FYM - 93

These words…

The ministers’ hearts grew cold, easily discerning the underlying meaning in Lord Fang’s statement—over half a month had passed since Prince of Yinping and Chancellor Fan openly rebelled, nearly endangering the Empress Dowager’s life. Today, it was finally time to settle this account.

On the imperial throne, the young emperor had prepared only a few words of praise for loyal subjects, not expecting the other party to so directly seek justice for him and his mother. Overjoyed yet momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn, the vast and solemn hall fell into profound silence; even the drop of a needle would have echoed deafeningly.

“I, I…”

He panicked, his unease fully exposed. Fortunately, all eyes were on Fang Xianting, with only Wei Bi and Fan Yucheng’s faces turning red then white in succession. Soon after, a faint sigh emerged from behind the curtain, followed by a gentle female voice slowly resonating from the depths of the hall: “Lord Fang has achieved monumental feats for our nation through war. There is no need to burden yourself with guilt over court affairs. As for the matter of promotion…”

In the three hundred years since the Zhou dynasty’s establishment, instances of an Empress Dowager ruling from behind the curtain were rare. The previous example involved the Dou family abusing power during the previous dynasty, oppressing the young emperor and causing chaos until they were killed by court officials. For a hundred years thereafter, no woman governed. Now, her voice resounded in the grand Mingtang Hall, stirring subtle emotions among the ministers, unsure whether this omen was auspicious or ominous.

Her words were measured, clearly showing she didn’t wish to revisit past disputes. With the new emperor’s ascension and the unstable state of the court, initiating a purge now would be detrimental to calming the populace. Unfortunately, Lord Fang seemed unappreciative of her restraint. Still clad in his dark armor, his tall and stern figure appeared especially cold and imposing as he continued: “Since ancient times, periods of upheaval breed chaos. Without strict laws, discipline cannot be maintained; without harsh penalties, order cannot be restored. Though Her Majesty and Your Majesty are merciful and lenient, such leniency may encourage evil ambitions within the court.”

Pausing, his gaze swept directly to Wei Bi, asking: “Prince of Yinping, what do you think?”

This…

The Mingtang Hall fell into dead silence. At this moment, every minister, regardless of faction, held their breath, silent as cicadas in winter. While everyone knew the late emperor appointed five chief ministers to balance power, no one expected this celestial battle to unfold so soon before these mortals.

Wei Bi, unexpectedly called out, hadn’t anticipated Fang Xianting to be so dismissive. Stunned, then enraged, cold sweat broke out on his palms from fear. Exchanging glances with Fan Yucheng beside him, he forced himself to step forward and declared loudly: “My Lord speaks wisely. We, as chief ministers, must eliminate treachery and uphold the nation for His Majesty, never slackening for a day…”

Attempting to evade confrontation with platitudes, Fang Xianting showed no interest in prolonging the charade, interrupting immediately: “If that’s the case, who surrounded the palace with troops and controlled the officials after the late emperor’s passing? And who aimed an arrow at the Empress Dowager with rebellious intent on the day of his entombment? I hope Prince of Yinping will clarify everything today.”

The words “rebellion” struck like thunder, instantly branding anyone implicated with the crime of nine familial exterminations. Wei Bi’s heart trembled violently, feeling both humiliated and outraged. Though aware Fang Xianting had genuinely served the nation through countless battles, he couldn’t forget that he was nearly twenty years older than this younger man! How dare he be questioned so publicly!

“Lord Fang’s words are mistaken—”

His tone turned icy, his eyes flashing with anger.

“The late emperor suffered from illness since the seventh year of Taiqing, rarely governing. Later, misled by his relatives, he insisted on abandoning the Central Plains to move south. After his death last month, the Song clan stirred unrest. This prince brought troops into the palace to protect the young emperor, unwilling to see our Wei dynasty fall into others’ hands!”

Though delivered forcefully, this defense was clearly far from the truth. Predictably, another minister stepped forward, shouting indignantly: “Nonsense!” Upon closer inspection, it was Song Bo, the third-rank Minister of Works, indeed the aggrieved party from the turmoil over half a month ago.

“Lord Fang, please understand—”

He bowed deeply to Fang Xianting. None of the high-ranking officials present knew the two were nearly related a decade ago.

“Our clan has long been favored by the heavens, forever grateful to the late emperor and unwaveringly loyal. The Empress Dowager tirelessly assisted in governance, working day and night for many years. Unexpectedly, the Luoyang faction stirred rebellion on the day of national mourning, surrounding the palace and holding officials hostage. On the day of the late emperor’s entombment, they attempted to assassinate the Empress Dowager!”

“They are traitors—despicable traitors!”

After speaking, he knelt and kowtowed, his body facing the emperor and Empress Dowager, but everyone understood whom he truly worshipped. Seeing this, the Jinling faction followed suit, weeping bitterly, each appearing as if awaiting a savior to vindicate them.

Such a spectacle of grievances shocked the senses. The Luoyang faction was thrown into disarray, even the Grand Secretary visibly sweating profusely and pale-faced. Prince of Yinping glared fiercely at his peers, then shouted hoarsely: “Preposterous,” bitterly cursing: “Song Bo! The late emperor treated your Song clan well, yet you betray him so! This prince’s loyalty is heaven-attested. To protect the nation, I’ll bear any slander, but I can’t allow the empress dowager to cause chaos!”

“Who exactly is bullying the young emperor!”

Song Bo was infuriated beyond measure, his face flushed red despite aging significantly over the past decade.

“Wei Bi! You defied the late emperor’s decree to stop the southern migration, opposed His Majesty’s wishes, and sought to elevate a concubine from Bailu Terrace to Empress Dowager! How dare you speak so brazenly now!”

