The sun rising over the Palace, Chen Ziqiang and approached the Empress' quarters where she met Xiaoyang.
"Your Excellency." She said bowing her head to him.
"Her Highness sent for me." He muttered.
"Surely, I shall inform her about your arrival." Xiaoyang said and retreating from his presence momentarily, she made her entrance into the building and returned.
"Her Highness invites you in." She notified him and the latter hardly hesitating he mounted the stairs and entered the hall.
There seeing the Empress dressed in a beautiful velvet attire she smiled to him.
"Your Highness, you called for me." Chen Ziqiang said while bowing his head.
"Have a seat please." Empress Yang requested him and the latter without any hesitation he complied.
The Empress picking up the small jug that had been set for the both of them she poured him a cup of tea while he watched on the grace with which she appeared to be handling herself.
"It's wonderful biluochun tea." She remarked, "sweet, natural and healthy." She added while she relaxed in her seat as the old man picked up the small cup and took a sip before he rested it down onto the table.
"I am deeply honoured Your Highness, I am humbled and awed as well by your care." He remarked.
"Don't mention it at all Your Excellency, all are the Emperor's children as they are mine, as a mother of this nation my service to you a noble Courtier is with gratefulness to your service towards His Majesty and the State." She flattered him.
"I certainly heard a lot about you before coming here." Chen Ziqiang muttered.
"As I have reliably been informed about you." Empress Yang spoke up.
"Your reputation could perhaps exceed your imagination, and you're popularity is itself second to none in the land." He asserted.
"Diligent, intelligent, compassionate, certainly they call me all these, oh here's something more interesting, some call me a goddess, others a demi-god." The Empress boasted.
"Though there are some other intriguing rumours." Chen Ziqiang pointed out.
"That I eat young children, that I suck the souls of young girls, I hardly age I may seem immortal, people can hardly spot a strand of grey hair on my head." She mentioned.
"Your Highness does take a remarkable interest in listening about yourself." Chen Ziqiang mentioned.
"Of course, after all I am equally responsible for the existence of such rumours." She remarked.
"And how does that help you?" Chen Ziqiang inquired.
"Everyone in this country knows that there is an Empress Yang, everyone in this country knows that I have enemies, some people sympathize with me, others embrace me and others even grow to fear me I suppose what I am trying to say is that no one thinks lowly of me." She replied.
"I see, I am graced to be in your presence I beg to inquire how it is that I may help you?" He said.
"I was just curious the type of person you are, after all seeing is believing." Empress Yang replied.
"I am an old man that's grasping the situation, it's a new era, a new regime and a new Emperor the years outside the political circle seem to have convinced me that there's much more I should relearn." He said.
"Like what?" Empress Yang asked.
"The Left Chancellor and his men dread you so much Your Highness, you are no ordinary woman, someone from a humble background without a name dared to become the Empress of this country, the Empress Zhangxian in her grave must have laughed so hard." Chen Ziqiang replied.
"What about you Your Excellency?" Empress Yang asked, "would you dread my presence in the Palace?" She inquired from him.
"Of all Empresses in this dynasty I loved Cao the most, pardon me but Your Highness must understand as Confucian states the participation of women in politics and affairs meant to be handled by men is the cause of all disorder." He replied.
"Is that so?" She inquired.
"Doesn't Your Highness wonder why the Emperor is a man, why Princes are the ones who inherit magnificent thrones?" He asked.
"As far as I have known, History is full of exceptions." Empress Yang defended herself.
"Wu Zhao, the Empresses Lu , Jia and Liu?" He inquired.
"As there were weak Emperors Ai, Yang Guang, they inherited magnificent thrones, the most glorious of their times, but History itself tells us what happened." Empress Yang said while she picked up a cup of tea and took a sip.
"The Imperial Court has been disorderly, so I have heard, half the positions have been abolished, but the men that you aggressed have immense power that surpasses the political circles, it influences even the fish in the rivers, the markets and social welfare of the people." Chen Ziqiang reported.
"You think I wasn't aware?" Empress Yang inquired.
"Being aware isn't enough, can Your Highness take sole responsibility?" Chen Ziqiang inquired.
"It's the reason that I am seated in this seat." Empress Yang replied confidently.
"Very well Your Highness." He mentioned.
"There are people only fighting to survive in this Palace and to survive one needs power which power I have earned through blood toil tears and sweat, watched many people I have cherished die before my eyes Your Excellency does have a right to censure me but do you think I care?" She asked him while he fell silent, "if you want to restore order to the Court you should start by helping my people get rid of the filthy scum in it, those corrupt miscreants, you wouldn't be inviting me to become your enemy." She added.
"With all due respect Your Highness, a good Empress of this country should stay within the limits of the harem and the Inner Court, focus on honing your skills of embroidery and music and leave the politics of this country to those meant to manage them." Chen Ziqiang brazenly spoke.
"You aren't threatening me, are you?" She inquired.
