Chapter 47 "The Empress Dowager arrived just in time, her imperial carriage had passed away..."
Xue Wenmian entered the palace late at night to pay his respects to the emperor.
"Minister Xue, you said you had urgent business to discuss, but what has happened?"
Pei Lian had finally finished reading all the memorials of the day and was eager to rest, but Xue Wenmian entered the palace late at night, forcing him to meet him.
"I have come regarding Princess Jin'an."
“Jin’an has been staying quietly in her princess’s residence lately and hasn’t done anything.”
"Today, the Crown Prince and His Majesty discussed important matters. Didn't Princess Jin'an come by? His Majesty wants to grant Princess Jin'an ten thousand households. Have you considered that the current Crown Prince only has eight thousand households? Princess Jin'an has a full title's worth of households more than the Crown Prince. If you really do this, won't you be ridiculed as a foolish ruler? I hope His Majesty will reconsider."
What Xue Wenmian said has become a fact, and now the whole court and the public are discussing this matter. Among them, there are many people who believe that His Majesty has spoiled Princess Jin'an too much and that Princess Jin'an is not worthy of her position.
“My dear minister, I know all this, but Jin’an is, after all, my only daughter.”
Xue Wenmian bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty has the heart of a loving father, but you must also understand that parents who love their children plan far ahead for them. Right now, because the princess has lost her husband, you have made many compensations to her. But have you ever considered that the Yang family, to which the husband belongs, is a scourge on the country and its people? Eliminating them can ensure Your Majesty's reign for a hundred years. The princess, however, is blind to right and wrong and insists on seeking justice for the traitor. But what justice can a traitor have? If the princess continues to stir up trouble in the capital, then Your Majesty, the Yang family has finally been eliminated. Are you going to watch your own flesh and blood, Princess Jin'an, become someone who speaks for the Yang family? At that time, Princess Jin'an might stand against you. You must think more about Princess Jin'an!"
After listening, Pei Lian thought it made sense.
Pei Shang'er is capable of anything for Yang Chengxiu; she has gone mad. He must harden his heart and rescue Pei Shang'er from her madness.
“Your words are reasonable, my dear minister. I am also troubled by this matter. If we reward her, everyone will think I have made a mistake. But if we are to be ruthless and demote her, the Empress and I cannot bear to do it…”
"Your Majesty, you and Princess Jin'an can each compromise. You can allow the traitor Yang to be buried in the imperial mausoleum, to rest alongside Princess Jin'an after his death. In return, Princess Jin'an can temporarily leave the capital and go to a safe place. This way, as long as she is not under the watchful eyes of the court officials, no one will be constantly monitoring what she does. Over time, Princess Jin'an will temper her temper and then be brought back to Chang'an to continue accompanying Your Majesty and the Empress."
"...Then let's do as Minister Xue says."
*
At the same time, Pei Shang'er arrived at her uncle Chen Rao's residence, her face ashen, no longer possessing the radiance she once had.
"Shang'er, why are you here?" Xie Lingrong saw that Pei Shang'er was dressed in thin clothes, so he quickly put a cloak on her. "It's late at night and the dew is heavy. Why didn't you wear an extra layer? What if you catch a cold?"
"Aunt, I have important business to discuss with Uncle. You should go and rest first." Pei Shang'er tried her best to smile, but her smile still carried sadness and bitterness.
Xie Lingrong knew how heartbroken Pei Shang'er was, and wanted to give her some peace and quiet, so he bowed and left the hall.
Only Chen Rao and Pei Chang'er remained in the hall.
"Uncle, are the Imperial Guards ready?"
"The Imperial Guards on duty that night have all been replaced by our men, so everything will be foolproof. Chang'er, are you confident that your father will affix his seal to the imperial edict for you?"
Pei Shang'er smiled slightly: "Uncle, don't worry. This matter can only succeed, there is no failure. Once you lure the tiger away from the mountain, the entire Chang'an City will be at our beck and call."
