Chapter 157 Part 1

 

When Xuyu rushed back to Chongtian Hall, the fire inside had already taken hold, and thick smoke was billowing continuously out through the hall doors. Eunuch Cao directed the other palace eunuchs to carry water to put out the fire. Many palace guards stationed for the night watch had also begun arriving, joining the effort to extinguish the blaze. However, water sources were limited, and the interior of the hall was filled with lacquered paintings and suspended curtains. The hall stood on a high foundation that caught the wind—once the fire started, not only was it impossible to control, it even showed signs of growing worse. The smoke was so thick that no one could enter to splash water effectively. Eunuch Cao, both terrified and anxious, saw a steward clutching a bucket but too afraid to approach. He jumped and cursed furiously, kicked the man, then grabbed the bucket himself and tried to charge forward. But just as he reached the hall’s threshold, a sudden burst of scorching smoke and flame forced him back—his hair and eyebrows were singed in an instant. While coughing and frantically patting out the sparks on his body, he noticed Xuyu arriving and immediately stumbled over, half-rolling, half-crawling, and dropped to his knees before her. The officer who brought Zhou He here tonight was even more terrified. He also ran over and knelt down to beg for forgiveness.

After Zhou He entered the hall, he initially stood before the mural for a long time without showing the slightest sign of anything unusual. Then he said he couldn’t see clearly and asked for the fire stick to be brought closer. A nearby fire steward walked over as he asked. What no one knew was that Zhou He had previously smeared a thick layer of fluorescent powder into the lining of his clothes. This was a special pigment used in painting to create effects visible in darkness, but it was extremely flammable—so much so that improper storage could cause it to ignite spontaneously. Because of this danger, the painting department rarely used it, and it was always kept under strict supervision. Yet Zhou He had managed to steal some using his official status. Nothing appeared out of the ordinary until the fire stick drew near. At that moment, the powder caught fire instantly, and Zhou He rushed toward the nearby curtain, carrying the flames with him.

He was wearing shackles and was a painter, looking weak and powerless. Yet who would have thought that he would do something like this? Fluorescent powder was thrown on the curtain. There were only two to three people in the hall at that time. After they restrained Zhou He who was wrapped in fire and running like madman, the flame on one of the curtains rolled up too fast and spread rapidly upwards. In the end, they were unable to put out the fire in time, causing it to spread.

Zhou He was not yet dead. His entire body was charred black as he lay on the ground, his features utterly disfigured by the flames. Wracked by unbearable pain, his body kept convulsing uncontrollably.

“Zhou He, since we met, since we came to know each other, I’ve done nothing to wrong you. Why would you do such a thing?” Xuyu asked, looking at the person on the ground.

He slowly opened his eyes, and when he recognized who was speaking, he let out a hoarse, rasping laugh. His throat had been scorched by smoke and fire, and the sound that came out was eerily distorted.

“Princess, are you accusing me of betraying you?” He spoke with difficulty from his throat.

“I started learning painting and reading from my father when I was five years old, and admired many sages of the past. Although I am not talented, I understand the principle of sacrificing oneself for the country and taking on responsibilities for the world. During the Jingsheng rebellion, I was young at that time and followed my father through hardships and struggels, narrowly escaping death several times. I witnessed the suffering of the people and personally experienced the difficulties of the world. I made up my mind to serve the court one day and realize my long-cherished wish. However, my background determined my future. I was forced to obey my father’s orders and followed the path of painting. Being a court painter was all I could foresee my entire life.

“However, after the turmoil ended and my father was innocently implicated because of Ding Baiya, I finally understood everything. What is a court painter worth? Even if one could become another Ye Zhongli and hold office in the Hanlin Academy—what of it? A miscellaneous official! Always just an outsider among the ranks, using a few trivial tricks to amuse others. Not even qualified to stand in court alongside the proper officials, let alone speak of state affairs or realize any grand ambition.”

He turned his neck with difficulty, the motion stiff, and gritted his teeth as he forced himself, painfully, to rise from the ground.

“For more than ten years, I have lived in Chang’an, the most prosperous place under heaven. I have suffered so much hardship, swallowing every humiliation, living as a lowly painter, never letting go of a single chance to forge connections. My only dream was to pass the imperial exams, to enter court through the proper channels, and fulfil my ambitions. These hardships, Princess, are something you would never understand.

“I poured my heart and soul into painting that mural for the court. Was it not well done? That day, I only begged the Princess to grant me a chance to sit for the examination. I didn’t ask you to recommend me for office! Just a chance to be considered—was that too much? To you, Princess, it would have been no more than a few words—an effortless favor. Yet you denied me even that! Tell me, do you really want to help me?”

Xuyu was surprised, and finally understood.

