Chapter Eight: The Eastern Palace

The sky darkened gradually.

The last rays of the setting sun bathed the Eastern Palace, lending it an even greater air of solemnity and grandeur.

Prince Zhangwu stood with his head bowed, uneasy and restless.

Seated at the head of the hall was a man of thirty-six, pale-faced with a beard, thick brows, and long eyes, exuding an aura of nobility. His smile was gentle and approachable, but when silent and expressionless, he radiated an imposing dignity.

This man was none other than Prince Zhangwu’s father, the Crown Prince of the Great Jing Dynasty.

The voice of Minister Pang echoed through the hall: “...His Highness the Prince is kind-hearted and could not bear to see the women of the Pei family suffer in hardship and isolation, so he extended some assistance.”

Then, with a casual tone, he reported each act of “assistance” that had been granted.

The Crown Prince's brow twitched almost imperceptibly as he cast a glance at his eldest son.

The fourteen-year-old boy was at that impetuous age, easily thrown into confusion by a meddlesome young girl, losing his composure.

Pleading for the Pei family’s safety and arranging their departure was a bid to earn favor for the Eastern Palace.

The Pei family had lost all their male heirs; only a handful of elderly and weak women remained, and it was uncertain how many would survive to reach Youzhou. Branded with the crime of treason, there was no hope for redemption.

Such a useless scion was not worth wasting resources or manpower on, much less handing over the banner of the Eastern Palace.

Prince Zhangwu bowed his head even lower. “Your Highness, I was momentarily soft-hearted and made a mistake. I beg for your punishment.”

The Crown Prince’s expression was calm, his tone neither light nor heavy: “This shall be the last time. Do not let it happen again.”

Prince Zhangwu breathed a silent sigh of relief and replied respectfully.

To the world, the Crown Prince was known for his mild temperament and broad-mindedness.

When he was angry, not even a furrow of his brow betrayed it. With a mere casual word, some would see their futures ruined, others suffer the downfall of their families or lose their heads.

There was no need for grand displays or thunderous wrath. Imperial power was like a sword hanging in the air, ready to fall at any moment. How could one not be in awe?

The Crown Prince turned to Minister Pang and sighed, “Ali is young and naïve, too tender-hearted. He will not achieve greatness if he continues like this.”

The Crown Prince could afford to be displeased with his son.

But as a minister of the Eastern Palace, one could not afford to act insolently.

Minister Pang, ever smooth and experienced, smiled and replied, “His Highness the Prince is kind and generous to the Pei family. If this spreads, it would be a tale of benevolence.”

He paused, then added, “The Prince is young and inexperienced with women. Encountering a clever maiden inevitably causes hesitation and softness of heart.”

The Crown Prince nodded slightly. “That makes sense. I will instruct the Crown Princess to select two beautiful palace maids to serve Ali.”

Within the palace, young princes on the cusp of adulthood were always assigned beautiful maids to guide them.

Prince Zhangwu’s youthful face flushed at these words.

Suddenly, a clear and spirited young girl’s face flashed through his mind, stirring a pang of wistfulness.

“Your Highness,” an attendant entered briskly, bowing to report, “Prince Wei has arrived.”

Before the words had fully fallen, a figure appeared.

Entering the Eastern Palace without prior notice showed Prince Wei’s arrogance and recklessness.

At twenty, just reaching adulthood, Prince Wei inherited the good looks of Empress Liu—pale lips, rosy teeth, delicate features almost feminine. Before Emperor Xiaowen, he was sweet-tongued, adept at acting coy and charming.

The favor Emperor Xiaowen showed his youngest son, Prince Wei, was well known inside and outside the palace.

Prince Wei swaggered in, offering a casual salute to the Crown Prince—his greeting perfunctory.

The Crown Prince remained composed, smiling, “Why are you here instead of attending to Father?”

Prince Wei sighed heavily, “Father has been furious these past days over the treason of the Pei brothers. I, being outspoken, spoke a few words in their favor and was severely scolded and cast out by Father. So, I came to find my elder brother.”

Feigning sympathy, he comforted the Crown Prince, “I know you’ve been troubled these days. It’s over now. Don’t be sad. The Pei brothers were ambitious and treacherous. Their execution is better than them scheming rebellion and dragging the Eastern Palace down with them.”

The Pei brothers were loyal supporters of the Eastern Palace. Pei Zhongde was exposed by subordinates; dozens of suits of armor and over a hundred crossbows were found in the Pei family’s armory. He was swiftly interrogated, convicted, and beheaded.

Any discerning eye knew Prince Wei had secretly orchestrated this, cutting down the Eastern Palace’s wings and intimidating the Crown Prince’s faction.

Now, with the Pei family’s heads severed and their estates confiscated, their relatives exiled to Youzhou, Prince Wei was smug and triumphant, flaunting his power at the Eastern Palace.

Such insolence!

Prince Zhangwu’s anger flared uncontrollably, and he lifted his head.

Prince Wei deliberately turned and caught the resentful Prince Zhangwu’s gaze, curling his lips into a malicious smile. “I heard you escorted the Pei family out of the city today, giving them money and provisions, and even sent guards to accompany them.”

“Are you afraid the Pei women will be attacked by sightless bandits on the road?”

Prince Wei was mercurial and cruel. The veiled threat in his words sent a chill down Prince Zhangwu’s spine.

Prince Zhangwu struggled to maintain composure. “Nephew, your every move is no secret to your Fifth Uncle.”

The two were only six years apart. One, a favored prince born to the Empress; the other, the Crown Prince’s eldest legitimate son. In rank and status, both were noble.

Prince Wei had Emperor Xiaowen’s backing, a powerful father-in-law who commanded the army, and a host of civil and military officials pledged to him. His influence was vast, enough to make even the Crown Prince tread carefully.

Prince Zhangwu, obedient and respectful before the Crown Prince, relied on Eastern Palace resources but had no true loyal base of his own.

The gap between them was vast.

Prince Wei gave him a disdainful glance, and Prince Zhangwu quietly lowered his head.

The Crown Prince’s voice broke the silence: “All the Pei men are dead, only the elderly women and children remain. I sent Ali to see them off to preserve the last shred of loyalty between ruler and subject over these years.”

“Such matters are trivial.”

“The sky grows late. I will order the imperial kitchen to prepare a fine meal. Let us, as brothers, share a few drinks.”

Prince Wei readily agreed, “I’ve been looking forward to the fine wine of the Eastern Palace. Tonight, we shall drink to our heart’s content.”

The two brothers chatted and laughed, the atmosphere warm and harmonious.

Blood was shed in the struggle between the imperial brothers, but it was the Pei family who died.

At this moment, who remembered the unjustly slain Pei Zhongde?

Two hours later, Prince Wei staggered out of the Eastern Palace.

Behind him followed a graceful beauty, moving with delicate steps.

This beauty was a consort of the Crown Prince. During the banquet, she served at his side. Prince Wei had taken a liking to her and demanded her as a gift. The Crown Prince generously obliged.

Prince Wei led the beauty back to his palace and used every means to torment the fragile woman until she was bruised and near death.

Satisfied, he summoned his trusted guard and ordered, “Send men to follow the Pei family. When they have traveled several hundred li to Jizhou, send some vagrants after them.”

“Don’t kill them all—leave a few for show.”

“Oh, and secretly bring back Miss Pei Liu. I want to see for myself the girl who bewitched my nephew.”

The guard, named Wu Zhong, specialized in such unsavory tasks. Expressionless, he bowed and accepted the orders.