Chapter 46: Feast (Part 1)

Hua Xiangyi was indeed younger than Qi Zhuyin by two years. During her time in the imperial palace, she had become much thinner. Upon seeing Qi Shiyu's portrait before the Empress Dowager, she understood everything.

The Empress Dowager held her hand for a while before saying, "In a marriage between an older man and a younger woman, Qi Shiyu will still know how to cherish you."

Dressed in a purple imperial robe, Hua Xiangyi bowed her head and laid on the Empress Dowager's lap. The Empress Dowager stroked her long hair and said, "There's no need to feel aggrieved. The women of the Hua family have always married this way. After a few years, you will be the real lady of the five eastern districts of Qi."

Liu Xiang, the aunt, silently signaled the maidservants and eunuchs to leave the hall.

Hua Xiangyi smiled and said, "I'll miss my aunt. Cang County is so far away. It might take a year for me to see you again."

"The aunt also misses you," the Empress Dowager hugged her gently. She leaned against her as she did when she was young, listening to the Empress Dowager say, "When I married Emperor Guangcheng, I was only fifteen. That year, when I left Di City, what I missed most was the swing in our home garden. My mother comforted me, saying that once I came to the silent capital's royal palace, if I wished, the emperor would build me a swing that looked exactly like the one we had."

Hua Xiangyi remained quiet.

The Empress Dowager had been the favored one during Emperor Guangcheng's reign, but what he gave her was not what she truly wanted. When she stepped into the silent capital, she realized that her husband's affection was like fleeting clouds. She had to constantly compete with countless other women in the harem for those brief moments of happiness.

In the silent capital, love was the least valuable thing.

The Empress Dowager patted Hua Xiangyi's head and said, "It has been thirty-seven years since I arrived in Qidu. Now, my dear Nuan Nuan is about to be married, and I truly am old. In Qidu, I have seen that the world values men, for they can achieve success through the civil service examination and wield swords on horseback. Girls are confined to their chambers, taught virtue and discipline, no matter how intelligent or eager they may be. Eventually, they must marry."

In the Empress Dowager's eyes, there was a tranquil determination.

"My father taught me that the emperor was the sky above me, how ridiculous that sounds. As an empress, I shared the world with the emperor. Who could be the sky above me? No one! My brothers at home are all incompetent, so the Hua family relies on marrying our daughters to maintain our noble status. Generation after generation, we cannot even voice our complaints. What kind of flesh and blood relatives are they? If the world judges by strength and weakness, then I can also triumph."

The Empress Dowager stroked Hua Xiangyi's hair.

"Remember, this time, it is not Qi Shiyu who chose you, but you who chose him. Perhaps someday I might fail, but not now. When my Nuan Nuan goes to Qidong, it will not be out of necessity, but as a preparation for action. Whatever happens in the future, you may sigh, but never wallow in self-pity. In this game of the world, there can be no regret over one's moves. Since there are wolves circling with nowhere to escape, then we shall fight to the death."

The bamboo tubes within the hall swayed gently, and Hua Xiangyi slowly clasped the Empress Dowager's hand.

"Aunt's teachings, I will never forget."

* * *

The officials' banquet took place during the first full moon of the year, with local officials arriving in the capital one after another. This year, many private banquets were canceled, as everyone knew that Hai Liangyi was keeping a close watch. Any gathering could be seen as evidence of forming factions. Li Jianheng had just ascended the throne, and at this banquet, everyone wished to observe this new ruler.

The winds in Qidu were still uncertain, so all were cautious with their words and actions. Yet, the rumors surrounding Hua San grew louder, leaving Qi Zhuyin with no outlet for her displeasure.

Xiao Chiye had been secretly investigating the Eight Great Families' affairs recently but had also taken an interest in this matter. Just as Xiao Jiming arrived in the capital, the two brothers engaged in casual conversation in their residence.

Xiao Chiye flipped through the Northern Iron Cavalry's expenditure records for the year and commented, "The Huas want to make a comeback. No matter how licentious Marshal Qi is, he can't possibly agree to this marriage."