"It's a warning Your Highness." Chen Ziqiang said and the latter looking him in the eye she smiled while silence prevailed for a moment before she spoke up.
"You sure have a lot to learn Your Highness, my presence incites challenge, that challenge invites conflict and conflict ignites catastrophe." The Empress boasted.
"And now it's your threat?" Chen Ziqiang inquired.
"It's a warning Your Excellency." She also informed him confidently and the latter standing up he bowed his head to her.
"Seeing how you have hardly enjoyed my tea surely my culinary skills are lacking." She remarked.
"You'll remember this conversation Your Highness." Chen Ziqiang insisted.
"And so shall you." Empress Yang assured him as well as he withdrew from the room while a short moment later Xiaoyang walked in and bowed her head to her mistress.
"You look furious Your Highness." She said.
"I'll have a word with the others tonight, send word out." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang replied as she made her exit as well.
The Courtiers gathered in the Grand Hall for the Daily Assembly along with the Emperor Ningzong who was seated on his throne.
Shi Miyuan stepping forward with the Imperial Edict concerning the appointments he read it aloud while the Courtiers gazed at him and once he had concluded, he handed it over to the Emperor who bearing the Jade seal in his hands he stamped it.
Han Touzhou's supporters where they were they received Imperial guards that were carrying with them chests filled with silver gold and fabric amongst other gifts to thank them for their service.
The Eunuchs that had been sent along read the Emperor's Edicts stripping them of their titles while the streets were very cheerful as the people themselves were most pleased with the News.
Han Touzhou in his Chambers Eunuch Deng personally unfolded the Emperor Ningzong's scroll in front of him while he knelt down.
"It's an Edict from His Majesty." He said.
"I trust that I am certain about the decision that was made." Han Touzhou muttered.
"I am even more surprised than you'll be." Eunuch Deng said, "you'll read it yourself but I am here to inform you that His Majesty desires that you continue your service as the Left Chancellor of the Government and assist the new Grand Chancellor Chen Ziqiang with his official duties." He reported as Han Touzhou widened his eyes in disbelief.
"What does the Empress think?" He confidently asked.
"We can admit that Her Highness has already stolen a match on you Your Excellency, do you really think that until now she was most interested in destroying you as though it were easy?" He inquired.
"You are implying that it's Her mercy?" He inquired.
"Or His Majesty's favour." Eunuch Deng said while he got closer to Han Touzhou and looked him in the eye, "we all know that at this stage Her Highness has the power wrapped within her hands, sufficient enough to destroy what's left of you." He whispered to him before he withdrew slowly and turned around to walk out of the room leaving Han Touzhou alone inside.
Lin Xue walked in to the troubled expression of his master.
"What did he say Your Excellency?" He asked.
"The others what about them?" Han Touzhou asked.
"All the others have lost Your Excellency, they have been dismissed." Lin Xue responded.
"The Empress had a clean shot." Han Touzhou remarked.
"Does this change our plans?" Lin Xue asked, "the people seem to have embraced the news with Great joy and any attempt to undo what has already been done might be faced with fierce resistance that victory can not be guaranteed for us." He asserted.
"Ask the others to meet up with me tonight." Han Touzhou ordered.
"Yes Your Excellency." Lin Xue replied as he immediately rushed to it.
"What?" Cao Zhaoyi muttered.
"Apart from Han Touzhou, all his other allies in the Imperial Court have been stripped of their positions and the power in the new Government rests in the hands of the Yang, Wu and Ma clans and all of which have their representatives as supporters of the Empress." Linxiang mentioned.
"Even if Han Touzhou is the Left Chancellor at this moment, there's no way his power will now outmatch the Empress', it's going to require him to put in a lot more effort." Cao Zhaoyi muttered.
"Patience Ma'am, the Empress' won't be long victorious." Linxiang consoled her.
"Did you do it?" Cao Zhaoyi asked.
"His Highness must have been enthralled by the wooden dagger as kids can be, sadly for him, innocent as he is he won't even understand that it's the beginning of the end for him." Linxiang responded with a ghastly smile on her face.
The Empress Yang arriving through the doors of the small room everyone of her supporters present stood up and they bowed their heads to her while she took the seat that was ahead of them.
They sat down after her curious as to what she would do next when she folded her arms together.
"You called for us Your Highness, you said it was urgent." Yang Cishan pointed out.
"You all must have heard about Chen Ziqiang by now, you all are aware that His Majesty intends to appoint him in place of the Grand Chancellor." She responded while everyone looked at Zhao Zizhi who was quietly seated and not moved by it at all.
"Won't you ask me if I want to have you replaced?" The Empress asked.
"We are but shadows in this Palace Your Highness, every man has his days just like the sun rises in the sky at the break of dawn glorious and sets defeated at dusk everyday." He responded while the Empress turned to face the rest.
"I was quite intrigued concerning all the stories that I had heard about Chen Ziqiang and I sat down to a cup of coffee, I listened to what he had to say to me and I thought about it." She reported.
