TGPSAC – Chapter 65

A major incident occurred in the imperial palace. The Fuma had struck the Minister of Rites. It was said that after kicking the man and sending him flying, the Fuma fainted. Once the imperial physicians revived her, the Fuma began to weep piteously, looking terribly wronged.

“His Majesty entrusts the Grand Princess with important duties because of the princes’ incompetence! The three princes vie for the throne, engaging in factional strife and plotting rebellion. His Majesty has no one else he can use, so he can only let Her Highness the Grand Princess share the burden. It is a testament to His Majesty’s paternal love, but how can he bear to see Her Highness work so tirelessly? And speaking of which, it is precisely because the three princes are fighting amongst themselves, focused only on seizing the position of crown prince and not on serving His Majesty or the Great Zhou, that His Majesty has no other choice.”

“Yet you ministers are so inconsiderate. Since Her Highness the Grand Princess began attending cabinet meetings, she has never spoken out of turn, yet she has not shirked a single task. Not only has she worried herself to death, but she must also endure such slander. Her Highness has done so much for the Great Zhou and eased His Majesty’s burdens, only to be treated so poorly in the end.”

“I want to ask all the officials of this court: for what reason does Her Highness toil so exhaustingly? Will this realm be handed over to her? Can she become the future emperor?”

“Furthermore, as the Grand Princess, how is it against the laws of the state or the rules of propriety for her to hold power or stand in the imperial court? In the past, Emperor Huiwen wished to pass the throne to the Grand Princess Chengyang, but she refused. When the child emperor ascended the throne, she single-handedly eliminated treacherous ministers and resisted foreign invaders, serving as regent for seventeen years. When the child emperor came of age, she returned power to him. There is precedent for this.”

“The rites state that if the emperor is young or weak, the Empress Dowager, the Grand Princess, or the Grand Secretaries of the Grand Secretariat may assist in governance and act as regent. Although His Majesty is neither young nor weak, he has no successor. For the future of the empire and the future crown prince, having Her Highness the Grand Princess assist in governance will at least ensure the stability of the nation. If not for Her Highness this time, would all of you still be standing here talking?”

Yu Jiuzhou’s ability to mobilize the capital’s military forces must have been with the Emperor’s permission. It could be said that the credit for quelling this internal strife belonged entirely to Yu Jiuzhou.

These people were truly quick to discard someone once their purpose was served. It was also possible that upon seeing Yu Jiuzhou mobilize the capital’s defenses, they realized just how immense the Grand Princess’s power had become—so great that if left unchecked, she would become uncontrollable in the future.

But Chi Wan’s accusations pierced the Emperor’s heart like daggers. A towering rage now burned within Emperor Shengyuan, not because Chi Wan had struck someone, but because he was not yet dead, and already people wanted his daughter dead.

Yu Jiuzhou was the Grand Princess. When an emperor was young or weak, she was inherently qualified to serve as regent. Emperor Huiwen had been able to elevate his own daughter to the position of Regent Grand Princess and even wanted to make her a Kun Ze Empress. Why should he be stopped from even granting his own daughter power?

Some people’s possessiveness was simply too strong. As the emperor, he was giving away his own power, yet they were the ones getting anxious on his behalf.

Some people were using the pretext of propriety to try and pull his Zhou’er, the Grand Princess, from her position. He was the emperor; he could show favoritism, but he couldn’t step in himself. He needed someone to come forward and give him an excuse to be partial.

Chi Wan’s words had spoken directly to Emperor Shengyuan’s heart. He was almost starting to believe it himself—that he wanted Yu Jiuzhou to act as regent to ensure a stable transition of imperial power. This time, with the internal rebellion, if not for Yu Jiuzhou, even if the rebel prince had failed, the capital would have been paralyzed. If a foreign enemy had invaded at that moment, Shengjing would have been in peril.

Just as Emperor Shengyuan was about to speak in support, Chi Wan suddenly burst into tears. “You pack of heartless ingrates! You even want to strangle Her Highness with a white silk cord! You think Her Highness is benevolent, do you? Well, this Fuma is telling you, if you make this Fuma a widow, I will drag you all down with me, even in death.”

Xie Xuanfeng, enduring immense pain, knelt on the floor. His entire body ached, especially his chest, where it felt as if a massive stone was pressing down, making it hard to breathe.

Hearing Chi Wan’s words, he nearly choked.

