Two hours ago, an attendant from the palace urgently summoned Huo Xian to the palace.
With Shengxi gone, Emperor Shun’an’s chief eunuch had been replaced by Wu Sheng. This man had been promoted by Huo Xian and spoke with some familiarity. When Huo Xian inquired about the palace affairs, he straightforwardly said, “It’s about the Jiuxuan Camp. As you might have heard, since Grand Tutor Xu’s passing, the court has been somewhat restless. Someone brought up the case of the Eastern Palace coup again. It’s been years, and while investigating now won’t yield much, the Emperor is wary. Tonight, the Eastern Depot arrested Director Ning of Jiuxuan Camp. Unexpectedly, they found some letters in his home, showing he still had ties with the rebels of the Eastern Palace. But it doesn’t stop with Director Ning.”
Riding his horse, Huo Xian’s stern face was hidden in the night. He wrapped the reins around his palm and lazily said, “Is that so? Who else is involved?”
Wu Sheng, riding alongside him, wiped his sweat and said, “For Director Ning to investigate, he needed people. The Ministry of Justice, the Censorate, and the Court of Judicial Review are all involved. Just now, Left Censor-in-Chief Zhou came to the palace to plead and was also detained. Moreover, it involves Marquis Xuanping.”
The reins cut into his palm, chafing his skin. Huo Xian sneered lightly, “Really? Making trouble for nothing, serves them right.”
Wu Sheng gave an awkward laugh, not daring to get involved in this feud between father and son.
The night streets were empty and silent, with only the sound of horse hooves echoing. Wu Sheng couldn’t see, but Huo Xian’s pupils darkened.
The Jiuxuan Camp used to be the elite troops under Crown Prince Huaijin. After the Eastern Palace incident, Jiuxuan Camp fell out of favor. Neither the succeeding Emperor Chenghe, Huaijin’s brother, nor the current incompetent Emperor Shun’an, trusted Jiuxuan Camp.
Even though there was no evidence of Jiuxuan Camp’s involvement in the coup, they were implicated. Over the years, they had faded into obscurity.
It wasn’t surprising that others were implicated too. Crown Prince Huaijin was like a bright moon, known for his integrity and high reputation. Half the court followed him, including Marquis Xuanping.
After the prince’s death in the Eastern Palace, officials wept in mourning. There were strong calls for a thorough investigation, but nothing came of it, especially after Emperor Xianzhen’s death. Yet, Crown Prince Huaijin remained a thorn in many hearts.
Despite two emperors and numerous court changes, many still remembered the prince fondly.
This remembrance couldn’t be displayed openly.
Had things gone differently, Crown Prince Huaijin would be on the throne. This fact naturally bred resentment in later emperors, especially Emperor Shun’an.
Emperor Shun’an, knowing his inferiority to Huaijin, felt like mud compared to the moon, and would only respond with impotent rage.
With a clang, as Huo Xian approached the imperial study, he heard Emperor Shun’an angrily smashing a cup, “Outrageous! Outrageous! This is rebellion! All involved are to be treated as traitors and executed!”
The eunuch trembled, “But…”
Emperor Shun’an shouted, “But what? I am the Emperor!”
Huo Xian strode in, bowing and cupping his hands, “Your Majesty, please calm down.”
The room fell silent. Emperor Shun’an snorted at Huo Xian, dismissed the eunuch, and sat down with a swish of his robes, “You’re here to dissuade me? What, because your father is involved, you can’t bear it?”
Huo Xian laughed indifferently, pouring a cup of tea for the sulking Emperor. Emperor Shun’an glanced at him but didn’t take the cup, only saying, “The Censorate asks me to calm down, and now you do too. I can’t even make this decision myself. None of you see me as Emperor.”
Recently, after executing the sycophantic Zhong Fu in a fit of rage over an assassin, no one had placated the Emperor for a long time, making him even more melancholic.
Huo Xian understood Emperor Shun’an too well. He could see through the Emperor’s petty calculations, realizing he wanted to assert his supreme authority to feel secure. Huo Xian sighed lightly, “In Your Majesty’s heart, do I rank with those people?”
Emperor Shun’an remained silent.
Huo Xian pushed the tea cup towards him. “The Jinyiwei knew nothing about this Jiuxuan Camp affair; it was handled quietly by the Eastern Depot, wasn’t it? Has Your Majesty considered that while Jiuxuan Camp might be insignificant, if you act against the Three Judicial Offices, the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei will handle everything big or small in the future. Will Your Majesty be pleased with that?”
