The Empress walked through the doors of the Emperor's Chambers and she was received by Eunuch Deng who kowtowed to her.
"How is His Majesty?" She asked.
"I can't possibly understand or even perhaps explain his condition much better than the Imperial Physician." He responded as she moved up to the bedside where the old man after making his diagnosis stood up and bowed his head to her.
"Your Highness." He greeted her, "I wish to discuss His Majesty's condition in private." He asserted and the old woman looking at Eunuch Deng, he and the rest of their company withdrew leaving her alone with the Physician.
She moved towards the window of the room which was partly opened as he followed and halting there she mused at the Grand Hall's rooftops.
"What is it?" She asked.
"Forgive me for saying this Your Highness, the days going by, I believe the country should prepare for the worst." He said.
"Please be careful Sir, especially concerning the words flying from your mouth." She spoke up.
"You can kill me if you will it Your Highness." He responded.
"Do you think that I can not do that?" She inquired.
"Even if you did Your Highness, nothing would change this fact, nothing would alter His Majesty's fate, nearly seventeen years of strife, but you see even alchemy teaches us as well as life that at one point even the strongest of bodies will weather, it shall age and die." The Imperial Physician responded.
"Just like the Late Crown Prince?" She asked.
"His Majesty is barely holding on, his blood is fighting his body, his meridians have been shattered and his weak pulse, leaves him with only a couple of days perhaps in a vegetative state...." He was saying when she suddenly laughed.
"So my husband is going to die!" She exclaimed interrupting him.
"His Majesty has already lived long enough thanks to the poison that he took in to save himself, now that the poison has turned to him he might never wake up again." He responded.
"So even if he lives, he'll be in a coma until he dies?" She asked.
"Yes Your Highness." The Physician responded which induced her to fall quiet and close her eyes before she took in a deep breath and sighed.
"No one should know about this, by all means necessary, only you and I should know this." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." The Physician responded bowing his head to her before she turned around and walked out of the room.
Stepping outside the building, Beiyuan approached her.
"Your Highness." He said to her.
"How is the Commandery Prince?" She inquired.
"Other Imperial physicians are tending to him and his wounds aren't septic." He responded.
"Summon the Imperial Grand Chancellor." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." He responded as he withdrew from her presence at once while she descended the stairs and sashayed in the direction of the Central Palace.
Zhao Hong pacing around his room while Crown Princess Wu watched him, the doors of his Chambers were flung open.
Eunuch Ling rushing towards the two they all turned their attention to him.
"What happened to His Majesty?" Zhao Hong inquired anxiously.
"His Majesty has fallen into a vegetative state as it is, he might never be in the position to recover and he's likely to die much sooner than we expected." The young man reported.
"It troubles me." The Crown Princess remarked.
"The Empress intends to keep this a secret and I only managed to learn of it through our spies." Eunuch Ling confessed.
"Everything seems to have taken a drastic change and as long as the Empress is the most informed of all people she will be more than able to manipulate the Imperial Court and the General public." Zhao Hong muttered.
"If His Majesty passes on then automatically, as the Heir apparent, you'll have to succeed him as Emperor." Eunuch Ling asserted.
"And Her Highness will do everything in her power to prevent that from ever becoming a reality." The Crown Princess reported.
"Up till now, every one of the Empress' actions has only proved her unwillingness to have me inherit the Imperial Dragon throne. With all the people praising the Commandery Prince who risked his life to save His Majesty and looking at me with disdain, the day I dreaded for the last four years of my life will now become a reality." Zhao Hong mentioned.
"What are we going to do now Your Highness?" Eunuch Ling inquired.
"I wish to have a word with the Empress." Zhao Hong responded.
The Empress seated in her Chambers Xiaoyang spoke up from outside.
"His Excellency the Imperial Grand Chancellor is here to see you Your Highness." She reported.
"Let him in." She ordered when the doors were slid open and the latter walked in before her.
"Greetings Your Highness, you called for me?" He mentioned.
"There's something important that I wish to discuss with you immediately." She responded and Shi Miyuan reluctant, he sat down in front of her.
"What's the matter Your Highness?" He asked.
"It's concerning His Majesty's well-being." She responded, "this regards the Emperor's health." She insisted.
"What about it Your Highness?" He asked.
"His Majesty is in a vegetative state, he is barely holding on, his blood is fighting his body, his meridians have been shattered and his weak pulse, it leaves him with only a couple of days........" She hesitated.
"So you are saying that His Majesty is going to die?" He asked.
"It is inevitable as we speak and as he passed out while the world was watching there shall certainly be a number of questions erupting from the people and there's no telling what the Crown Prince will do." She remarked.
"What are you thinking Your Highness?" Shi Miyuan inquired noticing from her gaze that something was going on in her mind.
"We must firmly grip onto His Majesty's power before it slips out of our hands which is why I am going to require you to do something for me." She responded.
"I'll stake my life for it." Shi Miyuan assured her.
