Frost for a Thousand Years

The Imperial Guards rode their horses all the way into the palace. This was a special privilege granted by the emperor under special circumstances. It represented that everything in the Great Yu Dynasty had to prioritize military affairs, and all worldly etiquette had to give way.

Meanwhile, the Empress, who was in the Yining Palace, was unaware that she had been given double the punishment. She was quite contentedly drinking her white fungus soup and said to the eunuch beside her with a smug look, "Tell me, if Song Shi'an doesn't comply, how should we deal with Song Jing, that stubborn nut to crack?"

The Empress was given some instructions by the Emperor, so she naturally knew about the events that were about to happen in Huai County.

Therefore, she is in a good mood every day now.

Because that Wei Wusheng is doomed.

In her view, as long as this ominous son who doesn't recognize his own family is dealt with, her two sons will no longer be at odds.

No matter what, they are brothers from the same mother. Blood is thicker than water, and I can mediate between them. This world should belong to them.

We can just split it in half.

Originally, he had no problem with Song Shi'an. At most, he felt that the boy was too arrogant and thought too highly of himself. However, he was capable of putting out fires and protecting the Great Yu Kingdom. The Empress was also willing to let him live a life of wealth and honor for generations.

But Song Jing really offended her last time.

"Since Song Jing is so shameless, then this servant thinks..." the eunuch said obsequiously, following the Empress's wishes, "why not teach him a lesson?"

"That's right. His Majesty only said that he would spare them this time. He didn't say that he wouldn't let them settle accounts after the autumn harvest." The Empress had just lifted the bowl of white fungus soup aside when the eunuch next to her took it from her.

And her complexion seemed to have improved during these days because her husband was away.

Of course, there are no hidden erotic scenes.

It was purely the oppressive atmosphere imposed by the old emperor, not only on his son, but for a long time, the entire harem was shrouded in a solemn atmosphere.

Those who are capable of establishing the Embroidered Uniform Guard will not completely trust anyone around them.

The empress enjoyed the feeling of being the absolute ruler of the harem.

To put it even more treasonously, given the emperor's health, he would die within a few months to half a year.

A widowed empress dowager, a noble family, and a son who becomes emperor...

The Queen's good days were finally about to begin.

Once things have calmed down and the emperor is dead, the remnants and followers of Song Shi'an will gradually forget about him. The empress will definitely have to teach Song Jing a lesson and deal with him.

"Do you think Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng will rebel?" the Empress asked again.

“This servant is dull and cannot guess about such important military and national affairs,” the eunuch said. “However, in this servant’s humble opinion, Song Shi’an considers himself a capable minister, looks down on everyone and doesn’t care about anyone. I’m afraid he won’t surrender easily, and will probably struggle to the death.”

"You are all too afraid of Song Shi'an," the Empress said with considerable disdain. "He was able to win against Ji Yuan and against Kang Xun only because of the strength of our Great Yu Kingdom. That's why he was able to turn danger into safety every time. In addition, His Majesty truly cherishes talented people, which is why he has tolerated him many times. But now that the Emperor has taken action himself, even he can no longer be as arrogant as before."

The Empress may not understand military or political matters, but she does know how to 'think'.

She simply couldn't believe that a young man in his early twenties could hold sway over the world.

How can there be such a person?

We were able to defend Shuofeng City because our Great Yu has a large population, vast territory, and a wealthy nation.

The reason why the Prince of Yan was so easily fooled was because he had the support of the Great Yu Kingdom. Kang Xun dared not offend him; otherwise, he would have been boiled alive long ago.

And what about those 20,000 gold coins?

Without this, could he have gotten things done?

Now, the emperor is no longer indulging him.

His Majesty has personally intervened. This kid should know how insignificant and helpless he is before the Emperor of Great Yu.

"Your Majesty the Empress is wise," the eunuch said with a smile, flattering her. "Song Shi'an is just a child; he can't cause any trouble."

"His only mistake was that he presumptuously chose another child and then thought he could control the crown prince of my Great Yu."

The Empress revealed a chilling displeasure, already impatient for the outcome of Huai County's crackdown on the An Sheng Group.

"Your Majesty, the Embroidered Uniform Guard requests an audience."

