"I believe that the unusual phenomena among the people, and the repeated natural disasters that have befallen our Southern Liang, are likely a sign that the Li family's actions over the years have angered Heaven. Now that their bloodline has been severed, it must be a warning to us to take their place." Jiang Zhongsi spoke slowly. Given his previous stance as a royalist, his treasonous remarks shocked many. After a moment of stunned silence, he gave a self-deprecating smile and continued, "If you all feel guilty, why don't we follow the late emperor's edict and continue to implement his will? In this way, our relationship as ruler and subject will not have been in vain, and we can give the Li family a proper end."
"Excellent, Lord Jiang's words are commendable." The Grand Historian found his words extremely reasonable. If it had been Xie Shengping or Song Yanji who spoke, he might have hesitated for a moment, but coming from a neutral figure like Jiang Zhongsi, his guard was lowered somewhat. He was already old and should no longer concern himself with court affairs, but this matter was of great importance, so he had no choice but to wade into these murky waters. Now, he would record this outcome in history books, which would be a way of giving the dynasty an explanation.
"Since the Grand Historian has spoken, I will follow his lead and dare not speak recklessly." He Zongzheng stepped forward and said, "We recommend the Grand Marshal. He is loyal and brave. He once repelled the enemy on the border and protected our Southern Liang. He is also highly respected by the people for his disaster relief efforts in Qingzhou. He is suitable to be the leader."
“I think so too,” someone immediately echoed. “If any of you have a better candidate, please feel free to suggest it, and we can discuss it further.”
Inside the main hall, all was silent. Grand Tutor Xie remained silent, and the Grand Master of Ceremonies also lowered his head and looked down at the ground. The Xie family members looked at each other but ultimately did not utter a sound.
"The wise man shall take his place." Seeing that no one objected, Zhang Jijiu took the opportunity to bow to Song Yanji, putting on a perfect act. "I hope that Lord Sima will consider the plight of the people and agree to this matter."
"We beg Your Excellency to have mercy on the land of Southern Liang and the foundation of our people's livelihood." The hall was filled with people kneeling on the ground. Grand Tutor Xie bent his knees slightly and bowed down as well. This really surprised Xie's party. They bowed down with Xie Shengping, but they felt more and more uncertain in their hearts.
Zhang Jijiu originally thought it would take a lot of effort, but he didn't expect Xie to suddenly show weakness, which made him somewhat suspicious.
Song Yanji remained outwardly calm, but inwardly he was calculating. In his previous life, he had fought Xie Shengping for a lifetime and knew that Xie would not give up so easily. However, now the people's hearts were with him, and the court officials were kneeling and pleading. If he missed this opportunity, it would not be so easy next time, and it would certainly make the officials who loyally followed him very uneasy. At that time, it would be even more difficult to fight Xie Shengping again.
"Since that's the case, I'll respectfully accept your offer." Song Yansi pretended to be injured, coughed a few times, and seemed to have struggled internally for a long time before finally making a show of having no choice but to accept. He cupped his hands and said gently, "I hope that you gentlemen can help me protect this vast land in the future."
"Your Excellency is too kind. These are all matters that this humble official should attend to." The tense atmosphere in the court eased slightly.
"Since that's the case," Xie Shengping said quietly, seeing that the matter had been settled, "then, this old minister still has the late emperor's edict here."
A will, what will? The officials in the court looked at each other in bewilderment.
"My Xie family only has two daughters in the direct line. My granddaughter is not yet three years old, but my youngest daughter is old enough." As he spoke, Xie Shengping took out a bright yellow scroll from his sleeve and handed it to the Grand Historian. It was an imperial edict bestowing the title of Empress, written in ink and sealed with a vermilion seal. "Since everyone has agreed with what Lord Jiang said, then what is the meaning of this edict?"
So this was where he was waiting for him! Song Yansi clenched his fist slightly in his sleeve, his eyes quickly fixed on Jiang Zhongsi with an unprecedented sharpness. In both his past and present lives, he had really gone to great lengths to scheme against him, but now all that remained was a cold laugh, "But I already have a wife."
