Chapter 157 Xianning: My Lover is in the North.
Xie Yuan spent most of his time in a deep sleep, the twilight long and dim.
He once again broke free from his daze, and the first thing he heard was the sound of a group of people arguing. The important matter in the court was nothing more than the selection of an heir.
They made a fuss for a while.
Then a couple more shouts were heard, and then the Chongzheng Hall fell silent.
A bright yellow curtain separated the outside, and a blurry shadow stood in front of the inner palace door.
"His Majesty is unwell; this matter should not be discussed further. All officials, please step down!"
A commotion arose in the outer hall, but it wasn't loud; it was unclear whether the officials had actually left.
"Empress..." Xie Yuan began.
The voice was so muffled that it was almost inaudible.
Xun Shuheng quickly turned around and went inside. The palace servants then lifted the curtains and hung them on the hooks.
"Your Majesty, you're awake?"
She looked utterly exhausted, but a glimmer of hope appeared the moment she saw Xie Yuan open his eyes. After several days of unconsciousness, Xie Yuan's hands, exposed outside the brocade quilt, were withered and thin. Xun Shuheng reached out to hold his hand, feeling the bones pressing against her palm.
Xun Shuheng: "Imperial Physician!"
Inside the hall, a group of imperial physicians knelt awaiting orders. The head of the Imperial Physicians' Office knelt and stepped forward to take the patient's pulse. When the medicine was served, Xun Shuheng leaned forward and personally took the bowl of medicine.
When the spoon was brought to his mouth, Xie Yuan shook his head slightly, avoiding the bitter medicine.
"How long have I been asleep?"
Xun Shuheng took a soft towel and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead. "This is the fourth day that His Majesty has been in a coma."
It's been four days.
A single day is enough to change the world, and he had no idea what the scene outside the Chongzheng Hall looked like.
Xie Yuan glanced around the inner hall; only the Empress and the Imperial Physicians were present. "What are they arguing about in the outer hall? Has anything happened these past few days?"
Xun Shuheng carefully considered each word and was about to speak when Xie Yuan suddenly asked, "Does the Empress think it is appropriate to establish Cong'er as the Crown Prince at this time?"
Xun Shuheng stood up and knelt down in a gesture of apology.
The imperial physicians quickly retreated to the outer hall and closed the door to the inner hall.
Xie Yuan turned his gaze back and stared at her intently for a long time, so long that Xun Shuheng thought he was about to fall asleep again. She looked up and saw that Xie Yuan's eyes were red. "You, in the end, are still estranged from me."
His breathing became labored again. "Why can't you be like an ordinary couple... tell me... what you really think? I am your husband, you can trust me and rely on me."
Xun Shuheng lowered her head: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! The relationship between ruler and subject comes first, then between husband and wife. The matter of establishing an heir concerns the stability of the country and the nation. Your Majesty has your own considerations, and I dare not interfere! I have already strictly ordered the Xun family not to discuss the establishment of an heir. We will wait until Your Majesty has recovered before discussing it further."
He cherished their marital bond, while she feared the emperor's favor was unpredictable, for even the closest of relatives could become distant.
Xie Yuan closed his eyes, moved his fingers very slightly, and called out, "Zheng Hechuan."
But no one came.
"Zheng Hechuan!"
Xun Shuheng said, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Zheng is involved in the case of spies from the Northern Yong. The Dali Temple has summoned him for questioning."
"Zheng Hechuan? Spy? Nonsense!"
Xie Yuan coughed suddenly, and the Imperial Physician quickly ordered someone to bring him a cough-relieving and lung-moistening soup, which he swallowed half a bowl of.
"The Dali Temple dares to arrest even the people who serve me without my permission. Does Chen Xingqian think I'm dead?"
On the day of the palace spring ceremony, Zhai Yu punished Xun Shuheng by making Heng Yang kneel in the Imperial Garden for half an hour. Subsequently, the Censorate used the harp music to reveal that Yueyang Tower was the base of the Northern Yong's spies in Yongdu. Zhai Yu bribed palace servants to exchange information with Yueyang Tower through music, with the harp music representing the palace, the zither music representing the ministers, and the flute music representing the common people.
