Chapter 159: The Regent's Reign Ushers in a New Era of the Eldest Princess's Regent Rule. ...
As soon as the mournful sound of the Jingyang Bell rang out, a contingent of imperial guards, carrying mourning banners, went to the residences of various members of the imperial family and ministers, ordering princes and officials to enter the palace immediately.
As the death knell tolled, Xie Wenjun was riding in a carriage into the palace.
The car came to a sudden stop in the middle of the long street.
"That's not right," Xie Wenjun thought to herself.
The bell tolled too quickly and abruptly, without any pause, as if someone had rung it hastily, rather than with the solemnity and order expected of a national mourning.
If Xie Yuan had suddenly passed away, the first priority in the palace should have been to suppress the news, first summon the two prime ministers and seven ministers for a secret meeting, and then announce the successor to the world. Why would they have rang the bell so hastily, allowing rumors to spread before the imperial edict?
Rong Jun also sensed something was amiss and asked, "Your Highness, are you still going to the palace today?"
Xie Wenjun said, "There's no time to lose."
Every moment of delay could lead to another change. The situation inside the palace was unclear; whether it was a real death or a trap, she would only believe it after seeing it with her own eyes.
As the carriage set off, a steady thud of hooves suddenly came from in front of it.
Rong Jun called out into the sedan chair, "Your Highness, look who's here!" His voice was filled with obvious joy.
The reins were pulled back, and the rider dismounted, revealing a face etched with the marks of the frontier beneath his eagle-winged helmet.
It was Chen Liangyu.
She said, "Lord Rong, how have you been?"
Rong Jun bowed and said, "General, how have you been?"
Xie Wenjun abruptly lifted the brocade curtain, and upon recognizing her, quickly stepped out of the sedan chair, his movements unusually hasty.
The wind ruffled the man's hair at his temples, and the scar between his brows, though fainter, added to his heroic air. Chen Liangyu also looked at her and walked towards her, her tone filled with undisguised warmth, "Your Highness."
Xie Wenjun subconsciously took a step forward.
Chen Liangyu stepped forward, naturally taking the weight from Xie Wenjun's arm, and helped her down from the carriage shaft.
"The death knell has sounded as soon as I entered Yongdu," Chen Liangyu turned to look at her, noticing her sharp jawline, but a subtle warmth spreading in her eyes as her gaze swept over her, her voice softening, "Is Your Highness going to the palace?"
Xie Wenjun said, "My brother has passed away. As a member of the imperial family, I must enter the palace."
Chen Liangyu said, "Let's go together. I'll go with you."
In March and April, poplar catkins fall all over the city. The wind sweeps by with the catkins, and they stand side by side once more.
After a long separation, the anxiety of not knowing whether they would live or die is now intertwined with a secret and burning connection as they stand side by side.
The palace was unusually quiet, from Chengtian Gate to Wu Gate.
The death knell tolled strangely, and the commotion in the palace was anything but normal.
Chen Liangyu looked around and said, "Your Highness, I'll go take a look."
Xie Wenjun nodded, "Okay, be careful."
Civil and military officials, princes and nobles all rushed to the palace dressed in plain clothes and mourning attire. Officials of the fourth rank and above lined up according to their rank and gathered in the Chongzheng Hall square, a dense mass of figures in plain clothes.
Suddenly, the heavy hinges of the Chongzheng Hall began to turn.
The sobbing in the square stopped abruptly, and everyone's eyes turned to Chongzheng Hall.
It was Xie Yuan, who had already passed away.
"emperor?!"
...
Someone gasped in surprise, instinctively taking a half-step forward before abruptly stopping. The square erupted in a cacophony of whispers, the previous sorrow replaced by astonishment.
Those standing far away are squeezing their eyes wide open.
"It really is the Emperor!"
"While the Emperor is still alive, whose death knell is tolling?"
...
The emperor's face was withered like an autumn leaf, his pupils barely open a crack, unable to conceal the dissipating death aura.
The Linxia army did not arrive as expected; instead, cavalry from both the north and south entered the city on the same day.
Xie Yuan knew he couldn't wait any longer.
Zhao Mingqin led the Xuanjia cavalry to guard Xuanwu Gate, while Chengtian Gate was teeming with men and horses, and the Eagle Head Military District was deployed for defense.
The East and West Hua Gates were guarded by the Southern Palace Guards.
The palace has become an iron barrel for boiling oil.
Some people are waiting for him to take his last breath so they can seize power and disrupt the government.
He simply couldn't let Xie Wenjun have her way.
Xie Wenjun, dressed in a python-patterned court robe and with her hair tied up with a jade hairpin, stood at the head of all the officials.
Xie Yuan glanced at her briefly before turning his gaze to his wife and children beside him. He patted Xun Shuheng's hand with difficulty, signaling her not to be afraid.
Xie Wenjun appeared even calmer than him.
It seems that she entered the palace in her python robes simply to attend an ordinary family banquet.
Chen Liangyu arrived clad in armor.
Xie Yuan watched her walk step by step toward Xie Wenjun, stop beside Xie Wenjun, and bow in this direction: "This sinful subject pays respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress."
