Masses had gathered at the arena where the Imperial troops usually trained and a table had been set where the Emperor had his seat placated right in between two one belonging to his Grand Chancellor and the other the Chancellor of the left while right across the place, another three had been arranged for the negotiators.
The people at a distance were already taking up places for themselves while on the other hand, the Courtiers had their own spots arranged.
The Empress Yang walking into a room she found her allies Shi Miyuan, Bao Langya, Master Bao, Yang Cishan, Jinglan and Zhao Zizhi seated and anxiously waiting on her.
They stood up at once to offer their respect while she sat down before them and they did the same.
"The negotiation is today." The Grand Chancellor muttered.
"Finally." Empress Yang replied as she looked at them, "Han Touzhou personally insisted that I be present at the scene." She said to them.
"It won't be safe Your Highness." Yang Cishan opposed.
"It equally isn't the time for us to be afraid and the time to cower." She remarked with a smile on her face.
"What will you do Your Highness?" Master Bao asked.
"It's the perfect opportunity," she replied, "you all have individual orders from me and parts that you must play, as long as you fulfill them I assure you, all will be well." She assured them as she smiled at herself ghastly.
"Yes Your Highness." They all replied in unison.
Han Touzhou standing in front of the mirror was being dressed in his official robes when Lin Xue walked into the room.
"Your Excellency." He said bowing his head, "everything is ready." He notified him.
"Alright." He responded as he turned around and he picked up his hat while he turned and faced him.
"How do I look?" He inquired.
"Magnificent." Lin Xue replied.
"And the day shall be so." Han Touzhou mentioned as he placed his hat on top of his head and he took a deep sigh.
Cao Zhaoyi seated and lost in her thoughts Linxiang walked in carrying in her hands a tray bearing a fine tea set which she rested in front of her mistress.
"It is almost time Ma'am." She said.
"Yes." She replied sounding a bit discouraged.
"What's wrong Ma'am, as it is it feels that you are displeased with me." She pointed out.
"I'm just not feeling well, I am anxious perhaps." She replied.
"Don't bother yourself so much Ma'am, I'm sure that everything will work out well for us." Linxiang encouraged her.
At the time everyone had gathered and the Empress being announced by Beiyuan, she made her way through the gates of the arena while accompanied by her retinue as she ascended the stairs and took her seat on the platform that had been designated for her in particular.
"His Majesty the Emperor deigns you with his presence." Eunuch Deng announced and the Emperor Ningzong moving into the arena while accompanied by His Grand Chancellor and the two Chancellors of the Left and the right, he sat down along with all three of them in the seats that had been arranged for them.
The representatives of the people were themselves a bunch of fierce-looking men who were youthful and muscular, fairly tall with dark eyes they possessed a physique that was best suited for war rather than negotiation.
"Your Majesty." They said to him bowing their heads.
"You are well aware why we are here, I have granted you an audience amongst my Courtiers and my people, I am hoping that you would reason with me." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Surely Your Majesty, we are here by the will of the people." One replied.
"The will of the people?" Emperor Ningzong muttered.
"You seem surprised." The man remarked.
"To discuss the deposing of the Empress is the will of the people?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"Her Highness the Crown Princess passed on and her remains weren't even granted a proper funeral, all because the Empress claimed that a mere Blood Moon was the sign from the heavens to have her banished from the Palace." The man replied.
"The former Crown Princess was a sinner to the people of this country and the Imperial house." Emperor Ningzong Said.
"What about absolution, what about those innocent souls that died with her, isn't it strange how the temple burned where she was the last couple of days ago and what is it that the office of Investigations did to prove the cause of the fire." The man asked.
"So what is it that you are trying to say?" Emperor Ningzong asked as he leaned over the table, "the people behind you, all those men and children agree with your voice to dethrone my Empress you haven't censured the former Crown Princess for the crimes that she committed do you really think yourselves or your decision to be just?" He inquired as he looked the leader of the negotiators in the eye.
"Yes." He replied firmly.
"Aren't all you my people United against a mere woman?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"This is our resolve Your Majesty, this is our appeal and we ask that you heed our advice, it is either our loyalty or the Empress, you can't have us both and to have one you must sacrifice the other." The man said.
"That is preposterous." The Grand Chancellor mentioned, "The Empress prayed for rain in the dry South and the heavens heard her prayer, until now when did the heavens disagree with her actions if it is so that you are asking me to prove how she is a messenger from the heavens you prove to me how she isn't as that is my testament." He insisted.
"The Empress is virtuous and is kind, forgiving and abides by the rules which govern the harem and the Inner Court, the Palace is peaceful, she doesn't meddle with the affairs of State, you all have nothing but assumptions that are not close to reasons and you claim that it is enough to depose her?" The Emperor lashed out.
"Concerning the Mother of the nation everything within that sphere is a very vital and delicate matter that affects the State." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"Then grant the Empress absolution." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Your Majesty......?" One of the men hesitated.
"For stability, at least, you wish that forgive the late Crown Princess, you wish that I should stake the reputation of the Inner Court, the harem and the Palace, certainly I shall have the Imperial censors exculpate her." Emperor Ningzong muttered, "the Empress has done no harm and I shall not depose her." He insisted.
"Is that so Your Majesty?" One of the men asked and Han Touzhou turned his eye and looked at him.