Who was the one who got hit? Why was the Fuma the one crying?

And Chi Wan’s words had, both overtly and covertly, refuted his memorial. If His Majesty took those words to heart, his career as Minister of Rites was finished.

Xie Xuanfeng hurriedly explained, “Your Majesty, this minister was clearly speaking of his own daughter, not Her Highness the Grand Princess.”

Chi Wan immediately retorted angrily, “But the person you were impeaching was the Grand Princess! And then you said that if it were you, you would definitely strangle your own daughter. Isn’t that telling His Majesty to strangle his own daughter? I’m telling you, Xie Xuanfeng, if you dare, this Fuma will fight you to the death! The ten thousand-plus guards of the Imperial City Division will investigate you exclusively. I refuse to believe that you, Minister Xie, are so noble, righteous, and incorruptible. If you’re not, then just wait for this Fuma to impeach you to death!”

Xie Xuanfeng gasped and was about to faint, but Chi Wan quickly flicked a sliver of true qi at him. Want to faint? Not so easy.

She had said everything that came to mind, even mentioning the three princes vying for the throne—words that many considered taboo in the court of Great Zhou.

But in Chi Wan’s view, Emperor Shengyuan didn’t mind someone saying it out loud. Her initial attack had indeed been a rush of blood to the head, somewhat reckless. Fortunately, she had reacted quickly and used the tactic of feigning a faint. In the time she was “unconscious,” she had already figured out how to handle the situation.

It was all because she simply couldn’t bear to hear Yu Jiuzhou being slandered. But before she had lashed out with her foot, she had actually restrained herself, thinking about the consequences of hitting Xie Xuanfeng.

At first, she could control herself a little. But as she listened further, what consequences? She would deal with them after she hit him. It was just one Xie Xuanfeng. As long as she didn’t hit the Emperor, there was always room for maneuver. She had reorganized the Imperial City Division, worked diligently, and nearly lost her life on a mission. If she couldn’t even be willful once, then all her efforts would have been for nothing.

As long as she found a good reason for hitting Xie Xuanfeng, Emperor Shengyuan wouldn’t necessarily punish her.

The current Chi Wan had her own value. Even if Emperor Shengyuan treated her as a chess piece, a valuable piece would not be discarded so easily.

Chi Wan’s words were telling the Emperor: Look, you’re not even dead yet, and your daughter is already being targeted. And right after she has rendered a great service, someone is eager to pull her down.

Emperor Shengyuan had decided to use Yu Jiuzhou, but he was still holding back, not giving his full support, always wanting to leave himself some leeway.

Originally, Chi Wan had only wanted to teach Xie Xuanfeng a lesson. Now, it seemed she could use this opportunity to let Yu Jiuzhou grasp even greater power.

“Your Majesty, Xie Xuanfeng harbors malicious intent! He actually compared Her Highness to his own daughter. Then who is he?”

The Emperor?

She didn’t say the last word, but everyone present thought of it.

Comparing himself to the Emperor? Xie Xuanfeng must have a death wish.

Indeed, just as Xie Xuanfeng was about to explain, he was cut off by a domineering, cold voice from outside. “I heard someone wants me dead?”

This sentence was the final blow. Comparing himself to the Emperor and wanting to kill the Grand Princess—who gave Xie Xuanfeng such audacity?

“Your Majesty, this minister would not dare, even in ten thousand deaths.” Xie Xuanfeng tried to argue, but he failed to even mention Yu Jiuzhou’s name.

At this moment, what Emperor Shengyuan minded most was that the civil and military officials of the court held no regard for him or his representative.

Emperor Shengyuan was truly enraged. His face was ashen. “Enough! I am not yet dead, and someone is already planning my daughter’s death. Will I be next?”

The wrath of an emperor could leave a million corpses in its wake and make blood flow for a thousand li. Emperor Shengyuan was old, but he was still the Son of Heaven. When the Son of Heaven was angry, someone was bound to suffer.

“We are terrified, Your Majesty.”

“Terrified? I think you all can’t wait for me to die! First, you’ll kill my daughter, then you’ll kill me.”

In the face of Emperor Shengyuan’s fury, no one dared to say another word.

Except for Yu Jiuzhou. “Your Majesty, this man, Xie Xuanfeng, dared to compare himself to Your Majesty, intended to kill this subject, and even assaulted the Fuma. This subject requests his execution.”

