An Auspicious Omen

Zhang Yan sat opposite Zhu Youjian, worry showing on her face. Only after studying his complexion closely did she speak. "Affairs of state are important, but Your Majesty's health is more important still. This vast court depends on Your Majesty to preside over it!"

Having said that, Zhang Yan looked up at Wang Cheng'en, her gaze suddenly sharpening. "You servants must take good care of His Majesty. Should anything go wrong, even a few extra heads apiece would not be enough to answer for it!"

If Zhang Yan's gaze upon Zhu Youjian was a spring breeze brushing his face, then her gaze upon Wang Cheng'en was the cold wind of winter. Wang Cheng'en shuddered and dropped to his knees. "This servant would never dare neglect His Majesty. I will attend him faithfully, without the slightest carelessness!"

Zhang Yan murmured her assent, then turned back to Zhu Youjian. "I dreamed of the late emperor yesterday."

Zhu Youjian was taken aback. Did she really need to tell me that she dreamed of Zhu Youxiao?

Unsure how to respond, Zhu Youjian listened in silence.

"The late emperor said he deeply regretted neglecting affairs of state and trusting treacherous ministers, leaving a terrible mess in Your Majesty's hands. Eleven years have passed now, and he said Your Majesty has done very well."

Zhang Yan smiled faintly and continued, "The late emperor also said he knew Your Majesty was troubled, and that in a crisis, one's thoughts could stray down the wrong path. Before making any decision, Your Majesty should think it over carefully. Think more of Emperor Taizu, and of the late emperor..."

There was a hidden meaning in Zhang Yan's words, but Zhu Youjian was lost in a fog. He did not believe for a moment that the late emperor had told her these things in a dream. They must have been her own thoughts.

But what did she mean by saying this? Was she praising me for doing well, or reproaching me for failing to think before acting?

Zhu Youjian considered the recent major events, and suddenly a spark of understanding flashed through his mind. Zhang Yan must have heard that I intended to negotiate peace. That was why she said all this!

Zhang Yan was beautiful, but she was certainly no mere ornament. On the contrary, she was well versed in poetry and the classics, and possessed both courage and resourcefulness. Yet as a woman, and the emperor's sister-in-law at that, she could hardly comment directly on affairs of state. She could only persuade Zhu Youjian through such veiled words.

Zhu Youjian glanced around the room. The attending palace maids stood in the corners, while Wang Cheng'en and several eunuchs stood behind him. Outside the door were servants from Ciqing Palace, as well as the Embroidered Uniform Guard escorting him.

There were too many people of all sorts around. Even if Zhu Youjian wished to explain anything to Zhang Yan, this was not the right moment.

Besides, the plan had yet to succeed. Letting another person know would not only add another uncertainty, but would also make Zhang Yan worry for nothing.

Moreover, if he wanted to explain, all the attendants in the room would have to withdraw. A man and a woman alone together-and a sister-in-law and her younger brother-in-law at that. If word got out, no one would care what they had discussed. It would only tarnish Zhang Yan's reputation for nothing!

In this era, a woman's reputation mattered immensely. Zhu Youjian decided to let it be. He could explain things to Zhang Yan once the dust had settled.

Having made up his mind, Zhu Youjian showed his gratitude. "Thank you for your concern, Imperial Sister-in-law. I will remember your words."

Zhang Yan nodded. "Your Majesty still has important matters to attend to. I will not keep you any longer!"

Only after Zhu Youjian's figure disappeared beyond Ciqing Gate did the smile abruptly fade from Zhang Yan's face. Deep sorrow and anguish filled her eyes. She dismissed the palace maids and turned into the Buddhist shrine in the inner chamber.

A statue of Guanyin stood in the shrine. Zhang Yan knelt before a prayer cushion and looked up at the jade figure, its eyes closed in a smile.

Everyone says my face resembles Guanyin's, but what use is that resemblance?

The great bodhisattva Guanyin watches over the suffering of this world. Why does she never look upon mine?

My husband died in the prime of his life. Did he ever consider how I, without a child to rely on, would protect myself within the depths of this palace?

Fortunately, the present emperor is benevolent. He has given me a place to live and treated me with great respect.

Yet a tear slid down Zhang Yan's cheek. His Majesty has actually entertained the thought of negotiating peace. With Rebel Bandits ravaging the heartland and the Jurchen eyeing us like hungry tigers beyond our borders, how could peace negotiations solve our present troubles?

Negotiating peace would plunge Great Ming into an abyss beyond all salvation!

His Majesty had offered no explanation in response to her earlier words, saying only that he understood. Given his temperament, they would surely pass before his eyes like drifting clouds and smoke. Helplessness filled Zhang Yan's heart, followed by profound disappointment.

If Great Ming falls under the present emperor, then I, too, will bear a grievous burden of sin!

Naturally, Zhu Youjian had no idea what Zhang Yan was thinking-or rather, he had no time at all to concern himself with other people's thoughts. After leaving Ciqing Palace, he immediately went to Wenhua Hall, where he had been handling his daily state business since recovering his health.

"Wenhua Hall..." Zhu Youjian stopped before the entrance and looked up at the three characters on its plaque. Great Ming prized civil learning. From the grand secretaries at court to the provincial governors below, the civil officials' influence had spread and multiplied throughout the country, growing ever stronger.

Military officers possessed nothing but lofty ranks and hollow titles, yet were treated with contempt. Generals commanding armies had no authority to direct the overall campaign. It would have been a wonder if the Ming Dynasty did not fall!

Zhu Youjian curled his lip and ordered, "From today onward, I will handle affairs of state in Wuying Hall. Move all the memorials there!"

Wuying Hall and Wenhua Hall stood on opposite sides of Huangji Gate. Moving from Wenhua Hall to Wuying Hall was a considerable undertaking, but the emperor had spoken, and no one dared utter a word of refusal.

Zhu Youjian had already turned and headed west. Wang Cheng'en instructed the junior eunuchs to hurry and move the memorials, then followed Zhu Youjian toward Wuying Hall.

"Your Majesty, why have you suddenly decided to handle state business in Wuying Hall?" Seeing the hint of a smile on Zhu Youjian's lips, Wang Cheng'en guessed that he was in a good mood and grew a little bolder.

Zhu Youjian murmured, then said, "We're fighting a war, aren't we? I want an auspicious omen!"

The emperor's explanation was plainly perfunctory, but Wang Cheng'en asked no further questions. "Your Majesty is wise. With Your Majesty devising strategies behind the lines and Governor Lu leading the troops at the front, we will surely beat the Jurchen until they piss and shit themselves and cry for their mothers and fathers!"

"Well said!" Wang Cheng'en's flattery pleased Zhu Youjian greatly. This was the first major undertaking since he had transmigrated here, and he had to see it through beautifully.

Zhu Youjian looked up toward the north, but the towering palace walls blocked his view.

"I wonder how far they've gotten!"