Chen Hong waited anxiously until nightfall, but Emperor Jiajing never arrived at the Zhongcui Palace to grace Xue Susu with his presence. Upon inquiring, he learned that the Emperor was discussing state affairs with the Grand Secretary and Junior Grand Secretary. It seemed unlikely that he would visit Xue Susu tonight.
In Emperor Jiajing’s priorities, cultivating immortality reigned supreme, followed by matters of state.
As for the pleasures of the flesh, he held little regard for them.
Chen Hong, a seasoned palace eunuch, was well aware of this.
However, he didn’t believe that Xue Susu had fallen out of favor. He even offered words of comfort. “Consort Rou, please don’t be upset. His Majesty is diligently attending to state affairs. It’s only natural that he might occasionally break a promise. It’s not that he’s intentionally neglecting you.”
Xue Susu responded softly. She sat quietly, a table laden with delicacies from the Imperial Kitchen before her, but she hadn't touched a single dish.
It seemed she was truly disappointed.
Chen Hong thought to himself, ‘The women of the imperial harem might appear glamorous, but their lives are truly pitiful. They spend their days trying to please a single man.’
Of course, as a eunuch, he had little sympathy for them. He was only currying favor with Xue Susu to gain more opportunities to appear before Emperor Jiajing.
Seeing that the Emperor wouldn't be coming tonight, Chen Hong excused himself.
“Consort Rou, I still have unfinished tasks at the Directorate of Ceremonial. The Directorate handles memorials from civil and military officials – all matters of great importance to the nation. I dare not delay any further. I take my leave now.”
Xue Susu nodded, seemingly unconcerned about Chen Hong’s departure.
Chen Hong was pleased by her understanding nature. At least, she wasn't one to throw tantrums and abuse her newfound authority.
Within the Renshou Palace, Yan Song and Xu Jie knelt before the Emperor’s throne. They were both old and frail, as if they could breathe their last at any moment. But their faces wore expressions of utmost loyalty and devotion.
“Your Majesty, Consort Rou’s background is unknown. To hastily elevate her to such a position could be unwise,” Yan Song said.
“Grand Secretary Yan is correct. Moreover, Xue Susu’s origins are lowly. She is a courtesan from the pleasure barge. Her status is insufficient to receive such an honor. The Emperor serves as a model for all under Heaven. Please, Your Majesty, reconsider your decision. For the sake of propriety and decorum, revoke her title and send her out of the palace.”
It was truly remarkable. Grand Secretary Yan Song and Junior Grand Secretary Xu Jie, bitter rivals who had been locked in a power struggle for years – the leader of the “muddy stream” and the leader of the “clear stream” – were now united in their advice to the Emperor.
A bell chimed, and the silk curtains parted.
Emperor Jiajing, seated cross-legged on his throne, resembled an immortal deep in meditation.
He spoke slowly. “Have you finished?”
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Yan Song and Xu Jie immediately prostrated themselves.
Emperor Jiajing opened his eyes. His expression, however, was surprisingly calm. He even had a faint smile on his lips.
“A prostitute is the lowliest of women. My concubines, however, are the noblest of women. The distance between these two is as vast as the chasm between the mortal realm and the heavens.
It is only natural that Xue Susu’s sudden elevation to such a lofty position has shocked the court and even all under Heaven.”
The two old officials knelt with their foreheads pressed against the ground, neither daring to look up.
Emperor Jiajing continued.
“You two are the Grand Secretary and the Junior Grand Secretary. If you didn’t offer me your counsel at a time , you would be neglecting your duties. And if that were the case, you would be unworthy of leading the court. The officials would lose faith in you.
Do you think I don’t understand this? Therefore, no matter what you said tonight, I wouldn’t have punished you.”
Yan Song and Xu Jie finally raised their heads. Their expressions, however, were vastly different.
Yan Song looked moved, while Xu Jie’s face was etched with bitterness.
Xu Jie sighed inwardly. He had no idea why Yan Song had come to offer his “advice.”