Following the trail of procurement, Xie Wenjun discovered that the Inner Palace Supervisor was a eunuch responsible for purchasing items outside the palace.
Jiang Xiantang, the Imperial Censor, personally submitted a memorial detailing the case and impeaching the Imperial Concubine.
The eunuch's original surname was Liu, but he later changed it to Zheng.
The eunuchs in the palace had no male heirs, and out of concern for the continuation of their lineage, they longed for someone to care for them in their old age and see them off in death. They had a custom of adopting godparents, and high-ranking eunuchs would choose a few fair-skinned, obedient, and sensible eunuchs to be their godchildren, seeking some comfort and slightly making up for the regret of having no offspring.
This palace servant surnamed Zheng was one of Zheng Hechuan's adopted sons.
When eunuchs committed crimes, the case was usually handled by the Inner Palace Supervisors first. However, if it involved a major case concerning spies from an enemy state, it would be transferred to the Judicial Commission for trial only after the Emperor issued an imperial decree. Since Xie Yuan was in a coma, this part of the responsibility was shared by the Secretariat. If the case was found to be true, the Censorate would submit a memorial, and the Grand Secretary Cheng Lingdian would review it before the Court of Judicial Review would have the authority to try it.
Cheng Lingdian had followed Xie Yuan since he was still Prince Shen, and would never betray him. If the Court of Judicial Review wanted to interrogate the Grand Eunuch, he would certainly refute it. Was Zheng Hechuan taken away from the Chongzheng Hall because Cheng Lingdian was forced to refuse the Court of Judicial Review's official document, or because the Court of Judicial Review bypassed the Secretariat and directly arrested him?
"Summon Cheng Lingdian to see me."
Xun Shuheng helped Xie Yuan catch his breath and said with some worry, "Prime Minister Cheng has also been detained."
"Absurd! Under heaven, besides myself, who has such great power to detain a prime minister?"
Xun Shuheng said, "The Changning Guard took the person away from the Right Prime Minister's residence with an arrest warrant bearing the seal of the Eldest Princess."
Xie Wenjun's detention of Zheng Hechuan and imprisonment of Cheng Lingdian clearly indicate his intention to use the Northern Yong spies as a pretext to "purge the emperor's inner circle." Even worse, Xie Wenjun might use the pretext of the Northern Yong spies threatening the court to further eliminate the emperor's confidants, leaving Xie Yuan as a mere empty shell.
Xun Shuheng continued, "I have ordered Zhaohua Palace to be sealed off and guarded by the Imperial Guards. No one is allowed to enter or leave. The Imperial Concubine is confined to her quarters and awaits further instructions."
Xie Wenjun could not possibly deal with the concubines in the harem. Xun Shuheng overruled the objections and imprisoned Zhai Yu in the palace, refusing to let the Changning Guards take her away, waiting for Xie Yuan to wake up before interrogating her.
As long as Zhai Yu, the head of the spy operation, remained in the palace and was not in Xie Wenjun's hands, the crime of treason among the court officials could not be judged solely by Xie Wenjun. Therefore, Zheng Hechuan and Cheng Lingdian were only summoned for questioning, rather than being executed on the spot on charges of treason.
There is still a chance for things to turn around.
"Jiangning! Is this the start of a rebellion?"
Does this mean they would go so far as to fabricate false cases and suppress dissent?
Xie Yuan summoned another trusted palace guard to the hall, "Go and invite... Mr. Jiang Bojin..."
The guards hurriedly knelt down before the imperial bed.
On the day Xie Yuan returned to the palace, after the Sixteen Guards of the Southern Court surrounded the streets and alleys of Shangyong City, the eunuch serving Jiang Bojin was knocked unconscious by someone, and the side hall was empty.
Xie Yuan abruptly swept the bowl of medicine off the low table beside the imperial bed, spilling the dark brown liquid all over the floor. "So that's how it is!" he gritted his teeth and muttered, "I should have realized that this old scoundrel... he..."