"Yes." Emperor Ningzong replied when all of a sudden there was a loud knock on the gates of the arena to which everyone turned their attention.
"What is it?" Emperor Ningzong asked when looking ahead he saw Lan He rushing towards him that he halted and bowed his head to him sighing profusely.
"Your Majesty, there's another group of people seeking your audience." He said.
"Who is it?" He asked.
"There's a couple of women Your Majesty and men dressed as women as well." Lan He replied and Han Touzhou hearing this he was startled.
"Let them in." Emperor Ningzong said and Lan He rushing away he arrived at the gates which he ordered to be opened at once.
Themselves being flung away while much of the public people that had gathered turned their eyes in concern to recognize the totally unexpected guests, men that were dressed as women wearing makeup along with the women themselves some prostitutes and others average citizens they marched holding in their hands daggers as they halted in front of the Emperor.
"Your Majesty." They said bowing their heads while Empress Yang where she was seated stealing a glimpse at Han Touzhou she smiled at herself ghastly.
"What is it?" He asked.
"Concern arouses the women of this Nation who have but nothing to say, the Inner Court and the harem is an affair of the women to which men have no right to speak." The man leading them spoke.
"What are you doing here?" Han Touzhou asked.
"Your Majesty is the pillar of the nation and the Empress is the pillar of the Palace, we outrightly object to these men's frivolous and barbaric behavior and move that the Empress not be deposed." The man replied.
"You have certainly lost your mind." One of the negotiators lashed out aloud.
"The Crown Princess was a witch, she defied the rules and moral conduct of the Palace and brought dark materials into the Palace, she disgraced the Imperial family and staked the life of the Emperor." One of the women shouted.
"The former Crown Princess doesn't deserve justice." Others muttered.
"The Empress can not be deposed." They raised their arms in protest and Han Touzhou looking at his cohorts was starting to feel the gravity of the situation while the Empress looked at him.
He could tell that there was something that was going on in her mind but he seemed unable to put a finger on it until the Empress looked at one of the ringleaders who was marching ahead of the women.
Turning to his colleagues in lines of ten they stepped forward.
"Do not depose Her Highness Your Majesty." They said holding the daggers tightly in their hands and everyone watching closely they split their bowels open and fell to the ground dying.
Han Touzhou watching was taken aback as the Emperor and the negotiators stood up and looked at them while the second line advanced forward.
"Do not depose Her Highness Your Majesty." They said in unison and they too slit their bowels open as well which compelled the Empress to stand herself trying to act concerned somehow.
It was the signal that the last group needed to make a move and without many people noticing a man leaped from the congregation unsheathing a thin flexible sword from his waist charging towards the Emperor.
The Grand Chancellor Zhao Zizhi noticing beforehand while Han Touzhou froze put himself to shield the Emperor from harm and had his arm cut while the sword could only tear the Emperor's sleeve to reveal his bare skin underneath.
"Protect His Majesty." He shouted while the whole arena flew into chaos and the Imperial guards that had seemed so distant at first closed in on the Emperor and captured the protestors while the ladies halted their violence instantly the negotiators themselves were under arrest.
In a blink of an eye Han Touzhou could tell what had gone wrong and sending his gaze to the very place the Empress was standing it met here, confident, unwavering and calm enough for him to comprehend that he was beaten.
"Yes," the Empress Yang thought to herself, "let the game begin." She concluded.
Cao Zhaoyi in her Chambers hearing the news she smacked the table.
"That bitch." She muttered.
"Please calm down Ma'am." Linxiang said, "at least the negotiation didn't go through." She consoled.
"You wouldn't understand my dear." Cao Zhaoyi muttered, "an attempt was made on the Emperor's life but the worst part is that public opinion more than ever proved its willingness to retain the Empress it could only mean that our every effort was nothing but vain." She asserted.
"Then the Empress can't be deposed." Linxiang muttered.
"But that's the least of our worries." Cao Zhaoyi mentioned, "I greatly fear that this is for them the perfect opportunity to retaliate." She assured her and with a heavy headache descending upon her, she felt a bit dizzy but tried to keep her composure.
Han Touzhou walking into his study he was accompanied by Lin Xue.
"Your Excellency?" He said while the latter furious he cast down his ceremonial Jade tablet which shuttered.
"Those idiots had a simple job to do." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"Who would have thought that the Empress was that cunning, we didn't see her acting up sooner or later and they can't be solely held responsible for what transpired." He defended them.
"It's already too late because now that public opinion strongly suggests in our opposition the Empress' consolidation His Majesty is surely more than determined to protect her that means that our appeal shall be overruled." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"Should that alone be our worry?" Lin Xue asked.
"Not even close." Han Touzhou replied, "there's a lot much worse." He assured him.
It was dark and Yang Meizi's supporters gathered in their secret room in Lanling Hall, she appeared before them as they stood up to offer her their respects.
"Your Highness." They said to her bowing their heads.
"At ease." She replied and they immediately sat down after her.
"Congratulations Your Highness." Yang Cishan said.
"Han Touzhou and Cao Zhaoyi surely beheld a display of your power, they wouldn't certainly think that to have you deposed would be that easy, besides I am sure that they now understand what the public sentiment is." Jinglan remarked.
