Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Courtiers Kneel to Remonstrate

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Yet neither Zou Yuanbiao nor Zhao Nanxing showed the slightest concern for their own reputations crumbling. Zhao Nanxing stepped forward cautiously and said, “Your Highness, we shall not make things difficult. Please trust us and leave this matter in our hands.”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Hao raised an eyebrow and asked again, “Really not making things difficult?”

Fearing further trouble, the two immediately knelt solemnly and said, “We truly will not make things difficult!”

Seeing them kneeling, Zhu Hao’s intention to reprimand them faded. He said, “In that case, gentlemen, I entrust this matter to you. I hope you will not disappoint me. At the hour of Chen tomorrow, I will have the palace gates opened personally and will meet the court officials at the gate myself.”

The two nodded quickly and replied, “Rest assured, Your Highness. We will lead the officials and be at the palace gate promptly at the hour of Chen tomorrow to await Your Highness.”

Hearing this, Zhu Hao turned and left without allowing them to rise, a final warning before his departure, a way to vent his displeasure.

Back in the palace, to prevent any mishaps, Zhu Hao instructed the imperial guards to tightly seal off and monitor the palace gates and the Qianqing Palace, so that Li Xuanshi would not catch wind of any news and cause further trouble.

Fortunately, the night passed peacefully without incident. Early the next morning, Zhu Hao went to the palace gate to await the ministers.

But as time passed beyond the hour of Chen, the gate remained empty. Not a single person appeared. Zhu Hao’s suspicion grew. “Those two old foxes, Zou Yuanbiao and Zhao Nanxing, could they be deliberately reneging just to mock me? If so, I will make them regret it for life!”

Though he scolded them inwardly, as time dragged on, unease crept deeper into his heart.

Minutes ticked by until it was nearly the third quarter of the hour of Si—over an hour late from the appointed time. Zhu Hao was almost certain now that Zou Yuanbiao and Zhao Nanxing were playing him. He had lost all hope.

Just as he was about to turn and leave, a group of ministers clad in vibrant red and green court robes appeared at the palace gate. At their center was an elderly man with white hair and beard, dressed not in court robes but a scholar’s gown. Zhu Hao recognized him immediately—it was the venerable Guo, the Grand Chancellor, whom he had met just days before.

At that moment, Zhu Hao understood why the two had been late. They must have feared their forces insufficient to compel Li Xuanshi to relent, so they first went to summon Grand Chancellor Guo from his residence.

Seeing this steadfast pillar of the Ming dynasty, all Zhu Hao’s resentment vanished, replaced by calm and confidence. With Grand Chancellor Guo intervening, even if Li Xuanshi had the courage of a bear or leopard, she would not dare oppose him. Guo’s influence, combined with the power of the Three Eastern Forest Gentlemen, represented the entire Ming bureaucratic establishment. If Li Xuanshi continued to resist, even if she were named Empress Dowager, this coalition would surely depose her—something she must weigh carefully.

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The appearance of Grand Chancellor Guo lifted Zhu Hao’s spirits. He quickly instructed the palace guards, “Open the gates at once! I shall personally go out to welcome Grand Chancellor Guo!”

The guards complied immediately. Zhu Hao stepped forward briskly and came before the Grand Chancellor, bowing deeply. “Grand Chancellor, I never expected you to come! This is truly a blessing for the court and the realm!”

Guo smiled kindly, stroking his snowy white beard. “I am but a retired man, not one to meddle in court affairs. But the Guo family has long received imperial grace. With the palace in disorder and the invitation of your esteemed gentlemen, I cannot help but come today to offer what little aid I can to the court.”

Zhu Hao eagerly replied, “Your involvement could not be more timely. Once my elder brother ascends the throne, I shall ensure the emperor invites you to assist in governance.”

Before Guo could respond, Zou Yuanbiao and Zhao Nanxing’s expressions changed noticeably. Zhu Hao’s words had struck a nerve—they harbored deep reluctance for Guo’s return, knowing it would hinder their own ambitions. Zhu Hao’s comment had hit the mark.

