PM - 62

He had stayed long enough and would eventually have to leave the palace. Coming into the forbidden quarters in such a hurry at midnight would surely become another scandalous topic of gossip.

It was strange—had the young emperor been a man, there might not have been such an uproar. But she was a maiden, so she had to be extraordinarily cautious. He gently stroked her face, saying, “I must go now. There’s a morning assembly tomorrow; we can meet again in court.”

She clung to him, refusing to let go. “I’m afraid that once you leave, you’ll disappear again.”

He reassured her, “That won’t happen. I’ve already handled everything that needed preparation. The Hu cavalry of Chang River are too fierce. I could have sent someone with a red bannered command, but fearing they wouldn’t comply, I had to go myself.”

Fu Wei found it odd. “With the banner as proof, why wouldn’t they follow?”

He smiled. “Because the banner is a lifeless object. During Emperor Xiao’s reign, when the crown prince issued a red bannered command to mobilize troops, someone shouted, ‘The banner is fake!’ and the envoy was immediately beheaded by a commander on horseback. Those Hu people don’t just recognize the banner—they mainly recognize the person. This has its advantages: apart from you and me, no one else can command these two ironclad cavalries. Even if the entire court descends into chaos, we’ll still have this final safeguard. So this stubborn trait of theirs can’t be corrected—we’ll just let it be, even if it takes extra effort.”

She didn’t care about his explanations and simply clung to him, reluctant to part. His heart softened with pity.

“What’s wrong? It’s not like we’re parting forever.”

“I’m scared because of you,” she said, hugging his waist and whimpering. “I won’t let you go.”

He chuckled. “I’ve been here for half an hour—it’s time to leave.”

“I want to have a ‘candlelit conversation’ with my Chancellor tonight. Is that not allowed?”

Even his most patient persuasion couldn’t stop her petulance. “A small compromise can prevent great disorder. Why won’t you listen? I can stay, but you must prepare for potential instability in imperial authority. What if someone stands in court and openly questions your identity? Have you thought about how to respond?”

How to respond? For a moment, she truly felt lost. “I am the emperor—do I have to strip naked to prove myself to all the officials? Who dares force me into such humiliation?”

“That’s the worst-case scenario, which may never happen. But Your Majesty must prepare for the unexpected.” Deep down, he knew she had never imagined facing such a situation. Seeing her reluctance, he kissed her forehead helplessly. “If you don’t want things to escalate to that point, the only option is patience.”

She felt a sense of loss. He spoke so much about the political situation but lacked the passion they shared in private moments. She began to suspect he might have transferred his affections elsewhere or that his feelings for her weren’t as intense as before.

“You’re leaving now? Don’t you plan to show me some affection?” She clutched his hand, visibly dissatisfied. Gently scratching his palm, she teased, “Only half an hour—it’s not that long. Every time the Grand Tutor or the Secretary General comes for an audience, they spend an hour or two…”

She would never understand the immense effort it took for him to make his legs move and leave her. Before he knew love, it didn’t matter. But once tasted, it was like a wolf savoring blood—restless and uncontrollable. Whenever he saw her, desire welled up within him. Hadn’t she noticed the hunger in his gaze? Yet she continued to tease and complain. Was she happy only when she drove him mad?

He lowered his head, brushing her lips with a soft kiss. “What kind of intimacy does Your Majesty seek?”

Her lips curved upward, rosy and radiant like a freshly watered rose. Before she could respond, he lifted her up, bypassed the hanging feathered canopy, and placed her on the half-finished chessboard in front of the screen.

The black-and-white pieces were swept off by his wide sleeves, clattering onto the golden-brick floor with sharp sounds, then rolling and scattering in all directions. The lacquered chess table wasn’t large, standing only about a foot high. She had to twist her waist to sit and maintain balance.

He crouched down, his towering frame and broad robes enveloping her like a mountain. His low voice murmured in her ear, “I am now a ravenous beast, Your Majesty. Don’t provoke me, or you’ll bring trouble upon yourself.”

She loved his ambiguous tone. Being close to her filled her with immense happiness.

Her arms intertwined, tightly clasping his neck. She examined him carefully, kissing him softly. “Don’t say such things to anyone else, understood?”

His hands slid down her arms, tracing their delicate curves until they rested on her slender waist. “When have I ever said such things to anyone else? Even the highest-ranking ministers—I can’t be bothered to deal with them. Everyone knows I’m arrogant and disdainful. My reputation is so poor that no one would dare marry their daughter or sister to me.”

