Chapter 117: Rain Falls at Dusk, Clearing When the Door Opens

Chapter 117: Rain at Dusk, Clear Skies at Dawn

Perhaps it was because of the heavens’ decree, or perhaps the Emperor and Empress had finally set aside their reputations for the sake of the people, but the heavens were moved.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, dark clouds gathered. There was no gale, no torrential downpour, just a gentle rain that began to fall. It was not heavy, but it was persistent, and its arrival filled the entire city with relief and joy.

Night deepened, but the rain did not cease. It continued its soft, steady patter.

Ming Chongyan was reading, or rather, studying and pondering, occasionally using his brush to annotate his thoughts. Had Li Wei witnessed this, he would have been astonished; this level of diligence was no less than that of the studious Shangguan Wan’er. In truth, many, such as Xu Jingzong, Xu Yanbo, or Helan Minzhi, were remarkably hardworking when it came to their own pursuits.

One cannot say that villains have no purpose. When Zhangsun Wuji held the power of the court in his grip, had there not been a sharp turn of events, Li Zhi’s reign would have been a pitiful one. But since Zhangsun Wuji was not inherently evil, it was time for a "dog" to bite.

Sometimes, Di Renjie would think that while the Crown Prince did not have many people around him, the few chancellors were decent enough, though one could not grow too close to them. The Emperor would not bear much malice toward his own associations, but to gather several chancellors under one’s wing was not a brilliant move—it was a disastrous one.

However, their own strength was limited. Though flexible, they were all men of integrity, and some things, even if asked to handle them, they might not be willing to do. After all, he still hoped to preserve his own clean reputation. Was it time to find a "dog" for the Crown Prince?

Finding such a dog was no easy task. One needed the methods and black heart of a Xu Jingzong or a Li Yifu, yet they must also be loyal to the Crown Prince and possess true talent. Factoring all these in, finding such a tool was far more difficult than finding a virtuous minister or a brilliant strategist. Furthermore, he feared such a dog might corrupt the Crown Prince, leaving him in a state of hesitation.

Servants lit the lamps, and two fair-skinned maids fanned him. Diligence did not equate to frugality, and besides, this wealth had been bought by selling one’s conscience. He had signed a pact with a devil!

A middle-aged man approached from the shadows. After a glance, Ming Chongyan reluctantly dismissed his servants. The man spoke: "The Yang family’s mother and daughter have arrived in the Eastern Capital seeking aid. Are you going to act soon?"

"I have my own measure of this, sir. I will not let Minister Xu down."

"Good." The man vanished into the night.

Ming Chongyan pushed open the window. The night was deep and the scenery obscured. He listened to the rain hitting the banana leaves, which sounded like a beautiful serenade. A cool breeze blew, making the candlelight flicker and casting shifting shadows across his handsome face.

He knew well why the Crown Prince had invited him yesterday; it was an olive branch. He had hesitated, but immediately dismissed the thought. Xu Jingzong had provided him with a massive ship, and the results were swift—he had become a Consultant of the Proper Remonstrance, gaining frequent access to the palace. But the ship was rigged with countless hempen ropes, binding him tight.

The people he used were Xu Jingzong’s men! Only now did he realize that when Xu Jingzong spoke with him or sent letters, it was always verbal, save for the recommendation to treat the Emperor in Luoyang. Not a single scrap of incriminating evidence remained. If he were to defect, Xu would simply offer up a scapegoat, and he would be the one without a place to rest his bones, while Xu remained unscathed.

Such methods were beyond his reach. Now, he could only hope that Xu Jingzong would use these formidable tactics to topple the Crown Prince so that he might live in peace. But the thought of bringing down the Heir Apparent made his legs tremble with fear.

A greedy mosquito bit him hard, snapping him out of his reverie. He commanded, "Someone, prepare my supplies."

***

Di Renjie and Li Wei were right to say he was a charlatan.

Sorcery? Could it truly exist? One should not take it too seriously. If Ming Chongyan truly possessed such powers, he would be put to great use. He would be sent to the military to perform "teleportation" to steal enemy intelligence and marching maps. With such foresight, paired with a few brave generals and tens of thousands of elite troops, they could cut a path from Dafei River to Wuhai, and from Wuhai to Lhasa, despite any altitude sickness.