"Gather all our supporters and bring before me a petition to assume a regency." She responded.
"I will." Shi Miyuan assured her.
"I'll deal with everything in the Palace and even the general public but by all means necessary, we should act first before our enemies move." The Empress remarked and Shi Miyuan bowing his head to her stood up and walked out of the room.
The Crown Prince Zhao Hong standing outside the Hall silently was taken aback when the doors were slid open, and the Imperial Grand Chancellor stepped out.
"Your Highness." He greeted him.
"Your Excellency." He responded.
"I didn't know that you were around." Shi Miyuan muttered.
"I just got here." He responded.
"I see." Shi Miyuan casually spoke as he nodded his head and looking at the young man for a while, he set foot closer, his eyes meeting with his.
"You are a very good man." He said.
"Thank you." Zhao Hong said.
"Don't thank me." Shi Miyuan responded as he brought his head closer to his ear, "I heard once and felt that I could never be someone you would like, you and I it seems were destined to be mortal enemies." He whispered before he withdrew his face.
"Announce His Imperial Highness' presence." He ordered Xiaoyang.
"Yes Your Excellency." She responded as she turned towards the Empress' doors.
"Your Highness, His Highness the Crown Prince requests for an audience with you." She notified the Empress.
"Let him in." Empress Yang responded and the doors of the room being slid open, Shi Miyuan stepped aside as the young man made his entrance.
He moved forward into the Inner hall where he found the Empress seated seemingly calm with her deceitful gaze piercing through his soul.
"Your Highness." He greeted her.
"My Prince!" She exclaimed.
"Yes." He responded.
"What brings you here?" She asked, "normally your face radiates with the sweetest smile within these dark walls yet as I see you now, the aura that surrounds you is filled with sombreness." Empress Yang pointed out.
The young man momentarily silent gathered all the courage that he could find and slowly he went down onto his knees before her.
"I have a favour to ask Your Highness." He professed.
"What are you doing Crown Prince?" She asked him.
"I am tired." He responded which startled her.
"You, tired?" She inquired.
"You must have heard the rumours beyond the walls Your Highness, you must be well aware of the situation as we speak, what transpired at the celebration couldn't induce me to ponder of another person that would turn my crisis into their opportunity, I couldn't think of anyone else who would find comfort in my failures apart from you Your Highness." He responded while she took a deep breath and smirked at herself.
"But you can't tell me that you just learnt now that I can't let you ascend the Imperial throne, all those years I only imagined how much rage you were holding onto to get back at me for the deaths of both your father and your people." She mentioned.
"How uneasy it must have been!" Zhao Hong exclaimed.
"And I bet that uneasiness doesn't exclude you Your Highness." She said.
"Because the both of us are politicians." Zhao Hong muttered.
"And trust in politics for the both of us was always absurd, unfeasible and unreasonable, I don't need to explain to you why as you probably understand." Empress Yang mentioned.
"You therefore decided that the Commandery Prince, one of my very own people that I loved more than anything in the world...." Zhao Hong mentioned nearly bursting into tears.
"It's a cruel world my Prince, love whether romantic or brotherly is illusive especially if it can't even stand the test of power, besides, a Prince of Courtesan blood is much easier to manage, after all, those pathetic scum empowered by their Imperial chauvinism know when to forsake loyalties, I was merely saving you from committing filial impiety." She remarked.
"I understand." Zhao Hong asserted, "I won't fight it, I only ask one thing from you, most probably the last favour that I'll ever request in my life." He insisted.
"It depends on my abilities." Empress Yang responded.
"As the Commanderess of the six Palaces, as the head of the Inner Court, grant me Your Imperial sanction to divorce the Crown Princess." He responded.
"What!" She exclaimed.
"I told Your Highness before that I wanted to survive as your son and as the Crown Prince of this country, it could have been impossible to realise it from the very beginning but the Crown Princess will be scorned and abused because of her unrighteous husband." Zhao Hong responded.
"Aren't you supposed to beg me for your protection?" She asked.
"I don't want other innocent people to suffer because of me Your Highness, she was merely a pawn in this game that you and I started, if you do this for me Your Highness, I promise you in good faith, manning soldiers and gathering officials will not be necessary because......." he hesitated while she drew her head closer and also sharpened her ears.
"Because what?" She asked.
"Because I will step down from my position, because I shall resign from the office of the Crown Prince of this country, the office of the Crown Prince of our Greater Heavenly Empire." He responded which startled the old woman.
"Impossible." She remarked.
"I'll do just that Your Highness." Zhao Hong insisted.
"The Crown Prince is the foundation of this country, Your Highness as the foundation of this country, how could you show your vulnerability and allow yourself to bend this easily?" She asked as she angrily smacked her table but he did not even whimper.
"My life and the lives of my people are more precious to me than anything, if I must lose my Crown to protect innocents, to save Your Highness from shedding the blood of your own kind, the blood of your own people, then I'll do it." He responded.
