Chapter 150: The Final Chapter Concludes

Chapter 150: The Final Chapter Concludes

Not only did Zhu Luo's husband, Xu Qian, notice his wife's dispirited demeanor,

but even Zhu Luo's mother-in-law, Yan Shi, living just a street away, observed that her usually assertive daughter-in-law had lost her vigor since returning from the Zhu residence. Yan Shi silently chanted prayers towards the Zhu family, hoping this change in her daughter-in-law was genuine.

After all, Yan Shi had never been able to control Zhu Luo.

With the Zhu family's fortune from being the late Empress Yuanxian’s relatives and the deep imperial favor as the Crown Prince's maternal family, Yan Shi felt even more powerless.

The following year, not long after the anniversary of Empress Yuanxian's death, the Emperor accepted Empress Liu's petition. Citing her chronic illness and inability to fulfill her duties, he dethroned her, permitting her to enter the Imperial Yi Observatory as a nun.

She soon passed away from grief.

That autumn, Ningxi Marquis Ren Fashan, leading ten thousand Shenwu troops, recaptured the city of Suzhou in a surprise attack within seven days. The Emperor rejoiced at the news, praising Ren as a pillar of the state, promoting him to the Supreme Pillar of the State and appointing him as the Grand Marshal of all imperial forces.

The following summer, Ren Fashan led 130,000 troops, including Shenwu and Longwu armies, in two campaigns from Hexi to the far reaches of the Congling, sweeping across the Western Regions. Killing 300,000 enemies, capturing over 100,000, and seizing countless livestock and supplies, he pushed back the Uyghur Khanate to the west.

Thereafter, the Uyghurs could no longer threaten the east, and the imperial court fundamentally resolved the northwestern frontier troubles.

Two years later, Zhongyi Marquis Chen Yu led 50,000 Yulin troops, and Pingnan Earl Ling Yue led 20,000 barbarian troops, achieving a major victory over the barbarians at Lake Wu, decapitating over 20,000. From then on, the barbarians dared not cross Lake Wu.

These two major campaigns cost the dynasty dearly. Nearly a hundred generals of fifth rank and above died in battle, and casualties among soldiers exceeded 80,000. Of 150,000 horses sent to Hexi, less than 20,000 returned, depleting the national treasury.

Just the rewards for meritorious soldiers and compensation for the fallen cost up to 500 million guan.

Ren Fashan was ennobled as the Duke of Jingguo, symbolizing peace and stability on the frontiers.

Chen Yu became the Duke of Songguo, Zhang Su was ennobled as Marquis Ningguo, and Ling Yue as Marquis Dingguo.

In later times, when discussing the four great generals of Emperor Wu's reign, two versions existed. One included these four, while another replaced Ling Yue with Su Yiquan, the Duke of Dingbei.

The controversy arose partly because Su Yiquan later took a central role in the court and ceased leading military campaigns. His contributions in pacifying the Eastern Hu and Gaochang catalyzed a shift in the dynasty's foreign policy, laying the foundation for its military achievements. Additionally, Ling Yue's marital connection as the husband of Empress Yuanxian's younger sister and his son Ling Xiang being raised in the Zhu family influenced perceptions.

Despite his merits, Ling Yue's status as an imperial in-law and the Emperor's favor led to historical criticisms, regardless of his accomplishments in the field.

Continuous warfare has exhausted the realm, and the livelihood of the people is a concern.

After the war ended, in the same winter, responding to the Crown Prince's petition, the court altered its national policy to rest with the people, and the Emperor increasingly inclined towards Daoism.

——

In the third year of Tianhe, October.

The mourning period for Empress Yuan Xian ended, and the Crown Prince, along with the Prince of Nanyang and other princes, ended their mourning.

In the third month of the fourth year of Tianhe, the Crown Prince's grand wedding took place.

The following month, the Prince of Nanyang and other princes left the capital to govern their feudal states. Among them, Qin Zhao Yi was posthumously honored as the Dowager of Prince Xiaochang, and Xu Xiuyan as the Dowager of Prince Xiangdong, accompanying their sons to the feudal states.

In the old palace, within the Yuhua Palace.