"What is it Your Highness?" Peng Zishou inquired.
"First there was the Empress Lu of Han and there after her came Long, Wu Zhao ascended the dragon throne in the year 690AD and the Empress Dowager Liu as regent for the Emperor Renzong and oversaw the stability of the Great Song Dynasty while there were men the likes of Yang Guang and Wu of Han." The Empress replied and everyone seemed to hint on what she was saying.
"I understand that we each have our differences but I believe that all we that have gathered in this room not pure but ailing with the burden of our own transgressions there isn't another person in this world that loves this country more than we." Empress Yang remarked.
"Until now Your Highness, we believe that." Jinglan mentioned.
"Now I want you to believe what I will tell you." She muttered and falling silent, they exchanged a series of worried glances while the Empress studying them keenly felt she had the attention that she needed.
"We brought Han Touzhou's influence to the ground but the strife is far from over, Chen Ziqiang will become the Grand Chancellor whether we like it or not as a result of this but peace isn't the promise he's willing to leave with us, it isn't even something that he is going to negotiate with us." She reported.
"Then that means....." Bao Langya speaking he hesitated uncertain.
"Chen Ziqiang is an enemy, our most malignant for, the sooner he ceases the reins of power then he won't stop preying on us until we are annihilated from the political scene." Empress Yang firmly concluded.
"So what are we to do Your Highness, as I speak Han Touzhou's cohorts have received their Imperial decrees dismissing them from office and knowing Han Touzhou he won't let go without a fight." Master Bao muttered.
"His Majesty wants to strengthen the position of the throne and weaken the influence of the political factions in his court as the old saying goes that the enemy of my enemy is my friend we should be cautious that there is no alliance between Chen Ziqiang and Han Touzhou because it would only weaken us." Empress Yang replied.
"Then there's only one way for us to solve this issue." Bao Langya said.
"We make Chen Ziqiang resign his position." Empress Yang asserted and everyone surprised by what she'd said they widened their eyes while she shot up from where she was seated and she stood up facing them.
"Chen Ziqiang, resign his position?" Yang Cishan inquired.
"To have the power is one thing and to keep the position another, Chen Ziqiang has tampered with troubled waters and since it is so let him prepare to face the storm." She assured them.
Stepping out of the room after she was faced with Beiyuan who bowed his head to her.
"We should return to the Palace Your Highness." He said.
"Of course," she replied, "however there's still one more place that I wish for us to visit before that." She insisted.
"Where Your Highness?" Beiyuan inquired and keeping quiet she smiled at herself ghastly.
Han Touzhou and his supporters seated in silence they stated at the Edicts in front of each one of them apart from Han Touzhou himself.
"So this is His Majesty's decision?" He asked.
"We've received thousands of Golden taels and a lot of gifts it's as though His Majesty was prepared, he has announced us retired and deployed at least two Imperial guards to each of us to make sure that we never set foot on Imperial precincts unless invited." Minister Su said.
"Hence you won't even attend the Daily Assemblies at all." Han Touzhou said.
"Most of our positions were abolished and our responsibilities have been transferred to other offices which as I speak a large portion of them is currently occupied by the Empress' supporters." Minister Zhu asserted.
"Just one hit like this has given the Empress a victory." Su asserted.
"The Empress knew that we were too proud and that wasn't enough, she exploited the fact that we refused to turn up for the Assemblies which she translated to the people as a testament of our resistance, His Majesty has earned the confidence he needed and now that he even faced me I must admit that others will not hold him responsible." Han Touzhou asserted.
"But I don't understand, they could have taken you down with this one opportunity, why is it that they allowed you to remain the Left Chancellor?" They asked Han Touzhou.
"The answer is simple." Another strange voice interfered and everyone turning to face the door from which it had emerged, Beiyuan appeared standing confidently dressed in his uniform.
"Who are you?" Lin Xue asked as he unsheathed his sword and pointed it to him.
"I am the Empress' personal Head Eunuch." Beiyuan replied as he got closer and placed his hands at the end of the table.
"The Empress' personal Head Eunuch?" Han Touzhou asked.
"Your Excellency might seem surprised of course you should be after all, Her Highness is generous but I wasn't sent to tell you that she only asks me to tell you one word." He said.
"And what is it?" Han Touzhou asked confidently.
"Surrender." Beiyuan responded and everyone else looking at themselves Han Touzhou smacked the table.
"Surrender?" He said while laughing hysterically the doors of the room being opened at that moment the Empress made an appearance herself.
"For a moment I doubted that you would listen to him." She said as she walked into the room while Beiyuan moving aside she took the seat that was close to the very place where he had been standing.
"What are you doing here Your Highness?" Han Touzhou asked.
"You are all gathered here in secret and it so happens that it's at night, each of you was opposed to His Majesty's resolve of halving the positions in the parliament which I won't deny was my ear if His Majesty were to come around or you were apprehended for a moment by the capital patrol no one would doubt that you are plotting to rebel against the Government." Empress Yang replied.