"You expect me to believe that Your Highness?" Empress Yang asked still doubtful of the young man's motives that he looked her in the eye, his already teary and his face pale, his expression hopeless, she seemed to notice that he was already looking lifeless.
"What kind of Emperor would I be if I couldn't even protect my people? Now that I think about it, it's better to die as a Prince who lost his Crown than a tyrant who was Deposed." He responded.
"Your Highness......" The Empress speaking up he interrupted.
"Is this too much to ask?" He inquired as the old woman seated speechless before him with her hand rested on her table, she slowly tapped it.
The Crown Prince stepping outside the building, Beiyuan walked in and found the Empress lost in her thoughts.
"What's wrong Your Highness, what did the Crown Prince say?" He inquired.
"The Crown Princess should be deposed." She muttered.
"Suddenly?" Beiyuan asked.
"The Taizu Emperor was able to take over power and gain the mandate of heaven with the help of his in laws, I've been thinking, at once his marriage to the Crown Princess always made me feel uneasy that I realised it isn't enough if we deprived him of his natal support and left him armed with that of his in-laws." She responded.
"But the Crown Princess has always been a very cautious and exemplary woman, her deposition and vacation of the Inner Court would only arouse intense resistance if proved illogical and What's worse is that I fear it could estrange your relationship with some of your political allies." Beiyuan cautioned her.
"Which is the biggest of sins Beiyuan?" Empress Yang inquired.
"Filial impiety." He responded.
"The Crown Princess has been married to the Crown Prince for so long but hasn't even helped him sire a child, it makes her a sinner to this Dynasty and of course, in a neo-confucian state such as this one which could be a more reliable excuse to sever her from the Imperial House and cause her to vacate the Inner Court?" She asked as she smiled at herself ghastly.
Manyin and Xiaoyang waiting outside the Empress' Chambers, Beiyuan flung the doors open and stepped outside facing them.
"Convene the ladies of the harem and the Inner Court." He said.
"What's this about?" Manyin asked.
"The Empress wishes to pronounce the Crown Princess' deposition and her vacation of the Inner Court." Beiyuan responded and all the ladies in waiting present instantly started murmuring amongst themselves.
The Crown Princess Wu pacing around the garden of her residence, one of her Court Ladies rushed up to her.
"Your Highness?" She cried drawing the latter's attention towards her.
"What's the problem?" She inquired.
"We are in trouble Your Highness, Her Highness the Empress has summoned all the ladies of the harem and the Inner Court, rumour has it that she wishes Your Highness to vacate it." The woman reported.
"What!" Crown Princess Wu exclaimed when suddenly, the gates of her residence being flung open, Manyin leading a couple of Court Ladies walked through as she approached her.
"Your Highness." She offered her greetings.
"What is this?" Crown Princess Wu demanded to know.
"Forgive me but it is urgent that you come with us." Manyin insisted.
"What have I done wrong?" She asked.
"As it is between Your Highness and me I am a servant, it isn't my jurisdiction as a lady of the Palace to decide right and wrong but the Empress as its Commanderess." She responded.
"Fine then, if you insist." The Crown Princess reluctantly agreed to the demand and Manyin along with the other girls stepping aside, she led the way into the direction of the Central Palace confidently.
The ladies of the harem and the Inner Court gathered in the Empress' audience hall. Seated on her phoenix throne, she quietly studied the women that surrounded her.
The main doors of the building were opened and the Crown Princess walked through accompanied by Xiaoyang and Manyin.
"Your Highness." She greeted the her.
"Crown Princess....." She hesitated as the latter more anxious spoke up.
"I have so heard that Your Highness wishes to expel me from the Palace which greatly troubles me, is there anything that I have done wrong to deserve this punishment?" Crown Princess Wu inquired.
"Which is the biggest of sins to one's parents?" Empress Yang asked.
"Filial impiety." She responded.
"Is the Crown Princess of this country filial?" The Empress inquires while she fell silent unable to respond.
"As far as we are all aware you have been the Crown Princess of this country for four years, four years as the Principal Consort of the Crown Prince who has not loved or given himself to another woman Your Highness chose to remain childless all this time ignorant of the repercussions that it could bring about in the Dynasty." She scolded.
"Forgive me Your Highness." The Crown Princess responded.
"I wouldn't have cared, no it wouldn't have concerned me as much you see, however as I am considerate I couldn't ignore the fact that it was the Crown Prince himself who pushed for your vacation of the Inner Court." The Empress mentioned and the rest of the Imperial Consorts and concubines gulped with surprise as they murmured amongst themselves while the Crown Princess lowered her head in so much shame and disappointment.
The Empress seizing that opportunity she stood up from her seat and everyone falling silent they bowed their heads.
"You are my dear daughter-in-law but I am also the mother of the Crown Prince of this country, his ailing greatly troubles me as your actions make him an unfilial son to his father, as the Empress of this Country, as the head of this harem and the Inner Court, I hereby depose you as the Crown Princess and ask you to vacate the Inner Court Immediately." She ordered.