“That’s right, that’s right. As long as we get rid of the Crown Prince as a threat, nothing can stop us… Then what do you think we should do about Wuyang? She will definitely investigate your becoming the Crown Princess.” Chen Rao hesitated.
"Why not just kill her? Since ancient times, which emperor hasn't eliminated dissidents after ascending the throne? I want Wuyang to taste the agony of a prince consort before his death." Pei Chang'er gritted her teeth.
"What I mean is, I'm afraid that Wuyang and the Crown Prince might collude from the inside and secretly open the city gates for the Crown Prince."
"Hmph, Uncle, do you really intend to keep Pei Zhen alive? If you keep him alive, the Emperor will no longer be your niece. The Yang family has already met with disaster. If Pei Zhen ascends the throne, will he still keep Uncle alive?" Pei Chang'er tapped the table with her finger, her eyes revealing a warning.
Pei Shang'er is right. The Crown Prince's faction is eliminating dissidents. The Yang family has already been destroyed, and the Chen family will be next.
"Alright, Chang'er, I will get the Crown Prince out of Chang'an and transfer him far away. Just do your job well."
Upon hearing this, Pei Shang'er smiled with satisfaction.
It seems that fate was on her side, giving her the opportunity for revenge.
*
Just after the fifth watch drum, the imperial city was still shrouded in the darkness before dawn.
Outside the Golden Palace, civil and military officials were already lined up according to their rank, waiting.
The morning breeze of late autumn carried a slight chill, stirring the hem of his official robes. Chen Rao, the Grand General of the State, standing at the head of the military officers, squinted his eyes, gazing at the gradually whitening eastern horizon, a barely perceptible smile playing on his lips.
"General Chen, you've arrived early today." Minister of War Li Su adjusted his sleeves and whispered closer.
Chen Rao remained calm: "It's an urgent report from the border, so we have to act quickly."
Inside the main hall, the golden pillars with coiled dragons stand majestically.
The officials filed in and lined up on both sides.
Pei Xuanlin stood at the head of the table, dressed in a python robe, his face calm and serene.
His gaze inadvertently swept over Chen Rao opposite him, their eyes briefly meeting in mid-air before quickly separating.
With this announcement, Emperor Pei Lian slowly ascended the dragon steps. He had been busy with many matters recently, and he already showed signs of aging.
The wrinkles around my eyes have deepened, and I've gotten a lot more gray hair at my temples.
Since the case of Yang Chengxiu, the son-in-law of the emperor, undercurrents have been surging in the court, and the emperor is clearly unable to sleep at night.
"Your Majesty, we pay our respects!" the officials shouted in unison, kneeling in obeisance.
Pei Lian raised his hand to gesture for people to rise, his voice slightly hoarse: "Do any of my beloved ministers have anything to report?"
Li Su immediately stepped forward, holding the memorial aloft above his head: "Your Majesty, an urgent dispatch from the northwest! The Northern Khan has personally led 100,000 iron cavalry and has already captured three cities! General Zhao Yong of Dingyuan has been killed in battle, and more than 10,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed or wounded!"
"The Northern Barbarians and the Southern Barbarians have always been a source of worry for our dynasty, and we have no choice but to eliminate them."
The court was immediately thrown into an uproar.
Pei Xuanlin frowned slightly, and out of the corner of his eye, he caught a barely perceptible smile flash across Chen Rao's lips.
"Silence!" the Grand Eunuch Wang Dequan shouted in a shrill voice.
Pei Lian's face was grim, and his fingers unconsciously tapped the armrest of the dragon throne: "The Northern Barbarians are so arrogant! They dare to invade the Celestial Empire. What good strategies do you, my esteemed ministers, have?"
Upon hearing this, Chen Rao strode forward and declared, "Your Majesty! I request to lead an army of 100,000 to make the Northern Barbarians pay for their blood debt!"
Pei Lian's eyes flickered slightly: "General Chen, you returned to the capital wounded, and you've only been back for a short time..."
"Although I have only recently returned to the capital, I have not forgotten the exhilaration of fighting alongside my soldiers!" Chen Rao's voice boomed, but he suddenly changed the subject, "If Your Majesty is truly worried, then... this old minister dares to suggest that His Highness the Crown Prince personally lead the expedition in this battle!"