Prince Jining of the fifth son bade farewell to his mother, Consort Wang De.

Prince Jining earnestly advised, "...With Consort Qin and Consort Xu as examples, I will ask Crown Prince Brother for help, to speak on our behalf to Father Emperor. Why won't you agree to go to the feudal state with me earlier? Weren't your past words about missing me genuine?"

"Nonsense."

Wang De glared at her son, "Your Father Emperor is still here. How can I go with you? I must stay to serve your Father Emperor."

"Father Emperor hardly ever visits the old palace. You rarely even see him. Who are you serving by staying here? Besides, Father Emperor always has people to serve him."

"It's all because you're not accomplished enough to be favored by your Father Emperor. If only you were like the Crown..."

"As if you're accomplished, as if you're favored by Father Emperor," Prince Jining boldly interrupted his mother, rolling his eyes at her, "Why don't you earn the Empress title first, so I can be accomplished like Crown Prince Brother? Why bother? If you can't be the Empress, why demand that I follow in the Crown Prince's footsteps?"

"If you're really so troubled, forget about going with me," Prince Jining said, frustrated, and left with his hands behind his back.

Consort Wang De was left speechless. The moment was meant to be a poignant mother-son separation, but her son's words had dispelled all sentiment, leaving her angry enough to curse him bitterly as she watched him leave.

After cursing, she broke down in tears again.

Her reluctance to leave stemmed from her discontent.

She had once been favored, rising from a mere palace maid to one of the nine consorts with the title of Zhaorong. However, her favor was short-lived. When Empress Dowager Yuan Xian entered the palace through selection, all her favor was taken away by the Empress. She had watched coldly for so long, hoping that one day the Empress would also experience the loss of favor to a newcomer.

To taste what it was like to gradually lose favor, just as she had.

Unexpectedly, the Empress suddenly died.

Never having lost favor until her death.

Thus, she clung to her last bit of persistence, at least living longer than the Empress, like the old saying in the palace: the favored concubines of the dynasty were all destined for short lives, unable to bear the heavy favor of the Emperor and dying young.

Even with such consolation, she still couldn't find happiness.

The deep palace was increasingly desolate.

——

In Luji Cloth Manor, Liang County, Xiangdong Country.

Zhu Yan was relieved to hear of her son Ah Ji's successful marriage to Xie Wan, like a burden lifted off her heart.

This cloth manor was an early investment and refuge arranged by her elder brother, Zhu Jin. Xin Huanghua, who managed the manor, was someone Zhu Yan had known in Shengzhou City, though at that time, Zhu Yan was disguised as a man, known as Master Xu.

Knowing her familiarity with managing a cloth manor, Zhu Jin had specifically invited her from Shengzhou.

Over the past three years, she and Zhu Jin exchanged letters monthly. Liang County, being remote and poor, was less affected by the northern wars. Now, as the business of the cloth manor flourished, Zhu Yan, free of worries, gradually adapted to life outside. She wrote to Zhu Jin, telling him that a yearly update would suffice, and they no longer needed to correspond frequently.

On a spring afternoon, the weather was pleasant and sunny.

Outside the window, the bright red azaleas bloomed beautifully.

Mo Wangzhi walked in, just in time to see Zhu Yan putting down her pen, and asked with a smile, “Are you writing back to Ah Jin again?”

Zhu Yan nodded and waited for the ink to dry before folding the letter. As she reached for an envelope, Mo Wangzhi handed her one. Smiling, she accepted it and proposed, “The weather has been nice lately, and we don’t have other commitments. How about we go on a spring trip to Mount Heng a bit earlier than planned?”

“Sure, let’s do as you wish.”

Mo Wangzhi readily agreed, watching as Zhu Yan slipped the letter inside, sealed it with paste, and stamped it with wax. To be cautious, Zhu Yan’s letters to her elder brother weren't sent directly to him but to a young servant close to him.

Seeing no one around, Mo Wangzhi suddenly asked, “Yuan Yuan, did you mention our marriage in the letter to Ah Jin?”

“Ah Mo, I haven’t agreed to your proposal yet,” Zhu Yan looked up at him reproachfully.

It was a strange twist of fate.

