Chapter 87: The Empress Arrives at the Gate of Supreme Harmony

Zhu Hao’s words had little effect on Empress Guo, who continued to weep uncontrollably, repeating over and over, “I deserve to die!” Seeing this, Zhu Hao could only try again to persuade her, “Mother, Father left in haste, and the palace is now in turmoil both inside and out. Everything awaits your guidance. You must help Father fulfill his last wishes and not let his hard-won empire fall into the hands of those petty schemers. Otherwise, Father will not rest in peace. You must pull yourself together! Do not let grief harm your health.”

This time, Zhu Hao’s words seemed to strike a chord. Empress Guo suddenly sat up from her bed, her fists clenched tightly, and she said coldly, “You can rest assured, I will not let those people succeed! I will avenge your father, and those who harmed him will not meet a good end!”

For the first time, Zhu Hao sensed a murderous aura from Empress Guo, and he shuddered slightly, thinking to himself, “How can Empress Guo have such a fierce killing intent? She must truly love Father, or else she wouldn't react so violently upon learning he was poisoned. Love really does change people!” While Zhu Hao pondered this, Empress Guo had already regained her composure—as if the fierce presence earlier had not come from her. She spoke calmly to Zhu Hao, “What is the matter with this confession? Is it the one you mentioned at the Taihe Gate? Why did the writing disappear, and why has it reappeared now?”

Zhu Hao explained the matter of the special ink to Empress Guo, who, after listening, snorted coldly. “A trick of the dark arts! Fang Congzhe, as Grand Secretary, spends his time on such bizarre things instead of devising strategies to secure the realm. It’s a misfortune for the country! Such a person should never have set foot in the court, let alone become Grand Secretary. The late Emperor was truly muddled, allowing such a man to enter the cabinet—it’s lamentable!” In truth, Empress Guo’s criticism was somewhat misplaced, for Fang Congzhe’s appointment owed much to Concubine Zheng and the late Emperor Wanli, whose influence lingered even after his death. Although Fang Congzhe became Grand Secretary during Zhu Changluo’s reign, it was largely due to the accumulation of power from the Wanli era.

After her lament, Empress Guo’s expression turned cold again as she addressed Zhu Hao, “Now, take this confession and come with me to meet the ministers. I want to see what they have to say now!”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao recalled Gongsun Ce’s advice and quickly said, “Mother, perhaps I should not accompany you. I took the liberty of sealing the palace and detained the ministers at the Taihe Gate. They likely bear a grudge against me, and if I appear before them, they might be inclined to speak for Concubine Zheng. It would be better if you alone present the confession to them, and I stay out of sight.”

Empress Guo considered this and nodded, “You make sense. In that case, I will go alone to the ministers. You stay here and await news.”

Zhu Hao nodded, “Yes, Mother.”

Though he said so, Zhu Hao was uneasy and secretly followed Empress Guo as she made her way to the Taihe Gate. When the ministers saw the rarely-seen Empress Guo arrive, they all knelt and cried out, “Greetings, Your Majesty!”

Empress Guo raised her hand lightly. “Rise, all of you. Speak freely.”

At her words, the ministers stood, and her unexpected appearance gave them a sense of stability. Immediately, they began complaining about Zhu Hao’s actions:

“Your Majesty, it’s good that you’ve come. You must discipline the Fifth Prince!”
“The late Emperor always treated me with respect, yet his son imprisoned me! Outrageous!”
“Your Majesty, there is urgent business at my home. Please grant me leave to return and see to it!”
“The Fifth Prince has gone too far! He disregards all law and order!”
“The Fifth Prince has arrogantly seized control of the palace, blocked the gates, and acts as if he’s rebelling! His crimes are unforgivable!”
And so on.

Their noisy complaints greatly displeased Empress Guo, who snorted coldly. The ministers immediately fell silent, then knelt again and cried out in unison, “Your Majesty, you must uphold justice for us! Please punish the Fifth Prince severely!”