"There are boundaries Your Highness." Han Touzhou scolded.
"But they are not my boundaries." Empress Yang remarked.
"You may be powerful in the Palace but this isn't the harem." Han Touzhou shouted.
"And neither is it the Court room for you Ex- Courtiers let's now discuss my boundaries." The Empress said and stretching her hand into her sleeve she pulled out a book which she showed to them all while they looked at her.
"Your Highness......" Han Touzhou speaking he was interrupted.
"In my hand there's a record of all the property you within this room own and all the debts and loans that you have accumulated, crimes on each one of you and the funds that you have swindled over the years in office, people you have dealt with from Merchants to prostitutes to envoys some of you have even sold military secrets to the Jurchens that to put it simply, it's a record of all the evidence that I have gathered over the years that covers everything you have gained illegally." The Empress replied.
"And a small ledger is enough Your Highness?" Han Touzhou asked.
"As you are gathered here to discuss resistance against His Majesty and me I doubt that the whole lot of you is aware how your family members are doing." She said stirring fright into some for a moment Han Touzhou looked into her eyes and studied her while she didn't seem shaken.
"All your residences are filled with artillery and ammunition you have sold and even if some didn't have initially I put it there while your rooms are filled with secret letters you even have a private army that I created and trained in your name of course we can't let the Emperor or the Common people come to know anything about it because I trust that they are agitated as it is against your policy even If His Majesty is unwilling they'll be demanding for your heads to be hung on spikes." Empress Yang replied.
"What do you want?" Han Touzhou asked, "what do you wish to achieve ?" He continued to pester her.
"You will give up resistance that is, you'll be sent from office in an honourable manner and you'll sell most of your wealth and land according to how I deem pleasant, you don't have to worry I shall make sure you live comfortable lives until you die." Empress Yang replied and the rest burst into murmurs themselves.
"And me Your Highness?" Han Touzhou asked, "you don't think you'll bind me to your apron strings and turn me into one of your puppets." He asserted.
"Yours will be a very simple task Your Excellency," Empress Yang remarked, "you'll return and serve as Left Chancellor and like it or not you'll get rid of Chen Ziqiang." Empress Yang replied and standing up, she bowed her head to them before she turned around and walked out of the room.
"Who does she think she is?" Han Touzhou asked furiously.
"Give up resistance against His Majesty and our wealth and land according to how she deems pleasant?" Su protested.
"Her Highness has the sword in her hand along with the shield, we either withdraw willingly or forcefully." Minister Xue remarked.
"We can no longer protect ourselves and neither can Your Excellency protect us." They asserted as they turned to Han Touzhou.
"We'll do it." He said to them.
"You aren't possibly suggesting that we lose to the Empress?" Minister Su spoke up in protest.
"What matters the most is that we stay alive because as long as we are alive we have hope but the ammunition, the records and everything that she has against us even if we got rid of only one thing it'll be useless as she has made real evidence appear before the people and that is all they need to fly to arms." Han Touzhou reprimanded, "if you all had been careful we wouldn't have gotten here." He said.
"Now what do you say we do Your Excellency?" They asked him.
"I am still the Left Chancellor." Han Touzhou replied as he smiled at himself ghastly.
The Empress Yang arriving in her Chambers, she sat down and was joined by Beiyuan, Yang Cishan, Jinglan and Zhao Zizhi.
"Your Highness, you don't possibly trust Han Touzhou." Yang Cishan said.
"I don't." She replied.
"We should have gotten rid of him when we had the chance." He insisted.
"Han Touzhou inspires some political circles as he aggresses some, and even if we suggested that he gets dismissed His Majesty would have neglected us because he may inspire people to rebel against His Majesty but he can not survive without him considering the enemies he's made there's no guarantee that another Emperor would be willing to listen to him especially if it is one of my sons." Empress Yang replied.
"He is hard headed Your Highness, how do you plan to deal with that?" Beiyuan asked.
"An alliance between Han Touzhou and Chen Ziqiang is unlikely as neither of the two can trust the other, in terms of talent Han Touzhou comes second he can never agree to serve as another's lackey or puppet which Chen Ziqiang expects from those that wish to sweat allegiance, aside from that Han Touzhou's understanding will push him to believe that by getting rid of Chen Ziqiang he'll be his natural successor." Empress Yang replied.
"You do realize Your Majesty that you are giving Han Touzhou a chance to finally establish himself as the Grand Chancellor at Court." Zhao Zizhi mentioned.
"Our victories are all significant but if there's something that hinders us then it is His Majesty, however we need His Majesty more than anything else but like a young woman desperately longing for a man's affection, it's only possible to acquire if he ceases to give it to another." Empress Yang replied.
"So Your Highness means that.......?" Jinglan spoke finally comprehending what she intended to say.
