The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 141 Impeachment
In mid fifth lunar month, an urgent military dispatch was delivered to the capital city with utmost haste.
He Yanming, the Minister of War, changed his expression drastically after reading the report and immediately proceeded to the palace.
The dispatch stated that an army of 600,000 from Southern Xinjiang was advancing toward the southern borders of Great Xia.
At the same time, the Regent of Southern Xinjiang, Princess Xinyue, sent a letter of state to Great Xia which contained the following message:
“Great Xia has breached its trust, failed to maintain good relations with its neighbors, and allowed Taizifei Qin Yan to invade the Western Rong. The actions of Great Xia have hurt the feelings of neighboring countries and have caused the Southern Xinjiang to be deeply concerned about its own safety.”
“The Southern Xinjiang strongly condemns Great Xia’s aggression against the Western Rong. If Great Xia wishes to withdraw its troops, the Taizifei must immediately lead her forces out of the Western Rong and restore its sovereign integrity.”
In addition, several other neighboring countries, including the Turks, Goryeo, and the Eastern Yi, also sent similar letters of state to Great Xia, condemning its invasion of the Western Rong.
Empress Dowager Xiao of Yizhou also sent a written statement, similarly condemning Taizifei Qin Yan’s actions in the Western Rong.
Empress Dowager Xiao stated, “Taizifei Qin Yan is acting recklessly and placing Great Xia in danger. She is a demonic imperial concubine and must be expelled from the imperial family!”
———–
The next day, several memorials impeaching Taizifei Qin Yan were presented to the imperial court.
At the grand court assembly in the Fengtian Hall, Emperor Hui sat upon his throne, frowning as he listened to the heated debate among the court officials below.
“The actions of the Taizifei were indeed reckless. If the Western Rong is incorporated into Great Xia, it will disrupt the balance of power in the region, provoking widespread anger,” one official argued.
“But the Western Rong is not wealthy. What use is it to take that land? All it does is stir up unnecessary disputes with other nations,” another countered.
“Great Xia struggled against both the Western Rong and the Turks in the past. If war really breaks out in the southern borders now, let alone the threats from Goryeo and the Eastern Yi to the east, the situation will be extremely dire for Great Xia,” a third official added.
“Great Xia only suffered from famine and flooding last year, and the national treasury has been drained by over a decade of warfare. The autumn harvest has yet to be stored, and if Great Xia is forced into war now, the situation is far from optimistic,” another official said gravely.
“The Taizifei acted without orders, leading troops into the Western Rong. Now that Great Xia has found itself in such a predicament, the commander-in-chief of the Pingxi army must take responsibility. Both the Duke of Zhenguo and the Taizifei should be held accountable and punished, and an explanation should be given for this matter,” another official declared.
…….
———–
At this moment, Wang Jingyi stood quietly at the far end of the civil officials’ side in the Fengtian Hall, saying nothing. She had no intention of speaking out like the other officials from the Imperial Censor Bureau who were voicing their opinions on the throne.
Wang Jingyi was well aware that most of the memorials impeaching the Taizifei had come from the Imperial Censor Bureau, and many of the officials criticizing the Taizifei in the hall today were aligned with her father, the Left Prime Minister.
If she wasn’t mistaken, the actions of these officials were being orchestrated by Liang Wang, Feng Yi.
Wang Jingyi was cautious about anything related to the Taizifei.
Taizifei Qin Yan had shown considerable power before. Whether it was the Mulan Horse Farm, the Yu Qingfeng Bank, or her status as the Lord of Gu City, just picking one of these accomplishments would be enough to make her a formidable figure.
The fact that the Taizifei had managed to get the Western Rong to voluntarily join Great Xia without a single drop of blood being shed further demonstrated the immense strength behind her. This was definitely not something that could be easily undermined by the court officials.
Moreover, there was also the Taizi.
Wang Jingyi had no doubt that those officials who had spoken out against the Taizifei today were likely panicking due to the sudden movement of the Southern Xinjiang’s army and other countries’ condemnation of Great Xia. They were trying to place the blame on the Taizifei to shift the responsibility.
But Wang Jingyi was certain that once the Taizi, Feng Zhan, returned to the capital, these officials’ actions today would be thoroughly investigated and they would face the Taizi’s retribution.
