Emperor Jingming secluded himself in Yangxin Hall, refusing to hold court, see the Empress, or meet with the Crown Prince. However, he summoned the Crown Princess alone.
Standing in the dimly lit hall, Jiang Si curtsied to Emperor Jingming: “Daughter-in-law greets Father Emperor.”
Emperor Jingming glanced at Jiang Si and said to Pan Hai: “All of you, leave.”
Pan Hai hesitated for a moment.
This seemed somewhat inappropriate.
“Hmm?”
Emperor Jingming raised an eyebrow, and Pan Hai quickly led the palace servants out.
The Emperor could do as he pleased; nothing was inappropriate!
Only Jiang Si and Emperor Jingming remained in the hall.
Emperor Jingming gazed deeply at Jiang Si.
Jiang Si spoke first: “Does Father Emperor have any instructions for daughter-in-law?”
After a moment of silence, Emperor Jingming’s voice sounded older than usual in the empty hall: “Seventh Prince’s wife, I have a question for you.”
“Please ask, Father Emperor.”
Emperor Jingming asked slowly: “Are you the Crown Princess of Great Zhou, or the Holy Maiden of the Wumiao?”
Jiang Si’s heart jolted, but she replied without hesitation: “Daughter-in-law is, of course, the Crown Princess of Great Zhou, Ajin’s wife.”
Emperor Jingming stared at her, seeing the composure and openness she had always displayed.
He smiled slightly, his tone gentle: “I understand. You may go now.”
“Daughter-in-law takes her leave.” Jiang Si curtsied and withdrew.
Upon returning to the Eastern Palace, Yu Jin asked: “Why are you back so soon? What did Father Emperor want?”
Jiang Si dismissed the attending palace servants and said softly: “Father Emperor asked if I was the Crown Princess of Great Zhou or the Holy Maiden of the Wumiao.”
Yu Jin was stunned, his expression gradually becoming serious: “Father Emperor is suspicious?”
Jiang Si sighed: “Father Emperor is just momentarily confused.”
An emperor who had ruled for decades and was not senile would not truly be confused.
“How did you answer?”
Jiang Si smiled: “Is there any need to answer? Of course, I am your Crown Princess.”
Yu Jin’s eyes shone brightly as he embraced his Crown Princess.
After seeing Jiang Si, Emperor Jingming summoned Han Ran, the Commander of the Jinlin Guards.
Among the officials, no one knew better than Han Ran the reason for the Emperor’s recent dejection. Being summoned now, he was undoubtedly anxious.
He couldn’t help but be nervous; he knew too much!
“Your subject greets Your Majesty.”
Emperor Jingming looked down at his kneeling minister, his feelings complex.
He had considered silencing this man many times but never acted on it.
He was the Emperor, the highest authority in Great Zhou. Having his embarrassing secrets known was undignified, but how lonely would it be to have no one to share a secret with?
After enjoying Han Ran’s nervousness for a while, Emperor Jingming finally spoke: “Han Ran, I have a task for you.”
“Please instruct, Your Majesty.”
“The Wumiao and Xuemiao share the same origin but have long been at odds. Now the Xuemiao are at a complete disadvantage. Arrange for some people to establish themselves in the southern borderlands and secretly assist the Xuemiao.”
Han Ran was surprised: “Assist the Xuemiao?”
He had thought the Emperor would severely punish the Xuemiao tribe, not give such an order.
Emperor Jingming smiled faintly: “Watching a show is only exciting when both sides are evenly matched. Go now.”
He both believed and disbelieved Elder Hua’s words.
It was certain that the Empress Dowager was a foreign pawn, but whether she was sent by the Wumiao or the Xuemiao was hard to say.
Since he couldn’t be sure, he naturally wouldn’t destroy the Xuemiao tribe.
Watching the two tribes of the same origin fight each other endlessly was most beneficial to Great Zhou’s interests.
Afterward, Emperor Jingming summoned several important ministers. The doors of the Imperial Study remained closed for a long time before opening.
Two days later, Emperor Jingming finally held court.
The civil and military officials were moved to tears, looking at Emperor Jingming on the dragon throne with a feeling akin to reuniting with a long-lost love.
Many officials secretly thought: that they had been too ungrateful before; having an emperor like this was truly fortunate. They would never argue with the Emperor again… well, that might not be realistic, but they would try to be agreeable for at least half a year to avoid another unexplained court suspension.
“Read the edict,” Emperor Jingming commanded.
Pan Hai unrolled the jade scroll and read aloud: “Since ancient times, the emperor’s governance of the world has always prioritized respecting heaven and following the ancestors… The Crown Prince is hereby ordered to ascend the throne and become Emperor…”
The court was in an uproar.