But Xu Jie had spoken from the heart. He truly believed that the Emperor should reconsider his decision.
Emperor Jiajing seemed to have seen through Xu Jie’s thoughts.
“Junior Grand Secretary Xu, are you concerned about my reputation or my safety?”
Xu Jie struggled to answer. His words, carefully chosen, had to tread a fine line between honesty and flattery. How could he speak freely without incurring the Emperor’s wrath?
He had spent years navigating the treacherous waters of the court, finally achieving a position second only to Yan Song. A single misstep could ruin his career, even cost him his life. But more importantly, if he angered the Emperor, wouldn't the “muddy stream” continue to dominate the court?
“Your Majesty, this subject dares to speak his mind. An assassination attempt occurred at the Banquet of Benevolence. Although the assassin was wounded by Your Majesty, they have yet to be apprehended. Consort Rou, though she played a role in saving Your Majesty, is a mere mortal. Her involvement in the incident is… suspicious…”
“Junior Grand Secretary Xu.”
Before Xu Jie could finish speaking, Yan Song interrupted him with a sarcastic tone.
“Do you think His Majesty hasn’t considered all of this? Do you believe yourself to be more astute and far-sighted than the Emperor?”
Xu Jie was startled. He instinctively glanced up at Emperor Jiajing, whose face was calm, but his brow was furrowed.
“This subject has erred! How dare I compare myself to Your Majesty? I, a mere official, serve Your Majesty with a heart filled with guilt. I only wish to fulfill my duties…”
Emperor Jiajing waved his hand, preventing Xu Jie from continuing his self-reproach.
“Huang Jin,” he called out.
“This servant is here,” a eunuch responded, appearing at the Emperor’s side with several scrolls in his arms.
As the scrolls unfurled, they revealed paintings of women. Most were incredibly beautiful, their features captivating.
Yan Song and Xu Jie recognized them instantly – the Sage Rulers of the Brahma Sound Pure Land.
Among them, a woman with plain features, yet radiating a regal aura, stood out. It was Supreme Sage Ruler Yao Guang, the newly crowned Empress of the Great Ci Dynasty.
“There are many in this world who wish for my death. But their options are limited. They could lure me out of the Great Ming, gather enough Great Vehicle realm experts, and attempt to kill me while I cannot utilize Pangu’s Giant Body.
Or they could emulate the assassins of old, like Nie Zheng and Zhuan Zhu. Perhaps they might succeed. Or they could pray to Heaven, hoping for my ascension to fail… Hehehe.”
Yan Song and Xu Jie listened silently. They knew the third option was a joke.
If even Emperor Jiajing, the world’s strongest, couldn’t ascend to immortality, then surely no one could.
“One day, I will personally lead my armies, conquer the surrounding nations, and unify the land. I yearn for national ascension, like the First Emperor Qin, not a half-hearted ascension leaving my empire and subjects behind.
But the time for a military campaign is not yet ripe. Currently, I will not leave the capital, just as Yao Guang will not leave her Chao Ge Palace.”
Emperor Jiajing paused. A hint of mockery appeared in his eyes.
“Yao Guang wants me dead. Excellent. I am also making plans, to ensure that only I, in this entire world, have the right to claim the title of Emperor.”
Xu Jie trembled in fear. He had always considered himself Emperor Jiajing's most trusted advisor, second only to Yan Song! But today, he finally understood the Emperor’s true intentions.
He was planning to conquer the surrounding nations?
“Junior Grand Secretary Xu,” Emperor Jiajing spoke suddenly.
“This… this subject is here!”
The Emperor smiled at the terrified official kneeling before him.
“I am not a fool. I have my reasons for keeping Consort Rou by my side. Junior Grand Secretary Xu, in the future, you will refrain from questioning my decisions regarding this matter.”
Emperor Jiajing, repeatedly addressing Xu Jie as “Junior Grand Secretary,” had left the old man drenched in cold sweat.
Xu Jie prostrated himself. “This subject… obeys.”