It was Xie Wenjun who placed him by his side.
No wonder this person's schemes always seemed to win by a hair's breadth, suppressing Jiang Ning and Chen Liangyu, but they could never quite execute them completely, instead allowing the two of them to accumulate strength.
Xun Shuheng hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry! Commander Jiang is in the palace, and the six armies of the Northern Army are guarding it in three layers. Your Majesty can rest assured and recuperate. There is absolutely nothing to worry about in the palace. Although the Princess has advisors in court, she may not dare to have any thoughts of assassinating the emperor. Your Majesty, please take good care of your health and wait for the troops to arrive..."
Xie Yuan said, "She's too cunning; it's hard to say what she wouldn't dare to do." His lips were pale, and his face showed anxiety. "Then we can't establish a crown prince; we can't establish one."
Who knows who the ghosts are in the palace? Even the imperial physicians who attend to the emperor cannot be trusted. Who can predict when he will die? If a crown prince is established, Xie Wenjun can either depose the crown prince and establish himself as emperor, or support the young emperor and seize power and rule with unparalleled merit.
Xie Yuan's eyes darted around as he desperately tried to come up with a solution.
"Empress, listen to me!"
Xie Yuan gripped Xun Shuheng's wrist tightly. "The Linxia army is closest to Yongdu. If nothing unexpected happens, they should be the first to arrive. The journey to Xiling and Zhudong is similar. Yue Dun and Feng Jiakun should arrive at the city walls around the same time as the Linxia army. The journey to the southern border is the longest, so Hengmiao should be the last to meet them. If the Linxia army does not arrive in three days, then the death knell will sound!"
"emperor!"
"Listen to me! The throne cannot fall into the wrong hands! I will protect you and Cong'er. I will never... let you and the prince be controlled by someone else and become her puppets! How is the drought in the south?"
Xun Shuheng said, "The drought has been stabilized, Your Majesty need not worry too much."
Xie Yuan nodded, seemingly not genuinely worried about the drought, but having other considerations.
He said, "Empress, draft an edict for me."
A palace maid moved a table over, and a bright yellow scroll was unfurled. Xun Shuheng ground ink, picked up a brush, and sat down.
Xie Yuan straightened himself and read aloud: "Jiang Ning is of virtuous and wise character, always mindful of the common people, and deeply respected by the nation. He quelled the drought and relieved the people from their dire straits; his achievements are truly great. Considering his loyalty to the emperor and his love for the country, his compassion for the people, his meticulous actions, and his exemplary virtue, I hereby bestow upon him the title 'Xian Ning'. I hope that Xian Ning will henceforth uphold the virtuous ways and assist the imperial family in maintaining its dignity. This is my decree!"
The eunuch held the imperial edict with both hands and rode his horse to the Princess's residence to deliver it.
Imperial decrees bestowing titles were usually accompanied by gold and brocade to signify closeness, but this decree sent to the Princess's residence was a solitary one.
Xie Yuan said, "A hypocrite with wolfish ambitions! I'll let all the officials see how long she can maintain her reputation for being devoted to the people!"
He paused for a moment, then said, "Draft another decree."
Xun Shuheng sat back down at the desk where she was drafting the imperial edict.
He read it aloud, and she wrote it down word by word.
"There are spies hiding in Yongdu, which could lead to war. Chen Liangyu is hereby reinstated as General of the Cavalry and Assistant to the State. He is ordered to return to Yongdu immediately to report to me. This is my decree!"
Xie Yuan looked at his trusted confidant.
"Chia Nan".
The trusted aide replied, "Your humble servant is here!"
"The journey from Xiling to Yongdu from the northern border must pass through Helu. I hereby order you to secretly leave the city with my secret decree and go to Helu to await Yue Dun. Order the Xiling army to guard Helu strictly and meet Chen Liangyu..."
His breathing was already labored and intermittent.
"kill!"
After everything was arranged as best as possible, Xie Yuan finally agreed to drink the medicine. He started sweating and then felt a little sleepy.