Then she stood firmly by Xie Wenjun's side.
A faint, mocking smile slowly curved Xie Yuan's withered lips.
You're back from the North so soon?
It seems that Chianan didn't have time to wait for Yue Dun to deploy his troops at Helu to ambush him. Did they think that having military power and the support of court officials meant they had victory in the bag?
Even if the three provinces, six ministries, nine temples, and five directorates were all won over by Xie Wenjun, so what?
With all the civil and military officials present, if Xie Wenjun were to launch an attack in front of all the officials, it would be difficult to silence public opinion and withstand the condemnation from the entire court.
If she covets imperial power and the throne, her name will be illegitimate, her words will be unjust, and the world will be in chaos.
The victor is king, the loser is villain; a single misstep can ruin everything.
The officials in the back row looked bewildered. These people were not concerned with factional struggles and did not know what was going on. They were wondering why so many elite cavalry had been added to the palace and outside.
All that is known is that the death knell tolled before the emperor's death, suggesting that his demise is uncertain.
So, who forced the emperor to summon his officials with news of his death?
Finally, some unsuspecting officials realized that this was a coup!
"My lords, do not be alarmed."
Xie Yuan moved his pale lips, "Empress, proclaim the decree for me. All ministers, heed the decree!"
All the officials knelt down to receive the imperial decree.
By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
I have ruled the world for nearly ten years, personally practicing benevolent governance and diligently caring for the people. Now, I am advanced in years, and my strength is waning. My eldest son, Xie Feicong, is benevolent, filial, kind, intelligent, and wise, and is fit to inherit the throne. Therefore, I hereby offer sacrifices to Heaven and Earth and at the ancestral temples, abdicating the throne to my son. He will ascend the throne on an auspicious day and usher in a new era.
"By imperial decree, Xun Shutai, Minister of Revenue; Zhao Xingli, Vice Censor-in-Chief; and Gu Heng, Grand Academician of the Hanlin Academy and concurrently Vice Minister of the Left of the Chancellery, are appointed as Imperial Tutors to oversee all matters of governance. All civil and military officials, both inside and outside the court, shall strictly obey the new emperor's orders, assist the Imperial Tutors, and work together with one heart and one mind to accomplish this great undertaking."
"Anyone who dares to harbor rebellious intentions or disrupt the order of the court shall be executed by all officials of the realm!"
"Proclamation shall be made to the whole world, so that all may know."
"The edict shall be obeyed immediately upon its issuance."
So be it...
As soon as Xun Shuheng finished speaking, Xie Yuan, like a piece of rotten wood stripped of all its support, suddenly leaned forward and fell backward.
The Imperial Physician rushed forward, his hand froze as he took the pulse, trembling as he switched to his other hand to examine the patient, before bowing heavily to the ground: "Your Majesty... Your Majesty... has passed away!"
The officials gasped in shock and knelt on the ground, weeping.
Only now does the true national mourning begin.
This also signifies the beginning of a new dynasty.
The sudden death of the late emperor left the country in a state of mourning, political affairs, and the succession of the young emperor into the throne, creating a chaotic mess.
At this point, someone is needed to make the decision.
After the officials wept for a while, their gazes turned to the old father-in-law of the emperor, the Left Chancellor Xun Xian.
Xie Wenjun turned slightly to Xun Xian and said, "Summon all the ministers and come with me into the palace for a meeting."
The Qianqing Hall was brightly lit by candles.
Xie Wenjun sat upright on the regent's seat beside the throne, his gaze sweeping over the assembled officials bowing and standing below. The hall was completely silent.
All the officials were filled with apprehension.
Everyone was in agonizing silence, hoping that Prime Minister Xun or one of the regents would step in to mediate. However, the three regents appointed by Emperor Zhenyuan stood at the head of the table, their expressions calm, as if they had expected this. Xun Xian was also filled with anxiety, and kept bowing and agreeing.
Xie Wenjun said, "My lords need not speculate. I have summoned you here today for no other reason than the enthronement of the new emperor."
These words caused a very slight commotion in the hall. Everyone looked up, their eyes filled with disbelief. The Princess had previously cultivated relationships with important officials and held military power. Now, she had summoned all the officials to the Qianqing Palace for a meeting. Who didn't suspect that she was trying to seize power?
Xie Wenjun raised her hand, signaling her attendant to bring out the memorial, and said, "My brother's edict clearly states that I would never disrupt the country for personal gain."
The ministers all exclaimed in unison, "Your Highness is wise!"
Xie Wenjun continued, "The enthronement ceremony requires time to prepare, but the country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can it be without decrees." She raised her hand and placed it on the imperial desk, "From today until the new emperor's enthronement ceremony is completed, the Imperial Palace will temporarily manage state affairs during this period. Do any of you ministers have any objections?"
A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Since the young emperor has not yet ascended the throne, it is reasonable for the eldest princess to temporarily manage state affairs.
Yuan Rong immediately replied, "Your subject has no objection!"
In just over half a month, all the ministers echoed, "We have no objection."
