Even if Grand Chancellor Yu was not acting in his own best interests, he still had to support Jing Wang's accession to the throne for ...
Even if Grand Chancellor Yu was not acting in his own best interests, he still had to support Jing Wang's accession to the throne for the benefit of the Yu family.
Overwhelmed with responsibilities, Jing Wang could not personally fetch Yuchen and their child, so he sent his trusted confidant, He Xinyi, instead. Only He Xinyi and the Chief Steward knew about *that place.
Yuchen hid with the child for half a month. She could endure it herself, but her child could not. In the small house where they were staying, there was plenty of rice, flour and other necessities. However, Zhou Yan had enjoyed the very best food, clothing and care since birth. How could he endure living on coarse tea and plain rice1 now? Within days, he fell ill and had to take medicine constantly. Even Yuchen herself was worn down by this, losing a noticeable amount of weight.
Had He Xinyi not come, Yuchen had planned to take the child out to seek an imperial physician. The physicians they had hired before were, quite frankly, not particularly skilled.
Upon returning to the wangfu2, Yuchen immediately sent someone to summon Imperial Physician Le. Fortunately, he had not been implicated in the upheaval in the capital, and he hurried over at once upon receiving the summons.
It was only once Zhou Yan's condition began to improve that Yuchen finally had the mental space to pay attention to other matters.
Momo Gui, her face glowing with joy, reported the news she had learned to Yuchen. "Wangfei3, Wangye4 has not only secured the support of the Yu family, but also the backing of the Marquis of Taining and others. Even Yan Wushuang has pledged allegiance to him. Wangfei3, you have finally made it through!" Anyone who did not know the situation might have thought that Yuchen had suffered endless grievances in the past!
Upon hearing this, Yuchen was reminded of something Heshou Xianzhu had once said. She had claimed that if she had not stuck a pole in sideways5, Wangye4 would have ascended the throne long ago, and Yuchen would already have become Empress. "Momo, do you believe in past and present lives?"
Momo Gui hesitated briefly before asking, "Wangfei3, what's the matter?"
Gazing at Zhou Yan lying on the bed, Yuchen replied softly, "Heshou said it was she who changed the Ninth Prince's fate. Back then, the Ninth Prince was originally meant to die at the hands of assassins. Later, Wangye4 ascended the throne. Our two children and I were all safe and sound." Now Wangye4 would ask about the tripod cauldrons for the supreme seat6, and she herself would preside over the realm as its motherly exemplar7. Yet her Xia-er would never return.
Momo Gui comforted her, "Wangfei3, if Grand Junzhu8 knew how much you still think of her, she would surely be pleased." It could be said that Zhou Xia's accident was undoubtedly the most significant blow Yuchen had suffered so far.
Seeing Yuchen sink into grief, Momo Gui hurriedly changed the subject. "Niangniang9, Wang Meiren10 was humiliated and took her own life, bandits abducted Li Meiren10, and the Second Junzhu8 died after falling ill from fright." As for Jing Wang's other concubines, some were dead, others maimed.
After a moment's silence, Yuchen wondered, "If we had taken the Second Junzhu8 with us back then, perhaps she would have been fine." In truth, Yuchen had not wanted to take the child with them at the time. The child was too young—if she cried and drew attention, it would have caused serious trouble. Moreover, as the Chief Steward had not suggested bringing her along, Yuchen said nothing. Yet now, upon hearing that the child was gone, she could not help but feel deep sorrow. After all, it was still a small life.
Momo Gui comforted her, saying, "Wangfei3, this was't your fault. Wangye4 will not blame you. Fortunately, you followed the Chief Steward out of the wangfu2 back then—otherwise, who knows what would have happened now." If Yuchen's reputation had been tarnished, she would never have become Empress.
Yuchen suddenly asked, "Momo, do you think I have been a very incompetent wife?" She had previously criticised Jing Wang for being overly loyal and diligent, but she now realised how wrong she had been. His loyalty and diligence were merely a protective disguise. Behind the scenes, he had quietly gathered so many supporters, while she had been entirely unaware.
Momo Gui quickly responded, "Wangfei3, what kind of talk is that? Isn't Wangye4 simply afraid that you would worry?" Besides, women were never meant to involve themselves in the affairs of the front court11.
Yuchen let out a self-mocking laugh. "Afraid I'd worry? More like afraid I'd get in the way! Other people are truly united as husband and wife—what about me? I know nothing at all." The 'other people' she was referring to were naturally Yuxi and Yun Qing. Yuxi was even able to handle political affairs in the northwest, proving that Yun Qing concealed nothing from her at all. Yet she herself did not even know what the man beside her pillow was honestly thinking.
