Chapter 7: Empress Xiang's Strategy

After ordering Qian Yi to be sent away, Emperor Zhao Xu accompanied Empress Xiang for lunch.

The meal was personally prepared by Feng Jing at the imperial kitchen.

It was made according to Zhao Xu's request for a vegetarian meal.

Of course, while it was vegetarian, it was not lacking in protein.

Rich in eggs and dairy, several vegetable dishes were also prepared.

Although it did not match the variety of flavors Zhao Xu enjoyed at the restaurants in the New Century, the texture was far superior.

However, Zhao Xu's mind was not on the food.

He focused on closing the distance with Empress Xiang.

Children, in this aspect, have a natural advantage.

Empress Xiang was already overflowing with maternal love, and with Zhao Xu's deliberate closeness, by the end of the meal, she felt as if her entire body had become lighter.

She wished she could stay overnight at Qingning Palace, but with the emperor's illness and the unrest in the court, she could not leave the Funing Hall unattended.

Especially now, seeing the obedient, sensible, and filial prince.

Empress Xiang knew that she was no longer doing this just for herself, but also for this child.

Otherwise, the fate of Empress Xiaozhang and Prince Yan Yi would be their fate tomorrow.

Therefore, even though she was reluctant, Empress Xiang had to bid farewell to Zhao Xu after lunch. Of course, before leaving, she ordered that the Buddhist scriptures Zhao Xu had copied be carefully bound and taken away.

Zhao Xu escorted Empress Xiang to the entrance of Qingning Palace, watching her disappear from sight under the escort of the imperial guards before turning back to the palace.

Back in the Qingning Palace bedroom, Zhao Xu called for Feng Jing and instructed, "This morning, I only copied one scroll of 'Disaster Elimination.' There is still 'Longevity' to be written. Prepare the writing materials for me!"

He continued to copy the Buddhist scriptures in Qingning Palace.

This was the only thing he could do now.

It was also Zhao Xu's best talisman.

A single character of filial piety was enough to keep him invincible.

Let the plots of the treacherous ministers and rebels come to naught!

...

From Qingning Palace to Funing Hall, the way was lined with official buildings and halls.

Officials and guards patrolled the area continuously.

The empress's guards echoed along the way.

Officials passing by bowed and greeted her respectfully.

But Empress Xiang's mind was completely on Qingning Palace.

She recalled the image of her sixth son, thinking about how sensible he was in front of her, and repeatedly remembered his clear, innocent, and heartfelt calls of "Mother Empress."

A smile even appeared on her lips.

When the sedan chair stopped in front of Funing Hall, Empress Xiang was still immersed in the memories of Qingning Palace.

Until the sedan chair was set down, and Yan Shouqin's voice brought her back to reality: "Your Majesty, we have arrived at Funing Hall!"

"Oh!" Empress Xiang took a deep breath, dispelling her杂念, and got off the sedan chair with the help of Chancellor Zhang from Kunning Hall.

She ordered the guards to wait outside Funing Hall, and only led Yan Shouqin and Chancellor Zhang into the emperor's bedroom through the left Zhaqing Gate of Funing Hall.

Facing her, she saw the eunuch Liang Congzheng, who was serving the emperor's medicine in Funing Hall.

"How is the emperor?" Empress Xiang asked.

"Half an hour ago, Chen Yijian examined the emperor..." Liang Congzheng replied.

"What did Chen Yijian say?"

Liang Congzheng carefully chose his words: "He reported to Your Majesty that the emperor's condition remains the same..."

Empress Xiang sighed, not knowing what to say.

Seeing this, Liang Congzheng tried to comfort her: "Your Majesty, the chancellors submitted a report at noon, stating a great victory in Xihedao. Commander Li led his troops deep into the enemy territory, ambushed the enemy general, and achieved significant results. They also requested commendation for the generals..."

"Empress Dowager has already approved their request, ordering swift rewards for the generals. She also had the victory report prepared, to be read to the emperor when he wakes up, hoping it might invigorate him!"

Empress Xiang nodded, saying, "I hope so!"

She knew her husband well.

The emperor was fond of military affairs, with lofty ambitions and strategic vision. Even as Prince Ying, he had plans to conquer the mountains and eliminate the Xia.

During his nineteen years on the throne, his primary goal was to revive the nation and unify the land.

Unfortunately, fate did not favor him.

He suffered repeated setbacks and blows in military campaigns.

Especially the defeat at Yongle City, which deeply humiliated him.

His current illness was largely due to the impact of that defeat.

If the emperor heard the good news from the front lines, perhaps he would be invigorated.

At least, he might be more alert for longer periods each day.

She asked Liang Congzheng, "Who is currently attending to the emperor in the inner chamber?"

