Chapter 8

It was evident that he was caught off guard by her question, and he had not anticipated that the usually indifferent emperor would suddenly pose such an inquiry. He racked his brains and extracted the limited knowledge he possessed, saying, "Your Majesty's beauty is known throughout the world. Those who are unaware of Your Majesty's brilliance are blind indeed"

Fu Wei's fingers tapped rhythmically on the table, weighing the pros and cons repeatedly, and recalling childhood friends, which was quite difficult to part with. The intervals between the taps grew longer, and finally, a fist was clenched. "I will give you direct orders, but you may find it hard to bear the weight of them. I can grant an extension; you may conduct a secret visit, and it would not be inappropriate to investigate in Wuling. However, one thing to keep in mind is to be cautious of your own safety, as I await a just result from you."

Fu Wei finally smiled. Although this sycophant spoke nothing but flattery, he did manage to utter a truth. Quite good, half a jin to eight liang, what reason does the Prime Minister have to find her ugly? She hasn't even complained about his age yet

The young emperor was in high spirits, strolling back and forth in the hall with his hands behind his back. He secretly let out a sigh of relief, standing beside the pillar with his hands tucked away, waiting for orders. After a short while, footsteps were heard from under the eaves, and a yellow-robed attendant came in to announce that the Grand Tutor and the Chief Justice were requesting an audience. The young emperor quickly composed his expression and headed towards the Lecheng Hall.

She wore a faint smile, "Why is Wei Qing meeting with the Grand Tutor today? I recall that the Court of Judicial Review is currently overseeing the case of the Wuling rebellion. How is the case progressing now?"

Those at the pinnacle of power, no matter how much they love, cannot escape the machinations of others. Moreover, this love is one-sided on her part, and she cannot expect a response from him. He must think she is trying to sell herself to win him over, how ridiculous. The country is indeed important, but if she does not love, who can force her! ... Yet he claims he will only marry a beauty, and she is not beautiful enough ...? ... The more she thinks about it, the angrier she becomes. She turns over and sits up in front of the mirror to reassess herself, running her hands over her cheeks again and again. Her skin is smooth, her features are well-proportioned, what exactly is unattractive about her? He must think she is trying to sell herself to win him over, how ridiculous. The country is indeed important, but if she does not love, who can force her! ... Yet he claims he will only marry a beauty, and she is not beautiful enough ...? ... The more she thinks about it, the angrier she becomes. She turns over and sits up in front of the mirror to reassess herself, running her hands over her cheeks again and again. Her skin is smooth, her features are well-proportioned, what exactly is unattractive about her?

The Chief Justice is indeed an official subordinate to the Chief Justice, responsible for discussing cases and overseeing regulations. Fu Wei had previously taken note of him; although he held a rank below the fifth grade, his brilliance was not overshadowed by the Chief Justice. A person of deep waters moves quietly, yet when handling cases, he acts with great decisiveness and employs very shrewd methods

It was probably because the Young Emperor had never called his name before that Bu Hai raised his head, momentarily bewildered. He was still unsure whether he had misheard, staring blankly upwards. Upon seeing that the Young Emperor was also looking at him, his knees buckled and he knelt down, shrinking and prostrating himself on the ground, saying: "Yes, I am Bu Hai, listening to the lord's orders."

Therefore, the presence of something like the Huangmen still holds some significance. She smiled gently and cast her gaze towards the misty Yongning Pagoda amidst the wind and rain

Understanding the unspoken, "I report to my lord that I can only present this to the prince and request him to enter the forbidden area to offer counsel."

The Young Emperor, after listening, seemed somewhat disdainful, "You are referring to Gongsun Yan, right? Reading is indeed beneficial; it can be a lifesaver in critical moments... Are you deliberately choosing to say what sounds pleasant because you are afraid of being beaten?"

The Grand Tutor was left utterly astonished by her words

The visitor lowered his eyelids, placed the lacquer box on the long table beside him, and was about to withdraw while resting his knees, when Fu Wei called out: "No harm."

Not daring to speak carelessly, I pondered carefully before saying: "I do not dare to make rash comments, but in my humble opinion, Your Excellency is in the prime of your life, and you cannot be compared to others."

The regency of the prime minister is indeed a dilemma that has persisted through the ages. If the other two entrusted ministers had been alive at that time, the court might have maintained a balance with a tripartite structure. Currently, one faction holds overwhelming power, and Yan Xiangru also serves as the Grand Commander of the Capital, with the entire military within the imperial city under his command. If one day he were to harbor treasonous intentions and seize the palace to install a new emperor, would she not become a turtle in a jar, utterly defenseless?

Indeed, no matter how intelligent a person may be, their mental capacity is limited. With three thousand guests at the prime minister's door, how could she be content to fall behind others! Previously, she was too impetuous, but after being guided by the Grand Tutor, she has settled down, and her heart has become as tranquil as a still pond.

