Chapter Eight, A Leaf Startles Autumn

As for Wanwan, because her biological brother became the emperor, her days in the palace have become more leisurely than before. Although the current empress is only of average acquaintance, she at least does not make things difficult for her. When necessary, she still engages in lively conversation, addressing her as 'Your Highness' and 'Your Highness' in a very animated manner.

At that time, Wanwan did not grasp the meaning of his words. The Emperor had only one heir, the Prince of Rong, and his ascension to the throne was already a foregone conclusion. Why then use the phrase "even if"? It was only later that she realized perhaps everything had long been part of his calculations. Yan Nian ran out of Kun Ning Palace in the middle of the night and inexplicably died in Cheng Qian Palace. The eunuchs guarding the coffin even concocted a whole set of ghostly tales to deceive people. The Daye Dynasty had existed for two hundred and sixty years; with Yan Nian's early demise, the Prince of Fu stood out alone, and the throne was undoubtedly his. It was only later that she realized perhaps everything had long been part of his calculations. Yan Nian ran out of Kun Ning Palace in the middle of the night and inexplicably died in Cheng Qian Palace. The eunuchs guarding the coffin even concocted a whole set of ghostly tales to deceive people. The Daye Dynasty had existed for two hundred and sixty years; with Yan Nian's early demise, the Prince of Fu stood out alone, and the throne was undoubtedly his.

"Every new ruler brings new ministers; for people like us, it is no different. Nowadays, there is no one in the palace whom I can be close to, except for you." Old Lady Zhao held her cup, observing her expression, "To speak frankly, Your Highness, I have watched you grow up. When the late emperor ascended the throne, you were no taller than the edge of a table, and in the blink of an eye, you have become a young lady. I have been considering one matter in my heart: you have reached the age for marriage, and your sister-in-law has mentioned a match for you. I wonder if you are willing?"

The copper ring nodded slightly: "It is likely that she has deep feelings for the Emperor, making it difficult for her to part from him. Our Great Ye has a long-standing custom of having the Heavenly Maiden accompany the Emperor in burial. By following him, she can remain by the Emperor's side; otherwise, given her status, she would only be able to be buried in the consort's mausoleum in the future."

However, flesh and blood are ultimately flesh and blood. When she saw him, her eyes were filled with tears, and as she sat at the table eating, she couldn't help but choke up. Even now, she still cannot understand, "How could it be that he passed away just like that!"

Empress Zhao invited her for a visit, the once-favored empress, and the Kun Ning Palace had to be vacated for others, moving to reside in the Jie Feng Palace. As Wanwan entered, she appeared quite awkward: "Look at this place, it is no different from the cold palace. The eldest princess deigns to come and see me, which brings me some joy. What are we to be considered now, those who are unloved by their grandmothers and uncles, merely relying on the kindness of others. My skin is thick, yet I still endure, and as for Concubine Hui seeking death, do you know why?" What are we to be considered now, those who are unloved by their grandmothers and uncles, merely relying on the kindness of others. My skin is thick, yet I still endure, and as for Concubine Hui seeking death, do you know why?

Thus, living is not a necessity; even in death, no one will care. This palace is indeed so cold-hearted. Wanwan exhaled a breath of turbid air towards the vast heavenly street, steadied her mind, and descended the steps into the Eastern Side Hall

Since Empress Zhao was rejected the last time she acted as a matchmaker, she has roughly guessed her intentions. To avoid embarrassing herself, she deliberately distanced herself from her, and for a period of time, even refrained from speaking to her. However, after the late emperor passed away and Prince Rong soon followed, Empress Zhao's dreams of becoming a dowager empress came to an abrupt end, and she suddenly realized that she was completely alone, prompting her to rekindle her warmth towards her.

The copper ring stood by, gazing into the distant sky, its voice somewhat hollow: "Your Highness, born of the utmost nobility, how can you know the world beyond these high walls? People are of many kinds; some live in luxury and wealth, while others freeze to death by the riverside. Since you have enjoyed the most overwhelming riches of the world, you must also endure pains unimaginable to ordinary people. The change of imperial power knows no right or wrong, only success or failure. I, a mere servant, believe that rather than letting a six-year-old child be emperor, it would be better to hand the throne to the royal uncle. After all, they are both of the bloodline of Emperor Xiaozong; who is to say that one cannot be emperor?"

Sister-in-law, please stop joking. Since the time of Emperor Taizu, it has not been the custom for girls to agree to marriage on their own. I have my mother above me, as well as my elder brother and sister-in-law; it is never my place to make decisions for myself.

Wanwan's scalp suddenly felt numb, and she asked in astonishment, "Is there such a thing?"

I am neither a cat nor a dog, so they can do as they please. She gently brushed her sleeve and said, I have my own opinions. If they force me, I can only ask the Emperor to grant me a residence, and I will live alone outside the palace.

The copper ring said, "Your Highness is unaware that this morning, Empress Shao followed the Great Emperor to fulfill her duty."

