Chapter One: No One Takes the Emperor Seriously

After ascending the throne, there were countless troubles, and it was not until evening that Zhu Youxiao finally returned to the Palace of Heavenly Purity. Lady Ke was still waiting for him inside, though Lady Li and Princess Ti-ti were nowhere to be found. Among the palace attendants, not only Li Jinzhong but also the familiar maids and eunuchs—Chun Tao, Little Li, Little Deng—had all disappeared, replaced by unfamiliar faces. Startled, Zhu Youxiao asked about them, and Lady Ke bowed her head and replied, “Eunuch Wang has imprisoned Li Jinzhong and the others, accusing them of stealing treasures from the palace. The rest were punished for failing to properly care for Your Majesty and have been sent to the Laundry Bureau. Eunuch Wang also said that I must leave the palace tomorrow.”

Zhu Youxiao was furious. He had explicitly ordered that Li Jinzhong not be blamed, and that old dog had agreed, only to ignore him completely. He had no idea what had happened to Lady Li or Princess Ti-ti. He summoned a nearby young eunuch and asked, “What is your name?”

“Your Majesty, this servant is Wang Cheng’en.”

He recognized the name—it was the eunuch who would one day accompany Emperor Chongzhen in his final moments. Surely Wang Cheng’en was loyal to the royal family. Zhu Youxiao said, “Go to the Hall of Benevolent Longevity and check on Lady Li and the princess, then report back to me.”

“Your Majesty, Eunuch Wang has ordered that during these extraordinary times, servants are not permitted to wander the palace. Anyone caught will be beaten to death.” Wang Cheng’en hesitated. He knew the emperor’s authority was supreme, but the power of the current overseer was formidable; if Wang wanted him dead, the emperor might never know. Yet, this was a chance.

“Oh? You dare not obey my orders? Take my jade token—let’s see who dares to stop you.”

Wang Cheng’en was overjoyed, took the token, and left with two young eunuchs. Zhu Youxiao asked Lady Ke, “Why does he want you to leave the palace?”

She bowed her head and replied, “He said Your Majesty is now grown, and it is inappropriate for me to stay.”

Yesterday he said I was young, today he says I am grown—how quickly I’ve matured. That old dog is the chief eunuch of the Secretariat. Tomorrow, I’ll replace him and see how arrogant he remains.

Soon, Wang Cheng’en returned and reported that he had found Lady Li and Princess Le’an in the Hall of Benevolent Longevity. Their situation was pitiful: sharing a single candle and a bed, both in tears. Zhu Youxiao ordered him to summon Wang An. Nearly an hour passed before Wang Cheng’en returned, saying Wang An had replied that it was late, and His Majesty should rest; he dared not disturb him and would apologize the next day.

Zhu Youxiao understood. Though he was now emperor, in Wang An’s eyes, his authority meant little. His audacity was astounding—did he not know the emperor could dismiss him at any moment?

The next morning, at court, the ministers knelt in dark rows before him. Zhu Youxiao wondered how many were truly loyal and how many disregarded him altogether. The officials presented memorials on mourning the late emperor and conferring titles on the empress dowager. Then, Wei Yingjia, the Left Censor of the Ministry of Justice, impeached Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe for mishandling Li Kezhuo’s prescription. Censor Zheng Zongzhou accused Lady Li of spreading her influence and plotting treachery. When these matters were settled, Zhu Youxiao announced, “Recently, the eunuch Wang An has acted unlawfully. I intend to dismiss him from his post as chief eunuch. Do any of you wish to speak?”

Yang Lian stepped forward first: “Though Wang An is a eunuch, he has always been loyal and righteous, serving the palace for many years and contributing greatly to the late emperor’s accession. The late emperor often praised him. Your Majesty is young; perhaps there is some misunderstanding.”

He did not even ask what Wang An’s offenses were, instead suggesting the emperor was too inexperienced to distinguish loyalty from treachery.

Fang Congzhe at least inquired about Wang An’s wrongdoing. Zhu Youxiao recounted Lady Li’s treatment. Yang Lian (again) stepped forward: “The other day, I discussed with Wang An and others. Lady Li’s intentions are suspect; she deserved some punishment, hence what transpired.” Zhou Jiamo and Zuo Guangdou agreed, saying Lady Li deserved no leniency. If not for the late emperor’s memory, mother and daughter would have been expelled from the palace.

No one mentioned dismissing Wang An; instead, they collectively condemned Lady Li and praised Wang An’s actions. Fang Congzhe did not join the chorus and remained silent—how lonely the chief minister looked, and Zhu Youxiao felt a kinship in misery.

Thus, the emperor’s proposal was dismissed. Zhu Youxiao, seething, returned to the inner palace. He ordered Wang Cheng’en to summon Wang An, who this time appeared, wearing a smile that Zhu Youxiao found particularly hateful. He knelt perfunctorily and said, “What orders does Your Majesty have for your humble servant?” Clearly, he already knew the emperor’s attempt had failed.

“Here is my decree: Lady Li is to have full provisions, Lady Ke is not to leave the palace, and bring Li Jinzhong before me.”

“Your Majesty’s word is law; how could I disobey? But Li Jinzhong has already been imprisoned for theft, and I cannot bring him out. I beg Your Majesty’s understanding.”

Zhu Youxiao drew his short sword and cried, “Wang Cheng’en, take my sword to the prison and bring Li Jinzhong here. If anyone dares to stop you, execute them without mercy!”

Wang Cheng’en accepted the command loudly and strode out with the sword. Wang An gave him a vicious glare, then turned to Zhu Youxiao and said, “Your Majesty, I have matters to attend to. May I take my leave?”

Zhu Youxiao smiled, “No need to hurry, Eunuch Wang. I am newly enthroned and still learning. Please explain all matters to me.”

He chatted idly with Wang An for about half an hour. Then, word came that Li Jinzhong had arrived. Zhu Youxiao said, “Thank you, Eunuch Wang. That is all for today. I will call for you if needed. You may go.”

Wang An departed in a fury. As he passed through the door, Wang Cheng’en entered with two eunuchs, supporting Li Jinzhong. Wang An said darkly to Wang Cheng’en, “So, your wings have grown strong now, young Wang.”

Wang Cheng’en replied with a false smile, “Thank you for your guidance, old Wang.” He escorted Li Jinzhong inside.

Lady Ke hurried to arrange for the eunuchs to gently lay Li Jinzhong on the couch. Zhu Youxiao said to Wang Cheng’en, “Well done—you are excellent.”

Wang Cheng’en knelt, “This servant will face fire and water for Your Majesty, and will die a thousand deaths without complaint.” He respectfully presented the sword and departed with the other eunuchs.

Li Jinzhong, seeing Zhu Youxiao, struggled to kneel and salute, but Zhu Youxiao held him down. He looked closely and saw Li’s clothes were tattered, the scars of whipping visible through the holes. Though restrained, Li Jinzhong managed to bow three times on the couch, his eyes red. He said, “Yang Lian accused me of enticing Your Majesty to frivolity and ordered Wang An to punish me harshly. I am innocent—Your Majesty is wise and heroic; how could I possibly tempt you?”

Zhu Youxiao felt a pang—Li Jinzhong was his trusted servant. All along, he had wanted to change the world, but was so busy with affairs that he had no time for frivolity. The real issue was that they wished to deprive him of capable attendants, so he would be isolated. With this in mind, Zhu Youxiao smiled slightly, “Would you like to take revenge?”