———–
Most of the military officers in the court had been dispatched elsewhere, so there were only a few presents in the hall today. They lacked the eloquence of the civil officials and could only raise their voices, arguing heatedly with those who were impeaching the Taizifei until their faces flushed with anger.
There were also some civil officials who supported the Taizifei’s actions, and they joined the debate as well. For a time, the entire hall was filled with loud voices, and the arguments were unceasing.
However, when He Yanming, the Minister of War, spoke, all the officials immediately fell silent. After all, the Ministry of War had the most authority on matters like this.
He Yanming gave a bow to the throne and then said, “More than a decade ago, the Turks launched a fierce invasion, breaching Great Xia’s northern border and catching the Shuobei Army off guard.”
“The army that was supposed to aid Shuobei, the Pingxi Army, was held up by the Western Rong border forces. As a result, Great Xia lost several military towns in the northern territories, and the Shuobei Army was forced to retreat to Tong Pass.”
“Some colleagues say that the Western Rong is of no use to Great Xia, but why not consider this. If the Western Rong were part of Great Xia, the Pingxi Army wouldn’t be trapped at Xiaoguan and wouldn’t have to rely on Gu City just to extend our defense line by a hundred miles.”
“If the Pingxi Army were no longer hampered by the Western Rong, then the armies from Shuobei and Pingxi could both come to each other’s aid. So, wouldn’t there be no fear towards the Turkic armies?”
“Soldiers on the front lines are not always subject to military orders. Before leaving the capital, His Highness Taizi granted the commander-in-chief of the Pingxi Army full authority to mobilize troops, and this can be confirmed by everyone in the Ministry of War. If you wish to hold the Duke of Zhenguo responsible for the stationed troops in the Western Rong, there is no need to do so.”
“According to information received by the Ministry of War, the recent political upheaval in the Western Rong resulted in the ascension of the former king’s youngest son to the throne. This newly crowned emperor of the Western Rong openly declared his intention to join Great Xia. How, then, could this be considered an invasion by the Taizifei?”
“At this critical juncture, as citizens of Great Xia, we should be uniting against foreign enemies. How can we afford to bicker internally and help others grow stronger?”
He Yanming’s speech, righteous and well-argued, was nothing more than a lie that even he didn’t believe.
The idea that the newly crowned emperor of the Western Rong voluntarily surrendered and merged with Great Xia? That newly crowned emperor must have been a fool to submit without a fight.
The Taizifei, Qin Yan, must have used military force to coerce the Western Rong imperial family. Otherwise, there’s no way such an easy victory could have happened.
Yet, to carry out a coup in the Western Rong and force it to join Great Xia in such a short time… He Yanming couldn’t help but feel a chill at the thought of it.
Taizifei Qin Yan is truly an extraordinary woman.
———–
After He Yanming finished speaking, the hall fell silent for a moment, and then discussions began again, though they were quieter than before, lacking the earlier tension.
A military official from the Ministry of War spoke up, “The most troublesome issue now is the situation in the Southern Xinjiang. The forces of the Count of Pingnan have already been partially assigned to defend Tang Pass in Yizhou. It is likely that they will be stretched thin against the 600,000 troops from the Southern Xinjiang.”
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent once again.
After a moment, a voice from the civil officials spoke up, “I propose that either Jin Wang or Liang Wang be sent to the Southern Xinjiang to establish a fiefdom, to raise additional troops and assist the Count of Pingnan in defending the southern borders.”
“I second the motion.”
“I second the motion.”
……
If someone like Wang Jingyi, who was paying close attention, had been listening, they would have noticed that the officials proposing and supporting the idea of sending a prince to the south, and those who had previously impeached the Taizifei, were almost the same group.
A cold chill rose in Wang Jingyi’s heart. Her father and Liang Wang, what were they planning to do?
At this moment, someone else spoke up, “But the southern region, aside from Yangzhou, has largely barren land. As a fiefdom…”
Before the discussion could continue, Liang Wang, Feng Yi, stepped forward and bowed to the throne, “Your Majesty, I, your son, volunteer to go to Jingzhou to assist the Count of Pingnan in defending the southern borders.”
As soon as Liang Wang finished speaking, the hall erupted in praise.
Liang Wang was truly acting with great righteousness!
