Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C105 pt2

And so it is said, some things cannot withstand deep thought.

When Emperor Taihe used Marquis Wuding in those years, was it not because Marquis Wuding and Prince An were extremely close, with Prince An vouching for him?

When he first ascended the throne, his position was not yet secure. Externally, there was the turmoil in the Western territories, and internally, the remaining partisans of the former princes added to his troubles. He lamented the lack of trustworthy military generals at his disposal. Just as he was fretting, Prince An recommended Marquis Wuding to him.

It could be said that Marquis Wuding rose to prominence in this way. Later, he became Emperor Taihe's confidant in one fell swoop and was appointed to oversee the Five Armies Battalions.

So many years had passed, and Emperor Taihe had thought that Marquis Wuding only began to harbor disloyal intentions after marrying his daughter to Prince Jin. Now it seemed that he was mistaken. Perhaps he had harbored such intentions from the very beginning?

Emperor Taihe even recalled the situation when Marquis Wuding wanted to marry his daughter to Prince Jin.

At that time, Marquis Wuding came to him, saying that his daughter was ignorant and had fallen in love with Prince Jin at first sight. Only then did he shamelessly come to seek His Majesty's favor. Emperor Taihe did not think much of it at the time, regarding it as a trivial matter of a young girl's heart.

"How did you manage to investigate Prince An?" Emperor Taihe asked with some difficulty, "Could it be that…"

In truth, it was not wise for Prince Wei to directly come to Emperor Taihe to say these things today.

The so-called imperial family knows no filial piety is not just a saying. It is perfectly normal for a father to suspect his son, and a son to suspect his father. Emperor Taihe's attitude towards his own sons could be seen through the matter of Prince Jin. Rather than father and sons, they were more like ruler and subjects.

But as mentioned before, even Fengxi underestimated the way Prince Wei and Emperor Taihe interacted. This mode was not actually Prince Wei's doing, but precisely Ji Yang's advice.

On the first day he returned to the capital, after seeing Emperor Taihe, Ji Yang told Prince Wei, "You cannot interact with him like this. You should do this and that..."

In reality, Ji Yang's teachings were correct. A son should say whatever is on his mind to his father. Although Prince Wei's execution of this advice was somewhat flawed, it made Emperor Taihe feel as if he had returned to Prince Wei's childhood, when the son was still very close and intimate with his imperial father.

"That time, when someone tampered with things in Cining Palace, this son became suspicious. That day, this son entrusted the Princess Consort to the Empress Dowager, because I was certain that no one in the harem would dare to act in Cining Palace. Who knew that I would be severely slapped in the face? But this precisely revealed a piece of information: the person who acted was an outrageous and rebellious individual. Otherwise, how could they be so audacious as to openly frame Commandery Princess Minghui?

"Knowing that Commandery Princess Minghui is the Empress Dowager's soft spot, and still daring to act in such a way, it shows that she has never placed the Empress Dowager in her eyes. She also does not care whether the Empress Dowager will be furious after the incident, or whether she will investigate herself. Clearly, this is not the doing of a concubine in the harem. Since it is not a concubine in the harem, it is impossible for those few people to extend their reach to Cining Palace without borrowing the hands of the harem concubines, so…"

Therefore, Prince Wei suspected someone from outside the palace.

Of course, this was what Emperor Taihe thought as he followed the line of reasoning. He was still thinking, since it was someone from outside the palace, and they could act so easily in the Empress Dowager's palace, they must frequently enter and exit Cining Palace and be very familiar with it.

So who could it be?

Consort Dowager Hu, who had always been on good terms with the Empress Dowager, inevitably came to mind.

In reality, how could Emperor Taihe know that Prince Wei had learned of the clues from Wushuang and then worked backward to investigate? This explanation was merely to make Emperor Taihe think along his lines, in order to conceal Wushuang's role in it.

Furthermore, this method of doing things is extremely similar to the method used in the death of Xi Fu back then.

Mentioning the death of Xi Fu back then, Emperor Taihe could not help but feel guilty again.

The events of that year were intricate and complex, involving numerous individuals behind the scenes. To implicate any one of them would lead to the implication of many more. Furthermore, Prince Wei fell ill at the time, and Emperor Taihe, preoccupied with his son, had no time to manage the situation, so he directly suppressed the matter.