Xiao Jiming sat at the table, looking through military affairs.

Xiao Chiye lifted his gaze and asked, "What benefits would this bring to Qi Dong?"

Xiao Jiming signed off on a document and replied, "You were in Qu Du and took over the Eight Banners. Didn't you check their accounts?"

Xiao Chiye answered, "The Censorate showed me the books when they were being cleaned up. The extra silver and provisions from the Eight Banners were used to supplement the Imperial Guards this year. What's wrong?"

Xiao Jiming pondered over the documents for a moment before saying, "When Hua Siqian was still around, the annual salaries of the Eight Banners were several times more than those of the border regions. Where could the unclear accounts that Xi Guan'an couldn't account for have gone? If Hua Siqian could keep two sets of books, why couldn't the Empress Dowager keep one? With flowing silver, there must be fixed audits. As long as the auditing officials are switched to her own people and placed under the noses of the Eight Banners, she can write whatever she wants in the annual accounts. The Hua Family might have been toppled, but who would dare touch the Empress Dowager's private treasury? That money is now Hua Xiangyi's dowry, so Qi Shiyu should be tempted, whether it's for public or personal reasons."

Xiao Chiye's expression darkened. "Now, the Commander-in-Chief of the Five Provinces of Qi Dong is Qi Zhuyin. She won't agree to this."

Xiao Jiming finally looked at Xiao Chiye and said, "Even if she doesn't agree, she won't be able to stop it."

Xiao Chiye lay down and thought for a while before remarking, "The Qis have had a close relationship with us all these years. If Qi Shiyu really marries Hua San, Li Bei will no longer be Qi Dong's brother."

"It doesn't matter. When the Twelve Tribes of Bashan invade, we'll still have to fight side by side," Xiao Jiming said. "With Hua San, the garrison troops of Qidong will have the funds they need."

"Hailiuyi can buy our horses from now on," Xiao Chiye's eyes were cold and resolute. "The Empress Dowager's private treasury can only sustain an army of 200,000 for so long—it's not the same as feeding twenty dogs. The military expenses are staggering, and no one person can shoulder that burden alone."

"The deadlock in Qu'du can be broken if the Empress Dowager has the Qi family as her support," Xiao Jiming continued. "Once power is regained, money can be replenished."

Xiao Chiye sat up again. "This marriage cannot go through."

"There is still a way," Xiao Jiming said.

Xiao Chiye looked at him. "Killing Hua San would be the easiest solution."

Xiao Jiming looked at him in surprise. "You're already a thorn in everyone's side. The Eight Great Families are eagerly waiting for you to make your move."

Xiao Chiye replied, "Rumors are already spreading wildly. If we wait until after the New Year, it'll be too late to stop it."

Xiao Jiming fell silent for a moment before he spoke. "For the Empress Dowager to broker this marriage, she needs to make an appearance. The Imperial Banquet is the only opportunity. This matter is crucial, and Hai Liangyi might not be willing to cooperate. There will inevitably be a heated debate."

"There was a daughter from the Hua family who married into Qidong three generations ago. If we look into it seriously, Hua San might really be Qi Shiyu's distant relative," Xiao Chiye put down the book and suddenly laughed. "No… I'll make Hua San become Qi Shiyu's distant relative. This marriage mustn't happen."

Xiao Chiye rose and called out to Zhao Hui, who was standing by the door.

"It's New Year's," Xiao Chiye said, "and you haven't met your sister yet."

Zhao Hui glanced at Xiao Jiming, who gave a faint smile in response.

Zhao Hui understood the unspoken message and replied, "I'll pay her a visit early tomorrow morning."

* * *

Han Cheng, the newly appointed Commander of the Imperial Guards, was the third legitimate son of one of the Eight Great Families. He had previously served as a Commander in one of the Eight Banners. When the incident occurred at the Southern Forest Hunting Ground, he happened to be on leave and did not follow Xiqi An or comply with the Empress Dowager's orders. It was rumored that he was still asleep when the imperial guards came knocking, thus escaping the purging of the Flower Party.

