Chapter Eighty-Nine: The Dispute

After the court assembly, Gan Sui naturally set out upon the path of a teacher and mentor. A separate three-story building had been set aside for the princes’ studies. The ground floor served as a lecture hall, while the upper floors were arranged like a library. When Gan Sui first took office as Imperial Tutor, he was in fact responsible only for cultural instruction; but the princes were expected to have some acquaintance with ritual, music, archery, charioteering, calligraphy, and arithmetic, so nearly all of his lessons were concentrated in the morning. Empress Qinan, believing that talent must never be wasted for even an instant, had also issued an edict during the morning audience appointing Gan Sui to the Cabinet, where he was charged with drafting imperial decrees, making him rather like a modern secretary. Gan Sui did not much like the post. He preferred practical work, while such wordsmithing always struck him as somewhat less sincere. Yet a man of little rank had little voice, and he could only accept it.

On the first day of class, the difference between the two children was plain. An Zi had begun his education earlier and was very clever; by now he could independently read memorials concerning current affairs and write down his own views. Qi Zhaiyuan, however, was still studying the Analects. The boy was a little slow at memorizing things, but fortunately he was quiet, and whatever was given to him he could learn diligently on his own. Gan Sui thought to himself that since the two children had different abilities, they certainly could not be taught the same things. He tailored his instruction to each of them. Happily, there were only two students, so even one-on-one teaching was enough to complete the task.

Thus the newly minted Teacher Gan, after finishing his first lesson, felt rather pleased with himself and left the palace with his books tucked happily under his arm. Han Shui’s carriage was waiting some distance from the palace gates, and Gan Sui climbed aboard and began eating his lunch. In ancient times there were such things as work meals, but only high officials at the level of chancellor could enjoy them; someone like Gan Sui could only have meals sent from home or eat out. Han Shui had calculated the time and gone home to bring the meal over. Gan Sui sat in the carriage eating while keeping an eye on the curtain lest the wind blow it open. One must know that if anyone saw him in his official robes eating in the street, an observant censor could immediately impeach him for disorderly dress and appearance.

After lunch, Gan Sui returned to the palace and went eastward, to the Cabinet offices in the Hall of Literary Treasure. Heavy troops stood guard before the hall, and above the doors hung an imperial decree: “This is a place of utmost secrecy. No official or idle person may enter without permission. Offenders shall be punished without mercy.” This was the political heart of the nation, where matters of war, succession, appointment, conscription, taxation relief, and all the great affairs of state were handled. One could say that every tiny decision made here affected the operation of the entire realm. Even outside the doors, one could feel the severity within.

When Gan Sui arrived at the entrance, the guards immediately stepped forward to inspect him. The examination felt much like the imperial examinations of old; he was searched carefully from head to toe, and only after his appointment papers were matched and verified was he allowed inside.

The moment Gan Sui entered, someone called out, “Eunuch Wan...”

“Lord Gan, welcome. The Cabinet is not like other places; it is especially busy. Since this is your first day, His Majesty specially ordered me to wait here and bring you around so you can become acquainted with the people here.”

“Thank you, Eunuch.”

For a newcomer on the first day, not knowing any colleagues and trying hard to fit into a new environment, having a familiar face to guide him was truly a stroke of fortune.

Eunuch Wan came here often. Many of the drafts prepared by the Cabinet were delivered to the emperor through him. He led Gan Sui onward and introduced him to many of the people in the Hall of Literary Treasure along the way. At last they reached the innermost area, where the Cabinet’s chief minister, the current Grand Councillor Chu Feng, held court.

This Grand Councillor was famed for his skill at smoothing things over; his guiding principle in office was not to seek merit, only to avoid fault. When Scholar Chuan stepped down as Grand Councillor, the emperor could not immediately find a suitable replacement, and the Wen family also wanted to insert their own man. After all the maneuvering, this lazy official was elevated straight to the post of Grand Councillor.

