Consort Zhao had spent half her life navigating the palace, relying entirely on intrigue and scheming; she had never witnessed anything like this before.
Seeing her son lying lifeless on the ground, she was stunned for a moment before she reacted, bursting into tears and rushing over to him.
When Emperor Xiping heard the fighting outside, he was already terrified and died. Empress Sun was powerless to resist, and the high-ranking officials, having been pampered for too long, were only capable of fighting against the likes of Grand Tutor Xu; they dared not venture into the midst of the warriors. Each listened anxiously to the commotion. After a long while, Xu Chaozong, covered in blood, staggered into the hall and knelt before Emperor Xiping, shamelessly saying, "Father, your son has arrived too late to save you!"
Fu Yu stood coldly behind the pillar, looking at this puppet who had neither capable civil officials nor competent military generals.
Chapter 100 Threat
The King of Ying was beheaded at the palace gate. The weeping and cursing Consort Zhao was knocked unconscious. When Xu Chaozong entered the palace, the entire Penglai Palace was deathly silent. The fighting outside had ceased; the generals who had loyally defended the King of Ying had been killed. The remaining soldiers, seeing the ferocity of the thirty-odd men, knew they were no match for them. Some defected, others retreated, and they stood silently in a standoff, making no move.
Inside and outside the hall, only Xu Chaozong's voice echoed.
Empress Sun wept silently, several high-ranking officials exchanged bewildered glances, and the remaining palace servants and eunuchs dared not utter a sound.
After the death of her eldest son, Empress Sun became much more depressed, focusing all her attention on Emperor Xiping and remaining completely indifferent to the struggle for the throne between the two princes. When Emperor Xiping's illness worsened, she even set up a small Buddhist shrine in Fengyang Palace—having no children of her own and no power in her maternal family, she had no choice but to live a life of dignity as Empress Dowager, unable to get involved in the murky waters of court politics.
Now that I see Xu Chaozong openly murdering his brother and turning black into white, what can I do even if I am dissatisfied?
With the death of the Prince of Ying, Emperor Xiping only had his son Xu Chaozong left, and the throne was rightfully his.
She glanced coldly at Xu Chaozong, who was kneeling before Emperor Xiping's bed, his face full of sorrow, clearly waiting for her to speak.
Among the several high-ranking officials nearby, one seemed about to speak, but upon seeing Fu Yu standing behind the pillar like a gatekeeper, and meeting his cold, sharp gaze, he felt a chill run down his spine and his scalp tingle. Then, upon seeing the Prince of Ying prostrate on the ground, he immediately fell silent and retreated to his original position.
—With the imperial court weak and regional military governors holding sway, it seems that the civil officials in the court don't have much backbone either.
Empress Sun sighed inwardly, and after a long while, she whispered, "Your father has been talking about you the whole time."
Xu Chaozong finally waited for her to speak, slowly raised his head, looked at Empress Sun's expression for a moment, and then said, "It is I who am late."
"Send him off." Empress Sun knelt beside him and gave a wink to the chief eunuch next to Emperor Xiping.
The eunuch, upon receiving the order, announced the passing of the late emperor in a thin, mournful voice.
The imperial edict authorizing the succession was quietly taken away by the chief secretary of the Prince Rui's residence who rushed in afterward. This swift and secretive battle was also hidden in the sound of the swirling snow, and the news barely left Penglai Palace.
The heaviest snowfall of the winter in the tenth year of the Xiping era fell from dusk all night, covering the footprints of pedestrians and horses, burying the bloodstains in front of Penglai Palace, and bidding farewell to the emperor who had been ill for several years, neglected state affairs, and was repeatedly forced into a predicament by popular uprisings, achieving almost nothing.
...
In the Osmanthus Garden in the south of the city, You Tong looked at the snow falling all around her, her heart pounding in her throat, filled with anxiety and unease.
This was Fu Yu's residence in the capital, surrounded by the villas of wealthy families, their houses imposing, their vermilion walls winding, and their defenses no less formidable than those of a prince's mansion. After leaving the Prince Rui's residence that day, she was assigned to live here for her own safety. The number of people originally stationed in the garden had suddenly dwindled by more than half last night, and Fu Yu, who lived in the next courtyard, hadn't returned home late. What this meant, You Tong didn't need to guess.
A palace coup to seize the throne is a life-or-death struggle, and the mere thought of its perils is enough to send shivers down one's spine.
She couldn't help with this, so she could only wait for news and secretly pray that Fu Yu was safe and sound.
