Chapter 20 p2
The candlelight flickered on the bed curtains, and the hibiscus flowers gradually blurred.
.
At the crack of dawn, the room was still dim. The arm under her neck moved.
Yuli slowly woke up. In her daze, Xie Yao lifted her shoulder, pulled out his arm, and then laid her back down.
“Sleep a little longer,” a low voice sounded by her ear.
Yuli was still sleepy and closed her eyes as she was told.
A soft, warm touch was on her forehead. She opened her eyes slightly and saw Xie Yao getting up.
There was a rustling sound outside the bed curtains. Xie Yao opened the door and left.
Yuli’s sleepiness was completely gone.
She lay in bed, her eyes open until dawn. She quickly got up. She was wearing a plain white nightgown, which Xie Yao had changed her into after holding her and washing her last night.
She walked to the brighter window, pulled open her collar, lifted her sleeves, and lifted the hem of her clothes, carefully examining herself. There was not a single mark.
Yuli raised her hands and silently cheered.
He hadn’t killed Mei Qing, there was no stabbing or drugging, and the experience was quite good.
Yuli recalled some fragments of last night. Her wrists and ankles were a little hot. He had kissed her, especially the spot with the small mole on her wrist.
Yuli’s face grew hot. She glanced at her wrist; there was no trace.
His movements had been very gentle. She had almost floated away.
There was a knock on the door. Yuli said to come in. Xiyun pushed the door open and entered, followed by two maids.
The maids went into the bathroom to put down the washing utensils. After they left, Yuli wrung out a cloth to wash her face.
Xiyun asked in a low voice from the side, “Is the Mistress feeling any discomfort? I’ll have someone buy some medicine.”
Yuli paused. “I’m fine.”
There was a strange feeling, but nothing particularly uncomfortable.
How is Xie Yao so good at this…
Yuli stopped her thoughts, covered her face with the cloth, and only took it off after a while.
Xiyun saw the shy smile on her face and understood in her heart that last night had been a sweet consummation of their marriage.
Xiyun was also very happy. She helped her choose a comfortable dress. When Yuli was changing, she could see that her skin was smooth and fair, without a single extra mark.
It seemed that although Young Master Xie was cruel and terrifying, he was truly considerate to Yuli.
After Yuli had breakfast, a few guards suddenly came to the door. They didn’t come in, but were holding something in their hands. It looked like they were here to deliver something.
Jingyu led people to receive them. “Mistress, it’s the Young Master’s belongings.”
Yuli saw them. It was his clothes, washing utensils, and a few boxes. He would probably be living in Mingyue Residence from now on.
“Bring them in,” Yuli said.
After the things were placed in the room, Yuli had them leave. She would arrange them herself.
She put his clothes in the side hall. She had too many clothes, a full three wardrobes. She tidied up a little and made a small half of a wardrobe for him, which was just enough.
The washing utensils were placed in the bathroom, next to hers.
Two of the few boxes were locked. She didn’t open any of them and placed them next to her dressing case, for him to put away himself when he returned.
The biggest conflict in the whole book had been crossed. There were no more points for angst. From now on, it would be a normal married life.
Yuli looked at the two cloths hanging together.
It seems not bad.
It had rained yesterday, and the weather was cool today. It seemed the hottest part of summer was over.
The weather was pleasant. Yuli went to the kitchen to choose a few fresh ingredients, planning to cook some of Xie Yao’s favorite dishes.
After making arrangements, she went to play with Xuemi.
Xie Yao had been in the room all last night. Xuemi had been on guard for most of the night and was now sleeping.
“You little lazy cat, you can sleep so much.” Yuli thought it might be because the weather was cool and Xuemi was sleeping comfortably, so she didn’t force it to get up and play with her.
Not long after, a maid brought fresh flowers.
Yuli accepted them with pleasure and put them in a vase, smiling from time to time as she looked at the flowers.
*
Imperial Palace, Hall of Political Affairs.
It was a regular cabinet meeting. In the hall sat three Grand Councilors and one President of the Department of State Affairs, all of whom were key ministers recently promoted by Xie Yao.
In just half a year, the regent had completely straightened out the court situation. The previous purge had eliminated the old aristocratic class. Those now in power were all capable men from humble backgrounds. Although under his bloody methods, these people feared him more than they were loyal, they all did their best in their positions.
Now, the court had a new look, full of vitality. The cabinet ministers were all enterprising, presenting one by one the new policies they had cherished in their hearts for many years but had been unable to implement.
Usually, the regent would listen. Even if a colleague objected, he would authorize a trial run and then consider implementing it after practice.
Therefore, there were countless political affairs waiting for his decision every day.
