If His Majesty was approaching the end, there would be many pressing matters to attend to — drafting the name of the imperial mausoleum, composing the mourning proclamation, the posthumous honorific inscription, and deliberating over the posthumous title, among many other affairs, each requiring someone to oversee.

Those in the inner room heard Bi Xie explain it all clearly and at last breathed out in relief. They had truly been too badly frightened in these recent days to endure any more such shocks.

Li Chenjian said, “Have the carriage readied first.” He then returned inside to inform everyone, asking them to continue their meal and not to worry about him.

Yun Pan rose to her feet, asking him to wait a moment, and called out toward the door, “Quickly bring a thicker cloak.”

If he was summoned to the palace at this hour, he would certainly not be returning tonight. The weather was still cold, and in particular, come nightfall, a thick fog would settle and one felt as though one were walking through a murky void. If he was dressed warmly, only then could she feel at ease.

Lu Tan brought the heavy fur-lined cloak over, and she carefully fastened it for him, then saw him to the covered walkway. At a moment like this, it was all the more important to be careful and avoid any appearance of overstepping — she could not say too much, and only offered, “Listen to Elder Brother in all things, and by no means act on your own judgment.”

He smiled and said he understood, then took his leave of her and walked briskly toward the courtyard gate.

The carriage drove in haste; when it reached the palace gate, a eunuch was waiting there. Seeing him arrive, the eunuch led him inside to the Hall of Extended Righteousness for the council.

When he entered, Duke Chengguo and several senior clan elders were already gathered. He greeted everyone and took his seat. They had already reached the matter of appointing the five commissioners for the imperial mausoleum; Li Chenjian listened quietly, for in truth he was not well versed in the affairs of burial rites before and after the funeral.

A clan uncle coughed and said, “The donning of mourning garments and the leading of court officials in ceremonial weeping and lament — all of these we will take charge of. The most important matter is the reading of the imperial testament. The various civil and military officials will also be receiving promotions, gifts, and other imperial favors — Zhao Qin, you must begin preparing well in advance.”

Duke Chengguo inclined his head. “These matters the prime minister and his colleagues will see to. What we need concern ourselves with here is that the ceremonies be carried out with full propriety and splendor, in worthy tribute to His Majesty’s lifelong toil for the realm.”

Only then did Li Chenjian understand the full picture — the imperial testament had most likely already been delivered from the Hall of Blessing, but as it was a testament, it could not be read aloud yet; it must wait until His Majesty had passed, and then the prime minister would announce it to the empire.

He lowered his head in quiet contemplation, feeling ever more strongly that a human life lasted but a few short decades, and in the end, whether poor or wealthy, all roads led to the same destination. What did it matter to hold supreme power? Authority was a double-edged blade — in one’s prime it brought great glory, but in old age, it became the very instrument that hastened one’s end. It seemed now that aside from concern over where the throne would pass and whether the funeral rites would be grand enough, no one was particularly troubled by whether His Majesty lived or died.

The council talked on, each voice vying to offer comfort to the soon-to-be-crowned new emperor. Li Chenjian forced himself to keep his attention sharp. Among the matters of post-burial memorial rites and ancestral shrine ceremonies, a task was assigned to him. It was nearly midnight before this makeshift small court adjourned.

Coming out of the Hall of Extended Righteousness, the moon stood at the middle of the sky. He said to Duke Chengguo, “Elder Brother, I would like to go and see His Majesty.”

With the testament already in hand, Duke Chengguo no longer had any grounds for suspicion, and readily agreed, “I have already been to see him earlier. He looks to be in a bad way. Go and have a look — after all, he was not without kindness to us when we were young.” Whatever suspicion and suppression had come in the years since — now that the man was dying, it could all be forgiven and let go.

Li Chenjian bowed his hands and turned to follow a young eunuch toward the Hall of Blessing. Walking through the inner palace at night was an entirely different experience from the day — every time, it carried a desolate, melancholy feeling.

