Chapter 528: Side Story End

Chapter 528: Epilogue (Final)

Even if they were dissatisfied or didn’t understand, they had to comply.

Bei Jingchu didn’t initiate drastic reforms right away. Instead, she abolished the rule that merchants were ineligible for the imperial exams.

Later, she also abolished the restrictions preventing outcasts and the stigmatized from taking the exams.

True sages are rare—who knew if one might be hidden among those of humble origins?

Hadn’t the famed general, the Marquis of Changping, once been a groom?

If not for his elder sister entering the emperor’s harem, such a talent would have been buried.

And there would have been no later Champion Marquis who earned military honors.

One couldn’t help their origins, but that didn’t mean their avenues for advancement should be completely blocked.

Without her previous system to scout talent, Bei Jingchu simply gave everyone a chance, letting them prove themselves to her.

As for those who opposed?

Claiming that servants were prone to disloyalty?

She ignored them all the same. What’s it to me? As long as they remained loyal to her, that was enough.

Every new policy, no matter how small, would inevitably encroach on someone’s interests.

Though no one dared openly slander her, backhanded remarks and muttered complaints were unavoidable.

When she visited the Grand Empress Dowager, the latter, having heard some rumors and fearing she might be upset, offered a few words of comfort.

Bei Jingchu sighed inwardly at how swiftly news traveled in the palace—clearly, the Grand Empress Dowager still had informants in court.

Not that she cared. After all, "A ruler who’s too strict loses subjects." As long as she remained on the throne, she could suppress any scheming spirits.

Or perhaps the Grand Empress Dowager knew she didn’t mind and thus dared mention these things in her presence.

Though her thoughts churned, Bei Jingchu showed none of it on her face, smiling lightly instead.

"Most people in this world are sheep who follow the herd. The truly clear-sighted are few."

"Don’t speak of how the entire court is filled with talents selected through examinations—there are maybe two true sages among them. All are replaceable."

"I won’t trouble myself with the grievances of mediocrities. I need only promote the worthy. In the end, no matter how they grumble, none dare say ‘no’ to my face."

Reassured, the Grand Empress Dowager coughed twice, taking a long moment to catch her breath. Hesitating briefly, she finally asked, "About the past… Chuer, did you ever resent your old grandmother for not helping you?"

Bei Jingchu sighed. "I understand. You and Father were of one mind. I’ve never been petty."

The pungent scent of medicine in the hall stirred her guilt.

"My duties keep me busy, so I cannot often attend to you. Now that Jiu Jiu is married, if you grow lonely in the palace, summon Yan Yu to attend to you. She can also help wrangle that little rascal."

The Grand Empress Dowager smiled, as if reminiscing about their childhood. "This old body’s health isn’t what it used to be. Having one child in Renshou Hall is a delight—more would be chaos. I can no longer chase after you scamps like before."

"More"?

Bei Jingchu caught her meaning and obligingly asked, "Which of the younger generation has taken your fancy?" If the Grand Empress Dowager wished to adopt a child to dote on, it was a small matter. Whoever she chose could stand in to show her devotion.

Although children can be noisy, the elderly nearing the end of their lives often feel rejuvenated by the lively presence of young ones, clinging to a breath of vitality.

A cheerful heart does more for the body than any miracle cure.

The Grand Empress Dowager tentatively said, "After Zhao Yu's death, his wife was found to be pregnant, leaving behind a posthumous child."

Bei Jingchu paused briefly.

Perhaps fearing Bei Jingchu's refusal, the Grand Empress Dowager's eyes welled up with tears, overcome with sorrow.

"Sister Qiu was immensely kind to this widow and Heng'er, yet I failed to raise her daughter well, nor could I preserve the lives of her two grandsons—leaving her without a single descendant."

"But the stability of the court comes first, and personal sentiments must take a backseat. I understand that."

Thus, twice, she had refrained from intervening.

The state's stability came before all else—she remained clear-headed.

Yet...

"Now that Zhao Yu has left behind a daughter, I still hope to care for her, if only to make amends for my broken promise to Sister Qiu. We owe her family far too much."

Bei Jingchu's gaze flickered, as if recalling something, before she spoke. "Very well. I shall have the child adopted under Cousin Qian's name, granting her the title of Commandery Princess to continue the family line."

The Grand Empress Dowager was even more comforted.

To her, whether Zhao Yu deserved such honor was irrelevant—she simply wished to protect Sister Qiu's bloodline.

For the girl to be granted a noble title would secure her future.

Thus, all were satisfied.

After leaving the Grand Empress Dowager, Bei Jingchu still had to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.

A new emperor’s accession required honoring their birth mother, and Bei Jingchu needed to set an example of filial piety for the world to see.

In her heart, she refused to let Qi Shi benefit from even a sliver of her glory, so she considered choosing between Noble Consort Fang and Noble Consort Xian as her adoptive mother.

But she hesitated over whom to select.

Bei Jingchu was not one to trouble herself unnecessarily, so she simply let the two women decide between themselves.

Zhang Xiaqin had assumed it would be difficult, but Noble Consort Xian conceded immediately.

Feeling guilty, Zhang Xiaqin urged her, "I know you’ve never been one to fight for things, but you shouldn’t yield too much—this is a matter of great importance..."

Noble Consort Xian lowered her eyes. "I truly mean it. The title of Empress Dowager is the highest honor, but it is not what I desire."

"I've already discussed it with Her Majesty—she has permitted me to leave the palace and travel the world."

Zhang Xiaqin still doubted her sincerity, suspecting she was merely conceding out of deference.

Perhaps those who spend their lives chasing glory cannot comprehend the heart of a bird that craves freedom.

Noble Consort Xian sighed and laid bare her thoughts. "I avoid conflict because such matters are merely ornaments to me—neither here nor there. If it were something I truly wanted, I’d fight with everything I have to seize it."

"As a young girl confined to the inner chambers, I waited for my father to select some promising scholar to marry me off—like merchandise, a pawn in his political schemes."

"If he succeeded, it would be my fortune. If he languished in obscurity, I’d still be bound to his household, regardless of my former status as an official's daughter." "Just to wed into a marginally better family, I schemed against my sisters, wasting myself on petty squabbles—playing sweet, pretending innocence, slandering and scheming."

"Later, I had the chance to learn martial arts, and shortly after mastering it, I entered the palace. Though my life turned out far more extraordinary than I ever imagined—even raising a little princess who now sits upon the throne—becoming the Dowager Empress would merely mean exchanging one golden cage for another, larger and more magnificent."

"The only advantage is not having to worry about being cast aside or forsaken."

"Now that all matters are settled, I’d rather see the vast world, the splendid landscapes lauded in poetry."

To each their own.

Not needing to fight over power was the best outcome of their shared journey.

The Noble Consort chose an auspicious day to leave the palace quietly, unnoticed by anyone, as no one cared about the whereabouts of a powerless dowager consort.

Zhang Xiaqin became the Dowager Empress, receiving the Emperor’s daily greetings.

Though she pitied the child and repeatedly urged Bei Jingchu to rest, seeing her fatigue, Bei Jingchu persisted without fail.

Not for any other reason—filial piety was for show.

The ruler leads the subjects, the father leads the children, the husband leads the wife.

Bei Jingchu had abolished the last principle to ascend the throne, but the remaining two had to be reinforced to prevent chaos.

Now that the prosperous era had begun, all that was needed was patience.

The empire was her garden, and she would make it flourish ever more, growing ever grander, with a hundred flowers in full bloom.

And she had always been content to bide her time.

Only when all was ready would she make her decisive move.

Biding her time—this was the final lesson her father had taught her, and she had always been his most outstanding student.

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