"Why not divorce her and remarry?" The Grand Master of Ceremonies finally found a point of entry, his eyes flashing slightly. "After all, the sacred legacy is of paramount importance."
"Lord Duan, you make it sound so easy." Song Yansi strolled closer to him. "To put it simply, when I was in a lowly position, my wife saved my life. To put it more broadly, if I were to abandon my wife for wealth and glory, how could I face the people?"
The atmosphere inside the hall suddenly turned icy. Xie's faction had now found a breakthrough and was determined not to budge.
“Since that’s the case, why don’t we each take a step back?” Jiang Zhongsi watched coldly, his mind already weighing the options. He ignored Xie Shengping’s gaze. “The new emperor has just ascended the throne and needs to fill the harem. There are still three vacancies below the empress and the emperor.”
Was this meant to make Xie's daughter a concubine? Xie Shengping never expected Jiang Zhongsi to pull this stunt at the last minute.
"I am not in good health right now, so letting so many women into the palace is quite an overestimation of me, Lord Jiang."
“Killing two birds with one stone,” Jiang Zhongsi said, lowering his eyes and bowing.
The man in front of me only cares about his son's career and the rise and fall of the Jiang family. He looks like a loving father and seems to spoil Jiang Yuan to the core. But has he ever really considered his daughter?
In his past life, Rong'an's children arrived unexpectedly. His cousin, a child who was usually so gentle and resigned to her fate, had lost all will to live. He and Fu Zhengyan discussed the matter for a long time and finally decided to leak the news to Lin'an. Given Jiang Yuan's personality, he would definitely not allow the two children to stay by his side. Rong'an also needed a reason to live, such as having the two children help him divert Li Sheng's attention and let her witness firsthand the fate of those who hurt and harmed her.
He never imagined this would become the turning point between him and Jiang Yuan, the catalyst for their break. He hadn't even had a chance to tell Jiang Yuan the details of Rong'an's situation when a traitor appeared within the camp. The Imperial Guards had broken through three cities in quick succession, their advance unstoppable. In the end, he had no choice but to expose his weakness and create a false show of force. But he never expected this traitor to be so deeply embedded, knowing all along, launching a feint attack on the commander's camp—someone within the army wanted him dead! He never forgot the look in Jiang Yuan's eyes then, a look of despair and resignation.
Afterwards, bandits ran rampant along the border, Lidao Village was massacred, and the people were filled with resentment, frequently rioting. He had to suppress the bandits while also fighting against the Imperial Guard. In the same year, Wang Yuancheng's malicious release of troops broke out, and he almost lost his military power. One by one, these incidents all pointed to him, and he had no choice but to dig deeper and deeper, relying on the words of an internal traitor, but the more he dug, the colder his heart became.
Later, after Jiang Yuan returned and went through the journey to the northern desert, he would occasionally wonder why she had come back. Even if she had died in Wei, or died by that sword, it might have been a relief. He really couldn't face Jiang Yuan the same way he used to, nor could he help but hate her father and the Xie family. He didn't want to let any of them go.
Back in Lin'an, he let go and didn't care about anything. He fought with Jiang Zhongsi, Xie Shengping, and the various regional princes. In the end, he became numb, only knowing that he couldn't lose. Occasionally, he would stare blankly at Jiang Yuan playing with Li Jing in the garden from the high pavilion. He kept this child like that, year after year.
Later, Jiang Yuan died, and she hated him. But how could he not hate her, not hate them? Step by step, weren't they the ones who forced him to leave? Why, why in the end, was he always the one at fault, while they acted as if they were completely innocent?
Just like now.
"Alright." Song Yansi heard his own voice. Since that's the case, then let's all come! He lived a mess in his previous life, how could this life be any worse? "I've heard that the Duan family's daughter and the Jiang family's wife are quite virtuous. I hope to see them then."
He looked into Da Xingling's wide eyes, his fear fleeting. He knew very well what his own daughter was like.
They couldn't get anything from him in their past life, and they won't get anything from him in this life either.
