Chapter 4: The Disappearance of the Two Dragons

Wan Shou Palace, Inner Hall.

After the fierce roar of the tiger and the dragon’s chant, the Jiajing Emperor’s chest heaved violently.

Only then did Huang Jin dare to step forward and soothe him, “Master, please calm your anger. The Crown Prince was saved by the intervention of the immortal, a blessing from heaven. Master must not let this anger harm your health.”

Jiajing snorted coldly, his face darkened. “Investigate!”

Huang Jin immediately nodded. “Such a grave matter shall be thoroughly investigated at once.”

After receiving the order, Huang Jin then supported the enraged emperor into a side chamber, ascending the octagonal Daoist platform within.

She busied herself deftly nearby without ceremony.

Jiajing did not meditate on the platform but sat on the steps, his gaze lingering on Huang Jin’s back. His eyes shimmered with suspicion, countless doubts stirring within.

After a short while,

Huang Jin brought a bowl of medicinal soup.

“Master, drink this to calm your spirit.”

Jiajing glanced sideways but did not reach out. Instead, he spoke in a low voice, “Regarding the Crown Prince’s matter, inside and outside Qingning Palace...”

Huang Jin’s eyes flickered; she bowed slightly. “I understand, the people of Qingning Palace can no longer be trusted.”

“No!” Jiajing spoke decisively, his voice resolute.

Huang Jin was startled but pushed the bowl forward. After a moment’s hesitation, she whispered, “I will handle this thoroughly, and the Crown Prince will not be harmed again.”

Silence enveloped the hall for a moment.

Only then did Jiajing acknowledge with a hum, sweeping aside his robe to take the bowl, downing the medicine in one gulp.

“I still feel uneasy. If the Crown Prince stays in Wan Shou Palace, there would be no danger. But... the old saying about two dragons not seeing each other— I cannot keep the Crown Prince by my side for long, lest he be implicated.”

Jiajing murmured before looking at Huang Jin.

“Select a trusted group to attend the Crown Prince. From Qingning Palace and the Crown Prince’s entourage, choose a few from the Eastern Depot and the Jinyiwei to serve as his attendants.”

As the true identity of the mysterious hand remains unknown, to eliminate hidden dangers, they must strengthen the Crown Prince’s protection.

Huang Jin agreed, committing the matter to memory.

Jiajing’s tone darkened ominously. “Keep a close watch on the court as well. Though the situation is tangled and chaotic, those responsible will slip up eventually, especially those who communicate between north and south.”

Huang Jin bowed. “I accept the order and will uncover the truth, ensuring the villains do not go unpunished.”

Jiajing nodded and sighed deeply. “Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! Unless the truth is revealed, I will not have peace.”

The Crown Prince resides in the Eastern Palace and has suffered harm since his coronation.

Though I now seclude myself in the Western Garden, a thousand days of vigilance cannot prevent every threat.

Those who harmed the Crown Prince today can harm me tomorrow!

Huang Jin recorded each detail carefully, attending to Jiajing as he ascended the platform. Only when he began to meditate did she quietly withdraw to arrange matters.

...

Eastern Side Hall.

Zhu Zaiji had a dream.

In it,

He saw towering mountains and the rising sun illuminating all the world.

On a ridge stood a figure with their back turned to him.

Zhu Zaiji reached out suddenly but grasped nothing. Opening his eyes, he realized he was in the Eastern Side Hall of Wan Shou Palace.

Awakening, he was momentarily stunned before exhaling deeply.

Shaking off the chaotic thoughts, Zhu Zaiji began to quietly contemplate the present circumstances.

Judging by Jiajing’s reaction, he would be vigilant and pay more attention to his own safety. Thus, Zhu Zaiji need not worry as much about security in the Eastern Palace.

Yet, this is not enough.

How can one entrust their life entirely to others?

He is now the Crown Prince of the Ming dynasty, having survived this ordeal. The court will inevitably learn of today’s events, though their reaction remains uncertain.

Having survived, and recently crowned, he will soon be sent to study outside the palace.

