Prologue

Yang Feng took a deep breath, and a smile appeared on his face, "Oh? So it turns out I am late."

Thank you? Just because you uttered a useless remark? The ministers in the court are like a scattered sand, and they would never dare to appoint a new ruler on their own. You are deliberately spreading alarmist rhetoric, merely to gain the trust of the Empress Dowager

In Yang Feng's eyes, Zuo Ji is a well-read and reasonable bastard, bringing shame to all eunuchs. He is also a decorative pillow, worthy of contempt but not posing a significant threat for the time being. His true enemy lies within the eastern chamber.

On the last day of July in the forty-first year of the reign of the Great Chu, a long era came to an end. The Son of Heaven of the Great Chu passed away that night after enduring years of suffering from illness, having lived for fifty-eight years and reigned for forty-one years, posthumously titled Emperor Wu. The thirty-three-year-old Crown Prince ascended to the throne at the bedside, with five designated regents kneeling before him and a dozen eunuchs prostrating on either side.

Jing Yao said: "I thought it was some remarkable 'unpleasant truth', but it turns out to be nothing more than this. I have already made arrangements, and I will bring the two princes here first thing tomorrow morning"

Zuo Ji smiled and said, "Please, we have been waiting for Master Yang for a long time."

Jing Yao wanted to say something, but the words were on the tip of his tongue and he swallowed them back.

Yang Feng slowly inhaled a breath. If trespassing into the Empress Dowager's chamber is a capital offense, then every word he was about to utter could bring about the destruction of his entire clan. "The Emperor still has two younger brothers, who were sent out of the palace three years ago. Has anyone gone to welcome them back into the palace?"

Yang Feng shouted loudly: "Empress Dowager! Great calamity is upon us! Great calamity is upon us..."

According to convention, the new era name is officially adopted in the first month of the following year, and the remaining months of this year still belong to the late emperor who has already been laid to rest. However, the new emperor is eager to rectify the situation, abolishing a large number of decrees, releasing groups of prisoners, denouncing well-known traitors, and promoting loyal ministers who have been wronged and await vindication

Yang Feng ignored Jing Yao and turned to face Zuo Ji, knowing that this person was the only bridge between himself and the Empress Dowager. "Which prince does the Empress Dowager intend to select for the throne?"

The situation is critical, and I cannot concern myself with so many rules; I am here to save everyone's lives. Yang Feng refused to salute his superior

Zuo Ji's expression changed slightly, "What does 'Yang Gong' mean?"

Yang Feng had no choice but to respectfully accept the order

The Empress Dowager Shangguan is the biological sister of the Empress Dowager and can fully represent her. She sat silently on the chair, without any maidservants by her side. After receiving the kneeling homage of three eunuchs, she sat in a daze for a moment, took out a note from her sleeve, and said: "The Empress Dowager has already drafted a decree; you are to immediately go and welcome the two princes into the palace"

Indeed, the Great Chu established its nation on the principle of filial piety. In every public decree issued by the new emperor, there is a series of elegant and symmetrical phrases praising the achievements of Emperor Wu, followed by a mention of a minor flaw or regret, which is then corrected with utmost reverence and caution

Jing Yao's smile resembled a lion that had just swallowed a sheep yawning, fierce yet sincere. "Entering the Empress Dowager's chamber without summons, Yang Gong, this is a capital offense"

Jing Yao revealed a sorrowful expression, "Your Majesty has unfortunately passed away, and the Empress Dowager is inconsolable... Lord Yang, shouldn't you be by the Emperor's side at this time?"

One month later, Emperor Wu was interred in the mausoleum, and the new emperor officially ascended the throne. Like his ancestors, he selected a term from the "Tao Te Ching" and established the era name as "Xianghe"

Yang Feng, outnumbered, was on the verge of being dragged out of the Empress Dowager's chamber when a person emerged from the east wing. "Stop!" he said, his voice not very loud, yet quite effective. The eunuchs who were about to act halted their steps and slowly set Yang Feng down.

In the midst of misfortune, there is a glimmer of hope; Emperor Huan has a legitimate heir, destined by heaven, with no one to contest his claim. The appointed regents designated by Emperor Wu are still present, sufficient to uphold the governance of the court

"Eunuchs are not to be trusted." Yang Feng himself is a eunuch, yet he still insists on saying, "We are like vines, inherently dependent on large trees. When one large tree falls, we must seek another. I believe that someone has already conveyed the news to the ministers outside the palace."

