Chapter Four: Aftermath of the Palace Relocation Scandal

At this moment, Lady Li heard Titi’s voice, turned her head, and upon seeing Zhu Youxiao, immediately collapsed to the floor. “Brother—no, Your Majesty, please spare me! I will never dare again.” She knocked her head against the ground repeatedly, while Titi was so frightened she began to cry once more.

Madam Ke, who had been following behind, finally caught up. Seeing Lady Li in such a state, her eyes reddened with emotion. She stepped forward and helped Lady Li up. “Your Ladyship, His Majesty did not know you were suffering so. Had he known, he would have come much sooner.”

Lady Li looked at Zhu Youxiao with suspicion, but Zhu Youxiao quickly spoke, “I instructed Wang An to take good care of you. These days I have been busy and unable to visit you and Titi. The fault is mine.”

“It is not Your Majesty’s fault. I brought this upon myself through my own greed and lack of restraint.”

With Madam Ke supporting Lady Li, they entered a room that was at least somewhat intact. Zhu Youxiao summoned the chief steward of Huiluan Palace to ask about the fire. The steward fell to his knees in terror, begging for mercy. Zhou Yuji kicked him hard and barked, “Answer properly!”

The steward stammered, unable to speak. At that moment, Wang An hurried over and also knelt to confess his guilt. Zhu Youxiao did not allow him to rise, and said with cold anger, “I charged you to look after the Lady and my sister—this is how you carry out your duties?” Wang An dared not defend himself, only knocking his head to the floor repeatedly.

“Enough. Take this man away and question him thoroughly about the fire. Report back to me tomorrow.” With that, Zhu Youxiao turned and entered the room.

Inside, Lady Li pulled Titi to her, about to kneel again, but Zhu Youxiao drew Titi to his side and said, “No need for that. Tell me in detail how things came to be like this.”

Tears welled up in Lady Li’s eyes once more. “When the late Emperor passed, I could do nothing but weep in grief. On the afternoon of the second day, Wang An ordered me to leave the Palace of Heavenly Purity. I said I wished to keep vigil for the late Emperor and asked if I might stay a while longer, but Wang An scolded me, saying I did not know my place—what right did a mere Lady-in-waiting have to keep vigil for the Emperor? At that moment, two civil officials from the outer court entered. From Wang An’s address, one was surnamed Yang, the other Zuo. The one called Yang was fierce, berating me for overreaching and harboring ambitions of becoming Empress. Zuo sneered that I would never be made Noble Consort and should consider myself lucky to end my days as a concubine. The three of them laughed heartily together.”

She wiped her tears and continued, “Yang ordered me out of the Palace of Heavenly Purity at once, not even to linger a moment. Zuo commanded Wang An to seize all our jewelry and belongings, and even the hairpins and earrings from my and Titi’s heads were taken. The eunuchs and maids in my palace were savagely beaten, and it was falsely alleged that Li Jinzhong, Liu Xun, and Wei Jinzhong from my household had colluded with my father to steal treasures from the imperial stores—they were all thrown into prison.”

Zhu Youxiao, unaware that several others had been imprisoned, immediately ordered Zhou Yuji to take his personal token and release them at once.

Lady Li, finally somewhat relieved, continued, “They drove us mother and daughter from the palace, not allowing us to take even clothes or bedding. At Huiluan Palace we lacked proper clothing and food. On cold nights, we could only huddle together for warmth. Before leaving, Wang An said I was receiving my just deserts for conspiring with Noble Consort Zheng, and accused me of insulting Empress Xiaohé and striking His Majesty. He said it was already mercy that I was not put to death. I do admit I once dreamed of being Empress, but I have never done any of the things they accuse me of. Please, Your Majesty, help me clear my name.” She knelt, about to kowtow again.

Madam Ke restrained her and looked to Zhu Youxiao. Sighing, he said, “I once advised you to proceed step by step, but your impatience led to this situation. Rest assured, for now you will stay here, and I will see you are well cared for. As for titles, we will deal with that in due time.”

