Chapter 86: What the Empress Dowager wants is not the truth…

Chapter 86 The Empress Dowager Didn't Want the Truth...

The civil and military officials knelt from noon until sunset, yet there was no sign of movement from inside the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

Just as the crowd hesitated whether to enter and check, the vermilion palace doors, closed for so long, slowly opened from within.

An eerie sunset glow, deep crimson verging on purple, spread across the sky. Huo Ling guided Ji Xianshan out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, her gaze sweeping over Wen Shengan, Lu Hang, Chen Haoyan, the Duke of Liu, Prince Duan, and others.

"Your Majesty..."

"His Majesty has passed away."

Huo Ling's words seemed to trigger some mechanism. The deathly silent courtyard outside the Hall of Supreme Harmony instantly erupted into a chorus of weeping.

Almost everyone bowed their heads to wipe away tears—except Huo Ling.

Not a hint of sorrow showed on her face. She simply quietly surveyed the weeping ministers below the steps. Only when the surrounding cries gradually weakened did Huo Ling turn to Lu Hang. "A nation cannot be without a ruler for even a day. Minister Lu, proclaim His Majesty's final decree."

Lu Hang was the high-ranking official who had interacted most with Huo Ling. Even before she formally entered the central palace, he had already witnessed the Empress Huo's methods.

He believed that, faced with this sudden tragedy, the grief in Empress Huo's heart far surpassed that of anyone present.

Especially with the Crown Prince so young and Huo Ling's political standing precarious, even with the decree, her situation would inevitably be far more difficult than when the Emperor was alive.

Yet from her, Lu Hang sensed only an extreme, restrained calm.

Not daring to delay, Lu Hang took the edict from its case.

Most present had only just learned its contents. Regarding Emperor Jingyuan's arrangements, each had their own thoughts.

Even those who had been summoned into the Hall of Supreme Harmony earlier and had already known the edict's contents couldn't help muttering in discontent.

In truth, they were deeply dissatisfied with the first decree. Huo Shiming already commanded the Swallow Feather Army, and now he was promoted to commandant of Xingtang Pass—inevitably raising the risk of the empress's clan becoming too powerful.

Yet under such circumstances, no one could openly oppose the Emperor's arrangements.

The Emperor's intentions were easy to discern. On one hand, he sought to strengthen Empress Huo's position. On the other, he aimed to curb the influence of the Duke of Liu.

In recent years, the Duke of Liu's household had indeed remained inconspicuous, but in truth, their power base remained intact, with the nobility still looking to the Duke as their leader.

Yet when appointing regent ministers, the Emperor not only bypassed the Duke of Liu but also selected three officials with little personal connection to him.

Wen Shengan needed no explanation—he had spent years aiding the Emperor in weakening the nobility's power.

Lu Hang was a famously cunning official at court, who avoided committing to any faction.

Chen Haoyan also had no private ties to the Duke of Liu. Back when Ji Yuanwan had just been selected for the palace and Prince Duan's faction surged in influence, Chen had repeatedly filed petitions accusing Prince Duan's allies.

...

After Lu Hang finished reading the edict, he knelt before Ji Xianshan and presented it to him. "We implore the Crown Prince to assume the throne."

All the ministers followed suit, their voices unified: "We implore the Crown Prince to assume the throne."

Ji Xianshan had already been instructed by Huo Ling beforehand. Though startled by the thunderous voices, he still reached out to receive the imperial decree.

The gathered officials proclaimed again: "We pay homage to Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!"

Children that age often imitate adult speech. Ji Xianshan had witnessed the ministers' triple cry of "Long live the Emperor" many times before. He also remembered what his father would say afterward.

"You may rise, esteemed ministers."

With the proclamation of the imperial edict, Ji Xianshan's status as the new Emperor was formally established. As for the enthronement ceremony, after Empress Dowager Huo inquired, Minister Lu Hang stated that the Ministry of Rites would prepare everything within twenty days.

Empress Dowager Huo brooked no argument: "The enthronement ceremony will be held in half a month."

Under normal circumstances, Empress Dowager Huo's coronation as Empress had taken two months to prepare, and Ji Xianshan's investiture as Crown Prince had similarly required two months. The enthronement ceremony would only be grander and more elaborate, requiring even more ceremonial trappings...

But now, everything had to be simplified to first firmly establish the legitimacy of succession.

Empress Dowager Huo turned to Wen Shengan: "Minister Wen, you were appointed by the late Emperor as a regent, and the civil officials have always looked to you as their leader. The late Emperor's funeral arrangements shall be entrusted to you and the other ministers."

