Anyone with common sense knows they cannot leave the capital; otherwise, how could she make the princes obey in the future?
The days of mutual suspicion and intrigue passed slowly. In Weilin’s consciousness, a long time seemed to have passed, but when she looked up, only a few sparse snowflakes were drifting outside the hall.
No matter how far Qingzhou is, her brother should have arrived in the capital by now. She had arranged a new position for Wei Fengzhi in the Ministry of Personnel, not allowing him to rise too quickly to avoid dissatisfaction among court officials.
Wei Fengzhi came to see her, his two little mustaches grown longer, still laughing somewhat carelessly.
“Chenbi, you shouldn’t have called me here now. There are still matters unsettled in Qingzhou,” Wei Fengzhi said.
“I know, but right now I need your help in the capital more. I have other arrangements for Qingzhou’s affairs. For now, I’ll have to trouble you to be a minor official in the Ministry of Personnel,” Weilin said with a smile.
“The affairs of Qingzhou, the former emperor’s arrangements…”
“Don’t worry, I know,” Weilin said. Xi Linxuan had already told her why Wei Fengzhi was demoted to Qingzhou. “You’re here at the right time. Under my watch, Tai Qing won’t cause you too much trouble.”
“Her? What does she intend to do?” Wei Fengzhi asked, a frightened expression on his face.
“I don’t know, you can ask her yourself,” Weilin said with a smile.
Just then, Xi Yaya, sweating from play, rushed in and called out, “Father!”
With Wei Fengzhi’s arrival and family around, Weilin felt life wasn’t so difficult. Occasionally before bed, she would take out red wax and mold small figures.
Winter had come. She wondered how Xi Linxuan was doing—was he warm enough, had he eaten venison, were the palace maids she sent taking good care of him, was his wound still hurting? He had said he couldn’t sleep without being near her. What was he to do now?
Year after year passed. In Weilin’s impression, yesterday and today seemed the same. What comforted her was watching Yaya and Xi Qi grow more like their elegant father, especially Xi Qi. Weilin took Xi Qi to pay respects at the Southern Palace, where the elder was trimming flowers in the courtyard.
It had been three years, hadn’t it? During this time, she had used the ministers’ extreme dissatisfaction to demote Wang Ling to a local official position.
Leveraging her access to official records in the Ministry of Personnel, Wei Fengzhi spent three years studying officials’ weaknesses. This year, she entered the Imperial Study and aimed for promotion to Right Prime Minister next year.
The Feng Harvest spy sent to Yan Country reported sufficient evidence to destroy the Yan King. She planned to reclaim the Yan Country’s fief and incorporate it into Huo Country. When news of Wang Ling’s “sudden death” spread, she would send Li Weiheng back to Huo territory. In the Yan Dynasty, remarriage was not unusual, depending on Xi Zhaoting’s wishes.
Upon returning to the palace, Weilin urged Xi Qi to study. The child was restless and ran over to watch her write.
“Mother, you’re writing again?”
“Yes.”
“Whose writing is it?”
“A sage’s writing.”
“Can I copy it too?”
Weilin patted his head. “No, you won’t need to; soon you will become a sage yourself.”
Xi Qi looked puzzled, resting his chin on his hands as he watched Weilin write methodically.
Suddenly, the circumstances changed. At that time, only thirty thousand guards were in the capital, and although Mu Feiyun was in command, facing an army of fifty thousand was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.
According to reports, chaos had erupted in the capital as noble families and wealthy merchants fled the city under cover of night.
Wei Linxia remained calm. Despite the fifty thousand troops gathered outside the east and west gates of the imperial city, she had her own plans.
The bloody smell grew heavy. Standing at the city gates, Wei Linxia had Feng Shou “invite” someone from the Southern Palace; his arrival would make things more interesting.
In the distance, firelight illuminated the sky, accompanied by thunderous sounds as the rebel army attacked the city gates. Bloodshed was inevitable.
The smell of blood grew stronger. Xi Qi, held by Wei Linxia, felt uncomfortable and covered his nose, commenting on the overpowering odor.
“Xi Qi, watch carefully. These people are your uncles and cousins. They’re not here to pay respects; they’re coming to kill us. If we lose, we’ll die horribly. Do you understand?” Wei Linxia looked down at her son.
Fortunately, she saw no fear in his eyes, only confusion.
“Why do they want to kill us?”
“Because they all want to be emperor, to become the supreme ruler of our Yan Dynasty’s vast territories. But we cannot give it to them. This is what your father fought for and sacrificed his life to win. Understand?”
This world belongs only to you. No one else has the right to this position. Remember!” Wei Linxia said.
Xi Qi frowned but nodded firmly.
The Grand Emperor from the Southern Palace had arrived. Wei Linxia knew she had spoken deliberately for his benefit.
The sounds of battle drew closer, reaching the city gates. Wei Linxia ordered all lanterns lit on the city walls. A massive imperial carriage, previously hidden in darkness, suddenly became visible, flanked by flags that only an emperor could use.
“I wonder if these filial princes will retreat because of this!” Wei Linxia smiled at the stern-faced person.
Time seemed to stop. The breathing beneath the city gates vanished, and the sounds of fighting disappeared. The hot night became like any ordinary evening.
An arrow struck down the flagpole, and with this, the palace gates were breached. The army entered, shouting to eliminate the palace’s evil and the usurper.
Weilin taught his son that as long as the people have enough to eat, they won’t care who becomes emperor. The imperial family has no right or wrong; the victor is always right.
The territories of nine princes surrounding the capital were granted by Weilin to distant imperial branches. This ensured that if they rebelled, the closer royal princes would attack, maintaining the capital’s stability.
When the Chief Minister reported creating a separate chronicle for the empress dowager, Weilin reprimanded him, insisting she remain in the imperial consorts’ section.
With the court stabilized and Xi Qi growing older, Weilin’s wax figure became increasingly lifelike. She often held it, feeling as if Xi Linxuan was beside her. Soon, once Xi Qi ascended the throne, they would no longer have to be apart.
Xi Qi, ten years old, displayed complex thoughts and an extraordinary memory, delighting Weilin as he could remember even low-ranking officials after a single meeting. However, she worried that as he grew older and moved to the Eastern Palace, he became more distant from his clingy childhood self.
Her twelve-year-old daughter, Xi Yaya, was another source of concern. The child, fond of Wang Ling, recently declared her intention to marry him, nearly causing Weilin to choke on her tea.
She began to consider finding a suitable husband of comparable age, realizing she must act quickly. Consequently, she relaxed her grip on court affairs, believing Wang Ling and Wei Fengzhi would prevent major issues. Years of toil had exhausted her, and the hardships of her youth were catching up. Sometimes, looking in the bronze mirror, she feared Xi Linxuan might not recognize her.
Recently, a palace attendant styling her hair appeared panicked, and upon inquiry, Weilin discovered she had grown several white hairs.
“Shuimu, I’ve grown white hair and aged a decade. Will you recognize me?” Weilin murmured while touching the wax figure. “If you don’t recognize me, I’ll walk away, leaving you foolishly waiting…”
