Chapter 57

Could it be… could the Emperor be unable to get aroused? Otherwise, how could she have shown such eager enthusiasm last night yet elicit absolutely no response from the Emperor? This was utterly abnormal.

There was a knock at the door—knock, knock, knock—as Xiao Yuzen’s wild thoughts raced. Chunxing’s voice came from outside. “My lady, are you awake? After breakfast today, we need to go to Linhua Palace to pay respects to the Empress Dowager. The other consorts from the various palaces are already on their way.”

“Got it.” Xiao Yuzen pushed her doubts aside, rose from the bed, and began her usual routine for the day.

…

Early that morning, a large group of consorts arrived at Linhua Palace and paid their respects to the Empress Dowager. During this audience, Yu Empress Dowager chatted idly for a bit, her gaze casually sweeping over each consort as she silently observed their expressions.

No one showed anything unusual—just the same dull fatigue as always.

As the morning sun rose higher and time grew late, Yu Empress Dowager withdrew her eyes and waved them off. “Last night’s banquet dragged on for quite a while. You all barely slept, so this Dowager won’t keep you here any longer today. Go back and rest.”

On the way back, walking a secluded path, Xiao Yuzen glanced at Chunxing, who followed behind her. “You handled last night’s matter very well. The Empress Dowager won’t give up her investigation easily, so have our people keep a close eye on things.”

Right after that incident the previous night, Xiao Yuzen had sent Chunxing out under cover of darkness to take care of it. That was why the Empress Dowager’s people had found nothing after searching all night.

But Chunxing couldn’t understand it. They rarely mobilized their forces in the palace. For one thing, they didn’t want to risk exposing their identities. For another, those agents had been sent by the Prince himself—using them would alert him immediately. Yet now, without any hesitation, her lady had deployed someone in the palace to clean up after the Emperor.

She truly couldn’t fathom it. Why go to such lengths to help a disposable puppet like that? Once she bore an imperial heir, she’d be eliminated without question.

“My lady.” Chunxing’s mind swirled with a thousand thoughts, countless ideas flashing through her head. In the end, she could only offer a very subtle reminder in a low voice. “Our identities won’t allow us to act too conspicuously. If the Prince finds out you mobilized palace forces for the Emperor’s sake…”

She knew the Emperor had a gentle temperament and striking looks. If treated with true sincerity, anyone might waver. But Xiao Yuzen couldn’t afford such feelings. They had entered the palace with a specific purpose. They couldn’t abandon their principles as spies for the sake of the Emperor.

Xiao Yuzen shook her head, her response firm and resolute. “I don’t have those kinds of feelings for that person. It’s just that she can’t have an accident right now. Otherwise, the delicate balance between the Prince, the Empress Dowager, and the Emperor would shatter in an instant.”

“It’s not the right time yet. The Prince will understand.”

With that, Chunxing breathed a sigh of relief. Fortunately, her partner hadn’t fallen for the Emperor’s warmth. If anything, she was thinking even farther ahead. That put Chunxing’s mind at ease.

…

The old year drew to a close, and the new one loomed just around the corner. Lanterns in festive red glowed in every palace and courtyard, vibrant crimson paper adorned the treetops, and clusters of plum blossoms bloomed defiantly against the winter chill, like fireworks bursting across the sky. Under the bright lamplight, they shimmered brilliantly, elegant and otherworldly.

With the New Year’s Eve holiday approaching, everyone was caught up in the joy of the festivities—until an urgent express report from eight hundred li away shattered the merry atmosphere.

“…Heavy snow blanketed several counties under Xianzhou Prefecture for over half a month, leading to widespread disasters. Numerous people and livestock froze or starved to death. Reports from the county offices were suppressed, and now rebellion has broken out…”

This uprising in Xianzhou Prefecture due to the snow disaster could have been entirely prevented. If the prefectural yamen had opened the granaries and distributed grain at the start, the people in those counties could have survived the winter. Instead, the yamen refused to release supplies, and some county magistrates even secretly sold off public grain through their relatives at exorbitant prices, reaping massive profits.

At first, the common folk could still exchange their silver for food. But as time dragged on, their savings dwindled. Desperation set in—people began gnawing on grass roots and tree bark. In some places, horrifying cases of families exchanging children to eat emerged.

Yet all these reports were quietly suppressed by the Xianzhou Prefect. After all, his subordinates had kicked back half the profits from those sales!

But by the previous month, the situation was beyond containment. The enraged people from the counties banded together, ransacking every yamen. Finally, in an obscure little county town, they raised the banner of revolt, forming a force of several thousand that marched straight for Xianzhou City. With every county they passed through, their ranks swelled, and they even armed themselves properly. By the end, at least five thousand rebels besieged the city, loudly demanding that Prefect Yuan Xingzhou come out and face them.

Only then did Yuan Xingzhou truly panic. He hurriedly drafted a memorial—three parts true, seven parts false—and sent it up, pleading for troops to reinforce Xianzhou.

Of course, Royal Hidden Guards had quietly swapped out that memorial en route. Even the messenger delivering it to the Capital City had been replaced with Hidden Guard Yin San, a master of disguise. Only now had the true state of affairs in Xianzhou reached the capital.

