Chapter 2, Bright as the Moon

Zhu Mingyue suddenly felt a strong desire to look up and see what expression was on the face of the man who had just successfully usurped power; after forcing his own nephew into despair, to the point of self-immolation, what kind of expression would he have

The young girl said no more, nodded in greeting, and turned to leave

On the night of the palace burning, the Emperor escaped from the secret passage of the sleeping quarters, Zhu Mingyue said

The emperor has passed away, and the northern army has occupied the palace. A minor female official is still able to walk freely within the palace, remaining unperturbed! Some eunuchs and old palace maids, who are perceptive, reveal expressions of sudden realization upon witnessing this; as for the concubines, amidst their jealousy, there is a wave of resentment.

The leading eunuch did not escort her very far; as soon as they exited the side hall, he turned back. Before leaving, he informed her that the sedan chair that had come to fetch her was waiting outside the Xihua Gate. Zhu Mingyue was well acquainted with the layout of the palace and knew that the side hall of the Fengtian Hall was quite a distance from the Xihua Gate, so she assumed she would have to walk there herself

Miss Yue did not expect it either

Yao Guangxiao called out to her from behind

This "he" naturally refers to the former ruler of Jianwen

monk

Like his grandfather, he is also a trusted confidant of the Prince of Yan, but he has much more experience than his grandfather. In the 13th year of the Hongwu era, the Prince of Yan was granted the fief of Beiping; in the 15th year of Hongwu, the founding emperor selected eminent monks to serve various princes, to recite scriptures and offer blessings for the late Empress Ma. This "Master Daoyan" was recommended by others and became an important strategist for the Prince of Yan, later accompanying him to Beiping to preside over the Dazhou Temple.

Zhu Mingyue entered the side hall of the Fengtian Palace with a very complex state of mind

Yao Guangxiao was in shock, his face displaying disbelief, but he quickly calmed down and, with a serious expression, looked at Zhu Mingyue and asked, "Is this true?"

Zhu Mingyue stood still for a moment, then turned around, her pair of pitch-black eyes as cold as ice. "This young lady is not the Prince of Yan, nor does she possess such grand ambitions. As for the enticing words of Lord Yao, let others listen to them."

To deliver a decisive counterattack at the appropriate moment is precisely the tactic that Zhu Mingyue learned from Yao Guangxiao; she is not one to suffer losses easily. While she cannot afford to provoke Yao Guangxiao, in order to avoid the fate of being discarded after use, and to prevent a repeat of past mistakes—should he fail to fulfill his promises, leading to mutual destruction—she has no choice but to accompany him to the end.

The young woman knew that Lord Yao would say that she was "the compassion of a woman." However, one is not made of grass or wood, and cannot be devoid of even a trace of empathy. At the very least, there is still humanity and conscience!

However, there are truly very few people in this world whom she cherishes. For her, her father's position is more important, and the safety of the whole family is more important. There is only so much she can do

Yao Guangxiao's expression grew more serious as he said: "So, is it true that the sudden fire in the palace that night was also because of this? Who did it? Who has such great power?"

Absolutely true

Not dead

Zhu Mingyue had no mind to pay attention to so much, walking forward with her head down along the palace wall, passing through the square in front of the hall and the narrow alley, turning out of the long corridor, until she bumped into someone head-on

Having said that, they left without any lingering attachment

During the time of Emperor Taizu, it was stipulated in the court that any palace maid who had received instruction from the inner officials and was literate in both reading and writing would first be designated as a female scholar, then promoted to a female historian, and eventually elevated to a palace official, reaching the rank of the six departments in charge of seals. These women were mostly selected from the Jiangnan region, not only for their beauty but also through a thorough examination of their household registration and character. Those who were somewhat literate and had a good command of writing were offered silver coins and sent to the palace. Among them, those who were knowledgeable in etiquette, intelligent, and possessed a balanced temperament had the opportunity for promotion and appointment within the palace. They would then be further instructed in classical texts and palace regulations, ultimately being selected for various offices and halls.

