Jiang Ci drifted in darkness, her vision completely black. She wanted to push away this dark mist, to see his bright smile behind it, but her body was powerless, unable even to lift a hand.
She struggled desperately, calling out with all her might, but to no avail. Her entire body felt as if it were being pierced by countless needles, except for her lower abdomen, where a warm current slowly circulated, protecting her nearly shattered body.
Someone kept calling near her ear, “Xiao Ci, Xiao Ci!”
It sounded like his voice, but it wasn’t quite the same. It seemed more like Brother Cui. Brother Cui, why didn’t you lie to me? You could have said he returned to Yue Luo, or that he went far away. Why, why did you have to tell me the truth?
Cui Liang sat by the bed, looking at Jiang Ci, whose face was as white as paper and who had fallen into a coma. He frowned deeply and sighed helplessly.
Footsteps sounded, and Cui Liang quickly stood up, “Your Highness!”
Pei Yan’s leg injury had greatly improved. He slowly walked to the bedside and sat down, gazing at Jiang Ci’s emaciated face. He sighed softly and asked, “She hasn’t woken up yet?”
“No, she’s too heartbroken. Medicine can’t help her. I can only use acupuncture to protect her heart meridian, hoping she’ll have the will to live and wake up on her own.”
Pei Yan was silent. He slowly reached out his hand and touched Jiang Ci’s forehead. The icy touch made him shudder. His heart ached, and he could only say, “Thank you for your efforts, Zi Ming. If you need any precious herbs, just have someone fetch them.”
“Xiao Ci is like a sister to me. I’ll do my best.”
Pei Yan didn’t get up, sitting by the bed for a long time. Cui Liang said softly, “The late emperor has been buried, and the day after tomorrow is the new emperor’s coronation ceremony. Your Highness has many official duties. You should go back and rest early.”
Pei Yan still sat motionless. Cui Liang stopped trying to persuade him, shook his head, and walked out of the western wing.
Outside, the cold wind made the windows rattle. Pei Yan stood up to close them tightly. Suddenly, he heard Jiang Ci seem to call out from the bed. He rushed over joyfully, calling, “Xiao Ci.”
Jiang Ci slowly opened her eyes. Pei Yan was overjoyed and urgently called, “Zi Ming, come quickly!”
Cui Liang rushed in, checked her pulse, and said happily, “It’s alright, we’ve managed to save… save her life.”
Jiang Ci coughed softly a few times. Pei Yan quickly took the teacup from the table. Cui Liang helped her sit up, and Jiang Ci took a sip of water. She lowered her eyelids and after a while, said softly, “Brother Cui, please step out for a moment.”
After Cui Liang closed the door, Jiang Ci struggled to sit up. Pei Yan reached out to help her, but she brushed his hand away forcefully. However, due to overexertion, she had a fit of coughing, her face flushing red.
Pei Yan sighed and grasped her wrist. Jiang Ci tried to break free, but Pei Yan had already channeled a stream of true qi into her body. When her complexion improved slightly, he said softly, “If San Lang saw you like this, he wouldn’t be at peace even in death.”
Tears surged from Jiang Ci’s eyes. She stared hard at Pei Yan and asked in a trembling voice, “He, how exactly did he—”
Pei Yan remained silent for a long time before saying hoarsely, “Xiao Ci, believe me, he didn’t die by my hand. He… he perished together with the late emperor.”
Jiang Ci was already in too much pain to breathe. She collapsed on the bed and vomited. Pei Yan quickly patted her back. When she calmed down a bit, he said, “Don’t be too sad.”
Jiang Ci suddenly raised her head, her eyes blazing, and asked, “Did you find his—”
Pei Yan turned his face away and after a while said, “We didn’t find anything. The fire was too intense, everything turned to ash—”
Jiang Ci’s vision darkened, and she fell backward. Pei Yan quickly embraced her, calling out, “Xiao Ci!” Jiang Ci regained consciousness in an instant. She struggled and wept, “He must still be alive, he must still be there. Take me to find him, he must still be alive, still alive—”
Pei Yan held her tightly. Seeing her cry until she could barely breathe, her small face deathly pale, his heart ached unbearably. Seeing her still struggling desperately, anger welled up in him, and he shouted, “He’s already dead! He died before the explosion at Fang Cheng! Such a big fire burned for a day and a night, he’s been burned to ashes, you’ll never find him!”
Jiang Ci looked up at him. His words were like needles, stabbing repeatedly into her heart and meridians. She felt as if her internal organs were churning and twisting. She heard her voice as if floating in the clouds: “No, he swore he would never leave me again. No, I don’t want him to lie—”
Her hands were eerily cold, and her eyes, once clear as water, now moved woodenly. Pei Yan’s heart ached unbearably. He suddenly pulled out two broken pieces of a jade hairpin from his bosom and held them before her. Through her tear-blurred eyes, Jiang Ci recognized it as the hairpin Wei Zhao used to wear. Her hands trembling, she reached out and clutched the broken hairpin tightly to her chest. Her throat made a painful “ah, ah” sound as her entire body shook violently.
