Chapter Thirteen: The Prince's Case
As soon as he had money, Qin Shouzhong found everyone’s gaze toward him grew warm and familiar.
“However, one must fight before truly knowing each other. Today we become friends. From now on, if Old Lord Qin ever needs anything, just call on me. I’ll help if I can. Besides, the He family is a second-tier noble household here in the capital. If there’s anyone Old Lord Qin wishes to look after, feel free to tell me.”
Qin Shouzhong felt a stir in his heart.
Today, the He family came to seek his favor within his own small domain. Naturally, Qin Shouzhong could wield his power at will. But that didn’t mean the He family lacked strength. If the scene were reversed on their turf, they could easily make Qin Shouzhong feel utterly helpless.
“Master He speaks truly. From now on, we are friends. Since the He family has influence within the palace, if there’s anything, do come to me. I still have some face inside the palace.”
After personally escorting He Zhong’an out of the palace gates, Qin Shouzhong, walking back to the Imperial Workshop, suddenly paused, recollecting the day’s events. His steps faltered: “No, I’ve been played by He Zhong’an.”
On the way back to the He residence, He Ziqi asked, “Third Young Master, why did you give silver to Qin Shouzhong?”
“Second Uncle, you opposed when I wanted to give silver to Qin Shouzhong. Why now do you not want it back?” He Zhong’an responded.
He Ziqi looked embarrassed. “It’s just that the household is short on funds.”
“But no matter how tight the money is, this silver can’t be handed over,” He Zhong’an said. “I see Qin Shouzhong as a thoroughly petty man. He values nothing but profit. Nothing he promises can be trusted. To make him cooperate obediently, you have to keep him under constant control—always holding some leverage over him.”
“I asked for ten thousand taels precisely to anger him. Using the music box affair as a means to pressure him, so he understands who’s begging whom. Only then will he cooperate quietly. Otherwise, who knows if he might sabotage or delay the project?”
“But all of this is for the sake of producing the pocket watch as soon as possible. As for the silver, if it’s truly taken, then we’ve made a real enemy. Those in the palace are more harmful than helpful. If he utters a few harsh words before the Emperor, our family will be in trouble.”
“It’s best to offend no one if it can be avoided.”
“So, you mean Qin Shouzhong won’t bite us in the future?”
“No,” He Zhong’an said. “I think Qin Shouzhong has already figured it out. Everything I do benefits both sides. Men like him are shrewd; they know I’m not to be trifled with. Without enough incentive, he won’t make a move against me.”
“He will only befriend our family.”
In essence, He Zhong’an played a subtle game of shifting appearances and feelings—what was once gained and lost, lost and regained. Ten thousand taels lost then found again would bring immense joy, while the reverse would cause regret and frustration.
In reality, nothing was truly gained or lost. But simply changing the sequence of events conjured different emotions.
Even now that Qin Shouzhong understood, he could not bring himself to hate He Zhong’an.
Moreover, He Zhong’an spoke truthfully—once outside the palace, eunuchs held no power. Ultimately, eunuchs were mere servants. If Qin Shouzhong wanted to conduct affairs beyond the Forbidden City, he needed a partner.
The He family fit the bill.
From a purely pragmatic standpoint, it was wise to forge a good relationship.
Just as He Zhong’an predicted, once back, Qin Shouzhong fully grasped that all his actions, his joy and anger, were being orchestrated by He Zhong’an. Realizing this, he felt a flicker of fear—like being sold out and then having to count the money afterward.
He silently vowed, “I must be careful with He Zhong’an in the future. Best not to offend him.”
After discussing Qin Shouzhong, He Zhong’an asked He Ziqi, “What exactly is going on with Princess Changle? What was it that couldn’t be spoken of before?”
“You don’t know?” He Ziqi replied. “You must have heard of the Crown Prince’s rebellion case.”
He Zhong’an hadn’t heard of it. From He Ziqi’s account, it was a grave political affair.
“They say all sorts of vague things, but the details are unclear.”
“That’s true,” He Ziqi continued. “Such matters are not to be casually spoken of outside. But since you’ll be dealing with palace affairs often, you must understand some things and avoid taboos.”
“It’s been almost ten years now. After the Emperor returned from his southern campaign, he fell ill, said to have caught a lingering southern plague, bedridden for over a hundred days. The imperial physicians were helpless, and everyone said he had only days left.”
“The Emperor himself thought so too and arranged everything early on.”
“But he was stubborn, clinging to life for over ten more days.”
“At first, the Crown Prince attended to him. But he wasn’t fit to care for the sick and gradually stopped coming to see him. Eventually, he assumed the Emperor would die and prepared for the funeral and his own enthronement.”
“If the Crown Prince thought that way, others in the palace naturally did as well.”
“The favored concubines with sons hoped the Crown Prince would treat their children well. The Empress helped the Crown Prince prepare the state funeral and ceremony. No one really cared for the Emperor except Princess Changle and the Imperial Noble Consort, who was then still a mere concubine, who tirelessly tended the Emperor.”
“Eventually, the Emperor pulled through the crisis, looked around, and saw the palace waiting for his death. He flew into a rage.”
“He immediately summoned the capital’s troops overnight, deposed the Empress, and ordered the Crown Prince’s execution. Three princes had died of illness by then, and the court was purged.”
“At that time, all seven Grand Secretaries were arrested and their families exterminated. Nearly ten thousand Crown Prince supporters were executed.”
He Ziqi shivered recalling it.
When the Son of Heaven is enraged, millions fall.
Fortunately, the He family, as second-tier nobility, was hardly involved and escaped the turmoil. Many renowned scholars were beheaded, the bloodshed was overwhelming.
“Princess Changle’s mother was made Imperial Noble Consort and given charge of the harem. Princess Changle herself was raised at the Emperor’s knee, favored above all princes.”
“But you must never mention these matters in front of outsiders—it’s a grave taboo.”
He Zhong’an nodded. “I understand.”
He felt a fleeting sadness—the imperial family had no affection.
Ordinary families prepare for an elder’s passing in advance. The Crown Prince’s actions might be considered unfilial, but were humanly understandable.
He also understood the Emperor. Struggling between life and death, everyone fawned over the Crown Prince but abandoned the Emperor.
Not even common folk could accept such treatment.
They say thirty years to see a father respected by his son, thirty years to see a son respect his father.
It’s not just about the son’s status but how the son treats his father. If a son disregards his own father, who else will care?
Only those families caught in the crossfire suffered.
He Zhong’an suddenly asked, “How old is the current Emperor?”