"Surely." Empress Yang replied, "but this is far from over." She said.
"Is there anything Your Highness?" They asked her.
"Surely you know what I am talking about unless you are perhaps frightened." She spoke to them while they fell silent.
"I expected this much." She muttered to them under her breath.
"Your Highness....." The Grand Chancellor halted halfway.
"I'm sorry about your hand but Han Touzhou organized the negotiation and it didn't go through, thankfully I intervened but the life of His Majesty was at risk, publicly we saw a display of the inefficiency in the capital police, those Imperial soldiers out of our command we should strengthen our grip over the three armies." Empress Yang replied.
"Yes Your Highness." Yang Cishan agreed.
"Tomorrow there will be a daily Assembly as usual, I remember that Han Touzhou promised to the world that he'll take responsibility of what happened." She said.
"Yes." The Grand Chancellor replied.
"His three assistants failed in their duty gather all the Courtiers and officials on our side, Ministers and magistrates, we petition that there be a change in the administration of the three armies especially concerning the security of the capital." Empress Yang demanded.
"If this acts in our favour, we could even have Han Touzhou impeached." The Grand Chancellor remarked.
"A man like him will surely rather sacrifice his kind than himself, he's very predictable that at the end he won't realize, he himself will sever every pillar that would have protected him in future." Empress Yang said to them while they nodded their heads in approval.
"Spread tale-bearing, once upon a time Han Touzhou and his men had the Crown Princess assassinated so that they would frame the Empress." She said.
"Yes Your Highness." They said in unison.
Emperor Ningzong in his study looking through some memorials, Eunuch Deng walked in bearing in his hand a tray on which he was carrying a small pot.
"Your Majesty." He said bowing his head to him.
"Is it already late?" He inquired.
"Yes." Eunuch Deng replied, "Her Highness the Empress sends over some Mengding tea from the Central Palace and seems concerned about your health." He responded.
"I should be more worried about her." He replied, "they wanted to depose her." He remarked.
"She's traumatized by the events that she couldn't travel here personally but she doesn't wish to bother you Your Majesty, when I think about it, those men that shed their blood in her name, surely public opinion is in her favour Your Majesty worries for no reason." He said.
"I nearly died today, my Grand Chancellor was injured for my sake, the Late Grand Empress Dowager's relatives seem to have gained a momentum in the Imperial Court and Han Touzhou's power is starting to fall to independent individuals." Emperor Ningzong said.
"I don't quite understand Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng pointed out.
"Everything that transpired today directly brings Han Touzhou under admonishment and could compromise his position." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Can Your Majesty sacrifice his position?" Eunuch Deng replied.
"The Grand Chancellor is Impartial while Han Touzhou in his quest for power remains the most loyal candidate that could protect the monarchy, in the strife to gain power I worry that a majority of those openly vying for him are interested in the fulfillment of their personal interests and at the end of it all he is but very powerful." Emperor Ningzong replied.
"Then what does Your Majesty think?" Eunuch Deng inquired.
"Whoever brings this up among the Courtiers is very thoughtful, but if I alienate myself from Han Touzhou now and he retains significant power I shall have torn the government into two as there are still many powerful people that back him both socially and financially." Emperor Ningzong replied.
"So what shall you do Your Majesty because your silence could equally arouse dire consequences?" Eunuch Deng asked him.
"We'll see what the Courtiers think, based on their actions we shall later draw a way forward to solve this issue." Emperor Ningzong replied.
"Yes Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng affirmed, "I also think it best to first observe the situation that we may act accordingly." He asserted as well.
Early in the morning the Courtiers were gathered in the hall and Han Touzhou with his faction on right the Grand Chancellor arrived with his supporters on the left after which the Emperor was announced.
Walking up to his throne the Courtiers bowed their heads to accord him respect and as he settled they stood at attention.
"The Assembly may begin." Eunuch Deng announced and the moment he spoke, Shi Miyuan stepped out of the crowd.
"Greetings Your Majesty." He said bowing his head to him while the Emperor raising his hand he stood up.
"Present your case." He muttered.
"I am concerned for Your Majesty and can't certainly look away, I am here to beg that the Left Chancellor be admonished." He spoke up that everyone,, where they were was moved and the Emperor seemed startled.
"What?" He asked.
"His Excellency reasoned with those miscreants and Your Majesty's life was at stake, the General public is concerned, there's been chaos and disorder in the capital for the past couple of days, feelings of resistance against the government and discontentment amongst the normal people, not because of the Empress but it seems that it has come to everyone's notice that public service to this nation is lacking and the administration of the three armies is incompetent." He responded vigorously.
"I second him Your Majesty." Another of the low ranking officials at the back mentioned as they stepped out into the aisle and with their memorial tablets stood behind Shi Miyuan.
"This is ridiculous, the men you have admonished have served this kingdom faithfully, they have ordered the Crown and the government." One of Han Touzhou's supporters muttered.
"This isn't a question of loyalty but our security and the security of the State, the government loses face if it reasons with the rebels of the Crown you may forgive me for sounding out of line but it seems that senility has taken its toll the talents of the three armies in leadership are not as superhuman as they once were." Shi Miyuan said.
"The young man has a point." The Grand Chancellor Zhao Zizhi eventually surfaced in the midst of the argument.
