"I hear you caused a bit of a stir before the hall as well?" Noble Consort Li brought up another matter.
Zhu Yijun had been intending to capitalize on that very affair to meddle in palace appointments; with Noble Consort Li raising it of her own accord, he naturally had every reason to respond.
He waved a hand to those around him and instructed, "All of you, withdraw."
Noble Consort Li nodded, and the palace maids and eunuchs obediently filed out.
Only then did he recount everything that had transpired before the hall to Noble Consort Li.
At the end, he even added, "Your child saw that Mother was displeased with Gao Gong, so I felt indignant on your behalf and wanted to demand an explanation from him. I didn't expect it would turn out like that."
A woman, after all—as long as something out of line was done for her sake, she would only be all the more touched.
Noble Consort Li glared at him. "What do you mean, 'Gao Gong'? Address him as Senior Grand Secretary!"
Yet even as she glared, the smile on her face did not diminish in the slightest.
Taking up the thread, she continued, "So according to the way you handled it, this little eunuch was sowing discord between superiors and inferiors, rather than Gao Gong being overbearing?"
Well now. From this form of address and tone, Zhu Yijun instantly caught Noble Consort Li's sentiment toward Gao Gong.
In his heart, he once again confirmed that the day this mother of his was elevated to Empress Dowager would be the day Gao Gong departed the Grand Secretariat.
"Mother, even if there are other ways to look at this, Gao Gong certainly cannot escape the charge of arrogant overbearance. Otherwise, how could he have put me in such an awkward spot outside the hall?"
This mother of his was someone who had to be stroked the right way. Even if he intended to find room to maneuver for Gao Gong and grant him an honorable retirement, he still had to mind his approach.
Sure enough, Noble Consort Li let out a soft huff, clearly struck right where it resonated.
Three feet of ice were not frozen in a single day; this was hardly the first time Gao Gong had been overbearing, and her prejudices against him ran deep.
She reached out to smooth Zhu Yijun's clothing and said casually, "Then why did you still put Companion in such an awkward position? The Superintendent Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial is his godson."
The favor in her words could not have been more obvious—far stronger than anything she felt for Gao Gong.
Zhu Yijun struck while the iron was hot, circling behind Noble Consort Li to massage her shoulders. "Mother, it is not that I insisted on embarrassing Companion.
"First of all, whether that little eunuch was sowing discord between superiors and inferiors or was intimidated by Gao Gong into concealing the truth, he acted with utter deceit toward his sovereign, behaving as one who recognizes neither sovereign nor father.
"For such a person to serve in the crucial duties of Wenhua Hall means the Directorate of Ceremonial bears some responsibility for negligence. Dispensing praise and punishment is the duty of a ruler, and your child dared not neglect it.
"Moreover, on the surface Gao Gong held the moral high ground and refused to let the matter drop. Your child could only take action against the eunuch to keep it from delaying the momentous occasion of holding audience to receive the accession petitions."
Noble Consort Li glanced at her child in surprise.
Her son truly seemed like a changed person today. His speech was so well-reasoned and remarkably clever; no wonder the officials praised him so much, saying he bore the countenance of a true sovereign.
Watching Zhu Yijun undergo such a profound transformation in so short a time, she found it hard to believe.
Then she recalled the morning's happenings at the Eastern Palace... Could it truly be the protection of the late Emperor?
Suppressing her internal doubts, she could not resist praising him: "Well, that was rather well thought out."
With that, she asked curiously, "Then just have Companion Feng pick someone else to fill the post. That would give everyone face and substance alike. Why kick the ball over to your mother?"
Zhu Yijun paused his shoulder-kneading hands right on cue, then resumed his gentle rhythmic tapping in silence.
Noble Consort Li noticed immediately and asked, "Mother and son share one heart. What could you possibly hesitate to say?"
Zhu Yijun blushed slightly. "Mother, it is not that I cannot say it, only that it is a little awkward to broach."
Noble Consort Li waved her hand, too impatient for his hesitation.
Only then did Zhu Yijun speak: "Mother, Companion Feng originally superintended the Eastern Depot while concurrently managing the palace guards of the Directorate of Imperial Horses—both prominent positions in the inner court.
"A few days ago, Mother elevated him to Seal-holding Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. The most vital matters of the inner court are all concentrated upon him, keeping him extremely busy.
"For instance, as soon as court was dismissed, Companion went off to handle memorials and could not attend to me. These past few days, your child has sought him multiple times without ever finding him.
"Therefore, your child hoped to take this opportunity to ask Mother to allocate another senior eunuch to attend to me and take my orders."
With that, he kneaded Noble Consort Li's neck and shoulders in fawning affection.
Slandering someone to the boss—who didn't know how to do that?
Feng Bao could play up the Gao Gong threat theory and smear him as mischievous and undisciplined; he could naturally follow suit!
