The Crown Prince Chases His Wife
Chapter 147: Return to the Imperial Court
In the capital city, at the Liang Wang Mansion.
Liang Wang, Feng Yi, sat silently in his mansion throughout the night. By morning, he had still not received the expected news.
According to reports from his subordinates, there had been considerable movement at all four gates of the imperial city—east, south, west, and north—last night, but the palace gates remained tightly closed in the end.
Feng Yi’s heart sank. His people, whom he had placed inside the palace and the Northern Yamen Imperial Army, had failed!
In the early morning, a eunuch hurriedly ran from the imperial city to Kunning Palace. Before he could catch his breath, he quickly reported to the Empress, “Your Majesty, Prime Minister Wang, and a number of court officials are kneeling outside the Palace Gate, requesting the Empress to open the palace gates and welcome Liang Wang into the palace.”
“Prime Minister Wang claims… claims that His Majesty has passed away and that the Taizi is missing on the battlefield. With neighboring countries surrounding Great Xia, and battles raging in both the southern and northern borders, amidst both internal and external crises, it is… it is necessary to immediately change the heir and support the new Crown Prince to ascend the throne quickly, to stabilize the state and ensure the stability of the court.”
The eunuch finished speaking and lowered his head, waiting for the Empress’s command.
His inner shirt was soaked with sweat, unsure whether it was from the quick run or the cold sweat caused by the tense atmosphere in the palace.
The eunuch was greatly shocked by the sudden turn of events outside the Palace Gate this morning. The Prime Minister, Wang Xian, was the Empress’s own brother and the Taizi’s maternal uncle. What was the Prime Minister up to?
The Empress, holding a string of prayer beads, paused slightly in her movements and let out a cold laugh.
Wang Xian, her older brother, was truly impatient.
Changing the heir to stabilize the country?
The Prime Minister was paving the way for Liang Wang.
Ha, if it were truly about stabilizing the state, Liang Wang should be leading troops on the southern border, fighting the enemy right now.
Opening the palace gates and allowing the southern invaders to march into the border, then loudly leading troops to attack the capital city, surrounding the imperial palace to pressure the Empress, this was Liang Wang’s way of stabilizing the country?
When the yellow-robed attendant finally couldn’t help but wipe the sweat running down his forehead, the Empress’s cold voice echoed through the palace:
“Tell the Prime Minister that until we receive definite news of the Taizi, anyone who dares to mention changing the heir shall be treated as rebellion, and executed without mercy!”
The eunuch complied and quickly exited the palace.
As he walked, he couldn’t help but think to himself, he never expected the Empress, who had been devoutly worshipping Buddha for many years, to speak with such killing intent.
————-
Last night, a deputy commander from the Northern Yamen Imperial Army, along with several subordinates, attempted to open the palace gates to allow Liang Wang into the palace. Fortunately, the situation was ultimately brought under control.
During the confrontation, both the Southern and Northern Yamen Imperial Armies suffered significant losses. Two deputy commanders from the Northern Yamen Imperial Army were killed, and Xie Changyuan sustained a knife wound to his right arm.
This morning, a feathered arrow was shot into the tower of the Palace Gate in the imperial city, carrying a letter from Liang Wang to the commander of the Northern Yamen Imperial Army, Xie Changyuan.
When Xie Changyuan received the letter, the imperial physician had just finished treating the wound on his arm and left after giving some instructions.
Xie Changyuan took the letter, and though he could roughly guess its contents, he did not open it immediately.
After a moment, Xie Changyuan still unfolded the letter.
In the letter, Liang Wang wrote, “Xie Changyuan, the Shizi of the Marquis of Yongding Mansion and the commander of the Northern Yamen Imperial Army, is a close servant of the Emperor, one of His Majesty’s most trusted officials.”
“As the Taizi, to recklessly venture into danger and lose contact, putting the safety of the nation at risk, is irresponsible.”
“Xie Changyuan should prioritize the stability of the state, support a new ruler, and restore the proper order to the court.”
After reading, Xie Changyuan lowered his head and sat in silence.
If something truly happened to the Taizi, then Qin Yan…
A stick of incense later, Xie Changyuan carefully placed the letter back into its envelope and instructed his subordinate to deliver it to the commander of the Southern Yamen Imperial Army, Lu Chen.
Since last night, the gates of the imperial city had been jointly guarded by both the Southern and Northern Yamen Imperial Armies, so Lu Chen would certainly be aware of the letter’s existence.
