Chapter 54 A Mistaken Encounter in a Game of Chess (Part 4) Shuo Qing comes to visit you in the hospital, and you…
After the imperial physician and palace maids left, Ye Yixiang was about to take her leave when Jin Xuan, the old nanny, called out to her, "Miss Ye, the Empress Dowager summons you in for a talk."
Ye Yixiang had no choice but to re-enter the inner room. Before she could even kneel down, she heard a question from the phoenix bed, the tone of which was inscrutable:
"Good child, are you... blaming me in your heart?"
"This servant dares not." Ye Yixiang quickly glanced at the woman on the bed. Perhaps because she had removed her hairpins and fine clothes due to her illness, the Empress Dowager's face now lacked some of the stern and imposing aura she displayed in court, and even revealed a hint of the gentle weariness that belonged to an elder. But she knew very well how many ruthless methods were hidden beneath this gentleness.
"I know you have grievances and resentment in your heart." The Empress Dowager sighed softly, her gaze seemingly distant. "But as someone sitting in this position, I must think about the country and its people."
“Your identity… is too special. The court may appear calm on the surface, but countless eyes are watching from below, and countless forces are deeply entrenched. I must pave a smoother path for my children and grandchildren, so that they won’t have to walk it with difficulty.”
Ye Yixiang knelt on the footstool, listening quietly with her eyes lowered, without responding. She knew this was not a question, but a declaration.
“If Shuoqing were just an ordinary prince, granting you the position of a concubine wouldn’t be so bad. But he is about to inherit the throne and shoulder the responsibility for the entire nation.” The Empress Dowager’s voice gradually turned cold, carrying an undeniable determination, “I absolutely cannot allow any potential threat to exist around him, not even… the slightest bit.”
Therefore, her night-time pleasure was the "hidden danger" that had to be eliminated.
"These past few days in the imperial prison... have the people below made things difficult for you?" The Empress Dowager suddenly changed the subject, her tone becoming concerned again, and she even reached out and took her hand, gently patting it.
Ye Yixiang's fingertips trembled slightly. She quickly suppressed the turmoil in her heart, lowered her eyes, and replied, "Your Majesty, no."
"If I hadn't secretly given my permission, even if Zhaoning wanted to, she might not have been able to see you so easily," the Empress Dowager added casually.
Ye Yixiang's eyes twitched! She had thought that Zhao Ning and Xiao Lingyi had managed to pull strings, but she hadn't expected that the Empress Dowager had intentionally let them go! Was throwing her and her sister into the imperial prison merely to intimidate and warn them? Or was there a deeper scheme?
"Xiao Mo is of upright character and outstanding talent, a man worthy of trust." The Empress Dowager gently patted the back of her hand, her tone regaining the caring tone of an elder. "If you marry him, I will be able to put my mind at ease. He will certainly not wrong you."
"The Empress Dowager's choice is undoubtedly excellent," Ye Yixiang responded softly, but inwardly she felt a chilling sarcasm.
"As I grow old, I often dream of the past," the Empress Dowager's voice suddenly took on a touch of ethereal melancholy, "I dream of your grandmother, of the days when we were still young ladies, embroidering together, drinking tea, going on spring outings, hunting in the autumn... those were truly wonderful times." She sighed deeply, filled with endless longing, "Alas... in the end, the past is gone, and I can never look back..."
The hall fell silent, with only the dripping of the water clock marking the passing of time.
Ye Yixiang knelt on the luxurious yet cold carpet, listening to the Empress Dowager's ambiguous recollections and sentiments, which were neither genuine nor fabricated. Her heart remained unmoved; on the contrary, she became even more clear-headed.
In this cannibalistic royal court, behind any veil of warmth and affection may lie a deadly blade.
"Oh no! Something terrible has happened—!" Zhang Gonggong's sharp, panicked voice, like a rooster being choked, suddenly came from outside the palace, shattering the false tranquility.
He ran in a very disheveled state, even slipping on the polished gold brick floor, and tumbled and crawled into the threshold of the inner hall.
"What a flustered and disorderly manner!" The Empress Dowager frowned, propped herself up to sit up, and a few suppressed coughs escaped from her lips.
