Chapter 375: - Qiao Chu

The second year of Jianning arrived with a heavy snowfall.

The Imperial City held the New Year Feast as usual.

The men were fine, preparing as they always did, but some of the womenfolk were troubled.

"Should we go or not?" a lady of a household asked her husband, frowning as she held the invitation.

Her husband also frowned. "What kind of question is that? The Emperor invites you to a feast, and you don’t go? Who do you think you are?"

"I mean, should we bring the rest of the family?" the lady said, lowering her voice. "After all, the Empress is no longer here."

Her husband was momentarily taken aback. It had been half a year since Empress Chu was convicted and fled, and all traces of her in the court and capital seemed to have been erased. Yet, when officials stood in the court hall, after presenting their reports, their gazes would unconsciously drift behind the Emperor—where there was no curtain, no seat, and no woman.

In the inner quarters, no one spoke of the Empress. When younger girls came across the Chu Garden Collection on their sisters' or sisters-in-law’s desks and curiously asked what it was, the women would fall silent and snatch the collection back—

Some households burned the collections.

Most couldn’t bear to and hid them away.

"In the past, we brought the children because the Empress was a playmate to many girls. It made her happy and allowed our family to gain favor in her presence," the lady whispered. "Now that the Empress is gone, there’s no need for so many womenfolk to attend, lest we provoke the Emperor or the Xie family’s displeasure and envy—"

That was indeed the issue. Her husband nodded and said, "Then let’s just the two of us go. Don’t bring anyone else."

Most households discussed this matter and made the same choice. Yet, when the feast began, it was far from quiet and empty.

The young women of seventeen or eighteen were absent, but many little girls, aged eight or nine to about ten, with the oldest no more than eleven or twelve, had come.

They wore festive New Year attire, adorned with jewelry, delicate and fair as if carved from jade.

Though they had been instructed beforehand, girls of this age had not yet begun socializing and usually played at home or among relatives with their older siblings. Suddenly finding themselves in the Imperial Palace—a place they might not enter again in their lifetime—they couldn’t hide their nervousness and restraint. Some couldn’t help but clutch the hems of their elders’ clothes, asking endless questions, while others, perhaps scolded or for some other reason, had reddened eyes.

The atmosphere in the hall grew somewhat noisy.

"Why bring the children?" some wondered, frowning. "Are they worried the feast will be too quiet and want to liven it up?"

"This isn’t their family banquet," someone mocked. "Bringing a bunch of kids to kneel and seek favor."

But others smiled meaningfully. "You don’t understand. There’s profound intent behind this."

Profound intent? The rest were puzzled. Just then, music began to play, and everyone hurriedly stood straight, watching as the Emperor entered.

The Emperor, who would turn thirteen next year, had grown taller again. His complexion was very fair, his eyes narrow and long, resembling the late Crown Prince, yet he was more handsome than him.

Whether it was the bright yellow Dragon Robe he wore or his indifferent expression, the young boy carried an air of authority.

The delicate child who once sat on the Dragon Throne had truly grown up.

Next year, he would assume personal rule and become the true sovereign whose word was law.

Officials and women alike in the hall knelt and kowtowed.

"Your Majesty, may you live ten thousand years."

This time, there was no need to kowtow to the Empress. Though the women had accepted this reality over the past six months, in this moment, they couldn’t help but feel a fleeting sense of disorientation.Some people vaguely understood another fact as well.

The Emperor no longer had an Empress, which meant he could marry a new Empress!

It seemed that in an instant, many people in the hall realized this, their gazes falling upon the female relatives who had brought their young daughters.

Shock, realization, confusion, and thoughtful contemplation.

Could this really happen?

Shouldn't the position of Empress still belong to the Xie family?

Not necessarily. The Xie family already held the position of Imperial Uncle, dominating the court entirely. Choosing an Empress from another family might be better for appearances.

It could also secure new alliances through marriage.

For a moment, both male and female guests were lost in their own thoughts, no one paying attention to the Emperor's congratulatory speech, the exquisite wine and delicacies served by the palace maids, or the elegance of the music and dance.

In the grand hall, only two individuals remained composed, attentively enjoying the performance.

One was the Emperor, and the other was the masked young master of the Xie family seated below.

After watching a dance performance, the Xie young master rose from his seat just as the officials began offering their congratulations to the Emperor. But as soon as he stepped outside the door, someone called out to him from behind.

"Xie... Young Master."

Xie Yanlai turned around and saw a young man following him.