The Emperor was startled and looked up at Huo Xian.
The soft, warm light of the oil lamp on the desk illuminated the man’s handsome face. His expression showed genuine concern, almost beguiling, causing a crack in the Emperor’s inner defenses.
Yes…
Balance was the essence of an emperor’s strategy.
That was why Emperor Shun’an hadn’t completely eradicated the officials who had supported Prince Ning. He needed them to counterbalance Zhao Yong, who held too much power. As long as they fought each other, the Emperor could benefit.
Although the Emperor himself was not adept at maintaining balance, he had come to understand its importance thanks to Huo Xian’s advice, intentional or not.
But who cared, as long as it worked.
Whether they supported Prince Ning or followed Crown Prince Huaijin, they all caused the Emperor a headache. The most troublesome part was that many officials were involved with both factions!
Prince Ning possessed the same charisma as Crown Prince Huaijin once had!
The Emperor was furious, taking a deep breath.
Huo Xian glanced at him and continued, “Crown Prince Huaijin is dead; how can he compete with Your Majesty? These people can’t cause any real trouble. Since they pose no serious threat, why not act magnanimously? You’ll stabilize the situation, demonstrate imperial grace, and improve relations with the Censorate. It’s a win-win for Your Majesty.”
Emperor Shun’an knew Huo Xian made sense, but he still couldn’t swallow his anger. “Letting them go like this is hard to accept.”
Huo Xian said, “Leave it to me. I’ll lock them up in Zhaoyu Prison for two days. They won’t trouble you for three months, and it will appear as my personal vendetta, not Your Majesty’s. Then, you can issue a decree for their release.”
“Cough.”
They had long perfected this routine of one playing the good cop and the other the bad cop. Emperor Shun’an waved his sleeve. “Alright then, as for your father… let it go. No need for more trouble.”
“That won’t do.” Huo Xian’s face darkened. “He usually leaves no evidence. Now that he’s slipped up, I must act.”
Emperor Shun’an shook his head. “You are quite something. He’s still your father; enough is enough.”
Huo Xian sneered, remaining silent.
The Emperor’s reprimand belied his relief. Only if Huo Xian remained a scoundrel who disregarded traditional morals could the Emperor trust him.
With the serious matters concluded, the Emperor grinned and dragged Huo Xian to the warm chamber to drink. “I’ve been saving a century-old brew just for you.”
A young eunuch brought the wine, but when pouring, he winked at Huo Xian. Understanding, Huo Xian called for maidservants to accompany them. The maidservants were beautiful and soon captivated the Emperor. Taking the chance, Huo Xian slipped out.
Closing the door behind him, he asked, “What is it?”
The young eunuch, not daring to lift his head, respectfully replied, “The Chief Eunuch has urgent matters.”
Upon hearing this, he didn’t leave immediately but lingered on the steps for a moment. The laughter and chatter of men and women behind him grated on his ears, and the oppressive sky above made it hard to breathe. Taking a deep breath, Huo Xian glanced at the corner gate of the palace wall and said, “Understood.”
With that, he finally moved.
Today, the Jinyiwei were not on duty and could not roam the palace without an imperial decree. Huo Xian could only meet Zhao Yong in a small house at the southeastern corner of the wall, a resting place for night-duty eunuchs.
There were few people around, just two familiar faces guarding the door. Seeing Huo Xian, they lifted the curtain for him, “Please, sir.”
Huo Xian entered to see two men dressed as Eastern Depot agents restraining a young man dressed as a servant, his hands and feet bound, and a cloth stuffed in his mouth, muffling his cries. Zhao Yong sat calmly in the middle of the room, eyes closed, like a meditating monk.
“Foster Father,” Huo Xian called out, prompting Zhao Yong to slowly open his eyes. “Just came from the Emperor. What did he say about tonight’s incident?”
“He was furious, ordered everyone involved detained, said they should be executed. I’m not sure if he meant it,” Huo Xian paused, “He’s currently enjoying himself with palace maids, so we didn’t discuss it in detail.”
Zhao Yong frowned, evidently displeased with Emperor Shun’an’s delay in dealing with the Three Judicial Offices and Jiuxuan Camp because of his revelry. However, after a moment, he said, “Never mind, it’s not too late to discuss once he sobers up. There’s another urgent task for you.”
Huo Xian bowed his head, “What are your orders, Foster Father?”
Zhao Yong tossed a handkerchief onto the table with a thud. Wrapped inside was a token. Huo Xian picked it up and saw it was inscribed with “Fuchun Hall.”