But Shen Zechuan knew that this man was actually planted by Xue Xiuzhuo.

The night before the Banquet for the Hundred Officials, the Imperial Guards were on duty. As planned, Shen Zechuan had to remain by the Emperor's side, so he wasn't surprised to receive his pass.

Han Cheng personally handed the pass to Shen Zechuan in the inner chamber of the Imperial Guards' office. He said, "Everything is set except for the final touch. I'll be there as well. Whatever happens, you mustn't harm His Majesty."

"Of course," Shen Zechuan hung the pass around his waist and smiled. "This time, I'll be relying on Commander Han."

Han Cheng felt uneasy but couldn't show it, so he repeated, "If this plan fails, both of us will face the death penalty. But if it succeeds, the Imperial Guards will get a share of power from the palace troops, and our days of luxury will begin."

"Sir, rest assured," Shen Zechuan said solemnly. "With our unity, nothing can go wrong."

Seeing Shen Zechuan's confidence, Han Cheng felt slightly relieved.

The snowfall outside grew heavier, lasting until dawn.

* * *

Before the banquet for all officials, there was a grand sacrificial ceremony. The palace troops were on high alert early in the morning. Xiao Chiye was dressed in his formal court attire when he entered the palace gates and crossed paths with Han Cheng. They exchanged pleasantries when Xiao Chiye noticed Shen Zechuan.

"The Left Guard is responsible for protecting the emperor," Xiao Chiye pretended not to recognize Shen Zechuan and asked Han Cheng, "Why assign officers below the rank of a hundred households from the Imperial Guards?"

"Given the recent restructuring of the Imperial Guards, many positions are vacant," Han Cheng explained while turning around. "The ones chosen today are all top-notch experts. Most of them are frustrated because their promotion years haven't arrived yet, hence their low-ranking positions."

Upon seeing Shen Zechuan, Xiao Chiye became wary, but even though he had authority over the Imperial Guards, he didn't have the power to directly order a change in personnel. For no matter how suppressed the Imperial Guards were, they, along with the Eastern Factory, answered directly to the emperor. Unless Li Jianheng gave the order, anyone else attempting to intervene would be overstepping their bounds.

Shen Zechuan seemed to sense Xiao Chiye's thoughts and met his gaze, conveying an indiscernible meaning through his eyes.

The elephant trainers had already led the beasts out, and Li Jianheng was about to exit the palace hall. Xiao Chiye couldn't linger any longer, so he stepped away.

It was the first time Li Jianheng held the sacrificial great sword, and its weight almost made it impossible for him to lift. Before he even stepped out of the palace gates, the strain of wearing the crown caused his neck to ache. The regalia made him seem as if he bore the sun and moon on his shoulders and the stars on his back, finally revealing a solemn and majestic demeanor beneath his usual playful nature.

Sweat formed in Li Jianheng's palms, and he adjusted the sword again before stepping out.

The ceremonial elephants were adorned with red velvet and golden saddles, standing on either side. The officials knelt in unison, shouting "Long live the emperor" in a deafening chorus. Standing on the steps, Li Jianheng saw the eastern sky obscured by clouds and the snow-covered world stretching out before him. He seemed to tower above the clouds. The cries of "Long live the emperor" ringing in his ears were overwhelming, and Li Jianheng's heart raced. A look of pleasant surprise spread across his face as he gazed down at Hai Liangyi, Xiao Jiming, and then the rest of the world kneeling before him, recognizing his supreme authority!

This was the feeling of being an emperor.

Unable to resist, Li Jianheng tightened his grip on the great sword, sensing the courage to challenge the heavens within the kneeling masses. This was a stark contrast to his usual experience in the imperial court; it stirred the excitement he felt when receiving obeisance for the first time in the hunting grounds.

Moving forward, Li Jianheng walked down the long steps toward the altar. He moved slowly, basking in the glory of the journey.

In a sea of thousands, only Shen Zechuan lifted his head slowly. Looking past Li Jianheng's figure, through the falling snow, and from the high platform, he too saw the gloomy, overcast sky.