When Eunuch Wan brought Gan Sui in, the Grand Councillor was drinking tea. Seeing them enter, he said, “Eunuch Wan, what brings you here? Come, have some tea. The finest spring tea, first pick, just bestowed by His Majesty yesterday.”

“You drink it. I am here on orders to bring Grand Tutor Gan over and must soon return to report. This is the princes’ teacher, Gan Sui, Grand Tutor Gan. His Majesty’s intention is for him to take a post here as well, so I brought him to see the place.”

“Since he is personally chosen by the emperor, he is naturally no ordinary man. Just happens that we are short one scholarly secretary on that side. Grand Tutor Gan has the talent of a top scholar, so he is surely well suited.”

“Please arrange it as you see fit. I must go and report back to His Majesty now.” Eunuch Wan was not idle either; if the emperor needed someone and could not find him, that would certainly be improper. He hurried away.

The Grand Councillor explained the workings of the office to Gan Sui, then assigned another scholar to work with him. Half the day passed in a rush. Gan Sui rubbed his aching neck and, stepping into the cold wind, left through the palace gates.

When he returned home, Banxia and the two children were playing hide-and-seek. Yu Huai was truly adorably foolish, holding up a leaf no larger than his palm to cover his face and thinking no one could see him. Banxia still had to play along, asking anxiously, “Where has our Yu Huai gone? I can’t see him...”

Then Yu Huai burst into delighted giggles, and Banxia rushed over, scooping him up. “Caught the little chubby baby.” She even tickled him, and Yu Huai laughed like a tiny fool. Liuguang had only just recovered, so he stood nearby watching them play, grinning with a similarly foolish expression. Yu Huai’s wet nurse watched from the side with concern. “Madam, you really must not play so wildly. The young master will have trouble sleeping at night.”

Gan Sui walked over, picked up his foolish son, who was laughing so hard tears were nearly falling, and gently tapped Banxia on the forehead with a bent finger. “You’re a mother now, and still acting like a child.”

“It’s fun when we’re playing. How was your first day at work? Did anyone give you a hard time? Or say things like the new one has to be bullied first...”

“You’re overthinking it. This morning I only saw An Zi and his younger brother. As for the afternoon, everyone was too busy to pay attention to me. I’m starving. What’s for dinner?”

“There’s the sour bamboo shoot chicken soup you like, along with stir-fried baby bok choy, salt-baked ribs... Suddenly I’m hungry too. Come, come, come, let’s go.” Thus the household was warm and cheerful, entirely unaware that the palace had once again been thrown into an uproar that day.

At midday, Consort Wen still came, reluctantly as ever, for her routine visit to see her son. Coincidentally, An Zi was doing his homework. This was the first time Consort Wen had ever seen her son studying, and when she saw that he was still learning the Analects, she was immediately enraged. She herself had finished this very book by the age of five. And yet her son, a prince, was not studying the principles of governance, only those old pedantic phrases about ritual and propriety. This was clearly the beginning of the end.

She called over the little eunuch attending Qi Zhaiyuan. “What is the crown prince’s course of study?”

The little eunuch was literate and immediately replied, “The crown prince is studying the Chronicle of Former Dynasties and writing an essay.”

“Good, very good. His Majesty is far too biased. That woman’s son studies the essentials of statecraft, while my son studies the Analects. What is that supposed to mean? It is plainly meant to ruin my son and pave the way for that woman’s son. No! I must go speak to His Majesty.”

“Your Ladyship, perhaps we should wait until the matron returns!” The little palace maid beside her, through repeated bloody lessons, knew all too well that this consort’s fighting strength was utterly pathetic. If she stormed over in a rage and something went wrong, the ones who would suffer in the end would be the attendants.

“What are you afraid of? We are the ones in the right. That matron is busy every day; must she handle every little matter for this palace? Come, to the Purple Celestial Hall.” She casually took the child’s schoolwork and led him by the hand. Qi Zhaiyuan, absorbed in his homework, was tugged along by his own mother and walked out of the hall in a daze.

