Chapter 175: Disobedience Will Be Punished

The atmosphere in the great hall was too delicate.

The emperor's reward to Second Madam Zhou was genuine and substantial.

She had already held the title of a third-rank honored lady, and he now directly elevated her to first-rank Lady Guardian of the Realm—a distinction granted to her alone, above her husband and her son.

After announcing the honor, the emperor also declared he would grant her a salary.

Her annual stipend was two thousand dan of grain.

Not only did she receive the title, but also a salary—this reward was heartfelt.

But the reward to Zhou Yuanshen carried a subtle edge.

Gifting singing girls was the sort of thing done in private, over drinks, as a way for a superior to draw a subordinate closer.

It was a gesture that said, "We're in this together, you're my confidant, and from now on we'll share the spoils," bridging the distance between them.

It was never a public, courtly commendation from an emperor to his minister.

That just wasn't proper.

This kind of gift felt more like a slap in the face.

Second Madam Zhou stepped forward and bowed: "This subject thanks Your Majesty for your boundless grace."

Zhou Yuanshen also stepped forward to bow.

Many people glanced furtively at Cheng Zhao.

Cheng Zhao's expression remained calm. She neither smiled nor changed her face, appearing oblivious to the probing looks around her.

Soon, eunuchs brought in two singing girls.

Both were beautiful—seductive and alluring.

But the emperor said only one was to be given away.

He looked at the two of them and laughed abruptly: "Why are there two?"

"Your Majesty, they are twin sisters," said the eunuch.

"They don't look much alike," said the emperor.

"Some twins don't look alike, but there is a hint of resemblance," the eunuch replied.

"What are their names?" the emperor asked.

The two singing girls bowed gracefully, their movements and expressions exquisitely coquettish.

"This slave is Xian Si."

"This slave is Xian Xiang."

The emperor studied them, then said to Zhou Yuanshen: "I can't give both to you—that would make me seem too indulgent, and I'd fear you'd become spoiled by favor."

The words "spoiled by favor" struck every heart in the hall like hammer blows.

The emperor then pointed at one girl: "This one, called Xian Si, I give to you."

He pointed at the other: "Prince of Andong, this one, called Xian Xiang, goes to you."

Helian Xuan seemed to pause for a moment, then quickly stepped forward to bow in thanks: "This subject thanks Your Majesty."

"You are my cousin," the emperor said. "When good things come, you won't be overlooked. No need for you to fight for anything."

Everyone tried to parse these words but remained baffled.

Cheng Zhao stood there and understood the whole matter clearly.

Zhou Yuanshen had killed Liu Zheng for the emperor.

But he hadn't told the emperor how he'd done it—and he'd even swapped the arrows.

He wanted the emperor to vouch for him, to pin the blame on the spy, keeping his own hands clean. The emperor had caught on quickly.

To have his own blade turn against him—the emperor was furious.

But Helian Xuan had meddled in the middle.

If Liu Zheng had not died, he and Helian Xuan would have framed Zhou Yuanshen as the spy. With Liu Zheng dead, Helian Xuan was too alone to carry the plan.

He'd tried to force a frame-up.

Whether by luck or deliberate self-harm, Zhou Yuanshen had wounded his own shoulder, clearing himself of suspicion as a spy.

Cheng Zhao still clearly remembered the scar on Zhou Yuanshen's shoulder—it looked like a wolf's head with no eyes. He'd always said he would tell her the story, but something kept interrupting, and he'd never gotten around to it.

Without the tattooed totem, and with even the scar itself hard to verify—since the white wolf's bite had been so severe—Helian Xuan's plan collapsed.

For his own selfish motives, he had nearly derailed the emperor's design, and the emperor was deeply annoyed.

Helian Xuan had been disobedient; Zhou Yuanshen had concealed the truth. Both men, once the emperor's most trusted, were pursuing their own agendas.

The emperor was angry, but not too angry. He gave one singing girl to each as a minor punishment—these two women were likely the emperor's spies as well.

After the emperor finished with the rewards, Zhou Yuanshen and Helian Xuan bowed in thanks and withdrew, each taking his beauty.

The spy was still kneeling.

The emperor picked up his sword, walked over, and struck at the spy's neck.

Blood sprayed everywhere.

