LF Chapter 78
by VolareThe early summer moonlight resembled a shy maiden, her face veiled with thin gauze, half-hidden in the clouds, sometimes bright, sometimes dim, elusive and alluring. The rhythm of the stars in the sky remained eternally constant, just like the returning breath of the four seasons, year after year.
The Empress Dowager stood before the window, her eyes as deep and Deep as the night. Her words had faded away long ago, yet she still hadn’t received a response from Jiang Yinghua.
“The members of the imperial clan and important ministers are all outside the hall. Choose one imperial edict, and burn the other as soon as possible.” The Empress Dowager was well aware of the undercurrents surging at the time of the Emperor’s death. Unable to dwell on her grief, she urged Jiang Yinghua to make a decision.
Jiang Yinghua was not stupid. The dead could not be brought back to life. Reluctantly, she supported herself and stood up. “How do you want me to choose?”
“How to choose? Naturally, you should choose the one that is worthy of the nation, worthy of our ancestors, and worthy of your sister’s intentions. You know in your heart how to stabilize the court.” The Empress Dowager turned around. Her desolate back view from before was perhaps more comforting. Jiang Yinghua did not speak, and simply lifted her foot and walked out.
“Where are you going?” The Empress Dowager asked with some urgency.
“I’m going to find Yan Wanzhi,” Jiang Yinghua said as she walked.
“Come back. I’ll have someone bring her in for you. Think it over before you go out. There’s no reason to let anyone see two imperial edicts.” The Empress Dowager stopped her with some helplessness, her weary figure swaying faintly.
Before long, Yan Wanzhi entered. The person on the dragon bed was lifeless, and Jiang Yinghua in the great hall seemed to have lost her soul. Seeing her enter, she randomly pointed to the two shining imperial edicts and murmured, “Trouble you to read them for me. I don’t want to look.”
There was no need to look or read; His Majesty had mentioned these arrangements before, and Jiang Yinghua knew them well. Yan Wanzhi looked at the two edicts with suspicion, and obediently read them aloud in a low voice, tentatively asking, “What does Hua’er think?”
“You don’t understand my thoughts? Are you also going to learn from them and question me?” Jiang Yinghua sat weakly at the table, supporting her forehead with one hand. “Everyone wants to force me to make a decision, everyone wants to force me.”
Yan Wanzhi was silent for a long time. A relative whom she respected and relied on had just passed away; Jiang Yinghua’s sky must have fallen.
Yet, at this moment, everyone was waiting for her to become the new pillar of support. Life was like this; cruelty occupied most of one’s life. Yan Wanzhi half-squatted, raised her hand, and gently placed it on Jiang Yinghua’s shoulder, softly saying, “When the ruler is young and the country is uncertain, there will be endless troubles. Your Highness should know this.”
“I can assist her in governing as regent, and manage affairs of state. There won’t be chaos,” Jiang Yinghua’s distant eyes drooped, vaguely looking at Yan Wanzhi.
At this moment, Yan Wanzhi understood the Empress Dowager’s unspoken intention when she patted her shoulder outside. Jiang Yinghua’s thinking was truly worrying. She stood up and said with some urgency:
“Do you want to see rebellious ministers trying to ‘cleanse the court’ again? Even if there aren’t any, throughout history, has a regent prince ever had a good ending? You’ve given away all your thoughts, just for a title? Why can’t you see clearly?
She is your niece, but don’t forget that her father ultimately met his end because of you and me. If you, her aunt, hold power, how could she tolerate you? I know you dislike the restraints of power, but are you willing to give up your clan and foundation? Would you really be willing to go far away with me? You simply can’t bear to, so why deceive yourself?”
“But it’s lonely at the top. How can I not care when I lose myself and lose you?” Jiang Yinghua muttered, like a child.
Yan Wanzhi couldn’t bear it. She hugged her from behind. “Hua’er, no matter how your identity changes, I will change with you. In the future, if there are thousands of difficulties and dangers, I will clear the way for you. If you really make a mistake, I’ll drag the censor to scold you with the most awful words and pull you back, okay?”
Jiang Yinghua was speechless and patted her hand. “Let go. My sister is watching. Burn the other edict and come out with me.”
The two walked out of the sleeping quarters one after the other. The Empress Dowager had been waiting outside for a long time. Yan Wanzhi gave her an earnest look.
Jiang Yinghua looked back at the dark mass of people outside, slowly stepped out, each step steady and firm. She swept her gaze over the crowd and said in a deep voice, “His Majesty has passed away. I, by the edict of the late Emperor, will oversee the funeral arrangements. Where is the Grand Clan Elder? Accompany me to the side hall.”
