For several days, the Emperor had been summoning Wei Qing to the palace to discuss military matters. However, it was now the middle of the Hour of the Monkey, and no eunuch had arrived with a summons. Wei Qing felt a strange sense of unease.
"Perhaps no reports arrived from the army today?" Wei Kang said, attempting to comfort him.
"My Lord, something has happened!" A steward rushed in, panting for breath. "My Lord, word has come from the palace gates. The eldest young master of the Chen family tried to force his way through. He was intercepted at the Sima Gate by the Captain of the Guards. The Commandant of Public Carriages has sent someone specifically to ask if this was a private summons from His Majesty."
Wei Qing was startled, but he regained his composure a moment later. "I will go see for myself," he said, heading out immediately. Chen Yang was a naive boy, but he had always been well-mannered and observant of etiquette; why would he recklessly charge the palace gates? As for the Commandant of Public Carriages reporting to him first instead of the inner palace... he would remember this favor.
Wei Kang followed his father.
When the two arrived at the Sima Gate, the Commandant of Public Carriages hurried to meet them. "Marquis, Consultant Chen is over here."
Chen Yang was being held against a wall in a corner by several guards. The moment he saw Wei Qing, he broke free and lunged forward. "Uncle, please, you must save Jiaojiao!"
Seeing Chen Yang’s face drenched in tears, Wei Qing asked, "Do not panic. Kang-er, support your cousin. Now, tell me clearly—what has happened to Jiaojiao?"
Chen Yang wiped away his tears, took two ragged breaths, and sobbed, "I was originally in the palace today waiting for His Majesty to discuss business, but after noon, word came from the Xuanshi Hall telling us to return home. When I reached the manor, I heard people saying that Jiaojiao was in the palace..." At this point, his voice broke into incoherent stutters.
Wei Qing frowned. "What about her in the palace? Where did you hear this?"
Chen Yang grabbed Wei Qing’s collar and cried in a low voice, "They say a Lady sent a soup to His Majesty laced with bedchamber drugs, and it just so happened that our Jiaojiao was the only one with His Majesty in the hall..." Upon hearing this, Wei Kang struck Chen Yang to the ground with a backhand blow and immediately covered his mouth.
Wei Qing’s heart hammered against his ribs as he recalled what he had seen days ago combined with the recent rumors. However, no matter what happened in the palace, it wasn't something Chen Yang should have found out so easily. He asked in a heavy voice, "Who told you this? Think carefully before you speak." He then turned to the Commandant of Public Carriages. "I must trouble you, sir, to send word of my arrival."
The Commandant gave a start. "Marquis, word came from the Xuanshi Hall today that no one is to be seen." *Heavens,* he thought, *I just heard something I shouldn't have.*
Wei Qing’s eyes curved, but there was no hint of a smile in them. "I am requesting an audience with Her Majesty the Empress."
The Commandant froze for a moment before quickly nodding and dispatching someone to deliver the message.
Seeing that Chen Yang had calmed down slightly, though he was still whimpering, Wei Kang loosened his grip.
Chen Yang said, "I didn't recognize him, but by his robes, he was an official from the Ministry of the Imperial Clan. He told us to prepare the funeral shroud and coffin at our manor, so I..." He looked at Wei Qing blankly.
Wei Qing felt uncertain, but he hissed in a low voice, "If something happened to Jiaojiao, she is a County Lady. Is it up to you to prepare her funeral? You are an official of the court who has served by His Majesty's side for so long—do you still not understand these things?" He looked toward the Xuanshi Hall and sighed softly. "Kang-er, take your cousin back. Do not allow anyone to speak of this." He then smiled toward the guards at the Sima Gate and spoke loudly, "The Princess's wedding day is approaching, and I have matters to discuss with Her Majesty."
Wei Kang nodded and helped Chen Yang away. Realizing he had lost his composure and caused a great disturbance, Chen Yang could only look back repeatedly as he left with Wei Kang.
Wei Qing did not have to wait long before the Grand Manager of the Empress's Household arrived to lead him into the palace, heading straight for the Xuanshi Hall.
Wei Qing could not settle his mind and followed in silence.