After returning to the palace, Fu Wei lay on the couch contemplating. Managing affairs now felt like rowing upstream; if one does not advance, one will retreat. Since she had already announced it to the entire court of civil and military officials, abandoning it halfway would not only invite criticism, making everyone believe she was completely at odds with the Prime Minister, but it would also mean that the significant power she had almost grasped would slip away again. The next time she sought to reclaim it, the Prime Minister would employ the same tactics, leaving her with no room for negotiation.

Regardless, it must still be established.

Speaking of the adopted daughter, after her visit to the Prime Minister's residence, she realized that the Prime Minister truly excelled in every aspect. Even the thorough investigation could not clarify whether the candidate for the Empress was male or female. Shouldn't the group of idle spies under the Grand Tutor be thoroughly reformed? However, due to her connection to the truth, she found it inconvenient to point this out, only sighing: "I also find it quite difficult. If we reject his memorial, I wonder if this matter can still be accomplished... I have thought it over repeatedly; to seize great power, one must first establish oneself. Now the capital is divided into two armies, the Northern Army is commanded by the Chief of the Imperial Guard, while the Southern Army is commanded by the Commandant of the Guards. Both armies are under the command of the Grand Commander of the Capital, and I, as the Emperor, have not a single soldier at my disposal, which truly makes me uneasy. I wish to re-establish the Eight Commanders, dividing the history into three regions, each with a Chief Historian. In this way, the real power will be divided among the Commanders, and the Prime Minister's military authority will be weakened, allowing me to breathe a little easier." After saying this, she glanced at the Grand Tutor and smiled, "What does the teacher think?"

Fu Wei fell silent after listening, and after a long while, he finally said: "The Wuling case is originally presided over by the Chief Justice; as a subordinate, you are overstepping your authority. Are you not afraid of being blamed by the Chief Justice?"

When the monarch and his ministers met, the Grand Tutor, accompanied by the Chief Justice, was performing the ceremonial greetings as per the protocol. The minor official called for them to be excused and invited the two ministers to take their seats. The Grand Tutor remained deeply concerned about the events of the morning. "I have thoroughly investigated this matter. More than ten years ago, the Chancellor indeed adopted an orphan girl, the very one discussed in today's morning court session. I wonder how Your Majesty views this matter? I believe that if this girl were to be established as Empress, it would be greatly detrimental to Your Majesty's direct rule. The Chancellor's proposal today clearly indicates that this has been premeditated for a long time. What are the odds of such a coincidence? Just as Your Majesty wishes to confer the title for the Changqiu Palace, an appropriate candidate suddenly appears!" I believe that if this girl were to be established as Empress, it would be greatly detrimental to Your Majesty's direct rule. The Chancellor's proposal today clearly indicates that this has been premeditated for a long time. What are the odds of such a coincidence? Just as Your Majesty wishes to confer the title for the Changqiu Palace, an appropriate candidate suddenly appears!

Wei Shixing was greatly pleased upon hearing this, and his spirited demeanor also brought a sense of comfort to Fu Wei.

I am not in a good mood today and plan to get very drunk tonight. What should I do if you cannot stop me

He delivered a lengthy discourse without any hesitation despite the presence of outsiders, indicating that this magistrate is indeed trustworthy

The teacher spoke very aptly, and I share the same sentiment; however, due to the current circumstances, I dare not act recklessly. Once the matters of the establishment are settled, I will gradually pick up these neglected old practices that have been abandoned for over ten years. She slowly took a breath and shifted her gaze to the Chief Justice beside the Grand Tutor. He was a young official, born with a pair of hawk-like eyes, which, even without speaking, exuded a formidable presence.

It is not surprising that the young emperor is so concerned about his appearance, as he likely intends to select a consort. In the case of a blind marriage, without understanding one's character, having a good appearance can create a favorable impression, a principle that the young emperor is well aware of

Fu Wei understood his meaning; he was concerned that her foundation was too shallow, and that any slight misstep could lead to a fate of complete annihilation. The change of power is inherently a brutal war; even if the defeated manage to survive, it is not guaranteed that they will live. Therefore, one cannot afford to lose. She cupped her hands together and bowed deeply to him, saying, "I have been too impetuous; thank you for your guidance, Teacher."

