Chapter 172: He Finally Understood What the Empress Dowager Wanted…

Chapter 172: He Finally Understood What the Dowager Empress Wanted...

"I thought he would challenge me."

Huo Ling suddenly said to Wu Mo beside her.

Wu Mo pressed her lips together, her gaze revealing concern as she looked at Huo Ling.

Huo Ling smiled faintly: "If he had challenged me, it would have meant he still clung to the hope that I might soften and relent.

"The absence of confrontation shows the Emperor has truly grown up. He understands now that power is not like pastries—something I would order the imperial kitchen to prepare more of just because he cries or begs."

The wind chimes continued to chime. Huo Ling withdrew her gaze, her expression cooling as if the earlier sentiment had never been spoken: "Has the Board of Personnel arrived yet?"

"Your Majesty, they have."

"Then let us go. With the Qiang Rong newly pacified, how to govern this territory requires careful deliberation and balance."

...

"Your Majesty, there is a letter from Lord Song."

As soon as Ji Xianshan stepped down from the palace carriage, a palace attendant came forward to report.

Song Xu's letter only briefly mentioned the situation in the Qiang Rong royal court at the beginning before abruptly shifting focus to the matter of the Divine Stele.

His words revealed no personal stance or bias, merely an objective account from his perspective of the night the stele was discovered and the reactions of those present.

However, the words spoken by Li Yichun were recorded word for word by Song Xu without alteration.

—"Hearing that the Emperor's Birthday approaches, such a sacred relic cannot rightfully belong to anyone but the sovereign ruler. I shall proceed to the capital to present this treasure to the court and to Your Majesty, as a testament to Qiang Rong's submission to Great Yan."

Faint sunlight slanted into the room but was blocked by the pot of Weeping Crabapple by the desk, casting only a long, oblique shadow over Ji Xianshan.

Gripping the letter, Ji Xianshan sat frozen in the shadow for a long time.

Memories of the past flooded back before his eyes.

The way his mother looked at him—sometimes with the same tenderness as always, other times with cold assessment and appraisal.

When his actions did not threaten her power, she was willing to humor his wishes and whims, continuing the pretense of motherly love and filial piety.

But the moment he revealed any eagerness to take full control, she would employ the most harsh measures to cut short his attempts to grasp authority.

Removing the regent's screen, dismissing officials such as the Minister of Justice, granting honorific titles, changing modes of address, altering the royal we...

Each act was indeed an assertion of power.

A warning to the court officials.

—And to him, the young emperor.

Yet he had failed to see it before.

Because sometimes, his mother would also delegate a measure of power.

Without her approval, his childhood friend Ji Sanlang could never have been appointed vice-commander of the White Tiger Guard, nor would he have been allowed to handle routine state matters.

Such maneuvers left him shaken with fear yet still clinging to a sliver of hope.

It was only at this moment that Ji Xianshan finally understood.

He finally understood why his mother’s attitude toward him had been so strange over these years.

It was not purely the attitude of a mother toward her son.

Nor was it purely the attitude of an empress dowager toward an emperor.

Closeness and wariness, trust and suspicion, lavishing care yet always keeping him in check, unpredictable in rewards and punishments, her moods shifting without warning.

Such an attitude was more like…

More like…

The attitude of an emperor toward a crown prince.

He finally understood what Empress Dowager Huo really wanted.

What the Empress Dowager wanted was his throne.

Was this his empire or hers?

Ji Xianshan reached out.

The pot of Weeping Crabapple blocking the sunlight smashed to the ground, shattering into pieces.

The blooming crabapple flowers were trampled into the dirt, and even dust spattered onto Ji Xianshan’s hand.

Finally, the sunlight streamed over Ji Xianshan, unblocked.

"Your Majesty!"

Xiao Fuzi, hearing the commotion, hurried in.

Ji Xianshan folded the letter and rose from the desk. "I accidentally knocked over the flowerpot. Have someone clean it up."

***

The victory report from Yan’s western front spread throughout the court in a single day.

This news undoubtedly set many hearts racing.

Since the reign of Emperor Taizu, Great Yan had continuously sent agents to infiltrate the Qiang Rong, but only now had Great Yan finally accomplished the unprecedented achievement of annexing them.

Moreover, Great Yan’s losses in this process were barely worth mentioning.

