The Aftermath (Part 1)
The imprisonment of Prince An and the Third Prince, the closure of Yongquan Temple, swept across the capital like a sudden storm. The once bustling Prince An and Third Prince's residences were now sealed, guards swarming, and a chilling silence permeated them. Households were being raided, arrests made, interrogations conducted... the lights in the three government offices burned throughout the night, the scale of the involvement staggering. Within the court, everyone felt a sense of unease. Officials who had previously associated closely with Prince An and the Third Prince either took sick leave, stayed indoors, or eagerly wrote letters to distance themselves from any connection.
Yet, at the epicenter of this storm—the Seventh Prince's Mansion—an eerie calm prevailed. Xiao Jingche continued his daily court work, handling complex matters like post-war compensation for border guards and the subsequent restructuring of the grain transport system, as if this catastrophic upheaval had nothing to do with him. Only the lingering weariness between his brows and the occasional sharp glint in his eyes betrayed the thrilling nature of this victory.
Back at Hengwu Courtyard, Lu Qinglan's life seemed to be back on track. She tended to the palace's affairs, met with ladies and relatives who came to pay their respects or inquire about news, and occasionally hosted small gatherings of poetry. Everything flowed smoothly. But only she knew that beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were constantly surging.
That day, she was reviewing the accounts for Yunshang Pavilion's reopening when Lin Wanru arrived to report on a purchase. Afterward, she didn't leave immediately, but instead dismissed her attendants, a look of worry on her face.
"Princess, I've heard... His Majesty's health hasn't improved as expected. Instead... his temper has become increasingly violent. Yesterday, he even caned a senior official in court over a trivial matter." Lin Wanru lowered her voice. "The palace is rumored to be... saying that the effects of the 'immortal elixir' have worn off and are now backfiring on him."
Lu Qinglan's hand paused slightly as he wrote. It was indeed so. The emperor's years of taking that truly potent "elixir" had long since drained him of his health. Even with a tonic now replacing it, the damage had already been done. Furthermore, the sudden knowledge of betrayal by his most trusted brother and son had infuriated him, leading to relapses and even worsening of his health. It was all to be expected.
"Your Majesty is the true Dragon Emperor, blessed by Heaven. The palace physicians are highly skilled and will ensure your Majesty's health." Lu Qinglan said calmly, seamlessly changing the subject. "Regarding the border, General Wei is about to return victoriously, and the palace needs to make early preparations to welcome this meritorious official."
Lin Wanru understood and said no more, nodding in agreement. She knew that the princess was reminding her that the most important thing right now was to hold her ground and prepare for the new round of changes that might be brought about by Wei Zheng's return to the capital.
As soon as Lin Wanru left, Xiao Jingche returned to the mansion and went straight to Hengwu Courtyard. He dismissed the servants, a trace of solemnity between his brows.
"Princess, news has come from the palace that Concubine De...suddenly fell ill in her bedroom last night and passed away." His voice was low and no emotion could be heard.
Concubine De? The Third Prince's biological mother? Lu Qinglan understood. This wasn't some kind of acute illness; it was clearly the Emperor cleaning up his mess. Or, perhaps it was the "noble lady in the palace" who had been hiding behind the scenes, silencing the witnesses and cutting off the clues! With Concubine De's death, many clues leading to the palace were cut off.
"Your Highness, accept my condolences." Lu Qinglan said calmly, "However, with Concubine De's passing, the Third Prince..."
"Third brother is now struggling to protect himself, and his mother's clan has been liquidated. He is already a grasshopper after autumn." Xiao Jingche walked to the window and looked at the scenery in the courtyard. "What I am worried about is not him, but... my father."
He turned and looked at Lu Qinglan with a deep gaze. "You and I are both aware of our father's health. After this incident, I'm afraid... he won't be able to hold on for much longer. Currently at court, our eldest brother (the eldest legitimate prince, who died young) is dead, our second brother is mediocre, our third brother is in prison, and our fifth and sixth brothers are both illegitimate and lack talent..." He didn't say anything else, but his meaning was clear. With the fall of the third prince, the battle for the throne had suddenly become clear. He, Xiao Jingche, had become the most sought-after candidate, but because of this, he was pushed to the forefront.
"A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind," Lu Qinglan said softly. "Your Highness's reputation is now growing. You must be more cautious in your words and actions, cultivate good relationships, and at the same time... be wary of the hidden arrows." She was implying something. Although Prince An and the Third Prince had fallen, their remaining forces, and even other princes who might have ambitions for the throne, would not sit idly by and allow him to ascend smoothly.
"I understand." Xiao Jingche nodded, and after a moment of silence, he suddenly said, "Princess, if... if that day ever comes, would you be willing to share this vast land with me?"
This was the first time he had so directly inquired about her wishes. Sharing the kingdom? Lu Qinglan sneered inwardly. She still remembered the taste of the poisoned wine in her previous life. In this life, she was no longer the naive woman who longed to share the world with her husband.
"Your Highness," she raised her eyes, her gaze clear and calm, filled with a distant respect, "I am your Highness's princess consort, and I will do my utmost to assist you. As for anything else, it is not something I can dream of, nor is it something I wish for."
She didn't answer directly, but she drew a clear line: she could be an ally, an assistant, but she would never again be a partner to whom she could completely entrust her heart and soul.
Xiao Jingche looked at her calm face, a complex mix of emotions running through his heart: loss, relief, and a hint of inexplicable fear. He had long known that she was different from ordinary women. Perhaps, having such an ally by his side would help him achieve his goals better than a princess who only relied on him.
"I've spoken out of turn." He smiled and changed the subject. "Wei Zheng will arrive in the capital soon, and rewards will be given according to his merits. What do you think, Princess, should be done with him?"
The conversation returned to the political affairs of the court, and the atmosphere between the two men actually relaxed a little. They discussed the rewards for Wei Zheng's return to the capital, the balance of power in the border troops, and the adjustment of court personnel until late at night.
After seeing Xiao Jingche off, Lu Qinglan stood alone in the corridor. The night breeze, carrying the slight warmth of early summer, caressed her cheeks.
The death of Consort De, the Emperor's serious illness, Xiao Jingche's probing... everything suggests that a greater storm is brewing. The downfall of Prince An and the Third Prince is not the end, but the final chaotic prelude before a new era begins.
She knew she couldn't let up even a little. The road ahead was still paved with thorns. She had to hold on tight to the power within her grasp and see the direction clearly through the fog. Only then could she secure a position where she could truly control her own destiny in this upcoming, even more intense power reshuffle.
The aftermath has not yet subsided, and a new wave has already revealed its hideous outline on the distant horizon.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
