The Child Emperor

Chapter 38: Barging In

Within the Soaring Clouds Pavilion, the Emperor would doze off while listening to the old teachers. Outside the pavilion, the young nobles of his entourage would be bored and idle. Having young nobles enter the palace and attend to the Emperor was a tradition passed down from previous dynasties. The rationale behind the design of this system was to curry favor with the Emperor, yet nobody considered what the young nobles should do to pass the time.

They could not wander too far, since they must be at beck and call. Even if they are never called in their lifetime, they still had to be prepared. Of course, such a boring life had its rewards: this was the start of their career in officialdom. As long as things are uneventful, they would be deemed to have earned merits. After a few years worth of merits, they may get an official position. If they are lucky and are remembered by the Emperor, they may even get a high position.

But if the Emperor they are attending to happens to be a puppet, then the future would be a lot bleaker. The motivation for having the patience to bear with the boredom would also fall greatly.

Five young nobles were hiding under a tree behind the Soaring Clouds Pavilion. They were throwing dice and gambling, but they dared not make too loud a nose. Most of the time, they would just signal with their hands. One other young noble would keep watch nearby, keeping an eye out for Decorum Officials or eunuchs. But they never expected that they would be caught by someone climbing down the tree, and that that someone would be the Emperor.

On the ground, lay a few die and a piece of paper filled with words. There was no need to bring gold into the palace, so they gambled by keeping score, settling the account once they left the palace.

The young nobles squatted on the ground, and they looked up at the Emperor, dumbfounded. They did not kneel, nor did they make a sound.

Han Ruzi recognized the die, but he did not see any money, so he thought they were just playing games. He did not know that the wins and losses of their games would amount to at least thirty to fifty taels, and sometimes could reach up to a thousand taels.

“Follow Us.” Han Ruzi’s gaze fell onto one of the young nobles.

The principal grandson of Marquis Piyuan, Zhang Yanghao, was stunned. He looked left and right to confirm that the Emperor was speaking to him, and then he pounced forward, switching from a squat to a kneel. “As you command!”

The others finally gathered their wits and knelt as well.

“Hush,” Han Ruzi told them to keep quiet. “We wish to look at the scenery of spring. Come follow Us for a walk.”

It was the beginning of summer, so the scenery of spring was not present — the Imperial Gardens had more of the blazing full bloom of reds and purple, which was still worth sightseeing. Of course, nobody believed the Emperor’s words. But in these boring days, going on an adventure had an irresistible attraction.

“Yes, Your Majesty,” Zhang Yanghao answered. He was the first to keep the die and paper of accounts into the pockets of his robes. “Hold on, Your Majesty. There is still one more person.”

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Zhang Yanghao rosse, and he quickly walked behind a rock. He reached out and patted, and from there, another young noble rose slowly to his feet. He looked only about ten. He was the lookout. Zhang Yanghao’s thought was simple — since they were going on an adventure with the Emperor, then everyone needed to go, so there would be no one left to snitch.

The Soaring Clouds Pavilion was built atop a small hill. The hill was not tall, and there was a slope at its front. At its back, as a steep, artificial cliff made of uneven rocks. It was not very high. Since there were many people at the front, they could not go that way. The six young nobles escorted the Emperor as they climbed down the cliff at the back. When they finally reached the ground, their faces were flushed with excitement. Yet they grew increasingly worried. They felt that this was enough adventure, anymore and they would have to vehemently persuade the Emperor to go back.

Thankfully, the Emperor did not have any other demands. He started to stroll casually around the gardens. When he saw plants that he did not recognize, he would ask for their names. Zhang Yanghao and the other nobles gradually relaxed as their fears fell away.

Han Ruzi walked the same route to the Soaring Clouds Pavilion every day. He knew that the Heavenly Music Pavilion was nearby, but he did not know how to get there. He asked casually, “Where is the Heavenly Music Pavilion? I’ve heard that it is an amazing place.”

The youngest noble quickly said, “I know! Let me take Your Majesty there.”

