Chapter 3: Treachery Defying Heaven

Although the sovereign before him always addressed him as “Master” and treated him with utmost respect, Tao Zhongwen never allowed himself to become arrogantly complacent. On the contrary, the more the emperor entrusted and honored him, the more cautious and humble he became.

This was because he understood the emperor’s true nature very well.

He was cunning and skilled in political intrigue.

In all his seventy years, Tao Zhongwen had never met anyone who could outmatch this emperor in discerning human hearts.

Originally, Tao Zhongwen had been deeply worried when he advised the emperor in the palace and learned of the Crown Prince’s resurrection. Yet, reflecting on the subtle indication from the now-revived and clear-minded Crown Prince, he immediately reached a resolution in his heart.

As for the Crown Prince’s intentions, those would be addressed after overcoming this hurdle.

After quietly taking two breaths, Tao Zhongwen’s face was filled with a smile. He bowed respectfully and first paid homage to the Jiajing Emperor, then to Zhu Zaiji.

Zhu Zaiji, seated on the couch, could not accept such a formal salute but returned the gesture with cupped hands.

Only then did Tao Zhongwen continue from where he left off: “Your Majesty, having heard the Crown Prince’s account of his experiences, I have pondered repeatedly. Only the touch of an immortal’s hand upon the crown can explain this matter!”

Upon hearing this, Zhu Zaiji’s heart relaxed instantly.

This old Taoist was now connected to him, and he believed that henceforth, matters would proceed more smoothly.

The Jiajing Emperor raised an eyebrow: “Oh? Are there really immortals who touch the crowns of men in this world?”

Tao Zhongwen hesitated for a moment in his heart: “Your Majesty, naturally there are no immortals in the mortal world. But Your Majesty is the Son of Heaven, blessed by Heaven, protected by the ancestors, and served by the people of the realm. Such a one is fated to receive immortal grace. The Crown Prince is Your Majesty’s own bloodline, a hidden dragon, the foundation of the state, and thus shares in this protection. Moreover, Your Majesty diligently cultivates the mysterious Dao, governs with gentle hands, enacts benevolent policies, and wields vast virtue. Only because of this is the Crown Prince able to survive this evil curse with the touch of an immortal’s hand.”

Having offered this explanation, Tao Zhongwen felt he had finally smoothed over the issue and silently exhaled.

He began to observe the emperor’s reaction more closely.

The Jiajing Emperor’s eyes shifted as he pondered: “But why did the Crown Prince attract such an evil curse? Where did this begin?”

Two dragons that cannot meet...

This matter still lingered heavily in his mind.

Tao Zhongwen nodded and looked toward Zhu Zaiji: “Your Highness.”

Zhu Zaiji feigned ignorance with a puzzled expression: “Master Tao...”

Tao Zhongwen sighed inwardly and asked: “Earlier, when Your Highness recounted today’s muddled events, did you mention a sensation like falling into a ninefold abyss, yet feeling intense heat?”

Zhu Zaiji nodded obediently: “Yes! Master Tao, your memory is truly sharp.”

The Jiajing Emperor glanced sideways at his son.

Tao Zhongwen’s expression grew grave as he spoke in a low voice: “Your Majesty, if my guess is correct, what happened to the Crown Prince was indeed a hidden evil curse, meant to harm Your Highness’s heir without anyone knowing.”

Hearing this from Tao Zhongwen, the emperor’s brow knit tightly, his face darkening. He almost spat out each word with difficulty: “Master Tao, are you saying this is witchcraft?”

Everyone knew the history.

In the past, Emperor Wu of Han mistakenly killed his own son because of witchcraft accusations.

Though Emperor Wu later realized the truth and deeply regretted it, no one had ever truly denied the existence of such dark arts.

And now, Jiajing Emperor, a believer in the Dao, also believed in this.

Tao Zhongwen’s body trembled slightly: “Your Majesty, I dare not say whether witchcraft truly exists in this world. But what the Crown Prince suffered today was certainly no ordinary matter. Otherwise, it would be impossible to explain why His Highness would...”

“Enough, Master Tao!”

The emperor suddenly interrupted Tao Zhongwen’s unfinished words, looking at him intently. His voice hardened: “Whatever the case, the Crown Prince is safe, which is the greatest blessing.”

At this, he immediately changed the subject: “It is indeed a marvel that my son has turned disaster into fortune.”

Tao Zhongwen bowed his head silently, contemplating how to digest the day’s events and cover any of his own shortcomings.

Meanwhile, the emperor began to ponder silently.

After a while, Jiajing looked again at Zhu Zaiji and softly inquired: “Son, you said the immortal in your dream mentioned a connection to me?”

Zhu Zaiji nodded crisply: “Father, you are wise and enlightened. Indeed, I believe it is because of your merits that compare to Yao, Shun, and Yu; to the diligence of Emperor Wen and Emperor Xuan of Han; to the magnanimity of Emperor Guangwu of Han; the unmatched bravery of Emperor Taizong of Tang; the just rule of Emperor Xianzong of Tang; and the benevolence of Emperor Renzong of Song, that I was saved and can continue to serve and honor you.”

Hearing his son’s praise,

Jiajing smiled, touched by such pure filial devotion—coming to the Western Garden despite his chest stained with blood was truly rare in the world.

He could not help but reach out and pat Zhu Zaiji’s head.

Though it was flattery, it was from his own son!

“How can I compare to the three generations?”

This was the son’s silent murmur, doubting he could match such exemplary virtues.

But then Jiajing suddenly shifted: “However... when the immortal spoke of his connection to me, could it be...?”

