Court Lady Liu and a couple of other ladies in waiting with eunuchs negotiated the corner on the Eastern balcony of the Grand Palace as they approached Emperor Ningzong's Chambers.
Throwing the doors to his wings open they charged through as they halted in front of the silk curtain that separated him from them.
"Get His Majesty." She ordered the Eunuchs who immediately rushed up the stairs and pulling away his covers they seemed startled.
"His Majesty is gone." One of them mentioned and Court Lady Liu in disbelief immediately moved up towards the bed to see for herself.
"Impossible." She remarked at the sight when another of the ladies in waiting rushed in.
"Milady." She cried at the top of her voice, "I have very bad news." She said as she fell onto her knees before her.
"What is it?" Court Lady Liu inquired.
"The Grand Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince have vanished too." She reported as Court Lady Liu more dismayed than ever before rushed out of the room.
"What!" Consort Han exclaimed.
"Forgive me Your Grace but His Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager, and the Crown Prince have vanished." She reported.
"How could they have moved in such a vegetative state?" Consort Han inquired.
"I do not know Your Grace but I have heard that amongst all the servants that we expelled from the Palace for having been affiliated with the Empress, the Emperor's personal Eunuch was rumoured to have been among but surprisingly, he hasn't been seen in the Palace since yesterday." Court Lady Liu reported.
"Without those three we can't do anything." Consort Han mentioned, "but if he is indeed the Empress' man then he must have moved His Majesty and the others somewhere close by." Consort Han mentioned, "given their state and the current political situation, he couldn't possibly get them out of the capital let alone the Palace if he is acting singlehandedly?" She mentioned.
"But how are we going to find him Your Grace?" Court Lady Liu inquired.
"We can't let word of this spread to the General Public as it would cause upheaval." Consort Han mentioned.
"So what are we going to do now?" Court Lady Liu inquired.
"Send for my Uncle." Consort Han mentioned as the latter standing up she withdrew from the room immediately.
Empress Yang seated on top of the pavilion of Guanghua Fortress that forelooked the border her eyes perused through a letter that had been delivered into her hands before she crumpled it.
"What's the problem Your Highness?" Beiyuan standing by her side asked.
"After what happened the Jurchens won't be looking for a full-scale open war against us, the Princess Imperial will be admonished and they have fallen short of troops they had to withdraw from Sichuan to reinforce the territory around Teng that they may safeguard Bianjing from invasion." She responded.
"It is a good thing though." Beiyuan mentioned.
"Han Touzhou and Consort Han have taken advantage of our absence in the Capital to garner more power, the Grand Empress Dowager is unconscious with the Crown Prince so they adopted His Majesty's son through a lowborn mother who set foot into the Palace when I happened to depart from it." She mentioned.
"Then we should quickly return to the Capital." Beiyuan pointed out.
"Do you think our enemies are waiting to welcome us with their arms wide open?" She inquired.
"No." Beiyuan responded.
We must prepare my convoy," she ordered as she stood up from where she was seated, "we shall give them a surprise." She confidently mentioned as Beiyuan immediately walked away.
Eunuch Deng watching the Emperor, Shi Miyuan walked in accompanied by Manyin with the Crown Prince in her hands.
"Has His Majesty gained consciousness?" He inquired while Eunuch Deng nodding his head in disapproval, the latter approached the bedside
"I know you can hear me," he said, "the lives of your son and wife are in grave danger and you are here lying down lifeless like a corpse!" He scolded.
"Calm down Your Excellency." Eunuch Deng pleaded with him when suddenly the Emperor moved his arm while he was watching.
"Did you see it?" He inquired and the Emperor coughing up they immediately rushed to his side as he opened his eyes and struggled to sit up.
"Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng said cheerfully as the Emperor looking around the place he seemed to recognize that it wasn't his room.
"Where am I?" He inquired as his eyes finally landed on Shi Miyuan who was standing right in front of him.
"Outside the Palace." He confidently replied.
"What am I doing outside the Palace?" He inquired
"It is for your safety Your Majesty, the Palace isn't safe anymore." Shi Miyuan responded.
"And my Empress, what about Mei'er?" He asked.
"It's been close to six months since you last gained consciousness, the defeats we faced had Han Touzhou and his clique petition that the Capital be moved further to the East, Her Highness charged to Xiangyang and Guanghua with the hopes of turning the tide into our favour, so that she could protect her husband and her children." He reported while the Emperor sighed.
"The Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager are sick probably with small pox, the Empress' relatives have been arrested, the other officials charged with treason await execution Your Majesty and Han Touzhou and Consort Han are finally tightening their grips on the reins of power I feared that they would kill you too." Eunuch Deng added.
"What about Lan He?" The Emperor inquired.
"He is held captive as well." Eunuch Deng responded.
"How dare they?" The Emperor said clenching his fists angrily when he started coughing vigorously.
"Be careful Sire, you haven't yet fully recovered." Eunuch Deng pointed out as he tried to restrain him a bit.
"What if something bad happens to them?" The Emperor asked.