These words shocked the entire court.
Pei Xuanlin turned his head, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
He quickly looked at Xue Wenmian standing opposite him, only to see Xue Wenmian with a furrowed brow, clearly not expecting this turn of events.
"General Chen, you are mistaken!" Xue Wenmian immediately stepped forward. "The Crown Prince is the heir apparent of the nation. How can he lightly venture into dangerous territory? If anything goes wrong and the foundation of the country is shaken, who will be held responsible?"
Chen Rao sneered: "Does the Prime Minister mean that he thinks the Crown Prince is incompetent?"
He turned to the emperor and said, “Your Majesty, His Highness the Crown Prince has practiced martial arts since childhood and has mastered military strategy. When Emperor Shizong was alive, he also sent His Highness to the military camp for training and to lead troops in battle. Now is the time for His Highness to make meritorious contributions once again!”
Pei Xuanlin clenched his fist into a fist, his hand hidden in his sleeve.
He knew perfectly well that this was a scheme set up by Pei Shang'er and Chen Rao. Chen Rao held 30% of the military power in the court and was also a relative of the emperor. His Majesty would not give him any more opportunities to gain power, so he had to go to this battle.
However, by being far from the capital, they could no longer control the changes in the situation there.
"Your Majesty!" Another minister stepped forward. "I believe General Chen is absolutely right. The Crown Prince's personal command of the expedition will demonstrate the majesty of our dynasty!"
"I second that proposal!"
"I second that opinion!"
Pei Xuanlin glanced around and noticed that most of the people who seconded the motion were Chen Rao and former generals of the Yang family.
He gritted his teeth inwardly; these people had clearly planned this all along.
Pei Lian's gaze shifted between the Crown Prince and Chen Rao.
The atmosphere inside the main hall was so heavy it was almost frozen.
Finally, the emperor slowly spoke:
"Crown Prince."
Pei Xuanlin took a deep breath, stepped forward, and knelt down, saying, "Your subject is here."
What do you think?
This question seemed to give Pei Xuanlin a choice, but in reality, Pei Xuanlin had no other choice but to accept the challenge.
Pei Xuanlin's forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat: "Your Majesty, I am willing to share your burdens."
A complex look flashed in Pei Lian's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure: "Very well, the Crown Prince is indeed the Crown Prince. From this day forward, the Crown Prince will lead an army of 100,000 and set out for the Northwest tomorrow."
"Your subject obeys the decree."
...
After the court session, on their way back to the Prime Minister's residence, Pei Xuanlin took the initiative to speak.
"Father-in-law, this matter is suspicious. General Chen must have something to do with me suggesting that I go on the expedition now!"
Xue Wenmian looked around and lowered his voice: "Your Highness, who doesn't know that you and Princess Jin'an are vying for the throne? This is a ploy to lure the tiger away from the mountain. During your absence from the capital, there may be unforeseen changes in the court."
“Jin An…” Pei Xuanlin glared angrily, “I ordered the execution of the entire Yang family, and she hates me to the bone. Now she’s using her uncle to transfer me away.”
"Your Highness, rest assured," Xue Wenmian said, his eyes gleaming. "I have cultivated my influence in the court for many years and will not allow the Chen family to control everything. During your campaign, you only need to be careful about the movements of the army. Chen Rao has extensive connections in the army. As for the capital, leave it to me."
"Um."
Now that things have come to this, Pei Xuanlin can only trust his father-in-law. Apart from his father-in-law, he has no one else in the court who holds a high position of power.
"I'll go back to the East Palace to prepare first, and then visit the Crown Princess at the Prime Minister's residence later."
"Yes, Your Highness, I will convey this to the Crown Princess."
*
As the sun sets, the Eastern Palace is bustling with activity.
The servants were busy preparing the prince's travel gear for his expedition, and the air was thick with tension and unease.
Inside the study, Pei Xuanlin held a private discussion with several trusted confidants.
