Three Heroes and Five Righteous Ones

Author: Shi Yuquan (Qing Dynasty)
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2006-05-01
Features: Here, the two imperial consorts instructed to set up a banquet, arrange seating, and serve wine. Instantly, drums and music played in rapid succession, and colorful performances were presented, showcasing the royal wealth and luxury. By nightfall, the bright moon hung high, illuminating the entire garden as if it were daytime. The emperor and the consorts enjoyed themselves, admiring the moon together while stars twinkled and wine cups were exchanged. The emperor drank until he was half-intoxicated, only to see Chen Lin and Lin holding golden balls in their hands, kneeling before him. The emperor took them and examined them closely, only to find that the golden balls were intricately carved with "Li Consort of the Jade Firmament Palace" on one side and "Liu Consort of the Golden Flower Palace" on the other. The carving was exquisitely done. The emperor was delighted and immediately rewarded the two consorts. The consorts knelt to receive the reward, and after wearing them, each presented three golden cups of wine. The emperor accepted without hesitation and drank them all, becoming quite drunk. He laughed heartily and said, "If either of the consorts bears a prince, she shall be made the principal consort." The consorts thanked him again. But the emperor, in his drunken state, spoke these words without fully realizing their importance. Little did he know, this would lead to endless turmoil. You ask why? It was because Liu Consort had ill intentions and harbored jealousy for a long time. Upon hearing this, she feared that Li Consort would bear a prince and be made the principal consort. From that day on, she conspired with the chief steward Dou Huai in secret to harm Li Consort. However, there was a palace maid named Kou Zhu, who served Liu Consort. Though she was Liu Consort's trusted aide, she was a person of integrity and loyalty. Seeing Liu Consort and Dou Huai plotting, she felt deeply troubled and began to secretly observe them. Let us focus on Dou Huai, who, at Liu Consort's command, sent his trusted followers to find a midwife named You Shi. He was so terrified that he even entrusted his own husband to Dou Huai, becoming a "joy-bringer" as well. One day, Dou Huai and You Shi discussed their plans in secret, revealing Liu Consort's plot to harm Li Consort. The wicked old woman hesitated at first but was then filled with joy at the prospect of great wealth. She frowned, then an idea struck her, and she said to Dou Huai, "Do this, do that." Dou Huai exclaimed, "Brilliant! If this is accomplished, Liu Consort will have you as her greatest achievement." He warned her not to fail and gave her many gifts. The old woman left happily. Dou Huai reported the matter to the palace, and Liu Consort rejoiced, eagerly waiting for the right moment. Time passed quickly, and soon it was March. The emperor visited the Jade Firmament Palace to check on Li Consort. Li Consort greeted him, but the emperor waved her greeting away and engaged in casual conversation. Suddenly, he remembered that the next day was the birthday of the Eight Thousand-Year-Old of the Southern Qing Palace, so he specially ordered the head steward Chen Lin to go to the imperial garden to prepare fruits for the celebration. Chen Lin left, only to find Li Consort frowning deeply, unable to bear the pain of labor. The emperor was alarmed, realizing she was about to give birth, and immediately set out to summon Liu Consort and the midwife. Liu Consort followed the order and went to the Jade Firmament Palace first. Dou Huai quickly informed You Shi. You Shi, who had already prepared everything, handed a large box to Dou Huai and hurried to the Jade Firmament Palace together. You ask what was inside the box? It was their sinister plan: the skin and fur of a leopard were stripped off, leaving it bloody and greasy, unrecognizable as an animal, and quite grotesque. When they arrived at the Jade Firmament Palace, others thought it was food, unaware of its true purpose. Just as Li Consort was giving birth, she suddenly fainted from blood loss. Liu Consort, Dou Huai, and You Shi seized the opportunity to switch the real prince with the leopard, wrapping the fake prince in a dragon robe and placing him in the box. They then carried the box out of the Jade Firmament Palace and rushed to the Golden Flower Palace. Liu Consort immediately called Kou Zhu to bring a wicker basket, secretly hiding the real prince inside and telling her to take it to the Golden Pavilion and strangle the baby with a silk sash, then throw it into the Golden Water Bridge. Kou Zhu, though reluctant, dared not refuse, fearing that someone else might be assigned to the task, which would be even more problematic. She took the basket and left through the right gate of the Phoenix Pavilion, heading straight to the Golden Pavilion. There, she opened the basket and took out the prince. Grateful for the dragon robe, she held the baby in her arms and thought, "The emperor has been childless for so long, and now Li Consort has finally given birth to a prince. Yet this wicked consort schemes to him. If I kill the prince, how can I live with myself? Well, I may as well take the prince and throw myself into the river, at least fulfilling my duty to the emperor." Just as she stepped out of the Golden Pavilion, she saw someone approaching and quickly hid. Through the window, she saw an official in court attire crossing the Divine Guide Bridge, holding a palace box and wearing a purple silk robe embroidered with a standing dragon, black boots, and a string of beads around his chest. He held a broom in his left hand, had a fair complexion, and a bright, spirited look. His eyes shone with divine light. This was none other than Chen Lin, the head steward, a man of integrity and loyalty. He had been sent to the imperial garden to collect fruits and was carrying a dragon robe box. Seeing Kou Zhu with the baby, he inquired about the situation. Kou Zhu recounted everything in detail. Chen Lin was greatly alarmed upon hearing this and, seeing the dragon robe as proof, discussed with Kou Zhu. They decided to place the prince in the box, which fit perfectly. Just then, the prince began to cry, and the two silently prayed. Once their prayers were finished, the crying stopped. They praised the heavens in gratitude, hoping the prince would be safe. After bowing to the sky, Kou Zhu hurried back to the palace.