Chapter Nineteen: An Assassination Attempt
To be honest, these past two days Wang Li had been gripped by anxiety. For reasons beyond his understanding, the Prime Minister had inexplicably promoted him to Grand Chamberlain, placing him in personal service of the Emperor—making him the foremost eunuch within the palace.
Yet he had come bearing a mission: he must report every word and deed of the Emperor back to the Prime Minister.
All throughout the court and palace it was common knowledge that His Majesty was without his own opinions, handling all affairs precisely as the Prime Minister directed. At first, Wang Li had thought this was an enviable position. But since he had begun serving the Emperor at close quarters, he had discovered that although the Emperor outwardly continued to support the Prime Minister’s edicts as before, in truth—through Wang Li’s keen and perceptive observation—the Emperor was nothing like the rumors: he was not the weak-willed, indecisive, thoughtless, and ambitionless sovereign everyone believed.
Take, for example, the Emperor’s habit these past three days of rising at dawn to practice martial arts. Wang Li doubted any Emperor before had achieved such discipline.
Moreover, even the once arrogant Empress had, in recent days, become utterly docile before the Emperor—she did not dare contradict him in anything.
And further, the Emperor had already issued several imperial edicts, none of which were prompted by the Prime Minister.
Lastly, the tale of the divine right of kings had already spread throughout the palace—everyone was aware of it. Though some remained skeptical, and time would be needed for true confirmation, the story was disseminated through the official court, carrying the weight of authority far beyond idle gossip.
Just yesterday, the Emperor had ordered Wang Li to root out those passing information beyond the palace walls. Most troubling of all, Wang Li himself bore the task of transmitting information.
Nervous and unsettled, Wang Li summoned all the eunuchs, palace maids, and guards stationed at the Hall of Ease, gathering them in the courtyard to await the Emperor’s instructions.
The autumn sun hung high in the sky, causing sweat to bead on every brow, but all endured it in silence. After all, they stood before the Emperor himself, and all knew he was seeking the person who had sent reports to Prince Liang.
Though the culprit had yet to be caught, everyone understood someone like that must surely exist.
As personal attendants to the Emperor, they were always objects of attention. Acts of flattery and bribery were common, each hoping to pass on a critical message at the key moment—a phenomenon that occurred in every dynasty.
At last, as the crowd waited anxiously, the Emperor emerged from the side hall, followed by the Empress and two consorts.
“We humbly greet Your Majesty, the Empress, and the noble ladies!” the assembly intoned, dropping to their knees.
Liu Dan stepped to the center outside the hall. Behind him was the chair and couch Wang Li had prepared. He stopped before them, looking down over the assembled people, then glanced up at the plaque hanging from the main beam—inscribed with “Hall of Ease.” He frowned.
“What a wretched name! This is my place of rest—how can it bear such a vulgar title?” he grumbled. “Wang Li, see to it that this plaque is replaced at once. From this day forth, this place shall be called the Hall of Nurtured Heart!” Inwardly, he thought: One day, I will have the Hall of Nurtured Heart moved to the new capital and expanded tenfold!
“At once, Your Majesty,” Wang Li replied, bowing his head.
Having resolved this minor annoyance, Liu Dan seated himself on the couch, leaning slightly to one side against the armrest as he surveyed the crowd.
In his previous life, he recalled, the great leaders always sat thus—projecting an air of authority.
“Rise. All of you, look at me!” Liu Dan commanded.
The people rose, lifting their eyes to the Emperor.
His brow was knitted, his gaze sharp and penetrating as it swept over each person in the courtyard.
“This is my place of residence, my refuge where I might speak and act without reservation. Yet every gesture I make here is somehow known to the world outside. Tell me—why is that?”
A tremor passed through the crowd, who fell again to their knees.
Liu Dan continued, “These past two days, I have not held court, nor left the Hall of Ease. Yet word of my fatigue during martial practice has already spread beyond the walls. If such a trifle can be so easily reported, what of more confidential matters in the future? If this continues, what dignity remains for your Emperor in the eyes of the world? You all enjoy high stipends and the respect of others—have you ever considered why?”
He paused, then declared, “It is because of me—the honor of serving the Son of Heaven at close quarters. And how have you repaid this privilege?”
The crowd remained silent, and Liu Dan had no expectation they would answer.
If he could, he would have liked to execute the lot of them—but that was impossible. There were no trustworthy replacements, and a change would be superficial at best. Besides, he had only just arrived; it would be unwise to make such a dramatic move so soon. To execute all his personal attendants would only invite derision.
With these thoughts, Liu Dan’s tone softened. “Whoever passed information to Prince Liang, step forward now. If you come willingly, I will not hold you guilty. I only wish to ask—what is it about Prince Liang that inspires your loyalty? The word of the Emperor is not given lightly. I will keep my promise!”
He looked around the assembly. “Well? Will anyone step forward?” He spoke with gentle persuasion.
No one moved. Time passed; still, no one stood.
This left Liu Dan somewhat exasperated, his face growing awkward.
Just as he was about to relent and say something encouraging, a little monkey, drenched and dripping, scampered out from the side hall, chattering as it leapt toward Liu Dan.
“Not you!” Liu Dan started, jumping up from the couch and seizing the monkey by the scruff, holding it down. “I just changed my clothes. Behave and stay over there!”
After Liu Dan spoke and stood, the monkey chattered twice, then obediently lay on the ground, as meek as a puppy.
No one noticed the glint in the monkey’s eye as it darted about the crowd. When its gaze settled on one person among them, it stopped moving.
Liu Dan was about to speak again, but the monkey suddenly sprang to action—not toward him, but bounding into the courtyard. It bared its teeth, leapt onto a guard’s shoulder, and clawed at the man’s face.
The people in the courtyard, most of whom were kneeling with heads bowed, had no chance to react before the monkey scratched three bloody lines across the guard’s cheek.
Liu Dan glared, pointing furiously at the guard. “Guards, seize him at once!”
His shout startled the monkey, which sprang up into the trees, then vaulted to the top of the wall.
The commotion and the Emperor’s wrath shocked the guards, who all believed he was angered by the monkey’s antics. They rushed en masse toward the wall to catch the animal. The monkey, frightened, leapt over the wall, and the guards surged out of the hall in pursuit. Even Wang Li and the palace maids hurried after, intent on capturing the monkey.
“Ah!” Liu Dan was momentarily dumbfounded.
“Come back! I meant for you to seize that guard!” But outside, chaos reigned; no one heard his words.
Looking back into the courtyard, Liu Dan saw the guard the monkey had scratched rise to his feet, his mouth twisted, eyes blazing with malice. Drawing a dagger from his robes, the man advanced toward Liu Dan, saying as he walked, “Well, little Emperor, I never imagined you’d be so clever—so you figured it out, did you? Yes, it was me. But what of it? I am indebted to Prince Liang, and today I will repay that debt. If I kill you, with the Empress Dowager backing the court ministers, they will surely enthrone Prince Liang.”
The guard stood seven feet tall, broad and powerfully built. Liu Dan, having trained only a few days, knew he was no match for him. The palace maids, even Lady Li and Lady Wang, were so terrified they had lost all sense.
Should I run? Liu Dan wondered.