The great Zhou dynasty had known peace for years now, with no war fought in a long while.
Prince An’s treasonous rebellion had not only stirred up an uproar both within and outside the court, but had also become the talk of the common people. Even those within the palace were no exception—whenever people met, they could not help exchanging a few words on the matter.
“I wonder how long this war will go on,” said Xinyun, her tone carrying little fear, but rather a barely concealed excitement. “I really never imagined Prince An would actually rebel like this. The Crown Grandson has personally led troops to suppress the rebellion—he’s sure to achieve swift success. Best of all would be if he captures Prince An alive and brings him back to the capital!”
Since the Crown Grandson had volunteered to lead the campaign, his reputation had soared throughout the court and beyond. Even when Xinyun spoke of him now, her eyes shone with a bright sparkle.
Ling Jingshu sighed softly. “I too think Prince An’s defeat is only a matter of time. It’s just a pity for the soldiers and common people under Prince An’s command. Once the fires of war are lit, who knows how many will die, and how many more ordinary people will be driven from their homes, their families torn apart.”
In her previous life, Prince An’s uprising had not occurred until several years later. In this life, not only had it come early, but the one leading the troops on campaign was no longer Prince Yan, but the Crown Grandson instead.
Hearing Ling Jingshu’s words, Xinyun gave a wistful sigh as well. “That’s true—war inevitably means many deaths. But there’s no helping it. The rebellion must be put down before the great Zhou dynasty can truly know peace. Only then can people like us, living within the palace, also enjoy peaceful, good days.”
Ling Jingshu gave a self-mocking laugh. “You’re right! I was being too sentimental. There’s no use dwelling on such thoughts at a time like this. Better to hope the Crown Grandson achieves victory and returns soon. The sooner the war ends, the sooner all our hearts can be at ease.”
As the two of them spoke quietly together, Consort Wei, already fully dressed and groomed, came out to join them: “What are you two whispering about? You both look so grave.”
Ling Jingshu composed herself and answered, “Reporting to my lady, this servant and Xinyun were just discussing the matter of the Crown Grandson leading the army to war.”
At the mention of the war, Consort Wei’s expression turned somber, and she sighed. “With a war on, even the palace isn’t entirely at peace. His Majesty has been anxious and short-tempered these days as well—I heard he even had an attendant beaten with a rod yesterday. The two of you come with me to the Purple Tranquility Hall, and be extra careful.”
Ling Jingshu and Xinyun exchanged a glance and answered together in agreement.
…
The Emperor truly had been prone to anger lately. During court sessions, the officials trembled in fear; after retiring to the Purple Tranquility Hall, the attendants and maids serving him were even more frightened and on edge.
In just a few short days, five or six attendants and maids had already been beaten with rods. One had been injured so severely that it looked as though he would not survive. Watching all this, how could anyone fail to feel a chill of dread?
The consorts who, on ordinary days, would constantly find excuses to come and curry favor, dared not approach the Purple Tranquility Hall at all during this time, for fear of inadvertently angering the Emperor with the slightest misstep.
Consort Wei alone could be called admirably courageous—she insisted on coming to pay her respects at the Purple Tranquility Hall every single day, offering the Emperor warm words and tender concern without fail.
Today was no different.
The Emperor had originally been scolding Eunuch Ding with a dark, stormy face, but upon hearing the attendant report that Consort Wei had arrived, his expression eased considerably at once. “Let Consort Wei in.”
Eunuch Ding felt a quiet wave of relief at having narrowly escaped disaster, and secretly let out a sigh.
Dressed in pale blue palace robes, Consort Wei walked in gracefully, her beautiful face full of a gentle, tender smile. “This concubine pays her respects to Your Majesty.”
The Emperor helped Consort Wei to her feet, naturally taking her hand in his. “I told you just yesterday—now that all the trivial matters of the palace are handled by you alone, you don’t need to come pay your respects to me every day anymore.”
