My family affairs
When the new emperor Wei Jin took over the Zichen Palace, he did not rush to seize power or settle old scores as the Huo family had expected.
His first act of violence caught everyone off guard, leaving them both amused and bewildered.
In the early morning at Cixi Palace, the air was filled with the fragrance of incense, carrying a touch of coolness.
Grand Empress Dowager Huo and Empress Dowager Huo were sitting upright on the soft couch at the head of the table, savoring the newly tribute spring tea, occasionally exchanging a few words in hushed tones, their brows displaying the unique reserve characteristic of daughters of the Huo family.
A palace maid whispered, "His Majesty and Her Majesty the Empress have arrived."
Before he could finish speaking, Wei Jin had already led Ling Zhan in.
Today he wore a dark-colored casual robe, appearing less aloof in court and more relaxed like he did in the Western Hills. Yet, when his eyes swept over them, the palace servants in the hall still unconsciously held their breath and lowered their heads. Ling Zhan followed beside him, still dressed in a simple, close-fitting outfit, without any makeup. Her gaze was calm as still water, as if the two women before her were not the most noble women in the world, but merely two ordinary elders.
"Grandson pays his respects to the Empress Dowager."
"Your subject greets the Empress Dowager."
Wei Jin bowed respectfully, a perfectly measured faint smile on his face.
Ling Zhan also curtsied, her movements precise yet devoid of any femininity, exuding a sharp and decisive air: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager. I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager." Her voice was clear and cold, like jade striking each other.
The Empress Dowager put down her teacup, a kind smile appearing on her face.
"The Emperor and Empress have arrived. Please have a seat. We are all family; there's no need for such formalities. Empress, are you settling into the palace comfortably?"
Ling Zhan sat down at the lower end as instructed, his back ramrod straight: "Thank you for your concern, Empress Dowager. I am alright."
The fifteen-year-old Empress Dowager looked her over, smiled, and said in a gentle but probing tone, "There are more rules in the palace than outside. From now on, the affairs of the six palaces will be complicated. If the Empress has any questions, she can come and ask me and the Empress Dowager."
Wei Jin picked up the tea served by the palace servant, blew on it to cool it down, and replied with a half-smile.
"That's exactly why I came." He put down his teacup and looked at Ling Zhan.
Ling Zhan understood, took out a brocade box from his sleeve, stood up, walked to the two empress dowagers, and presented it with both hands.
The box was opened, revealing the pure gold phoenix seal that symbolized the supreme power in the imperial harem.
The hall fell silent instantly, and all the palace servants lowered their heads even further.
The smiles on the faces of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager faltered slightly, and they exchanged a puzzled look.
"What does the Empress mean by this?" the Empress Dowager asked slowly, her sharp gaze fixed on Ling Zhan.
Ling Zhan's expression remained unchanged, and his tone was calm and even, as if he were talking about something very ordinary: "Your Majesty, I am lazy by nature, dislike tedious matters, and am not good at managing household affairs. I know that my talents and virtues are insufficient to govern the six palaces. Moreover, Your Majesty has just ascended the throne and is busy with state affairs. Your Majesty, I only wish to serve Your Majesty wholeheartedly. I dare not presume to do anything else and have no intention of interfering."
She pushed the brocade box forward again: "The old rules and regulations of the palace are well known to the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, who are highly respected. I humbly request the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager to grant me the right to take charge of the Phoenix Seal and manage the affairs of the inner palace. Your Majesty... I am deeply grateful."
Upon hearing this, both Empress Dowager Huo were completely stunned.
They had considered all sorts of possibilities and even prepared how to "teach" the new empress, but they never expected that she would directly hand over the greatest power and act so... matter-of-factly?
The Empress Dowager hesitated and said, "This... isn't it against etiquette? You are, after all, the Empress..."
"Empress Dowager," Wei Jin interrupted with a smile, leaning forward slightly and lowering his voice, which carried a hint of casualness between family members, "You two will know your wife's temperament in the future. She would rather practice boxing for an hour in the training ground than listen to account books for half an hour. This Phoenix Seal will probably only gather dust in her hands. Since she is so focused on her son, you two should show some love to me and to her, take over this responsibility, let her have some peace and quiet, and avoid any mistakes that could attract criticism from the court officials and bring shame to our royal family."
His words were half true and half false, revealing Ling Zhan's true nature while giving the two empress dowagers great face, and also bringing up "criticism from court officials" and "royal face".
The Empress Dowager pondered for a moment, her eyes gleaming.
She reached out and slowly took the brocade box, her fingertips tracing the cool phoenix seal.
The feeling of regaining power, especially in a way that the other party "begged" to return it, is incredibly satisfying.