The Hall of Arbor Trees was very close to the Purple Celestial Hall, and by the time Consort Wen arrived, An Zi had just finished sword practice and was drinking water in the hall.

“Your Majesty, Consort Wen requests an audience.”

“What does she want now? Forget it, let her in. Save us from more endless fuss.”

Consort Wen came in with aggressive momentum. An Zi bowed. “Greetings, Your Ladyship.”

Consort Wen gave him a sideways glance and went straight before the emperor. “Your Majesty is far too biased.”

“And what do you mean by that?”

“Take a look at Yuanyuan’s schoolwork today.”

Qi Nancheng took it and glanced over. “Yuanyuan’s handwriting has become much more regular lately. Very good.”

Although he disliked Consort Wen, Qi Zhaiyuan was innocent, and Qi Nancheng could not bring himself to harm a child.

Qi Zhaiyuan was used to seeing this father praise his older brother in the Hall of Arbor Trees. Today, the object of praise had become himself, and the boy blushed so deeply that he lowered his head with a shy smile.

But Consort Wen’s sharp voice sounded again. “Your Majesty, this is not what I meant for you to see. Look at the homework that this tutor assigned Yuanyuan today. It is only to memorize the Analects. But the assignment given to the eldest prince concerns state affairs. Both are princes, yet this tutor teaches them differently. If one investigates his motives, it is plainly to sow discord and destroy the brotherly bond between the princes.”

“Your Ladyship’s words are mistaken. My second brother and I are already of different ages, so naturally our studies are different as well. If one insists on making everything the same, what is that but forcing one’s feet into another’s shoes? Your Ladyship’s affection for my second brother is, of course, understood, but the Imperial Tutor teaches with utmost diligence. There is no reason to make such careless accusations.”

“The eldest prince certainly has an air of authority. By reason, I am your elder, and you are shouting at me like this—where is your manners?”

“And does Consort shouting and yelling before me count as having manners?”

“Your Majesty...”

“The tutor would not have the boldness to arrange the princes’ studies as he pleased; all of this is my intention. I can answer every one of your grievances. Children’s studies must depend on their aptitude. If a child cannot even recognize characters, and you insist on forcing him to write essays, how is that different from yanking up seedlings to help them grow?”

“You mean to say the Second Prince has no talent?”

“Whether the Second Prince has talent or not, does Consort truly not know? There is no need for such concern. Even if he learns nothing at all, he can still live a safe and prosperous life as a leisurely prince in the future.”

“You mean to hand your throne to that boy? Is he worthy? A wild child who was once lost among the common folk...”

“Presumptuous! This is my realm, and I shall give it to whomever I please. Has Consort forgotten that women of the harem may not interfere in state affairs?” As Qi Nancheng’s anger surged, a wave of dizziness suddenly seized him. Yet he forced himself to continue. “Go back. I do not wish to speak with you any longer.”

“Your Majesty...”

“Withdraw.”

“Yes.” Consort Wen left with the child.

Qi Nancheng suddenly collapsed. An Zi hurried over to support him. “Father, Father, what is wrong? Call the imperial physicians! Call them!”

Only after Consort Wen had nearly reached the outer hall did she hear An Zi’s voice. She turned back and hurried inside. Soon the imperial physicians arrived.

After each had taken his pulse, An Zi asked, “How is Father?”

“He has been overcome by sudden anger, and his spirit has been thrown into confusion. If I prepare a prescription to calm the mind, there should be no major issue. However, His Majesty’s vitality has been greatly depleted of late, so we should consider his recuperation more carefully.”

“Then why are you not hurrying to prepare the prescription?”

“Yes.”

“Your Majesty...” Consort Wen still edged closer.

“Your Ladyship, His Majesty’s decree is for you to return to your palace. Do you intend to defy it?” said An Zi from the side.

“This palace only meant to show concern...”

“Your Ladyship should return.”

“ Hmph.” With a sweep of her sleeves, Consort Wen departed in anger.