Chapter 52 Using the Empress Throne to Trap Cousin

## Chapter 52: Securing My Cousin with the Empress Position

The incident of scholars petitioning at the palace gates ultimately escalated into a major affair.

That foolish assassin acted on a whim and sudden impulse, truly unaware of Yan Weichu's identity. However, Zheng Shize's timely declaration that "bearing weapons within the forbidden grounds is equivalent to treason" set the tone for the incident. The situation instantly reversed, placing the emperor firmly on the moral high ground. Merely stripping them of their scholarly honors and exiling them was already an act of mercy; no one could capitalize on the situation to make further trouble.

The scholars' unrest was inextricably linked to those so-called "purist scholars" of the Hanlin Academy. Many of them hailed from the Imperial College and frequently returned to give lectures. A few inflammatory remarks in the classroom were enough to incite these book-smart but naive students to righteous indignation and rash action.

Yan Weichu didn't hold back either—he demoted all those involved. These individuals only knew how to form cliques and ostracize dissenters, engaging in empty rhetoric that harms the nation. It was better to send them all to local posts to do some practical work, to truly experience the hardships of the common people, and see if they still had the nerve to talk without walking the walk.

After that, Grand Tutor Zhang Wenhuan suddenly came to Yaotai Palace to request an audience.

Since Yan Weichu had just taken over the reins of government last year and personally visited the Grand Tutor's residence to play a game of chess with Mr. Zhang, they had not seen each other again. Occasionally, when others mentioned his esteemed teacher, it was mostly to say that he had shut himself away, doting on his grandchildren and enjoying his retirement, sometimes venturing out to teach at academies—nothing more.

Earlier, when Cui Shao volunteered to investigate Yunshan Academy, he hadn't turned up anything substantial.

Yan Weichu offered him a seat and ordered tea and refreshments, inquiring briefly about his health.

Zhang Wenhuan expressed his gratitude and straightforwardly mentioned that his eldest grandson, Zhang Xujie, had been quite close to those recently demoted Hanlin scholars. He asked Yan Weichu to deal with him as well.

Yan Weichu disagreed, saying, "Although he is also from the Hanlin Academy, he has been working in the Grand Secretariat these days and did not participate in inciting those students. I will not confuse right and wrong and take it out on him."

Zhang Wenhuan shook his head. "Though he did not participate, he shares the same sentiments as that group. In private, he often presumes to discuss court policies with others and shows disrespect toward Your Majesty. I am old and lack the strength to discipline him any longer. I hope Your Majesty can help teach him a lesson."

Yan Weichu frowned slightly. "How does Sir suggest I teach him?"

Zhang Wenhuan replied, "However Your Majesty sees fit to handle it."

Yan Weichu looked at his teacher. Zhang Wenhuan was already in the twilight of his years, with silver hair and a face carved with wrinkles. When he entered earlier, he had even walked unsteadily, truly on the verge of passing. To dispel any doubts, he had dragged his frail body to Yaotai Palace in person.

Yan Weichu lowered his gaze, remained silent for a moment, and finally agreed. "Then I will follow Sir's suggestion and assign him to a provincial post to humble him through experience."

Zhang Wenhuan thanked him once again.

The old Grand Tutor ultimately offered one more piece of advice: "Your Majesty, holding a special imperial examination is a good thing, but those selected through it must be distinguished from those chosen in the regular examinations to silence the critics."

Yan Weichu replied coolly, "I understand. Thank you for the reminder."

He would simply prevent these individuals from entering the Hanlin Academy—that place was not so great anyway. As for whether they could enter the Grand Secretariat in the future, ever since Ji Lanshu was exceptionally promoted to the Grand Secretariat, the old rule that only Hanlin scholars could enter the Grand Secretariat had been rendered meaningless.

Zhang Wenhuan did not stay long. He drank only half a cup of tea and left after stating his business.

Yan Weichu watched his retreating figure and lowered his eyes again.

He knew Sir Zhang's thoughts, and Sir Zhang knew his. In the end, they walked different paths and could not collaborate.

Before boarding his carriage, Zhang Wenhuan turned back and saw Xie Xiao alighting from a carriage in the distance and heading into Yaotai Palace. He narrowed his eyes, paused for a moment, and asked the steward beside him, "Is that the Marquis of Dingbei?"

The steward looked and confirmed, "It is the Marquis of Dingbei. The Marquis of Dingbei's wife is the Qilin Guard Commander, who serves at the Martial Lecture Garden in the Western Park. It is said that the emperor holds him in high regard and often summons him to Yaotai Palace. There are even rumors outside that the birth mother of the Count of Anding's heir is Consort Zheng's own sister."

Zhang Wenhuan watched Xie Xiao's retreating figure until he was out of sight, then withdrew his gaze, his expression turning cold.

