Chapter 12 – Arrangements

Qiu Hu arrived at Dengcao Alley and, following instructions, approached the third house where he found a family surnamed Su. He knocked on the door, and after a while, a young servant came out to answer. The boy seemed well-trained, bowed and asked, “My master is not at home. May I ask who has business? Please leave a note first, my master said he would reply one by one.”

Qiu Hu handed over the box, “I was invited by someone to look for an official named Fang Zixing. Please relay this message, it’s important. I’ll wait here for a reply.”

The young servant looked puzzled but still accepted it, then asked how to write ‘Fang Zixing.’ After that, he closed the door and went inside.

As the young servant walked in, he saw Su Huaibai drinking tea inside. Seeing the servant holding the box, he asked, “Another visiting card from someone?”

The young servant replied, “Father, it’s from a servant of a family. They’re looking for Fang Zixing, seems like they’re from a merchant household.”

Su Huaibai was taken aback, took the box, opened it, and saw the Qilin jade pendant inside. His face changed slightly as he gripped the jade tightly, asking, “Where’s that servant?”

The young servant replied, “He’s still waiting outside for a reply.”

Su Huaibai said, “Invite him into the study to have some sweets immediately, then send someone to call Fang Zixing over. The old master of the Fang family is ill, Fang Zixing just took leave.” Thinking about it, he frowned slightly, adding, “Send someone to the palace to ask Zhao Side what the Emperor is doing now.”

Before Fang Zixing arrived, the messenger sent to the palace returned with news, “Brother Side said that last night, after the Emperor rode his horse, he left the palace. The eunuchs serving at the Imperial Horse Supervision said that the Emperor mentioned some matters and left the palace, he hasn’t come back yet.”

Su Huaibai’s expression changed, “That bastard Zhao Side, when the Emperor left the palace at night, he didn’t immediately report it to me! He didn’t even find out which guards accompanied him, what a waste of teaching him!” He stood up and urged, “Has Fang Zixing arrived yet?”

The young servant replied, “Not yet.”

Su Huaibai thought for a moment and said, “Go back and make sure Zhao Side finds out which guard accompanied the Emperor out of the palace. Also, find out what the Empress Dowager is doing.”

The young servant acknowledged and ran out again.

After a while, Fang Zixing arrived. Su Huaibai led him in quietly and whispered about the matter, showing him the jade pendant. Then he told Fang Zixing, “This jade pendant is indeed worn by His Majesty. When I was on leave, coincidentally, your family had something happen and you took leave too. Neither of us were around the Emperor, and someone brought something from the Emperor. This is very strange. Since he specifically wants to see you, you should go out and meet him. I’ll watch from behind.”

Fang Zixing was surprised, “Eunuch Su thinks that my grandfather’s illness is a scheme?”

Su Huaibai replied, “To put it bluntly, your grandfather is old, it’s too easy to make an elderly man sick. I can think of several ways… You should first ask that servant.”

In the study, Qiu Hu was still sitting there. He hadn’t even touched the tea, merely sitting upright waiting for someone. Hearing footsteps, he immediately stood up, showing his good manners. Su Huaibai watched the young servant from behind the screen, guessing.

When Fang Zixing entered and saw Qiu Hu, he was stunned, “…You’re that…”

Qiu Hu promptly bowed, “Greetings, Master Fang. Last night, Prince Helan was bitten by a snake. He’s currently staying at our young master’s residence. Our young master woke up today and ordered me to deliver a message. He asks you and Steward Su to cooperate and stabilize the situation in the mansion. Tell everyone outside that Prince Helan caught a cold from riding a horse, he’s resting due to illness and won’t see guests.”

Fang Zixing was shocked and angry, “What?! The young master… was injured?” His fists clenched and his eyes widened,

A rustling sound was heard as Su Huaibai also came out from behind the screen, his face stern, “Where is our young master staying now? Have you called for a doctor?”

Seeing that Qiu Hu wasn’t nervous, he cupped his hands and asked, “May I ask who this gentleman is?”

Fang Zixing replied, “This is Steward Su, please tell him clearly, little brother.”

