#42: Gale and Long Rain (V)

Chang Zhao swirled the teacup in his hand, refusing Xu Dan’s attempt to pour him more wine: “I haven’t drunk alcohol for a long time. Today, I also substituted tea for wine at the banquet.”

Xu Dan didn’t insist: “It’s rare to see a scholar like Brother Pingnian who doesn’t enjoy drinking.”

Chang Zhao asked: “What year were you born?”

Xu Dan replied: “The sixteenth year of Xiping—or the first year of Qinghe. I was born in the same year as Crown Prince Chengming, and it seems that I share the same birth year as Lord Ye, who is currently highly favored in the court.”

Chang Zhao paused: “I am more than four years older than you.”

Xu Dan exclaimed: “Brother Pingnian has the demeanor of a scholar, and I couldn’t tell at all. In that case, I should indeed address you as elder brother.”

He set aside the wine pot in his hand and poured tea for Chang Zhao: “Speaking of which, how does Brother Pingnian know so much about the old Citang Case? We are both scholars from last year, and this case happened two or three years ago. I’m a dull person and new here, so apart from some widely known facts, I can’t uncover anything else.”

Chang Zhao paused briefly and said indifferently: “In the third year of Tianshou, during that imperial examination, I also came to Biandu to take the exam. It’s just that my scholarship wasn’t good enough back then, so I didn’t make the list.”

Xu Dan suddenly realized: “So that’s how it is. Then please, Brother, enlighten me a bit—it will help clear up my confusion.”

Chang Zhao took a sip of tea from his cup and cleared his throat.

“The Crown Prince Chengming’s birthday falls on the Lantern Festival. Since the year of his birth, to celebrate the Crown Prince’s longevity, the Lantern Festival celebration extended from three days to five days, with continuous banquets granted by the Emperor, and the whole nation celebrated together. The third year of Tianshou was no exception. That year, the late Emperor fell ill in the inner palace—until now, no one knows what kind of illness it was, whether major or minor. After falling ill, the late Emperor intended to pass the throne to the Crown Prince. That year’s grand sacrifice on the Bian River was also carried out by the Crown Prince using the Emperor’s ceremonial procession.”

Xu Dan shook his head regretfully: “Crown Prince Chengming had the bearing of a wise ruler. Back when he governed locusts in Xuzhou, his reputation spread even to the distant Northern You... Truly, heaven envies talent.”

Chang Zhao nodded lightly: “That night was chaotic, and no one knew exactly when the rioters infiltrated Tinghua Platform. Later, people only heard that after the sacrificial ceremony ended, the lanterns on Tinghua Platform suddenly went out. Except for a few Jintian Guards who accompanied the Crown Prince onto the altar, the rest of the guards were trapped in the crowd and couldn’t break free. In that momentary gap, assassins broke through the Crown Prince’s personal guards and stabbed him with their lives. Unprepared, the Crown Prince was injured and fell into the water. All the Jintian Guards on Tinghua Platform perished, and in the darkness, no one noticed immediately.”

Xu Dan sighed repeatedly, unable to resist grabbing the wine pot again to pour himself more wine: “Such a pity, such a pity. But I heard that Crown Prince Chengming was quite skilled in martial arts. How did they manage to succeed so easily?”

Chang Zhao shook his head: “No one knows. After the lights went out, chaos erupted on Tinghua Platform. Several people were trampled to death in the confusion. The assassin who attacked the Crown Prince was not captured at the time. It was only when the severely wounded Jintian Guard—the sole survivor on Tinghua Platform—gave orders that everyone realized the Crown Prince had been attacked, and the Bian River was immediately placed under martial law.”

“When the news reached the palace, the late Emperor was gravely ill. The Forbidden Palace issued only one arrest warrant. The Empress Dowager led the Jintian Guards to search along the Bian River throughout the night, retrieving only the Crown Prince’s crown. Thus, everyone realized that the Heir Apparent was gone. Unable to bear this tragic news, the late Emperor passed away. And then… when we discussed Her Majesty before the Dianhong Assembly, I assume Boming already knew.”

Xu Dan frowned in perplexity: “They previously said the Crown Prince was killed by a mob, but Brother Pingnian says they were scholars of that year. I’m a bit confused.”

Chang Zhao pointed outside the window: “You’ve come at an unfortunate time. Last year, Tinghua Platform underwent repairs, and worship was forbidden. There’s a stele on Tinghua Platform called ‘The Stone Inscription of Suppressing Chaos in the Gengzi Year.’ If you had seen it, your doubts would be resolved. Let me ask you, besides dealing with locusts in Xuzhou, do you remember another of Crown Prince Chengming’s early achievements?”

Xu Dan thought for a moment, his eyes lighting up: “The abolition of human sacrifices in the south! At the time, the ‘Human Sacrifice Ghost Worship Sect’ was rampant in the Guangdong and Guangxi regions, not only tormenting the locals extensively but also luring and killing travelers. That year, a demoted official died in a ghost-worship incident. This official was a close friend of Crown Prince Chengming’s tutor, Fang Hezhi. To redress his teacher’s grievances, the Crown Prince personally traveled to Guangdong and Guangxi, leading troops for over three months and successfully eradicating the sect, earning widespread acclaim across the land.”

