The Child Emperor

The grand halls of the Ancestral Temple were spacious and gloomy. The smoke of incense swirled about, while spirit tablets were enshrined in deep niches within the walls, as though they were hiding from hunters lurking within the shadows. But the awe of the spirits had lost all effect this day — a group of people were conducting themselves in irreverent ways before their very gaze.

The doors of the temple were cast wide open — a rare occurrence; it was something that would happen only about two or three times a year. Around thirty eunuchs and servant-girls formed up in two rows blockading the entrance. Looking at their expression, one would think they were cattle soon be sacrificed to the ancestors of the Chu Imperial Clan. Five officials from the Ministry of Rites and Decorum[1] were prostrate on the ground, muttering persisting, begging for forgiveness from the Gods and spirits. They did not, and could not, stop these intruders.

The two princes sat side by side on small, round stools. There was no color to their faces, and the Grand Consort stood in front of them, her hands resting on a servant-girl’s shoulders for support as she listened to the report of one messenger after another.

“Three hundred high-ranking officials have gathered before Chuyang Gate in protest. Outside the gate there are citizens gathering in droves.”

“The senior officials have rushed into the Imperial Palace. They are making their way to the Empress Dowager’s palace-chambers.”

“Some senior officials seemed to have received a tip-off. They are rushing here!”

The messages came in one after another. The Imperial Palace seemed to have become a warzone — enemies were everywhere and they were getting closer. Grand Consort Shang-guan kept her composure, merely grunting in acknowledgement whenever more news came. Whenever a response was required from her, she would only say, “The Emperor’s body has yet to grow cold and the Empress is torn with grief. The senior officials should be more understanding. Everyone, guard the doors vigilantly. The Ancestral Temple is a sacred place — they dare not barge in.”

Hearing all this, Prince Donghai held a different opinion. Every time he heard a  new message, he would kick Han Ruzi lightly, appearing quite smug. But he did not dare shoot his mouth off — that servant-girl holding the case still stood behind them, her hands shockingly strong. Prince Donghai was a lot more obedient after enduring a fist or two.

When the sky became light, matters became even more urgent. Apparently, the Empress Dowager’s palace-chambers were surrounded by a group of senior officials. They knelt within the courtyard and wailed and howled, mourning the loss of three emperors in quick succession. They thus tried to persuade the Empress Dowager to release the two princes. Another group of senior officials rushed outside of the Ancestral Temple. They too, were prostrate on the ground as they read an essay aloud.

Prince Donghai was radiant with good cheer, believing his victory to be imminent. Meanwhile, Han Ruzi was wondering where Attendant Yang Feng was — such a bold eunuch would surely not hide away in such a crucial moment.

In the entire temple, only Grand Consort Shang-guan could maintain her composure. She ordered everyone to maintain the blockade at the door while ignoring the chants coming from outside.

“Why are the officials outside doing? Some kind of ancestor worship?” Eunuch Zuo Ji asked. He had stayed by the Grand Consort’s side, but did not share in her calmness, his handsome face even paler than that of the two princes.

“They are reading an admonition, or one may say, a denunciation,” the Grand Consort said lightly. She listened more carefully. “Something about floods in Guan-dong, earthquakes in the northern prefectures, fires in the Chang-le Palace… They believe that there is imbalance between Yin and Yang, causing calamities to erupt… It appears that the Empress Dowager and myself are to blame for that.”

“Absolute nonsense!” Zuo Ji said, his voice trembling with rage. “The Empress Dowager… Has she no other plans?”

The Grand Consort shook her head.

“What about Jing Yao and Yang Feng? Were they not confident that they could persuade the senior officials? Why is there no news from them?”

The Grand Consort did not even bother to shake her head this time.

The chants from outside the temple were growing louder, and Prince Donghai grew bolder. Speaking quietly to Han Ruzi, he said, “It is actually a simple matter — just hand me over or proclaim me Emperor here in the Ancestral Temple. All problems will be resolved.”

Zuo Ji ran to the door and hid behind the barricading eunuchs, looking outside for a moment before running back to the Grand Consort. “Leaving matters as they are is no solution. I know some of the senior officials outside — let me go speak to them, I might be able to persuade them to withdraw from the Ancestral Temple.”

“You?” The Grand Consort was rather surprised.

