Chapter 93
The imperial physician arrived quickly and diagnosed the emperor as suffering from rage-induced heart distress, compounded by previous events that had damaged his health. He advised complete rest.
Gan Yongfu seized the opportunity to suggest that Emperor Changde return to his chambers to recuperate and dismiss the ministers for the day.
As long as the emperor lives, there would always be another chance to settle accounts after autumn.
[秋後算賬 (qiū hòu suàn zhàng): lit. Settle accounts after autumn; fig. Retribution or reckoning at a later time]
Truth be told, the emperor’s rash decision to order the arrest of the Wei family immediately after regaining consciousness had been reckless. He should have first sent spies to confirm the situation and struck when the entire Wei family was gathered at home, catching them off guard to ensure none escaped execution.
Gan Yongfu had followed Emperor Changde’s orders multiple times to deal with the Wei family, yet each attempt had failed. This had given him a firsthand look at the cunning methods of Wei Yunzhao and Jiang Lin, these two were not men to be trifled with.
But what Gan Yongfu didn’t know was that even the timing of Emperor Changde’s lucid moments was under the control of Jiang Lin and his allies. There was no way they would allow the emperor an opportunity to capture anyone.
As long as Emperor Changde couldn’t use the Wei family as hostages, Jiang Lin and Wei Yunzhao could protect themselves without issue. This was precisely why they had been able to enter the palace and stage this entire spectacle.
Though Emperor Changde had spat blood, he was merely weakened in appearance, his mind remained sharp. Like Gan Yongfu, he believed that "as long as the green hills remain, there will always be firewood to burn. " As long as he lived and remained emperor, he could turn the tables and annihilate the Wei family, the Sixth Prince’s faction, and even the families of these very ministers in one fell swoop.
[留得青山在，不怕沒柴燒 (liú dé qīng shān zài, bù pà méi chái shāo): lit. As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood to burn; fig. Where there’s life, there’s hope]
So when Gan Yongfu suggested he retire to rest, Emperor Changde played along - coughing, feigning distress, and even lashing out at the ministers to leave, as if he were on the verge of collapse.
Gan Yongfu immediately summoned a group of eunuchs to carry the emperor back to his chambers.
The ministers, assuming the matter settled and seeing no reason to stay, were about to take their leave when they heard a loud noise behind them. The Sixth Prince had ordered the doors of the Hall of the Governance sealed shut.
In the past, Emperor Changde might not have thought much of it, but today, he had gained a deeper understanding of his sixth son. This was a reckless troublemaker, utterly bewitched by Wei Yunzhao and his wife, capable even of patricide.
Now, seeing the hall doors shut, Emperor Changde grew frantic. Struggling to sit up, he demanded, "Lao Liu (sixth), what is the meaning of this? Do you truly intend to rebel?"
"Father’s voice sounds quite strong, hardly like someone in need of rest. In that case, why not stay and hear what your son has to say before leaving?" The sixth prince, Yue Heng's tone was casual, but the sealed doors made it clear: whether they wanted to or not, everyone present would listen.
A sense of foreboding gripped Emperor Changde. "You traitor! How dare you- cough!"
Yue Heng smirked. "When it comes to audacity, no one in this world surpasses you, Father. Or our former empress."
He shoved Cao Lan’er forward. "Now, let’s discuss my business. I ask all present to bear witness and seek justice for my birth mother, who died many years ago."
While the ministers had some knowledge of the Wei family’s affairs, the Sixth Prince’s mention of a long-deceased mother left them utterly bewildered.
One official spoke up, "Your Highness, were you not born to the deposed empress? As the legitimate heir, how could you have another ‘mother’?"
No concubine had the right to be called "mother" by the empress’s son.
"Because I'm not the deposed empress’s—"
"Yue Heng!" Cao Lan’er suddenly cut him off.
Her face darkened, her eyes filled with threat. "I advise you to hold your tongue. If I fall, you won’t escape unscathed."
Yue Heng chuckled. "Deposed Empress, are you truly so blind? After what you did to the Wei family, do you really think you’ll walk away unharmed?"
Of course not. Worse still, once the truth came out, she would lose her leverage over Emperor Changde, he could kill her at any time.
But in Cao Lan’er’s eyes, the consequences of killing officials paled in comparison to what Yue Heng was about to reveal. If it were just the former, she could threaten him to save herself. But with the latter added, Emperor Changde would likely want her dead on the spot.
As she pondered, Yue Heng added, "And how do you know my dear father wasn’t aware of your crimes back then?"
Cao Lan’er’s head snapped up, shock flashing in her eyes, but she soon laughed. "If you believe he knew, why bother exposing it? Do you think justice will bring that whore back to life?"
Her words struck a nerve. Yue Heng seized her throat. "Then I’ll send you to apologize to her in hell!"
"Would you dare? Unless you wish to die with me," Cao Lan’er taunted, meeting his murderous gaze without fear.
"Yue Heng, I’m not so foolish. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have come today as a witness. I intend to keep the crown prince alive, ensure my own survival, and torment you for the rest of your life." Her demeanor was a far cry from her earlier panic.
Yue Heng remained unfazed. "Deposed Empress, your tricks are predictable. Do you really think I fell for them?"
His casual tone left Cao Lan’er momentarily stunned, unsure whether to believe him.
Releasing her, he said softly, "If you want to live, don’t interfere. Otherwise, I might do something even I can’t control, and the consequences will be messy."
The ministers watched the exchange silently. Some wanted to protest the impropriety but were held back by their peers. It was clear the Sixth Prince held the reins in the Hall of Governance. With the doors sealed, whatever he wanted would inevitably come to pass.
Moreover, with the emperor’s other sons dead or poisoned, the sixth prince was now the likeliest successor, aking it unwise to offend him now.
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