Chapter 292: Hello Chang'an
Chapter 292: Three Days Have Passed
“Your Majesty has just awoken; do take care not to catch the spring chill…” The young man’s voice was gentle and careful, yet formal and respectful.
The Holy Emperor gave a slight nod.
This man was presented by a vigorous prince of a different surname, born of a declining gentry family, and had served by her side for several years.
She was not one to indulge in carnal pleasures, yet as emperors throughout history maintained three palaces and six courts, besides the continuation of heirs, each also had its own purpose and utility.
The emperor had no true private affairs; the so-called court encompassed both the former court and the inner court, which were always closely connected.
Being a woman of an external surname, wielding this imperial authority was far more arduous than for any other emperor. Thus, for any matter that could aid her governance, she would pursue it.
Anyone or anything that could be of use, she would employ, by whatever means necessary, regardless of external judgment.
Throughout this journey, had she concerned herself with malicious or unkind words, she would never have had the opportunity to sit here. At present, no one dared speak such words openly before her.
Regardless of how others regarded her, they were still compelled to show respect and serve her; this alone sufficed.
The Holy Emperor sat upright, accepting the tea cup offered by a palace maid, and looked toward the outer hall, asking, “Are there any waiting outside the hall?”
The young man replied, “Yes, Minister Ma Xingzhou and Deputy Minister Wei, along with several other officials, await outside… Your Majesty slept deeply, so I did not allow anyone to disturb you.”
These men also held official positions, most serving as attendants within the court.
The Holy Emperor’s expression remained neutral, and she said in a calm voice, “Henceforth, if any minister requests an audience, inform me promptly, at any time.”
The young man’s face showed some trepidation as he knelt, bowing low, “Yes, Your Majesty, I have noted it.”
With the help of the palace maid, the Holy Emperor rose, adjusted her attire, and proceeded toward the outer hall.
Ma Xingzhou, Wei Shuyi, and several officials from the Ministry of Personnel were soon ushered into the hall.
Though Xu Zhengye had died, the empire did not stabilize overnight; the complex affairs of governance remained endless.
A few days prior, urgent reports arrived at the capital: the people of Daozhou had risen in rebellion, and the insurgents had captured Hengzhou.
This uprising stemmed from the severe drought in Daozhou the previous year, during which the court’s disaster relief proved inadequate, and many refugees had even poured into the capital. When the Holy Emperor visited Dayun Temple for the Chongyang Festival the previous year, the displaced from Daozhou had been among those seeking blessings outside the temple.
Now, the rebels of Daozhou, initially numbering a little over a thousand, had grown under successive uprisings, and the conflagration had spread to nearby prefectures, swelling to some seventy to eighty thousand.
Hence, dispatching troops to suppress them had become a matter of immediate urgency.
After discussing routine affairs, the Holy Emperor remained alone with Prime Minister Ma Xingzhou.
“Minister Ma, sit and speak with me.” The Holy Emperor granted him a seat.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
After discussing matters of the previous dynasty, the Holy Emperor mentioned the assassination attempt on Cui Jing: “If the attempt on Minister Cui is true, it indicates that the hidden assassin close to me has yet to be entirely eradicated.”
She had already conducted thorough investigations and purges, yet the threat remained.
She understood clearly that employing people came with the inevitable risk of being spied upon. For now, her primary concern was: “Minister Ma, who exactly has repeatedly expended effort to put Cui Jing to death? Is it an enemy of the Cui clan, or of me?”
“Perhaps… for control of the military under Grand General Cui.” Ma Xingzhou considered carefully.
The Holy Emperor neither confirmed nor denied, simply saying, “The Xuanzhe Army is a sharp sword; many have long coveted it.”
Ma Xingzhou ventured, “Has Your Majesty any suspect in mind?”
“At present, all factions and the princes are restless; there are far too many to suspect.”
After a pause, the Holy Emperor inquired about Prince of Rong's residence in Yizhou.
Ma Xingzhou replied, “In recent letters from his granddaughter, there was subtle mention, yet she did not perceive any unusual movements at Prince of Rong's residence…”
Speaking of this, Ma Xingzhou could not help noting, “Over the years, Prince of Rong has guarded Yizhou, sharing the western border with the Jian’nan military commissioner. He has always adhered to his duties, never overstepping; his line of heirs is scarce…”
“Precisely for this reason,” the Holy Emperor said, “unlike those princes whose ambitions are exposed, every word and action of his has been flawless, which makes me watch him all the more carefully.”
“Minister Ma is well aware: over the years, he has earned a reputation for benevolence in Jian’nan, attending personally to matters of the people, gaining their hearts.” She continued, “Yet today’s favor of the people, who can predict the future?”
As Ma Xingzhou pondered, the Holy Emperor spoke almost as if recounting family matters, mentioning Prince of Rong’s youth.
At that time, among the sons of the previous emperor, Prince of Rong, born of a minor palace maid, had no maternal clan to support him. During the struggle among princes, he formed no factions and refrained from politics. Though a prince, he resembled a free and unrestrained scion of a noble household.
