PC Chapter 51

Wu Chiha and the other big men spoke clumsily, but they were quick in their actions. By the time Su Cen arrived at Danfeng Gate, the man with the red face was already waiting at the entrance in official attire, and the bearded man had dragged Zheng Yang over. Whether it was due to a lack of explanation or just a failure to communicate, Zheng Yang looked helpless, his eyes nearly rolling back into his head.

Seeing Su Cen, Zheng Yang’s eyes lit up. “Oh, Brother Su, you’ve been dragged here too? I finally got a day off, and my uncle won’t let me have any peace. I was supposed to play chess with Zhang Hanlin this afternoon… What’s with your outfit? Did they rough you up?”

He turned to Wu Chiha, hands on his hips, “What’s going on here? Do you know who this is? He stole my title as the champion! I wanted to find someone to beat him up, but my uncle scolded me for half a day. If my uncle finds out you treated him like this, you’ll probably end up back in the Northern Desert herding sheep.”

Su Cen: “…”

Wu Chiha grew anxious and hurriedly waved his hands, stammering, “N-no… it’s not like that. He did it himself… it’s not me…”

Zheng Yang laughed heartily and said to Su Cen, “Don’t let their scary looks fool you; they’re actually quite amusing.”

Knowing that a proper explanation wouldn’t come easy, Su Cen didn’t waste time on details. While putting on the official robe, he said, “I have urgent business in the palace, but given my status, I probably can’t even get through the palace gates without your help.”

“What’s going on?” Zheng Yang frowned and glanced at Su Cen. Seeing the serious expression on Su Cen’s face, he nodded, “Let me show you the quickest way to enter the palace.”

When they reached the palace gates, sure enough, the guards blocked their way. Upon seeing Zheng Yang, they respectfully bowed. After Zheng Yang stated their intention, the guards replied that they needed to announce them first and would only let them in once the Emperor issued an order.

Zheng Yang narrowed his eyes and stepped forward: “Do you know who I am?”

The guard took a step back and awkwardly replied, “Your Highness, I’m just a servant. Please don’t make things difficult for me.”

“Good, at least you’re sensible,” Zheng Yang said, unfazed, and pulled Su Cen forward another step. “But do you know who my father is?”

The guard: “…”

“And do you know who my mother is?”

The guard: “…………”

“Do you know who my uncle is?”

The guard: “………………”

“Do you know who my aunt is…” He glanced at Su Cen, “Let’s skip that one for now.”

The guard: “……………………”

In the midst of their conversation, the two guards had been forced back inside, and Zheng Yang smiled at them, “Thank you.”

He turned and swaggered into the palace with Su Cen.

“That was quick, right?” Zheng Yang raised an eyebrow at Su Cen.

“Quick…” Su Cen nodded. “But when I ran into you here regarding the case of the new Scholar, why didn’t you take me in?”

Not only was he not taken inside, but he was also sent to find Li Shi, making it clear that once he entered, it would be as deep as the sea.

“…” Zheng Yang looked up at the sky and cleared his throat. “Well… At this hour, the young Emperor should be in his bedroom. Let me take you there…”

After passing through Chongming Gate, they entered the inner court. Su Cen spotted someone coming out from inside and, as they approached, all three of them stopped in their tracks.

“Cui Hao?” Zheng Yang frowned. “What are you doing here?”

“What about you?” Cui Hao clutched the documents tightly in his arms, fearing that the two might see through and spy on the secrets within. He cautiously glanced at Su Cen. “What brings you here?”

Zheng Yang narrowed his eyes and scanned Cui Hao from head to toe. “Is there something that can’t be discussed in court? Why come sneaking around after the court? Planning something unspeakable, are we?”

Cui Hao shot back immediately, “How can you say that? Don’t tell me you’re just here for a chat with the Emperor.”

The two had already been at odds over their respective positions as the second place in the imperial examination, and after siding with different factions, their rivalry had grown fierce. Now that they had crossed paths again, it was likely their tongues would have a bit of a duel as well.

Su Cen frowned and tugged at Zheng Yang’s sleeve, reminding him that business was at hand.