The night was long and she was on tenterhooks. She couldn't sleep and sat by the lamp all night, occasionally lifting the curtain to go outside and listen to the sounds.
—Aside from the night watchman's clapper, all that could be heard was the wind howling in, whipping up snowflakes and making people's teeth chatter.
She went out again and again, watching the snow on the veranda grow thicker and thicker, watching the red tiles on the eaves turn into a silver coat, watching the snow flutter down in the courtyard, the lanterns gradually going out, but there was still no movement outside, a deathly silence. The wind stopped, and suddenly there was a cracking sound outside. You Tong's brow twitched, and she quickly ran out, only to find that the tree branch, burdened by the heavy snow, had broken under the weight.
She rubbed her temples and suddenly heard very faint footsteps coming from afar.
You Tong thought it was her imagination, so she quickly pricked up her ears and held her breath. Sure enough, she heard the sound of footsteps approaching through the snow, getting closer and closer.
And the rhythm of those steps, though extremely light, was strangely familiar.
You Tong was almost overjoyed, her hands and feet trembling slightly. She hurried out of the courtyard and, in the dim light, saw someone walking briskly towards her. His shoulders were covered in snow, and his eyebrows and head were streaked with white, making him look like an old man over sixty. However, his stern demeanor was as strong as ever. His sharp gaze looked over through the snow and mist, paused for a moment, and then suddenly strode over.
It was still dark, the coldest time before dawn, the air was crisp and cold, and your breath would almost freeze.
Fu Yu stepped over the bloodstains of Penglai Palace and galloped through the snow-covered streets. As soon as he returned to his residence, he saw a slender and tall beauty standing in front of the courtyard gate, casually wrapped in a cloak, waiting for him.
It's like we're on the same wavelength.
Upon reaching him, he saw that her cheeks and ears were red from the cold, but her eyes were filled with worry and anxiety. Before he could speak, she tugged at his clothes and looked him up and down, her lips trembling from the cold, and her hands not as nimble as usual. Seeing that there were no obvious injuries on his body, she breathed a sigh of relief. When she looked up at him, a smile appeared on her lips, but there were glistening ice crystals on her eyelashes, and her eyes were slightly red, as if she was trying hard to hold back tears.
Fu Yu opened his cloak and wrapped her in his arms.
"You're not hurt, don't worry." He hugged You Tong tightly, warming her earlobe with his lips. "Were you scared?"
"I'm not afraid." You Tong nestled against his chest, then shook her head. "I am afraid too."
Fearing he might get hurt, fearing he might be plotted against by the Prince of Ying while deep in the palace, even fearing that Xu Chaozong might betray him after succeeding—reasonable and unreasonable worries all rushed into her head. This night felt as long as a lifetime. Fortunately, everything was fine. Fu Yu stood there unharmed, and still couldn't resist taking advantage of her.
You Tong's eyes were warm, and she couldn't suppress the smile on her lips. She only whispered, "It's alright, it's alright."
Fu Yu smiled, patted her back, pulled her into the house, and breathed on her hands to warm them.
Seeing that she was dressed so lightly, he said, "Aren't you afraid of getting sick from the cold if you run out like this?"
"No, I'll just wait inside." As she spoke, she pulled Fu Yu to the charcoal brazier to warm up. Remembering the warm tea she had prepared, she quickly poured it for him, then helped him remove the snow-covered cloak and took a handkerchief to wipe away the water droplets of melting snow from his temples. She wiped his eyes, eyebrows, nose, forehead, and even his hair and neck clean.
The old man with white hair and beard transformed in an instant into a dignified and imposing deputy military commander.
Fu Yu sat calmly beside the charcoal brazier, letting her do as she pleased. When You Tong asked him to tilt his head or lower it, he cooperated perfectly.
After she finished her work, he reached out and hooked his arm around her waist.
You Tong was stunned. When she came to her senses, Fu Yu had already picked her up and was sitting on his lap.
Unlike the cold and ruthless aura he exuded upon his return, he was warmed by the charcoal brazier, the indifference between his brows completely vanished, and his laughter was deep yet gentle, like a magnet polishing a stone. "I almost thought I was back in the South Tower. After I finish my chores, help me undress and bring me two plates of delicious food." His voice was tinged with affection, and his gaze was deep and clear, full of meaning.
You Tong was caught off guard by his sudden mention of this topic and tried to break free, but his chest was as hard as a city wall and he couldn't push him away.
Fu Yu deliberately lingered, pleased that a beautiful woman was waiting for him with a candle after his battles, showing concern and care. He stood up, leaving her nowhere to escape. Then, as if by instinct, he circled around twice, watching her skirt flutter as she reached out and wrapped her arms around his neck as if afraid it would fall. Though feigning anger, his eyes revealed a gentle smile, clearly enjoying himself.