Lights burned inside and outside the Hall of Blessing, the gathered radiance breaking free of the dark night, set against the deep black of the sky — vast and majestic, and yet utterly alone. He lifted his robe and ascended the ceremonial steps into the hall. The eastern side chamber served as His Majesty’s everyday living quarters, divided off by a great six-panel folding screen. Stepping around the screen, he saw His Majesty lying on the bed — his face the color of wax, mouth hanging half-open, unable now to open his eyes or speak.

The Empress had been keeping watch at his side all along. Seeing him enter and bow, she turned toward His Majesty and called out, “Ji Fu has come. Your Majesty, please rouse yourself.”

But there was no response. The Empress said with grief, “From this morning he has been like this — all through the night I called to him, and he could no longer answer.”

His Majesty’s condition had waxed and waned for so long that the Empress had long since steeled herself for this day. Now that it had truly come, she was able to face it with composure.

She exchanged a glance with a female attendant at her side, signaling her to go stand guard at the door. There were things His Majesty could no longer explain himself — she would speak them plainly, so that he might depart without resentment, and leave in peace.

“Sit,” the Empress gestured. “I have two words I wish to say to you.”

Li Chenjian acknowledged, taking a seat in the armchair at her side.

“They have already begun discussing His Majesty’s funeral arrangements, I suppose?” When the Empress spoke of these things, her expression was calm. Though she would no longer be the one in charge from here on, asking at least allowed her to know that His Majesty would not be neglected, and her heart was at ease.

Li Chenjian clasped his hands from the chair. “Please set your mind at rest, Your Majesty. The eunuch chamberlains have all been assigned their duties. Whatever remains, Elder Brother will attend to personally.”

The Empress nodded faintly and murmured, “The Empress Dowager has been so distressed by His Majesty’s illness that she has taken to bed. I cannot attend to her as well — I can only keep watch here.”

Li Chenjian guessed she must be worried about where she would stand in the days to come, and so said, “Your Majesty need not worry. Elder Brother has said that all matters of honorific titles and the like will follow the established precedents — neither the Grand Empress Dowager nor the Empress Dowager will be treated with any less than full honor.”

The Empress smiled faintly. “Those things, I long since ceased to care about. What does it matter if one receives the titles of Grand Empress Dowager or Empress Dowager? He will have his own true grandmother and mother — with two empress dowagers at once, I would be no more than a name.” Her gaze turned to His Majesty, and she said with sorrow, “I only feel sorry for His Majesty. He plotted and planned all his life, and never expected it to end this way. Not long ago, he repeatedly moved to weaken your military authority, and even had you confined on the basis of that fabricated evidence. I am certain you have harbored great resentment toward him.”

Li Chenjian hesitated slightly, seeming to catch something more in the Empress’s words.

He raised his eyes. The Empress gave a faint, composed press of her lips. “Do not resent him. He did all of this only to protect you. You three brothers were contending for power — every move and counter-move, His Majesty knew it all. He summoned Third Brother back to the capital to prevent him from building his own power base far away, but His Majesty was too soft-hearted and still left Third Brother an opening, which resulted in the fifteenth-day uprising and let him strike all the way to the inner city. There is a matter you do not yet know.” The Empress turned her gaze to him. “His Majesty had always intended the throne for you. He had even drafted the edict — once he had brought First Brother and Third Brother under control, he would name you Crown Prince. But fate does not always follow human plans, and it fell short by just a little. Now that the situation is settled, there is no use saying more. I only wanted you to know: His Majesty never once doubted you, and he did not truly wish to punish you. Do not hold any resentment toward him — he had his own difficulties as well.”

Li Chenjian kept his expression unmoved, but inwardly he was profoundly shaken. Yet even that shock lasted only an instant before it dissolved into nothing. He was silent for a moment, then said, “This subject is deeply grateful for His Majesty’s favor. Yet this subject lacks ability and learning and is unequal to so great a responsibility. I wish only to support Elder Brother and serve the realm with all my heart. Nor have I ever blamed His Majesty. Whatever fortune or misfortune came to me — it was all Heaven’s way of tempering me. I accept what Heaven has ordained and would not presume to resist.”