Qiu Hu replied point by point, “Last night, Prince Helan was bitten by a venomous snake. Fortunately, he was rescued by our young master and taken to his home. We gave him our family’s detoxifying pills and had a doctor use leeches to suck out the poison. A skilled doctor examined him and said that only his eyes were affected by the poison, causing some blurriness. The doctor said it’s no problem, once the poison clears in a few days, he’ll be fine.”

Su Huaibai asked further, “Which family’s young master is your young master? Where is he staying now? Are there reliable people serving him?”

Qiu Hu replied respectfully, “My master is the Prince Jing’s heir. Currently, Prince Helan is recuperating at the young master’s private residence outside. We haven’t leaked any news. There’s no shortage of clothes, food, medicine, etc. in the residence. Please rest assured, Steward Su.”

Su Huaibai’s eyes flashed as he realized something. It was that young master who paid 100,000 taels to redeem Prince Helan! A smile appeared on his face, “It’s Prince Xu, how fortunate for our young master to be saved by the Prince!”

His thoughts raced. Since Prince Xu had seen him, he couldn’t appear anymore, but he needed to arrange for two young eunuchs to go over to facilitate communication. Then, let Fang Zixing go.

After making up his mind, he hurriedly said, “Since our young master is recuperating at Prince Xu’s place, we’re naturally relieved. But since our young master’s eyes are inconvenient now, he has some dietary and daily routine restrictions. He might feel embarrassed to order around Prince Xu’s high-ranking servants. I’ll send two young servants with Minister Fang to serve our young master.”

Qiu Hu replied, “Before coming, the young master instructed me to follow whatever Minister Fang decides.”

Su Huaibai quickly turned around, called Wufu and Liushun over, and gave them some instructions. He packed many new, top-quality undergarments, medicine, and tea leaves. He let those two young eunuchs accompany Fang Zixing and arranged for a carriage to leave through the back gate.

Breathless, Fang Zixing arrived at Bamboo Branch Workshop with the two young eunuchs. Xie Yi was drinking soup when he heard they had arrived; he only said indifferently, “Wait over there.” Fang Zixing saw the Emperor with white gauze over his eyes and slightly purple lips, feeling uneasy. However, he didn’t dare disturb him and stood quietly on the side, waiting with his hands down.

Wufu and Liushun didn’t dare to breathe loudly, only standing behind to serve. They watched as Little Duke Xu personally held the soup bowl, feeding the soup carefully spoon by spoon.

When the bowl of soup was finished, Xia Chao came over with a towel to wipe Xie Yi’s mouth and helped him lie down halfway. Xu Chun smiled at Fang Zixing, nodded, and retreated with Xia Chao.

Seeing no one else in the room, Fang Zixing ordered Wufu and Liushun to wait at the door. Then he stepped forward and said softly, “Sir, how are you? Should we invite a court physician?”

Xie Yi sneered, “If I didn’t invite the court physician, I might live a few more years.”

Fang Zixing lowered his head, almost shedding tears, “Sir, please take care of your health.”

Xie Yi said indifferently, “What’s happening in the palace?”

Fang Zixing replied softly, “Su Huaibai sent someone to inquire. The Empress Dowager said she was uncomfortable the night before and ordered court physicians to stand guard in the Cian Palace. Concubine Jing is serving her, nothing unusual. The Emperor hasn’t returned overnight, and there’s a record at the Imperial Horse Supervision of the Emperor taking a horse and leaving the palace. Afraid of alerting the enemy, we didn’t dare to check the records of the Hall of Military Affairs and the Department of War, but the palace appears peaceful.”

Xie Yi laughed, “Concubine Jing is serving the Empress Dowager? If I had died then, the Empress Dowager and the deposed Empress could immediately support someone to ascend the throne, becoming Grand Empress Dowager and Empress Dowager respectively. It would’ve been convenient. Unfortunately, I’m missing, they must be panicking now. They’re probably searching for me everywhere in the palace right now.”