After turning around twice, he noticed that You Tong's hair had come undone, and frowned slightly in annoyance before letting her go.
The two huddled together by the fire, and You Tong casually tied her hair up in a bun, glaring at him angrily.
Fu Yu accepted the offer calmly, saying, "It's true. With the Emperor's passing, Xu Chaozong's ascension to the throne was illegitimate. Even if he ascends the throne, things will certainly not be peaceful. The world is in trouble now, and the national mourning period will last at most a year. By then, your mother's affairs will have been settled. It's the perfect time and place for me to marry you."
You Tong smiled and pouted, "Who said I was going to marry you?"
"So, who do you want to marry?"
“I—” You Tong paused, meeting his burning gaze, and then snorted softly, “There are plenty of good men in the world.”
Fu Yu grunted, his brows furrowed in a threatening tone, "If you dare to marry someone else, I'll lead an army to snatch you away and see who dares to marry you."
He rarely jokes with people, yet he's so domineering and unreasonable?
You Tong glanced sideways and teased, "Judging from his tone, General Fu is quite the big shot. He can even lead troops to forcibly abduct women."
She was no ordinary woman; she was his wife. From his initial indifference and aloofness to his current restless state, after more than twenty years of life, he had finally found a woman who could capture his eyes, his heart, and his dreams. She was lively, delicate, graceful, and alluring. Her eyes, figure, temperament, and actions all suited his tastes. If it weren't for matters concerning the manor, he would have already pinned her down on his bed. How could he let her go?
Fu Yu smiled without saying a word, thinking about the past when they shared a bed, kissed and played together, and felt somewhat restless.
Seeing that his expression was off, You Tong quickly changed the subject.
Snowflakes fluttered in the courtyard, while the charcoal fire inside the house kept them warm. The two chatted about Xu Chaozong's affairs until dawn before they each went to rest for a while.
...
The news of the late emperor's death did not reach the palace until the early morning of the following day.
Along with this came rumors that the King and Consort Zhao had conspired with several high-ranking officials to usurp the throne, but were ultimately brought to justice.
The only one who escaped death and was quietly sent out of the palace was a loyal minister who had not participated in the struggle for the throne. He was summoned by Emperor Xiping on his deathbed and entrusted with the task of advising Prince Ying not to kill his own brothers. Xu Chaozong had no grudge or hatred towards him, so he spared his life.
Empress Sun was overcome with grief and fell ill in Fengyang Palace. The funeral arrangements were then handled by the Ministry of Rites and the Inner Court, as arranged by Xu Chaozong.
Because Emperor Xiping had been seriously ill for a long time, his funeral arrangements were not difficult to prepare. However, a country cannot be without a ruler for a day. Following the advice of his ministers, Xu Chaozong ascended the throne a few days later and changed the era name to Huian. After the new emperor ascended the throne, the position of empress was left vacant. He only honored Empress Sun as Empress Dowager and made Consort Gui a Noble Consort Dowager. He then issued an edict to the whole country, ordering that all noble families should not hold banquets or play music for a year, and that commoners should not marry for three months. Because of the several wars during the reign of the previous emperor, he also issued an edict to grant amnesty to the whole country, which kept him very busy.
However, this deliberately created atmosphere of a new dynasty failed to evoke any sense of prosperity.
With the court in decline, local governments were effectively controlled by military governors and did not necessarily obey imperial orders. Even with detailed rules outlining who could and could not be pardoned, local officials often disregarded the court's directives. In strict administrations like Yongning, with Fu Deqing in charge, the amnesty proceeded smoothly. However, under Wei Jianna and others, the decision of who was pardoned was made by officials, disregarding court regulations and requiring bribes, thus deepening public resentment.
Those unaware of the full story would only complain that the court was corrupt and appointed evil officials, causing the people to suffer.
These matters were thousands of miles away from the capital, and Xu Chaozong had no time to attend to them.
His current worries are about things that are right in front of him.
Although he had seized the throne, he was outmaneuvered by the Prince of Ying during the succession struggle. Now, the Xu family's reputation was tarnished, and he lacked any powerful allies. The palace coup had cost him two important ministers, and he dared not appoint the Prince of Ying's former confidants. Looking around, he found very few capable people.
The previous dynasty's decrees were difficult to enforce, and everyone acted independently, rendering his position as emperor virtually meaningless. The inner palace was equally unsettled.