Zhang Yanghao did not manage to seize the chance to lead the way, so he leaned closer to the Emperor to give the Emperor an introduction. “The Heavenly Music Pavilion is a place for listening to music. It is near the Taiye Lake. At night, Your Majesty may ask musicians to play upon boats on the lake, while Your Majesty enjoys the music inside with open windows. But in the day, it is just an empty place. It is rather boring, maybe we should not…”

“The Heavenly Music Pavilion is near. After taking a look We shall have to return to the Soaring Clouds Pavilion immediately.”

Zhang Yanghao quickly kept silent.

The Heavenly Music Pavilion was indeed near. They reached after making a few turns. They did not run into anyone else — Zuo Ji must have selected this place for its seclusion as well.

The Taiye Lake was a large lake, the Heavenly Music Pavilion along its shore. Its door and windows were tightly shut, as though no one was inside.

Han Ruzi realized that he had been careless. He should have looked through the window while having his lesson to check that Zuo Ji was not outside. But there was no way he would return now. He stopped in his track and told the six young nobles, “Stay here. Mm, Zhang Yanghao, follow Us to the Heavenly Music Pavilion to take a look.”

The young nobles did not have any objections. Zhang Yanghao was even a little fervent. He walked to the Emperor’s side with a greater strut than usual.

After walking for a while, Han Ruzi told Zhang Yanghao, “Thank you. We shall remember your meritorious service.”

Zhang Yanghao was evidently stunned. He quickly bowed and said, “I am only doing my duty — what merit is there to speak of.”

The Grand Consort had said that it was Zhang Yanghao who had secretly handed him the “Do you still think of meat” note to him. But from his reaction, that did not seem right. Han Ruzi wanted to ask questions but he changed his mind. Zhang Yanghao was someone he saw often — there would be many other chances. The most important thing right now was catching Zuo Ji in the act.

They were now near the Heavenly Music Pavilion. There were some giggling sounds coming from inside. Zhang Yanghao heard them and was in shock. He whispered, “Your Majesty. There is someone inside.”

“Oh? Let us go in and take a look.” Han Ruzi strode forward.

Zhang Yanghao now felt that things were inappropriate, but he could not find any reason to persuade the Emperor. The Emperor was already at the door, so he quickly caught up.

There indeed was someone inside the pavilion, and not just one. It sounded like two people having fun with each other, but their laughter sounded strange. Zhang Yanghao was older, so he immediately understood what was going on. His expression turned sharply and he stopped the Emperor. He whispered, “Your Majesty should not enter. I shall get someone to arrest them.”

Han Ruzi would not lose his prize. He ordered, “Kick the door open.”

Zhang Yanghao was stunned again, but a realization dawned. The Emperor was not out on a casual stroll, but had come prepared. One careless move and he had gotten himself embroiled in a palace plot. He felt panicked. He did not dare stop the Emperor, nor did he dare run away. His face turned pale and his body trembled.

There was no need for further inquiries. Han Ruzi was now sure that the person who handed him the note was not Zhang Yanghao. The Grand Consort had lied. But nevertheless, he still wanted to barge into the pavilion. Even if it was not Zuo Ji inside, he wanted to see what was going on.

“Zhang Yanghao, We order you to burst open the door.” Han Ruzi was a few years younger, and half a head shorter, but his tone brook no refusal. Even just a few months of being a puppet Emperor, he had learnt how to wield his imperial awe.

Zhang Yanghao was just an attendant. The secrets of the palace were too distant to him — too subtle. Even though he knew that the Emperor was just a puppet, he did not dare disobey. Gritting his teeth, he kicked the door open. Following which he fell onto the ground and grabbed his leg with both arms, as though he had been injured.

Han Ruzi knew that Zhang Yanghao was faking, but he did not ask questions. The pavilion was not built of residence, so its door was not thick. Zhang Yanghao’s kick was not his full strength, but he still snapped the latch on the inside. Han Ruzi turned to his side and smashed into the door.

From the sunny outdoors to the dim pavilion, Han Ruzi had yet to see clearly before the person inside saw him first.