Meanwhile, Jin Wang, Feng Xian, remained standing silently in place, not uttering a word. The courtiers had grown accustomed to Jin Wang’s recent behavior, which seemed to show little interest in affairs of state, except for the matters concerning Jingzhao.
———-
On that day, three imperial edicts were issued from the palace.
Two of the edicts stated:
“Jin Wang’s fief will be in Yuzhou, and Liang Wang’s fief will be in Jingzhou. Both princes will have their marriages arranged by the Imperial Astronomical Observatory, and then immediately take up their vassal roles.”
The third edict was sent to the Ning Wang Mansion, commanding him to proceed to the fief of Qingzhou, which had been assigned to him by the late emperor.
Finally, the Ning Wang would be able to leave the capital, thanks to the arrangements for Jin Wang and Liang Wang to take up their vassal duties.
All the princes were entitled to their fiefs, and it made no sense that a nephew would be sent to a distant vassal territory while the uncle remained confined to the capital.
It was also noteworthy that, not long ago, Lin Hui, the Prefecture of Yangzhou, had sent his daughter, Lin Miaozhi, to the capital. She had originally arranged to become the concubine of Jin Wang, Feng Xian, and was preparing for that role.
However, Lin Miaozhi “accidentally” met Liang Wang, Feng Yi, and the two quickly became enamored with each other. She resolutely refused to marry Jin Wang and insisted on being with Liang Wang instead.
In the end, Lin Miaozhi was granted by imperial decree to be Liang Wang’s concubine.
Jin Wang, Feng Xian, showed little reaction to this “theft of love” by Liang Wang. After all, Lin Miaozhi was never someone he had truly “loved.”
Feng Yi, likely understood that his relationship with Lin Miaozhi was his own business. As long as he didn’t mind, what did it have to do with Feng Xian?
The Left Prime Minister did not express any opinion on the matter.
For any prince, besides the legitimate wife, a concubine would eventually be chosen.
Moreover, the Prefecture of Yangzhou…
However, Liang Wang’s legitimate wife, Wang Jingyan, was greatly displeased by this news. Several times, she attempted to meet Lin Miaozhi but was blocked by Liang Wang’s men.
Wang Jingyan secretly resented Lin Miaozhi.
This Lin Miaozhi had first tried to seduce the Taizi, failed, then climbed into Jin Wang’s bed, and now was marrying Liang Wang. She truly had some extraordinary abilities!
———-
Since Taizi Feng Zhan left the capital for Shuobei, Emperor Hui had resumed full control of state affairs. However, aside from his administrative duties, the Emperor was mostly absorbed in the alchemy of concocting pills that could strengthen his body and restore his youth.
Emperor Hui would never admit it, but he had been deeply influenced by the Northern Liang Emperor, Xiao Qian, and Shen Shiying.
During the day, the Emperor would either be in the Imperial Study or the alchemy chamber, leaving the recently restored Imperial Concubine Ning with a lot of free time. She was only summoned by the Emperor at night.
One day, while wandering through the Imperial Garden out of boredom, Imperial Concubine Ning happened to overhear a conversation by the wall.
“That Imperial Concubine Ning has been repeatedly neglected by His Majesty and then suddenly favored again. It must be a sign of great fortune.”
“Hey, do you think the death of Imperial Concubine Xu might have something to do with Imperial Concubine Ning?”
“Don’t speak carelessly.”
“In the palace, no one disliked Imperial Concubine Xu as much as Imperial Concubine Ning did. As soon as Imperial Concubine Ning was reinstated, Imperial Concubine Xu died under mysterious circumstances. It’s hard not to think there might be something behind it.”
“Enough! Stop talking. The more you say, the more you’ll slip up. Let me tell you some gossip, but I don’t know if it’s true.”
“Gossip? Quickly, tell me!”
“I heard that people from the Imperial Medical Bureau have been sending miscarriage medicine to Imperial Concubine Ning.”
“Miscarriage medicine! You mean…”
“What if she’s really carrying the dragon heir? Losing one Imperial Concubine Xu is nothing in comparison.”
“There hasn’t been a dragon fetus in the palace for many years. If Imperial Concubine Ning is really pregnant, she’s truly hit the jackpot.”
“If we ever run into her, we better stay far away. If we offend her, we won’t even know how we died.”
