Shen Yun’s visit home to see Su Xiaoqi was a rare moment of leisure amidst his busy schedule.
He had to return to the Dali Temple soon to assist the High Minister in interrogating the captured generals of the Xijiang Army, as per imperial decree.
“Husband, what about Xiao Ze?” Su Xiaoqi couldn’t help but ask about Su Ze’s current situation.
“He was initially misled by Prince Ping, ah, the deposed Crown Prince, when he first came to the capital. After the situation was rectified and he rendered meritorious service in saving His Majesty, he not only came to no harm but will also receive an imperial reward.”
Su Xiaoqi breathed a sigh of relief. That was good, very good. She didn't want anything to happen to Xiao Ze.
Shen Yun left after a few words.
Su Xiaoqi grabbed his hand and quickly asked, “Are you coming back for lunch?”
Shen Yun replied, “I’m afraid not!”
He had to work overtime to pin the charges on Prince Ping and then finish up.
Su Xiaoqi looked at the dark circles under his eyes. He hadn’t slept all night and had a demanding workday ahead. It seemed being an official in ancient times was not an easy task.
Su Xiaoqi didn’t say much, only called for Ziling to pack some of the freshly prepared food for him in a food hamper.
While waiting, they went to the backyard together to pay their respects to Madam Zhao and inform her they were safe. They left shortly after.
After Shen Yun’s departure, he didn’t return for a full three days. Fortunately, he knew Su Xiaoqi and Madam Zhao were worried about him, so he sent Zhang Lei back every half-day to report on his well-being. Su Xiaoqi took the opportunity to send Ziling and Shen Mingzhu, who had personally prepared the food, along with his clothes. The yamen was equipped for him to stay, and bathing and washing were not issues.
It was on the fourth day that Shen Yun finally returned. He brought the latest news: the assassination attempt during the Lantern Festival had been investigated and concluded. It was revealed that Prince Ping, upon learning of his deposition, harbored resentment and conspired with the Duke of Huang’s estate to assassinate the Emperor during the Lantern Festival.
“Prince Ping would admit to that?” Su Xiaoqi was somewhat surprised. Assassinating the Emperor was a capital offense. Would someone like Liang Xinran confess to such a crime?
“Of course, he refused to admit it. However, there was witness testimony and physical evidence. The Brocade Guard also uncovered correspondence between him and General Huang of Xijiang…” Of course, some of this evidence was fabricated, a mixture of truth and falsehoods, allowing them to conclude the case in a mere four days. Prince Ping’s crime of plotting to harm the Emperor was irrefutable.
Su Xiaoqi tentatively asked, “Then His Majesty…”
Shen Yun did not hide anything. “His Majesty was very angry, so angry that he vomited blood once.”
Su Xiaoqi nodded, thinking that this was the correct turn of events.
As the couple were talking, they suddenly heard a deep, resonant tolling of bells. It continued without pause. Both of them froze. This was…
Shen Yun said, “His Majesty has passed away!”
Su Xiaoqi had harbored this thought, but when it actually came to pass, she was still quite taken aback. The Emperor, who had reigned for over thirty years, was gone?
The subsequent events were straightforward. Straightforward, because the Emperor’s death had established precedents, and there was no need for extensive preparation. Each department would simply fulfill its duties. However, it was also undeniably complex. The Emperor’s passing was a national mourning. The entire country was to observe a period of mourning. From the initial preparation for burial to the grand funeral, all princes and nobles were required to wear mourning attire. Family members of officials of the fifth rank and above were also required to enter the palace to mourn.
Although Su Xiaoqi was very reluctant, it was the prevailing custom, and she had to comply. Moreover, the Old Madam was also going. She was worried about the Old Madam’s health and planned to accompany her to take care of her, lest her emotions become too turbulent and harm her well-being. During the period of national mourning, close imperial relatives were forbidden from marrying or holding any betrothals for twenty-seven months. Ordinary noble families and ministers were forbidden from holding any celebratory events for one year. Commoners were to wear white for twenty-seven days, forbidden from making sacrifices, and not allowed to marry or engage in revelry for one hundred days. All temples in the capital were to ring their bells thirty thousand times.
