Joy of Life

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Hanguang Palace was silent for a long before the empress dowager’s voice rang out again, “What objections do you have?”

The old Master Qin lowered his head and respectfully said, “I dare not. However, it is best to do everything according to the rules. I pray that your will alone will be done.”

After the empress dowager thought for a while, she slowly nodded her head. Doing things by the rules meant that since the Emperor had already passed, then it should be the Crown Prince who succeeded to the throne. The empress dowager thought of the conversations she had had with the Crown Prince these few days. Her satisfaction with this grandson grew deeper and deeper. She felt that he was much more clear-headed than his mother.

No matter from which angle, the Crown Prince succeeding the throne was her first choice. She had also received the support of the important officials in the military, so there was no reason to change all this.

“What about Fan manor?”

“Your Highness, you shouldn’t have forgotten about that Ye woman in the past.”

After another death-like silence, the empress opened her mouth and said, “You can go now.”

“Yes.” Old General Qin bowed and backed out of Hanguang Palace. Before he had gone far from the Palace, he unconsciously turned his head to look back. It seemed he could faintly hear someone crying inside.

The old man’s heart suddenly tightened. Thinking of the wisp of imperial spirit on the distant Dong Mountain, a feeling of fear and shock he had never felt before welled in his heart. He felt cold sweat begin to pour out of his back. He increased his footsteps to leave the Palace.

After the first two days and two nights, the concubines that had been invited into the Palace on the empress dowager’s orders returned to their own Palaces, except Lady Ning, Yi Guipin, and Lady Shu. These three concubines had all given birth to princes. In such an unusual time, if she wanted the Crown Prince to safely ascend the throne, the empress dowager had to hold these three women in her hands.

As for the Eldest Princess, she returned to Xinyang Palace, which she had been away from for so long.

The empress dowager sat alone on the low couch while a few old housemaids served her silently in the background. Yellow light from the lantern shone on the empress dowager’s profile, clearly highlighting the countless lines on her face. It made the currently most powerful person in Qing Kingdom appear old and decrepit, beyond the help of any medicine.

“Could I have made the wrong choice?”

This doubt at the bottom of the empress dowager’s heart was like a venomous snake that endlessly chewed on her confidence. Faced with such old age, suddenly hearing the news of one’s son’s death was, for any elder, a difficult shock to endure. The empress dowager had valiantly subdued her sorrow and began to plan the most reliable and safest path for Qing Kingdom’s future.

“If he was still alive, he would certainly blame me.”

The empress dowager slowly closed her eyes and thought of the Emperor who had already left this world. Her heart was filled with sorrow. The visit to Dong Mountain to worship heaven was for the purpose of deposing the Crown Prince. Now that the Emperor had died, she, as his mother, was about to help the Crown Prince ascend to the throne. The Emperor’s spirit had to be very angry.

For the sake of Qing Kingdom and continuation of the territory her son had conquered, the empress dowager seemed to have no other choice.

Even the terrifying thought that lay across her heart could not influence her choice.

The empress dowager suddenly opened her eyes. It was as if she wanted to find her son’s spirit in the Palace. She looked quietly into the dark Palace. Her lips opened slightly. Using a low voice that only she could hear, she said, “I don’t care who hurt you or if it was the person I chose, but you are already dead. Do you understand? You are already dead, so nothing matters anymore!”

The empress dowager was not a stupid country housewife. The so-called evidence that had arrived day after day into the capital did not make her completely believe that the grandson who lived outside of the Palace, and whom she was not very close to, was the true culprit behind emperor’s assassination.

She even vaguely suspected her daughter and other grandsons had their role in the Emperor’s assassination. No matter from which angle one looked at it from, the Emperor’s death allowed these people to obtain the most wonderful results.

However, there was no use in doubting. Belief was a subjective choice. The empress dowager knew that if she wanted some peace of mind in the years before her death, she must force herself to believe that Fan Xian was the true culprit and the Crown Prince would be a wise Emperor.

“Empress dowager, the Eldest Princess has arrived.” An old housemaid reported in a low voice.

The empress dowager waved her hand weakly. The Eldest Princess, in white Palace robes, slowly walked into the main half of Hanguang Palace. She bowed respectfully to the empress dowager, appearing very timid.

The empress dowager was silent for a long time before she waved her hand again. All the housemaids and serving girls quickly left the main hall, leaving the vast and silent Palace to the mother and daughter.

The empress dowager looked at the trace of tears at the corner of her daughter’s eyes and lost her focus slightly. A moment later, she said, “I heard that you’ve been crying without end these days. Why hurt yourself like this? He has already died. We can do nothing by crying.”

The Eldest Princess smiled peacefully. Using a warm tone of voice, which she had never shown in front of the empress dowager before, she said, “Your teaching is correct.”

She sat down beside the empress dowager and gently nestled against her like a little girl.

The empress dowager was silent for a moment and then said, “That brother of yours is an unreliable fellow. Since the Emperor has died, you should come often to talk with me when you have the time.”

“Yes, mother.”