Xiaoyang and Manyin leading a couple of other ladies in waiting approached the Crown Princess who quietly kneeling had burst into tears and surrounded her.
Two held her while she dared not resist, slowly while everyone was watching, they started stripping her of her clothes and untying her hair until they left her dressed in a plain white linen hanfu with nothing but a copper hairpin.
Feng Ba standing on the balcony that overlooked his garden silently studied the blue firmament as he embraced the cool air.
Hua Jin approaching him halted on his left side.
"What is it?" He inquired recognizing his presence.
"The Crown Princess is being deposed on grounds of filial impiety as she has failed to produce an heir for the Imperial House, I heard the issue was advanced by the Crown Prince but the Empress was more hasty in carrying it out." Hua Jin responded.
"What about His Majesty?" Feng Ba asked him.
"There's still no report concerning His health." He responded.
"It was only early this morning that His Majesty passed out in front of the masses yet somewhat the Empress' moves are very intense, there's no guarantee that what we hear as the public will be true or false but one thing is certain for us and that's the fact that he doesn't have much time left." Feng Ba remarked.
"The Crown Prince will nor ascend the throne perhaps." Hua Jin muttered.
"It's possible but we can not be too certain, him having asked the Empress to depose his Crown Princess could be a move of his devotion to her which is severing his last most reliable support in ascending the Imperial throne which would have divided the Empress' people." Feng Ba reasoned.
"What are we going to do Your Highness?" Hua Jin inquired.
"The Empress at this stage would be trying everything in her power to centralize all authority in this Empire, she'll be preying on all her followers and enemies alike to secure her position." Feng Ba said, "now would be the best time to divide them." He concluded.
"How do you intend on doing that Your Highness?" Hua Jin asked.
"You are probably unaware but it's clear from the Empress' actions that she is scared as anyone else would be at the most critical part of her cause, with such a feeling it's inevitable for her to doubt some allegiances which is why we shall give her a good reason and a couple of significant ones as well." Feng Ba responded.
The ladies of the Inner Court watching from the top of the staircase that led to the Central Hall, the Crown Princess deposed she stepped out ashamed.
Slowly she walked down the stairs as she approached a black palanquin that had been arranged to escort her to her natal home.
Her eyes teary, she halted at the sight of her former husband who was standing only a couple of feet away, close to the crimson iron gate, the thick divide between the harem and the outer Palace.
She could almost read his sincere expression, the regret blinding in his eyes, he was not too strong himself but merely too fragile, hardly spiteful but sorry himself, she gave him what could have been considered her last and most sincere smile before she continued towards the small structure.
Reminiscing her once Grand entry into the Palace, those wonderful scenes only being reenacted in the most humiliating manner.
Once inside the doors were closed, there the carriers ready they lifted it from the ground while everyone including the Empress watched earnestly.
They started out and moved forward, approaching the gate where the Crown Prince stood and passing him. He couldn't even see for himself inside but appeared to hear the little sobs coming from within, slowly as the palanquin vanished and he lifted his eyes and looked at the Empress who smiled at him ghastly.
"You may all leave." The Empress ordered the Imperial Consorts and concubines who kowtowed to her as she turned around and returned to her hall, everyone present caught in a set of mixed feelings and some even frightened wasted no time to vacate the residence.
Shi Miyuan seated in his study quietly Dong Hua walked in.
"Your Excellency, Her Highness the Deposed Crown Princess has vacated the Imperial Palace." He notified him.
"Is that so?" Shi Miyuan inquired.
"Yes," Dong Hua responded, "I never thought that the Crown Prince would go this far to sever his last reliable support." He remarked.
"What can he do especially now that he is devoid of power, perhaps, he does value his life at the very least." Shi Miyuan mentioned.
"The other officials have been notified, we should move immediately." Dong Hua pointed out.
"We don't have much time, tomorrow will be the Daily Assembly, many ears are wide open ready to hear about the Emperor's condition, it is then that as the Heads of the three offices we must act." Shi Miyuan said.
"Rest assured Your Excellency." Dong Hua said, "I am certain that everything will work out according to our plan." He muttered.
Empress Yang walking into the Emperor's Chambers she found Eunuch Deng with him.
"How is he?" She asked.
"There's still nothing yet, His Majesty hasn't moved." He responded.
"Leave us." She ordered and the latter withdrawing with Xiaoyang and Manyin she moved up to his bedside.
Slowly she sat down and looked at him, with her right hand she embraced his which was somewhat cold.
"Your Majesty, will you please get up for my sake?" She requested him but there wasn't a response, "can you really not hear me?" She asked yet again but the latter didn't even move a finger.
"What am I thinking, I must have lost my mind as it is, foolishly staring at you, I am speechless that I can't bring myself to understand why I still choose to hold onto this thin hope despite knowing the fact that it'll only crush me." She muttered to herself before she took a deep breath and sighed.
