Chapter 125: Forcing Others to Do the Unthinkable

In *Dream of the Red Chamber*, the Jia family could still welcome Yuan Chun’s visit. But in this real world of the Ming Dynasty, even though Zhang Guifei’s father was posthumously granted the title of Duke of Rongguo, her brother held the high rank of Duke of Yingguo, and the entire family was of noble status, she never managed to leave the palace once she stepped inside. At most, she could see her sister-in-law from time to time, and even her brothers and nephews could only be seen rarely during festivals. Thus, Zhang Yue, who had only been in Nanjing for over half a year, had never met this cousin before. Hearing the news of her death, he felt more confused than sorrow.

Rong Shan, on the other hand, managed to stop crying before speaking: “The young lady was extremely virtuous. After the emperor ascended the throne and posthumously honored the late king as Duke of Rongguo, she entered the palace as a concubine. It’s been over a decade now. From being the Marquis of Xian’an and the Marquis of Xincheng to becoming Duke of Yingguo, the young lady never complained about his titles and never acted arrogantly in the palace. If not for the late king’s death in battle, she wouldn’t have been so heartbroken as to harm her health, and now she’s gone at such a young age!”

“Has this news been reported to the emperor?” Seeing that Rong Shan had regained his composure, Zhang Yue had to consider practical matters. “My great-uncle has just recovered from a serious illness and is still weak. Should we continue to hide this news? Logically, the empress and my great-uncle are full siblings. Since he deserves nine months of special honors, even state rituals cannot be ignored. What should everyone in the household do now?”

Rong Shan had burst into tears earlier due to the sudden bad news, and considering Zhang Fu’s uncertain condition, he was stunned upon hearing Zhang Yue’s words. He realized they would likely need to seek guidance from the palace. He immediately stood up, wiped his face with his sleeve, and forced a smile even uglier than crying.

“I was momentarily overwhelmed. It’s Master Yue who’s right. Since the lady sent messengers here at full speed, the messengers from Nanjing to the palace should also have arrived by now. In Beijing, aside from my lord, there’s only Master left from the Zhang family. You’d better get ready—there’s a high chance you’ll be summoned to the Western Palace.”

Having served as the household manager for many years, Rong Shan immediately stopped grieving at the possibility and started preparing materials. Zhang Yue also rushed back to his room. Since Zhang Guifei was his cousin, he wasn’t required to observe mourning rites by tradition. But now, in Beijing, apart from Duke of Yingguo Zhang Fu, he was the only Zhang family member left. If he went before the emperor still dressed in bright new clothes, not only would the emperor disapprove, but he himself would also feel ashamed.

Qiu Hen and Hu Bo also never expected such tragic news to arrive so suddenly. Though they had never met the imperial concubine Zhang before, the thought of her passing away in her early thirties filled them with sorrow as women. When they heard that Zhang Yue might be summoned to the palace, they hurriedly searched through their belongings for clothes. Unfortunately, most of their clothes were still in Nanjing. After much effort, they found a rather plain cloth shirt; though it seemed somewhat shabby, they had no choice but to wear it.

Just as they managed to find suitable clothes, noisy voices came from outside. Soon, a young maid whom Qiu Hen had hired a few days earlier pushed aside the curtain and entered. After bowing respectfully, she reported, “I come to inform Young Master Yue and the two sisters that an eunuch named Zhang has arrived from the palace. The emperor has summoned Young Master Yue to Jingfu Palace in the Western Palace.”

Unexpecting the visitor to arrive so quickly, Zhang Yue quickly changed his clothes and rushed to the hall. The eunuch who came to summon him was not one of those he had seen before. Apart from being beardless, he had a distinguished appearance; one would not realize he was an eunuch without looking closely, which immediately won people’s goodwill.

Knowing about Zheng He, who had made seven voyages to the Western Seas during the Yongle era, Zhang Yue didn’t hold eunuchs in disdain. Seeing this man’s official-like demeanor, he was puzzled. After a few words, he realized that this man had an exceptionally refined way of speaking. Now was the time to find out more, so he quickly followed the man outside. He saw that Eunuch Zhang mounted his horse right away, with all his attendants already seated firmly on their horses, displaying a neat and efficient demeanor. He hurriedly mounted his horse as well.

The Western Palace was located in the western garden of the Yuan Dynasty’s imperial palace. It wasn’t far from Qingshui Hutong. After riding for about fifteen minutes, they stopped in front of Chengtian Gate. After thorough inspection, Zhang Yue passed through Chengtian Gate, Wumen Gate, and Xijiaomen Gate one by one. Then, following Eunuch Zhang, he walked along a side path for a long time before finally arriving in front of Jingfu Palace.

“I’ll go in and announce your arrival. Young Master Zhang, please wait here.”

While waiting at the steps in front of the palace, although Zhang Yue couldn’t look around freely, he still glanced around with the corner of his eye. Jingfu Palace was as magnificent as the other palaces, with golden dragons coiled around the pillars all around. The white marble steps were neatly arranged, and the railings along the side paths were carved with various rare birds. Under the double-eaved roofs stood soldiers in brocade uniforms, the famous “Great Han Generals.” Although these men also belonged to the Jinyiwei, they were part of a separate unit, dedicated to serving as guards and messengers.

The previous two times he had been summoned before the emperor were when the emperor went incognito. This was the first time he had truly entered the palace for an audience, which is why Zhang Yue suddenly remembered that Concubine Zhang was not the empress and was not the emperor’s enemy. In Zhu Di’s mind, Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo was likely still more important. Now that Concubine Zhang had passed away and Duke Zhang Fu was still ill, would the current emperor allow him to keep this news from Duke Zhang Fu?