"Yes," Empress Yang replied as though understanding what he intended to say, "Han Touzhou survives on His Majesty's trust, we shall shatter that trust by exposing his greed." She asserted confidently.
Very early in the morning, Manyin mounting the stairs that led to the young Prince Zhao Jiong's room she found the ladies in waiting still standing outside with his breakfast.
"What are you still doing out here?" She asked.
"His Imperial Highness is not yet up that we were here waiting for you." One of them replied.
"Do you know what time it is now?" Manyin asked.
"It's coming to 8:00am." The Court Lady replied.
"Give it to me." Manyin said as she ceased the tray from the latter's possession and sashaying through the doors she turned and faced the young Prince's bed.
"Your Highness?" She called him but he did not respond that she was compelled to get closer to him and as she stepped nearer to the bed she noticed a stench in the room.
"Your Highness?" She called the second time putting the tray down on the table close by while she held his covers tightly and pulled them off.
Underneath them a pale cold dying young boy lay with red spots starting to appear on his skin his lips looked dry and cracked, there were dark bags under his eyes as they appeared sunken while his breathing not normal frightened the young woman wailed.
"Your Highness?" She cried in a very loud voice that alarmed all the other ladies that were close by and studying his condition they seemed frightened themselves.
"Someone call the Imperial physician." Manyin ordered and one of the girls bowing her head she ran out of the room immediately.
Cao Zhaoyi busy pruning her flowers in the backyard of her residence Linxiang rushed through its main gates excited as she negotiated the Eastern corner that set her right behind her mistress.
"Ma'am?" She called to the latter who halted what she was doing for a moment, "I have good news." She added that she'd won her undivided attention at that moment.
Cao Zhaoyi turned around and faced her waiting impatiently to hear herself and Linxiang anxious to spill the beans immediately professed with confidence.
"It's done." She said, "the Imperial Prince is collapsing." She remarked assuringly.
Like a calm tune to her ears Cao Zhaoyi relaxed and took a deep sigh of relief.
"It looks like someone is going to die in the Palace." She said as she caressed her abdomen gently as though she'd been speaking to the unborn child within her womb.
The Empress Yang in her Chambers looking through a couple of books she heard the desperate voice of Xiaoyang penetrating into her ear.
"Your Highness it is I." She spoke as loud as she could that instantly she was heard out.
"Come in." Empress Yang spoke quite calmly the old woman throwing the doors open she immediately rushed into her presence and there she bowed her head.
"Forgive me Your Highness, I have very bad news." She said as the Empress turning to her left she picked up a cup of tea and prepared to take a sip.
"What is it?" She asked bringing it closer to her lips.
"It's His Highness the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong." Xiaoyang replied and as a reflex action the Empress halting halfway widened her eyes and fiercely stared at her Court Lady right in front of her.
"What?" She inquired sounding somewhat surprised.
"His Highness is chronically ill it seems." Xiaoyang responded that the Empress furiously smacking the table with the cup she stood up.
"Take me to the little Palace." She demanded as she stepped down from her seat rushing through towards the doors while Xiaoyang followed closely behind her.
Emperor Ningzong still getting dressed in his personal quarters for the daily Assembly with the help of a couple of his ladies in waiting Eunuch Deng threw the doors open and he rushed into the room that the young man seemed startled.
"Your Majesty?" He cried as he fell onto his knees.
"You seem awfully excited." He remarked sarcastically.
"Forgive me Your Majesty but His Highness the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong appears to be chronically ill." He informed him that the latter freezing for a moment could hardly believe the words that he'd been told.
"No." He refused, "it can not be." He tried to console himself and clear his mind but hardly did he notice that he was already rushing on his way to his son's residence.
The Empress Yang while swiftly being escorted by her retinue making her way through the hallways of the Imperial Palace she negotiated one corner that eventually led her through the gates of her residence where she found Manyin panic stricken rushing back and forth.
Seeing her she rushed towards her and bowed her head.
"Your Highness........" She said blocking her path.
"You can pay your respects later as I don't have the time for this nonsense I need to see my son." She said.
"Forgive me Your Highness but you can't." Manyin said.
"What do you mean I can't?" Empress Yang asked and Xiaoyang stepping closer from behind she faced Manyin.
"What are you talking about to His Highness?" She demanded to know.
"Your Highness please." Manyin pleaded.
"My son is in that room, if you won't move then I'll have Xiaoyang and the rest of the girls drag you out of my way." She claimed.
"I will die here Your Highness." Manyin spoke in tears and the Empress curious at the same time the Emperor Ningzong arrived into the Courtyard.
"What's going on in here?" He asked for a moment Manyin's attention was diverted and the Empress ceasing that opportunity she pushed him aside while she quickly mounted the stairs of the room.
Ceasing its doors she flung them open and getting deeper inside while Manyin and Xiaoyang following she stopped in front of the Imperial physician and stared right next to him where she recognized her son slowly gasping for air with big red spots all over his skin.
