novelraw Chapter 483 - 253. When commoners hold power, it’s like a game of chance.
Chapter 483 - 253. When commoners hold power, it’s like a game of chance.
Although it’s said that for the Heavenly Family there are no private matters, as family affairs are state affairs, the relocation of Empress Dowager Xiao Zhang’s grave leans more towards an internal affair of the Imperial family. Even Empress Dowager Li, as the mother of the nation, is not in a position to handle it; the Xu Imperial Family must take the lead in expressing an opinion.
Empress Dowager Li governs on behalf of Emperor Xiaochang, and her power originates from him. Unlike the Xu Emperors, she does not hold absolute authority within the Imperial family.
In state affairs, the Xu Imperial Family might concede to Empress Dowager Li on some matters. After all, Empress Dowager Li is also a representative of the Imperial family, representing the interests of a part of the Xu Imperial Family. However, in the internal affairs of the Imperial family, Empress Dowager Li’s status is not necessarily so revered. Some of the Princes in the Imperial Court are also holders of real power!
"What Daoist Master Xu says is reasonable."
"Regarding this matter, it is indeed difficult for me to handle. We must deliberate this among the Imperial family before making a decision..."
Empress Dowager Li carefully pondered Xu Xing’s words, finding his reasoning extremely sound, and a look of admiration appeared in her eyes.
She nodded in profound agreement, set down her Fragrant Tea, and continued, "I am a daughter-in-law of the Xu Family. If I do this for the country, I fear that in the future... I will no longer be a daughter-in-law of the Xu Family..."
Moving the grave for the sake of the nation could stabilize the nation’s destiny and prolong its life, but she would inevitably face criticism from the Xu Imperial Family. If they were to cause trouble, she would likely lose both family and state.
Yet, if she acted for the family, she might initially gain both family and state; the Xu Imperial Family would praise her for "understanding the bigger picture" and respecting her filial piety.
However, if the nation’s situation continued to decline, she, this "conservative" Empress Dowager, might not win the people’s hearts anymore.
At that time, she dared not imagine what would become of the direct imperial line descending from Emperor Jingjia and herself.
No matter which path she chose, for her, Empress Dowager Li, it was a political crisis.
Therefore, entrusting the choice to the Xu Imperial Family was the most appropriate course of action.
"Do as Daoist Master Xu has said. Quickly summon Prince Xu, Prince Rui, and Prince Zheng—the three Princes—to the palace. Have them proceed to the Ziwei Partial Hall..."
"Also summon the Minister of the Imperial Clan and the Yongan Duke, these two members of the Imperial Clan..."
Empress Dowager Li immediately issued an order for the female officials to go out of the palace and invite the direct-line members of the Xu Imperial Family.
These three Princes—Prince Xu, Prince Rui, and Prince Zheng—were sons of Emperor Tai Wu born of concubines and thus brothers of Emperor Jingjia. Within the Imperial family, their bloodline was second only to Emperor Jingjia’s line. As for the Minister of the Imperial Clan and the Yongan Duke, they were the two most senior Imperial kinsmen of the highest status within the Xu Imperial Family. Although the Yongan Duke did not belong to the Grand Ancestor’s direct line, his peerage was inherited from the line of Xu Jing, the Grand Ancestor’s younger brother. He shared the fate of the nation, and in the Imperial Court, alongside the Duke of Kun Country, he was a leading figure among the nobles of Shenjing.
Empress Dowager Li added, "Also summon Zaifu Huan Shideng, Deputy Wang Min, and Minister of Rites Meng Du to the palace for an audience."
If only the three Princes, the Minister of the Imperial Clan, and the Yongan Duke—these powerful figures of the Imperial family—were present in the Ziwei Partial Hall, she would inevitably be constrained. Huan Shideng, Wang Min, and Meng Du were leading figures among the civil officials and could be considered her faction of supporters. The Emperor’s family affairs are state affairs. By inviting these three civil officials, she could gain a certain upper hand in the upcoming discussions with the Xu Imperial Family. An Emperor can be ignorant of military and political affairs, but they must understand the art of balance.
「Half an hour later.」
Xu Xing accompanied Empress Dowager Li in her Imperial Chariot to the Ziwei Partial Hall. By then, the hall was already full; officials and Imperial Princes had all arrived.
Even the frail Emperor Xiaochang, who had been constantly ill and recuperating, had arrived early and was seated on the Dragon Chair, awaiting the Empress Dowager’s arrival.
Seeing the Phoenix Carriage enter the hall, everyone present rose and exclaimed, "Empress Dowager!" bowing in salute.
"Mother Empress..."
Emperor Xiaochang also swayed as he rose to greet Empress Dowager Li. However, he had just gotten to his feet when he coughed several times, hastily covering his mouth with a Silk Handkerchief.
He had the appearance of a chronic invalid.
"Your Majesty’s filial piety is commendable, but you still need to pay more attention to your Dragon Body. Let your mother and Zaifu Huan handle state affairs."
Unlike the amiable expression she wore when meeting Prince Zhou, when dealing with Emperor Xiaochang, Empress Dowager Li seemed like a different person. Her expression was stern, and her words were laced with barbs, as if she were rapping Emperor Xiaochang’s knuckles.
"This son understands."
Emperor Xiaochang continued to cough several more times, covering his mouth with the Silk Handkerchief, his body slightly stooped. Supported by a eunuch, he slowly returned to his seat.
The officials and Imperial Princes remained silent, not intervening in this power struggle between mother and son.
A moment later, everyone was seated, and they began to discuss official matters.
Prince Xu looked at Empress Dowager Li, seated beside the Dragon Chair. His brow furrowed for a moment, then he got straight to the point, "Imperial Sister-in-Law, I wonder for what matter you have summoned the three of us to the palace?"
The three of them had never been well-regarded by Empress Dowager Li or the Imperial Court. During the ten-odd years of Empress Dowager Li’s regency, their fiefdoms had been reduced several times. If not for the fact that they remotely controlled their fiefs and held a certain number of soldiers and horses, making the Imperial Court wary of pressing them too hard for fear of provoking a rebellion, they might have long been killed by that venomous woman, Empress Dowager Li.
Thus, they spoke bluntly, unafraid of offending Empress Dowager Li.
The power struggle had long since made them bitter enemies; further offense was unavoidable.
"Prince Xu, please be patient..."
Empress Dowager Li’s expression turned slightly displeased upon hearing Prince Xu speak.
However, since she had already summoned all the officials and Imperial Princes to the palace, it was not appropriate to be evasive any longer.
"Fengling is the cenotaph of the Grand Ancestor and Empress Dowager Xiao Zhang. Our dynasty’s destiny is inextricably linked to Fengling... The poor health of the Late Emperor and His Majesty is also connected to this..."
"This Feudal Official Yan once received a kindness from Emperor Zhaoshun. He possesses a Red Sun Pearl, which can serve as a substitute for the Grand Ancestor’s dragon remains. We have also found Empress Dowager Xiao Zhang’s phoenix remains at the Xu Family Ancestral Home..."
"However, Empress Dowager Xiao Zhang decreed before her death that her tomb must not be moved..."