Of course, if one were to press him, he would have excuses ready: his magic was insufficient, or the bloodlust of war was too heavy. Besides, as long as he could cure the Emperor’s illnesses, who would dare to challenge him?

Yet, this charlatanry was not easy. Many of his techniques came from a low-level clerk who had served his father. The clerk knew "sorcery," and his father had respected him greatly. Having no children, the clerk passed these "thieving tricks" to his father before he died. His father had refined them, and by the time they reached him, his "skills"—or rather, his sorcery—had become quite advanced.

In truth, it was simple. It was all a sham. Whether it was Sun Simiao or the palace's incantation masters, they were sincere, yet they spent their lives learning no such magic. It was the deceivers who spent all day thinking of how to fake things, thus becoming "highly skilled." How many of the "sorcerers" in history books were truly upright gentlemen?

Yet, to perform these illusions so that no one could see the flaws required immense preparation and endless practice.

The servants brought in the props. Looking at them, Ming Chongyan sighed. If he performed this, he would truly be breaking with the Crown Prince forever. There would be small joys, but no great surprises.

The rain stopped by morning. The residence of Yang Sixuan, Minister of the Ministry of Personnel and Libationer of the National University, was already bustling. He was preparing for the morning court.

The Yang family was not as prestigious as the Pei clan, but the Hongnong Yangs had some standing. They had produced eleven chancellors throughout the Tang Dynasty. As for beauty, they were renowned; even the men were handsome, and the women, like the famous Yang Yuhuan and Yang Min, were peerless beauties.

Because they had many officials in court, Lady Yang had come to seek refuge at Yang Sixuan’s residence. After all, as a Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, he held some sway. Yang Sixuan did not refuse. If Yang Min were to become the Crown Princess, their branch of the family would benefit.

He began lobbying for her, but to his disappointment, apart from three or four relatives, no one else would speak up, not even Hao Chujun, who was well-disposed toward the Crown Prince. Their petition to see the Empress was submitted, but it vanished like a stone into the sea.

The Emperor and Empress had made up their minds.

As the sun began to rise, the air was fresh after the night rain. Yang Sixuan was dressing when Lady Yang walked in, looking at him pleadingly.

Looking at his cousin-in-law, Yang Sixuan shook his head. "Sister-in-law, I have truly done my best. You were too snobbish in the beginning; the Yang family is not one of the Five Clans and Seven Houses."

A family’s depth is not measured solely by how many chancellors it produces, but by its size, its property, and its education. The great clans like the Lu and Cui families had thousands of members and estates stretching from Guanzhong to Henan and Yangzhou. They could afford to cultivate talent and possessed the power to remain stable even through dynastic changes. They dared to look down on the imperial family. Could the Yang family do the same? They had looked down on the Crown Prince, and now they were reaping the bitter harvest.

Lady Yang’s hope crumbled. "Brother, is there truly no hope left?"

"I have tried."

Lady Yang collapsed. Her daughter had come to Luoyang, desperate to see the Crown Prince. Yang Sixuan’s words had extinguished the last of her hope.

They did not notice Yang Min slipping away from outside the door.

Outside Tianjin Bridge, officials waited for the gates to open. Di Renjie and Wei Yuanzhong had the right to attend, though they were ranked at the very back. They were not bored, however; the crowd was abuzz with talk of state affairs, poetry, and gossip.

Suddenly, a delicate voice asked, "Which one of you is Di Renjie, Assistant of the Court of Judicial Review?"

Everyone looked up to see a slim young woman, her face veiled. Di Renjie stepped forward. "I am he. May I ask, young lady, who you are?"

"I am Yang Min, daughter of the Commandant of the Guards." She bowed deeply, ignoring the breach of protocol. She had failed to see the Crown Prince through her mother’s efforts, and the palace was heavily guarded. Having heard her mother’s conversation with her uncle, she had rushed to find Di Renjie before he entered the court.

"Please, rise. I do not deserve such a gesture," Di Renjie said, helping her up.

"Master Di, you are close to the Crown Prince. I beg you to pass on a message. I only wish to see him one last time." Tears fell from her eyes.

She would leave soon. She felt a lingering attachment, a sense of loss. If she could just see him one last time, perhaps when he ascended the throne, he might remember their acquaintance and treat her family with kindness...