Under the flickering lantern light, the Golden Beast Mask appeared even more ferocious. Liang Qiang took a deep breath and stood before this young master of the Xie family.

This young master had never revealed his name, nor was it known his seniority in the family. Everyone simply referred to him as "Young Master."

It was unclear whether he was an even more enigmatic figure in the Xie family than Xie Yanfang or merely Xie Yanfang's subordinate.

Liang Qiang had no way to speculate. Ever since the Empress had been defeated and forced to leave, the Xie family had become increasingly inscrutable.

"Is Third Young Master doing well?" he asked.

Xie Yanlai glanced at him: "Are you hoping he is well or not?"

The question was quite blunt. Liang Qiang wore a self-mocking expression and said, "I have no right to speculate. After all, my well-being—or lack thereof—is entirely in your hands."

Having taken over the Xie family, Xie Yanlai naturally understood what Liang Qiang meant. He uttered an "oh," then averted his gaze, disinclined to engage further.

"Young Master," Liang Qiang spoke again, stepping forward. "I want to ask why."

Why had they first toppled the Liang family, only to prop it up again?

Even if they wanted a puppet, there were plenty of options in the Border Commandery.

Xie Yanlai turned his head once more, a laugh coming from behind the mask: "Perhaps it's because only now do you dare to ask why."

These words struck Liang Qiang like a slap, his face burning with shame.

Indeed, if he had asked why back when he first took the field, when he was being protected and supported.

Or if he hadn't realized it at first, then later, after multiple instances when even a fool would have sensed something was wrong, if he had asked why.

Or even when that girl noticed and pressed him for answers, if he had asked why.

Things would not have come to this.

That he found himself in this situation was entirely because he was a waste, a coward, timid and greedy—because he himself had chosen to be a puppet.

Xie Yanlai paid him no further mind, turning instead to look into the hall. The guests were approaching the Emperor one by one to pay their respects. At that moment, standing before the Emperor was a woman with a girl around ten years old.

A eunuch nearby held a register and announced, "Wife of Liang Ji, Chief Clerk to the General of Stabilizing Might."

Xie Yanlai asked, "Is that your mother?"

Liang Qiang snapped out of his thoughts, looked over, and nodded.

Xie Yanlai's gaze shifted to the girl standing beside Liang's mother. Dressed in lavish attire, she followed her mother in performing the ceremonial bow but was bold enough to sneak a glance up at the Emperor...

"How old is your sister?" Xie Yanlai asked.Liang Qiang was taken aback. "She'll turn eleven this March."

Xie Yanlai turned to look at him. "Good, that's very suitable," he said before walking into the hall.

Suitable? Suitable for what? Puzzled, Liang Qiang wanted to follow, but Xie Yanlai moved swiftly, and everyone stepped aside as he passed—no one dared approach him for conversation.

Liang Qiang eventually stopped and watched as his mother, having finished her kowtows, took her leave. His gaze fell on his younger sister, and recalling the earlier discussions he had overheard, his expression shifted slightly.

It couldn't be.

……

Before the various speculations and thoughts stirred by the New Year Feast could spread, just after the first month of the year, the court announced an edict.

The youngest daughter of Liang Ji was to be appointed Empress.

Due to her young age, she was specially granted an Imperial Residence to be raised within the palace. The grand wedding and formal investiture would take place after she came of age.

The news sent shockwaves through all who heard it.

Her youth was one thing—after all, the previous Empress had been older than the Emperor, so age wasn't really an issue.

But why a daughter of the Liang family?

Hadn't the Liang family previously been convicted of crimes?

"You can't say that," someone retorted. "Chu Ling was also convicted back in the day."

So, was the Emperor following the precedent of Empress Chu in selecting his Empress?

"Stop talking nonsense, it's obvious," someone said lightly, seeing through it all. "This was clearly chosen by the Xie family. Don't forget, that night, Empress Chu ordered both the Xie and Liang residences to be surrounded."

Therefore, the Liang family was aligned with the Xie faction.

So the Liang family wasn't actually Deng Yi's people after all. Or perhaps, seeing Deng Yi fall from grace, the Liang family had quickly switched sides to the Xie faction.

Who would have thought the Liang family was like this?

Amid the flurry of discussions, the Liang residence remained tightly shut. Although this sudden good fortune had elevated the Liang family's status once again, they dared not make a show of it at this moment.

They needed to remain calm and steady, unmoved by honor or disgrace, and embody the dignity befitting the maternal family of an Empress.

But for Liang Xiaomei, such considerations were beyond a child's mind. She could freely spin around the room in delight.

