Li Jiǎo’s death was like a ripple in water during this time of gloom and misery. Though it stirred much speculation and panic among the harem consorts, it didn’t cause any major waves.
On the contrary, adopting an imperial clan member as prince and entrusting the Grand Princess to the care of the newly ennobled Virtuous Consort—all these measures presaged that Emperor Taixiang’s condition was dire.
Suppressed weeping could be heard throughout the harem.
The numerous consorts didn’t have the fortune of the Empress and Virtuous Consort. Childless as they were, their fates could only be one of two: either burial sacrifice or entering imperial temples to spend their lives with ancient Buddhas and eternal lamps.
Their lives seemed to have just begun blooming brilliantly, only to hastily come to an end, yet they were powerless to change it.
At this time, no one outside the palace cared about these consorts’ fates, but waited instead for Emperor Taixiang’s next summons.
With the prince so young, once His Majesty passed away, ministers would inevitably need to act as regents, and this power was too tempting.
Emperor Taixiang knew his condition and indeed didn’t keep those people waiting long before saying to Wei Wuxie: “Summon Chief Minister Xu Mingda, Second Minister Su He, the six ministry ministers, Prince Changshan, Marquis Guanjun, Commander of the Jinlin Guards, and others for an audience…”
Seeing that Emperor Taixiang barely had strength left to speak, Wei Wuxie quickly dispatched inner attendants to deliver messages everywhere.
Those who received word hurried to the palace.
Emperor Taixiang could no longer leave his bed, so the audience with ministers took place in his bedchamber.
The vast Yangxin Hall was empty and silent, with only the sound of fabric rustling and footsteps as the ministers walked through.
Through the azure silk curtains embroidered with fortune and longevity patterns, the ministers knelt on the ground: “Your subjects pay respects to Your Majesty. Long live Your Majesty, long live!”
No sound came from within the curtains.
The ministers couldn’t help but exchange glances.
Could it be that His Majesty hadn’t had time to give his final instructions before—
Once this thought arose, the ministers became even more nervous.
Wei Wuxie emerged from the curtains and announced loudly: “His Majesty requests that all lords wait in the outer chamber for now.”
The ministers breathed sighs of relief.
So His Majesty planned to summon people individually.
Led by inner attendants, the ministers came to the outer chamber to wait silently.
Soon Wei Wuxie emerged, swept his gaze over the ministers, and finally fixed his eyes on Shao Mingyuan: “Lord Marquis, His Majesty requests that you enter first.”
The ministers all looked toward Shao Mingyuan.
Though Shao Mingyuan was surprised to be summoned first, his face showed no emotion. He nodded slightly to Wei Wuxie and followed him inside.
The remaining ministers exchanged silent glances, all puzzled as to why His Majesty would summon Marquis Guanjun first.
When Shao Mingyuan saw Emperor Taixiang, he couldn’t help but feel shocked.
Originally, when he learned that the Grand Empress Dowager and His Majesty had moved against Zhaozhao, he was extremely angry and didn’t hesitate to strike at the Grand Empress Dowager, intentionally leaving an impression on His Majesty as a warning.
But he hadn’t expected His Majesty to be so fragile—in such a short time, he had become like this.
Of course, having already acted, he felt no regret, though he couldn’t help but feel some emotion.
“Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty.”
Emperor Taixiang stared fixedly at Shao Mingyuan for a long while before saying softly, “Lord Marquis has come. Come sit beside me.”
Shao Mingyuan complied and sat down.
Emperor Taixiang moved his eyes to look at Wei Wuxie: “Wei Wuxie, I want to speak privately with Lord Marquis.”
Wei Wuxie quickly withdrew and stood guard outside.
Only Shao Mingyuan and Emperor Taixiang remained in the room, and the medicinal smell seemed to grow even stronger.
Shao Mingyuan maintained a respectful demeanor, waiting for Emperor Taixiang to speak.
But Emperor Taixiang only stared at him unblinkingly.
Time passed bit by bit, so long that even Shao Mingyuan was surprised. He couldn’t help but raise his eyes to meet Emperor Taixiang’s gaze.
Emperor Taixiang’s eyes were deep, making it impossible to discern his emotions for the moment.
Shao Mingyuan lowered his eyelids and continued waiting.
