The Beauty Within the Gates
Chapter 49
What Shizi Zhou said was precisely what troubled Madam Zhou as well.
The relationship between Wangye and His Majesty was not that of an ordinary foster father and son.
Thirty years ago, after the Zhou dynasty’s empire was usurped by the Zhao clan, the realm plunged into chaos. Following a series of struggles and conflicts, the empire eventually returned to the Zhou clan.
Yet this did not bring stability. Different factions within the Zhou clan began contending for power internally, and over several generations, emperors changed as quickly as flowing water, some reigning for no more than a single day before being driven from the throne.
Even the current emperor’s rule had been seized from his own nephew.
Strictly speaking, the bloodline between the two men was already separated by several generations.
His Majesty was a distant branch of the Zhou clan that had been estranged early on. He did not grow up in the Eastern Capital but was born in Jingzhou. He had two brothers, none other than the two princes of Hexi and Hebei who had recently been stripped of their feudal titles.
In addition, there was one younger sister.
That only daughter of the Zhou family was Wangye’s birth mother, but she had the misfortune of meeting an unworthy man. She became pregnant before marriage and, unable to bear the blow, fell gravely ill.
When Wangye was just two years old, she passed away.
Perhaps out of pity that Wangye had neither father nor mother to rely on in the future, His Majesty took him in as an adopted son and raised him at his own side. Thus, although His Majesty was Wangye’s adoptive father, he was in truth also his maternal uncle.
Moreover, His Majesty’s care for and cultivation of Wangye were in no way inferior to what he later gave his own biological sons. In fact, compared with the other princes, Wangye spent the longest time by His Majesty’s side.
When Wangye was young, His Majesty personally taught him to read and write. As he grew older, he took him along on military campaigns everywhere. The bond between them ran deeper than with any of His Majesty’s own sons.
Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that the present empire was won by the two of them together.
After His Majesty ascended the throne, in order to stabilize the empire, Wangye guarded the borderlands for ten years on His Majesty’s behalf. Only when the court had grown stable, and the army steadily stronger, was he recalled to the Eastern Capital.
In recognition of his merits, His Majesty personally granted him the fiefdom of Zhongzhou before the assembled civil and military officials, appointing him Wangye and Military Governor of Zhongzhou.
For more than ten years stationed in Zhongzhou, the Prince devoted himself wholly to governing the people and remained unfailingly loyal to His Majesty, reporting every matter, great or small, to the court.
The feudal princes of Hebei and Hexi were stripped of their titles because concrete evidence of wrongdoing had been seized against them. As for Jing Wang, everyone in Fengcheng knew how poor he was, wearing the same pair of boots for an entire year without throwing them away. What leverage could anyone possibly have against him?
Even if someone were to fabricate charges out of thin air and pin them on him, when Hebei and Hexi were stripped of their titles, those sent to carry them out were all officials from the court. This time, however, His Majesty issued an edict ordering a deputy commander from Zhongzhou’s Fengcheng to strip his own feudal prince of his title.
It makes no sense by reason or precedent.
Yet Madam Zhou was far more composed than Shizi Zhou. She glanced at her son, who was practically itching to rush out and fight someone, and could only let out a helpless sigh.
He was not stupid, only too impulsive when matters arose. She summoned him over and said, “Sit still.”
How could Zhou Kuang possibly sit still? He had long found Xie Daoyuan displeasing. Last time, when Xie Daoyuan let Pei Yuanqiu go right in front of him, he had already exposed his ambition to play both sides.
After that, he sent his eldest son to the Eastern Capital. Ever since Chancellor Xie resigned, none of the officials who took his place afterward lasted long, either dying of illness or meeting violent ends.
The Department of Chancellery had long since fallen firmly into the Right Chancellor’s hands. For the Xie family’s eldest son to take a post there was essentially offering himself up as a hostage, a clear declaration of where the family stood.
With the two uncles already stripped of their titles, the only person left who could block the Crown Prince’s path was his father. Such intentions were plain to see, leaving little room not to suspect ulterior motives.
He was itching to rush to the city gates, drag Xie Daoyuan back, and demand to know where his conscience had gone. Yet in the end, he still listened to Madam Zhou’s words and obediently sat back down.