Footsteps sounded outside the inner palace gate, and a palace attendant announced, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty the Empress, Marquis Xuanping and his officials are requesting an audience outside Chongzheng Hall."
The news of the Emperor's awakening reached Chen Xingqian's ears so quickly.
Xun Shuheng helped Xie Yuan lie down, tucked him into the brocade quilt, and ordered the palace maids to lower the bed curtains. The palace door was pushed open with a "bang," and Xun Shuheng, carrying the imperial sword that hung on the wall of Chongzheng Hall, pointed its cold light directly at the officials below.
Chen Luan, dressed in court attire and holding a scroll of joint petitions, stood before the assembled officials.
He asked, puzzled, "Your Majesty?"
Xun Shuheng knew why he had led all the officials there, and Chen Luan also knew, so he couldn't understand why Xun Shuheng wanted to stop him from advising on the establishment of a crown prince.
Xun Shuheng said, "His Majesty is unwell and will not discuss state affairs. All ministers, please leave!"
Chen Luan: "Your Majesty!"
"go back!"
Xun Shuheng's sword was pointed directly at Chen Luan's brow.
Upon seeing this, the civil officials behind Chen Luan all knelt down in front of the steps.
...
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger! We humbly request Your Majesty to establish an heir!"
Chen Luan also knelt down, raised the scroll of joint petition above his head, and said loudly, "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you uphold the dynasty for ten thousand years, unite the hearts of the four seas, establish the position of the Crown Prince, and follow the will of Heaven to establish the Crown Prince!"
Xun Shuheng's sword drew an inch closer, the blade stopping firmly in front of Chen Luan's nose. "Chen Xingqian! Are you planning a rebellion?"
"Your Majesty."
"Step back!"
A person in purple official robes hurriedly walked through the Duanmen Gate. As soon as that figure appeared, Xun Shuheng felt powerless and anxious.
Xun Xian arrived at the palace last, bypassing the crowd and walking to the front.
"Your Majesty, a country cannot be without a foundation for even a day. With a crown prince in place, the people will be at peace and the court will be stable. As the Empress, you should prioritize the country, not just care about your personal feelings and protect the Emperor!"
Xie Yuan listened to the commotion outside the palace through the hanging curtains, and his eyes darkened. He had only been dead for a few days, yet he was unaware that the court officials had already reached the point of forcing him to abdicate.
He smiled faintly, a hint of sadness on his lips.
"The Xun family, Xun Xian! The Marquis of Xuanping's mansion, Chen Xingqian! Chen Liangyu! They are all outstanding!"
He lifted the brocade quilt, intending to leave the palace and properly punish these treacherous officials, but Xianyu, who was beside Xun Shuheng, knelt down and blocked his way.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
Xie Yuan's chest was churning with blood and qi. He had barely managed to move half an inch by supporting himself on the edge of the bed when the wound, which had been cleaned after festering, started to tear apart with excruciating pain. It was difficult for him to even sit still, let alone take a step out the door.
If he were to leave the palace in this state of vomiting blood and being weak, he would not only fail to protect the Empress, but would also cause the officials to say that the Emperor's health was failing and that he was incapable of governing the country, which would only fuel his arrogance in pressuring him to appoint a Crown Prince.
Xie Yuan's voice turned cold and stern as he asked Xianyu, "How many times has this kind of thing happened outside while I've been unconscious these past few days?"
Xianyu said, "Your Majesty, there have been four disturbances in total. The ministers did not gather in the first few instances, and Marquis Xuanping did not participate. Your Majesty, rest assured, Her Majesty the Empress can handle it."
Xie Yuan suddenly felt a tightness in his chest, and before he could raise his hand to cover it, a mouthful of blood gushed out from the corner of his lips.
He thought that during this time, only the Empress had personally served him in Chongzheng Palace. This was because she was afraid that someone would use the pretext of serving him to harm him while he was ill and weak, so she could only do everything herself.
Therefore, she looked exhausted.
Xie Yuan subtly moved his finger, pointing to a eunuch standing at the corner of the hall. This man had served the emperor for many years and was trustworthy.