"And Your Majesty revealing yourself to the world now won't change much, they shall drag you, the Grand Empress Dowager and Crown Prince back to that Palace, we won't be able to protect you then even if we wished to do so." Shi Miyuan strongly opposed him.
"So you are suggesting that I just sit?" He inquired.
"I am asking Your Majesty not to do anything." He responded as he got closer to him and bending down he looked him in the eye, "Her Highness asked me to particularly ensure your safety that means that for her sake and not mine or yours I shall see to it." He said as he stood upright, "you want to protect your throne, I want to protect the Empress, her dignity and her legacy, it's the least I can do to show my unacceptable affections and rest assured, I was prepared for many things." He claimed confidently while the Emperor stared at him.
Han Touzhou seated in front of his niece she slid a scroll across the table in front of him.
"What is this?" He asked.
"The Emperor has been taken outside the Palace, to a place that we don't know, he isn't conscious at least I'm certain but along with him are the Grand Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince." She mentioned.
"What?" She inquired.
"We can not let this news reach the people." She claimed.
"But how are we certain it won't reach them either, whoever took them away must have had this intention initially." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"All we have to do is to make the people believe that the Emperor is in the Palace." Consort Han responded.
"And how are we going to do that?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"The Daily Assembly will be held in a couple of hours, except that this time round the Courtiers shall meet outside the Emperor's bed Chamber in his hall." Consort Han responded, "His Majesty will abdicate the Imperial Dragon throne in favour of Prince Zhao Shen." She asserted.
"But Your Grace...." Han Touzhou seemed hesitant, "what about the Crown Prince?" He inquired.
"Unfortunately, His Imperial Highness along with the Grand Empress Dowager couldn't survive the plague, they succumbed this morning." She said.
"People need proof, there must be bodies." Han Touzhou mentioned, "and the Emperor, what about him?" He spoke inquisitively trying to process the situation.
"Stability must return to our Heavenly Empire and in the ailing of His Majesty he was concerned and devastated by the loss, besides if he went missing for somebody then I know the right person that will help us find him." Consort Han mentioned as she smiled at herself ghastly.
"Yes Your Grace." Han Touzhou mentioned and standing up he bowed his head to her.
Setting out of Consort Han's Palace, Court Lady Liu rushed and informed the guards.
Informants rushing out from the Six ministries started pinning up declarations all over the Capital and the people gathering struggled to read what they were saying.
Shi Miyuan approaching one of them in the crowd halted when he read the characters that had been written.
"THE IMPERIAL PALACE WISHES TO ANNOUNCE THE PASSING OF THE GRAND EMPRESS DOWAGER AND THE CROWN PRINCE THIS MORNING HAVING FOUGHT THE SMALL POX DISEASE AND EVENTUALLY SUCCUMBED, THEIR MOURNING RITES SHALL BE OBSERVED FOR THREE DAYS BEFORE THEY ARE ENTOMBED IN THE IMPERIAL MAUSOLEUM." It said with the Imperial Seal stamped in the lower right corner.
"That's tragic." The people started murmuring amongst themselves.
"What happens to the Crown Prince's position then?" Others asked themselves.
"The Empress shall be heartbroken upon her return." Some seemed to find her pitiful.
"What about His Majesty?" The people seemed to wonder while Shi Miyuan slipping through all of them he returned to the small cottage where the Emperor was seated.
"It appears that we shall have a rough time Your Majesty." He said to the latter who was eating a bowl of boiled rice.
"What's happening?" He inquired.
"The Grand Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince have been declared dead to the public already so whoever claims that they are living will lose their head and others won't believe it." Shi Miyuan responded.
"This is only the beginning." Emperor Ningzong mentioned.
"I hate saying this as part of our collaboration but it is clear that they plan on pronouncing you dead." Shi Miyuan mentioned, "all the political power is in their hands and the officials that would have helped you are being held captive, I can't guarantee that they shall lose their lives for a long time given that it might raise public suspicion but I can't guarantee that they'll keep them either because their mere presence threatens the new order that Han Touzhou and his Cohorts intend to enforce." He asserted.
"You said you had a plan, then what are you waiting for?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"Let's just say every move requires our patience, one thing is certain that in order to keep on protecting themselves, they shall keep on committing many more sins." Shi Miyuan responded.
"You don't just want to get rid of them alone." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Do you have that audacity Your Majesty?" Shi Miyuan inquired while he kept quiet.
"I am helping you get a chance to identify who your allies and enemies are in the Court, in the future perhaps if the Court won't testify to move you against them I am hoping that the people will." Shi Miyuan remarked.
"What are the chances that you will succeed?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"Why don't you think it through Your Highness, for the Empress' sake, how is it that I can fail in a humiliating manner to protect her Crown by protecting you?" He said while the latter kept quiet.
The Courtiers gathered in the room next to the Emperor's bed were separated by a silk curtain and a couple of Eunuchs while the Grand Secretary and the Scribe were behind the table on which the Imperial Seal was.
