Chapter 58: The Startling Discovery of a Woman’s Corpse

Hearing Eunuch Li’s announcement, Emperor Mingde’s expression visibly stiffened. After a long pause, he finally uttered, “Summon her.”

Before long, a dignified and graceful middle-aged woman, dressed in plain attire, hastened into the hall. Yet, as her son Meng Tianlin was imprisoned in the Heavenly Prison, she had clearly not rested well for days; her eyes were red-rimmed, and her face drawn and haggard.

Seeing that Emperor Mingde had regained consciousness, the Consort could not hold back her tears. With a thud, she knelt at the bedside, weeping as she pleaded, “Your Majesty, I beg you to spare Lin’er. It truly was a moment’s mistake—he never meant to harm you!”

Emperor Mingde let out a cold huff. He knew full well his fourth son had no such intentions; with that simple and straightforward nature of his, it was far more likely he had been used. What he wanted was to seize this opportunity to see which of his sons was worth cultivating.

The thought of his disappointing sons left a stifling heaviness in his chest.

There was, however, another reason: he had been deeply humiliated and furious at the time. He had always considered himself wise and vigorous, yet not only had he been knocked from his horse by the fourth prince’s stray polo shot, he had even lain unconscious for days. If word got out, wouldn’t he become a laughingstock?

The Consort continued to sob and entreat him, and Emperor Mingde grew a little impatient, but he could not contradict himself now. He turned to Shen Qianmo and said, “Girl from the Shen family, why don’t you tell me how I should deal with the fourth prince?”

Shen Qianmo cursed inwardly. Old emperor, you are truly devious: unable to back down yourself, you have to drag me into this.

She paused to consider her words, then spoke carefully, “The fourth prince indeed deserves punishment for alarming Your Majesty, but on the sports field, such accidents are not uncommon. In the heat of the game, he fought valiantly and whole-heartedly; such innocence of spirit is rare. Your Majesty is benevolent and understanding; these days spent in the Heavenly Prison are surely meant as a stern warning, reminding the fourth prince never to act so rashly again. Your Highness, please put your mind at ease. His Majesty has just awakened and remains weak and in need of rest. It would be best for Your Highness to recover your strength and return tomorrow to attend His Majesty’s illness.”

She recalled Meng Yuanheng once saying that among Emperor Mingde’s sons, the fourth prince, Meng Tianlin, was the most guileless—frank and straightforward, incapable of schemes. The polo field accident truly must have been a moment’s mistake. Surely Emperor Mingde knew this as well; he simply needed a way to step down gracefully.

Would he be satisfied with the steps she had laid for him?

Her speech prompted Emperor Mingde to nod inwardly. This Shen girl indeed possessed some insight and boldness; with such eloquence and wit, she was more than a match for that boy Meng Yuanheng.

The Consort, hearing Shen Qianmo’s words, suddenly understood. She cast Shen Qianmo a grateful look, immediately requested permission to attend His Majesty at dawn, and then wisely withdrew.

Her son was safe; on the way back to her chambers, she mulled things over and felt greatly relieved. The young lady who had spoken up for her just now must be the much-talked-about future Princess Xuan. Seeing her today, she was indeed as talented and beautiful as rumored.

After the Consort had departed, Emperor Mingde leaned against the bedhead, fixing Shen Qianmo with a gaze full of inscrutable meaning, making her uneasy.

It’s said that serving a monarch is like living with a tiger—had she perhaps said the wrong thing just now?

Shen Qianmo lowered her eyes and stood quietly at the bedside. Suddenly, Emperor Mingde’s voice rang out, harsh and full of anger.

“Shen girl, you are bold indeed!”

Eunuch Li, attending by the side, trembled and held his breath, thinking to himself: What’s wrong with His Majesty? He seemed to appreciate Princess Xuan a moment ago—why is he suddenly angry?

Shen Qianmo was shocked as well. Had her words just now truly angered him? With no choice, she knelt again, feigning deep fear as she said, “Your servant would not dare. I simply spoke my honest thoughts before Your Majesty, unwilling to be disingenuous or sycophantic. If I have displeased Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness.”

“And what makes you so certain I would so easily spare the fourth prince?” Emperor Mingde’s face remained stern, his tone severe.

Shen Qianmo rolled her eyes inwardly. Isn’t that exactly what you meant? You simply couldn’t say it in front of the Consort, so I did it for you, and now you’re angry about it. Such a contrary temperament—he’s a bit like Meng Yuanheng, that fellow.

Outwardly, she remained respectful. “Your Majesty’s keen insight will surely perceive the fourth prince’s innocence of heart.”

Shen Qianmo felt utterly wretched. This is your Meng family’s own business—the fourth prince is your son; whether you keep him imprisoned or not has nothing to do with me.

“All right, get up. I was simply caught out by your words and felt a little embarrassed. Pay it no mind,” Emperor Mingde’s expression suddenly softened.

