Chapter 765: Hidden Signals in Yongning Palace, Witty Debates in Renshou Palace

Unlike Zhang Yue’s suspicions, Concubine Sun of Yongning Palace was indeed pregnant now, and the clothes she could wear in normal times were no longer suitable for her. Thus, Zhu Zhanji had already ordered the Imperial Attire Bureau to create new garments and assigned several reliable eunuchs and maids to take care of her. Although she had given birth to a daughter before, this time her morning sickness was much more severe—she would vomit constantly until she was exhausted, leaving even the imperial physicians at a loss. Eventually, Zhu Ning learned about her condition from Empress Dowager Zhang, who sent over a prescription for medicinal cuisine. With the help of an experienced old maid sent by the empress dowager, Concubine Sun finally managed to develop some appetite and could sleep through three to four hours each night.

Two years had passed since the emperor ascended the throne, yet there were few good news stories among the concubines in the harem. As a result, it was already decided that Concubine Sun no longer needed to attend to the emperor’s morning and evening rituals. Knowing she was not favored by Empress Dowager Zhang, she was glad to enjoy freedom in her own palace. One day, as she idly flipped through books in the Mingxing Hall, she couldn’t help but touch her slightly rounded belly, wishing for a son.

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Wang has been ordered to bring you fruits and snacks!”

Hearing this, Concubine Sun immediately dropped the book she was holding and sat up with the help of the maid. After Wang Zhen entered, knelt down to pay his respects, and listed the items, she asked a few casual questions. Only when he explained that he had encountered the emperor on the way and thus received this errand did she smile and say, “It must be a long trip in such hot weather.”

“It’s just a few extra steps for me. Besides, it’s better to be busy than idle,” Wang Zhen replied with a smile, standing up. Glancing at the book *Huajian Ji* that Concubine Sun had left behind, he said cheerfully, “Now that Your Majesty is pregnant, the emperor is very concerned. He thinks about it constantly when he’s free and spends most of his nights alone in the Qianqing Palace.”

Among all the concubines in the harem, only Concubine Sun had a deep childhood friendship with Zhu Zhanji. Hearing this, she grew even happier and immediately ordered generous rewards for Wang Zhen. Since Wang Zhen had seen *Huajian Ji*, he couldn’t help but show off his skills by explaining a few popular poems. Zhu Zhanji was originally an emperor skilled in calligraphy, painting, and poetry, and all the concubines tried to please him in these areas—Concubine Sun no exception. Seeing that an eunuch could understand such things, she became very interested and kept Wang Zhen with her for over an hour until someone from the Inner Study Hall came to call him away.

With the person gone, thinking of Zhu Zhanji handling state affairs during the day and only being able to come at night, and even then not staying overnight, Concubine Sun felt somewhat bored. She gloomily put down her book and casually started tearing at a folding fan beside her. As she tore, she remembered the hints hidden in Wang Zhen’s words and couldn’t help frowning. Throughout history, there had been countless imperial concubines favored by the emperor, but few had ended well. Moreover, even if she gave birth to a son this time, he wouldn’t hold the status of eldest legitimate heir. If things turned out like with Concubine Guo…

“Your Majesty’s way of finding amusement is quite novel.”

Hearing this, Concubine Sun raised her head and saw Zhu Ning entering. She immediately dropped the torn fan, which was now like broken bamboo strips, and, with the help of a palace maid, tried to stand up. It wasn’t until Zhu Ning smiled and helped her sit down that she said cheerfully, “How did Aunt Ning find the time to visit me? Have you brought anything good? Thanks to you, my trouble of not being able to eat or sleep properly might finally end. It’s even uncertain whether I can give birth safely this time.”

“I just thought of giving it a try; who knew it would work? Besides, didn’t the Empress Dowager also send people to take care of you?” Zhu Ning glanced at the two dignified and solemn old palace maids and gave them a subtle signal. After they quietly left, she asked Concubine Sun about her daily life and meals with concern, then added with a smile, “Once I report back to the Empress Dowager, she’ll be relieved too.”

Although she had grown up under Empress Dowager Zhang since childhood, what impressed Concubine Sun the most wasn’t the empress dowager’s stern expression but her method of governing the six palaces—more respect than affection, more fear than respect. She knew Zhu Ning was now the most trusted person among Empress Dowager Zhang’s entourage, so these words surely weren’t random. Her eyes lit up, and just as she was about to speak, Zhu Ning gently pinched her right hand.

“Do You Majesty still remember how the two princesses, the Empress Dowager’s own daughters, treated each other in her presence?” Seeing Concubine Sun looking at her in confusion, Zhu Ning recalled the fragmented conversations she had heard these days and the implied messages in Empress Dowager Zhang’s words. Lowering her voice further, she said, “Though they are mother and daughters, they treat each other with great formality and rarely show personal affection. That’s just the Empress Dowager’s nature. It’s not strange that You Majesty, having been raised in her palace since childhood, doesn’t show any special favor—it doesn’t mean she truly doesn’t love You Majesty. The status was determined by Emperor Taizong. The Empress Dowager is renowned throughout the land for her virtue and filial piety, so sometimes she can’t show favoritism. Do You Majesty understand?”

