Chapter 79: Empress Xiaorenzhao was buried in the mausoleum.
The hands on the sky turned a page, revealing a letter with a seal.
Everyone watched his movements.
The letter was sent by Zhong Cong. In it, she described her shock and anger when she learned that Zhou Su was colluding with the local authorities. Fearing that he would disrupt local administration, she sent men on horseback to strangle Zhou Su to death without even letting him live overnight.
On the sky, Emperor Zhongzong's mood remained unchanged; he simply asked, "Where is Zhou Ren?"
The messenger immediately replied, "His Highness the Crown Prince has ordered that they be executed along with the others."
The emperor chuckled.
He didn't offer any opinion, put the letter in his sleeve pocket, and calmly said, "Let's go back to the capital."
Although King Jungjong didn't say anything, he was probably quite satisfied.
After all, the reason Zhou Su wasn't killed was to use him as a teaching material, and now that material has indeed come in handy. At Zhong Cong's rate of killing, it's practically like he's monitoring his own uncle every day.
The minister who had just been so certain that King Jungjong was fishing: "...?"
I misjudged him; I never expected it was Emperor Cheng who did it.
But in the end, how many of those who rebel actually manage to rise to power?
Besides, it's only after the world has stabilized and a unified dynasty has been established, and the people are living in peace and contentment. Who would want to follow you?
You need either money or power, right? Someone like Zhou Ze is just not thinking straight. You should be grateful he's still alive.
At the beginning of the twelfth year of Jinghua, Emperor Zhongzong returned to the capital.
During the year or so he was away, he was pleased to see everything in good order and the people living in peace and prosperity; however, a surprising number of court officials came to him to complain.
Who is the person who filed the complaint? It's so hard to guess.
Ren Heng curled his lip and smiled disdainfully: "A bunch of petty bastards, coming to complain in less than two years. Do you think they can complain in the underworld after the new emperor ascends the throne?"
Ren Duan: "..." Dad, watch your mouth.
Xiao Yichun felt he was detached from the matter, so he remained calm and even took a sip of tea.
He had already fallen out with Emperor Zhongzong over the matter of the crown prince, so why did he need to argue in court?
That's clearly impossible.
Xiao Jianhe remained even more composed.
He wouldn't argue with anyone; he's that confident in himself.
The day after Emperor Zhongzong returned to the capital, he began receiving this group of people. What a stark contrast! The ministers sadly discovered that the Crown Prince was even more stubborn than the Emperor. They used to think the Emperor was utterly oblivious to good advice, but now they thought, "You're truly someone who listens to reason!"
After listening to the complaints of these people, Emperor Zhongzong summarized the issue as differing political views. Emperor Cheng was a sharp-tongued person, and her strengths lay in her extensive reading; she could discuss culture with civil officials and military strategy with military generals. Her main tactic was to overwhelm them with her strengths. "You want me to listen to you? Not necessarily, but you have to win the argument first!"
The minister was rendered speechless by her criticism; he couldn't win the argument, but something still felt off.
The censor has finally stood up for himself.
What a bunch of good-for-nothings!
When have they ever lost a war of words?
This is utterly disgraceful to civil servants! No way, let me handle this!
After hearing this, King Jungjong felt he should learn from them. They never imagined that the father and daughter were completely in cahoots, only that King Jungjong was actually more amiable—I know everyone finds this term shocking, like a scam.
The common people were indifferent, but the court officials had strong objections.
Is Tianmu really not lying?
If it's true, Emperor Zhongzong was considered a kind person, so how unkind must Emperor Cheng have been!
After hearing the entire history of how King Jungjong rose to power, everyone should understand. He accepted many surrendered generals and officials, partly due to mutual interests, and partly because, although he was of noble birth, he had a strong sense of chivalry and loyalty.
Even though he was adept at opposing his ministers after ascending the throne, he remained generally relaxed. He didn't get angry when Xiao Jian and his advisors subtly but firmly rejected his decisions.
Everyone seemed to be deep in thought.
In a daze, they even recalled the ministers of previous dynasties.
It is said that when Emperor Gaozu was vying for the throne, he addressed his ministers as brothers and they would sit and discuss philosophy.
Emperor Gaozu was of ordinary birth, yet heroes from all over the world bowed down to him. He also possessed a touch of banditry and loyalty.
It's common for brawls to break out in the imperial court. Thinking about it this way, actually... this should be called a retro approach?
Or perhaps, the grandson truly resembles his ancestor?
Because Zhong Cong's decision was not problematic, Emperor Zhongzong ultimately gave him a slight reminder, and the matter was dropped.
The advice, besides teaching her how to govern, also included some things that would infuriate her ministers, such as how to appease them, how to take sides when their opinions differ, and how to do so in a way that would win their respect.
Civil and military officials: "..."
Emperor Hong'an also glanced at Zhou She silently.
You're really reckless!
The entire Jinghua reign passed by in this stumbling and bumpy manner. As for the lack of understanding between the emperor and his officials... this is an age-old problem. What else can be done? They just had to work things out and adjust to each other.
Ultimately, in a fight to the very end, one side will always win.
Tianmu makes it sound so easy; it's just a matter of a few words.
Clearly, for an emperor who holds military power and has a strong personality, the ultimate winner is definitely not them.
Don't you see how even someone as eloquent as Prime Minister Xiao was brought down by Emperor Zhongzong's three decisive moves?
Military power and ministerial power are inherently unequal.
However, Tianmu suddenly changed the subject:
In the fifteenth year of Jinghua, Empress Gu Xunhui passed away due to illness at the age of forty-seven.
She was remarkably young, and it's said that she was in excellent health before her death. So, I'm going to bring up some unofficial history again; there are a few theories circulating.