He raised his brow and immediately looked at Tao Zhongwen.

Tao Zhongwen bowed, ready to listen.

The emperor then said expectantly: “Master Tao, could it be Shao Shaoshi?”

Upon hearing the name, Tao Zhongwen quickly cast a silent glance at Zhu Zaiji, suspecting the Crown Prince might have included his old friend Shao Yuanjie in this as well.

He responded confidently: “Had Your Majesty not mentioned it, I would not have thought of it. Your Majesty’s past trust in Shao Shaoshi and the fact that Shao came to the Crown Prince’s aid in his time of crisis explains everything.”

“Yes! Yes!”

Jiajing nodded repeatedly, his face nostalgic and smiling: “Only such a person connected to me could have saved my son!”

Once such a thought took root, it sank deeply into the emperor’s bones.

The more he thought, the more he believed it was true.

Suddenly, his expression darkened again as he recalled the Crown Prince’s earlier words. He lowered his voice and asked: “You also said there were whispers in the ups and downs. What did they say? Was this also someone connected to me?”

Zhu Zaiji inwardly exhaled in relief.

Finally, the emperor had remembered this detail!

He lowered his head, shook it softly, and whispered: “I am dull and ignorant, and do not know the source of the voice. I only vaguely heard whispers.”

Jiajing’s curiosity deepened: “Do you remember what they said?”

Zhu Zaiji silently took a deep breath.

Whether his plan would succeed depended on this answer—whether it could open the emperor’s mind to suspicion.

He replied immediately: “Father, I only heard words by my ear: ‘Where there is cause, those who act against the way will surely meet with retribution.’ After that, there were some garbled words I could not make out...”

As he spoke, a chill seemed to fill the room.

Jiajing’s face grew as dark as ink, just as he had expected.

The atmosphere became suffocating.

After a long moment, Jiajing suppressed his rage and forced a smile at Zhu Zaiji: “I understand. You endured much today. You will stay in the eastern side hall of the imperial palace for now, so Master Tao can examine and care for you.”

Zhu Zaiji read the situation and understood.

It seemed he had successfully planted a seed of doubt in the emperor’s heart.

He then obediently rose, but did not forget to say: “I am slow-witted and lacking, but passing through that clear mirror feels like an awakening. I do not know why these things have happened to me, but I beg Father to prioritize your health. You hold the fate of the realm; even if I suffer, Father must not!”

With that, supported by Huang Jin, he bowed deeply.

I am dead and have returned to life, and my first act is to come see you.

I may die, but you must not.

What is this?

This is the greatest filial piety under Heaven!

Seeing Huang Jin help Zhu Zaiji to the eastern side hall, Jiajing’s heart softened completely, his fatherly love swelling.

Yet he quickly restrained it.

“Master Tao.”

Tao Zhongwen, still pondering how to find an excuse to meet the Crown Prince alone, heard the emperor call and immediately bowed: “Your Majesty.”

Jiajing’s face flickered with uncertainty and emotion: “Master Tao, do you think the Crown Prince’s words contained any falsehood or deceit toward me?”

Tao Zhongwen replied at once: “Your Majesty, judging by the Crown Prince’s expression and his account today, I see no signs of falsehood.”

Jiajing snorted coldly: “Then it must be true—someone is practicing dark arts to harm the Crown Prince.”

Before Tao Zhongwen could respond, the emperor sneered: “Perhaps it’s not just the Crown Prince, but me as well! If not for your Daoist protection, Master Tao, and my years of cultivation, I might have suffered disaster too!”

Tao Zhongwen closed his mouth, restraining himself.

The emperor was now surrounded by suspicion; no words, good or bad, could alter his will or doubts.

Better to say nothing.

He then wondered if this was the very outcome the resurrected Crown Prince desired.

Jiajing forced a smile and looked at Tao Zhongwen: “Master Tao, the Crown Prince has just passed through a great trial. Yet my heart remains uneasy. I beseech you to care for him diligently on my behalf.”

Tao Zhongwen’s heart leapt with joy at the order and quickly took his leave.

When Huang Jin returned,

Jiajing had already bowed over a table littered with numerous memorials concerning the military and political affairs of the court.

His chest heaved violently, his breathing grew rapid, and his eyes blazed with fury.

His voice became hoarse and rough in an instant.

A nameless suspicion grew and spread relentlessly in his heart, making the entire Longevity Palace feel unsafe.

“Eighteen years of this, I endured!”

“Twenty-one years, I relented!”

“I moved to the Western Garden and have cultivated for years!”

“Now, are they still not satisfied? They even dare to harm the heir to the throne because of me?!”

Huang Jin advised calmly: “Your Majesty, please restrain your anger.”

But Jiajing seemed deaf to the counsel, his fury mounting.

“The profits from sea trade under the state’s embargo—all taken by them!”

“The fields are in decline, yet they profit endlessly!”

“Greedy on salt taxes, greedy on river transport fees.”

“What more do they want?!”

“What have I done to block them?!”

Huang Jin remained silent, fearing to speak further.

Finally, in the hidden Longevity Palace of the Western Garden,

Memorials and reports lay scattered across the floor.

Jiajing, unable to contain his rage, threw back his head and roared:

“Treachery against Heaven!”

“Treachery against Heaven!”

His roar was like a tiger’s growl and a dragon’s cry, reaching to the heavens.

Outside, in the eastern side hall,

The already reclining Zhu Zaiji heard the low roar from afar and smiled lightly.

A thorn had quietly been lodged in the old Taoist’s heart.

He relaxed completely and soon fell into a deep sleep.