“The imperial examination has its own rules. The exam was approaching—how could I recommend you for it directly without cause, just by virtue of my status? And besides, while it’s true I didn’t agree to your request that day, I did recommend you for admission into the Imperial Academy. As long as your essay can catch the eye of the masters, there is no need to worry about not being able to be considered in the future.”

“Future?”

Zhou He sneered.

“I have a lot of knowledge, and my articles are praised by everyone. And yet, year after year, I’ve sat the exams, only to be cast aside time and again. The world is corrupt and jealous of the worthy! Just like Ding Baiya back then—even with a mind full of aspiration, but with no backing, no connections, no matter how good one’s articles are, how can they be appreciated by those masters? What’s more, Princess, you know Zheng Song, he is also one of the masters of the Imperial Academy. It was he who dismissed my work as verbose and showy, and that single remark ended my path to the exams! And now you would have me return to compete under his nose alongside those pampered students? What is that if not a cruel joke?”

Xuyu looked at Zhou He, standing crookedly before her, and shook her head slowly, “So, when the Grand Empress Dowager promised you an official position, you agreed?”

Zhou He’s face twisted into a bitter expression. “You can’t blame me… I didn’t want to do it! Yes, I’d already hung the curtain as instructed, but that day—Princess, if only you had said yes to me, I would’ve changed my mind! It was you who refused me the chance! It was you who forced me to this!”

Xuyu did not answer, but looked towards the Chongtian Hall behind him.

The main structure of the Chongtian Hall was mostly made of wood. Once the fire started, it was impossible to put it out easily. Seeing that the smoke and fire had already reached the middle floor and people could not enter, the hall could not be saved. Pei Xiaoyuan and the general of the night guards divided all the firefighters into several teams, each responsible for relaying water, sand, or specifically putting out the fire, cutting off the fire and preventing it from spreading to the nearby connected halls. The chaotic scene at the beginning slowly became orderly, and everyone was busily do their job.

“So, why did you do such a drastic action tonight, even at the cost of self-harm?”

Zhou He twisted his neck and looked at the hall door behind him that was completely shrouded in billowing fire and smoke, and laughed strangely.

“Princess, do you think that by granting me the chance to come here and paint, you gave me some immense favor, one I should be weeping with gratitude for? You’re wrong! I’ve long since loathed my identity as a mere painter! There is no fairness in this world! Why can I only be a painter? Since Li Yan has failed, all my hopes have crumbled with him. What’s the point of keeping this painting in the world? Better to burn it clean, erase every mark of humiliation it has left on me. In my next life, I’ll never touch a paintbrush again!”

“You madman! Raving lunatic! You deserve a thousand deaths! To speak such wild blasphemy in front of the Princess—how dare you—”

Eunuch Cao shouted angrily at the side. The louder he shouted, the louder Zhou He laughed. His crazed silhouette, cast against the backdrop of roaring fire behind him, was twisted and grotesque.

“Zhou He, you pride yourself on being a talented person who is not appreciated. Have you ever thought that there are always people who are better than you? Is it possible that you have failed the exams many times and have not been appreciated because your writing ability is not as good as you think?”

Xuyu suddenly said.

Zhou He was stunned and immediately stopped laughing.

“There’s nothing wrong to aspire to a successful career and to be someone of importance. The world is indeed turbid and there is no real fairness in the world. But it’s ridiculous that you keep claiming that you want to serve the court and care about the world. In fact, you’re just a greedy person. How dare you compare yourself to Ding Baiya?”

She looked again in the direction of the mural that had been completely engulfed by the fire.

“This painting also carried Lord Ye’s hopes and wishes. It doesn’t matter if you burn it—since it came from your hand, it had already become a disgrace to both him and the Celestial Beings and The Capital.”

A strange expression flickered across Zhou He’s face, unclear whether it was from pain or shame. He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Suddenly, his entire body trembled, and he collapsed to the ground.

Due to the severity of his injuries, Zhou He died in prison that night amidst his screams and cries. The fire in Chongtian Hall also burned through the night, only finally extinguished at dawn. The only thing to be thankful for was that the scene was well organized last night and the fire did not get out of control. The nearby Yuyun Tower and other buildings were intact except for some traces of smoke.

At dawn, the palace gate opened as usual amid the rumbling of street drums. Many officials rushed to the palace upon hearing the news, gathering in the square in front of the hall separated by some barricades. Seeing with their own eyes that this majestic hall had been reduced to a wreck overnight, with only the slowly rising smoke above the charred ruins, they all sighed with regret.

The Chongtian Hall was named to celebrate the emperor’s longevity, but in fact it was built in imitation of the former Yong’an Hall.

No one had ever said it explicitly, but everyone knew that within the hall, the painting Celestial Beings and The Capital was the core of this grand hall and a symbol of the emperor’s civil and military achievements.