"What is it?" Emperor Ningzong asked him.
"Your Majesty, I wish to seek clarity with the Left Chancellor and the while Court can bear me witness, I am compelled as I recall His Excellency's words, he insisted that the negotiations be reached and his excuse was that he was ready to bear responsibility for the outcome whatever it was to be." He Said.
"I recall the same." Yang Cishan mentioned.
"You all are very reasonable." Han Touzhou mentioned, "I did promise to take responsibility." He affirmed.
"The administration of the three armies is under public scrutiny, it's worse when the people still hold them responsible for failing to protect the Empress a couple of days ago during the Sericulture Ceremony and moreso the fact that the Emperor's life was endangered still under their aegis, everything in the capital they have failed to do to ensure law and order incites Rebellion from not only the people that feel motivated by their weakness but also the people that expect to be safe under their protection." Zhao Zizhi mentioned.
"We saw what happened at the negotiation, even the Emperor Xuanzong of Tang was too lax and the aftermath was the An Lushan Rebellion we simply can not allow history to repeat itself." Shi Miyuan insisted that Han Touzhou and his supporters were suffocating.
"What does the Left Chancellor have to say?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"His Excellency is an impartial man and certainly loyal, he is competent and the Imperial Court still needs him, besides, he can't personally be blamed for the incompetence of the three armies." Yang Cishan said.
"I move that Your Majesty who is wise and just can save this nation its crisis, the administration of the three armies must be changed." Shi Miyuan said not giving Han Touzhou a chance to talk.
"It will ease the people's hearts." The Grand Chancellor replied, "it'll restore peace and stability to our Great nation." He insisted and many of the lesser officials and his allies seconded him on the motion.
"I'll have the Grand Secretariat issue an Imperial Edict to strip the three current heads of their positions including Minister Cao, names shall be brought forward ant I'll have the Imperial Censors and the Court officials consider the most eligible candidates for the selection." Emperor Ningzong announced.
"Long Live Your Majesty, Your Majesty is Sage." They praised him while the Assembly was heated up and Han Touzhou furiously clenched his fists as he angrily stared at the Grand Chancellor who stared back at him.
Cao Zhaoyi walking through the gardens of her Palace with Linxiang one of her ladies in waiting rushed up towards her and bowed her head.
"Ma'am, it's bad news " she alerted her.
"What is it?" Linxiang asked.
"His Excellency, your father the Minister Cao." She replied.
"What happened to my father?" Cao Zhaoyi inquired.
"Forgive me but Shi Miyuan and a couple of other Courtiers supported by the Grand Chancellor appealed for the admonition of the Left Chancellor after everything that happened from the attempted murder of the Empress during the Sericulture Ceremony and that of the Emperor." She replied.
"What's it that to do with my father?" Cao Zhaoyi inquired.
"The Imperial Court's resolve is that the leadership of the three armies be changed Ma'am and your father is to step down as the Imperial Guard Commander effective immediately." The young woman replied.
"Alarmed to hear this, Cao Zhaoyi feeling uneasy had her head spinning that the world seemed to fall silent while she fainted.
"Ma'am?" Linxiang yelled as her retinue rushed to her aid, "someone call the Imperial physician." She demanded while everyone panicked.
Empress Yang in her Chambers Shi Miyuan was seated in front of her.
"Thank you." She said.
"There's no need for you to thank me." He replied, "I just did as you asked.
"The others would have been reluctant, we can say that I trusted you more than them to if ignite the fire and Han Touzhou's top three pones commanding the three armies have been eliminated, I just couldn't be more grateful." Empress Yang remarked.
"The storm is hitting hard against Han Touzhou besides there's still more power for us to gain, the State Tribunal and the three armies is one thing, Your Highness should also consider consolidating your position and we must gain control of the East Palace." Shi Miyuan pointed out.
"It hasn't even been a year since the Crown Prince's passing I ask for your patience until this is done, I am more concerned for your well-being as the Princess Imperial is dead I heard that you are seeking out another choice of a wife." She mentioned.
"I swore to protect Your Highness and I'll live up to it, for me to do that I must gain Han Touzhou's power." Shi Miyuan replied.
"You won't...." The Empress about to rebuke him he interfered.
"I must." He assured her, "for your sake and just as it is necessary that the only way for me to honour the promise I made to you is to break that promise I made to myself." He Said.
Silence prevailing shortly the doors were flung open as Xiaoyang rushed in before them.
"Your Highness, it's Cao Zhaoyi." She said as she bowed her head.
"What's she up to this time?" She asked.
"She passed out in the Imperial garden, I am informed it's after she received news of her father's impeachment." Xiaoyang replied.
"It finally looks as though everything is falling into place." Empress Yang muttered.
"It's clear that the Court's crumbling, the masses in no time will be rattled we must cease this opportunity to ensure a safe transition of power that will abide with us." The Empress asserted.
"Can we be genuine enough in thinking this to be the first success with little resistance?" Shi Miyuan inquired.
"Bringing down Han Touzhou will not be easy but we sure want what's best for everyone and there's great progress every day, the choice and power has to lie in our hands for that to happen and even better we should make Han Touzhou bear all the blame even amongst his people for those he couldn't save." Empress Yang replied as she smiled at herself.