His circumspection and restraint had reached a degree that left no one any opening to find fault. A man of such equanimity and composure not becoming emperor was truly a pity. But fate was fate, and there was nothing to agonize over. After all, one need only look at the figure lying on that bed to understand that being emperor was not quite as glorious as one imagined.

Having spoken the truth, there was nothing left to regret. The Empress lowered her eyes and said, “What I have just said, I will say only once in my life — to let you understand the full circumstances, and to set His Majesty’s heart at rest. His Majesty’s end may come within the next day or two. I ask that you and your brothers take care of the arrangements. I am here to keep watch — go now, and if anything arises, I will send someone to summon you.”

Li Chenjian acknowledged her words, rose, and offered a long, deep bow, then withdrew step by step from the front hall.

Outside, the night wind was cold, and even the stars in the sky seemed to tremble with the frost. He stood a moment, then turned his steps toward the duty lodgings.

He lay down fully clothed in the lodgings and dozed fitfully for an hour. When it was nearly the fifth watch, he suddenly heard a great outburst of weeping from within the Hall of Blessing. His heart lurched; he quickly issued orders for a young eunuch to go and report to Duke Chengguo, while he himself rushed into the hall.

Servants had already fallen to their knees throughout the hall; the Empress lay prostrate against the bedside, sobbing loudly. Outside, the Grand Empress Dowager came stumbling in — seeing His Majesty lying there still and motionless, she let out a single cry, “My son!” and then crumpled to the ground in a swoon.

Then came another wave of frantic activity — His Majesty needed to be prepared for the small encoffining; a physician had to be summoned to attend to the Grand Empress Dowager. Fortunately there were many attendants on hand; once everything had been seen to, Li Chenjian withdrew to join Duke Chengguo, clasped his hands, and said, “Elder Brother — have the mourning bell rung.”

Yes, yes — that was the foremost thing to do. Announcing His Majesty’s passing would allow the new court to act.

One deep, resonant stroke rang out from the bell in the inner palace. It was a signal, spreading swiftly to the three hundred great and small temples on the Southern Mountain; in a moment the sound surged into one vast net of tolling, rolling out in waves to wake the entire drowsing capital.

Qin Dan came in to help Yun Pan change her clothes. Ladies who held court titles were required to enter the palace. Since antiquity, the practice of mourning had been reduced to a shorter schedule of observance: those with official standing would come to weep and pay respects once every seven days, until the full forty-nine days were completed before the great mourning period was considered finished.

Nanny Yao came to help as well, murmuring as she did, “Our Miss Mei’s path to marriage has been such a difficult one. Right when she was about to wed, His Majesty has passed. Even with the condensed mourning schedule, the twelfth day is the minor ceremonial, the twenty-fourth day the major ceremonial, and three days after that comes the final rite and the setting aside of mourning dress — when all is counted out, that is yet another delay of over a month.”

But there was nothing to be done about it — such was the unfortunate timing. Yun Pan changed into her court mourning attire and went to the front courtyard. After a short wait, she saw the Elder Madam and the others come as well, all of them stripped of their ornaments, dressed in somber plainness. Going outside, she found this morning’s streets of the capital busier than she had ever seen — carriages stretched end to end, all making their way toward the palace.

At the Gongchen Gate, mourning garments were being distributed. The ladies, clad head to toe in white, entered the Hall of Literary Virtue. The memorial hall was lined with prayer cushions; each found her place, and then all prostrated themselves, raising their voices in loud lamentation.

Yun Pan was in the early months of her pregnancy, and her body had not yet grown heavy, but she was weary and spent. After kneeling for a full hour, she had grown somewhat faint. Fortunately the obligations consisted of only one session in the morning and one in the afternoon, and during the midday interval the ladies gathered in the side hall to drink tea and eat fruit — it was not entirely without comfort.