The top official of the Directorate of Ceremonial, the Seal-holder, was called the "Inner Chancellor," while the second-in-command was the Superintendent of the Eastern Depot; the two were meant to check and balance each other.
Noble Consort Li was a woman of the deep palace who did not understand the intricacies of these matters. Allowing Feng Bao to shoulder both roles at once was something she certainly needed to be enlightened about.
As for the effect, that depended on how deeply Noble Consort Li trusted Feng Bao. If need be, he could simply do it several more times.
Sure enough, after hearing this, Noble Consort Li furrowed her brows in pensive thought.
After a moment, she replied somewhat absently, "So whom do you want from me?"
Zhu Yijun bowed his head and said respectfully, "It is entirely up to Imperial Consort Mother to decide."
He paused before adding, "However, your child dreamed of Imperial Father today and missed him all the more. Could Mother perhaps select an old hand from Prince Yu's Estate, so he might tell your child more about Imperial Father's past and soothe my grief?"
Prince Yu's Estate was the late Emperor's residence before his accession, as well as the place where Zhu Yijun had been born and raised.
His decision not to name anyone specifically naturally had its own clever calculation.
There were plenty of eunuchs in the palace, but once the two constraints were added—coming from Prince Yu's former princely residence and holding the rank of a senior eunuch—very few remained.
Only five or six possessed senior eunuch credentials from Prince Yu's Estate.
Great eunuchs of Prince Yu's origin such as Chen Hong and Meng Chong had successively served as Seal-holding Eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial after the late Emperor's accession, but both were now despised by Noble Consort Li.
There were also those whose deep affection for the late Emperor led them to volunteer to oversee the construction of his mausoleum, destined to spend the rest of their lives keeping the late Emperor company in seclusion.
Exclude those who were advanced in age and living in peaceful retirement,
and only two remained usable today.
One was named Chen Suan, and the other Zhang Hong.
Yet Zhu Yijun knew full well that Noble Consort Li could only possibly choose the latter.
Why? Because the former was currently serving at Empress Chen's side.
Thus, he had presented his superior with a multiple-choice question that offered no actual alternative.
Choosing within a strictly defined scope while preserving the superior's authority to decide—that was what true win-win meant.
Given his performance today, he believed Noble Consort Li would readily grant this modest request.
As for Zhang Hong himself:
This man had attended to his predecessor for a time in his early childhood, remembered as exceedingly deferential and quite capable.
The late Emperor had rewarded him several times, praising him as a loyal and diligent servant.
Even better, he had refused to fawn upon Meng Chong or Feng Bao and had suffered repeated suppression as a result. The post of Superintendent Eunuch was neither too grand nor too small, representing a considerable favor that would make him easy to manage—a truly perfect fit.
Noble Consort Li gave it no deep thought, only nodding as if her mind were wandering. "Mm, I understand."
It was an inconsequential matter to begin with. Her thoughts were still occupied with whether Feng Bao held too much power, so she agreed to it without the slightest hesitation.
Seeing his objective met, Zhu Yijun breathed an inward sigh of relief.
Noble Consort Li waved a hand. "All right. Return to your palace and review your classics diligently. The Grand Secretariat has added to your burdens, after all."
Zhu Yijun bowed and complied. "Your child shall bear it in mind."
With that, he brought up offhandedly, "By the way, Imperial Consort Mother, quite a few matters were deliberated in the hall today. I wonder how they will ultimately be resolved. Could Imperial Consort Mother explain and guide your child a little so I might learn?"
Noble Consort Li retorted in exasperation, "How could it be so fast? Only after the Empress has reviewed them will they come to me."
Zhu Yijun asked curiously, "Doesn't Empress Mother usually not bother with such matters?"
Noble Consort Li shook her head. "Though the Empress disdains handling them and always forwards them to me, ritual protocol must not be disregarded. She is, after all, the principal Empress.
"Enough now. Tomorrow after I have looked them over, I will explain them to you. Run along back and review your studies."
Noble Consort Li dismissed him once again.
Helpless, Zhu Yijun had no choice but to rise and take his leave.
...
In the afternoon, imperial archery practice had originally been scheduled, but since the court was in mourning, it was temporarily suspended.
Zhu Yijun was somewhat displeased by this—how could physical education be skipped?
In modern times, examinations of Emperor Wanli's remains revealed that he suffered from a leg ailment.
As he currently felt no discomfort in his legs, it could only have been acquired later in life.
It was either a penchant for sweets leading to diabetic bone complications—after all, his predecessor's mouthful of cavities showed how much he loved sugar—or gout. The latter was hardly groundless either, as Emperor Wanli frequently noted in his Court Diaries that several lumps had grown on his legs.