The empress dowager glanced at her daughter from the corner of her eyes and furrowed her brows, “Try to convince me about the matter with An Zhi.”

The Eldest Princess was startled slightly, as if she hadn’t thought that her mother would ask so straightforwardly. After a moment of silence, she said, “I don’t understand what mother means.”

The empress dowager’s gaze gradually grew cold and then rapidly faded. In an even voice, she said, “I just need something that can convince me.”

The Eldest Princess lowered her head and said after a moment, “Fan Xian had a reason for doing this.”

“What is it?”

“Because his mother is Ye Qingmei.” The Eldest Princess raised her face and looked at her mother with a faint glimmer of melancholy. “Furthermore, he never considered himself a Li.”

The empress dowager did not become angry and peaceably said, “Continue.”

“He colluded with Northern Qi people in Jiangnan. The specifics will become clear once it is investigated,” the Eldest Princess said calmly, “There is also something unexplainable between Fan Xian and Dongyi. In recent days, the young ninth-level ace by his side is Sigu Jian’s last disciple.”

“You mean Thirteenth Wang,” the empress dowager said.

The corner of the Eldest Princess’ brows furrowed slightly. It was as if she had not thought her mother would know so much about this matter. She lowered her head and said, “Yes.”

“Many months ago when Chengqian went to Nanzhou, he relied greatly on Thirteenth Wang’s care along the way.” The empress dowager’s gaze became calm. “If he is one of Fan Xian’s men, then I think An Zhi is a good child.”

The empress dowager continued slowly, “The Crown Prince has already told me about Thirteenth Wang.” The old woman sighed. “Over these few days, the Crown Prince has worked hard to defend Fan Xian. Just going by this point alone, Chengqian is also a good child.”

The Eldest Princess nodded her head, “I also think so.”

The empress dowager watched her daughter quietly. “Each of the Emperor’s children have their positive qualities. I am very pleased with that. Thus, I don’t wish to see these juniors continue being manipulated by you.”

“I understand your meaning,” the Eldest Princess peaceably said. “From today onwards, I will know my place.”

“Over these years, although the Emperor had been somewhat stubborn and muddle-headed, he was still your brother.” The empress dowager’s brows gradually furrowed. Her eyes were filled with thick sorrow and helplessness. Looking at her daughter, she couldn’t speak for a long time.

The Eldest Princess turned her body slightly and revealed her beautiful face under the light.

The empress dowager raised her palm and swung it heavily against the Eldest Princess’ face, making a crisp crack. The Eldest Princess have a muffled grunt and fell to the floor. A trickle of fresh blood flowed from the corner of her lips.

The empress dowager’s chest rose and fell quickly. It was a long time before it gradually calmed down.

…

…

It was unclear whether Fan Xian already made a judgement on the situation in the Palace that was closest to the truth. If he knew about this, he would definitely not have chosen to enter the Royal Palace and tell the truth of Dong Mountain to the empress dowager in person, as well as giving her the Emperor’s letter and the royal seal.

Amidst this world-shaking event, Fan Xian had to admit that his mother-in-law’s choice made for a very simple, clever, and effective plan. As long as the Emperor died, regardless of whether it was court officials or the empress dowager, they would all consider the Crown Prince, who was becoming more and more like a ruler, as the first choice.

From the perspective of titles and for the sake of stability, there was no better choice than the Crown Prince.

Once the Crown Prince ascended the throne and after the dust had settled, Fan Xian would have to think of a way to get to Northern Qi to live off a woman. The problem at hand was that the Fan manor was under the control of the Royal Palace. His wife and concubine, as the rumors had it, had both already entered the Palace. Even if he wanted to go live off a woman, he couldn’t leave them behind.

The women in the Li family were indeed one more vicious than another.

While Fan Xian repeated the words “old whore,” which had a long historical tradition, he used the cover of darkness to flip over a tall wall and land gently in the green garden.

This was a giant manor. Although there were not any ace guards, there were many people in the manor. Many officials came and left. To get from the feet of the wall to the study, still injured Fan Xian felt a surge of blood and almost revealed himself.

Outside the study, he listened for a while for sounds inside. He then used a dagger to pry open the window and flashed inside. His gaze landed on a decorative cloth that was as white as snow. He couldn’t help but furrow his brows slightly. He turned and choked the throat of the official who was about to cry out in shock. Moving close to his ear, he quietly said, “Don’t yell, it’s me.”

Hearing his voice, the official that he had subdued shook like he had been hit by lightning. He then gradually relaxed.

Fan Xian looked warily into his eyes and dragged his iron-like hands away from his throat. If the other person actually disregarded his life and called for someone to capture him, he would probably be hard pressed to escape Jingdou alive given his present condition.

This was a gamble, but Fan Xian’s life was just one big gamble. His luck had always been good enough.

The official didn’t call out for help. Instead, he looked at Fan Xian’s pale face with a strange gaze like he was slightly confused and pleasantly surprised.

“Old man Shu, don’t look at me like that.” Fan Xian confirmed his judgement and pulled back his dagger before sitting down across from Shu Wu.