"In the defense of the throne during the Jingnan Rebellion, your father was a meritorious minister, and you too have made significant contributions."

Zhu Mingyue suddenly recalled the loyal ministers around Emperor Jianwen, the upright and wise Qi Tai, the sincere and straightforward Fang Xiaoru, and the overly pedantic yet fiercely loyal Huang Zicheng... The disciples of Confucianism and Daoism still possess a sense of compassion for the world, yet how can the Buddhists lack even a trace of mercy

After a while, a faint "hm" sounded from above.

Until the calamity of the Jingnan, he treated her exceptionally well

The strings in Mingyue's heart suddenly tightened, who is it

The upcoming preparations are naturally for the national mourning.

Zhu Mingyue sighed and nodded, saying: "Yes, the young lady has just come out from the side hall of the Feng Tian Palace"

Zhu Mingyue observed everything keenly

Even on the night of the arson and self-immolation, I still wanted to escape with her

"In this place, Miss is considered quite an elder, may I have the honor of your company for a walk, poor monk?" Yao Guangxiao's amiable demeanor made it hard to refuse. However, Zhu Mingyue felt a subtle sense of resistance.

Under the blazing sun, the girl's face is cold and resolute

This secret is too great for her to bear alone, which seems rather unwise. Yao Guangxiao was the one who initially recommended her to the Prince of Yan, and for many years, all communications have passed through him alone. If it is said that she is aware of the situation while Yao Guangxiao remains completely in the dark, given the Prince of Yan's suspicious and distrustful nature, it is uncertain whether he would believe it.

In the thirteenth year of the Hongwu era, when the Prince of Yan was about to leave the capital for his fief, he had appointed many officials within the court. Subsequently, over the years, he also continuously sent numerous women into the palace.

Zhu Mingyue felt that the person above her truly needed to scrutinize her expression carefully, in order to discern how much of her words were true and how much were false. However, that man merely sat by the kang, holding a smooth and translucent cloud piece, neither dropping it nor moving, simply holding it silently, with his gaze seemingly lost in the vastness of nowhere.

The girl's gaze was distant, and she remained silent for a long time

Since that time, he officially began to enter and exit the residence of the Prince of Yan, assisting the Prince in overcoming obstacles and plotting for the throne. In terms of seniority, he was the foremost strategist and military advisor under the Northern Army. Although he had taken vows as a monk, he was a disciple of Taoism, studying the arts of Yin and Yang. Among the legendary figures in the court, known for their cunning and secrecy, he could be considered the foremost.

In the event of an accidental encounter with the Northern Army, or if one were to come across the rebellious former troops of the capital, during such chaotic times, there would be no ability even to ensure one's own safety

Yao Guangxiao seemed to have guessed what she was thinking, and following her gaze, he said with a faint smile: "Since ancient times, to achieve great things, it is inevitable that a few people must perish. Those who accomplish great deeds will certainly not take this to heart. Miss, your face shows signs of displeasure; could it be that you are troubled by this and unable to let it go?"

It is because of grandfather

Then, what about him

The King of Yan seems to be weary. After enduring so many life-and-death battles, remaining vigilant and waking early to toil late, he is already very tired, just before reaching the pinnacle of power

She is not a saint, it is impossible for her to master everything, nor can she possess a heart of stone

Zhu Mingyue raised her gaze to look at him, and suddenly found it amusing

never tried

The Northern Army of the Prince of Yan came to assist the throne, unlike those bandits who, after capturing a city, would plunder wildly and then set fire to everything they could not carry away. The Northern Army is the imperial army, and the Prince of Yan is the emperor's own uncle. With the old ruler having passed away and the new one yet to be established, there are indeed too many matters awaiting their attention in the current dynasty

He is not dead

But is she not the daughter of the Left Army Commander, Zhu Jiamingyue?" A eunuch stepped forward and inquired.

