"His Highness the Crown Prince Zhao Hong." His presence was announced and at once, the gates of the Grand Palace were flung open and he walked through fully dressed in his ceremonial robes.
He wore a Jade belt that was wrapped around his navy blue attire and a ten-beaded Crown surmounted on his head, embroidered on his hanfu was the four-clawed Silver Dragon.
He held in his hands a Jade ceremonial tablet and gracefully, he mounted the stairs that led to the Grand Hall where the High ranking Officials were waiting for him.
The Emperor seated at the front on his Imperial Dragon throne, right next to him was the Empress who was magnificently dressed in her pheasant robes smiling at him.
He knelt before them while Eunuch Deng holding the Imperial Edict he faced the crowd and opened it while all the Courtiers went onto their knees along with all the other officials that were standing outside the hall.
"This day, the 5th of the second lunar month of the fourteenth year of the Jiading Era, with the power vested in me as the Son of Heaven and the Most Supreme Ruler of the Greater Heavenly Empire of Southern Song, I do Crown the worthy, the virtuous, the magnificent and kind Imperial Prince Zhao Hong as the Heir apparent of the Imperial Dragon throne and additionally create him the Noble Duke of Qi." He read as he slowly closed it and descending the stairs in person, he handed the scroll over to the young man.
"Zhao Hong thanks His Imperial Heavenly Majesty." He said with gusto as he received it.
"Long Live His Majesty, His Majesty is sage, Long Live Her Highness, Her Highness our Empress, Long Live His Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince." The Courtiers shouted in unison and the Empress slightly feeling a bit excited she permitted herself to smile a little bit.
The ceremony having been concluded, the ladies of the East Palace along with the guards and Eunuchs most of whom had been hand-picked by the Empress herself gathered in its Courtyard waiting to receive the New Crown Prince.
"I heard that he is a very handsome man." The girls muttered amongst themselves.
"Before he was born, once his Late Majesty the Xiaozong Emperor had a dream and in it he saw the dragon above the Imperial Prince Zhao Kai's residence, he had been induced by that to even consider ignoring His Majesty's late father and appoint him instead as a Crown Prince." Others said.
"I heard that every girl in the capital who sees him can't help it but fall in love with him at first sight." Another remarked and while the chattering persisted, the Head Ladies seemed to notice that the Crown Prince was taking too long.
Empress Yang seated in her room she was reading a book when Manyin walked in all of a sudden.
"How is the Crown Prince?" She inquired as she kept on flipping through the pages one by one.
"He hasn't yet arrived in the East Palace." She responded and hearing this at once the Empress closed the book as she eventually turned her eyes and raised them to Manyin, finally granting her full attention.
"Is that so?" She inquired.
"It's already been thirty minutes since his investiture ceremony ended and until now there's no sign of him in the East Palace." She responded.
"If the Crown Prince of our Greater Heavenly Empire isn't inside the East Palace, where else in the Imperial City could he be?" She asked seemingly curious with a mild tone of fury.
The Crown Prince Zhao Hong walking into the Chambers of Consort Cao he stood before her and bowed his head.
"Your Grace?" He greeted.
"Your Highness." She responded as she raised her hand and signaled for him to sit on the stool right in front of her but in protest, he knelt instead.
"I have heard a lot about you, however seeing me first could it possibly be that you have lost your way?" She inquired.
"I couldn't be more certain myself, I wouldn't be the man I am today had it not been for Your Grace." He responded.
"Your gratitude and sincerity move me entirely." Consort Cao said.
"Seeing that you are the wife of His Majesty who so happens to be my father, as your dutiful son, is it not right for me to treat you with that honour that your position demands?" He asked.
"In this Palace, I am but a mere Imperial Consort to His Majesty, you must have heard a lot about the Empress and what she can do." She asserted.
"But that doesn't phase me Your Grace." He boldly said.
"Why do you seem so certain?" Consort Cao asked.
"Your Grace has survived in this Palace through all that and the Empress is not one to pacify I can tell, if I need someone who will protect me and my voice which is for the welfare of the people of our Greater Heavenly Empire, I must find in you a more reliable ally for I trust that it is your aegis and guidance that I need." Zhao Hong said and Consort Cao couldn't help it but smile at herself.
"This old woman is powerless." She professed.
"My father seems to think otherwise and so do I." He responded.
"Your allegiance can't be without need, however as I am to consider staking my life for the sake of a newfound alliance with Your Highness, I can't help but wonder, what is it that I could possibly get in return for my efforts?" She asked.
"If I ascend the Imperial Dragon throne Your Grace will become the Empress Dowager, you'll command the Inner Court, something that has never been yours despite your high rank and endless strife will eventually belong to you alone." He responded and Consort Cao looking him in the eye she couldn't help it but smile at herself ghastly.