With Zhu Ning’s step-by-step explanations, Princess Sun suddenly became alert and tightly grasped the handkerchief in her hand. Though she knew she couldn’t express her worries to anyone and understood that Zhu Ning was right, she still couldn’t accept it. It took her a while before she finally spoke, “Aunt Ning is indeed correct, but who else can understand the fears in my heart?”
“As long as one acts upright and sits properly, there’s nothing to fear! Besides, some rules aren’t absolutely unchangeable!”
She said this firmly. Seeing Princess Sun staring at her intently, Zhu Ning realized she might have gone too far. However, she could endure everything except the practice of being buried alive—she loathed it deeply. Even the concubines of her father, Emperor Zhu Zhu, had volunteered for this fate, but just looking at those beautiful young girls filled her with compassion, and now she blurted it out involuntarily. At this moment, it was not appropriate for her to explain further, so she stayed to talk with Princess Sun for a while before getting up to leave.
After leaving Yongning Gate and going around to Renshou Palace, she saw Empress Dowager Zhang again before preparing to leave the palace and head home. For convenience, she usually took the East Hua Gate route. But as soon as she turned the corner, she saw a young eunuch running toward her at top speed. He bowed in front of her and hurriedly asked, “Princess, is the Empress Dowager in Renshou Palace?”
“It’s so late—why would the Empress Dowager go anywhere else?” Zhu Ning raised her eyebrows in surprise. Noticing he was holding something in both hands, she guessed, “From the way you look, you must have come straight from the Inner Cabinet?”
“That’s right. A serious incident has occurred in the south. Grand Secretary Yang asked me to deliver this to the Empress Dowager immediately.” The eunuch bowed again before standing up. “I’ll apologize to the Princess tomorrow—this is extremely urgent!”
Watching him dash off, Zhu Ning pondered the word “south.” She remembered that although Empress Dowager Zhang still had some influence, it was limited to military and state affairs. An idea struck her—could it be Jiaozhi? Though concerned, she thought that civil and military officials would handle it, so she didn’t worry too much and continued on her way. When she reached outside East Hua Gate, another group of people rushed out in a hurry.

This time, it wasn’t some insignificant eunuch—it was Wang Jin, the most trusted eunuch at court. When Wang Jin saw Zhu Ning, he only managed to nod before immediately mounting his horse and riding away with a few attendants. Seeing this, Zhu Ning felt a surge of fear but dared not inquire rashly. It wasn’t until they arrived at the mansion that she sent someone to gather information. That night, she finally received confirmation and understood where Wang Jin had gone earlier—nothing but the Duke of Yingguo’s residence.

The vast Renshou Palace was utterly silent. Empress Dowager Zhang had always been strict with her subordinates, not to mention that aside from Emperor Zhu Zhanji, those present were Yang Shiqi, Yang Rong, Jian Yi, and Duke Zhang Fu of Yingguo. Compared to these four solemn ministers, Zhu Zhanji’s expression was grim, while Wang Jin and Lu Feng standing by him kept their eyes downcast.

Lu Feng had received an urgent message from Zhang Qian as early as the previous day, but at that time, there were still no urgent reports from the military governor’s office in Jiaozhi or the provincial administration and supervision departments. After much deliberation, he didn’t dare submit it prematurely. It wasn’t until today that documents from those departments arrived one after another. After hesitating for a long time, he still chose not to present the message sent by Zhang Yue to Zhu Zhanji right away. Instead, he made an excuse to approach the emperor and then accompanied him to Renshou Palace. Seeing Zhu Zhanji’s extreme anger, he also had his own plans in mind. After all, if Zhang Yue in Guangdong could send messages faster than those who set out earlier from Jiaozhi, it would be difficult to explain why.

Even with the help of the Jinyiwei, it was sometimes better to keep a low profile.

“After Chen Jikuo and his nephew came Li Li, and after Li Li, there were repeated rebellions. The troops stationed in Jiaozhi have been farming there for over a decade now, but their annual output is limited while costs are high—this isn’t a sustainable solution. Although the reports from the military governor’s office and the provincial administration and supervision departments mentioned nothing but the assassination of Marquis Yangwu and Minister Huang’s serious illness, they also briefly noted some sporadic rebellions in certain areas of Jiaozhi’s administration. In my opinion, there’s no need for an overreaction; it’s sufficient to have the governor of Guangxi, Marquis Anyuan, dispatch troops there.”

