Chapter 118: The First Signs of Malice, Fighting Poison with Poison

Chapter 118: The Ominous Appearance and Fighting Fire with Fire

The wood in the small medicinal stove crackled, occasionally emitting sharp, popping sounds as the flames licked the sides. Ming Chongyan sat upright before the furnace, fanning the fire with a small fan. Despite the lingering summer heat, beads of sweat rolled down his temples, yet he remained oblivious, his entire focus fixed on the fire and the subtle, fragrant scent of the herbs. His intense concentration gave him an air of extreme elegance. Perhaps he lacked the handsome features of Helan Minzhi, but in terms of grace and bearing, the two were worlds apart.

Once the medicine was ready, he extended his fingers in a graceful, orchid-like gesture to lift the lid. He then ignited a slip of yellow talisman paper, letting the ashes drift into the brew. His movements were fluid and refined; regardless of his true character, his posture—whether seated or in motion—was a sight to behold. He spoke softly: "Your Majesty, Empress, this is the talisman I spent an hour seeking last night."

"You have our thanks, Minister Ming."

"Your Majesty, you flatter me. In the mortal realm, you are the sovereign and we are your subjects. In the celestial realm, you are the True Dragon, and I... well, I know not what I am. Perhaps a ghost, a lowly divine soldier, or even a flea upon the hide of your True Dragon. Serving you is my duty; in truth, it is I who benefit from your grace."

His words brought smiles to both Empress Wu and Emperor Lizhi.

Empress Wu remarked, "Minister Ming, your gentle and modest nature bears a striking resemblance to that of the Crown Prince."

Ming Chongyan prostrated himself, saying, "Your Majesty, you honor me too greatly. The Crown Prince is of the imperial line; how could I dare compare myself to His Highness?"

Lizhi said, "Rise. In truth, my health has improved significantly these days, so there is no need for such excessive humility."

"I dare not presume, Your Majesty. Please, drink this medicinal broth."

Having grown weary of the medicine, Lizhi hesitated, but knowing it was infused with Ming Chongyan’s talismanic water, he watched as a eunuch tested it before downing the bowl in one gulp. He added, "Minister Ming, your combination of medicine and sorcery is quite effective—far more so than the pills of those alchemists."

"That is not necessarily true, Your Majesty. Illness descends like a mountain but departs like a silken thread. Even with the aid of sorcery, your recovery requires proper rest and care. As for the art of elixirs, there are good methods, but many charlatans lack the proper techniques and concoct poisons that harm both others and themselves. However, there is something I have been hesitant to speak of."

"Speak freely."

"I once encountered a Confucian scholar who argued that I should not study sorcery. He cited the Master, who would not speak of strange phenomena, feats of strength, rebellions, or spirits. He asked, 'If one cannot serve men, how can one serve spirits?' and 'If one does not understand life, how can one understand death?' I asked him in return, 'Who compiled the Book of Rites?' He said it was Confucius. I then asked him how much of the Rites concerned sacrifice, and what exactly was being sacrificed. The scholar could not answer. Throughout Confucius’s life, he placed great importance on ritual sacrifice."

Lizhi nodded; he was a man who held a deep belief in ghosts and spirits.

"In fact," Ming Chongyan continued, "the saying 'If one cannot serve men, how can one serve spirits' does not mean one should not serve spirits. It means that if a person has not yet perfected their own character, how can they hope to serve the divine?"

"A brilliant interpretation!" Empress Wu praised. Unlike Lizhi, she held an even firmer belief in the supernatural.

"You flatter me, Empress. Furthermore, when the Master avoided speaking of strange phenomena, it was not because they were inherently evil. Ghosts and spirits are traces of creation, difficult to comprehend, and thus not to be spoken of lightly. The sage spoke of the ordinary, not the strange; of virtue, not force; of order, not chaos; of men, not spirits. However, I offer this counsel: although I use sorcery to treat your ailments, I know but a fraction of the truth. Humans and ghosts walk different paths, and the divine way is even more distant. Your Majesty must not lose yourself in this. Whether it be the arts of alchemists or the methods of shaman-physicians, use them when necessary, but for rituals, a sincere heart is sufficient."

"Are you advising me to focus on governing the nation and not let the pursuit of the supernatural distract from state affairs?"

"Precisely."

