Ask the Nine Ministers

Chapter 367 The Phoenix Seal Falls

At 3:45 AM, in the West Warm Pavilion of the Zichen Palace.

The flickering candlelight illuminated the dark patterns on Li Zhaopan's robes, making them appear like flowing ink... Red cinnabar stained his cuffs and collar, scattered like stars.

"Your Highness, the troop rotation at each gate is complete." Guan Ya, clad in black armor, knelt on one knee on the cold gold bricks, the armor plates striking against each other with a soft metallic sound.

"Without an imperial edict from the Crown Prince, no one may enter or leave the Nine Gates."

Li Zhao put down his pen and pressed his fingertips heavily against his brow.

"What happened to those petty thugs at Andingmen last night?"

"Three people were killed; the rest were detained pending trial!"

"No need for further investigation." Li Zhao's lips curled up, his cold gaze bloodshot. "Pass down the order: anyone who dares to defy death is to be executed on the spot and their head displayed to the public! Let those who harbor侥幸心理 (a sense of侥幸, or a belief that they can get away with it) see what the rules are."

"Yes, sir!" Guan Ya replied in a deep voice, then raised his eyes and reported, "The Empress Dowager in Cixi Palace... insists on having an audience with the Emperor and has been waiting outside the palace for the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. The palace servants can hardly stop her..."

Li Zhao's gaze swept over the secret report spread out on the table, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

"She certainly knows how to pick her time. Please come in."
-
When Empress Dowager Chengqing stepped into the Zichen Palace, she was filled with rage, as if she wanted to set the air inside the palace on fire.

Unexpectedly, Li Zhao had already prepared tea, fruit and snacks. When he saw her come in, he eagerly stepped forward to greet her, his posture respectful and humble.

"I was just dealing with some urgent matters and did not know that Your Majesty was coming. Please forgive me."

"Urgent matter?" The Empress Dowager sneered, sitting heavily on the cushioned rosewood chair, her Buddhist prayer beads clenched so tightly they rattled.

"Are you in a hurry to inventory your father's treasury, or to fabricate charges against your brothers? I heard that even the Grand Princess was stopped outside the Zichen Palace. Increased patrols and strict checks, Your Highness, what a show of power."

“In extraordinary times, extraordinary measures must be taken.” Li Zhao’s expression remained unchanged, his tone respectful yet leaving no room for doubt.

"A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. My father is still in a coma, and as the crown prince, I must shoulder more responsibility for the country. These few rules are only to ensure the safety of the palace and prevent any trouble."

"Then what trouble has befallen me?"

The Empress Dowager slammed her hand on the table, splashing water from the teacup. Her face was full of anger, yet her benevolence and authority were on full display.

"I see you're trying to seize the throne while your father is seriously ill and the chaos ensues..."

The air inside the hall seemed to freeze instantly.

Li Zhao slowly raised his head.

His smile remained unchanged, but his eyes were icy cold.

“Grandmother, please be careful with your words. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day. I am temporarily handling government affairs on behalf of Father Emperor in order to prevent the ancestral legacy from falling into the wrong hands, to prevent the court from falling into chaos, to ensure that the people live in peace and prosperity, and to ensure that the laws of the country and the duties of officials and the people are well-ordered… Once Father Emperor is well, I will return the power to him and will not dare to overstep my bounds in the slightest.”

A sinister glint flashed in Empress Dowager Chengqing's eyes. "What if your father doesn't wake up? What will you do then?"

Li Zhao retorted, "Does Grandmother mean she hopes Father will never wake up?"

"You—" The Empress Dowager choked on her words, her chest heaving violently.

"What I fear is... that the Liang dynasty will be ruined in your hands!"

"I have my own considerations." Li Zhao walked up to her, an invisible pressure spreading out. "But Grandmother, besides visiting Father, is there anything else you wish to tell me today?"

Empress Dowager Chengqing could not hide her anger.

"I am worried about Your Majesty. What do I need to tell you?"

Li Zhaodao said, "For example... Princess Pingle secretly returned to the capital and colluded with the third prince, Li Yan, to frame the crown prince and plot against him... Did the Empress Dowager really not know about these things?"

The Empress Dowager's face instantly drained of all color.

