Outside the Emperor's bedchamber, fireworks burst in the sky.
The officials standing outside the hall looked up at the sky, their expressions heavy with uncertainty and suspicion.
Deputy General Zhong had entered not long ago but soon emerged. Without glancing at anyone, he walked to the front of the hall and suddenly set off two fireworks.
What was the meaning of this? Did His Majesty wish to watch fireworks?
Most were puzzled, but soon some realized that although the daylight swallowed much of the fireworks' brilliance, their shapes remained discernible.
"That night," an official murmured softly, "in the later hours, these same fireworks appeared."
At the time, hiding in their homes, they had wondered what trickery was afoot.
So it was... from His Majesty's side.
Chu Zhao, Deng Yi, Xie Yanfang, and the officials from the former court, as well as Xie Yanlai guarding the city gates—all looked up at the sky at this moment, some moved, others expressionless.
As the fireworks exploded, the ground trembled faintly, as if countless people were surging toward them.
"His Majesty—His Majesty has passed away."
Inside the bedchamber, Qi Gonggong's voice trembled as he announced.
Those gazing at the sky snapped back to reality instantly, dropping to their knees and bowing their heads in muffled sobs.
......
......
The fireworks in the sky soon faded, and news of the Emperor's death spread.
Funeral bells tolled in unison from all the temples in the capital.
The people, not yet settled from the princes' upheaval, were thrown into panic once more. Though the Emperor had been like a non-entity for over a decade, his presence had been a constant. Now, with the princes dead or condemned, and even the Emperor gone, what would become of the Great Xia?
But along with the news of the Emperor's death came word of the Crown Grandson's ascension, the enfeoffment of Chu Zhao—daughter of Chu Ling—as Empress, Grand Tutor Deng Yi overseeing the state, and the scholar Xie Yanfang of Dongyang entering the court, among other developments.
The anxious populace gradually calmed. The dynasty remained. Though this new Grand Tutor was unheard of, the Xie family of Dongyang were the Crown Grandson's maternal uncles—his presence would surely stabilize the court. Moreover, the Crown Grandson now had an Empress, establishing both family and rule—though he was only six, it still brought reassurance.
As for this Empress Chu Zhao, she had already stirred discussion when the Emperor's decree enfeoffed her as Crown Princess. Now the topic resurfaced, for being Crown Princess was not the same as being Empress—one did not guarantee the other, as seen with the late Crown Princess.
The people had not expected the Emperor's death, assuming there was much time ahead for the Emperor to raise the Crown Grandson until he came of age—
Time stretched long, and anything seemed possible.
But with the Emperor's sudden demise, the Crown Grandson became Emperor, and Crown Princess Chu Zhao immediately became Empress.
"This... this is inappropriate."
"Never mind the many noble, cultured young ladies from great families across the land—just in the capital alone, what does this Chu Zhao amount to—"
"What about this Chu Zhao? Do not forget whose daughter she is. Chu Ling was once the Emperor's most trusted officer, renowned for his military exploits. He still guards the Border Commandery, a steadfast pillar. To secure the border, he hasn't returned to the capital in over a decade."
Due to the Emperor's funeral, the empire donned plain garments, with bans on music, banquets, sacrifices, and weddings—giving people more time to gossip.
Hearing such words, many seemed dazed.
Had Chu Ling stayed away from the capital all these years for that reason?
It seemed... not!
"That Chu Ling is a crimi—"
"Criminal, what criminal! Did His Majesty ever convict him? Was Chu Ling ever imprisoned? He is the esteemed Garrison General of Yunzhong Commandery!"
This was true, leaving the objector speechless. The one refuting him refused to let it go."The imperial decree made it clear that the credit for saving the Crown Prince's son belongs to Miss Chu. Truly, a worthy daughter of a heroic father."
"First, Chu Ling secured the nation and brought stability for His Majesty, and now his daughter has preserved the Great Xia bloodline for His Majesty."
"If she isn't qualified to be Empress, then who is?"
Who knew who was qualified? At this moment, naming anyone would be throwing them into the fire. The gathered crowd immediately fell silent, and the man who had refuted them snorted and strode away.
The crowd exchanged glances, murmuring among themselves, "Who was that man?"
No one knew who he was—it was as if he had appeared out of thin air.
The person who had been refuted earlier snorted, "Clearly, he's deliberately exaggerating the Chu daughter's merits."
He must be from the Chu family.