Just then, Chen Liangyu, clad in armor and carrying a sword, strode into the hall. Behind him, his personal guards dragged a disheveled man covered in wounds. Upon closer inspection, the man's attire was that of the commander of the Imperial Guards.
That person was Jiang Andong.
No one noticed that Chen Liangyu had not entered the Qianqing Palace with the Princess.
Hearing the sounds of clashing weapons, Chen Liangyu followed the sound. Jiang Andong was just about to break through the Xihua Gate with the Empress Dowager and escape from the palace.
"Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Guards, Jiang Andong, intends to abduct the Empress Dowager from the palace. Your Highness, what should be done?"
Xie Wenjun raised his hand, and Jiang Andong was dragged by the Changning Guards to the outside of the Qianqing Hall, forced to kneel on the floor tiles, and with a swift stroke of his knife, the rebel's head was cleanly severed.
The Hall of Abstinence fell silent instantly.
The intention behind this "killing the chicken to scare the monkey" is crystal clear.
Chen Liangyu stepped forward again and said, "Your Highness, the Ximano tribe has sent an envoy to request an audience, carrying a letter of state and offering a number of tribute items."
Xie Wenjun: "Announce!"
The envoy entered the hall and performed the steppe greeting. He was not tall, wore a cap, and had a full beard. His physique was also not as robust as that of previous steppe envoys.
She read the official letter in a seemingly broken Central Plains dialect:
"Chief Ximanuo, along with his esteemed leader, paid a visit to Princess Jiangning of Dalin. Grateful for the princess's benevolence, she had previously gifted our tribe books and craftsmen, and sent skilled artisans to teach us farming methods, thus reducing our tribe's suffering from famine. We are deeply grateful for the princess's kindness and wish to swear a blood oath to never cross the border again."
After reading it, the letter of state was presented, along with a jewel-encrusted scimitar and a complete white fox pelt, as tokens of the oath.
She entered Shangyong City with Chen Liangyu.
Xie Wenjun pretended not to recognize Dai Qing in disguise and, in accordance with etiquette, ordered the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonies to return the gift of Ximanuo.
The officials standing in attendance showed their delight. Zhai Ji from the north was a nuisance who would come to bother them from time to time. If they could form an alliance with Ximano, it would be a great benefit.
Who would have thought that Xie Wenjun, without lifting a single finger, subdued the most unruly and ferocious grassland tribe with only books, seeds, and craftsmen?
Dai Qing said, "As long as the Princess governs the country, Ximano will abide by this agreement. If the Princess leaves the court, the agreement will be dissolved."
this……
The ministers pondered whether this meant they only recognized the eldest princess.
Chen Luanzhen knelt down, kowtowed, and pleaded, "Your Highness, the Crown Prince is young, the court is newly established, the war in the north is not yet over, and the drought in the south has not yet ended. At this moment, we are beset by internal and external troubles. I fear that with such a young prince, the country is in turmoil. If no one is there to stabilize the situation, I fear that chaos may break out."
Imperial Censor Jiang Xiantang kowtowed, his head touching the ground, tears streaming down his face: "Your Majesty, I humbly request that you prioritize the well-being of the nation and assume regency! Take control of the court, pacify the four directions, and return power to the new emperor when he comes of age!"
As people get older, they become more sentimental and easily shed tears when faced with adversity.
It's unclear whether he was weeping for the recent death of Emperor Zhenyuan or for his worries about the fate of the nation. But his heart-wrenching cries moved the other ministers deeply as well.
Seeing his mentor kneel, Zhao Xingli also knelt down beside Jiang Xiantang.
Yuan Rong, the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, Gu Heng, the Left Vice Minister of the Secretariat, and Sheng Yu'an, the Right Vice Minister of the Secretariat, followed suit and knelt down, saying, "Your Majesty, we request that you assume the regency!"
Officials from the Court of Judicial Review, the Censorate, the Secretariat, and the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, seeing their superiors kneel, hastily pledged their loyalty and knelt down in succession. Following them were officials from the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice…
In the blink of an eye, most of the officials who had been bowing had knelt down:
"We earnestly request the Princess to assume the regency in order to bring peace to the realm!"
Xun Xian and Xun Shutai, the Minister of Revenue, did not express their opinions.
Previously, he had fulfilled some promises to the eldest princess, but His Majesty did not establish a crown prince and instead abdicated directly. The Xun family could assist in governing, so why was the eldest princess needed to act as regent?
Chen Liangyu leaned forward, "Prime Minister Xun?"
Xun Xian was startled. The commander of the troops was here, Jiang Andong was dead, and everyone inside and outside the palace was under the command of the Eldest Princess and Chen Liangyu. If this step was not taken, it was hard to say whether the eldest prince could ascend the throne smoothly.
Xun Xian lifted his robe and bowed, saying, "This old minister humbly requests the Princess to assume the regency!"
Soon after, the new emperor ascended the throne before the spirit tablet and changed the era name to Jia Ning.
Thus began a new era in which the eldest princess ruled as regent.
Author's note: Thank you for reading this far!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com