Half his body hung off the armchair, clearly unable to sit still.
Madam Zhou could not be bothered to scold him. Instead, she calmly analyzed the situation for him. “Whether the imperial edict is real or fake, we cannot act rashly. If His Majesty truly intends to strip your father of his fief, then as subjects, all we can do is sit here and wait. If it is fake, then even more so, we must not move. If a false decree is turned into a real one, wouldn’t that be falling straight into someone else’s trap, handing them an unexpected victory?”
“An unexpected victory?” Shizi Zhou froze, frowning as he turned toward her. “Then… what is the real purpose of all this?”
Madam Zhou was slightly surprised that he had grasped the point so quickly and countered with a question of her own. “Once this matter breaks out, who will suffer the consequences?”
Zhou Kuang understood almost at once. His heart jolted. “Mother means the Xie family?”
Madam Zhou nodded. “Apart from the Xie family, who else has seen the imperial decree from the court?” At this point, she could not help but feel a measure of admiration. “If that is indeed the case, then it is a brilliant scheme. Killing two birds with one stone. If it succeeds, all the better; your father, the greatest hidden threat, is eliminated. If it fails, then on the charge of treason alone, the Xie family can be uprooted entirely, costing your father one of his arms.”
Either way, it was a profitable move.
In fact, there had been signs long before. When Pei Yuanqiu returned to Fengcheng last time, he had likely already set his sights on the Xie family.
Deputy Commander Xie had indeed allowed him to pry open a crack in the Xie family, an iron-hard egg.
Zhou Kuang snorted dismissively. “Does Deputy Commander Xie count as an arm worth mentioning? His abilities are mediocre at best, hardly worth using. I’ve long wondered how Father ever took a liking to him back then. I thought it was because of the word loyalty. Well, look at him now. Forget loyalty, he even dares to turn his blade on his own feudal prince. For the Xie family to produce such a disloyal, unrighteous creature is like smearing filth on a Buddha’s head. Yet he cherishes himself like some priceless treasure, insisting on treating himself as a man of consequence.”
Having spent more than ten years running around Fengcheng with Xie Shao, Zhou Kuang had heard plenty of this sort of talk. Now that he was cursing someone, not a single word was held back.
Madam Zhou looked at him as though she were watching a monkey perform. “Why are you getting so worked up? When did I say I was talking about Deputy Commander Xie?”
From beginning to end, the true pillar of the Jing Wang Mansion in Zhongzhou had never been Deputy Commander Xie.
It was Chancellor Xie.
Chancellor Xie had passed the imperial examinations. In the very year His Majesty pacified the empire, he recognized his talent and breadth of vision and personally visited his home to recruit him.
Chancellor Xie did not disappoint His Majesty. He successfully balanced between the new court and the old regimes, resolving a major worry that had long weighed on the Emperor’s heart.
As a result, he was appointed Left Chancellor and Vice Minister of the Secretariat, acting with the authority of the Secretariat, effectively the Left Chancellor. He became the first Left Chancellor appointed since the founding of Great Feng.
During the years he held office, Chancellor Xie governed with integrity. To those above him, he was loyal and devoted; to those below, he never flaunted his authority. Known especially for cherishing talent, he once recommended many capable and exceptional individuals to His Majesty.
To this day, fully half the officials at court had, one way or another, benefited from his grace. A man like that, once he arrived in Fengcheng, on Wangye’s own territory, how could he not be watched with caution?
Madam Zhou continued, “Back then, after Chancellor Xie resigned his post and came to Fengcheng, countless pairs of eyes in court were fixed on him. People thought that after all these years of living like a carefree recluse, neither involving himself in court affairs nor forming any ties with our Prince Mansion, he would no longer be a target. But looking at it now, even if he wished to avoid trouble and live in seclusion, he could not escape it. Others would still come looking for him.”
Zhou Kuang finally understood.
No wonder. How could Xie Daoyuan possibly deserve such treatment…
Yet the more he grasped the situation, the more unsettled he became. With a sudden thump, he sprang up from his chair. “Then what should we do now? Xie Daoyuan’s actions are nothing short of sending the entire Xie family to the execution block.” Only then did he think of Xie Shao, and he hurriedly said to Madam Zhou, “I dare guarantee to Mother that Brother Xie is an upright man. He would never stand with Deputy Commander Xie.”