Liang Wang’s intentions were deep and calculating. Whether Xie Changyuan agreed to cooperate with him or not, the letter would, to some extent, create a rift between Xie Changyuan and Lu Chen, undermining the already fragile trust between them.
By handing over the letter, Xie Changyuan was making a statement.
It was a statement to Lu Chen, and it was also a statement to the Taizi faction.
————
The court officials kneeling outside the Palace Gate from the morning, demanding the change of heir, were starting to falter. They were all civil officials, unable to withstand such prolonged torment.
The Empress’s stance was firm, and there was no way she would be coerced into submission. The sun was high in the sky when one of the officials finally collapsed, unable to endure the pressure. Yet their leader, Left Prime Minister Wang Xian, was nowhere to be seen.
At a street corner not far from the Palace Gate, inside Liang Wang Feng Yi’s carriage, Left Prime Minister Wang Xian frowned and said to Feng Yi, who sat opposite him, “Xie Changyuan has not responded for a long time. If that’s the case, we must force an attack. We can’t wait any longer.”
“We must strike decisively, enter the palace, seize the Imperial Seal, and ascend to the throne with legitimacy and righteousness.”
“History is written by the victors. Once everything settles, even if the Taizi returns safely to the capital, he will have no choice but to accept his fate.”
Liang Wang Feng Yi narrowed his eyes, glancing at Wang Xian with a hint of mockery.
It seemed the Prime Minister was growing impatient due to the pressure from the Taizi, even more so than Feng Yi himself.
Nevertheless, time was indeed of the essence.
At noon, there was still no movement from the gates of the imperial city. Liang Wang Feng Yi gave the order to siege the imperial city.
After a night of rest, Liang Wang’s forces launched a fierce assault. Meanwhile, the Southern and Northern Yamen Imperial Armies inside the imperial city had been worn down by palace traitors throughout the night, leaving both sides suffering heavy casualties in the intense fighting.
An hour later, a subordinate arrived on horseback, urgently reporting to Liang Wang, “A military report from the northern border has arrived, dispatched urgently from eight hundred miles away. The messenger is being held at the Xuanping Gate in the west of the capital.”
“The report says that the northern border has achieved a great victory. The coalition of Great Xia and Northern Liang has decisively defeated the Turks, who have ceded land and retreated. Moreover, the Taizi has returned safely to the camp.”
Liang Wang Feng Yi took the military report and quickly skimmed through it. His gaze darkened with a fierce intensity as he commanded, “Kill the messenger, keep the news under strict control, and continue the siege!”
“Yes, Your Highness!” his subordinate replied, then quickly departed.
But despite their relentless efforts, the palace gates still held strong, and inside the carriage, Liang Wang grew increasingly restless.
The Turks were fierce and formidable. The last war between Great Xia and the Turks lasted a full decade. Even with the combined forces of Great Xia and Northern Liang this time, by all logic, the battle should have lasted for years, or at least several months.
Yet, unexpectedly, in just half a month, the war had ended with a complete victory for the allied forces.
Feng Yi felt a surge of rage. He was unwilling to accept this. He simply could not accept it.
But at this point, the Taizi must have received news of the situation in the capital. Since the urgent military report had arrived from eight hundred miles away, the Taizi should be returning to the capital soon.
Continuing the siege would no longer benefit him. His best option was to preserve his forces and bide his time for future plans.
Liang Wang Feng Yi immediately gave the order to halt the attack on the capital and, with the remaining troops, retreat from the capital, heading south.
News of the retreat quickly spread through the capital, and as people breathed a sigh of relief, they felt a sense of calm settling in.
Many court officials suddenly realized that the only possible reason for Liang Wang’s retreat from the capital at this moment was that reinforcements had arrived in the capital.
That same evening, the second wave of urgent military reports from the northern border reached the Ministry of War.
The northern victory was confirmed that the Turks had ceded land and retreated, and the Taizi would soon lead the army back to the capital!
———-
Inside the imperial city, in Yonghe Palace.
When the Empress entered the inner hall, Imperial Concubine Jing had been gagged and bound to a chair.
Imperial Concubine Jing’s hair was disheveled, her body slumped weakly against the back of the chair, as though she had struggled fiercely. A visible red mark on her neck was proof that she had just attempted to hang herself but failed.
“Your Majesty.”
A palace servant’s voice came from the door, causing Imperial Concubine Jing’s body to stiffen. She immediately looked up at the Empress who had just entered the hall.
The Empress glanced at Imperial Concubine Jing, then signaled to the servant beside her.
