Chapter Three
After a serious illness, Li Qingping became more sensitive to cold and heat and was not as good as before.
But she lived an unexpectedly long life.
The price of living a long life is to keep seeing people around you leave.
In the third year of the Huizheng reign, Consort Wan passed away at the age of fifty-four. She passed away quietly in her sleep, and Prince Li, Xu, Song, and Qing were overwhelmed with grief, weeping until they nearly fainted.
Li Qingping also felt quite sad for Concubine Wan.
Imperial Noble Consort Wan was undoubtedly a calculating woman. Upon entering the palace, she was overshadowed by Imperial Noble Consort Rong Hui, then a concubine. But Rong Hui, obsessed with the children she never had, left Imperial Noble Consort Wan with two children. Ultimately, the two were even honored as Imperial Noble Consorts... So, who ultimately prevailed? No one can say.
After that came the rest of the old people from the Yongping Dynasty. Concubine Le, Concubine Xu, Concubine Zhuang... After all, of the many people in the harem at that time, the only ones who survived were Li Qingping, Concubine Ke, and Concubine Jing, three old people who had been in the Qiandi since then.
Among the children, the first to leave Li Qingping was the youngest He Chang.
When Emperor Wuzong conferred the title of Prince on Hechang, he specifically chose the character "Kang" (康) in the Chinese characters, hoping for his health and longevity. However, this character didn't seem to bless Hechang much, as he remained ill for most of his life, and was not as healthy as Princess Huaishuo.
In the sixth year of Huizheng, Prince Kang Hechang was seriously ill, and the Empress Dowager Li Qingping personally waited at his bedside.
The other children were very worried about her and asked her to take care of herself.
"What's the big deal? You all know the year He Chang was born. He was so seriously ill. Your father and I had already prepared everything, but he managed to pull through so strongly."
"...I should be content." Li Qingping held He Chang's hand as he lay comatose, his voice trembling. "I've been preparing for so many years, and now the day has finally come when I'll lose him. But he lived so many more years, so I should be content."
He Chang's hands were as thin as sticks, and he had no strength left as he lay on the quilt. Even his breathing was so light that it seemed like he would stop at any moment.
Li Qingping wrapped her warm palm around his hand, her fingertips stroking the raised knuckles on the back of his hand. These hands, when they were little, had always loved to grab the corners of her clothes and ask for candy after drinking bitter medicine. Later, when they were studying in the upper study, they had thick calluses from holding a pen all day. Later, when they grew up and left the palace to manage the affairs of the royal palace, they wrote countless official documents. Now, they didn't even have the strength to make a fist.
He Chang was in poor health and had few children, only one son and two daughters.
The eldest son Zaizhen, the eldest daughter Min'er and the second daughter Minchang were all waiting around at this time. In addition to taking care of their father, they also had to pay attention to their grandmother's condition at all times.
Seeing Li Qingping sitting there quietly and motionlessly, the three juniors were a little frightened. If it weren't for the fact that his shoulders were still moving up and down, they would have panicked a long time ago, but they didn't dare to make a sound to disturb him.
He Chang's fingers suddenly moved, and his eyes slowly opened a crack. Seeing Li Qingping, he raised the corners of his mouth with difficulty: "Mother..."
"Hey, Mom's here." Li Qingping quickly moved over and tightened his grip on his hand. "Are you thirsty? Do you want some water?"
He Chang shook his head, his voice so soft that it was almost inaudible: "Mother... I'm sorry... I made you worry..."
"Silly child, why are you saying sorry?" Li Qingping's tears finally fell on the back of his hand. "It was because your mother wasn't careful enough when she was pregnant with you that you suffered so much during your birth."
He Chang blinked, as if about to say something, but no sound came out. His eyes slowly closed, and his hand drooped limply. Suddenly, sobs erupted from outside the tent. He Zheng, who had been outside, rushed in and knelt before the couch, clutching He Chang's other hand tightly. Tears fell on the brocade quilt, leaving a small wet mark.
Although He Zheng and He Chang are not biological brothers, the two children are only one month apart in age and grew up together. Their mothers are sisters from the same clan, so their relationship is closer than that of other siblings.
Others also came in one after another, and the room was filled with suppressed crying.
Li Qingping did not cry out loud, but just sat quietly beside the couch, holding He Chang's gradually cooling hand, his mind full of his appearance from childhood to adulthood.
The way he stumbled when he first learned to walk, the way the scholar greeted her politely for the first time, the way he excitedly recited poetry to her when he came back from school, the way he brought the princess and children to pay his respects for the first time... Those scenes were as clear as if they were just yesterday, but the person in front of her would never open his eyes and call her "mother" again.
