The Ming Dynasty's Five Hundred Years

Chapter 280 Imperial Concubine
Spring rain, as moist as oil, drizzled over the capital city. On the willows in the gardens and palaces, tender buds sprouted, creating a vibrant scene.

Emperor Zhu Zhanji, dressed in a martial attire, held a bow and arrow, and was riding his horse, aiming at the sika deer in the palace garden. Li Xianmu also drew his bow. Although he was a civil official, his martial prowess was higher than that of many military generals. He drew his bow to its fullest extent, and the bowstring trembled slightly.

Two sharp arrows rang out simultaneously, and the two sika deer fell to the ground, both struck by arrows. Cheers and applause erupted around them, and a group of palace guards quickly rode forward and brought the prey back.

Zhu Zhanji was very pleased and exclaimed, "Teacher, you have been busy with paperwork for many years, yet you still have such excellent archery skills. You are truly extraordinary."

Li Xianmu praised, "Your Majesty is skilled in both literature and military affairs, and has the style of Emperor Taizong."

Zhu Zhanji smiled, put away his bow and arrows, pulled on the reins, and spurred his horse back. Li Xianmu followed beside him. Suddenly, a lone rider came galloping towards them. The palace guards quickly stopped him. Zhu Zhanji glanced at the rider and immediately laughed, "It seems the Imperial Concubine couldn't wait for me any longer and sent someone to look for me."

Upon seeing this, Li Xianmu concealed his brows, a knowing glint in his eyes. It wasn't that Consort Sun couldn't wait for the Emperor; it was clearly because of Sun Guangzong's affair that she was anxious and had come to visit him.

……

Sun Mansion.

Upon hearing the news, Sun Zhong, the Vice Commander of the Central Military Commission, was so shocked that he dropped his teacup and exclaimed in disbelief, "You mean Emperor Guangzong was taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard? Because of the corruption at the imperial mausoleum?"

"Exactly! Master, the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censorate have come with great force. They not only took away the young master, but also more than a dozen prominent officials from Changping. They must be up to no good. It could very well be another Guo Huan case!"

Sun Zhong was even more terrified upon hearing this. The biggest corruption case since the founding of the Ming Dynasty was the Guo Huan case, which the Taizu Emperor had executed, resulting in a bloodbath.

“Steward Sun, don’t talk nonsense. This is no longer the Hongwu era. There would be no such bloody corruption case.” Sun Zhong’s eldest son, Sun Jizong, rebuked him in a deep voice, and then comforted him, “Given my brother’s identity, the Embroidered Uniform Guard will certainly not use torture. Let’s get him out as soon as possible.”

“I told him long ago that my family is already wealthy enough, but he just wouldn’t listen. He insisted on getting involved with money he shouldn’t have, and he’s a spoiled brat who lives off his sister’s influence. Does he really think that no one in this world can handle him?”

Sun Zhong cursed angrily, then sighed, "Ji Zong, didn't you hear what Steward Sun said? The person who arrested him was Li Mao. Do you think Li Mao would dare to arrest Guang Zong so openly without Li Xianmu's approval?"

A deep sense of apprehension flashed in Sun Jizong's eyes.

The number of people that the Sun family now fears can be counted on one hand, and Li Xianmu is the first one!
“Our family has no grudge against Li Xianmu, so why would he do this? I’ll go and pay him a visit right now and ask him to show leniency for the sake of the Sun family.”

"You're going? What face do you have?"
Back then, when Emperor Taizong wanted to depose the crown prince, he was rebuffed. If you go and ask him to be lenient, your brother will die even faster!

He's most likely using the imperial tombs as a pretext, and your brother just happened to run into his trap. Others might be more lenient, but Li Xianmu won't give you or me any face. Have your mother go to the palace immediately to see the Imperial Concubine. If you want any chance of a turnaround, you can only ask His Majesty to intervene.

Sun Jizong's face darkened, and he felt somewhat helpless. He could only turn around and go to the backyard to fetch his mother, as the inner palace was not a place for men like them.

……

"His Majesty!"

Consort Sun rushed towards Zhu Zhanji with a hint of panic, then looked up and saw Li Xianmu beside Zhu Zhanji, a deep sense of fear flashing in her eyes.

To say that Sun Ruowei could bewitch Zhu Zhanji to the point of abandoning his empress for her, besides the deep affection they shared growing up together, Sun Ruowei's stunning beauty also played a significant role.

Her face was as charming as peach blossoms in spring, her figure slender and graceful like a willow swaying in the breeze, and her brows carried a bewitching charm. Compared to her, Empress Hu appeared too dignified and rather uninteresting.

"What's wrong with the Imperial Concubine?"

Zhu Zhanji put his arm around Consort Sun and then sat in the main seat at the head of the table. Of all the consorts he had brought on this hunting trip, only Consort Sun Ruowei was with him.

"Be careful not to upset the baby."