The servant took two steps forward, pulled out the cloth-gagging Imperial Concubine Jing, and swiftly poured a small vial of liquid into her mouth, forcing her to swallow it.
After being forced to swallow the liquid from the vial, Imperial Concubine Jing coughed violently a few times, feeling as though all her strength had been instantly drained from her.
She gasped, weakly lifting her gaze to look at the Empress, her voice frail, “What have you made me drink?”
The Empress smiled coldly and replied, “This is a softening powder.”
“Imperial Concubine Jing, you’d better get used to this taste. You’ll be taking it twice a day from now on.”
“Don’t be upset. I’m doing this for your own good.”
Imperial Concubine Jing closed her eyes helplessly.
What did they want to do with her?
The Empress then instructed the servants, “Send all the attendants in Yonghe Palace out of the palace and keep a strict watch on Imperial Concubine Jing.”
“Remember, if Imperial Concubine Jing, in her grief over His Majesty’s death, becomes too distressed and something happens to her, I will hold all of you accountable.”
Imperial Concubine Jing heard the Empress’s sharp and commanding words and slowly lifted her head. A faint, powerless smile tugged at the corners of her lips as she spoke slowly, “The Empress, who almost never manages the inner palace, has truly become impressive this time.”
The Empress didn’t respond to Imperial Concubine Jing, turning on her heels and heading out of the hall.
With such a major upheaval, there were many matters in the palace that required the Empress’s attention.
As for not managing the inner palace?
The Empress, as the legitimate daughter of the esteemed Wang Mansion, had been raised from a young age to be the head of a household.
Just because she hadn’t done it before didn’t mean she couldn’t handle it now.
And as for Imperial Concubine Jing, although Liang Wang might not be controlled by her, the Empress still needed to keep her alive for the time being. Once the Taizi returned to the palace, then she could make a final decision.
———–
After Liang Wang’s retreat from the capital, the Southern Yamen Imperial Army withdrew from the imperial city and resumed their defensive positions around the capital. However, Lu Chen still allocated a portion of the Southern Yamen Imperial Army troops to remain inside the imperial city.
Lu Chen’s intention was clear to Xie Changyuan that he was simply taking precautions to prevent a possible betrayal by the Northern Yamen Imperial Army. Xie Changyuan, however, raised no objections and simply cooperated.
The world was about to settle, and Xie Changyuan would have to be foolish to oppose the Taizi.
Han Shuangling, leading the remaining few thousand soldiers, was preparing to depart for Xuzhou when Lu Chen stopped her.
Lu Chen said to Han Shuangling, “The Taizi has sent word. You may still have a task to complete.”
Lu Chen didn’t specify what task the Taizi had assigned Han Shuangling, suggesting that the details would be arranged after the Taizi returned to the capital.
Han Shuangling looked at Lu Chen and half-jokingly replied, “Then I’ll have to trouble General Lu to take care of me.”
Lu Chen’s face revealed a rare, barely noticeable smile.
Han Shuangling was a woman whose strength, courage, and insight were no less than any man’s, and she was truly admirable.
————
The next morning, the Taizi, Feng Zhan, returned to the capital with the ten thousand Chifeng Army.
People flooded into the streets from every corner of the capital to cheer and celebrate.
The Taizi, dressed in silver armor and a dark robe, sat majestically on his horse, exuding an imposing presence.
The Taizi’s return immediately put an end to the rumors that had been circulating in the capital in recent days, such as the “disappearance of the Taizi ” or “the Taizi being injured.”
After entering the palace, the first thing Taizi Feng Zhan did was summon the Ministry of War and various military generals to the Fengtian Hall to discuss the situation regarding the disturbances in the southern frontier.
An hour later, several military orders were issued from the Fengtian Hall, “Command the Marquis of Guannei to lead all stationed troops in Xuzhou southward to assist Count of Pingnan in confronting the Southern Xinjiang.”
“The defense line of Youzhou will shift southward, extending to Xuzhou, to take over the defense of Xuzhou.”
“General Duan Hong of the Chifeng Army will lead the ten thousand Chifeng troops to Lingnan to assist Count of Pingnan, and clear out the remaining forces loyal to Liang Wang along the way.”
“The troops stationed in Lingnan to confront the southern invaders will consist of Count of Pingnan’s army, the Xuzhou forces under the Marquis of Guannei, and the Chifeng Army, three armies united.”
“Since Count of Pingnan is usually stationed in Lingnan, he will be appointed as the commander-in-chief of the three armies.”