Grand Imperial Concubine Ke held her shoulders and choked up, saying, "Sister, I'm so sad... He Chang... passed away peacefully."
Li Qingping seemed to have just come back to his senses. He nodded slowly, raised his hand to wipe away his tears, and said in a hoarse but firm voice: "Yes, he passed away peacefully. Although he was weak in his life, fortunately, Wuzong and I loved him and he lived a happy life. He has no regrets."
She stood up and looked at the children who were crying around the bed. "Stop crying. He Chang doesn't like to see us cry. Take good care of his funeral and let him go with honor."
Li Qingping looked neither sad nor happy, as if he had really accepted the departure of his youngest son so quickly.
But this kind of reaction is what scares others the most.
Especially Consort Ke, the Imperial Noble Consort. She recalled how Consort Rongjia had died of grief after Princess Changle Yuzhen passed away. While Li Qingping had more than one child with Chang, everyone knew how much effort Li Qingping had put into raising this frail youngest. So, what if… what if Li Qingping really wanted to follow his youngest son?
Li Qingping is now an 83-year-old man. It is possible that he cannot bear these blows and has become depressed.
Therefore, Concubine Ke did not dare to let go of the person's hand, for fear that the person would float away with the wind and disappear.
Li Qingping seemed to sense her fear and uneasiness, and forced a reassuring smile at her.
"Don't be afraid, I won't leave."
Li Qingping asked the Imperial Noble Consort Ke to lean against him, then beckoned to Zai Zhen, "Good boy, come here."
Zaizhen was sobbing and hiccuping. Upon hearing this, he quickly wiped his face with his sleeve and walked quickly to his grandmother. He knelt down on Li Qingping's knees and shouted, "Grandma, what do you want?"
Li Qingping raised his hand as if to touch Zaizhen's face, but finally put it down and said in a daze, "You look a lot like your father."
"Now that your father is gone, he has no other sons. From now on, the Prince Kang's Mansion will be up to you alone." She looked at the sisters Min'an and Min'chang who were still crying over there and said, "Your two sisters will only have you as their biological brother from now on. Although there are many cousins, none of them are as reliable as you, a biological brother, you know? Especially Min'wan. Your father was only 35 when he had her, and she hasn't even reached the age of marriage yet. In a few years, when she gets married, you, her brother, will have to carry her to the wedding sedan chair yourself."
Zai Zhen buried his head in her lap, choking with sobs and nodding, "Grandson will remember this... I will definitely protect my sister well, manage the palace well, and not let my father and grandmother down."
He remembered that his father always said, "Learn from your fifth uncle's calmness and your grandmother's insightfulness." Only now did he understand the weight of these words.
Li Qingping hummed a sound, his eyes swept over Minmeng and Minchang who were wiping tears, and his voice softened a little: "You two too, you must listen to your brother from now on. Especially Minchang, learn to manage the household affairs diligently, and don't irritate your brothers and sisters like you always did to your father."
Min Chang clutched her handkerchief, tears streaming down her face. "Grandma, I know I was wrong... I used to complain about Dad being too strict, but now... I can't stand Dad's discipline anymore..."
"Silly child," Li Qingping sighed, "Your father only cares for you because he loves you. But while grandma is still around, come to me if you need anything."
Several children nodded with red eyes.
Princess Kang had not been in good health in recent years, and Zaizhen's wife was young and didn't know how to take care of things, so Li Qingping stayed for a few more days to prepare for the funeral.
After the funeral, Li Qingping followed Consort Ke to the garden to stay for a few days. This made Consort Ke believe that she really had no intention of going with He Chang.
Li Qingping felt comfortable living in the garden, so he stayed there for a while longer.
In their spare time, the children would look for Li Qingping to talk about things happening outside.
In recent years, He Xuan and Zhou Tiansheng have gradually grown old. In addition, Emperor Huizheng has been in power for so many years, so the two younger generations came to Li Qingping to discuss whether they should resign as regent ministers.
"You are the regent ministers appointed by Emperor Renzong's will. Even if you continue to hold the position, no one will say anything. But if you really want to step down, there are many things to consider..."
Li Qingping picked up the teacup and took a sip. The warm tea slid down his throat, suppressing the fatigue caused by not being able to sleep at night and waking up early during the day due to his old age.
She looked up at He Xuan and Zhou Tiansheng standing before her. Though their hair had turned gray, their backs remained straight. Honestly, both children were in their fifties or sixties. They could be said to be too old to work, or they could still be.