While he intended to cut back on sugar now, physical exercise could not be neglected either.
Since riding and archery were halted, he simply exercised in Ciqing Palace and performed a basic routine of the Five Animal Frolics—something he had originally prepared for his retirement.
Only after breaking a light sweat did he stop and call for attendants to prepare his bath.
Bathing at this hour was necessary because after dinner, he would have to go to Qianqing Palace to keep vigil before the late Emperor's catafalque.
Though it was largely a formality and he could leave after staying briefly, bathing was an inescapable part of the protocol, an indispensable duty during mourning.
The hour was still early, perfect for reviewing his studies.
Since entering the pavilion for daily lectures, he had studied only two subjects: the Great Learning and the Book of Documents.
Because his predecessor possessed mediocre aptitude, he had merely learned to punctuate clauses and recite texts fluently; his calligraphy, on the other hand, was practiced to a passable standard.
Instructing the eunuchs to move the desk into the sunlight, he leisurely opened a copy of the Great Learning. Mm, brand new—a poor student indeed.
He shook his head and began to chant aloud.
Zhu Yijun held no aversion to the Four Books and Five Classics; after all, this was the learning of sages.
Without thoroughly mastering it, how could he execute a backdoor listing?
It was time to pour his new wine into the old bottle of Confucianism.
...
"Godfather, my backside hasn't even warmed the seat of Superintendent Eunuch yet!"
a eunuch complained, kneeling before Feng Bao and fawningly presenting tea.
Eunuchs entering the palace invariably needed to attach themselves to a senior eunuch; those who found favor could claim him as their godfather.
When godson took on godson in an expanding chain, the senior eunuch would come to be addressed as "Venerable Ancestor."
"Shut your mouth!" Feng Bao's expression suddenly darkened, and he kicked him away. "One more word, and you won't even be going to the Weaving Bureau!"
This godson before him was naturally the Superintendent Eunuch who had been stripped of his post today under combined pressure from the Crown Prince and the Grand Secretariat.
With his mood already foul, how could Feng Bao bear listening to such clamor?
Frightened out of his wits, the godson scrambled to his feet and scurried out.
Just then, another eunuch jogged in from outside, brushing past him.
The newly arrived young eunuch dropped to his knees before Feng Bao. "Venerable Ancestor!
"After the midday meal, the Crown Prince visited the Imperial Noble Consort.
"Shortly after, the Imperial Noble Consort asked her attendants about the eunuchs from Prince Yu's former princely residence!"
Feng Bao's expression changed.
His predecessor as Seal-holder, Meng Chong, was an estate eunuch from Prince Yu's former residence!
Could it be that Gao Gong had truly misled the Crown Prince in an attempt to stage a comeback for Meng Chong?
This morning, when he had suffered that quiet loss before Wenhua Hall, this thought had already crossed his mind; now it seemed to confirm his suspicions.
Feng Bao paced back and forth across the room, his brow tightly furrowed.
As if struck by an idea, his countenance suddenly turned vicious. He whirled around and ordered, "Go call Feng Lin here."
Feng Lin was the most capable among his godsons.
With Feng Bao running the Directorate of Ceremonial and stretched too thin to manage everything, the Eastern Depot was left to this godson's care.
Before long, a eunuch of somewhat delicate, effeminate features walked in.
"Godfather, you sent for me?"
As he spoke, he bowed beside Feng Bao, supporting him by the arm.
Feng Bao suddenly grabbed his hand and demanded in a cold voice, "What has Meng Chong been doing today? Has anyone been in contact with him?"
Terrified that Meng Chong would refuse to die down completely like a centipede with many legs, he had long posted men to watch him.
Feng Lin reported Meng Chong's movements and activities today in minute detail, without omitting even how long he spent relieving himself.
He added, "As for whether he had contact with others... Godfather, people have visited that old scoundrel Meng Chong these past few days. Some were female officials from the Two Palaces handling handovers, others were passing messages for the Grand Secretariat. We couldn't easily stop them."
Feng Bao's gaze turned increasingly venomous. He muttered, "Fine, fine. His treacherous heart truly refuses to die. Those from the Grand Secretariat were Gao Gong's men, weren't they?!"
Meng Chong's position as Seal-holding Eunuch had originally been recommended to the late Emperor by Gao Gong, and the two had always maintained close ties.
Feng Lin kept his head lowered. "It was likely the Senior Grand Secretary."
His godfather could address Gao Gong by name, but he dared not.
Supported by Feng Lin, Feng Bao sat back down on the couch, falling silent for a time.
A quarter of an hour passed, with only the sound of their breathing filling the room.
Finally, Feng Bao let out a soft chuckle. With an unreadable expression, he said, "Let Meng Chong fall into the water."
His tone was light as air, yet laden with chilling coldness.