“Who dares be so insolent?!” It was Zuo Ji’s voice, infuriated. But it soon became panicked. “Your… Your Majesty… Leave!”

The last word was not spoken to the Emperor. Han Ruzi saw a silhouette running towards him and it was just about to run past him out the door. His evidence was getting away. He shouted loudly, “I know you!”

The silhouette reeled in fright. It stopped and turned its head towards the Emperor, speaking tremblingly, “Mercy, Your Majesty.”

Having had a good look, Han Ruzi really did recognize the person. “Liang An?”

At that time, there were four attendants who were distributed to the Emperor and Prince Donghai — Zhang Youcai and Dong Qing E attended to the Emperor, while Liang An and Zhao Jinfeng attended to Prince Donghai. Prince Donghai had a bad temper, and threw the two of them out in a few days. His attendants seemed to keep changing.

Han Ruzi still remembered Liang An. This person was around the same age as the Emperor and Prince Donghai. He was a handsome, young eunuch. But he seemed different now. His clothes were not properly worn, his feet and shoulders were bare. His face was full of fear and tears. After looking at the Emperor, he fell onto his knees.

Zuo Ji ran over, his clothes not properly worn either. But he did not seem as fearful as the young eunuch. He had already gone past the initial panic and had started to calm down. “What is Your Majesty doing here and not at lessons at the Soaring Clouds Pavilion?”

Han Ruzi was very confused. These two men were eunuchs — what “distasteful thing” could they do? But he did not show it. His mind ticked quickly, pondering why Zuo Ji did not seem afraid. He raised his head and said, “We have come to catch lewdness in the palace. We have not come alone.”

Zuo Ji did not care much about the first sentence, but was greatly frightened by the second. He looked out of the room and saw a young noble sitting on the ground by the door. Further away, there were more young nobles looking at the pavilion’s directiuon.

Zuo ji quickly shrank his head back in. He looked at the frightened little eunuch Liang An and forced himself to remain calm. “What nonsense is Your Majesty talking about. I… I am just here to take a break, just a short nap. Liang An is here to attend to me.”

“Is that what you will say to the Empress Dowager?” Han Ruzi did not understand what exactly went on here, but he remembered the Grand Consort’s reminder to bring up the Empress Dowager to subjugate Zuo Ji.

The Grand Consort had lied, but most of what she said was true. Upon hearing the Emperor, Zuo Ji’s face turned sharply, “Empress Dowager? What has the Empress Dowager… got to do with anything?”

“How would I know? I shall ask the Empress Dowager tomorrow morning when I pay my respects to her.”

Zuo Ji finally understood. The Emperor was not here by chance. He could not wriggle his way out, so he fell on his knees as well. “Forgive me, Your Majesty. I… This servant… It was just this one time. I would not dare anymore…”

The Heavenly Music Pavilion was no place to hold an interrogation. It was most likely that those at the Soaring Clouds Pavilion had discovered that the Emperor had gone missing. Han Ruzi needed to hurry up. He spoke to the young eunuch, “Liang An, get out.”

Liang An crawled out.

Han Ruzi walked into the room to prevent Zhang Yanghao from hearing what he was about to say. He said softly, “What’s the story behind the Empress Dowager’ injury on her wrist?”

Zuo Ji shivered. The Emperor’s first question was already a fatal one. He was in a complete mess and had lost his ability to think of the consequences. He knelt again and said, “It… It was caused by the previous Emperor.”

“Which previous Emperor?”

“The Thoughtful Emperor…. Your Majesty, you must not investigate this matter. Let it go. Your Majesty cannot afford to provoke the Empress Dowager.”

Han Ruzi still had many questions but he did not ask them immediately. He had already gotten Zuo Ji within his palm, so there was no need to back him into a corner. He grunted in acknowledgement and walked out of the pavilion.

The young eunuch Liang An was still crawling on the ground. He could not even stand. Zhang Yanghao was still grabbing his leg, his head looking firmly downwards, afraid of being recognized by the eunuch.

“Let’s go,” Han Ruzi said loudly. He was increasingly sure that it could not have been Zhang Yanghao who had handed him the note.