The Empress along with Manyin still seated in her Chambers, Xiaoyang rushed through.
"Your Highness." She lamented aloud while bowing her head, "we have found out the Crown Prince's whereabouts." She reported.
"Where's he?" Empress Yang inquired.
"Forgive me Your Highness but His Highness went to the Rongchang Palace after his investiture." She responded and Manyin startled she dropped her mouth while the Empress seemingly retaining her composure was burning with rage within.
"I'll go and see him myself then." She said as she stood up from where she was seated and walked out of the room while Xiaoyang, Manyin and Beiyuan followed her.
Consort Cao in her room she couldn't help it but keep smiling at herself.
"The Crown Prince's visit to the Rongchang Palace seems to have left Your Grace in extraordinarily high moods today." Linxiang who was observing while standing by her side remarked.
"To be honest it didn't strike me that His Highness would be so brazen, that he would be so bold to take such a step under the watchful gaze of many." She responded.
"How could he not accord you that much respect, if it wasn't you that gave him to the Imperial Prince Zhao Kai then he wouldn't have anonymously shifted this close in the line of succession." Linxiang remarked.
"Alas, it is the very move that we needed to start this conflagration between himself and the Empress." Consort Cao said.
"You are very brilliant Your Grace." Linxiang praised her.
"What does it matter as I have now dispatched my finest soldier, my trump card, my ultimate move, clearly as good as the mother herself, the Empress will take long to notice that the person that she is up against is none other than her first son with His Majesty, the Imperial Prince Zhao Zeng." She asserted as she smiled at herself ghastly.
The Crown Prince walking through the gates of his residence he mounted the stairs that led to his private quarters.
The doors being opened for him he walked in only to find the Empress comfortably seated while preparing to burn some incense.
She ignited it and placed it in the pot, and just as she watched the smoke rising through its holes, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath and finally sighed while the Crown Prince without hesitation moved forward and stood in front of her.
"Your Highness." He said paying his respects to her.
"Your Highness?" The Empress called him as she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him straight in his face, "the ladies of the Palace were waiting and as I heard that His Highness had taken a trip to the Rongchang Palace, I saw it worth the trouble to come and greet you myself." She muttered.
"Forgive me if it made you uneasy, seeing that I am new in the Imperial Palace it's natural that I get lost, besides as it so happens that as the Crown Prince of this nation I shall be busier than ever I should know my way around as soon as possible." He said.
"Then there are quite a number of things that you must learn before you Govern our Greater Heavenly Empire one day, seeing that it could have been naivety I'll let it slide this once, however, a Crown Prince is forbidden from visiting any of His father's wives because at the end of it all, no one can be certain what the world will think." She remarked as she smiled at him.
"Rest assured Your Highness, I'll be more careful from now on." He promised.
"That's reassuring." She said as she stood up right in front of him.
"Water can carry a boat Your Highness and it can also capsize it, for every action that you do both knowingly and unknowingly, bear it in mind that you are the Crown Prince of this Empire therefore, it'll come with consequences either way." She said before she gracefully walked past him and exited from the room.
The Crown Prince remaining alone in his Chambers he turned and looked at the seat where the Empress had been seated, momentarily, he took a deep breath and sighed when the doors were open behind him and someone made his entrance.
"Who is it?" He asked.
"Your Highness?" A familiar voice responded and looking over his shoulder, he noticed Mu Lang standing there in his uniform.
"It's you?" He said.
"Yes." He responded, forgive me for sounding rude but I heard your conversation with the Empress." He said.
"It's nothing." Zhao Hong muttered as he stood up and turned around and faced him.
"It can't be," he said, "I have heard so much about the Empress, what she can do, how much power she holds, yet you choose to visit Consort Cao are you not worried about what she would think?" Mu Lang inquired.
"What kind of Emperor will I be if I act cowardly?" Zhao Hong asked as he slowly walked closer and closer until he finally halted right in front of him.
"I'm sorry Your Highness." Mu Lang instantly apologized.
"I understand that you are worried for me, honestly I am also worried for myself, but I am faithful, I am confident, I know that with you right here by my side, you shall protect me from all harm." He remarked and holding his left shoulder, he slowly patted him affectionately.
Consort Cao seated in her room, the Empress' presence was announced that she stood up from where she was seated immediately and bowed her head while the latter made her entry into the room before her.
"Greetings Your Highness." She said.
"Cao Chen Fei?" The Empress called her that she slowly raised her head to meet her not-so-sincere but frightening smile.