Fuchun Hall…
Before Huo Xian could think further, Zhao Yong said, “The capital hasn’t been peaceful lately. The former Crown Prince’s followers are stirring. Why would Jiuxuan Camp, quiet for so many years, suddenly reopen the Eastern Palace case?”
Feigning deep thought, Huo Xian said, “Do you suspect someone is stirring things up from behind the scenes?”
Zhao Yong replied, “We’ve had spies outside Ning Heng’s residence for days, and they finally caught a messenger. The content of the letter matches those found in his home, connecting him with the traitors. We traced the recent rumors about the former Crown Prince to a gambling den called Fuchun Hall.”
Yes, Fuchun Hall.
Huo Xian had recently heard Xiao Yuanting mention it in passing.
Looking at the struggling servant, Huo Xian said, “Do you think this gambling den is a stronghold for the rebels?”
The candle flame crackled as Zhao Yong trimmed the wick, “Someone is trying to use the late Crown Prince’s influence to support a new leader. Keep an eye on the provincial lords.”
Emperor Shun’an’s accession was illegitimate, and the provincial lords were always restless. Zhao Yong’s concerns were well-founded. Huo Xian nodded, his eyes narrowing slightly.
Ning Heng, the commander of Jiuxuan Camp, was a man of integrity. Had he been more adaptable, he wouldn’t have been overshadowed by the Crown Prince’s legacy for so many years. Not just anyone could recruit him.
Provincial lords? Was it really them?
He looked at Zhao Yong, “If this man works for Fuchun Hall, his prolonged absence might draw attention. We need to apprehend him immediately.”
This was precisely what Zhao Yong wanted him to do. He nodded slowly, “Go ahead. Bring him back alive and find out who he works for.”
Huo Xian agreed without delay and immediately left the palace.
The Jinyiwei quickly assembled and set out, galloping through the silent streets. The thunderous sound of their passage woke many, who lit candles and peered out their windows, whispering, “Who are they arresting now?”
—
In the deep night, if any place could rival the bustling pleasure quarters, it would undoubtedly be a gambling den.
Most gambling dens, to accommodate more people, were built with multiple levels, often extending underground. Fuchun Hall was no exception. This newly opened gambling den was anything but quiet; it was buzzing with activity. The high and low calls of gamblers, the clinking of coins on tables, the cheers of winners, and the wails of losers filled the air, mingling with the scent of sweat and alcohol, creating a revelry for gamblers.
At one of the tables sat a young nobleman, fanning himself leisurely as he tossed a few silver notes, “Betting on big!”
The other players at the table quickly bet on small. Some who had initially bet on big changed their bets to small because of his declaration.
The reason was simple: although this young man seemed wealthy, he had terrible luck. Whatever he bet on, he lost. Betting against him was a surefire way to win.
Sure enough, when the dice were revealed, it was small!
The young man sighed dejectedly, “Lost again…”
Just as he was gearing up for another round, he was abruptly pulled away from the table. Shen Qingli used his folding fan to swat away the hand pulling him, “Tsk, Zhoushu, can’t you be more refined?”
The guard named Zhoushu looked exasperated, his face grave. “Young master, the Jinyiwei are here! They’re coming for us and are already at the door!”
No sooner had he spoken than the gambling den’s doors were kicked open with a loud crash, followed by a surge of chaos.
Shen Qingli frowned, ceasing his fanning, and said, “Why are they here? Quickly, gather the men and retreat through the back door.”
The guard replied, “But the back door is also guarded by the Jinyiwei. We—”
Shen Qingli’s expression turned cold, “Then fight our way out. Use the signal flares and summon the men at the city gates for backup.”
“Young master…” The guard’s expression grew even more serious, looking at him with an unusual solemnity. Shen Qingli sensed something was amiss and, sure enough, Zhoushu said, “There are no men waiting for us at the gates.”
“…”
The handsome young noble closed his eyes briefly, muttering a string of curses before gritting out, “Damn you, Xie Subai! I’ll never trust you again—”
He abruptly paused, eyes snapping open. “Isn’t Ji Yuluo in the capital?”
—
Author’s Note:
Emperor Xianzhen -> Emperor Chenghe -> Emperor Shun’an
Crown Prince Huaijin was the son of Emperor Xianzhen and the elder brother of Emperor Chenghe. The current Emperor Shun’an was selected from the imperial clan because Emperor Chenghe had no heirs, as mentioned before.
