bowed again, “We salute Your Majesty!”
“Hahaha…” Zheng Yuansen laughed. “Little Yezi, you always understand me!”
“But I have not yet ascended the throne, so do not call me Emperor.”
“All affairs of the inner palace are yours to handle. I expect full confidence in your loyalty.”
Little Yezi, trembling with excitement, fell to his knees, “Your servant obeys. Thank you, Your Majesty! Thank you, Your Majesty!”
Laughter filled the room, for the great undertaking was now settled, and wealth and status lay just ahead.
“Your Highness, there is one more matter you have overlooked.”
A new voice spoke up. At the back of the crowd stood a man in Daoist robes, hair white as crane feathers, face youthful, bearing a horsetail whisk and exuding an air of cold detachment.
Zheng Yuansen and the others quickly made way, bowing low. “Elder Yunhe!”
This Elder Yunhe was a reclusive master whom Zheng Yuansen had invited into his household after three personal visits during his early campaigns in Yunzhou.
It was thanks to him that, during today’s coup, the two palace guardians were held at bay. Without him, the attempt would almost certainly have ended in disaster.
No matter how many martial champions he commanded, they were no match for two cultivators in the Qi Refining stage.
Elder Yunhe spoke coolly, “I have already come to an agreement with those two cultivators. Henceforth, they will serve as Outer Sect Stewards of the Changhe Sect, and will aid you in stabilizing the Realm of Yu.”
“Consult with them on any important matter.”
“If you find any remnants of the former dynasty or rogue cultivators, you must inform our sect so they can be eliminated swiftly. Is that understood?”
Even with the throne within reach, Zheng Yuansen could not help but set aside imperial pride before Elder Yunhe, his tone deeply respectful.
“Rest assured, Elder Yunhe. We will serve faithfully and never let the Sect worry.”
Elder Yunhe gave Zheng Yuansen a knowing look, aware of his inner thoughts, but unconcerned. He continued, “Now that spiritual energy is scarce, our sect has closed its gates and only a handful of elders remain outside.”
“Since this dynasty owes its existence to the Changhe Sect, you are bound to obey our commands!”
“Each year, you will deliver to our sect eight thousand catties of jade, a thousand stalks of century-old herbs, cinnabar, talisman paper, and other items. I’ll provide a full list—you need simply comply.”
He went on, “Your father was foolish, attempting to balance powers by drawing those two cultivators to oppose us. Were it not for their sense of propriety, I would have been forced to slaughter everyone here today!”
As he spoke, a wave of icy energy filled the room, making every warrior present tense up, their breath held for several heartbeats.
Zheng Yuansen hastily replied, “Elder Yunhe, we will strictly follow the Sect’s commands—never will we defy you!”
“Very well.”
Elder Yunhe continued, “Of course, our sect does not ask you to serve for nothing.”
“Here are ten Hundred Flowers Pills and ten Body-Tempering Pills, gifted by our sect.”
“The Hundred Flowers Pill cures all poisons, prolongs life, and nourishes the body. The Body-Tempering Pill enhances vitality and helps martial artists break through their limits.”
At his words, every pair of eyes in the hall fixed hungrily on the two jade bottles in Elder Yunhe’s hands.
Zheng Yuansen respectfully received them. “Thank you, Elder Yunhe!”
“There is one more thing,” Elder Yunhe said. “Every five years, our sect will send a disciple to the palace to test the children of your households.”
“Any child found with spiritual roots may enter the Changhe Sect and begin the path of cultivation!”
“Tomorrow, send all children aged five to fifteen from your households to my residence. I will personally test them.”
At this, the assembled ministers were even more elated. If one of their children possessed spiritual roots and could become a cultivator, it would mean a meteoric rise for their family.
“Thank you, Elder Yunhe!”