The eunuch immediately stepped forward quietly and bowed to receive the order.
Xie Yuan said, "Go and fetch that... wooden box..."
The eunuch retreated silently. Xianyu helped Xie Yuan lie back on the couch, propping him up with a pillow. Soon after, the eunuch returned with a square wooden box, about a foot in size, and presented it to the couch.
Xun Shuheng also returned to the inner palace at this time.
The sword was extremely heavy. She was not skilled in martial arts, and after holding the heavy object for a long time, her hands became somewhat weak when she relaxed.
Xie Yuan seemed to sense it, and opened his eyes again, gesturing for the box to be opened.
The box lid was lifted, revealing a wooden hairpin lying quietly on a bright yellow satin lining.
A willow hairpin.
The hairpin head is carved with a peony flower, while the hairpin body is polished to an extremely smooth finish, showing that the person who made it put a lot of effort into it.
Xie Yuan looked at her, and a trace of extremely clear tenderness shone through his gray eyes, as if he were seeing the girl who had followed him to a remote place to take up her fiefdom after more than a decade.
"The peony, a national beauty, best complements you."
As Xie Yuan spoke, he placed the willow hairpin in Xun Shuheng's hair, and darkness fell before his eyes once more.
***
Xianning.
It is derived from the phrase "virtuous, docile, and content with one's lot." Whether one is discerning or not, anyone can see that this imperial edict is veiled in sarcasm.
Xie Wenjun had just received the imperial edict presented to her by the eunuch with both hands when she handed it to Hu Nu beside her without glancing at it again.
Xie Yuan wanted to flatter her, elevate her, and make her a figurehead of the royal family. She accepted the title of "virtuous."
Guests were present in the mansion and gathered in the main hall.
Princess Zhang Shu of the Eastern Mansion, Yan Rou, the second daughter of Yan Tianshu, the Director of the Imperial Observatory, Sheng Yuxuan, the daughter of Sheng Xiuyuan, the Minister of War, Su Lijin, the granddaughter of Su Chasang, the retired Minister of Revenue, and several other ladies from prominent families were all present.
The people in this room were the study companions chosen for her by Crown Prince Yizhang when she was still living by his side in the Eastern Palace.
Now they are married and still live in prestigious families. Their husbands are all influential civil officials in the court. It was Gu Xie who came to their door as the headmaster of Lingjiu Academy to invite them to the Princess's residence for a chat and to reminisce.
After meals, they all expressed their willingness to do their best to persuade their masters to always follow the Princess.
After the guests left, only Heng Yang and Gu Xie remained in the main hall.
Roujia was playing a treasure hunt game with several maids in the courtyard. The girls were all about the same age as Roujia and were unaware of the impending storm, still playing around.
Roujia used a jade pendant as a prize and asked several girls to guess the direction. Whoever found the treasure would be rewarded with the jade pendant.
Xie Wenjun stood with his hands behind his back by the window, listening to the Changning Guard report on the movements of the palace and various troops.
"Royal Aunt."
Roujia approached her and gracefully curtsied through the window frame, saying, "Your Majesty, please guess a direction as well."
Xie Wenjun gazed at the horizon and said softly, "The North."
Roujia then asked, "Why the north?"
Hsieh Wen-Chun replied earnestly, though it didn't seem like a response to Rou-Chia: "I have a lover in the North."
Roujia didn't yet understand what a lover was, only vaguely understanding it as someone her imperial aunt adored. She turned and headed north, as Xie Wenjun had indicated, found the jade pendant, held it in her palm, and presented it to Xie Wenjun.
"Roujia also likes the Imperial Aunt very much. Therefore, she wishes to present the jade pendant to the Imperial Aunt in exchange for her good fortune and longevity, and for the Imperial Aunt's health and happiness."
Xie Wenjun never adopted an authoritative demeanor when speaking to Roujia; her voice was as soft as warm water. She said, "Thank you, Roujia."
Xie Wenjun tied the jade pendant to her body and asked Aunt Jingge to take the princess to the villa.