Han Touzhou stepped forward facing the manly silhouette that was seated in the covers ailing.
"The Courtiers are here as per your request Your Majesty." He said.
"Greetings Your Majesty." They said while the heads of the three Ministries moving forward they kowtowed.
"Congratulations Your Majesty, now that you have regained your consciousness you can resume handling the affairs of State." They muttered.
"I had a dream yesterday, the sun shifted from the top of the Grand Hall to the Imperial Prince Zhao Shen's Palace, the passing of Zhao Xun struck a sombre note in my heart eventually opening my eyes I realised I no longer have a very long life to live." Emperor Ningzong mentioned.
"What are you saying Your Majesty?" Han Touzhou asked pretending to be concerned.
"The reason that I called you here is that I fear my service has already come to an end, twenty three years on the throne I can finally see my grandfather the Xiaozong Emperor calling to me." He responded as he turned to look at them while they kept their heads bowed down.
"Chaos is bound to ensure unless the Government guides the people, relay my heartfelt message to them." He mentioned and turning to the Eunuch he faced the doors.
"Present the Imperial Prince and Consort Han." He ordered and the doors of the side chamber being slid open the two walked up to him and with Consort Han's help the young boy bowed his head.
"Greetings Your Majesty." She offered her salutations.
"My Imperial Prince Zhao Shen is a miracle child, as Emperor of this country today I abdicate the Imperial Dragon throne, Consort Han being his legitimate mother shall assume the position of Empress Dowager to protect his legitimacy and the Grand Chancellor shall advise him with her on all civil and military affairs of the State, the Empress of the Yang Clan shall be sent to the Nunnery where she'll observe prayers and comfort my soul in the Netherworld." Emperor Ningzong mentioned and the Edict being drafted Consort Han smiling she bowed her head.
"Thank you for your kindness and confidence Your Majesty, I shall not let you down." She said when the Emperor coughing vigorously while the Courtiers watched, blood sprinkled on the silk curtain that they were frightened.
Shortly after that the man behind the curtain collapsed while the Eunuch rushed towards him.
"Your Majesty?" He cried aloud, "are you alright?" He called while the Courtiers trying to perp they were worried seeing the Emperor's bloodstained arm beyond the curtain.
"His Majesty has passed on." The Eunuch announced and the Courtiers all falling onto their knees started shedding tears while Han Touzhou stood up in their midst.
"We all bore witness to His Majesty's final testament, we all heard and received his Edict and it is written in our hearts, the son of heaven has returned to his maker and we must strengthen and rejuvenate the Monarchy now especially in its darkest hour, the unfortunate loss of three of its most important pillars can not deprive us of erecting new and magnificent ones." He mentioned while all the men stood up and turned to him.
"Send word throughout the land, proclaim unto the people the Advent of their new August Sovereign and Emperor, His Majesty Zhao Shen." Jiang Chen mentioned while holding the little Prince next to herself Consort Han smiled ghastly.
The Empress' convoy travelling down a path it approached a couple of woods when she saw at a distance a horseman that was riding towards her.
"Halt." She ordered and the procession stopping immediately the horsemen first approaching Bao Langya he quickly moved to the side of the right window he delivered a white envelope.
"What is the problem?" She inquired.
"Word is travelling around the country, His Majesty gained consciousness and died in the presence of the Courtiers, with the untimely passing of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Crown Prince only a couple of hours earlier after they succumbed to small pox, he appointed the Imperial Prince Zhao Shen as his successor, Consort Han as the Empress Dowager and you his favourite will be escorted to the Nunnery to pray for his soul." Bao Langya reported while the Empress listening her eyes perused through the letter.
"How tragic it must be!" She exclaimed, "Am I to be denied a glance of my husband's corpse before he is taken to his grave?" She inquired aloud.
"There shall be a couple of Imperial guards that will escort you to the capital." Bao Langya mentioned.
"Very well then." Empress Yang mentioned, "I know what must be done." She softly spoke without the slightest hint of resistance.
"Now that we have stopped I wish to relieve myself." She muttered.
"Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang and her retinue of attendants said in unison as they helped her out of the carriage and with a pot they escorted her into the nearby trees leaving the rest waiting.
Consort Han in her Chambers with Prince Zhao Shen she couldn't help but smile.
"Congratulations Your Grace, or should I say, Your Highness." Court Lady Liu flattered her.
"It's surprising how everything has fallen into place with ease." She pointed out.
"Word is all over the Capital Your Highness, the people are distraught of course, it's hard for them to unbelieve what they have already been made to believe, at this rate, only if we get the Emperor, the Grand Empress and the Crown Prince shall we finally out an end to our fight." Court Lady Liu remarked.
"I'm afraid it is not that easy, a single spark may be small but it is big enough to bury a building along with everything in it, I can't risk playing with fire again." Consort Han resolved.
"Her Highness will arrive in the Capital being escorted by our men, she has no more power or influence, she'll be our prisoner in the confines of the Nunnery." Court Lady Liu reminded her.