Just as everyone was about to feign crying and wailing, Jiang Yinghua cast a cold eye and said, “The late Emperor preferred peace and quiet. Knowing that you all are grieved, you may weep and remember him.”
Upon hearing this, the older people couldn’t help but feel that Jiang Yinghua was somewhat cold. Her expression was indifferent, without a hint of sorrow or pain. The old Minister of Rites couldn’t bear it and spoke out in admonishment, “Prince Zhao, this is somewhat lacking in decorum.”
“The one who passed away was my own sister. How I act is not for the old Minister to teach. What other advice do you have, gentlemen? Don’t hold back, say it all.” Jiang Yinghua said indifferently, standing with her hands behind her back under the corridor, her cold gaze sweeping over everyone.
The Left Chancellor slightly rose and bowed, “Did the late Emperor leave behind an edict? We have come by order, entering the forbidden palace at night, with the duty to protect the nation’s great sovereignty.”
The Empress Dowager heard everything clearly from inside the hall. Upon hearing this, she gestured for Yan Wanzhi to go out. Holding the edict in her hands, she opened the hall door, stood in the corridor, and said loudly, “Announce the late Emperor’s edict.”
Jiang Yinghua watched the crowd respectfully bowing their heads, the wide official robes covering their faces, making it impossible to see their true emotions. Too lazy to dwell on it, she turned around, lifted her robe, and knelt down, waiting for Yan Wanzhi to announce this heavy mission. Being born into the imperial family meant that affairs of state always took precedence over family matters, and the days when every word and action was scrutinized by the officials were just around the corner.
After hearing the edict, no one dared to say another word. This unrestrained, unpredictable Prince Zhao was about to become their new ruler. Two generations of female emperors in a row, sisters succeeding each other, was something no one had anticipated.
Yan Wanzhi handed the edict to the ministers to verify it. Even if some people were dissatisfied, they did not dare to speak rashly. The Empress Dowager slowly came out of the hall, stood in the corridor, and said in a deep voice:
“The nation is in mourning; I ask that you gentlemen exhaust your efforts. Several chief ministers, assist the new ruler well; affairs of state cannot be delayed or neglected. The Ministry of Rites and the Court of Imperial Clan Affairs will deliberate and determine the procedures; the funeral must not be neglected or improperly handled.”
“We respectfully obey the Empress Dowager’s decree. May the Empress Dowager take care!” A muffled echo resounded. The Empress Dowager glanced at Jiang Yinghua and said in a low voice, “I am old and my body is failing. I am going back.”
Jiang Yinghua nodded slightly, watching the Empress Dowager’s figure disappear into the night. She looked up in dismay. The lonely moon shone alone. Tonight, there would be no sleep…
Forty-five tolls of the mourning bell echoed throughout the inner and outer imperial city, each strike piercing the heart. That night, the imperial capital was shrouded in sorrow, and the palace gates were wide open.
Time passed quickly. Twenty-seven days had passed, and all the funeral rites were completed. The civil and military officials removed their mourning attire. As it was midsummer, in accordance with the late Emperor’s edict, everything was simplified, and the entombment was carried out as soon as possible. During this time, Jiang Yinghua was busy every day, and even Yan Wanzhi had little time to see her. After handling these matters, she was urged by the officials to ascend the throne. Jiang Yinghua was physically and mentally exhausted, and had lost a lot of weight.
At the enthronement ceremony, she directly issued an edict, establishing Jiang Yichen as the Crown Princess, bestowing an honorific title upon the late Emperor, and adding an honorific title for the Empress Dowager. Furthermore, she divorced Ying Feng, Prince of Yun’an, retaining his princely title and rank, and adding the title of General of the Auxiliary State and concurrently General of the Left Guard of the Imperial Guards; and promoted Yan Wanzhi to Gentleman Attendant, commanding the Department of State Affairs, becoming the de facto Left Chancellor. In an instant, all the important civil and military positions in the court were brought under Jiang Yinghua’s control.
That night, Jiang Yinghua moved to Chengming Hall. Standing alone in the empty hall, even the sound of her footsteps could be heard echoing.
Yan Wanzhi calculated the time, thinking that Jiang Yinghua should have returned to her sleeping quarters, so she quietly went over. After asking Qingyun, she slipped into the hall. Seeing the person who came, Jiang Yinghua finally shed the disguise she had worn for days. She rushed forward and sobbed in Yan Wanzhi’s arms.
The little hedgehog who had been pretending to be calm had exposed its belly. The courtiers thought that Jiang Yinghua was decisive and cold-hearted, and on the night before her enthronement, she had killed a total of three hundred and eighteen members of the Jialing Prince’s faction, once again staining the moat of the capital red, just like when Jiang Jingche ascended the throne, shocking and unsettling people. But Yan Wanzhi knew the bitterness and helplessness behind it.