"What about Cao Zhaoyi Your Highness?" Xiaoyang asked.
"She's dismayed and that's all." The Empress replied, "besides, we have a more pressing issue." She remarked.
"What more could it be Your Highness?" Shi Miyuan asked while she looked at him and studied his expression for a moment.
"The temple where the Crown Princess was being burnt after the murder of the culprit that attempted to murder me during the Sericulture Ceremony, that is something strange and more importantly two bodies were missing, besides after the accident it's very difficult to recognize any of them." The Empress muttered.
"You mean to say......" Shi Miyuan hesitated while she leaned against the table.
"Come to think of it, we can't tell if the Crown Princess died in the fire, our enemies will be more than happy to keep us anxious and all in all they were advocating for her exoneration if they kept her alive I need to find her." Empress Yang replied.
"Sure the waters are never calm these days." Shi Miyuan muttered.
"An uneasy Crown rests on my brow and the liberation of this country is in our hands, stance, and devotion is needed in every step we take that is why everything our enemies might use against us should be in our hands." Empress Yang whispered to him.
"I'll do whatever I can Your Highness you can rest assured, I'll see to it that by all means necessary I find out everything there is to know about the former Crown Princess." Shi Miyuan promised.
"I knew that I could rely on you the most." The Empress said and Shi Miyuan standing up he bowed his head as he withdrew from the room leaving the two alone.
"How is it that you have told no one about it Your Highness?" Xiaoyang inquired.
"How many of those men are brave?" She asked while the latter kept quiet.
"Shi Miyuan has the one thing that every other man in this world doesn't have, it's his willingness to keep on giving without expecting anything in return." The Empress Yang confidently muttered with a rather sombre expression on her face.
The Grand Chancellor Zhao Zizhi and a number of The Empress' supporters gathered at his office they looked through the appointments that were brought forward.
"Who should we establish in these three positions?" Yang Cishan inquired.
"During the reign of the Gaozong Emperor he was trying to stabilize the South and his kingdom and felt that he needed to further shred the power for his effective administration." He replied.
"Yes." Jinglan muttered.
"How many ministerial positions have we?" He asked.
"Exactly six hundred Your Excellency." Yang Cishan replied.
"Her Highness is happy with the impeachment of the official heads of the three armies but she suggested that we do much more than that." The Grand Chancellor said, "I have thought about her preposition and it is in deed much better for us to divide wealth and power amongst our enemies." He said.
"I am not quite sure that I understand." Peng Zishou mentioned.
"Han Touzhou has always gained power by first having his people occupying cadet positions from which he was able to manage them and afterward establish a system of dependency, it came to Her Highness' attention that the reason he seemed powerful in the past was because to rival with the late Grand Empress Dowager's influence he fostered successors for her aging supporters in these positions she's concerned that His Majesty's silence at times is to prevent an outright split in the Court." Zhao Zizhi remarked.
"And as such you suggest that we eliminate the cadet branches?" Yang Cishan inquired.
"Some positions are very redundant which is true and this move is intended to merge some of the responsibilities of the Courtiers, Han Touzhou's supporters shall resist it for sure and that is exactly what Her Highness wants." The Grand Chancellor responded.
"All in all we'll become popular with the people they'll distance themselves against Han Touzhou but most importantly, Han Touzhou's influence will crumble while he'll seem to be too weak to prevent that." Peng Zishou mentioned.
"This was it, Her Highness' ultimate move." The Grand Chancellor replied.
"Her Highness is really sagacious." Yang Cishan muttered.
"Surely." The Grand Chancellor replied, and now I was suggesting that for the position of Imperial Guard Commander, it wouldn't be too bad to push the Emperor's personal guard such that we might make him more faithful in us." He suggested and altogether they smiled at themselves.
Cao Zhaoyi lying in her bed unconsciously with the physician by her side she opened her eyes while Linxiang noticed.
"Ma'am?" She called her while the Imperial physician fell silent.
"What's the problem with me?" She inquired.
"How have you been feeling Ma'am?" The man asked.
"Nauseous, exhausted and weak, cold at times." She replied slowly.
"Since when?" The physician inquired.
"The past week." She replied.
"Is it so?" The physician asked.
"There's no way that she would lie about her health considering how bad it seems." Linxiang defended.
"Congratulations Ma'am, you are showing signs of a two month pregnancy." The Imperial physician informed her.
"What?" Cao Zhaoyi spoke in shock.
"Yes Ma'am." The man replied, "I shall have the Emperor......." He was speaking when she interrupted.
"No." She said, "you shall say no such thing." She assured him.
"But Ma'am?" The Imperial physician insisted.
"Have you thought about the consequences Sir, suppose the Emperor found out, what then, who knows there are way too many people that would want the child in my womb dead." Cao Zhaoyi mentioned.
"But Ma'am, I can be punished for concealing this information especially if something bad happens to you in this stage." The physician said.
"Worse things shall happen if I publicize this pregnancy the value is in our silence at least until the time is right." Cao Zhaoyi mentioned as she looked at the man in the eye, "I can give you any amount you ask in return for your silence." She whispered to him.
"Very well Ma'am." The man replied.
"You may leave, I'll send for you later." Cao Zhaoyi mentioned.