"That's a question I've been asked as well." Li Qingping put down his teacup, tapping the table lightly with his fingertips. "When Emperor Renzong asked the five of you to assist in the administration, he was worried that Emperor Huizheng's temperament would make him unable to control the situation in his new position, and he also trusted your loyalty to the court. Especially the two of you, you are naturally close, and Renzong's decision to have you assist in the administration showed his deep trust. But now that Emperor Huizheng has been ruling for so many years, the court is stable, and his new policies are being implemented smoothly. He is no longer the child who needed help."
She paused, her eyes sweeping over the two of them. "If you wish to resign, I believe it's timely. The position of Regent may seem glamorous, but it's actually a dangerous one. When He Xuan first received the imperial decree, how many eyes were fixed on Prince Hua's mansion? Tian Sheng, with his command of the Imperial Guards, was even more suspicious, and Yu Xi would be in trouble too. Now that Emperor Huizheng is fully fledged, if you voluntarily step down, it will not only preserve the dignity of the monarch and his subjects, but also allow us to avoid the suspicion of overreaching the emperor. This is a long-term strategy."
He Xuan frowned slightly. "Mother is right. I'm just worried that if I suddenly resign, it will cause unrest in the court. Grand Tutor Wan is already old, and Prime Minister Dai and Prime Minister Wang have always had different political views. If there's no mediator, I'm afraid there will be chaos."
"No chaos." Li Qingping smiled calmly, "The Emperor knows what's going on. He has promoted many young officials over the years to cultivate his own confidants, so that he can naturally push these people up after you step down. Your retirement will make room for the newcomers and show that the Emperor is tolerant. As for the matter of reconciliation, he, the Emperor, will make the decision. It is not our turn for the princes and consorts to worry about it."
Zhou Tiansheng stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Mother-in-law, I'm worried that if we voluntarily withdraw, will the Emperor think we have complaints? Or will the other members of the royal family think we're cowardly?"
"Cowardly?" Li Qingping raised his eyebrows, his tone sharp with a hint of experience.
She had lived for over eighty years, and things she hadn't understood before were now clear to her. "The Li family's confidence has never been in the position of regent, but in Renzong's trust and the achievements of your diligent work over the years. He Yan never made a mistake in managing the affairs of the royal family, and Tian Sheng never made a mistake in defending the capital. Emperor Huizheng saw all of this. You have retired with honor. The emperor will only be grateful for your understanding and will value us even more."
She looked at He Xuan and softened her voice, "Have you forgotten how many old ministers lingered in your father's later years, ultimately ending up in disgrace? Since ancient times, noble families have sought a firm foothold in the court not by vying for power but by knowing when to advance and retreat and when to adapt. Renzong bestowed upon us glory, and we must uphold it and leave a secure path for future generations."
Imperial Noble Consort Ke chimed in, "Sister, you're right. Now that you've retired, it's a great opportunity for you to spend more time with me and rest up. He and Tian have been busy with court affairs for the past few years, and your hair has turned mostly white. Tiansheng often says that the duties of the Imperial Guard are exhausting, and it would be great to retire and enjoy a peaceful life."
She smiled and said, "Look how happy my sister and I are now."
He Xuan and Zhou Tiansheng looked at each other, their doubts gradually dissipated, and they both made up their minds.
"This memorial doesn't need to be too complicated. Just say that I'm old and not energetic enough, and I want to go home to enjoy my children and grandchildren. That'll give the Emperor a way out."
She then instructed, "The two palaces are close to each other. After you leave your post, you and I will take care of Prince Kang's Palace. Zaizhen is still young and unsure about some things, so he needs your advice as his fifth uncle. Tiansheng also often returns to the Princess's Palace. Yuxi has been complaining about you being so busy these past few years that you probably don't even know how many grandchildren you have."
Zhou Tiansheng quickly responded, "I've made a note of that. When I leave office, I'll spend more time with the princess and come to pay my respects to my mother-in-law more often."
He Xuan nodded and said, "Mother, I understand. Tomorrow, I and my brother-in-law will submit a petition to resign from the position of regent."
"There's no need to be so hasty. You two should retreat together. There are three others nearby." Li Qingping smiled and nodded. "My suggestion is that you hand one up first to see what the emperor means."
Zhou Tiansheng said, "Of course my son-in-law came first in this matter. He has been the commander of the Beijing Guard for so many years, in charge of the top position in the capital. Even if the emperor didn't say it, I probably know that I can't sit there until my death. Prince Hua is a member of the royal family, and the emperor will tolerate him because he is the emperor's uncle."