Just then, a eunuch came in from outside the door and hurriedly announced the news.

"The Embroidered Uniform Guard?" The Embroidered Uniform Guard are also men, and they also have their own secrets, so even if they have something to report, they need to notify the Empress Dowager in advance, and then the Empress Dowager listens to their reports from behind the screen in the Taiyuan Hall. But now they have come directly to the outside of the hall.

This indicates that the situation must be extremely urgent.

"Let him in."

The Empress didn't think much of it and said.

"Yes."

The eunuch left, and after a while, the dusty Imperial Guard walked in. His clothes, complexion, and even the frequency of his breathing all indicated how tired he was.

"You must be tired from coming all the way from Huai County." Just as he was about to kneel, the Empress asked with a conciliatory tone, "Catch your breath before you speak."

However, this Imperial Guard was quite tactful. He knelt on one knee, clenched his fists, and said, "Your subject pays respects to the Empress Dowager."

"Rise..." The Empress paused, startled, and asked with a dark expression, "What did you call me?"

It's human nature to mispronounce words.

But in feudal society, saying the wrong thing could mean death.

He calls himself Empress Dowager, which implicitly elevates his seniority. Isn't that cursing the emperor to die?
Of course, if there were no outsiders around, it's forgivable that he might have said something wrong while riding so fast that he got dizzy, but he still needs to be reprimanded.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." The Imperial Guard still did not change his address, and took out an imperial edict from his sleeves, presented it, and said, "This is an imperial edict issued by the Emperor Emeritus."

The retired emperor?!
Upon hearing this, the Empress and the eunuch beside her were both dumbfounded.

When did the Great Yu Dynasty have an additional retired emperor?
If I become the Empress Dowager, then who is the Emperor?!
The eunuch dared not delay, quickly stepped forward to receive the imperial edict, then walked to the Empress's side. After receiving a 'read' signal from her, he began to speak:

"Fengtian Chengyun Emperor, the imperial edict said:

I have inherited the weighty responsibility of the seven ancestral temples and ruled the world for fifty years, yet I have always feared that my virtue is insufficient to cause me to lose the sacred vessel...

He immediately deposed Wei Yiyun from his position as crown prince, transferred him to the fiefdom of King of Wu, and reduced his fiefdom by nine-tenths, leaving only one-tenth.

Prince Jin, Yixuan, with his powerful spirit, stopped the flow of the river, quelled the rebellion, and brought peace to the country. He possesses the vigor of my prime. Therefore, I hereby appoint him as the successor to the throne and change the era name to Anshun…

As she listened, the Empress's expression gradually grew serious.

The Prince of Zhongping rebelled and even attempted an assassination.

The crown prince was deposed and charged with three rather intimidating crimes.

The Prince of Jin became the new emperor, and the reign title was changed from 'Jiarui' to 'Anshun'.

Emperor Anshun?

Why Emperor Anshun?

How did the emperor abdicate and become the retired emperor?
"Impossible!" The eunuch spoke before the Empress, pointing at the Imperial Guard and sternly rebuking him, "This is neither His Majesty's handwriting nor that of the Grand Eunuch Xi. How can an edict without the Grand Eunuch's signature be valid? How did you forge this imperial edict, and what is your intention? Speak now!"

Fake news!

Not only did the eunuchs think this way, but the empress did too.

However, the Imperial Guard remained calm and composed, replying, "This is indeed an imperial edict issued by the Emperor Emeritus, absolutely genuine. We urge Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to personally verify it."

"Bring it here."

The empress tensed and reached out her hand.

The eunuch beside her presented the imperial edict to her with both hands.

The Empress's expression froze upon seeing the imperial edict, and as she continued reading, the sense of déjà vu grew stronger, and her anxiety intensified: "This..."

The eunuch was certain that the handwriting was definitely not that of the senior eunuchs of the Directorate of Ceremonial, because he had also served the emperor and was a senior eunuch himself, capable of sitting at that table.

What is the Empress surprised about?

"Ziyu's handwriting, this is Ziyu's handwriting." The Empress raised her head, completely flustered.

Fear swept in like a tidal wave.