Wen Shengan bowed in salute: "Your Majesty need not worry."

Empress Dowager Huo waved her hand: "You are dismissed."

Wen Shengan led the officials away.

Duke Liu stood beside Prince Duan, his head lowered, his eyes still red from weeping. After walking in silence for some time, Duke Liu suddenly felt a sudden intuition and turned back, only to find that the young Emperor and Empress Dowager Huo had already disappeared from the steps of the Taihe Hall.

"What is it?" Prince Duan whispered.

Duke Liu subtly shook his head.

***

The last glimmer of twilight faded from the sky, darkness flooding the Taihe Hall like a tide, only to be dispelled by the glow of the ever-burning lamps.

As Wen Shengan led the courtiers away, Empress Dowager Huo lingered her gaze on the retreating figures of Duke Liu and Prince Duan before taking Ji Xianshan's hand and re-entering the Taihe Hall.

Li Man approached Empress Dowager Huo and, after receiving instructions, led the palace servants to replace the ornate decorations in the hall.

Wu Mo also approached, her face calm but eyes worried: "Your Majesty, Consort De and the others have arrived."

Empress Dowager Huo said, "Invite Consort De in."

Consort De arrived swiftly, her face weary and her eyes swollen from crying: "Your Majesty, please accept my condolences."

Empress Dowager Huo spoke directly: "For the time being, you shall oversee the affairs of the inner palace. Lead the Two Princesses and the other consorts in properly sending off the late Emperor."

"As you command."

Before withdrawing, seeing Empress Dowager Huo's calm yet exhausted expression, Consort De couldn't help but advise: "Your Majesty must take care of your health. His Majesty still needs your guidance."

Ji Xianshan, curled against Empress Dowager Huo's arms, had long since fallen asleep from exhaustion.

Empress Dowager Huo lowered her eyes, gently stroking his cheek, and said to Consort De, "Do not worry. This dowager is made of sterner stuff."

Her tears and grief had ceased the moment she stepped out of the Taihe Hall.

Now, she faced a battle she must win.

After Consort De left, Wu Mo entered with a cup of warm water: "Your Majesty, please drink some water. You haven't eaten anything all day. Shall I have the imperial kitchens prepare something?"

Empress Dowager Huo had no appetite, but she still said, "Have the imperial kitchens prepare a bowl of sweet dessert soup for me."

The food arrived quickly. As Empress Dowager Huo ate, Ji Xianshan, wakened by the smell, sleepily blinked awake: "Sweet soup..."

Wu Mo started to get a bowl for Ji Xianshan, but Empress Dowager Huo stopped her.

Empress Dowager Huo could go hungry herself, but she would never let the child hunger. Ji Xianshan had eaten before sleeping.

"Do you want some?" Huo Ling asked softly.

Ji Xianshan rubbed his eyes. "Yes."

Huo Ling made sure he sat up properly and waited until he was fully awake before eating her own meal and feeding him a few spoonfuls.

After a few bites, Ji Xianshan started rubbing his eyes again. When Huo Ling extended another spoonful toward him, he squinted sleepily, shook his head with his mouth closed, and leaned back against Huo Ling. His voice heavy with sleep, he murmured instinctively, "Empress Mother, it's already dark. Why hasn't Emperor Father come yet?"

Wu Mo’s heart ached, and she shed tears once more for her lady.

Huo Ling set down the spoon and said only, "No more talking. Go to sleep."

Ji Xianshan mumbled something incoherent before drifting off again.

Huo Ling finished the last few sips of dessert soup in her bowl.

Wu Mo took the empty bowl away and glanced at Ji Xianshan in Huo Ling’s arms. Softly, she said, "My Lady, you still have other matters to attend to. Should I hold the young Emperor for you?"

Huo Ling had meant to refuse at first, but after a moment’s hesitation, she nodded. "Very well. Watch over him carefully."

"My Lady can rest assured," Wu Mo promised. "I won’t leave the young Emperor’s side for even a moment."

"Stay here with him and send for Imperial Physician Chen to check on him. He cried too much today." Huo Ling gently cradled Ji Xianshan’s head and carefully shifted him to Wu Mo without waking him.

As she exited the side chamber, she heard the sound of weeping from the main hall.

Huo Ling asked the attendant guarding the palace gate, "Has Imperial Physician Hu left yet?"