Momo Gui advised, "Wangfei3, you mustn't think this way. Since ancient times, women have been expected to stay at home, support their husbands, and educate their children. Someone like Fourth Miss is an anomaly. Moreover, her behaviour is something that people openly criticise."
Yuchen smiled bitterly. She wasn't jealous of Yuxi's ability to govern; instead, she was jealous that Yuxi had married a husband who truly treated her well. Jing Wang kept all these matters from her—not so much because he feared she would worry, but because he did not trust her and was guarding against her. Otherwise, how could there not have been the slightest hint? Yuchen sighed softly. "When you think about it, Yuxi was really lucky." Back then, Song Guifei12 had believed the rumours about Yun Qing being a bloodthirsty man, which is why she had only married Yuxi off to him. Who would have thought that Yun Qing would turn out to be such a good man?
Momo Gui had secretly thought that Yuxi would be a source of trouble, and indeed that had proven true. In reality, her own Wangfei3 was already living very well—among the noblewomen of the capital, few could rival her. Yet people feared comparison the most. Moreover, her Wangfei3 had always been a favoured child of heaven13, and now she was being overshadowed by a younger sister who was inferior in every way. How could her heart possibly find balance?
Shiqin entered and announced, "Wangfei3, the Chief Steward requests an audience." With Jing Wang's rise to power, the people of Jing Wangfu2 naturally rose in status as well.
Upon hearing that Yu Xiyu was summoning her to the palace, Yuchen frowned and asked, "The Empress is requesting my presence in the palace? Did she say for what reason?"
The Chief Steward shook his head. "The Empress did not say."
Yuchen frowned slightly and instructed, "Let the messenger come in." In the past, even if her child were ill, she would still have had to enter the palace if the Empress summoned her. However, the situation was entirely different now, and she no longer needed to be so cautious. Moreover, with chaos everywhere outside, the palace was probably dangerous too. Staying in the wangfu2 was far safer.
The Chief Steward did not consider Yuchen's words to be inappropriate. Times were no longer what they once were, and it was understandable that his Wangfei3 did not wish to go to the palace.
This time, it was Momo Jin, the Empress's trusted confidante, who had come.
Yuchen said, "Yan-er is ill, and I must stay to care for him, so I cannot leave. Please convey this to Her Majesty for me." Even so, her words remained appropriately respectful.
Momo Jin had already anticipated this outcome, but she had another purpose. She took a letter out of her sleeve and said, "Wangfei3, Her Majesty has instructed me to deliver this letter to you. Please have a look."
Momo Gui glanced at Yuchen. Seeing her nod, Momo Gui stepped forward to take the letter and open it. There was nothing particularly noteworthy inside; it merely expressed how much the Empress missed Yuchen and hoped the two could meet. Yu Xiyu was no fool; important matters were naturally meant to be discussed face-to-face, not written down in a letter.
Yuchen gave no direct answer and merely replied, "Once some time has passed and Yan-er has recovered, I will go visit Her Majesty." Before seeing the Empress, she would certainly need to consult Jing Wang first. Without knowing his intentions, she could not make decisions on her own.
Momo Jin was also someone who had seen a lot in life. Even before making this trip today, she knew it would end in failure.
Yuchen asked the Chief Steward, "What major incident has happened outside?" Yu Xiyu was an intelligent person; it was impossible for her not to know that Zhou Xuan could never ascend to a high position14. And no matter what, Jing Wang would not k!ll his own nephew—at least, not for now. Given this, Yu Xiyu's urgent request for a meeting could only mean that she had heard something that Yuchen did not yet know.
The Chief Steward fell silent for a moment before saying, "Yan Wushuang killed everyone in the Song family—he didn't even spare the infants. After killing them, he set the place on fire, and the flames have still not been extinguished."
Yuchen's face instantly turned pale. "He didn't even spare the children—this is far too cruel." She had always known that Yan Wushuang was a man of formidable methods, but she never imagined he could be so bloodthirsty.
Momo Gui suddenly understood. "No wonder the Empress wrote to Wangfei3!" The Empress was probably afraid that Yan Wushuang wouldn't spare Zhou Xuan either, and was seeking help from her own Wangfei3.