"No." Consort Han refused, "we only sent the guards there to be spared the burden of guilt and suspicions of the majority." She asserted.
"You mean to say...." Court Lady Liu hesitated.
"We can never wield power to the fullest as long as she is alive, the Empress will die before she even sets foot into the capital at the hands of our very own mortal enemies." She assured her as she smiled at herself ghastly.
The Empress done relieving herself, she returned to her carriage while being accompanied by Xiaoyang and her ladies in waiting.
"We'll proceed Your Highness." Bao Langya said hesitantly as they resumed their journey at the time already joined by the guards from the capital while in the woods where they had left, someone was watching.
Emperor Ningzong pacing around in his room, the doors being opened Eunuch Deng walked in.
"Forgive me Your Majesty." He said.
"What will happen to the Empress?" He asked.
"She'll be sent to a nunnery but I don't think Consort Han would be willing to let her keep her life." He reported when Shi Miyuan suddenly walked in on the two of them.
"It is time Your Majesty." He said as he took in his hand the Imperial Edict.
"What is this?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"Consort Han and Han Touzhou are not the only ones that can play this game dirty, in fact they are far from wielding immense power, much further than they think they are." He said as he unveiled the Edict with his hands in front of the Emperor whose eyes froze as he held it up speechless.
"Your Majesty asked me what my plan was I am now telling you confidently that it is this." Shi Miyuan confidently said, "all they need to do is Crown a New Emperor and proclaim a new reign." He added as he smirked at himself ghastly
Master Bao seated in a small detached room next to the temple a monk walked in.
He stood up and bowed to him while the old man looked at him.
"I was told that you were looking for me." He mentioned.
"You are knowledgeable concerning medicine and I heard that the once deposed Consort Han was your student while she was banished from the Palace." Master Bao responded.
"There's nothing between me and her." The monk claimed, "if it is something that you wish to know then I regret to inform you that there isn't a way that I can possibly help you." He remarked.
"What if it concerns the safety of the Government, what if it concerns the welfare of our Heavenly Empire?" He inquired.
"Heavenly Empire?" The monk muttered inquisitively.
"I am a practitioner of medicine as well, my skills could perhaps not be as great as yours, they couldn't even come close, the Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager of this Empire were pronounced dead allegedly because of small pox, however reliably we are informed that it wasn't just small pox." Master Bao mentioned.
"Did you say a disease like small pox?" The monk inquired.
"I may sound foolish or senseless when saying this but the Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager of this country still live, meanwhile Consort Han and the Grand Chancellor connived with one another to clear the Imperial Court of their opposition and put onto the Imperial Dragon throne a new young and infant Emperor which will throw our Great country into darkness, only by curing the Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager can we halt the coronation of a new monarch." Master Bao reported while the man quietly looking at him he studied the desperation in his eyes.
"At least help me know what this disease is." He pleaded while the monk sighed.
"It isn't the pox." He professed, "but what I am about to tell you for the good of this country shouldn't leave the confines of this room." He asserted.
"I swear on my life." Master Bao mentioned.
"Consort Han while in her exile seemed to be a passionate young woman and I taught her some things that I knew about medicine, we human beings have been gifted by the heavens with knowledge that has been passed down from generation to generation and in the hands of good it could help us foster prosperity while giving life while in the hands of evil, it could bring catastrophe amongst nations and death." He said, "if this knowledge is misused it could create diseases and of used properly it could create cures." He emphasized.
"What is the Crown Prince suffering from, what brought about his condition and the Grand Empress Dowager's?" He inquired.
"There is a rare shrub that is known as poison ivy that causes itching rash and blistering for most people naturally, it's effects however and abilities can be enhanced when it is mixed with several special ingredients some of which are a rare blend of poisons that I can not disclose and it is not contagious so perhaps most people just happened to come in contact with it." He asserted.
"If it is not small pox then it can be cured." Master Bao mentioned.
"It is severe and very deadly once the poison spreads and the blisters become open wounds that get infected but if the cure is administered roughly within ten days of the infection the chances of recovery are high." The monk responded.
"Could you share the cure with me?" Master Bao inquired.
"I need to caution you first that it isn't effective." The master mentioned, "for someone like the Crown Prince who is still young and able it could guarantee them an extension of more years on earth while someone elderly like the Grand Empress Dowager it could be a year, months, weeks, days or unfortunately merely hours." The monk mentioned, "the cure clears poison from the body but eventually becomes poison itself." He notified the latter.
"Fighting poison with poison?" Master Bao inquired.
"A poison is hard to fight with a perfect cure, for us physicians only by creating poisons that are more advanced than the poison itself, if carefully administered in the right doses can we guarantee an extension to life, in your case if saving the Crown Prince's life can bring stability to the Empire then I shall do it." He said.
"And what's the longest the Crown Prince can live if he survives?" Master Bao inquired.
"With Heaven's blessing, if he is strong enough and lucky, at most twenty five more years." The monk responded while Master Bao a bit demoralized seemed to debate with himself for a moment.