Although he usually held Yang Shiqi in high regard for his prudence, upon hearing him say it was sporadic rebellion, Zhang Fu immediately frowned. He had just received a private message from Zhang Yue and immediately sent someone to inform Zhang Chao and Zhang Qi. On their way here, they had spent considerable time thinking. While others might not know much about Jiaozhi, he had gone there three times as a commander and made four trips, so he knew it well, even if not perfectly. After pacifying Jiaozhi for the first time, he thought he could rest easy, but every time he returned, chaos reigned there, forcing him to go back again and again—four times in total—until the 14th year of Yongle’s reign before he could return.

“Empress Dowager, Emperor, whether it’s suppression or pacification, for Jiaozhi to enjoy long-term stability, it depends on the people.”

Seeing Empress Dowager Zhang and Zhu Zhanji both stirred, Zhang Fu began to speak at length: “Jiaozhi is far in the borderlands. Being the commander there is a tough task, and so is being one of the three supervisors. It’s also a place where officials are exiled. Yet, the local people rebel and refuse to obey, the troops are sent from the Central Plains, and the officials often long for home and lack the motivation to educate the people—how can it be governed properly? Initially, the court changed its strategy and, aside from Minister Huang Fu, sent only a few proper officials there, but they haven’t been recalled for years, naturally leaving them disheartened. The recent unrest in Jiaozhi is indeed coincidental, but Commander Zhang has been there for over five years, and Minister Huang has been there for more than a decade. If there’s no successor, problems will arise sooner or later.”

Jian Yi agreed strongly with Zhang Fu’s words and added, “I agree with what the Grand Tutor, Duke of Yingguo, has said. If Jiaozhi were easy to defend and keep peaceful, it wouldn’t have required multiple campaigns by the late emperor to pacify it. It must not be taken lightly.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Rong asked in a grave tone, “If sending Marquis Anyuan to lead troops there is considered taking it lightly, then I ask Minister Jian, what exactly is not taking it lightly? Does it mean that at the slightest unrest in the borderlands, the Grand Tutor, Duke of Yingguo, must personally lead the troops?”

Seeing Jian Yi stuck by his own words, Yang Rong was about to say more when he heard Yang Shiqi, who had spoken first, cough lightly. This made him abandon the idea of pressing further. Though he often argued with Yang Shiqi in the cabinet, he didn’t want to give the impression of being outdone in front of others. At this moment, seeing Zhu Zhanji unable to make a decision, he refrained from saying what he had on his mind—that it would be unwise to exhaust the country over such matters.

For now… it’s not the right time.

Sanwen and Yiwu still failed to reach an agreement. Therefore, with Empress Dowager Zhang’s approval, Zhu Zhanji ordered the four of them to return and preside over the meetings in the government offices the next day before dismissing them. Once they left, he was about to consult his mother, but Empress Dowager Zhang waved her hand and said, “Such major military and state affairs should not be decided by a woman alone. Let’s wait until the results of the official discussions are known. Lord Yangwu Zhang You and Minister Huang Fu have worked hard for so many years; the foundation won’t collapse easily.”

At this point, Empress Dowager Zhang paused briefly before adding, “Since Lord Yangwu has been seriously injured by a poisoned arrow and is in critical condition, select a court physician to treat him. Among his two sons, send one of them to take care of him. After all, he has made significant contributions over the years.”

Zhu Zhanji agreed to everything. After leaving Renshou Palace, he was distracted when suddenly he heard a shout ahead. Looking up, he saw a young eunuch from Yongning Palace peering out at the gate. If it had been a few days earlier, even if he wasn’t staying at Yongning Palace, he would have gone to see Concubine Sun. But tonight, he really had no mood, so he simply gave Wang Jin a brief instruction. After leaving Changxin Gate, he stopped the sedan chair and walked along Tian Street on foot. In the distance, he could still hear the palace maids ringing bells and singing about peace in the world between Qianqing Gate, Rijing Gate, and Yuehua Gate.

Lu Feng, who was following behind, saw that the others were just keeping a distance, so he hurried forward a few steps and whispered from a distance behind Zhu Zhanji, “Your Majesty, Zhang Yue, the governor of Guangdong, asked Eunuch Zhang Qian to bring a memorial from Guangzhou. The Jinyiwei rushed it here urgently, and it was just delivered before I rushed over.”

Zhu Zhanji quickly turned around and saw Lu Feng holding out a memorial, but he didn’t take it right away. Sure enough, Lu Feng spoke even more softly this time, “I asked the Jinyiwei who delivered it. Lord Yangwu is indeed in very poor condition. While sending an urgent report to the capital, they also sent someone to Guangzhou to invite Zhang Yue’s father to Jiaozhi for one last meeting. As soon as he received the news, Zhang Yue went to see Eunuch Zhang and asked him to deliver this memorial. I arrived just before accompanying Your Majesty to Renshou Palace.”