Ye Yixiang immediately stepped forward to help her up, and Granny Jin Xuan quickly brought an outer robe to drape over the Empress Dowager. Eunuch Zhang was an old servant of the Empress Dowager, accustomed to seeing all kinds of storms; for him to lose his composure like this was no ordinary matter.
"Your Majesty...Your Majesty! They...they are coming this way!" Eunuch Zhang collapsed to the ground, his face ashen, his finger trembling as he pointed outside the palace, his words incoherent.
"Who's here?" The Empress Dowager had already put on her outer robe and stepped barefoot onto the footstool, her voice deep and cold.
"Your Highness Prince Chen..."
"Shuoqing came to visit you, and you're so flustered?" The Empress Dowager glanced at him coldly, turned around and sat back down in front of her dressing table, gesturing for the palace servants to tidy her slightly disheveled hair, her tone carrying its usual authority.
"No...it's not a visit to someone in the hospital!" Eunuch Zhang almost burst into tears, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
"Prince Chen... he's wearing full armor! He's holding... holding His Majesty's imperial edict! He's leading... leading his armored soldiers, heading towards Cining Palace... forcing... forcing the emperor to abdicate!"
Ye Yixiang's hand, which was supporting the Empress Dowager, trembled almost imperceptibly.
Chu Huaili?
A coup?
Although he held military power, he had never shown any obvious ambition to seize the throne. Why would he suddenly launch a palace coup?
"I must be thinking of something of earth-shattering importance." Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was not alarmed at all. Instead, she chuckled and raised her hand to straighten the slightly crooked pearl on her phoenix crown, her movements still steady and composed.
"It's nothing more than a coup. Even if his army is at the city gates and arrows are at my neck, you, as the head steward of Cining Palace, should not lose your composure like this, lest you become a laughingstock."
"This servant...this servant deserves to die! This servant will immediately go and summon the Imperial Guards to protect His Majesty!" Eunuch Zhang scrambled to his feet.
"Mobilize the Imperial Guards?" The Empress Dowager slowly rose, her bright yellow phoenix robe trailing on the ground. Her gaze was icy, piercing through the palace doors to look into the distance. "He was able to come here fully armed with the Emperor's edict. Do you think... the Imperial Guards still obey my orders at this moment?"
"Your Majesty..." The palace servants standing in the hall were already pale with fright, and upon hearing this, they trembled even more. Some of the more timid palace maids couldn't help but sob softly.
"What are you crying for!" The Empress Dowager snapped, her gaze sweeping across the kneeling palace servants. "As long as I'm standing here, the sky won't fall! As the Empress Dowager, it's my duty to protect you all!"
She took a deep breath, her voice resolute and authoritative, "Open the palace gates!"
"Your Highness! You absolutely mustn't!" Granny Jin Xuan couldn't help but speak up to dissuade her.
"Open the door!" The Empress Dowager said, each word distinct and authoritative, her phoenix eyes filled with power.
Two young eunuchs ran out tremblingly, and had just opened the heavy palace door a crack—
"boom!"
The vermilion gates of Cining Palace were suddenly smashed open from the outside by a tremendous force!
The sound of horses' hooves and the clanging of armor thundered in like a sudden roar.
Amidst the rising dust, dozens of warhorses clad in cold, iron armor escorted a tall, imposing figure in black armor, striding arrogantly across the palace threshold and stopping in the wide plaza before the hall. Sunlight reflected off the gleaming armor, casting a blinding, chilling light, exuding a menacing aura.
The leading general dismounted, holding aloft a scroll of bright yellow brocade, and declared in a booming voice: "His Majesty's edict is here! All men, heed the decree—!"
In front of the vast Cining Palace, there was only the sound of the wind and the rustling of armor; all was deathly silent.
The general unfolded the brocade and read aloud:
Since assuming the throne, I have been diligent and cautious day and night, obeying the mandate of Heaven and following the will of the people. However, as I grow older and my strength diminishes, I am always concerned about the heavy responsibilities of the state and fear that I will fail the trust of my ancestors and the expectations of the people. Now I observe that Prince Chen, Chu Huaili, is upright and honest, naturally gifted and resolute, his benevolence and filial piety are evident in the palace, and his merits are illustrious in the nation.