By now, Brother Xie must already know what Xie Daoyuan had done and would surely come to report it.
But how could Xie Daoyuan possibly allow him to leave the mansion? At this very moment, he was probably already confined. The more Zhou Kuang thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. “No, I’m going to find Brother Xie right now.”
Before Zhou Kuang could even step outside, a guard hurried in to report, “Madam, Shizi, Third Young Master Xie and Third Young Madam have arrived.”
Speak of the devil, and he appears. Zhou Kuang’s face lit up with relief.
Madam Zhou was equally surprised. “Quick, invite them in.” No sooner had the words left her mouth than a woman with her neck smeared bright red was suddenly shoved to the doorway, with Xie Shao and Wen Shuse close behind.
Neither Madam Zhou nor Zhou Kuang could make sense of the scene, and both were startled. Only then did they recognize the disheveled woman before them, it was none other than the Deputy Commander Xie’s wife, the Eldest Madam Xie.
In the midst of their shock, Xie Shao had already stepped inside.
On ordinary days, whenever the Eldest Madam Xie came to the Prince Mansion, she was always invited in by Madam Zhou, received with courtesy, and treated as an honored guest. Seeing her in such a wretched state today was humiliating beyond words, and Madam Zhou’s stunned expression made that abundantly clear.
Inwardly cursing the two traitors of her own family once more, Eldest Madam Xie hesitated, unwilling to step inside.
Earlier, the moment they had stepped into the Prince Mansion, the knives in Xie Shao’s and Wen Shuse’s hands had already been confiscated by the guards. Now that they were inside the residence, there was no longer any worry that Eldest Madam Xie could stir up further trouble.
Seeing her stand there without moving, Wen Shuse lost patience and gave her a hard shove at the lower back. Eldest Madam Xie staggered several steps and was forced into the room.
Only moments earlier, news had arrived that Deputy Commander Xie had ordered the city gates to be closed and blocked Wangye. Now, almost immediately after, his own wife had been brought to the Prince Mansion. How could Madam Zhou and Zhou Kuang not be stunned by such a turn of events?
A jolt ran through Zhou Kuang’s heart as he eagerly stepped forward to greet Xie Shao. “Brother Xie…”
But Xie Shao swept his robe aside and knelt first before Madam Zhou, cupping his hands in respect. “My elder is ignorant and foolish, deceived by treacherous schemers. His offense against Wangye and Madam Zhou tonight was unwarranted. Unable to persuade him, I had no choice but to seize her family member and come here to apologize. As for how to deal with them, I leave it entirely to Madam Zhou’s judgment.”
In a single, crisp sentence, he made his position unmistakably clear.
Zhou Kuang turned to look at his mother, his eyes carrying more than a hint of pride. He had said it all along that Brother Xie would always stand on his side.
Madam Zhou had long heard much about the Third Young Master Xie from her son and knew his character was sound. She had quietly taken note of him before and found him indeed reliable. When she later had direct dealings with Xie Shao after he entered service at the Prince Mansion and spoke with him face to face several times, she understood even more clearly that a tiger never begets a dog. If anyone were to inherit Chancellor Xie’s legacy in the future, it would have to be his own biological son.
Now that she saw him bring Eldest Madam Xie before them, Madam Zhou could not help but admire how quickly he had seen through the situation, and at the same time, respect his decisiveness.
“Deputy Xie, please rise,” Madam Zhou addressed him by his official title. Her gaze then shifted to Wen Shuse beside him, and her tone softened. “With the sudden upheaval in your household, both of you must have been frightened as well. Please sit down first, and explain everything slowly.”
A servant hurried forward and moved two official-backed chairs, placing them side by side opposite Shizi.
Once the two were seated, in the vast hall, there remained only a single disheveled hostage standing alone.
Madam Zhou lifted her eyes and looked over, meeting the Eldest Madam Xie’s eyes. There was no trace left of her former warmth or courtesy; her expression was cold and distant.