As he spoke, a hint of self-pity seeped through his words. She laughed. “It seems I saved you, Chancellor. Otherwise, how pitiful you’d be—living your whole life without tasting meat, eating vegetarian meals until the end of time.”

Indeed, only the emperor could tame him in this world.

He focused entirely on kissing her, as if trying to draw out her very soul. Fu Wei felt dizzy; the lingering effects of Jin Ni still coursed through her body. He was like a catalyst, amplifying the tingling sensation twofold.

“Ruchun…”

He hummed in response, his soft nasal tone transforming into an invisible hand that gripped her heart fiercely. Dazed, she reached for his sleeve, cradling his wrist against her chest. “Are you cold? Let me warm you.”

He smiled against her lips, their teeth colliding lightly. Cupping her small frame in his palm, he whispered, “The emperor is indeed the emperor, always surprising me.”

But later, he realized this was merely an exchange. If she willingly allowed him to take liberties, he naturally had to reciprocate. A pale hand slipped into his lower garment, and he could no longer laugh. Trembling, he supported his weight, his voice quivering. “Your Majesty, after returning the six imperial seals, if you still feel the need to deal with me, we will settle accounts thoroughly then.”

To this day, he believed everything she did was for power. Undoubtedly, he was a clever man. Even after returning the seals, military authority remained in his hands. Both the Chang River and Xuan Qu Hu cavalry divisions under the emperor’s direct command recognized only his face. Still, he had done his utmost for her, compromising more than he ever imagined possible.

“Once I have the six seals, do you think I’ll let you off?” she sneered mockingly. “You dream!”

Yet he exhaled in relief, pressing his hand over her restless fingers through his dark robe.

________________________________________

The next day’s court session wasn’t particularly contentious, mostly concerning year-end matters like salt and iron taxes in various provinces and issues arising from excessive coinage by regional states. Bound by the rules set by their ancestors during the founding of the dynasty, even if she wanted reforms, she had to consider everyone’s sentiments.

The most tense confrontation came with the impeachment of the chancellor for unexplained absences.

The Grand Tutor and the chancellor had been rivals for decades, so the former often played the role of the villain. Raising his tablet, the Grand Tutor reported, “I reviewed the attendance records, and aside from three days marked absent, the chancellor failed to provide reasons for the remaining five days. According to the laws of Yin, absence for one day warrants twenty lashes, and failure to attend court without cause results in the forfeiture of a month’s salary. As the chief minister, assisting the emperor and managing state affairs, the chancellor treats this vital position frivolously. I request an investigation, hoping Your Majesty will render a fair judgment.”

The chancellor remained arrogantly composed as usual. “The Grand Tutor spends his days buried in poetry and books, clearly unaware of the dangers of war. I’ve run myself ragged for the empire’s peace, yet here he accuses me of unjustified absence and demands punishment. Esteemed colleagues who’ve served alongside me for years know I haven’t taken a single day off since assuming my duties a decade ago. My recent absences were also for the sake of the court. If the Grand Tutor wishes to make things difficult, perhaps he believes the capital’s defenses can be managed from his sand table, sparing me further toil.”

The Grand Tutor’s beard trembled with anger. “Merit deserves reward, and faults demand accountability. The chancellor’s words are egregiously wrong. If he claims to be working for the court, why didn’t he report it? Why didn’t the emperor issue any decrees? These empty excuses suggest favoritism. Perhaps the chancellor wasn’t working for public affairs but personal matters instead!”

The Grand Tutor’s insinuations were clear. The appearance of Princess Yuanhan from Chaisang had shocked the court, and rumors about her connection to the chancellor were rampant. All eyes turned toward the chancellor, who remained unperturbed. “I’ll turn twenty-nine after the New Year. Among the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, who else remains unmarried like me? Lately, I admit to being preoccupied with personal matters, but I assure you I’ve kept public and private affairs distinct. I humbly request Your Majesty’s discernment.”

From the throne, the young emperor spoke calmly. “The chancellor’s hard work and contributions over the years are evident to us all. However, regarding his absences, I must address the issue. As the highest-ranking official and a model for others, the chancellor should lead by example—a principle that needs no elaboration. Since the Grand Tutor brought it up, I must provide an explanation…” She paused thoughtfully. “Thus, I’ll intercede on the chancellor’s behalf. The corporal punishment will be waived, but his salary will be docked for a quarter. Are there any objections?”

