FYM - 107

He was right. Song Shuyan indeed disliked Jinling and grew weary of Taicheng, but she had long grown accustomed to solitude, no longer needing company as much. Moreover, after the capital relocation, myriad affairs were pressing, leaving her with little time to dwell on the so-called “loneliness.”

The most crucial matter now was the current state of the world.

In the north, the war in Youzhou was still ongoing, but fortunately, military reports indicated that after the reinforcement of fifty thousand troops from Yingchuan, the situation was gradually improving. Perhaps within two or three months, the Eastern Turks could be driven back to the north of Yunzhou. In the west, the rebel king and the Zhong clan had not yet recovered from their previous defeat. It was rumored that they were also having disputes with the Turks—how could the nomads willingly serve as their vanguard? Borrowing troops for rebellion was merely a means to profit, and now, after ten years of intermittent warfare, they feared retribution and internal strife was inevitable. Thus, it seemed unlikely they could mount a significant offensive across the Yangtze River anytime soon.

By this reckoning, clearing out the rebellious factions in the southwest would bring a long-awaited period of stability. For Great Zhou, this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to recuperate, enrich the nation, and strengthen its military. The pressing tasks were, first, to stabilize the political situation and guard against disturbances by the Luoyang faction, and second, to implement new policies to resolve chronic issues such as an empty treasury and shortages of provisions. There was much to do, and everything needed renewal.

She had deliberated for a long time. The focus of the new policies should be on enriching the people and strengthening the fundamentals, which ultimately came down to population and land. Currently, many Central Plains people were migrating to Jiangnan. Verifying numbers, providing relief and resettlement, and redistributing fertile fields were long-term strategies, fulfilling the promise she made to the masses by the Yangzhou riverside. However, there were quite a few officials from the Luoyang faction in the Ministry of Revenue, and Minister Xiao Xingjian had a close relationship with Fan Yucheng, making them potentially uncooperative, which posed some difficulties.

The Song family, as her maternal clan, should theoretically help her, but their position as leaders of the Jinling faction was sensitive. Some things others could do, they couldn’t. Using them involved many taboos and wasn’t very convenient. Besides, the Song family...

The more she thought about it, the tighter her brows furrowed, and she found it increasingly difficult to sleep peacefully in this ancient Taicheng palace.

The young emperor’s thoughts weren’t as heavy as his mother’s.

On the first night in Jinling, he indeed felt a sense of loss and tossed and turned, shedding a few tears at the thought of his homeland and the late emperor. But after a few days, his worries gradually subsided, and under the consolation of his attendants, he developed an interest in exploring the new palace. The spring scenery of Jiangnan in February, with lush grass and singing birds, was truly captivating and didn’t allow one to remain cooped up indoors all day.

The imperial garden was exceptionally spacious and lovely.

Pavilions, terraces, small bridges, and flowing water were everywhere, each step revealing exquisite elegance unseen in the eastern and western capitals. When the season arrived, flowers bloomed profusely, with even more varieties than in the Central Plains. However, due to the hurried southern migration, the Ministry of Works hadn’t managed everything perfectly. After wandering around for a while, they didn’t find a plum grove as luxuriant as Yufei Garden in the eastern capital, which displeased the young emperor.

“Your Majesty, please don’t be angry. I will have them send workers to fix it,” Wang Mu was always smooth-tongued and considerate, seemingly endlessly patient with the young emperor. “It just so happens that Her Majesty’s birthday is approaching. Your Majesty can present the new garden as a birthday gift to show filial piety.”

This remark enlightened Wei Xi.

Yes, the eighth day of the second month was his mother’s birthday, only four or five days away. If he could recreate the Yufei Garden of the old capital in the new palace, it would surely make his mother smile. He was delighted and personally ran around the imperial garden to choose a location, finally settling on an apricot grove near the lakeside pavilion. He ordered the apricot trees cut down and replaced with plum trees, preferably in full bloom, to create a festive and auspicious atmosphere.