“I don’t know them that well,” Zuo Ji was quick to change his tune. “Just acquainted. Besides, besieging the Ancestral Temple is sacrilegious — as long as we make that clear, they should withdraw. And what have the Imperial Guards been doing? Have they all turned traitor? How could they let the officials to barge into the palace.”

“The Imperial Guards only obey edicts from the Emperor. Since no one is on the throne, they are at a loss.” The Grand Consort did not appear to mind very much. After thinking further, she said, “Go ahead, maybe you will actually succeed.”

Zuo Ji bowed deeply, then turned to run out of the temple. When his shadow disappeared, Prince Donghai let out a disdainful breath, “Zuo Ji is just trying to extricate himself from the situation. He has run away.”

The Grand Consort looked at Prince Donghai and let out a slight smile. But she did not say anything, and only turned away.

Prince Donghai could only boast to Han Ruzi. “To be an Emperor, one must be able to see through people, able to read minds just from minor clues.”

Han Ruzi nodded with only one wish in his heart: that matters could end quickly so that he could leave the palace and return to Mother’s side. To be honest, his visit to the palace this time was an even worse experience than the one month three years ago when he had temporarily stayed in the palace.

Prince Donghai appeared to have guessed correctly. Zuo Ji never returned, and the chants outside did not grow weaker.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, the temple no longer appeared so gloomy. Prince Donghai stood up and shouted, “What are you waiting for? When I become Emperor, I shall grant everyone here amnesty, and the Shang-guan clan will receive much reward.”

The case-bearing servant-girl did not say a word. Instead, like grabbing a chicken by its neck, she wringed Prince Donghai back onto the round stool.

“Let me go! I am going to become Emperor soon… Ouch!” Prince Donghai did not dare to struggle. He glared at the servant-girl, considering her to first on the to-kill-list once he ascended the throne.

The Grand Consort turned to face the two princes. “Apologies for letting you two experience this. The Emperor is only human, and when family disputes arise, it is not that much different from that of any other common household. Only that more people are implicated. Regardless which of you becomes Emperor, you will have to change all this and restore the dignity of the Imperial family.”

“’Regardless which of you?’” Prince Donghai could not control the confusion and fury in his heart. “Only I am worthy of the throne, Grand Consort, you should be well aware of this. The Cui clan will never agree to let Ruzi become Emperor. Look at his name, his face! Does he even look like an Emperor of Great Chu? What on earth are you Shang-guans trying to do? Plunge the realm into chaos?”

Han Ruzi remained motionless while the Grand Consort smiled at him. She was about to say something when a eunuch guarding the door shouted, “They are attacking!”

Finally, the Grand Consort seemed to have lost some self-assuredness. That she was previously able to hold position within the temple was not because she had sufficient forces, but because the senior officials still held the ancestors of the Han Imperial clan in reverence. Once that taboo was ignored, the Empress Dowager and her would be completely defeated.

The servant-girl who was keeping the princes in check opened the wooden case she had been carrying and drew a short sword from it. She placed the case on the ground, and strode in front of the Grand Consort. Prince Donghai quickly shut his mouth, hoping that the senior officials could be more resolute this time and not repeat the mistakes of Dongqing Gate.

The two rows of eunuchs and servant-girls guarding the door were quickly scattered. Many people seemed to rush through the door, while the servant-girl with the sword sought to stop them alone.

“Put down the sword, it’s me!” Yang Feng stood at the door, his back towards the sunlight. Behind him were five to six followers. This was the second impression that he left Han Ruzi with; a stark contrast to the first, chilly impression.

The servant-girl turned to look at the Grand Consort before drawing back the sword.

Yang Feng moved before the Grand Consort and calmly said. “The deal is done and the edict has been drafted. Once the new Emperor is enthroned, it can be sealed with the imperial seal.”

“What deal?” Prince Donghai asked loudly. But he received no answers.

The Grand Consort let out a deep breath. “We cannot let our guard down. Has the Grand Marshal of the Southern Army handed over his seal of office?”

“It is happening now. Lord Jing is overseeing the matter.”

Prince Donghai was even more confused. “The Grand Marshal of the Southern Army, Cui Hong, is my uncle. Why would he hand over his seal of office?” Again, nobody answered him, but he came to his own conclusions, “I see, I see. The Shang-guan clan wishes to be Grand Marshal of the Southern Army and my uncle has agreed. In exchange, I shall become Emperor!”

