Chapter 59: Another Storm Rises in the Capital

Great Liang, Imperial Capital.

A dense shroud of night enveloped the entire city, and the Prince Cheng’s residence, not far from the Imperial Palace, was especially tranquil. If not for the occasional flicker of lantern light, this grand estate would seem as if it had been forgotten by the world.

Yet, in truth, there was no one in the capital who did not know of this residence. For it belonged to Prince Cheng—Tang Xu—the fifth son of Emperor Taihe, and the current emperor’s half-brother. Though they were not born of the same mother, the closeness of their ages meant they had grown up together, and the bond between Tang Xu and the present emperor was strong; Tang Xu held his elder brother in great respect.

Tang Xu was known for his gentle disposition and honest nature, and among the imperial princes, he was particularly favored by both Emperor Taihe and Tang Yu. Five years ago, when Tang Xu fell gravely ill in his fief, Emperor Taihe summoned him back to the capital to recover. Since then, as his imperial brother ascended the throne, Tang Xu had been well looked after, and whenever he had the chance, he would visit his brother.

Knock, knock... knock, knock, knock. In the stillness of the night, a sudden pounding sounded at the back gate of the prince’s residence.

A man emerged from the shadows behind the door, pressed his ear against the wood to listen, then unlatched the bolt and opened the door a crack.

“It’s me!” came a low voice. At the threshold stood a figure cloaked entirely in black, his features hidden by a heavy mantle. Yet the guard evidently recognized him and, without further questioning, fixed his gaze instead on the person standing behind the stranger.

“He’s my escort,” the black-clad man explained quietly.

The guard opened the door a little wider to admit both men. They exchanged no unnecessary words, and the guard led them silently inward. No lanterns, no sounds—the prince’s residence remained just as serene in darkness.

Soon, they arrived at the entrance to a grand hall, where the glow of lamplight spilled through the latticed windows. The escort was left to wait outside, while the black-clad visitor entered with the one who had opened the door.

“My lord, it is done!” The man removed his hood as he spoke in a low voice. The dim light revealed the refined features of a middle-aged man: Yu Wen Yongjia, Minister of Revenue.

Seated behind the table, Tang Xu finally raised his gaze to Yu Wen Yongjia. Though he was only thirty-four, Tang Xu’s face bore the marks of maturity; at this moment, it was utterly impassive, but his narrow eyes were as sharp as a hawk’s, fixed intently on his guest. Yu Wen Yongjia, though a minister in his fifties, felt himself as vulnerable as a rabbit before a hunter, shivering involuntarily and hastily bowing low.

“Sit,” Tang Xu said coolly after a moment’s scrutiny.

Only then did Yu Wen Yongjia remove his cloak and drape it over a chair, perching cautiously on the edge of the seat.

Had any outsider witnessed this scene, they would never have imagined the affable Prince Cheng could command such authority over the Minister of Revenue.

“My lord, urgent news just arrived by fast courier. As soon as Nangong Zheng reached Haidong Circuit, he began investigating the military grain theft, but last night he was burned to death in the rear courtyard of the governor’s mansion. By tomorrow, word will surely reach the palace…” Yu Wen Yongjia whispered.

Tang Xu lowered his head in thought, saying nothing.

“With this, Liang Ming is unlikely to escape suspicion. He managed Haidong peacefully for three years, yet as soon as he departs, the imperial inspector is burned to death. No matter how he pleads, no one will believe him.”

“Your Highness’s plan is truly killing two birds with one stone…” Yu Wen Yongjia was about to offer flattery when the prince’s gaze lashed across the room like a blade, making Yu Wen Yongjia break out in a cold sweat and hastily rise to apologize.

“Usually you come alone. Why did you bring someone tonight?” Tang Xu did not reprimand him; rather, his expression softened, and he asked as though in passing.

“He is the messenger who brought the news. I feared Your Highness would have more questions, so I brought him along…” Yu Wen Yongjia explained, resuming his seat.

“Hmm. Does anyone else know you came here?” Tang Xu asked, pouring tea for Yu Wen Yongjia.

The minister hurriedly stood to offer thanks. “Thank you, my lord. I have always been discreet. How dare I let anyone know…”

“Drink some hot tea to warm yourself, then return home. You’re not young anymore, and I still rely on you…” Tang Xu’s voice grew gentle, and once again he seemed the kind, approachable Prince Cheng.

“Thank you, my lord. Then I shall take my leave!” Yu Wen Yongjia set down his cup, donned his cloak, and backed out of the room.

Inside, Tang Xu watched the doorway, his eyes inscrutable.

Outside the hall, Yu Wen Yongjia noticed the warrior who should have been waiting was nowhere to be seen. He looked around in panic.

“Minister, you should return. You came alone tonight.” A voice drifted from the shadows.

Yu Wen Yongjia froze, the warmth of the tea in his belly suddenly gone, replaced by an icy chill.

……

The Second Day, Morning Court.

Nangong Yingyue sat behind the pearl curtain, watching the emperor with curiosity. After three days bedridden, he was finally able to attend court again. Her anxiety had lessened somewhat, though she still feared something might happen or that the ministers would make things difficult. Yet the emperor looked wan and frail, clearly forcing himself to appear; her heart grew heavy when she thought of the days yet to come.

“Your Majesty, the matter of the heir has been debated many times. Please make an early decision and establish a crown prince to secure the foundation of the realm.” A courtier stepped forward to petition. Had Lu Jin been present, he would have called this man uncle—he was Shen Yanxi’s uncle, Shen Rui, the fifty-one-year-old Right Vice Minister of Personnel.