The Zheng family daughter was someone he had personally selected from Jiangnan and presented to the late emperor. She had only one brother and no sisters whatsoever.

His divergence with the Young Emperor began when the Young Emperor heard about the exploits of the Xie family's eldest son on the battlefield, became enamored, and secretly started reading military books behind his back.

"His Majesty is becoming increasingly unorthodox," Zhang Wenhuan sighed, supporting himself on his knees as the steward helped him struggle into the carriage.

As the carriage moved away from Yaotai Palace, the old Grand Tutor inside slowly closed his eyes.

On the first day he stepped through the gates of Yaotai Palace, the Young Emperor had once asked him with eyes rimmed red, "Sir, have you come to help me?" The memories of those days were still vivid in his mind.

Xie Xiao entered; he had come to the Western Park reporting matters to the emperor and picked up Yan Weichu to return to the residence together.

Yan Weichu came out and mentioned that the emperor had people with him and would be busy for a while. If there was anything, he could submit a memorial.

"Let's go back first."

Xie Xiao looked at him. "A Li, are you unhappy today?"

Yan Weichu was taken aback. He was unhappy, but only a little. He hadn’t expected his cousin to notice.

"Not at all."

"If you're unhappy, you should say so," Xie Xiao asked him. "Why are you unhappy? Did the emperor bully you?"

Yan Weichu sighed. "Yes, yes, the emperor bullied me. Cousin, are you going to fight him?"

Xie Xiao said, "Then I’ll have to speak to His Majesty face to face."

Yan Weichu patted him and said seriously, "Not at all. I’m always very careful when serving before the emperor. Cousin, don’t worry about these things all the time. Today, I ran into some annoyances, but seeing you has made me feel better."

Xie Xiao had only been teasing Yan Weichu and did not press further. He nodded. "As long as you’re fine."

Yan Weichu pushed the unpleasant matters to the back of his mind, linked arms with him, and said, "Let’s go, it’s time to go home."

***

In mid-April, the additional examination personally presided over by the emperor released its results. Few of those selected were assigned to the six ministries or capital offices; most were sent to regional posts based on their strengths. These individuals were handpicked by Yan Weichu, the emperor, despite strong opposition. Though they might not yet be influential, they show promise for the future.

In late April, the metropolitan examination retake was held. The shadow of the cheating scandal had not yet dissipated, and everyone treaded carefully, afraid that a single misstep would lead to irreversible ruin.

Ji Lanshu was specially appointed as the chief examiner for this retake, and the exam questions were also crafted by him. In the end, six more individuals were stripped of their scholarly honors.

Liu Zhu recused himself from grading to avoid conflicts of interest. His son, Liu Chongjing, performed exceptionally well this time and earned the title of Huiyuan.

As for Su Ping, his results were only average. Perhaps due to excessive nervousness or other reasons, his essay was mediocre and far less impressive than his previous one. An average ranking was already a stretch for him.

Three days later, the palace examination followed immediately, held at the Fengtian Hall in the imperial palace. Yan Weichu sent someone to announce an oral decree but did not appear in person. However, the question was set by him personally—a discussion on horse administration in the border regions.

The candidates’ expressions varied when they opened their exam papers and read the question. The emperor’s topic was not obscure, but very few truly understood its intricacies.

But since they were already seated there, they had no choice but to grudgingly write anyway.

Yan Weichu was in the rear hall, making small talk with Liu Zhu. "Lord Liu, I heard your son is already twenty-three. Why hasn’t he taken a wife yet? Is he betrothed?"

Before Liu Zhu could respond, a Ministry of Rites official interjected, "Your Majesty, you should also consider the matter of appointing an empress." *How can you say such things about others?*

The ministers present all echoed the sentiment.

Yan Weichu rolled his eyes. *Talkative, aren’t you? Must you seize every chance to fuss over my harem?*

These people certainly did not genuinely want him to marry a daughter of the Xie family. While ancestral laws could not be changed, as long as the emperor was willing to expand his lineage, they could find ways to get their people into the palace.

Wasn't that how Consort Zheng rose to power back then? If they worked hard enough, they could surely cultivate a truly satisfactory next virtuous ruler.

*...They're quite optimistic.*

Yan Weichu thought to himself that if they pissed him off, he’d give them a real shock.

Seeing the Young Emperor displeased, Liu Zhu quickly replied, "My son was previously wholly devoted to his studies, vowing not to marry until he achieved top honors, which is why it’s been delayed until now. Once we return home this time, I will arrange his marriage. His mother is already looking for suitable candidates for him."