The Empress' convoy slowly approaching the capital they negotiated a small corner along a narrow murram rode that penetrated a small forest.
It was awfully quiet the birds hardly singing while the wind was strangely quiet not even the leaves rustled.
Bao Langya looking all over with Xiaoyang watching the place closely as well, in the shadows hidden were a couple of soldiers that were dressed in Jurchen armour.
At a distance, the first with an arrow aimed at Bao Langya he released it from his bow and sent it flying towards his target.
Bao Langya skilled as he was heard it early enough that turning his head to the side it flew past him and struck the wooden carriage that was carrying the Empress.
"Attack." The leader of the invaders shouted at the top of his voice and the others hidden with him leaped out of the hedges into the open as they charged towards the convoy.
"Protect the Empress." Bao Langya ordered and the guards surrounding her carriage armed they shielded the Empress inside from her adversaries.
War waged while Xiaoyang and a couple of other Court Ladies strived to flee the scene while resisting themselves, Bao Langya looking for an open space he charged into the forest and the entire place in chaos, the attackers approached the wooden carriage to capture their prize.
Opening the door and staring inside it was empty while under the seat there was a white bag.
A flaming arrow making its way past his ear flew right towards it and with a very loud explosion the once magnificent vehicle was reduced to ashes.
Consort Han and Han Touzhou seated in her Chambers over a cup of tea she held the Imperial Jade Seal and placed it right in front of him.
"His Majesty is dead, the Courtiers witnessed it with their very own eyes." She mentioned.
"What more do you want me to do?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"We should crown the New Emperor tomorrow." Consort Han responded.
"Isn't it a bit too soon?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"Suppose I told you that the Empress won't make it to the Capital?" She mentioned while Han Touzhou seemed surprised.
"Are you certain?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"A Jurchen army ambushed the Empress' convoy, this much the people will expect us to act up immediately, to ensure stability in the Empire therefore, the enthronement of a new Emperor will be much more acceptable among the masses." Consort Han mentioned as she smiled at herself ghastly.
A much smaller Palanquin approaching the gates of the Capital was halted by the capital patrol.
"How may we be of help?" The man walking beside inquired.
"All palanquins entering the capital have to first be inspected." The guard mentioned.
"Is that so?" A feminine voice emerging from within suddenly spoke up.
"Yes Milady." The young man replied and her hand stretching out from within the window, she revealed a name tag to him.
Reading the name clearly he froze while the wind blowing the curtain a little bit he could recognize that face anywhere.
"Pardon me." The young man mentioned as he stepped aside while the Palanquin was carried through.
"Aren't you worried Your Highness?" Beiyuan whispered next to the window.
"Consort Han, whatever she is, she can't possibly think that by making a couple of changes she'd get rid of my people that easily." Empress Yang responded, "she could only set her eyes on what she can see and not what is unseen." She remarked.
One of the guards having noticed he approached his colleague who had let him in.
"Who was it?" He inquired.
"Who do you think?" The latter responded with a question.
"Seeing that you seemed frightened perhaps one of the Grand Chancellor's people." He mentioned.
"The true holder of all the power, the current owner of all that is seen and unseen throughout our Heavenly Empire." He clarified.
Shi Miyuan standing outside the small cottage he was pacing back and fourth when the Palanquin halting right in front of the gates he rushed towards it immediately and bowed his head.
"I asked you to take care of things while I was away." The Empress spoke.
"I did." Shi Miyuan confidently responded.
"The Capital is under Martial Law, the Emperor is dead I heard along with the Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager so give me a reason to have my faith in you." Empress Yang said.
"Come inside with me Your Highness." Shi Miyuan requested and the Empress stepping out of the palanquin, Shi Miyuan led her up the stairs where the doors were opened for her.
She walked inside into one of the rooms where she found the Emperor seated.
"Your Majesty?" She called to him while himself recognizing that voice almost instantly he turned around and looked her in the eye while standing up.
"Mei'er?" He muttered in disbelief as he pulled her into a hug while she reluctantly yielded to his embrace and succeeded well enough at hiding it.
Shi Miyuan seeing them intimate he withdrew from the room while Eunuch Deng spotted him outside.
"Thank you." He said but the latter ignoring him he moved to the next room.
The two pulled apart while they both sat down.
"I thought that I had lost you." Emperor Ningzong remarked.
"I had to remain alive." She responded.
"My heart ached without your presence, I was dying every day without a sight of you, I couldn't even think straight, I couldn't even breathe, slowly by slowly I was suffocated worrying how hard it must have been on the battlefield that maybe none of this would have happened if only I had been strong enough." He mentioned.
"But your love, our love, it kept me safe, it brought me back into your loving arms." She remarked.
"You must have been burdened by the affairs of State." He remarked.
"At least Your Majesty is safe and back on your feet so every pain was worth it, my heart is set at ease, reuniting with my family there could be no better thing." Empress Yang mentioned.
"Consort Han had me pronounced dead, rumour has travelled fast around the Capital that your convoy was ambushed by the Jurchens yet somehow you are here too soon as though nothing happened." Emperor Ningzong pointed out.
