The Imperial Guard has returned to the imperial palace, but the atmosphere inside is still somewhat noisy and chaotic.
Groups of eunuchs are moving away the firewood surrounding the Empress Dowager Palace.
Although their expressions remain uneasy, it is significantly better than the previous despair, perhaps because there is a line of soldiers standing in front of the palace besides the Imperial Guard.
These soldiers only wear military robes, without weapons, and their physiques are not as towering as the Imperial Guard, but they stand upright and sternly, emanating a formidable aura.
This is the Qingshan Army that relieved the siege of the capital.
When they arrived, tens of thousands of the Jurchen people fled at the news.
"Why pursue them?"
The voice of the Empress Dowager, raised and displeased, came from inside the palace.
The concubines who were previously confined here have been dispersed, and the Empress Dowager, sitting on a chair, has a pale complexion, carrying the fatigue of surviving a disaster, but her spirits seem fine.
"At this time, are we still sending so much of the Qingshan Army to pursue them, leaving the capital defenseless once more?" The Empress Dowager said, somewhat angrily, and the joy from the official bringing a team of the Qingshan Army to guard the Imperial City vanishes, "What if the Jurchen people come back to kill?"
"Please rest assured, Empress Dowager, the city's defense has been arranged, and the troops from Renji Prefecture are present, with garrisons from several other prefectures rushing here as well." An old official said.
The Empress Dowager looked at him with some dissatisfaction; arrangements were made before, they said everything was ready, yet the Jurchen people almost breached the city.
"Where is Ning Yan?" she asked.
The capital was preserved this time because Ning Yan first stood up, stabilized the people, and rallied the military spirit, of course, with help from Miss Jun, who brought the families of the Qingshan Army to solidify city defenses.
But now that everything is settled and the officials have entered the palace to report, Ning Yan and Miss Jun have not arrived.
"Empress Dowager, Ning Yan said that now, having no official position or edict, it's inappropriate for him to enter the palace." He said, his expression firm yet somewhat approving.
Such is the integrity of a cultured bureaucrat; some things should be done, others should not, and it is not for these women to whimsically humiliate and reproach.
The Empress Dowager saw his intentions and felt even more ashamed and annoyed.
She came from a humble background, lacking support from a powerful family, and for the emperor's good reputation, the empress is also from a modest household.
In the eyes of these ministers, she and the emperor are orphans without foundation in governance or powerful external assistance.
Therefore, she has always wanted the emperor to be diligent and benevolent; a monarch who safeguards the empire can earn the ministers' trust by doing this, yet...this useless one!
"I just want to ask about the city's defense this time; he, being involved, can enter without official position." The Empress Dowager patiently said, "And that Miss Jun as well, all need to be rewarded for their merits."
The ministers were silent for a moment.
"Empress Dowager, speaking of rewarding for merits," he raised his head, "Where is His Majesty now?"
Matters of merit and reward are naturally the emperor's business.
The Empress Dowager does not want to hear this question anymore, but there's nothing she can do.
Her expression turned even more unpleasant, and she clenched her hands in front.
She cannot state openly that she doesn't know the emperor's whereabouts, otherwise how could she inform the world that the emperor abandoned her, the ministers, and birth mother—what would such a disloyal son appear to the world as a supposed wise monarch?
The loyal, honest, and kind ruler image she has meticulously created for him would crumble completely.
Though losing it might not matter since he is still emperor, it would surely lead the already disdainful ministers to look down on him even more in the future.
Thinking about this makes the Empress Dowager angry, angrier at this useless creature treating her like she was obligated to maintain him.
"I made people take His Majesty away." She said, "Jurchen besieged the city, I couldn't let Emperor Renxiao's situation happen again."
She emphasized the words "made people take," indicating it was not the emperor's intention, he was powerless and compelled.
The old official bowed his head in acceptance.
"Then now that the siege of the capital is dissolved, where is His Majesty?" He said, "So we can go and welcome him."