As for the outer court, the overall situation was settled. Although Duke Chengguo had not yet ascended the throne, everyone already understood plainly in their hearts, and so Lady Jing was surrounded like a moon encircled by stars, a constant crowd of flattering and fawning visitors at her side.

At a moment like this, Yun Pan had no desire to join the commotion. She stood to one side watching with a quiet smile, exchanging remarks with Hui Cun about how delicious the imperial kitchen’s pastries were, and so on. It was Lady Jing herself who eventually broke free of the crowd and came over to sit and speak with them. Yun Pan said, “A’Jie must be exhausted from all this kneeling when she is so far along.”

Lady Jing gave a faint smile. “The pregnancy has settled; there is no cause for concern. But you — you need not kneel the full two hours. Take a rest in between. No one will think the worse of you for it.”

Just as they were speaking, the senior attendant at Lady Jing’s side came forward and murmured a few words close to her ear. Lady Jing listened, inclined her head, dismissed the attendant, and leaned over to tell Yun Pan, “In the outer court, the testament has just been read aloud. The late emperor’s edict has named Elder Brother as his successor; there has also been commendation for those who suppressed the rebellion.”

Yun Pan, upon hearing this, promptly rose, moved to the center of the floor, raised both hands to her brow, and knelt in full ceremonial obeisance. The others, seeing this, immediately understood what it signified and one by one left their seats to kneel alongside her.

Lady Jing was put in a somewhat awkward position — these were all people she knew well, and to have them prostrate themselves before her in such grand ceremony was genuinely disconcerting. Yet on reflection, the edict had indeed already included her official investiture, and she was from this day forward a true and undeniable empress. Such was the change from one moment to the next — and so she accepted it with equanimity.

“There is no need for such ceremony,” she said, raising her hand. “During the late emperor’s mourning period, the mourning rites take precedence above all. Please rise.”

After the assembled ladies gave their thanks and stood, they looked up again at the distinguished woman seated above, and where before they had thought her composed and reserved, they now saw what that bearing truly was: the manner of the mother of the realm.

That evening, upon returning home, Nanny Ming came to help Yun Pan change her clothes. As she moved her arms, they ached and creaked in her joints, stiff and unresponsive; she could not help but draw in a sharp, hissing breath through her teeth.

Li Chenjian sat at her side and rubbed her arms, saying gently, “I expect the kneeling and bowing today kept you in one position too long and strained your tendons.” As he spoke, he told her of the events in the outer court, but made no mention of what the Empress had confided to him. He only said, “When the late emperor passed, many officials received promotions. The edict had been personally drafted by the late emperor, with full consideration given to each official who had served him well, and generous posthumous honors were bestowed. Many officials, moved by the late emperor’s regard for them, quietly wiped their eyes in the court hall, and I myself felt unsettled. Looking at it now, the late emperor was truly a benevolent ruler. Whatever difficulties there may have been in the past, now that he is gone, there is no need to dwell on them.”

Yun Pan gave a sound of agreement and turned to ask him, “Was there any honor given to you?”

Li Chenjian smiled slightly. “My noble rank was raised two grades — I have been ennobled as a Prince. Elder Brother said the title still needs to be deliberated, so we shall see when the time comes.”

Yun Pan was genuinely pleased and clapped her hands in delight. “Ennobled as a Prince — does that not make me a Princess Consort?” She smiled until her eyes curved into crescents. “I truly never imagined I would see such a day.”

This was what contentment looked like, was it not? Yet Li Chenjian understood — she might not truly set great store by rank and status. She said this deliberately, to lighten his mood, because what he might have had was something far above this, and her title need not have stopped at Princess Consort.

She feared he might feel a pang of loss when he heard others shout ten thousand blessings. But how could he! The decision was his own, and he would never change it. He had been a subject all these years — why not continue to be one.