"Indeed, you are a minister of integrity. If the alchemists of old had possessed your wisdom, so many demonic tragedies might have been averted."

"Those were mere alchemists. While I study medicine and sorcery, my foundation is Confucianism, for it is the true path to governance. However, there is one matter I have kept hidden for a long time."

"Speak," Lizhi said, pleased that a man who began as a shaman-physician recognized the supremacy of Confucian statecraft.

"Your Majesty, a few years ago, you performed the Fengshan sacrifices. It was the most pious ritual to honor Heaven and Earth, a glorious event for the nation. But what has happened since your return?"

Lizhi’s face darkened instantly, as did the Empress’s. The Fengshan sacrifices had taken place during a time of true prosperity, when grain was cheap and the empire’s achievements were unprecedented. But since then, the nation had suffered a string of disasters. The once-full treasury was now empty. Some ministers blamed Empress Wu, claiming that for a woman to interfere in imperial rituals and create the "Two Sages" was an insult to the people and the heavens.

Ming Chongyan sighed internally, knowing there was no turning back now. He maintained a calm expression—he knew that if a charlatan showed even a flicker of hesitation, no one would believe him.

"There is an evil spirit at work," Ming Chongyan whispered, "and it is closely tied to the Imperial House. It touches Your Majesties less, but it has heavily ensnared the Crown Prince."

"Are you suggesting the Crown Prince is possessed by an evil spirit?" Lizhi growled, deeply displeased.

"The Crown Prince is not the spirit himself, but he has been tainted by its aura. I could not be certain before, but at the banquet the Prince hosted for me, my suspicion grew stronger. I dare to ask Your Majesties to summon the Crown Prince so that I may examine him again."

Lizhi was torn by doubt. He was wary of his son at times, but he knew Li Wei was a capable heir. He did not want to lose power, but he did not want his son to come to harm either. To be safe, he ordered the Crown Prince to be summoned.

When Li Wei entered and offered his respects, he asked, "Father, Mother, why have you summoned me?"

Lizhi repeated Ming Chongyan’s accusations. Li Wei was enraged. He had just hosted this man at the East Palace, offering him wine and poetry, only for the man to turn on him so quickly. Worse, Ming Chongyan was casting lecherous glances at his mother’s beautiful face. If not for the presence of his parents, Li Wei would have drawn a guard’s blade and cut the man down.

Ming Chongyan, however, had no such deviant thoughts; he was merely playing a part. He knew he had to keep the Emperor and Empress convinced.

Li Wei suppressed his fury and looked at Ming Chongyan. "Doctor Ming, if I am truly possessed by an evil spirit, how do you explain the auspicious signs of the new plows and the invention of bamboo paper? If this spirit exists, it clearly protects me, my parents, and the Great Tang."

Empress Wu chuckled. "Hong'er, enough of that. Let us hear what the Doctor has to say."

Ming Chongyan fixed his gaze on Li Wei. "Your Highness, auspicious signs are one thing, but the influence of an evil spirit is another. Just as His Majesty is unparalleled in benevolence yet remains plagued by illness, so too are you affected. The influence is even stronger today than it was at your banquet. I speak only for your well-being and the stability of the Tang. Your Majesties, grant me five days to fast and uncover the source of this evil. If the Prince objects, I shall say no more."

*The nerve of this man,* Li Wei thought, his lungs burning with rage. He had no interest in playing these supernatural games, but he understood the tricks behind them. He couldn't perform the feats of a shaman, but he knew the principles of theatrical deception. *He wants to play with fire?*

Li Wei stood tall. "Doctor Ming, I admire your skill in deception—how you’ve managed to coordinate with palace staff to fool my parents and the court. For the sake of my father’s health, I have remained silent until now. But since you have targeted me, I shall reveal the truth."

He turned to the Emperor. "Father, Mother, he claims he needs five days to prepare his 'sorcery.' I need only three, and I shall not even perform it myself. My eight-year-old attendant, Shangguan Wan'er, will demonstrate. If you, Doctor Ming, have the power to summon spirits to bring melons from thirty miles away, then use that same power to reveal how she does it. If you cannot, then even if Father forgives you, I shall lead the court in charging you with the crime of spreading evil rumors, plotting against the Crown Prince, and deceiving the throne!"

He had no choice. It was time to fight fire with fire.