"Jiong'er?" She called him but the Imperial physician bowing his head two of his subordinates rushed over towards her at the same time that the Emperor Ningzong entered the room as well.
"Forgive me Your Highness." He said.
"What's wrong with the Imperial Prince?" She asked, "what's wrong with my son?" She demanded.
"I don't know how but His Highness contracted very severe small pox." The Imperial physician replied and hearing this the Empress covered her mouth with her right hand shocked.
"Severe, small pox?" Emperor Ningzong muttered.
"Yes Your Majesty." The Imperial physician replied bowing his head.
"No." The Empress refused to believe.
"Can't you treat it?" He inquired.
"Your Majesty knows much better what it means for someone to have severe small pox and not to mention he is a child." The physician replied.
"So what are you trying to say?" Empress Yang asked, "with all the experience you have the expertise, you are very extraordinary and amongst the best physicians in the entire kingdom can't you try to do something, can you not come up with anything?" She demanded.
"That knowledge is above me Your Highness and I regret it deeply saying these words I can not give you false hope, the only thing that can save His Highness is a miracle but based on his condition, it's unlikely that he'll even survive two days." The physician said and the Empress stumbling she fell onto the ground for what seemed to be the first time in the eyes of the few that had gathered there at the moment.
"It can not be." She said while the Emperor Ningzong trying to get closer to hold her shoulder he suddenly lost his courage and his eyes became teary.
"Small pox is very contagious especially the Prince's unprotected contact might put you at risk that is why Your Majesty and Your Highness can not go close to the Prince, no one apart from the Imperial physicians can." The Imperial physician said and bowing his head he excused himself while Xiaoyang and Manyin held the Empress.
"Your Highness?" They called her.
"Jiong'er?" She muttered lightly under her breath before she collapsed instantly that they all panicked around her.
"Your Highness?" The two women screamed and the Emperor Ningzong rushing to get side he held her in his hands.
"My Empress, my Empress, get up." He cried trying to shake her while the Imperial physicians then turned to tending to her.
Beiyuan walking about in the Palace she came across a couple of court ladies that were gossiping amongst themselves.
"Did you hear, the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong contracted small pox and it's severe and when the Empress heard this she passed out." One said.
"Small pox?" Another asked.
"Yes." The narrator confirmed.
"How unfortunate, he's only three years old." One of them sympathized and Beiyuan getting closer, they recognized him that they all turned and bowed their heads.
"Superintendent Beiyuan?" They said in unison.
"What was I hearing?" He asked, "what happened to Her Highness?" He insisted on wanting to know.
"Her Highness is unconscious in the Grand Palace and there the Emperor and the Imperial physicians are tending to her, it so happened that the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is down with severe small pox and according to the physicians, only a miracle can save him otherwise he is near death." One of the Court Ladies replied.
Beiyuan having heard this loud and clear he immediately rushed in the direction of the Emperor's residence.
The Courtiers still gathered in the Grand Hall awaiting the Emperor, Eunuch Deng suddenly appeared before them and their murmurs immediately died down as they all gave him their attention.
"Where is His Majesty?" Yang Cishan asked.
"Forgive me but His Majesty has asked me to inform you all that you can submit memorials and he'll look through them later, something urgent that requires his attention has happened within the Palace, he kindly asks that you do not disturb him." Eunuch Deng announced and excusing himself he left the Courtiers shocked.
Han Touzhou suspicious along with Yang Cishan as well the two exchanged poisonous glances.
Yang Cishan getting outside immediately he made his way to the residence of his sister where he found most of the ladies in waiting.
Seeing him one of them rushed over towards him.
"Your Excellency." She said bowing her head while he held her arm.
"I need to have a word with Her Highness." He demanded.
"Forgive me Your Excellency but Her Highness isn't in the Central Palace." She responded.
"Where is she?" He asked.
"The Grand Palace." She replied.
"Do you happen to know what she's doing there?" He inquired.
"Don't you really know Your Excellency?" She asked him.
"Know what?" He asked.
"Her Highness is unconscious." She replied.
"How?" Yang Cishan demanded to know.
"His Highness the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is down with Severe small pox he's likely to die soon." She replied and Yang Cishan hearing this with Jinglan beside him he stumbled while Shi Miyuan who was about to set his foot within the Courtyard he froze.
Cao Zhaoyi seated in her residence the doors were flung open and Linxiang swiftly making her way in she bowed her head.
"His Excellency the Left Chancellor is requesting to have an audience with you Ma'am." She reported.
"Let him in." Cao Zhaoyi said and the latter withdrawing from her presence Han Touzhou appeared through the doors.
"Ma'am?" He said bowing his head to her while she slightly bowed hers to him before he sat down in front of her.
"It's been a while Your Excellency." Cao Zhaoyi remarked, "it hasn't been easy for you the past couple of days." She added.
"Surely." He replied, "but there's something that I wish to know." He asserted.
