She touched her pouch, containing two small bells from Xi Lin Xuan. He had never given her a proper gift, so these would have to do. With one person gone, the palace felt empty. Xi Qi had cried at night, causing Wei Linxia great distress. She had Feng Shou bring her many red candles, and whenever she thought of Xi Lin Xuan, she would mold a little one. She knew her craftsmanship wouldn’t match his, but over the years, she would surely improve.
For now, she didn’t need to worry about court affairs. She could use this time to refine her plans, not wanting to fail at any stage.
Author’s note: Crying, how could this kind-hearted mother let someone die…
Chapter 60
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At the end of spring, the last imperial edict arrived from the western border, causing a huge uproar in the court but did not prevent the additional pearl curtains hanging behind the Emperor’s throne and another dragon chair behind the curtain.
The imperial body was transported back to the capital, already unrecognizable due to the hot weather. According to the accompanying eunuch’s proclamation, the funeral would be simple, with the remaining silver sent to the western border to reward the soldiers.
The funeral was not grand because Xi Lin Xuan had only been on the throne for a year and had not built a mausoleum, so he could only be laid in state temporarily at the Qi Mountain Temple.
Wei Lin was listening to rumors that she had instigated Xi Linxuan to lead the expedition to govern during the prince’s minority. Some even suggested she had ambitions to usurp the throne like Empress Wu Zetian. Wei Lin simply laughed them off but was more concerned about Wang Ling’s thoughts; if he thought similarly, her future path would become even more difficult.
She had not yet figured out how to probe his mind when, one day after court, Wang Ling sought an audience. Wei Lin was resting while tracing a calligraphy model.
“What brings you, Wang Qing?” she asked, putting down her brush.
“Your Majesty has returned to heaven, yet the empress does not seem grief-stricken,” Wang Ling remarked.
Wei Lin responded with a bitter smile: “I have no time to grieve. I am now the Empress Dowager, so please address me correctly. Are you here to reproach me?”
“No, I have been thinking about the question you once asked. Since you inquired, your subject must provide an answer,” Wang Ling said.
Wei Lin was confused, unable to recall what question she had posed. It was probably about court matters.
“It seems I asked a question that Wang Qing found difficult to answer,” she smiled.
“It appears the Empress Dowager has forgotten. If you agree to one thing today, I am willing to support you and the young emperor,” he offered.
Wei Lin raised an eyebrow: “What matter?”
“I want to divorce my wife.”
These words nearly made Wei Lin lose her balance, leaving her at a loss for words.
“Has Li shi violated the seven grounds for divorce?” she asked, bewildered.
“No, Li shi has been virtuous and proper. The reason lies with me.”
I do not want to burden Li Shi. Please do not ask further and just grant me permission,” Wang Ling refused to elaborate.
Wei Lin felt a headache coming on. Normally, this would be Wang Ling’s personal matter, but Li Weiheng was somewhat special. She was betrothed by the Empress Dowager of the Huo State, and an unmotivated divorce might displease Xi Zhaoting. With court politics being difficult, she did not want friction between two capable ministers to create an opportunity for others.
“Let me ask Li…”
“Empress Dowager, this is my personal matter. Even if you do not grant permission, I will proceed,” Wang Ling said.
“Wang Qing, you know this marriage was arranged by the Empress Dowager of Huo. Without a proper reason, wouldn’t divorcing her be disrespectful to the old Empress Dowager?”
Wang Ling smiled and took out a memorial from his sleeve: “My intentions are all within this memorial. I ask the Empress Dowager to review it first before making a decision.”
He presented it to her, looking questioningly at Wei Lin: “Is the Empress Dowager looking at the imperial annotations of the late Emperor?”
“Mm,” Wei Lin responded, opening the memorial.
After quickly reading the memorial, Wei Lin closed it and lit a candle, allowing the ashes to fall onto the floor. She felt somewhat relieved. Wang Ling was indeed a talented official, and his ideas mirrored her long-held thoughts, differing only in the person who would bear the burdens—she thought of her brother Wei Fengzhi, while Wang Ling was willing to bear it himself.
“This has nothing to do with your desire to divorce!” she exclaimed, unwilling to see him destroy his family, which would be too inhumane.
“You misunderstand. Even without this, I am determined to do so,” Wang Ling replied.
“Let me think about it more,” she said, looking outside at the beautiful season of flowers and willows.
After consideration, Wei Lin chose not to interfere, issuing a mild reprimand when Wang Ling announced the divorce. When Li Weiheng came with tearful eyes to seek an audience, Wei Lin promised to reproach Wang Ling severely and arranged for Li Weiheng to stay in the palace.
This matter was temporarily set aside when a report arrived from Yan State that the Yan Crown Prince had died of typhoid, leaving the Yan King with few heirs and forcing him to consider establishing an illegitimate son.
Wei Lin approved the establishment of the illegitimate son to save face for the Yan King and had Feng Shou secretly collect evidence of interactions among Yan’s court officials, as the Yan State was a potential threat.
In autumn, the western expedition army returned victorious. Wei Lin, accompanied by the nearly two-year-old Emperor Xi Qi Jiao, welcomed the army. Those with merit were promoted or granted official residences. Despite objections, Wei Lin promoted General Wu Yanlü, who was from a different ethnic group, to Great General and granted him the residence of a deceased prince. This decision provoked dissatisfaction among court officials, with some submitting memorials blaming Wu Yanlü for Xi Linxuan’s death. Wei Lin neither approved nor returned these memorials but showed Wu Yanlü the document with the names hidden. Wu Yanlü, feeling wronged, became furious.
Wei Lin was aware of the tensions with Right Minister Wang Ling and General Wu, which culminated in Wu Yanlü submitting a memorial complaining that Wang Ling interfered with military affairs and destroyed his general’s residence carriages out of spite.
This memorial acted as a catalyst, leading to a flood of accusatory claims against Wei Lin. Allegations surfaced, claiming he enclosed suburban land, deprived people of their livelihoods, lent national treasury funds at high interest, eliminated rivals, and promoted noble families. In essence, he faced accusations of various misconducts.
The stack of memorials reached a foot high. Wei Lin summoned Wang Ling, closed the palace doors, and reprimanded him. The memorials were then brought to court, where Wei Lin harshly criticized Wang Ling again and stripped him of his position as Right Minister, ordering him to reflect in seclusion.
Meanwhile, a Grand Empress Dowager from the Southern Palace reported that her son, Prince Chang Ling, was ill and requested permission to visit him in his fief, citing the late Emperor’s approval. While he understood her concern, he explained that national laws prohibit concubines from visiting unless the former emperor has passed away. Granting an exception could undermine these laws. He assured her that he would send the best physicians from the Imperial Medical Academy to attend to the Crown Prince and promised to report back later.
Weilin dismissed her.