"Alright Ma'am." The physician replied as he withdrew from the room and Cao Zhaoyi looking at Linxiang she got closer to her.
"Ma'am?" She said.
"That man can not be trusted." Cao Zhaoyi asserted, "you must take care of him." She ordered.
"Don't worry Ma'am, we'll make it as normal as possible and we'll make sure that he never says anything again." Linxiang replied and withdrawing from the room with the other ladies Cao Zhaoyi was left all alone.
"Initially I was worried for my future but now it seems that I too have received a ray of luck, all that you have to do my child is turn into a handsome Prince and until that day, I shall prepare the throne for you." She whispered to herself as she caressed her lower abdomen.
The Imperial physician returning from Cao Zhaoyi's residence he bumped into Beiyuan by accident and the two stumbled.
"Watch where you are going." Beiyuan scolded, "what's wrong with you?" He asked.
"Nothing Sir." The Imperial physician replied panicking as he continued his way leaving the latter behind.
Beiyuan suspicious looked at the direction from which the man had emerged and he could see the gates of Cao Zhaoyi's residence in a distance.
The physician getting into his office he sat down behind his table and recalled the words that Cao Zhaoyi had mentioned to him for a moment his heart skipped a couple of beats before he tightly held onto his chest.
"I'll be in trouble if anyone finds out." He thought to himself and at that moment the doors of his office being flung open his subordinate walked in.
"Sir." He said kowtowing to him.
"Yes?" He yelled startled for a moment.
"How is Cao Zhaoyi that you had gone to see?" He asked.
"The Zhaoyi is fine, she was merely fatigued that she fainted." He replied.
"Then it is necessary that you record it down so that you don't forget." His subordinate said.
"You found me here I was just about to do that." The physician replied as he laughed sarcastically yet his colleague didn't seem so concerned about his strange behavior.
Emperor Ningzong in his study Eunuch Deng arrived with a memorial in his hand which he delivered before him.
"Who is it from?" He inquired.
"The Grand Chancellor Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng replied as the young man took it in his hands and opened it allowing his eyes to peruse through its contents.
Contented he folded it and placed it onto his table.
"What does it say Your Majesty?" Eunuch Deng asked.
"He's overly concerned, it's a petition from a couple of other officials including the Empress' older brother Yang Cishan, they wish that a couple of offices be revised and some responsibilities merged to minimize the government expenditure on the salaries of the officials." Emperor Ningzong asked.
"You couldn't think that's all Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng muttered.
"Han Touzhou has been backed into a corner, perhaps they are cautious, another theory is that Yang Cishan is anxious to avenge the Empress as he might think her to be lenient but most importantly it could be a historical family feud." Emperor Ningzong replied.
"Rumours are circulating around the capital, they say that the Han Clan are no longer five feet from heaven as they once were." Eunuch Deng informed him.
"Certainly." Emperor Ningzong replied, "however I am concerned." He uttered.
"Their claim is reasonable but the question is how many of those officials will allow it to be pushed." Eunuch Deng inquired.
"Only too few it could only work out if they were willing." Emperor Ningzong replied.
"And how can we make them willing?" Eunuch Deng asked.
"The Grand Chancellor is well aware of the consequences that could result from this that in my opinion he above them all would best understand this situation." The Emperor replied.
"So we shall merely sit here and do nothing?" Eunuch Deng inquired.
"It appears to me that the Han Clan is up for a much bigger predicated than we had expected." Emperor Ningzong replied.
Han Touzhou quietly seated at the balcony of his residence Lin Xue quickly making his way through the Courtyard beheld him at a distance and rushed to his side.
"Your Excellency." He said, "I have very bad news." He alerted him while the latter turned.
"All news is bad news these days." Han Touzhou replied, "I heard that the Emperor's personal bodyguard will be put in charge of the Imperial Guard Commandery and the heads of the three armies have all been shuffled." He said.
"There's much more trouble for us to deal with than I had expected." Lin Xue remarked, "there have been rumours spreading around and I have confirmed their authenticity, His Excellency the Grand Chancellor and a number of the Empress' allies have prepared a petition and forwarded it to the Emperor requesting that the number of Government positions be halved and some redundant offices expelled while other responsibilities merged." He reported.
"It can not happen." Han Touzhou loudly objected.
"It is clear Your Excellency that this is Her Highness' intention to suffocate us and end opposition against herself, if we lose those positions then we shall lose our political power in the Imperial Court and the Empress shall prevail." Lin Xue remarked.
"We can not let that happen." Han Touzhou said as he smacked his hand on the table.
"Of course there are many people on our side that are unwilling to succumb to the Empress' demands your Majesty, more powerful people in the Imperial Court shall voice out their objection." Lin Xue muttered.
"Summon everyone else," Han Touzhou ordered, "it's time to show the Empress who runs this country." He muttered furiously.
"Yes Your Excellency." Lin Xue replied as he withdrew from the room.
The Empress Yang in her quarters the doors were opened and through them Beiyuan walked in and bowed his head to her.
"Your Highness, His Excellency the Grand Chancellor did as you had asked." He muttered.
"I see." The Empress remarked.
"There's no doubt Han Touzhou and his supporters won't sit back, they'll stand, they'll fight." He remarked.
"We won't have to oust them from the Imperial Court, instead they'll withdraw on their own." She remarked.