Alas, his hopes were dashed as Grand Chancellor Guo waved his hand and said, “I am old and can no longer serve a new sovereign. Once the new ruler ascends, I intend to retire to my hometown for a peaceful life. The capital is far too noisy and unsuitable for me.”

Zhu Hao understood that Guo truly wished to avoid this messy affair. Perhaps this was partly due to Guo’s own disillusionment, having been forced into retirement by Zhu Hao’s late father using the Eastern Forest Party’s influence.

Despite Guo’s refusal, Zhu Hao did not give up on persuading him to come out of retirement. But for now, he said nothing further, knowing the priority was to rescue his elder brother from Qianqing Palace.

With that in mind, Zhu Hao said to Guo, “Grand Chancellor, we shall discuss that matter later. For now, the urgent task is to bring the Crown Prince out of Qianqing Palace to legitimize the throne and calm the realm.”

Guo nodded silently, offering no objection. Zhu Hao led the group, and they entered the palace, heading directly toward Qianqing Palace.

As they approached the vermilion gates of Qianqing Palace, Zhu Hao wondered what stratagem Guo would use to compel Li Xuanshi to release his brother.

Before Zhu Hao could ponder further, he saw Guo kneel before the palace gates. The other ministers followed suit, dropping to their knees. Zhu Hao was momentarily stunned, but seeing all others kneel, he too knelt.

Guo then called out, “I, your humble servant, request an audience with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”

At once, the ministers behind him echoed in unison, “We request an audience with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!” Their voices reverberated through the palace and the Forbidden City alike.

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At last, Zhu Hao realized Guo’s tactic—this was the ancient custom of collective ministerial petition by kneeling, typically employed when a ruler commits a grave error. He had not expected to see it played out here.

In essence, this was a form of palace pressure—a gentle coup of sorts. Civil officials, unlike generals, lacked weapons and thus exerted psychological pressure on the sovereign to compel a change of heart. Though less direct than armed coups, sometimes the unseen blade is the sharpest.

Li Xuanshi, inside Qianqing Palace, understood this clearly. Though unfazed by Zhu Hao’s imperial guards or Empress Dowager Guo’s power, she could not ignore the ministers’ kneeling petition. To dismiss it would mean losing all legitimacy and support across the realm.

Though inwardly anxious, Li Xuanshi heard the ministers’ cries grow louder and more insistent: “We request an audience with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”

She knew she could no longer hide. Delaying would only inflame the ministers’ anger, worsening her position. She had taken control of the Crown Prince for her own ends, but if she alienated the ministers, even as Empress Dowager she would command no one. What meaning would such a title hold?

With these thoughts, Li Xuanshi opened the palace gates. She first laid eyes on Zhu Hao kneeling at the forefront. He knelt there because, as a prince, he held the highest status among them. Grand Chancellor Guo knelt half a step behind him, and behind Guo were Zou Yuanbiao, Zhao Nanxing, and others. Clearly, the petition was conducted in strict order of rank, not in disorder.

Ignoring Zhu Hao, whom she regarded as a mere prince, Li Xuanshi addressed Guo directly: “Grand Chancellor, what is the meaning of this? Please, have the ministers rise at once!”

Guo did not even look at her, persistently declaring, “We request an audience with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince!”

Knowing Guo despised her lowly status, Li Xuanshi nonetheless pleaded again, “I have already told the ministers: with the Empress Dowager deceased, I am the Crown Prince’s true foster mother. If the ministers agree to let me become Empress Dowager upon the new sovereign’s accession, I will allow the Crown Prince to meet them. My request is just and reasonable—Grand Chancellor, please do not make things difficult!”

This time Guo regarded her coldly and said, “You wish to be Empress Dowager? That is the emperor’s family matter, in which this old servant has no say. But the new sovereign is not yet enthroned, and you already seek that title? Do you intend to become the mother of the Great Xing Emperor? Such a breach of moral order—how dare you speak so boldly!”