Shen Qianmo was speechless. Your Majesty, are you schizophrenic? Is scaring people like this amusing to you?

Just then, a palace maid waiting outside reported, “Your Majesty, Prince Xuan seeks an audience.”

He’s back already? Shen Qianmo wondered. Emperor Mingde had only just awakened—how did he hear so quickly?

Emperor Mingde merely smiled knowingly. “Let him in.”

In the flickering candlelight, a coldly handsome man, his face tense, entered alone, propelling his wheelchair. Though dressed in somber black, to Shen Qianmo he remained proud and striking, his presence undiminished.

Meng Yuanheng stopped his wheelchair before the dragon bed.

“Your subject Meng Yuanheng pays his respects to Your Majesty.” His tone was as calm as ever, but Shen Qianmo found his demeanor oddly different tonight.

Emperor Mingde’s eyes flashed with a strange light at the sight of Meng Yuanheng, but it was gone in an instant.

He sipped the tea Eunuch Li offered and, half-jesting, said, “Prince Xuan, do you come late at night out of concern for me, or for your future princess?”

Shen Qianmo’s expression grew awkward. She hadn’t expected the emperor to be so fond of gossip and banter. Was it really appropriate to joke with his subjects in such circumstances?

Meng Yuanheng’s face remained unmoved, his voice still cool. “Since Your Majesty is well, may I ask that Mo’er be allowed to rest? With so many women at court, surely it’s not necessary for her to attend Your Majesty’s illness.”

He admitted, when Meng Tianxu had said Shen Qianmo would be left to attend to the emperor overnight, he had truly been angry.

Why should his Mo’er have to serve that old man?

Hearing Meng Yuanheng’s less-than-reverent tone, Emperor Mingde was not offended, but smiled with a hint of meaning. “You boy, not even married yet and already so possessive. What will happen when you are? Enough, enough, I’m tired. You may both go.”

Shen Qianmo glanced at Meng Yuanheng in surprise. The emperor was particularly indulgent toward him. Then again, she realized, it was not without reason.

The House of Xuan had rendered countless meritorious services to the empire; generation after generation had died on the battlefield, and Meng Yuanheng himself, for the sake of the court, had become crippled at a young age. The emperor’s guilt and forbearance were understandable.

Since Emperor Mingde had agreed to let her go, Shen Qianmo would not miss this chance to escape. She had no desire to linger in the vast, lifeless palace. After instructing Eunuch Li on a few details, she pushed Meng Yuanheng’s wheelchair out of the Hall of Fortunate Tranquility.

By now it was already the third watch, and the palace gates were closed; returning home tonight was impossible. Fortunately, Emperor Mingde had been considerate enough to assign her a room in a side hall, where she could rest for the night.

A palace maid waited to show her the way, so Shen Qianmo could only bid Meng Yuanheng a hasty farewell. He silently gripped her hand, gazing at her with longing.

He’s definitely troubled about something, Shen Qianmo thought, frowning slightly. She crouched before him and asked, “Ah Heng, what is it? Has something happened?”

Meng Yuanheng managed a faint, bitter smile. Holding back the urge to pull her into his arms, he shook his head, looking at her with yearning. “I simply don’t wish to be parted from you.”

She gave him a helpless look, patting his hand. “Go back and rest. I’ll return to the Guo Gong Mansion in the morning. Take care of yourself.”

The palace was full of eyes and ears—not the place for tender confessions. Shen Qianmo understood his distant demeanor in the Hall; it was, she guessed, his way of protecting her.

Situ Gong was already waiting nearby. Shen Qianmo nodded to him, tempted to ask about the cold poison’s antidote, but decided against it. In the palace, one had to be cautious in every word and deed.

Unfamiliar surroundings and an unfamiliar bed left Shen Qianmo unsettled. She lay atop the wide bed in the side hall, fully clothed, unable to sleep.

The day’s events still felt unreal, as though shrouded in mist. In a single day, she had met nearly all the key members of the imperial family. Their faces flickered through her mind like scenes from a film.

The eldest prince exuded danger; the third was inscrutable; the seventh, though seemingly harmless, was anything but simple. Princess Yaohua was willful, Princess Qionghua quiet—yet the quiet ones were often the most dangerous. As for Consort Li, Shen Qianmo could not shake the feeling there was some story between her and Meng Yuanheng.

In the second half of the night, thunder cracked across the sky, followed by a torrential rain. Lulled by the storm, Shen Qianmo finally drifted off to sleep.

She was awakened in the gray light of dawn by the sounds of commotion outside. Rising, she straightened her clothes, called for wash water, and made herself presentable. She thought she ought to visit Emperor Mingde, to bid him farewell.

But she wondered if he might still be resting—would an early visit offend him?

As she hesitated, a distant scream pierced the air: “A corpse! There’s a corpse!”