"It's good that you know it in your mind. I feel relieved that you can figure it out." Li Qingping nodded, thinking that it was indeed true.
She stroked the edge of the teacup with her fingertips and sighed, "The commander of the Beijing Guards holds military power in the capital and should be the emperor's most trusted person. You took the initiative to give up your position, which is a steady move." After all, Wuzong and Renzong trusted Zhou Tiansheng because he was their own son-in-law/brother-in-law, but to Emperor Huizheng, Zhou Tiansheng was already an uncle at a distance, not a biological uncle, so it was normal for him to have some grudges in his heart.
She paused, then continued, "After submitting the memorial, there's no need to rush for a reply. The Emperor is always cautious and will definitely discuss the matter with Grand Tutor Wan and the others first, while also secretly observing the court. You should attend court and take care of your affairs during this period. Don't show any signs of being too eager for quick success, and don't discuss this matter with other ministers, lest you give them something to criticize."
He Xuan echoed, "Mother is right. Brother-in-law will submit a petition first to test the waters. If the Emperor insists on staying, we can discuss it later. If the Emperor agrees, I will submit another petition later."
Zhou Tiansheng nodded in agreement, then thought of something and said, "Mother-in-law, should you mention a recommendation in your memorial? The affairs of the Imperial Guards are of vital importance to the Imperial City and cannot be taken lightly. I have a suitable candidate in mind. He's the deputy general who trained with me back then. He's calm and loyal to the Emperor."
"No need." Li Qingping raised his hand to interrupt him, his tone firm. "Recommending candidates is the emperor's prerogative. If you take the initiative to propose it, it will appear that you still want to control the personnel of the Beijing Guard. You only need to say in your memorial that the Beijing Guard, from top to bottom, obeys the emperor's orders. Be humble, and the emperor will make the rest. The emperor must have his own plans for who to put on the list."
The two children nodded. The Imperial Noble Consort Ke was so dizzy from hearing this that she quickly said, "Come and have some hanging pear soup. I had it stewed for a long time."
However, before Zhou Tiansheng had submitted his memorial and received a reply, Emperor Huizheng had an accident.
He Xuan practically ran over on the morning dew, his dark court robes seeming to convey a sense of travel exhaustion. His voice was filled with lingering tension: "Mother! Something's happened! The Emperor has fallen seriously ill in the frontier. The urgent medical aid just arrived after traveling eight hundred miles. He said...he's unconscious!"
Li Qingping, supported by Yunsu, was trying on a newly made autumn shirt when her fingertips paused, the silk embroidered with pine and cranes slipping from her knees. She didn't rush to question him, but instead raised her hand to hold down the Imperial Concubine Ke, who was about to stand, and said in a deep voice, "Why are you so flustered? Explain what you're talking about first."
"It was a sudden onset of high fever while the emperor was traveling beyond the Great Wall. The accompanying Imperial Medical Bureau official said it was likely caused by miasma. Three strong medications haven't helped." He Xuan leaned on the edge of the table, catching his breath, not even having time to drink water. "The Crown Prince is in Beijing as regent. After receiving the news, he sat in the Eastern Palace for half the night. He couldn't even speak coherently at court this morning. He just summoned the five of us regents to Jiaotai Hall to explain the matter. Prime Ministers Dai and Wang were already arguing."
Li Qingping briefly sorted out the current situation.
Emperor Huizheng, Empress Dowager Sun, and the Empress were all in the frontier. Aside from the five regents in the capital, the only person with the most say in matters at court was Crown Prince Lingcheng. Besides the Crown Princess, Noble Consort Fu held the highest rank in the harem. However, the Crown Princess was pregnant and bedridden, while Noble Consort Fu, known for her piety and reverence for Buddha, remained confined to her home.
Li Qingping asked, "What are the two prime ministers arguing about?"
"One said he would go to the frontier to attend to the sick immediately, while the other said the prince should stay in the capital to take charge of the overall situation."
Li Qingping sneered, "Which Prime Minister is so senile? Prince Chu Lingqian and Prince Wu Lingyan have both accompanied the Emperor to the frontier. Why should the Crown Prince, who is attending to the Emperor in the capital, be compared with them? Besides, if the Emperor truly has something to worry about... he should respectfully invite the Crown Prince to ascend the throne."
So at this time, the Crown Prince would never leave the capital.
As he spoke, Zhou Tiansheng arrived shortly after, his Beijing Guard badge still hanging from his waist. He had clearly come straight from the camp. "Mother-in-law, the capital has already sent extra patrols, but the eunuchs sent from the Eastern Palace said that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince couldn't even decide whether to suppress the news and just kept asking what to do."