“The late emperor was deceived by your kind!” Wei Bi retorted vehemently. “Lord Fang has returned victorious, the Jiankun defeated, why abandon the Central Plains? Consort Dong is the emperor’s birth mother, bringing her to the palace as Empress Dowager is entirely proper!”

“Song Bo! Don’t slander me falsely—”

Back and forth they argued incessantly, resembling common street brawlers more than dignified statesmen. As the hall threatened to descend into chaos once more, the young emperor on the throne panicked, unsure how to proceed. Then, Lord Fang, without uttering a word, turned and signaled coldly. The doors of the Mingtang Hall reopened, and countless armed soldiers marched in expressionlessly.

Everyone was startled, especially the civil officials of the Luoyang faction, trembling uncontrollably. Even Prince of Yinping retreated a step, terrified, forcing himself to suppress his fear and confront Fang Xianting, asking gravely: “May I ask, My Lord, what is the meaning of this?”

Fang Xianting’s expression remained unchanged, accustomed to scenes of carnage from the battlefield. He merely stated indifferently: “Debates in the court are futile. Prince of Yinping evades the issue but avoids addressing one critical point…”

At this moment, he finally turned to look at him, his icy eyes radiating ferocity, akin to a vengeful god of hell, and asked word by word: “Did you intend to assassinate the Empress Dowager?”

…Most of the elder ministers who had served three dynasties remembered the former Crown Prince of Jin State.

“Like frost piercing a jade tower, or plum blossoms brewing snowstorms…” Though always taciturn and aloof, he was far from the somber and unpredictable man he had become today, especially since his miraculous return seven years ago…

Wei Bi was pinned to the spot by that sharp glance, realizing too late that he and Fan Yucheng had miscalculated—Fang Xianting wasn’t interested in discussing “compromise and balance.” He was determined to dig deep for answers and show no hesitation in exacting retribution.

Overwhelmed by fear, he finally grasped the despair of being prey, fighting desperately under the threat of swords, pointing furiously at Fang Xianting and cursing: “Fang Xianting—what are you doing—”

“I am of the Wei clan! A regent appointed by the late emperor!”

“How dare you kill me? Aren’t you afraid of public condemnation, aren’t you afraid of destroying the Fang clan’s reputation?”

His desperate questions dissipated like sand into the sea. Everyone watched as Lord Fang didn’t even flinch, calmly stating: “Those guilty of treason deserve execution. This lord acts according to the law without fear—Rebel King Wei Zheng will also meet his end on the battlefield to appease our fallen heroes.”

These words left no room for mercy. The armored soldiers in the hall obeyed only his command, advancing step by step towards Wei Bi and Fan Yucheng, their sharp swords gleaming coldly. In the next moment, fate would be sealed, and rumors of the five regents’ clash would spread across the realm—

But—

“…Lord Fang.”

A soft voice emerged from behind the curtain, as elegant and ethereal as a solitary flower in the snow. Amidst the rigid and severe court, it was almost imperceptible, yet it unmistakably reached the ears of the man who had been separated from her for so long.

“The turmoil at the entombment is complex; rights and wrongs cannot be determined in a day… Moreover, Prince of Yinping and Chancellor Fan have long served the late emperor and contributed to our Zhou dynasty. Punishment should be reconsidered.”

This…

This was clearly an attempt to exonerate them, seeking peace and reconciliation. The young emperor behind the curtain turned back in astonishment, his eyes filled with confusion and reluctance. The ministers hadn’t expected such magnanimity from the Empress Dowager. But now, Lord Fang held absolute power, commanding obedience even over fellow chief ministers. How could he heed the objections of a frail woman?

The atmosphere in the hall froze, life and death hanging on his decision. Yet, he merely raised his head slightly, looking up at the dais, his gaze meeting those familiar yet distant eyes through the gently swaying pearl curtain. That brief moment was both certain and elusive. Though she knew it was duty driving him, her heart still trembled uncontrollably. In the next instant, he lowered his head again, bowing to her amidst the incredulous gazes of the assembled officials, replying: “Your servant respectfully obeys the Empress Dowager’s decree.”

…Just like that, he complied so easily.

Below the dais, gasps erupted. Behind the curtain, silence reigned. No one saw the waves rippling in the Empress Dowager’s eyes, only hearing her respond with a flawlessly calm voice: “Good.”

Then, he bowed to her again, his gaze toward Wei Bi and Fan Yucheng growing colder and more indifferent. After a moment’s contemplation, he said: “Though spared from death, punishment remains unavoidable. Responsibility for rebellion cannot go unaccounted.”

With a wave of his hand, more armored soldiers entered the hall. Two of them dragged in a young man, unmistakably Wei Lin, the Prince of Yinping’s son who had attempted to shoot the Empress Dowager.

“Father—”

“Father, save me—”

He was thrown ruthlessly to the ground, losing all dignity as he cried for help from his father. Wei Bi’s face changed dramatically, overcome with fury, turning to question Fang Xianting, his lips trembling violently: “Fang Xianting—you, what do you intend to do—”

Lord Fang didn’t even spare a glance at the father and son, his towering figure as cold as frost and wind, dropping only one word: “Beat.”

His subordinates obeyed without hesitation, treating their lord’s words as divine commands. Immediately, military rods were brought, striking mercilessly and repeatedly on Wei Lin’s flesh. The dull thuds reverberated painfully, accompanied by the father and son’s cries and curses, horrifying everyone in the hall. At that moment, all saw clearly who truly held the power of life and death in the Zhou dynasty.

An unprecedented era.

…had arrived.