Zhu Mingyue followed the chief eunuch, directly crossing the threshold of the palace, and circled into the warm chamber on the east side, where a sense of oppression and coldness rushed towards her

Usurping the throne can be described as differing positions and loyalty to one's sovereign; but what about the massacre of the common people? Those former officials from the capital, those soldiers who fought to the death for the Jianwen Emperor, were they not common people? Even the Northern Army, were they not common people? Who is born to kill? The victors and the vanquished is a fact, but what about the innocent souls who died unjustly?

At this moment, Zhu Mingyue had already exited the second gate with the visitor, stepped over the threshold, and entered the small sedan chair with a flat top and plain curtains. Hong Dou bit her lip, hesitating whether to immediately report to the master. At that moment, she heard a voice from within the sedan curtain: "You stay in the residence, and also remember to prepare the generals' lunch."

Miss Yue forgot that they are all soldiers, born to belong to the battlefield, and take pride in dying on the battlefield said Yao Guangxiao as he looked at her

Yao Guangxiao looked at her for a long time and said: "Yes, this humble monk cannot."

The young girl raised her head and said with a hint of a smile, "Even the wisest may have their oversights; not everything can be anticipated by Lord Yao."

In the end, were you the one by his side

Time flows like sand, and in the blink of an eye, things have changed and people have become different. Miss Yue has blossomed even more beautifully, pleasing to the eye. I wonder how you have fared in the palace these past few years

It was the height of summer, and the weather was exceedingly hot. The sedan chair was carried along the main street outside the West Gate of Xi'an, until it was brought to a stop in front of the West Hua Gate. The bearers were already drenched in sweat. The sedan chair was set down steadily, and the bearers carefully pressed down on the poles. Once everything was in order, a servant approached with a bow, respectfully lifting the curtain.

The two individuals walked north along the vermilion palace walls, passing through the auxiliary halls in front of the corridor, and arrived at the front square leading to the Xihua Gate. On the wide and straight marble path, there were hundreds of soldiers dressed in mandarin duck battle jackets, standing motionless under the blazing sun.

The subjects are unaware

The low-hanging stone blue curtains and bead curtains, layered and intricate, pass through one lattice door after another, with hollowed-out carved patterns that emit a bright and rich hue in the sunlight. These were originally constructed during the Hongwu period and renovated anew during the Jianwen era, their glossy red lacquer appearing fresh and vibrant, as if one could smell the scent of the lacquer upon them. However, the cold atmosphere that pervades the hall throughout the year, even in the current hot season, inexplicably induces a shiver.

Please follow me

Had it not been for his immediate admiration, she would not have left Beiping to come to Yingtianfu, nor would she have entered the palace to serve as a companion reader

She hesitated, revealing her uncertainty and astonishment, while simultaneously attempting to carefully conceal a hint of panic.

Zhu Mingyue said: "This hat is something that my daughter and I cannot bear. There is no need for Lord Yao to provoke us with his words. My daughter is merely a solitary piece on the chessboard; how can she not take precautions and seek a way out for herself and her family? My daughter also believes that even if Lord Yao is not a man of his word, he would not lift a stone only to drop it on his own foot"

The Prince of Yan has sent a message, asking Miss Yue'er to accompany this old servant to the palace.

Until the day they find the Jianwen Emperor, or the day the news leaks, the two individuals who share the secret become grasshoppers tied to the same rope, suffering together in loss and perishing together in death

Rise up

Zhu Mingyue stepped backward out of the side hall, following the leading eunuch as they exited the main hall. After turning around the corridor in front of the hall, she leaned against the red-painted pillar, breathing slightly heavily, her back already soaked with cold sweat.

After the sparse words were spoken, the person above did not continue. Zhu Mingyue knew that it was time for her to take her leave

Indeed, for her, as long as it does not affect her own interests, the lives and deaths of others are of no concern. However, he is different; he is a monk

The Jingnan Campaign ended in complete victory, and everything came to a close

She is the most favored female official in front of the Wenhua Hall

In the current Miyagi, only the Northern Army remains. The old troops of the capital have suffered over half of their casualties, and the remaining remnants are under strict supervision. The soldiers arrayed before us display expressions of utmost seriousness and solemnity; even the commanding veterans show no signs of joy that one might expect after a successful coup.