The rebellions of the Yeli and Tuoba clans were both put down by the Qiang Rong themselves.

Great Yan’s heaviest losses were from intercepting the cavalry of Great Mu. But since it was a planned ambush, catching the enemy off guard, losses were light.

Of course, the Qiang Rong alone were not enough to excite the court’s astute officials.

The Qiang Rong had always been a bleak, unforgiving land, poor and undeveloped. Great Yan prized their strategic value.

Vast fertile pastures, seasoned cavalry, hardy, battle-tested steeds…

What the Qiang Rong could offer Great Yan was precisely what Great Yan lacked most.

Annexing the Qiang Rong would shore up Great Yan’s weaknesses, setting the stage to reclaim the lost Sixteen Prefectures.

And Empress Dowager Huo, who had masterminded this campaign, her influence grew even greater.

There were already many folk songs, storybooks, and operas among the people inspired by Empress Dowager Huo.

Driven by certain individuals, such works glorifying her achievements grew increasingly numerous, becoming regular repertoire in entertainment houses and teahouses, staged daily during peak hours.

With Empress Dowager Huo’s birthday approaching, merchant caravans from across the empire arrived in the capital carrying large quantities of goods, only to purchase rare treasures before departing—along with these fresh songs, stories, and operas—spreading them far and wide.

While public enthusiasm was gradually brewing, for the court officials, the most urgent matter at hand was the Qiang Rong King Li Yichun’s imminent arrival in the capital to present captives and submit the Document of Submission.

In affairs of state, only rituals and warfare hold such significance.

A feat as monumental as territorial expansion must not only be recorded in history but also inscribed on stone monuments, and even merit ceremonies in the Imperial Ancestral Temple to announce it to past emperors.

At today’s grand court session, the officials were to deliberate on the exact date for the captive presentation and submission of the Document of Submission.

One official immediately stepped forward and said, “Her Majesty’s birthday is near—why not schedule the ceremony for the same occasion?”

Yet as soon as these words were spoken, another countered, “No. The Empress Dowager’s Birthday is one matter, while the captive presentation and the Qiang Rong King’s submission are another. They should not be conflated.”

“Indeed, the Empress Dowager’s Birthday celebrations have long been scheduled. On that day, court officials and ladies of the court will gather at the Chengtian Palace to offer their congratulations, celebrating with the people. In contrast, the captive presentation and the Qiang Rong King’s submission require a more solemn and dignified atmosphere, with no room for frivolity.”

“In my view, the Imperial Director of Astronomy should select another auspicious day, keeping the two events separate—giving everyone two occasions to celebrate.”

These arguments sounded quite reasonable.

Even the Ministry of Rites official who had first proposed the idea didn't see anything wrong.

That was, until Ding Jinghuan stepped forward and said, “What auspicious day could possibly surpass the Empress Dowager’s Birthday?”

Minister Li Hansong’s eyes flashed as he understood.

The answer was not difficult to grasp—it merely required a slight shift in perspective.

—Which would benefit Empress Dowager Huo more: to have the captive presentation and submission occur on her birthday, or to hold them on separate occasions?

On the Empress Dowager’s birthday, she alone would be the sole focus.

Even the Emperor would be reduced to a secondary role that day.

But if another date were chosen, and the captive presentation were held at a place like the Imperial Ancestral Temple, the Emperor would take center stage.

Because the Imperial Ancestral Temple belonged to the Emperor, and only the Emperor had the right to preside over ceremonies there.

Once their opponents' intentions became clear, the correct course of action required no further deliberation.

Li Hansong stepped forward, his voice steady. “The Qiang Rong King wrote in his letter that he wishes to personally come to the capital to congratulate Her Majesty on her birthday.

“If this is his sincere desire, why must we debate whether the occasion is too festive or insufficiently solemn?

“The Qiang Rong’s submission and the people’s loyalty—are these not also reasons for nationwide celebration?”

With Ding Jinghuan and Li Hansong’s successive endorsements, even those officials who had not yet grasped the underlying implications knew where they stood.

The few who had initially advocated for separating the Empress Dowager’s Birthday from the captive presentation could hardly oppose this momentum.

After the Qiang Rong affair, Empress Dowager Huo’s prestige had reached unparalleled heights. Even if they wished to act, they only dared hint at an alternative date rather than confront her directly.

