The Child Emperor

In the Hall of Diligent Administration, the senior officials congratulated the Emperor on his wedding scheduled on the following day. They said many words of flattery, but Han Ruzi was too distracted. He kept looking towards the side-chamber where the Empress Dowager was. Was she truly as the Grand Consort had describe? Would she really bear to kill her own trueborn son?

Every time he thought of this, Han Ruzi would shiver even though he was not cold.

As to the Thoughtful Emperor’s death, the Grand Consort did not say much. It was already late that night, and she could not stay in the Emperor’s quarters for too long. Before she left, she said, “Your Majesty should be aware: I speak of all these past matters not to reminiscence. I only wish to tell Your Majesty, I am willing to stand with you. The officials of the Imperial Court are willing as well.”

Han Ruzi could not believe what the Grand Consort had to say. His own experiences were the evidence: he remembered the poor living conditions of his youth. He had never had an education by a proper teacher; it was his mother who taught him his characters.

For a member of the Imperial clan, this was an extraordinarily poor upbringing, in complete violation of proper decorum. In the past, he did not think much of it. Only when he entered the palace did he realize that he had been mistreated all his life. It was only under the careful protection of his mother that he had no inkling of it in the past.

He still could not completely trust the Grand Consort, especially what she said about the court officials. The past is ultimately the past; it is the officials’ present attitude that would be decisive.

Rather than the Grand Consort, Han Ruzi hoped to speak directly to a senior official. Yet such chances were too rare. In the Hall of Diligent Administration, he could not even throw glances at the senior officials.

He had no class work in the morning, and the time he spent at the hall was short. After accepting the congratulations from the officials, he was taken to rehearse the procedures for the big wedding.

For the Emperor, the wedding was not too complicated. Most of the ceremonies were carried out by the Empress. It would last from day to night — even more convoluted than the Emperor’s ascension ceremony. During that time, the Emperor need only pay respects to the ancestors at the Ancestral Temple, pay respects to the Empress Dowager at Cining Palace, and then appear when it was time to consummate the marriage. The rest of the time, he would either be free, or sitting in some hall accepting the congratulations of the nobles and senior officials.

The rehearsals were soon over. After lunch, the Emperor went to the Tai-an Palace, the Palace of Peace and Tranquility.

The Tai-an Palace was where the Emperor was supposed to stay. It was because Han Ruzi was still unmarried that he kept changing locations. After the wedding the next day, he would reside here permanently.

Tai-an Palace was also where the consummation would take place. The newly wedded Empress would stay here for three days and three nights, before moving to the section of the palace reserved for his harem. From then on, she would have to comply with proper decorum when meeting the Emperor, just like the senior officials.

Han Ruzi stood in the matrimonial room. He saw the bright and beautiful blankets and draperies. But his mind was still not present. He had to find a way to verify the Grand Consort’s words. He must not miss the opportunity, but neither should he be hooked too easily.

His mother had reminded him: don’t believe anyone in the palace, and don’t offend anyone. The latter was difficult, but the former must be adhered to.

The Grand Consort was not too familiar with his mother, Maiden Wang, and hence did not speak of her much. But the few things she said had caused Han Ruzi to have a new appreciation for his mother. He increasingly felt that her warnings would surely be important.

Han Ruzi turned around, just in time to meet Prince Donghai’s glare, filled with envy and anger.

An idea suddenly popped into his head.

“Withdraw. We wish to be alone here for a while.”

The accompanying eunuchs and decorum officials left the room. The Emperor had little say when it came to matters of state, but such minor requests would still be complied with.

Han Ruzi sat on the bed for a while. No matter what, he felt that the wedding the next day was ridiculous and laughable. Yet there were so many people taking it seriously and busying themselves in its preparation. This was another instance of the power of “precedent”, he thought. He laughed silently to himself before saying, “Prince Donghai, enter!”

After a while, Prince Donghai walked in with a confused expression. As long as no one else was around, he would not pay his respects and would not hide the anger in his heart. He stared at the Emperor coldly.

“I don’t even know the Empress’s name,” Han Ruzi said.

The fury in Prince Donghai’s eyes peaked at that moment. His whole body grew taut, as though ready to pounce. But a eunuch looked in from the door. Prince Donghai bowed and said, “The Empress is surnamed Cui, named Nuan, styled Xiaojun.”

“Cui Nuan? A… unique name.”  Han Ruzi did not know what to say. The eunuch looked in from the door again.

“My cousin is loved at home, hence given the name Nuan.” Prince Donghai threw a sudden tantrum as he turned his head and shouted, “What are you looking at? I am speaking to my Imperial Brother, is that something you can listen to? Screw off!”

Nobody looked in anymore.

Han Ruzi laughed. There were some things that one required someone like Prince Donghai to do. “I know you like your cousin very much, and do not wish for her to be my Emperor.”

Prince Donghai kept silent. He did not want to say anything that could be used against him. Begging for forgiveness was something he did not wish to do again.

Han Ruzi stood up and walked slowly towards Prince Donghai. “Actually, I do not want that either.”

“You don’t wish to marry an Empress?” Prince Donghai was incredulous.

“I did not choose the Empress — everything was not up to me. Of course I am not willing.”

Prince Donghai looked down. “You don’t have to tell me all that.”

“I think it is better if I made things clear. You are still in contact with Teacher Luo, are you not?”

Prince Donghai grew weary. “What did you hear? Who is gossiping? I do not know anything.”

“Was Luo Huan-zhang not your Teacher in the past? A teacher meeting his disciple — surely the two would have much to say.”

“In front of you and the eunuchs, how would we dare say anything?” Prince Donghai glared, wide-eyed, with an unyielding expression. But he gave in a few moments later. “Teacher Luo once wrote me a letter. In it, he reprimanded me, saying that… You would not tell the Empress Dowgaer, would you?”