Yao Guangxiao gazed at her silhouette for a long time, then smiled, shaking his head without speaking

Zhu Mingyue did not shy away as she raised her gaze, looking directly at the monk in the black robe. "My bottom line has always been my father, and this was the condition under which I agreed to enter the palace for Lord Yao. The country is about to change hands, and the situation may not unfold as one wishes. If you can uphold your original promise and ensure my father's peace for a lifetime, I will be deeply grateful; if not..." The country is about to change hands, and the situation may not unfold as one wishes. If you can uphold your original promise and ensure my father's peace for a lifetime, I will be deeply grateful; if not..."

The young girl smiled gently and said, "I have always been under the care of Lord Yao, and I should report everything to him without exception."

The subjects are unaware

It turns out that in the young lady's eyes, the prince is such a person, " Yao Guangxiao remarked, " Or should I say, in the eyes of your father, the governor of the left army, the prince is that kind of person? Is he worth the young lady using such a significant secret as leverage!

The guiding eunuch escorted her all the way to the side hall of the Feng Tian Hall. Looking up, she saw a broad dragon tail path stretching out before her, infused with the majesty of the imperial presence, directly entering her line of sight

A faint beam of light streamed in through the ornate door, illuminating the middle-aged man seated on the brocade kang in front of the eastern window, his satin python robe shining brilliantly in gold. The floral-patterned carpet beneath his feet was also a large expanse of golden red, glaringly bright to the eyes.

Isn't the Emperor already buried in the sea of fire

A black monk's robe, giving an impression of a slender and ethereal figure, exudes an unmistakable aura of celestial grace and Daoist essence. Such attire would typically be found in a temple, and the only place it could appear within the imperial palace would be that of one individual.

They are soldiers. However, the duty of a soldier is to defend the territory and be loyal to the monarch and love the country, not to usurp the throne and slaughter their own people

There had been no response from above for a long time. She maintained her bent posture, and beads of sweat gradually appeared on her forehead

Yao Guangxiao stroked his chin and said with a smile, "Miss, you have become much more taciturn compared to before, which inevitably reminds this humble monk of many years ago, when Miss Yue'er was still a young girl, innocent and lively, as lovely as ice and snow."

The person above asked

She no longer needs to return to this palace, nor does she wish to see the person before her again. It is precisely because of him that he personally orchestrated this coup, plunging the originally peaceful realm into chaos, causing her father to resolutely sacrifice his life in pursuit, and forcing her to leave home for a full seven years, entering this palace that devours people without spitting out their bones alone.

Zhu Mingyue said expressionlessly

After many years apart, the voice and demeanor have changed, yet the smile remains the same, familiar to the point of evoking no sense of incongruity. Especially that monk's robe, which still appears just as it did in my memories, unchanged.

Who has been summoned?

The leaves of the acacia tree outside the gilded window rustle in the wind, resembling the sigh of someone.

Even someone as steadfast as Yao Guangxiao was shaken by these words, "What... what did you say?"

They are all intelligent individuals, and it is already quite clear at this point.

No one is willing to bear the stigma of parricide, especially when the throne has not been obtained through legitimate means. She understands that when the loyal army is at the gates, the King of Yan did not immediately order an entry into the palace, which provided the young emperor with sufficient time—either to take his own life or to abdicate.

Zhu Mingyue did not expect to go against and deceive herself in such a significant matter, yet on that night, when he threw the candle onto the curtain, and at the moment he looked at himself with a resolute and sorrowful gaze, reaching out his hand towards her, she ultimately wavered

She has spent a full five years in this palace, one year as a companion reader in the Eastern Palace and four years presiding over the imperial court. She is most familiar with the various halls and towers within the palace. Yet now, merely two days later, as she steps back into these palace walls, she feels as if she has returned from a different world.