Later, the previous emperor passed away, the Crown Prince Li Xiao died, and the seventh son Li Bing ascended, only to be deposed three years later. When she ascended, appointing the crown prince, countless crucial events unfolded, with people advancing and resisting, contending and warring for power… yet Prince of Rong remained uninvolved.
Assigned to guard the western border, he obeyed. His only son Li Lu was left in the capital as a hostage, and he remained patient for many years. Only recently, under the pretext of Prince of Rong’s consort falling ill, was Li Lu summoned back.
“Even if he bore no malice before, circumstances change. His reputation is now established; who can know whether now or in the future, he may act otherwise?” The Holy Emperor said. “Though his conduct is impeccable, if he turns, he will surely leave traces.”
Ma Xingzhou understood, bowing slightly after a pause: “I comprehend, I will send letters, instructing Wan’er to observe more closely.”
What had once been passive observation must now become active investigation, putting Ma Wan in greater danger. A single misstep could be disastrous.
“It is I who am at fault to Minister Ma,” the Holy Emperor said, ashamed. “Yet with internal and external threats, I dare not treat this lightly.”
“I understand,” Ma Xingzhou said. “Given the state of affairs, a minister must share the burden with Your Majesty.”
The Holy Emperor sighed: “At present, the one I can trust fully is Minister Ma alone.”
“With the imperial examination reforms now established, Your Majesty shall not lack capable men in the future.” Ma Xingzhou considered the incoming scholars: seven out of ten of this year’s new candidates for the palace exam came from humble families, the greatest solace of his official career.
“Even if he had no disloyalty before, the situation has changed. Now that his reputation is established, who can say whether he will not…” said the Holy Emperor. “He handles matters without leaving any trace, but if he ever harbors treacherous intent, it would be impossible for it to be truly invisible.”
Ma Xingzhou understood. After a moment, he lowered his head and said, “I understand, Your Majesty. I will write to Wan’er and instruct her to pay closer attention.”
If before she merely observed passively, now she would have to probe more deeply of her own accord.
This also meant that Ma Wan would be placed in greater danger. One misstep, and the consequences would be disastrous.
“It is I who have wronged Prime Minister Ma,” said the Holy Emperor with remorse. “But with turmoil within and threats without, I dare not take such matters lightly.”
“I understand,” Ma Xingzhou replied. “In times such as these, it is a minister’s duty to share the sovereign’s burdens.”
The Holy Emperor sighed. “At present, the only one I can wholly trust… is you.”
“The reform of the Imperial Examinations has only just begun,” Ma Xingzhou said thoughtfully. “In time, Your Majesty will no longer lack capable ministers.”
He was thinking of those poor-born scholars who would soon take the Palace Examination. This year, seven of the ten top candidates came from humble origins. It was the greatest comfort of his career.
The Holy Emperor looked at this common-born Prime Minister whom she had personally raised from obscurity and began to speak of her plans for these new scholars after the examinations.
Ma Xingzhou was surprised. “Your Majesty does not intend to first assign them to the Imperial Academy?”
But rather send them directly to the ministries and provinces?
The Holy Emperor shook her head. “The situation is dire. I cannot afford to wait.”
Ma Xingzhou hesitated.
But if it were so, these newly appointed scholars would be thrust directly into the battlefield of court politics, forced to face the entrenched noble clans. This struggle would be too sudden—too cruel—for men without any foundation.
Men may grow swiftly amid hardship, yet they may also shatter just as swiftly.
And setting aside questions of ambition—speaking purely of learning—poor scholars had only begun to access books in the past century. The true classics of statecraft remained monopolized by the noble clans. They held all knowledge at its root.
The sons of the great families, by contrast, had been raised since childhood among scrolls and debate, their sight and breadth of mind far surpassing those of humble origin.
Thus, in the art of governance, these poor-born scholars still had much to learn. To place them so suddenly in crucial positions…
No matter the angle, it was a risky, radical move.
Yet Ma Xingzhou also understood that throughout history, no true shift of power had ever come gently. This storm had been long in the making. It could not unfold without chaos and blood.
But if they triumphed, then at last the gates of fairness would open for all poor scholars of the realm—and once opened, they would never again be closed.
Was this not the very purpose for which he had entered service?
He knew he could not dissuade the Emperor, nor did he have the standing to do so. So he rose and bowed solemnly—on behalf of those scholars whose paths were yet unseen.
——
The next morning at court, the severed head of Xu Zhengye was finally presented before the throne.
At the Holy Emperor’s signal, an attendant carried the box containing the head past the assembled ministers so that all might “behold it.”
The smell of decay filled the air. The skin and eyes had begun to rot—ghastly to look upon. Most officials turned pale; several aristocratic ministers even covered their sleeves and gagged.
“Xu of the Xu clan came from noble lineage,” the female Emperor’s voice rang through the silent hall. “He was known for his skill in command and held great prestige among the aristocrats. Yet still, he met this end.”
