Chapter 42 Court Entry

Chapter 42: Entering the Court

The eighth year of Zhaohe drew to a hurried close amidst national mourning and the transition to a new reign, as the Emperor and Empress together ushered in the first year of Qingjing.

Shortly after the New Year, Wei Yan announced in court that Lu Jiming, as Empress, would assume the position of Hanlin Academy Academician.

Upon hearing this, the assembled ministers immediately erupted into an uproar again.

Remonstrance officials bluntly stated it was unacceptable, and several senior ministers argued on principle.

The debate raged on until the start of spring. Wei Yan dispatched the Imperial Guard and the Marquis of Cheng'an to privately win over many individuals, employing a mix of threats and inducements. In the end, most changed their tune and fell silent, but a few stubborn holdouts remained.

Wei Yan's patience was finally exhausted. He addressed the leading opposing courtiers, asking, "During the reign of Emperor Xuan in the past, Empress Yizhe served as Deputy Commander of the Imperial Guard. Xuping is merely a civil official. Why are you, my beloved ministers, so determined to obstruct this?"

Minister Liu replied, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Guard is directly under Your Majesty's command, serving Your Majesty's inner court. Naturally, this is different from the outer court."

"So you are saying that individuals from the inner court cannot hold office in the outer court?"

"Your Majesty is wise."

Wei Yan nodded. "In that case, I see Minister Liu still has his charms. Attendants, draft an edict: Appoint Minister Liu as a Noble Lady. How does granting her residence in Yilan Palace sound?"

Minister Liu never imagined the backlash would land on him. He immediately knelt and begged for mercy. "This old minister is old and worn, and already has a family. How could I be worthy of serving by Your Majesty's side!"

"What about the Empress's matter..."

At this point, as long as he could avoid entering the palace, Minister Liu dared say anything. "Every inch of land belongs to the crown; every single subject is the crown's servant. The outer and inner courts are one and the same. The Empress can serve in the inner court and also aid the outer court. This minister has no objection!"

Wei Yan's gaze swept over another opposing courtier. "Which other beloved minister has objections? My reign is still young, and the inner court is empty. The more, the merrier."

No one else dared utter another word. Everyone thoroughly understood the weight the Empress held in the Emperor's heart.

The Emperor would rather grit his teeth and take in an old man than allow the Empress to suffer the slightest grievance.

Thus, the matter of the Empress continuing to hold office was finally settled.

When news from the outer court arrived, Lu Jiming was in the study of Chongyuan Palace transcribing texts. Upon hearing that Wei Yan had nearly granted the nearly fifty-year-old Minister Liu the title of Noble Lady, his hand jerked, sending the brush—trailing ink—flying and wasting a good sheet of paper.

Lu Guanguan stood to the side, took a fresh sheet from the bookcase, and presented it to Lu Jiming.

Since last autumn, Lu Guanguan had often said his legs hurt. As the pain persisted, his height shot up to nine chi. Standing beside Lu Jiming, he resembled a bamboo stalk trembling with leaves.

"Additionally, His Majesty said he intends to hold an Imperial Special Examination this year," the palace attendant continued. "It won't be held to the usual spring and autumn exam schedule. After spring begins, the provincial exams will be held first, followed immediately by the metropolitan exams, without having to wait another year. His Majesty's intention is for Your Highness to serve as the chief examiner of the metropolitan exams."

Lu Jiming smiled, understanding Wei Yan's meaning. Returning to officialdom alone and without support, Wei Yan was using the pretext of the special examination to allow him to recruit protégés.

"Won't the court officials raise hell upon hearing this?" Lu Jiming asked.

"Not necessarily," Wei Yan said, having entered unnoticed. "Your people are my people; they're well aware of that. Moreover, with Chen Yiqing's downfall and the remnants he and the Empress Dowager installed in court mostly purged, it's precisely a time needing personnel. That's why the old system was changed, allowing the provincial and metropolitan exams to be completed in one go."

Since Lu Jiming moved into Chongyuan Palace, Chixin Hall had become almost an empty shell. Except for formally receiving courtiers at Chixin Hall, Wei Yan mostly made himself at home in Chongyuan Palace.