Unavoidably, the teachers assigned will indoctrinate Confucian ideals of a benevolent ruler, drawing him into the court’s political struggles.

But he can do nothing to change this now.

The only effective strategy is to cling to the Jiajing Emperor’s favor!

Gain his trust, demonstrate competence, and acquire greater authority.

At this thought, Zhu Zaiji’s gaze darkened.

Yet, to achieve this, one great obstacle remains.

Two dragons do not meet!

Throughout history, even the most treacherous ministers had constant access to the emperor, whispering their schemes to seize power.

If he cannot see Jiajing often, cannot appear at his side regularly,

How can he spread his own schemes?

How can he be the foremost filial son of the Ming court?

“Knock, knock, knock.”

Suddenly, a knock sounded at the door.

Zhu Zaiji looked toward the sound, seeing a figure standing outside.

“Who is it?”

Tao Zhongwen, harboring secrets, stood at the door of the Eastern Side Hall. Hearing the voice, he smiled and replied, “Crown Prince, it is I.”

Zhu Zaiji raised a brow, his smile unfamiliar.

Indeed, a pillow when drowsiness comes.

He quickly rose and walked to the door, face radiant with smiles, and opened it.

“So it’s Master Tao. Today, had it not been for your enlightenment and the herbal concoction, I don’t know what would have become of me.”

After speaking,

He glanced outward quickly before motioning inward.

“Please come in, Master Tao.”

Tao Zhongwen smiled, bowed, and entered the Eastern Side Hall.

By then, Zhu Zaiji had poured a cup of tea and placed it before him.

A genuine and sincere smile adorned his face. “Master Tao, please have some tea.”

As Tao Zhongwen sat, Zhu Zaiji half-lifted himself to offer the cup, which Tao Zhongwen accepted with thanks.

Only then did Tao Zhongwen look at the Crown Prince with a discerning gaze.

Considering all that had happened today,

Had the Crown Prince not mentioned the dream before the emperor, how could he have spoken of the immortal’s aid?

Without that, the Crown Prince’s recovery from darkness would have been inexplicable.

Yet he had not forgotten the Crown Prince’s gaze at that moment.

After much thought,

Tao Zhongwen tentatively spoke, “Your Highness suffered a calamity, but if not for Master Shao’s intervention, I do not know what would have happened. Yet, Your Highness is blessed by heaven, indeed fated, to have Master Shao appear in a dream to rescue you. It shows your profound spiritual connections.”

Zhu Zaiji smiled inwardly but answered solemnly, “Master Tao speaks truly. I have often heard that Master Shao is the most skilled Daoist at the Shangqing Palace on Dragon and Tiger Mountain. In Jiajing’s third year, he was summoned to the capital to serve near the emperor, praying for rain and wind. Master Tao, you have known Master Shao for years as fellow Daoists, instructing my father in the Dao. Without this connection, Master Shao’s aid would have been unlikely.”

Seeing the Crown Prince’s knowledge of their past, Tao Zhongwen felt some relief, then shook his head with a sigh.

“Alas, Master Shao ascended to immortality in Jiajing’s eighteenth year. We can no longer discuss the Dao and wander freely with him. Yet, from this matter, we are fortunate to glimpse the truth. Master Shao’s profound Dao cultivation may have truly led him to the celestial realm.”

Zhu Zaiji agreed, “Master Shao’s great skill surely brought him to the immortal world. Master Tao’s recent Dao teachings, in my opinion, stand alongside Master Shao’s.”

This was praise implying Tao Zhongwen might ascend as well.

Tao Zhongwen smiled knowingly but shook his head, “May the ancestors protect me; how dare I entertain such thoughts?”

“You probably desire it more than anyone,” Zhu Zaiji thought wryly, then said, “This ordeal has given me much to ponder. Had I studied the Dao more diligently like my father, perhaps I would not have suffered so.”

He shook his head, full of regret.

“I wonder if the Dao Ancestor will show mercy, allowing me to study the Dao alongside the emperor and Master Tao.”

...