Chapter 203 |
Non-canon Bonus Chapter 1: Emperor Chongzhao's Soul Roams the Great Zhou
What does the world after death look like?
Emperor Chongzhao did not know.
It was nothing more than the underworld, judges, souls, and the Bridge of Helplessness.
He had dreamed before that A-Qing came to find him in his dreams, so he naturally assumed that he would also walk upon the Bridge of Helplessness after death.
Before his death, Emperor Chongzhao was still a little apprehensive, feeling that A-Qing would blame him for not taking good care of their youngest son. He was prepared to face Xu Yueqing's questioning, only to find that he did not step onto the Bridge of Helplessness.
There were no Black and White Guards of the underworld to hook his soul, nor were there judges of the netherworld to judge the merits and faults of the dead.
He merely experienced a period of pitch-black silence, and when he saw light again, he found himself appearing in the imperial city of the Great Zhou.
The palace servants in the imperial city were all in a hurry, with their heads bowed, walking softly past him. They were submissive and orderly, no different from usual.
Emperor Chongzhao blankly reached out his hand; it was semi-transparent and passed right through the bodies of the palace servants.
He was now in the state of a soul.
...He had become a ghost, and others could not see him?
Emperor Chongzhao was a little dumbfounded.
Passing palace servants discussed in low voices, Alas, His Highness Prince Yong is still living in the prince's estate. When exactly will he ascend the throne?
Who knows, another young eunuch said softly, Eunuch Yu, who serves in the Zichen Palace, is also anxious. If the new emperor does not ascend the throne, he cannot leave either. The head aunties above have guessed, saying that His Highness Prince Yong does not plan to ascend the throne and become the emperor...
A scolding came from ahead: Alright, alright! Stop your blind discussions! Even if the palace is currently without a master, royal matters are not something you can discuss. Tighten your skins, do you not want your heads anymore?
This group of people fell silent and walked away quietly.
Prince Yong? Ascend the throne?
Having stayed in the darkness for a long time, Emperor Chongzhao's muddled brain instantly woke up. Not caring to delve into why exactly he was in this state now, he hurriedly took a lap around the palace and finally confirmed the current time—
Over a month after his death.
When he died, he passed the throne to Little Seven. Although Little Seven had no intention for the throne, he clearly promised him that he would succeed it in the end. How???
It's been over a month, and he still hasn't ascended the throne?!
Could it be that he regretted it?
It's over. If that boy gets willful, he's as stubborn as a bull. Who can control him?
The Great Zhou is in danger.
Emperor Chongzhao's heart rose to his throat. Disregarding everything else, he anxiously floated to the Seventh Prince's estate.
In the estate, the future emperor, whom everyone was constantly worrying about why he hadn't ascended the throne yet, was feeding fish.
Qu Dubian rolled up his sleeves and threw fish food into the pond. He didn't throw it by the handful, but threw it pellet by pellet. In his words, the fish in the pond were too fat, and exercising a few more times while fighting for food could help them lose weight.
Emperor Chongzhao said, Why aren't you ascending the throne? Have you regretted it?
The youngest son, of course, could not hear.
He circled around, and circled again, worrying, When Zhen died, didn't you agree to everything? Were you just coaxing Zhen for fun?
Looking at this boy's sluggish expression and actions, Emperor Chongzhao experienced the anxiety of a minister.
Ye Xiaoyuan: Your Highness, everything is prepared. When do you think we should send him away?
Qu Dubian gave a sound of acknowledgment, I'll go see him first.
Him?
See who?
Emperor Chongzhao doubtfully followed behind Qu Dubian and entered the secret room of the Seventh Prince's estate.
He was not surprised that there were things like secret rooms and hidden pavilions in the prince's estate. Who didn't have a few secrets to keep when they were a prince?
However, after he came in, he actually saw the 'dead' Lao Si here!
The Fourth Prince was not dead at all, but was hidden by Little Seven.
It made sense. Little Seven had fully taken over and was responsible for Lao Si's funeral affairs; it would not be difficult to play some tricks.