The attendants of Chongyuan Palace had grown accustomed to this and, following Wei Yan's wish, no longer made special announcements of his arrival.

Lu Jiming rose to greet him, smiling at Wei Yan. "The only one who suffered was poor Minister Liu, at his age, having to learn how to serve Your Majesty."

"Look who's talking," Wei Yan said. "That old man debated with me for months. I thought he was some unyielding, iron-willed character. Never expected a single edict would scare him out of his wits."

Wei Yan walked to Lu Jiming's desk, picked up the ruined copy, glanced at it, then asked, "How's your appetite today?"

Since early April, Lu Jiming had had a poor appetite, often listless and unable to eat. Wei Yan had secretly taken his pulse but did not detect signs of pregnancy. So, he had the Imperial Hospital prescribe tonics for his stomach first.

"So-so. I drank some porridge, which seemed to open my appetite, and I ate quite a bit," Lu Jiming said.

He calculated the days; it was around the same time of year as when he had conceived A-Luan. But Lu Jiming dared not summon the imperial physician, fearing there was no pregnancy and he would miss A-Luan. So, he was in denial, avoiding the issue, pretending nothing was happening.

"Eat more, nourish your body well," Wei Yan said. "Once you've recuperated, you can go to the Hanlin Academy. But you need to take it easy. Delegate many tasks to those under you. If you overwork, I won't let you set foot outside the palace."

Lu Jiming repeatedly assured him. Since becoming Empress, he'd been bored with little to do for nearly a year. Being able to return to officialdom, he naturally agreed to whatever Wei Yan said.

"And Lu Guanguan," Wei Yan looked at the large figure standing there, feeling if he straightened his waist any further, he'd hit the doorframe on his way out.

Before, Lu Guanguan was thin and small, blending among the palace attendants unnoticed. Now, standing there, he drew everyone's gaze, conspicuously obvious. Continuing to stay in the palace wasn't feasible.

"How about going to the Ministry of Works?" Wei Yan suggested. "Follow them around gaining experience for a few years; that should suffice." The Ministry of Works didn't demand as high a knowledge of the Four Books and Five Classics as other departments. As long as one was adaptable and could endure hardship, one could find a place.

Moreover, positions related to water management offered particularly fast promotion.

Understanding Wei Yan's thoughtful intention, Lu Jiming expressed gratitude on Lu Guanguan's behalf. Lu Guanguan, belatedly realizing he was being given an official post, also joyfully expressed his thanks.

After thanking them, Lu Guanguan reacted further, asking Lu Jiming, "If I go to the Ministry of Works, what about you, young master?"

"Your young master naturally has me to attend to him," Wei Yan teased. "There are dozens of people in this palace. You, venerable sir, can go with peace of mind."

At this point, Lu Guanguan blushed. "Your Majesty always teases me. Fine, it's me who can't bear to leave the young master."

Wei Yan protectively shielded Lu Jiming like guarding food. "He's mine. However much you can't bear to leave, you better hurry up and scram."

Lu Jiming smiled, instructing Lu Guanguan, "His Majesty values you and has arranged a future for you. You must work hard. In a few years, bring your parents out from the Lu family. Afterwards, you'll be a proper master and lord."

"What master and lord? Young master, you jest." Though he said this, as people strive for higher positions, being able to avoid servitude made Lu Guanguan happy.

Lu Jiming told Lu Guanguan to go pack first. There wasn't time to find a residence outside the palace, so he should stay at the Lu mansion first. Once settled, moving to a courtyard and hiring servants wouldn't be late.

Lu Guanguan agreed and ran off joyfully.

"Childish temperament," Lu Jiming said with a laugh. "Although he served by my side, I always couldn't help but treat him like a younger brother."

Wei Yan said, "He treats you sincerely, and I naturally won't treat him poorly." In their previous life, when Lu Jiming was demoted and sent away, Lu Guanguan accompanied him, sharing hardship and forming a bond of friendship.

After Lu Guanguan left, Lu Jiming continued transcribing texts. Wei Yan reviewed memorials beside him, casually asking him when encountering troublesome ones. Since Lu Jiming moved into Chongyuan Palace, they had often been like this.

These memorials had all been reviewed by the Grand Councilor, with preliminary handling suggestions. Wei Yan merely scanned them, using vermilion ink to approve or amend anything unsuitable.