He was speechless for a moment.

Li Zhao's eyes were icy cold as he pressed closer with each step.

“If Grandmother is truly worried about Father, she should think about the stability of the Great Liang.”

He paused, then solemnly cupped his hands and said, "Your grandson has drafted the edict of regency, only lacking the Empress Dowager's phoenix seal. Once the seal is affixed, it will be proclaimed throughout the land. Out of brotherly affection, your grandson can guarantee the safety of your third brother."

"How dare you threaten me?" The Empress Dowager gripped the armrest tightly with her fingertips, her voice rising with shock and anger.

"Grandson was just reminding Grandmother."

Li Zhao's upright posture remained completely still, not even his eyelashes trembled.

"Li Yan is hiding weapons belonging to traitors and colluding with the deposed princess with treacherous intentions. According to the law, he should be executed. However, he is, after all, of royal blood and the apple of the Empress Dowager's eye. As his brother, I don't want to kill him outright and chill our blood ties. But if my Empress Dowager insists on obstructing this, disregarding the fate of the nation and blindly protecting him, then don't blame me for being ruthless..."

"You...Your Highness, how dare you!"

Empress Dowager Chengqing felt a chill in her heart, and her imposing manner instantly diminished.

"I am your imperial grandmother, the Empress Dowager of Liang... Aren't you afraid of being branded as disobedient and unfilial..."

Her lips trembled as she tried to refute, but she found that any words would seem pale and powerless at this moment.

Li Zhao simply smiled at her without saying a word.

He had grown powerful, ruthless, and had also seized leverage over others.

He was no longer the young, cautious grandson of the emperor he once was.

"Your Highness, I have endured countless hardships to help your father ascend the throne and watched you grow into adulthood. Do I not deserve even a sliver of your respect in return? If I were to comply with your wishes today, I would be failing our ancestors..."

Li Zhao stopped looking at her and turned his gaze to Guan Ya.

"Present the edict of regency for the Empress Dowager's review."

Guan Ya replied, "As you command!"

Empress Dowager Chengqing suffered a sharp pain in her chest and was so angry that she almost fainted.

Looking at Li Zhao's young, cold face, and at the fierce guards around her who obeyed only the orders of the Eastern Palace, an unprecedented chill enveloped her.

The autumn wind howled across the eaves, making a mournful sound.

That heavy imperial edict was presented to the Empress Dowager.

"...The Emperor is unwell and urgently needs to rest and recuperate to alleviate his worries. However, the fate of the nation rests on our shoulders, and this cannot be delayed for long. Crown Prince Zhao, the Emperor's legitimate son, is naturally benevolent and filial, and possesses innate wisdom. He has long been instructed by his ancestors and is well-versed in government affairs—I, the Empress Dowager, am concerned for the nation and, in the spirit of our ancestors, hereby, by the Empress Dowager's decree, appoint Crown Prince Zhao to oversee the state and manage all affairs. From this day forward, all officials, both inside and outside the court, and all government offices, shall be under the Crown Prince's control. In all matters of national importance, military and civilian affairs, the Crown Prince may make decisions as appropriate… You, my ministers, should remember the Emperor's difficult time recuperating and understand the weight of my trust, and work together wholeheartedly to assist the Crown Prince, uphold the nation's affairs, stabilize the people's hearts, and solidify the foundation of the state. This is a special decree!" The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over the cold words, one by one, and she seemed to see the decisive and ruthless late Emperor—her husband.

He defied public opinion back then because he had his eye on this grandson of the emperor.

He used to be right.

Even after he's dead, she can never win against him...

She has no choice.

This grandson is even more ruthless and adept at manipulating people's hearts than his imperial grandfather.

"Bring the seal."

Empress Dowager Chengqing's voice was dry and hoarse, as if she had aged ten years in an instant.

Lady Cui entered carrying the imperial seal of Ci'an Hall, her steps heavy.

Li Zhao personally dipped his finger in cinnabar and said, "Grandmother, please."

The bright red inkpad was applied heavily onto the bright yellow silk.

The Phoenix Seal has been sealed.

"Thank you for granting my request, Your Majesty." Li Zhao put away the imperial edict, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

The Empress Dowager seemed to have all her strength drained away, and her cloudy eyes silently welled up with tears.