Chang Zhao dipped his finger in water and quickly wrote three names on the table: “The three names inscribed on the stone—Liu Fuliang, Zuo Chenjian, and Yang Zhong—all hail from Guangdong, Guangxi, and Jingchu, regions where the ‘Human Sacrifice Ghost Worship Sect’ once flourished. After His Majesty ascended the throne, he sent officials to thoroughly investigate the Citang Case and arrested these three individuals. They were all believers of the Ghost Worship Sect, insisting that Crown Prince Chengming’s earlier abolition of this custom deserved divine punishment. If they could kill him, they believed they would receive great divine protection and become immortal.”

Xu Dan listened with wide-eyed astonishment: “How could anyone believe such deceptive rhetoric?”

“Why not?” Chang Zhao smiled faintly. “These three men were well-versed in the words of sages and ranked among the successful candidates in the spring examinations. Who would have expected them to commit such a grave crime? His Majesty shared deep brotherly affection with the Crown Prince. Despite the Grand Tutor’s objections, upon ascending the throne, he ordered the public execution of these three by lingchi. He commissioned a golden statue of the Crown Prince on Tinghua Platform and inscribed a stele to memorialize the event, forcing them to kneel before the statue as penance.”

“His Majesty and the Crown Prince truly shared a rare bond within the royal family,” Xu Dan sighed, but then felt something amiss. “However, these three were all scholars. How could they orchestrate such a grand scheme and find assassins to get close enough to attack?”

“Naturally, which is why there were four months of purges,” Chang Zhao explained. “Surely, Boming knows that most scholars coming to the capital to take the exams had gained favor from influential figures during their time in academies, often lodging in their homes. These three were no exceptions. When the case was thoroughly investigated, how could there only be three culprits? The families they lodged with, the princes supported by these ministers...”

“The inscription records clearly—the Citang Case was originally a meticulously planned coup d’état orchestrated by the Fifth Prince Song Qi, who sought to seize the throne, in collaboration with his subordinates and these three Ghost Worship Sect believers. Aside from Crown Prince Chengming, the late Emperor favored him most. However, the Fifth Prince overlooked one crucial detail—he never anticipated the late Emperor’s sudden demise that very night. In haste, he contacted his supporters to build momentum for his succession. The dominance of civil officials over noble families was common, but who could have predicted the interference of the Grand Tutor and the Empress, leading to the current Emperor’s ascension?”

Xu Dan had only heard that Song Qi was executed for involvement in plotting the Citang Case. He never imagined the truth behind it was so shocking: “The Fifth Prince usually avoided politics, indulging in poetry and prose. His verses were known far and wide, and his calligraphy admired across the land. How could he...”

Chang Zhao sneered mockingly: “Who knows if his love for poetry and prose was merely a facade? The thoughts of royal offspring are beyond ordinary comprehension. The power to rule the world from the golden throne—everyone desires it. Countless willing to die for it forget lifelong bonds, betray siblings, murder close friends, and disrupt the order of things. ‘With a flip of the hand clouds rise, with another rain falls; such fickleness need not be counted. Have you not seen Guan and Bao’s friendship in poverty, a bond now abandoned like dirt’[1]... Such is imperial power...”

Realizing he had spoken too much, he quickly changed the subject: “Enough, enough. Where do insignificant beings like us have room to lament? In summary, over a hundred people were implicated that year. Everyone residing in the three offenders’ households, the Fifth Prince, and his close associates were all executed, with ten generations exterminated—a rarity in the history of the Great Yin dynasty. Yet, the Crown Prince’s virtuous name spread far and wide, and his tragic death earned widespread praise for the current Emperor’s sentimentality.”

Hearing this, Xu Dan felt a surge of unresolvable melancholy in his chest. Whether it was for the wise Heir Apparent who died before bringing peace to the world or for those unjustly killed in this meticulously planned purge without any wrongdoing.

Was such extensive slaughter what the innocent Crown Prince would have wanted?

In the end, he didn’t dare speak, but under the influence of slight intoxication, he muttered: “A night of Tinghua, gales and long rains, life and death intertwined, never ceasing. Who knows what the departed sage emperor would say if he saw this state of affairs?”

“The current Emperor is still young, and the struggle between the Grand Tutor and the Empress’s faction in the court, though not hindering governance, perpetuates internal and external unrest.” Chang Zhao seemed somewhat lost in thought, murmuring to himself, “Remnants of Xiye troublemakers roam Guangdong and Guangxi, and though the northern borders are temporarily peaceful, who knows if an alliance might suddenly invade? The Yan family army guarding the city is close to the Empress. Let’s hope the Grand Tutor doesn’t interfere... This seemingly stable empire is actually teetering precariously at every moment.”

After hesitating for a moment, he still picked up the copper wine pot Xu Dan had placed on the table: “Today, we meet by fate, sharing concerns about the state of the realm. It’s appropriate to drink together—no return until drunk.”