But this did not mean that Emperor Taihe did not investigate in secret.

Xi Fu was the daughter of Princess Long'an, and she was also close to the Fourth Princess and Fifth Princess, making her a frequent guest in the palace, often entering and exiting the inner court.

Her age was similar to that of Prince Jin, Prince Qin, and Prince Wei, and relying on her beauty, she not only had some private affairs with Prince Qin, but also secretly had dealings with Prince Jin.

One woman involved with three of his sons, and also the daughter of Princess Long'an—if this matter were to become known, it would be the greatest scandal for the Imperial Family.

This was the reason why Emperor Taihe suppressed the matter that year. Princess Long'an, burdened with worry, fell ill and died early. After her death, Emperor Taihe not only did not allow Xi Fu to be entered into the Imperial Genealogy, but did not even posthumously honor his sister.

"Also, this son heard from his aunt, Consort Dowager Hu once lived in Empress Wenxian's palace when she was pregnant with Prince An. Only after that did she move to another palace to become a primary consort."

Each palace had a primary consort, beneath whom were several concubines. In those years, Consort Dowager Hu was subordinate to Empress Wenxian, who was then Noble Consort.

Mentioning this, Emperor Taihe's expression inevitably darkened again.

When Consort Dowager Hu became pregnant with Prince An, he was still young and had just begun to remember things. He only knew that his mother was very unhappy and saddened for a while. However, because Consort Dowager Hu knew how to conduct herself, even after moving away, she did not forget to pay her respects to the Noble Consort every day, and always appeared to follow the Noble Consort's lead. Later, his mother was no longer unhappy, and even took care of her in many ways.

Because of this relationship, he was closer to Prince An than to his other brothers.

However, Emperor Taihe was, after all, Emperor Taihe, and he was not overwhelmed by anger.

These matters are tangled and complex, and there is no direct evidence. For now, we should first investigate the imperial retreat. If you won't manage it, I will order someone to investigate.

Emperor Taihe was extremely swift, and quickly uncovered some matters.

Since investigating the imperial retreat, it was natural to start with the eunuch in charge of the imperial retreat. After so many years, this eunuch was no longer in his position, but fortunately, he had not yet died, so it was still possible to extract some information from him.

According to him, the reason he arranged for those two people to take care of the newborn Prince Jin was not because he had been bribed by someone, but because a eunuch under him had recommended them. He did not think much about it and simply made the arrangements.

They then went to find the person who had recommended them to the eunuch in charge, but this person had already died. He was younger than the eunuch in charge, yet he had died before him, reportedly from accidentally falling into a lake and drowning.

The trail ended there.

However, the elderly eunuch in charge did mention one thing: that Prince An had asked him about the newborn little prince that year, and had told him that the little prince was pitiful, and to take good care of him, as he was, after all, the Emperor's son, and might return to the palace at any time.

This was the reason why the eunuch in charge had consistently taken care of Prince Jin in those years.

Though he didn't grant him too many special privileges, he also didn't allow him to suffer hardships or feel wronged in the imperial villa. Even Prince Jin's request to visit the library tower was an exception made by this steward eunuch.

In truth, as matters stood, Emperor Taihe already believed that Prince Jin was not his own son, but he couldn't believe that this matter was actually related to Prince An.

Regarding the matter of Consort Chen's madness in the past, Emperor Taihe had investigated it many times, discovering a hand that did not belong to the concubines of the harem seemed to have been at play. He thought it was the lingering influence of his brothers, who were dead but not entirely vanquished, still causing trouble.

He had even suspected Prince Chen, but he never suspected the already deceased Prince An, much less Consort Dowager Hu.

Because in Emperor Taihe's heart, Prince An and Consort Dowager Hu had always been his own people.

If it were truly as Prince Wei said, that Consort Dowager Hu was outwardly living peacefully in Shoukang Palace, but secretly stirring up trouble, could it be her doing?

And also the Empress Dowager.

After his birth mother died, his imperial father, seeing that only Virtuous Consort was honest and docile, gave him to Virtuous Consort to raise. Prince Jin's return to the palace that year was suggested by the Empress Dowager, and he had agreed at the time out of deference to her.

Thinking about it now, was the Empress Dowager also involved? Even more, had the Empress Dowager joined forces with Consort Dowager Hu long ago?