“It’s good to cry it out. Cry. I’ve also prepared many jars of wine. If you want to drink, drink to your heart’s content.” Yan Wanzhi stood straight, like a steady pillar, letting Jiang Yinghua lean on her, her voice very gentle and comforting, her hands lightly patting her back.
“…Wanzhi, no one will protect me anymore. I thought I hated her, but in the end, I miss her so much. No one will shield me from the officials’ impeachments anymore, and no one will support me when I act recklessly…” Jiang Yinghua’s clear tears fell like rain, wetting a large patch of fabric on Yan Wanzhi’s shoulder, directly soaking into her skin.
“You still have me. I won’t leave you. I didn’t grow seven years older for nothing. In the future, you can be as willful as you want, and I’ll clean up the mess for you. Whoever dares to say anything about you, I’ll demote them to the border to count sheep, okay?” Yan Wanzhi pulled her out of her embrace, raised her hand to look for a silk handkerchief, and wanted to wipe away her tears.
Hearing the words “count sheep,” Jiang Yinghua smiled through her tears. In her haste, she chuckled, and even blew a snot bubble.
Yan Wanzhi waved her hand in feigned disgust and stuffed the silk handkerchief into her hand. “Your Majesty, wipe it yourself.”
“No, I want you to do it. You said just now that you would clean up all the messes for me. This is also a mess, hurry up.” Jiang Yinghua pointed her finger at her tear-streaked face, acting spoiled.
“My living ancestor,” Yan Wanzhi took the handkerchief and carefully reached for Jiang Yinghua’s face, wiping as she said, “Isn’t Your Majesty ashamed? Crying and blowing bubbles, just like a child.”
“Don’t talk so much nonsense. Knowing that I am your ancestor, you should just pamper me.” Jiang Yinghua pouted in anger. Yan Wanzhi disliked her mouth getting in the way and scolded, “Close your mouth, or you’ll get dirty things on it. This handkerchief is ruined. I’ll have Qingyun bring a basin of water to wash your face later.”
“You dislike me, you actually dislike me, how dare you dislike me?” Jiang Yinghua pouted in great dissatisfaction. Without moving her head, she forcefully rolled her eyes upward and stared resentfully at Yan Wanzhi, making her dark, grape-like pupils appear particularly large.
“Besides me, no one dares to dislike you. You’re one of a kind in the whole world, shouldn’t I cherish you like a treasure?” Yan Wanzhi reached out and poked her forehead, turning her head away, not wanting to see Jiang Yinghua’s large, somewhat eerie eyes when she was acting spoiled.
Jiang Yinghua seemed to suddenly remember something important. In an instant, she became serious and said, “By the way, you can’t stay in the palace tonight, right? Is the residence outside ready?”
“You don’t have to worry about these trivial matters. Everything has been properly arranged. I really have to leave in a while, or the palace gates will be locked.” Seeing her being so serious, Yan Wanzhi also responded seriously.
“Tell me, if I intend to make you my Empress, what kind of reaction would the courtiers have?” Jiang Yinghua said playfully, looking at Yan Wanzhi with amusement.
“Don’t be ridiculous. You’ve only just ascended the throne, and your foundation is not stable. Besides, not to mention that this is going against the world, just the fact that the harem is not allowed to interfere in politics, you’re cutting off your own arm.” Yan Wanzhi dared not let Jiang Yinghua joke about this.
Jiang Yinghua chuckled. “Look how scared you are. I’m just teasing you. I’ve already thought it out. In a few days, I’ll issue an edict appointing you as the Crown Princess’s tutor, so you can rightfully stay in the palace.”
“That’s good, but I’m really tired enough already. Taking care of a child again, just thinking about it is difficult.” Yan Wanzhi shook her head weakly.
Jiang Yinghua walked up to her, using her height advantage to caress Yan Wanzhi’s head, and said with a smile, “You work hard to raise the little cub, and as soon as possible let her stand on her own, then I can abdicate. Then we can both be free to roam the world and retire early.”
Yan Wanzhi grabbed her wandering hand. She always felt that Jiang Yinghua’s tone and movements just now were particularly like the usual actions of teasing a cat when she had nothing to do. For no reason, she felt a little resistance and joked, “What’s that saying? Oh, right, ‘It’s easy to talk when you’re standing.’ That’s probably you.”
Jiang Yinghua pretended to beat her old waist. “Who said it doesn’t hurt? You don’t know how heavy that twelve-stream crown is. My neck and waist are about to break. Alright, consort, retire, I’m tired and need to sleep.”
Yan Wanzhi rolled her eyes, and very cooperatively performed a long bow, dragging out her voice, “This humble servant—takes—her leave——”
“You can leave, but remember to leave the wine.”