shake
The Qianqing Palace was brightly lit by candlelight, but Chu Yiran felt a chill seeping into his bones. He stood alone in the center of the hall, feeling utterly exhausted.
After an unknown amount of time, Su Jing entered. His bright yellow dragon robe gleamed in the candlelight, yet it made his smile appear somewhat cold: "Aran, when did you wake up?"
"What do you mean by your decree?" Chu Yiran stared at him and said, word by word, "Those are my uncles. Even if they have made a thousand mistakes, they should bear them themselves. Why should their crimes be implicated for three generations? As for the Northern Expedition, the national treasury is not yet full, and the people have suffered from floods and wars. Why must we launch an expedition at this time?"
“They deserved it.” Su Jing did not deny it, but said calmly, “As for the Northern Expedition, the nation’s prestige cannot be established until the lost territory is recovered. This matter cannot be delayed.”
"No time to lose?" Chu Yiran frowned. "Do you know how many people will be displaced and their families destroyed by a war? You are attacking the entire aristocratic family, and you are gambling with the lives of the people of Southern Jiangsu!"
Su Jing's hand froze in mid-air, his face turning completely cold: "Is the Imperial Advisor criticizing my national policies?"
"What I criticize is Your Majesty's heart!" Chu Yiran met his icy gaze, feeling as if his own heart had been frozen and cracked. "Has Your Majesty ever considered how I should conduct myself as I stand here, hearing news of my relatives being executed, with each imperial edict issued? Your Majesty's desire to rigorously investigate corruption and confiscate the wealth of aristocratic families is understandable, but must you resort to such ruthless methods, staining the robes of officials from humble backgrounds with the blood of noble families? There are so many other ways, why do you always choose the cruelest one? Why do you never... show even a shred of compassion in this process? Nor do you... show even a shred of understanding towards me?"
The last sentence was almost squeezed out between his teeth, tinged with a barely perceptible sob.
Su Jing stared at him, his eyes as deep as the night, churning with complex emotions that Chu Yiran could never fully comprehend—the resoluteness of an emperor, the obsession forged by past wounds, and the estrangement and chasm that neither of them could understand.
“Because this is the fastest way.” After a long silence, Su Jing spoke slowly. He bent down and put his hand on Chu Yiran’s shoulder, his tone softening. “Aran, you are always too hesitant and too soft-hearted. You need to know that the Taoist approach of non-action can’t save a chaotic world. What’s needed to govern a country is swift and decisive measures, ironclad laws and severe punishments!”
“I love you and protect you. You only need to enjoy your life by my side. Why bother with the court intrigues? I do all this so that you can stand firmly by my side and so that we can have a stable empire.” Su Jing pressed his forehead against his, their noses touching and their breaths mingling. “When the snow melts in spring, I will take you to war. I will avenge all the humiliations we suffered in Northern Qi and drive them back to that barbarian land. I want you to see the royal flag raised over the capital of Yanjing with your own eyes—this hegemony can only be shared by you and me.”
Chu Yiran felt his heart was like a candle flame in the wind, slowly losing all ability to argue and judge. After an unknown amount of time, he slowly closed his eyes and chose to swallow all the doubts.
"good."
——
In the days that followed, Chu Yiran became more and more like Su Jingyang's caged bird, spending his days attending court and occasionally going to the Imperial Observatory to perform astrological divination, content to be the supreme national advisor of the Celestial Empire.
The imperial court was completely transformed under Su Jing's ironclad laws and severe punishments. In just a few months, no fewer than ten thousand people were dismissed from their posts and stripped of their titles. At the same time, Shen Ji was also promoted by Su Jing to the position of prime minister, thus gaining control of the entire financial lifeline of Southern Jiangsu.
After Shen Ji became prime minister, although he was forceful and placed his cronies in key positions, he also managed the national treasury very well, quickly replenishing the long-overdue military pay and provisions. Chu Yiran watched coldly as this brother-in-law's power grew day by day, but had to admit that he was a genius at navigating the officialdom. Su Jing used him to both utilize his talent and curb his greed.
The only event that caused a stir was the Third Prince's plot to rebel. When news of the Third Prince's collusion with former officials and his intention to rebel reached Jinling, Su Jing swiftly dispatched troops to surround the residence, capturing the Third Prince and his core followers in one fell swoop. After layers of interrogation, Su Jing ultimately spared the Third Prince's life, only imprisoning him permanently in the Imperial Clan Court, but his core followers were all executed as a warning to others. This incident completely silenced any opposition to the new policies in the court.
Chu Yiran witnessed all of this, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He wasn't even sure if the Third Prince had really rebelled, nor did he have the strength to investigate the truth or falsehood of the matter. Perhaps, as Su Jing said, the benevolent and forgiving principles he believed in seemed so pale and powerless in the face of Su Jing's iron-fisted rule.
Until this day, he overheard Shen Ji outside the imperial study saying with barely concealed anger, "Is Your Majesty truly as rumored, having a penchant for homosexuality, which is why you are so reluctant to establish an empress, disregarding the fate of the nation?!"
Su Jing's voice was as cold as ice: "Establishing an empress is a matter of state, and even more so, a matter of my family. Prime Minister, you have said too much today."
Shen Ji refused to back down: "Has Your Majesty forgotten the promise you made to me? If this continues, Ruoqing will be an old maid by now!"
"Insolence—!" Su Jing raised his voice, "Does Uncle think his current status is too high and he has gained too much? Being too greedy will not end well. I advise Uncle to be more law-abiding!"