The women and civil officials may never have known that blood from the neck could spray so high, so far—a few droplets even landed on the Crown Prince's face.

The Crown Prince wanted to cry but dared not, trembling all over.

Someone let out a startled scream—not just among the women, but among the elder ministers too.

Cheng Zhao closed her eyes.

Her thought was: "Thank goodness Yuan Qi isn't here."

These filthy sights shouldn't be seen by Yuan Qi; he would be frightened.

Last time, at the Zhou family's Chenming Hall, the emperor had killed the same way.

This did not build his authority—it only ruined his reputation.

Cruelty in a monarch was a grave taboo.

"Drag him out," the emperor said.

The spy, head lolling, eyes wide in death, was dragged away by the guards.

Blood trailed all the way to the gates of the hall, and the stench of gore lingered in the air.

The emperor then announced that Vice Minister of the Grand Court Pei Yanhe was promoted to Grand Court Minister, and Fan Xiao was promoted to Vice Minister of the Grand Court.

— As if to compensate Zhou Yuanshen, since Fan Xiao was his maternal uncle.

With that handled, the emperor declared the hunting expedition concluded. Everyone was to return and pack, departing at an auspicious hour tomorrow morning.

Second Master stood behind the other officials the whole time, silent.

Fan Xiao did not look too pleased either.

That night, Zhou Yuanshen did not come to Cheng Zhao's small courtyard.

Second Madam was troubled, trying to comfort her: "Zhao Zhao, don't worry."

"Mother, Concubine Mu at home isn't dead, just sent to the estate; and there are two beautiful chambermaids too. One more concubine won't make a difference," Cheng Zhao said.

Second Madam: "...You don't have to put on a brave face with me."

"A matron must first put on a brave face, and slowly, she learns to let things go," Cheng Zhao said.

Then she couldn't help but add: "Congratulations, Mother. First-rank Lady Guardian of the Realm, with a salary to boot. From now on, you can walk among the titled ladies with your head held high."

"I should be happy. But when I think of A-Shen's wound and that singing girl, I can't muster any joy," Second Madam said.

Cheng Zhao turned to comfort her instead.

Seeing that Cheng Zhao was not downcast—though not exactly cheerful either—Second Madam felt slightly relieved.

The next day, on the return journey, Zhou Yuanshen could not ride a horse due to his injury, so he also traveled by carriage.

Second Madam came over and swapped with Cheng Zhao: "I'll take care of A-Shen for a stretch. We'll switch again after the midday rest."

Cheng Zhao agreed.

Second Madam didn't waste time inspecting her son's wound. She said straightaway: "That singing girl the emperor gifted you—you cannot touch her."

Zhou Yuanshen nodded: "I understand."

"You know it in your head—good. You can't get involved with a woman like that. It's not just about the emperor; don't hurt Zhao Zhao's heart either," said Second Madam.

Zhou Yuanshen: "Did she say something?"

"What could Zhao Zhao say? She's always been virtuous and magnanimous," Second Madam said.

Zhou Yuanshen paused for a moment, then said: "She's the Duke's wife."

"That remark sounds sour."

"It's the truth," Zhou Yuanshen said.

Second Madam: "I know—you're complaining that Zhao Zhao doesn't keep you in her heart, that she doesn't get jealous. You're still young. Wait another ten years, and you'll know how good a wife like this is."

Then she added: "Zhao Zhao may be a young girl, but she knows how to control her temper. Don't hold grievances against her over this."

"There's none, Mother," Zhou Yuanshen said, changing the subject. "Mother, what happened with that male wolf?"

Second Madam then recounted the events of the previous day in detail to Zhou Yuanshen.

"...If the branch hadn't been sharp enough, you and the Crown Prince could both have been in danger," Zhou Yuanshen said.

Second Madam: "No battle is ever a sure thing—you win by luck in the moment."

"Mother, you win. None of the titled ladies in the capital are as honored as you. They rely on their husbands and sons, but you rely on yourself," Zhou Yuanshen said.

Second Madam: "From now on, if anyone bullies Zhao Zhao, I can use my status to pressure them and stand up for her. She truly hasn't had it easy."

Zhou Yuanshen: "..."

His mother, who had suffered years of oppression from her mother-in-law and sisters-in-law, didn't seek revenge after rising above them—she only wanted to shield her daughter-in-law.