Cornered, one official swiftly shifted responsibility: “Arguing among ourselves is pointless. Let the Imperial Director of Astronomy calculate an auspicious date instead.”

The Imperial Director of Astronomy, who had been quietly observing from the sidelines: ?

Wait, how did all this blame suddenly land on him!?

In the following days, the number of people openly or covertly reaching out to the Imperial Director of Astronomy outnumbered those from the past six months put together.

The Imperial Astronomy Bureau was a cushy government office, and the Imperial Director of Astronomy was a position with few perks. Normally, during official gatherings, no one would particularly think to curry favor with the officials of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau.

But now, the Imperial Director of Astronomy truly experienced what it meant to be thrown into the fire.

Was he calculating auspicious dates?

He felt like he was calculating the date of his own demise!

While the Imperial Director of Astronomy was deeply troubled, his old classmate and now a Ministry of Personnel official, Xun Peng, brought him some news.

"I heard His Majesty intends to reassign those officials who proposed changing the date to future postings in Qiangzhou."

The so-called Qiangzhou was the name Great Yan had designated for the territory of the Qiang Rong.

The Imperial Director of Astronomy was shocked: "Is this true?"

Xun Peng: "The appointments will be issued in a few days. Working in the Ministry of Personnel, I heard about this sooner than others and took time off to warn you right away."

The Director quickly thanked him.

Xun Peng advised: "When the higher-ups are at each other's throats, why should we small fry get involved? In my opinion, you should just follow His Majesty's wishes."

"Brother Xun, which His Majesty are you referring to?"

"Naturally, whoever holds more power."

While everyone cheered to see Great Yan annex the Qiang Rong, the thought of leaving the capital to serve in a harsh and desolate place like Qiangzhou was a fate worse than death.

The conditions in Yanxi were already rough enough as it is, but guess what Qiangzhou was like?

Even more desolate and rudimentary than Yanxi!

The Imperial Director of Astronomy wanted no part of being sent to Qiangzhou to gaze at stars and the moon.

So after seeing off his old classmate, the Imperial Director of Astronomy quickly came up with the auspicious date.

He'd been making it too complicated.

Minister Ding Jinghuan had been right in court—what auspicious date could possibly top the Empress Dowager's Birthday?

...

Meanwhile, after leaving the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, Xun Peng took a carriage straight to the Ding residence, where he was shown into Ding Jinghuan's study.

"Officer Xun," Ding Jinghuan greeted with a smile, setting down his brush and ordering tea to be served.

"I dare not, I dare not," Xun Peng replied with extreme humility. "Lord Ding, what you asked of me has been completed."

This leisurely office of the Imperial Astronomy Bureau, when needed, made for a useful pawn.

...

To be honest, when those courtiers, unable to withstand the pressure, decided to pass the buck to the Imperial Director of Astronomy, the outcome of the dispute was already sealed.

If even they couldn't resist the Empress Dowager's might, how could they expect the Imperial Director of Astronomy to hold his ground alone against the Empress Dowager Faction?

The Imperial Director of Astronomy submitted a memorial, stating that the nearest auspicious day happened to coincide with the Empress Dowager's Birthday celebration. If they wished to choose another auspicious day, they would have to wait until the Emperor's Birthday a month later.

After reading the memorial, Huo Ling couldn't help but smile: "This Imperial Director of Astronomy really knows how to pick his dates."

Ding Jinghuan added playfully: "Your birthday is in June, and His Majesty's is in July. The auspicious day is indeed easy to calculate."

Huo Ling handed the memorial to Li Hansong, the Minister of Rites standing nearby: "Make the arrangements according to this date."

Li Hansong replied respectfully: "Your Majesty need not worry. Everything has already been arranged."

While the court was still arguing endlessly over the timing of the victory ceremony, far away in Qiang Rong, the last of the rebel forces had been mostly eliminated, and the rebellious tribes had been completely suppressed.

Li Yichun arranged affairs in the royal court, leaving his eldest son in charge, while he set out in his carriage with the prepared birthday gifts and set off for the capital with the Great Yan envoy delegation.

Accompanying him was Clan Leader Wei Mu.

The long, snaking procession included two prison wagons, holding Chieftain Yeli and Clan Leader Tuoba respectively.