Emperor Chongzhao: He is of the previous dynasty's bloodline. If he doesn't die, he will ultimately be a hidden danger.
As long as Lao Si is alive, he will forever become the spark for the previous dynasty to make a comeback.
A new emperor's ascension will always have a period of adaptation, and the control over the court is not very stable. Killing him is the best for you; you cannot be too merciful...
He spoke for a while, and choked on Qu Dubian's decision to 'arrange for Fourth Brother to leave as soon as possible, take the ferry'.
Just as Emperor Chongzhao had thought just now, currently no one could stop what Qu Dubian wanted to do.
He watched helplessly as Little Seven transported Lao Si out, transporting him to the ferry crossing.
Watching Little Seven send Lao Si away and send people to protect him.
The ministers in the city thought Little Seven wanted to run away, causing no small amount of restlessness and turmoil. For a moment, Emperor Chongzhao also thought he would leave.
But when the boat carrying Lao Si went far away, Emperor Chongzhao felt at ease in his heart. He knew that Little Seven would not leave; he would stay in the capital.
Only by staying in the capital to become the emperor, standing at the highest point, could he protect everyone he wanted to protect.
Including Lao Si, who had lost his memory after being fed medicine.
Just as he expected.
Emperor Chongzhao watched Little Seven leave the ferry crossing and return to the front of the imperial city.
Watching him drape the dragon robe representing the imperial throne and power over his body, and walk into the palace gates.
Emperor Chongzhao silently floated beside him, his mood complex.
He did not feel any joy of ascending the throne from Little Seven, nor the feeling of holding the power of life and death over millions of people; there was only a touch of faint loneliness.
He knew that this bit of loneliness would become heavier and heavier as the time of his ascension grew longer.
You blame Zhen, don't you...
You didn't want to accept it, but in the end, you accepted the throne.
Emperor Chongzhao knew that the cry of 'Dad' his youngest son called out before his death did not mean that all grievances were erased, all knots in his heart were untied, and the estrangement was no more; it was merely end-of-life care.
He sighed.
On the night he decided to ascend the throne, Qu Dubian moved into the Zichen Palace.
This was Eunuch Yu's last night on duty here. He had served the late emperor, and now he was serving the new emperor's first night, completing the handover with Ye Xiaoyuan.
Qu Dubian stood in front of the dragon bed in Zichen Palace.
This was the bed left behind by the late emperor. Without the new emperor's orders, the palace servants below would not dare to change it easily.
Seeing him looking at it constantly, Eunuch Yu asked, Your Majesty, the new dragon bed has already been prepared. If you wish to change it, this servant will immediately call people in to change it. It will not delay your rest.
Eunuch Yu was also worried, afraid that because of the matter of the dragon bed, this new emperor would go live in the prince's estate again. He would have no way to explain to those ministers who were still anxious.
Emperor Chongzhao floated to the side, nodding secretly.
This bed should indeed be changed. It had been used for many years, and the paint had peeled off in some places. Furthermore, he had died on this bed; no matter what, it was not auspicious for the new emperor. According to the ancestral rules set by the founding emperor, all the items here should be replaced with new ones.
Qu Dubian looked at the innermost bedpost.
He walked around to the side, his fingertips falling upon it.
On it were the marks left by him picking off gold powder and gemstones when he was a child, and next to it was a smiling face sticking out its tongue.
The ink marks left in Zichen Palace were of excellent quality; over more than a decade, the ink had not faded.
Why has it never been repaired? he asked.
This... Eunuch Yu thought for a moment, When the late emperor was alive, he did not request it, so we did not dare to touch it carelessly, and only maintained the other parts of the dragon bed. Perhaps, the late emperor kept in mind that it was left by Your Majesty in your childhood, and could not bear to remove it.
Emperor Chongzhao: Nonsense, I am saving money. The state treasury is so poor, it is good for me to save a little. Yu Decai, guessing the emperor's mind is a capital offense. Have you grown so old that you do not even remember this?
Qu Dubian did not say anything.
You may step down. You do not need to worry about this.