"Your Highness, we have already placed our people in the army," the guard commander Zhao Yan said in a low voice. "The deputy general Zhou Huan who is leading this expedition is a former subordinate of your father, and he is reliable."
Pei Xuanlin shook his head: "Chen Rao has too deep roots in the army. It's far from enough to just place a few of our people in there."
He turned to another advisor, "Minister Li, how's the matter I asked you to investigate?"
Li Chongming took out a secret letter from his sleeve: "It has been found that Princess Jin'an secretly met with Chen Rao three days ago, and the two talked in private for nearly two hours."
Pei Xuanlin's eyes flashed with a cold light: "Princess Jin'an's alliance with General Chen at this time to send me on a personal expedition suggests that she intends to take action in the capital. His Majesty's resolve to change the heir apparent is wavering. If I leave, the country may fall into the hands of others."
"Your Highness, please calm your anger," Li Chongming said in a deep voice. "The most urgent matter is ensuring your safety on the expedition. I have already ordered someone to prepare a map of the Northwest military situation, which marks all the strategic locations..."
Pei Xuanlin didn't arrive at the Prime Minister's residence until late at night, having been busy until then.
In the brightly lit inner room, Ling Zhenli poured Pei Xuanlin a farewell cup of wine.
She had heard during the day that Pei Xuanlin was going to personally lead the expedition, and her heart had been hanging in suspense ever since. Finally, she waited for Pei Xuanlin to return.
In the candlelight, her beautiful face appeared slightly pale, and her eyes were filled with tears: "Sanlang, your journey is fraught with danger, and I will be restless day and night again."
Pei Xuanlin held her slightly cool hand: "Ali, don't worry, I know what I'm doing regarding the war."
He paused, then lowered his voice, "But it's you... I'm worried about you. After I leave the capital, you must be careful, especially guarding against Jin An."
Ling Zhenli's hand trembled, spilling wine on the table. She was both angry and anxious, her beautiful eyes filled with tears: "Princess Jin'an? It's her again! Did she collude with General Chen to deliberately plot your departure from the capital? Sanlang, do you think there might not be any war in the Northwest at all, and it's just something they made up to lure you out of Chang'an? Once you leave, she can expand her influence. Sanlang, you can't leave!"
Pei Xuanlin smiled weakly, “In her eyes, I am the murderer who killed Yang Chengxiu. Now that I have been transferred away from the capital, she will definitely take action. And the war will not be as dangerous as it was said in court today. Maybe it really is just as you said, a self-directed and self-acted drama by General Chen’s faction. But things have come to this point, and the arrow is on the bowstring. I have no choice but to go.”
Outside the window, the autumn wind rustled the fallen leaves.
Ling Zhenli unconsciously moved closer to Pei Xuanlin, hugged him tightly, and tears streamed down her face: "Then what am I going to do? Are you going to leave me alone again? No... I don't want to be alone. Don't leave me in a place without you. I'll feel like I'm in hell, and I'll be in unbearable pain."
Pei Xuanlin felt heartbroken seeing her crying so bitterly, but for the sake of the country, he could not agree to stay with her: "Ali, you should stay in the capital and stay in the Prime Minister's residence. If anything happens, your father-in-law can protect you. If anything happens to me, you should sever all ties with me."
"What?!"
Ling Zhenli exclaimed in disbelief at what she had just heard. Had Pei Xuanlin gone mad? Why would he say such ominous things?
"Sever ties? You make it sound so easy. How can you sever ties between us? I just want you to be my husband. You must come back safe and sound. We'll share the same bed in life and the same grave in death."
"Yingyue, listen to me."
Pei Xuanlin's eyes flickered with a complex light. "We don't have children yet, which is a bit of a pity, but considering the current situation, it's a good thing. It won't delay your remarriage. If I really get killed by their scheme, just forget about me. I'm just saying the worst-case scenario. Don't be too sad. I will come back alive for you. Ah Li, you're my only family now. I can't bear to die."
Ling Zhenli listened, tears streaming down her face. She could no longer hold back her sobs and threw herself into the arms of her beloved husband.