Chu Yiran leaned against the pillar, his heart filled with coldness.
He could neither fully agree with Su Jing's actions nor sever this affection. As a subject, a son, and a beloved, he didn't know how to conduct himself.
——
When Shen Ruoqing blocked his way at the entrance of the Imperial Observatory, her eyes were full of resentment and grievance: "Grand Preceptor Chu, since you and His Majesty are so deeply in love, you should think of him! His Majesty needs an Empress and an heir to inherit the throne! Are you going to just stand by and watch him be criticized by the world?"
Chu Yiran looked at her, his gaze calm yet tinged with weariness: "Miss Chen, His Majesty is the ruler of the world. How can you or I control his will? As for criticism..." He smiled faintly, "When has His Majesty ever cared?"
Shen Ruoqing staggered back, her face deathly pale. Her lips trembled as she stared at Chu Yiran. After a long while, she gritted her teeth and said, "Disgusting!"
After saying that, he turned and left.
Back at the Prime Minister's residence, Shen Ji gently comforted his sobbing daughter, "Ruoqing, don't worry, your father will definitely make sure you wear the phoenix coronet and wedding gown and become the Empress. His Majesty was just temporarily misled."
"Father, I will definitely marry my cousin, right?" Shen Ruoqing clutched her father's clothes as if grasping at a last straw, tears streaming down her face. "I've waited for my cousin for so many years. I've loved him from the first moment I saw him..."
Shen Ji gently patted her back, but his eyes gleamed with a calculating light.
——
Before we knew it, it was New Year's Eve. Inside the capital, a grand banquet was in full swing, with singing and dancing, and golden cups and jade goblets clinking together.
The newly promoted officials from humble backgrounds chatted and laughed loudly, clinking glasses and exchanging toasts, their faces showing a mixture of excitement and unease; while in the corner, the few remaining veteran officials from powerful families remained silent, taking only a few sips of their wine.
Su Jing sat high on his throne, calmly accepting the worship and cheers of the crowd, seemingly oblivious to the eerie atmosphere. Chu Yiran, sitting below the throne, could clearly feel the stark contrast between the two worlds of ice and fire.
After the singing and dancing subsided, Chu Yiran held a wine glass and walked towards his parents.
"Father, Mother..." Chu Yiran gripped the wine glass tightly, but didn't know what to say.
With tears welling in her eyes, Zheng Shuyi straightened his clothes and said, "Aran, how have you been lately? Why are your eyes so dark? Have you not been getting enough rest?"
Chu Zhongling turned around and chatted with others, leaving him with a cold, distant back view.
Just as he was wondering whether to drink the wine or say something, a somewhat flippant and disgruntled voice interrupted: "Nephew, the Chu family is now quite deserted in the court. You often serve His Majesty, so you should speak up for your own family. We can't just watch our ancestors' legacy crumble like this, can we?"
The speaker was his uncle, Chu Zhongming. This uncle was two years younger than Chu Yiran, and was the youngest son born to his grandparents late in life. His grandparents had spoiled him rotten, making him somewhat arrogant and ignorant. While he hadn't committed any major crimes, he also lacked real talent and ability, relying entirely on the family's influence to secure a sinecure. At this moment, his face was flushed with alcohol, and his words were so blunt as to be almost rude, attracting the attention of several sharp-eared officials nearby.
Chu Yiran immediately felt embarrassed, her cheeks flushing slightly.
Just then, a eunuch dressed in a crimson palace robe approached silently, bowed and whispered, "Grand Preceptor, His Majesty summons you."
"May Father and Mother enjoy good health and longevity in the New Year." Chu Yiran sighed and bowed deeply to his parents. "Your son will take his leave now."
Chu Yiran finished his wine and then followed the palace servants out of the palace. The night wind outside the palace swept away the gloom in his heart.
"Ah Ran, look!" On the majestic palace walls, Su Jing held Chu Yi Ran's hand, standing side by side behind the battlements.
In the distance, the Qinhuai River resembles a shimmering jade ribbon, with painted boats gliding on its surface, and the sounds of music and laughter echoing with the water. Nearby, the streets are bustling with people, children chasing and playing with lanterns, and the sounds of firecrackers rising and falling, sending up puffs of joyful white smoke.
“Ah Ran,” Su Jing’s voice rang in Chu Yiran’s ears, with a hint of barely perceptible sigh, and he tightened his grip on Chu Yiran’s hand slightly, “Now the floods have subsided, the canal is running smoothly, merchants are coming in droves, and the granaries are gradually filling up. I may have been ruthless in my methods, but I did not go astray on this path.”
Chu Yiran took in this bustling yet warm scene. The infighting and bloodshed in the palace and the rise and fall of family fortunes seemed to be temporarily diluted under the glow of thousands of lights.
He didn't say anything, but leaned back slightly and rested his body on Su Jing's shoulder.
Su Jing noticed his slight shift, chuckled softly, and pulled him into her arms, using her large mink cloak to shield him from the cold wind.
"When we return from the Northern Expedition, I will accompany you back to the Marquis of Zhenyuan's residence," Su Jing said solemnly. "I need to let the old Marquis see for himself whether I, Su Jing, am capable of being a good emperor! Let him see if you have made the wrong choice!"
Chu Yiran chuckled and hugged Su Jing back.
Neither of them spoke, but simply nestled together quietly, enjoying this moment of peace.
Little did they know that this was their last New Year's Eve together, and that the snowstorm in the North was brewing an even bigger conspiracy.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