After much thinking, Fan Xian decided to first find his scholar who had reached the highest official position. Among all civil and martial officials, he felt that only this student of Zhuan Mohan’s was the most trustworthy due to his moral character and virtues.

Shu Wu looked at him with a complicated gaze and suddenly opened his mouth, “Three questions.”

“Please, go ahead.” Fan Xian replied.

“Is the Emperor dead?” Shu Wu’s voice trembled slightly.

Fan Xian was silent for a moment, “When I left Dong Mountain, he wasn’t dead yet. However…” He thought of the figure on the approaching ship, Sigu Jian hidden at the side, and of the baldy who was likely to take action. He furrowed his brows and said, “He should have died.”

Shu Wu sighed and didn’t speak for a long time.

“Who is the main culprit?” Shu Wu watched his eyes.

Fan Xian pointed at his own nose and said, “According to intelligence reports from the military and the Overwatch Council, it should be me.”

“If it is you, why would you return to Jingdou?” Shu Wu shook his head. “Such a loss of reasons does not align with the nature of gentlemen.”

Both of them fell silent. Fan Xian suddenly opened his mouth and said, “Since I have come to find you, I have something to ask of you.”

“What is it?”

“You cannot let the Crown Prince take the throne.” Fan Xian stared into his eyes and said each word clearly.

Shu Wu’s brows tightened then relaxed. He lowered his voice and said, “Why is that?”

A faint expression of self-mocking rose to the corner of his lips, “I trust that Shu the Scholar would not let a scumbag that killed his father, the Emperor, sit on Qing Kingdom’s dragon chair.”

Silence filled the room. Fan Xian stood up and took out the letter he had hidden close to his body. In a quiet voice, he said, “Shu Wu, accept the edict.”

Shu Wu’s heart shook. He knelt on the ground. His hands trembled as he accepted the letter. Doubt surged into his heart. He wondered to himself, If the Emperor was already dead, then who had written this edict? However, he had been in court for many years and had long handled matters Cabinet of Official Papers. He was very familiar with the Emperor’s handwriting and tone. He only looked at the front and back of the letter before knowing that it was the Emperor’s writing. He couldn’t help but feel excited. A wetness rose to his eyes.

Fan Xian opened the letter and gave it to Shu Wu.

The more Shu Wu read, the more he was in shock and anger. In the end, he couldn’t help but slam the table at his side and cursed loudly, “A wild wolf! A wild wolf!”

Fan Xian gently held onto his hand and didn’t let Shu the Scholar’s palm strike the table. Slowly, he said, “This was written by the Emperor the night before he had me return to Jingdou.”

“I will enter the Palace immediately.” Shu Wu stood unable to hide the anger on his face, “I have to see the empress dowager.”

Fan Xian shook his head.

Shu Wu furrowed his brows and said, “Although a funeral has not been held, the Palace is already beginning to prepare for the Crown Prince’s ascension. There is no time to lose. If I am too late, then it will be too late for everything.”

Fan Xian lowered his head and was silent for a moment. He then said, “This letter was originally for the empress dowager.”

Given Fan Xian’s power to hide in Jingdou and extraordinary strengths, even if the Palace was strictly sealed, he would certainly be able to find a way to enter the Palace and meet the empress dowager. With this letter and the royal seal he saw earlier, the empress dowager would believe Fan Xian’s words.

“Ah…” Shu Wu’s expression immediately changed. He stared at Fan Xian in a daze, “Impossible!”

“There is nothing impossible in the world.” Fan Xian’s eyes leapt like they contained spiritual fires. “You are a civil official, while I am one part of the royal family. I can see much more clearly the thoughts of the nobility in the Palace. If I were not afraid of the empress dowager, why would I brave the risk of coming here tonight?”

He was silent for a moment and then said, “The dynasty of the Li family has always been something filled with life. It naturally made right the changes to itself and ensured its survival and the entire royal family had the authority to control the world. Under this condition, nothing else is important.”

Fan Xian looked at Shu the Scholar and calmly said, “Everything has already been made clear. No matter how you choose, it will be right. You can pretend I never came today.”

Shu Wu sank into a long period of silence. This official of Qing Kingdom had suddenly become older all over. After a long time, he said in a raspy voice, “Since you have come and I now know, I cannot pretend that you never came.”

Fan Xian was slightly moved.

“I am curious. Although Minister Fan is, at this moment, under house arrest in his manor, you have other friends in court. Why did you choose me and not someone else, such as Director Chen or the Great Prince?” Shu Wu asked with a smile. His eyes gave off a comforting light.

Fan Xian also smiled and said, “Martial power is the last way to solve a problem. At the end of this matter, there will still be a need for martial power. Before action is taken, Qing Kingdom needs to be reasonable.”

He calmly said, “As for why I would choose you to be reasonable on behalf of the Emperor, the reason is simple. It is because you are a scholar.”

Fan Xian said, in the end, “I am not a pure scholar, but I know what a true scholar should look like. For example, you and old master Zhuan Mohan. Scholars have moral character. I am borrowing your moral character.”

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