"Has it not been nearly thirty years if I remember, in all these I have slowly lost myself and the will to survive, I came back into this Palace to seek revenge, yet it turns out that even when I look into the mirror, I can no longer recognize my vibrant self, my old carefree nature, I am only reminded that perhaps you and I were very much alike, I am only reminded that regardless of how much I tried I never loved you." She whispered, "why did I become a monster, I wasn't fighting for you, no, not even once, even if men spit where I tread, even if they cursed my name, I just needed to be good enough to make you a great ruler, good enough to be Sagacious in the eyes of men, protecting you as much as you protected me so that I could rid myself of that guilt I chose to become one for my people even if sometimes those efforts seemed futile yet I still ask myself why?
Why was fate so cruel to me, why was this world so unfair, why could I not love the man who dearly loved me why could I not have the man I dearly loved? I appear to have found my answer. This politics is a bloody game, a game that started with only vengeance and will only be carried on with it, but this vengeance became me, it went beyond me looking into the Abyss and the Abyss staring back at me but ended in me becoming the abyss itself." She said to herself and turning her eyes away from him she looked at the moon that was shining brightly outside.
"I'll get all the power in the world tomorrow, I will gain control of the entire government and the Imperial Court, I'll entrust the fate of this country into the hands of the Commandery Prince, I shall put it in the hands of Zhao Guicheng because he is our son." She said as she stood up and turned around, "I only wish that you knew this at least before you died." She whispered before she walked away, leaving in the dark room her nearly lifeless husband all alone.
The Crown Prince standing on the bridge next to the Imperial Pond looked up to the moon as well, lost in his thoughts he was overwhelmed with heartache as Eunuch Ling slowly approached him.
"I am so sorry Your Highness." He tried to comfort the young man.
"Such a cruel fate, such a cruel world!" He exclaimed.
"Was it not necessary?" Eunuch Ling asked.
"It's the most reliable way to protect both Her Highness and her family, I got her involved in this bloody game in the beginning only I could finally save her from it should the worst come to the worst." He responded.
"You are willing to go this far Your Highness, the Empress however, she isn't becoming weak but stronger every day." Eunuch Ling insisted.
"Even a walk through fire requires patience, just as much as every battle, I must stand, I must hold on as this pain will make me strong, this pain will make me great one day." Zhao Hong mentioned.
"What if you lose Your Highness?" Eunuch Ling asked.
"Then I wish to become like the Empress, then the annals of our history will call me a valiant rebel leader, at least to me, that shall be much better than being remembered as a coward." Zhao Hong responded.
"I am sorry Your Highness as I couldn't be as strong as you are or even close, but I do hope however, just as you have hoped yourself that in deed the pain makes you strong, the pain makes you great one day." Eunuch Ling comforted him.
The sun rising over the Palace, it found the Empress seated on her throne in her audience hall.
The morning drum was sounded aloud and its beat resounding throughout the palace, Shi Miyuan accompanied by the Left and Right Chancellor led the Courtiers through the gates of the Central Palace right into the Central square where they halted right in front of the main building.
They kowtowed the first time as Shi Miyuan raised his eyes towards the closed doors.
"Bring in the Imperial Jade Seal." He ordered at the top of his voice and the rest of the lesser officials stepping aside, Peng Zishou the Imperial Grand Secretary walked through holding in his hands the gigantic golden chest as he moved forward.
Shi Miyuan turning around, Peng Zishou kowtowed to him as he offered the chest and the latter taking it into his arms looked at it intensely before he turned and faced the audience hall yet again.
"His Majesty's health has declined, the country deserves to be run nonetheless by us as the government, please Your Imperial Highness who is August, take charge of the Government and seize the reins of Imperial Court as mandated by heaven with the power that your position commands." Shi Miyuan said as he knelt on his knees with everyone else behind him and held up the box bearing the Imperial Seal.
The Empress seated inside quietly, Xiaoyang concerned turned to her.
"Are you hesitant Your Highness?" She asked.
"Is this the farthest I should go?" Empress Yang questioned herself feeling somewhat restrained.
"Was it not once that you said you would become the Empress of this Country, was it not once that you said you were willing to go so far?" Xiaoyang reminded her.
"Perhaps." She mentioned as she stood up from where she was seated, "I'll see the Courtiers." She said as she offered her hands to both Manyin and Xiaoyang who embraced her and led the way.
"Please Your Imperial Highness, assume your regency." Shi Miyuan and his colleagues pleaded outside when the doors of the hall were opened up for them forcing their attention to turn towards the familiar silhouette that appeared from the darkness within.
The Empress more beautiful with heavy makeup on her face had covered her wrinkles that she appeared youthful while her head was adorned with her phoenix headdress.
She halted at the top, the sun reflecting her brilliant sparkling red and yellow robes before she slowly made her descent towards the Imperial Grand Chancellor who was still holding in his hands the Chest containing the Imperial Jade Seal.