Liang Congzheng replied, "Your Majesty, the current attendants include the chief physician Sun Sanzhao and other imperial doctors, the chief eunuch Liang Furen and Wang Furen for daily care, and I and other eunuchs for serving the medicine. The coordination and rotation are managed by Zhang Mouze..."

Empress Xiang nodded, understanding the situation. In the past, she would have asked Liang Congzheng to lead her to see the emperor.

But today, Empress Xiang asked about something else: "Where is Shi Deyi now?"

Liang Congzheng hesitated but finally answered, "Your Majesty, Shi Deyi is on leave today and should be at his residence in Xuanping Lane!"

"On leave today?" Empress Xiang laughed, not believing it.

Shi Deyi was one of the emperor's most trusted and intimate eunuchs.

He was always by the emperor's side, inseparable.

But since the emperor's condition worsened in February, losing the ability to move his hands and write, Shi Deyi disappeared from the palace.

It had been about ten days.

On leave?

More likely, he was under house arrest!

Otherwise, with the emperor's illness and Shi Deyi's loyalty, he should be the one staying up all night by the emperor's side, not Zhang Mouze!

In the past, Empress Xiang would not have cared about such matters.

Out of sight, out of mind.

But now, her maternal instincts had been awakened.

The sound of "Mother Empress" from her sixth son echoed in her mind.

The feeling of her sixth son hugging her was still fresh.

Her maternal protective instincts were fully awakened.

She gave Liang Congzheng a deep look. Having been married to the emperor for twenty years and served as empress for nineteen, Empress Xiang, though usually secluded in the palace, was not ignorant of the outside world.

"An emperor governs by heaven, following the principles of yin and yang, and spreading virtue. He rectifies the family to govern the state, harmonizing the relationship between husband and wife, and the empress leads the six palaces!" She recited the content of the imperial edict that made her empress: "I have been trusted and loved by the emperor, established as the empress, and now have the affection of my sixth son. I cannot sit idly by and let the traitors harm my family!"

She turned to Liang Congzheng and said, "Liang Diantou, lead the way!"

She then extended her hand to Yan Shouqin, who immediately respectfully handed her the handwritten Buddhist scriptures from Prince Yan'an.

The writing was neat and clear, with uniform characters.

Empress Xiang unfolded the paper and read the words, especially the last few lines.

"May the Grand Mother live forever, the Mother Empress for a thousand years, and the Mother Consort for long happiness!" The words danced before her eyes.

"Good child!"

"I will not let you down, Mother Empress!"

She was the fourth-generation granddaughter of Xiang Wenjian, the first empress of the current emperor, the empress, and the mother of all the princes!

She must fight for her sixth son, and she had to fight!

This was not just for her sixth son, but also for herself.

The story of Empress Xiaozhang and Prince Yan Yi, as the fourth-generation granddaughter of Xiang Wenjian, had been told to her countless times before she married the emperor.

After marrying the emperor, she witnessed firsthand how filial the emperor was to Empress Dowager.

The affection between the emperor and Empress Dowager was even stronger than that of a typical grandfather and grandson.

It was a relationship that even Empress Dowager's sister envied!

If Empress Dowager could do it, Empress Xiang believed she could too.

Without a biological son, adopting one and raising him to be filial and close was still possible!

...

Passing through the layers of curtains in the palace, Empress Xiang arrived at the emperor's bed.

Zhang Mouze, who had been serving the emperor, quickly brought a stool and helped the empress sit down.

Empress Xiang looked at her husband, lying on the bed with a pale face and prominent cheekbones, and shed a few tears. She asked Zhang Mouze, "Zhang Dizhi, how many times has the emperor been awake today?"

Zhang Mouze bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, the emperor has been awake three times today..."

Empress Xiang wiped her tears and asked, "Has the emperor given any commands?"

Zhang Mouze hesitated but finally shook his head, "The emperor has not given any commands for several days..."

Empress Xiang sighed, pretending not to notice Zhang Mouze's hesitation.

Her grip on the Buddhist scriptures tightened.

Empress Xiang knew that this seemingly loyal and respectful eunuch was not simple!

As early as the beginning of the Xining era, Zhang Mouze was already a flag bearer of the old faction among the palace eunuchs.

In the sixth year of Xining, he was the main instigator of the Wende Gate incident, where the chancellor was forced to dismount, causing a significant blow to Chancellor Wang Anshi's authority.

The old faction celebrated, and many eunuchs in the palace secretly rejoiced.

Empress Xiang, though secluded in the palace, saw these events clearly.

Just like the current situation.

Though the empress in the palace might not know the specific details, she could sense the changes in the political climate and the atmosphere in the palace.

