Shu Jian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly seemed to awaken from a dream. He rushed to him, grasped his sleeve, and shook his head: “No! Third Imperial Uncle, you can’t just abandon me like this! I can’t do it alone!”
Shu Shenhui looked at him, and his originally serious expression became gentle. He stood up and brought Shu Jian back to his seat.
“Your Majesty, please let this subject finish. This subject made this decision after careful consideration, absolutely not speaking carelessly without regard. Since Your Majesty’s ascension, what this subject worried about most was not that Your Majesty couldn’t govern the country, but that Your Majesty didn’t understand the weight of the imperial position. Fortunately, relying on ancestral blessings and Your Majesty’s wisdom, this subject has watched Your Majesty grow step by step, completely transformed. Tomorrow, on New Year’s Day, Your Majesty will be fifteen years old. This subject believes Your Majesty can personally govern. Naturally, please be assured, Your Majesty – this subject only requests to be relieved of the regent position. Afterward, this subject will remain in court, continuing to serve Your Majesty alongside the Virtuous Prince Fang Qing and others in the capacity of a subject. As long as Your Majesty doesn’t dismiss me for a single day, this subject will not leave the court for a single day, until Your Majesty handles everything with ease and no longer needs this subject.”
“What does Your Majesty think of this?”
Shu Shenhui finally looked at Shu Jian and asked thus.
Shu Jian stared at him fixedly for another moment, then murmured: “What about afterward? Third Imperial Uncle, are you going to be with Third Imperial Aunt?”
Shu Shenhui nodded slightly, then smiled: “Exactly!”
“After recovering Youyan and breaking through the Di nation’s current southern capital, Daxing, Great Wei’s border will move north. If Your Majesty trusts me, this subject wishes to serve as a frontier official in the future, permanently stationed in Youyan, continuing to guard our borders alongside her and serve Your Majesty.”
Shu Jian’s eyes had already turned red. After hearing this, tears flowed down: “Third Imperial Uncle, I know Third Imperial Aunt doesn’t like Chang’an, and you two can’t always be separated, but now I still want you to continue as Regent Prince! Keep doing it – won’t that work?”
“Your Majesty, the reason this subject served as regent was only because it was unavoidable. A bird cannot have two heads, a nation cannot have two rulers. As long as Your Majesty can shoulder governmental affairs yourself, the Regent Prince should not exist – this relates to Your Majesty’s authority. During the previous stellar changes and earthquake, many incidents arose that could be called a crisis, yet Your Majesty handled them properly. This subject examines his conscience – even if it were this subject, I probably couldn’t have done better. At this point, regarding the way of rulership, this subject feels there is nothing more I can teach Your Majesty.”
He put away the smile on his face, stepped back several paces, then knelt and kowtowed to Shu Jian. Once, twice, then raised a memorial requesting resignation.
“Please, Your Majesty, you must approve!”
Shu Jian couldn’t help but weep like a fountain. He finally stood up, slowly walked to his side, accepted the resignation memorial, and said chokingly: “Third Imperial Uncle, please rise. I agree…”
Only then did Shu Shenhui rise. After Shu Jian’s emotions had settled somewhat, he continued: “Your Majesty, this is the first matter. Tomorrow at the grand court session, after the hundred officials finish paying homage, this subject will step forward to request a resignation. There is another matter – this subject earnestly requests Your Majesty to handle it tomorrow as well. This subject has another memorial here, please review it, Your Majesty.”
He took another pre-written memorial from his sleeve and presented it with both hands. Shu Jian received and opened it. The memorial proposed formally appointing Jiang Zuwang as Grand Marshal, commanding all military forces under heaven, and conferring the tiger tally, allowing him to choose the most favorable timing and deploy troops from Yanmen at any time.
Shu Jian wiped away his tears: “I understand. I’ll announce it in court tomorrow.”
Shu Shenhui showed a joyful expression, bowed again to the young Emperor with solemn gratitude, and finally said: “This subject has no other matters or requests to leave the palace.”
Shu Jian escorted him out of the West Pavilion, then out of Xuanzheng Hall, and wanted to escort him further out of the palace. Shu Shenhui declined, smiling: “Your Majesty’s intention is appreciated by this subject, but please stop here.”
He paused: “Seeing Your Majesty seems weary these days, this subject will say one more thing. Memorials never cease, and among them there are indeed those that cannot be delayed, but there are also many full of useless words that only add burden. Your Majesty need not answer them all daily – handle them as you see fit. Tonight is New Year’s Eve, and tomorrow there’s the grand court session. Your Majesty should also return to the palace early and rest.”
He repeatedly urged Shu Jian, and only then did Shu Jian reluctantly leave, looking back frequently with reluctance.
Shu Shenhui stood beneath the towering steps outside Xuanzheng Hall, watching Shu Jian’s figure as he gradually disappeared, accompanied by palace attendants.
