Spring Remains the Same - Chapter 116

The autumn wind began to blow, and the air grew thick with the chill of the season.

Wei Xiu ventured out of the hall less and less. Puyang even stopped letting her read the memorials, instead ordering people to search for storybooks from outside the palace and commanding the Chongwen Institute to present this year’s imperially commissioned new books to alleviate Wei Xiu’s boredom.

To keep her from worrying, Wei Xiu went along with her wishes.

As a result, all government affairs fell back onto Puyang’s shoulders.

Fortunately, Li Shou’s army of one hundred thousand, though seemingly ferocious, was in fact as scattered as a basin of loose sand. When the court’s grand army launched a concerted attack, Li Shou proved to be utterly vulnerable. After a crushing defeat in the first battle, he suffered loss after loss in the subsequent engagements.

Puyang dismissed it with a laugh. The Ministry of Punishments, on the other hand, had uncovered a major case.

The Minister of Rites who had initially persuaded the Prince of Han to commit suicide turned out to be one of the Prince of Teng’s men. The person Li Shou truly intended to enthrone was not the Prince of Han, but the Prince of Teng. Their original plan was to take advantage of the Prince of Han’s ignorance of political affairs and persuade him to die. This would cement the Emperor’s reputation as a muddle-headed ruler who forced a kinsman to his death, which would surely incite the righteous men of the realm to anger. By then, of all Emperor Gao’s sons, only the Prince of Teng would remain. The Prince of Teng would then find a way to escape the capital and take command of Li Shou’s army.

It was truly a fine scheme to kill two birds with one stone.

Unfortunately for them, while the Prince of Han was timid and insensible, the Princess of Han was quite capable of distinguishing right from wrong and stopped her husband.

After obtaining the Minister of Rites’ confession and finding numerous letters of correspondence in his residence as he had admitted, the evidence of the Prince of Teng’s rebellion was conclusive. Puyang issued an edict to throw the Prince of Teng into the great prison and ordered the Ministry of Punishments to conduct a rigorous interrogation.

The Prince of Teng was two months younger than the Prince of Han, yet unexpectedly possessed considerable audacity.

“A pity. The plan was a bit crude,” Wei Xiu said with a faint smile, leaning against an armrest.

She was often bored sitting in the hall. Although she had storybooks and poetry for company, she couldn’t always be holding a book. So Puyang recounted this matter to her as an anecdote to amuse her.

Right now, the Prince of Teng was being interrogated in prison, and the stain on the Prince of Han’s name was thus cleared. Even if the court intended to be wary of her, they could no longer use Li Shou’s rebellion as a pretext for attack.

Puyang picked up a thick, soft, small blanket. Made of fox fur, it was plush yet light. She draped it over Wei Xiu. “With only a hundred-thousand-man army in Liang Province, no high-ranking ministers in the court to support him, and no local generals to answer his call, he dared to rebel. How meticulous could such a plan be?”

Wei Xiu smiled and pulled the blanket up a little higher. She was still holding a hand warmer. The charcoal inside had just been replaced and was still a bit hot, so she rested it against her chest.

Winter had not yet arrived, but she already felt a bone-deep chill. Even with such a thick blanket covering her, she did not feel hot at all.

A palace attendant brought in some newly made honeyed sweets for the autumn. Wei Xiu knew then that the medicine was probably ready. Sure enough, a young eunuch soon entered the hall at a brisk pace, carrying a jade bowl.

The pitch-black medicinal liquid in the jade bowl looked extremely bitter. Wei Xiu took it, glanced into the bowl, and drank it all in one go.

Fresh water was already prepared. Wei Xiu rinsed her mouth and then held a piece of the honeyed sweet in her mouth, the bitter taste gradually fading. Puyang let out a soft sigh. Whenever the medicinal decoction was brought over, she would act as if facing a great enemy. When Wei Xiu took her medicine, Puyang’s brows would furrow even tighter than Wei Xiu’s. Once the bowl was empty, she would hurriedly hand over the water and then the sweet, even more nervous than Wei Xiu herself.

Seeing Puyang’s expression, as if she had just completed a monumental task, Wei Xiu couldn’t help but chuckle softly.

In truth, no matter how bitter the medicine, once you drank it enough, it no longer felt so difficult to swallow. She now took medicine almost as often as she ate meals; it had long since become a habit. It was just that Seventh Lady still wasn’t used to it. These honeyed sweets were her doing, specially made by the imperial kitchen according to her taste, so that Wei Xiu could suppress the bitterness after taking her medicine.

“It’s not bitter,” Wei Xiu said gently. “Don’t be nervous.”