Zheng Yang rolled up his sleeves: “Don’t block the way; I have important matters to attend to.”

Cui Hao sneered, “What important matters could you possibly have?”

Su Cen sighed and walked around the two of them, heading straight forward.

Zheng Yang shot a glare at Cui Hao and promptly followed after Su Cen.

Cui Hao stood there in surprise. It seemed these two indeed had something going on, so following them would be in line with the principle of knowing oneself and your foes.

As they walked, Zheng Yang frowned and asked, “Why are you following us?”

“I remembered I have something to report as well; what’s it to you?”

“Stop tagging along and making a fuss.”

“Are you feeling guilty about something?”

The two continued their argument all the way to the Zichan Hall. The eunuch on duty outside reported that Empress Dowager Chu had come to visit His Majesty, and they would have to wait until she came out after seeing the young Emperor.

Zheng Yang’s tactics worked well at the palace gates, but here they were ineffective. After all, these were eunuchs, not guards; no matter how illustrious your ancestors were, they only served the young Emperor and had no fear of potential complaints or retribution.

As the mother and son conversed casually, they could talk for who knows how long. Su Cen couldn’t wait any longer; gritting his teeth, he was about to barge in when he heard someone clear their throat and say, “What’s all this noise about? What kind of behavior is this?”

A eunuch stepped out and glanced around at everyone. When he spotted Su Cen, his eyes brightened, and with a smile, he approached. “Oh, Lord Su, you’re here! What brings you?”

Su Cen felt puzzled by the flattery but replied, “I have urgent business to report to the Emperor; I would appreciate it if you could notify him.”

The eunuch hesitated for a moment but eventually nodded. “Lord Su, please wait here. I will go and inform His Majesty right away.”

Once the eunuch went inside, Su Cen looked at Zheng Yang and asked, “Does he recognize me?”

Zheng Yang replied, “Brother Su, have you forgotten? This is the eunuch whom my uncle almost had beaten to death during the morning court. You saved him back then.”

Su Cen frowned, thinking for a moment before recalling, “Wasn’t he demoted to the Internal Service Bureau?”

Cui Hao, standing nearby, sneered, “He only spent two days there before being summoned back. As long as he has the Emperor’s favor, he’ll continue to flaunt his power.”

At that moment, the eunuch returned and flashed Su Cen a smug smile. “Lord Su, please go in. The Emperor wants to see you.”

No matter the man’s character, he had helped, so Su Cen returned the smile with genuine gratitude. “Thank you.”

Inside the hall, the young Emperor was sipping a bowl of peach gum dessert soup, fully engrossed. Empress Dowager Chu was still seated beside him.

Su Cen wasted no time on pleasantries. After a brief greetings, he declared, “Xiao Yan, the King of Northern Liang, has colluded with the Turks. He has ambushed Prince Ning and his forces in the dense forests outside the city. I implore the Emperor to deploy troops immediately to rescue him.”

Everyone was stunned.

The young Emperor choked on his peach gum and only remembered to cough after a long pause.

The eunuchs and palace maids immediately rushed over, some patting his back, others trying to soothe him. It was utter chaos.

Empress Dowager Chu’s brows knitted together, her delicate face displaying a trace of anger. “How dare you! To speak so recklessly before the Emperor and alarm His Majesty! Guards!”

Su Cen took out a ink black jade ring from his pocket and stood tall. “Everything I said is true. This is the Prince’s token as proof.”

Zheng Yang snapped out of his shock. “You mean to say my uncle is in the hands of the rebels?!”

Seeing the ring, Empress Dowager Chu’s expression finally betrayed a hint of panic. Everyone knew that Prince Ning kept this ring on him at all times. If it was here now, something must have gone terribly wrong.

The Empress Dowager’s slender fingers twisted together as she hesitated for a moment, then abruptly stood up, her sleeves flowing. “Quickly! Summon the Imperial Guard, secure the palace, and seal the city gates!”

Everyone was taken aback.

Su Cen leaped forward. “But what about the Prince?!”

