He Jin stormed into Chang Le Palace in a fury.
"Little sister, what's wrong with you?" he demanded. "I told you not to do this—how did it end with someone dead?"
Empress Dowager He looked utterly confused."I don't know! I didn't do it! He was fine—how could he suddenly die? Anyway, it wasn't me!"
Seeing that her shock didn't seem fake, He Jin turned and left for the Imperial Medical Bureau, seeking out the physician who had treated Empress Dowager Dong.
"Why did she die so suddenly?" he asked.
The physician bowed. "General, Her Majesty was advanced in age. She had suffered the grief of losing her son, and then…" He hesitated, glancing nervously at He Jin before continuing, "She was burdened with worry and pent-up emotions. That led to her sudden death."
"Worry?" He Jin frowned.
After his persuasion, Empress Dowager He had already sent word to reassure Dong—she could remain peacefully in the palace and would not be forced to return home. By all logic, there should have been nothing to fear.
Even if she was worried, could it really kill her in less than a month? And without any prior signs?
The physician's evasiveness only deepened his suspicion.
"You're lying," He Jin said coldly. "Speak the truth. How did she die?"
When the physician remained silent, He Jin pressed harder."If you don't talk, I'll have the body examined immediately. And if I find out you deceived me…"
Terrified, the physician whispered, "She… she was poisoned."
"Poisoned?!"
He Jin immediately thought of his sister and rushed back to Chang Le Palace.
No wonder the physician hadn't dared to speak—his own family already had a reputation for such things.
"If I wanted her dead," Empress Dowager He snapped angrily, "why would I let her stay in the palace? Wouldn't it be easier to have her killed on the road back to Hejian?"
He Jin paused. That… actually made sense.
If she intended murder, why complicate it?
"Investigate!" he ordered. "Find the truth!"
The entire palace mobilized. But at the same time, rumors spread through Luoyang: Empress Dowager He had violated proper conduct and poisoned Empress Dowager Dong.
The people cursed the He family.
Days later, investigators reported back: everyone connected to the case was either dead or missing.
There was nothing to be found.
He Jin felt numb. If he couldn't uncover anything, it would only make him look guilty. The public's anger intensified.
Just as he was at his wits' end, Tian Kai returned with a letter from Zhang Xin.
"He's back!" He Jin exclaimed, overjoyed.
Tian Kai bowed. "General, Marquis Xuanwei asked me to inquire about the Empress Dowager's death. What truly happened?"
He Jin immediately began pouring out his grievances.
"…I've been wrongly accused…" he went on at length.
After listening, Tian Kai relaxed. At least the He siblings weren't responsible.
He then produced a letter and handed it over. Zhang Xin had given him two before he left—one to be delivered if the He family was innocent, another if they were guilty.
He Jin eagerly opened it.
In the letter, Zhang Xin explained that Qingzhou was too distant for rapid communication. To counter the partisans, He Jin should rely on the eunuchs—restore Zhao Zhong and the others, and return some lesser powers to Liu Bian.
He added that many officials, including party members and famous figures, were no longer trustworthy. For advice, He Jin should consult Tian Kai and Chen Lin.
Tian Kai was now effectively serving both men.
As for Chen Lin, he was known for his sharp judgment and independence—someone who had once opposed reckless decisions when others stayed silent.
Zhang Xin and Zhang Rang had already reached a conclusion: if the He siblings were innocent, then the partisans must be behind the poisoning. Their impatience would reveal itself.
By reinstating the eunuchs and restoring some authority to the young emperor, power would be divided. With the Empress Dowager, the emperor, the eunuchs, and the He clan intertwined, the partisans would find it much harder to act.
Zhang Xin believed Yuan Shao's long cultivation of influence was not for mere service. Having waited out Liu Hong's death, would he truly sit idle and watch the dynasty stabilize?
Impossible.
Better to force their hand now—and, if possible, eliminate them directly through He Jin.
At the end of the letter, Zhang Xin warned him:The partisans would surely try to sow discord between them. He must not listen.
"Liu Bian is your nephew—and mine," the letter said. "We are family."
After reading, He Jin looked at Tian Kai."Eunuchs… can they really be trusted?"
Years of persuasion from Yuan Shao and others had shaped his thinking.
Tian Kai smiled faintly."Eunuchs are servants of the emperor. A single word can raise or ruin them—grant life or take it away. General, you and the Empress Dowager are kin. Why distrust your own servants and trust outsiders instead?"
Though Tian Kai personally disliked eunuchs, he knew their use would benefit He Jin.
He Jin nodded. "Very well. I'll discuss this with my sister."
Soon, the fallen Ten Attendants were restored to power.
The partisans were stunned.
Empress Dowager Dong was dead—and yet the eunuchs had returned stronger than before?
Something was very wrong.
Yuan Shao, He Yong, Xu You, and others went to He Jin again, warning him of the dangers of eunuchs and Zhang Xin.
He Jin smiled politely—but inwardly burned with anger, remembering Zhang Xin's warning.
A month passed.
For the partisans, it was unbearable. None of their goals were achieved. Instead, Zhang Xin's proposals were all implemented through He Jin.
Meanwhile, Liu Bian gradually regained authority and began to take control of governance.
This could not continue.
If the emperor secured his rule with He Jin's support, what place would remain for them?
Yuan Shao urgently gathered his allies.
"Gentlemen," he said, "I propose we summon Dong Zhuo to the capital—under He Jin's name. What do you think?"