The following day, Song Yanji entered the temple of Emperor Gaozu to receive the imperial homage. A thousand large drums lined both sides of the road, their resounding beat deafening. Twelve green bells were struck three times every half hour. The Southern Liang dynasty favored water, and its officials wore black robes and banners. Song Yanji, holding a jade tablet and with a sword at his waist, received the homage amidst the standing guards, donned the royal crown, and ascended the throne. The dynasty was named "Shu," and the reign title was Chengtai.
"Your Majesty's virtue surpasses that of the Three Sovereigns and your achievements exceed those of the Five Emperors." The ministers kowtowed to the ground, their voices echoing in unison throughout the Qinyang Palace.
Back then, he had bowed to Li Sheng and Li Jing in the same way, his heart filled with unwavering resolve to replace them. The strings of jade beads hanging from Song Yansi's forehead swayed gently in the wind. He smiled as he looked at the kneeling officials, and he now knew clearly how much sincerity and how much pretense was in their faces.
After Jiang Zhongsi finished his charade and newly married the emperor, he immediately feigned illness and refused to leave the palace.
Jiang Yuan looked at the book handed to her, filled with young ladies from various families. Apart from a few unfamiliar faces, most of the rest were acquaintances. However, after carefully flipping through it from beginning to end, she was surprised to find that the youngest daughter of the Zhang family was not among them. It seemed that Song Yanji was destined to lose a prince in this lifetime. She gently closed the book, "Why do you stop pretending to be sick as soon as you see a beauty?"
"This was your father's idea." Song Yansi wasn't very interested in the booklet; he didn't know how many people had plotted to kill him.
Jiang Yuan was stunned by his retort, and didn't even have a chance to argue.
"But don't worry, I will definitely keep my promise." Song Yansi turned the empty teacup on the table, then frowned as he looked at the empty palace. "This Hidden Phoenix Hall is too unlucky. We should change the plaque tomorrow."
"Okay." Jiang Yuan smiled and stood up, looking somewhat unreal in the sunlight. She walked to the table, picked up the ink and brush, and then casually placed a piece of Xuan paper in front of Song Yansi. "What do you want to call it? Write it down."
Song Yansi held the brush in his right hand, thought for a moment, and then wrote down his thoughts. The ink penetrated the paper, and the words "Fengqi Palace" appeared on the paper. "Only a phoenix spreading its wings and about to take flight is worthy of A Yuan."
"I'm not one to tolerate things easily," Jiang Yuan said, blowing on the ink stains. "You really want me to go all out?"
"Suit yourself, I don't care." Song Yansi yawned, then rested one hand on his forehead and tapped the table lightly with the other. "Is your father really not planning to go to court?"
“I won’t go.” Jiang Yuan rested her chin on her hand, pondering in her mind. She didn’t know why Jiang Zhongsi wanted to do this. When the news reached his ears, she was also shocked. If her father hadn’t spoken up, given the situation at the time, there would never have been a general election. What was he hiding from her? She glanced at the somewhat sleepy Song Yansi out of the corner of her eye. Did he also know?
The rewards and honors from various families were sent out one after another, clearly showing the differences in kinship.
As the day of the selection drew closer, Jiang Yuan thought that even with Song Yanji's promise, and even if it meant facing discomfort again, it would be just like in her previous life. But the closer it got, the calmer she felt. She knew quite a few of these women; at least five or eight had fallen victim to them. Of course, except for Xie Jiayan! She simply couldn't swallow this insult. While Xie Jiayan might not be as formidable outside the palace, she wasn't afraid of her at all once inside.
Jiang Yuan pondered Song Yansi's thoughts, feeling that the two of them were truly in a subtle relationship in this life. One was indifferent, while the other was not interested. How did they achieve such harmony in their previous life?
Author's Note: As for what Xiao Song promised Jiang Yuan, we'll talk about that later... There's no harem balancing or husband-stealing plot; it's more of a team-up monster-fighting storyline... Another subplot is starting to unfold... Is it angsty? I don't think so... I might not be able to reply as often lately due to work...