After all, a nation had simply changed its helmsman, and many affairs needed to be reorganized anew. During the period while the late emperor lay in state, alongside the new emperor’s accession, Li Chenjian left early and returned late each day. Only after the major ceremonial rites and the final putting-aside of mourning were completed did things gradually ease.

In the space of nearly a month, this empire had begun to function normally once more. The markets came back to life with their former bustle. Yun Pan rode in her carriage to Duke Shuguo’s residence to visit Mei Fen. Mei Fen’s wedding had been rescheduled to the twelfth day of the fourth month; the two of them sat together and talked, and Mei Fen said, “Surely it cannot change again this time. Goodness — it is no small thing to get married. I suppose all manner of obstacles before great happiness is only fitting.”

Yun Pan agreed, laughing as she said, “Zhao Zhongyan earned distinction fighting off the Iron Cavalry troops and was awarded seven grades of merit, ennobled as a lightly armed cavalry commander. His rank is now a degree higher than his elder brother’s — I made a special trip here today to congratulate Cousin.”

Mei Fen’s face reddened as readily as ever, and she twisted her hands and said, “He may have distinguished himself, but he spent a month recovering from his wounds all the same. I went to look in on him, and he made a great show of being unable to eat on his own, leaving me to spoon-feed him for quite some time. Then a few days later I saw him in the street, arguing with someone at the top of his voice, waving his arm around with tremendous vigor. The moment he got home for a meal, he was back to playing the invalid. Truly shameless.”

Yun Pan laughed. “He is a straightforward sort and doesn’t know how to be endearing in the usual way. For all you know, that idea was taught to him by his manservant Chun Sheng. He found it worked well and decided to keep using it indefinitely.”

The two of them chatted and laughed just as they had in their girlhood, sitting beneath the covered pavilion steeping hot water and enjoying the bright spring light with whatever rare and curious little snacks had come their way.

The weather grew warmer with each passing day, and all things in the world became more interesting — because there was nothing weighing on her heart, even the breeze carried softness, like silk flowing past.

Mei Fen mentioned the Marquis residence and said with a smile, “It can no longer be called the Marquis residence now. Uncle has been elevated to the rank of founding county duke. I heard yesterday that the household is having a new name plaque made at a shop in the southern part of the city.” She paused and then asked, “Has the judgment come down on that Liu Shi? It has been dragging on for months — surely they have reached a verdict by now.”

Yun Pan took a sip of her hot water. “She has been sentenced to penal servitude and exile to the prison garrison at Jiangzhou. She is the sort of person who cannot withstand scrutiny — there were further crimes committed jointly with her two brothers lurking beneath the surface. The original sentence should have been capital punishment, but as the new emperor had just ascended the throne, leniency was shown.”

Mei Fen gave a sound of understanding. “She has her life, at least. But to be exiled to Jiangzhou — she will never return in this lifetime. To live there in suffering and make amends for her crimes is perhaps fitting. It is only a pity for the three children she leaves behind — one cannot say what will become of them.”

As for Xue Pan, that much was already settled — her betrothal to a palace guard serving under the Loyal and Valiant General had been confirmed, and her father had no intention of going back on it. As for Yu Pan and Jiang Mi, Yun Pan said, “Without his mother, Jiang Mi has actually become more capable. Jin A’Yi has trained him to know his own place quite well. As for Yu Pan — she is only fourteen, still young. There is no rush. When the time for finding a match comes, I will look for a good family for her.”

With a mother who had come to such an end, the children would inevitably face disadvantage in their origins. But if they conducted themselves well, and Jin A’Yi was willing to take them under her own name, then in the end their prospects would not be entirely lost.

Just as they were speaking, she noticed Nanny Yao coming along the corridor on the opposite side. When she reached the outside of the pavilion, she reported from behind the bamboo screen, “His Grace sent someone with a message for the Madam to return at once — in a little while, the palace will be sending someone to read out an imperial edict.”

Hearing this, Yun Pan quickly gathered her wrap-shawl and rose to her feet. Mei Fen accompanied her all the way to the gate, and they waved their farewells. The driver was urged to hurry home. By the time she arrived, the palace envoy had not yet come, so there was just enough time to change her clothes and set up the incense table, and wait calmly for the edict.