Today was no exception. The four cabinet members spoke one after another for a quarter of an hour. It was only during the break when the eunuch changed the second cup of tea that the four of them were shocked to realize that the regent had not said a single word today.
The four of them looked over in unison. The regent was holding a brush, his gaze on a memorial, but he was not moving, as if he were in a daze.
He was still profound and inscrutable, but… why did it seem like there was a hint of a smile on his lips?
He looked up and swept his gaze over the crowd. “Continue.”
The four of them quickly put down their teacups. The regent was clearly still majestic and imposing. Just now, they had been talking about the harassment of the northern border by the Hu tribes. How could he be smiling at this time?
The discussion started again. Xie Yao was no longer in a daze and focused on political affairs.
After the meeting in the Hall of Political Affairs, Xie Yao returned to the Imperial Study. The six-year-old emperor was already waiting.
The young emperor bowed to him and called him, “Second Father.”
Xie Yao did not respond and walked straight to sit behind the desk.
The young emperor was so nervous he didn’t dare to breathe. The Grand Tutor on the side was also a little uneasy.
Xie Yao would routinely check the young emperor’s homework every day. If he did not learn according to the set plan, the young emperor would be punished, and the Grand Tutor would naturally be implicated.
The poem he had learned yesterday was a bit long, and the young emperor had not yet memorized it. If he stuttered later, he would probably be punished again. Although it was just facing the wall, for an emperor, it was too humiliating.
The young emperor knew that others would laugh at him, which was more unbearable than physical pain.
“Begin,” Xie Yao said, sitting behind the desk, looking at the young emperor.
The young emperor began in a weak voice, “Green, green, the mallow in the garden; the morning dew awaits the sun to dry…”
The small child, dressed in a complex dragon robe, stood in the room, his hands clenching and unclenching. In the end, he still stuttered several times, and paused for a long time at the second to last line.
“A hundred rivers flow east to the sea,” Xie Yao reminded him.
Usually at this time, he would tell him not to recite anymore and to go and face the wall until he had memorized it.
But today, after reminding him, he did not immediately punish him.
With his reminder, the young emperor remembered the rest and recited it smoothly.
Xie Yao hummed faintly in agreement. “Continue.”
Next was calligraphy. The young emperor was very confident and wrote down everything he had learned yesterday accurately.
Xie Yao glanced at the crooked characters and made no comment.
Putting down the paper, he said, “From today on, arrange one hour for His Majesty every day to play as he wishes.”
The Grand Tutor paused, but the young emperor was a little excited and happily thanked Xie Yao. “Thank you, Second Father.”
Xie Yao told him to rise and said no more.
The Grand Tutor looked up and saw that his expression was normal, but he seemed a little more human, not as gloomy and inscrutable as before.
The lessons the regent had arranged for the young emperor were not very heavy, but the young emperor did not learn well, and he insisted on checking every day. The Grand Tutor was often on tenterhooks. It was better now; the regent had finally stopped pretending.
Since he was going to depose him sooner or later, why was he so serious about making him learn?
The emperor’s heart was unpredictable, especially this one’s. The Grand Tutor also bowed and withdrew.
After the young emperor withdrew, a servant came to report, “Reporting to Your Highness, all the new Jinshi have arrived.”
Xie Yao’s expression did not change as he moved to Hanyuan Hall.
This special imperial examination was held on the occasion of the new emperor’s accession to the throne, but everyone in the world knew that the new dynasty was now governed by the regent.
Previously, at the palace examination, they had only seen the young emperor and not the regent. The three hundred Jinshi were still doubtful, fearing they would become political sacrifices. Now that they finally saw the regent’s true face, few cared that the young emperor was not present, and their suspended hearts were put at ease.
A ritual official had already explained that the young emperor was unwell, and the regent would hold the enfeoffment ceremony for the new Jinshi on behalf of His Majesty.
The regent sat beside the dragon throne. No one dared to look at his face directly. The ritual official chanted the congratulatory words. After everyone had kowtowed, the Vice Minister of Personnel announced their official positions.
Because the court was in urgent need, all the Jinshi from this special imperial examination were given important positions, breaking the rules.
Many people were so happy they cried on the spot. When they came forward to thank him, they were extremely grateful to the regent. But when they saw his face, they all reined in their emotions.
For no other reason than that the regent was much more majestic than the young emperor. His gaze was deep and sharp, as if it could see through people’s hearts. Any slight sign of unsteadiness would likely leave a bad impression and affect their official career.
The top three were last. The Bangyan and Tanhua were appointed as county magistrates under the jurisdiction of the capital, in charge of all the affairs of a county. It was very difficult, but if they were talented, they could quickly stand out.
The two of them solemnly thanked him.
Then it was the Zhuangyuan. After the announcement, it was baffling.
