This was more than just familiar—it was a deep-seated grudge. Empress Dowager Wen’s expression darkened slightly as she looked at Yuwen Changqing with confusion. “Why someone from the Shen family? Don’t you know the relationship between the Shen family and the Emperor?”
“This minister knows.” Yuwen Changqing said, “Empress Dowager has not yet heard this minister out. Although this Shen Guiwu is of the Shen family, he has not returned to the Shen household since the age of thirteen. I heard his birth mother has died, and he has not the slightest affection for the Shen family. Had General Han not persuaded him, he would have changed his surname outright.”
“Such great resentment?” Empress Dowager Wen frowned. “What exactly happened?”
“This minister’s recommendation of this person has nothing to do with his background, but rather because he is valiant in battle, has repeatedly distinguished himself in Qizhou, and has also won National Uncle Wen’s appreciation.” Yuwen Changqing said, “As for the specifics of his family matters, this minister does not know much—someone can be sent to investigate later.”
“Mm.” Empress Dowager Wen nodded. If he was someone National Uncle Wen valued, then he was worth considering.
After talking for a while, her heart felt much more at ease. Empress Dowager Wen’s governance actually relied on Scholar Fu and Yuwen Changqing. She could not receive ministers at all times and could only hear news from these two, then use her own forces to influence court decisions.
Seeing that both Yuwen Changqing and Scholar Fu appeared utterly loyal, the Empress Dowager felt reassured and spoke. “Tomorrow the Emperor will not attend court. You two go down and prepare—the matter of the new policies must be blocked.”
“Yes.” Both Yuwen Changqing and Scholar Fu acknowledged the order, turned, and departed from the deep palace.
Empress Dowager Wen reclined on the soft couch, stroking her finger guards, thinking about the Wen family’s interests and the Emperor’s affairs. The lamps stayed lit until midnight before being extinguished.
The next day at court, Empress Dowager Wen specially changed into a newly made phoenix robe and arrived early behind the screen.
Dawn had just broken when the court ministers arrived one after another for the assembly. Outside, Scholar Fu was already standing, pulling aside the newly appointed Vice Minister of Revenue to ask, “How goes the matter of the new policies?”
Being newly appointed, the Vice Minister looked at Scholar Fu and stammered for a moment before saying, “His Majesty’s discussion with the Empress Dowager yielded no result. This minister has not yet seen the new decrees.”
Hadn’t it been said they had already begun implementation? Scholar Fu frowned slightly and glanced at Minister Gu in the distance.
Minister Gu was speaking quietly with several senior ministers, their voices too low for others to hear.
Behind the screen, Empress Dowager Wen snorted coldly, glancing at the empty dragon throne, full of confidence.
The head eunuch announced the court session, but the Emperor did not come. Everyone was puzzled when they heard Empress Dowager Wen’s voice.
“The Emperor spoke nonsense yesterday and has already gone to this dowager’s palace to repent. He will not attend court today. This dowager issues an edict on the Emperor’s behalf: the new policies are abolished. Any who dare raise them again shall be charged with treason.”
Empress Dowager Wen spoke with great authority, her words resounding, echoing throughout the entire court hall.
But there was not a single sound from outside. At first, Empress Dowager Wen thought they were frightened, so she quickly softened her tone. “However, His Majesty still has a heart for governance. Not attending court is merely to reflect on his mistakes. All you beloved ministers may also address the dragon throne today and report important matters.”
Still, there was no sound from outside.
Empress Dowager Wen could not help but peer through the gaps in the screen. In the court hall, civil and military officials stood in rows on both sides. Scholar Fu and Yuwen Changqing both looked bewildered, and some of the Wen family ministers also looked around without speaking.
Starting with Minister Gu, a group of senior ministers, including all officials from the Six Ministries, kept their heads lowered and eyes downcast, motionless like statues. As if they had not heard her words at all.
Scholar Fu felt uneasy and stepped forward to salvage the Empress Dowager’s dignity, responding, “We ministers obey the edict.”
Yuwen Changqing also stepped forward. A few scattered members of the Wen family stood out, but the rest still did not move. Some clearly held memorials in their hands but did not hand them to the head eunuch.
“Is this dowager’s voice too quiet?” Empress Dowager Wen asked again.
The court hall was deathly silent.
Such a situation—since she had begun attending court, she had never encountered it before. Empress Dowager Wen flew into a rage, directly having the screen removed, walking to the steps below the dragon throne, and looking straight at Minister Gu. “Does the Prime Minister have an issue with this dowager?”
Minister Gu said nothing.
Empress Dowager Wen turned her head to look at General Lian to the side. “General Lian, isn’t your voice usually the loudest? Did you hear this dowager’s words?”
General Lian kept his eyes on his nose and his nose on his heart, saying nothing.
Everyone in the entire court, except for Scholar Fu, Yuwen Changqing, and the Wen family members, all acted as if they could not see her at all.
Empress Dowager Wen walked forward two steps and slapped Minister Gu across the face. The crisp sound startled even Yuwen Changqing.
Still no one in the court moved.
Wen Xiuli snorted coldly and struck repeatedly, slapping Minister Gu several times. Gu Boyang’s eyes looked at the ground—even when the corner of his mouth split and bled, he remained steady as Mount Tai.
“You all treat this dowager as if she doesn’t exist? You all treat this dowager as dead?” Empress Dowager Wen was truly enraged, sweeping her phoenix robe. “General Yuwen, cripple this old traitor’s right hand for this dowager. This dowager will see if he truly feels nothing at all!”
“Yes.” Yuwen Changqing accepted the order and stepped forward, drawing his sword as he slowly walked toward Minister Gu.