“Of course, His Majesty’s safety is the priority!” Empress Dowager Chu’s almond eyes flashed as she shot Su Cen a fierce glare. She began pacing back and forth. For all the fierce battles she’d waged in court with Li Shi, she was, after all, still a woman who had spent her life enjoying the high life in Chang’an and had never faced a situation like this.

After a brief pause, she instructed the eunuch at the door, “Immediately summon the Commander of the Imperial Guard… and Minister Liu, bring Liu Cheng here as well!”

“We cannot abandon the Prince’s safety!” Su Cen took a step forward. “The Prince is the lifeblood of Da Zhou. If something happens to him, Da Zhou is finished!”

“Impudent!” Empress Dowager Chu’s shrill voice sliced through the hall, “His Majesty is the lifeblood of Da Zhou! Guards, seize this traitor!”

Su Cen could no longer worry about propriety. He pushed away the two eunuchs attempting to restrain him and retorted, “If anything happens to the Prince, who will keep the regional lords in check? Who will quell unrest at the borders? Who will uncover the hidden threats inside and outside the palace? Who will protect you all—an orphaned Emperor and a widow?! Your Majesty!”

The young Emperor finally coughed up the peach gum and gestured for the two eunuchs to step back. He looked cautiously at Empress Dowager Chu. “Mother, I think he has a point.”

Zheng Yang quickly knelt down. “Please reconsider, Your Highness. My uncle is the backbone of this nation; we cannot afford to lose him!”

At last, Empress Dowager Chu’s expression wavered, and she bit her lip in hesitation. “What does he want? I could send someone to negotiate.”

Feminine weakness!

Su Cen responded coldly, “And what if what he wants is the entire Longyou Road?”

Empress Dowager Chu froze, paralyzed. Even she understood the importance of Longyou Circuit. Losing it would mean losing the last line of defense protecting the capital. If the Turks or Tubo invaded, there would be nothing left to stop them.

Empress Dowager Chu stepped back and collapsed into her chair. “I… I need to consult with Minister Liu. Where is Liu Cheng?! Why isn’t he here yet?”

“There’s no time,” Su Cen said, looking at the young Emperor. “Please, Your Majesty, issue the order to send reinforcements for Prince Ning immediately.”

“This…” The young Emperor looked to Empress Dowager Chu. “Mother, what should I do?”

Empress Dowager Chu glanced at everyone in the hall: Su Cen with bloodshot eyes, Zheng Yang still kneeling, and one more person who hadn’t spoken at all.

Suddenly, a light appeared in her eyes as she pointed to Cui Hao. “You, you’re the one…”

Cui Hao immediately bowed. “Your humble servant, Cui Hao.”

“I remember you. You’re one of Minister Liu’s people. Tell me, what should we do?”

Cui Hao quietly looked around, finally fixing his gaze on Zheng Yang with a meaningful squint.

Zheng Yang felt a chill. Everyone knew that he and Cui Hao were not on good terms. If Cui Hao decided to retaliate now, the consequences could be dire. He blurted, “Cui Hao, you—”

But before he could finish, Cui Hao looked away and turned to Empress Dowager Chu. “I believe we should prioritize the greater good and dispatch troops to rescue Prince Ning.”

Empress Dowager Chu, clinging to her last bit of hope, struggled. “But if something happens to the Emperor…”

Su Cen knelt down. “I swear on my life to protect His Majesty. As long as I draw breath, I will not allow the rebels to enter the city!”

Cui Hao knelt as well, and he and Zheng Yang declared in unison, “We swear on our lives to protect His Majesty.”

Empress Dowager Chu leaned her forehead into her hand, gazing at the three men kneeling before her. The top three new scholars of the year’s imperial examination, who had never spoken with one voice since their ascension, now stood united—and all of them were siding with the Prince who sought to usurp the throne.

She waved her hand and said to the young Emperor, “You are the Emperor. Your royal uncle has taught you to have your own judgment in all matters. Make the decision yourself.”

The young Emperor nodded, straightened his posture, and declared with a serious tone, “I hereby order the Commander of the Imperial Guards, Xie Chun, to prepare the troops and collaborate with Dali Temple official Su Cen  to eliminate the rebels and reinforce Prince Ning.”

 

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