Watching from the shadows, Zhu Hao curled his lip and snorted to himself, “These sanctimonious hypocrites! When I sealed the palace, none dared protest; now they see Empress Guo and suddenly grow bold. They’re asking for trouble! I haven’t even drawn my blade, and they’re already getting arrogant. Someday, I’ll deal with each of these curs one by one!”

While Zhu Hao stewed in anger, Empress Guo arched her brows and spoke sharply, “What is this? Are you trying to force the throne? Get up! Regarding the Fifth Prince, I will give you an answer in due time. Right now, I want you to look at something first.”

Although the ministers still felt aggrieved, Empress Guo’s words left them no choice—if they remained kneeling, it would truly be an act of insurrection. These crafty old officials would not risk that, so they stood and whispered among themselves, curious about what Empress Guo intended to show them.

As she spoke, Empress Guo produced the confession. It had already been properly handled, the writing clear. The eunuch presented it for each minister to examine, then returned it to Empress Guo. With a stern expression, she declared, “You have all seen what I showed you. Now, I wish to hear your opinions.”

The ministers, seasoned and wary, were unwilling to be the first to speak at such a critical moment. They murmured in shock among themselves. Empress Guo snorted coldly, “I asked for your opinions! Are you deaf? Did I ask you to whisper among yourselves?”

At her rebuke, the ministers fell silent; not one dared utter a word. After a brief pause, a middle-aged minister finally stepped forward and said gravely, “Your Majesty, this matter concerns Grand Secretary Fang and Concubine Zheng. It is of great importance. To prevent a possible false accusation, I advise Your Majesty to deliberate carefully before taking action.”

Empress Guo laughed coldly, “Deliberate carefully? Do you not recognize Grand Secretary Fang’s handwriting? I can see at a glance that it’s Fang Congzhe’s script! What is there to deliberate? I suspect you are one of Fang Congzhe’s cohorts—a participant in the plot against the late Emperor—so now you try to speak in his defense! I cannot tolerate such villains! Guards, seize him and send him to the Embroidered Uniform Guard for strict interrogation!”

Zhu Hao had already instructed the palace guards to obey Empress Guo’s orders. At her command, two guards seized the minister and led him away. Empress Guo did not even look at him as he cried, “Your Majesty, spare me! I am innocent!” She acted as though she heard nothing.

This act of punishing one as a warning to the rest finally made the ministers understand Empress Guo’s intent—she was declaring war on Concubine Zheng and Fang Congzhe. Anyone who pleaded for them would suffer the same fate, so all fell silent.

Empress Guo surveyed them coldly and said, “Does anyone else have something to say? How should this matter be handled?”

The ministers all thought, how should it be handled? You’ve already decided; why ask us? Though disgruntled, none dared voice their complaint, for the precedent was clear before their eyes.

After she finished speaking, a young minister stepped forward and declared, “I am Li Shilin, Censor of the Metropolitan Court. I have something to say!”

Li Shilin was a distant relative of the Guo family, and Empress Guo’s expression softened somewhat at his words. She nodded, “Li, speak.”

Li Shilin began, “This matter involves the Grand Secretary and a palace concubine. It is a grave crime—plotting against the late Emperor. In my opinion, it cannot be decided hastily. It should be referred to a joint investigation by the three judicial offices, and only after a thorough verdict should punishment be carried out.”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao thought, “Judging by Empress Guo’s attitude, this man must be related to the Guo family. Is he sincere, or is he deliberately speaking for Concubine Zheng and Fang Congzhe? What is happening—has something else changed?”

But just as Zhu Hao wondered, Li Shilin continued, dispelling his doubts. “However, in my view, this is not the most urgent matter. The late Emperor has passed, and the throne remains vacant, causing unrest within the court and throughout the land. I believe the most pressing action is to have the Crown Prince ascend the throne as soon as possible, to restore stability among the officials and people.”

Empress Guo, though initially displeased with Li Shilin’s first remarks, was greatly pleased by the latter part. She thought to herself, “At crucial moments, family is truly reliable.”