Who knows where he is.
The Empress Dowager clenched the hands on her knees.
"No rush, after all, there are still tens of thousands of Jurchen soldiers near the capital, wait until it's completely safe before talking." She said.
The ministers did not respond with 'yes.'
"Precisely because it's unsafe, we kindly ask Empress Dowager to tell us the location so we can send troops to guard." He persisted.
These ministers dare speak; it goes on without end.
The Empress Dowager's temples pulsed; just as she was about to flare up, a eunuch's report came from outside.
"Empress Dowager, Eunuch Yuan has returned."
Yuan Bao!
This traitor! To run off with the emperor and leave her behind; these eunuchs who grew up with the emperor are nothing good.
Hatred flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.
This time upon returning, she'll never let him leave alive.
"Empress Dowager."
Yuan Bao hurried into the palace, upon entering, cried as he knelt on the floor.
"Please save His Majesty."
The Empress Dowager was startled and stood up.
"What happened to His Majesty?" She asked urgently.
Though she resents this son, he is ultimately her offspring.
The ministers beside were also startled.
Yuan Bao sobbed as tears and snot streamed down his head.
"His Majesty punished himself at the Imperial Mausoleum, has not eaten or drunk, and cannot hold on anymore." He cried, "The servants truly dare not hide it any longer."
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager sat back down.
This talk of refusing food and drink, would someone terrified enough to flee before the Jurchen even attack dare seek death?
Punished himself at the Imperial Mausoleum.
He truly dared to say!
But though this excuse is shameful, it barely counts as a reason.
The Empress Dowager felt resentful within.
"What did he punish himself for?" She asked, "I was the one who sent him to the Imperial Mausoleum; is he saying I should punish myself?"
What Lord Ning said is correct, the Empress Dowager indeed claimed the emperor's departure on herself.
Then the matter becomes simpler.
Yuan Bao felt cheerful inwardly, his face streamed even more happily with tears.
"Empress Dowager, His Majesty did not mean that." He bowed his head and said, "With Jurchen brutality, citizens suffer greatly, His Majesty feels indebted to ancestors above and failed the common people below, with repentance and guilt."
The Empress Dowager sneered internally.
"It is indeed his fault." She said vehemently, "Precisely because of his fault, he should be diligent in governance, reclaim today's shame—talking of life and death, what is it?"
Yuan Bao hung his head, sobbing, not daring to speak further.
Lord Ning said what needed to be said; from then on, just listen, do not speak.
"So His Majesty is at the Imperial Mausoleum." The minister beside understood, said with a complex expression, but eventually did not say anything more, looking at the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, we should have His Majesty return first; what if something happens without him eating or drinking..."
The Empress Dowager snorted.
"Then go and bring him back," she said.
The court officials responded affirmatively.
The news about the emperor being at the Imperial Mausoleum soon spread.
"So, the emperor went to hide at the Imperial Mausoleum."
"It seems it's not hiding, but rather going for self-punishment and reflection."
"Is this self-punishment and reflection? I think it's more sincere to face the enemy like Prince Xian and Prince Huai."
"No, it wasn't His Majesty's own decision to go; the Empress Dowager sent him."
The people on the streets were also actively discussing, but the emperor did not immediately return. Several ministers went to persuade him, but the emperor refused to show up, only sending out a self-blame edict.
Looking at the self-blame edict sent out, the officials' faces were complicated.
"If this is announced to the world, His Majesty's reputation will suffer," a minister said quietly.
That means admitting his mishandling of state affairs in front of the world. For an emperor, as a son of heaven with words like gold and jade, admitting faults greatly diminishes imperial authority.
"Otherwise?" Another minister smiled bitterly, "Without a self-blame edict, will the reputation improve?"
Instead of being suspected by the people of abandoning the city and fleeing, issuing a self-blame edict, although damaging to imperial authority, is better than letting it continue to deteriorate. It's better to actively reassure the people's hearts.