Fifteen minutes later, Huo Ling met with Imperial Physician Hu and Cui Hongyi, who had hurried over.

Seeing the two arrive together, Huo Ling immediately asked, "Was there anything unusual among the items the late Emperor touched today?"

Cui Hongyi looked at Imperial Physician Hu, who replied, "Nothing unusual. However, after consulting with several other imperial physicians, I suspect the late Emperor may have been poisoned."

Huo Ling said, "Is there still no definitive confirmation?"

Imperial Physician Hu answered, "If the late Emperor was indeed poisoned, the toxin was certainly not of the Central Plains origin. I’ve already instructed the entire Imperial Physicians’ Office to search through their records."

Though the Central Plains were vast and rich in resources, some things were unique to other regions. For instance, Qianjiyin (a lethal Western Regions toxin), along with Gouwen and Hedinghong, was ranked as one of the three deadliest poisons.

Huo Ling nodded and dismissed Imperial Physician Hu, then told Cui Hongyi, "Send for Li Man."

"Investigate thoroughly the personnel in Fengyi Palace and Taihe Hall, especially those in Taihe Hall."

When Emperor Jingyuan visited the inner palace, he usually stayed in Fengyi Palace. However, when court affairs were pressing or if there was a grand court assembly the following day, he would stay in Taihe Hall for convenience.

There had been a grand court assembly today, so Emperor Jingyuan had stayed in Taihe Hall the previous night.

By the time Huo Ling had arranged everything she could think of, it was already late at night, and the weeping in the main hall had stopped.

Wu Mo was fanning Ji Xianshan gently when she noticed Huo Ling returning. In a hushed voice, she said, "Imperial Physician Chen has already checked on him."

Huo Ling nodded and sat back down beside Ji Xianshan.

Wu Mo’s gaze held both worry and heartache as she looked at Huo Ling. "My Lady, would you like to rest as well? I’ll keep watch. If there’s any trouble, I’ll wake My Lady immediately."

Huo Ling wasn’t sleepy and had no wish to sleep.

There was always an inescapable fear lurking deep in her heart.

As long as the cause of Emperor Jingyuan's death remained uncertain, she could never truly relax.

If Emperor Jingyuan had indeed been poisoned, the prime suspects would be Prince Duan and Duke Liu.

Poisoning the emperor was treason punishable by exterminating nine generations of kin.

If Prince Duan and Duke Liu were truly behind this, then they...

Half-asleep, a sudden thought struck Huo Ling—

Didn't they arrange any other contingencies?

Would they simply stand by and let An'er ascend the throne, and watch her become Empress Dowager Regent?

The moment this thought surfaced, Huo Ling jolted fully awake, finally understanding the source of that lingering fear in her heart.

Gazing at the faintly brightening sky outside, she rose with the child completely curled in her arms, and told Wu Mo to summon Cui Hongyi: "Take my sealed command and get Ding Jinghuan's ass to the palace now."

While waiting for Ding Jinghuan's arrival, Huo Ling wrote two letters to Yanxi and ordered them sent by fastest courier.

Ding Jinghuan arrived in haste, his hair hastily tied along the way, his cap crooked.

Huo Ling had known Ding Jinghuan for three years. In those three years, they had met only a countable number of times, and their only private meeting had been their first encounter.

Yet throughout those years, the monthly five jars of wine had never stopped, nor had the New Year's gifts.

Huo Ling had never directly asked whether Ding Jinghuan was willing to pledge loyalty to her, and Ding Jinghuan had never sworn loyalty once, nor had he ever spoken or acted on her behalf in court.

Even Wu Feng had grown anxious in private, going so far as to act the generous fool and treat Ding Jinghuan to drinks at Fanlou just to press him on what he was thinking.

What *was* Ding Jinghuan thinking?

Truthfully, Ding Jinghuan had no complicated thoughts.

A simple man like him, after three years' worth of wine money, was already bought.

So when he stood before this young Empress Dowager, she cut straight to the point, wasting no time or words.

"Ten days—period. Find proof that Prince Duan's household and Duke Liu's household poisoned the late emperor."

An outrageous order such as this would have left anyone else pale-faced or reeling in stunned disbelief.

But Ding Jinghuan, always joking around, barely flinched—just a flicker in his eyebrows.

To investigate a case, one should go to the Ministry of Justice, the Dali Temple, or someone inside the palace—not come to him.

So what the Empress Dowager wanted wasn’t the truth.

She wanted undeniable evidence that would send Prince Duan’s household and Duke Liu’s household to their deaths.