Chapter 74 The Establishment of the Crown Prince
The eighth day was an auspicious day. Before dawn, Song Yansi had just woken up when he found the bedside empty. He paused for a moment, then pulled back the bed curtains. Jiang Yuan, her slender white fingers holding a horn comb, was combing her smooth hair in front of the dressing mirror, lost in thought. The gauze curtains swayed slightly. Song Yansi walked up behind her, gently encircling her from behind. His chin rested on the top of her head, and he couldn't help but ask, "What are you thinking about?"
"To think I've become the Empress of Shu." Jiang Yuan reached out and grasped his arm, leaning back slightly. Two ambiguous figures appeared in the mirror. "Aren't you going to sleep?"
"I can't sleep without A-Yuan by my side." Song Yanji hugged Jiang Yuan even tighter, his eyelashes fluttering slightly as he rubbed his eyes against her hair. "Let's call someone to serve us. The coronation ceremony is coming up soon."
"Um."
The heavy, carved wooden door was pushed open, and a cool breeze carried the candlelight into the hall. Song Yanji, having finished tidying her ceremonial robes, stood behind Jiang Yuan, watching the palace maids do her hair and makeup. Her eyebrows were slightly raised, and pearl and jade ornaments were pasted on her brows. Her black hair was tied up, and a nine-phoenix crown inlaid with pearls, jade, gold filigree, white jade, and pearls weighed down her hair. A jeweled phoenix and butterfly hairpin was inserted beside her hair bun, making her look even more dignified.
"Why are you staring at me like that?" Jiang Yuan raised her wide sleeve slightly, covering her lips, and smiled with her almond-shaped eyes narrowed.
"Ah Yuan looks beautiful." Song Yansi walked to her side, and the maid beside him immediately stepped back. He glanced at the lipsticks on the dressing table, picked out a box with the scent of osmanthus, lightly dabbed some on his finger, and then lifted Jiang Yuan's chin with his other hand, pressing his fingertip to her lips, staining them with a touch of red. "Fragrant cheeks like snow, vermilion lips."
“Your Majesty, it’s time for you to enter the palace.” He Qian said from the side, his eyes fixed on the ground, but he dared not take his master’s eyes off him for even a moment.
Song Yansi took the handkerchief from the maid, wiped the red stains off his hands, and then quickly pecked Jiang Yuan on the cheek before smilingly letting go of her. The surrounding palace servants wished they could bury their heads in the ground.
Jiang Yuan watched Song Yansi's receding figure until he disappeared from sight, then looked in the mirror at the spot where he had just kissed her.
"Should we add some more lead powder?" she murmured to herself.
The coronation ceremony was a grand event, and all noblewomen of rank were required to wear ceremonial robes and enter the palace, gathering at the Fengqi Hall before joining Jiang Yuan in paying their respects at the Qinyang Palace. The majestic palace, with its blue bricks and gray tiles, was adorned with numerous red ribbons due to the recent festive atmosphere, making it appear much more vibrant. The hall was filled with kneeling officials, and their sounds of worship reached Jiang Yuan's ears from afar. Once everything was ready, the master of ceremonies began to announce the ceremony.
Jiang Yuan wore a dark robe embroidered with colorful cloud and dragon patterns on the lapel. Her knees were bent low, and a large sash and jade pendant were tied to her wide belt. She held a white jade tablet in her hand, and her steps were extremely slow. Inside the grand hall, on the throne sat the most powerful man in this land, and she bowed down. This world now belonged to her husband, and in the future, it would belong to her son. She lightly touched her forehead to the back of her hand, for no one could possibly take even a single inch of it away.
Song Yansi rose, and Jiang Yuan looked at the black shoes embroidered with dragon patterns in front of her. Following the shoes upwards, a hand with distinct knuckles emerged from the wide robe and stopped before her. Jiang Yuan smiled and placed her fingertips into his slightly warm palm. The red carpet in front of her was embroidered with gold thread, soft and yielding underfoot. She was led step by step by Song Yansi up the white jade steps. The seat before her seemed to be her destiny, her fate in this life and the next. One must believe in fate; to sit forever above millions was her destiny. This time, she was determined to sit there for a lifetime.
"The sun and moon bring blessings, yin and yang are in harmony, and all things are governed by them. Now there is a woman named Jiang, gentle and virtuous, who has been blessed by Heaven and is a model of maternal virtue for the world. Reverence for her is great."
