Chapter 13: Intrigues Within the Palace Walls

As one grows old, the body becomes like a cumbersome, worn-out machine, each start-up taking increasingly longer. It’s as if sleepiness is constant, always seeking a warm place to bask in the sunlight, the only way to feel the vitality still coursing through the veins. It seems one is perpetually conserving strength, ever ready to be called upon to help the young deal with troubles they cannot solve themselves.

Empress Dowager Cao had spent nearly forty years within the palace walls, dedicating her life to the empire from the age of fourteen onward. She seemed to have completely become part of the Zhao family, inseparable from the empire itself. Endless worries, ceaseless struggles with people, countless thoughts—these accompanied her always.

Yet she felt her strength waning. The days of maintaining a clear mind at all times had vanished over a decade ago, and she seemed to be witnessing the twilight of her life. One afternoon, as the sun blazed fiercely during the hour of Shen, she had servants bring a chair and wrapped in a quilt, basked in the sunlight within the courtyard.

Emperor Zhao Xu arrived with urgency, stepping carefully into the courtyard. He paused to compose himself before approaching slowly. A palace maid bent low and whispered repeatedly into the old lady’s ear. Empress Dowager Cao slowly opened her eyes, glanced at the respectful imperial grandson, folded away the quilt, and was helped to sit up.

“What's wrong? Did those old ministers bully you again?” Her eyes were filled with affection yet held a touch of scrutiny. She observed the subtle change in Zhao Xu’s expression, sensing his unease.

“Speak up. Don’t make this old lady ask on her own while I still have the energy.”

Zhao Xu forced a smile, leaned in beside her, and grasped the dry skin of her right hand. “I just suddenly missed you.”

The old lady chuckled softly, shaking her head gently. To her, the nineteen-year-old was still a child who could not hide his thoughts; everything was written plainly on his face.

“It’s fine if you don’t want to say. Remember, you are the Son of Heaven, the sovereign and father of the people. If you believe what you do is right, then do it. If things truly become unmanageable, you still have your grandmother to support you!”

After some casual words, sensing her fatigue returning, Zhao Xu took his leave.

No sooner had he departed than Empress Dowager Cao’s eyes snapped open. She called over a capable young eunuch.

“Go check out front. What kind of mischief is stirring up now?”

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Zhao Xu hurried toward the Hall of State Affairs. He liked the brisk pace—it sharpened his spirit and swept away the old lethargy clinging to him. This empire was too old, filled from top to bottom with a pervasive twilight.

Even the reform-minded ministers left by his father were nearly fifty, disciplinarians prone to scolding. No one cared, and no one trusted the ideas of the young. Everything depended on outdated experience. The world was like an ancient house patched up countless times.

As emperor, he needed youthful vigor, fresh blood for the empire. Otherwise, like today, even the most loyal imperial spies dared act on their own accord. Age seemed to become a justification, a crutch against authority.

This situation could not continue, or one day he too would become a weary old man before he had truly grown. The Imperial City Guard must have new leadership—at least someone trustworthy as his confidant.

Nobles tended to become arrogant, external ministers did not share the emperor’s heart, and the sons of good families lacked the cunning for palace intrigues. Considering all, only an internal official could be relied upon.

Returning to the rear chamber of the Hall of State Affairs, Eunuch Chen was waiting for an audience. Zhao Xu asked, “When did you enter the palace? What is your background?”

Chen’s expression remained unchanged, but inside he rejoiced. The emperor’s personal inquiry was a harbinger of great responsibility.

“Your Majesty, I entered the palace at eleven years old. Before that, I worked in the imperial kitchen tending the fire. Later, Dowager Consort Wang took notice of me, and I served by her side for eight years. When Emperor Yingzong ascended the throne, lacking trusted attendants, I was assigned to the Imperial City Guard.”

Since he was a man his father had employed, loyalty was presumed.

Zhao Xu reviewed Chen’s evaluation files thoroughly. No mistakes, no recorded merits—this was excellent.

“In that case, you will take charge of the Southern Office. Cao Rui is old; let him focus solely on guarding the palace.”

Chen bowed swiftly, prostrating himself in thanks.

“Release the prisoners, announce peace to the people, and escort the patrolmen home,” Zhao Xu issued fresh orders.

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Meanwhile, Cao Rui had finally finished writing his memorial with the clerk and, full of ambition, sought an audience with the emperor. Yet he was met with a cold rebuff.

“What? Why won’t he see me? I am the deputy commander of the Imperial City Guard with urgent matters to report!”

The eunuch responsible for summons shrugged and sneered, offering no verbal reply.

“Move aside! I must see the emperor!”

Cao Rui took a step forward, but a burly soldier from the Imperial Guards drew half a steel blade. Cao Rui jumped back in shock—this was the first time he had faced such treatment.

“You... you! Fine, fine! I will seek the Empress Dowager for justice!”

With that, he whipped his sleeve and headed toward the inner palace.

However, just past the Hall of State Affairs and at the side gate to the inner palace, he was stopped again.

This was an attendant close to the Empress Dowager Cao; Cao Rui knew him well, seeing him several times a month.

“Eunuch Tang, are you busy? Is the lady within?”

The old lady worshiped Buddha, sometimes at the Palace of Benevolence and Tranquility, sometimes at the northern Buddhist hall. Tang casually asked after her.

“Hmm? Why are you blocking me? Step aside—are you mad?”

The attendant tilted his head, and the imperial guards on either side seized Cao Rui. Over forty years old, he was being handled like a mere chicken.

“The Empress Dowager’s decree: Cao Rui, as a key royal official, has neglected his conduct and repeatedly disregarded judicial orders. He has frequently taken leave due to drunkenness and engaged in gambling competitions.

“He is hereby ordered to self-reflect at home and is confined for three months. By imperial command!”

Cao Rui was stunned. How was this connected? Why did the whole world seem against him today?

“Let go of me! Release me! I want to see the Empress Dowager! I want to see my aunt! Let go!”

His hot temper flared, eyes bloodshot.

A man born into a noble household rarely suffered injustice quietly. When wronged, their only recourse was a great uproar.

Thud!

The attendant’s single punch shook Cao Rui’s internal organs so thoroughly he couldn’t even cry out in pain, bending over like a shrimp.

“If you can’t keep your dignity, I’ll help you keep some!”

With a wave of his hand, “Escort Deputy Commander Cao home!”

Two burly men half lifted, half dragged Cao Rui out of the inner palace.

Along the way, Cao Rui suddenly became alert.

Something was wrong—everything felt strange today. Why had he stirred up trouble at someone else’s meeting? Why had he arrested a servant of a powerful family?

What was his purpose? Ah, yes—to procure stone and timber.

Though born from a noble family, once in the Imperial City Guard, one must separate from their patrons. Indulgence was forbidden for someone of his station.

So he would repair the gardens. Repairing the gardens required stone and timber, but he had no money.

Without money, he dared not accept bribes. The Imperial City Guard worked in groups of five, each reporting on the other. Accepting bribes and deceiving the emperor meant exile or death.

He had sought help from the minor god of wealth but failed to answer his questions correctly.

Then he had fallen into fury—a commoner had embarrassed him so severely, and now he sought revenge.

His revenge was simple: to confiscate the man’s household, seize his money, and then repair the gardens.

It seemed his conflict was with the gardens themselves!