Xie Xuanfeng was speechless. Wait, are you even listening to yourself? Who hit whom?

“Your Highness, it was the Fuma who struck this minister.”

Er… was that so? Yu Jiuzhou wasn’t certain. She had only seen that Chi Wan was the one crying, which meant Chi Wan was the one who had been wronged.

Besides, Yu Jiuzhou now knew what Xie Xuanfeng had said. No wonder Chi Wan had hit him.

She was just surprised that Chi Wan would actually hit Xie Xuanfeng in front of the Emperor, and for her sake.

Since Chi Wan had done it for her, she naturally wouldn’t stand by and do nothing. “I only know that you wanted me dead, and the Fuma is my person. Hitting the Fuma is a slap in my face.”

Did it matter whether Xie Xuanfeng had hit Chi Wan or not? He would die if he had, and he would die if he hadn’t. For offending her authority and bullying her Fuma, death was letting him off easy.

Chi Wan also snorted coldly, her tone implying that the Grand Princess’s word was final. “Exactly. Her Highness is right.”

Her voice drew the Emperor’s gaze. He saw her clasp her hands together, making a pleading gesture at him.

Emperor Shengyuan suddenly realized—wasn’t this the perfect opportunity for the Fuma and the Grand Princess to reconcile? His imperial grandchildren were in sight!

“Men, strip Xie Xuanfeng of his position as Minister of Rites. Furthermore, administer one hundred strokes of the staff and throw him into the great prison.”

“Your Majesty! Your Majesty, spare me! This minister truly did not strike the Fuma.”

At this point, whether he had struck her or not was no longer important. What was important was that the Emperor wanted him dead. After being kicked by Chi Wan and then receiving a hundred strokes, Xie Xuanfeng would not survive.

The Imperial Guard dragged Xie Xuanfeng away. Emperor Shengyuan looked at Chi Wan. “Have the Imperial City Division act quickly and secure a conviction for Xie Xuanfeng.”

Chi Wan understood the Emperor’s meaning. “Yes.”

He wanted the Imperial City Division to thoroughly investigate Xie Xuanfeng. As long as there was evidence, a conviction could be secured immediately. Then, Xie Xuanfeng would have to die one way or another; otherwise, he would just “die of illness” in prison.

Killing someone with solid evidence was always better than having them die of “illness.”

“This subject obeys the decree.”

Then the Emperor spoke: “Zhou’er, Jinzhao, there is a matter I have not yet decided upon. You must already know about the situation with the Imperial Guard. What do you think should be done to increase the security of the imperial palace?”

Even the Imperial Guard, tasked with protecting the palace, had produced traitors. It was only natural that Emperor Shengyuan no longer trusted them as much.

Yu Jiuzhou did not answer. She was always cautious when it came to matters of military power.

Just now, she had protected Chi Wan, which could be explained as defending the honor of the Princess’s Residence. But regarding the Imperial Guard, she and Chi Wan had actually discussed it.

Chi Wan’s idea was to establish a Palace Command, which would guard only the Emperor. The Imperial Guard would be responsible for the palace, while the Palace Command would be responsible for the Emperor.

Separating the duties would ensure the Emperor’s safety.

For now, a living emperor was better than a dead one. If the Emperor died, a new one would have to be chosen immediately, and Yu Jiuzhou’s power was not yet strong enough for her to ascend the throne directly.

Therefore, they needed Emperor Shengyuan to live for another year or so, to give them time to build up their power base.

Yu Jiuzhou remained silent so as not to make the Emperor think she coveted military power.

Chi Wan was different. The Palace Command would not be given to her to manage anyway, so she could speak freely.

“Your Majesty, this subject has an idea. We could establish a new government office dedicated solely to protecting Your Majesty. The Imperial Guard must protect the entire palace, whereas this new office would be responsible only for Your Majesty’s safety.”

Emperor Shengyuan was tempted. Ever since the rebel prince’s uprising, when he discovered that the Five Army Camps, the Jinwu Guard, and even the Imperial Guard protecting the palace had all been infiltrated by rebels, how could he not be afraid?

The dignified Son of Heaven was living in such an environment. One could only imagine how terrifying it was.

Chi Wan was right. It was time to form a new unit. The Imperial Guard was in disarray. No matter how they purged it, it would be difficult to root out everyone. Besides, there were still the other two princes. The only solution was to establish a new personal army.