Because the Empress Dowager had no son of her own, she had taken a liking to him as a son. Was his birth mother's early death also related to the Empress Dowager?

Thus, many things could not withstand close scrutiny. These past few days, Emperor Taihe appeared calm on the surface, but in reality, he had been unable to sleep peacefully for many nights.

The death of his birth mother, the death of his beloved, and the repeated hardships suffered by his most beloved son—a prince who was not his own son, and an Empress Dowager whom he deeply trusted now seemed full of suspicious points…

The more Emperor Taihe thought, the more he felt a chill in his heart, and a deep sorrow.

Looking around, the only people he could trust by his side were his blood sister, Princess Changhe, and Prince Wei; there was no one else.

Emperor Taihe fell ill.

That night, he secretly summoned the Chief of the Imperial Hospital to the palace. The next day, he summoned Princess Changhe and Prince Wei to the palace. It was at this time that Emperor Taihe decided on a grand plan that would shake the court.

Actually, it couldn't be considered a grand plan. He had always wanted to establish Prince Wei as the Crown Prince, but all of this only hastened the matter and made him decide to abdicate the throne.

As the assembled officials departed, they gazed at Emperor Taihe, but was not Emperor Taihe also gazing at them?

After everyone left, silence returned to the hall.

Fengxi stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, regarding the Empress Dowager..."

Indeed, Emperor Taihe's decision to abdicate caused a stir among the court officials. With the ministers in such upheaval, how could the Empress Dowager remain uninvolved?

Emperor Taihe rose and said, "To Cining Palace."

***

Within Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager was deeply worried.

"Why do you think the Emperor would make such a decision? His health is still good, and in recent years, we haven't heard of any ailments. Establishing a Crown Prince would be one thing, but why would he think of abdicating?"

Consort Dowager Hu sat beside her, a solemn expression upon her face. After listening, she sighed and said, "In principle, there are some things I shouldn't say."

"What words are there that you and I cannot speak?"

"Has the Empress Dowager forgotten Empress Wenxian?"

How could she forget!? It could even be said that, having lived for so many years, there were few people who could leave a mark on the Empress Dowager's heart, but Noble Consort, who later became Empress Wenxian, left a stroke of rich, heavy color upon it.

This woman was like a firework of extreme brilliance, bringing a touch of lush beauty to the palace of that time. Her origins were humble, merely a dancing girl in the palace, yet after encountering the late Emperor, she quickly gained his favor, even his exclusive favor. This favor lasted for more than a decade, during which the other concubines in the harem were like mere decorations.

The late Emperor broke rules he shouldn't have broken for her, and did things he shouldn't have done. While there was still an Empress, he ennobled her as Noble Consort and Imperial Noble Consort. Even this was not enough; he even considered deposing the Empress to make her Empress, but was met with vehement opposition from the court officials and had to abandon the idea.

It was a pity that this woman's life was short. She developed a root illness when giving birth to Princess Changhe, and passed away within two years.

When she died, the late Emperor was inconsolable. He suspended court for seven days, and even with the Empress still present, he insisted on posthumously honoring her as Empress despite the opposition of the court officials, and designated the posthumous title Wenxian, burying her with the rites befitting an Empress.

When Empress Wenxian died, the people of the harem were all rejoicing. Some fools were perhaps too happy and were discovered by the late Emperor. The late Emperor was furious, berating them as disloyal, unfilial, unkind, and unjust, and for their ugly countenances. He stripped them of their titles, threw them into the Cold Palace, and even their families were implicated.

Among them were those of Concubine rank, and even a Prince, who angered the late Emperor because of this.

It could be said that Empress Wenxian's death also led to the Empress Dowager's current position.

If the late Emperor hadn't given the then Sixth Prince to her to raise, and the Sixth Prince hadn't ascended the throne to become Emperor Taihe, the Virtuous Concubine of that time would be a Consort Dowager like the current Consort Dowager Hu. Perhaps she wouldn't even be able to become a Consort Dowager, because she had neither favor nor children. She would probably be guarding the imperial tombs, instead of sitting high in the position of Empress Dowager, receiving the support of the people.

After Empress Wenxian died, it seemed that the late Emperor did not value the Sixth Prince, and even treated him coldly. But watching for a long time, one could understand that the late Emperor still remembered Empress Wenxian. Every subsequent event, every move, was paving the way for the Sixth Prince, until he was pushed onto the throne.