Still, no one responded. Han Ruzi raised his head to look at Yang Feng. Even though Mother had told him not to trust anyone, he still felt confidence towards this eunuch. It seemed like something was about to befall him, he thought, and he could not say whether he wished for it to.

Someone else ran into the temple. This time, it was Zuo Ji, his head dripping with sweat. “The senior officials have agreed to compromise and are withdrawing from the Ancestral Temple in an orderly fashion.”

“Thank you, Lord Zuo,” the Grand Consort said. Zuo Ji was full of smiles as he used a handkerchief to wipe away the beads of sweat on his face, a sense of relief palpable from his expressions.

Prince Donghai kept muttering that he was soon to be Emperor. He looked at the sword-wielding servant-girl threateningly but she was totally unafraid, keeping her eyes on her surroundings, maintaining total vigilance.

Around an hour later, just as Prince Donghai was about to lose all patience, Jing Yao had finally arrived. Upon entering the temple, he knelt before the Grand Consort and the two princes. “The Empress Dowager has issued an edict: the new Emperor shall be invested in the Ancestral Temple immediately. May the ancestors bestow their blessings, may the Heavens protect Great Chu.”

“As is commanded,” the Grand Consort intoned formally. She stood a few steps forward, turned, and knelt towards the prince. The sword-wielding servant-girl knelt as well; the sword in her hand was placed on the ground.

“Is this not too casual? There should be a formal ceremony in the future, I am guessing?” Prince Donghai asked.

“May Prince Song pay his respects to the ancestors,” said Yang Feng.

“Who is Prince Song? I am the Prince of Donghai, Han Shu.” Prince Donghai turned his head towards Han Ruzi, and suddenly understood. “Impossible. My mother and uncles would never agree. Jing Yao, you said that I would surely become Emperor. That was the only reason I followed you into the Imperial Palace.”

Jing Yao remained prostrated on the ground and said coldly, “This old servant does not recall ever saying such things.”

The servant-girl quietly came back, dragged Prince Donghai by his arms and forced him to his knees. In the temple, only Han Ruzi remained seated on the round stool, in complete shock.

After a while, Yang Feng moved forward on his knees. He said softly, “Your Majesty, you must pay your worships to the ancestors before you can ascend the throne.”

“I want to let my mother into the palace,” Han Ruzi finally said.

Yang Feng let out a slight smile, and said in an even softer voice, “Now is not the time yet.”

“Then what can I do?”

“What does Your Majesty want to do?” Yang Feng asked.

Han Ruzi looked around him, and pointed at Prince Donghai who was struggling to break free from being forced to his knees. “I want him to say in the palace.”

“As you wish, Your Majesty.”

“I don’t want to stay here! I want to go home!” Prince Donghai cried, his heart filled with hatred towards everyone in the palace.

Han Ruzi sat on the stool, still motionless. Yang Feng turned to look at the Grand Consort. The Grand Consort nodded, and led the way out of the door. Everyone else, including Prince Donghai, withdrew as well. Only Yang Feng remained kneeling before the stool, raising his head to look at the thirteen year-old prince. “Your Majesty, you may speak freely to this old servant.”

Han Ruzi said, “Am I going to be killed?”

Yang Feng was momentarily stunned, and pretended not to understand. “Everyone eventually dies.”

“I said, am I going to be killed.”

Yang Feng could pretend no longer, and awkwardly asked, “Your Majesty… Why would you think such a thing?”

Han Ruzi looked at Prince Donghai at the doorway. “Everyone has their own advantages. My advantage — is that nobody would care if I am killed. Right?”

Yang Feng was astounded. Everyone had the wrong estimation of this prince. This would bring many unexpected variables into the Imperial Court that had only just regained stability — there may even be bloodshed. He now regretted what he had done — he should not have pushed so strongly for Han Ruzi. But as matters stood, he had nothing to fall back on.

“An Emperor would not be killed,” Yang Feng replied. “A true Emperor would not.”

[1] Usually translated as “Ministry of Rites” but I find the word “rites” to be rather inadequate in fully describing the Chinese term li 礼. The words rites or rituals in English imply a single, discrete event. But under Confucian thought, life can be seen as one grand ritual in which everyone has their specific role to play. To act contrary to your role would be “acting against the ritual” or “indecorous”. Decorum is not simply about avoiding some social faux pau, but the governing moral principle of society, and indecorous behavior is seen as a grave wrong.

Note from TZT: Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed the chapter! Please feel free to leave a comment below to support this series.