There was also an open carriage pulled by four horses, carrying the heaven-sent stele meant as a tribute to the Great Yan Emperor.

The procession's guard consisted half of Li Yichun's own Royal Guards, half of elite troops from the Swallow Feather Army, and some extra guards assigned to protect the envoy delegation.

The thousand-strong procession, bearing the dust and chill of Qiang Rong, made its way toward the most prosperous and magnificent place in the realm.

Their progress was slow, and they only arrived at the post station outside the capital a few days before the Emperor's Birthday.

Court officials were already waiting at the station.

Cui Hongyi stepped forward with a smile and bowed to Li Yichun: "Your servant has been sent by Her Majesty to deliver gifts to the Qiang Rong King and Clan Leader Wei Mu."

What Cui Hongyi brought included not only fine gifts and daily necessities but also a set of ducal robes tailored in advance to Li Yichun's measurements.

Seeing these robes, Li Yichun was completely reassured: "Should I wear this attire on the day of the ceremony?"

Cui Hongyi replied: "When presenting the captives and submitting the Document of Submission, the Qiang Rong King should wear his own ceremonial robes. After the ceremony, during the banquet, you'll change into this set."

Li Yichun nodded slightly.

Having studied Great Yan culture over the years, he quickly understood the meaning in Cui Hongyi's words.

He would submit the document as the Qiang Rong King. Only after the submission would he become a subject of Great Yan.

The two sets of robes represented two different identities.

***

Li Yichun and Clan Leader Wei Mu were to remain at the post station until the day of the ceremony to enter the capital.

For the envoy delegation, their mission was deemed complete the moment they returned to the station.

Other members could return to their residences to rest, while the chief and deputy envoys followed Cui Hongyi back to report to Her Majesty.

Huo Ling and Ji Xianshan received them personally in the imperial study.

"You have done well," Huo Ling said, motioning for them to rise. "This mission's success is greatly owed to your efforts, and you shall be properly recognized."

Song Xu glanced at Ji Xianshan out of the corner of his eye and noticed that despite the smile on his face, there was a hint of melancholy in his brow that seemed unbecoming of his age.

Besides inquiring about the mission, Huo Ling also discussed the heaven-sent Divine Stele with them.

"Your memorials have been read by both the Emperor and me. Has no one been able to decode the writing on that stele yet?"

Qiu Hongzhen replied, "My Lady, not yet."

Huo Ling said, "How strange. Very well, you've had a long and tiring journey. Return and rest for a few days. Any important matters can wait until after the Emperor's Birthday."

Throughout the conversation, Ji Xianshan remained silent, only occasionally offering brief acknowledgments to Huo Ling.

Zhu Qingyun, the Female Official who served as Huo Ling's scribe, had accompanied the four into the palace. When they departed, only the Duke of Jingguo, Song Xu, and Qiu Hongzhen remained.

The three men walked together to the palace gates, where the Duke of Jingguo spotted his family’s carriage. He cupped his hands and said, "Gentlemen, I'll be going ahead."

Qiu Hongzhen also saw his own carriage. "Minister Song, would you like me to see you home?"

Song Xu clasped his hands. "I wouldn't want to inconvenience you, Minister Qiu."

In recent days, Song Xu and Qiu Hongzhen had not clashed, but their once-harmonious relationship had grown strained ever since the night the Divine Stele appeared.

Hearing Song Xu’s refusal, Qiu Hongzhen did not insist. With a smile, he flipped his robe and boarded his carriage.

Song Xu turned back, gazing at the massive imperial city behind him, and sighed softly.

"Well, what’s with the sigh? Don’t tell me you’re wallowing in self-pity because the other two ministers had carriages waiting while you didn’t?"

A familiar teasing voice rang out as Ding Jinghuan leaned halfway out of a carriage, waving at Song Xu with a grin. "Come on, I’ve reserved a table at the famous Fanlou restaurant to welcome you back."

Song Xu stepped into the carriage. "Aren’t you supposed to be at the ministry today?"

Ding Jinghuan replied matter-of-factly, "I’m the Minister of Justice now. Can't I leave early today?"

Song Xu’s lingering melancholy dissolved into a chuckle at his words.