With Consort Li dead, no one left in the palace could rival Consort Wei. Due to his failing health, the Emperor no longer drew close to any of his consorts, and his favor for the understanding, gentle, and considerate Consort Wei only deepened all the more.
Consort Wei replied with a smile, “Your Majesty toils and worries so much over the court and the common people. This concubine cannot help with such matters, and already feels guilty enough for it. Being able to come spend a little time chatting with Your Majesty each day brings this concubine comfort. Please don’t try to chase this concubine away.”
These words left the Emperor’s heart at ease, and his furrowed brow relaxed into a smile. “Very well, very well, very well—I won’t say anything more about it from now on.”
Standing nearby, Ling Jingshu could not help but feel quiet admiration for Consort Wei.
The Emperor, now well advanced in years, had a temper that shifted unpredictably and was genuinely difficult to manage. Yet Consort Wei, faced with that wrinkled face, could still manage to play the part of a gentle, understanding flower with such poise. This kind of composure and skill was something far beyond the reach of ordinary people.
No woman who could secure a firm footing in this palace should ever be underestimated!
Consort Wei did not stay long either. True to form, after chatting for only a little while and earnestly urging the Emperor to take good care of his health, she took her leave.
Day after day, this same routine continued without fail.
Ling Jingshu accompanied Consort Wei in and out of the Purple Tranquility Hall every day, and naturally had no shortage of opportunities to see the Emperor. Yet the Emperor’s gaze rarely fell upon her anymore.
To an Emperor who had lost all desire for women, youthful beauty no longer held any allure. What brought him the greatest comfort and pleasure now was Consort Wei’s gentle companionship.
Ling Jingshu, too, finally set her heart completely at ease.
The only regret was that, since returning to the capital, Wei Yan had taken up residence in the Crown Prince’s household, devoting himself daily to nursing the Crown Prince back to health. With one of them in the palace and the other in the Crown Prince’s residence, they had almost no chance to meet.
Every few days, Wei Yan would have someone secretly deliver a letter to the Lingbo Hall.
Because of the war, hearts within the palace were unsettled, and no one had the leisure to pay any attention to Ling Jingshu’s comings and goings. With Consort Wei’s cover as well, the exchange of letters between the two of them proceeded smoothly and discreetly throughout.
…
In the first month after the Crown Grandson led his troops out on campaign, the reports that came back were quite simple—a great army needed time to march and reach the battlefield, and there was nothing much worth telling while still on the road.
After the second month, however, news of victory after victory began arriving in the capital in quick succession.
The Crown Grandson first reclaimed the several prefectures Prince An had seized, forcing Prince An to retreat and defend his own fief. He then led his troops to surround the fief itself.
The Crown Grandson, well versed in the strategy of winning hearts and minds, did not rush to attack. Each day he sent men to call out beneath the city walls, urging Prince An to lead his troops in surrender, while secretly sending spies to infiltrate the city and spread rumors everywhere, until the people within, intimidated by the might of the court’s great army, grew anxious and fearful.
Even the soldiers under Prince An’s command began to waver, with some even slipping out through the city gates in the dead of night to surrender to the court’s forces.
When such reports reached the capital, the officials at court praised the Crown Grandson one after another for his magnanimous bearing in handling affairs, for his air of subduing the enemy without even having to fight—just like the Emperor himself in his younger years.
Even as they praised the Crown Grandson, they took the opportunity to flatter the Emperor as well.
Greatly pleased, the Emperor lavished generous praise upon the Crown Grandson in turn.
As the Crown Grandson’s fortunes rose, Prince An’s days grew correspondingly difficult.
More and more soldiers fled and surrendered in secret, and each day, crowds of common people thronged the city gates, desperate to escape. If this continued much longer, the city would collapse from within even before the Crown Grandson’s forces ever launched an assault.
But to open the gates and surrender at a time like this would be far too humiliating!
Refusing to give up, Prince An finally resolved to make one last desperate effort!