"I had to be cautious Your Majesty, now that I am here with you there is a secret that I wish to disclose to you and those around us that we trust." She said.
Shi Miyuan returning outside the building Master Bao intercepted him.
"I heard that Her Highness has been assassinated." He mentioned startled.
"This way." Shi Miyuan pointed for him to get inside the building as he immediately mounted the stairs.
"Master Bao requests to see you." Eunuch Deng announced while the Emperor finding the name unfamiliar the Empress immediately granted him an audience and he moved into their presence.
"Who is this?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"You probably don't know him, he is like a fatherly figure to me, my mentor, my guardian, he raised me outside the Palace after the death of my mother and also when Your Majesty had banished me." She pointed out while he bowed his head.
"I greet you Your Majesty." He said as the Emperor nodded his head in approval.
"Is it like I am being told?" He inquired.
"Yes Your Majesty." He responded.
"Then I am grateful to you, eternally." Emperor Ningzong remarked.
"I thank Your Majesty." He responded.
"Is there something you wish to report to me?" Empress Yang inquired.
"Forgive me Your Highness, perhaps Shi Miyuan didn't tell you soon enough, it's about the Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager." He said.
"I heard that they contracted small pox." She said.
"Maybe the fair news, it isn't small pox." He said.
"Then what is it?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"While in the nunnery where Consort Han was exiled after she was deposed she met an old medicine man that equipped her with some of his skills, however he hadn't anticipated that she would misuse them later.
I found this man in hiding in another monastery probably from her, he claims that it is poison ivy mixed with some special ingredients that aroused these symptoms." Master Bao responded.
"It does bring about a rash and blisters." Emperor Ningzong pointed out.
"Well then if it isn't small pox then it can be cured." Empress Yang mentioned.
"I wouldn't get my hopes high just yet Your Highness." Master Bao remarked, "the cure for the Crown Prince and the Grand Empress Dowager comes at a cost and regretfully, for Her Grand Highness I fear that it could be too late while for the Crown Prince, him living another twenty five years will be lucky." He said while the Empress infuriated she clenched her fists.
"Do you have the cure?" Shs asked and the old man holding into his sleeve he pulled out a small white sack of the medicines tied.
"This is it." He claimed while she took it into her arms.
"I have already lost two sons Your Majesty, I can not lose this one as well, that's why even if there's still a one percent chance for him to live longer I will take it." She insisted as she stood up from where she was seated while her husband accompaniment him.
"Take me to my son." She ordered and Master Bao leading the way out of the room they followed him down the hallway.
Consort Han in her Chambers the doors were flung open and Court Lady Liu rushed into her presence and bowed her head.
"We have a problem Your Grace." She said, "Her Highness the Empress......." She instantly hesitated.
"What about her?" Consort Han inquired.
"There was an explosion, no body was found inside the palanquin and many guards fled the scene once the attack was made." She reported.
"You can't be possibly suggesting...." Consort Han furiously lashed out at her and smacked the table with her fist.
"It's possible that Her Highness survived." Court Lady Liu said.
"Of all times." Consort Han disappointedly remarked, "does anyone else know this?" She inquired.
"No." Court Lady Liu responded.
"The Empress died, that's all that matters." Consort Han remarked.
"But Her Highness being alive is a problem for us Your Grace." Court Lady Liu mentioned.
"The Jurchens attacked the Empress' life, Her Highness is dead, the coronation must proceed, inform the Grand Secretariat to issue an Edict, we'll reinforce martial law, association is forbidden and gatherings of more than five people shall be subject to Investigation and Interrogation, any information that is to be issued on the streets in form of documentation is to be censored and the capital patrol shall be reinforced with more soldiers from Jiangning." Consort Han ordered.
"Yes Your Grace." Court Lady Liu responded as she withdrew from the room immediately.
Empress Yang appearing through the doors leading to her son, she found Manyin seated right next to him.
"Xun'er?" She called while the young woman recognizing that voice instantly she turned around to see who it was.
"Your Highness!" She exclaimed while the Empress moving past her she stared at her pale son in front of her, his body covered in dark red spots as she held him in her hands.
"How could they do this to you?" She asked herself, "I am so sorry that I couldn't protect you." She spoke nearly bursting into tears but holding them back really hard.
"Administer the cure." Emperor Ningzong mentioned and Eunuch Deng handing over the bowl of the medicine to Master Bao, he gave it to the Empress who personally fed it to the young Prince.
She laid him down shortly afterwards.
"Where's everyone?" She asked.
"They are all gathered Your Highness." Eunuch Deng replied as Daiyu walked in.
"I have fed the Grand Empress Dowager." She said right when Beiyuan barged in on them.
"Forgive me for interrupting, Your Majesty, Your Highness, I have something to report." He muttered.
"Tell me." Emperor Ningzong mentioned.