Zhou Yuji brought the imprisoned retainers back—each bore wounds, looking utterly miserable. Zhu Youxiao offered a few words of comfort, ordered Lady Li’s father sent home, and appointed Liu Xun chief steward of Huiluan Palace, instructing him to seek out Li Jinzhong—or rather, Wei Zhongxian as he was now called—if any issues arose.

That night, Wang An’s men brought word that the former chief steward of Huiluan Palace, fearing punishment for his dereliction, had committed suicide. Zhu Youxiao gave a cold laugh and said nothing. Clearly, Wang An was well versed in silencing people.

On the eighth day of the ninth month, the Emperor issued an edict, granting Lady Ke Yinyue the title Lady of Revered Holiness for her devoted service, and ennobling her son Hou Guoxing as a Commandant of the Embroidered Guard. Wei Zhongxian, for his diligence and loyal service, was promoted to Seal Keeper of the Department of Firewood, and his brother Wei Zhao was likewise made a Commandant of the Embroidered Guard.

On the ninth day of the ninth month, the Emperor appointed Wang Tiqian as Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, also placing him in charge of the Imperial Gardens; Liu Ruoyu as Pen-keeper Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial; and Li Chaoqin as Chief Eunuch of the Directorate for Palace Affairs, overseeing the Office of Arms.

On the eleventh day of the ninth month, Wang An, the Pen-keeper Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was promoted to Supervising Eunuch of the Directorate, in charge of the inner court. Wang An, citing age and illness, requested to retire. The Emperor granted his request, instructing him to rest and recover, and appointed Wei Zhongxian as acting Pen-keeper Eunuch of the Directorate.

Ultimately, Zhu Youxiao had to resort to these less-than-honorable means—he simply could not afford to wait and proceed slowly. One look at Titi’s pitiful eyes, and he wished he could kill that old dog a hundred times over; all thought of royal dignity was cast aside.

The Emperor’s appointments within the inner court left the outer court with nothing to criticize. Wang Tiqian, Liu Ruoyu, and Li Chaoqin were all capable eunuchs. Wang An’s resignation followed protocol, and the Emperor’s approval left no grounds for objection. Unable to argue on principle, and unable to invoke unwritten rules to the Emperor, the outer court accepted these appointments without protest.

On the twelfth day of the ninth month, Wei Zhongxian, now Pen-keeper Eunuch, was named Supervisor of the Eastern Depot. Liu Liangxiang succeeded him as Seal Keeper of the Department of Firewood.

Watching Wei Zhongxian kneel before him in gratitude, Zhu Youxiao felt a pang of inner conflict. In the end, he was treading the old path of history, releasing this infamous “Eunuch of Nine Thousand Years” into power. How would it all turn out? He could not say. In fact, he had brought Wei Zhongxian to the Eastern Depot several years ahead of schedule.

“Wei Zhongxian, listen well. In the past, you served the Empress Dowager with merit, and have since accomplished tasks for me. Now I make you Supervisor of the Eastern Depot—not as a reward, but that you may better serve me. Let me lay down a few rules for you; listen closely.

“First, your task is to get things done. Focus on your duties; if you must enrich yourself, do not let me learn of it. If you need money or anything else, ask me directly. Second, you represent me outside the palace. If you act well, I gain face; if you act poorly and disgrace me, you know what consequences await. Third, the Eastern Depot bears immense responsibility. You must keep it well in hand. It is divided into two branches—one for the capital, one for the provinces. You must keep me informed of everything: from plots of rebellion to the price of rice. The Embroidered Guard is now under your supervision. Tomorrow, summon the commander of the Guard, and that Luo fellow we met before; I intend to give the Embroidered Guard a stern warning.”

Wei Zhongxian swore to follow the Emperor’s instructions to the letter: never to take what he should not, to serve with utmost loyalty, and to keep the Eastern Depot firmly under control for His Majesty.

Liu Liangxiang, who had once taught Zhu Youxiao to read and write, had always been called Master Liu. In Zhu Youxiao’s memory, he had devoted himself wholeheartedly to the Emperor’s early education and had shown great ability. Thus, he was now promoted to Seal Keeper of the Department of Firewood.