"I wonder, Your Highness, do you have someone you like in your heart?" Tong Huan teased her, "If you do, please do not keep it a secret. Matters of fate can be missed in the blink of an eye, and one may regret it for a lifetime."

Deaths in the palace have never been a rare occurrence. Wanwan had no interest in those strange insider stories; she was merely afraid of losing face and pretended to be curious. At this point, the old Empress Zhao spilled the beans, chattering away about how the death of Concubine Hui was not voluntary but rather at the behest of her family. When the late Emperor passed away, she did not accompany him in burial and was not allowed to guard the tomb, thus becoming a source of disdain within the palace. She cried daily in Shoukang Palace, and the Empress Dowager, due to her mere survival, also looked down upon her, making her days quite difficult. With no other options, she sought advice from her family. Minister Zheng, being quite resourceful, sent someone to deliver an empty food box. Upon seeing it, Concubine Hui seemed to awaken from a great dream; from that day on, she neither ate nor drank, and within three days, she passed away.

"When one becomes an emperor, must it come at the cost of the lives of loved ones?" Wanwan later asked Tonghuan, "Do you not feel that being born into a royal family is not necessarily a blessing?"

The mourning reports from the court were issued in the dead of night, and one by one, eunuchs with white flags on their backs returned to report. Wanwan glanced at the palace hall and said, "The Minister of the Interior is quite busy today, not even allowing anyone to be seen"

This statement holds true; the die is cast, and there is nothing more to deliberate. She is a girl, and the tumultuous affairs of the court have no bearing on her; she continues to live her life as before. Apart from the increasingly lonely expression of the Empress Dowager and the helplessness of Lady Zhao, who has now been referred to as Old Lady Zhao, what she observes in the inner palace is merely a cycle of new and old replacing one another. Aside from the greater number of people, there is no other difference.

What if the Empress Dowager agrees? Your Highness, do you have any plans?

She nodded, allowing the palace maid to assist her with rinsing her mouth, and then recalled the matter of Consort Shao, "I have heard that Consort Shao of the Chengqian Palace has died for her loyalty"

The copper ring inquired on the side: "What does Your Highness mean?"

The emperor has passed away, and the world is draped in mourning. The coffin of the late emperor has been properly placed in the Hall of Solemnity, with layers of white drapery hanging from the doorframe. The mourning pavilion is tall, and beneath it kneel numerous officials and eunuchs in mourning attire. Wanwan still remembers everything from eight years ago when her father passed away; it was the same scene. It turns out that memories have a cyclical nature. She once felt fear towards the eighty-one layers of the red lacquered golden coffin, and at that time, her elder brother was there to protect her. Now, even her elder brother lies within it, and she has come to realize that living is essentially a continuous process of parting, with little gathering and much separation. It turns out that memories have a cyclical nature. She once felt fear towards the eighty-one layers of the red lacquered golden coffin, and at that time, her elder brother was there to protect her. Now, even her elder brother lies within it, and she has come to realize that living is essentially a continuous process of parting, with little gathering and much separation.

She regained her senses and attempted to stand up, but her legs could not straighten for a moment. The bronze ring came forward to assist her, and only then was she able to awkwardly move out of the main hall

Wanwan raised her eyes and called out, "Second Brother." He was her full-blooded brother, the Prince of Fu. Unlike the historical Prince of Fu, this one was well-proportioned and graceful, often indulging in poetry and couplets, earning a reputation for his refined elegance. When their father was alive, the siblings lived in the palace and were very close. Later, when the late Emperor ascended the throne, he moved out of the palace and established the Prince of Fu's residence, resulting in fewer opportunities to meet over the years. They could only see each other during the New Year and festivals, and in terms of closeness, he was not as close as the elder brother.

The Prince of Fu tightened his five fingers on the armrest of the chair, furrowing his brows and said: "This illness has not been lingering for just a day or two; it has been worsening since the beginning of last year. You may not know this in the palace, but the previous dynasty's imperial court would occasionally call for a break from the affairs of state, probably because the body truly could not withstand it"

The cries of the Empress Dowager and the women of the palace were drowned in a vast sea of tears, and everyone felt lost about the road ahead. The mourning cap was deep, obscuring the view on both sides, and all Wanwan could see before her was the high offering table and the towering piles of candies and pastries.

The copper ring has been by her side for a year, and she has observed every little change in her. Last year, the princess was still a child who cried easily in the face of difficulties, but this year she has matured significantly. The shaping of a girl's character may occur in just a moment; she has principles, opinions, and her own likes and dislikes, which is far stronger than those of the noble ladies.

The palace attendants continuously came and went, adding incense and candles, while the paper money burning in the bronze basin formed a warm array, which, over time, scorched the skin. Wanwan knelt for a long time beneath the mourning banners by the coffin, her vision alternating between blur and clarity. Her elder brother, as emperor, may not have been competent, but he was a good brother. She still remembered the scene of him riding on the wall to pick up the shuttlecock for her. Even if he had wronged the people of the world, he had never wronged her. She cried, not for the loss of a heroic ruler for the state, but for her own sibling. Perhaps when he was alive, he did not realize how precious it was; only after losing him did she suddenly discover that she had lost her support. She knelt from dawn until noon, with no intention of returning. What was there to go back to? She could smell the pervasive scent of hemp cloth in the air, and even sitting in the palace was unsettling. It was better to stay here and accompany her elder brother on his final journey. From now on, this person would merely be a long string of titles on a memorial tablet, devoid of any meaning.