Liu Xiang was personally on duty tonight and had been waiting outside. He now escorted Shu Shenhui out of the palace. Walking along the palace road, Shu Shenhui chatted with him casually, laughing: “I hear your family has a daughter of exceptional talent and beauty, coming of age next year. I imagine your doorway has already been worn down by suitors. You must be quite troubled, spoiled for choice. When you’ve settled on a match, don’t forget to tell me – I’ll also send a gift.”
Liu Xiang was startled, not expecting the Regent Prince to know and care about even such small matters. Quite moved, he chuckled: “Thank you, Your Highness! When the match is settled, this subject won’t be polite and will certainly inform Your Highness.”
Shu Shenhui nodded with a smile: “No need to escort further – I know the way and can go myself. You’ve also worked hard all year. Tonight, there’s no need to stay overnight in the palace. Hand over your duties and go home to keep vigil with your family.”
Liu Xiang felt even warmer inside, thanked him, then escorted him a bit further before stopping as instructed.
Shu Shenhui left the palace alone. As he neared the palace gates, a voice suddenly called nearby: “Your Highness!”
Shu Shenhui turned, and by the illumination near the palace gates, saw it was Chen Lun. Slightly surprised: “The palace banquet ended long ago – why haven’t you returned home? Is something wrong?”
Chen Lun said: “Nothing else. It’s just that before entering the palace today, the Princess specifically instructed me to make sure to invite Your Highness tonight to keep vigil together. The Princess has always loved liveliness, as Your Highness knows. At home, there are only she and I – she finds it insufficient.”
Shu Shenhui was startled and understood.
Presumably in his elder sister’s eyes, he was alone and companionless tonight, extremely pitiable.
The couple had been married for years, yet Yongtai had remained childless until recently, when joyful news finally came – the happiness needn’t be mentioned. Chen Lun was also busy all year round, and it was rare to reach year’s end. How could he intrude on their loving couple? He smiled and politely declined.
“Thank you both for your kind intention – I appreciate it. But I have other arrangements tonight, so I won’t go.”
Chen Lun quickly said: “Your Highness truly need not consider too much! Not only the Princess, but I also hope to sit around the fire and talk through the night with Your Highness! We’ve already prepared fine aged wine at home, just waiting for Your Highness!”
His tone was extremely sincere.
Shu Shenhui smiled and pointed toward the direction outside the palace gates: “My people are waiting. In the future when there’s time, there will be many opportunities!”
Chen Lun knew he wouldn’t agree and reluctantly assented. Shu Shenhui walked out of the palace gates with him. The princely residence’s Guard Commander Wang Ren had brought several men and was waiting for him outside the palace. Seeing him appear, they led horses forward to meet him.
He mounted his horse, grasped the reins, and turned to look at Chen Lun.
The torchlight before the palace gates illuminated his handsome, spirited face. He was heard laughing heartily: “Old year departs, new year begins! Evil spirits scatter, peace arrives!” After speaking, he cupped his hands toward Chen Lun in a salute, then spurred his horse and left.
During this period at year’s end, between preparing for war after the new year and other court affairs, he had been busy to the point of confusion. Tonight, he finally felt as if he had unloaded a long-carried burden.
Horse hooves clattered on Chang’an’s streets. He quietly passed through streets hung with red lanterns, by gates and doors from which laughter and joy faintly drifted, carrying the cold air on his body, finally returning to the princely residence.
He presided over distributing New Year gifts to everyone in the residence, then entered Fan Zhi Hall, settled everything, and prepared to rest.
Yongtai and Chen Lun had truly misunderstood. He didn’t feel particularly lonely. On the contrary, at moments like tonight, compared to going anywhere else, this sleeping chamber that admittedly seemed somewhat cold was the place he most hoped to return to in his heart.
Before sleep, Shu Shenhui again examined those few pages of calligraphy practice placed beside his pillow.
Yanmen should now be in the most bitter cold season of the year. Even in the military tents, he wondered if she had fallen into warm sleep tonight?
At such moments, did she ever think of him?
He was lost in thought for a moment, then finally brought those pages of paper to his nose and gently breathed in the ink fragrance she had left.
Forget it – if she couldn’t remember him, so be it.
If he thought of her, that was enough.
Shu Shenhui’s lips curved slightly upward. He closed his eyes, awaiting the arrival of another New Year’s Day.
…
Shu Jian lay on his bed in the sleeping palace, repeatedly examining the two memorials his Third Imperial Uncle had given him that evening. One moment, he hated himself for not killing Lan Rong on the spot that night; the next, he hated himself for seemingly being swayed by his words. At tonight’s palace banquet, he couldn’t help but notice the different reactions others had toward his Third Imperial Uncle versus himself.
Years of affection with his Third Imperial Uncle couldn’t even withstand Lan Rong’s empty words of slander and defamation. Thinking again of everything that happened tonight, Shu Jian felt increasingly ashamed and increasingly hated himself.
He turned his face and saw the slender figure of that Yanmen palace maid standing not far from the bed.
He stared fixedly, his mind wandering, and once again thought of another person.
She had been extremely good to him. When he had foolishly snuck onto the battlefield, she had pursued him and saved his life at the critical moment when he was about to be struck by a blade.