Fang Zixing didn’t dare speak. This Concubine Jing was the deposed Empress. At that time, because the Emperor insisted on his own way, he directly issued an imperial decree to depose the Empress. The memorials from the censors were like snowflakes falling, and the cabinet members jointly submitted a memorial to advise against it. However, the Emperor completely ignored them, insisting on his own way. He did compromise though, to preserve the dignity of the imperial family, he didn’t demote her to commoner status, only demoting her to Concubine Jing and not allowing her to be visited.

The Emperor was young when he ascended the throne, and at the age of twelve, he was already made an emperor under the guidance of the Empress Dowager and the regent king. After the Empress was deposed, there was no concubine in charge of the palace, and there were no favored concubines. The harem was so desolate, the relationship between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor wasn’t good. She didn’t say a word about the deposed Empress and only chanted Buddha’s name in the Cian Palace.

No matter how many high officials opposed it at that time, the Emperor still deposed the Empress. Now, who dared to mention Concubine Jing? Moreover, on such a cold day, the Emperor was bitten by a poisonous snake. If not for timely rescue, the palace might have already changed its ruler…

Xie Yi slowly lay down and said, “Find someone to disguise as me, get a carriage, and have Su Huaibai escort me back to the palace together. When you return to the palace, just say that I’m meditating and reading, not seeing anyone. Have Su Huaibai stay in the palace, don’t let anyone in. Anyway, it’s still within the New Year break, it won’t be exposed for a while. Let’s see what they do next, especially closely monitor whom they contact outside the palace, including the cabinet ministers.”

Xie Yi sneered, “The Four Palaces and Two Bureaus must have insiders. They’re waiting for my death to draft an edict to establish a new emperor, otherwise, they wouldn’t be so bold. Keep a close watch!”

Fang Zixing solemnly agreed. Xie Yi said indifferently, “Go.”

Fang Zixing hesitated, “Should I send some guards over…”

Xie Yi firmly replied, “No need. The Imperial Horse Supervision and the Hall of Military Affairs must already have insiders. We can’t move rashly. Besides… I’m safer here. With you and Su Huaibai escorting me in, they’ll only think I’m injured and recuperating in the palace. They won’t suspect anything.”

Fang Zixing still advised, “I’ll send some family guards from my home… it’s reassuring to have a few people here.”

Xie Yi sneered, “Your family’s guards are probably not as capable as the few book boys carefully left by the Sheng family at the heir’s side. Do you think these traces of the fall from the horse and seeking medical treatment to detoxify could be hidden without the help of the people around the heir of the Duke? Moreover, speaking of food, clothing, housing, and transportation, this wealthy family’s attention to detail may surpass the palace. If I’m not mistaken, the nearby houses are probably all guarded by the Sheng family. Otherwise, how could the neighbors not notice such actions last night?”

Fang Zixing agreed after hearing his reasoning and said softly, “Your subject obeys the command.”

Xie Yi said, “Just call me Ninth Master. Don’t reveal any clues in front of Xu Chun. Also…”

He asked, “Did you bring money? Give Xu Chun 10,000 taels as compensation for my expenses these days. Find the Twenty-Four Directorates and the Board of Ceremonies, arrange a royal commission for the Sheng family’s purchasing agent, give them the title of royal merchant.”

Fang Zixing knew that the Emperor disliked owing others. For saving the Emperor, a reward was due, and this was a roundabout way of rewarding the Sheng family. This time, they indeed relied heavily on the Sheng family’s servants and medical hall. He was sweating bullets and grateful to the Sheng family, so he respectfully agreed, “Yes.”

Xu Chun received the silver ticket without much thought. Ninth Brother looked aloof, how could he take advantage of him? He was originally worried that Ninth Brother’s family and friends would come to take him away. Unexpectedly, Big Brother Fang came and left, leaving only two servants and money behind, asking him to take good care of their Ninth Master. He was delighted and became even more attentive, asking questions left and right. He also ordered people to visit Doctor Zhou every three days, revolving around Xie Yi’s bed every day. He supervised every meal, boiled soup, changed medicine, and so on, showing meticulous care and tenderness.

Even Xie Yi, who previously felt that Xu Chun was intolerably frivolous, now felt that the child was still teachable.