“Your Majesty, you are in the prime of life, and the princes have only just begun their lessons in governance. Their dispositions are not yet formed. It is not too late to appoint a crown prince in a few more years,” another minister objected.

Shen Rui nearly coughed up blood. The emperor was so ill he missed court two days out of three—how was this the prime of life? But no one would dare contradict, for who would say outright, “Your Majesty, you’re not long for this world, best name an heir quickly!” As more ministers joined the debate, the court descended into its usual chaos, each convinced of his own righteousness, the arguments tangled and loud.

Seated on the dragon throne, Tang Yu watched the wrangling below with resignation. He was painfully aware of his own health, and he did wish to establish his son as heir. But should he pass away, how could an eight- or nine-year-old child contend with his uncles, men who commanded armies? Even Tang Yu himself dared not act rashly; how much less could a child be expected to manage? If things went awry, not only would the nation be thrown into turmoil, but his son’s future would be grim indeed. Moreover, perhaps due to his own ill health, the prince was frail and often sickly. Thus, Tang Yu had hesitated all this while. Yet it seemed he could delay no longer, lest the matter be endlessly disputed.

Just as Tang Yu was steeling himself, a eunuch hurried inside, visibly anxious. He handed a memorial directly to Xiao Yi, the Grand Secretary. Xiao Yi quickly broke the seal—any memorial delivered in this manner must be of grave importance.

After reading only a few lines, Xiao Yi was struck dumb, unable to find words to address the emperor, so great was his shock.

“Minister Xiao, what is it?” Seeing his expression, Tang Yu’s heart sank.

“Your Majesty… this…” Xiao Yi stammered, finally passing the memorial to the chief eunuch. The emperor’s attendant took it to him. After reading just a few lines, the emperor collapsed in a dead faint.

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty!” The ministers’ cries echoed, and the hall dissolved into panic.

Behind the pearl curtain, Nangong Yingyue was stunned. What had happened to cause the emperor to faint again? She quickly called out, “Summon the imperial physicians, quickly!”

As Empress Dowager Regent, Nangong Yingyue swiftly gained access to the memorial. The eunuch, in his haste, had not bothered to check its contents—had he done so, he might not have dared deliver it to her.

She unrolled the memorial and read: “Your servant, Mei Zhihuan, Inspector of Haidong, humbly reports to Your Majesty: Last night at the hour of the Ox, fire broke out in the rear courtyard of the governor’s mansion; Governor Nangong Zheng perished in the blaze…”

She could read no further. Tears spilled from her eyes like a broken dam, her mind filled with images of her uncle. He had only just arrived at his post—why hadn’t she tried harder to dissuade him?

It was fortunate that she, as the emperor’s aunt, did not also faint—had both the empress dowager and emperor collapsed, chaos would have ensued. After much commotion, the emperor was finally carried away. By now, the ministers were accustomed to his frequent spells and were less anxious for his health than for what had caused the commotion. All eyes turned to the pearl curtain.

Gathering herself, Nangong Yingyue handed the memorial to the chief eunuch. “Let Minister Xiao inform the court.” This was not the time for silence—a solution must be found.

Upon receiving the empress dowager’s command, Xiao Yi addressed the court: “Governor Nangong Zheng was burned to death in his bedroom at the rear of the Haidong governor’s mansion the night before last.”

The ministers were thrown into an uproar. An imperial commissioner, a border governor—an official of the second rank—burned to death? Unheard of!

“This is outrageous! Is Haidong plotting rebellion?” one minister shouted. No one believed this was an accident.

“Has Mei Zhihuan investigated who is responsible?” Yu Wen Yongjia asked, his face a mask of anger. No one in court suspected him, for it was he who had championed Nangong Zheng’s appointment.

“Mei Zhihuan has yet to reach a definitive conclusion. At present, based on the scene, it appears the fire was set by a courtesan residing with Governor Nangong, but she too perished in the blaze. No evidence of arson was found outside,” Xiao Yi reported.

“A courtesan? Where did she come from?” someone asked.

“According to current inquiries, she was someone Governor Nangong met after arriving in Haidong…”

The ministers were speechless; many secretly scorned the governor—serves him right, seeking women before attending to his duties.

“Your Majesty, Governor Nangong was a man of integrity. He must have uncovered the culprit behind the military grain theft and was killed for it. I beg Your Majesty to order a thorough investigation!” Yu Wen Yongjia petitioned.

Voices rose in support. Whatever the truth about his conduct, a governor murdered could not go uninvestigated.

Nangong Yingyue was about to respond when a censor stepped forward. “Your Majesty, I request a full investigation into former Haidong Governor Liang Ming and Inspector Mei Zhihuan. Liang Ming ruled Haidong for years and, I suspect, turned it into his private domain under the guise of imperial authority. He and his associates conspired to steal military grain for their own gain. Now, with the new governor burned to death, the message is clear: Haidong belongs to Liang Ming; no one else can govern it. Whoever comes, dies…” The censor’s words left the court in stunned silence.

Previously, the emperor had ordered an investigation, but everyone knew Liang Ming was untouchable. This time, however, the stakes were different—impeachment and execution loomed.

An uproar broke out once more, but at least a decision was reached.

Red-eyed, Nangong Yingyue sat behind the curtain, her voice solemn and hoarse. “Issue the decree: The Ministry of Justice is to take Liang Ming and his family into custody; the Three Judicial Offices are to try his case. Mei Zhihuan is demoted and ordered to reflect on his conduct, but remains acting Inspector of Haidong, to assist the new governor and imperial commissioner in investigating both the grain theft and Governor Nangong’s death. Appoint Gu Wenan, Grand Academician and Governor of Hezhong Circuit, as the new Governor of Haidong…”