Chapter 43 Wise Ruler or Tyrant?
Night once again enveloped the Sizheng Hall, the candlelight casting a long, drawn-out shadow of Yuwen Che. An invisible pressure permeated the air, even more so than usual.
A dark figure arrived as promised, kneeling on one knee on the cold ground, his voice flat and emotionless, as if stating something unrelated to himself.
"Master, within seven days, Shadow Pavilion has eliminated a total of nineteen people associated with the Shen family in various places. Among them, there are seven men, nine women and children, and three stewards."
The hall was silent, with only the occasional soft crackling of candle wicks popping.
The guard continued his report, the details chillingly detailed: "Upon investigation, most of them were young sons and distant relatives of the Shen family who had fled during the raid, carried away by their trusted stewards or wet nurses. Traces were found in Yunzhou, Chuzhou, Lin'an Prefecture, and other places, and all have been dealt with cleanly, leaving no future troubles."
He paused briefly before asking a procedural question: "Do we need to investigate in detail which branch of the Shen family these children belong to, and the background of the servants who assisted in their escape?"
Yuwen Che stood with his hands behind his back before the massive map of the Great Zhou territory, his gaze fixed on the long northern border. Hearing the question, he didn't even turn around, merely waving his hand casually, his gesture carrying an air of indifferent control.
“No need.” His voice was calm and steady, revealing no emotion whatsoever. “Now that it has been confirmed that he is of the Shen family bloodline, that is enough. Everyone should do their job and continue the cleanup to ensure there is no danger.”
"Yes." The guard accepted the order, and then added, "Master, there seems to be some unusual activity at the northern border recently. Small groups of northern cavalry are frequently crossing the border to test the waters, but the scale is not large."
Yuwen Che's eyes narrowed slightly. He finally turned around, the candlelight illuminating his deep eyes, where a cold glint flashed. "Send more men to keep a close watch on the movements of the Northern Kingdom's court and army. I need to know if they're just itching for a beating, or if some unforeseen internal strife has occurred."
"Yes, sir," the guard replied, bowing his head.
"Step down."
The shadowy figure, just as it had appeared, silently blended into the shadows of the corner of the palace, as if it had never existed.
Silence returned to the hall, leaving only Yuwen Che alone. He slowly walked to the window, pushed open the carved window frame, and the biting wind of early winter rushed in, fluttering the hem of his black dragon robe and dispelling the oppressive atmosphere brought by the faint, lingering scent of blood in the hall. He gazed at the deep night outside the window and the blurry outline of the palace in the distance, remaining silent for a long time.
After about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, very light footsteps came from outside the palace gate. The chief eunuch, Li Dehai, bowed and walked in cautiously, stopping at a distance that was neither too close nor too far behind Yuwen Che, holding his breath and not daring to disturb the emperor's contemplation.
After a long silence, Yuwen Che, still gazing out the window, spoke in a low voice, breaking the suffocating silence:
"Li Dehai".
"Your servant is here," Li Dehai replied hastily, bowing even lower.
Yuwen Che's voice was soft, yet carried immense weight, clearly reaching Li Dehai's ears:
"You say I... am a tyrant?"
Li Dehai trembled violently, his scalp tingling instantly, and cold sweat almost soaked his inner shirt. He knelt down with a thud, his forehead pressed tightly against the cold ground, his voice filled with uncontrollable panic:
"Your Majesty! How can Your Majesty say such a thing! Your Majesty is a wise ruler throughout the ages, skilled in both civil and military affairs, diligent in governing and loving towards the people! Those...those treacherous officials deserve to die! Your Majesty did it for the sake of the country, for the safety of the Imperial Concubine and the unborn prince! This servant...this servant would rather die than listen to such nonsense!"
Yuwen Che didn't turn around, nor was he moved in the slightest by Li Dehai's fierce reaction. He continued to look out the window, his gaze seemingly piercing through the palace walls, seeing in that distant place the people who had vanished completely because of his words, including... children. But if he wasn't ruthless and let the tiger return to the mountain, would his children be able to cope in the future?
A faint, cold smile seemed to curve at the corners of his mouth, carrying a hint of self-mockery, or perhaps endless indifference.
“Wise ruler… tyrant…” He repeated the two words in a low voice, as if savoring their meaning, or questioning the dark night sky.
"Enough," he finally said calmly, his voice regaining its usual composure and authority. "Get up. Go to Guanju Palace and see if the Imperial Concubine has woken up. Report back immediately if she has."
"Yes, yes! This servant obeys the decree!" Li Dehai felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He quickly got up, not daring to say another word. He almost tiptoed and backed away from the Sizheng Hall.
The palace doors closed again.
Yuwen Che remained standing by the window, the cold wind ruffling his hair. The faces of those nineteen blurry, even nameless, "Shen Clan associates" had left no trace in his mind. What he cared about was only the peaceful face sleeping in the Guanju Palace, the stability of the heavens and the vast land beneath his feet. Whether the world was at peace, whether the people lived in contentment.