With his mind fully occupied with this project, he became less diligent in his studies with the Grand Tutor. Consequently, he faced several reprimands and was reported to his mother by Chen Meng. Upon hearing the news, Song Shuyan personally visited the Gui’an Hall, her stern expression sending a chill down Wei Xi’s neck. He instinctively stood up and bowed his head before his mother, biting his lips and occasionally stealing glances upward.

Wang Mu remained the most considerate, constantly excusing the young emperor and almost praising his virtuous heart to the skies. However, Song Shuyan remained unmoved and sternly rebuked Wei Xi: “The national treasury has been depleted for a long time, and the relocation of the capital consumed countless resources. While in Yangzhou, you must have seen the suffering of the common people. How can you squander extravagantly on such trivial matters?”

The late emperor had promoted frugality during the Taiqing era, and all court expenditures were strictly regulated. She, as the ruler, should not indulge in wastefulness or excess. A few days ago, the Ministry of Rites submitted a memorial proposing a grand birthday celebration for the empress dowager, with many court officials echoing this to curry favor. She rejected all proposals, insisting on simplicity until the end of the war. However, she did not expect the young emperor to create such a fuss behind her back.

Wei Xi was extremely frightened after being reprimanded and felt a bit wronged. Tugging at his mother’s sleeve, he stammered: “This year marks Mother’s first curtain governance, and the relocation of the capital has just settled. I just wanted a good omen and didn’t want your birthday banquet to pass by casually…”

Song Shuyan understood his intentions, but the term “birthday banquet” always evoked a sense of vulgarity. She was only twenty-five, how could she justify using such a weighty word as “longevity”? Yet, as the empress dowager, she had to replace the light-hearted “birthday” with something more formal, though it felt like being urged to grow old.

She smiled faintly and patted the young emperor’s shoulder, saying: “My son’s filial piety is known to me, but this is not the time for grand celebrations. Since you’ve already arranged for the plum grove to be planted, let it be. Remember to study diligently from now on and avoid laziness.”

The Ministry of Works acted swiftly and managed to renovate the new garden mostly by the eighth day. The plum blossoms in Jiangnan could still bloom for a few more days, currently at their last flowering period. Wei Xi was delighted and immediately ordered a feast set up by the lakeside pavilion. Personally inviting his mother, his sweet words were like honey, congratulating her and excusing himself: “It’s just a simple family banquet, Mother, please relax. Your subject understands…”

Only upon arrival did they realize it was undoubtedly a “family banquet”—the entire Song family was there. Her father, two uncles, their respective wives and children, and everyone from her stepmother’s side except her eldest sister Song Shuying, who remained in Yangzhou with her husband Wan Sheng, were present. Even her second sister Song Shuqing, who had gone to Lizhou with her husband Jia Xin as a magistrate years ago, was there. Dozens of people filled the small pavilion to the brim.

For a moment, Song Shuyan was somewhat lost in thought, feeling as if she had returned to over a decade ago when she traveled alone from Qiantang to Chang’an. Every visit to the Song household revealed such prosperous scenes of wealth and abundance. Despite the current turmoil and devastation of the realm, the Song family remained as prominent as ever, enjoying every bit of fortune without loss.

The young emperor couldn’t perceive the weariness and sarcasm in his mother’s eyes and believed inviting the Song family to the palace banquet was a thoughtful and clever move. At this moment, he invited his mother to take her seat and enthusiastically took charge of the scene, addressing the kneeling Song family members below: “Today we are not master and servant but family. Everyone, please rise and take your seats.”

The three Song brothers rose according to the emperor’s words, but their family members remained kneeling, waiting for the empress dowager’s command. Especially the Wans’ side, whose heads were bowed particularly low—Song Mingzhuo, who had personally escorted his youngest sister back to Jinling, was drenched in cold sweat. His younger brother Song Shuqian, who had slapped the current empress dowager in the face along with him, trembled like a sieve. Their mother was the most uneasy, hiding behind her husband Song Dan, her forehead tightly pressed to the ground, wishing she could dig a hole to bury herself alive.

Song Shuyan sat high above, watching everything unfold without hatred or satisfaction. She had likely long since become indifferent to the past events involving herself. The only unresolved matter was the death of Zhuier. Eight years ago, everyone said she died accidentally, as if a slave’s life was meant to be as insignificant as grass.