Eunuch Yu: Then, Your Majesty, what about this bed?
Qu Dubian was quiet for a few seconds before saying, I slept on this when I was a child. I am used to it, so I will not change it. The treasury is poor, so every bit saved counts.
It was unclear what Eunuch Yu was thinking, but his face showed understanding. Yes.
Qu Dubian: Have you chosen a place for your retirement? Where do you want to go? Actually, staying in the palace would be fine too. I can transfer you to the inner palace, where it is quite peaceful.
Eunuch Yu: This servant wishes to guard the late emperor's mausoleum.
Qu Dubian: Are you sure?
Eunuch Yu smiled. Yes, I have accompanied the late emperor for a lifetime. These last few years will not make a difference.
Emperor Chongzhao kicked him and frowned. It is better for you to stay in the palace and look after Little Seven for me. The imperial mausoleum has dedicated officials.
Eunuch Yu went anyway.
After handing over the affairs of the Zichen Palace, he left for the mausoleum with a carriage, a young attendant, and a bundle.
Emperor Chongzhao continued to stay by Qu Dubian's side.
He watched as the first thing Qu Dubian did upon holding court was to reform the court session system.
Streamlining memorials and holding court every three days.
Emperor Chongzhao was so angry his teeth itched.
Fine.
Could not all those complicated, lengthy greetings and nonsense on the memorials be omitted?! They were bullying him for being diligent and uncomplaining when he was in power, were not they?!
What about all those all-nighters he pulled? These officials really knew how to treat people differently based on who they were.
As he watched, he felt a bit sour.
At this time, his youngest son had already fallen asleep. Emperor Chongzhao sat by the bed and said, This is the advantage of an emperor with real power. With military power in hand, no matter how much those officials toss about, they cannot make many waves.
Just like this, move forward steadily. Marry a good daughter-in-law for me, and pass the Great Zhou down to the next person...
Emperor Chongzhao let out a long sigh.
An emperor whose first act in court was to fight for his own rest time—he was the only one. Considering this kid's lazy nature, it would probably be like this from now on.
Emperor Chongzhao thought to himself, fortunately, there were officials in the court who could handle things. Among the older generation, there was Grand Tutor Fang holding the fort. Among the younger generation, he thought the boys from the Xi and Xia families were not bad... If all else failed, there was still Xu Tingfeng.
Oh, right.
Now that Little Seven was in power, Xu Tingfeng was no longer a threat to be wary of, but an asset.
There were civil and military officials of the new generation. It was fine if Little Seven slacked off and liked to play a bit. Emperor Chongzhao did not ask for the Great Zhou to be incredibly prosperous and strong; steady was good enough.
His mind was filled with a messy jumble of thoughts.
The person on the bed rolled over, probably feeling hot, and kicked off the blankets.
Emperor Chongzhao subconsciously raised his hand to cover him up. The moment his fingers passed through the blanket, he fell into a daze.
He muttered, Eighteen years old, and still kicking off the blankets.
He floated outside to find Ye Xiaoyuan and the palace servants on duty.
What are you all good for? Go inside and look! Did you not notice he kicked off the blankets? Quickly cover him up. It is cold now, and it is easy to catch a chill and get sick.
Relying on the fact that no one could see him, he stood next to the palace servants keeping watch outside, kicking here and kicking there, completely devoid of any dignified image.
About half an incense stick's time later, Ye Xiaoyuan finally came in and covered the young emperor on the bed with the blanket.
He pressed the back of his hand against Qu Dubian's forehead.
The temperature was normal.
His slightly furrowed brows relaxed. Ye Xiaoyuan felt relieved and quietly retreated outside.
Emperor Chongzhao also felt relieved.
He floated back to the bedside.
Filled with hope, he said, I do not know when I will be taken away by the Black and White Guards of Impermanence. I hope that before I leave, you kid can give me a grandson or granddaughter.
It was not that his other children did not have offspring, but Emperor Chongzhao did not have much affection for those grandchildren.
But Little Seven's children, ultimately, would be different to him.
Have a few more.