Jing Wang met with Grand Chancellor Yu and secured his support. He then summoned the Marquis of Taining, the Second Master Lu, and others who supported imperial authority. Marquis of Taining and Second Master Lu had always belonged to the imperial faction, so when Jing Wang sought to win them over, they naturally threw their support behind him.
With the support of these people, the capital quickly stabilised.
Xiao Sanzi reported the intelligence he had gathered to Han Jianming. "Master, Jing Wang will ascend the throne in three days." In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken.
Given the current crisis, Jing Wang needed to ascend to the throne as quickly as possible so that he could rightfully and legitimately take control of the overall situation.
Han Jianming commented, "That's quite fast. What I don't know is what kind of agreement Jing Wang had reached with Yan Wushuang." Just what method did Jing Wang use to make Yan Wushuang submit?
Xiao Sanzi shook his head. How could such secrets possibly be uncovered? "Master, not only Yan Wushuang and the Yu family support the new Emperor, but Marquis of Taining, Marquis of Changping, the Southern Garrison General, the commander of the Imperial Guards, and even the three armies stationed outside the capital all support Jing Wang now."
Han Jianming repeated the very words Grand Chancellor Yu had once said: "If Jing Wang had ascended the throne back then, the situation today would certainly be completely different."
Xiao Sanzi, however, held a different view. "Master, you're not absolutely required to go to the northwest, are you? Jing Wang has always been benevolent and values talent. With your abilities, he would surely place you in an important position."
In truth, Xiao Sanzi did not fully comprehend Han Jianming's decision. In the capital, Han Jianming was a hereditary duke, a title that had been passed down through his family unchanged. Once he went to the northwest, however, that title would indeed be stripped away. And in the northwest, the Han family would be nothing more than relatives on the Si Gunainai15's maternal side—compared to their status in the capital, the difference would be like heaven and earth.
Han Jianming shook his head. "The realm is already in chaos. Trying to clean up this mess is beyond saving now. Moreover, Yan Wushuang is a man whose intentions are impossible to fathom—he cannot be trusted or plotted with." Back then, the entire family of Censor Duan died because of Yan Wushuang, and yet he did not even treat the orphaned Duan child kindly. If someone like that were truly loyal in assisting Jing Wang, that would be laughable! Moreover, if Han Jianming remained in the capital, Jing Wang would not only refuse to make serious use of him, but he would also exploit him to deal with Yuxi. Rather than carrying an empty title in the capital and treading as if he was on thin ice16, it would be better for him to go to the northwest. Whatever his future prospects may be, moving to the northwest would finally put his family out of harm's way.
The most important reason, of course, was that Han Jianming believed he could accomplish something in the northwest—unlike in the capital, where he was held back by his family. However, this was a thought he would never voice aloud.
Footnotes Full List
- 粗茶淡饭 (cū chá dàn fàn): an idiom meaning a frugal, humble lifestyle with simple food.
- 王府 wángfǔ：king's residence
- 王妃 wángfēi: king's consort
- 王爷 wángye: Lord king
- 横插一杠 (héng chā yí gàng): an idiom meaning to interfere abruptly or obstruct someone's plans.
- 问鼎大位 (wèndǐng dàwèi): an idiom meaning to vie for or obtain the supreme power or throne.
- 母仪天下 (mǔyí tiānxià): a classical phrase meaning "to serve as the moral mother of the nation," i.e., the Empress.
- 郡主 jùnzhǔ: daughter of the kings (王 wáng) during the Ming and Qing dynasties
- 娘娘 niángniang: addressing or referring to an empress or an imperial concubine
- 美人 (měirén) is actually a specific title for an Imperial Consort. In dynasties like the Han or Tang, a "Meiren" was a middle-to-lower-ranked concubine in the Emperor/King's harem.
- 前院的事 (qián yuàn de shì): A metaphor for political and official matters, traditionally handled by men. In aristocratic households, the front court symbolised public power, while the inner quarters belonged to women.
- 贵妃 guìfēi: noble consort
- 天之骄女 (tiān zhī jiāo nǚ): A metaphor for someone exceptionally privileged, talented, and admired.
- 登不了高位 (dēng bù liǎo gāo wèi) — literally 'cannot climb to a high position', a figurative expression meaning unable to gain power or ascend the throne.
- 四 sí: fourth, 姑奶奶 gūnǎinai: (respectful form of address for a married woman used by members of her parents' family) married daughter
- 如履薄冰 (rú lǚ bó bīng)— literally "like walking on thin ice," meaning living in constant danger or caution.
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