A genuine smile returned to her face, and her gaze towards Ling Zhan softened considerably, though a hint of barely perceptible disdain lingered within that gentleness: "Since the Empress is so understanding and righteous, wholeheartedly assisting the Emperor and showing consideration for us two old folks, then the Empress Dowager and I will temporarily take care of you. You are still young, so take your time to learn; there's no rush."
Ling Zhan readily bowed and said, "Thank you for your consideration, Empress Dowager."
Wei Jin pressed his advantage, feigning a perfectly timed "difficulty": "However... this would be too much trouble for the Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager. My wife feels bad about it. So, according to the rules, the morning and evening greetings must not be neglected, but could you allow her to be a little lazy? From now on, she can come to pay her respects to you both on the first and fifteenth of each month. If she has nothing to do on other days, she can serve me with writing and ink. Is that alright? It will save her from being clumsy and disturbing your peace."
In exchange for paying respects on the first and fifteenth of each month, the two empress dowagers considered it a huge bargain!
This empress was indeed a countrywoman who knew nothing of worldly affairs and only knew how to revolve around men; she was easy to control.
The Empress Dowager immediately smiled and said, "The Emperor is so considerate. Let it be as the Emperor says. The Empress should just serve His Majesty with peace of mind. There's no need to be too formal about ordinary etiquette."
The Empress Dowager nodded, handed the Phoenix Seal to her trusted female official for safekeeping, and said in an extremely kind tone, "Very good. It's most important for a family to be harmonious. Emperor, you have gained a wonderful Empress who understands your needs."
Wei Jin smiled and put his arm around Ling Zhan's shoulder, looking satisfied with his "good wife".
"The Empress Dowager is right."
After exchanging a few more casual words, Wei Jin and Ling Zhan took their leave.
As soon as he stepped out of the palace and into a secluded spot, the satisfied smile on Wei Jin's face vanished instantly, replaced by a deep, calm expression.
He turned his head to look at Ling Zhan and said in a low voice, "I'm sorry to have wronged you."
Ling Zhan shook her head, her eyes clear as ever, showing no trace of the "laziness" and "clumsiness" she had displayed in the hall earlier: "It's quiet now, which is good. They're happy, and it's convenient for us." She paused, then added, "It's more comfortable than dealing with Huo Mingguang."
Wei Jin chuckled and took her hand: "Let's go back and see how Little Bull is managing our 'home'."
Inside the hall, the Empress Dowager stroked the phoenix seal that had returned to her hand and said leisurely to the Empress Dowager, "It seems we were overthinking things. Very well... The Emperor is sensible, and the Empress... is even more 'sensible'."
The two exchanged a smile, and the hall was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
They seemed to see that the Huo family's power, through this harem, would be extended even more steadily and for a longer period.
After leaving Cining Palace, Wei Jin did not return directly to Zichen Palace. Instead, he strolled with Ling Zhan towards the Imperial Garden, ostensibly to "show the Empress the surroundings." Sunlight filtered through the newly sprouted leaves, casting dappled shadows on the two of them.
When they reached a pavilion overlooking part of the palace walls and the patrolling guards, Wei Jin stopped and casually pointed downwards.
"These palace walls look magnificent, but I wonder if they're truly secure. What do you think, my wife?"
Ling Zhan's gaze swept over the orderly guards below, his tone indifferent.
"A beautiful exterior does not guarantee peace of mind. Only by having a truly sharp blade hanging inside and out can one rest easy."
Wei Jin raised an eyebrow, about to say something, when he saw Grand Tutor Huo Ying walking towards them with several officials who appeared to be from the Ministry of War, seemingly inspecting the palace defenses. Huo Ying immediately spotted the Emperor and Empress in the pavilion, paused slightly, and then naturally turned to walk towards them.
"This old minister pays his respects to Your Majesty and Your Majesty the Empress." Huo Ying bowed and his gaze swept over Wei Jin and Ling Zhan.
"Grand Tutor, there's no need for such formalities." Wei Jin offered a slight gesture of support, his smile amiable. "Grand Tutor's diligence pleases me greatly. Are you inspecting the palace?"
"Indeed." Huo Ying nodded. "Your Majesty has just ascended the throne, and the palace security must not be neglected. This old minister will do his utmost."
His words carried a sense of self-righteous control.
"With the Grand Tutor here, I am naturally at ease."
Wei Jin nodded readily, then changed the subject, as if suddenly remembering something trivial, his tone tinged with distress, "Speaking of palace security, I haven't been sleeping well these past few days. This Zichen Palace is too big, and at night it always feels empty; I get startled by the slightest noise."
A barely perceptible hint of disdain flashed in Huo Ying's eyes, but he asked with concern, "Has Your Majesty been frightened? Should we summon the imperial physician to examine you?"
