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Outside Shangyang Palace.

The on-duty eunuch stopped Zhang Zhengyang, standing on the steps, spoke down to him from a higher position.

“Chancellor Zhang, His Majesty has already gone to bed. If there is a matter, you can submit it in the Imperial Court tomorrow.”

“I have urgent matters to report; please trouble Eunuch Xu to announce my presence.”

Zhang Zhengyang looked towards the palace, brightly lit and filled with the sound of stringed instruments and dancing. The occasional laughter and playful shouting of the women could be heard.

“I wouldn’t dare disturb His Majesty’s rest,” said Eunuch Xu. “Chancellor Zhang, please return.”

“Your servant begs to see His Majesty!”

Zhang Zhengyang knelt outside the palace gate, his voice filled with tears and continued to plead for an audience with His Majesty.

Knocking his forehead on the ground, blood started to seep from his brow.

After a long time.

With no response from inside the palace, Zhang Zhengyang’s expression shifted from resolute to one of despair and dejection. After thrice kowtowing and nine bows, he struggled to his feet and left.

“Your servant takes his leave!”

…

Inside the palace.

Forty or fifty beautiful palace maids danced and played in the hall, but Emperor Yongxing was not to be seen on the dragon throne ahead.

Upon Zhao Yuan’s ascension to the throne, he established the Yongxing reign.

This year was still the eighteenth year of the Hongchang era, and next year would be the first year of Yongxing.

Eunuch Xu hurried to the small pavilion in the rear palace and knelt to report: “Your Majesty, Chancellor Zhang has left the palace.”

Emperor Yongxing reclined on a couch, surrounded by over twenty attendees like stars around the moon, all high-ranking officials in crimson and purple. To his left was the Minister of War Liang Dong, and to his right, the Minister of Personnel Xie Wei.

Both had been confidants of Zhang Zhengyang, but now they had pledged themselves to Emperor Yongxing.

As the saying goes, “When the son of Heaven changes, so do the court’s servants.” The officials could clearly see that the powerful Chancellor Zhang would inevitably fall and had to plan ahead accordingly.

Emperor Yongxing asked: “Chancellor Zhang just left like that? Did he show any insubordination?”

Eunuch Xu reported truthfully: “To reply to Your Majesty, Chancellor Zhang looked despondent and voiced no complaints.”

“Chancellor Zhang knows his place.”

Emperor Yongxing gestured for Eunuch Xu to step back, then turned to ask the eunuch waiting at his side: “De Fu, have you found out who is behind the rumors?”

Li Defu was originally a eunuch in Prince Qin’s residence, serving close to the then-young Emperor Yongxing, and had now suddenly risen to hold the seals of the Imperial Household Department and serve as commander of the Jinyiwei.

“To answer Your Majesty, there were too many people in the palace that night. It will take some time for a thorough investigation.”

Emperor Yongxing spoke coldly: “What wrong is there in entering the palace to quell rebellion? I’m asking who’s spreading rumors about the murder of my sixth brother?”

Ever since the imperial edict proclaiming his enthronement was issued, various rumors like usurpation and unfilial conduct had spread throughout Divine Capital, subtly undermining Emperor Yongxing’s strong position.

Li Defu knelt with a thud: “Your Majesty, this servant deserves to die for not yet having full control over the Jinyiwei.”

Emperor Yongxing’s brow furrowed slightly; he wanted to command someone to drag this useless person out and kill him, but given his hurried ascension, there were too few reliable people at his disposal.

The commander of the Jinyiwei was far too crucial and sensitive a position. He preferred to entrust it to a loyal but inept individual rather than allow outsiders to interfere.

“Your Majesty, anyone with clear eyes knows these rumors are false. Those people don’t care about the truth, they just want to tarnish Your Majesty’s reputation,” said Xie Wei.

Instead of chasing the trail of the rumor-mongers, let people be led by the nose; it’s better to target the source directly. The beneficiaries of these rumors are no more than those three!”

Of the six sons of the former emperor, the eldest legitimate son was imprisoned in the Cold Palace, the sixth son was dead, leaving only three who were eligible to replace Emperor Yongxing.

Emperor Yongxing nodded slightly; a lethal glint flashed in his eyes. He had been hesitant when executing his first brother, but it had become easier since. If not for his reputation, he would have exterminated all three brothers and their entire families by now, and the capital’s rumors would’ve dissipated on their own.

“A bunch of people hiding their heads and showing their tails. After I make peace with Great Yong, I will call back the large armies from the various states to the capital, and execute them all!”

Emperor Yongxing looked towards the Minister of War: “Is the Capital Garrison stable?”