Zuo Ji hurriedly left, and on Jing Yao's amiable face, anger surged forth as he whispered fiercely: "Your big tree has fallen, and now you think of replacing it with another big tree; it is already too late"

Indeed, the emperor fell ill for no more than three days, and even the most skilled imperial physicians could not have anticipated that the illness would progress so rapidly

Yang Feng's destination was the Empress Dowager's palace. The news of the Emperor's death had already spread, so he was not going to deliver a message, but rather had other intentions. He regretted setting out too late, yet he had to demonstrate his loyalty in the final moments before the Emperor he had raised himself.

Zuo Ji was not that calm; he had never experienced such a significant event before. "I, I will go to see the Empress Dowager."

"You really should read more historical books," Yang Feng said coldly. As long as he was not dead, he refused to admit that defeat was inevitable. Regardless of what was assigned to him, he would make good use of it.

Zuo Jisong released his hand, smiled, and immediately sensed something was amiss, revealing a look of sorrow. "I thought... Your Majesty would mention the Empress Dowager"

As midnight approached, less than half an hour had passed since the young emperor's death. The eunuch Yang Feng stumbled out of the emperor's chamber, running alone through the dark alley, his heart pounding, a fine layer of sweat covering his body, gasping for breath as if he had just escaped from death. For a man in his fifties, he truly had given it his all

Yang Feng spat out the contents of his mouth, pushed away the people beside him, and despite the soreness in his muscles, strode towards the eastern wing with a heart full of disdain and fighting spirit

Yang Feng looked around and asked, "Where is the Empress Dowager?"

Yang Feng was taken aback; he had just won a battle, yet in the blink of an eye, the situation had turned from victory to defeat. The current circumstances were delicate, and remaining by the Empress Dowager's side was the best choice, but this position was solely reserved for Zuo Ji. The next option was to welcome the King of Donghai, yet the prince assigned to him was another royal, a prince who had yet to even receive a royal title.

Jing Yao walked up to Yang Feng and whispered, "Congratulations, Master Yang, on the ascension of the young prince to the throne. This achievement is no small feat."

Jing Yao's dough-like white face instantly turned bright red. After a moment, he said: "Mr. Yang must have read quite a few books; can you predict how you will die?"

Jing Yao stepped aside, his resentful gaze shot down to the floor and then bounced back towards Yang Feng

A eunuch tore off the pouch from his waist and stuffed it entirely into Yang Feng's mouth

In less than four years, three emperors have successively passed away

When it comes to the term "ruzi," Jingyao emphasized the tone, as this is the nickname of another prince

Yang Feng was one of the very few who could move freely within the imperial palace. He soon arrived at the Empress Dowager's sleeping quarters, and the several eunuchs guarding the door watched him enter without anyone stepping forward to stop him. However, there were more than ten eunuchs in the courtyard, and they were not so easy to deal with. Upon seeing Yang Feng, they immediately rushed forward, seized his arms, and began to push him out.

The speaker beneath the corridor is a young eunuch, just over twenty years old, wearing a common blue robe and a small cap found in the palace, which fits him very well and is evidently tailored with great care. A hint of sadness is present on his face, further accentuating his calm and elegant demeanor

This person is named Zuo Ji, a minor attendant in the Empress Dowager's palace. Yang Feng is reluctant to make arbitrary guesses, but he truly hopes to pluck a few strands of beard from Zuo Ji.

Yang Feng stared at Zuo Ji's chin and said stiffly, "I have urgent matters to attend to and must see the Empress Dowager immediately"

On the last day of the ninth month in the third year of Xianghe, the new emperor, who was only thirty-six years old, passed away, posthumously titled Emperor Huan. He left behind a young son, a grieving widow, and a fledgling new court—indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to call it a chaotic mess

Zuo Ji suddenly stepped forward two paces, grabbed Yang Feng's arm, and quietly asked: "You have been by His Majesty's side all along, has he said anything to you?"

Jing Yao shook his head, "Impossible, no one has the courage to do that, and the palace is heavily guarded..."

Two eunuchs glared at each other, resembling swordsmen ready for a duel

Two eunuchs began to compete, with Yang Feng running towards the palace gate, while Jing Yao called to his subordinates in the courtyard. A quarter of an hour later, Yang Feng gathered his followers and encountered Jing Yao's group at the Eastern Qing Gate of the palace. The gatekeeper was clearly aware of the happenings inside the palace and was nervously examining the Empress Dowager's edict.

