Chapter 123: The Second Earthquake
Chapter 123: The Second Earthquake
Jin Ying had a residence outside the palace. Zhu Qizhen knew this well, and he also knew it was a gift from Emperor Xuanzong.
Jin Ying rested there at night. Zhu Qizhen was aware of this too, for in those times, nights were generally uneventful. He was not the only one who did this; many high-ranking eunuchs followed the same practice.
However, the greater fault lay in the fact that when Zhu Qizhen needed someone, he couldn’t find them.
Zhu Qizhen said, “I shall go to Cining Palace myself.”
Without delay, Zhu Qizhen set out with a group of attendants toward Cining Palace.
Wang Zhen quickly assigned Cao Jixiang to oversee arrangements there, saying, “My son, tonight is your chance to rise again. Don’t let it slip away.”
Cao Jixiang replied, “I will never forget the care of my godfather.”
In recent years, Cao Jixiang’s fortunes had been grim. His duties were taken from him, and he was reduced to a mere follower at Wang Zhen’s side, with no power at all. Now, an opportunity had presented itself, and he was determined not to miss it.
After all, the emperor had summoned everyone to the square. With so many people gathered, proper arrangements were essential—especially since it was raining.
Unaware of what was unfolding behind him, Zhu Qizhen hurried almost at a run into the courtyard of Cining Palace.
To his surprise, disorder reigned within the palace. It seemed a room was on fire.
The heavy rain outside made firefighting easier, but the combination of earthquake, rain, and fire had thrown everything into chaos.
Zhu Qizhen shouted sharply, “I am here! Everyone, stop what you’re doing!”
The palace attendants, panicked and aimless like headless flies, were startled by his arrival. They quickly steadied themselves and knelt down with a thud, saying, “We pay homage to Your Majesty.”
Zhu Qizhen casually pointed to two palace maids among those kneeling to take charge of extinguishing the fire and restoring order. With their leadership, the others calmed down.
Striding into the palace, Zhu Qizhen saw the Grand Empress Dowager coughing twice. She was already dressed but appeared weak, seated in a chair, with Consort Hu by her side tending to her.
Consort Hu’s daughter had married Shi Jing and no longer lived in the palace; she had settled in Cining Palace instead.
Zhu Qizhen said, “Your Highness, this place is unsafe. You should move outside.”
Consort Hu replied, “Your Majesty, the Grand Empress Dowager must not get wet. It is pouring outside now, but Cining Palace has just been renovated; nothing serious will happen here.”
Zhu Qizhen had not considered the Grand Empress Dowager’s frail health.
To him, a bit of rain was no big deal. But at her age, even a single shower might cost the old lady her life.
He hesitated for a moment.
Several tremors had passed, and things seemed to have settled. Though there were aftershocks, few could feel them unless they paid close attention. The ground’s shaking no longer posed a threat to people.
Had the earthquake truly ended?
Lost in thought, a sudden violent shake struck. In an instant, Zhu Qizhen saw the rainwater vibrating on the ground.
Everyone staggered, some collapsing into puddles, including many of those fighting the fire.
The earthquake proved through action that it was far from over.
Having barely endured it, Zhu Qizhen dared not delay any longer. “It’s best to be cautious now,” he said.
His eyes fell on the palanquin bed, and an idea struck him.
He immediately summoned attendants and, somehow, obtained several long poles. From all directions, they were inserted firmly into the palanquin bed. After a clatter, it was securely fixed.
Zhu Qizhen ordered the Grand Empress Dowager and Consort Hu to sit inside.
With the eunuchs’ combined effort, the palanquin bed was transformed into a sedan chair.
The ancient bed, resembling a small room, was covered on top by palace maids with oilcloth, tightly secured so no rain could seep through.
Zhu Qizhen directed from the front. For a time, the bed could not pass through the palace gates.
At his command, guards broke down several window frames, finally clearing a path to carry the bed outside.
Hearing the heavy rain outside, the Grand Empress Dowager invited Zhu Qizhen to enter as well.
The palanquin swayed unsteadily as it moved.
Seated on the bed’s edge, the Grand Empress Dowager was flanked by Consort Hu on one side and Zhu Qizhen on the other.