“Rise.”

Her gaze grew colder, and her tone more indifferent.

Everyone then rose and took their seats. The silence in the hall was so profound that even the drop of a needle could be heard clearly. Song Shuyan’s gaze slowly swept across the waterside pavilion, asking: “Where is the Colonel of the Middle Palace?”

The young emperor realized that the usually closest Colonel to his mother, Song Mingzhen, was absent. Upon inquiring with Wang Mu, he learned that the latter was on duty and couldn’t attend the banquet. Song Shuyan found it amusing, thinking that this so-called “family banquet” had invited all those she disliked, while the one who genuinely cared for her was absent. She surmised that her second brother probably avoided mingling with the Song family by using this excuse.

“Then let us begin the feast.”

She waved her hand slightly, showing signs of fatigue.

The palace attendants were attuned to her expressions. Upon hearing her words, they hurriedly brought in delicacies one after another. The twilight of mid-spring in February enveloped them, and the gentle breeze was pleasantly cool. However, the silent banquet felt too desolate, making the rare sight of plum blossoms seem less lively.

Wei Xi watched anxiously, fearing that his mother wouldn’t enjoy this birthday. He quickly signaled Song Dan seated below, hoping he would say something to break the deadlock. Nearly sixty, Song Gong did not follow the emperor’s command but instead glanced at his second daughter seated at the far end. She quickly understood and raised a cup of wine, bowing remotely to wish the empress dowager longevity.

Among the sisters, Song Erjie was the closest to the youngest sister and had never quarreled over the years. Although Song Shuyan knew she was pushed forward by her father to handle things, she accepted the cup of wine with a smile and addressed her: “It’s been many years. Er’jie appears even more graceful than before. I hear you have a pair of children now? Did you bring them to the palace today?”

Seeing her younger sister giving her such face, Song Shuqing was flattered. Her eyes lit up with joy as she bowed again, replying: “Thanks to Her Majesty’s concern, my son and daughter are still in Xunzhou and haven’t returned to Jinling with me.”

Speaking of which, her husband Jia Xin’s official career had been rather bumpy.

Initially passing the imperial exams and marrying into the Song family, he unfortunately encountered their political troubles and lack of imperial favor. He had to leave the western capital for Lizhou, enduring hard posts in the Bashu region for many years. Finally, when the Song family regained influence, this second brother-in-law clashed with the family. His father-in-law, to discipline his second son, vented his anger on his daughter and son-in-law, transferring him to Xunzhou. The southern climate was hot and humid, almost peeling off a layer of skin.

Song Shuyan was aware of her second sister’s family’s recent circumstances. Her expression subtly shifted, and she casually remarked: “The climate of Xunzhou is harsh and may harm tender children. Next time Er’jie returns to Jinling, bring the children along.”

This statement was subtle and profound, especially the phrase “next time,” which carried deep implications. What did “return to Jinling again” mean? Was it an intention to promote her brother-in-law back to the new capital?

Jia Xin, having served as an official for many years, was no fool. Knowing that the conflict between his second brother-in-law and the Song family was irreconcilable, his future and fate now rested entirely on the empress dowager. He immediately knelt before Song Shuyan, his voice trembling as he replied: “I humbly thank Her Majesty for her grace…”

Song Shuqing, with tears in her eyes, repeatedly bowed to her sister in gratitude. This scene had a different effect on the Song brothers. Song Bo coughed lightly and looked at his elder brother, clearly signaling him to speak to his own daughter.

However, Song Dan still refused, causing Song Bo to feel both anxious and annoyed. Eventually, unable to restrain himself, he followed up on the previous topic and clasped his hands, saying: “There is a saying that promoting the worthy does not avoid kinship, and promoting kinship does not avoid suspicion. Her Majesty selecting talent for the country is indeed an enlightened act—coinciding with the upcoming imperial examination, it is suitable to widely recruit talents and uncover hidden gems. At this time of rebuilding, we should select exceptional individuals without constraint to revitalize the glory of our Great Zhou.”