No one among the assembled officials dared oppose. After all, the chancellor was the pillar of the court, and subjecting him to physical punishment was unrealistic. The emperor’s leniency served as a minor reprimand, avoiding undue damage to the chancellor’s dignity. Most officials understood that undermining the chancellor’s prestige would make life difficult for everyone.

The young emperor scanned the hall, noting the chorus of agreement. Her gaze then fell on the chancellor, whose expression was displeased but who nonetheless bowed deeply. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

The young emperor lightly tapped the jade armrest with a smile, then shifted the topic: “I have one more matter to address—it concerns Princess Chaisang. Everyone here knows that the princess passed away in the fifth year of Yuan You, and her fiefdom was reclaimed while she was removed from the registry. To be honest, her sudden reappearance astonished even me. Therefore, yesterday, I ordered the eunuchs to bring her into the palace so I could personally verify her identity. After questioning her, the princess answered fluently, leading me to suspect there might have been errors in the initial verification. Whenever I think of our clan’s internal strife, it breaks my heart. The King of Changsha rebelled, but his crime did not extend to the princess. I cannot bear to see my blood-relative aunt left destitute. Thus, I’ve instructed the Ministry of Imperial Clan Affairs to reverify the Chaisang fiefdom and restore it to the princess. Additionally…” She paused, her tone light but deliberate. “I hear that Chancellor and the princess share a deep friendship. Chancellor, what do you think? Should I arrange a marriage between the two of you to foster an eternal bond?”

Naturally, those who cared for the young emperor hoped this troublesome chancellor would marry and produce heirs soon—but he refused. With upraised hands, he expressed his gratitude, speaking eloquently about how he couldn’t decide such matters on behalf of the princess. After all, she wasn’t an ordinary woman; having endured hardships over the years, she surely had her own judgment. Thus, everything ultimately depended on the princess’s wishes.

The young emperor sighed faintly, saying, “If that’s the case, I won’t force the matter. Chancellor, go back and discuss it with the princess—I await your good news.”

With no further objections raised, the young emperor continued: “Yesterday, during a casual conversation with the Counselor for Remonstrance, we discussed a recent case in the capital involving three brothers who fought over their father’s inheritance, resulting in one death and two imprisonments. Surely, many of you have heard of this case?”

Since the chancellor assumed governance, public security in the imperial city had greatly improved. It was said that people didn’t pick up lost items on the road, and doors remained unlocked at night—a testament to unparalleled peace and prosperity. Hence, when such a homicide case occurred, it spread widely through the streets and alleys. Most officials residing in these neighborhoods were well aware of it.

Thus, the court erupted into lively discussion—one voice after another chiming in. The young emperor listened with a faint smile, sitting quietly for some time before speaking again: “It made me wonder—why must siblings born of the same father be divided by seniority or status? Even commoners fight bitterly over a small plot of land. What then of the second and third sons among the royal princes of the Yuan family? Some suffer droughts while others floods—it’s the current state of the vassal kingdoms. All are descendants of Emperor Guanglie. Why not strive for balance and harmony?” She paused thoughtfully. “After much deliberation, I propose extending favor to the imperial clan by dividing each kingdom into several marquisates, allowing the princes’ descendants to share the fiefs equally until the land is exhausted. Esteemed ministers, what are your thoughts on this?”

When the young emperor finished speaking, the entire hall fell silent in astonishment. No one expected the young sovereign to devise such a cunning plan to dismantle the power of the nobility. In ancient times, the territories granted to lords rarely exceeded 100 li, making it impossible for them to oppose the central authority. Now, the situation had flipped entirely. A single princely title could encompass dozens of cities and thousands of fertile fields. Wealth and influence bred arrogance and rebellion. Stripping them of their lands would incite hatred deeper than execution itself. Immediate centralization was impractical, so why not use their internal conflicts to fragment their established power structures, paving the way for gradual absorption?

Illegitimate sons always outnumbered legitimate eldest heirs. This decree aligned with the interests of the vast majority. Even if someone opposed it, they would only provoke widespread resentment. By the time disputes arose, the young emperor wouldn’t need to intervene—the problems would resolve themselves. Simply put, the fiefdoms were like a flatbread—divided piece by piece, they’d soon dwindle. Eventually, each branch would manage its own affairs without interference from the court, while the vassal states naturally fragmented. This was the pinnacle of achieving goals without bloodshed. It addressed the issue of powerful lords while earning a reputation for benevolent governance—a masterstroke worthy of admiration.