Why was the Prince of Jin able to issue an imperial edict?

How did he manage to obtain the imperial edict, the imperial seal, and the imperial guards to deliver the decree?

It's possible that one of them is fake, but if they're all fake, then his abilities are truly extraordinary.

As expected of Song Shi'an, he came up with this idea.

The Imperial Guards were also worried at the time. Xi Shan had been killed by that General San Gou, and the emperor was old and senile, unable to even read properly, let alone draft imperial edicts for them. If the imperial edicts they brought were considered forgeries, then he would be finished.

They actually thought of having the Prince of Jin write it and send it to the Empress Dowager.

What a talent! He's truly a genius.

"What exactly is going on?" the Empress asked him anxiously.

Therefore, the Imperial Guards truthfully informed the other party of all the events that occurred during the Huai County Military Settlement Ceremony.

He didn't need to use the Spring and Autumn Annals style of writing, nor could he fabricate stories at will, because it was very easy for the King of Wu to send a message to Sheng'an. If the accounts didn't match up, it would actually lower his credibility.

These facts alone made the Empress uncomfortable.

She clutched her chest, struggling to breathe.

"Your Highness, please don't be angry, please don't harm your health..." the eunuch beside him quickly reassured him.

"You mean, Song Shi'an won?!" The Empress swept aside the noisy eunuch beside her with her sleeve, glared at the Imperial Guard, and asked in a very irritable manner.

After a moment of silence, the Imperial Guard said, "Your Majesty, it was His Majesty who entrusted Prince Qin and Lord Song with the task, and then suppressed the rebellion and annihilated the rebel leader, Prince Zhongping."

"You actually speak up for these traitors?" The Empress picked up a porcelain bowl and smashed it at him. "Who exactly is your master? Who feeds you!"

The Imperial Guard didn't even flinch, letting the tremella soup spill all over him and the porcelain bowl shatter beside him. He solemnly said, "Your Majesty, my only master is His Majesty. It was His Majesty who gave me food."

His Majesty……

The empress closed her eyes, unable to refute.

His Majesty is now the Prince of Jin.

Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng have taken His Majesty hostage; this is none of their business.

He was still the emperor's Imperial Guard.

"I won't waste my breath with these high-sounding words. I just want to know," the Empress said, her fingers trembling as she pointed at him. "So, what exactly does Song Shi'an want to do?"

She didn't want to talk about these hypocritical notions of ruler-subject relations and morality, but this member of the Imperial Guard had no choice but to. After all, his direct superior was the Emperor.

The emperor's boss might be Song Shi'an, but that has nothing to do with me.

"Reporting to the Empress Dowager," the Imperial Guard said, "I do not know what Lord Song advised His Majesty. But His Majesty told me that cooperation benefits both sides, while conflict harms both. Now, all the officials in charge of the agricultural settlements have welcomed the new emperor, and the retired emperor has personally acknowledged the identity of Emperor Anshun. If Prince Wu does not accept this and insists on war, he may not win. However, if he accepts the new emperor's dethronement, the Great Yu realm can still be at peace."

"The 'An' in Song Shi'an, right!"

The Empress immediately flew into a rage, her emotions running high, and her face flushed red.

How could this be? How could this be...?

Song Shi'an actually won against the emperor.

That's the emperor, how did he manage that?
Is this person truly a monster?
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Even the Imperial Guards could see her weakness, so they whispered a reminder, "The current emperor will definitely consider brotherly affection. As long as Prince Wu accepts, the world will be at peace, and the royal family will be at peace too."

These words sent a jolt through the Queen's brain, causing it to shut down.

Just then, the eunuch who had brought the message earlier came in again and said hurriedly, "Your Majesty, Lord Ye requests an audience. It's extremely urgent."

Ye Changqing has arrived.

This is the person Zisheng trusts the most.

"I won't listen to your nonsense!" the Empress said hysterically. "Summon Lord Ye in, and let this traitor wait outside. He'd better wait properly!"

The Imperial Guard left.

After a while, Ye Changqing came in.

"Your subject Ye Changqing greets Your Majesty the Empress."

He hurriedly kowtowed and bowed.