The Grand Manager whispered a warning: "Did the Marquis enter the palace because he heard some rumors? Her Majesty has no time to see you right now; His Majesty has ordered her to search the entire palace." He sighed. "It was His Majesty who ordered that you be brought in. Marquis, be careful with your words in a moment."
"What is the reason for this?" Wei Qing felt a numbness in his chest.
The Grand Manager stopped, his voice dropping even lower. "Lady Yin sent a bowl of soup to His Majesty to curry favor, and she put something unclean in it. Who would have thought that Lady Yin would be scolded and sent away by His Majesty because her father and brother killed someone outside..." The Grand Manager saw Wei Qing’s face turn pale. "I know Lady Huikang came from your manor. The Imperial Physicians were summoned in a hurry, but she is still unconscious. The Physician-in-Charge says... it is likely nine chances of death to one of life." He sighed again.
Wei Qing’s heart sank halfway, but he forced himself to ask, "How could Lady Huikang be involved?" If it was what he feared, it would be a scandal that might implicate the entire Chen family.
The Grand Manager comforted him. "Lady Huikang is a child and was greedy; she drank a bowl of the soup as well. But as the Marquis knows, how could a child withstand such 'tiger and wolf' medicine? Furthermore, it was Lady Huikang who called for Eunuch Yang in time, ensuring His Majesty came to no harm."
"She only drank a bowl of soup?" Wei Qing asked urgently.
"Indeed!" The Grand Manager noted that Wei Qing’s expression improved instantly.
Wei Qing regained his composure and offered a few words of thanks. It wasn't that he didn't care for his relative's child, but compared to the future of the entire Chen clan, her weight was too light—even if the Emperor found her amusing enough to grant her a title. Since it wasn't a scandal, and the child had the presence of mind to call for Yang Deyi, she had actually performed a service. For her father and her second uncle, this was a good thing.
Wei Qing smiled. "Many thanks to the Grand Manager. I have learned much. Let us continue."
When Wei Qing reached the Xuanshi Hall, he saw many Consorts and Ladies of the harem kneeling outside. Guards were still bringing more people to join them.
Withdrawing his gaze, he followed the Grand Manager into the hall.
The Emperor was dressed in his inner robes, lying on a clean bed, though his face still held an unnatural flush.
"Zhongqing, why have you come to the palace?" the Emperor asked the moment he saw Wei Qing, his voice suppressed with anger.
Wei Qing bowed formally. "Reporting to Your Majesty, word came from the Chen family saying an official from the Ministry of the Imperial Clan brought a message to prepare a coffin for Lady Huikang. The Chen family was terrified, so they asked me to inquire within the palace." As for Chen Yang storming the gate, it was not the right time to mention it.
Liu Che was stunned, then flew into a rage. "When did I ever order the Ministry of the Imperial Clan to send such a message?" The surrounding attendants were terrified, prostrating themselves and trembling.
Liu Che threw a pillow to the floor. The Imperial Physician Qin hurried forward to stop him. "Your Majesty, the effects of the drug have not cleared. You must not give in to anger!" He grabbed Liu Che’s hand to check his pulse.
The veins on Liu Che’s forehead bulged. "Where is the Empress? Has she not finished searching the Weiyang Palace after an entire afternoon?"
Wei Qing stood in the hall, silent.
Seeing the situation, Yang Deyi interjected, "Your Majesty, it is nearly done. The Empress sent word that only two more palace sections remain."
Liu Che closed his eyes to calm himself for a moment, then asked Wei Qing again, "Zhongqing, why did you really come?"
Wei Qing honestly repeated what he had said before.
Liu Che gave an "oh" before saying, "Lady Huikang... I have sent Imperial Physician Chang to look after her. Whether she lives or dies... depends on fate." Although he knew he hadn't actually done anything to Chen Ajiao, he was acutely aware that he had behaved indecently in front of the servants of the Xuanshi Hall, and waves of fury continued to wash over him.
Wei Qing lowered his head, his expression unreadable.
Liu Che remembered that when Ajiao was still Empress, she had conducted a thorough purge of aphrodisiacs in the palace. The Grand Empress Dowager had even quarreled with Ajiao over it, accusing her of making a mountain out of a molehill to exact revenge—after all, such things had been found in the quarters of two women the Grand Empress Dowager herself had sent. Since then, during Chen Ajiao’s reign, such things had never appeared in the palace.