Zhuangyuan Mei was also appointed as a county magistrate, but it was far away on the northwestern border, more than a thousand li from the capital. Even if he had political achievements, it would be difficult for them to reach the capital.
Zhuangyuan Mei’s expression was stiff, and his reaction was flat. He bowed his head and walked forward to thank him. But the moment he looked up, he froze. His already pale and haggard face instantly lost all color.
He saw it clearly. The regent looking down at him from above was none other than Yuli’s husband, whom he had met yesterday.
Yuli’s husband’s surname was Xie, and the regent’s surname was also Xie.
The stories he had heard about the regent these past few days came flooding back like a tide.
The regent came from the prestigious Xie clan. He was fostered in a Buddhist temple in his youth. When he returned home, he was already a famous young general in the capital. During the struggle for the throne between the Crown Prince and Prince Xin, he first followed the Crown Prince, then turned to Prince Xin. Two years ago, he pacified the Western Rong and was stationed in Liangzhou. At the end of last year, when the Crown Prince and Prince Xin were at loggerheads, he suddenly led his army east under the banner of protecting the king.
After entering the Central Plains, the other military governors also took advantage of the unstable court situation and became a considerable force. However, when they encountered his Shenwu Army, they were utterly defeated.
The Shenwu Army entered the capital and controlled the imperial palace in a few days. That night, both the Crown Prince and Prince Xin died one after another. After that, the late Emperor issued a decree appointing him regent and never showed his face again. He had obtained the supreme power and immediately used it to kill all the supporters of the Crown Prince and Prince Xin, not even sparing the Xie clan, which had once been the core of the Crown Prince’s faction.
The old officials of the aristocratic clans did not submit and cursed him as a treacherous rebel. He had them arrested and imprisoned.
Then the princes died mysteriously, leaving only a five-year-old prince of low status.
His Majesty passed away, the young emperor ascended the throne, the powerful old officials were killed, and men from humble backgrounds were promoted on a large scale. A special imperial examination was held.
Mei Qing still remembered that the day Yuli and Young Master Xie got married was the day the late Emperor passed away.
How could he be the regent?
Mei Qing lifted his stiff neck and looked at the regent again.
Xie Yao looked down at him, like a god looking down at an ant. He suddenly curled his lips into a cold smile.
Mei Qing’s heart trembled. This smile was no different from the temperament of Yuli’s husband that day.
But, the legitimate son of an aristocratic family, the victor in a treacherous political struggle, how could he be connected to the daughter of an umbrella maker in the distant Xihe County?
Mei Qing knelt for a long time without moving. The servants were afraid that he would be disrespectful to the regent because of his dissatisfaction with his official position and secretly reminded him.
Mei Qing came to his senses, stood up in a daze, and walked to his position.
After a short while, the regent stood up and went to the imperial platform to address them.
“At the beginning of your official service, it is the time for you to display your talents and repay your sovereign and parents. You should all think that the honor of a single appointment all comes from the special selection of the court, and the sustenance of a single salary all comes from the fat and blood of the common people. I hope that you will all serve the sovereign with loyalty and integrity, regulate yourselves with prudence and incorruptibility, and work diligently in political affairs to bring peace to the people.”
He had previously heard that the regent was a young general by background and had thought he was not very learned. Unexpectedly, his speech was extraordinary, and he truly had the air of an emperor.
All the Jinshi kowtowed and thanked him.
After that was the Qionglin Banquet. The regent had said in advance that he would not attend. Everyone was both relieved and a little disappointed.
After leaving Hanyuan Hall, Mei Qing’s face was still pale.
Some people said that the regent was not interested in women, had no wife or concubines, and lived alone in the Imperial Palace.
Yuli had no name or status, no different from a mistress.
He and Yuli were like ants to an elephant in the eyes of the regent.
Yuli was eager to distance herself from him, both under the regent’s control and to save his life.
Mei Qing wanted to laugh, but bitterness filled his lungs, and his lips felt as heavy as a thousand jun.
He should have hated him, but before the regent, when he was seeking to get on the list, he had begged people everywhere to present his writings, suffering all kinds of humiliation without success. It was the regent who had given him the opportunity to become a Jinshi.
Xie Yao did not go to the Qionglin Banquet and ordered the new Jinshi to take up their posts the next day. He dealt with some slightly urgent memorials in the Imperial Study. In the end, he couldn’t concentrate, but it was still early.
Counting the time, he planned to leave in another two quarters of an hour when Song He suddenly came to report.
“That couple has come to the door. The Princess Consort is preparing to see them.”
Xie Yao had not forgotten to deal with the three members of the Song family. He had already arranged everything. When they came to the door today, they would not dare to displease Yuli in the slightest.
Xie Yao hummed in agreement, put down his brush, and immediately stood up. “Go back now.”
*