Li Qingping slowly sat up straight, his tone revealing no dismay. "Lingcheng, that kid, is still too impatient and panicky. When Emperor Renzong was still alive, he taught him to prioritize stability. But back then, relying on his position as the direct descendant of the Crown Prince, he ignored the advice. Compared to his father, he's even weaker. The character of Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Renzong hasn't been ingrained in him."
Imperial Noble Consort Ke looked at the two youngsters standing solemnly and stepped out to smooth things over: "Sister, now is not the time to lecture the Crown Prince."
"Now...this matter hasn't spread widely, right?" Li Qingping waved his hand and asked.
He Xuan said after careful consideration, "We should be the only ones who know about this at the moment. But we can't hide it. The letter said that the emperor fainted in public, so we definitely can't hide it."
Li Qingping pondered and said, "So we have to stabilize the situation before the news reaches most people."
She raised her eyes to look at the two men, her gaze no longer relaxed. "Tiansheng, the military tokens of the Beijing Guards must be held in your hands now. No one is allowed to mobilize a single soldier without your order. Especially the Nine Gates Admiral, you must personally monitor them and tell them that any movement will be treated as treason."
"Yes!" Zhou Tiansheng responded and walked out, but was stopped by Li Qingping as he reached the door.
"Wait." Li Qingping added, "Tell the prince that the emperor asked him to be regent so that he could protect the family. If he can't keep it stable, he is doomed to fail."
The Crown Prince needed to remain calm at this moment. If he couldn't... if Emperor Huizheng survived this and learned that the Crown Prince was unable to handle the heavy responsibility, he would be deeply disappointed, even if he didn't say it. Then the Eastern Palace would be in turmoil. If Emperor Huizheng couldn't survive... then it would be even worse. How could such an unstable Crown Prince silence the gossips in the court?
I hope Lingcheng can stand on his own feet.
But Crown Prince Lingcheng actually risked leaving the palace to come to the garden to meet Li Qingping. Li Qingping was helped into the house and fell to his knees with a plop: "Grandmother, the Imperial Great-Aunt! You must save your grandson! If anything happens to my father, your grandson... your grandson simply cannot shoulder the responsibility of this throne!"
Li Qingping was helped to sit down by Yun Su, and he was not asked to stand up. Although he was so angry that his chest hurt, he still forced himself to speak calmly, "Your Highness, please answer me first. Right now, Prince Chu and Prince Wu are attending to the sick in the frontier, there are five regents in the capital, the capital guards have been deployed, and medicinal materials are on the way to the frontier. What exactly are you not responsible for?"
Ling Cheng was choked by the question, and with red eyes he said, "But...but what if my father doesn't wake up, and the court officials don't approve of my grandson..."
"Agreed?" Li Qingping raised his eyebrows and raised his voice suddenly, as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world. He was shaking with anger, and his old face turned red.
"You are the Crown Prince! The legitimate heir to the Eastern Palace! Your great-grandfather was the Emperor, your grandfather was the Emperor, and your father was also the Emperor! Your great-grandmother, grandmother, and mother were all Empresses of Kunning Palace! You are the eldest grandson of the Emperor, held by Emperor Wuzong and Emperor Renzong! You are the Crown Prince personally appointed by Emperor Huizheng! You are the legitimate heir! When Emperor Wuzong was targeted by a rebellion, your grandfather, Emperor Renzong, actively strategized and brought down the rebels. Now, you are almost thirty years old, and you don't even have the confidence to stabilize the situation?"
"Before Renzong passed away, he told me that Lingcheng was ignorant and couldn't handle the situation, but he was cautious. But now it seems that he is not cautious, but afraid to take the lead and accomplish things!"
He Xuan and others rushed over and were terrified when they saw this scene. They hurriedly supported Li Qingping and helped her calm down.
The Crown Prince was shaking uncontrollably.
"When your mother was pregnant with you, Emperor Wuzong and I were so happy. The Crown Prince now has a legitimate grandchild, which means the royal family will continue unbroken. It's a hope." Li Qingping sighed, "So, Crown Prince, what are you afraid of? Does sitting in this position make you so uneasy?"
Ling Cheng looked on the verge of collapse, and Li Qingping couldn't help but slow his voice: "So, let me guess, is it because of Prince Chu Lingqian?"
The Crown Prince raised his eyes sharply.
The old lady in front of him had lived through four dynasties. Her eyes were kind and gentle, but she could always see the problem at a glance.