The struggle among eunuchs was far more naked and brutal than that of the outer court.
For a disgraced eunuch in particular, dying in some obscure corner was the most ordinary occurrence.
Feng Lin started, then prostrated himself. "Your child shall see to it at once."
Just as they finished speaking, a knock came at the door again.
Having received permission to enter, the young eunuch reported, "Venerable Ancestor, the Imperial Noble Consort has selected Zhang Hong to take up the post of Superintendent Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial."
Feng Bao started, murmuring, "Zhang Hong?"
Feng Lin hesitated. "Godfather, should I still proceed with that matter?"
Feng Bao waved a hand. "Go through with it. It saves me from being on edge day in and day out."
Understanding the command, Feng Lin immediately departed.
The young eunuch was not yet done reporting; he scrambled up and leaned close to Feng Bao's ear: "Venerable Ancestor, there is one more matter. The contact in the outer court sent word.
"'He says the Senior Grand Secretary intends to impeach you and is currently drafting a memorial, and advises you to take strict precautions and stall for a few days, after which the situation will become clear.'"
Feng Bao shuddered. "Gao Gong is writing a memorial to impeach me?!"
He instinctively repeated the words.
What nerve, Gao Gong! Before Feng Bao had even made his move, that man was already plotting against him!
This was no small matter. His appointment as Seal-holder had been an interim commission from Noble Consort Li, not an official conferment from the late Emperor. Because Noble Consort Li was involved, no one had pressed the issue, but if anyone chose to scrutinize it, trouble would follow.
Only Noble Consort Li could suppress the issue.
However, with the new monarch not yet enthroned, he feared Noble Consort Li might discard him as a pawn to avoid complications.
Countless thoughts swirled through Feng Bao's mind.
Right now, there was no way to crush Gao Gong in a single blow.
Only when the new sovereign was enthroned and Noble Consort Li gained standing in ritual law could Gao Gong be dismissed.
That was the reason he had not yet struck—that remark about how a ten-year-old Emperor could govern all under Heaven, he was still waiting for the opportune moment to report it to Noble Consort Li!
And "stalling for a few days until the situation becomes clear" meant waiting until the new sovereign took the throne.
As for how to stall for a few days... Feng Bao immediately conceived a plan.
Having grasped the crux of the situation, he ground out with venomous hatred, "Gao Gong, I will see you suffer for this!"
He turned and instructed the young eunuch, "Go and send word back: inform me the instant Gao Gong submits his memorial, and I will find a way."
Since Gao Gong intended to memorialize the Two Palaces to impeach him, he would certainly bypass Huiji Gate and the Directorate of Ceremonial, seeking another route instead. Viewed in this light, killing Meng Chong was indeed the right move.
Furthermore, he needed to know the timing of Gao Gong's submission, which required coordination from the outer court; otherwise, losing the initiative and letting Gao Gong sway Noble Consort Li would spell disaster.
The young eunuch withdrew. "This servant shall deliver the message at once."
Leaving Feng Bao alone in the hall, his countenance shifting between gloom and resolve.
...
Zhu Yijun had just finished his evening meal and was preparing to head to Qianqing Palace when a eunuch entered to report.
"Your Highness, Her Ladyship the Noble Consort sent word that Zhang Hong has been selected to serve at Your Highness's side, and will come to Ciqing Palace tomorrow morning to pay his respects."
Sure enough, just as he had expected, Zhang Hong had been chosen after all.
Zhu Yijun nodded.
After a moment's contemplation, he instructed the eunuch, "No need to wait until tomorrow morning. I am going to Qianqing Palace now to keep vigil before the catafalque; have him come to the late Emperor's spirit tablet immediately to see me."
Time and tide waited for no man. With no eyes and ears of his own, every step was fraught with difficulty, and he could ill afford to wait even a moment.
Moreover, meeting this senior eunuch from the former princely residence before the late Emperor's spirit tablet held its own particular significance.
---
Note 1: On the twenty-third day, Dingchou, Grand Secretary Shen Yiguan submitted: "The clerical official Lu Shou verbally conveyed the imperial edict: 'A few hot sores have grown on Our legs, and We cannot walk. Dispatch officials to perform the sacrificial rites; issue an edict to this effect.' Your subject respectfully drafted and submitted it, awaiting imperial decision. At present, midsummer is oppressive and the damp heat swelters; the sacred person is of utmost importance, and recuperation must be thorough. Hearing this conveyed, your subject was overwhelmed with shock. I respectfully attach my sincere sentiments and inquire after the imperial daily life. I only pray that Your Majesty tempers and harmonizes your emotions, welcoming auspiciousness and receiving Heaven's great favor, for which the myriad people and your subjects rely upon beyond measure. Respectfully submitted for imperial notice." —The Court Diaries of Emperor Wanli
Chapter 8