How could Pei Xuanlin say such a thing? Doesn't he know that the more he says such things at times like these, the more unforgettable it will be for her in the future?
"You must be careful. Swords and spears have no eyes on the battlefield. If anything happens to you, I won't live either..."
Pei Xuanlin gently stroked her hair, his gaze passing over the window towards the palace, his eyes filled with murderous intent.
His beloved woman was crying uncontrollably in his arms, all because of Pei Shang'er's meddling and Pei Lian's inaction regarding Pei Shang'er's actions.
Pei Lian has worked very hard as emperor all these years. Once he returns from his campaign, it's time for him to step down from the throne and get some rest.
Indeed, it's safest to sit on the throne yourself. From beginning to end, he shouldn't have believed that he had any familial affection left in the world.
*
At dawn, banners fluttered in the air at the drill ground outside the west gate of the capital.
One hundred thousand soldiers stood in formation, their swords and spears like a forest, their armor gleaming coldly in the morning light.
Pei Xuanlin was clad in silver armor, his scarlet cloak billowing in the wind like a burning flame.
Ling Zhenli was dressed in a floral-embroidered ceremonial robe, a faint melancholy on her face, her painted robe fluttering in the wind.
“Your Highness,” Ling Zhenli’s soft hand touched Pei Xuanlin’s wrist, “Your Highness must return safely.”
"rest assured."
Ling Zhenli threw herself into her husband's arms, her heart filled with longing and reluctance to part.
"We're going to be apart for a long time again, and I don't want to be apart from you..."
"I will definitely come back as soon as possible, and I will not keep you waiting for long."
Pei Xuanlin hugged her tightly and placed a kiss on her forehead.
When the horn sounded, the two men's lips met, as if they wanted to remember each other's scent forever.
"Set off!"
Pei Xuanlin mounted his horse, took one last look in the direction of the capital, and led his army westward.
Ling Zhenli stood there until that figure disappeared at the end of the dusty official road.
The emperor and empress sent a palace maid to invite her back, and Ling Zhenli turned around.
However, she still did not return to the Eastern Palace, but instead went back to the Prime Minister's residence.
"Father, has our Tiansheng Dynasty encountered such a momentous event that the Crown Prince must personally lead the army? Who came up with this idea?!"
Ling Zhenli has now tasted Pei Shang'er's flavor. She is afraid that someone will plot against Pei Xuanlin and take his life while he is away on a campaign.
Inside the Prime Minister's residence, everyone sat in the main hall discussing this matter.
“If the Crown Prince is not allowed to go, then General Chen will go. General Chen has repeatedly made outstanding military achievements, and his merits are too great for the emperor. Your Majesty should be wary.” Xue Wenmian explained the situation to Ling Zhenli, hoping that she would understand.
"Then there's no one else available?" Ling Zhenli frowned.
If Xue Wenmian continued to ask, he would become impatient. Xue Haoting quickly pulled Ling Zhenli back: "Sister, you are eager to protect your husband, but this matter is aimed at the Crown Prince. It is impossible to guard against. Don't blame Father."
"Let go." Ling Zhenli shook off Xue Haoting's hand, feeling extremely irritated. "It was Pei Shang'er who came after my husband, wasn't she? She deserves to die, she should die with Yang Chengxiu."
As soon as she finished speaking, Ling Zhenli was suddenly startled.
When did I start saying such contemptuous things?
It seems that ever since she entered the Prime Minister's residence and married into the Eastern Palace, both her inner thoughts and outward etiquette have been subtly influenced.
She also began to become the kind of person she initially hated.
“Ali is right. If Princess Jin’an were blocking our way, she would deserve to die, but she hasn’t yet.”
Yang Chengxiu, whom Xue Wenmian personally trained, is dead. Therefore, his second move, Pei Xuanlin, must not be allowed to get into trouble. However, Pei Chang'er has no hostility towards the Xue family yet.