The emperor issued an edict, and all officials knelt in obeisance.
Then came the imperial decree bestowing titles of Lady and Consort, and a row of women knelt on the ground.
Xie Jiayan dug her nails into her palms, not hearing a word of the imperial edict. She, the legitimate daughter of the Xie family, had actually been reduced to being a concubine. No matter how high the other man's status, was this the result of her father's waiting?
After the eunuch finished reading one document, seeing Song Yansi nod, he immediately took another from the edict. He swallowed hard and continued, "Since ancient times, emperors who succeed to the throne must establish an heir apparent to strengthen the foundation of the nation and ensure the endless prosperity of the dynasty. I, having inherited this great legacy, am diligent and conscientious day and night. My eldest son, Chengyu, is of exceptional talent and virtue. I hereby bestow upon him the imperial seal and establish him as Crown Prince, placing him in the Eastern Palace. This is to ensure the continuation of the dynasty for ten thousand years and to unite the hearts of the people. I respectfully report this to Heaven, Earth, the ancestral temples, and the state."
"This is absolutely unacceptable." Xie Shengping took a step forward, unusually losing his composure. The Crown Prince is the heir apparent; it's easy to establish one but difficult to depose him. He had considered many possibilities. Given Song Yanji's shrewdness, it was impossible for him to have been completely unaware of what Jiang Zhongsi had done. He had always assumed Song Yanji was waiting, so whether Jiang Yuan or Yan'er became Empress, it wouldn't have been a significant obstacle for him, since their two families were in the same boat. Therefore, he never imagined that Song Yanji would establish Jiang Yuan's son as Crown Prince. Once the Crown Prince is established, it won't be so easy to depose him later, and it could easily shake the Jiang family, giving them a false sense of security. "The prince is too young; it's far too early to appoint a Crown Prince now."
“I only have this one son now, and he is the son of the Emperor and Empress, the eldest son and the legitimate heir.” Song Yanji rubbed his index finger and thumb slightly and smiled, “This son was personally taught by me, and I am very happy with him.”
Jiang Yuan watched the ministers go back and forth in the hall without showing any emotion, when Song Yanji suddenly reached out and quietly patted the back of her hand.
"Why didn't you tell me?" Jiang Yuan's lips parted slightly, her voice uttered silently.
"We'll talk about it when we get back." Song Yansi took the opportunity to squeeze her fingertips, then continued with his unchanging smile, looking up to watch the show.
Song Yanji was determined to make Chengyu the Crown Prince. No matter how you looked at it, he could easily sway the emperor. There was nothing he could do; he was nearing thirty and only had Chengyu as his son. There was no reason for him to force a newly enthroned emperor not to appoint a crown prince. Moreover, Song Yanji, having reached this point, was no easy opponent.
Inside the Phoenix Rising Hall, Song Yanji had already removed his ceremonial robes and was leisurely drinking tea in a loose-fitting dark blue robe. After Jiang Yuan had finished getting ready, he waved for the eunuchs to leave. Incense was burning in the hall, and white mist swirled above the incense burner.
Jiang Yuan stood while he sat, and after a long while, she finally spoke, "Why weren't you informed in advance about such a big matter as establishing the Crown Prince?"
As expected, Song Yansi's actions caught Jiang Yuan off guard, as she looked at his slightly furrowed brows. He gave her no time to think and directly hinted at Jiang Zhongsi, forcing him to choose. Jiang Zhongsi was a man who valued family reputation highly; he was the maternal grandfather of the Crown Prince, and the Jiang family was very likely to be the future emperor's maternal clan. There was no greater temptation than this, and this was the greatest sincerity Song Yansi could offer. He was giving him one last chance, choosing between him and Xie Shengping, saying, "Yu'er is my only son. Besides, making him Crown Prince sooner will put your mind at ease."
"Reassure me? Stop with the high-sounding platitudes." Jiang Yuan met his gaze. If so many women hadn't entered the palace, she would have believed it. The court was rife with intrigue, and most of the women entering the harem harbored ulterior motives. Now that the Crown Prince had been appointed, it was simply placing even greater bets on Cheng Yu. The bigger the bet, the more greedy and impatient people became, and Cheng Yu would face even greater dangers. She recalled Song Yanji's casual question a few days ago and retorted with unwavering anger, "You're simply afraid the Xie family will become too powerful and force my father to step down."
