Then, suddenly, Emperor Changde fell still. His eyes remained open, but he lay motionless. Gan Yongfu, panicked, called his name over and over, but there was no response. Just as he turned to demand the physicians again, they arrived. Not just one, but the entire roster of the Imperial Hospital.
The physicians took turns examining Emperor Changde. When Gan Yongfu pressed for answers, their faces fell, one after another.
The chief physician spoke first. "The oil is exhausted, the lamp dies out. His Majesty's vitality is exhausted. I fear…"
[油盡燈枯 (yóu jìn dēng kū): lit. The oil is exhausted, the lamp dies out; fig. Life has reached its end.]
Gan Yongfu refused to accept this. "Impossible! His Majesty was perfectly well earlier, how could he suddenly be at death’s door? Chief Physician, this is Emperor Changde, you cannot be careless!"
"Eunuch Gan, how could we dare be careless with His Majesty’s health? Ask any physician here, the diagnosis is unanimous."
Emperor Changde, still conscious, heard every word. He tried to speak, but no sound came. He tried to rise, but only his fingers twitched.
"Vitality exhausted." Emperor Changde turned the phrase over in his mind and understood. This was Yue Heng’s trap.
The antidote, the physicians, the verdict of natural death - all to absolve Yue Heng of patricide and regicide.
That beast! That traitor!
Emperor Changde enraged inwardly, filled with regret. He should have thrown Yue Heng into the cold palace with Cao Lan'er to suffer. Or helped Cao Lan'er finish him off in childhood.
Yue Heng had killed Cao Lan'er. A wave of terror gripped Emperor Changde. Was he about to die?
As if in answer, the voices around him grew distant. His eyelids grew heavy, sliding shut - never to open again.
Emperor Changde was dead.
He passed before the physicians could examine him a second time. It took a long moment for anyone to notice.
The physicians dropped to their knees at once.
Gan Yongfu stood frozen in disbelief, unwilling to accept Emperor Changde’s death. He checked for breath again and again - then staggered back, collapsing to the floor.
Finally, the pain of the fall jolted him back to reality. He wailed, "Your Majesty!"
Yue Heng rose and said to Jiang Lin and the others, "You may leave the palace now. Inform Fifth Brother, tell him to come at once."
Yue Heng had brought them to witness Emperor Changde’s death, to see his agony, his silent passing.
It might not fully quell their hatred, but it was the most he could do. After all, he couldn’t carve Emperor Changde to pieces - not with his status.
After urging Yue Heng to be careful, Jiang Lin and the others departed.
The physicians were dismissed soon after, leaving only Yue Heng, Gan Yongfu, and Emperor Changde’s corpse.
Yue Heng smiled at Gan Yongfu. "Such loyalty, Eunuch Gan."
Gan Yongfu tensed. "Does Your Highness mean to kill me as well?"
"Of course not. A loyal servant like you should live...to prove my innocence."
"The medicine… it was the medicine!" Gan Yongfu realized. No wonder Yue Heng hadn’t feared the physicians, he must have tampered with the antidote long ago.
Yue Heng shook his head. "Not the medicine. His time was simply up. You should thank me, my antidote prolonged his life. Otherwise, he’d have died sooner."
"I told you, it was his greed."
"Well, Eunuch Gan? Do you believe me now?"
Gan Yongfu stared blankly, unsure how to respond, unable to distinguish truth from lies. The only certainty was that Yue Heng seemed intent on sparing him.
"You’re a smart man, Eunuch Gan. You know what can and cannot be said. Announce His Majesty’s passing, no one should be kept waiting."
With that, Yue Heng turned and left, not sparing Emperor Changde’s corpse a single glance. There was no grief, only indifference.
News of Emperor Changde’s death spread swiftly beyond the palace walls. Since the abdication decree the day before, officials and concubines had braced themselves, though it had come faster than expected.
The Fifth Prince, Yue Cheng, entered the palace to take charge, assisted by Yue Heng. Everything proceeded smoothly.
Observers noted the lack of rivalry between the two. If anything, Yue Heng seemed to yield willingly. The new Emperor would undoubtedly be the Fifth Prince.
The imperial funeral lasted three days, with officials in mourning attire and commoners in white. A month of abstinence followed - no alcohol, music, weddings, or slaughter for forty-nine days.
The imperial family observed a year of mourning, as was customary.
The once-bustling capital grew quiet. Fearful of violating taboos, people stayed indoors, leaving the streets nearly empty.
The only disruption came when the deposed Crown Prince, who was frail and ill, forced his way to Emperor Changde’s bier to lament his injustice, only to faint after a few sharp words from Yue Heng.
On the seventh day, the Eldest Prince, Yue Ge, arrived from the border, worn out from his journey and weary.
From death to burial, over half a month passed. It took another month for officials and commoners alike to resume normal life.
Then, on an auspicious day, the new Emperor ascended the throne. Officials bowed in homage. The era name changed to Yongning—Eternal Peace.
____
Wei Yunzhao walked home in court robes. Jiang Lin greeted him at the gate, beaming, and threw himself into his arms. "First time I’ve seen you return on foot in court robes. My husband is so handsome."
Wei Yunzhao caught his hand and kissed it. "My wife is even more beautiful, the most beautiful in my eyes."
"Of course!"
Jiang Lin grinned proudly, leading Wei Yunzhao inside. As they stepped into the courtyard, warm winter sunlight bathed them in brightness.
Jiang Lin pointed upward. "Look, the skies have changed."
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