"Assume my regency?" She appeared to ask.
"Yes, Your Highness." Shi Miyuan responded and the latter barely smiling she seized the chest from him and took it into her hands.
Xiaoyang and Manyin let go of her as they shifted their support to the Grand box which they opened wide enough for the Empress to behold its contents.
"The mark of a king, the symbol of a ruler, His Majesty has devoted thirty years of his life to fulfilling his responsibility as the monarch of this country, bearing the burden of being the Ruler of this our Greater Heavenly Empire." She mentioned that everyone present reserved their comments and watched her silently.
"I am the Empress of this Country, I am the mother of this our nation, as his people are my people therefore his children are also my children that my body though old and weary my heart is still strong I have decided, that decision which I shall make known to the world today.
As the government sees fit, the heavens have bequeathed the Imperial power to me, until the Crown Prince's time to ascend the Imperial Dragon throne comes I am more than willing to stake my life to the defence and governance of the Imperial House, I announce the commencement of my regency with the power that my office commands." She said as she lifted out of the chest the Imperial Seal and immediately raised it to the sky.
"Long Live Your Highness, Long live our Empress." The Courtiers led by Shi Miyuan pronounced aloud as they kowtowed to her.
The Empress looking at the sky silently, smiled at herself appearing contented yet inwardly still harbouring some feelings of uncertainty which she felt were still inappropriate to reveal.
The Crown Prince Zhao Hong sombre in his room he stared at a beautiful golden hairpin that had been laid in a small chest, lost in his thoughts and troubled by the bitter memory of the Crown Princess' miserable gaze as she departed from the Imperial Palace the previous day.
Eunuch Ling walked in at the moment and judging from his appearance he could smoothly tell that something was wrong.
"Your Highness?" He called to him while the young man turned to him.
"What's the matter?" He asked.
"The Courtiers gathered in the Central Square and empowered the Empress to assume a regency." He responded.
"And?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"As expected, Her Highness acquiesced to the demand." He responded.
"Of course, she had to, after all the offer didn't land on unwilling ears, I must say, presently, the Palace has become more and more dangerous." Zhao Hong mentioned.
"It's only a matter of time Your Highness, only a short while and you shall break free." Eunuch Ling comforted him.
"I hope so too." Zhao Hong said, "however before anything else, there's someone that I wish to talk to." He insisted.
"Who Your Highness?" Eunuch Ling inquired.
"Prepare my carriage, I'll visit the Commandery Prince Zhao Guicheng's manor." Zhao Hong responded.
"But Your Highn......" Eunuch Ling trying to speak in protest the young man clenching his fist smacked the table in front of him aloud.
"Won't you do as I say?" He asked him.
"Forgive me Your Highness." The latter responded as he slowly withdrew from the room at once.
Beiyuan leading a couple of Eunuchs into the Central square they carried a sedan chair into the midst of the officials and lowered it in front of the Empress.
She slowly approached it and with Manyin and Xiaoyang's help, she mounted it with the Imperial Seal in her hand and sat down.
"Proceed for the Grand Hall." Beiyuan announced and the eunuchs lifting it from the ground accompanied by the sound of drums and trumpets, they proceeded towards the Grand Hall as the officials followed behind.
The Crown Prince stepping out of his chambers halted at the top of his staircase where the music reaching his ears momentarily took him aback.
"Is anything alright?" Eunuch Ling asked the young man who lowered his gaze to the smaller carriage that had been arranged for him.
"Let's go." The Crown Prince ordered descending the stairs until he entered the small wooden vehicle.
"Let's go to the Commandery Prince Zhao Guicheng's manor." Eunuch Ling ordered and at once the smaller procession of the Crown Prince set off as well towards the East Gate of the Palace.
Arriving outside the Grand Square, the Courtiers moved ahead into the audience hall as the Empress stepped out from her carriage.
Her staff and company save for Manyin, Xiaoyang and Beiyuan were instantly replaced with the Grand Palace's own as the old woman, still seemingly energetic, her grey hair fully died black and hardly recognizable, she appeared to still have her physical reserves of youth unexhausted where she stood.
With pomp, she moved toward the seat of the Empire, a place that not many had claimed for themselves, at once the Imperial Dragon throne having been vacant was now warm.
She walked into the dark room where the officials were ready and moving to the front she halted right ahead of the silk screen that had been lowered.
She bowed her head and eventually mounted the stairs, finally facing her audience of supporters before she settled down on the Imperial Dragon throne.
"Greetings Your Highness, Long Live Your Grand Highness." The officials greeted her yet again while she tightened her fists already feeling powerful.
"I understand that it couldn't have been very easy for you as the meritorious subjects of this country, however, it seems that the situation has called for these emergency measures, as the Imperial Court is aware that His Majesty's health has increasingly worsened and is now out of hand because of the Crown Prince's unfilial conduct, the nation is bound to descend in chaos and I have been invited to assume my regency.