Emperor Shengyuan needed a personal army he could absolutely trust. Thus, he looked at Yu Jiuzhou. “Zhou’er, what do you think?”

“This subject believes it is feasible. But from where would we select the men for this new personal army?”

Emperor Shengyuan thought for a moment. “The elites of the Imperial Guard and the Jinwu Guard, as well as the sons of meritorious nobles.”

The elites would be responsible for protecting him, while the sons of nobles would be hostages, keeping those nobles in line and preventing them from getting hot-headed and joining a rebellion. Would they really abandon their own children?

Emperor Shengyuan asked again, “What do you think this personal army should be called?”

Chi Wan had already thought of a name. “Since this personal army is responsible for protecting Your Majesty’s safety, let’s call it the Dragon Guard.”

Emperor Shengyuan: “…”

Yu Jiuzhou: “…”

If the two of them knew the term “cringey,” they would definitely have used it to describe Chi Wan.

In the end, it was Yu Jiuzhou who said, “They will guard Your Majesty before the throne hall and protect the solemnity of the palace. Let us call it the Palace Command.”

The idea for the name came from Chi Wan; she had merely borrowed it and spoken it aloud.

“The Palace Command? A good name.”

Emperor Shengyuan agreed to the suggestion, then asked, “What should its structure be?”

“The same as the Imperial City Division. The Palace Command will be Your Majesty’s shield, and the Imperial City Division will be Your Majesty’s sword. In this way, Your Majesty can rest without worry.”

The Imperial City Division was originally a blade, but it had been sealed away for so many years that it had long since become useless. If the Imperial City Division were as it was when it was first established, monitoring all officials—so that if an official ate an extra bowl of rice at home, the Division would know—would the Emperor still have to worry about rebellion?

The Imperial City Division had ten thousand men in the open, but who knew how many more in the shadows.

Yu Jiuzhou’s words made Emperor Shengyuan think deeply. He then said to Chi Wan, “Jinzhao, I hope you can restore the Imperial City Division to its former glory. No matter who stands in your way, I hope you have the courage to face them. Also, I will have the Ministry of Revenue allocate fifty thousand taels of silver to you. Begin at once.”

Emperor Shengyuan told Chi Wan to have the courage to face obstacles, but he didn’t say he would back her up. At least he wasn’t being completely stingy.

To this, Chi Wan merely assented, feeling even more admiration for Yu Jiuzhou. With just one sentence, she had gotten the Emperor to give her money to expand the Imperial City Division’s power.

At its peak, the Imperial City Division had all of Shengjing’s affairs under its watch, and even many matters in other regions could not be hidden from it.

When a minister submitted a memorial, the Emperor would seek verification from the Imperial City Division before trusting the contents of the report.

Thinking of this, Chi Wan presented a memorial she had prepared earlier. “Your Majesty, this subject encountered many things on the road while escorting military funds to the Five Army Camps. This subject’s memorial records them one by one.”

Chi Wan didn’t say much more. She had brought so many people with her, and the battle scenes had been so intense; if the Emperor was interested, he would have already investigated it. There was no need for her to elaborate.

While Emperor Shengyuan read the memorial, Chi Wan raised her eyes to look at Yu Jiuzhou, only to be met with a cold glare. She quickly lowered her gaze and said nothing. So fierce.

How dare she fight in front of the Emperor? A single misstep could easily lead to punishment. The Emperor was not someone who would show favoritism just because you were the Fuma.

He might even think Chi Wan was disrespecting imperial authority by striking someone in his presence.

Fortunately, Chi Wan had reacted cleverly, and the Emperor had no real intention of doing anything to her.

Chi Wan snorted silently. What a fierce woman. I’m not looking at her anymore.

Emperor Shengyuan finished reading the memorial. The sound of him closing it broke the silent exchange of glances between the two.

Emperor Shengyuan seemed to be lost in thought, not speaking for a long while. Since he didn’t speak, no one else dared to initiate a conversation.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Emperor Shengyuan’s furious voice rang out, “The Imperial Guard, the Jinwu Guard, the Five Army Camps… simply outrageous! How dare they deploy cavalry, heavy cavalry, against an imperial envoy sent by me! And they followed the rebel prince in revolt! Utterly lawless!”

Prince Zhongshan’s rebellion had made Emperor Shengyuan realize that military reform was urgently needed. Even after restraining himself for a long time, he was still furious.