“Your Majesty, be at ease! I entered the Capital Garrison alone, loudly criticized the Sun family for only knowing how to drink the blood of soldiers while ignoring Your Majesty’s grace. I removed their powers on the spot. A few troublemaking military heads were beheaded, and no one else dares to oppose. The control over the Capital Garrison is entirely in hand,” he reported.

Liang Dong spoke with pride, “To prevent the Sun family’s resurgence, the soldiers and officers of the Capital Garrison have been scattered, reassigned to other offices within Divine Capital. Now, there are absolutely no flaws.”

Emperor Yongxing praised, “Minister Liang, you truly are a pillar of the Imperial Court.”

The Capital Garrison was Emperor Yongxing’s only concern; no other spectres or demons, even if they rebelled, could breach the heavily guarded imperial palace of the forbidden army.

Now that Emperor Yongxing had proclaimed to all under heaven, recognized by the counties and prefectures of Fengyang Country, any rebels who couldn’t swiftly breach the imperial palace would be doomed to vanish like smoke in thin air when the loyalist armies arrived.

At this moment.

A voice entered the hall.

“Your Majesty, an assassin has been caught.”

Emperor Yongxing snorted coldly, “Bring him in.”

What came in was a white-robed monk, with an aged face and a thin figure.

The old monk carried a man dressed in night-traveling clothes, casually tossing him onto the ground. Without kneeling, he reported directly to Emperor Yongxing, “This man goes by the nickname ‘Touching the Sky’ in the Jianghu, extremely adept at Qinggong. It’s said that he was recently recruited by the household of the King of Chu.”

Emperor Yongxing said, “A mere bumpkin dares to be called ‘Sky.’ Take him to the imperial prison for interrogation. Search his Nine Clans, and send him to the Northern Border to join the army!”

“By your command.”

The monk snapped the man’s limbs with crackling sounds, then vanished like a ghost, quick and unseen.

Emperor Yongxing looked at Li Defu, who was kneeling, and approved, “Well done with this matter. Although people from the Jianghu cannot appear on the stage, they can prevent petty thieves from prying into the palace.”

Li Defu sighed in relief and flattered, “Your Majesty, this old servant dares not take credit. Those experts of righteousness, upon hearing they’d serve under Your Majesty, eagerly rushed to join the Jinyiwei.”

Emperor Yongxing happily said, “So it seems, the hearts of the people have indeed returned to Us!”

The two Ministers smiled as they stroked their beards, while the surrounding senior officials clapped their hands in praise.

“Your Majesty is heaven-sent, may you live a long and prosperous life!”

Emperor Yongxing felt very secure.

“Then as planned, I will play the role of a decadent emperor for a few days. When those clowns jump out, I’ll net them all in one fell swoop.”

…

In the northwest corner of the imperial palace.

In the desolate and cold Nameless Palace.

The palace eunuch on duty, seeing Zhang Zhengyang approaching, not only did not obstruct him but bowed in greeting instead.

“Chancellor Zhang, the Crown Prince has been waiting for you for a long time.”

Only one candle was lit in the hall, casting dim and somber light. The deposed Crown Prince Zhao Xian paced back and forth, his expression quite anxious.

Zhang Zhengyang entered and said, “Your Highness, during crucial times, one must remain calm and collected!”

“Father-in-law is unaware.” Zhao Xian said with a bitter expression, “I’ve heard from the palace eunuchs that my brother has won over the Minister of War and the Minister of Personnel. With command over the Capital Garrison and the power to appoint and dismiss officials, his hold on the throne has become even more secure.”

Zhang Zhengyang said, “Liang Dong, an armchair strategist, and Xie Wei, a weathercock, these two incompetents are not worth your concern.”

Zhao Xian asked in confusion, “Aren’t these two men the capable ministers promoted by you, Father-in-law?”

Zhang Zhengyang, weakened by age, had knelt and cried at Shangyang Palace not long ago, expending much of his strength. He found a round stool to sit on.

“If I had truly promoted capable ministers, the late emperor would have replaced me as Grand Secretary long ago. When you ascend the throne in the future, remember never to let there be only one voice in the court, even if it means having two wrong voices!”

Zhao Xian bowed deeply, “I will heed Father-in-law’s teachings.”

“If you had really listened to me, you would not have associated with the Li family, and you wouldn’t have fallen to this state.”

Zhang Zhengyang knew that this son-in-law was of average talent, lacking in capabilities and wisdom, yet always fancied tampering with things, turning a sure victory into a high treasonous predicament.

Had it not been for his daughter’s pleas and the birth of his grandson, Zhang Zhengyang would have followed the late emperor’s last decree.

After twenty years of holding the power of Grand Secretary and surviving numerous storms and struggles, Zhang Zhengyang was confident he could send the other three hereditary ministers to the imperial prison.

Even the emperor’s own mother would not be spared!