As it is that His Majesty's place on the throne can not be left vacant, effective immediately I will review all petitions and will be briefed on all civil and military matters as empowered by the Imperial office, I do kindly ask that the Imperial Court will assist me and grant me your full confidence and undivided devotion, counsel and wise judgement ad you have done to our August Emperor." She said.
"Yes, Your Highness." The Courtiers agreed in unison.
"Very well then, without further ado, let the Daily Assembly begin." She said.
The Crown Prince's procession arriving outside Zhao Guicheng's manor it halted in front of his gate.
Eunuch Ling opening the door for him stepped out of his carriage and faced the large pair of wooden doors.
He moved closer while his guards stood guard, knocking on the door, Wei Shi approached it to see who the uninvited guest was.
"Your Imperial Highness!" He exclaimed upon recognizing the young man in front of him that he bowed his head.
"Who is there.......?" Zhao Guicheng who was walking from the Inner Courtyard hesitated when he saw the young man in front of him that he rushed over to confirm with his own eyes that he wasn't seeing things.
"It is I." Zhao Hong said.
"Your Highness!" Zhao Guicheng exclaimed still unable to believe it that his lips dropped in shock.
"Won't you receive me?" Zhao Hong inquired.
"Oh Yes." Zhao Guicheng responded as he stepped aside and the Crown Prince calmly set foot into his residence while the latter followed.
Slowly, he walked about the place, his eyes raised as he studied the yard and the gardens, he was particularly enamoured by the single peach tree that grew at the centre of the household.
He approached it while Zhao Guicheng still confused was trying very hard to comprehend what was going on in his head.
"Such a beautiful place, I had no idea that your house was this lovely." The Crown Prince said.
"You flatter me Your Highness, it is nothing more than a humble residence." Zhao Guicheng said.
"There was once a time where I loved you like my brother, a time where I loved you more than anyone or anything else in this world." The Crown Prince mentioned as he turned to him.
"Your Highness......" he was saying when the latter interrupted.
"You were the first person I grew closest to and I thought I could share with my innermost thoughts, I thought once that even if there was grief in my soul I could have you to bear it with me and convinced myself that as the floss never forsakes the earth you too would never forsake me." Zhao Hong mentioned as he got close to him.
"I am so sorry Your Highness." Zhao Guicheng apologized.
"Why?" Zhao Hong asked suddenly, "you of all people knew the dreams that I had for this country that until now I always told myself that anyone else should have taken the position of the Crown Prince's Cohort but why is it that of all people in the world it had to be you whom I loved, you whom I trusted, you who was the closest to Mt heart with whom I felt I shared flesh and marrow?" Zhao Hong insisted on knowing.
"I had the ability to not be chosen, Your Highness is in deed right, the Crown Prince's Cohort could have been anyone else but not me but the thought that at one point if he'd draw his sword at you, would you have survived, if the Empress wield he would have been much more ambitious than I am, he would have cared less for your grandiose dreams, he wouldn't have even known them to begin with........" he suddenly hesitated before he realised that he had revealed what he had tried so hard to hide for the last four years.
"No." Zhao Hong said.
"We are much better off as enemies Your Highness, knowing that we stand apart and fight each other would set at ease the hearts of those greedy Courtiers and if our alliance could cost us both our lives, it could cost me yours in particular, I'd rather embrace the hatred you give." Zhao Guicheng said as he walked closer to him.
"It is because I admit that I could no longer command armies to protect you, because I could never lead your guard, if maybe I was your greatest contender I would be more lenient, if only the time was right I could forsake everything for your sake, a powerless Commandery Prince like me would only gain the power to protect you only by becoming your political rival." He confessed.
"And why are you telling me this now?" Zhao Hong asked.
"Because I want you to know, even if there will be a day, should there be a day when I ascend that Imperial Dragon throne, I'll do everything in my power to ensure that everyone lives, I'll make sure that you live." Zhao Guicheng professed on the brink of shedding tears.
"You must have realised." Zhao Hong mentioned.
"As fate is so cruel to the both of us, I seem to have equally lost myself so far, seeing that the Empress has come this far, seeing that I am revered by the world, it's not like I can run away from this anymore." Zhao Guicheng responded.
"But you are a man, I wouldn't trust you, however, we now desire the same thing, it's because of this that I'll do what I should instead of that which I desire." Zhao Hong said as he prepared to walk away from the courtyard which startled the Commandery Prince who held his hand.
"What are you going to do?" He asked him, "whatever it is Your Highness, please don't do this." He pleaded with him but Zhao Hong unwilling to listen broke free from his grip.
"May heaven understand your good intent, it is not my wish to know you anymore however," he said as he turned his head and looked him in the eye, "I'm going to put an end to this bloody strife for the both of us, I want to end this civil war." He swore before he continued his way out leaving Zhao Hong grieving in the square.
Stepping outside he found Eunuch Ling still waiting for him.