She called out to Jianye, and the Yellow Gate Commandant hurried over from the corridor, arriving before her and bowing in readiness, "I await the lord's orders"

The Grand Tutor fell silent for a moment, gazing at the Young Emperor with an inscrutable expression. "Your Majesty possesses great ambition, which is a blessing for the people of the great Yin. However, I wonder if Your Majesty still remembers what I once said: the sharper the weapon, the more easily it can break. The same applies to governance; one must not exhaust all their strength, but rather proceed gradually to achieve the best strategy"

I do not dare to utter a single falsehood; the majesty of Your Excellency is indeed unparalleled by ordinary individuals. I have heard from a humble attendant in the court that, looking around at the lords and generals present, each one appears somewhat unrefined, while only Your Excellency is serene and dignified, resembling a bodhisattva in a mural. He smiled flatteringly, clasped his hands together, and appeared particularly devout

Fu Wei straightened his posture and watched as the visitor approached. He held a lacquered box with both hands, inside which were neatly arranged fruits. Those in the presence of the emperor understood the rules; the young emperor was taciturn and rarely paid them any attention. Therefore, after placing the items down, they would leave immediately, making sure not to overstep their bounds with unnecessary words, as their lives were at least secure.

Wei Shixing respectfully reported, "I have come here regarding the Wuling case. I have handled cases for many years and have encountered numerous difficulties in the prefectures and states, yet I have never encountered a case that feels so peculiar. This case involves more than twenty relatives and officials, but half of them lack substantial evidence to implicate them, which raises concerns of potential personal motives. I come to seek Your Majesty's gracious decree, hoping that Your Majesty will order a re-examination of this case, and I humbly request Your Majesty's approval."

What do you think of it, and then posed an even more challenging question: "How does it compare to the Chancellor?"

The Grand Tutor nodded and said, "Your Majesty's grand vision is well known to me. I believe that reducing the military power of the Governor of the Capital is secondary; the urgent task is to establish a think tank. The Ministry of Rites has traditionally provided the court with reserve officials, and this department is directly overseen by the Emperor, beyond the reach of even the Prime Minister. The replacement of civil and military officials in the court is inevitable; as long as Your Majesty has sufficient patience, in due time, the court will surely be filled with Your Majesty's trusted confidants. At that time, what is there to fear from a mere Yan Xiangru?"

If we measure Emperor Shao by past evaluations, it seems rather outdated. The three transformations of a gentleman are excellently embodied in him. He appears dignified, is warm in approach, and speaks with authority. During the Wei period, he bowed his head and expressed, "I will certainly not disappoint Your Majesty's expectations, and I thank Your Majesty for your great favor"

This is the sovereign of the world, controlling the life and death of the common people. In the past, it seemed that there was no such tangible experience; only when one is truly prepared to seize the throne does the heavy pressure come rushing in, and no amount of ambition can withstand it. Fortunately, she sees those gradually drawing closer to her; she is not fighting alone.

The Young Emperor, upon his initiation, became a disciple under him. After many years of teacher-student interaction, he only knew that the Young Emperor was intelligent and eager to learn, yet lacked courage and insight. He once harbored great concerns, fearing that the Young Emperor's path to becoming an emperor would be fraught with difficulties. However, just a few days ago, when he mentioned the Chancellor's proposal to establish an empress and specifically chose the daughter of Huang Yue, he realized that the Young Emperor had changed significantly from before. For instance, he resembled a newly sharpened sword, accumulating strength and possessing the momentum to sweep through thousands of troops. The Young Emperor's rapid growth is indeed astonishing.

Fu Wei furrowed her brow and said, "Lift your head and look at me. I ask you, how do I look?"

Fu Wei exhaled a breath of turbid air and said, "A virtuous official can discipline a corrupt minister, but a wise minister cannot assist a feeble ruler. I have loyal ministers; if they do not reflect upon themselves, would I not become a foolish monarch?" She turned to the Grand Tutor and said, "The officials of the Ministry of Rites need to be selected; I ask you, teacher, to pay attention for me. Once I take charge, I will establish them immediately, so as not to cause any delays." She pointed at Wei Shixing, smiled slightly, and said, "I think he is very good; he will surely be among the three assistants in the future."

The chief minister is the final barrier of the great Yin law; if this place cannot be defended, the state will fall into chaos. She warmly said to Wei Shixing, "Guard this threshold well for me, so that no innocent souls fall under the sword; this is my expectation of you."

The high gate of the palace is engraved in the reflection of the bronze mirror, and she sees someone coming from the corridor, bending down to step over the threshold; it is a middle-ranking official attending to her.

Wei Shixing lightly furrowed his brows and said in a low voice, "The Chancellor once ordered a thorough investigation; what is meant by a thorough investigation, how can we be sure there is no covert instruction behind it?" After speaking, he raised his eyes to gauge the Emperor's expression, only to find the young Emperor's eyes clouded and heavy. He felt a sudden sense of discouragement, and his heart gradually grew colder.

After the Grand Tutor and Wei Shixing took their leave, she sat alone in the hall for a long time. In the afternoon, a fierce wind rose from all directions, causing the curtains to flutter wildly. She stood up and walked to the eaves, gazing into the distance. The clouds in the sky were rolling, and even the sun had lost its brilliance for several days; it truly seemed that it was going to rain.