Lingqian… Prince Lingqian of Chu, the Crown Prince's younger brother, two years his junior. Lingqian had always been smarter and more likable than the Crown Prince. If he weren't the Crown Prince, the Crown Prince would have been certain that this younger brother would be the one to rule the Eastern Palace.
"Are you afraid that Ling Qian, who is nursing the sick over there, will have the advantage of being close to you and change your father's mind before he dies?" Li Qingping looked at the prince and said cruelly, "Then, Prince, if I were the emperor and saw you like this, I would definitely let Prince Chu replace you."
Ling Cheng's face turned pale in an instant, and his knees slammed heavily on the blue brick floor, making a dull sound. "Grandma, great-aunt... Grandson... Grandson didn't mean it..." He waved his hands in panic, tears mixed with cold sweat streaming down his face. Finally, he couldn't help but blurt out the words he had been holding in his heart for nearly thirty years. "It's just that my younger brother... He always knows how to guess what father is thinking. Last time when we discussed lifting the maritime ban, father praised him for being more far-sighted than me..."
"Are you afraid just like that?" Li Qingping sneered. After coughing a few times, his voice became hoarse, but every word was as sharp as a needle. "The eldest son is superior to the eldest son. This has been the principle since ancient times. If you are afraid and retreat, don't blame others for climbing up. Just like when Wenzong was seriously ill, Wuzong became the crown prince, surpassing the three legitimate sons of the empress dowager." Not many people dared to mention this past event now, but Li Qingping was not afraid at all.
"Da Qi doesn't need a crown prince so cowardly that he even doubts himself. If you truly believe Ling Qian is better than you, then if the emperor can handle this, then go to him and ask him to depose you. If he can't, then just wait for someone else to come after you!"
The room was eerily quiet. The servants were kneeling on the ground all around. The only sounds that could be heard were Li Qingping's rapid breathing and the prince's teeth chattering.
Ling Cheng suddenly leaned forward, banging his forehead heavily on the blue brick floor. Blood dripped down his brow, "Grandson, I know I'm wrong! I beg Grandmother, the Imperial Great-Aunt, to teach me what to do!"
Li Qingping closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, his eyes had regained their former clarity and calmness.
"First," she lowered her head and blew away the tea, "return immediately to the palace and take charge of Jiaotai Hall. All reports on the capital's defense, the imperial physician's memorials, the six ministries, and those from beyond the Great Wall must be presented to you first, and you must approve them."
She pointed at Zhou Tiansheng and said, "Secondly, Tiansheng, you will return to the city. The nine gates of the capital will be put under martial law immediately. However, we should be cautious but not chaotic. Only people can enter, not leave. First, we should stabilize the people's hearts."
"Third," she looked at He Xuan, "you will personally go to the Hanlin Academy and summon the presiding scholar to draft an imperial edict. If the Emperor's health persists, the Crown Prince will be brought back to the throne today to succeed him. If Heaven blesses Great Qi and the Emperor recovers, the Crown Prince will also serve as regent. Once the draft edict is prepared, seal it in Jiaotai Hall and place it alongside the Emperor's previous edict enthroning the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince will be in charge of it personally. These two edicts will demonstrate legitimacy, making everything the Crown Prince does legitimate."
After she finished speaking, she leaned over, lifted Ling Cheng's bloodstained jaw, and spoke in a low but clear voice: "Remember, from this moment on, you are no longer just the crown prince, you are the heir to the throne of the Great Qi, the heir to our ancestors. If you are stable, the world will be stable; if you are chaotic, the world will be chaotic. You must let the court officials see that your shoulders can bear mountains, let the people see that your back can shield you from the rain, and let the relatives and court officials outside the Great Wall who are dissatisfied with you -"
She paused, her eyes like knives: "See you are unshakable!"
Ling Cheng's pupils suddenly contracted, and then he slowly straightened his back. Blood dripped down his nose onto his clothes, but he raised his hand and wiped it off heavily, saying in a hoarse voice:
"Grandson... got it!"
Li Qingping finally said, "Prince, stand up. The crown prince's knees bow to the emperor, to heaven and earth, and to our ancestors, but you must never bow before the court officials."
The Crown Prince trembled as he stood up, bowed deeply to Li Qingping, and strode away. His dark cloak swept across the threshold, bringing with it a gust of cold wind that made the lamp flicker, but he was no longer as cowered as before.
Li Qingping looked at his departing back. Even though he had not believed in Buddhism for many years, he couldn't help but recite a Buddhist name at this moment.
May our ancestors bless us and hope that the Crown Prince can really make it through and become a true monarch.