In the past, when war broke out in the northern border, the King himself donned armor, led his troops to defeat the enemy, and stabilized the frontier in a time of crisis. Upon returning to the court, the King upheld justice and educated the people, reformed abuses and promoted beneficial policies, and brought peace to the people during a time of turmoil. His literary talents were capable of governing the world, his military prowess was sufficient to quell chaos, his virtue was enough to harmonize all nations, and his authority was enough to eliminate traitors. He is truly a pillar of the royal family and a cornerstone of the nation.
After careful consideration, I have deem it the Mandate of Heaven to be bestowed upon the virtuous and capable. Therefore, I hereby pass the throne to Prince Chen, Chu Huaili, to inherit the great legacy and continue the imperial lineage. You shall revere the will of Heaven, uphold the ancestral precepts, diligently govern and cherish the people, and glorify the achievements of your predecessors. All officials, both inside and outside the court, shall work together to assist and support the new ruler.
The Empress Dowager is hereby honored as Grand Empress Dowager, to enjoy a long and peaceful life. Effective immediately, she shall move to the Chang Le Palace, and all her needs shall continue to be met according to the old customs of the Cining Palace, to demonstrate my filial piety in governing the empire. The Imperial Astronomical Bureau shall select an auspicious day for the new Emperor's enthronement ceremony, and the Ministry of Rites shall make meticulous preparations.
The announcement was made to the whole world so that everyone would know.
So be it!
After the imperial edict was read aloud, its echoes reverberated through the empty palace gardens.
The Empress Dowager, supported by Granny Jin Xuan and Eunuch Zhang on either side, slowly walked out of the main hall.
She had already put her hair back on neatly, her nine-phoenix crown gleaming in the sunlight, her bright yellow phoenix robe solemn and dignified. Her face showed no sign of illness, only the imposing majesty of someone who had long held a high position. She stood atop the high palace steps, looking down at the dark mass of armored soldiers and the young king whose black armor was stained with dust.
Under this gaze, the soldiers on horseback involuntarily dismounted and bowed their heads in respect.
Chu Huaili slowly removed the helmet covering his face, revealing his sharply defined features.
He stepped up the stairs, stopping three steps away from the Empress Dowager. He bowed and said in a calm voice, "Please, Grandmother, move to the West Garden."
The Empress Dowager looked at him and suddenly chuckled softly. There was no anger in her laughter, but rather a hint of appreciation and self-deprecation: "Good, good Prince Chen! No, now you should call me Your Majesty."
"In a single day, you gained control of all the passes in the capital, subdued the generals of the Imperial Guard, and even managed to get half of the ministers in the court to serve you. You even... forced the emperor to write this abdication edict himself. Shuo Qing, I underestimated your methods and courage in the past."
Chu Huaili straightened up and met her gaze calmly: "Grandson wouldn't dare. If it weren't for the 'list' that Grandmother obtained from the imperial prison, which made many wavering court officials see the wind and choose to stand on my side, this matter... might not have gone so smoothly."
The Empress Dowager immediately understood, her smile deepening, yet tinged with a coldness: "So that's how it is. I originally intended to use that list to intimidate and eliminate dissidents, consolidating my power, but I never expected... it would instead help you win over the people and remove obstacles. Well then, one wrong move, and the whole game is lost. I accept it." She slightly raised her head, her bearing impeccable, "Allow me to tidy myself up a bit, then I will accompany your men to the West Garden."
"Grandson is here, respectfully awaiting the arrival of His Majesty." Chu Huaili bowed again, his posture respectful, yet carrying an unyielding authority.
The Empress Dowager turned around and walked steadily back into the palace. Pei Hong immediately stepped forward, approached Chu Huaili's side, and whispered, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager... may have a backup plan. We must be on guard."
Chu Huaili's fingers tightened slightly around the hilt of the sword at his waist, his gaze fixed on the palace gate: "It's alright. The situation is settled, I can handle it."
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