Heaven knows, earth knows, you know, and I know

The old eunuch squinted his eyes and glanced at the maid in the courtyard, then turned around and respectfully said to the curtain of the sedan chair: "Miss Yue'er, please rest assured and follow this old servant, the General of the Left Army is also in the palace."

Zhu Mingyue adjusted her collar and bowed her head, respectfully greeting the other party.

How many people

The subjects pay their respects to His Majesty the King of Yan, wishing Your Highness peace and prosperity

What?

After five years of companionship, she is not a stubborn stone

I dare not, the young lady merely wishes to remind you

Yao Guangxiao paused his hand that was twisting the prayer beads, turned his head to look at her, and said with an expression that was difficult to read: "Miss Yue'er, are you threatening this humble monk"

Zhu Mingyue turned her head to look at him, hoping to discern some trace of sadness or guilt on that face, but there was none at all

Yao Guangxiao squinted his smiling eyes, gazing at her for a moment before saying: "Miss Yue, have you met the prince?"

Among the more than twenty individuals sent to the palace with her, within just a short year, many noble ladies placed in the inner court quietly disappeared without a trace. In the end, she was the only one left. As the Crown Prince ascended to the throne and became the later Jianwen Emperor, she also rose from a minor companion scholar to a position of authority within the court.

Yes, thank you for your concern, Mr. Yao

When we first met that year, I told the young lady that she and I are quite fated; moreover, the young lady's destiny is noble, and she would not be confined to a small residence. The imperial palace is merely one of the tribulations, and the young lady's path is likely still long ahead.

Alright, we will follow the arrangements made by the authorities

Zhu Mingyue did not know whether all the crown princes were as gentle and shy as he was, but from the way he had always cared for his ailing father, and then mourned his father's passing, followed by personally attending to his great-grandfather, it could be said that he embodied the virtue of filial piety from beginning to end. In dealing with such a kind-hearted yet reticent young man, she had learned many thoughtful ways of serving.

Little girl is very curious, what exactly does a life mean in your eyes

As a member of the Buddhist community, he nonetheless took root in the harsh northern lands alongside the Prince of Yan, secretly and distantly monitoring those of her status as "court people," gathering intelligence, and gradually assisting the ambitious Prince of Yan in his quest for power, in conjunction with the northern military affairs.

The young lady is not a saint

Zhu Mingyue complied and stood quietly to one side with her head bowed

After a brief exchange of words, there was a long silence once again

Who else knows

The result is that there are just a pile of plates and bowls. As Hong Dou tidies them up, she thinks to herself, I hope such days do not last too long

Yao Guangxiao gazed at the crimson palace walls behind her for a moment, not feeling angered; instead, a rare look of confusion appeared on his face. "Miss Yue'er is naturally intelligent, with a mature mind, and she never pays attention to trivial matters. In the past, this monk always felt that it was somewhat selfish and indifferent, yet I regarded it as one of the exceptional qualities of the young lady. Now, however, after the death of some people, she has such a reaction. Could it be that she has developed feelings for that young emperor?"

Yao Guangxiao held the prayer beads, rubbing them one by one, remaining silent for a long time. After a long sigh, he finally said: "Even if we do not meet again today, Miss Yue'er will find a way to inform this poor monk about the matter, won't she?" This is truly a shocking secret! That is why she dared to speak such outrageous words in front of him, and why she was so confident, completely unafraid of provoking his anger.

Zhu Mingyue is one of them

A deep and calm voice emerged, much like the impression that the Prince of Yan gives: cold, cruel, driven by a thirst for power, and harshly indifferent. The enumerated traits stand in stark contrast to the refined, humble, and magnanimous character of Emperor Jianwen

The red bean was buried in the bowl, and upon hearing the words, it immediately stood up alertly.

On the morning of the second day, Hong Dou got up early to prepare breakfast. The eastern kitchen was devoid of ingredients, cooks, and maids, so Hong Dou had no choice but to go to the market to buy supplies, filling a large table with a hodgepodge of items. The military generals rose early, devoured their meals, and hurried into the palace as if they were rushing to a market.