“Zhou’er, as the Grand Princess, tell me, how can we ensure their loyalty and prevent something like following a rebel prince from ever happening again?”

Yu Jiuzhou said only a few words: “Trace it back to the source.”

The source was the Emperor himself, who had tried to balance the court and consolidate his own power by letting his sons vie for the throne. He was simply spinning a cocoon around himself.

In the Emperor’s eyes, of course, the source was others: the three princes’ restlessness, the military camps’ disloyalty. In the end, it was all because their ambitions were too great. He had given them so much, yet they were still not satisfied.

Emperor Shengyuan’s expression was cold and hard. “Then we will start by investigating the Imperial Guard. Then we will transfer some new men from various regions into the Imperial Guard, followed by the Jinwu Guard and the Five Army Camps.”

“I entrust this matter to you, Zhou’er. The military camps guarding the capital must be clean.”

“Additionally, Jinzhao, investigate Prince Ying and Prince Bao’an. Every last detail.”

More than half the officials in the court supported Prince Ying. Emperor Shengyuan felt a sense of crisis.

“Yes.”

“Alright. Have all the officials and their families entered the palace?”

Hearing Emperor Shengyuan’s question, Wang Hai hurried forward. “Yes, the two princes have also arrived.”

“Then let’s tidy up and go out.”

“Where is your Mother Empress?”

Emperor Shengyuan did not want the Empress to give him a cold shoulder on a day like this. He was offering an olive branch.

“Mother Empress is on her way.”

“Mm.”

A short while later, the Empress arrived. Whether in her curtsey to the Emperor or her expression, one could see no sign of dissatisfaction. She was graceful and noble, elegant and dignified. Her reputation as the mother of the nation was well-deserved.

As expected of the only daughter of a Duke, having been Empress for twenty or thirty years, her bearing was something no imperial consort could match.

Emperor Shengyuan was very pleased with the Empress’s grand appearance. “Empress, you and I have grown old.”

If you don’t know how to talk, then don’t. What woman wants to be told she’s old?

Chi Wan was speechless. She stole a glance at the Empress’s face, only to find the Empress looking right at her. They made eye contact, and she quickly lowered her head.

My mother-in-law doesn’t have a good impression of me. I’d better behave.

Unexpectedly, Empress Xu spoke, asking, “How are the Fuma’s injuries?”

Chi Wan quickly stood up, perhaps too hastily, as she stumbled a little. To outsiders, it looked as though her injuries had not yet fully healed, yet she still bowed respectfully.

“Replying to Her Majesty the Empress, this subject is fine.”

Empress Xu nodded. She had heard that someone wanted to strangle the Grand Princess with a white silk cord, and the Fuma, in a fit of anger, had endured her injuries to stand up for Zhou’er. Coupled with the Fuma’s recent performance, she was beginning to believe that Chi Wan was a decent person.

Beside them, Emperor Shengyuan looked awkward. He had spoken first but had been ignored. How could he not be embarrassed?

It seemed the Empress was still angry. Last time, he had also been furious and had smashed things in the Empress’s palace, all for an imperial consort.

Given the Empress’s temperament, she never got angry over official matters and was always thorough. The only exception was when he excessively doted on his concubines; then, the Empress would become very angry.

Emperor Shengyuan thought to himself: The Empress still loves me too much.

One wonders what Empress Xu would think if she knew his thoughts.

The Emperor and Empress led the way out of the imperial study, heading together toward the banquet hall. Chi Wan and Yu Jiuzhou followed behind.

The banquet was held in Hanyuan Hall, a place for major celebrations and grand court assemblies. The space was large enough.

The main hall could accommodate several thousand people, and the open area outside could easily hold ten thousand.

They did not enter through the main gate of Hanyuan Hall but through a rear entrance that led directly into the hall. Daming Palace was a labyrinth of passages; the paths the Emperor took were naturally different from those of the officials.

Upon arriving at Hanyuan Hall, Chen Yuan helped Chi Wan to her seat. Her seat was next to Yu Jiuzhou’s.

This time, the seating arrangement did not separate men and women. Officials sat with their wives, and their children sat behind them.

Across from the two of them sat the old Prince, the Zongzheng of the Imperial Clan. To their right and diagonally opposite sat the Left and Right Supervisors of the Imperial Clan. Further back were Prince Ying and Prince Bao’an.