"To come all the way from the Central Palace to the Rongchang Palace I am deeply moved by you Your Highness." She said.
"And as it is that I would very much hate to have traversed in vain I am sure you wouldn't mind chatting with me while enjoying a cup of tea." Empress Yang muttered.
"Sure Your Highness." Consort Cao replied smiling to her.
Alas the two sitting down at the nearby table, Consort Cao slightly fanning the fire burning in the stove lowered the small can in her hands and watching the kettle burn she accorded the Empress some attention.
"You hardly trouble yourself visiting the Consorts within His Majesty's harem which leaves me very curious Your Highness," she remarked, "what brings you here today?" She boldly inquired from her.
"Since I appear to accord Your Grace slightly more attention than the other ladies of the harem and the Inner Court, please accept my profound apology for sounding intrusive, as it has come to my attention that the Crown Prince was hanging around the Rongchang Palace, I am displeased that he seems to be misled by hanging around the wrong people." She responded.
"He is just a test fourteen-year-old boy Your Highness and he's known to the traditions of the Imperial Palace let alone the duties of the Crown Prince." She pleaded for him.
"So was the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji." Empress Yang suddenly brought up his name and an awkward silence prevailing momentarily, the tea that was burning in their midst started to boil hard and Consort Cao stretching her hand as though she had not heard seized the kettle and slowly poured the Empress some tea while she took some herself in her cup, she raised it towards her lips and took a sip before she lowered it on the saucer in front of her.
"So what is it that Your Highness dreads the most, the fact that the Crown Prince would see me for a better ally or the fact that he might contend with your might?" She asked.
"You haven't been in the Palace long enough Consort Cao, a year is nothing compared to those many you spent away, I don't need to remind you what happens to those that choose to stand against my will." She spoke threateningly.
"As it is I have already lost a son Your Highness, what more is there that I have to lose again?" Consort Cao inquired.
"Just know your place, it's good enough, as it so happens you still have a daughter, I doubt that being motherless would be one of the things that she would long for the most in her entire life and you very well know that I can make her understand what it feels like." Empress Yang said as she stood up.
"Won't you at least drink the tea that has been prepared by me?" Consort Cao asked.
"I don't trust what my servants prepare me therefore how do you think I can trust what is made by your flawed hands?" Empress Yang responded and holding onto her hanfu gracefully, she stepped away from the seat and walked past Consort Cao towards the exit of her Chambers.
Remaining alone she stared at the cup and laughed at herself when Linxiang rushing through the doors stood at her side.
"Are you alright Your Grace?" She inquired.
"How can that wench be so full of herself?" She said when she looked over her shoulder at Linxiang who bowed her head.
"Spread the news concerning the Crown Prince's visit to Rongchang Palace, afterwards, ask all the others to gather and I shall meet them tonight." She ordered.
"Yes Your Grace." Linxiang responded as she withdrew from the room immediately.
Empress Yang returning to her room she found Shi Miyuan seated down that she immediately took the seat in front of him while everyone else withdrew from the room leaving the two alone.
"I heard what happened concerning the Crown Prince Your Highness." He said as the Empress putting her hand on the table she slowly started tapping it for a moment.
"It leaves me greatly concerned," she said, "for an inexplicable reason, he makes my heart uneasy." She professed.
"He couldn't have done it knowingly." Shi Miyuan pleaded for him.
"Can you be confident that he didn't?" She asked him.
"Why are you curious Your Highness, has he done anything wrong to suspect his loyalty to you?" He asked.
"Wasn't the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji innocent before us all?" She asked as he kept quiet, "I seem to have learnt that people can be very hard and as Consort Cao would speak up to me I am now certain that I can't give my enemies a breathing space." She responded letting her mind wander away for a while until Shi Miyuan noticed a strange glow in her eyes, something strange that had come to mind.
"What are you thinking Your Highness?" He asked her.
"Pacifying the Crown Prince sure isn't enough, we must bind him to ourselves so tightly, so tightly that he can't break free, so tightly that others can't snatch him from us." She said.
"And how do you intend to tie down the Crown Prince Your Highness?" He asked.
"It's fortunate that I made preparations much earlier, I believe that it is high time that we discussed the selection of a Crown Princess for our Greater Heavenly Empire." She responded as she smiled at herself ghastly.
Ye Shi and a couple of other few lesser officials were gathered right inside a small secret dark room when the doors were opened.
Consort Cao walked in right towards a special seat at the forefront that had been prepared for her in particular and there she sat down.
"Greetings Your Grace." They said in unison while bowing their heads as she looked at them confidently.
"The honour is mine to be graced with your presence tonight." She muttered.