Yan Weichu said, "Liu Zhu, your son is highly talented, the top scorer in this examination (Huiyuan). I see him undoubtedly among the top three. How about this—I will arrange a marriage for him. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, everyone’s first reaction was: *Is the emperor planning to force a male match upon the Liu family as well?* They collectively inhaled...

Liu Zhu, however, felt uneasy. He was aware of his son’s relationship with Xie Yunniang. He had punished and scolded the boy for it, but his son had used studying as an excuse to delay marriage, leaving Liu Zhu helpless.

Yan Weichu’s sudden mention of the matter today made Liu Zhu wonder if the emperor had discovered something. Regardless of the relationship between the emperor and the Marquis of Dingbei, it was unlikely the emperor would tolerate a subject coveting his intended empress... What should he do?

"Your servant... will follow whatever Your Majesty decides," Liu Zhu could only agree.

Yan Weichu, deliberately keeping them in suspense, smiled and said, "Then let’s wait until the exams are over. I’ll ask him in person."

Liu Zhu dared not say more and obediently expressed his gratitude.

The next day, the examiners presented the top ten examination papers to the emperor. Yan Weichu had the names revealed first. As expected, young Master Liu’s paper was among them. Picking it up to read, Yan Weichu found it substantial and insightful. Having grown up on the border of Suzhou and traveled extensively, Liu Chongjing’s writing was not mere repetition of others’ ideas but reflected his own unique perspectives and thoughts.

Yan Weichu set his paper aside, reviewed the other nine, and selected two more to place alongside Liu Chongjing’s—these would be the top three.

As for the exact rankings, after inquiring in detail about the candidates, Yan Weichu had made up his mind. Liu Chongjing, after all, was still young—shows promise but lacks maturity. Thus, Yan Weichu finally assigned him the rank of third-ranked graduate (Tanhua).

Liu Zhu breathed a sigh of relief. Tanhua was good. He was already the Chief Grand Secretary; if his son were appointed top-ranked graduate (Zhuangyuan), it would be too conspicuous. This was just right.

Yan Weichu, visibly displeased, ordered, "Relegate this candidate to the third rank."

Yan Weichu did not hold the traditional palace ceremony for announcing the results. Instead, he had the Ministry of Rites announce the results directly and summoned the top three in person a few days later.

After routinely questioning the Zhuangyuan and second-ranked graduate (Bangyan), it was Liu Chongjing’s turn. Seeing that he was indeed talented and dignified, a good match for his sister, Yan Weichu offered words of encouragement and then said, "Liu Zhu has likely already spoken to you. I intend to arrange a marriage for you. What are your thoughts?"

Liu Chongjing showed no joy on his face but replied respectfully, "I have no objections and will follow Your Majesty’s arrangement."

A sensible man, not so foolish as to defy the imperial decree for love and bring disaster upon his family. Yan Weichu was satisfied; otherwise, he would have had to reconsider.

"I grant you the hand of Xie Yunniang, the eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo. How does that sound?" Yan Weichu said with a smile.

Liu Chongjing was stunned, momentarily losing his composure. He looked up in disbelief, directly meeting the emperor’s gaze.

The officials from the cabinet and the six ministries present were in an uproar.

*Is the emperor alright? Has he gone mad?*

*Bestowing his intended empress upon a subject?*

Liu Zhu, horrified, stepped forward to speak, but Yan Weichu stopped him: "Let him speak for himself. Liu Chongjing, I bestow Xie Yunniang upon you. Do you accept?"

At this moment, the Liu father and son were almost certain the emperor knew about their affairs. Such imperial favor might well be a test and a warning. Perhaps if Liu Chongjing uttered the word "accept," calamity would follow.

But this was their only chance. If Liu Chongjing had been able to think calmly before, now he was overwhelmed by the bait the emperor had thrown. Almost without hesitation, he followed his heart, saluted with clasped hands, and said loudly, "I accept! I thank Your Majesty for your generous favor!"

The Minister of Rites immediately stepped forward to object: "Your Majesty, this cannot be! The eldest daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo was chosen by the late emperor as Your—"

"When did the late emperor designate her?" Yan Weichu interrupted with a sardonic smile. "Where is the decree? Show it to me."

The minister flushed red. There was indeed no imperial decree. The matter had been promised by the late emperor to the old Duke of Zhenguo during a palace banquet when he returned to the capital to report on his duties. How could the emperor simply go back on his word?

A colleague signaled to him: *What stiff thinking! The emperor clearly has no intention of marrying a Xie daughter. This is perfect—maybe this time, the candidates we've put forward will have a chance to become empress!*

"I only meant..." the minister belatedly realized this and now regretted speaking up.

Yan Weichu ignored him and turned back to Liu Chongjing: "Good. Since you are willing, I will issue a decree bestowing this marriage."

