Nursery Rhymes
As Lunar New Year's Eve approaches, the streets and alleys of Beijing are becoming increasingly lively. Crowds throng to buy New Year's goods, and children chase after firecracker casings throughout the streets. But from somewhere, a new nursery rhyme begins to circulate, and little children clap their hands and babble it:
"The iron horses return to their home, adding splendor to the already splendid scene. The eastern sun is weak; when will it shine on the palace tiles?"
The tune was simple, but the lyrics were a bit convoluted. When the adults listened, they looked at each other, their eyes revealing something else.
---
In the study of Prime Minister Cui's residence, the charcoal brazier burned brightly. Crown Prince Xuan Shuo frowned, tapping his fingers on the armrest of his chair. "Grandfather! You've heard, haven't you? Father... he really did betroth Yu Qinghe to Xuan Gui!"
Cui Chong slowly blew on the tea froth, not even lifting his eyelids: "Hmm, I've heard. His Majesty certainly treats Prince Chen differently."
"It's more than just different!" Xuan Shuo's voice rose, unable to suppress his sourness. "He wants the stars but not the moon! Yu Qinghe holds the reins of the Ministry of War's Armory, real power! Xuan Gui not only made himself a prince, but also married his daughter, so his military power..."
"Your Highness, please be at ease." Cui Chong put down his teacup, interrupting him, his eyes devoid of warmth. "It's merely an imperial decree of marriage; the six rites haven't even been completed yet. There are always variables..." He strolled to the window, looking at the lingering snowflakes outside. "Prince Duan commands the northern border's army; his maternal clan has been rooted there for generations. Now, the daughter of the Vice Minister of War is about to enter Prince Chen's residence... Heh, it seems that matters concerning the military are quickly becoming their family's domain. Even if His Majesty is biased, sitting in that position, can he truly be completely unconcerned?"
Xuan Shuo sighed, leaned closer, and lowered his voice: "Grandfather, there's still that matter... The 'token' you asked me to keep an eye on last time, concerning the succession, seems to actually exist. It's hidden very well; we'll have to investigate carefully what it is and who has it."
Cui Chong's eyes flickered, and he hummed in agreement. "No rush, take your time. Right now, let's deal with this marriage first." He turned around, his gaze fixed intently on the Crown Prince's face. "What does Your Highness think of the song the children are singing in the street?"
Xuan Shuo was stunned for a moment, then immediately understood: "'Iron horses return to one family'... does that mean the Duan Prince's maternal clan and the Ministry of War who are about to form a marriage alliance? 'Adding flowers to brocade' means that Xuan Gui is both enfeoffed as a prince and gains a princess? And 'the sun is thin in the east'..." He suddenly stopped.
"The sun is weak in the east; when will it truly shine on the golden tiles of this great hall?" Cui Chong finished for him, his voice low and cold. "The people's hearts are like water; they can lift you up, or they can drown you. Sometimes, a few rhyming words from a child are more effective than a basketful of nonsense from officials."
---
The atmosphere was a bit tense during the grand court assembly the next day in the Golden Palace.
Several censors stepped forward with stiff necks, their words eloquent, but each one concealed a sharper barb than the last.
"Your Majesty!" A white-haired old minister, his voice still clear, said, "Recently, a children's rhyme has been circulating in the capital, and the people are discussing it extensively. They all say, 'When iron horses return to one family, brocade is added to flowers.' Prince Duan is loyal and brave, and Prince Chen is intelligent; both are pillars of the court. However, Prince Duan's maternal family controls the army in the northern border, and Prince Chen himself also holds military power. Prince Chen's newly betrothed family is Yu Qinghe, the Vice Minister of War. If military power, weapons, and troop deployment are all concentrated in the hands of one family, it is probably not a blessing for the court! In the long run, it may damage Your Majesty's prestige and shake the foundation of the nation! This old minister implores Your Majesty to reconsider the marriage between Prince Chen and the Yu family's daughter!"
These words were like a stone thrown into water, causing a huge splash. One person after another echoed them, repeating the same old arguments: "Military power should not be too concentrated," "The court should maintain a balance," and "We are afraid that the maternal relatives will become too powerful."
Hyun-kyu stood in the queue, his face flushed red, his fists clenched tightly. He was about to step out to argue his case when someone grabbed his arm from the side.
He turned his head and met Ling Yuan's expressionless face. Ling Yuan shook his head very slightly.
On the dragon throne, the Emperor's face darkened. His gaze swept over the agitated ministers, then fell upon Xuan Gui, who stood with his head bowed and lips pressed into a thin line, and Ling Yuan, who seemed indifferent. Only after the commotion in the hall subsided did he speak slowly, his tone unreadable: "I understand your opinions. This matter… allow me further consideration."
He neither agreed nor rejected it. This ambiguous attitude secretly pleased the people on the Crown Prince's side, but Xuan Gui's heart sank.
---
After the court session ended, Xuan Gui practically stepped on Ling Yuan's heels as he rushed into the study of the Prince Duan's residence.
"Uncle! Why did you stop me just now!" The veins in his neck were bulging. "Those old bastards, they were clearly looking for trouble! Xue'er and I were doing just fine, it was a marriage bestowed by Father himself, why should they try to ruin it with a few words of nonsense? During the winter hunt, everyone congratulated us, how come they all changed their minds as soon as we got back!"
Ling Yuan took off his court robes and handed them to the attendant beside him without changing his expression. He walked behind his desk and sat down: "If shouting were effective, they wouldn't have caused trouble in court today."
Yan Shu, supporting her aching back, walked in with Chun Tao's help, just in time to hear this. Seeing Xuan Gui's eyes red with anger, she softened her voice: "Xuan Gui, don't be hasty, sit down first, have some tea to calm yourself down."