When the time was about right, Ning Jia came for her routine audience. She was also a restless nature, not always staying in the palace. Sometimes she went outside the palace, sometimes loitered in the Imperial Guard courtyard.

The Imperial Guard members were all very familiar with Ning Jia; back and forth, she made some friends.

Shortly after Ning Jia left from her audience, Wei Yan noticed a memorial submitted by the Court of State Ceremonial.

"The Liao state is sending Prince Heng for the Longevity Festival, along with presenting several beauties." Wei Yan chuckled dryly, commenting beside it, "The person may come; the beauties are exempt."

Last year, shortly after the late Emperor's passing, the Longevity Festival wasn't grandly celebrated. Wei Yan's birthday was only modestly celebrated behind closed doors with Lu Jiming. This year, with the new reign title just changed, the Longevity Festival naturally required preparation. As a neighboring friendly state, Liao should come to offer congratulations.

Prince Heng was the current Liao Emperor's younger brother, a person of noble status. His personal attendance showed great respect for Great Qi.

But Wei Yan also remembered that Prince Heng was Ning Jia's maternal uncle. Ning Jia's original name was Xiao Ningjia, a Liao noble. Her family was punished and confiscated due to crimes, her parents fled to Qi, and Xiao Ningjia, through twists of fate and a name change, ended up by Lu Jiming's side.

Lu Jiming should also be aware of this matter.

Lu Jiming glanced at the memorial. This had probably happened in his past life too, but back then, he was trapped in the inner palace, unable to get away and completely unaware of the situation at court.

If he had known, he would have allowed Ning Jia to leave with Prince Heng. After all, Ning Jia’s identity was special, and her aunt was Empress Nanping. Remaining in Qi would be extremely dangerous if her identity were ever exposed.

"Speaking of which, this Prince Heng has all sorts of ties to Nanping. I recall his cousin is Empress Nanping," Wei Yan said.

Lu Jiming nodded, thinking it went even further. After Nanping fell, the young prince who had been a hostage in Liao lost his kingdom and could only remain in Shangjing, eventually becoming Princess Consort Heng.

Very few knew of this. Even over a decade later, when their daughter was given the title of junzhu, many still remained unaware of Princess Consort Heng’s true identity.

In his previous life, he had contacted Prince Heng’s political rivals in an attempt to locate the Golden Elixir from Nanping’s treasury, asking them to investigate whether Princess Consort Heng was hiding Princess Nanping. But in the end, he found nothing, not only throwing the whole court into an uproar but also implicating himself, leading to total loss.

Though he never found solid evidence despite considerable effort in his past life, Lu Jiming had come to understand that Princess Nanping was likely hiding in Bianjing City.

Nanping fell due to internal strife, but it was ultimately destroyed by Qi. The fallen princess and crown prince were like a smoldering fuse, capable of causing trouble at any moment.

Thinking of this, Lu Jiming instinctively pressed a hand to his lower abdomen.

The fall of a nation and the destruction of a family are never easy. In this life, he would be forgiving when he could, treating it as accumulating blessings for A-Luan.

With that, Lu Jiming smiled and closed the memorial, turning to Wei Yan. "Whether it’s Nanping or Liao, if he dares bring beauties, I’ll drive him out, and Your Majesty shouldn’t bother coming to my Chongyuan Palace anymore."

"Listen to you, so jealous!" Wei Yan laughed. "But don’t forget, according to the old customs of this dynasty, if no consorts are taken, the empress must bear at least three imperial heirs. It’s been so long with no sign of one—Xuping, you’ll have to work harder."

Wei Yan’s words struck directly at Lu Jiming’s current sore spot. His smile froze for a moment, his eyes widening as he looked at Wei Yan.

"I was only joking, Xuping. Even if we have no heirs, it’s fine. We still have A-Xuan and A-Huan. If you like, we can adopt one," Wei Yan said.

If A-Luan were still willing to be their child, he would be overjoyed. But if A-Luan could not forgive them and refused to see them again, Wei Yan thought, then they should not have any other children.

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Author’s Note: Under heaven, every inch is the king’s land; within the borders, every person is the king’s subject. — The Book of Songs