As for how later historians will judge him—whether he was a wise ruler or a tyrant—…
Yuwen Che never cared.
Li Dehai left the Sizheng Hall almost without touching the ground, only daring to slow his pace after walking a considerable distance. Cold sweat had already soaked his inner shirt. His Majesty's seemingly casual question about a tyrant echoed in his ears like thunder, shattering his heart and soul. Having served His Majesty for many years, he knew the young emperor's temperament well; the calmer the demeanor, the more terrifying the storm brewing beneath.
He composed himself, straightened his clothes, and made sure his face showed no sign of distress before heading towards Guanju Palace. After all, His Majesty's orders were paramount, especially those concerning Consort Chen.
Inside Guanju Palace, it was warm and spring-like, a stark contrast to the chill outside. The air was filled with a calming blend of medicinal and fruity scents.
Inside the inner hall, Su Luoxue was being carefully supported by Fuling as she slowly walked across the floor covered with a thick carpet. She was wearing loose, soft nightgowns, and her belly was already noticeably protruding. Her complexion was rosier than it had been a few days ago, but there was still a hint of fatigue and fragility in her eyes.
"Your Highness, slow down. The imperial physician said that a little exercise is enough. You must not overexert yourself." Fuling was fully focused, steadily supporting Su Luoxue's arm with one hand and gently supporting her waist with the other.
Su Luoxue nodded gently, a tender smile on her lips: "Lying in bed all day makes my bones stiff. Walking around makes me feel better." Her hand unconsciously went to her lower abdomen, feeling the faint movements of the two little lives inside, which was the greatest strength that helped her through her fear.
At this moment, a palace maid announced that Chief Steward Li had arrived.
Li Dehai walked in with his head down and cautious steps. He immediately put on a respectful and just-right smile and bowed, saying, "This servant greets Your Highness the Imperial Concubine."
“Steward Li, there’s no need for such formalities.” Su Luoxue stopped and, supported by Fuling, turned slightly to the side. “Does His Majesty have any instructions?” Her tone was natural, with her habitual reliance on Yuwen Che.
Li Dehai hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has just finished dealing with state affairs and was thinking of you, so he sent me to check on you. His Majesty instructed that if Your Majesty wakes up and is in good spirits, he should let me report back immediately." He deliberately omitted the suffocating scene in the Sizheng Hall, speaking in a relaxed and natural tone.
Upon hearing this, Su Luoxue's eyes warmed, and her pale face seemed to regain its radiance: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I just took a few steps and feel fine, so please do not worry."
She paused, looked at Li Dehai, and asked with a hint of barely perceptible concern, "Chief Steward Li, how was His Majesty's mood today? You seemed a little..." She was perceptive and vaguely noticed a trace of barely concealed fear between Li Dehai's brows.
Li Dehai's heart skipped a beat, but his smile remained unchanged, though his tone became even more respectful: "Thank you for your inquiry, Your Majesty. This servant is well. His Majesty... His Majesty is well, but with the year-end approaching, state affairs are a bit busy." He dared not utter a single word about the Shen family, the secret guards, or that piercing question.
Seeing his reaction, Su Luoxue didn't ask any more questions, but simply sighed softly, "I can't help with matters of state. I only hope that Your Majesty can take care of your health and not overwork yourself." She knew that A-Che had endured too much pressure for her and their child.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, we will serve His Majesty with all our might," Li Dehai quickly assured him, then added, "Your Majesty is currently pregnant and needs rest the most. His Majesty said that nothing is more important than Your Majesty and the imperial heir."
These words warmed Su Luoxue's heart like a gentle current. She nodded and, with Fuling's help, slowly sat back down on the couch: "Please inform His Majesty, Chief Steward Li, that I am well and that he can focus on handling state affairs."
"Yes, this servant takes his leave." Li Dehai bowed and carefully withdrew. Only after leaving Guanju Palace and being blown by the cold wind did he feel his heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally settle down a little. With the Imperial Concubine, he could always feel a reassuring warmth that was different from anywhere else, which made him understand even more why His Majesty regarded her as his life.
Inside the inner hall, Su Luoxue leaned against the soft pillows and whispered to Fuling, "I don't know why, but I felt that Steward Li was a little uneasy just now."
As Fuling tucked the blanket around her, she comforted her, saying, "Perhaps it's because there are many affairs in the previous dynasty, and Chief Eunuch Li is worrying about them along with His Majesty. Your Highness, please don't think too much about it. The most important thing for you now is to take good care of your health and give birth to the little prince safely. His Majesty is so wise and powerful, he will surely handle it properly."
Su Luoxue nodded, remaining silent, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the Hall of Thought and Politics, a silent prayer forming in her heart. She knew that her A-Che, to protect the Great Zhou and her, had always carried the burden alone. This affection was too heavy, making her cherish this hard-won peace even more.
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