Emperor Taixiang finally spoke: “That night… was it Lord Marquis?”
Shao Mingyuan’s eyebrows moved slightly.
He never would have expected His Majesty’s first words to be asking this.
Could it be that when people were about to die, they acted unpredictably?
“Your subject doesn’t understand Your Majesty’s meaning.” Shao Mingyuan replied calmly.
Could it be that, seeing his end approaching, His Majesty wanted to eliminate him at all costs to vent his anger?
This thought only flashed through Shao Mingyuan’s mind before his expression remained calm and composed.
Emperor Taixiang took in his expression completely and smiled lightly: “Lord Marquis, I know it was you that day.”
How could he not know? Ever since Qingliang Mountain, in countless nightmares it was this man who saved him from fire and water. He had depicted this man’s features ten thousand times in his dreams.
That night, despite the great distance and though the man was hidden in darkness, he wouldn’t mistake those eyes.
Shao Mingyuan simply lowered his eyelids and remained silent.
At a time like this, he disdained to deny it, yet couldn’t admit it either.
Whatever His Majesty planned to do to him, he wouldn’t leave any verbal evidence.
Contrary to Shao Mingyuan’s expectations, Emperor Taixiang didn’t pursue the matter further, instead asking: “Lord Marquis, regarding your most precious things, you would guard them well, wouldn’t you?”
Shao Mingyuan was silent for a moment, then raised his eyes to meet Emperor Taixiang’s gaze and replied seriously: “Yes. For this subject, if anyone tries to destroy what is most precious to me, then this subject will certainly do everything in his power to repay them.”
This was his answer to His Majesty, and he believed His Majesty understood.
After hearing this, Emperor Taixiang smiled: “Then is the peace of Great Liang’s people the most precious thing in Lord Marquis’s heart?”
Surprise flashed through Shao Mingyuan’s eyes, but he quickly replied: “The peace of Great Liang’s people is one of the precious things in this subject’s heart.”
From age fourteen, he had traveled a thousand li north to fight on battlefields, engaging in countless bloody battles—wasn’t it all to protect Great Liang’s people from the suffering of Tartar ravages?
Because he had sacrificed so much, he couldn’t let go even more.
“Then I can rest easy. Cough, cough, cough—” Emperor Taixiang began coughing, his cheeks quickly turning crimson from violent coughing.
Shao Mingyuan looked around, bent down, and picked up the golden spittoon beside the bed.
Emperor Taixiang shook his head and weakly pointed toward Wei Wuxie outside.
Shao Mingyuan had no choice but to stand up and call: “Eunuch Wei, His Majesty is calling you in.”
Wei Wuxie hurried in. Seeing Emperor Taixiang’s condition, he immediately took the spittoon from Shao Mingyuan’s hands and offered it, but Emperor Taixiang didn’t spit and pointed at Shao Mingyuan again.
Wei Wuxie was stunned for a moment before quickly understanding. He smiled bitterly at Shao Mingyuan: “Lord Marquis, His Majesty wants you to leave first.”
“Your subject takes his leave.” Shao Mingyuan solemnly kowtowed to Emperor Taixiang and withdrew.
Only then did Emperor Taixiang open his mouth to spit, but what came out was several mouthfuls of blood.
“Your Majesty—” Wei Wuxie was terrified, his face pale as paper, the hand holding the spittoon trembling violently.
“Go call them all in.”
Soon, all the ministers knelt on the ground, listening through the gauze curtains as Emperor Taixiang spoke slowly: “Chief Minister Xu, the Crown Prince is young. National affairs will require more of your attention… Uncle Wang, you are highly respected in the clan. Please help me guide the Crown Prince in the future…”
Gradually, no more sound came from within the curtains.
The ministers wept as one.
Shortly after, funeral bells rang, and wailing filled the palace and beyond.
In late spring of the second year of Taixiang’s reign, Emperor Taixiang passed away. Chief Minister Xu Mingda and Prince Changshan were appointed as regent ministers, Jiang Shiyi continued as Commander of the Jinlin Guards, and Marquis Guanjun was ennobled as Prince Zhenbei, henceforth to guard the peace of the northern territories, forbidden to enter the capital without summons.
(End of Main Text)