Chapter 45: The Emperor’s Boundless Grace

Zhu Houzhao stared at the Imperial Sword placed before Fang Jifan, suddenly feeling a sense of foreboding. He had completely ruled out the possibility that his father was his actual father now. Unconsciously, he clutched his chest, feeling intense heartache.

Yang Tinghe and the others were also stunned, caught completely off guard.

Thinking carefully, some had a sudden realization. Indeed, without proper justification, words carry no weight; without weighty words, nothing can be accomplished. Hitting the Crown Prince without reason was a grave crime against the Emperor. But now it seemed that beating the Crown Prince had a remarkable effect. Look, wasn’t the Crown Prince much more normal now? If Fang Jifan’s method could help the Crown Prince become a wise ruler, why not grant him the sword so that he could legitimately discipline the Crown Prince? Wouldn’t that be the best of both worlds?

His Majesty’s foresight was truly profound and unfathomable. Admirable, truly admirable!

Fang Jifan stared wide-eyed at the Imperial Sword, dumbfounded, and couldn’t help but say, “This… this… is it really alright? Won’t His Majesty be angry?”

“Quickly take the sword,” Emperor Hongzhi said, pushing the sword toward Fang Jifan’s chest. “Don’t worry, just do your best.”

“Do your best…” That sounded a bit strange…

The situation shifted like a roller coaster. Fang Jifan didn’t stand on ceremony, sighing inwardly. Fortunately, Zhu Houzhao was a universally disliked brat; it seemed beating him had become a universally celebrated act. So Fang Jifan relaxed, taking the sword with both hands.

The heavy sword in his hands seemed to fill Fang Jifan with unparalleled confidence. “Your servant… thanks Your Majesty. Your servant will persist, work diligently, and do his best!”

Whew…

He felt good.

Just then, a eunuch outside called out loudly, “Her Highness the Empress has arrived… Her Highness the Princess has arrived…”

It turned out that after the Emperor became enraged here, Liu Jin had quickly rushed to Kunning Palace to inform Empress Zhang.

Empress Zhang had only this precious son. She had been teaching the Eldest Princess needlework in Kunning Palace when she heard the news. This was serious—even if her son made a grave mistake, she didn’t want the Emperor to lose his temper and accidentally harm him.

Speaking of Empress Zhang, aside from her, Emperor Hongzhi had no other consorts in his inner palace. The couple deeply loved each other, and Empress Zhang was extremely virtuous. The Emperor advocated frugality, so she set an example in the inner palace by personally weaving cloth and reducing palace expenses. She was the model of a motherly figure to the world, with only one flaw—she was fiercely protective.

Now that it was clear the Emperor intended to punish the Crown Prince, she would not stand for it, even disregarding palace etiquette. Bringing dozens of palace maids and eunuchs, along with the Eldest Princess who had been doing needlework, she hurried over.

Before the officials in Minglun Hall could rise and take their leave to avoid the scene, Empress Zhang had already strode in. Her “phoenix eyes” first searched for Zhu Houzhao. Seeing he was unharmed, she relaxed. She had a fair complexion and was pretty, though not stunningly beautiful. Instead, she carried an aura of grace and approachability.

Seeing his rescuer had arrived, Zhu Houzhao’s eyes lit up, and he hurried forward. “Your Son and Servant greets Empress Mother.”

Empress Zhang, full of concern, helped Zhu Houzhao up and inspected him from head to toe. “My son, have you angered your Imperial Father again? Did you apologize?”

Zhu Houzhao quickly replied, “Your Son and Servant did not provoke Imperial Father.”

Hearing Empress Zhang’s words, Fang Jifan inwardly chuckled. Empress Zhang was extremely shrewd. From the start, she asked Zhu Houzhao if he had angered the Emperor, and next whether he had apologized. Likely, if Zhu Houzhao admitted it, the matter could be dismissed. Even if he had violated heavenly laws, Empress Zhang would probably say to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, it was the Crown Prince’s fault, but since he has admitted his mistake and apologized, please do not be angry.”