"The Grand Secretariat has issued an Imperial Notice, according to it the Empress was assassinated by Jurchens which is a threat to National Security, to ensure stability in our Heavenly Empire the Coronation of the Imperial Prince Zhao Shen will be rushed, only the Courtiers and Government officials shall be required in attendance, the Palace Guard and the three armies shall come under the direct control of the throne, association is forbidden and not more than five people are allowed to gather, distant troops shall be brought nearer to the capital and there shall be a curfew at 7:00pm with effect from today, suspicious persons and movements shall be reported to the Ministry of Defence and all publications shall need to be approved by the Grand Secretariat," Beiyuan reported.
"They are trying to centralize their power and authority." Shi Miyuan remarked as the Empress stood up.
"Then we shall benefit where they can not." Empress Yang mentioned, "I am the most crucial piece in the game, at least this much Consort Han must be thinking." She muttered.
"What do you want to do Your Highness?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"Trade my skin to break the Enemy's back." She responded.
"No." Shi Miyuan rebuked.
"We are all commensurate to the Emperor, His Majesty is the one we are most entitled to protect, Consort Han must be confident that he couldn't have survived that's why we can only act now by dividing our forces." Empress Yang resolved.
"I know you Your Highness but the moment that you walk into Consort Han's arms then you'll be moving towards your death." Shi Miyuan insisted.
"We need a diversion to end the coronation." Empress Yang pointed out, "one of us has to be the fuse, on of us must be the spark." She confidently said.
Bao Langya having survived with Xiaoyang while they made their way through the shadows they stumbled upon a small camp.
"What are we doing here?" Xiaoyang inquired.
"It was Her Highness' order." Bao Langya responded.
"We could be spotted by someone." Xiaoyang frightened she spoke when Bao Langya signalling for her to keep quiet he tightened his arm around the handle of his sword.
Silence ensued while it seemed that someone was approaching them from behind, himself planning to pull his sword from its scabbard, he was met by a sharp pointed blade next to his neck while another appeared right next to Xiaoyang's as well.
"You shouldn't have come here." A rough deep voice spoke up.
"What do you know about the Silver Fraternity?" He asked when the man seemingly startled he brought the blade closer to his neck.
"Who are you?" The captor inquired.
"I was a former member." He responded.
"Who sent you?" The man asked.
"The Scarlet Phoenix." He responded.
"Impossible, the Empress is dead." The captor mentioned.
"No." Bao Langya responded as he stretched his hand into his breastplate and from within he pulled a signet ring out with the insignia.
The man withdrawing his sword hesitantly he returned it to his sheath while Bao Langya stood up and showed himself to him.
"I am Xue Feng." He said, "what favour does Her Highness need us to do for her?" He inquired.
"Her Highness informed me that there's at least ten thousand men in this camp." Bao Langya mentioned.
"What do you want us to do?" He inquired.
"Her Highness needs you to lure a tiger from its den." Bao Langya responded as he got closer to him while Xiaoyang unable to understand what the two were saying chose to maintain her own silence.
The Empress returning to the Emperor's room the two of them sat down at a table.
"I want to trust you Mei'er but I need to know what it is that you are planning." He said.
"While you were unconscious Han Touzhou suggested that we move the Court to Jiangning I protested and chose to personally lead the troops in Guanghua to reclaim our lost territory but I knew that I needed to be wary of my enemies back in the capital, as I had foreseen it someday I spent the past year as regent preparing for a civil war, I mustered, resources, forces and loyalties and studied the regional geopolitics of our Empire, I knew that at one time they would make a move on Your Majesty's loyalists that is why I prepared people to help us keep a low file on the inside." Empress Yang responded.
"Is that why you trusted Shi Miyuan with my security and well-being?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"He may not be your best ally or friend, but if I could trust him to protect you for my sake he would even die doing so, seeing you here I am confident that I didn't sin in doing so." She responded, "There's something that I am going to ask you to do as the Emperor if you wish to protect me." She muttered.
"What is it?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"Blood may flood the capital, the Jurchens we are not certain but they might hold out before they engage conflict again, Your Majesty must survive beyond the Capital tonight, there you shall find the power you need to reclaim your throne." Empress Yang responded.
"I can't live you here all alone Mei'er." Emperor Ningzong insisted.
"You must." Empress Yang mentioned, "if you want to protect me then you should remain alive Your Majesty." She petitioned to him as she looked at Beiyuan who standing beside him knocked him unconscious.
"Take His Majesty to the reserve forces." He ordered, "there, Shi Miyuan shall deliver him our secret gift." She remarked and the latter complying with the help of Eunuch Deng they took the Emperor out of the room leaving the Empress alone while she placed her hands on the table together.
"I shall scatter the ravening clouds possessing the sky." She whispered to herself.
Consort Han similarly in the Imperial Palace was seated next to the sleeping Prince and she patted his head while the little one seemed calm and peaceful.
"I promise you, you shall ascend that Imperial Dragon throne tomorrow, you shall become the most Supreme Ruler of our Heavenly Empire, that way, when I become the Empress Dowager, my sister's soul could finally find peace in the Netherworld." She whispered to him as she bent down and kissed his forehead.