Just like what the current Emperor Taihe is doing.

So is it still difficult to understand why His Majesty wants to abdicate to Prince Wei?

Although Consort Dowager Hu didn't say it, her eyes expressed it.

The Empress Dowager paused, and after a long while, exhaled a breath, saying, "If that is the case, the reactions of the court officials and the shock it will bring to the court must also be considered. These two matters, one after the other, are too close and too hasty."

Hasty indeed, was it not?

Despite Consort Dowager Hu's pleasant words to the Empress Dowager, she, in truth, could not comprehend it. In her mind, emperors never relinquished power until their dying breath. Throughout history, countless emperors, even on the verge of death, were unwilling to yield their positions. Why must the men of the Ji family be different from everyone else?

Yet, it was precisely this difference that utterly alarmed, panicked, and disoriented Consort Dowager Hu.

In her heart, she both resented why Prince Jin had not yet returned and despondently realized that even if Prince Jin did return, he might not be able to sway the determined Emperor Taihe.

Never before had she so deeply resented the Ji family men's devotion and constancy. It was said that emperors were often unfaithful, but the men of the Ji family were unfaithful to everyone, remaining constant to only one.

"Therefore, Your Majesty Empress Dowager, you should also advise His Majesty. Such actions will cause turmoil in the court, which is truly not a blessing for the dynasty."

Consort Dowager Hu had always given the Empress Dowager the impression of being honest and only knowing how to bury herself in needlework, rarely discussing court affairs. These words of hers caused the Empress Dowager to look at her with surprise.

However, the Empress Dowager did not overthink it, simply assuming that Consort Dowager Hu was worried about what worried her.

"This Majesty may not be able to persuade the Emperor…"

At that moment, someone came to report that His Majesty had arrived.

Consort Dowager Hu hurriedly stood up, intending to leave, but it was already too late. Emperor Taihe walked in from outside the door. It would be too awkward for her to avoid him now, so she could only sit back down.

"This son wonders, what matter does Mother Empress summon this son for?"

The Empress Dowager sighed and said, "This Majesty heard that the Emperor intends to abdicate the throne to the Crown Prince. How could the Emperor make such a decision without any reason?"

Emperor Taihe repeated to the Empress Dowager the same words he had spoken to the court officials, roughly meaning that he could not bear to see his sons continue to fight amongst themselves. It was better for him to make a decision early, settling the matter once and for all, dispelling their ambitions, and preventing fraternal strife.

Emperor Taihe's explanation resonated with the Empress Dowager, as she vividly remembered the tragic struggle for the throne among the princes in the past.

What good was it that the late Emperor favored his sixth son? When the sons grew up, they no longer listened to their father's words, each having their own forces. Even the late Emperor had times when he could not suppress them. Thus, the court was filled with infighting, the capital was in chaos, and unrest was rampant everywhere. Later, Emperor Taihe ascended the throne with great difficulty, facing not only the dilapidated state of affairs but also the remaining partisans of the princes. It took him several years to thoroughly cleanse the court and restore order.

"The Emperor's idea is not bad, but it is a bit too hasty."

Emperor Taihe glanced at Consort Dowager Hu, who was lowering her head, and said, "Not hasty. In fact, this Emperor wants to take advantage of the absence of Prince Jin and Prince Qin from the capital to get things done. Once the matter is settled, they will not have to overthink things, and they can properly fulfill their roles as sons and subjects, wholeheartedly assisting the Crown Prince. Why should I worry that Great Liang will not prosper for ten thousand years?"

He had already said so much, what could the Empress Dowager say?

Consort Dowager Hu suddenly stood up, drawing the attention of the Empress Dowager and Emperor Taihe.

She said, with a touch of unease, "Empress Dowager, Your Majesty, this concubine just remembered there is still something in the palace that needs to be done, so I shall return to Shoukang Palace first."

The Empress Dowager did not detain her, and allowed her to leave.

After she left, the Empress Dowager said, "She probably felt that these words were not for her ears. She's already at this age, yet she still acts with such caution."

Emperor Taihe smiled, but remained silent, his eyes glancing at Zhao Quan, who stood behind Fengxi.

Zhao Quan quietly withdrew.