"Your Highness." He greeted him.
"Tell my servants to deliver to me the Crown Prince's seal, I'll wait for it in the Central Square." He ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Eunuch Ling responded.
The Empress walked into her room and taking a seat in her audience hall, Shi Miyuan slowly followed her.
"Congratulations Your Highness, alas, you are now ruling." He said to her.
"I should be more thankful to you and the others, none of this would have happened without your earnest efforts." She remarked.
"But is there no hope for His Majesty?" He asked.
"Yes." Empress Yang responded.
"I never thought that his fate could be unfortunate, now that things appear to be coming to their worst, the East Palace has already crumbled." Shi Miyuan said as he leaned his face closer to the Empress, "there's no better opportunity to get rid of the Crown Prince than now." He whispered and hearing this, the old woman laughed at herself.
"I heard that it is the talk of the town." She remarked.
"Rumour has it that he's to blame for the Emperor's health turning worse, furthermore the vacation of the Crown Princess from the Inner Court appears to have done him no better." Shi Miyuan muttered.
"But how will history perceive a mother who abandoned her legal child?" Empress Yang asked which surprised the latter.
"Forgive me Your Highness, I don't seem to understand what you are implying." He spoke up.
"As the Crown Prince's legal guardian of course I am his legal protector, deposing him and killing him isn't something that my office can permit me to do and neither is it something that my social position requires." She responded.
"Since when does Your Highness care about the Crown Prince's safety?" Shi Miyuan asked.
"I may not be in the position to champion his deposition but the same doesn't apply to the Imperial Court, besides, how is it that we can move up against a majority even with very few supporters on our side?" The Empress inquired.
"Your Highness has something in mind!" Shi Miyuan asserted trying to read her expression.
"His swift vacation of the Imperial household will do us no good as it might give room to suspicion amongst the people, after constant thinking I finally came up with a much better way for us to go unscathed." She mentioned.
"How Your Highness?" Shi Miyuan asked.
"We only need to move the Imperial Censors and patriotic scholars, after all, when critics speak and win the audience of masses, they cause the people to reason and believe what they want them to believe." The Empress responded as she smiled at herself ghastly.
"Very well then Your Highness." Shi Miyuan muttered.
The Crown Prince arriving outside the gates of the Central Palace, stood facing the entrance.
Eunuch Ling accompanied by a couple of Eunuchs entered the East Palace and moving towards the Crown Prince's study he mounted the stairs that led to its doors and flung them open.
The room somewhat dark was lifeless and save for the single beam of sunlight that shone through its window he could hardly see anything else.
He moved forward as he approached the Crown Prince's study table, there staring at the crimson chest he stretched out his hands reaching for it before he tightened it in his grip.
Immediately, he turned around and departed from the room with it in his hands.
Empress Yang still seated in her audience chamber with Shi Miyuan, Xiaoyang barged into the room.
"Your Highness, there's a bit of an issue." She notified her.
"What's the matter now?" Empress Yang inquired.
"It's the Crown Prince, His Highness is standing at the Central gate." She responded.
"What would the Crown Prince be doing here now?" Shi Miyuan asked.
"I don't know," Empress Yang responded, "he's been very good at surprises lately." She asserted as she turned to Xiaoyang.
"Is he doing anything yet?" She asked.
"No Your Highness." Xiaoyang replied which left the two curious as they looked at one another.
Eunuch Ling and the rest of his retinue arrived outside the gate as well and bearing in his hands the crimson chest he handed it over to his master while bowing his head.
The Crown Prince seizing the box instantly raised his foot and stepping over the threshold he made his entrance in the presence of all the other Palace staff.
He moved forward towards the bottom of the staircase that led to the Empress' audience chamber where he halted once before he suddenly knelt on his knees.
He raised the crimson chest and faced the direction of his legal mother behind closed doors.
"PLEASE HEAR MY PLEA, OH SOVEREIGN HIGHNESS, AS THE CROWN PRINCE OF THIS COUNTRY I HAVE SINNED AND WHAT SIN COULD BE GREATER THAN FILIAL IMPIETY?" He shouted at the top of his voice.
"What is His Highness up to?" The court ladies suddenly asked themselves and a number halting their activities they directed all their attention to him.
"A MAN AS SINFUL AS ME IS UNWORTHY TO LEAD THE PEOPLE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS AND AS I CAN NO LONGER LIVE UP TO MY OFFICIAL OBLIGATIONS WHICH ARE DEMANDED IN RESPECT OF THE POSITION THAT I HOLD, I HUMBLY BESEECH THEE THAT YOUR HIGHNESS OUT OF YOUR PROFOUND AFFECTION TO OUR PEOPLE AND FOR THE GENERAL WELL-BEING OF THE EMPIRE, ALLOW ME TO ABDICATE MY THRONE." He suddenly requested as he bowed his head.
The Empress hearing those words where she was seated flew into a fit of rage which induced her to stand up on her feet.