“Let it be known—those who harbor treacherous hearts against the Da Sheng Dynasty shall be condemned by men and Heaven alike!”
The officials exchanged uneasy looks. Then Ma Xingzhou and the others stepped forward first, kneeling and crying out, “Long live the Da Sheng Dynasty!”
After the display of punishment came the rewards.
“When the Battle of Jiangdu is settled, I shall richly reward General Xiao, General Chang, and all soldiers of merit,” the Holy Emperor declared.
“As for the one who rendered the greatest service—General Ningyuan—” she smiled faintly. “I shall personally ask her what reward she desires.”
Though she spoke of General Ningyuan, in her heart she meant Ah Shang.
She wished to hear—what was it that her Ah Shang truly desired?
——
After court, Wei Shuyi was summoned once more to discuss the aftermath of Xu Zhengye’s rebellion.
First, the remnants of the Xu army and all cities seized by their forces must be retaken one by one.
Second, there were the noble clans in Luoyang who had secretly conspired with Xu Zhengye.
The Holy Emperor ordered Li Xian to investigate thoroughly, and instructed Cui Jing to remain in Luoyang with the Xuanzhe Army to suppress any possible retaliation.
If only the Luoyang clans were involved, this would have been unremarkable—but as Wei Shuyi knew, the Emperor’s true target extended beyond them.
Perhaps even to Cui Ling’an’s maternal kin—the Zheng clan of Xingyang.
Was this meant to make Cui Ling’an the blade that would destroy his own kin?
Was this a test—or a means to drive him into becoming the outcast of the entire aristocracy?
Wei Shuyi sighed inwardly.
Perhaps he should never have suggested that Cui Ling’an be sent to Luoyang, thereby casting him into such peril.
But once the Emperor’s suspicion had taken root, there would always be another “test.”
When the time came to choose between imperial duty and kinship among the gentry—what would Cui Ling’an decide?
As he returned to the Marquis of Zheng’s residence, Wei Shuyi changed clothes, then—as he had recently made a habit—went to the family’s Buddha hall to burn incense.
Just as he was about to leave, Duan Shi hurried in, pulling her son back inside.
Before the Buddha’s gaze, she gripped his arm tightly, her eyes trembling. “Zigu… these past days, I’ve become nearly certain—Suining’s body now holds Her Highness’s very soul!”
She had turned this thought over in her mind endlessly, and the victory at Bianshui struck her like a jolt of lightning.
“…” Wei Shuyi stiffened slightly, glancing at the still-burning incense sticks.
It seemed he would have to start burning incense twice a day.
——
Someone else was also burning incense—Qiao Yumian.
Having inherited her mother’s habit of praying “whether there is something or not,” she had come to the Chang residence in Xingning Ward that day for Physician Sun to examine her eyes, and took the chance to offer incense in the household’s Buddha hall.
After leaving, she went to find Physician Sun.
A light rain was falling. Xiao Qiu held an umbrella, helping her walk slowly along the path.
When they arrived at Physician Sun’s quarters and stepped onto the veranda, Qiao Yumian sniffed lightly and smiled. “Physician Sun, are you drying Atractylodes and White Atractylodes today?”
Sun was startled, then after a moment, nodded. “Indeed.”
He was drying not only those two herbs, and the mingled scents made them hard to distinguish—especially under the damp air of rainfall. Her ability to recognize them still was astonishing.
He suddenly recalled how this young lady had once said, half in jest: “Long illness makes one a fair physician.”
Walking into the room together, Physician Sun found himself quietly thoughtful.
——
Far away in Bianzhou, fine rain was also falling.
Chang Suining, with Ah Dian and Jiang Cai, returned from the military camp outside the city to the Prefectural’s residence—just as Cui Jing arrived with Yuanxiang.
He dismounted in front of the gate.
He Wu and the others quickly saluted. “Grand General Cui!”
They entered the residence together.
“You’ve worked hard,” said Chang Suining, hands clasped behind her back, thanking him.
Inspecting the warships had been her responsibility and had nothing to do with the Xuanzhe Command, but Cui Jing had volunteered, taking care of countless tasks for her and freeing her to focus on the army’s affairs.
“Not hard,” he said simply.
Not hard at all.
In the misty rain, Chang Suining’s fingers tapped twice behind her back. Turning slightly, she asked, “Has the third day arrived?”
“Yes,” Cui Jing looked ahead, calm as ever. “After tonight’s victory banquet.”
“…” Chang Suining paused mid-step, her hand tightening into a fist.
What was this man up to now?
She held her breath and glared at him.
Cui Jing turned to meet her gaze. “Have you ever seen a pufferfish?”
“Of course,” she frowned. “Why bring that up?”
He looked forward again, a trace of amusement in his clear, deep eyes. “Because right now, you look very much like one.”
“...What?!”
Behind them, He Wu whispered, “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I know!” Ah Dian raised his hand excitedly.
Prideful as always, Chang Suining instantly turned back, eyes wary.
But she couldn’t stop Ah Dian’s big mouth from blurting it out eagerly.
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