Chapter Ninety: A Few Words

A heavy snowfall arrived suddenly, merging with relentless rain. The sky was dense and oppressive, thunderously roaring as though determined to pierce all barriers.

Outside the palace, the atmosphere was charged with power, while within, all was tranquil and silent.

This was the king’s bedchamber, the most potent symbol of authority in the palace—Dragon’s Rest Hall.

At this hour, the hall was shrouded in a dim, gray hush; the sky was already dark, and with no lamps lit, the gloom deepened further.

Layers upon layers of gauze curtains hung low.

Ji Wuqing reclined against the side of the bed, propping his head with one hand, his brows lowered, tracing the outline of the girl beside him in the darkness. She slept deeply, her breathing soft and silent. She lay on her side, sinking gently into the silk bedding.

“You must be exhausted. You’ve endured much these days. But it’s all right, Xue’er, I have found a solution. Though we have but half a month, it will be enough.”

His voice was gentle, yet Xue Xue remained unaware of it all. He bent down and nestled himself beside her, enveloping her completely in his embrace.

He felt her delicate breath and finally was at ease.

“In time, you will recover. But before that, I must leave you for a while. Before I depart, I wish to finish what should have long been done. Will you be angry with me?” He whispered in her ear, tender as a husband coaxing his beloved, his words saturated with affection.

A day before, he had declared to the world that in three days hence, he would complete the ceremony to establish the Eastern Palace Queen.

Much later, long after the torrential rain outside had softened into drizzle, he rose from the bed and left Dragon’s Rest Hall.

The palace attendants carefully closed the door, and there, waiting outside, was Eunuch Yun Dao.

“Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager has summoned you to Hui Study for a discussion,” Yun Dao kept his gaze low, not daring to meet the young emperor’s eyes.

Ever since Wu Jun had been captured, rumors had spread that the Empress Dowager was in league with him. Yet, the emperor’s intentions remained inscrutable; he simply imprisoned Wu Jun, never once querying the Empress Dowager in Hui Study.

Thus, as the chief eunuch beside the Empress Dowager, Yun Dao grew increasingly anxious.

Ji Wuqing, accompanied by his attendants, made his way to Hui Study. As he approached the palace gates, attendants came forward to greet him. They bowed, intending to lead him to the main hall, but were promptly restrained by his guards.

He passed through a sheltered corridor, traversed the courtyard, and entered the hall. His black robes were untouched by the rain, and long white silk ribbons swirled in the air, tracing curious arcs.

“His Majesty is here!” The sharp announcement made Ji Wuqing’s brows twitch imperceptibly.

“Your humble servants greet Your Majesty!” The assembled ministers knelt, their presence formidable.

Ji Wuqing’s glance was calm and indifferent, his expression unmoved. That single look sent a shiver through the ministers’ hearts; they sensed the icy depths in his gaze, though his face remained gentle and warm.

“Son greets Mother.” Ji Wuqing bowed slightly to the Empress Dowager.

“Rise at once, my son.”

The attendants knowingly brought out the chess pieces and seat for Ji Wuqing. Once seated, he addressed the ministers lightly, “You may rise.”

The ministers stood, nervous and wary, already feeling the overwhelming aura of their sovereign.

Ji Wuqing smiled serenely, exuding leisure. “Mother, may I ask what purpose your summons serves?”

“Truthfully, I am ashamed. You must have heard the rumors circulating outside, alleging that I conspired secretly with Wu Jun,” the Empress Dowager replied, her expression tinged with worry and fatigue, evidently troubled by the matter.

“Mother, do not fret. Those are but Wu Jun’s words; I would never heed them,” Ji Wuqing smiled gently.

Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager’s face darkened. She had referred to rumors of her colluding with Wu Jun—her meaning was that they were unfounded. Yet Ji Wuqing attributed them to what he heard from Zuo Qiu Liye; the difference was clear to any discerning ear.

“What? The ruler of Wu would slander me so? Outrageous. Wuqing, I am your mother—how could I ever plot against you with him? Do not let his scheming words trouble you. We are mother and son, united in heart.” The Empress Dowager grew indignant.

“Mother, be assured, I have not taken his words to heart,” Ji Wuqing replied with a faint smile.

“Then I am relieved.” The Empress Dowager nodded, then shifted topics, “There is another matter I am unsure whether to mention. I know you will handle everything well, and as Empress Dowager, I should not meddle. However, Wuqing, regarding the ceremony for establishing the Eastern Palace Queen, might you consider the ministers’ opinions?”