She is aware of this second brother; sometimes he is not very reliable, but blood is thicker than water. When it comes to serious discussions, he is indeed the closest person to her.

Wanwan smiled slightly, "Where is ... ..." recalling Xiao Duo, what a pity, ultimately just a little short. It can be considered a dream from youth, unspoken, as long as he is still here, that is enough.

The copper ring advised her: "Your Highness, lunch is already prepared and placed in the eastern side hall. You should take a rest as well; it has been several days now, and this is not a proper way to go about it."

Prince Fu stood up, slowly pacing in the light and shadow at the door, his face pale and distressed, like the mourning robe he wore. He murmured: "The blessings that should be enjoyed have been enjoyed, and the sufferings that should be endured have been endured; I have lived this life without regret. I know you were close to your elder brother, and now that he has passed away, you feel sorrowful, but you must take care of your own health. It is not right to remain kneeling before his spirit. Do not keep vigil tonight; the Ministry of Rites is currently handling the funeral of the Lady of Heaven, and so many have died in the palace at once, the atmosphere is too heavy with yin energy. You are still a child, and it would not be good for you to be affected. I know you were close to your elder brother, and now that he has passed away, you feel sorrowful, but you must take care of your own health. It is not right to remain kneeling before his spirit. Do not keep vigil tonight; the Ministry of Rites is currently handling the funeral of the Lady of Heaven, and so many have died in the palace at once, the atmosphere is too heavy with yin energy. You can rest assured, even though your elder brother is gone, I am still here. We came from the same womb, and we are closer than anyone else.

She felt a sense of confusion in her heart, "What about Prince Rong? Is she no longer concerned about him?"

There were people in the hall, seemingly having arrived early. Upon seeing her enter, they stood up to greet her, saying, "It is still early for the meal, yet you have knelt for half a day, and you do not listen to my advice. You should rest here for the afternoon; if you are tired, let someone attend to you and return to the palace. The oil for the lamps and the food consumed, how much does it all amount to?" As they spoke, they gestured to the eunuch, and the dishes from the food box were brought out, neatly arranged on the table in front.

Last time it was merely a superficial inquiry, but this time it is a direct visit. Wanwan is not very happy, but as a young lady, she is shy and her face turns red, appearing somewhat embarrassed.

Lady Zhao is now in a state of desperation, seeing her family on the verge of collapse, and is forcing me to join in. She wants to bring it up with the Empress Dowager; let her do so, it will only lead to her own embarrassment. She said indignantly, pausing for a moment before expressing her melancholy, "The Minister had warned me before he went to Jiangnan, probably fearing that I would take offense, hinting at things indirectly, which is quite considerate of him. At present, it seems there is no need for concern; he has asked Supervisor Yan to look after the Yude Palace, and Lady Zhao has no way to deal with it. Let's wait and see; when he returns, we can seek his advice."

Every time she sees her, there is an endless stream of grievances. The "Hui Fei" she speaks of refers to Zheng Hui Fei, who was once a favored figure in front of the Empress Dowager. She committed suicide by starvation half a month ago, and to this day, there are still various opinions regarding her death

Madam Zhao still refuses to give up, "Although you and the late emperor were not born of the same mother, the affection he had for you is no less than that of the emperor. Speaking of sisters-in-law, am I not your sister-in-law? The relatives I mentioned from my family also hold official positions in the court; his father is the Right Minister of the Censorate, and he himself serves as an advisor in the Office of the Governor-General. He is of handsome appearance and has a well-known good character. Although marrying into the royal family may seem like a high climb, what young couple does not seek harmony in their life together?" After saying this, she smiled, "I know you feel embarrassed, and it is also my fault for being too eager; I should have brought this up with the Empress Dowager. Never mind, I will wait until I have gauged the Empress Dowager's thoughts before discussing it with you in detail."

Wanwan put down her chopsticks and said, "The Empress Dowager never allows anyone to see him. I have thought about entering the Qianqing Palace several times, but when I reached the door, I did not dare to go in. Now that I think about it, my elder brother is truly pitiful; so young, and just like that, he is gone."

His Royal Highness the King and the Queen, after ascending the throne, need not fear the lack of assistance

The face of the Prince of Fu was slightly pale, "Even if her son ascends to the throne, she will not have the chance to become the Empress Dowager, as there is still a Lady Zhao above her. When the late Emperor was alive, she was arrogant due to her favored status and offended many people. Now that her support has collapsed, choosing to die for her loyalty is also a good way out, at least it would be a more dignified death"

Wanwan stood up and, with a sullen expression, left the Jiefeng Palace