"Changqing, get up quickly." The Empress felt a little more at ease after hearing this address, and then said in great distress, "Something terrible has happened in Huai County, something terrible has happened."

"Your Majesty, what is it?"

After Ye Changqing stood up, he did not reply.

Then the queen told him everything.

They also told him that the handwriting was an imperial edict from the Prince of Jin.

Having gathered all the information, Ye Changqing said, "Your Highness, this is only Song Shi'an's side of the story. To know for sure what the matter is, we must wait and see what His Highness the Crown Prince says in his letter. I think we should wait and see."

"I know we can't make a hasty decision," the Empress said. "But surely the news he brought isn't entirely false?"

“Yes, Your Highness,” Ye Changqing said. “It is certain that His Majesty has been kidnapped. It is also certain that the Prince of Jin has been established as the new emperor and accepted by the officials. Another possibility is that many troops in the military settlements have been taken over by His Highness Prince Qin and Song Shi’an.”

Ye Changqing is not someone who questions everything; he was able to deduce these things from the current situation.

"Really?" the Empress asked incredulously. "Then, can Song Shi'an really defeat His Majesty?"

“As you said, that Imperial Guard revealed that Song Shi’an managed to defend seven granaries from the rebels…” Ye Changqing sighed, then lowered his head and nodded silently, “Then he really won.”

"Why can we tell just by looking at the granary?" the Empress asked, puzzled.

"Your Majesty's only fear, or only concern, is the granary. If the granary is destroyed, 500,000 soldiers and civilians in the capital region will become refugees. Moreover, they still possess weapons and farming tools. Our Great Yu will truly be destroyed because of this," Ye Changqing said. "If what the Embroidered Uniform Guard said is true, that Song Shi'an has taken control of the granary, then he must have seized it through some means and used it as a threat, forcing Your Majesty to abdicate to protect the grain."

The Embroidered Uniform Guard could not directly accuse Song Shi'an of threatening the emperor with the granary.

Because Song Shi'an is a loyal minister now, and so is he. How could loyal ministers undermine each other at a time like this?

He revealed this information, probably to demonstrate its authenticity to them.

Oh no, this is really a big problem...

"How could this be? How could this be?" The Empress broke down, remembering Song Shi'an's smug look, and began to curse, "With such talent, why didn't he help my son? Why did he go to serve that bastard's son? He's a scoundrel, he's a complete scoundrel..."

The Empress was convinced and stopped arguing.

This time, without a platform or the emperor's forbearance, Song Shi'an still won.

Song Shi'an no longer needs another championship to prove himself.

Even his haters can only launch superficial attacks on his character and morality.

Teacher Da'an... is unworthy of his position!
"Your Majesty, please don't worry too much," Ye Changqing said. "If Song Shi'an is going to use such methods to announce the imperial edict in Sheng'an Market to attack Your Highness, then it means that His Highness is in a very safe situation and even has a military advantage."

"That's good, that's good..." The Empress was afraid that if the Crown Prince fell into Song Shi'an's hands, she would truly be in despair.

"Your Majesty, may we allow the Imperial Guards from earlier to come in?" Ye Changqing asked.

"Let that man in," the Empress said to the eunuch with displeasure.

"Yes."

The eunuch left, and the Imperial Guards entered. They looked at Ye Changqing, nodded in acknowledgment, and appeared quite respectful.

"The Crown Prince's letter will arrive soon. Since you are going to report to Her Majesty the Empress, tell her the truth about the current situation. Spreading rumors and lying will only bring about your death," Ye Changqing warned.

"I am telling the truth."

"How is His Highness the Crown Prince now?" Ye Changqing questioned.

"His Highness Prince Wu and Duke Li control the Jianxing army, with 40,000 soldiers at the Jianxing headquarters. However, Jia Guihao's troops, which are closest to the military agricultural settlement ceremony, have been taken over by the Prince of Qin on His Majesty's orders. They have over 10,000 county soldiers, plus 6,000 Imperial Guards, and are completely under his control," he said.

"The Crown Prince has 40,000 men under his command?" The Empress was somewhat surprised.

Soon, the Embroidered Uniform Guard explained: "Those 40,000 were the old, weak, sick and disabled who were stationed in the fields, while the Imperial Guard could fight ten men each."