“Hey, aren’t you Zhang Yue?”

Hearing a woman’s voice behind him, Zhang Yue was instantly shocked, not expecting to meet someone he knew in this palace. But at that moment, there were fierce-looking generals everywhere, making it inconvenient for him to turn around. After a while, a young girl dressed in a silver-red soft silk robe came up to him, smiling at him—it was none other than Princess Chenliu.

“No wonder I found your back so familiar. I never thought you’d come to the palace!” Princess Chenliu said, then suddenly glanced at Zhang Yue’s clothes and frowned. She quickly asked, “I heard Duke Zhang Fu’s condition has improved quite a bit. Since you’re here in the palace, could there be some recurrence?”

Although Zhang Yue had already known that Princess Chenliu was in Beijing, he didn’t expect to run into her so coincidentally. Seeing her concerned expression, he quickly said in a low voice, “Princess, please don’t worry. Duke Zhang Fu’s condition has improved greatly. This time… it’s because I just received news that Concubine Zhang has passed away…”

“Concubine Zhang has died?” Hearing this news, Princess Chenliu’s face stiffened, and gradually, sadness appeared on her face. “Concubine Zhang was always gentle and kind. I never thought such a beautiful woman would meet such a tragic end… So, it was your imperial uncle who summoned you.” Seeing Zhang Yue nod, she looked up at Jingfu Palace and then asked thoughtfully, “How long have you been waiting here?”

“About fifteen minutes.”

“How could it be so long? Could it be that your imperial uncle is meeting someone or handling state affairs?” Princess Chenliu was puzzled when she glanced at Zhang Yue again and nodded slightly. “Although your imperial uncle granted you the title of juren, according to the rules before an audience with the emperor, you’re supposed to kneel outside the hall waiting for an invitation. It must be tough to kneel for fifteen minutes. Though this rule doesn’t need to be followed all the time, it depends on the person who brings you in. It seems that eunuch today was quite kind to you…”

“The emperor has ordered Zhang Yue to come for an audience!”

Hearing that deep, resonant voice at once, Princess Chenliu stopped speaking and glanced upward to see a figure on top of the steps, which shocked her greatly: “You’re truly lucky—that’s no ordinary eunuch in the palace. That’s Zhang Qian, the imperial eunuch who just returned from the West. He ranks right after Zheng He!”

After hearing what Princess Chenliu had said earlier about him kneeling in wait, Zhang Yue had thought that Eunuch Zhang was treating him favorably. Now that he learned Zhang Qian had returned from the West and ranked second only to Zheng He, he suddenly understood. No wonder Zhang Qian seemed different from the eunuchs who had come to his house before to deliver gifts—someone who had been to the West must surely have a broad perspective, far beyond that of ordinary eunuchs.

At this moment, he had no time to continue chatting with Princess Chenliu. After thanking her, he adjusted his clothes and climbed the steps. Soon, he saw Zhang Qian waiting there. Before he could speak, Zhang Qian gave him a slight nod: “The Emperor is upset by recent sad news. Be careful. But with Scholar Du by his side, as long as you respond carefully, you’ll be safe.”

Aware of Zhang Qian’s kind reminder, Zhang Yue was grateful. After thanking him, he entered the grand hall. Although it was daytime, many lamps were lit in the vast hall, yet it remained somewhat dim. On the throne in the back of the hall, a figure dressed in a dragon robe could be faintly seen. There was also someone standing beside the imperial desk. Though still far away, he immediately recognized that it was Du Zhen.

Zhang Yue bowed in worship. Before long, a calm voice came from above: “Stand up.”

At that moment, Zhu Di on the throne looked gloomy and in a very bad mood. He had many concubines in his harem, but the one he respected the most was his wife, Empress Xu. After her early death, the position of empress remained vacant. Later, his most favored concubine, Consort Quan, also passed away early. Those who took charge of the six palaces were Concubine Zhang and Concubine Wang. The former was Zhang Fu’s sister, Zhang Yu’s daughter—both respectful and fair, and deeply trusted by Zhu Di. Unexpectedly, she too died young, right at a time when Zhang Fu was seriously ill.

Glancing at Zhang Yue and seeing his simple clothes, Zhu Di’s expression softened slightly. He then ordered, “The Duke of Yingguo is still ill. It would be better to keep this matter hidden from him. However, according to protocol, he must serve a nine-month period of mourning. Even if I show leniency toward meritorious officials, this cannot be ignored. Find a way to inform him tactfully. But if his illness worsens because of this, I’ll hold you accountable!”

Of course, this made no sense at all. To inform Zhang Fu of the death of Concubine Zhang without causing a relapse in his illness—wasn’t that putting him in a difficult position? Yet since it was the emperor’s order, although Zhang Yue felt it was unreasonable, he had no choice but to agree. But soon after, he heard some good news.
“Your Majesty, Zhang Yue is still young, and he has no experienced person by his side to assist him. If there’s even the slightest mistake in the mourning rituals, it could cause trouble among the censors. Eunuch Zhang Qian is well-versed in rituals. Perhaps he should go to the Duke of Ying’s residence to oversee things—this would not only show the emperor’s concern but also ensure everything is arranged properly.”
Zhu Di pondered for a moment before agreeing to Du Zhen’s suggestion. He immediately summoned Zhang Qian to assign the task and also gave Zhang Yue some instructions. After the two left, he stood up and suddenly asked Du Zhen beside him, “Yishan, though I’m forcing people here, I truly don’t want the Great Ming to lose another capable general!”