“Mm-hmm,” Puyang replied twice, as if she had taken it to heart, but Wei Xiu knew that the next time, she would still be just as on edge.

So she stopped trying to persuade her and spoke with Puyang about other things.

Puyang went along with her. In fact, Imperial Physician Zhou had already told her that she must be extra careful this winter and not let the Prince Consort catch a chill. Her lungs had been injured, and though the wound had healed, her internal organs were still recuperating and had not yet recovered their vitality. If she were to catch a cold, it would be extremely troublesome.

Wei Xiu’s medical skills were far superior to Imperial Physician Zhou’s, so she naturally understood this and was usually very mindful of her own condition. She just didn’t like to talk about it.

The case of the Prince of Teng’s treason was of grave importance. Furthermore, as he was the Emperor’s younger brother, his status was noble. Even in disgrace, he could not be humiliated by minor officials. To show her prudence, Puyang ordered a joint trial by the Ministry of Punishments, the Court of Judicial Review, and the Censor-in-Chief. The three bodies acted swiftly, and within three days, the Prince of Teng’s confession was delivered to Puyang’s hands.

Perhaps because he was at the end of his rope with nowhere to turn, the Prince of Teng confessed with great alacrity. His only request was to spare his life. Puyang was suddenly reminded of the day the Prince of Han had rushed into the Hall of Proclaimed Virtue, declaring his willingness to die to prove his innocence, asking only to protect the Princess of Han. She casually asked, “Did the Prince of Teng ask about the Princess of Teng’s situation?”

The Censor-in-Chief replied, “His Highness the Prince of Teng did not inquire about the Princess. He only repeatedly entrusted this humble servant to convey to Your Majesty that he was misled by Li Shou and had no intention of rebelling, begging Your Majesty to show mercy and spare his life.”

Puyang sneered. “He shifts the blame quite cleanly.”

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review then stepped forward to state, “In your servant’s opinion, it would be better to spare the Prince of Teng’s life.” At this point, even if the Prince of Teng’s life was spared, he would never leave the great prison and could no longer stir up trouble. “Sparing his life demonstrates Your Majesty’s benevolence, repaying grievance with virtue. The people of the realm will surely be grateful for Your Majesty’s magnanimity. In the future, if anyone tries to use the two princes to incite chaos, no one will speak ill of Your Majesty. They will only think that the rebellious person has a wolf’s ambition and is ungrateful for the court’s kindness.”

This time, when Li Shou rebelled, besides using military force, he had also sent people to various places to spread rumors, claiming that the Emperor had obtained the throne improperly, was wary of the two princes, and intended to execute them. He, for the sake of Emperor Gao’s bloodline, “had no choice but to rebel.”

Sparing the Prince of Teng’s life would demonstrate the court’s benevolence. The next time something similar happened, the common people would not believe it.

The Minister of the Court of Judicial Review’s words were reasonable, and it was the conclusion the three of them had reached after discussion. After some thought, Puyang approved it.

With that, the situation in the capital was settled. All that remained was to wait for the imperial army to return to the capital to be rewarded for their merits.

The war was still being fought, but the court was no longer so busy. Only the Minister of Punishments was greatly troubled. The matter of Jiao Yong assassinating the Emperor and accidentally injuring the Prince Consort had long been investigated, but Her Majesty had yet to sentence him. More than half a year had passed, and she had not asked a single question about it, merely keeping Jiao Yong detained in the Ministry of Punishments’ prison, as if she had forgotten about him.

Jiao Yong had assassinated the Emperor. By law, his crime was punishable by death and the extermination of his entire clan. But since the Emperor did not ask, the ministers kept their distance even more. Jiao Yong had been doing well as the Grand Herald, then suddenly tried to assassinate the sovereign. Who knew what hidden circumstances there were? If they started asking questions left and right and it turned into a major case, the capital would once again be plunged into a bloodbath. Which minister was willing to get involved? They all pretended to have forgotten the matter.

But the Ministry of Punishments had to close its files. The prisoners in its jails were all the Minister’s responsibility. Seeing the end of the year approaching, the Minister of Punishments took the documents on Jiao Yong’s case and entered the palace to request an audience.

It wasn’t that Puyang had forgotten the matter, but because Jiao Yong was originally a disciple of the Zhong Clan and his actions were for the sake of avenging them, she was reluctant to think about it.

When Wei Xiu had woken up, she had never asked who the assassin was, likely because she had already guessed. In the capital, only a few people could know the Emperor’s whereabouts, and among them, only Jiao Yong would dare to assassinate the sovereign.