These matters did not significantly affect Su Xiaoqi. Apart from the days she had to go to the palace to mourn, she would eat and drink as usual. The Emperor, to her, had no special emotional attachment beyond the few times she had treated him for his illnesses. She even harbored a slight dislike for him. Who would have thought that at his age, instead of focusing on positive matters, he would still engage in such unsavory affairs? However, no matter how displeased she was, she had to properly enter the palace and observe the mourning rituals.
With Emperor Xingzhao gone, the nation could not be without a ruler for a day. Prince Duan, who should now be addressed as Crown Prince, ascended the throne with the active support of his faction of officials, taking the reign title Yongxing.
Upon hearing the news from Shen Yun, Su Xiaoqi was still processing it. She looked outside; a light drizzle was falling, the first rain since the beginning of spring. Spring rain was as precious as oil.
“He ascended the throne, just like that, so smoothly?” Su Xiaoqi blinked, having asked Shen Yun three times already. She still couldn’t believe that Prince Duan, or rather, the new Emperor, had managed to rise to power so quickly. It seemed too fantastical to her, too smooth to be believable.
Shen Yun, understanding her thoughts, gently ruffled her hair. “Where is it truly so smooth? Although Prince Ping was deposed from the position of Crown Prince, his influence remains. Moreover, Noble Consort Huang still wields considerable power within the palace. Even after His Majesty ascends the throne, his path forward will not be easy.” It could be described as fraught with difficulties. But their wish had finally been granted.
Su Xiaoqi remembered something and quickly asked, “Did His Majesty not deal with Prince Ping’s faction?”
Shen Yun smiled. “A new emperor, new officials. How could His Majesty tolerate them? It’s just that the time is not yet ripe for action.” However, figures like the Duke of Huang’s estate and those close to them had already been dealt with by the late Emperor. Those whose homes were to be confiscated had them confiscated, and those to be exiled were exiled. The late Emperor employed a swift and decisive method, disposing of the entire Duke of Huang’s estate, the maternal family of the once-glorious Noble Consort Huang, comprising three hundred and eighty-two people, in a matter of days. Only Noble Consort Huang remained in the harem. The position of Minister of War was currently vacant, with the vice-ministers jointly managing the affairs.
Su Xiaoqi naturally understood this. The Duke of Huang’s estate had clearly harbored treasonous intentions along with Prince Ping. The late Emperor’s decision to spare Prince Ping, merely confining him without further action, was because he was his own son. As he was nearing death, he naturally valued his lineage. But how could the Duke of Huang’s estate possibly have such audacity? Naturally, they were dealt with. If they were treated leniently, then anyone would try to emulate the Duke of Huang’s estate and commit acts of rebellion, thus endangering the Great Liang Dynasty.
As for the court, first, they were busy handling the late Emperor’s funeral, and then the new Emperor’s enthronement. They hadn’t gotten around to dealing with these matters yet. Therefore, there were no immediate actions. Even if there were, they would have to wait until after the celebrations for the new Emperor’s enthronement by envoys from various countries.
Speaking of which, Shen Yun suddenly said, “Oh, right. My teacher will return to the capital tomorrow. His Majesty intends to persuade my teacher to return to officialdom, to join the Ministry of Rites, and prepare to receive envoys from various countries who will attend the celebrations for the new Emperor’s enthronement.”
Upon hearing that Mr. Gu and her godmother were finally returning to the capital, Su Xiaoqi instantly forgot about the new Emperor’s enthronement and jumped up with joy. “That’s wonderful, my godmother is finally returning to the capital!” She had accompanied the Old Madam to the palace these past few days and had heard many stories about her godmother, her second aunt, and her third aunt. She knew that the Old Madam missed her dearly. Of course, what the Old Madam missed most of all was her third aunt, Yu Jing, whose name she had only heard but whom she had never met.
At this moment, Su Xiaoqi never imagined that she would meet Yu Jing in her lifetime!