"That leaves only one person to act." Beiyuan pointed out.
"You can leave His Majesty to me, I'll see to it that he gains the confidence that he needs." The Empress replied as she smiled at herself ghastly.
The Imperial physician walking through the dark streets in the middle of the night there was someone else that was approaching him from in front, dressed in a long black cloak with his face veiled, he wore on his head a conical hat that was made of fine leather.
The former a man of poor sight could hardly make out the silhouette and mistook it to be an ordinary fella until they were in close proximity did it seem that they were bound for a collision.
Trying to evade the incident the old physician a bit late in his steps found it inevitable and freezing for a moment his eyes met the cold glare of the stranger's.
"I'm sorry." He said.
"Are you really?" The stranger asked in a very deep voice that could be recognized as a man's and feeling pain in his lower abdomen, his eyes descended to a red rubber handle he was certain that a dagger had been thrust into him.
Mercilessly the strange assassin twisted the blade in his bowels and pulling it out they spilled on the ground one by one while the casualty was himself defenseless he couldn't prevent blood from flowing out of his mouth.
"You." He managed to mention as his eyes were red but the murderer unwilling to listen stepped back while the physician fell to the ground and died slowly but painfully.
"All that you had to do was to prove yourself worthy of Ma'am's trust, sadly, you failed." The murderer muttered before he continued his way.
The gates of the Palace opening at the break of dawn the Courtiers in their official robes and with their ceremonial tablets made their way through as they approached the Grand Hall.
Mounting its stairs amidst their murmurs in they various cliques they walked through its doors and took their usual positions in front of the Imperial Dragon throne.
A while later the Emperor Ningzong walked in while they offered their salutations as usual and taking his place on his seat as usual they stood upright.
The Grand Chancellor made his way forward and he kowtowed to the Emperor who raised his hand for him to stand at ease.
"I present to Your Majesty the new candidates that we find Worthy to lead the three armies." He humbly muttered as Eunuch Deng descended the stairs and took the memorial into his possession before handing it personally to the Emperor who opened and looked through it.
"My personal guard Lan He as Royal Guard Commander, Yang Gu as the Assistant Commander in Chief and Wu Chongming the Police Superintendent." Emperor Ningzong muttered.
"All the three candidates are outstanding in their performance and are able, their background is honourable and their prowess is unmatched, not to mention they are of a fair age there is none that is more suited than they are for the three offices." The Grand Chancellor Zhao Zizhi boasted.
"Is there no other candidate that could contend fairly?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"No Your Majesty." The Grand Chancellor assured him and bowing his head he stepped back in his position while Han Touzhou ceased that opportunity to move forward to the Emperor's presence.
"There's another issue that I wish to inquire about Your Majesty." He said.
"You may speak." Emperor Ningzong agreed.
"Tale bearing and rumours both have it Your Majesty that an appeal was forwarded and signed by some people in this Court to abolish some positions." He said.
"It's quite funny that the outside world seems to be well-informed about everything that transpires within the Palace." The Emperor remarked.
"Whether rumours or tale bearing Your Majesty, it is necessary that the Court seeks clarity." Han Touzhou muttered.
"You dare to question the genialness of our Emperor?" Shi Miyuan lashed out.
"The Gaozong Emperor in honor expanded the Government to strengthen and effect the administration of the Empire, it's inefficiency was the reason that Northern Song collapsed, if Your Majesty intends on removing some of the ministerial positions then you act up to dissolve the parliament." Han Touzhou reprimanded.
"There's too many people out there suffering, many Ministers attain healthy salaries but do no good work at all." Zhao Zizhi spoke up.
"Is Your Excellency referring to someone in particular?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"If I may Your Majesty perhaps the Minister of Finance would care enough to present the records of the taxes for the past ten years, there are too many magistrates I am well informed that the Magistrate of Anping does nothing more than sunbathing every day or he travels three miles to the yellow river to fish, I heard that he spends a fortune of his wealth acquiring spices from the far West among many other, how many of the six hundred Ministers turn up for official gatherings when invited?" The Grand Chancellor muttered.
"Incompetent Civil servants can always be dismissed and replaced." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"Some positions Your Majesty are too little that I wish to stand by my word when saying that the merging of responsibilities and abolition of dormant governmental posts should be put into action." The Grand Chancellor said while bowing his head.
"I ask Your Majesty to rescind, we can not sever the Imperial Court." Han Touzhou insisted.
"Your Majesty?" The Grand Chancellor demanded and the Empress' supporters led by Yang Cishan and Shi Miyuan backed him up almost instantly.
"Don't let them deceive you Sire." Han Touzhou and his faction spoke up in protest and while an argument burst out with the Ministers nearly clashing with one another, the Emperor smacked the table with his arm.
"Silence." He shouted at the top of his voice and the entire building quietened down almost instantly as they returned their attention to the young Emperor.
"The Grand Chancellor is concerned for the people, I understand what you are going through the left Chancellor wants stability, to uphold traditionally and preserve the administration, I understand where it is that you are coming from." The Emperor said while the two violent men seemed calm for a moment.
"We have six hundred government officials and we spend approximately six million golden taels on them annually the people complain that the tax system is somewhat rigid and unfavourable and some occupy vital positions but do nothing, others have minor positions yet their services are vital it is
right that having all those Ministers is quite extravagant some offices should be merged and
independent positions abolished." Emperor Ningzong muttered.