Ding Jinghuan had indeed prepared a proper welcoming banquet, with dishes and wines of excellent quality—many of them rare delicacies brought to the capital by merchants for the Emperor's Birthday.

Song Xu wasn't particularly fond of fine food, but since Ding Jinghuan had gone to the trouble, he didn’t want to spoil it.

Only after they had eaten and drunk their fill did Song Xu suddenly speak as Ding Jinghuan set down his chopsticks. "That stele—it was your doing, wasn’t it?"

Ding Jinghuan pretended surprise. "What stele? Oh, you mean the one the Qiang Rong King brought to the capital as tribute to His Majesty? What are you talking about? That stele appeared suddenly by the Qiangyang River. I’ve been in the capital all these months without stepping foot outside. Didn’t the Duke of Jingguo’s memorial say it was a divine omen bestowed by heavenly will?"

Song Xu listened quietly before replying, "You used to scorn the idea of heavenly omens more than anyone."

Ding Jinghuan shrugged. "The arrogance of youth, unwilling to adapt."

Song Xu knew Ding Jinghuan was subtly mocking his own inflexibility, but he wasn’t angered. He merely smiled. "Jinghuan, we’ve known each other since childhood. Do you realize that whenever you lie to me, you talk more than usual?"

"Really?" Ding Jinghuan shrugged again, indifferent. "When have my words ever been few?"

Song Xu didn’t push for confirmation. Instead, he continued, "Lately, I’ve often recalled what our mentor said to me before his retirement.

"Between Her Majesty and our mentor, I chose to support Her Majesty. Unlike him, I saw no issue with a woman ruling, nor did I care that Her Majesty kept the Emperor under her thumb.

"But Jinghuan, at this point, how can I continue to fool myself into believing that all Her Majesty wants is to keep the Emperor powerless?"

Ding Jinghuan silently spun his wine cup before finally letting out a mocking smile.

"You just returned to the capital today. I didn’t want to discuss this, but since you insist—do you know your greatest mistake?

"Your greatest mistake is this: On the throne sit the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, yet you keep trying to understand their relationship through the lens of an ordinary family’s bonds. You even genuinely see the Emperor as a child you watched grow up.

"The Empress Dowager is your ruler. The Emperor is your ruler. And you—you are merely a court official. Do you finally understand?"

Song Xu raised his eyes, gazing at his closest friend of over thirty years seated across from him.

"You're partly right and partly wrong. I am indeed just a minister, but since His Majesty regards me as his teacher, I cannot help but consider his well-being.

"Moreover, as you said, His Majesty is also the sovereign. The rightful authority rests with him. The Empress Dowager can govern and wield power precisely because she is His Majesty's birth mother.

"With the mother-son bond strained to this extent, have you ever considered what this means for His Majesty's position?"

Ding Jinghuan met Song Xu's gaze. "You've always acknowledged Her Majesty's capabilities. Now, after your trip to Qiang Rong, you should understand even more clearly the depth of her plans. His Majesty cannot match Her Majesty. The only one capable of leading Great Yan to reclaim the Sixteen Prefectures of Yan and Yun is Her Majesty. Don't cling to this delusion."

Pain flashed in Song Xu's eyes as he let out a bitter laugh. "If you consider supporting His Majesty to be delusional, then I'm sorry—I can only be the delusional fool in your eyes."

Ding Jinghuan averted his gaze, knowing he'd spoken too harshly. Yet, he couldn't stand by and watch Song Xu cling to his stubborn stance. "And what of your ambitions? Do you realize that once you take this step, there's no turning back?"

"I cannot betray my principles."

Back then, when the Empress Dowager had appealed to him with maternal affection, appointing him as His Majesty's teacher, it had already determined that his stance would differ from hers.

Ding Jinghuan took a deep breath, striving to remain composed as he declared, "Then in a few days, you shall take up a post in Qiangzhou. The court needs capable officials to pacify Qiangzhou, to educate and reform local customs. You know Qiangzhou's ways and fear no hardship—perfect for this role."

"Is this your idea, or Her Majesty's?"

"It is, of course, Her Majesty's will."

Song Xu nodded. "I understand. Sending me to Qiangzhou was always Her Majesty's intent; but hosting this banquet and trying to persuade me to change my mind—that was your own doing."

Ding Jinghuan clenched his teeth. "I wasted my effort entirely."