"His Majesty……"

Consort Sun glanced at Li Xianmu involuntarily, and said hesitantly, "It's my fifth brother. He was taken away by the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

Ok?
Upon hearing this, Zhu Zhanji immediately frowned. "The Embroidered Uniform Guard actually dared to take away my beloved concubine's younger brother. They really have the style of the stubborn magistrate of the Later Han Dynasty."

"My dear consort, don't worry. Even if the Imperial Guards take him away, they won't dare to torture him. I'll just send an imperial decree to release him. What did your brother do to deserve being taken away by the Imperial Guards?"

Consort Sun was now somewhat embarrassed, especially since Li Xianmu was right in front of her.

"My dear consort, why are you looking at your teacher with such hesitation? Is this matter somehow related to your teacher?"

"The one who took Xiao Wu away was Yuanfu's elder brother, Li Mao, the Vice Commander of the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Huh?" Zhu Zhanji was taken aback for a moment, then murmured, "No wonder he dared to take your brother away. I thought the Embroidered Uniform Guard really had such a tough bone to stick."

As the emperor with absolute power, Zhu Zhanji knew better than anyone which family in the capital was the most powerful. The Hu family and the Sun family, as maternal relatives, were now quite prominent among the imperial relatives. The Embroidered Uniform Guard, as the emperor's personal guard, was the least likely to provoke the imperial relatives.

"Teacher, what happened?"

"Your Majesty, I received a secret report that the chief minister of the Imperial Clan Court in Changping embezzled funds meant for the construction of the imperial mausoleum and colluded with court officials. After discussing the matter with several ministers, we conducted a secret investigation, and it turned out to be true. As a result, the Censorate, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Embroidered Uniform Guard went to Changping together. My elder brother also went there in person. It was probably around this time that Consort Sun's younger brother was arrested."

Li Xianmu briefly explained the situation. Consort Sun looked somewhat uneasy. If Li Xianmu hadn't been there, she could have easily persuaded the emperor to release her brother by acting coquettishly. After all, her brother held a low-ranking position and had many high-ranking officials protecting him. But now, things were not so sure.

"Corruption of the imperial tombs?"

Zhu Zhanji was instantly enraged, his hair and beard almost standing on end. "How dare you!"

"Your Majesty~" Consort Sun nestled in Zhu Zhanji's arms and called out sweetly.

Zhu Zhanji suppressed his anger, but still said angrily, "Teacher, this matter must be thoroughly investigated. They even dared to embezzle from the imperial tombs. They are truly audacious."

"However, I remember Consort Sun's fifth brother was just a minor official, I think in some department, but I can't recall." "Your Majesty, I don't know either; I rarely see him."

Sun Guangzong's rank indeed meant he would never be able to meet Li Xianmu.

Consort Sun said sweetly, "He's just a low-ranking official of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices. What could he possibly have done? Why don't we just release him?"

Consort Sun planned to take advantage of Li Xianmu's ignorance of the situation and force him into marriage, but how could Li Xianmu so easily grant her wish?
Zhu Zhanji also thought that what could a lowly seventh-rank official possibly do, especially since he was Consort Sun's brother. He was about to agree when Li Xianmu spoke first, "Your Majesty, before I left, I instructed that only the ringleaders be arrested. Since my elder brother has arrested Consort Sun's brother and imprisoned him, it means that the crime he committed is not minor. Why don't I ask him what he did before we discuss other matters?"

Moreover, although his official rank is low, his status is far from simple; he is a legitimate member of the imperial family, and he wields considerable influence both among the common people and in official circles. I have heard many extraordinary tales and anecdotes about the imperial family among those connected to the imperial family.

Consort Sun's expression immediately hardened, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes. She wasn't stupid; how could she not see that Li Xianmu was deliberately trying to silence the emperor?

After much deliberation, she realized that she had not offended Li Xianmu. Just as her father had said, Li Xianmu was a man who hated evil and was determined not to let the matter go.

She opened her mouth, but decided to hold back for now and plead with the emperor after Li Xianmu left, so as not to be interrupted by Li Xianmu again.

When Li Xianmu saw that Consort Sun did not speak again, his heart sank. Sure enough, how could a woman who could win the emperor's heart be so simple?

Zhu Zhanji, of course, was unaware that his ministers and concubines had already gone through several rounds of confrontation. He chuckled and said, "Then I will issue an order to the Embroidered Uniform Guard, forbidding them from using torture. Also, make sure their food, drink and other necessities are taken care of, so that the Consort will not worry. After the matter is investigated, they will be released."

"The minister obeys the order."

Li Xianmu's heart sank further. The emperor's favoritism towards Lady Sun was truly boundless. Even matters concerning the imperial tombs could be so easily overlooked. It was as if he had forgotten his ancestors after marrying a wife. This was the way emperors of all dynasties had been.

This is really a difficult situation.