"His Majesty has listened to my advice and is preparing to send Princess Jin'an out of Chang'an. Ah Li, you don't need to be too anxious. Princess Jin'an and Princess Wuyang have been at odds for a long time. If she ascends to a high position, how can Wuyang possibly fare well? We might as well calm down and watch the two fight from the sidelines."
*
Inside Princess Jin'an's residence, white banners fluttered low.
Incense smoke curled in front of Yang Chengxiu's memorial tablet in the center of the main hall.
Pei Shang'er, dressed in plain white, knelt on a prayer mat, her slender fingers holding paper money, the flames reflected in her eyes burning fiercely.
Her voice was terrifyingly soft: "Seung-soo, everyone who killed you will pay the price."
In the candlelight, her haggard face looked like a ghost.
Since Yang Chengxiu's death, she has been unable to sleep at night. Every time she closes her eyes, she sees Yang Chengxiu suffering in prison and the look of relief on his face when he drinks the poison.
"May your spirit in heaven bless me so that I may succeed in avenging you. I will definitely succeed."
The palace maid Qingmei rushed in and whispered a few words in her ear.
A cold glint flashed in Pei Chang'er's eyes: "What? Father Emperor really listened to the Prime Minister and wants to expel me from Chang'an to guard the imperial tombs?"
Pei Shang'er was burning with anger. She got up and walked to the window, where the moonlight shone like water onto her pale face.
Father, how cruel you are! You abandoned me when I was little, and just when I was finally about to live a happy life, you came back and took my happiness away. Since you disregarded the bond between father and daughter, don't blame your daughter for being unfilial!
Pei Chang'er turned around abruptly, her eyes filled with murderous intent: "Bring me the wine that I used to order the death of the imperial son-in-law."
Qingmei replied respectfully, "Yes, Princess."
Pei Shang'er gritted her teeth secretly, thinking that when they killed Yang Chengxiu, they didn't even think about her feelings. She would make them pay a thousandfold for the pain Yang Chengxiu had suffered.
The maid quickly brought over a wine jar and a wine pot. There wasn't much wine left in the jar, but the wine pot had been poisoned.
Pei Chang'er ran her fingers along the delicate patterns on the wine jar, her expression dazed: "This Daughter's Red Wine was originally meant to be buried by parents for their daughters, but my Daughter's Red Wine was buried by my husband. I used this jar of wine to send my husband to the afterlife... Soon, I will also use it to send my father to the afterlife."
Upon hearing this, the maids were so frightened that they knelt down and cried out, "Princess, please reconsider!"
Qingmei crawled to Pei Shang'er's feet, crying as she pleaded, "Princess, the Prince Consort has passed away, but he has left behind the young prince! You must think of the young prince! If you commit regicide... what will happen to the young prince!"
Pei Shang'er bent down to help Qingmei up, her voice softening: "Don't worry, I have my own plans. I have already taken control of the Imperial Guards, and the Empress Dowager will be on my side."
Her eyes gleamed with a mad light; she had become utterly lawless.
“The Crown Prince has already left the capital. Once my father passes away, I will become the Crown Princess and rightfully become the Emperor. At that time, no one will be able to bully the people around me.”
*
A few days later at dusk, Pei Chang'er rode in a sedan chair into the palace.
She specially changed into an elegant palace dress, without any makeup, looking completely different from her usual glamorous and flamboyant image.
The sedan curtain swayed slightly as she gazed at the approaching palace gate, a strange sadness appearing in her eyes. She should be smiling, but she couldn't.
Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, the Grand Eunuch Wang Dequan bowed and greeted her: "Your Highness, His Majesty is currently reviewing memorials. Perhaps you could come back later?"
Pei Shang'er stopped Wang Dequan from saying anything more and said indifferently, "I have something important to tell Father Emperor. Father Emperor will not blame me. Please step aside."
Inside the hall, Pei Lian was reviewing memorials under the lamplight.
Hearing footsteps, he looked up and saw his daughter, clearly startled: "Shang'er?"
Pei Chang'er slowly knelt down, her forehead touching the ground: "Your subject greets Your Majesty."