Who would have thought that this magnificent grand hall, with its legendary mural, would be destroyed by the hands of a mere painter. How ironic!

The raging fire in the palace at night also alarmed the entire Chang’an.

The following day, news spread swiftly that Chongtian Hall had caught fire overnight and that the mural inside had been completely destroyed. The foreign envoys residing at the Honglu Temple guest house, who had been eagerly awaiting the upcoming celebration, were all deeply disappointed upon hearing the news. Among the common citizen, it also became the talk of the town.

In order to welcome the triumphant return of the soldiers, every household in Chang’an had been busy preparing lanterns and colorful banners recently. On that day, they would hang lanterns in front of their doors and hang colorful decorations on the eaves of their windows to celebrate the grand ceremony. The court had also issued a proclamation days earlier that the citywide curfew would be lifted for three days during the celebration, allowing the people to revel all night long—making up for the Lantern Festivals of the past two years, both canceled due to the war. When the news spread, the whole city cheered. Young men and women in their prime, whether they came from noble mansions or humble homes, all called their friends and made appointments to go out together early. It was easy to imagine how lively Chang’an would become. Just as the festive atmosphere grew stronger by the day, this sudden incident cast a shadow overhead, like a dark cloud gathering out of nowhere. It was hard not to be reminded of the tragic events at Yong’an Hall all those years ago. Though no one dared speak openly of it, everywhere—on the streets and in the alleys—people could be heard sighing over the matter with heavy hearts.

However, these were all secondary.

Because of this accident, the Ministry of Rites had the most headache.

The soldiers were on their way back to Chang’an, getting closer and closer, and would arrive soon. There was only half a month left before the celebration.

After the scheduled captive offering ceremony in front of the Danfeng Gate and the bell and drum tower of the imperial palace, according to the plan, the emperor would hold a banquet in the Chongtian Hall, reward meritorious officials and generals, and also add a new and extremely important procedure, announcing to the world that Li Hui would be the crown prince.

Such an important occasion was no less important than presenting captives. But Chongtian Hall suddenly turned into ruins overnight. Where should they be arranged to be the most appropriate place?

The choice of location was not actually the most difficult one. For example, the Changle Hall and Minguang Hall in the palace were large venues that could accommodate everyone and make preparations anew. Although it may be a bit hasty, it was not a problem as long as there were enough people.

The most crucial thing was the mural of Celestial Beings and The Capital.

Setting aside whether there were suitable places for mural in Changle Hall, Mingguang Hall and other places. Even if there were, could it be completed within half a month? They remembered that it took Ye Zhongli more than a month to complete that mural.

The Minister of Rites, along with a group of people, went to find Grand Chancellor Pei Ji who had just returned to the court. They believed that the safest way was to quickly decide on a new celebration venue from several alternative options so that they could begin preparations for various matters.

As for the mural, although everyone agreed that the most reasonable way to deal with it was to abandon it, they dared not say such words.

This morning, rumors spread from the palace that the emperor had reacted with surprising calm to the news of the fire that had consumed Chongtian Hall and its mural the previous night. When he heard the report, he was silent for a while and only said, “Let it burn, then—it’s Heaven’s will.” But given the emperor’s eccentric temperament, and the fact that in the twenty years since he ascended the throne few officials would dare claim to fully understand his words, no one could take this response at face value.

The more indifferent he appeared, the more suspicious the ministers became. After all, the mural’s significance for the upcoming occasion was undeniable—it symbolized the glory of his reign. Now that it was lost, no one could say for certain how he truly felt inside.

This was by no means a trivial matter, especially since it coincided with the case of Li Yan and the Wang family. It demanded extreme caution—any misstep could risk touching the imperial wrath.

“Therefore, we dare not make a rash decision. We already selected a few available venues and want to ask Grand Chancellor to take a look and see which one is the most suitable. Additionally, regarding the mural matter, we would also like to consult Grand Chancellor. We are unsure if the Princess has another decision?”

Pei Ji was looking at the list of alternative palaces presented by the officials and listening to them describing the conditions of each hall when suddenly, a voice from outside announced that the prince consort had arrived.

Everyone paused and stood up to greet him.

Pei Xiaoyuan walked in, bowed to Pei Ji who was sitting on the table, and after exchanging a few pleasantries with the ministers of the Ministry of Rites, he said, “The Princess has already made the decision. The venue will be changed to Zhenguo Tower.”

Everyone looked surprised. Pei Ji seemed to be deep in thought.

“Also, regarding the murals,” Pei Xiaoyuan paused and looked at everyone.

“The princess said that the murals are indispensable. She will personally lead the painting in the painting department in undertaking this task.

“She asked me to tell you all not to worry, the mural will be finished before the celebration.”

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