"I gathered everyone here as you wished Your Grace but before we proceed there is something that I would really wish to seek clarity with you." Ye Shi, the Minister of Personnel pointed out.
"You may proceed." Consort Cao calmly acquiesced.
"The Minister of Rites is now in exile and the Empress is more powerful, you called us here because you claimed that you could beat the Empress this time, how does Your Grace intend to do so?" He asked.
"You must have all heard the News, the Crown Prince personally chose to visit Rongchang Palace the moment his investiture came to an end, as he desperately begged to be under my aegis which is why I thought it urgent to convene all of you here." She responded, "as it so happens to be that tg the Empress' power before couldn't be threatened because the Crown Prince was her own blessing, if we could empower the Crown Prince then we'd certainly supplant the Empress." She responded.
"What can a fourteen-year-old boy do, why could we take such a huge gamble with our own destiny?" Ye Shi asked.
"So what are you proposing Your Excellency?" Consort Cao inquired.
"An alliance between our powers is unfathomable unless Your Grace proves yourself to be worthy enough and that applies to the Crown Prince as well." Ye Shi responded.
"Is this the resolve of everyone that is seated within this room?" Consort Cao asked.
"As it so happens that the Ex-Minister of Rites was stripped and exiled from his office at the Mercy of His Majesty, everyone here could meet the same fate by siding with Your Grace which is why our cause must be justified and our effort should be guaranteed as the Minister of Personnel speaks for us all." One of the others responded.
"Very well then, if that is your sincerest wish." Consort Cao said as she smiled at them.
Zhao Hong seated in his personal Chambers, Mu Lang walked in bearing in his hands a couple of books which he placed down on the table in front of him.
"Her Grace asked me to deliver these to you in person." He reported and the young man without any hesitation he took one of them in his hands and opening them he perused through the contents before he closed it and rested it down on the table.
"What's so special with them Your Highness?" Mu Lang inquired.
"Sima Guang's works, a very prominent book that criticizes the Governance in many precedent dynasties." He responded, "with this we can take our first step to winning the confidence of the Imperial Court." He said.
"And how is a book going to help Your Highness achieve that?" Mu Lang asked.
"We'll use the Empress' own weapons against her." He responded as he looked him in the eye, "Have this sent to the Empress' Palace in three days." He ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Mu Lang responded as he picked up the books and slowly, he withdrew from his master's presence.
Consort Cao returning into her Chambers she sat down while Linxiang accompanying her was loudly protesting.
"How dare they treat you like that Your Grace, they disregard your position and competence." She muttered.
"Don't hold them accountable after all it is only right that they act with caution, right that they seek a guarantee before staking their lives to do something that could get them killed." She responded.
"Yet Your Grace let them have their way, how is it that we are going to prove that the Crown Prince is worthy of their support?" Linxiang inquired.
"Perhaps I had seen this coming and prepared ahead of time." She responded.
"What!" Linxiang exclaimed.
"Just be patient for a little while and let's see, certainly, the Crown Prince shall be the first to cast his stone." Consort Cao confidently assured her with a ghastly smile on her face.
Very early in the morning, the Empress accompanied by her ladies in waiting she walked up to the Grand Palace where the Emperor was busy preparing for the Daily Assembly.
She made her entrance into his quarters and the rest of the servants recognizing her presence bowed their heads and honoured her while she moved up to her husband.
"Your Majesty." She greeted him.
"My Empress," he responded, "what brings you here?" He asked and looking at the other servants, they withdrew and granted the two some privacy while she picked up his Jade belt.
"I was worried for both Your Majesty and the Crown Prince, he may appear a young man but as he has the potential to govern this our Greater Heavenly Empire one day I couldn't help it but think that he'll need to have a wise and capable companion to serve as his Principal Consort." She responded as she tied it around his waist.
"So this is about his marriage?" He asked.
"I realised that it's what's best for His Highness as a young man and you deserve to at least see your grandchild while you're still alive, marriage will protect him and help him strengthen his power and influence in the Imperial Court." Empress Yang responded.
"Do you have anyone in mind my Empress?" He asked.
"I asked the Eunuchs to help me locate all the girls that qualify and depending on their horoscopes and family backgrounds I was very keen to consider the reputation of their family and their individual conduct but also to ensure that loyalty to the Imperial house remains unwavering there was one girl who was particularly outstanding." She responded.
"Who is she?" Emperor Ningzong inquired.
"Lady Wu Zhuangxuan, the granddaughter of Commander Wu and my mother's sister Yang Chengtian." She responded.
"I see." Emperor Ningzong said.