Yu Jiuzhou’s arrangement was also a message to everyone: no matter the arrangement, her seat would be first, and both Prince Ying and Prince Bao’an would have to yield to her.

“Your Highness,” Chi Wan asked in a low voice after sitting down, “why does that old lady across from us keep smiling at me?”

Yu Jiuzhou was amused but kept her expression neutral. “She is the Zongzheng of the Imperial Clan Court. The Director of the Imperial Clan Court is His Majesty, so after His Majesty, she is the most senior member of the imperial clan. In terms of seniority, she is the late Emperor’s paternal grand-aunt. She has a single daughter and is only eight years older than His Majesty.”

So, the Zongzheng was of the Emperor’s grandmother’s generation, and their great-grandmother’s generation.

Chi Wan recalled the information on the Zongzheng. This Zongzheng was not yet seventy, young in age but high in seniority. In a way, the Zongzheng, as the grand-aunt, had been raised by her own late Emperor nephew.

But why did she keep smiling at her? It was rather awkward.

Chi Wan smiled helplessly. “The old Prince Kang has only one Kun Ze daughter, who should be about the same age as Your Highness, right?”

“Commandery Mistress Jiacheng is of my grandmother’s generation, three years older than me. A couple of years ago, she married the only daughter of the Duke of Xin’s house. But that daughter concealed the fact that she suffered from a serious illness and could not perform marital duties. The Duke of Xin’s family actually wanted Commandery Mistress Jiacheng to bear a child with an adopted son, to pass it off as the child of Jiacheng and the Duke of Xin’s heir. Commandery Mistress Jiacheng refused and returned to Prince Kang’s residence with her people.”

“But the Duke of Xin’s residence refuses to grant a separation. The two sides are at a stalemate. Now, they can only drag it out, waiting for the Duke of Xin’s heir to die so Commandery Mistress Jiacheng can return to her family as a widow.”

Yu Jiuzhou spoke quickly, using her sleeve to cover her mouth as she pretended to sip her tea.

Chi Wan found it amusing, but the matter of Commandery Mistress Jiacheng was infuriating. “Simply shameless.”

Concealing a serious illness—that was marriage fraud. And they even wanted Commandery Mistress Jiacheng to have a child with someone else. Utterly shameless.

“Does His Majesty not intervene?”

They were trampling all over the imperial family’s face. Could it be that the Emperor knew nothing?

Yu Jiuzhou sneered. “The Duke of Xin commands an army of one hundred thousand, stationed on the Beining border.”

No wonder. There was always a reason.

Chi Wan could hear the coldness in Yu Jiuzhou’s voice. “Does Your Highness wish to intervene?”

“Mm.” Yu Jiuzhou did not hide it. “I grew up with Commandery Mistress Jiacheng. I am naturally unwilling to see her trapped in such a predicament.”

“That heir of the Duke of Xin is impotent. Do outsiders know this?”

“They do not. Some even say Jiacheng is a jinx.”

“Then weave it into a story and spread it around. Can the Duke of Xin silence all the gossip in the world?”

At that point, the Duke of Xin’s family would either have to let Commandery Mistress Jiacheng go and quickly find a concubine for the heir, have a child with that adopted son to dispel the rumors, or accept having no descendants.

It should be known that if a princess or commandery mistress did not agree, the Fuma or her consort had the right to seek a separation if they dared to take a concubine.

And as for a child born to an outside mistress, not just princesses or commandery mistresses, but even an ordinary wife had the right to beat the child to death.

Yu Jiuzhou smiled. “You’re the clever one.”

“This subject is not as clever as Your Highness.”

“And how am I clever?”

Chi Wan put on a profound look. “Your Highness gave this subject a courtesy name. In the future, everyone else will call this subject Jinzhao. Only Your Highness will call this subject by her given name. Doesn’t that make this subject’s name exclusive to Your Highness?”

Yu Jiuzhou: “…” It was a good thing her breath control was excellent, or she would have choked on her tea.

Simply… as thick-skinned as a city wall.

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Footnotes:

1. Zongzheng (宗正): A high-ranking official in imperial China who served as the Director of the Imperial Clan. This position was responsible for managing the affairs, genealogy, and conduct of the imperial family and nobility. The Zongzheng maintained the imperial jade registers (records of imperial lineage), oversaw imperial ceremonies, and helped adjudicate matters involving imperial relatives.

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