Firstly, the marital discord type. This type places the blame on Emperor Zhongzong, believing that the marital relationship must have broken down, the Empress held too much power, and the Emperor could no longer tolerate it, ultimately choosing to poison the Empress.
Secondly, there's the case of emotional depression. While the blame wasn't entirely placed on Emperor Zhongzong, it was still considerable. They believed that Gu Jingshan's death caused the Empress's emotional turmoil, and given the limited understanding of depression at the time, she ultimately died of depression.
Thirdly, the filial son and virtuous grandson type. This type believes it must have been Zhong Cong and Zhong Huang who did it. Why? Because they represent two different schools of thought. One side believes that if the Empress died, Emperor Zhongzong would surely follow her—I thank you for acknowledging their relationship—so it must have been Zhong Cong who did it; who wants to be the Crown Prince?
The other side believes it was Zhong Huang who did it. Judging from the previous memorial, he is a black-hearted hypocrite. What kind of pure-hearted person could Emperor Zhongzong and his wife raise? The empress supported her daughter's ascension to the throne, so Zhong Huang must have been holding a grudge for a long time.
The fourth and most orthodox version is that the Empress had worked tirelessly with Emperor Zhongzong in his early years to establish the empire, and had suffered from hidden illnesses from the disease until her death in middle age.
Okay, everyone, please choose your own style.
Everyone was stunned.
The common people, who were working while watching the drama unfold, began to analyze: "According to this celestial maiden, the Empress did not die a natural death, did she?"
"I don't think so." The man gestured with his chin. "The Chen family in the county town had a poisoning case a few days ago, supposedly over a fight for inheritance. With things getting so chaotic here, do you think they'll calm down?"
Another person wiped his sweat and sighed deeply, "That's true. Does the palace lack doctors? Who knows, the medicine they take is probably... a thousand-year-old ginseng, a cure-all!"
"It must be Zhong Huang!" someone said decisively. "I've never heard of him leaving his inheritance to his daughter. No wonder he hates her."
Everyone nodded in agreement, finding it to be very reasonable.
Gu Jingshan naturally believed the second version the most.
His daughter must have died because of him, overthinking things.
Even after raising her daughter for a thousand days, she still thinks of him and her husband even after she gets married.
Historical records state that the empress remained bedridden for several days before passing away. "The emperor was deeply grieved and could not stop grieving." The crown prince, who was always by the empress's side, was reportedly chased away by the emperor on the spot, which is the only evidence that Zhong Cong murdered his mother.
Then, regarding the emperor, it is said that his hair turned white overnight, and he spent several days alone with the empress, sitting in silence. Those around him tried to advise him to no avail, and even feared being punished on the spot by the emperor, or even being forced to be buried alive with him—although I personally think this sounds like something out of a folktale…
Gu Xunhui took a light breath.
She didn't know Zhou She very well, and she didn't intend to use the contents of the sky screen as her understanding of Zhou She as a person.
The story on the sky is about Zhou Xingyuan, while the person she spends the rest of her life with under the sky is Zhou Ruochuan.
These are two completely different, living people.
But she was still deeply moved by what Tianmu had said.
Hopefully, this time, their relationship will last a lifetime, rather than ending in their prime.
The Empress's body lay in state in Kunning Palace for several days, and the Emperor ordered the suspension of court sessions for over a year, a remarkably extreme period. Afterwards, the entire palace wore mourning clothes, and the imperial children all wore the lowest mourning attire. Civil and military officials, as well as noblewomen from both inside and outside the palace, mourned and wept in grief.
Throughout her life, the Empress devoted a great deal of energy to the charity school. Among the officials, countless people received her care, and Du Huayun and others even fainted from crying.
The Ministry of Rites bestowed upon her the posthumous title of Empress Xiaorenzhao, and she was buried in the imperial mausoleum.
On the sky, the imperial procession was magnificent, with the emperor in front and civil and military officials following behind.
Wherever the procession passed, the government set up altars, creating a solemn scene.
Zhong Cong, who was already in her twenties, looked pale and defeated. She looked ahead and saw her mother, who used to always stand in front of her gently and guide her, now sleeping peacefully in her coffin.
The emperor's body also showed obvious signs of aging.
Not only Zhong Cong on the sky, but everyone below held their breath.
Some people were concerned about the changes that the empress's death would bring to the court.
Some people lament that while they enjoy immense honor and privilege in life, death is but a fleeting moment.
Some people respect her life's achievements and silently cherish her memory.
Life is a very delicate thing. After Empress Injo died, Emperor Jungjong's life also came to an end quickly. This must be the unspoken understanding between husband and wife.
Before this, he completely relinquished control, laying the groundwork for the Crown Prince's future leadership. Former empress's ministers naturally followed the Crown Prince, and the ministers who followed the emperor himself also realized something as the emperor's health deteriorated.
Emperor Zhongzong appeared remarkably carefree before his death, not writing any letters to the Crown Prince. However, this was because even as he lay dying, he still remembered to pave the way for the Crown Prince. The best lesson for a future emperor is not to teach him how to live an easy life, but to equip him with the ability to handle affairs.
King Jungjong did this very well, as for his predecessor… I'm not being sarcastic or criticizing anyone… *cough*
Emperor Hong'an, who was being subtly mentioned, turned green with rage.
Ever since the appearance of the Heavenly Curtain, he has found that the probability of his skills being broken is very high.
Of course, I have to admit that my actions in the sky were indeed too hasty. But fortunately, I now have a second chance.
Emperor Hong'an quietly added some more lessons to Zhou She's curriculum, but considering Zhou She's health and fearing that he might not outlive him, he reduced some of them accordingly.
That's good. The emperor nodded in satisfaction.
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