Empress Zhang clearly hadn’t expected Zhu Houzhao to stubbornly deny it, but she simply smiled lightly. “That’s fine. This Palace came because your great-grandmother just mentioned you and wants you to go see her quickly. My son, you are the apple of the Grand Empress Dowager’s eye. Spend less time idle; whenever free, you should be at the Grand Empress Dowager’s side, keeping her company and entertaining her. The Grand Empress Dowager loves you the most.”

Simply brilliant.

Emperor Hongzhi was left with no temper at all.

Empress Zhang’s implication was that she hadn’t come to cause trouble or to rescue her precious son, but because the Grand Empress Dowager Zhou wanted to see her grandson.

At this point, even if the Emperor had been furious and still wanted to punish Zhu Houzhao, he’d have to consider the standing of the Grand Empress Dowager Zhou.

Since Emperor Hongzhi was originally born to a palace maid, and his father in the inner palace favored Consort Wan exclusively, Consort Wan naturally saw the young Emperor Hongzhi as a thorn in her side. It could be said his childhood was extremely tragic, almost day-to-day survival.

Right then, his grandmother, the Empress Dowager Zhou of the Chenghua Reign, upon learning of this, decisively took the young Emperor Hongzhi to Renshou Palace to raise him. Under his grandmother’s protection, Consort Wan dared not harm Emperor Hongzhi any further. In Renshou Palace, his grandmother taught him to read and the principles of life. At that time, the Chenghua Emperor was muddled and foolish, the palace was dark and chaotic, and Consort Wan held exclusive favor. Only at his grandmother’s side did the young Emperor Hongzhi find a bit of warmth.

Thus, after Emperor Hongzhi ascended the throne, he naturally treated Grand Empress Dowager Zhou with the utmost filial respect. If even a small matter displeased her, Emperor Hongzhi would be deeply worried. Even if she caught a minor Wind-Cold Disorder, he would attend her day and night at her bedside, not daring to rest.

Now that Empress Zhang mentioned that Lady Zhou missed her grandson, there was nothing more to say. Even if the sky were falling, Emperor Hongzhi wouldn’t dare interfere.

Though Empress Zhang, as a woman, bringing so many people to the House of the Crown Prince appeared to outsiders as overly protective, when she invoked Lady Zhou’s name, no one dared say a word.

This was filial piety—the Imperial Grandson honoring his grandmother was proper. Empress Zhang was the granddaughter-in-law; now that the grandmother deeply missed the Imperial Grandson, was it not right for Empress Zhang to come and prevent the elder from falling ill from longing?

Fang Jifan had truly witnessed the Empress’s brilliance. With just a few words, she left everyone without any complaint.

Holding Zhu Houzhao’s hand, Empress Zhang still seemed uneasy and deliberately added weight to her words. “My son, are you truly alright? Later, don’t let anything happen that might frighten your great-grandmother.”

Zhu Houzhao pursed his lips, intentionally not answering.

Emperor Hongzhi, speechless, finally squeezed out a sentence. “Ahem… It’s nothing, nothing. Houzhao, go to Renshou Palace to pay your respects. Go quickly.”

Zhu Houzhao had no choice but to say, “Imperial Father, Your Son and Servant obeys.”

Watching this harmonious scene, Fang Jifan’s gaze fell upon a shy young girl behind Empress Zhang.

Earlier, Fang Jifan distinctly heard that besides the Empress, a Princess had also arrived. Could this be the legendary Taikang Princess Zhu Xiurong?

Looking closely, the girl was very cute, seemingly only a year or two younger than Zhu Houzhao, appearing somewhat bashful. Her skin was fair and delicate, her oval face like a painting. Beneath her willow-like eyebrows were eyes that held a hint of mist and charm. Though still young, she clearly had the makings of a beauty.

Perhaps out of habit from teasing Xiaoxiangxiang, Fang Jifan whenever he saw a woman, inevitably harbored some indecent thoughts, showing little restraint.

Thus, the Princess hiding behind her mother noticed Fang Jifan’s gaze, slightly annoyed yet not daring to speak up, she just averted her eyes elsewhere.