He had thought Wei Zifu was obedient and submissive, and that she would manage the palace properly. He hadn't expected such a major incident to occur, causing him both physical harm and a loss of face.
Then he recalled that years ago, Wei Zifu had also used such things. She had only escaped because she destroyed them before Ajiao’s search reached her. At the time, he had prided himself on his youth; though he knew Ajiao was right, he also felt she was being excessive. Thus, regarding Wei Zifu’s cleverness in destroying the evidence, he had turned a blind eye and never told Ajiao.
Thinking of this, Liu Che mentally added a mark against Wei Zifu.
The hall fell into a heavy silence. After waiting for about fifteen minutes, a yellow-gate eunuch finally announced that the Empress requested an audience.
"Let her in," Liu Che said, lying back on his soft pillows and staring straight at the woman entering through the main doors.
"May Your Majesty live ten thousand years without worry," Wei Zifu said, panting. She had not conducted such a thorough inspection of the Weiyang Palace in years, and with her advancing age, her physical strength was failing her.
Liu Che watched her coldly. "What are the results of the search?"
Wei Zifu presented a roll of bamboo slips. "I led the search through every single palace chamber. These were found."
"Read them."
"Lady of Handsome Fairness Yin of the Yutang Hall, twelve bottles of hidden medicine... Lady of Revelry Lian of the Huicao Hall, three bottles..." Wei Zifu read the names herself. Those involved included a quarter of the titled consorts, as well as several untitled palace women.
Liu Che closed his eyes. He felt more than ever that he shouldn't have let Ajiao punish those people so lightly back then. It was because the predecessors were not punished severely that the successors dared to follow suit.
When Wei Zifu finished reading, she looked at the Emperor’s expression. She heard him speak through gritted teeth: "All of them... put to death."
"Your Majesty! This involves so many people. If they are all put to death, I fear it will cause a great upheaval..." Wei Zifu was horrified.
"You plead for them?" Liu Che stared intently at Wei Zifu. "I am only investigating today's matters; that is already showing mercy."
Belatedly, Wei Zifu remembered that she had once used such drugs on the Emperor. Fear gripped her. Only when she saw Wei Qing standing nearby did she regain her composure and say, "I obey your sacred decree."
Liu Che sighed and added, "The Empress has been negligent in managing the inner palace. She is to be confined to the Pepper Chamber Hall to reflect on her faults. Her duties are temporarily transferred... to Lady of Handsome Fairness Jiang and Lady of Graceful Brightness Shen to manage together."
Everyone in the hall was shocked.
Wei Qing couldn't help but speak up to plead for her. "Your Majesty, the Empress..."
"You had best remain silent," Liu Che said in an unfriendly tone. He knew that punishing the Empress so severely based solely on today's events was harsh, but he couldn't help but think of the past, and his heart was filled with resentment.
Wei Qing considered for a moment and fell silent. He knew his sister had done such things in the past; today was likely a case of displaced anger. But since the Emperor only cited negligence in managing the palace, he could feel somewhat at ease.
Wei Zifu’s face was deathly pale. She felt wronged and wanted to argue further. "Your Majesty, I was merely deceived by these people. I was unobservant, but..."
"Get out. Everyone, get out." Liu Che was impatient. He began to cough, and spots of crimson appeared on his plain white handkerchief.
Imperial Physician Qin looked at the Emperor’s face with anxiety. He had clearly told His Majesty not to get angry. He repeatedly signaled Yang Deyi with his eyes. Seeing this, Yang Deyi directly lowered the bed curtains around Liu Che.
He then walked over to Wei Qing and the Grand Manager. "Why are you standing there? Hurry and escort Her Majesty back."
The Grand Manager had no choice but to support Wei Zifu. She was led out in a state of misery.
Wei Qing had no choice but to follow and take his leave.
"Zhongqing." The Emperor’s voice sounded from behind the curtains.
Wei Qing quickly turned and stepped forward.
"Let... Lady Huikang’s mother come to see her." The Emperor’s voice was low and dejected.
"As you command."
The shadow behind the curtain slowly lay back down.
***
