Court politics | Scheming
[Founding female general Zhu Yu, courtesy name Wuyou × childhood friend the emperor? A stern judge who appears out of nowhere?]
*
In the first year of Jinghe, a new emperor ascended the throne.
It was the heart of winter. Heavy snow blanketed the red palace walls, and the world was vast, still, and silent. Only the Eastern Palace was drenched in red.
The sound of cavalry drew closer, as though bringing the dead silence back to life.
“I, Zhu Yu, was late in coming to Your Majesty’s aid and acted improperly. I willingly accept your punishment.”
Seated on the dais in the main hall was her childhood companion.
“Wuyou, the realm is at peace, and life on the frontier is harsh. Since you believe yourself guilty, I’ll punish you by keeping you in the capital for a while to rest.”
He intended to take away her military command.
She was willing to relinquish it, because the two of them had grown up together and she trusted him.
Zhu Yu: “I obey, Your Majesty.”
*
Now that the realm was at peace, Zhu Yu had been given an easy post. She went to the palace every day to tell His Majesty about life on the frontier, and she didn’t feel lonely.
One day, on her way home, she met Lang Xiuzhu, the newly appointed Vice Minister of the Court of Judicial Review.
Zhu Yu had never met him before. She had only heard that a “stern judge” had arrived, a man who cared only for the law and never made exceptions.
Yet from the way Lang Xiuzhu spoke, the two of them seemed to know each other.
“General Zhu, are you well?”
“I am.”
“General Zhu, His Majesty’s intentions are hard to read. With the palace so deep and its walls so high, you should ask to return to the frontier as soon as possible.”
Zhu Yu wanted to return, but the emperor wouldn’t allow it. Leaving the capital without permission would be tantamount to deceiving him. Besides, the court was stable now, and she wanted to stay and enjoy the splendor of the capital.
Zhu Yu said nothing.
The next day, she met him again, and he said the same thing.
Zhu Yu still said nothing.
On the third day, the fourth day, and the fifth day.
Lang Xiuzhu repeated the same words every day, until Zhu Yu was sick of hearing them.
Zhu Yu: “We’ve never even met before. Why are you trying to drive me out of the capital?”
Lang Xiuzhu: “General Zhu, the frontier needs you.”
Zhu Yu: “What?! What do you mean by that?”
Lang Xiuzhu: “General Zhu, what if I told you I can see the future?”
Theme: Let the wind and rain fall as they may; I’ll live as I please