If he needed his father's help in this matter, he could have just told her. Why make Cheng Yu a target? Jiang Yuan looked at Song Yansi, who was silent and just playing with his teacup, and took a deep breath to try to calm himself down. "Zhongli, you can tell me first."
"If I told you, would you agree?" Song Yansi had barely finished speaking when he saw Jiang Yuan about to speak again. He shifted his gaze slightly. "Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about Jue'er. I said when I was in Chaisang that everything I have in the future belongs to him. If he doesn't have a strong and reliable maternal family, how can he secure the throne in the future? To put it another way, even if he isn't the crown prince, it just means the storm will come a little later and a little smaller, but it will still come eventually."
“You can rest assured that the previous dynasty can be entrusted to me.” Jiang Yuan looked at Song Yansi suspiciously, only to see him take her hand in his palm, his eyes piercing. “As for what the harem will be like, that’s all up to you, Yuan.”
"Are you sure you don't want to interfere?" Since these women have to enter the palace, she can't leave any potential problems for her son. If they dare to mess with Chengyu, she will definitely not let them off the hook. Besides, there are quite a few of them who are ruthless and vicious.
She didn't know if all emperors and their concubines were like this, or if it was only Song Yanji's harem that was so selective, with few truly virtuous women. She suddenly thought of Consort Zhang; she was a good one, it's just that she never entered the palace in this lifetime.
"Absolutely not." Song Yansi watched as Jiang Yuan gradually came to terms with it, then held her hand and added with a smile, "If you can't handle it, I can lend you a hand."
"Hmph." Jiang Yuan snorted slightly. "Just don't feel bad about it later."
After a while, Cheng Yu came to pay his respects, but Song Yanji had state affairs to attend to, so he left Fengqi Hall and on his way back to Changle Palace, He Qian and his entourage followed at a distance.
Xu An walked a foot behind him. "The news has reached the Jiang residence."
"how?"
"Madam Jiang is overjoyed and weeping. She is packing her things to go to the temple to thank Buddha tomorrow." Xu An thought about the situation in the Jiang family. Almost every maid and servant had a smile on their face, except for Jiang Zhongsi. "Since receiving the news, Lord Jiang has locked himself in his study and has not come out since."
"Then let's continue to wait." Song Yanji stopped, his hands behind his back. The red silk in the palace was still untied, fluttering in the gentle breeze, against the azure sky.
"Aren't you going to announce his arrival?" How long are we going to have to wait like this?
“I want him to come looking for me. I’ve shown him all my sincerity, so he should show some sincerity too.” Song Yansi squinted and shook his head, a smile playing on his lips, looking quite pleased with himself. He was waiting for someone, someone only Jiang Zhongsi could offer him. That person held what he desired most. He hadn’t found it in his past life, and in this life, he would make Jiang Zhongsi hand it over himself.
"It's been a month since I entered the palace, and I still haven't seen His Majesty." Yang Jing'e bit her red lips, her eyes slightly red.
Jiang Yuan sipped her tea, while Yang Jing'e spoke haltingly for a long time. Only after she had finished speaking did Jiang Yuan put down her teacup. "I have only met His Majesty a few times. Now that the new dynasty has just been established, His Majesty is very busy. How can he have time for so much personal affection? Jing'e should be more sensible."
"When the Emperor and Empress see His Majesty again, may they mention us concubines to him?" Yang Jing'e pointed to the concubines who had come with her behind her, her voice so soft it could melt water. "We concubines are also thinking of the imperial heir."
“Alas, whenever I see His Majesty, all I hear is about the disasters affecting the people. Just a few days ago, the Mei River was flooded again, and His Majesty was deeply troubled by the issue of the disaster relief funds.” Jiang Yuan then changed the subject, “I’ve heard that Second Sister-in-law Jing’e’s family is a wealthy merchant family. May I ask if I could mention it to them?”