The ministers gathered outside the Imperial Mausoleum discussed and agreed to announce the self-blame edict to the world.
"First, issue the self-blame edict, and reward the meritorious officials after returning to the court, reform various malpractices, and make people content." Ning Yunzhao said.
"In doing so, heaven's will return, and His Majesty's authority will be greater."
The emperor, feeling ashamed and displeased after writing the self-blame edict, nodded at these words.
"The urgent matter is to return to the court first," he said.
What does a self-blame edict matter?
People are forgetful. Before long, no one will mention this matter.
If someone with a good memory insists on bringing it up, let them be silenced forever.
As long as he is the emperor, who can do anything to him?
"Then I'll return when they beg me again." The emperor stood up and said.
Living in this cold and uncomfortable Imperial Mausoleum, standing at the doorway, he could see the tomb of the former Crown Prince at a glance.
"Your Majesty is wise," Ning Yunzhao said, raising his head, "Your Majesty, why not reward the meritorious officials here before returning?"
The emperor frowned.
"Reward them now?" he asked.
"The capital is not yet stable, with countless Jurchen people roaming along Jingdong Road, and the government soldiers are fighting them." Ning Yunzhao said, "At this time, rewarding those who have valiantly defended the city will not only appease the people but also boost morale."
The emperor nodded.
"Alright," he said, "summon Monarch Ning Yan and Shanyang County Magistrate for an audience."
......
.......
"What are you trying to accomplish with this?"
After Ning Yunzhao went outside to relay the emperor's will to the waiting ministers and returned, he encountered Lu Yunqi standing under the porch. This time, instead of his usual silence, he took the initiative to ask.
Ning Yunzhao smiled.
"It's actually a selfish motive," he whispered, "for my uncle and for her, to restore their rightful names soon."
Is that so?
Lu Yunqi said nothing more.
Is she coming over?
She had only been here once.
This place was not a particularly happy place for her.
Lu Yunqi's gaze fell ahead, where a distant mausoleum was visible.
The news of the emperor summoning and rewarding Monarch Ning Yan, Miss Jun, and other meritorious officials for defending the city quickly spread throughout the capital, just as Ning Yunzhao had said, improving the people's impression of the emperor.
After all, he was the emperor, the son of heaven.
The atmosphere inside Jiuling Hall was somewhat joyful.
Primarily due to Liu'er and Seventh Chen's joy.
"Our Miss will probably get the title of princess this time, won't she?" Liu'er said.
Princess?
Miss Jun looked at her and smiled without saying anything.
.....
......
After arriving at the Imperial Mausoleum, Miss Jun and Ning Yan, like the other waiting officials, were standing outside as this was not the court.
Since the emperor had not yet agreed to return to the court, he did not meet them, only having a eunuch come out to convey praises for their actions. After announcing Ning Yan's reinstatement and the rewards of gold and silver to Miss Jun, she did not bow to thank the emperor's grace.
"I don't want these rewards," she said.
The officials present, including Ning Yan, were somewhat surprised.
Is she asking for more? Doing so seems quite arrogant as if using her achievements to intimidate the emperor.
But this time her accomplishments were indeed great, and it was within reason to ask for what she wanted.
The ministers looked at each other with complex expressions, none speaking up to reprimand.
This unexpected move also took the eunuch by surprise.
"Then what does Miss Jun want?" he asked, frowning.
Miss Jun looked at him.
"I ask His Majesty to reinforce the rightful order," she said, "to establish Prince Huai as the Crown Prince."
With this statement, there was a deathly silence, and then the sound of many gasping breaths ensued.
Everyone's eyes focused on this woman.
What is she saying?
What is she saying?
....
....
(Got up at noon, not writing for several days makes it unfamiliar, so just one update for now, I'll adjust my time.
Thank you all for letting Miss Jun achieve second place in the annual rankings. I hope for your continued support with the new book this year. Bowing in gratitude.)