The sun rising over the Capital, Consort Han was dressed in the Empress Dowager's robes, while they finalized her attire the little Prince was clad in his own Imperial Dragon Robes as he held onto the small Ceremonial Jade tablet that had been particularly modelled for him.
The sound of the trumpets being sounded was followed by the drums, there opening the Gates of the Grand Square where guards had gathered along with the ministers and Ladies of the harem, their Palanquin led by fans and provincial standards proceeded through the masses who bowed to offer their respects.
Lowering it halfway, Consort Han stepped out walking behind the young Prince who with tiny steps moved forward to the staircase that led to the top of the Grand Hall.
Emperor Ningzong gaining consciousness he found himself in a dismal tent sweating profusely, looking at his clothes, he was changed into his official robes and Eunuch Deng was waiting for him.
"What am I doing here?" He asked furiously as the latter stepped away from the door.
"Her Highness apologized in advance, she prepared everything for you." He mentioned as the Emperor stepping out of his bed he approached him while he kept his head bent low.
He moved forward until he was out in the open and their Shi Miyuan stood while holding a small box he could hardly recognize.
"Take command of your people, proclaim your glorious reign over our Heavenly Empire and reclaim your Sovereign Imperial Dragon throne." He said as he opened it in front of the Emperor who stared at its contents marvellously.
Stretching his hand into chest he picked out the Imperial Jade Seal and studied it.
It's authentic." He mentioned.
"There can be no coronation, a new Emperor can not rise to the Imperial Dragon throne without the Imperial Jade Seal." Shi Miyuan assured as the Emperor turned to thousands of Imperial troops in front of him who bowed their heads to offer him their allegiance.
The Empress Yang magnificently dressed in her own Phoenix robes, she wore on her head the Imperial headdress and held in her hands a golden Scroll as she approached the gates of the Imperial City.
"Is she not the Empress?" The people murmured.
"I thought that the Jurchens had killed her." Another mentioned while she halted right in front of the tall crimson iron gates.
The guards at the top recognizing her without hesitation they opened the gates while she moved further inside and nearly a thousand of them abandoning their positions they took their stand behind her.
Consort Han with the Imperial Prince Zhao Shen standing at the top of the staircase he knelt down on a cushion in front the Altar that had been set up while a couple of Eunuchs bearing a canopy in their hands they shielded him, slowly he stood up after kowtowing thrice and he faced the masses with Consort Han right by his side.
"Present His Majesty with the Imperial Jade Seal." The Minister of Rites ordered and the small wooden box that usually bore it was brought into the presence of all that had gathered at the scene.
Han Touzhou, leading the Ceremony opened the box and froze at the sight of what was inside.
"No." He suddenly mentioned while Consort Han curious she moved closer to him.
"What's the problem?" She inquired.
"The Imperial Jade seal, it's gone Your Highness." Han Touzhou responded and the people murmuring amongst themselves while the officials seemed tense, a drum was sounded and shortly afterwards everyone turned their attention towards the gates of the Grand Square.
"Her Imperial Highness the Empress deigns you all with her presence." Beiyuan announced in a very loud voice and the gates being flung open they revealed the Empress' silhouette darkening the gateway while she held onto the golden scroll within her hands tightly.
Slowly she walked through in the company of some Imperial guards while the Courtiers and officials that had already gathered bowed their heads to her while she made her way through to the front.
"Consort Han, what do you think you are doing?" She inquired.
"What does it seem like to you Your Highness?" Consort Han inquired.
"How dare you in your capacity as a Consort of this Empire enthrone a new Emperor while the current is still living?" Empress Yang lashed out.
"You must have lost yourself Your Highness, the Imperial Court was present at the final hour of His Majesty, while he took his last breath, they witnessed with their eyes and heard his final testament, Your Highness must travel to the nunnery to pray for his soul in the afterlife." Consort Han mentioned.
"If all of you listen to this claim then you become sinners of this dynasty." Empress Yang said while everyone started murmuring amongst themselves suspiciously.
Many of the officials that had gathered seemed doubtful and Han Touzhou quietening Consort Han acted up.
"Your Highness claims that His Majesty is alive, then who was it that the Courtiers saw die?" She inquired while the Empress holding onto the scroll in her hands she persistently kept quiet, guarded by her own people.
"Can you prove it to us that His Majesty is alive?" She asked confidently with a ghastly smile on her face.
"Yes." Empress Yang responded to the amazement of everyone in the square while she unfolded the scroll in front of everyone.
"I have been given full command of the Capital along with its military divisions by His Majesty, as the Empress Regent of this our Heavenly Empire." She assured them.
And how would you have an Imperial Edict now of all times?" Consort Han inquired.
"There can be no coronation without the Imperial Jade Seal." Empress Yang mentioned, "you must all be wondering where it is, I'll save you the trouble and tell you all, it's in its rightful place, with its true owner, the true divine ruler of our Heavenly Empire, the August, the noble, the true son of heaven." She reported.