New Dynasty Phoenix Ceremony (Part 1)
Even as the echoes of the late emperor's death knell still reverberated across the capital, preparations for the new emperor's coronation ceremony were already underway. A nation couldn't remain without a ruler for even a day, especially after an attempted coup. The new emperor's authority was crucial to stabilizing public sentiment.
The lintel of the Seventh Prince's residence hadn't been replaced, but the interior was completely different. While once a distinguished residence, it was still a courtier's residence. Now, it exuded a solemnity and oppression that befell the imminent arrival of a destiny. The servants walked with increasing caution, even breathing softly.
Lu Qinglan moved out of Hengwu Courtyard and took up temporary residence in Yuxiu Pavilion, adjacent to the main palace of the palace. This was the temporary residence of the future queen before she was crowned empress. The furnishings within the palace were brand new, brimming with royal grandeur, yet cold and devoid of any trace of worldly air.
Xiao Jingche… no, Xiao Jingche, now the new emperor, had not returned to the palace since the day the imperial edict was read at the palace gates. He had moved directly into the palace, ascended the throne before the late emperor's spirit, and set about tackling a mountain of government affairs, appeasing various factions and eliminating the remnants of the Fifth Prince's supporters. He sent a message, telling Lu Qinglan to prepare for the enthronement ceremony at home, leaving all matters to the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Household Department.
Seemingly considerate, yet in reality distant. Lu Qinglan could sense the invisible chasm between ruler and subject, already drawn between them. He was no longer the prince-husband who needed her to consult on countermeasures, or even rely on her for information, but the ruler of the world, with the power of life and death.
She accepted it all calmly. This was within her expectations, and in fact, it was the result of her step-by-step efforts.
That day, she was in Yuxiu Pavilion, reviewing the enthronement process and empress's ceremonials sent by the Ministry of Rites, when Fu Yu ushered in an unfamiliar middle-aged female official. The official, dressed in the dark blue uniform of a fifth-rank imperial concubine, had a serious face, sharp eyes, and walked with a measured gait, as if measured with a ruler.
"Your servant, Min, the Recorder of the Palace Department, greets the Princess." The female official saluted meticulously, her voice calm and composed. "By order of Your Majesty and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, I have come to assist the Princess in familiarizing herself with the palace etiquette and regulations. I have also brought a list of female officials and maids for the Princess to select for personal service."
Here they come. Lu Qinglan understood. This wasn't just "assistance," it was the new emperor's first attempt at intervening in and controlling the affairs of the harem. This Min Siji was probably one of Xiao Jingche's spies.
"Thank you, Min Shiji." Lu Qinglan put down the book, her tone gentle, but her posture exuded an unyielding dignity. "This concubine is new to the palace rules, and there are many things I don't understand. I still need your guidance."
"This is my duty, and I dare not ask you to give me any advice, Your Highness." Min Siji bowed her head, her attitude respectful yet distant. She presented several thick lists, "This is a list of the female officials and maids of marriageable age in the six ministers and twenty-four departments of the palace. Please review it, Your Highness."
Lu Qinglan casually flipped open the letter and saw a densely packed list of names, ages, places of origin, years in the palace, previous positions, and family backgrounds. It was incredibly detailed. She sneered inwardly, thinking that Xiao Jingche had generously given her the right to choose. In reality, he was testing her to see who she would choose and who she would avoid.
"I have just entered the palace and am not familiar with the people. Min Siji has been in the palace for many years and must know these female officials and palace maids very well. Do you have any candidates to recommend?" Lu Qinglan threw the question back lightly.
Min Siji seemed to have been prepared. She pulled out a much shorter list from her sleeve and respectfully presented it. "In my humble opinion, these female officials are calm and capable, and well-versed in palace rules. They may be suitable for serving the princess."
Lu Qinglan took it and glanced at it. Most of the names on the list came from families of high-ranking officials or middle-ranking officials, with little ties to various factions. On the surface, this seemed like the safest choice. But she knew that even if these people had clean backgrounds now, there was no guarantee they wouldn't be bribed in the future.
"Thank you for your trouble, Secretary." Lu Qinglan said nothing, putting the list aside. "This matter is of great importance, and I still need to consider it carefully. I will leave the list for now. I would like to ask you to explain the precautions for the enthronement ceremony."
She skillfully diverted the subject, neither accepting nor rejecting, maintaining an impeccable dignity and prudence that befitted the status of a "future queen."
A subtle flash of surprise crossed Min Siji's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and began to explain the conferment process methodically. Lu Qinglan listened attentively, occasionally asking a few insignificant questions, appearing to be open to learning.
However, her mind had already flown elsewhere. Xiao Jingche was trying to control her through personnel arrangements, so how could she sit still and wait for death? The six ministers and twenty-four departments of the palace seemed solid, but wherever there were people, there were cracks. She also had the connections cultivated by Yunshang Pavilion over the years, as well as Zhao Tieshou's hidden power, and even more... Lin Wanru, Wei Linlang, and others who were already tied to her.
She didn't need to immediately replace all her own people with her own; that would be too conspicuous and easily arouse suspicion. She only needed to place a few inconspicuous but absolutely loyal spies in key positions, which would be enough for her to have her own eyes and ears in this deep palace.
After seeing off Min Siji, Lu Qinglan immediately summoned Fu Yu and Chen Xing, who had been quietly brought into the mansion.
"Chen Xing, immediately contact our people in Jiangnan through Shen Chong's channels and find a few orphans with clean backgrounds, intelligence, some literacy, and no family ties. Do it quickly," Lu Qinglan ordered. She wanted to cultivate a trusted confidant who was completely her own and had a clean background.
"Fuyu, keep an eye on the maids sent to the palace these days. See if there are any with strong personalities, facing difficult situations, and capable of being cultivated. You don't need to make them public, just take note."
"Yes!" The two of them obeyed.
After making all these arrangements, Lu Qinglan walked to the window and gazed towards the Imperial Palace. There, she would be both her prison and her battlefield. Xiao Jingche had thought that by bringing her into the palace, he would be able to completely control her. However, he had no idea that this phoenix, reborn from the ashes, was no longer a caged bird.
At the beginning of the new dynasty, the Empress Dowager was still undecided. The path ahead for her, the soon-to-be-mother of the nation, was definitely not one of ease and honor.
The debts of the previous life and the path of this life will all be settled one by one in that magnificent cage.
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