……

Before nightfall, Zhang Wan was summoned to the palace by Consort Sun. While waiting in the side hall, Zhang Wan was quite nervous, wondering what Consort Sun wanted to do.

When the two met, Consort Sun carefully examined Zhang Wan, and then said softly with a smile, "Madam is truly beautiful, even I feel pity for her."

Zhang Wan immediately knelt on the ground, saying, "Your Majesty's praise is too much for me. Your Majesty is a woman of unparalleled beauty, while I am but a plain and unremarkable woman."

"Madam, there is no need to be so nervous. I have summoned you to the palace today because there is a misunderstanding with the Grand Secretary. My younger brother made a mistake and was taken away by the Grand Secretary. Madam Sun and Madam Li are both relatives of the emperor. According to His Majesty, I should address them as uncles. Since we are family, I would like to ask the Grand Secretary to be lenient. That is why I have summoned you here today. Please convey my message to him."

Zhang Wan's heart skipped a beat. It was indeed this matter. Without thinking further, she said in a deep voice, "Your Majesty's wishes will be conveyed by this humble servant."

"I've heard that Madam and the Grand Secretary are deeply in love. I hope Madam can put in a good word for me, so that in the future I may..."

"Although our two families cannot become related by marriage, we can still get closer to each other."

Zhang Wan knew that the Li family could not marry into the royal family because their blood ties were not beyond the fifth degree of kinship. But even if they were, they could only become concubines. The standard for the royal family to select an empress was a minor official. A powerful family like the Li family could only become a noble consort at most.

Zhang Wan turned and left. Consort Sun watched Zhang Wan's departing figure, her eyes filled with a deep, unfathomable light.

"My lord, I hope you can be lenient," she murmured softly, her hand gently stroking her lower abdomen. "Otherwise, we'll have a long road ahead of us."

Consort Sun was naturally unwilling to be enemies with Li Xianmu, but if there was really no other way, she was not afraid of Li Xianmu. After all, the greatest power in the world was the royal family, and she was carrying the only child of the royal family in her womb!
After returning to the manor, Zhang Wan told Li Xianmu everything she had discussed with Consort Sun that day. After finishing, she asked with some concern, "Husband, since the Consort said that, why don't we release her brother? Although we are not afraid, there is no need to make enemies of the Consort."

Li Xianmu pondered for a moment.

“Consort Sun is already favored, and now she is pregnant. If she gives birth to a son, she will likely be made the crown prince. Besides, my husband, haven’t you been saying that His Majesty the Emperor is planning to depose the empress again?”

A future empress and crown prince—this is not someone our Li family can afford to offend. Even if you, my husband, don't think of yourself, you should think of our child.

Throughout history, which dynasty's rulers who opposed the imperial family ever met a good end?

Zhang Wan was genuinely worried. She was quite knowledgeable and naturally knew the consequences of offending the royal family. Although the Li family was prominent, it was because of the emperor's favor. Once they lost favor, their power would slowly fade away.

The imperial power of the Ming Dynasty was almost supreme.

Even at the height of the civil service's power in the Ming Dynasty, even during the Chongzhen era, although the entire civil service group could not be shaken, the emperor could easily deal with an individual or a family if he wanted to.

Especially for a powerful emperor like Zhu Zhanji who held real power!
No matter how powerful Li Xianmu is now, he cannot possibly stand against the emperor.

“Actually, I know all this.” Li Xianmu sighed slightly. “According to the law, these people should all be sentenced to death, but since it involves the maternal relatives of the emperor, the Sun family and the Hu family, who were both involved, the emperor will surely show special leniency.”

It's not just the royal family.

In this era, nobles had blatant legal privileges. If the Li family committed a crime, the emperor would show them special leniency. Yang Shiqi's son ran rampant in the local area and even committed the heinous crime of murder, yet he has not been punished to this day.
The Li family only prevented such dissolute children from emerging because Li Xianmu was strict in managing them; however, in other aspects, they frequently transgressed the law.

"But we can't leave them unpunished. This matter concerns the vital affairs of the nation. Arresting them is meant to make an example of them. How can we let them all go unpunished?"

Li Xianmu said in a deep voice: "The matter of the imperial mausoleum is related to the implementation of the 'dedicated funds for specific purposes' policy. Your Majesty is aware of the importance of this matter. Tomorrow I will go to the palace and explain the whole story to Your Majesty. I believe Your Majesty will agree with my suggestion."

As for Consort Sun's younger brother and Empress Hu's father, spare their lives.

Hearing what her husband said, Zhang Wan breathed a slight sigh of relief. She was really afraid that Li Xianmu would actually clash with the Consort and the Empress, which would be disastrous.

"Given Your Majesty's trust in your husband, there shouldn't be any major problems. However, there might still be some twists and turns with Consort Sun and Empress Hu."

Li Xianmu frowned and said sternly, "Women in the inner palace are not allowed to interfere in politics. Giving them some face is already enough!"

(End of this chapter)