"As we are alive to this day there's no telling what will happen twenty or even ten or even thirty years from now, as the Yang and Wu Clans have been loyal to the Imperial House for decades and even centuries, I wish to use my power as the Empress to support the Crown Prince of Our Greater Heavenly Empire and I figured it out that only if an ancestor from the Yang family bloodline became the Empress, certainly, His Highness would have all the support that he needs." She muttered as she finalized dressing him.
"You are foresighted my Empress and I trust that it is from your worry towards me that you act with extreme caution and certainty, as your judgement is certainly right and I trust is just enough, you have my approval to do as you seem fit." He said.
"I thank you Your Majesty." She said.
"I'm sorry." He muttered instead.
"You have done nothing wrong." She seemed to wonder as she looked at him while he took a couple of steps away from her and turned around.
"You never desired to be in the Palace before, yet I bound you to the chains of being the Empress of this our Greater Heavenly Empire, I sinned against you in unimaginable ways and when the time comes when I can finally make things right and put everything back to its original place I shall certainly do so." He promised her.
"I'll take my leave Your Majesty." She said as she humbly withdrew from the room at once leaving him alone.
For a moment he lowered his gaze and looking into his hand he slowly watched the veins on it slowly darkening while it twitched and shook uncontrollably before Eunuch Deng walked in.
"It is almost time for the Daily Assembly Your Majesty." He reported to him.
"Give me some time, I'm coming." He responded as the latter withdrew from the room as well.
The Empress walking through the Palace walls she suddenly crossed paths with Consort Cao who was coming from the opposite direction with her retinue.
The latter halted in her footsteps as did the Empress.
"Your Highness." She said bowing her head to her.
"Your Grace." She responded smiling at her, "It has been long since I saw you walking around the Palace." She remarked.
"it fell a little bit staffed and as the mourning period for Ji'er has come to an end as the Imperial Consort in His Majesty's harem I believe I can not be lax in my duty to assist you Your Highness." Consort Cao said.
"But you are much older than I am and your bones must be ailing a lot, very soon you'll be making sixty-five years I figured out that it's probably for the best to let you get some more rest, there are other concubines in His Majesty's harem that are youthful and I can rely on efficiently." Empress Yang teased her.
"How can I rest, This Palace is nothing but a good looking gilded cage, I have nearly lost my life within these walls before therefore I can not risking erring once more." She said.
"I believe you took to heart my words the other day, I hoped to clarify with you that each of them was sincere." Empress Yang said.
"And so were mine Your Highness." Consort Cao responded and bowing her head to her, the Empress not moved by the faked respects she offered only held her head high and walked past her while Consort Cao watched her as she slowly vanished from sight.
"She's as arrogant as ever." Linxiang remarked.
"Let's just watch everything patiently." Consort Cao said smiling at herself.
The CrownPrince Zhao Hong seated at the pavilion where he usually read from the Empress mounted the stairs that led to him and seeing her he immediately stood up from where he was seated and bowed his head.
"Greetings Your Highness." He said gracefully as he stepped aside from his stood and walking towards it, the Empress sat down while he knelt down in front of her.
"It's a little bit too early to be here on your own." She said to him.
"Forgive me Your Highness but as the Crown Prince of Our Greater Heavenly Empire I can't be lax lest I shall disappoint both Her Highness and His Majesty along with the Courtiers who put me in this place, I would disappoint the people of this country that will one day become my subjects." He said.
"It's good to see that you are very passionate when it comes to your studies and your duties, and hearing you say those words sets my heart at ease that I can't help but be all the more enthusiastic to assist Your Highness on your way to ascend the Imperial Dragon throne in future." She said.
"The honour is mine Your Highness." Zhao Hong said.
"Now that I am here even with the blessing of His Majesty I wish to discuss something very crucial with you that requires your utmost attention." Empress Yang said.
"Whatever it is Your Highness, I am listening." He said.
"As it so happens to be that it is only of recent that you were invested as the Crown Prince your foundation isn't yet as strong, you need to have the powerful Courtiers behind your back and as your legal mother I couldn't help but worry that as it is my duty to protect you from all harm it rests with me to help you find someone that shall set you at ease and give you comfort, a companion that can protect you and love you as a most loyal subject, one that can love you as a wife." She said.
"You are suggesting........" He hesitated.
"I think it's high time that we appointed someone to the position of the Crown Princess." She concluded for him noticing that he was greatly lacking in the courage to speak it up himself.
"I see." He spoke in a lowly tone.
"Do you dislike the idea?" She asked him, curious about his thoughts.
"I was unfortunate to have lost my mother at a very young age and I am certain that at least she would have loved to hear this news, but seeing that Your Highness cares for me this much I can't help but feel lucky for having received your undeserved affection." He responded as he looked at her while for a moment her heart shook moved by his naivety, "Your Highness is truly sagacious and wise and you act out of my welfare, whichever person it is that you choose I am confident that they are the best choice in the world." He remarked.