The situation was more serious than expected. The Crown Prince couldn't handle the situation from the front, and even after barely holding on, he was beginning to feel overwhelmed. The news from the outer regions couldn't be completely concealed. Every family with connections in the capital had heard the news, and since they couldn't persuade the court, they decided to send their female relatives to the palace to gather information.
Another urgent message came from outside the Great Wall, saying that Empress Dowager Sun had also fallen ill.
It can't be hidden anymore.
Li Qingping thought so as he looked at the scenery outside the window.
The last time the capital was in such a state of panic, Li Qingping had experienced it, as had Consort Ke, the Grand Imperial Concubine. It was during the time when Emperor Wenzong's Qianyuan Crown Prince was in trouble. But that time, it was the Eastern Palace incident, while this time it was the Emperor.
Worst of all, Prince Chu Lingqian was attacked and fell off his horse, injuring his bones. Although not seriously injured, he had to stay in bed for a while. Prince Wu Lingyan forced his way into the imperial tent and attempted to appoint a new crown prince.
"Mother, you..." He Yan looked at her serious expression and was still worried.
"I must go to the palace. I was the last person Wuzong and Renzong met before they departed, so my words should carry some weight." Li Qingping gestured for Yunsu to fetch the dark blue jacket embroidered with a dragon. It was specially kept by Wuzong, and having a dragon pattern on the garment was an honor many women could only dream of. "Prince Wu has rebelled, and the court officials are in chaos. As an old man who has lived through four dynasties, I must go and calm the situation."
Imperial Concubine Ke held her hand, her fingertips feeling a little cold. "Sister, can you handle it? How about I go with you?"
"No need." Li Qingping patted her hands and sighed, "The storm is coming."
During the Jiangnan Incident, she was only Concubine Ding, but now she has become the Grand Imperial Concubine and still sits in charge of the palace.
Seeing the Grand Emperor, the Imperial Noble Consort and the Grand Concubine entering the palace, all parties dared not take any extra action.
This woman... though not legitimately a empress, no one dared to underestimate her! As Wuzong's Imperial Noble Consort, she was granted the privilege of being buried with him in the mausoleum, a privilege not afforded to ordinary concubines. Add to that the dragon robe Wuzong left her, and the fact that she was the last person to be seen by both Wuzong and Renzong, and her position was unshakable. As a veteran who had endured four dynasties, who dared to provoke her?
When he met the Crown Prince this time, he was basically able to calm down, and could even list out the names of those who followed Prince Wu Lingyan in the rebellion.
Prince Wu Lingyan wanted to rebel and he did not want to make himself the crown prince, but wanted to replace him with Prince Chu Lingqian.
The reason is: Crown Prince Lingcheng is extremely stupid, weak and can be bullied, and is not capable of taking on such a heavy responsibility.
Even several princes agreed with this.
The Crown Prince smiled bitterly and said, "So this is how I have always been perceived by my brothers."
"You couldn't even stand up before, and even an old man like me could see it, let alone your shrewd brothers." Li Qingping sneered, "Where's Lingqian? What's Lingqian's reaction?"
"He... Ling Qian has been staying in his tent all the time, claiming he is too seriously injured to get up." Ling Cheng's voice paused, even trembling a little.
He had always considered Ling Qian the most threatening person, but he never expected that his younger brother would be the one who supported him the most. Whether it was an act or a genuine one, Ling Cheng remembered it.
Li Qingping finally let out a faint smile. "Ling Qian is intelligent. I don't know if he truly has no intention of rebelling, or if he's simply retreating to advance, but his attitude is sufficient. But now he's being held hostage by Ling Yan. If you can calm him down, you'll eliminate Ling Yan's pretext for 'clearing the court and establishing a virtuous king.'"
"As regent, you must issue two imperial edicts. One commends Prince Chu Lingqian for his service in protecting the emperor. The other summons Prince Wu Lingyan to return to the capital immediately. Prepare horses at all post stations along the way; no delay is allowed. If he disobeys the edict, he will be convicted of treason. If he obeys, he will be caught in a trap and dealt with slowly."
Ling Cheng hesitated: "What if he holds his own troops and refuses to obey the imperial edict?"
Li Qingping sneered: "Then let the world see what happens to a prince who dares to force the emperor to abdicate and appoint another crown prince."
Ling Cheng looked at the first handwritten note again, seeming a little hesitant.
