Due to Lai Luozhi’s political maneuvering, his power in the court grew increasingly strong. Chancellor Zhang, now advanced in years, was marginalized by Lai Luozhi. With Crown Prince Li Zhong’s arrest and subsequent transfer from the Grand Secretariat to the Court of Judicial Review, the Li faction existed in name only.
Princess Chaoyang harbored ambitions similar to the Empress and felt even more favored after being appointed regent. The Crown Prince’s removal cleared a major obstacle, but the Zhou clan’s influence remained formidable. She had no choice but to follow the Empress’s old strategy: allying with Lai Luozhi to clear her path to the throne.
Lai Luozhi made many promises, but with the Empress still alive, he dared not move against the Zhou bloodline. Officially, he was now second only to the Empress. Secretly, his Fire Moth Party controlled power in various places. It was no exaggeration to say that he held the entire Great Zhou dynasty in his grip. Supporting either Chaoyang or Yong’an’s ascension no longer satisfied him.
“How is it that lords, ministers, and generals are born to their positions?” he pondered.
But how could he naturally assume that position himself?
Night had fallen, yet he still sat at his desk, contemplating this matter. Soon, he thought of someone. Just then, someone announced outside that Princess Yong’an had arrived.
“Hehe, speak of the devil. It seems heaven truly favors me,” Lai Luozhi said as he rose to adjust his attire and went out to greet her.
The political situation was precarious, and Yong’an could wait no longer. She was the Imperial Duke of Ying, personally appointed by the Empress. Once, her influence far surpassed Chaoyang’s. But now, with the Empress claiming illness, Chaoyang was directly appointed regent, leaving Yong’an completely sidelined.
“She’s just putting on a show for the world. Now that she’s near death, she doesn’t bother pretending anymore,” Yong’an thought, unable to accept that years of closeness had been a facade. “All these years, I’ve overlooked her matricide, treated her well, even collected male favorites for her. I’ve been so accommodating. But she merely pretended to be kind, placating me all these years to prevent trouble. Now she discards me without a second thought. Once Chaoyang ascends the throne, where will my place be?”
Yong’an usually presented a gentle, caring face to everyone, but now, too angry to maintain her mask, she let it slip.
After listening to her complaints, Lai Luozhi merely raised an eyebrow slightly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smile. “What brings the Princess to see me?”
Yong’an knew Lai Luozhi’s position had changed, and she held no advantage. But she knew many of Lai Luozhi’s secrets, which she could use as leverage.
“We’ve been working together for years, especially in the Shen family case. It was perfect,” she said.
Lai Luozhi smiled contemptuously. “Indeed, Your Highness’s cooperation was excellent.”
Yong’an’s expression stiffened, but she maintained the air of a royal scion, unwilling to be looked down upon by Lai Luozhi. “Lord Lai surely understands that without my full support back then, you couldn’t have succeeded in the Shen family affair on your own.”
“You shouldn’t forget, the Empress Mother only said to punish them lightly, not to exterminate the entire clan.”
As the last two words fell, Lai Luozhi sat up straight, his pale face tense, eyes narrowed at Yong’an. “Your Highness should watch your words.”
“Heh, Lord Lai needn’t be so alarmed,” Yong’an said, unfazed. She turned to the main topic. “The current court situation is chaotic. It’s time to make a move. Lord Lai shouldn’t be content with the status quo. If someone else ascends the throne, they’ll surely hold you accountable for your crimes.”
“They probably don’t know about Lord Lai’s shocking preferences yet.”
Lai Luozhi’s knuckles turned blue as he gripped his ring, clearly struck by Yong’an’s words. “What does Your Highness propose? I, Lai, will cooperate.”
Before Yong’an could continue, Lai Luozhi reminded her, “Although Zhou Changqing (Zhou Zhao’s nephew) in the Zhou clan is unremarkable, Zhou Xian (Zhou Zhao’s eldest brother) is not so easy to deal with. They’re likely planning something as well.”
“Hehe, did I need you to tell me that?” Yong’an toyed with her jade hairpin, sneering. “They know why the Empress Mother supports them. They also know she’ll never pass the throne to them. Once the Empress Mother passes, they’ll lose their greatest backing. What awaits them is the crime of treason against the entire clan.”
“All these years, their sins are no fewer than yours, Lord Lai.”
Unperturbed by Yong’an’s mockery, Lai Luozhi replied, “Their clan’s extermination is their business. What’s it to do with me?”
Yong’an believed this. Lai Luozhi’s methods were shocking, but who would kill a useful hound after ascending the throne?
Not wanting to waste words, Yong’an stated her purpose directly: “I’ve come to discuss plans with you.”
Lai Luozhi leaned in, and Yong’an caught a faint scent of baonao incense. She frowned and stepped back slightly, collecting her thoughts before explaining her plan.
Lai Luozhi listened quietly, offering no immediate response. Yong’an grew impatient. “Lord Lai, we’re in this together now. What’s the meaning of this? Thinking of jumping ship early?”
Smiling, Lai Luozhi reassured her, “Not at all. I’m just trying to consider everything thoroughly.”
He then pointed out several flaws in her plan. Yong’an’s heart raced, feeling a bit frightened. “Lord Lai’s thinking is indeed more careful. Then let’s settle on this. After the court session the day after tomorrow, I’ll invite Chaoyang to see the Empress Mother to discuss matters. It’ll be the perfect opportunity to strike.”
“No,” Lai Luozhi said, his grey eyes dark. “It’s not appropriate for you to go, Your Highness. The Empress is wary of you. I should go instead. I happen to have other matters to discuss with Her Majesty. If she agrees, all is well. If not, we’ll help Her Majesty ascend to paradise early.”
Lai Luozhi spoke these cold-blooded words without blinking.
Seeing this, Yong’an wondered if someone so ruthless and ungrateful for the Empress’s patronage was truly someone she could work with. Once she ascended the throne, her first act would be to eliminate this man.
When Yong’an returned to her palace, she was surprised to find her husband, Yuchi Yanghe, still awake. They had long been estranged, with Yong’an spending most nights with her male favorites and Yuchi Yanghe keeping multiple concubines. They rarely interfered in each other’s affairs.
Seeing Yuchi Yanghe waiting for her late return, Yong’an almost thought she was dreaming.
Without much preamble, Yuchi Yanghe pushed a document across the table, saying flatly, “This is our divorce agreement. Please go to court tomorrow to finalize it, Princess. Afterward, we’ll part ways, each to our happiness.”
Yong’an hadn’t expected Yuchi Yanghe to have such ambition. She raised an eyebrow. “Did you learn something?” It was a peculiar time to bring up divorce.
Yuchi Yanghe didn’t answer, only rising to go to his side room. Yong’an picked up the divorce document and examined it closely. Throughout the text, there wasn’t a single negative word about her. The calligraphy was strong and vigorous, with the roughness typical of a military man, yet possessing its beauty.
It was as if Yong’an was seeing her husband – rumored to be weak and incompetent, holding his position only due to ancestral inheritance – for the first time. But she had more pressing matters to attend to and couldn’t dwell on it.
The next day, Yong’an sent someone to court to finalize the divorce. They each signed their names, and the separation was complete. Yuchi Yanghe immediately moved out of the Princess’s palace and returned to his residence as the Right Martial Marquis General.
Their property was divided clearly, and since they had no children after years of marriage, the split was clean and decisive, without any loose ends.