"I think so too," someone agreed. "Such talk is becoming more and more common these days. It's obvious someone is manipulating it—"
"Exactly. Otherwise, who would have praised the Chu daughter before—" the previous speaker nodded eagerly in agreement.
But as his words faded, another voice chimed in.
"Who praised the Chu daughter before? Where have you been hiding, in some remote mountain valley?"
This time, it wasn't a man's voice but a lively, girlish one.
The crowd turned to look and saw a group of young women descending from the teahouse's second floor. One of them, with raised eyebrows and a scornful expression, glared at them.
"Haven't you heard of the recent Chu Garden Literary Gathering?"
"Who doesn't know how the Chu daughter held her own against scholars from across the land with dignity and composure?"
Another young woman chuckled, "Miss Qi, they might genuinely not know—" She tilted her small nose upward, her gaze haughty. "They don't look like they've ever read a book."
Miss Qi's expression turned openly mocking. "Never read a book, huh? Do you even know what 'talent and virtue combined' means? All you care about is family background—as if a prestigious family name alone qualifies someone to be Empress?"
Another girl laughed lightly. "If that's the case, then the esteemed Zhao Family would be the most suitable."
But the Zhao Family had already been executed to the ninth degree, and the court was still relentlessly hunting down their remaining associates. No one dared to associate themselves with the Zhao Family. The people sitting in the teahouse's main hall quickly scattered in disarray.
These young women were far too sharp-tongued!
The turmoil had just subsided, and His Majesty had only recently passed away. Why weren't these girls staying quietly at home instead of wandering around outside?
Of course, they knew about the Chu Garden Literary Gathering. That event had made the young women of the capital the talk of the town, each one growing even more arrogant.
In the end, it was all because of that Chu daughter.
Now that the Chu daughter had become Empress, who knew how much more audacious these young women would become in the future?
Better to avoid them—far better to steer clear.
Watching the crowd in the main hall disperse, Qi Leyun felt both triumphant and unsatisfied.
"How dare they look down on Chu Zhao," she said. "Chu Zhao is incredible."
A girl beside her chuckled softly. "Qi Leyun, didn't you used to look down on her too?"
"That was before," Qi Leyun admitted without denial. "I didn't know her well enough back then to realize how remarkable she is."
Zhou Jiang, who rarely spoke, nodded in agreement. "Chu Zhao is truly exceptional. She is both scholarly and martial, and she has a compassionate heart. Earlier, on my way here, I overheard people on the street discussing how, during the turmoil that night, when they were displaced and in grave danger, no one would open their doors to them. It was Chu Zhao who opened the gates of Chu Garden and took them in. They said she has the heart of a bodhisattva and the benevolence of a nation's mother."
There was such a thing? The young women recalled that night, filled only with fear, wishing they could hide underground. Who would have dared to open their doors back then?Chu Zhao was truly remarkable.
If earlier they had feigned admiration due to her status as Empress, now the girls' eyes held genuine sincerity.
Qi Leyun nodded: "Yes, yes, my entire family is currently being sheltered in Chu Manor."
Although it was Chu Tang who allowed them entry, it was equivalent to Chu Zhao taking them in.
"Also, some say it's the Chu family members who are singing her praises," Qi Leyun snorted, "That's utter nonsense. The Chu residence remains tightly shut—even when I climbed the wall, I couldn't get Chu Tang to speak with me, let alone have any Chu family members out here talking to people."
Though Zhou Jiang believed it wasn't the Chu family praising her, someone was undoubtedly orchestrating it behind the scenes. She pursed her lips and gazed toward the street.
"Even if she is being praised, so what? She accomplished all those deeds herself—she deserves the acclaim."
......
......
Layer upon layer of towering palace walls muffled the clamor from outside.
Though not yet formally enthroned, Chu Zhao was dressed in mourning attire befitting an Empress. Outside, the officials' wailing in the main hall had just subsided.
Inside the hall, Chu Zhao sat facing Xie Yanfang.
"Third Young Master, have some hot tea," she said, personally pouring a cup for him.
Now serving as a court official, Xie Yanfang had numerous duties beyond mourning—three days had left him weary. Though his face was pale and eyes reddened, his spirit remained resilient.
He accepted without demur, draining the cup in one go. Watching the girl swathed in mourning robes across from him, she appeared even more diminutive.
"Don't worry about matters outside," he said.
OpenNovel