“Yes, yes…”
The two voices gradually faded away. After a moment, Imperial Concubine Ning, supported by her maid, slowly stepped out from behind a patch of bamboo.
Imperial Concubine Ning moved slowly. Her expression was unreadable, but a cold chill filled her heart.
Indeed, her reinstatement came after Princess Huayang, Shen Shiying, left the capital to marry the Northern Liang.
The Emperor had ordered her to wear red skirts every day. Had she not been pregnant, the Emperor would have even insisted she learn martial arts.
Imperial Concubine Ning understood clearly what the Emperor’s demands meant.
Ha, she was nothing more than Shen Shiying’s replacement.
As for Xu Jieyu’s death, the Emperor may very well have known she was behind it, yet chose to turn a blind eye.
Imperial Concubine Ning understood her position well. The Emperor didn’t tolerate her indulgence, what he tolerated was only her role as Shen Shiying’s substitute.
She paused and gently placed her hand on her still-flat abdomen.
The Emperor had told her to give birth to a daughter.
But Imperial Concubine Ning knew the unspoken part of the Emperor’s request that she was to give birth to a daughter who resembled Shen Shiying.
At this thought, a cryptic smile appeared at the corners of her lips.
Whether the child would resemble Shen Shiying, she didn’t know, but the true question lingered, who was the father of this child…?
———-
At the Western Rong Emperor’s palace, in the council hall.
Shen Ci furrowed his brows and spoke to Qin Yan, “Yan Yan, we’ve received word from the Taizi. He strongly opposes your plan.”
“The Taizi won’t allow you to put yourself in danger. And frankly, I’m not entirely at ease either. Yan Yan, should we reconsider the plan?”
Qin Yan placed the map she had been holding aside and looked at Shen Ci, “The Turkic people are powerful and ruthless. Even if Great Xia and Northern Liang join forces, it will still be a difficult battle.”
“To capture a thief, capture the emperor first. Only by eliminating the Turkic Khagan Ashina Qigu as quickly as possible can we break the Turkic forces into disarray and minimize the cost,” Qin Yan said with determination.
“I’ve made up my mind. There’s no need for further discussion.”
“With the political instability in the Western Rong, Shen Ci, you will stay behind with the troops and secure Western Rong. Proceed according to the plan,” she ordered.
Shen Ci didn’t attempt to argue further. Yan Yan never acted recklessly. Since she had made her decision, he would trust her and support her.
“I must also participate in the Turkic operations,” Jiang Mu suddenly spoke up.
Everyone in the hall turned to look at him.
Qin Yan raised an eyebrow and said, “If I remember correctly, your task was to stay in Western Rong and stabilize your courtiers.”
Jiang Mu’s expression darkened slightly, clearly dissatisfied, “What can I stabilize? What they truly fear is not me, but the Taizifei of Great Xia, and the army of General Shen of the Pingxi Army.”
“After all these years of training, taking me to the Turkic front would be far more valuable than having me stay in Western Rong.”
“This mission is dangerous. I believe that I am now a capable ally for you. Let me go.”
Qin Yan didn’t immediately agree, but she didn’t oppose it either. This gave Jiang Mu a sense of reassurance, at least there was still hope.
———-
After a brief silence in the hall, Shen Ci spoke up, “News from the capital that most of the court is now accusing the Taizifei of her actions in the Western Rong.”
“These officials are placing all the blame for the Southern Xinjiang incident on you. They fail to consider whether Southern Xinjiang had been planning this for some time and merely seized the opportunity.”
Hearing this, Qin Yan let out a light laugh.
Southern Xinjiang…
Qin Yan was almost certain now that the person behind Su Qing was Princess Xinyue, the regent of Southern Xinjiang.
She had tried to kill me, used illusions on Taizi Feng Zhan, and now she was mobilizing troops to pressure the southern borders of Great Xia.
Princess Xinyue… she’s no simple figure.
———-
Qin Yan took a sip of tea, then slowly spoke, “Impeachment?”
“I’m not a court official, so why would they need to impeach me?” Qin Yan asked with a hint of sarcasm.
“The accusation is just a cover. What they really want is to deal with the Taizi and the Duke of Zhenguo Mansion.”
Qin Yan set her teacup down and turned to Shen Ci, asking, “Who will benefit from this?”