Her tone changed, every word sounding heartfelt, yet also distancing herself, delicately and seemingly understanding.

“Yes, Your Majesty. We believe that establishing the queen is fundamental to the nation and closely concerns the people. We urge Your Majesty to deliberate carefully. After all, Lady Xue’s origins are unclear, and with so many rumors lately, please reconsider!” An elder minister spoke earnestly, his black robe dignified, a symbol of wisdom and authority. As expected, after his words, the rest of the ministers knelt in unison, “Please reconsider, Your Majesty!”

The ministers’ collective kneeling made for an impressive scene. Ji Wuqing merely turned his head calmly, saying nothing, his expression ambiguous—neither angry nor troubled.

The ministers waited anxiously for his response.

“Mother, you will support me, won’t you?” Ji Wuqing looked up at the Empress Dowager, smiling quietly.

“Are you determined to go against all advice? How will you face the countless voices of the realm, your people?” she demanded sharply. “Do not treat this matter lightly!”

“Mother, do you not trust me?” Ji Wuqing countered calmly, his handsome face devoid of any softness or smile. “Lord Rong just mentioned that rumors abound. What does that mean? If mere rumors could disqualify Lady Xue, should I retract my intentions and become a laughingstock for the whole world?”

His logic left the ministers unable to refute him. “Besides, the purple-robed Taoist who spread these rumors has already suffered divine retribution, has he not?”

“Though that is true, still…”

“Mother, have you forgotten? Rumors are unreliable, just as the claim that you colluded with Wu Jun is nothing but a rumor.” Ji Wuqing looked at the Empress Dowager, who was about to speak again, his deep eyes sly as a fox.

Her words caught in her throat; after a moment’s pause, she said, “If Lady Xue is the fallen queen of Yu, how do you explain that?”

The ministers were astonished, their faces showing shock.

If that were so, appointing her as Eastern Palace Queen would be inviting disaster!

“Your Majesty, this must not be. Even at the cost of my life, I cannot allow you to make such a decision! Lady Xue has been greatly favored by you, yet as the fallen queen of Yu, she should be dealt with according to protocol. If Your Majesty cherishes her, why not make her the Western Palace Queen instead?”

“Your Majesty, I agree with Lord Rong. If the world learns of Lady Xue’s origin, it will surely cause an uproar!”

The two senior officials pressed their objections, their arguments sound and reasonable.

Ji Wuqing sat quietly, outwardly composed. The Empress Dowager was exerting pressure, even threatening him. The court ministers were being used as instruments. This act, seemingly a stubborn insistence, was in truth a covert contest between him and the Empress Dowager.

“Yuan Xue, fallen queen of Yu, daughter of the Yuan family, a noble lineage of Yu’s ministers. At sixteen, she entered the palace as queen, but for two years remained unremarkable, unloved by the Yu ruler. A year ago, I led troops against Yu. It was a weak state, and with the ruler’s incompetence, it should have fallen within a month. Yet Yuan Xue, by her own wit, resisted my forces for three months, becoming a legend in the realm,” Ji Wuqing replied, supporting his head, his voice calm and measured.

“A woman like her, I would not let slip.”

He tacitly confirmed the Empress Dowager’s statement.

The Empress Dowager was startled by his candid admission.

“My son, I know you are always meticulous. But have you considered that such a woman, with a mind so deep, might harbor other intentions? After all, she bears the hatred of a lost kingdom.”

Her words were logical and prudent, raising concerns without outright opposition, a testament to her cunning.

“I know I am old, but this matter concerns Ji’s dynasty for generations; I must repeat myself.” Her words were tinged with sorrow, prompting further reflection.

“Mother, your words are weighty. You speak wisely, and I shall consider them,” Ji Wuqing replied thoughtfully. “However, Ji’s history records that an ancestor once made a princess from a former state his queen. She was exceptionally clever and did many good deeds for Ji. My great-grandfather also married a lady from an enemy state as queen—she became my great-grandmother, and bore the next heir to Ji, my grandfather.”

“These precedents are well documented. Why must Mother and the ministers worry for me? Though I may not match the wisdom of my ancestors or great-grandfather, I am not so easily deceived.”

Ji Wuqing smiled elegantly, yet his deep eyes were as dark as night, devoid of any mirth.

The ministers were awed by his presence and dared not speak further, lowering their heads.

“Though it is so, it seems somewhat improper,” the Empress Dowager sighed helplessly.

“Mother, that is not quite right. Both my ancestor and great-grandfather did the same. Why worry over me?” Ji Wuqing replied, his ambiguous smile and deep black eyes startling the Empress Dowager.

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