“Han Shuangling of the Marquis of Guannei’s household, for her merit in guarding the capital, will be promoted to the rank of Fifth-Rank General of Martial Virtue and appointed as the military supervisor, coordinating the three southern armies in their efforts against the enemy.”
Immediately upon receiving the orders, General Duan Hong and Han Shuangling set out southward.
The military orders issued from Fengtian Hall contained a wealth of information, which quickly became the center of discussion in the court.
The Xuzhou army under the Marquis of Guannei was the closest of the Great Xia’s standing armies to the southern frontier of Lingnan.
However, Taizi’s order for the Xuzhou army to march south while the Youzhou army takes over the defense of Xuzhou raises some intriguing questions.
The involvement of Han Shuangling, as a member of the Marquis of Guannei Mansion, in assisting the Southern Yamen Imperial Army during Liang Wang’s attempt to take the capital helped to publicly signal the Marquis of Guannei’s stance. This move largely protected the Marquis of Guannei Mansion from being implicated in Liang Wang’s actions.
If the situation is as expected, the Marquis of Guannei may not be called back to Xuzhou after this southern campaign. While the Xuzhou army is officially being dispatched for reinforcements, the real purpose seems to be to remove the Marquis from his long-standing post in Xuzhou, thus diminishing his power.
However, this outcome is likely still preferable to being branded as part of Liang Wang’s faction when the Taizi seeks to address the latter’s actions. At least this way, the Marquis of Guannei can avoid being accused of treason.
With the southern campaign, it is logical for the familiar Count of Pingnan to be appointed as the commander-in-chief, given his experience with the region.
However, Count of Pingnan’s rank is lower than that of the Marquis of Guannei, and the Taizi’s decision to assign Han Shuangling, a member of the Marquis of Guannei Mansion, as the military supervisor of the three armies adds a layer of respect to the Marquis of Guannei Mansion, giving them some face.
Han Shuangling, a woman who had divorced, receiving such an important position and being bestowed the title of general, is indeed a significant honor for the Marquis of Guannei Mansion.
Yet, those with sharper political instincts may start to entertain other, more subtle theories.
Han Shuangling’s appointment as a military supervisor might just be a facade, a gesture by the Taizi to appease the Marquis of Guannei’s household. In reality, the Taizi’s personal army, the Chifeng Army, and its commander, General Duan Hong, could very well be the true military supervisors sent to the southern frontier. They would serve as the Taizi’s eyes and ears in Lingnan, overseeing the operations on his behalf.
If this is indeed the case, one cannot help but marvel at Taizi Feng Zhan’s strategic brilliance. His mind is sharp, able to manipulate the political landscape with ease, effortlessly controlling the court with a single gesture. He is not someone to be underestimated.
That day, Lu Chen, representing the Taizi, escorted General Duan Hong of the Chifeng Army and Han Shuangling out of the capital through the Yong’an Gate.
Lu Chen and Duan Hong were old comrades-in-arms, so there was no need for lengthy pleasantries. After a few simple exchanges, Lu Chen turned to Han Shuangling with a congratulatory smile, “General Han, if you had remained confined to the rear courtyard, your talents would have gone to waste. Congratulations, General Han.”
Han Shuangling smiled at Lu Chen and nodded in acknowledgment.
Lu Chen, a man with no prejudice against women in the military, understood her well.
In his eyes, there was no distinction between him and her, just comrades, as if the gender difference mattered little.
—————-
After Taizi Feng Zhan’s return to the capital, he immediately took control of the overwhelming pile of state and military affairs that had accumulated due to the Emperor’s passing and the chaos caused by the attack on the capital by Liang Wang.
The Empress, along with the Ministry of Rites and the Hanlin Academy, discussed the proper arrangements for the Emperor’s grand funeral. The entire capital slowly returned to order amidst the busy but well-organized preparations.
Many officials submitted memorials urging the Taizi to follow the Emperor’s last will, instructing the Ministry of Rites to select a date for the solemn ceremonies for Heaven, the ancestral temple, and the state, and to proceed with the coronation in order to stabilize the people’s hearts.
However, Taizi Feng Zhan’s response to these memorials was brief and to the point, “The coronation ceremony will be held alongside the empress’s installation ceremony.”
“The day the Taizifei returns to the capital will be the day I ascend the throne.”
The officials were taken aback!
Oh no, who were the ones who had impeached the Taizifei earlier?
Could it be that the Taizi is now settling old scores with her?