The young emperor turned to the chancellor. “What does Father Chancellor think?”

For the childless chancellor, this matter was utterly irrelevant. More children meant greater blessings, but under this order, the opposite became true. In time, large principalities would shrink to just over ten cities, and minor marquisates to mere miles—hardly resembling noble domains anymore!

The chancellor stood straight, bowing deeply. “I concur.”

The young emperor surveyed the assembly with a gaze akin to salvation. “And what say the rest of you?”

All the civil and military officials rose from their seats, raising their tablets in unison as they bowed deeply. “We concur.”

The young emperor exhaled slowly, her delicate eyes lingering briefly on the chancellor before breaking into a soft smile. That smile flickered like a spark, quickly dissipating into an air of restraint and refined majesty.

“This policy will officially take effect next spring,” she announced as all ministers bowed low. “Next year will surely be auspicious. I intend to change the era name to Xi He, and hereby inform you all.”

The renaming signaled a fresh start and demonstrated the young emperor’s determination to assume personal rule. Reactions across the court varied—those loyal to the chancellor felt a sense of impending doom. After the session ended, they chased after him anxiously. “Prime Minister, we must devise a countermeasure!”

The chancellor’s expression froze like solid ice. “Can’t you see that the emperor assuming personal rule is inevitable? The lords’ lands will be divided, and my major policies returned. Ultimately, they were never mine to monopolize forever.” Turning around, his deep red-edged robes contrasted sharply with his cold, solitary eyes. A mocking smile flitted across his face. “When rumors of scandal between me and Her Majesty swirled outside, did any of you speak up for me? Look now—this is what ‘affection’ looks like. The emperor shows no mercy toward me. If she orders me to step down, I still retain command of the capital troops. As for your futures, you’ll have to fend for yourselves. No one can save anyone else in this world—good luck.”

The chancellor, penalized with a quarter’s loss of salary, lightly smoothed his sleeves and walked away, unperturbed. Behind him, a group of abandoned officials beat their chests in despair. Having often offended the pro-emperor faction, the chancellor’s allies realized their days of ease were over—they could only work diligently from now on.

Meanwhile, Grand Tutor Sun Mo and others were jubilant, clapping their hands in delight. “What a triumph! His Majesty’s move combines firmness with flexibility. We foresee a flourishing golden age ahead!”

Fu Wei walked slowly along the imperial path, her smile failing to reach her eyes. “Strict policies often breed slander. While this decree will bring relief to many relatives, it will also offend some. These individuals once formed the foundation of the court, and though their roots run deep, who knows what storms may arise in the future?”

Sun Mo reassured her, “Your Majesty need not worry. Once the policy takes effect, the kingdoms and principalities will collapse internally. At that point, even if the lords harbor grievances, they’ll be too preoccupied managing chaos within their households to pose a threat.”

Fu Wei’s smile lingered, but her eyes grew colder.

This was also an opportune moment for reorganization. As the Secretary General said, those struggling with household affairs wouldn’t have time to trouble her. Conversely, if her plans proceeded as intended, they wouldn’t be affected by this matter. Most elders and brothers of the late emperor had numerous descendants, except for Prince Jingyuan Biao, whose sons were still young. Then there was Prince Jing of Jingzhou, Source Chang, imprisoned and no longer a threat, and Duke Dingcheng Xian, Source Xian, with three underage sons… Calculating thus, only two key figures in the main lineage required vigilance. The rest, like Marquis Xiaying, inherited titles as sole heirs. After filtering, she had a clearer grasp of the situation.

This could be considered a stroke of genius born out of desperation. When cornered, one could only fight with their back against the wall. Last night, after the chancellor left, she sat alone in the outer chamber all night, realizing she couldn’t wait any longer. Without taking action, more storms would follow, overwhelming even someone with three heads and six arms. Today’s policy, proposed tentatively, earned a glimmer of approval in his eyes. She knew she was on the right path.

Sometimes, reflecting privately, she realized she hadn’t truly grown up. She craved his recognition and praise. Like when she recited texts flawlessly as a child, earning a smile and words of praise—”How clever Your Majesty is!”—that joy stayed with her for days.

In truth, everything she achieved was for his acknowledgment. She viewed him as both mentor and adversary—he was the driving force behind her reign.