Mr. Yao, it has been a long time since we last met

The gentle breeze lifts the hem of the skirt, creating layers of enchanting pink waves. The young girl, dressed in vibrant and bright attire, stands there like a graceful spring flower, with delicate features and clear, piercing eyes, as if she has stepped out of a painting

She bowed her head and said "yes", stepping aside to let him go first

Indeed, how can one feel joy? The Jingnan Campaign was merely the final act; how many lives were lost on the road from Beiping to Yingtianfu! With hands stained in fresh blood, treading upon countless white bones, one ultimately steps into this imperial city, which symbolizes the utmost reverence and grandeur of the royal family. It is not merely a matter of being high above and feeling cold, is it? Her hands are not clean; after so many innocent lives were slaughtered, who among the loyalist troops can dare to claim they are free from the guilt of bloodshed?

Just as Zhu was preparing to accompany the generals into the palace to meet with King Yan, a eunuch from the palace suddenly arrived from the residence in the west of the city

The platform, approximately 30 feet high, is constructed entirely of solid blocks of snow-white marble, adorned with vividly carved dragon motifs. Ascending the towering red steps, the crimson carpet spreads like flames, and the majestic palace seems to stand amidst the clouds, exuding grandeur and a solemn beauty.

In the past, the loyal ministers surrounded the young emperor like stars encircling the moon, a scene of such splendid glory. Yet now, the valiant generals have perished, the wise ministers have taken their own lives, and the remaining ones have all been imprisoned. Apart from those under the command of the Prince of Yan, the former officials of Jianwen waiting in front of the hall at this moment are merely a bunch of cowards fearing for their lives

Zhu Mingyue's gaze was too complex. After speaking, she lowered her head and quietly said: "Although the Emperor has escaped, at the moment he was surrounded in the imperial city, he had only two close ministers by his side. Whether he can ultimately escape is still uncertain. What if..."

It was only because he divined and told her that if she wished to ensure her father's lifelong peace, she must enter the palace to assist. The year she came to the capital, she was only seven years old, having been taught to read extensively and possess a wealth of knowledge. After two years of rigorous training, at the age of nine, she excelled in the palace examination and was even recognized by the founding emperor, who personally assigned her to the crown prince. Naturally, she had always used a false name and identity.

Your Majesty

Currently, there are not many people who can move freely within the palace. Even the eunuchs and palace maids are confined to their respective areas of service. The remaining concubines of the harem are not allowed to leave their chambers without permission; otherwise, they would be treated as conspirators. Through the moon gate and the guards stationed at the entrance, some palace maids, upon catching sight of her from a distance, could not help but widen their eyes in astonishment.

Is grandpa also here? The young girl wondered

Perhaps she should address him as "Master Daoyan"

From the carved railing of the side hall, one can vaguely see some figures in crimson official robes on the vermilion platform in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony

Miss Moon

Zhu Mingyue retracted her body and said: "At the time the city was breached, the Emperor locked himself inside the palace and left no one behind"

Perhaps only such individuals are suited to occupy that position

The young girl nodded: "Yes"

What a coincidence

However, the young man set the palace on fire

Devotedly loyal, she nearly risked her entire fortune and life to assist in the usurpation of power. It was only natural that the King of Yan regarded her as one of his own, which is why he did not eliminate her, the informed party.

Then, he asked, "How did this fire start?"

At this moment, encountering any person from the Northern Army within the palace is entirely reasonable

At the moment she knelt down, she almost blurted out "My Emperor"

If the Jianwen Emperor did not die, it would be difficult to ensure that there would not be a day when the matter is exposed.

It is the Northern Army

Then, has he said anything?

How ridiculous! In the face of calamity, he never expected that his own queen would take a mere female official with her. What merit or capability does she possess to deserve such trust from him? After all, the gates of the nation have been breached, and once the news leaks, he will have no way out!