“No. And I don’t get to see the Empress Dowager anyway.”

“Teacher Luo was very dissatisfied with my behavior in the palace. He said that I was arrogant and indecorous, that I violated proper decorum between sovereign and subject, that I would bring disaster to the Cui clan, that I should serve you honestly — I am already so unfortunate, yet not only did I get no sympathy, I got castigated. Now do you see the difference between being Emperor and not being Emperor?”

Han Ruzi knew the difference long ago. He asked these questions not to pry, but to confirm that the “Do you still think of meat” note had nothing to do with Prince Donghai. Luo Huan-zhang and the Grand Consort had not told him how the note was stuffed into the Emperor’s waistband.

After a few queries, Han Ruzi grew certain that Prince Donghai had nothing to do with it. Luo Huan-zhang and the Grand Consort were very cautious people. They would surely not entrust Prince Donghai with such an important mission.

But Han Ruzi was different. He had no one else to ask, so Prince Donghai was his only choice. “I have a thought.”

“Why do you need to tell me your thought?”

“It is a thought that has got to do with you.”

“Not interested. My life is so unlucky. I should just quietly be your attendant.”

“It also has to do with your cousin.”

Fury flashed again in Prince Donghai’s eyes. He was like a beehive, being sent abuzz with the slightest nudge, without consideration as to whether it was intended as a threat or as a sign of goodwill.

“I am a false Emperor. Your cousin can also be a false Empress.” Han Ruzi said.

“You are not a false Emperor. You are a puppet… What do you mean by false Empress?”

“It is the wedding tomorrow. The Empress will stay with me in Tai-an Palace for three days. I promise not to do anything with her. Not in the future either.”

“You are only a few days older than me. My cousin is a year younger than me. You are both children. What could you do to her?” Prince Donghai’s expression was one of disdain.

Honestly, Han Ruzi was not sure what he could do either. After thinking for a while, he said, “The Empress Dowager sent a servant-girl to teach me the ways of husband-wife relations. Haven’t you heard?”

Prince Donghai also resided in the Grand Consort’s Cining Palace, so he had some inkling of what Han Ruzi said. The corners of his mouth twitched. “Are you sure that… you would be able to… not do anything?”

“It is not difficult. It all depends on whether I want to.”

The corners of his mouth twitched again. “If you lie, my cousin would surely tell me.”

“Of course.”

Prince Donghai started considering the Emperor’s proposal seriously. “You wish to bring me and the Cui clan over to your side to help you resist the Empress Dowager? I would have to consider carefully.”

Han Ruzi laughed. Even Luo Huan-zhang and the Grand Consort did not bring Prince Donghai into their confidences, let alone him. “It’s not that complicated. I just need a small favor.”

“Oh.” Prince Donghai seemed a little disappointed. “Actually, as long as I ask, the Cui clan would surely help you. But you are not offering enough. At the very least, the throne…” Prince Donghai learned to be more careful and did not continue the sentence. He just nodded furtively to the Emperor.

“I do not wish to go against the Empress Dowager. I only wish to know if my mother is safe. And if possible, to send a letter.”

“Is your mother not the Empress Dowager?” Prince Donghai said sarcastically. But after seeing the Emperor’s serious expression, he said, “That’s it?”

Han Ruzi nodded. “But do not use Teacher Luo when sending the letter.”

“Of course. He would surely not agree. Perhaps he would shred the letter then and there. Hmm, let me thinking… Marquis Junyang’s son, Hua Huwang, is my good friend. He is also an attendant in the palace. He would be able to help.” Prince Donghai walked before the Emperor and said seriously, “You are the Emperor. An Emperor does not go back on his word. You must promise not to touch the Empress, not even a finger.”

“I promise.” Han Ruzi did not think that it would be difficult. But after thinking about it, he added, “But if the Empress behaves like that servant-girl… and throws herself…”

“Impossible.” Prince Donghai said flatly. “You just need to watch yourself.”

“My mother stays at…”

Han Ruzi was about to say the address when Prince Donghai waved him off. “If they can’t even figure out something so simple, then Marquis Junyang’s clan is undeserving of their reputation as the “Marquis clan of heroic pugilists”. There are not many Marquis appointed by the Founding Emperor left — Marquis Junyang’s is the most stable one. Forget it, you wouldn’t understand anyway.”

Indeed, Han Ruzi did not understand. But remembered the phrase “Marquis clan of heroic pugilists”. “Be quick.”

“It is too late today. Tomorrow is out as well. The following day, or the day after at the latest, I will speak to Hua Huwang about this. After that it may take a few days for news to return. Are you writing a letter, or giving me some personal item?”

“I will hand it to you. Hua Huwang, is that his real name?” Han Ruzi felt that such a crass name meaning “tiger king” did not sound like a name of a son of a Marquis.

“Who knows if it’s his true name. His surname is Hua, and everyone calls him Huwang. Us pals… Don’t bother about such things. Just get your personal item ready and await the news.”

Han Ruzi did not ask further. His objectives had been met. Yang Feng was not around, Meng E was only good for martial arts. Only his mother could give him some direct guidance.

The only problem was Prince Donghai. Up till now, he had never accomplished anything, but had caused a lot of problems. Han Ruzi said sternly, “If my letter to my mother falls into the hadns of others, or news gets out, don’t blame me for being merciless.”

“What could you do anyway?”

“I shall perform husband-wife relations with the Empress, and have her bear me an heir.” Han Ruzi had no other way to threaten Prince Donghai.

Prince Donghai’s expression flashed before he finally spoke hesitantly. “You dare.”