Chapter Fifty-Nine: A Turn of Fortune
Iron-Blooded Ming
Prison of the Heavenly Cell.
As usual, the old prisoner pestered Wang Pu for a chat, but Wang Pu plugged his ears with his hands and ignored him. While the two were bickering, Wang Cheng'en entered the cell, flanked by two young eunuchs.
“By Imperial order!” Wang Cheng'en flicked his horsetail whisk and shrilled, “Wang Pu, General of Datong, receive the decree!”
Wang Pu had no choice but to sit up and kneel to greet the imperial edict.
“His Majesty has instructed me to deliver a message,” Wang Cheng'en announced openly, unbothered by the presence of the other eunuchs and the old prisoner in the neighboring cell. His tone was neither warm nor cold. “You have two paths: first, divorce that courtesan at once and become the Emperor’s honored son-in-law in glory; or, tomorrow at noon, you and the Tartar chieftain Huang Taiji will be paraded to the market and executed by dismemberment!”
Hearing these words, Wang Pu’s heart could not help but thump heavily.
The old prisoner in Cell No. 1 stared at Wang Pu, dumbstruck.
“General Wang,” Wang Cheng'en dabbed his mouth with an embroidered handkerchief and asked, “do you have any words for me to relay to His Majesty?”
Wang Pu replied, “Please inform His Majesty that Wang Pu has no choice to make.”
Last night, Zhen Youcai had already managed to send word inside, and Wang Pu was now fully aware of Zhen’s plan. Now that the Emperor was openly sending Wang Cheng'en to deliver his message, it was clear he intended to lay his cards on the table! Still, Wang Pu believed this was not the Emperor’s true trump card. He was merely putting on a show of force, hoping to coerce Wang Pu with threats of torture.
But Wang Pu would not yield. Such was his nature—he would not turn back until he hit the southern mountain, and even then, he would not turn back.
Wang Cheng'en asked, “What do you mean by that, General?”
Wang Pu retorted, “What do you think, Lord Wang?”
Wang Cheng'en’s expression stiffened; after a pause, he said, “General Wang, think carefully. Do not act in haste. I can wait, I have time.”
“There’s nothing more to consider,” Wang Pu replied calmly. “I’ve thought it through.”
“Very well.” Wang Cheng'en shook his head. “Then I will return and report your words. Take care, General Wang.” He sighed, then left with the two young eunuchs.
No sooner had Wang Cheng'en departed than the old prisoner next door leaned forward eagerly, “Hey, brat, so you weren’t lying? You really led troops to Liaodong and captured Huang Taiji alive?”
“I told you it was all true,” Wang Pu replied. “If you don’t believe me, what can I do?”
“I was just too shocked!” The old prisoner admitted, embarrassed. “Since our dynasty began dealing with the Tartars, we’ve suffered defeat after defeat. Never have we won such a victory. Yet you say you destroyed Shengjing with just over a thousand cavalry and captured their chieftain alive—who could believe such a thing?”
“Believe it or not.” Wang Pu replied irritably. “I don’t care.”
“I believe you, I do.” The old man changed tack, continuing, “But Wang Pu, why put yourself at odds with His Majesty over a courtesan? Is it worth it?”
“Enough.” Wang Pu snapped. “If His Majesty ordered you to divorce your wife and marry the princess, would you do it?”
“Well…” The old prisoner hesitated. “Of course not, I’m not Chen Shimei.”
Wang Pu retorted, “You’re not Chen Shimei, but am I? Is it human to abandon your wife for another? What’s more, Yuanyuan is virtuous, beautiful as a fairy, and risked her life to save mine. Why should I discard such a loyal and loving woman?”
“You have a point,” the old prisoner nodded. “No real man would do such a thing—it would earn you the scorn of all. But let me warn you, don’t count on luck. His Majesty’s wrath is unpredictable. He just might have you and Huang Taiji both flayed alive.”
“So be it.” Wang Pu replied coldly. “I’m not easily frightened.”
“Bold words!” The old prisoner couldn’t help but give a thumbs up, praising, “You’ve got spirit, lad. Say, how about becoming my godson?”
“Get lost,” Wang Pu replied. “Who wants to be your godson?”
“Hey, you little brat, you’re not willing?” The old prisoner was displeased. “Before I was imprisoned, I was Governor of the Three Frontiers, and had the titles of Vice Censor-in-Chief and Minister of War as well.”
“If you’re a real man, don’t boast of past glories.” Wang Pu reclined with his hands behind his head, legs crossed, mocking. “What’s past is past. Now you’re just a prisoner like me.”
“You—well—” The old prisoner stammered, then grumbled, “Sleep, just sleep. You’ll see the executioner tomorrow at the market.”
Chengqian Palace.
Recently, Consort Tian had fallen ill. Despite his duties, the Emperor came daily to check on her. She had just finished her medicine, attended by her maids, when the Emperor arrived.
She tried to rise and pay respects, but the Emperor gently stopped her. “My dear, you’re still recovering. Don’t exert yourself.”
“Your Majesty,” Consort Tian gazed at him with tender affection, her voice soft and sweet, “you make me worry for your health.”
“Nonsense,” the Emperor sat by her couch and stroked her wan cheek, his voice low. “Do you feel better?”
“I just took my medicine. I feel much improved.”
“That’s good.” The Emperor pinched her delicate nose playfully. “I’m relieved you’re well.”
Consort Tian asked, “Your Majesty seems troubled?”
The Emperor sighed and shook his head. “How could I be happy?”
“May I ask what troubles Your Majesty?”
“It’s about Ruer’s marriage. That Wang Pu is stubborn as a mule. I threatened that if he doesn’t divorce the courtesan, he and Huang Taiji will be executed at the market tomorrow. Guess what he said? He still refuses to yield. I’m at my wit’s end.”
“Your Majesty,” Consort Tian ventured cautiously, “may I speak freely?”
“Of course,” replied the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, I know nothing of state affairs, but from a woman’s perspective, let me speak of General Wang. There are countless men who would leap at the chance to become your son-in-law, to join the imperial family and enjoy endless riches. If someone else were in his place, they would have divorced the courtesan long ago.”
The Emperor replied irritably, “But Wang Pu simply will not.”
“That is precisely what makes him admirable,” said Consort Tian. “If Wang Pu really abandoned her, wouldn’t he be another Chen Shimei? If Ruer married such a heartless man, how could she ever be happy?”
The Emperor was momentarily speechless. “That…”
“And another thing,” Consort Tian continued, “Wang Pu is a loyal and responsible man. Your Majesty should be pleased—such a man is trustworthy. If he were fickle or scheming, would he deserve your confidence?”
“What’s going on today?” The Emperor frowned. “Why are you, the Empress, and even Wang Cheng'en all speaking up for Wang Pu?”
Who was the Emperor? Naturally, he caught her implication—on the surface, she praised Wang Pu, but in truth, she was saying he was a straightforward warrior, not one for intrigue. If Princess Changping truly married Wang Pu, and he loved her in return, he would never betray her.
“Your Majesty,” Consort Tian said softly, “the Empress and I are women, and Lord Wang is one of the inner court—hardly outsiders. We’re not simply pleading for Wang Pu, but sincerely wish Ruer to find a worthy husband. This is her lifelong happiness.”
The Emperor was silent for a long moment before finally saying, “I understand. You should rest now.”