Pei Yan had no choice but to call out, “Zi Ming! Zi Ming!”
Cui Liang rushed in. Seeing the situation, he took out silver needles, first inserting them into relevant acupoints to protect Jiang Ci’s heart meridian, then inserting one into her fainting point. Jiang Ci’s painful crying gradually stopped, and she slowly fell asleep.
Pei Yan laid her down flat. Seeing that even in her sleep, she still tightly clutched the two pieces of the jade hairpin, he could no longer suppress the pain in his heart and strode out.
When Jiang Ci woke up again, it was already lamplight time. She weakly opened her eyes and looked at Cui Liang, who sat by the bed with a worried expression. Then she looked at the broken hairpin in her hand, and tears surged forth.
Cui Liang’s heart twisted in pain. He reached out to brush her sweat-soaked hair from her forehead and said softly, “Xiao Ci, listen. Don’t think about anything now. Just focus on getting better. He… he lived a lonely life. You must protect this bit of his bloodline. Don’t worry, Brother Cui will protect you no matter what.”
Tears still flowed uncontrollably. Jiang Ci slowly pressed the broken hairpin against her cheek. The cool jade felt like his hand gently caressing her face. But the jade hairpin was broken, and he had finally left her, never to return—
On the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, an auspicious day.
At the beginning of the Chen hour (7-9 AM), the new emperor of the Hua Dynasty, dressed in mourning clothes, went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to the ancestral tablets. At the end of the Chen hour, dressed in imperial robes, he went to Qian Qing Gate to pray, beseeching Heaven for blessings, good weather, and peace for the country and people. All officials knelt behind Qian Qing Gate in court dress. After the ceremonial music ended, the new emperor rose, bells and drums sounded, and he ascended the imperial sedan chair. He descended at Hong Tai Hall, ascended the imperial throne, and the officials performed the kowtow ceremony. The Minister of Rites read the imperial edict. After the reading, bells and drums sounded again, and all officials kowtowed once more. Crown Prince Ji Zheng officially ascended the throne as Emperor Ming.
Upon ascending the throne, Emperor Ming honored the late emperor as “Liezu Cheng Emperor,” denounced Prince Zhuang as the “Treacherous Yan Prince,” and executed the entire Wei clan of the Jade Interval Mansion, along with nine generations of their relatives. All accomplices were executed in nine generations, except for Tao Xing De, who reported the plot in time and notified Marquis Su Hai and the Chang Feng Guard to come to the rescue. He was spared execution and rewarded.
Emperor Ming then issued an edict appointing Academic Director Dong and Loyal and Filial Prince Pei Yan as Chief Ministers of the Inner Cabinet. All state affairs were to be discussed by these two chief ministers before being reported to Emperor Ming for final decision.
Emperor Ming further issued a gracious edict granting He Xi, Han Zhou, and Jing Zhou to the Loyal and Filial Prince as his fief, and allowing him to carry a sword within the palace and enter the palace gates without dismounting.
For his meritorious service in protecting the emperor, Marquis Su Hai was elevated to Prince Su Hai and granted Cang Ping Prefecture as his domain, exempt from taxes and under his management.
For his meritorious service in protecting the emperor, Imperial Guard Commander Jiang Yuan was granted marriage to Princess Jing Su and enfeoffed as the first-rank Marquis Qing Wei.
All members of the Chang Feng Guard who protected the emperor were heavily rewarded.
The new emperor’s ascension marked the beginning of the “Yong De” era. He named Lady Dong as empress, declared a general amnesty throughout the empire, and dismissed elderly palace maids and all young male companions and singing girls from the palace.
After the officials noisily thanked the emperor and rose, the first item of state business discussed was Yue Luo becoming a vassal state.
This matter was discussed very smoothly. Yue Luo had sent troops to assist in the war between Hua and Huan, and the two Chief Ministers of the Inner Cabinet, Pei Yan, and Dong Fang had no objections. Although the Qing Liu faction was somewhat hesitant, upon hearing that Emperor Ming would abolish the tribute of young male companions and singing girls, promote Confucianism, and purify social customs, Grand Scholar Yin Shi Lin took the lead in tearfully praising the emperor’s wisdom. Other officials naturally followed suit, and thus Yue Luo’s status as a vassal state was settled.
Emperor Ming then issued an imperial edict abolishing all forms of slavery in Yue Luo, allowing them not to pay grain tribute or taxes, not to offer young boys or girls as tribute, and prohibiting the buying and selling of young male companions and singing girls in Hua Dynasty. Violators would be severely punished.
Emperor Ming also issued a strict edict prohibiting all officials and gentry from keeping young male companions. Those who already had them were required to send them back to their hometowns and make proper arrangements for them.