Pei Lian put down the vermilion brush, a complex look flashing in his eyes: "Get up. What important matter do you have to see me at this hour?"
"Your subject wishes to request permission to go and keep vigil for the Imperial Son-in-Law, and I humbly request Your Majesty's permission." Pei Chang'er raised her head, her gaze unusually firm, "I have come today specifically to bid farewell to Your Majesty."
Seeing his daughter's haggard face, Pei Lian's heart softened.
He missed his daughter's childhood, does he also want to miss her present? He must be senile to want to drive his only child out of Chang'an.
"Your subject has been reflecting on his mistakes in seclusion these past few days and has already realized his errors."
Pei Shang'er's voice was visibly weary: "Your subject understands how willful and reckless I have been in the past, causing trouble for my husband, disappointing my father, and worrying my mother."
Pei Lian sighed, "It's good that you understand. The imperial mausoleum is austere, but it's a good place to cultivate one's character. If you really want to accompany the prince consort on his final journey, then go... In a few days, I will summon you back to the capital, and we, father and daughter, will be the same as before."
"Thank you for your grace, Father." Pei Chang'er kowtowed again, then took the wine jar from the maid behind her, her eyes sincere: "Father, this is the Daughter's Red wine that I buried myself when I was young. I originally wanted to drink it with you when I got married, but I was delayed that day. Now, let it be my farewell wine."
Upon seeing the wine jar, a hint of tenderness flashed in Pei Lian's eyes.
He failed as a father, not even doing something as simple as burying wine for his daughter, yet she chose to forgive him. He should be moved by Pei Shang'er's filial piety.
“My Chang’er is the most filial child in the world.” Pei Lian gestured for Wang Dequan to bring a wine cup.
Pei Shang'er personally poured the wine from the wine jar into the wine pot, and then poured wine for Pei Lian. The amber liquid poured out, and the aroma of the wine immediately filled the entire hall.
"Father," Pei Chang'er presented the wine cup with both hands, her eyes devoid of any emotion, "Your subject toasts you."
Pei Lian took the wine glass and looked into his daughter's sincere eyes, and the last bit of defense in his heart disappeared.
He drank it all in one gulp.
The wine was initially sweet as it went down his throat, then it became spicy. Then, Pei Lian's fingers spasmed and gripped the edge of the table, his knuckles turning a horrifying bluish-purple.
Pei Lian's eyes widened suddenly, his wine glass fell to the ground, and he stared at Pei Shang'er in disbelief, a hoarse voice escaping his throat: "You..."
"What does Father think?"
Pei Shang'er smiled with satisfaction, looking very happy. Her innocent and carefree demeanor made her look like a childlike girl, completely different from her indifferent expression just now.
"I used this wine to execute Chengxiu, so please, Father, savor it carefully, so that you may keep my Chengxiu company on the road to the underworld."
Pei Lian clutched his throat, his face quickly turning bluish-purple, as if he had a thousand words to say but couldn't utter a single one.
Pei Shang'er stood up and looked down at her father, who was struggling in pain.
"Father, you have no reason to blame me. This is all your own fault! You took everything from me first! You knew Chengxiu was innocent, yet you listened to that beast Pei Zhen and let them frame him! You knew that vile woman Pei Jing would torture Chengxiu, yet you still let her take Chengxiu away! Seeing him tortured beyond recognition, I had no choice but to order his death. Do you know how much I love him? Do you know how much my heart ached? You didn't care, and you still wanted to give the world to Pei Zhen. I will not let those who schemed to harm me get their way!"
Pei Lian slid off the dragon throne and fell to the ground, black blood spilling from the corner of his mouth.
Chen Rao had already surrounded the palace with his guards, leaving no room to move. Wang Dequan and the palace maids, who witnessed Princess Jin'an's murder of the emperor, were terrified and no one dared to step forward.
Pei Chang'er's icy gaze swept over everyone, sending chills down their spines.
“Don’t worry, Father,” Pei Chang’er knelt down and gently stroked her father’s pained and contorted face, “You won’t be alone. Don’t you love your nephew Pei Zhen? I will send him down to keep you company. Rest in peace.”