"What is it?" Cao Zhaoyi inquired.
"His Majesty didn't turn up for the Daily Assembly and Eunuch Deng announced that there's something vital in the Palace that requires his attention." He replied.
"The Empress is unconscious." Cao Zhaoyi reported.
"How come, is she ill?" Han Touzhou asked.
"The Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is down with severe Small pox and is lingering between life and death, however I am certain as only a miracle can save him, he won't probably last that long." Cao Zhaoyi responded.
"The Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is about to die?" Han Touzhou sounded surprised.
"It appears to me that a lot of blood is going to flow throughout the Palace." Cao Zhaoyi muttered.
"What are you going to do Ma'am?" Han Touzhou asked.
"After this what do you think comes next, the Empress has stripped our people of their positions and she's ultimately dominating the Court, she's already the de-facto ruler of this Emperor it's a matter of time before they announce the installation of the Crown Prince. His Majesty will be the good husband and agree but what about the souls of the Late Crown Prince and His brother." Cao Zhaoyi asked while Han Touzhou fell silent.
"The Princes are part of the Empress' power and you and I both understand that the Empress' children can not ascend the dragon throne because the moment they do our heads and the heads of our clans will roll and while you were busy falling out of favour with the world this is what I had to do in the harem." She informed him.
"Are you certain that the Empress won't suspect a thing, no, she won't prove a thing?" He asked.
"Of all people in the Palace it had to be the Imperial Prince to contract small pox, even if she blames me there's no way she can prove it." Cao Zhaoyi responded confidently.
"Someone must inherit the Dragon throne." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"We need a Prince that we can trust and for now we can't afford to be hasty to raise suspicion, the Empress is soon to run out of Imperial heirs but by the time she'll realize it, it'll be too late." Cao Zhaoyi remarked.
Emperor Ningzong seated beside the Empress' bed the doors were opened and Eunuch Deng walked in.
"Your Majesty?" He called.
"I can't bear to see her like this." The Emperor remarked.
"I am so sorry." Eunuch Deng said.
"How is the Imperial Prince?" He inquired looking him in the eye while the latter nodded with a disappointed face.
"I hope that she gets up." Emperor Ningzong spoke under his breath and a short lived silence prevailing another of the Palace Eunuchs made his way into the room.
"Your Majesty." He said falling onto his knees as tears ran through his eyes.
"What's the matter with you?" Eunuch Deng scolded.
"Forgive me Your Majesty, it's the Imperial Prince Zhao Zeng." He responded and at that moment the Emperor Ningzong hearing that name he stood up from where he was seated and turned around to face him.
"What happened to the Imperial Prince?" He asked.
"His Highness is missing." The Eunuch replied and the Emperor surprised he stumbled while Eunuch Deng rushed over to his side and supported him.
"What do you mean the Imperial Prince is missing?" He asked, "where is my son?" He yelled on top of his voice.
"The Ladies in waiting said that he went into his Chambers to sleep last night and he didn't come out in the morning, after news of his brother spread they are worried that perhaps he heard of it and escaped from his room." The man replied as the Emperor turned around and looked at his wife still fast asleep within her bed.
"Don't tell Her Highness." He told Eunuch Deng, "don't tell the Empress." He insisted with him while the latter nodded in approval.
"Lan He?" He called and the latter stationed outside the building immediately showed himself through into his presence.
"Imperial Guard Commander Lan at your service Your Majesty." He said while bowing his head before him.
"Mobilise all the Imperial guards that you can find, Eunuchs, Court Ladies, palace maids, physicians and even chefs if need be, find the Imperial Prince Zhao Zeng and don't stop until you have found him." He ordered.
"Yes Your Majesty." Lan He replied as he immediately rushed out of the room.
In a while, drawings of the Imperial Prince were circulating around the Palace and Lan He along with Bao Langya gathering inside the arena of the Imperial Guards, they assembled together while the portraits were distributed amongst them.
Lan He mounting the stairs that led to the raised platform he faced them while they placed their Spears down and stood at attention.
"In front of you each is a drawing of the Imperial Prince, according to His Majesty's order you are all asked to search the whole Palace for him and by all means necessary, all strange personalities spotted in the process should be bound and brought to the barracks for interrogation." He announced.
"Yes Sir." They replied as they dispersed in their different formations and they started searching about the whole vicinity.
Han Touzhou stepping out of Cao Zhaoyi's residence he found the workers in turmoil outside along with the Imperial guards that he halted one of them.
"What are all these people here doing?" He asked one of the young women.
"Forgive me Your Excellency but His Highness the Imperial Prince Zhao Zeng is missing." The young lady replied as she returned to searching for the young boy with the rest of his colleagues as he remembered the words of Cao Zhaoyi.
Bao Langya and a couple of his subordinates gathered together as well close to one of the shelters that was near the East Palace.