Shen Ci’s face showed confusion, “What do you mean?”
Qin Yan sighed lightly. Shen Ci, with his military-focused mind, was always a bit slow when it came to politics.
“Anything new regarding the imperial family?”
Shen Ci finally grasped the point and responded with a more serious expression, “Ning Wang, Jin Wang, and Liang Wang are all planning to leave the capital for their respective fiefdoms.”
“Ning Wang will go to Qingzhou, which was assigned by the late emperor. Jin Wang’s fief is in Yuzhou, and Liang Wang… will go to Jingzhou!”
“Yan Yan, are you suggesting that it’s Liang Wang?”
Shen Ci’s face grew solemn. If that’s true, then the internal strife in Great Xia is growing, which could severely affect their efforts against the Turkic forces…
Qin Yan lightly tapped her fingers on the armrest, her voice was calm and measured, “South Xinjiang has invaded our borders, and now the court officials are accusing the Taizifei. Then, the princes are leaving to govern their fiefdoms.”
“This must be driven by Liang Wang. Perhaps his father-in-law, Left Prime Minister Wang Xian, is involved too.”
“Liang Wang’s fief is in Jingzhou, which is located near Lingnan, right on the southern border of Great Xia.”
“If Liang Wang is in cahoots with Southern Xinjiang, are they planning to carve up Jingzhou? Or do they have other plans?”
“When Yizhou declared its independence, Southern Xinjiang didn’t act. It seems they were just biding their time.”
“This Princess Xinyue certainly has some ambition.”
“However, these aren’t the matters we should concern ourselves with right now. The officials in the court, they’re not all capable of handling these issues.”
———–
“Jiang Mu,” Qin Yan suddenly turned her gaze toward him, her tone shifting as she spoke again.
“If I were to give Western Rong back to you, would you dare to take it?”
Jiang Mu inwardly rolled his eyes at Qin Yan, sitting in the high seat.
This woman… always threatening him.
Would he dare to take it?
“No,” Jiang Mu replied flatly, his voice devoid of emotion.
However, when it came to integrating Western Rong into Great Xia, Jiang Mu did agree with Qin Yan’s perspective.
As Qin Yan had pointed out, Great Xia’s borders with Western Rong had been plagued by constant disputes, further aggravated by the provocations of the Turks. The tensions between the two countries had been growing over time, and the situation was becoming increasingly untenable.
Integrating Western Rong into Great Xia could resolve the border conflicts, with no harm to the common people and only the interests of the Western Rong nobility would be threatened.
But, as Jiang Mu saw it, the nobility had no regard for the welfare of the people. Even without the threat of war, Western Rong’s situation was dire, especially in the face of natural disasters. Their resources were far more limited compared to Great Xia, which, despite last year’s water and grain shortages in the southern provinces, had been able to weather the storm without major repercussions. Western Rong, on the other hand, had little capacity to withstand such calamities.
If the people of Western Rong were allowed to settle in Great Xia, or if Great Xia’s goods could flow freely into Western Rong without the burden of war, it could be nothing short of a lifeline for the common folk there.
And with Qin Yan’s attitude, there was no room for disagreement. This would happen, whether Jiang Mu liked it or not.
———-
Qin Yan was very pleased with Jiang Mu’s understanding. She smiled and then turned to Ji Nanfeng, who was standing nearby, “Mister Ji, are the preparations I asked you to make going smoothly?”
Ji Nanfeng immediately understood his master’s intention, bowing slightly before replying, “Master, everything is going smoothly.”
To prevent a falling out with the imperial family of Great Xia, Qin Yan had instructed Ji Nanfeng to gradually move her people and assets to the borderlands, in case of any unforeseen circumstances.
Qin Yan nodded, then spoke coldly, “If Great Xia no longer wants Western Rong, then Western Rong will belong to me.”
Shen Ci! What did Yan Yan mean by this? Was she planning to start anew?
Shen Ying, Ji Nanfeng, and Jiang Mu all had a glint of dark understanding in their eyes.
Their master had gone to great lengths to take Western Rong, and yet now she was being impeached by the court officials!
They all eagerly wished to leave Great Xia with their master, free from all the humiliation and frustration.
With money, grain, and soldiers, they could establish themselves as emperors!