Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 196: Secret Plot

   The two agreed to meet at the tower.

   It was the very same tower from ten years ago—the one from which Step-Empress had nearly jumped after her father was granted death.

Hongzhou arrived first. Standing inside the tower, he waited for her while recalling the words Yuan Chunwang had spoken to him.

“The matter of the Fifteenth Prince being poisoned has led to grave misunderstandings between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. The Empress has been unable to clear her name and has suffered terribly. Think about it— even if the Empress truly intended to act, why would she choose this moment when the Fifth Prince has just been injured and public sentiment is at its most volatile?”

Of course it’s the classic case of the thief crying “thief,” Hongzhou thought to himself. The real culprit could be none other than Wei Yingluo herself. Even tigers do not eat their own cubs, yet she is more venomous than any tiger—she would even use her own son to set a trap.

“The Emperor is venting his anger on the Empress; he will certainly not establish the Twelfth Prince as Crown Prince. In the future, if the Fifteenth Prince ascends the throne, will he spare the Empress and her son?”

Hongzhou also tried to say a few good words for the mother and son, but Hongli would not listen at all. The more he spoke, the angrier Hongli became, questioning him why he kept interfering in the secrets of the inner palace and what exactly his intentions were.

For a moment, Hongzhou truly didn’t know how to help this mother and son anymore.

In the end, that Yuan Chunwang seemed to see through his anxiety and slowly spoke those words…

“My lord, do you still remember the Imperial Father Regent-Prince of those years?”

This damned servant was actually inciting him to seize power and usurp the throne, kill Hongli, then support the Twelfth Prince to ascend the throne, while he himself would become the Imperial Father Regent-Prince — handling court affairs on his behalf while being with his mother…

   “The same Aisin Gioro bloodline — some ascend to the Nine-Five, above ten thousand people, while others bow their heads and live like slaves.” The words Yuan Chunwang spoke back then rang in his ears again, full of profound meaning: “My lord, you want to be both loyal and filial — but how has the Emperor treated you? When he is pleased, he calls you brother; when he turns ruthless and heartless, you are nothing but a dog.”

Hongzhou wanted to refute him, but upon careful reflection, he found every word to be true.

Today he had entered the palace precisely to receive punishment.

Beating Neqin, humiliating a member of the imperial clan, laying hands on a Grand Council minister, and holding a grand “living funeral” at his princely mansion, inviting civil and military officials to wail and mourn — every single one of these was a crime. The last one in particular had become ironclad proof that he was forming cliques and engaging in factionalism. After harshly berating him, Hongli ordered him to go to the Imperial Clan Court himself to receive punishment.

He had never had any disloyal thoughts, yet the impeachment memorials from the censors had piled up like mountains on Hongli’s desk. Hongli told him: “This is the last time.”

The last time for what?

   If there was a next time… would he really be executed?

   “Hongzhou.”

A woman’s voice sounded from behind him. Hongzhou came back to himself, turned and saluted: “This younger brother respectfully greets Her Majesty the Empress.”

The familiar tower, the familiar faces, even the same clothes they had coincidentally worn from ten years ago — everything felt as though they had returned to that time. Between you and me, between heaven and earth, nothing had changed.

The Step-Empress laughed wryly, unable to hide her exhaustion: “This title of Empress I hold is already an empty name.”

Hongzhou was stunned and blurted out: “What can I do to help you?”

Just as he had promised her all those years ago — no matter what difficulty she faced, she could come to him, and he would never refuse.

“For these past ten years, I have conscientiously managed the inner palace without any major mistakes. Yet the Emperor has repeatedly distanced himself, blamed me, and separately established another Noble Consort. There is truly no reason for it.” The Step-Empress sighed, looking at him with a trace of pleading. “You are now the Prince He whom everyone respects. If the Emperor wants to establish that Noble Consort, and if the imperial princes, nobles, civil and military officials unite to oppose it, even he cannot act unilaterally.”

Hongzhou laughed: “Even now, you still hold hope for him?”

The Step-Empress was stunned.

Hongzhou finally made up his mind. Next, he would help her make up hers. He looked at her seriously: “Hongli is ruthless and never allows himself to be controlled by others. Our only way is to replace him!”

The Step-Empress never expected him to say such words. She stood frozen for a long time, and even when she spoke, she stammered: “You—you’ve gone mad? Let’s pretend I never came here today…”

She panicked and tried to flee, but how could Hongzhou let her go so easily? He grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Taking a deep breath, he laid his true feelings bare: “All these years, look how you have treated him — and now he wants that Wei clan bondservant to completely replace you! And me — I am his own younger brother, yet he scolds me when he wants, punishes me when he wants, and doesn’t treat me as human at all. Why can’t we resist him? Why can’t we fight for what we rightfully deserve!”

While pulling her hand back, the Step-Empress asked irritably: “What exactly do you want to do?”

Hongzhou spoke word by word: “Kill him!”

The Step-Empress was so horrified that she didn’t even dare breathe. Beside them, Yuan Chunwang kept his head lowered, but the corners of his lips slowly curved upward.