The emperor was ill, and the sixth son was young.

Even in the outer court, the ministers were already stirring up unrest.

There were those in the outer court who wanted to emulate Zhao Pu, and in the palace, there were those who wanted to emulate Wang Jien.

Thinking of this, Empress Xiang's grip on the Buddhist scriptures tightened, but her expression remained unchanged, and her voice was steady.

"Has any minister submitted a petition to stay in the palace and guard the emperor?" Empress Xiang asked.

Zhang Mouze bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, no chancellor has submitted such a petition. To my knowledge, the two councils have decided to have the Right Chancellor Qingchen stay at the Ministry of Works to await the emperor's command!"

"Is that so..." Empress Xiang sighed, recalling the events when the previous emperor was ill.

At that time, Chancellor Han Qi led the ministers into the palace, staying overnight to guard the emperor. He then made the decision to establish the heir and announce the previous emperor's will, earning praise from the court and the people.

Empress Xiang was a witness to these events.

Now, the same situation had arisen again.

But there was no chancellor like Han Qi in the court.

Those with the qualifications, prestige, and ability to do this were all outside the capital.

Thinking of this, Empress Xiang sighed.

"Zhang Dizhi..." Empress Xiang looked at Zhang Mouze's aged face, covered with wrinkles and gray spots, and asked, "Have the Second Prince and the Fourth Prince visited the emperor today?"

"Your Majesty, the Second Prince just served Empress Dowager and returned to Baoci Palace..." Zhang Mouze replied, "As for the Fourth Prince?" He whispered, "He has not visited the emperor today..."

Empress Xiang nodded, saying, "The Fourth Prince is still so strict with the rites..."

Zhang Mouze bowed deeply, not daring to speak.

Empress Xiang did not speak further, only holding the Buddhist scriptures and sitting by her husband's bedside, quietly watching him.

After a long time, she stood up, walked to the emperor's bed, and said softly, "Emperor... Emperor..."

"Your sixth son in Qingning Palace is also concerned about your health. He specially took the brush and ink from the Zishan Hall to copy the Buddhist scriptures for your well-being!"

"Please, Emperor, be strong and recover soon..."

As she spoke, tears streamed down her face.

Behind her, Zhang Mouze, Yan Shouqin, and other eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting, as well as the doctors outside the curtains, all knelt down.

But no one dared to speak.

Each one only bowed and knelt.

But Empress Xiang's purpose had been achieved.

The palace was like a sieve.

When Emperor Renzong played a game with his concubines, the news spread the next day, and the censors immediately had something to do, forcing Emperor Renzong to send the two concubines to a Taoist temple.

During Emperor Yingzong's reign, the conflict between the two palaces was known throughout the capital.

The details in the storytelling and street newspapers were even more detailed than what many palace eunuchs knew.

When the current emperor first ascended the throne, the news of him wearing golden armor to visit Empress Dowager was already in the newspapers by nightfall.

There was no way to hide it. The palace was so small, and the eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting did not necessarily stay in the palace at night.

Especially the high-ranking eunuchs and ladies-in-waiting.

They all had families.

Not to mention Zhang Mouze, the chief eunuch.

Even Liang Congzheng, a mid-ranking eunuch, according to Empress Xiang's knowledge, had a wife and adopted a son outside the palace.

Eunuchs with dozens of concubines and hundreds of servants outside the palace were not uncommon.

When they returned home, the news from the palace spread like confetti.

Throughout history, there have been attempts to prevent the leakage of palace news.

But the outer court ministers, especially the censors, firmly opposed any attempts to block the spread of palace news.

They stood on the high ground of political correctness, watching every attempt to seal the palace news.

The emperor might be helpless.

But the censors were skilled at forcing the emperor to punish those who tried to do this.

Therefore, Empress Xiang was confident that by the time the palace gates were locked tomorrow, the news of "Prince Yan'an copying Buddhist scriptures for the emperor" would appear in the street newspapers and storytelling venues in the capital.

...

Note: Empress Xiaozhang, also known as Empress Song, suffered greatly after Emperor Taizu's death at the hands of Emperor Taizong.

Prince Yan Yi, also known as Zhao Dezao, was once supported to be the emperor after Emperor Taizong's "drift in a donkey cart" incident, but he committed suicide.

Note 2: In the Song Dynasty, eunuchs generally married and adopted sons after being promoted. The law allowed them to adopt one son who could serve as a eunuch, though the emperor could grant permission for a second. However, there were no restrictions on normal adopted sons.

Note 3: Street newspapers were a type of publication in the Song Dynasty, evolving from the official gazette. Initially, they reported news not covered by the official gazette, but soon became a source of gossip and rumors.

(End of Chapter)