Xu Dan was moved: “No return until drunk!”

•

That night, Luo Wei played the zither in Qionghua Hall.

After the banquet at Huiling Lake dispersed, Song Lan kept Yu Qiushi and Ye Tingyan to discuss matters. She didn’t get the chance to exchange another word with Ye Tingyan, receiving only Pei Xi’s message.

Ye Tingyan told her to stay calm and wait for him to probe the Grand Tutor’s intentions before devising another plan.

For some reason, her initially frantic heart strangely calmed down after hearing this message.

It was an indescribable feeling, akin to walking alone in a sudden downpour and suddenly finding someone holding an umbrella for her.

Though she didn’t know his destination or origin, being able to walk alongside someone in such a storm was an unasked-for connection.

Connection—thinking of this, Luo Wei felt disdain for these two words.

Although she hadn’t fully understood this person yet, she knew that in such circumstances, he would certainly try his best to protect her. While she could devise solutions herself, having another person’s assistance provided an extra layer of reassurance.

After settling her mind, Luo Wei retrieved her long-unused guzheng from the inner chamber. She personally wiped off the dust accumulated on it and suddenly wondered what would happen if Ye Tingyan betrayed her at this moment and joined Yu Qiushi.

After pondering for a while, it didn’t seem particularly terrifying.

Luo Wei plucked the strings and finally realized she had completely calmed down.

If he were to switch allegiances, she naturally wouldn’t reveal her private feelings, but having seen so many sides of him, they held each other’s secrets. As long as she stuck firmly to not exposing what she already knew, even if Song Lan harbored suspicions, he wouldn’t dare touch her.

But Ye Tingyan was different. Song Lan needed loyal confidants. Even the slightest suspicion would lead to immediate abandonment.

All previous efforts wasted—he wouldn’t do such a foolish thing.

Thinking of this, Luo Wei asked: “Why wasn’t that Scholar Chang retained today?”

Yanluo combed the tassels at the end of the zither and replied: “When Scholar Chang saved the Emperor during the evening spring gathering, His Majesty considered him talented. We learned from the Lin family that this person joined Yu Qiushi, but His Majesty didn’t know, hence the trust.”

Luo Wei frowned: “Time will tell. The Vermilion Bird will eventually discover he’s Yu Qiushi’s man.”

Yanluo agreed: “Yes, but recently, Liu Mingzhong suddenly informed me that Yu Qiushi impeached Scholar Chang in front of the Emperor, saying he associated widely and might harbor ulterior motives. Lord Ye also chimed in, and the Emperor became dissatisfied, gradually distancing himself.”

Chang Zhao was indeed someone she couldn’t fully understand.

That day, Ye Tingyan wanted to mention Chang Zhao to her, but she brushed it off because Chang Zhao had visited her before seeking out Ye Tingyan.

She knew beforehand that he was wavering, so she didn’t trust him much and naturally didn’t need to hear Ye Tingyan talk about him.

Seeing that Chang Zhao didn’t seem foolish, how could he not know that associating widely was taboo in the court? Such actions inevitably exposed him, and being distanced by Song Lan was expected.

Luo Wei instructed: “Continue sending people to investigate his hometown in detail.”

“Yes.”

Facing the guzheng, she stared blankly for a while, then placed it on the altar inside the inner chamber. With delicate hands, she slowly recited a poem.

“After the rain clears over Phoenix Mountain, the breeze carries freshness, and the evening glow shines bright. A lotus blooms, still full after blooming. Where did the pair of white egrets come from? If they have intentions, they admire gracefulness.”

She finished playing absentmindedly, suddenly hearing faint footsteps behind her. The melody turned urgent, adding three parts sorrow.

“Suddenly hearing mournful zither music on the river, bitter emotions contained, for whom is it played? Mist dissipates, clouds part, vaguely resembling the Lady of Xiang. Wanting to inquire at the end of the tune, the person is gone, leaving only green peaks.” [2]

After finishing, she turned around to see Song Lan standing behind her.

Turning too quickly, Song Lan didn’t have time to conceal the gloom on his face and coughed to cover it up, softly asking: “Sister, are you thinking of the late Crown Prince?”

Luo Wei plucked the strings in reverse, producing a crisp sound in the silent inner chamber.

•

Under the same ominous clouds, Ye Tingyan suddenly snapped a string on the qin beside him.

Zhou Chuyin in front of him paused: “Your mind isn’t at peace today.”

Ye Tingyan forced a bitter smile: “I rarely have peace of mind.”

Zhou Chuyin asked: “Have you thought of a solution for her?”

Ye Tingyan nodded slightly, then shook his head.

Zhou Chuyin asked: “What does that mean?”

Ye Tingyan replied: “I thought of one, but this solution can’t be used. It’s no different from not having thought of anything.”

Upon hearing this, Zhou Chuyin’s expression turned serious: “What leverage does Yu Qiushi hold over her?”

Hearing this, Ye Tingyan fell silent for a moment.

After a while, he said: “Do you know who the concubine surnamed Feng by her side is?”