“…No.” In the end, the Step-Empress neither dared nor was willing to do it. She shook her head and said, “This is an act of great treason. Once it is exposed, both you and I are finished, and it will implicate Yongji as well. It would be better to maintain the status quo. Even if he cannot inherit the throne in the future, he will still be a prince after all…”

“My present is Yongji’s future,” Hongzhou interrupted her. “He will be the same as me—spending the first half of his life evading political persecution, pretending to be mad and acting the fool to get by; then in the second half, desperately scheming and risking everything to serve Hongli with all his might. And what did I get in return! Yongji will fare even worse. He is the legitimate son of the Empress. Once the Fifteenth Prince ascends the throne and Lady Wei becomes the Empress Dowager, do you think they will allow him to live?”

The Step-Empress stared blankly at him, her expression full of struggle.

“Shushen.” Hongzhou gently called her by her given name. “The southern inspection tour will be the best moment to act! For your sake, for the sake of the Twelfth Prince—please think carefully about what I’ve said.”

The vast night served as a protective cloak, concealing their secret meeting and their conspiracy.

Yet it was not entirely unnoticed.

The next morning, as Wei Yingluo walked along a palace corridor, she saw a man in official robes approaching from the opposite direction. When he saw her, instead of avoiding her, he walked straight toward her.

Wei Yingluo smiled. “What urgent matter brings Lord Fucha here today?”

Normally, he strictly observed the proper distance between subject and imperial consort, always treating her with the utmost respect. Even when their paths crossed, he would merely nod and pass by. For him to approach her directly today meant there was certainly something important he wished to discuss.

Fuheng said, “I am about to set out on campaign.”

Wei Yingluo was taken aback. “Aren’t you supposed to accompany His Majesty on the southern tour?”

Fuheng shook his head. “Two days ago, Burmese troops suddenly attacked Mengban and have now advanced close to Simao, intending to seize the Twelve Banna. His Majesty has ordered me to set out immediately to assist the Governor-General of Yunnan and Guizhou in combat. I depart tomorrow.”

He paused, then suddenly lowered his voice: “While I am away… you must be careful of Prince He.”

Wei Yingluo frowned. “What happened?”

Fuheng said gravely, “I personally witnessed him meeting in private with Yuan Chunwang.”

Just as Fuheng would never seek out Wei Yingluo privately without important reason, the chief steward of Chengqian Palace would likewise never approach this prince in secret without cause.

Wei Yingluo fell into thoughtful silence. “I understand. Thank you for the warning…”

Fuheng lowered his gaze to look at her, hesitating as if he wanted to say more.

“Is there something else?” Wei Yingluo tilted her head to meet his eyes, then suddenly smiled. “Over all these years, in every great battle and small skirmish, when have you ever not returned in complete victory? This time will be no different. I will wait in the Forbidden City for your triumphant return.”

Looking at her smile, Fuheng slowly began to smile as well. Fine lines had already appeared at the corners of his eyes; when he smiled they creased, but it was not unbecoming—instead it carried the steady, gentle warmth of tree rings marking the passage of years.

“Thank you,” he said softly. “Believe in me. I will come back.”

At the time it seemed an ordinary farewell; no one could have foreseen that this parting would be forever. If only they had known in advance everything that would happen, they surely would have cherished this meeting far more—would have said so many more words, lest there never be another chance to say them.

After watching Fuheng leave, Wei Yingluo turned and instructed: “Xiaoquanzi, immediately take my token and leave the palace. Go and investigate someone for me!”

Two secret meetings, two conspiracies, were unfolding in the shadows. Soon, the day of the southern tour would arrive.

Eunuchs, palace maids, guards, and concubines—a vast procession—emerged from Qianqing Gate. They passed through Shandong into Jiangsu, boarded the imperial boats, and traveled south along the Grand Canal, passing Zhenjiang, Wuxi, Suzhou, Jiaxing, and finally arriving at Hangzhou.

The Step-Empress stood on the deck of the imperial vessel, gazing into the distance. Mountains and rivers blended with the sky in one color; the setting sun and a solitary wild duck flew together. The boundless beauty of heaven and earth filled her eyes, and she became lost in the sight.

“Your Ladyship.” It was only when Yuan Chunwang’s voice sounded behind her that she stirred. “It’s time to attend the banquet.”

“Let’s go.” The Step-Empress withdrew her gaze and turned around.

The two walked one behind the other toward the flower hall. Yuan Chunwang murmured discreetly at her back: “Along this route, Prince He is in charge of security. He will find an opportunity to meet with Your Ladyship shortly.”

The Step-Empress replied just as discreetly: “I understand.”

They reached the flower hall. The Step-Empress lifted the beaded curtain and stepped inside. Dancing girls twirled gracefully, singers warbled softly, and the sounds of pipa and strings blended together, transforming the small hall into a celestial stage of the Jade Pool.

The Step-Empress found her seat and sat down. Then she slowly raised her eyes to look across at Hongli and Wei Yingluo, thinking to herself: A petty person is no gentleman; without ruthlessness, one cannot be a true hero. What belongs to me will ultimately be mine.

Her collaboration with Hongzhou had begun.

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