The Wen family members looked at each other, discussing among themselves. The other people in the court hall still made not a sound.
“You wooden statues beside them—pinch yourselves, or even kick yourselves, stab yourselves with knives. This dowager will see what this ailment is!” With Empress Dowager Wen’s order, the Wen family members all became active, tentatively kicking the silent ministers beside them. Seeing there was truly no response, they became even more unscrupulous.
Some pulled off people’s official caps and dragged them along. Some kicked numerous footprints onto those several ranks above them. With the Empress Dowager backing them in court, wasn’t this the time to settle old scores and grievances?
But those who did not move simply would not move no matter what. Yuwen Changqing’s sword was already raised, yet Minister Gu still made not a sound.
“Stop.” A stern rebuke rang out at the entrance to the court hall.
Yuwen Changqing’s sword stopped precisely less than an inch above Minister Gu’s hand, halting at just the right moment. The court hall was in complete chaos—many officials had been beaten into dishevelment. But even fallen on the ground, they maintained their original postures.
Empress Dowager Wen narrowed her eyes and looked toward the entrance. Gu Chaobei, in a brand new dragon robe, entered with a stern expression.
Hadn’t he said he wouldn’t attend court? Why had he come again? Wen Xiuli’s heart was already full of anger, and seeing Gu Chaobei’s calm face made her even more furious.
She moved forward wanting to say something, but Gu Chaobei did not look at her. He walked straight past her, gathered his robe, and sat down on the dragon throne.
“Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years—”
Those who moments before had refused to move no matter what now stood forth, or climbed up from the ground, kneeling in unison toward the person on the dragon throne. Their synchronized cry echoed across half the sky.
Empress Dowager Wen stood in the middle of the court hall, stunned by this cry.
“All beloved ministers, rise.” Gu Chaobei raised his hand with composure.
“We thank Your Majesty.” The assembled ministers rose. Minister Gu completely acted as if the Empress Dowager did not exist, stepped forward to present the memorial on the new policies, and respectfully said, “The decrees Your Majesty established have begun trial implementation in the Six Ministries. After just one day, numerous corruption cases have been uncovered. Our dynasty’s laws state: those who embezzle one tael shall be exiled ten li, those who embezzle ten taels shall be exiled one hundred li. Among the Six Ministries, some have embezzled nearly one thousand taels and should never return to the capital.”
When he finished, General Lian stepped forward. “The Southern Camp military authority has been divided into ten parts for safekeeping. Only Your Majesty alone may directly command the forces. For anyone else to mobilize troops, all ten military seals must be assembled.”
Gu Chaobei nodded with appreciation. “Beloved ministers have worked hard. Do the Six Ministries have other matters to report?”
Officials from the Six Ministries all stepped forward in unison, their eyes passing over Empress Dowager Wen to look directly at the Emperor above, reporting matters one by one.
By the time Empress Dowager Wen came to her senses, Minister of Revenue Gu Chaodong had nearly finished speaking.
What a fine Emperor who only loves beauties! What fine words—”Tomorrow I will not attend court!” She had made an example of someone to warn Gu Chaobei, and he had directly slapped her face in court, making it clear that his wings had grown strong.
When had the people of the Six Ministries begun listening to Gu Chaobei? And when had General Lian pledged allegiance to the Emperor? Did the account of Gu Chaobei killing the former Crown Prince no longer count? His foundation was clearly unstable, he had no achievements—why did the ministers submit to him?
Because of Minister Gu?
“This dowager has something to say.” Empress Dowager Wen looked at Gu Chaobei and spoke.
Gu Chaobei was listening to Gu Chaodong’s words. As if only now noticing she was there, he spoke with surprise. “Mother Empress? You’re not in the Eastern Palace—what are you doing here?”
Empress Dowager Wen nearly died of anger. She had been in this court hall for several years now, and this wet-behind-the-ears youth dared ask her what she was doing here?
Had Yuwen Changqing not come to support her, Empress Dowager Wen would truly have fainted. Her vision went dark for a while before she found her voice. “This dowager assists in governance by the late Emperor’s edict. How dare you ask this dowager what she’s doing here? This is simply outrageous rebellion!”
Gu Chaobei picked at his ear and looked at the assembled ministers seriously. “Who knows what the late Emperor’s final edict said?”
Minister Gu stepped forward, cupping his hands. “In the late Emperor’s final edict, there was no provision for the Empress Dowager to assist in governance. Moreover, during the late Emperor’s lifetime, he was also displeased with harem interference in politics.”
“Ha.” Empress Dowager Wen laughed coldly, turning to look at Minister Gu. “In the late Emperor’s final edict, if there was no provision for this dowager to assist in governance, then was there any mention of this bastard succeeding to the throne?”
Gu Chaobei’s expression darkened.
The court ministers turned their heads to look at Empress Dowager Wen. She had personally placed him on the throne—now she dared call the Emperor a bastard?
Minister Gu did not respond. Gu Chaobei propped his chin with one hand, looking at Empress Dowager Wen. “Is Mother Empress making trouble for herself, overturning what she said that day?”
“What this dowager said that day was only for the greater good. Now the Emperor sits on the throne but does not govern, instead recklessly modifying decrees and disregarding ancestral laws. This dowager truly cannot stand to watch anymore!”
The one she had placed on the throne, she could personally remove. What use was a disobedient puppet? She might as well find a child from the imperial clan to elevate instead.
“Oh?” Gu Chaobei was not the least bit flustered, smiling at Empress Dowager Wen. “Does the Empress Dowager mean that I am not the late Emperor’s biological son, and that what the Empress Dowager said that day was all false?”