Liu Chongjing was overjoyed, truly believing the emperor was sincere, and immediately knelt to express his gratitude.

Liu Zhu was breaking out in a cold sweat. Compared to his son’s elation, he was filled with worry.

In the end, Yan Weichu kept him behind alone.

"Liu Zhu, don’t overthink it," Yan Weichu said bluntly once others had left. "I sincerely wish to bestow a good marriage upon your family. Set your mind at ease and go back to prepare for the wedding."

Liu Zhu did not know how to respond and could only nod in gratitude.

Yan Weichu reassured him: "With my personal decree, no one can say anything. Don’t worry too much about outsiders’ opinions. I’ll also be frank with you: I won’t allow your son to enter the Hanlin Academy. I plan to assign him to the Censorate as a supervising censor. Keep that in mind."

Liu Zhu now understood: marrying a noble daughter and entering the Censorate—the emperor was completely eliminating his hopes of his son becoming a scholar-official. Once on the emperor’s reckless path, they could only follow him wholeheartedly, for better or worse.

Moreover, the Young Emperor’s move might also carry personal motives. Outsiders thought the emperor did not want to marry a Xie daughter—*cough*, he had personally married off a Xie son—so the Liu father and son had, in a way, helped solve the emperor’s problem.

Liu Zhu expressed his gratitude again. Very well, let his son have his wish.

***

Yan Weichu returned home slightly later that day. The imperial messenger had just left. Xie Xiao held the imperial decree, rereading its contents with a grave expression.

Xie Yunniang was flustered—both delighted and worried.

As Yan Weichu entered, he asked, "Cousin, sister, has the emperor sent someone to deliver the marriage decree?"

Xie Yunniang saw him as a savior: "Weichu, do you think the emperor truly means to arrange this marriage for us?"

"Of course," Yan Weichu smiled reassuringly. "Sister, the emperor today asked that Tanhua in front of everyone. He loudly said he was willing, and only then did the emperor issue the decree. Liu Zhu has already gone back to prepare engagement gifts for his son. In a couple of days, he will come to propose. You can rest assured and wait to become a bride."

Xie Yunniang breathed a sigh of relief, a blush spreading across her cheeks, joy evident.

Xie Xiao closed the decree: "In that case, tomorrow I’ll send someone to the Duke’s residence to notify the household and begin wedding preparations."

After Xie Yunniang left, Xie Xiao casually set the decree aside on a nearby table and asked Yan Weichu, "Was this your suggestion to the emperor again?"

Yan Weichu noted his actions—his cousin really didn’t respect him much. Other families would respectfully preserve an imperial decree after receiving it, not toss it aside like this.

"I’m not foolish enough to tell the emperor about sister and that young Liu," Yan Weichu improvised casually. "The Ministry of Rites has been urging the emperor to marry and establish an empress, and he’s annoyed. I simply suggested he find a talented young man to arrange a marriage for our sister, and the matter would be resolved. Coincidentally, among the top three, young Master Liu is the most suitable in age and unmarried, so the emperor picked him."

Xie Xiao listened skeptically. Was it really such a lucky coincidence?

But Yan Weichu spoke with such confidence that it was hard to find fault.

Xie Xiao asked, "There are no suitable girls of marriageable age left in the immediate family branches of the Xie family for the emperor to marry. What exactly are the emperor’s thoughts?"

Yan Weichu said firmly, "In any case, he will not marry a Xie daughter."

"..." Xie Xiao fell silent. If the current emperor truly did not intend to follow ancestral custom by marrying a Xie daughter, it might be for the best. It would actually give him peace of mind.

Yan Weichu had no interest in discussing this further. He pulled Xie Xiao to sit down, pushed up his sleeve, and examined the wound on his arm.

It had been over half a month. The cut from the dagger on Xie Xiao’s forearm had scabbed over, leaving a rather noticeable scar. Yan Weichu reached out and touched it: "Does it still hurt?"

Xie Xiao shook his head; his young lord husband asked about the same wound with concern every day, and he was truly a little taken aback by such devotion.

Yan Weichu still felt unsettled. He lowered his head and pressed a kiss onto the scar.

“My cousin… I want to give you a surprise.”

The idea had suddenly occurred to him. Since he had already strayed from convention, why not go even further and make it even more earth-shattering?

All these days, he had been troubled by the lack of deeper connections to keep Xie Xiao bound. Only today did it suddenly become clear to him.

By ancestral law, the position of Empress was destined for the Xie family. If a daughter of Xie could take it, then Xie Xiao could too.

As long as he could use the title of Empress to secure his cousin, there would be no escape from his grasp.

*Ha, he was truly a genius.*

Yan Weichu thought, just wait a little longer. Wait for an auspicious day, and then he would set this plan in motion.