"The Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is sick and Zhao Zeng is missing, Her Highness is unconscious before the worst comes to the worst you must protect the residence of the Imperial Prince Zhao Xun." He ordered them.
"Yes Sir." They replied as they moved into the direction of the young Prince's residence.
The Grand Empress Dowager Xie in her residence was seated while looking at the serene view of her garden being fanned by Faith, she was quiet for a moment holding in her hand a small golden envelope right when one of the Palace maids approached her.
"Your Grand Highness." She said bowing her head to her.
"What's it?" She asked.
"The Palace is in chaos and the Empress is unconscious, the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is severely ill with Small pox and his elder brother Zhao Zeng is missing." She reported.
"I see." The latter calmly remarked, "you may leave." She ordered her and the young woman instantly withdrew.
"What's the matter Your Highness?" Daiyu asked.
"I thought that with Han Touzhou's power and influence having waned in the Imperial Court my heart would be eased of this duty." She responded.
"I understand Your Highness." Daiyu said.
"Could it be karma for the Empress?" She asked.
"Perhaps." Daiyu replied, "The Crown Prince and Princess, the Empress Han and her second son, the Late Empress Li were all that died cursing her name." She added.
"Even the brightest stars my dear burn before they can live again." The Grand Empress Dowager remarked.
"What do you think Your Grand Highness, then could someone have been behind it?" She inquired.
"The Empress has already established her power firmly in the Imperial Court and not everyone would be in favour of that, the more that I think about it it's a possibility and let's not forget that the East Palace is empty as of today for stability to reign in the nation it must possess a master." The Grand Empress Xie remarked.
"In your opinion....?" Daiyu hesitated.
"Two remarkable targets were the Empress' biological children we can not highly hope for their survival." She said.
"Will the Empress lose her power?" Daiyu asked.
"I have seen people very much like Her Highness, people that don't know when to surrender, she's dead I tell you for I am certain that whoever is going to awaken in her will be a beast raging like the fires from the deepest pits of hell." The Grand Empress Dowager Xie woke up.
Han Touzhou arriving through the gates of his residence he was met by Lin Xue.
"What is it Your Excellency, you seem bothered." He pointed out.
"As I had thought, there's serious trouble in the Palace but unexpectedly it is for our enemies." He responded.
"Aren't the heavens so gracious?" Lin Xue asked.
"The Empress, our greatest foe is unconscious, the Imperial Prince Zhao Jiong is on the verge of death and now even his elder brother the Imperial Prince Zhao Zeng is missing, Cao Zhaoyi has pulled her strings and she has sharpened her talons in taking such a decisive strike." Han Touzhou replied.
"She's become this malicious after all." Lin Xue remarked.
"Is there another in the world that is more malicious than the Empress?" Han Touzhou asked while Lin Xue kept quiet.
"Meanwhile we have yet a more important duty, we must get rid of Chen Ziqiang." He said.
"You are considering the Empress' offer?" Lin Xue inquired.
"We have lost so much thanks to her but we can't gain more even with Chen Ziqiang's presence in the Court, the Empress understands that he threatens my influence as much as he threatens has but if I destroy Chen Ziqiang then there's no way she can stop me from becoming the Grand Chancellor." Han Touzhou asserted.
"But Your Excellency, they could use the same excuse they used before." Lin Xue pointed out.
"What if they did?" Han Touzhou asked, "the Empress is no longer my niece as it is and who would match up to my capabilities?" He asked as they halted at the doorway.
"Suppose they recalled Zhao Zizhi to take office?" Lin Xue asked.
"I have already thought a solution to that problem." Han Touzhou replied as he smiled at himself ghastly when one of the household servants rushed towards them.
"Welcome back Sir, welcome back your Excellency." He offered his salutations while bowing his head.
"Is there anything wrong?" He inquired.
"Your Excellency was gone for a long time and Lin Xue didn't return much earlier than you, it so happened that in your absence you received a visitor and she's waiting in the Living room." He responded as he stepped aside signalling for the two who moved in the direction he was pointing and he negotiated the corner that finally led him to the magnificent building.
Walking in with Lin Xue, he saw a woman whose head was veiled, dressed in a light crimson robe facing the funeral plaque that bore the name of the Late Empress Han burning some incense sticks in the incense pot nearby while she was on her knees.
"It's been five years since Her Highness passed from this world." She spoke in a lowly tone.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?" Lin Xue asked.
"That's no way to treat your guests." The woman replied and gently kowtowing to the plaque thrice, she gracefully stood up and bowed her head a fourth time before she turned around and faced them.
Han Touzhou could recall those dark eyes and he could recognize that face as though he'd just seen it, years had passed but none of its features had changed much, she looked somewhat young still with hardly any grey hair on her head.
"Your Grace......." he muttered but became speechless.
"It's me Uncle." The former Consort Han replied as she got closer to him and ceased his hands.
"I thought that I would never see you." Han Touzhou remarked.
"I am here Uncle," she said, "I am here to stay." She emphasized.