The New Year's Day sun hung palely in the blue sky above the Forbidden City, its cold light broadly illuminating each of the over 9,000 palace rooftops, which shimmered like silver mirrors.
Inside the Nuan Pavilion, Jiajing Emperor stood up and slowly paced.
Next to the vermilion dragon-carved pillars, there were two precious pots of plum blossoms, one held Green-cupped plums and the other Jade Butterfly plums, which had just been delivered from Cao Bridge in a heated carriage that morning.
There were also Mu Dan peonies, combining regal elegance with boundless allure, that changed colors in the morning, at the hour of si and at noon.
Jiajing Emperor had never paid attention to these laboriously cultivated flowers and plants.
Many matters in the Great Ming Dynasty were like these plants and flowers, significant to those below, while he did not even know about them.
Take for example the Divine Sect.
Starting from Zhu Yuanzhang, the Ming Dynasty established Dao Ji Divisions across the regions, appointing a Chief and a Deputy Chief exclusively to handle cases involving Dao Cultivators.
After the game Value began, Xia Country also implemented a similar system. Formerly, Zheng Qing was one of the personnel in charge of the player events in Ming City and had been promoted after obtaining an S-grade "Hungry Ghost Path."
Jiajing Emperor was uninformed about these heterodox doctrines and occasionally heard rumors of Evil Gods, issuing a Holy Decree, with people soon reporting that the Evil God had been exterminated.
With the Imperial Agents accompanying the Holy Decree, no demonic cults survived.
"Since this Divine Sect is a cult, why not exterminate it?" spoke Jiajing Emperor.
"Your Majesty," Shao Yuanjie responded, "the Divine Sect is led by the Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress, followed by the five Heavenly Monarchs. The previous Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress once dominated the Guang regions until Wang Yangming killed the pair and reported it to Your Majesty."
Jiajing Emperor recalled this incident.
Wang Shouren did indeed submit a report on quelling the rebellion in the two Guang states, boasting foolishly of "permanently eliminating a century-old problem of the Guang regions" and achieving "twice the results with half the effort."
What had he written on that report at the time?
'Near falsehood, a loss of integrity, reversing grace and severity, which might damage the essence,' he had reprimanded him sternly.
"Wang Shouren claimed he had permanently eliminated the Guang regions' centuries-old core problem, so how has the Divine Sect resurfaced?" Jiajing Emperor scoffed, "I had said at that time that he was boastful."
"Your Majesty is sagacious." Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen said simultaneously.
Shao Yuanjie, looking at Jiajing Emperor, added: "Your Majesty, what about Li Changzhou?"
Jiajing Emperor fell silent again and paced to the incense burner, his hands clasped behind his back.
The aroma of ambergris was clear and elegant.
"Answering Your Majesty," Huang Jing cautiously spoke up, "this servant is a layman, lacking the talent for esoteric alchemy and unaware of any Divine Sect, but... the disturbances involving Evil Spirits in the harem indeed started after Master Li entered the inner treasury."
He glanced at Jiajing Emperor's expression, then added:
"There are three possibilities: one, it was Master Li's doing; two, it was a coincidence; three... someone is trying to frame Master Li."
"Frame him?" Shao Yuanjie looked at Huang Jing.
Though Shao Yuanjie's mana was formidable, Huang Jing was not intimidated; the more critical factor was who Jiajing Emperor trusted more.
"We must speak with evidence, even if Li Changzhou is the Divine Sect's so-called Heavenly Emperor, there's no proof he wants to harm me," Jiajing Emperor remarked, resting his right hand on the cauldron's ear.
"Your Majesty—" Shao Yuanjie cried out.
Tao Zhongwen's expression also looked grim.
Being able to use mana in the Imperial Palace was one thing, for they possessed the Dragon Vein to suppress the Heavenly Emperor and Heavenly Empress without difficulty.
The critical issue was whether Jiajing Emperor was willing to act against them.
"Issue a decree."
Huang Jing bowed, his posture indicating an attentive ear.
Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen immediately followed suit, bowing deeply.
"Order Immortal Hou to exterminate the Divine Sect and cast the five Heavenly Monarchs into the Garrison Command."
Jiajing Emperor was still willing to give Li Changzhou a chance, or rather, Jiajing Emperor himself did not want to miss this opportunity.
Shao Yuanjieexceled in calling for rain, Tao Zhongwen in vanquishing spirits and refining elixirs, but neither could grant him longevity.
"Additionally," Jiajing Emperor continued, "for Tao's true person's merit in exterminating the Evil Spirits, promote him to Junior Tutor and Junior Protector, enjoying first-rank salary, and put him in charge of Lingji Palace."
"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Tao Zhongwen quickly made his bow.
It was best if Li Changzhou harbored no other intentions; if he did, Jiajing Emperor would have Shao Yuanjie and Tao Zhongwen see him off.
◇
As night fell, it began to snow again.
The prosperity of the prostitution industry during the Ming Dynasty was noted by Lin Xiuyuan during the Jiajing Period: "Currently, in both capitals across nine streets, the number (of prostitutes) is calculated in the tens of thousands."
Above the Qinhuai River in Nanjing, the sounds of oars mixed with the shimmering lights created a splendid brilliance.
The renowned beauties of Jinling, Dong Xiaowan, Li Xiangjun, Liu Rushi, and Chen Yuanyuan, were well-known in later generations.
The other capital, the Capital, naturally was not inferior.
At that moment, the brothels were brightly lit, with intricate structures and eaves, and bustling with sounds like chirping birds and swallows.
The heavy snow brought a quiet yet lively atmosphere, leaving people in a trance.
"Dear, slow down!"
"Spare me, hurry up and finish!"
"Don't go down anymore, it's so cold. Whatever you have to pee, just pee in my mouth and I'll swallow it for you. It'll save you from the cold and warm you up."
There were also more elegant exchanges.
A man with his robe loosely opened, drunkenly carefree, listened to the music while watching the enchanting dance of a prostitute with a blurry, intoxicated gaze.
"The Heavenly Emperor has ordered your capture, yet you dare to carouse here in the Capital." A dashing scholar with a jade flute walked in.