At last, the gate sent word that the delegation had arrived. The young attendant eunuchs arranged themselves with great ceremony; the whole family knelt in the front courtyard to receive the imperial decree. The imperial messenger’s voice rang out clear and sonorous, reading each word in turn: “We, having received the mandate of Heaven, reverently follow the teachings of our predecessors. In the spirit of rites that bind honored kin, and to make manifest loyalty and worthy service: the subject Chen Jian is devoted, generous, gentle and grave, temperate and reverential. His conduct embodies the golden mean of the gentleman; he has plumbed the depths of the virtuous man’s principles. In recognition of his enduring merits, We hereby bestow upon him this honorific distinction: he is ennobled as Prince Xiang. His wife, a woman of the Jiang family, is blessed with gentle grace and comports herself with dignity and frugality. She is hereby ennobled as Lady of the Rong State. Let the appropriate office select an auspicious day and complete the formal investiture ceremonies in full accordance with proper rites. Let this be enacted forthwith.”

This was the investiture for husband and wife alike. As for the Elder Madam and the Princess Consort, their honorific titles had already reached the highest level and could not be further elevated; each received additional fiefdom income instead. The reward bestowed upon Hui Cun exceeded all expectations — the new emperor treated her and Jing Cun as equals, conferring upon her the title of Princess of Liyang. With this, the entire household’s standing was elevated, and the Weiguo Duke’s residence could now be officially renamed the Prince Xiang’s residence.

The imperial messenger rolled up the investiture document and presented it reverently into Li Chenjian’s hands, saying with a smile, “This humble servant offers congratulations to the Prince and to all the noble members of the household. Furthermore, His Majesty has commanded this servant to deliver a message to the Prince: the character ‘Xiang’ means ‘to assist.’ His Majesty hopes to be of one heart and mind with the Prince as brothers, joining together in sustaining the court.”

Li Chenjian received the investiture document with both hands and bowed deeply. “This subject pledges his most devoted and tireless service, to give his all in life and in death.”

The imperial messenger inclined his head, and then continued, “My Prince, today this humble servant has also another destination for an edict. Can Your Highness guess where?”

Li Chenjian paused a moment. “This subject would ask Xu Ling to kindly make it known.”

The imperial messenger smiled. “Flower Well Street, the Liang residence.”

Li Chenjian and Yun Pan exchanged a glance. Yun Pan said, “Flower Well Street, the Liang residence — might that be Liang Huiying, Miss Liang’s dwelling?”

The imperial messenger confirmed it. “His Majesty, in recognition of Miss Liang’s service, and knowing that her family suffered a grave injustice and that Miss Liang now stands alone in the world, has issued a special decree conferring upon Miss Liang the title of Lady of the Feng Yi Commandery, as a mark of imperial grace.”

Li Chenjian gave a soft sound of acknowledgment and said, “His Majesty has thought of this more thoroughly than I did. Miss Liang truly rendered great service — bestowing upon her a court title will give her security and standing in the years to come.”

Yun Pan had someone bring a gift of congratulatory money and said with a smile to the imperial messenger, “Your journey has been a tiring one, Xu Ling. Please accept this small token — may you and your attendants enjoy a spring refreshment on our account.”

The imperial messenger laughed and bowed his hands. “Here’s to the spring light — many thanks, Princess Consort.” The delegation then offered its respects and departed from the Prince’s residence.

Looking out across the landscape, the trees and grass had grown full and lush. Out on the streets, carriages and horses passed in a ceaseless stream. In the spring of the capital, the air was filled with a rich and vivid fragrance — it must be that the shop “Clear Window Notes” was burning its rare nanmu incense chips again.

The imperial messenger, full of high spirits, raised his hand with a flourish, and led his retinue of young eunuchs marching in great procession eastward, toward Flower Well Street.

— End of Main Story —