Two years ago, Mo Wangzhi, who had been traveling around, recognized her on the street here. At that time, he didn’t approach her immediately but returned to the capital to confirm with Zhu Jin. Half a year later, Mo Wangzhi returned, but by then, Mo Wangzhi, the youngest son of the Mo family, had been declared dead due to illness.

Like Zhu Yan, he had changed his name and identity, now called Wan Mo, and had even bought the winery next to hers.

This led to their paths crossing.

Two years of daily interaction and a relationship developed gradually.

Zhu Yan wasn’t against it.

Mo Wangzhi had remained unmarried all these years, even traveling to avoid his family's pressure to marry. He had never indulged in romantic escapades, which greatly pleased Zhu Yan.

However, life is often unpredictable.

After leaving the palace and the capital, over the years, besides her son Ah Ji, what she found herself most missing was surprisingly the handsome face of the Emperor.

Every frown and smile of his was like the bright moon in her embrace.

Every move she made was unparalleled in elegance.

Seriously speaking, the Emperor's face was a masterpiece of nature: his well-proportioned forehead, a square and strong jawline, sparkling star-like eyes beneath peach-blossom-shaped lids, and thin lips that curved into a smile full of charm.

Truly, he was a rare gem among mortals.

Therefore, even as her relationship with Mo Wangzhi deepened and he proposed marriage three times, Zhu Yan did not immediately accept. She only said she would consider it. This trip to Mount Heng together, if all went well, she planned to give him an affirmative answer upon their return.

In fact, she had already mentioned this in her letter to her younger brother, Zhu Jin.

Mount Heng, located northwest of Ling County, was only forty to fifty miles away. By donkey cart, it would take about two to three days. Now, in the spring with flowers blooming profusely, it was said that the azaleas on Mount Heng were particularly spectacular, making it the perfect season for flower viewing.

The spring was warm and inviting.

Looking back, Zhu Yan felt that even if she had a second chance, she would still step into that world without hesitation.

That afternoon, as Zhu Yan was on Mount Heng, near a cliff under direct sunlight, a mirage suddenly appeared before her eyes: tall buildings and bustling streets, people in down jackets and short sleeves mingled together as if not belonging to the same season...

A long-missed, familiar scene.

For many years, Zhu Yan had only seen such visions in her dreams.

Watching intently, her heart warmed, she stepped forward. All she heard was a shout of "Yuan Yuan" and Mo Wangzhi reaching out to grab her, but he couldn't reach her.

This mirage appeared abruptly and disappeared just as quickly.

Not far from where Zhu Yan vanished, two people on the mountaintop had witnessed this scene. The shock of seeing the mirage was nothing compared to the astonishment of seeing Zhu Yan's somewhat familiar profile.

"Mother, that person... she looked like Empress Zhu." The tall and handsome young man stuttered slightly, turning his head to see his mother's ghost-like expression, he knew he hadn't guessed wrong.

"Mother," the young man called again.

The middle-aged beautiful woman, recovering from her shock, quickly grabbed her son's hand, staring at him with utter seriousness, "It's not her, absolutely not her. Liulang, listen to your mother, forget everything you just saw."

These two were none other than the incognito Xiangdong King and his mother, the prematurely titled Xiangdong King Dowager, Lady Xu.

"Mother being prematurely named King Dowager and accompanying you to Xiangdong, it's all her doing. Listen to me, act as if you saw nothing, especially since..." Lady Xu, recalling the Emperor's temperament, shuddered with fear, "Especially since reporting this to your father might not bring any good, it could even endanger you."

"Okay, okay, I understand," the young man hurriedly reassured his mother, then ran to the cliff's edge to grab the man who was about to jump, but he didn't see Empress Zhu's figure falling.

Later, he sent people to search the bottom of the cliff but found no body.

He destroyed all records in Xiangdong country related to that day's bizarre mirage, as if it had never happened.

Two months later, when his maternal uncle, the Marquis of Chen Country, Zhu Jin, visited Ling County, he handed over the man who attempted to jump off the cliff to Zhu Jin.

(End of the main text)

Author's note:

Dear readers, the main text is finished, xoxo

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