When Xuan Gui saw that it was her, he barely suppressed his anger and cupped his hands in greeting, "Royal Aunt." But he still stood there, refusing to sit down.
Yan Shu carefully sat down on the soft couch next to Ling Yuan before slowly saying, "The root of this problem isn't your marriage, okay? It's that nursery rhyme that suddenly appeared."
Ling Yuan nodded and continued, "That's right. 'Iron horses return to one family, adding flowers to brocade. The eastern sun is thin, when will it shine on the palace tiles?' Every line of this folk song is directed at us. It says that I hold military power, and you have formed a marriage alliance with the Ministry of War, making your power too great, suffocating the Eastern Palace, and making it difficult for the Crown Prince to see the light of day." He looked at Xuan Gui, his eyes calm, "This is not just directed at you, but at our entire maternal clan. Some people don't want to see us form a marriage alliance with the Ministry of War, and they don't want us to gain a foothold."
Xuan Gui wasn't stupid; he understood immediately, and his face darkened even more: "It's the Crown Prince and his group..."
"There's no evidence right now," Ling Yuan interrupted him, "but they're playing an open game, not a conspiracy. They understand the emperor's mind and know that the court values balance. Even if your brother favors you, sitting in that position, he can't ignore public opinion and the so-called 'future troubles.'"
"So... so you just accept it like that?" Xuan Gui stubbornly refused, "Xue'er and I..."
"As long as Your Majesty didn't immediately rescind the decree, there's still room for maneuver," Ling Yuan said calmly. "In the current situation, silencing those people and quelling the rumors is key."
Hyun-kyu suddenly looked up: "How do we stop it? I can't exactly go and break off the engagement!"
"Annulment is impossible; a ruler's word is law," Ling Yuan said calmly. "But perhaps moving Lord Yu out of the Ministry of War, this hotbed of controversy, would calm them down."
Xuan Gui's pupils contracted, and he instantly understood. This was a desperate measure, a self-inflicted wound. His lips moved, as if he wanted to say something, but ultimately his shoulders slumped. He understood the principle, but... he was unwilling. Who would tell his father about transferring Lord Yu? How would he say it?
Yan Shu sighed softly. The intrigue and power struggles in the imperial court were deadly, yet no blood was drawn.
---
The atmosphere at the morning assembly the next day was even more tense than the day before.
Sure enough, some ministers brought up the old issue again, their words still revolving around the problem of excessive concentration of military power.
The Emperor listened, his brows furrowing deeper and deeper. He looked at Ling Yuan, who had remained silent, and asked, "Prince Duan, what is your opinion on this matter?"
Ling Yuan stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Your Majesty, I believe that the concerns of the officials are not without merit. I hold military power, and Prince Chen is about to marry into the Ministry of War, which is indeed likely to attract criticism. I... am deeply uneasy, fearing that I will fail Your Majesty's trust, and I do not wish to see the court in constant strife because of this." His tone was sincere, with just the right amount of worry, but he did not mention any specific solutions, nor did he mention Yu Qinghe at all.
The Emperor stared at him for a moment, then his gaze swept over the ministers below, and Xuan Gui, who looked tense and fearful that the marriage might be disrupted. He remained silent for a long time, his fingers tapping lightly on the armrest of the dragon throne.
The hall was so quiet you could hear someone breathing.
Finally, the Emperor slowly spoke: "I have carefully considered what you all have said. Military power is related to the foundation of the country, and it certainly requires caution. Yu Qinghe..." He paused and looked at Vice Minister Yu standing in the Ministry of War's ranks.
Yu Qinghe's heart tightened, and he stepped forward and knelt down: "Your subject is here."
"You have served in the Ministry of War for many years, diligently and effectively, and your contributions to the recent winter hunting weapons inspection were also commendable." The Emperor then changed the subject, "The position of Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate has been vacant for a long time, and we urgently need a mature, prudent, and upright official to shoulder this important responsibility. I believe you are very suitable. Effective immediately, you are hereby transferred to the position of Left Censor-in-Chief of the Censorate."
Yu Qinghe was stunned, then kowtowed: "Your subject... accepts the imperial decree and thanks you." His voice was devoid of emotion.
Xuan Gui abruptly looked up at the Emperor, then quickly glanced at the calm-faced Ling Yuan, before finally lowering his head firmly. He understood. His father was... promoting Yu in name only, using the transfer of Yu to silence the critics.
"As for the marriage between Prince Chen and the daughter of the Yu family," the Emperor continued, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "my word is law, the marriage will proceed as before."
"Your Majesty is wise!" A chorus of agreement rose from below, though it was unclear how much of that "wise" was genuine.
---
Prince Duan's Mansion
After Lingyuan returned, he recounted what had happened at court. Yan Shu gently stroked her belly and whispered, "Lord Yu's situation can be considered... a promotion in name only, a demotion in reality."
"Hmm, from a third-rank vice minister to a second-rank censor, it sounds prestigious. But he has no real power now." He said in a flat tone.
"His Majesty issued the decree himself..." Yan Shu turned to look at him, "You didn't say anything?"
"What did you say?" Ling Yuan raised his hand and gently brushed away non-existent dust from her shoulder. "My brother is a wise ruler; he will surely make his judgment."
Yan Shu leaned closer to him, feeling the warmth emanating from his body: "That's true. The Emperor has already decreed the marriage, and it's not easy to take it back. But what the ministers are saying also makes sense. This is probably... the best outcome for now."
Ling Yuan put his arm around her shoulder, his gaze fixed on the gray sky outside the window: "That nursery rhyme didn't just appear out of thin air."
Yan Shu placed her hand on her protruding belly and hummed in agreement. Yes, nursery rhymes don't grow legs on their own; the winds of change in the capital never cease. But at least for now, this storm has temporarily passed.
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