Chapter 93: Sending a Secret Message
The clouds parted and the moon shone brightly. Han Min stood in front of the main hall, the clear moonlight bathing him and casting a pale white halo over his worn blue cloth garments.
He stood before the Great Hero Buddha Hall, before the golden Buddha statues, and in front of countless citizens.
Ji Heng looked up at him and, for a fleeting moment, was caught off guard.
But he quickly regained his composure and pointed at Han Min on the stone steps: “Come down here!”
Han Min calmly lifted the tabby cat from his shoulder, handed it to the person beside him, and then walked down the side of the stone steps.
The people the Empress Dowager had sent to follow him did not dare leave their posts and hurried after him.
Even though clearly he had lost power, he still carried himself like the old Han Min of the court—red robes, official hat, calm and composed, speaking with authority and steering the hearts of men.
Ji Heng, who had initially been brash and aggressive, unexpectedly showed signs of hesitation.
Han Min approached him: “Master Ji, visiting at this late hour—what urgent matter brings you here?”
Ji Heng swallowed and summoned his courage: “I suppose you don’t know yet, my uncle is now—”
“I know, Little Uncle…”
—rebelling.
Han Min didn’t utter the words aloud, after all, it wasn’t truly happening.
“If you already know, why don’t you beg me for mercy?”
“Since Little Uncle hasn’t stripped me of my official position, I am still an officer of the court. Little Uncle is always clear in public and private affairs; even if you wanted to punish me, it should be done through the proper court channels with an imperial decree, not by bringing a group of foreign envoys here.”
Han Min crossed his arms and scanned the hesitant Song envoys at the temple’s threshold.
Clearly, Ji Heng had come with Zhao Cun’s knowledge.
Perhaps they wanted to gauge the situation here.
But what information could they be trying to uncover? Han Min wasn’t sure yet.
Soon Ji Heng continued: “Don’t pretend. Your emperor is undoubtedly doomed. You’d better consider how to find him. If you follow him into death, that would truly be a noble story.”
Han Min did not respond. Ji Heng took the opportunity to raise his hand to strike, but Han Min’s companion grabbed his wrist tightly.
Han Min was pulled slightly back.
He looked up, surprised: “Mother? Brother?”
Han Shi no longer leaned on his cane, instead holding a weapon.
Madam Yuan shielded her two sons behind her, glaring at Ji Heng: “What do you think you’re doing?”
Ji Heng was momentarily intimidated by her protective aura, hesitating. He was about to call his men forward when a sharp smack rang out, a gust of wind brushed past, and his face turned slightly—gradually revealing a handprint.
Who could be so bold? Even Han Min wouldn’t dare act physically, only words.
Ji Heng covered his face and looked up, seeing a woman standing before him. Even in the simple temple attire, her noble aura could not be concealed.
The Empress Dowager pulled Madam Yuan and Han Min close and said to Ji Heng: “If you want to lay a hand on Han Min, go fetch Li Shu.”
Ji Heng wanted to argue: “I—”
The Empress Dowager’s brows shot up. She commanded sharply: “I said, fetch Li Shu. Even if he’s rebelling, I am still his eldest sister-in-law. Go back and ask him. Does his ‘eldest sister-in-law is like a mother’ still hold?”
Li Shu was the adopted son of Emperor De, younger than the youngest son, Duke of Yue, making him the youngest among the siblings.
The late emperor was Dezong’s eldest son, Li Shu’s eldest brother. Therefore, the Empress Dowager counted as his eldest sister-in-law.
This was precisely why Fu Xun entrusted Han Min to the Empress Dowager; by staying with her, Han Min would remain completely safe.
Whether Li Shu had really said those words, Ji Heng did not know.
Ultimately, Ji Heng slunk away with his men, and the main gate of Jianguo Temple was closed again.
Thus, the farce temporarily came to an end.
Inside the room, Madam Yuan pulled Han Min toward the Empress Dowager to express gratitude:
“Thank you, Your Majesty, for intervening.”
The Empress Dowager sat on the couch and waved her hand: “No need for thanks. Min’er grew up under my watch. The emperor entrusted me with his care, and I must do so diligently.”
She pondered: “There might still be trouble at dawn. The courtyard here is large; you should all move in so nothing unexpected happens.”
Madam Yuan thanked her. Han Min remained lost in thought.
The Empress Dowager asked: “What is it, Min’er? What are you thinking?”
Han Min pursed his lips: “I feel Zhao Cun seems to be testing me.”
“How so?”
“He knows Ji Heng came to see me and gained nothing. He brought a group of Song envoys along, clearly to see how I would react. Ji Heng said I should think of a way to quickly alert the emperor.”
“They’re right. Given my bond with the emperor, I should urgently report to him, not sit here comfortably. Zhao Cun is probing me—if I don’t go, even pretending to leave the city, he might become suspicious.”
The Empress Dowager asked: “You want to go out?”
“At least I have to act as if I intend to leave the city.”
“Indeed,” she said, massaging her brow. “I’ll help you plan. Even if he suspects, it doesn’t matter, but you must not be put in danger.”
Seeing her tired, Madam Yuan wisely took Han Min to leave.
After they left, Consort Hui brought a bowl of soup into the room.
“Sister, you haven’t slept all night. Drink some ginseng soup to refresh yourself.”
She placed the soup by the Empress Dowager and sat beside her. Both women, having married into the Crown Prince’s household at a young age, were not very old and well-preserved, appearing younger than their years.
Consort Hui gently massaged the Empress Dowager’s legs: “Sister, do you really think the Duke of Xin will rebel?”