Since she had already fallen into their hands, any further struggle would only strip away what little dignity remained. Eldest Madam Xie let out a mocking laugh. “With traitors born within the family, brought to such a state, I admit my defeat. But all you rebels and traitors, what you have done tonight will sooner or later bring you no good end.”
“Whether there will be a good ending is a matter for later,” Madam Zhou said coldly as she looked at her. “In the end, it is simply the victor who becomes king and the losers who become outlaws. Eldest Madam would do well to save her breath. Your husband has blocked Wangye outside the city, and I am already in no mood for pleasantries. Do not provoke me further, or if I lose my temper and vent my anger on you first, even if I regret it later, Eldest Madam would still not come back to life.”
She turned and instructed the servant beside her, “Take her away and have someone examine the wound on Eldest Madam’s neck.”
Her brows knitted as she clicked her tongue, wearing a pained expression. “It looks quite frightening, likely not a shallow cut. Even if it heals, it will probably leave a scar. That is just as well. It will serve as a constant reminder to the world, and to herself, that she once betrayed her master.”
Along the way, the Eldest Madam had been badly shaken. She had not felt much pain in her neck before, but once Madam Zhou mentioned it, a piercing pain suddenly surged up.
Especially that final remark, it was like nailing her to a pillar of shame. She grew agitated again. “Madam Zhou is accusing others to cover her own guilt. My Xie family is loyal to His Majesty and does not consort with rebels. We hold the imperial edict, how can there be talk of betrayal…”
Before she could finish, the servant seized her arm and dragged her out.
Once the woman was gone, the hall fell quiet. Madam Zhou then turned her gaze back to Xie Shao and Wen Shuse. Since they had already bound the person and delivered her here, their stance was perfectly clear, and there was no need to ask further questions.
The situation was urgent, leaving no time for further niceties. Madam Zhou asked directly, “What does Young Master Xie plan to do next?”
Xie Shao naturally understood as well that the Xie family’s predicament was now likely even more dire than that of the Prince Mansion.
“I plan to leave the city tonight and enter the capital together with Wangye, to seek an audience with His Majesty.”
Madam Zhou’s eyes showed approval. To save the Xie family from disaster, this was indeed the only course. Knowing what weighed on his mind, she said, “Young Master Xie may rest assured. Our Prince Mansion is wholeheartedly loyal to His Majesty and harbors not the slightest disloyal intent. Even if His Majesty truly intends to reduce the fiefs, we will not resist in any way. I believe His Highness shares the same view.”
As long as the Prince Mansion did not clash with Deputy Commander Xie, it would leave the Xie family a path of retreat.
Xie Shao rose and bowed. “Many thanks to Madam Zhou.”
“There is no need for such formality,” Madam Zhou said with a helpless smile. “It seems that Chancellor Xie has ultimately been unable to avoid being bound to our Prince Mansion on the same boat. In that case, it is our Jing Wang Mansion that has benefited.”
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. Before long, a guard came in again to report, “Reporting to Madam, Deputy Commander Xie has rebelled and has led troops to surround the Prince Mansion.”
It was exactly as expected. Nothing was surprising about it.
Surrounded or not, it made no difference; at worst, the people of the Prince Mansion simply would not go out. But once Xie Shao and the Wangye set off for the capital, they would first have to pass through Dongzhou, the Crown Prince’s territory.
Anyone bold enough to lay such a deadly trap would certainly have anticipated this point. How could the Crown Prince possibly allow them to reach the Emperor so easily?
Yet aside from this path, there was no other choice. She turned and instructed Zhou Kuang, “Select a few capable men. They will accompany Young Master Xie when he leaves the city later.”
Zhou Kuang volunteered immediately. “I’ll go.”
Madam Zhou rejected him without hesitation. “Your father going is already like offering his head to the enemy. If you go as well, are you trying to be wiped out in one sweep and leave the Jing Wang Mansion without any heirs?”
Zhou Kuang: ……
Now that the decision had been made, there was no need to rush at this very moment. The journey to the capital would take more than a day or two.
Madam Zhou glanced at the bloodstains on the two of them, rose to her feet, and said, “Young Master Xie and Third Madam should first bathe and change clothes, and rest for a while. I’ll have people prepare some garments. In an hour, I will take Young Master Xie out through the secret passage.”