The Empress felt a chill in her heart, because Ye Changqing did not refute him.

That means the crown prince is really at a huge disadvantage.

"Your Majesty the Empress," Ye Changqing turned to her and said, "Please give the order to allocate 30,000 Imperial Guards to me so that I may go to assist His Highness the Crown Prince."

"Lord Ye?" Upon hearing this, the Empress felt a slight unease. "Sheng'an cannot be without a ruler. If troops really need to be mobilized, aren't there still those generals?"

"Your Majesty, you mustn't!"

Ye Changqing quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Lord Ye, what is the reason for this?" The Empress asked earnestly, somewhat puzzled. "Could it be that those generals also have a problem?"

"Your Majesty, I am not sure."

"But there must be generals we can trust, like Zhao Lie, who is Zhao Yi's father. Why can't we trust him?"

"minister……"

Ye Changqing looked very conflicted and found it difficult to speak.

It's not that he doesn't know how to say it, but that he can't bring himself to say it.

"Everyone out, leave only Lord Ye here." The Empress issued an order that would damage Ye Changqing's reputation, given that the man and woman were alone together.

Those people all left.

She looked at Ye Changqing again and asked, "Changqing, tell me why we cannot trust those nobles. I will never blame you; your loyalty is more precious than gold."

"..." After hesitating for a long time, Ye Changqing finally had no choice but to speak, "The Duke of Li is abusing his power."

"The Duke of Li is indeed a very upright minister, but at this time, we should prioritize the overall situation and first eliminate traitors like Song Shi'an and Wei Wusheng," the Empress said.

Ye Changqing lowered his head and remained silent.

"Ye Qing, you must put aside your prejudice against the people of Qinzhou now." The Empress herself is from Qinzhou.

Upon hearing this, Ye Changqing raised his head with a chill in his heart, looked at the old woman, and said, "Your Majesty, who in this world do you think cares most about the Crown Prince?"

When asked this question abruptly, the Empress replied, "Of course, it is the mother who cares about him the most."

“Yes, you certainly care. I care too,” Ye Changqing said. “But besides that, who else truly cares?”

"..." The Empress was stunned. "Minister Ye, what do you mean?"

"Your Majesty, there is already an emperor."

Looking at her, Ye Changqing almost said with a hint of 'speechlessness', "No one cares about the Crown Prince anymore!"

"What...what do you mean?" The Empress was still puzzled and a little scared.

"The Prince of Jin became emperor, and His Majesty personally abdicated the throne. Even if those nobles won the war, they wouldn't make the Crown Prince emperor again," Ye Changqing said. "Only if they lost would they kidnap the Crown Prince and use him as a puppet to rival Song Shi'an!"

The empress suddenly realized what was going on.

The powerful ministers only wanted an emperor, not any particular individual.

Now that a proper emperor has appeared, they will no longer risk public outrage by supporting a new emperor.

No one dared to depose the emperor at will.

What about the other crown prince?

It's certain that it will be abolished.

Is it possible that he died a heroic death in the chaos of the purge of corrupt officials?

Ye Changqing was not unwilling to cooperate with the nobles, but their interests were fundamentally different.

What he wanted to do everything he could to protect was the crown prince, not to use the nobles to defeat Song Shi'an.

“But they won’t be so arrogant. They’ve all watched Zisheng grow up,” the Empress said to Ye Changqing sincerely. “They will listen to me.”

"..."

Ye Changqing's expression froze, he closed his eyes, and felt somewhat relieved.

Your opponents are the extraordinary talent Song Shi'an and the courageous and resourceful Wei Wusheng.

Your teammate is the Queen of the Li Kingdom, who controls all the armies in the land.

"Lord Ye, of course I don't distrust you as a commander, it's just that Sheng'an is hard to do without you..." The Empress still preferred to let the nobles lead the troops to rescue the city.

Whom do she trust if she doesn't believe the people of Qinzhou?

She is from Qinzhou.

Just then, the eunuch outside barged in without permission. Before the Empress could even rebuke him in displeasure, he stammered, "Something terrible has happened... all the officials in the court must come to the palace for an audience!" (End of Chapter)