This unfolded during morning court, where the hall erupted in chaos. Officials first condemned the Xianzhou Prefect’s negligence, then debated how to handle the rebellion.

The top priority was quelling the uprising before it shook the Jing Kingdom’s century-old foundations.

But the matter was too thorny. None of the civil and military officials wanted to get involved—after all, everyone had their suspicions about where the embezzled silver had gone.

After much deliberation with no resolution, the officials turned their expectant gazes to the princes still in the capital, their intentions plain as day.

These princes had enjoyed idle years—what prince would touch this hot potato? They all stared at the ceiling, feigning deep thought.

As the court fell deathly silent with everyone holding their tongues, Lu Xi’s brow twitched faintly. Her hand clenched the arm of the dragon throne until the veins bulged on the back of her hand and her knuckles turned white. She drew a deep breath, then spoke in an utterly calm tone. “Rebellion has broken out in Xianzhou Prefecture. Do my ministers have any good strategies?”

The officials stared straight ahead, silent as statues.

At this moment, Grand Tutor Zhao stepped forward, raising his tablet and bowing toward the throne. “Your Majesty, in my humble opinion, the Xianzhou Prefect has failed in his duties and should first be escorted back to the capital for judgment. Then, we can soothe the people—courtesy before force. If the rebels refuse to surrender, dispatch generals to suppress them…”

Yuan Xingzhou, the Xianzhou Prefect, was the Empress Dowager’s man. Grand Tutor Zhao had ulterior motives. After a moment’s reflection, he continued on the matter of soothing the people. “The commoners were driven to rebellion out of lost faith in the imperial house. Thus, the one to reassure them should ideally be a member of the imperial family. That would demonstrate the throne’s regard for them and dispel their grudges…”

Many officials voiced agreement.

Lu Xi narrowed her eyes halfway and pursed her lips before following his lead. “Then, in Tutor’s view, who is fit for such a heavy responsibility?”

“The representative must be of noble birth, with an impeccable reputation among the people.” Grand Tutor Zhao stroked his beard as he expounded, pausing briefly before casting a meaningful glance at King Huainan nearby. He went on. “Best if they hold no court office as well—that would allow easier access to Xianzhou for talks with the rebels.”

Lu Xi understood at once. Grand Tutor Zhao was trying to build momentum for Lu Tingzhou! But she had no intention of granting it.

Lu Tingzhou harbored wild ambitions—he cared nothing for the people’s plight. If he went to Xianzhou, he’d put on a show at best, but his real aim would be to seize full control of the prefecture!

Frowning and half-closing her eyes, Lu Xi let out a light sigh before pointing to an elderly prince. “Uncle Rui, why not entrust this matter to you?”

Prince Rui was the Late Emperor’s brother. He had never harbored grand ambitions or designs on the throne. Thus, the Late Emperor had spared him, granting him a princely title and exiling him peacefully to Jiangling. Though Prince Rui was mediocre in talent, he wasn’t malicious at heart. Lu Xi felt he was the perfect imperial representative to soothe the people.

As expected, Prince Rui accepted the messy task. “For the sake of the people, this subject is willing to go. But I fear I may fail and disappoint Your Majesty’s benevolence.”

Grand Tutor Zhao was stunned. He hadn’t even spoken yet—how had this little Emperor settled on someone first?!

“Indeed, Your Majesty! Prince Rui is nearing fifty, after all. The long journey would be taxing on his health.” His words dripped with feigned concern.

Lu Xi’s lips curved up slightly in a picture of patience. “Then, according to the Tutor, who would be suitable?”

Grand Tutor Zhao promptly named King Huainan, praising his youth, noble status, and suitability for reassuring the people.

At this, the Minister of Revenue stepped forward, countering Grand Tutor Zhao. He argued that Prince Rui’s age brought greater steadiness, making him a better fit than King Huainan.

The court devolved into noisy wrangling once more. The factions led by Grand Tutor Zhao and the Minister of Revenue argued fiercely, faces red and voices raised, refusing to yield.

Finally, Lu Xi lightly rapped the dragon throne, halting the farce. She maintained her usual air of frailty, now tinged with pity. “Zhen knows all you ministers are debating so fervently out of true concern for soothing the people. But with the biting cold and the folk starving, they may not wait for you to select a representative.”

“How about this: Prince Rui as lead, assisted by King Huainan and the Vice Minister of Revenue? They can carry relief supplies and reinforcements to Xianzhou. What say you?”

Though Lu Xi rarely took charge before, with the two sides deadlocked now, they had no choice but to heed her words.

The imperial representatives were thus settled without further dispute. They also decided on the types and quantities of additional supplies. That very day, Prince Rui, King Huainan, and the Vice Minister of Revenue departed the Capital City for Xianzhou.

With that resolved, Lu Xi still couldn’t relax. That night, she dispatched five Imperial Dark Guards in secret to protect Prince Rui and the Vice Minister of Revenue. Only then did her heart ease a fraction.

“Your Majesty, why haven’t you rested yet?” The doors to Wende Hall swung open. A gorgeously dressed young woman entered with a tray, swaying her slender waist as she approached the desk.

Lu Xi closed the memorial she had been reviewing, set down her brush, and rubbed her aching arm. “It’s so late—why has my consort come over?”