The Empress Dowager touched her forehead lightly: “He won’t. I entered the Crown Prince’s residence at sixteen; he was only a child then. I raised him and know his character—he is the most upright person in the world.”
“But he’s grown now. Who can guarantee he won’t develop ulterior motives and threaten the emperor’s realm? Everything is before our eyes.”
“He won’t. If he intended rebellion, he would have exposed me when I continued the late emperor’s edict.”
The Empress Dowager’s voice drifted: “At the time, the late emperor intended to pass the throne to the emperor. Unfortunately, the edict wasn’t finished before his sudden illness. I was beside him and, fearing trouble, I continued the edict and sealed it.”
Thus, on the day of confrontation at Fengqian Hall, the Duke of Gong, Fu Quan’s instincts were correct—no one would have placed the edict in the coffin. That edict held secrets.
The Empress Dowager closed her tired eyes, seemingly transported back to that time—
She had finished the edict, her heart racing. Opening the door, no servants were outside; only Li Shu stood with hands behind his back, facing away from the doorway, as if seeing nothing.
Hearing the door, Li Shu turned and saluted: “Sister-in-law.”
The so-called eldest sister-in-law is like a mother.
Meanwhile, Han Min felt he had to try leaving the city, even if only to show Zhao Cun.
But the Empress Dowager resolutely forbade it.
Merely to dispel Zhao Cun’s suspicions wasn’t worth the risk. Besides, it was unknown if Zhao Cun had set a trap outside.
At that moment, Wei Huan, who had been patrolling outside, hurried in:
“Second Brother Han, Song envoys are hiding at the temple corner. They’re waiting for something.”
Han Min said steadily: “They’re waiting for me.”
Wei Huan was puzzled: “Waiting for you?”
“They’re testing whether we are laying a trap. Only if I panic and rush out to deliver the message will they believe it.”
“Ah? A trap? What trap?”
Zhao Cun remained behind Li Shu, cautiously probing. Any sign of suspicion would cause him to retract and blame Li Shu, keeping himself clear.
To ensure the plan succeeded, Han Min stood: “I need to go out.”
It was already the third watch of the night, dark as ink.
With a creak, the east corner gate of Jianguo Temple slowly opened from inside. A figure in a black cloak slipped out, using the darkness as cover, running across the street.
Those observing did not stop him, instead turning away.
He went to report to Zhao Cun:
“As expected, Han Min rushed to find Fu Xun.”
Zhao Cun, relieved, smiled: “Good.”
“But I don’t understand, why not handle him directly?”
“Ji Heng went and was sent back. Li Shu values Han Min. If we acted, Li Shu would notice.”
“So we let him deliver the message?”
Zhao Cun nodded: “Yes. Once he alerts Fu Xun, Fu Xun will return to Yong’an immediately. Li Shu will be caught off guard, the two sides will fight, and only then can I reap the benefits.”
“But the city gates are sealed. What if he can’t get out?”
“He will. He’s smart.”
The messenger bowed: “Your wisdom is unmatched, my lord.”
“Bring the dragon robe and dragon throne from my room.”
Han Min, frail, became winded after running a few steps.
He moved slowly, unsure if anyone was watching, and sneaked along the wall to the east city gate.
Li Shu had stationed guards at each gate, allowing no one in or out.
Han Min looked around, worried he couldn’t leave, and turned back, fretting that Zhao Cun might suspect. Wei Huan grabbed him:
“Second Brother Han, this way.”
The city defenses were strong, finding a lower wall was difficult.
Han Min looked up, then watched Wei Huan throw a rope with a hook, which caught on the wall.
Wei Huan: “This will let you out.”
Han Min hesitated: “Hei Tun, I’ll fall to my death.”
Wei Huan frowned: “Really?”
Han Min asked seriously: “Do you think I’m heavy?”
Wei Huan looked at his slim shoulders: “I think it’s fine.”
“Then do it.”
Wei Huan squatted, and before Han Min could climb, someone held him:
“How can he carry you?”
Han Min turned: “Brother? When did you come?”
Han Shi touched his nose awkwardly: “I couldn’t trust you. Came along to check.”
He asked: “Must you find the emperor?”
“We’re already at the city gate. I must. Don’t worry, nothing will happen. I’m just going to deliver a message. The emperor must already be on his way.”
Seeing his resolve, Han Shi had no choice but to help: “I’ll carry you.”
“Your leg is healed?”
“Yes.”
Han Min clung to his brother’s back.
Han Shi noticed something hard on his waist: “Why did you bring Fu Xun’s sword?”
Han Min said seriously: “For protection.”
Han Shi held the rope and tested climbing the wall. Though not high, care was needed, as Han Min hung on his back.
Han Min whispered advice: “Brother, rest after this. By tomorrow afternoon, Fu Xun will arrive. Everything will be fine.”
“I know.”
With Han Min safely over the wall, Wei Huan and the others, sent by the Empress Dowager, followed to ensure his safety.
Han Shi looked at the horizon’s faint light: “Take care.”
“I will. You go back too. Take care of Grandpa and Mother.”
By September, the fields were harvested, leaving cracked soil and short stubble. Morning light and frost covered the land.
Han Min, holding Fu Xun’s sword, walked through Qi’s fields. His shoes and robe were damp with morning dew.
Dawn light appeared in the distance, and he heard a tide of hoofbeats approaching.
Author’s note:
Old Fu prepared thoroughly—no one could harm Min’er, but Min’er insisted on finding him himself.
In the end, his brother had to carry Min’er to Old Fu himself. Sigh.