Consort Zhao and her son were deeply favored by Emperor Xiping. Even after Prince Ying was punished with confinement for assassinating his own brother earlier in the year, the matter was forgotten, and Consort Zhao still treated him with great affection. The women of the harem were adept at opportunism and currying favor, and Consort Zhao had won over many of them. Among these people were those who submitted to the new emperor and those who remained loyal to the old master; a mixed bag of individuals lurked within the palace. Even after many were dismissed, Xu Chaozong still couldn't sleep soundly.
Although the commotion that night was not publicized, the death of the late emperor and the deaths of the Prince of Ying and several important officials in the palace made it clear to everyone that something was amiss.
The rumors had spread secretly from who knows where, and it was unclear who had instigated them, but some military officers who were on good terms with the King of England were getting restless.
When Xu Chaozong was in the Prince's Palace, he only wanted to seize the throne. From his initial greed to his later obsession, he was unable to extricate himself. Now that his long-cherished wish has been fulfilled and he has actually sat on the throne, he feels like he is sitting on pins and needles. The people's hearts are scattered, and there are crises everywhere. The civil and military officials kneel before him, but few of them are truly respectful.
When the building is about to collapse, he is in a high position, which is like sitting on a pile of eggs. If he is not careful, he will be crushed to pieces.
Without a capable civil official to lead the army, and without a military general to command respect in the capital, Xu Chaozong was in an even more precarious situation than when he was in Prince Rui's residence. Left with no other choice, he had to temporarily turn his attention to the Fu family, who had rendered meritorious service in supporting the emperor.
Chapter 101 Visitor
Fu Yu contributed greatly to the palace coup, but after its success, he did not boast about it or show any arrogance. He simply stayed in Dan Gui Garden, observing the situation with a cold eye. When Xu Chaozong wanted to bestow titles upon him, Fu Yu declined them all. He even politely declined the honorary title of First-Rank General.
These empty titles are clearly not what the Fu family seeks, and as for land and wealth, they are even less of a concern to the Fu family.
But this achievement cannot go unrecognized; otherwise, it would be too unreasonable.
Xu Chaozong could tell that the Fu family had big ambitions. Seeing that both offers of honor had been declined, he summoned Fu Yu to the palace that day to personally seek his advice.
Still in the Linde Hall, with its vermilion dragon-patterned lacquer and bronze incense burners, the once ailing Emperor Xiping sat behind his desk, now replaced by a young, elegant, and dignified emperor. Unfortunately, the court was riddled with deep-seated problems. Emperor Xiping, during his ten-year reign, watched helplessly as military power waned and decrees became difficult to enforce, unable to reverse the decline. Xu Chaozong, lacking both the authoritative iron fist and the means to revitalize the court, had little power to turn the tide. Had he inherited a peaceful and prosperous era, with capable ministers and generals to assist him, perhaps he could have worked diligently to govern. Now, he inherited a mess; how could he possibly clean it up?
After the initial euphoria of seizing the throne faded, Xu Chaozong was clearly troubled by the difficult situation of the court and the harem once he sat on the supreme throne.
Those eyes, which once held a fervent desire for imperial power, now clearly showed signs of weariness.
Fu Yu entered with an air of composure, looked at the emperor on the throne, and respectfully paid his respects.
Even if Xu Chaozong was wary, he had to put on an air of trust and personally go over to help him up. Then, with a worried look on his face, he said that now that the new dynasty had just been established, the ministers should be united in eliminating old abuses and doing good things for the people. However, the people's hearts were scattered, the six ministries were incompetent, and many problems had accumulated to the point of being difficult to reverse. He asked how to deal with this.
Fu Yu bowed respectfully, his posture solemn and dignified. He said that the affairs of state were numerous and complex, and it was difficult for the emperor to oversee all matters personally. He needed capable ministers to assist him. However, many officials in the court were merely occupying their positions without fulfilling their duties, possessing only a desire for wealth and personal gain, but lacking the ability to support the emperor. Therefore, it was necessary to select talented officials to come to the capital and promote capable ministers who could lead all officials to serve as prime ministers and assist the emperor.
Coincidentally, among all the military governors in the country, Fu Deming, the military governor of Yongning, was exceptionally talented. His administration was efficient and effective, earning him high praise from the people. His political achievements and moral character were unmatched by any other military governor, and he was no less capable than the most important officials in the capital. He was able to serve as both a general and a prime minister, and he was highly respected by the people.
Fu Yu did not discriminate based on kinship when recommending talented individuals, and recommended Fu Deming to come to the capital to serve as prime minister.