Xie Wenjun's men in Linxia received news that Yan Feng had been intercepted and killed on his way to the Linxia camp to mobilize troops. His body was thrown into a mass grave, but somehow he still managed to deliver the secret order to Cheng Yun, the Sima of Linxia.
The Linxia army has urgently mobilized troops and provisions, marching day and night towards Yongdu.
She foresaw that Xie Yuan would not easily establish an heir, and that if he were to establish a crown prince while he was seriously injured, it would undoubtedly be like asking for his own death. At that time, there would be an endless stream of people hoping for his demise.
As long as Xie Yuan continues to manage state affairs, she has countless ways to force him to establish an heir apparent.
Unexpectedly, the person most opposed to establishing an heir was the Empress.
Xun Xian tried to persuade him, but to no avail. Chen Xingqian also suffered a sword wound from Xun Shuheng and had to be helped back to his residence by his attendants.
No one can explain why a woman, a mother, would do everything in her power to prevent her son from becoming the crown prince.
Xie Wenjun did not worry about this for long; it would be better if she were the one to establish the crown prince.
Martial law was declared in Yongdu. Inside the palace, Jiang Andong led the Imperial Guards to maintain strict control, with shifts of soldiers on duty. The Sixteen Guards of the Southern Army and the Six Armies of the Northern Army were evenly matched in strength. If the Changning Guard were included, Jiang Andong would be no match for them. However, the palace was the most easily defended and difficult to attack city, with archers hidden behind high walls. The palace roads were best used for a war of attrition. If they recklessly charged into the palace, they would probably lose more than half their men before even reaching the Meridian Gate and seeing the Chongzheng Hall.
Inside and outside the palace, each side held its own territory, waiting to see whose troops would enter the city first.
Linxia was the closest to Yongdu, but that doesn't necessarily mean that the Linxia army arrived at Yongdu's walls first.
Zhao Mingqin's Xuanjia cavalry and the Eagle Head Army of the Northern Border were both elite cavalry, their speed was beyond question, and their combat strength was incomparable to ordinary soldiers. As for Feng Jiakun, who was fighting to the east, it was still uncertain whether he could escape and lead his troops back. Yue Dun's stance was already hesitant and indecisive, and he might not be willing to risk his life and fortune to raise an army.
Xie Wenjun pondered for a moment and said, "Hengmiao is a variable."
Heng Yang said, "Your Highness, my elder brother has always been pragmatic. If he is not, I am willing to step in and persuade him."
Xie Wenjun nodded slightly, her hands still behind her back beneath her sleeves.
On the day Xie Yuan went south to inspect the fields, Xie Wenjun used flying gadflies to send orders to various places to be on standby at any time. When Xie Yuan was seriously injured and returned to the palace halfway, the spies sent by Xie Wenjun in various places sent messages to the northern and southern borders and the grain bureaus of various prefectures and counties before Xie Yuan's men could.
Grain depots across the country received documents from Yuan Rong bearing the seal of the Imperial Treasury, ordering each region to conduct self-inspections of its tax revenue and grain reserves, and prohibiting any borrowing or transfer of grain except in accordance with the Princess's decree.
Xie Wenjun had been in charge of agriculture and sericulture for many years, and he knew the accounts of all the prefectures and counties inside and out. He never showed any mercy when investigating agriculture, sericulture, and grain taxes, scrutinizing every penny. His reputation among local officials was impeccable. As soon as the investigation report arrived, the prefects, governors, and even county magistrates would carefully guard their own account books and granaries.
The Linxia camp was on a temporary march, and supplies were urgently needed. They wanted to borrow supplies along the way as usual. Borrowing first and returning them later was a common practice among colleagues, always a matter of exchanging favors. Everyone has emergencies sometimes. But this time, Linxia Sima Cheng Yun couldn't use his connections, and no matter what he did, he couldn't borrow any supplies.
Everyone unanimously used the continued drought and poor harvest as excuses and pretexts.
Cheng Yun had no choice but to slow down the march and send his trusted confidants to the Eastern Baiyue region to borrow grain and fodder.
Author's note: Thank you for reading this far!
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