Chapter 275: The First Plan Offered
The Empress woke up, her head still feeling a bit heavy.
Yu Lu leaned in, saying solicitously, “Her Ladyship is awake. This servant will have them brew some tea.”
“Where is Mingqian?” the Empress asked, frowning.
“She’s in the outer room,” Yu Lu replied quickly. “This servant will call her in right away.”
“In a while, you will accompany Princess Consort Zhao to see Ying Bai. Propriety must be observed, otherwise the situation will only become more strained,” the Empress sighed as she spoke.
“Yes, this servant understands. I will accompany the Princess Consort shortly. However, Princess Consort Chu has refused to see anyone these past few days…” Yu Lu said.
“Whether she sees us or not is her business; whether we go is ours,” the Empress said impatiently. “I’ve said it before, just do your best.”
Yu Lu knew the Empress’s temper and dared not say more, quickly withdrawing.
Wen Mingqian then walked in from the outer room.
“Your incense is very effective; it has finally allowed this Palace to get some sleep,” the Empress said, her expression softening upon seeing her. “I must reward you with something later.”
“Your Ladyship is too kind, you flatter this servant. To be able to serve by Your Ladyship’s side is already a great fortune; how could I dare to expect a reward?” Wen Mingqian said hastily.
“Look at you, being too cautious. It’s not you asking for a reward, it’s me wanting to give you one,” the Empress laughed, amused by her. “You all know I have a bad temper, and usually tread carefully. In reality, my temper flares up quickly and passes just as fast.”
“Your Ladyship is benevolent and forthright. This servant respects you but does not fear you. If it were someone else in this situation, who knows what would have happened? Your Ladyship must plan for balance and worry about everyone.” Wen Mingqian stepped forward to give the Empress a massage. “It is this servant who worries more for Your Ladyship, wishing you peace of mind and body. Only then can we, your servants, have a place to rely on!”
The Empress did not doubt Wen Mingqian’s words at all. She was a woman who had divorced, with no husband’s family to shelter her and no maternal home to rely on; wasn’t she entirely dependent on herself?
“You are a sensible person and understand my difficulties. Yet, Prince Zhao’s family only knows how to push their troubles onto me,” the Empress couldn’t help but vent her frustrations. “Tell me, in this matter, if even one of them had considered the bigger picture and shown me understanding, would it have come to this?”
“Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent’s mistake was unintentional, but Prince Chu is simply unwilling to let go of his resentment.” Wen Mingqian knew the Empress favored Prince Zhao and his family, but was merely complaining verbally.
Indeed, upon hearing her words, the Empress couldn’t help but sigh, “Yes, Prince Chu and his faction are being too relentless. But who can blame them, when we are ultimately in the wrong on this matter? Such a commotion occurred in the imperial court, it cannot simply be ignored.
His Majesty said that Ying Tong and Ying Bai are both to be moved out of the Palace in the next few days. Alas!”
“How can that be?” Wen Mingqian feigned great surprise. “If Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent is moved out of the Palace, when will he ever be able to return?”
“It seems he is not to return, they say he committed a grave error.” The Empress shook her head, helpless and regretful. “What a pity that I have worried for him these past few years for nothing.”
“No wonder Your Ladyship is so distressed,” Wen Mingqian said. “You have invested so much effort in Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent.”
“What can be done? His Majesty must also maintain public order. He also said that to compensate for the mistake, he wants Prince Chu’s young son to enter the Palace and be adopted. I know that by doing this, Prince Chu’s side will relent and stop pursuing the matter.” The Empress said mournfully, “This is a situation I absolutely did not wish to see. But now, I don’t even have a single person to share my burdens with, and my father and brother are not in the Capital City.”
“This servant wishes she could share Your Ladyship’s burdens, but I fear I would overstep,” Wen Mingqian said. “After all, this servant’s insight is limited.”
“I know you are an intelligent person, and more importantly, you are an outsider,” the Empress said. “Perhaps you might as well share your thoughts.”
“Then this servant will be bold,” Wen Mingqian said. “This servant believes that no matter what His Majesty decides, the most important thing is to quell the current turmoil. Your Ladyship can only agree for now, but as long as there is a hidden plan for later, there will surely be a turning point in the future.”
“Tell me, what hidden plan?” the Empress asked, very interested after hearing her words.
“This servant’s insight is very shallow, please do not laugh, Your Ladyship. I was foolishly thinking that no matter the time, as long as one holds military power and has forces to draw upon, one can fight for a turning point.
Since Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent must leave the Palace, and Prince Zhao will likely be implicated, it would be better to retreat to advance, lie low, and await a better opportunity.”
“Explain yourself more clearly,” the Empress’s spirits lifted. “Where should he retreat to, so that he can still command troops and borrow power?”
“The North,” Wen Mingqian said. “The terrain there is vast, with a large number of troops stationed. It is suitable for raising horses and cultivating land. If Prince Zhao’s Heir Apparent could also form a marriage alliance with the King of Fenye, they would be close to each other and could plan together if anything arises. Wouldn’t that be good?”
“Yes, if Prince Zhao remains in the Capital City, he will surely be demoted, and his power will be reduced by at least thirty percent. It would be better to go to the Northern Frontier, to avoid the struggles in the Imperial Court and to conserve strength. The Empress was very satisfied with Wen Mingqian’s suggestion, but then she thought of the other side, “But if Prince Zhao leaves the Capital, Prince Chu will surely grow stronger. Since he has already fallen out with Prince Zhao, he must fight for dominance. His young son entering the Palace will surely sway many to his side. In that case, if anything happens, Prince Zhao will be far away on the frontier, and distant water cannot quench nearby thirst!”
“Therefore, to maintain balance, Prince Chu must also leave the Capital,” Wen Mingqian said. “Prince Chu’s young son entering the Palace means he is already the beneficiary. However, Prince Chu’s young son has already been adopted by the Empress and His Majesty, unlike the situation where both Prince Zhao’s and Prince Chu’s Heirs Apparent were in the Palace before.
To avoid suspicion, Prince Chu should also not remain in the Capital City. For generations, when the royal family adopts a Crown Prince, they must sever ties with their birth parents. This is not a rule unique to our dynasty.”
“Indeed, they should not remain in the Capital City, but where should they be transferred to? How can we guarantee that he will not also learn from Prince Zhao, lie low, and have other intentions?” the Empress was still uneasy.
“Then assign him to a place under supervision. This person must be someone His Majesty and Empress Your Ladyship trust, and who cannot collude with Prince Chu.” Wen Mingqian said, “This place must not be closer than where Prince Zhao is leaving, otherwise, if any anomaly occurs, Prince Chu must not gain the upper hand.”
“Indeed, indeed,” the Empress repeatedly agreed. “You have thought this through very thoroughly. No wonder your son is a child prodigy. They say sons often resemble their mothers, and it seems Chang An resembles you greatly.”
“Empress Your Ladyship is truly too generous,” Wen Mingqian blushed. “I fear those who truly understand strategy would laugh at me if they heard this.”
“You need not be so self-deprecating. To be frank, it is merely the circumstances of the times. So many women, a hundred times stronger than men, are confined to their chambers.” The Empress couldn’t help but sigh. “Later, I will speak with Princess Consort Zhao and let her be prepared.”