After this round of edicts was announced in Hong Tai Hall, the officials praised the emperor’s sagacity, and thus the “Yong De Reign” officially began.
Pei Yan returned to his mansion and saw the chief steward Pei Yang directing servants in wedding preparations. Except for the main gate, all mourning banners had been removed and replaced with red silk. Feeling troubled, he went straight to the western garden.
Jiang Ci was feeling better that day and was grinding ink for Cui Liang. Seeing Pei Yan enter, she said coolly, “Your Highness.”
Pei Yan saw her dressed in plain white clothes, a white flower in her hair, and a mourning sash around her waist. She no longer had her former plumpness and liveliness, but her slender waist and flowing white clothes added a touch of elegance and tranquility. His heart trembled, and for a moment, he couldn’t take his eyes off her.
Jiang Ci instinctively protected her abdomen with her right hand and turned away. Cui Liang looked back and smiled, “Your Highness, come and see.”
Pei Yan came to his senses, walked closer to look, and said happily, “Zi Ming, you’ve drawn it so quickly.”
“Yes,” Cui Liang smiled and said, “The area north of the Xiao River can be completed within this month, but the area south of the Xiao River might have to wait until after the New Year.”
Pei Yan looked at the mountains, rivers, and streams on the map, gently stroking it, and sighed, “With this map, the prosperity of Hua Dynasty is just around the corner.”
He stepped back and bowed deeply, “Thank you, Zi Ming.”
Cui Liang hurriedly helped him up and returned the bow, saying, “Your Highness, please don’t make such a grand gesture. I can’t accept it. This ‘Map of the World’s Terrain’ can benefit the people, so it should see the light of day. Moreover, Your Highness has always protected me, so I should do my utmost.”
Pei Yan looked at the terrain map on the table again with delight and asked, “Then the mineral deposits in various places—”
“I need to complete the terrain map first before I can locate the points and mark them on the map one by one.”
“Good.” Pei Yan smiled and said, “It seems today is truly a good day. The new emperor has ascended the throne, implemented benevolent policies, and even issued an edict allowing Yue Luo to become a vassal state and abolishing all their miscellaneous duties.”
Jiang Ci suddenly turned around. Pei Yan smiled slightly at her. Jiang Ci’s lips moved, but she ultimately said nothing and lowered her head.
Pei Yan talked with Cui Liang for a while longer, still reluctant to leave the western garden. Jiang Ci had also prepared a meal, so Pei Yan stayed.
The three ate quietly. Suddenly, Pei Yan smiled and said, “The three of us haven’t eaten together like this for a long time.”
Cui Liang also felt quite emotional and said, “Yes, time flies. Your Highness is about to marry the princess.”
Pei Yan couldn’t help but glance at Jiang Ci, but she was lost in thought, seemingly recalling something from long ago. Her eyes reddened, and tears fell. She silently put down her chopsticks. Cui Liang urged, “You’ve just recovered. You need to eat more.”
Jiang Ci also remembered the child in her womb. She calmed herself, took a deep breath, smiled at Cui Liang, picked up her bowl again, and tried hard to finish her meal. She stood up and said, “Your Highness, please enjoy your meal.”
After the meal, Cui Liang continued drawing the map. Pei Yan stood by and watched for a while before leaving the room. Jiang Ci was sweeping away the remaining snow in the courtyard. Seeing him come out, she hesitated for a moment and said softly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Pei Yan smiled and said, “No need to thank me. This is benevolent governance, something I should do.”
Jiang Ci lowered her head. Pei Yan couldn’t bring himself to leave and said, “Xiao Ci, walk with me.” Jiang Ci hesitated but wanted to ask about other benevolent policies the court had given to Yue Luo, so she put down the broom and followed.
The snow had stopped for two days, but the garden was still a blanket of white. The winter jasmine and short cypresses trembled under the weight of the snow. When the cold wind blew, snow fell in flurries.
Pei Yan dismissed his attendants and walked slowly through the garden with Jiang Ci. She remained silent while Pei Yan recounted all the benevolent policies towards Yue Luo discussed at court that day.
Jiang Ci listened silently, her right hand tightly gripping the hem of her cloak, trying hard to calm the surging pain. After Pei Yan finished speaking, she said softly, “Thank you, Your Highness.”
Pei Yan stopped in his tracks, gazing down at her with an expression that seemed to convey something he couldn’t quite articulate. He saw Su Yun approaching with her maidservants and said simply, “You should stay here for now. We’ll decide what to do later.”
Jiang Ci responded with a low acknowledgment and turned away silently.
Pei Yan stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching her retreating figure. He then asked淡淡, “What brings you here?”
Su Yun approached, glancing at Jiang Ci’s distant figure with a smile. “I wanted to ask His Highness whether the Princess Consort will be residing in Shen Garden or Jin Garden after she moves in, so I can inform Pei Yang—”
Pei Yan’s expression remained indifferent. “You should consult with Mother about that.”