After Jiao Yong was imprisoned, Puyang had secretly interrogated him herself.

The position of Grand Herald was a prestigious but powerless one, commanding neither troops nor significant authority. His influence in the military had eroded day by day since he left it. Seeing this, Jiao Yong grew desperate. Later, he learned that the Emperor had rushed to Mount Mang to visit a sick person, and thus knew the Prince Consort was on Mount Mang. He deduced that the Prince Consort was ill, and that since the Emperor had visited once, there would surely be a second time. Puyang had no son, and both the Prince of Han and the Prince of Teng lacked foundation. If Puyang were to die suddenly, the court might be thrown into chaos, and disaster might strike the House of Xiao from within.

He had acted on this mere possibility, lying in wait to assassinate her. Who would have known that he would first be detected by the Feathered Forest Guard, then be thwarted by Wei Xiu, ultimately failing completely.

“Assassinating the sovereign is a crime equivalent to treason. According to the law, it should be punished by the extermination of his clan,” the Minister of Punishments reported.

Puyang thought for a moment, then said, “Since the crime is equivalent to treason, let it be handled according to the Prince of Teng’s precedent.”

The Minister of Punishments was stunned. The Prince of Teng was allowed to live so the court could use him to establish an image of benevolence. What was the reason for Jiao Yong?

Seeing the doubt on his face, Puyang said, “During the Prince of Jin’s rebellion back then, I was trapped in the palace. It was thanks to Jiao Yong surrounding the Prince of Jin’s manor with troops that the siege was lifted. In consideration of his past merit, I will therefore handle this with leniency.”

The Minister of Punishments had a sudden realization, accepted the order, and withdrew.

Puyang sighed. The events of that day were originally a cause sown by Wei Xiu. By turning it into the effect of sparing Jiao Yong’s life, she supposed it could alleviate some of Wei Xiu’s guilt.

She told Wei Xiu of the matter. Wei Xiu was silent for a long time before finally saying, “That… is for the best.”

The season had already turned to winter. The imperial army crushed Li Shou’s forces, captured Li Shou alive, and returned to the capital in triumph just a few days before the New Year’s Day ceremony, presenting the rebel leader to the Son of Heaven as a congratulatory gift.

The court was greatly invigorated. This was the first attempted rebellion since Puyang ascended the throne, and after suppressing it, her prestige grew accordingly. Many rising stars in the military also became the Son of Heaven’s trusted confidants.

Despite such good news, Puyang did not feel much joy. Once she had free time, she spent most of it with Wei Xiu. Every day she was with her, whether reading books or painting, always keeping Wei Xiu company so she would not feel bored.

Several braziers were placed in the hall, filling it with a drowsy warmth. Wei Xiu found a medical book, the very one from when she was ill and bored and had taught Puyang how to take a pulse. She had gifted it to Puyang that day, telling her to take it back and study it. Puyang had indeed read it conscientiously, and by the time Wei Xiu recovered, she had already shown considerable progress.

That had happened at the princess’s manor. To think that Seventh Lady had brought this medical book into the palace.

Puyang was appraising an ancient painting presented by a minister. Seeing Wei Xiu take a book from a low cabinet and become lost in thought, she waved a hand at the two eunuchs holding the painting, dismissing them.

Just as Wei Xiu was about to return the medical book to its original place, Puyang quietly approached, leaned over, and asked curiously, “What did you find?”

Wei Xiu turned her hand and passed the medical book to her. “You’ve still been reading this after entering the palace?”

Puyang took it and a smile appeared on her face. “I made a special trip back to my former residence to get this.” During the two years Wei Xiu was on Mount Mang, she often felt an unspeakable loneliness. Remembering how Wei Xiu had taught her to take a pulse, she had personally gone to her old residence, retrieved the book, and studied it herself when she had nothing to do, as a way to pass the tedious hours.

Wei Xiu said with great interest, “Could it be that you have already mastered this book?”

Puyang sat on the floor beside her, also finding it quite amusing. “Why don’t we test it?”

Wei Xiu smiled and extended her wrist. Puyang placed her fingers on her pulse and diagnosed it carefully. After a long while, she looked at Wei Xiu and broke into a radiant smile. “The pulse is calm and gentle, neither deep nor floating, neither slow nor rapid, with a steady rhythm.”

A gentle smile had already appeared on Wei Xiu’s face. Puyang looked back at her, smiling softly, her voice also becoming low and gentle. “Your pulse is strong under my fingers.”

Wei Xiu leaned in and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I will surely grow old with you.”

Outside the window, an old tree sprouted new branches. It was spring once more.

Author’s Notes:

Next up are the extras.