Just then, the palace doors were suddenly pushed open.
Empress Chen Xiang rushed in, and upon seeing the scene before her, her face turned deathly pale: "Shang'er! What have you done?!"
Pei Shang'er stood up calmly: "Mother arrived just in time; the imperial carriage has passed away."
Upon hearing this, Chen Xiang staggered to Pei Lian's side, trembling as she checked his breath, before collapsing to the ground: "You... Chang'er, what are you doing!"
"Mother."
Pei Shang'er said softly, "This matter was a conspiracy between my uncle and me. Don't you want your daughter to become the empress?"
Chen Xiang looked up at her daughter, her eyes filled with terror and pain.
"But you can't kill your father! He's your father! How could you kill him? You'll be condemned by posterity!"
“But that doesn’t stop future generations from shouting ‘Long live the Emperor!’” Pei Chang’er raised her eyes, revealing a shrewd look. “Father wants to give the throne to Pei Zhen. Pei Zhen has no blood relation to you. Are you going to side with Pei Zhen and go against your own daughter?”
Despite her hesitation, a mother's love ultimately prevailed.
Chen Liniang slowly nodded: "Shang'er, what do you want to do?"
Pei Chang'er took out a prepared edict from her sleeve: "Before my father passed away, he decided to depose the crown prince and make me the crown princess, so that I could inherit the throne."
She walked to the dragon table and picked up the jade seal.
"Now all that's needed is Father's handprint."
Under Chen Liniang's horrified gaze, Pei Chang'er grasped Pei Lian's still-warm hand, dipped it in cinnabar, pressed her fingerprint onto the imperial edict, and then picked up the jade seal and steadily stamped it on.
"That's good."
Pei Chang'er looked at the imperial edict with satisfaction, then turned to the stunned eunuchs and palace maids and said, "Have someone outside summon the imperial physician. Tell him that the emperor is seriously ill and needs treatment. Have the imperial physician come over immediately."
The still-wet imperial edict, with its bright red jade seal and the emperor's handprint, seemed to silently proclaim the arrival of a new era.
Outside the palace, the setting sun shone like blood, dyeing the entire imperial city red.
Pei Shang'er stood on the high steps, looking down at the sprawling palace complex below.
She did it.
*
The midnight drum had just sounded, and the Taiji Hall was brightly lit.
The imperial physician knelt before the dragon bed, his trembling fingers resting on the emperor's already cold wrist.
Large beads of sweat rolled down his forehead, his pulse was gone, his pupils were dilated, and the black blood at the corner of his mouth all pointed to a terrible truth.
"His Majesty...has passed away..."
The imperial physician spoke with trembling hands the truth that everyone already knew, as if he had used up all his strength to utter those words.
The hall was immediately filled with cries of grief.
Empress Chen Liniang slumped on the footstool, her phoenix crown askew and her makeup disheveled, looking exactly like a widow who had suddenly learned of the loss of her husband.
Only Pei Shang'er, who was right next to her, could sense that her mother was crying because she felt sorry for her father, the emperor, for concealing the truth about his death for the sake of her daughter's throne.
Pei Shang'er's eyes, however, were frighteningly calm: "Imperial Physician, you've worked hard. You may leave now. Guards, take good care of the Imperial Physician. He's been frightened."
The imperial physician looked up and met the princess's unfathomable black eyes, and involuntarily shivered.
He caught a glimpse of the Imperial Guards standing behind him, their hands on the hilts of their swords, glaring menacingly.
He feared he would not survive tonight, but thinking of his wife and children, the imperial physician chose to remain silent and calmly left the Taiji Hall with the guards.
“Wang Dequan,” Pei Chang’er suddenly called out.
The old eunuch trembled and quickly knelt forward, saying, "This old servant is here."
"Go and ring the Jingyang Bell to summon all civil and military officials."
She gently stroked the ink on the imperial edict, her heart pounding and her chest heaving as she examined the fruits of her victory.
"Announce the late emperor's edict to all officials."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