With this seal falling, everything she had painstakingly maintained would be completely destroyed.

"Grandmother is very wise and understanding. I will handle the matter of my third brother appropriately and will not let Grandmother worry."

Having said that, Li Zhao raised his voice.

"Guards, escort the Empress Dowager back to the palace to rest."

Empress Dowager Chengqing rose and walked unsteadily towards the outside, but suddenly turned back when she reached the palace gate.

"You think you can rest easy now? I'd like to see if you're up to the task of regent!"

Li Zhao bowed slightly, smiling but saying nothing.

Only after Empress Dowager Chengqing's figure disappeared from sight did he calm down, a cold glint in his eyes.

"Your Highness, should we tighten the defenses even further..."

"No need." Li Zhao sat back down at his desk, reopened the memorial, and wrote with vigorous strokes of his vermilion brush.

"Act in accordance with the imperial edict, and make it clear to the whole world. Inform all officials and the people."

"Yes!" Guan Ya solemnly accepted the order, turned around and strode away.

The clanging of armor echoed in the empty hall.

Li Zhao slowly raised his head and looked at the golden dragon coiling above the beam.

The cold gleam of the dragon scales seemed to hold the blood of centuries of dynastic changes—

From the founding emperor's iron hooves trampling across the land, to the late emperor's sword-wielding to eliminate powerful ministers, and now to the edict of regency on the table.

Throughout history, emperors have sat on dragon thrones teetering on the edge of knives; this must have been the feeling they endured...

This imperial treasure has always been as red as blood.

Just like the vermilion ink on his brush, when he put pen to paper it was power, and when it dried, it became an indelible mark on history books.
-
The candles in Cixi Hall remained lit throughout the night.

Empress Dowager Chengqing locked herself in the Buddhist hall and sat in silence before the gilded Buddha statue for three hours. The wafting sandalwood incense, instead of dispelling her frustration, only fueled the burning anger within her.

"Grandmother, the First Madam of the Xue family has arrived."

Cui Shanggong's voice rang out from outside the door.

Empress Dowager Chengqing slowly opened her eyes: "Let her in."

Madam Fu hurriedly entered the hall, bowed respectfully, and wore her usual deference on her face.

"This humble servant, Fu, kowtows to Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, wishing you boundless blessings and peace..."

"Do you know your crime?" the Empress Dowager demanded sharply.

Fu was taken aback.

She was Xue Qingzhi's principal wife, born into the Yongding Marquis's household, and was well-versed in the ways of power struggles among the elite. She was also adept at discerning the emperor's intentions. Upon hearing the voice, she immediately prostrated herself and kowtowed.

"I am foolish and ignorant, and I do not know in what way I have offended you, Ancestor. Please enlighten me."

"Hmph." Empress Dowager Chengqing sneered, her finger suddenly pointing at her.

"Your Xue family has raised a fine daughter! She bewitches the emperor and stirs up trouble in the palace... As the legal mother, you have failed to manage your household properly and discipline your daughter, allowing her to cause chaos. How dare you say you are unaware of your crimes?"

Madam Fu trembled, her forehead pressed against the cold floor tiles. "I beg Your Majesty to understand my predicament... That girl has been incredibly wicked ever since she returned to the manor. She's cunning and meticulous, guarding herself so closely that she rarely even sets foot in her birth mother Xue Ji's courtyard... Even if I wanted to discipline her, I wouldn't know where to begin, and instead, she's controlling me..."

"Useless! You can't even handle a concubine's daughter, what use are you to me?"

Empress Dowager Chengqing rebuked her sharply, finally finding an outlet for the anger that had been building up inside her.

"Since we can't control her, let's send her to where she needs to be."

Fu was so startled that she looked up in a daze.

Empress Dowager Chengqing looked at her and said, "Listen, I don't care what method you use—I will never let that lowly servant girl get what she wants. If she gains glory, it will be a disaster for your entire Fu family... and a thorn in my heart!"

She spoke slowly and deliberately, her eyes seeming to harbor venom.

Li Zhao has driven her to this point; she must pay the price!
She was in a bad mood, so she made Li Zhao feel even worse...

Ten times, a hundred times.

(End of this chapter)