Her smiling face appeared before his eyes.
How could they possibly conspire together to scheme against him?
The more Shu Jian thought, the more resentful he became; the more he thought, the colder his heart grew.
“Is Your Majesty ready to retire?”
This palace maid, who had permission to serve him closely, was named Duan’er. Seeing the young Emperor staring straight at her, she couldn’t help but panic secretly. After hesitating, she finally gathered the courage to step forward softly and ask quietly.
Shu Jian stopped looking at her. He waved his hand, ordering her to leave, then closed his eyes and remained motionless.
With the great war imminent, Lan Rong chose to jump out at this time. Shu Jian was very clear that he would not be acting alone. People like this – great treachery disguised as loyalty – should be a group. They usually remained silent but secretly watched closely every move of him and his Third Imperial Uncle, attempting to replace his Third Imperial Uncle to seek greater benefits for themselves.
Besides Lan Rong, who else was there?
He tossed and turned on the bed, finally exhausted. Just before drowsily falling asleep, he secretly swore in his heart that if, next time, anyone dared speak such divisive words before him, no matter who it was, even if it was Lan Rong, his uncle, he would not be lenient.
Death without mercy!
Thus, Shu Jian, carrying a chest full of regret and hatred, groggily fell asleep. He didn’t sleep deeply, nightmare after nightmare, though he wasn’t clear what he was dreaming. He only felt his hands and feet seemed tightly locked by heavy chains. He struggled with all his might but couldn’t break free. After several failed attempts, he became furious, used all his strength, and violently struggled with his hands and feet. He suddenly startled awake, his whole body covered in cold sweat.
Not only that, but at his bedside sat a person.
It was Grand Imperial Noble Consort Dunyi!
Shu Jian recovered from his fright and suddenly sat up: “Grand Imperial Noble Consort!”
Emperor Ming had been raised by his aunt since childhood, honoring her like his own mother. Except for the matter of address, which couldn’t be changed, in all other respects, he commanded the imperial princes to serve her with the rites due a grandmother.
Lady Li’s gaze was full of loving kindness as she reached toward him, using a handkerchief to gently wipe the cold sweat from his forehead with distress, saying softly: “What’s wrong with Your Majesty? Did you suffer from nightmares? Just now, no matter how I called, I couldn’t wake you. Tomorrow is the new year – this old body will go make a wish for Your Majesty’s peaceful sleep, so evil spirits won’t invade and Your Majesty can sleep peacefully.”
Shu Jian was still immersed in his recent dream, his heart beating rapidly. After settling down somewhat, he suddenly became puzzled. She had always resided deep in the palace, didn’t meddle in affairs, and especially disliked going out. How had she suddenly come to his sleeping palace in the dead of night? He quickly said, “I’m fine. Thank you, Grand Imperial Noble Consort! How did the Grand Imperial Noble Consort come here? If there’s something, just have me come over – the Grand Imperial Noble Consort needn’t come out herself.”
Lady Li turned to look at the palace attendants in the hall, and everyone withdrew. She withdrew her hand and said, “This old body heard that you stabbed your uncle with a sword a few days ago?”
Shu Jian looked at her in shock.
Besides him and Lan Rong, no one else could know about this matter. She resided deep in the palace…
Suddenly, he had an epiphany, his heart racing wildly. Indeed, he saw Lady Li’s expression remain unchanged as she continued: “He was somewhat rash, perhaps speaking too harshly at the time, grating on your ears. But Your Majesty needn’t be so temperamental, injuring him so severely that he nearly lost his life. No matter what, he is Your Majesty’s uncle.”
Shu Jian stared straight at Lady Li, a chill rising from the soles of his feet, quickly spreading throughout his body, his entire person frozen stiff.
Seeing him in such a state, Lady Li sighed: “Your Majesty must be very surprised. Before seeing Your Majesty, Lan Rong first sought out this old body. It was with this old body’s permission. Or rather, this was the late Emperor’s intention.”
Lady Li’s tone was extremely ordinary, as if this were just the most commonplace sentence.
But Shu Jian thought he had misheard. His eyes wide, his mind blank, he did not react for a moment.
Lady Li watched him, her expression gradually becoming serious. Suddenly, she stood up from the edge of the bed and walked to a nearby desk. Only then did Shu Jian see that on the desk, at some unknown time, there was an additional long box. He recognized it as something the palace specially used to contain imperial edicts. But this wasn’t from his palace. He stared blankly as Lady Li opened the box lid and took out a scroll, saying: “This is an imperial edict the late Emperor left for Your Majesty. Your Majesty should receive the edict.”
Shu Jian shrank back, stumbled down from the bed, knelt on the cold ground, and lowered his head.
“Prince Qi Shu Shenhui, using the convenience of regency, deceived the young ruler, plotted treachery, and failed the trust placed in him at my deathbed…”
Into Shu Jian’s ears crashed the calm and rigid voice of Lady Li, the Grand Imperial Noble Consort.
“…For the sake of Great Wei’s imperial succession, he is granted death.”