Chapter Fifty-Three: Favor

At dawn the next day, the faintest light crept across the sky.

“Your Majesty, it is time to rise.”

“What hour is it?”

“It is the fourth hour of the morning.”

“What about the matter I asked you to investigate yesterday?”

“It is here.” Yunxi handed him a thin sheet of paper.

Qi Nanxing scanned the page swiftly, absorbing every line. “Ah, what an interesting thing this is. Help me dress.”

Soon after, the Emperor departed the Phoenix Dance Hall and made his way to the Hall of Administration.

“His Majesty approaches—long live the Emperor!”

“Long live the Emperor, long live the Emperor, may he live for ten thousand years!”

“Rise, gentlemen.”

About an hour passed as the ministers presented their petitions and deliberated over the affairs of the day. The court gradually settled into a hush.

“Is there nothing more any of you wish to say?” the Emperor asked.

The assembly stood silent.

“Very well, in that case, I have a matter to discuss. Is the Grand Censor, Wan Dezhong, present?”

“Your servant is here.”

“Yesterday, I received a report that the Grand Censor recently welcomed a new concubine into his household, is that so?”

Wan, the Grand Censor, began to sweat. “Your servant…”

“I also heard that this new concubine is but twelve years old, that her parents were unwilling, and that you beat the entire family so severely they remain bedridden. Furthermore, you intercepted all their letters of complaint to the authorities.”

“Your servant…”

“I hear your eldest granddaughter just came of age last month. As the ancients said: ‘To be consumed by base desires and ignore proper human relations is to be no better than a beast.’ Grand Censor, you cannot even spare a girl younger than your own granddaughter—how are you any different from a beast?”

“Your servant is guilty.”

“As a subject, you fail to ease your lord’s burdens; as Censor, you fail to speak for the people. As a human being, you disregard all morality. With such disloyalty, such unrighteousness, with no respect for the throne, what right do you have to stand here and speak for the people? Prepare a decree: Wan Dezhong, Chief Censor, is found lacking in private virtue, contemptuous of imperial authority—he is to receive thirty strokes and is demoted to commoner status. All his affairs will be temporarily administered by the Deputy Censor. The Ministry of Revenue is to recommend a suitable replacement at once.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Each and every one of you, listen well. You are paid by the imperial house, sustained by the labor of the common people. If you spend your days thinking neither of easing your lord’s worries nor of bringing fortune to the people, and instead set your eyes on meddling in my private affairs, then you will share Wan Dezhong’s fate.”

“We dare not, Your Majesty. Please set aside your anger.”

“Court is dismissed.”

“Court is dismissed. We respectfully escort Your Majesty.”

The ministers filed out, one after another, into the central courtyard and then down the side alleys.

“My lord, my lord, please wait a moment.”

Wen Jiangyue paused, a trace of impatience flickering across his face before he concealed it, raising his gaze with a courteous smile.

“Lord Ren, what is it?”

“My lord, about Lord Wan…”

“Lord Wan’s misconduct and offense to His Majesty—he deserves his punishment.”

“But…” The memorial that angered His Majesty came at your instigation.

“His Majesty is, after all, the Emperor. Both wrath and favor are but expressions of imperial grace. Still, His Majesty has only one heir—no matter what slights he endures now, in the future…”

“What do you mean?”

“There are many ears around us. Let’s leave it at that. Lord Ren, as colleagues in court, you are always welcome to visit my residence.”

“Thank you for your invitation, my lord. I will be sure to come.”

Palace of Supreme Purity.

“Your Majesty, there is news from Shadow One.”

“When did it arrive? Bring it to me quickly.”

“Yes.” Yunxi handed him a letter.

“The person has been found. The situation is complicated and requires a private audience to explain in detail.”

“Found… found at last! Send word to Shadow One: at noon, invite the Grand Tutor to meet at Tianzi Number One.”

Chang’an Street. At dawn, Banxia had already prepared sweet osmanthus rice dumplings and cabbage dumplings.

Seeing the Headmaster and Mr. Chuan coming down from upstairs, she called out, “Master, Uncle, you’re up. Would you like dumplings or rice balls?”

“A little of both, please. Has Gansui woken up?”

“He and Anzi are outside in the courtyard, exercising.”

“I’ll go have a look, then. Call me when breakfast is ready.”

The Headmaster and Mr. Chuan stepped into the courtyard, where Gansui was teaching Anzi Tai Chi.

Bundled in thick winter clothes, Anzi, with his stubby arms and legs, looked like a cotton ball rolling about as he practiced. His serious expression only heightened his adorable earnestness, leaving both teachers thoroughly charmed. They watched the two practice with delight, until Banxia called out, “Breakfast is ready!”

Anzi’s eyes brightened, but he did not stop; he followed Gansui through the closing moves before heading inside. As he passed the Headmaster and Mr. Chuan, he muttered softly, “Bad men.”

Ah, so he disliked them now. The two stood awkwardly to the side.

“Anzi, that’s rude,” Banxia chided gently, then turned to the teachers. “Please don’t mind him, Master. He’s still young and doesn’t know better.”

Anzi sat down. “Sister, I want rice balls.”

“You may have just two, all right? You’re starting to lose your baby teeth, and if you eat too many sweets, your teeth will get cavities and won’t look nice.”

“All right. Then I want four dumplings.”

“Very well.” Banxia served him, then addressed the teachers, “This osmanthus sugar is homemade, from the flowers we gathered in the garden last year. Please try it and see if you like the flavor. If you do, you can take some to brew with your tea.”

“It’s wonderful—the osmanthus scent is rich.”

“If you like, Master, I’ll pack some for you. What would you like for lunch? I’ll cook it for you.”