"That's not necessary."
Wei Jin waved his hand and casually put his arm around Ling Zhan's shoulder, looking like he was saying, "I have a beautiful wife, but I'm a coward." He continued, "It's just... sigh, maybe I'm used to living in the West Mountain Villa. Although it was simple back then, with Ling Feng and the guards watching over me, I felt particularly at ease and could fall asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Now that I'm in the palace, the rules are much stricter, and the guards have all been replaced. I'm actually not used to it anymore."
He said this as if it were a mundane complaint, and even with a hint of a helpless dependence on his wife.
Ling Zhan remained silent in compliance, only stiffening almost imperceptibly for a moment when Ling Zhan pulled him close before returning to normal.
It seemed as if she tacitly accepted her husband's "cowardice".
Huo Ying chuckled inwardly, but on the surface, he seemed thoughtful: "Ling Feng? Is he the one under the Empress's command..."
"Exactly."
Wei Jin immediately chimed in, as if he had found a kindred spirit, "That lad is skilled, quick-witted, and most importantly, loyal! He's my own son-in-law, so I find him easy to use and trust him completely. Grand Tutor, you have no idea, with him guarding the door, I don't even dream about having him around!"
He looked at Huo Ying with a "sincere" yet cautiously probing gaze.
"Grand Tutor, you see... the Imperial Guards and Forbidden Army in the palace are naturally elite. But as for the personal guards of my Zichen Palace... could we let Ling Feng also take on a part-time position? Give him a title, like... um... Commander of the Imperial Guard? So that he can legitimately lead his men to guard outside my palace? That way I'll feel at ease, and my wife will be more at ease too. Otherwise, she'll always be worried about my safety, or missing our daughter, and she'll be distracted from practicing her martial arts."
As he spoke, he glanced at Ling Zhan in a fawning manner.
Ling Zhan remained expressionless, only giving a faint "hmm," which was taken as acknowledgment of his statement that he was "always concerned about safety."
Huo Ying's lips curled down almost imperceptibly as he sneered inwardly: This boy's temperament is still confined to private matters; he's ill-suited for great responsibilities. So be it; a nominal commandership in exchange for peace and quiet—a worthwhile trade indeed.
The Imperial Guard system was vast, and the position of a commander was insignificant, especially since it was merely a "Palace Guard" post, a duty that sounded like just guarding the gate. Trading such a trivial position for the emperor's continued indulgence in "security" and the pleasures of the courtesans, preventing him from wielding greater power, was simply too good to pass up.
Moreover, this was undoubtedly a sign that the emperor and empress were trying to appease him by showing weakness.
Huo Ying stroked his beard, feigning a moment of contemplation: "The Zichen Palace is His Majesty's sleeping quarters, a matter of vital importance to the nation. Those who guard it must be absolutely loyal. Ling Feng is both a confidant of the Empress and trusted by His Majesty. Although he is an official outside the palace, he can be granted special permission to serve. Draft a proposal to promote him... to be in charge of guarding the Zichen Palace and its surrounding palaces. Proceed immediately."
He looked at the officials of the Ministry of War: "Draft a proposal to promote Ling Feng, the head of the Empress's guards, to the position of deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, responsible for guarding the Zichen Palace and the surrounding palace. Proceed immediately."
"Yes, Grand Tutor!" The Ministry of War official quickly bowed and replied.
Wei Jin's face immediately broke into an undisguised, relieved smile, and he even exaggeratedly patted his chest: "That's great! Thank you, Grand Tutor! Now I can finally get a good night's sleep! Grand Tutor, you've truly saved me from my urgent crisis!"
He acted like a child who had received a beloved toy, moved to tears.
Huo Ying bowed slightly, his tone carrying the magnanimity of an elder: "Your Majesty is too kind. It is my duty to share Your Majesty's burdens. If Your Majesty has no further instructions, I will continue my inspection."
"Take care, Grand Tutor, you've had a long journey!" Wei Jin waved enthusiastically.
After Huo Ying and his entourage had walked far away and disappeared into the depths of the flowers and trees, Wei Jin's exaggerated smile receded like the tide, leaving only a deep calm and a cold, sharp glint. He released his grip on Ling Zhan's hand, stood with his hands behind his back, and gazed at the layered palaces in the distance.
"Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guards...dedicated to the Zichen Palace." He repeated the appointment in a low voice, a cold smile curving his lips. "Huo Ying is indeed generous."
Ling Zhan walked to his side, also looking ahead, his voice low but clear: "Ling Feng is in position. One of the keys to the palace gates is already in his grasp."
Wei Jin turned his head to look at her, his eyes no longer showing any trace of the previous "cowardice," only "dependence."
“Yes,” he uttered softly.
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