"Momentarily I allowed myself to think that you wouldn't be so pleased with the idea." Empress Yang pointed out.
"How could I be dismayed when all Your Highness is doing me is giving me wings to fly much higher that I may quickly achieve my dreams?" He inquired and the Empress quietly she studied him.
"You remind me of someone Your Highness, I knew a certain young man like you who had a sweet tongue but too bad the heavens were unfair and he met an unfortunate fate in the end." She said.
"May I ask who Your Highness?" He posed a question.
"The Imperial Prince Zhao Ji would have one day inherited the Imperial Dragon throne, he would have one day become the Sovereign Ruler of this our Greater Heavenly Empire however it's a pity that in the end he couldn't choose between who his right allies and enemies were which wound up his tragic life," Empress Yang said as she stretched out her hand and held the hand of the young man, "I hope you never make the same mistake Hong'er, I hope you don't make the wrong choice of allies in your life." She spoke to him threateningly but also sounding as if she was greatly concerned before she let go and finally stood up.
"Don't worry Your Highness, I shall not make the same mistake." He responded firmly.
"I shall now make the necessary preparations for your wedding." She said to him before she walked away leaving the young man lost in his thoughts.
Reaching the exit of the pavilion she caught sight of Mu Lang who upon noticing her presence bowed his head as she was slowly bound to move away.
She halted in her footsteps while Manyin and Xiaoyang looked surprised.
"Is there anything wrong Your Highness?" Xiaoyang was quick to inquire as the Empress turned to face Mu Lang.
"Look at me." She said and fearlessly the young man raised his eyes only for her to somewhat recognize his fine features, those thick brows and eyes somehow resembled the Crown Prince's and those lips and that nose bridge very much took after the Emperor's.
"I have never seen you anywhere in this Palace." She said.
"I came here with His Highness Your Highness, I am his personal bodyguard." He responded.
"Aren't you too young?" She inquired.
"My personality deems me otherwise, forgive me for having overstated Your Highness, but if I must there's no man in the world that can beat me, even if they are a hundred or a thousand, I can face them all." He boasted.
"It's good that His Highness has such a passionate young man to protect him." Empress Yang muttered and raising her right hand as though going to touch his cheek, she suddenly lowered it and wiped his shoulder before she turned around and left him there.
Word of the Crown Prince's marriage started circulating all over the capital and throwing the doors of Feng Ba's residence open, Hua Jin rushed in across the Courtyard and moving to the back of the building he found the latter feeding a black cat.
"Milord, we have a bit of a problem." He notified him.
"What's the matter?" Feng Ba asked while he caressed his cat's head.
"The Crown Prince is set to marry the Empress' niece Lady Wu Zhuangxuan." He reported all of a sudden and hearing this his master hesitated and gave him his full attention.
"I thought it was something urgent." He claimed.
"How can you say that Milord, this marriage is intended to strengthen the Empress' influence in the Imperial Court, if this marriage succeeds then it shall be clear enough that the Crown Prince will become the Empress' puppet." Hua Jin remarked.
"It could be the case but don't you think that it's a little bit too early to deduce that?" Feng Ba said as he stood up and put his hands behind his back he walked up to the balcony and stood there musing at his garden he took a couple of breaths and sighed.
"What are you thinking about Milord?" Hua Jin inquired.
"Everything seems to be progressing well enough but we must provide the Crown Prince with the perfect opportunity to induce the conflict." He responded as he turned around and faced him, "I'll meet His Highness tonight." He said.
"It'll be very difficult." Hua Jin said.
"With Consort Cao's help it's most likely to be a walkover." Feng Ba responded.
"If you say so Milord." Hua Jin said and the former nodding his head in approval, the young man instantly withdrew from the room.
Wu Lin, the first-born son of Commander Wu a man who was roughly the same age as the Empress rushed through the hallways of his Manor and while he negotiated a corner that set him right in front of the doors of a small detached room on the east side, he slid the doors open and walked in on a young woman.
Her long dark hair falling over her face kept it slightly hidden yet as the mild wind howled threw and blew part of it to expose her features, she was strikingly beautiful despite the distraught expression she wore.
He slowly walked up to her and standing in front of the young woman he gathered the courage he needed before he sat down beside her on her bed.
"Zhuangxuan......?" He called.
"The man I loved told me to marry into the Imperial family, the father I cherished more than anything in the world gave my hand in marriage without my consent, here I am too, now without someone to lean on, no longer the master of my fate, can you promise me still that everything will be alright my father or can you convince me that I am the luckiest girl in the world?" She asked.