During the reign of Emperor Wu, the Great Chu entered a period of prosperity, a fact that no one can deny. However, this era of prosperity lasted a bit too long, akin to an extravagant banquet where all participants indulged to their heart's content. Yet, there always comes a time when the excitement wanes and exhaustion sets in. Faced with an abundance of fine wines and beautiful women, one can no longer muster the enthusiasm and simply wishes to collapse onto their own bed and sleep soundly.

Yet the heavens have not yet awakened from their slumber. Merely five months later, at the end of February in the first year of the reign, as the spring breeze suddenly arose and the accumulated snow had not yet melted, the young emperor unexpectedly fell gravely ill. On the night of the third day, he followed the late emperor into the void, leaving no offspring behind

"It will be too late by tomorrow!" Yang Feng raised his voice, "The ministers in the court will take the initiative and select a new emperor from among the two princes, leaving the Empress Dowager with nothing but a hollow title. As for the three of us, we will all become the hated eunuchs, and it will not be enough to simply kill us to appease the world"

Yang Feng lowered his voice and said to Zuo Ji: "Does the Empress Dowager trust everyone around her?"

At the age of fifteen, the young emperor had been favored by his grandfather, Emperor Wu, and his father, Emperor Huan, since childhood. He was personally taught and guided by the most renowned scholars in the realm. After ascending the throne, he was supported by powerful ministers externally and cared for by the empress dowager internally, appearing to be a great emperor poised to establish a prosperous era.

Zuo Ji stood silently at the door, sighing. His position was very secure, and there was no need for him to vie for power like a vicious dog

Jing Yao is the highest-ranking eunuch in the palace, a few years older than Yang Feng. He has served three emperors and is about to welcome a fourth. Over the past decade, Yang Feng has devoted himself entirely to serving the Crown Prince, witnessing his master rise step by step to become the Crown Prince and then the Emperor, and in the final moment, holding his master's hand, feeling the warmth and power dissipate together.

Yang Feng shook off Zuo Ji, recognizing the importance of prioritizing matters. He did not wish to raise any suspicions at this moment

The Empress Dowager shook her head and said, "There is no need to rush with other matters; it is a task for Lord Yang to go and welcome another prince."

Yang Feng immediately stood up and said, "I am willing to stay in the palace to serve the Empress Dowager, and I have some matters to report to her."

Unfortunately, the heavens do not fulfill human wishes. After granting the Great Chu an emperor who reigned for forty-one years and an unprecedented era of prosperity, it also became complacent, neglecting the care of the heir to the throne.

Yang Feng scrutinized him for a few moments, "Your Majesty has long been unconscious... what do you think His Majesty would say?"

Zuo Ji quickly returned, accompanied by the Empress Dowager, Lady Shangguan. Her presence immediately dissolved the tense atmosphere in the living room

Zuo Ji appeared somewhat surprised, seemingly not expecting to receive such attention, and uncertainly said: "At such a time... the Empress Dowager should indeed heed a few words of advice"

Yang Feng turned sideways, still facing Zuo Ji, "The Empress Dowager is in imminent danger, and chaos in the court is approaching. As the Empress Dowager's attendant, you bear a heavy responsibility for the world. Would you be willing to hear a piece of unpalatable but loyal advice?"

Yang Feng coldly met Jing Yao's gaze and said, "You should thank me"

"Eunuch Yang, you should not be here." Jing Yao was short and plump, with a kindly expression on his face. If it were not for his eunuch attire, he would resemble a benevolent old woman.

As soon as Yang Feng finished speaking, the amiable expression on Jing Yao's face vanished completely. He leaped forward to stand in front of Yang Feng and said sternly: "You audacious servant, is this the kind of thing you dare to speak of?"

Zhong Si Jian Jing Yao stands in the room, welcoming Yang Feng

The new emperor has no time for deep slumber; he has endured for too long and wishes to quickly tidy up this mess.

The ministers in the court are not always a disorganized bunch, especially when dealing with someone like us. Duke Jing, you should read some historical texts to a certain extent.

Jing Yao snorted, "Your Majesty, the banquet has not yet lasted half an hour, and it is impossible for the ministers in the court to act so quickly"

The Empress Dowager Shangguan pondered for a moment longer and continued to assign tasks, "Lord Jing, I would like you to go and welcome the King of the East Sea, Lord Yang—"