She asked him, “My son, are you alright?”
Zhu Qizhen replied, “I am fine.”
The Grand Empress Dowager sighed, “An earthquake strikes both capitals, yet its meaning remains unknown.”
Only then did Zhu Qizhen recall the recent report of an earthquake in Nanjing. He merely sighed, thinking that as long as Huang Fu, a veteran minister stationed there, was handling disaster relief, it would be no problem.
But in the Grand Empress Dowager’s heart, it was different.
She believed in the harmony between heaven and man, though Zhu Qizhen did not.
She had pondered deeply: “Since the emperor ascended the throne, he has governed with a light touch, attending to all matters after consulting me. He has been diligent in his studies and martial training throughout the years—a good son indeed.”
“He must be blameless. Then the fault lies with me.”
“According to ancestral rules, supreme power rightfully belongs to him.”
This conviction was a key reason the Grand Empress Dowager began transferring authority to Zhu Qizhen.
Now, with another earthquake, she was even more inclined to self-reflection.
She linked the rebellion in Luchuan, the northwest campaigns, and the rise of the Wala tribe—all to her own failings.
She believed her external leniency had emboldened the border tribes to openly challenge the Ming.
If Emperor Xuanzong were still alive, would Luchuan dare to act so recklessly? Even in the first year of the Zhengtong era, Luchuan had been unruly. At that time, Mu Sheng was sent to quell them before matters escalated, making a large military campaign unnecessary.
Thinking thus, the Grand Empress Dowager looked meaningfully at Zhu Qizhen and said, “My son has grown.”
Zhu Qizhen, unaware of the deeper meaning, replied, “My grandson is fifteen this year; of course he has grown.”
The Grand Empress Dowager nodded, “Indeed.”
At that moment, she made a firm decision, though Zhu Qizhen remained oblivious.
Returning to the square, Zhu Qizhen saw many people already gathered.
At the center stood a raised platform, several sedan chairs parked atop.
Before he could approach, Wang Zhen came forward, saying, “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, Consort Wu, and Prince Ching have all arrived.”
Zhu Qizhen said, “Well done, Da Ban.”
He then instructed Wang Zhen to arrange for the Grand Empress Dowager, while he himself went to meet the Empress Dowager, Consort Wu, and Prince Ching.
Zhu Qizhen first approached the Empress Dowager. Upon seeing him, she noticed his clothes were damp and, without explanation, produced a robe to drape over him.
Zhu Qizhen smiled, “Mother, at a time like this, you still brought a robe with you?”
The Empress Dowager replied, “It was at hand, so I brought it along.”
Zhu Qizhen instantly understood: Empress Dowager Sun had stayed awake to sew clothes for him. A warm current surged through his heart.
Having reigned for some time, Zhu Qizhen’s position had gradually stabilized.
Empress Dowager Sun no longer feared the Grand Empress Dowager might attempt to depose him. Her mind was at ease.
Of course, Empress Dowager Sun would never consider retaliating against the Grand Empress Dowager. Her sole focus in the palace was caring for the emperor.
Relations between the two palaces had become considerably more harmonious.
Seeing that the robe fit well, Zhu Qizhen said, “Mother, sit inside the sedan for a while. Once the earthquake passes, we’ll return to the palace. I need to see my younger brother.”
Empress Dowager Sun’s expression darkened upon hearing he intended to see Prince Ching but she said nothing.
Indeed, rivalries among women in the harem were never smooth, and the Empress Dowager Sun and Consort Wu were no exception.
Zhu Qizhen went to see Prince Ching but did not meet Consort Wu, only bowing to her outside the sedan.
Prince Ching greeted him, “Your Majesty.”
Over the years, Prince Ching had grown steadily, like a sapling. Though still a head shorter than Zhu Qizhen, he was no longer the lost child he had been before their late father’s shrine.
Zhu Qizhen patted his shoulder, saying, “Good. You’ve grown. Learn to take care of yourself and your mother.”
Prince Ching replied, “Your servant understands.”
Before Zhu Qizhen could say more, a commotion erupted outside.
Frowning, he said, “Protect your mother well; I will go see what has happened.”