Chapter 41: The Tenth Year of Xuande!

Year ten of the Xuande era.

Forbidden City.

Zhu Zhanji reclined upon the dragon throne, his face ashen and haggard. Accepting the medicinal decoction handed to him by a nearby eunuch, he took a large gulp before finally feeling a faint warmth return to his chilled body.

Yang Shiqi and the other two Yangs of the Grand Secretariat, joined by Yu Qian in his blue robe, stood with their tablets in hand, reporting to the Emperor:

"In accordance with Your Majesty's command, the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Personnel have deliberated for days regarding the matter of centralizing the authority over capital punishment. We must report that implementing this decree throughout the realm will be exceedingly difficult!"

"All under heaven know that this policy is born of Your Majesty's benevolence and love for the people. The Grand Secretariat will continue to advance this matter and strive to offer Your Majesty—and all the people—a prompt answer!"

Zhu Zhanji, burning with fever yet shivering within, beckoned for another cup of hot medicine. His voice was weak as he said, "This matter has been under discussion since the third year of Xuande. Why is it still ongoing? If the Ministry of Justice lacks staff, add more; if they are incompetent, replace them."

"I do not seek to posture as a benevolent ruler, nor is it for my own blessing. I wish to set an iron law for Great Ming: the blade of the court must be swift, but it must never fall upon the innocent!"

"Local officials wield the power of life and death, treating the people like swine and slaughtering them at will. The people suffer grievously. There is no need for further deliberation—issue an imperial edict: henceforth, no official may raise the blade without review by the Ministry of Justice. Should a head fall without due process, regret will come too late!"

"We obey Your Majesty's command."

The four bowed and withdrew.

Cough, cough!

Zhu Zhanji’s pallor grew worse. He waved his hand, unable to speak further.

Suddenly, the four halted as one, silently returning. They stepped forward and spoke:

"Your Majesty, the Crown Prince is still young, and now, when the Crown Prince is himself unwell, the fate of the state hangs in the balance. We beg Your Majesty to issue an edict for the security of the realm."

All four were scholars steeped in decades of the classics, wise in the lessons of history. They knew well that the reasons for dynastic decline were many, yet the enthronement of a child often ranked among the most perilous; each harbored deep concern.

"The Crown Prince is merely suffering a chill; it is not enough to imperil the state. Qizhen is intelligent and pure of heart. His younger brother, Qiyu... is much less so," Zhu Zhanji paused.

He had but two sons, yet his attention and favor toward the son born of Lady Wu could not compare to the deep affection he felt for the child borne by his beloved Sun Ruowei. When speaking of Zhu Qiyu, he could scarcely recall any merits in the boy, who was but seven.

After some thought, Zhu Zhanji said, "After I am gone, you must heed the Empress Dowager’s counsel. Yang Shiqi, draft a testamentary edict for me—let the Empress Dowager act as regent until the Crown Prince comes of age."

"Yes, by Your Majesty’s command!"

The four exchanged glances, recognizing this to be the wisest course.

Cough, cough!

Zhu Zhanji’s coughing resumed with a vengeance.

Yang Rong, his eyes stinging, spoke up: "Your Majesty, the chill of the great hall is ill-suited to long stays!"

"But I am muddle-headed all day, burning with fever and chilled to the bone. A bit of cold air brings some relief," Zhu Zhanji coughed, waving his hand. "I know my own body—the imperial physicians are at their wits’ end. In these last days, let me find what comfort I may."

The three Yangs and Yu Qian knelt in unison: "Heaven watches over Your Majesty; you will surely recover!"

"Heaven’s favor? Heaven torments a man until he no longer fears death. If one day I slip away in my sleep, it will be a blessing," Zhu Zhanji shook his head, closed his eyes in exhaustion, and waved his hand: "I wish to rest now."

"Your servants withdraw."

The four, eyes wet and hearts heavy, departed as bidden.

"The sun, the moon, and the mountains endure still!"

Summoning a last measure of strength, Zhu Zhanji smiled and waved: "Go slowly, gentlemen!"

The four secretaries paused, then left the hall.

Before long,

A serving eunuch announced, "The Empress seeks audience!"

"May Your Majesty enjoy good health!"

Sun Ruowei entered directly, paying the deepest respects.

"Rise," Zhu Zhanji reclined on the throne, gazing at the elegant beauty before him, a pang of regret welling in his heart.

His first empress, Hu Shanxiang, had been deposed in the third year of Xuande, retiring to the Palace of Eternal Peace with the title of Serene and Merciful Master, often in the company of Empress Dowager Zhang, Zhu Zhanji’s mother, who favored her above Sun Ruowei.

As emperor, Zhu Zhanji’s understanding of imperial politics grew ever keener, and he recognized that Hu Shanxiang’s wisdom and virtue made her more fit for the role of empress consort than Sun Ruowei. He often lamented the impulsiveness of his youth that led to Hu’s deposition, saying, "It was a rash act of my younger days, never my true intent."

Sun Ruowei, the current empress, often overstepped her bounds, disregarding the ancestral injunction forbidding imperial consorts from meddling in state affairs. Zhu Zhanji, unlike his grandfather, had not always minded such traditions—as evidenced by his order allowing the Empress Dowager to act as regent, already a violation.

But now, as his life ebbed away, he could not rest easy with a wife so secretly yearning for power by his side. Thus, he instructed a eunuch to relay this message to Sun Ruowei:

"Once, you and I pledged to live and die together. So, when I die, you must be buried beside me."

Sun Ruowei, her eyes swollen with tears, stared at him in grief and reproach. Her voice was plaintive:

"I would gladly be buried with Your Majesty, but the Crown Prince is still so young. I cannot bear to inflict the pain of losing his mother upon him. I beg Your Majesty to grant me a few more years. When the prince is grown, I will join you."

Zhu Zhanji shook his head in disappointment. The custom of burying empresses with emperors was not required; his words were but a test, and her quick plea left him cold.

After hearing her reasoning, Zhu Zhanji was torn. He could not be truly harsh, and at last said, "Enough. I will not demand any oath from you. Our pledge to live and die together has become mere empty words. What use is there in further vows?"

"I will issue a decree: you are never to interfere in governing, nor to influence the young emperor. Should you defy this, the Empress Dowager herself will see you executed!"

"Your servant obeys. Rest assured, Your Majesty, I know that my life is a gift from the Emperor. If the prince ascends the throne, I will devote myself wholly to his service, to my dying breath!" Sun Ruowei was overjoyed, promising repeatedly.

Cough, cough!

Zhu Zhanji felt his mind cloud over. After gazing at her for a long moment, he sighed, "You may go. I hope you do not betray my good intentions."

"I take my leave, Your Majesty. Please rest well." Sun Ruowei wiped her tears and withdrew.

She left without a backward glance.

"Alas!"

Zhu Zhanji’s heart ached with bitterness. His vision swam as he sank back into the throne, and, as consciousness faded, he seemed to feel something being placed in his mouth.

"Who is there?"

The pill slipped down his throat, restoring a measure of clarity. Sensing others nearby, he asked instinctively.

"What’s this—don’t you recognize me?"

A hoary voice rang out, and Zhu Zhanji’s heart trembled. He raised his eyes.

There stood the imposing figure of Zhu Di, his grandfather, with his father Zhu Gaochi beside him, face lined with worry.

"Grandfather?"

"Father?"

"Am I already dead?"

Zhu Zhanji murmured, finding the fever and chills had vanished without a trace. He clenched his fists, a smile of release appearing on his lips.

"This feeling... is wonderful!"

…