"I am pleased that Your Majesty thinks so." The Grand Chancellor Zhao Zizhi remarked as he kowtowed to him.
"The Governance and stability of this nation is a very vital matter henceforth it is an affair that is to be discussed keenly, as it requires too much deliberation, before I can decide on this, we'll give it
some time for both parties to reason." Emperor Ningzong mentioned and standing up from his throne
he marched down the stairs and left as the Courtiers bowed their heads to him.
Vanishing from their sight, Han Touzhou and Zhao Zizhi remained to stare viciously at one another before they followed out themselves furious.
Cao Zhaoyi pruning her flowers Linxiang stood behind her with a small watering can.
"Was the Imperial physician dealt with?" She inquired.
"Yes." Linxiang replied, "not a word was spoken, he was silenced before he had the chance to inform anyone about it." She assured her.
"I see." Cao Zhaoyi muttered, "what about the new heads of the three armies?" She asked curiously.
"Prior to the daily Assembly it was already certain, the three candidates that made it were Lan
He as Royal Guard Commander, Yang Gu as the Assistant Commander in Chief after His Majesty and Wu Chongming the Police Superintendent." She replied.
"All the Empress' pieces." Cao Zhaoyi remarked, "what about my father?" She inquired.
"He was made the Governor of the South." Linxiang replied when at that moment their short
lived silence was interrupted.
"Ma'am?" One of her ladies in waiting called as she appeared before the two.
"What's wrong with you?" Linxiang inquired.
"The Grand Chancellor....." she replied.
"What about him?" Linxiang inquired while the latter turned to Cao Zhaoyi.
"He and his supporters forwarded an appeal to the Emperor to half the ministerial positions in the government and merge some responsibilities." She replied.
"Why would he do that?" Linxiang asked.
"Over the past couple of years the Empress' people have succeeded in occupying some senior
ministerial positions, many of the Han Clan members along with their supporters occupy cadet branches of these posts so if it is implemented the Empress would have severely challenged the influence of the Han Clan in the Affairs of State." Cao Zhaoyi asserted.
"Han Touzhou and the rest of his faction won't consent to that demand, it will induce his supporters to rebel." Linxiang remarked.
"Alas, the Empress is revealing her talons all she's trying to do is to prepare for her son's ascension to the throne which leaves us with a much more important task at hand." Cao Zhaoyi said.
"What are we going to do Ma'am?" Linxiang asked.
"It is in the Empress' nature to act with extreme caution and at this stage of this political conflict, Han Touzhou may seem to be her biggest adversary, hopefully in eliminating him from the Imperial Court she would curtail our dominion in the harem and the Inner Court." Cao Zhaoyi replied.
"She's trying to clip your wings." Linxiang remarked.
"Yes." Cao Zhaoyi replied, "which is why before my son is born in the next couple of months it's
necessary that we eliminate all possible contenders for his position on the dragon throne." She said.
"That means...." Linxiang hesitated.
"The Princes must die." Cao Zhaoyi concluded on her behalf as she turned to her flowers once again and pruned the remaining parts. Han Touzhou furiously he barged into his study where the other officials he had allied with were already gathered in the dead of night as he took his place in the seat ahead of them.
"Your Excellency." They honoured him as they bowed their heads.
"I am grateful that you have heard my plea, I trust that you are burdened with the same concern that burdens me." He muttered.
"His Majesty claimed that the Grand Chancellor's position and stance were logical, it is vivid that he has already chosen his side, the Empress at this point seems to have sharpened her fangs." Minister Zhu mentioned.
"His Majesty dreads the influence of the Han Clan." Han Guang, the late Empress Han's father
spoke up.
"He seems to have noticed it diminish over the years, he is no longer worried as much, the Empress can't be manipulated by us, I think he's scarier than we had thought." Han Touzhou remarked.
"Your Excellency suspects the Emperor?" Minister Zhu inquired.
"Think about it, despite all our advice, the Emperor first took concubines from nearly all the clans and became endeared to them, his choice of an Empress was a strong willed person, over the years, the Wu, Yang, Zhao, and Xia clans have amassed immense power if he wasn't strong to fight then he decided to create people who were strong enough to contend with us." Han Touzhou replied.
"The Emperor is the biggest piece in this game." Han Guang remarked.
"Then we shall show His Majesty along with the Empress that we won't be moved that easily." Han Touzhou replied, "perhaps they seem to have forgotten that our stance is vital." He remarked.
"Your survival is ours Your Excellency, we stand with you." The Ministers said in unison.
"The Empress is but a little tree that has just sprouted, I'll give her a testament of how powerful we still are." Han Touzhou spoke to himself confidently.
The Empress Yang seated in her Chambers Manyin approached the door.
"Your Highness it is I." She announced.
"Come in." The Empress replied and the doors of the room being flung open she walked in and bowed her head.
"How was the Assembly?" The Empress inquired.
"Word is in the streets concerning everything that transpired, Han Touzhou and his clique are determined to rebel Your Highness," Manyin replied.
"Now we act." The Empress muttered, "now I show him my absolute power." She remarked as she smiled at herself ghastly