"You are but a filial daughter." Wu Lin responded.
"But I don't want to be a filial daughter father." Wu Zhuangxuan said.
"I wish it didn't have to be this way but as an Empress to be your life will be much easier as long as you give birth to a son, that way our Wu Clan can rise to prominence again, that way you'd be safe from the world." Wu Lin said to her as she sobbed bitterly while he pulled her close and gave her a hug in tears.
Crown Prince Zhao Hong returning to the East Palace from his pavilion found Consort Cao waiting outside for him.
"Your Grace." He greeted her while she got right in front of him and stared him in the eye.
"What do you think you are doing Your Highness?" She inquired from him.
"What do you think I am doing Your Grace?" Hd responded with another question.
"The Empress and her people are merely using this wedding as a political tool to strengthen the Empress' position in the Imperial Court, you should have used this as a way to start up another rivalling faction at Court, you would have used this to gain the allegiance of the Minister of Personnel and have one of the highest Government officials on your side." She reprimanded him.
"You agreed to support me Your Grace and I took your promise in good faith, at the very least you should trust me." He remarked.
"Trust between us is but an unfeasible dream if we make no effort to confer with one another before moving forward, I believe that before even agreeing with the Empress you should have first sought my counsel." Consort Cao insisted.
"Does it frighten you so much that I didn't?" He asked her.
"Maybe because you might not realise it soon enough but with this marriage the Empress plans to use you." Consort Cao said and the Crown Prince smiling at himself as though it were a joke he got close enough to her and leaned right next to her left ear.
"What if with this Imperial wedding I am the one who plans to use the Empress?" He whispered and Consort Cao startled the young man pulled away from her, "don't bother yourself with this Your Grace and let her Highness have a way, remember, at the end of it all I shall have mine and I shall prove myself not only worthy of the support of our people but the Empress' as well." Crown Prince Zhao Hong said to her and bowing his head he walked past her and mounted the stairs that led to his study while Consort Cao couldn't help it but smile at herself.
"What's the matter Your Grace?" Linxiang inquired.
"It looks like we chose the right piece to use against the Empress." Consort Cao responded confidently.
"You seem to be pleased with the Crown Prince." Linxiang remarked.
"He thought about something that we were all too naive to think about I suppose he takes after his mother after all." Consort Cao responded.
"It's like they say Your Grace, the apple never falls too far from the tree." Linxiang remarked.
Crown Prince Zhao Hong seated in his room his Eunuch walked up to his presence.
"Your Highness, there's someone here to see you." He said.
"Who could it be?" He asked.
"He refuses to identify himself but he says that he has some reliable information that you will find to your liking." He reported.
"Let him in." Zhao Hong responded and the latter withdrawing immediately from the room a short while later Feng Ba walked in.
"Your Highness." He bowed his head as he offered his salutations to him.
"Do I know you?" He asked.
"Your Highness would be pleased to know that I am well acquainted with Consort Cao." Feng Ba responded that the young man seemed surprised.
"Is that so?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"Reliably I am informed by Her Grace that there aren't too many people that you can lean on in this Palace, permit me, I kindly ask you to let me serve you." He said.
"And why would you serve a Crown Prince who has nothing?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"There surely is a time and a season for everything Your Highness, just because you do not have the power now it doesn't mean that you can not have it later," he responded as he placed his hands on the table and slowly leaned closer to him, "what if I gave you power Your Highness?" He asked.
"What power could this ordinary man give me?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"Your Highness would surely be surprised by what this ordinary man can do and not to mention the power that I can give." Feng Ba responded as he smiled at himself ghastly while the Crown Prince not breaking his gaze either smiled at him a bit more sincerely.
Mu Lang negotiating a corner as he slowly approached the entrance to the Crown Prince's Personal Chambers he caught sight of the doors opening and moving through them he recognized Feng Ba's face from a distance.
He halted momentarily and studied his movement along with his attire that he was certain that he wasn't mistaken he chose to move closer to the Crown Prince's Eunuch.
"Who is he?" He asked.
"A strange man that asked to have an audience with His Highness, apparently he was sent over as a physician from the Rongchang Palace." He reported.
"Is that so?" Mu Lang inquired.
"Yes." The Eunuch responded while the latter stared at him suspiciously.
Zhao Hong seated inside he made his entrance into his presence where he found him absent-minded.
"Your Highness'?" He called him.
"Your here?" He seemed surprised.
"I was looking through some records and on my way back I saw someone leaving your room and I heard that it's a physician sent over from the Rongchang Palace." He said.
"He's no enemy." Zhao Hong confirmed to the young man.