Noticing his gaze, Li Qingping leaned back in his chair, coughed a few times, and then his voice became hoarse. "Lingqian is intelligent, but you've always suppressed his title as the eldest son, so he's bound to feel a sense of dissatisfaction. Only if you give him a way out will he truly help you. Besides, he holds the hearts of the ministers accompanying the emperor outside the Great Wall. As long as he stays in his tent and doesn't agree with Lingyan, Lingyan's 'establishing a virtuous king' will be a joke."
Ling Cheng suddenly became enlightened. He picked up his pen and wrote quickly. The ink fell on the rice paper. Although the handwriting was a little sloppy, it revealed an unprecedented firmness.
After he finished writing, he handed it to Li Qingping for review. The old lady glanced at it and nodded, "That's it. Have the eunuchs send it out quickly at 800 miles. Make sure it reaches Lingqian before dawn tomorrow."
The candlelight flickered dimly in the imperial tent beyond the Great Wall. Prince Lingqian of Chu half-leaned on a brocade-covered couch, his right leg in a thick splint. He had just accepted a secret letter from a trusted confidant, his fingertips still stained with wax as he hurriedly unfolded it. Crown Prince Lingcheng's handwriting on the rice paper was hasty yet powerful. A faint smile curved his lips as he brought the letter close to the candlelight, burning it to ash.
The staff beside him was puzzled: "Your Highness, Prince Wu's people have sent another message today, saying that as long as you give your nod, everything will be ready. I dare to ask, why don't you just go with the flow? With your ability, the change of throne is not impossible."
Ling Qian slowly raised his eyes, a sharp glint flashing in them, and asked, "Tell me, how is the movement around the imperial tent these days different from the previous few days?"
The staff member was stunned, having completely forgotten what he was talking about. Finally, Ling Qian asked his personal eunuch to answer, "Sir, the smell of medicine has been strong around the emperor's tent these past few days, but the imperial physician has walked around without panic. The time it takes to decoct the medicine is the same as usual, not a moment more or less. The emperor's personal eunuchs bring in memorials every day as usual, and the volume remains thick. The guards in front of the emperor also rotate their shifts without losing their pace."
"Yeah," Ling Qian chuckled, "It's all for show."
The aide's face turned pale with shock: "Your Highness, are you saying... the Emperor is deliberately hiding this? But why would he do this?"
"To see the Crown Prince, and also to see us sons. The Emperor still favors the eldest legitimate son, and I am no exception." Ling Qian sighed, looking towards the imperial tent. "The Crown Prince has been protected by the late Emperor and my father since he was young, and he has rarely seen the ups and downs of the court. My father has always worried that he can't support the country. It's true that he is seriously ill this time, and it's also true that he wants to take this opportunity to see if the Crown Prince can stabilize the situation. He also wants to see if any of us brothers are harboring thoughts that shouldn't be there."
He paused, fingertips stroking the brocade on his knees. "Didn't you see the pulse chart that the Chief Judge of the Imperial Hospital peeked out of his sleeve when he entered the tent yesterday? They were all nourishing herbs, but they definitely weren't the pulses of a serious illness. The Emperor has already deliberately let me know. And the Empress Dowager's illness, seemingly caused by anger, is actually helping Father to make the 'serious illness' scene more realistic. If the Empress Dowager were okay, how could the old lady tolerate Prince Wu showing off outside the imperial tent? Father wants to ignite this fire."
The staff member suddenly realized what was going on and broke out in a cold sweat. "Then Prince Wu...hasn't he become the victim of the Emperor's touchstone?"
"Whether it's unfair or not depends entirely on his own thinking." Ling Qian's eyes flashed with a hint of coldness. "If he was truly convinced of the Crown Prince, even if his father was seriously ill, he should have devoted all his efforts to assisting the Regent instead of taking the opportunity to rebel. Ultimately, it was his own ambition that brought him down."
"If the Crown Prince really couldn't establish himself, Father would naturally find a more suitable heir, and I would be the best candidate at that time. It's such a pity now... The Crown Prince actually saw through it. It must be someone close to him who was giving him advice."
Although he expressed regret, Ling Qian's expression did not change, and he even had a slight smile on his face.
There was a hint of relief and a hint of envy in the smile.
"Royal brother, oh royal brother," he whispered, his voice dissipated in the wind, "Which master can guide you to clear the fog before your eyes..."
He asked his staff curiously, "Who do you think is behind the Crown Prince's actions? Is it Prince Hua? But this Fifth Imperial Uncle never actively gets involved in things, so it doesn't seem likely."
The staff member was sweating profusely: "I... can't figure it out either."
"Then forget it." Ling Qian sighed, "I'll go ask the Crown Prince in person when the time comes. From now on, we'll just watch the show."
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