“Mr. Chuan and I will visit a friend together. We won’t be back for lunch, so don’t worry about us.”

“All right, then. Please take care while you’re out.”

After breakfast, the Headmaster and Mr. Chuan retired indoors. Soon, a man in black arrived. “The master requests your presence at Tianzi Number One at noon.”

“Understood.”

The man in black vanished instantly.

“I knew it—he can never keep his composure when it comes to this matter. All my teaching was in vain,” the Headmaster grumbled.

“You can’t blame him. The bond between father and son is only natural. Let’s prepare—this won’t be an easy meeting.”

The two left the house.

“Master and Uncle have gone out,” Banxia observed, glancing at Gansui, who was reading. “Are you sure they’ve gone to see Anzi’s father?”

“Almost certainly. When they return, we’ll know what to do next.”

“What if they try to take him by force? Should we start packing?”

“Anyone who can command both our masters must be someone formidable. We couldn’t escape even if we tried. For now, let’s wait and see. Trust me—their intentions seem to be on our side.”

Banxia’s heart was anxious, but she dared not show it. She busied herself with chores to keep her mind from wandering.

Meanwhile, the Headmaster and Mr. Chuan, after leaving the house, were met in a narrow alley and led through a discreet rear entrance. Once inside, the residence opened up, and after the time it would take for a stick of incense to burn, they reached the so-called Tianzi Number One Room.

“You are early, would you like some tea?”

“A pot of Biluochun, please.”

As the servants brought the tea, the two sat and sipped, gradually calming their nerves. Before long, their host arrived.

Qi Nanxing strode in quickly, unaccompanied, reaching them in a few steps.

They rose to bow, but he stopped them. “No need for such formality, teachers. Over the years, I have relied so much on your help beyond the palace, and my conscience is truly uneasy.”

“Your Majesty, you flatter us.”

“Let us not dwell on that. Where is the child? Is he well?”

“We have found him, but there are many hidden circumstances. Please allow us to explain in detail.”

Years of events were recounted in just a few words, and in the time it took to finish a cup of tea, the cause and effect were laid out plainly.

Qi Nanxing was silent for a long time before murmuring, “That is truly what the child said?” That he did not want this father.

“The child is still young and cannot understand the many pains Your Majesty has endured. But precisely because he is young, to forcibly separate him from his current family would only provoke resistance. Furthermore, the situation remains precarious. Therefore, I urge Your Majesty to let the child remain outside the palace for now. When the time is right, you can acknowledge him openly.”

“He has every right to resent me. I failed to protect his mother and him. It is all my fault…”

“Your Majesty… please take care of yourself. Someday, the child will understand.”

“May I see him?”

“This…”

“I just wish to look from afar…”

“Very well.”

They made their way to Chang’an Street, remaining inside the carriage. As Mr. Chuan was about to fetch Anzi from the house, the boy came out on his own, holding a small rattan ball and kicking it about. By chance, the ball struck the carriage curtain just as Qi Nanxing was lifting it. The Headmaster and Mr. Chuan prepared to step out, but Qi Nanxing stopped them and alighted himself.

“Little friend, your ball.”

“Thank you, Uncle.” Anzi reached for the ball, noticing the redness on Qi Nanxing’s hand.

“Uncle, did the ball hit your hand just now?”

When the ball had struck the curtain, Qi Nanxing’s hand was in its path.

“Does it hurt? I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.”

“It’s all right. Grown-ups like me don’t feel pain. Is your name Anzi?”

“Yes, that’s my nickname. Grandfather said my mother gave it to me. She hoped I would always be safe and sound.”

“Safe and sound…” Qi Nanxing was stunned. Her wish was so simple, yet he had failed to fulfill it—bringing only danger to the child.

“Anzi, where are you?” a voice called.

“Sister, I’m here.” Anzi replied.

Soon, a young woman emerged. Anzi ran toward her.

“What were you doing outside?”

“I was playing ball and accidentally kicked it onto the carriage. This uncle picked it up for me.”

Banxia now looked at Qi Nanxing—sharp brows, cold eyes, a bearing both noble and tinged with sadness. She paid him little mind, taking him for a passerby.

“Did you thank the uncle?”

“Yes, I did.”

“Good boy. The wind is strong. We should go inside. Say goodbye to the uncle.”

“Goodbye, Uncle.”

“Goodbye.”

Banxia carried Anzi inside, and Qi Nanxing heard the boy say, “Sister, I miss Little Zhuzi.”

“Then you can write him a letter later, all right?”

“And I want to send him some of yesterday’s pastries—he loves sweets…”

The door closed, and all sound vanished. Qi Nanxing lingered for a moment longer before returning to the carriage.

The horse’s hooves rang out on the stone road, and soon they were back at the residence. Once inside, Qi Nanxing bowed deeply.

“I wish to eradicate the Wen family’s influence. I beg for your help, Master.”

“Your Majesty, how can we—” The two rushed to help him up.

“I ask not as Emperor, but as your student. All my life I have been at the mercy of others—it cost my wife her life, left my child lost and wandering. I cannot let my son suffer as I did. Please, help me. As your student, I implore you.”

“Since Your Majesty requests it, we will risk these old bones to clear a smooth path for Anzi.”

“Thank you, teacher.”

When the Headmaster and Mr. Chuan returned, it was already dusk. Banxia greeted them at the door.

The Headmaster gave her a reassuring look. “Take good care of the child.”

Banxia wanted to say more, but the Headmaster raised a hand to stop her. “Sometimes, knowing less is a blessing. The rest, we’ll discuss with Gansui.”

Banxia did not press further. She pretended as if nothing at all had occurred. Thankfully, Heaven still showed its favor.