"I'm going to be Empress!"

With the doors closed and only her family present, there was no need to suppress her joy.

Liang Qiang entered and saw her like this. His mother stood by, smiling indulgently yet helplessly, and asked, "Do you even know what being Empress means?"

"Of course I do," Liang Xiaomei said, her eyes shining. She hadn't forgotten her first visit to the Imperial City upon returning to the capital, where she saw the woman walking beside the Emperor.

So beautiful, so majestic.

Being a young lady in the capital wasn't majestic enough—how wonderful it would be if she could enter the palace as a favored consort.

She never imagined this day would truly come, and not just as a favored consort, but as Empress.

She was going to be just like that woman!

At this thought, she fluttered around the room again like a butterfly.

Soon, it would be her walking beside the Emperor, dressed in magnificent robes, receiving the kowtows of countless people.

And the Emperor was truly handsome—more so than any boy she had ever seen.

"Look at her," Liang's mother said helplessly. "She's still just a child. Can she really be Empress?" She then turned to Liang Qiang. "A-Qiang, does this have something to do with you and your father?"

Liang Qiang was silent for a moment before nodding. "I just received word that Father is to be appointed Grand General, in charge of the Border Army. I am to return to the Border Army to assist him."

So that was it. Liang's mother understood, yet felt uneasy.

"Is this good or bad?" she said, gazing at the edict on the table. "Can she really become Empress?"As her words fell, Liang Xiaomei heard them and immediately rushed over, clutching the imperial edict to her chest.

"Of course I can!" she exclaimed. "I am the Empress—I must become the Empress."

Liang's mother grabbed her, about to scold her, but Liang Qiang laughed and said, "You are the Empress, of course you can. The edict has been issued, and the Emperor's word is final."

Only then did Liang Xiaomei relax, calling out, "Brother, you're so good!" before nestling into her mother's embrace and looking up to say, "Mother, Brother, and Father too—I will grant you all many, many rewards in the future."

Liang's mother stroked her daughter's head and replied with a smile, "Very well."

Liang Qiang also smiled, though his eyes were vacant.

It didn't matter whether it was good or not—they were all just puppets anyway.

……

But not everyone was pleased with this decision.

Xiao Yu stormed into the Grand Tutor Hall for the first time, seeing Xie Yanlai, who claimed to be reviewing memorials but was actually using them as a pillow to sleep.

"I don't want this Empress," he gritted his teeth and whispered fiercely.

Xie Yanlai said, "How can an Emperor not have an Empress?"

Xiao Yu bit his lower lip. "I have an Empress—Sister Chu—"

Xie Yanlai sat up, cutting him off. "Your Majesty is confused. You no longer have a Sister Chu—she will not return." With that, he picked up a memorial and threw it at him. "Focus on your memorials! Take care of your kingdom and your people!"

The memorial struck him and fell to the ground. Xiao Yu stood frozen in place, his face pale.

Yes, he needed to be clear-headed. It didn't matter who became Empress—after all, no one could ever be his Sister Chu.

He said nothing more, bent down to pick up the memorial, and obediently sat down to read it.

Xie Yanlai watched the seated young man, his face as still as carved wood or stone. Because the Emperor had ordered the hall doors closed upon entering, the spring sunlight was blocked outside, leaving the great hall dim and gloomy.

"How tedious," Xie Yanlai remarked. "In the future, when reviewing memorials, there should be song and dance to accompany it—that would liven things up."

But liveliness did not necessarily mean it would be interesting.

Xie Yanlai lay back down, gazing through his mask at the intricately carved beams and painted rafters.

……

Xie Yanfang, in a moment of clarity, also heard the news and smiled.

"You see how skilled he is at using people? The Liang family should be utilized just like this," he said. "Cai Bo, you can rest assured now."

Cai Bo replied, "If the young master is at ease, then I am at ease."

Xie Yanfang laughed. "Of course I am at ease."

He pressed a hand to his chest.

He would wait at ease to see whether the new could replace the old, and whether the old could rest content and wander free.

……

On the spring grassland, white sheep dotted the landscape. With a shout, an arrow flew from afar and landed at the feet of one of the sheep.

Startled, the sheep bleated and fled.

The shepherd nearby felt a pang of distress, calling the lamb's name and shouting to the other side, "A Fu, be more careful!"

Chu Zhao stood up on the hillside, bow and arrow in hand, and yelled back, "Uncle Zhong, are you telling me to aim carefully or to avoid hitting them?"