"I don't trust him at all Your Highness, ij fact on the same day that I met you in the streets I met him in a clothing store, he seemed to know something about the quilt but lied to me about it and asked me to go back and meet him in three days but he didn't turn up." He reported.
"So somehow you are certain that he knows a thing or two about the quilt?" Crown Prince Zhao Hong inquired.
"Someone told me that it's most likely from the Palace and if one way or another he is affiliated with Consort Cao and I'd trying to forge affiliations with you it means that there's something interesting that he is seeking out from the Palace in particular." Mu Lang responded.
"What you are saying makes sense but depending on the conversation that I just had with him he assured me that he could be a reliable ally." Zhao Hong said.
"Did you trust him?" Mu Lang asked.
"Everyone is merely trying to use my position as the Crown Prince, Consort Cao must certainly be thinking the same thing, save for you that I have known and like me you are looking for answers, there's no one else that I can trust." Zhao Hong assured him.
"Your Highness puts so much confidence in me, I can't be more thankful and I'll devote everything that I can to fight for you until you ascend the Imperial Dragon throne." Mu Lang confidently professed.
"That's reassuring to hear." Zhao Hong responded, "did you find anything in the records that you looked through?" He asked.
"One thing I am certain about, the man that raised me as his son was an Imperial guard but I looked for his name in the records of all the guards that served in the Palace between the last thirty and twenty-one years but there's no sign of his." Mu Lang responded.
"For your safety, if he was to keep hidden from the world I don't think that he would have retained his name." The Crown Prince said.
"Then it's possible that he isn't a member of the Mu Clan, I didn't think about it." Mu Lang said.
"Which Clan do you think he was from?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"I don't know." He responded, "maybe I need to look through the records once again." He added.
"Be certain you do." The Crown Prince said and the young man standing up he bowed his head.
"I'll take my leave if you don't mind?" He inquired.
"Sure." Zhao Hong responded as he slowly withdrew from the room leaving the Crown Prince seated alone and immersed in his own thoughts looking at a chess board in front of him.
"It's almost time, tomorrow will be a big day." He said and stepping from the back of a folded screen, his father Zhao Kai moved forward and stood in front of the Crown Prince.
"The Empress is a very cunning woman, she won't be an easy opponent, if you can prove to the officials that you can humble her then the world will be as good as yours." He said.
"Considering the Empress' power and influence, have you not considered what happens when we fail?" He asked.
"What do you think is my deepest intention for having asked you to have those books delivered in particular?" Zhao Kai asked.
"To gain support from the Empress' opponents." He responded.
"I am afraid that it's not the right answer, afraid that you are mistaken." He muttered.
"Then enlighten me father." He seemed to request out of concern.
"You'll be able to tell the fine grain from the chaff, you'll drive a wedge, a schism between the Empress' people, between the ultra-loyalists and the opportunists and at the end of it all win the confidence of His Majesty, prove to him and the people that you are a worthy successor." He responded as he got closer to him and squatting by his side he patted his shoulder, "you are a very young man and still have a lot to learn before you ascend the Imperial Dragon throne, firstly, we must get rid of the Empress to ensure that it comes to pass." He appeared to caution him.
"Yes father," Zhao Hong responded, "after all, who apart from you knows what's best for me?" He asked rhetorically.
"Yes, who apart from me knows what's best for you my son?" He re-echoed the young man's words as he smiled at him ghastly.
It was very early in the morning and the Empress seated in her chambers, Mu Lang walking in.
Moving across the Central Hall with a trunk bearing the books the Crown Prince had asked him to deliver three days earlier in his hands, he halted in front of the Empress and bowed his head.
"Greetings Your Highness." He ordered his salutations to her while she smiled and looking at Manyin, she moved close and took the chest from his hands.
She carried it over to her mistress and there she rested it on the table in front of her.
"I'm sorry to have imposed on you by travelling this far into the harem." She apologized.
"Milord is only grateful and wishes to express his thoughts to Your Highness by sending you these books which he holds precious." Mu Lang responded.
"Tell him that they were well received." Empress Yang said.
"Certainly Your Highness." Mu Lang responded as he stood up and still keeping his head low, he slowly withdrew from the room while the Empress looked at the trunk in front of her.
She opened it and the first book that she saw was Sima Guang's most prominent work along with a note on it written saying "HENS SHOULD NOT ANNOUNCE THE BREAK OF DAWN."
Xiaoyang and Manyin that were both standing close to her seemed to notice the significance of these books instantly that they gulped in shock while the Empress turned to them with fury burning in her eyes.
"Summon the Crown Prince." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Manyin replied hesitantly and fearfully as she slowly made her exit from the room leaving the infuriated Empress clenching her fists.