Chapter 18: "Qinghe, What Poetry Have You Been Reading Lately?"

Kunning Palace, afternoon.

“Greetings to the Imperial Sister-in-Law of the Emperor.” “Pay respects to the Empress Dowager!”

Seventeenth Princess Chen Yuzhen arrived at Kunning Palace with a group of nephews and nieces. She merely performed a bow while her nephews and nieces knelt and kowtowed to Empress Zhang.

After the formalities, Qinghe sat properly beside her imperial sister-in-law, listening as she inquired about the children's studies.

“Qinghe.”

Suddenly, Empress Zhang turned to her. “The court has sent envoys to negotiate peace with the Rebel King. You often concern yourself with affairs of state and have recently asked about this rebel king. Do you think this peace negotiation will succeed?”

The young princes and princesses looked at her expectantly.

“Yes, Imperial Sister-in-Law.”

Qinghe lowered her head, about to consider her words carefully, but the Empress did not give her time to hesitate. “Just speak plainly. The realm is on the brink of ruin, the nation about to fall. If we cannot stop the rebel army, we will all become captives. What is there to hide?”

Qinghe raised her head, meeting the fearful eyes of her nephews and nieces. She spoke softly and gently, sharing her thoughts: “Imperial Sister-in-Law, I believe this calamity is difficult to avoid.”

Empress Zhang’s gaze urged her to continue.

“That Rebel King, Chu Yan, gathered bandits in the southern forests ten years ago. A few years back, rumors circulated in the capital that he was fatherless and motherless, a prodigy born from a lightning-struck tower. Others say he is the reincarnation of the Hell Yaksha King, with generals who are demons and fiends.”

Though her voice was soft, it frightened the young princes and princesses greatly.

Seeing their distress, Qinghe hastened to add, “Of course, these are rumors spread by that rebel to deceive the people. My Imperial Brother has decreed strict warnings against such gossip in the capital. Yet, the more Chu Yan boasts of his uniqueness, the greater his ambition grows. No throne but the imperial one will satisfy his ravenous hunger. In my view, negotiating peace is merely an act of duty.”

Her words silenced Empress Zhang.

She had expected Qinghe to analyze the military strengths of both sides and list available troops within the city, like the ministers. Instead, Qinghe spoke of the rebel king’s fabricated origins and his long-standing desire for the throne, revealing the magnitude of his ambition.

Even if peace were to be achieved, it would be like handing territory over to Qin, akin to adding fuel to the fire.

Looking at the children born of her concubines, Empress Zhang—though their legitimate mother—spoke slowly: “If the capital falls, I will arrange for you to be sent away. Once you leave the city, never reveal you are royalty. Remember to conceal your names and live in peace—that would be the greatest blessing. Do not ever think of avenging your father.”

“Mother!” The young princes and princesses wept aloud.

“Enough crying. Wipe your tears with your handkerchiefs and come with me to pay respects to the Grand Dowager and the Empress Dowager.”

Qinghe quickly stood to comfort her young nephews and nieces. The Princess of Huainan was the only one not crying; she was only four years old, watching her older siblings with wide, curious eyes.

Qinghe gathered them and followed the Imperial Sister-in-Law to Fengzao Palace, located in the northwest corner of the palace.

“I pay respects to Your Majesty, the Empress,” said the Virtuous Consort Jia Yuanchun, who had been waiting outside Fengzao Palace and greeted the Empress respectfully upon her arrival.

Empress Zhang smiled. “Virtuous Consort, you should stay with the Grand Dowager. There is no need to come out to meet me.”

Jia Yuanchun lowered her head, not daring to reply.

Qinghe sighed silently. Within the entire palace, the most cautious was Virtuous Consort Jia.

As a relative of the Grand Dowager and a consort of the Emperor, she was caught between the Empress and the Grand Dowager, making her actions always seem inappropriate. For example:

If Jia Yuanchun stayed in Fengzao Palace with the Grand Dowager, the Empress would be displeased, for she was the Empress, while the Grand Dowager had once been a mere consort, not even the mother of the Retired Emperor.

But if Jia Yuanchun came out to meet the Empress, the Grand Dowager might see her as distant. After all, it was the Grand Dowager’s favor that had secured Jia Yuanchun’s elevation.

Qinghe could not blame the Empress; her position was difficult. Though she was the Empress and nominal head of the harem, she had to show filial respect to the Grand Dowager, the Empress Dowager, and the Retired Emperor. Moreover, she had not borne children, which made her situation more precarious.

But all these were trivial matters compared to the real crisis.

The true concern was the man outside the city.

…

After taking leave of the Grand Dowager, Qinghe led her imperial nephews and nieces with Empress Zhang to the Eastern Palace.

Originally the Crown Prince’s residence, it had become the home of her father after his abdication. He had renovated and renamed the palace. Now Qinghe stood before the gates of Gaoxuan Palace, there to pay respects to her mother.

To her surprise, her Imperial Brother was also present.

“So, the Empress and Qinghe have arrived as well?”

The Yongning Emperor asked calmly.

Empress Zhang hurriedly led everyone in a bow to him and the Empress Dowager.

Qinghe sat beside her mother while the young princes and princesses stood.

Before they could ask questions, the Empress Dowager said, “The Emperor just announced that the peace negotiations have failed.”

Qinghe’s heart tightened sharply. Though she had anticipated it, hearing it still unsettled her.

“If they want war, then I will fight them!” the Yongning Emperor ground his teeth.

The Empress Dowager’s face was expressionless. “The Emperor wishes for me to visit the Retired Emperor and request that he order the city officials to contribute men and resources.”

Hearing this, Qinghe raised her head slightly and glanced at her brother.

In the face of national calamity, civil and military officials only sought to save themselves. Frightened by the rebel bandits, they did not even attend court. It was pitiful that after ten years of reign, her brother still had to rely on the Retired Emperor’s commands.

“I shall also go and do my part.”

Empress Zhang spoke respectfully.

Qinghe then understood that her mother meant for the Empress to also appear publicly, so together they could petition the Retired Emperor in the Wansian Pavilion, where elixirs were brewed.

The Empress Dowager nodded, satisfied. “You shall also go, to see your father and your imperial grandfather.”

Thus, Qinghe gathered her young nephews and nieces, and with her brother, sister-in-law, and mother, they all went to the Wansian Pavilion.

Upon entering, Qinghe was overwhelmed by a strong, pungent medicinal aroma that stung her nose. She had to cover her nostrils with a handkerchief to bear it.

“You have arrived,” said the Retired Emperor, sitting with several elderly Taoist priests in discussion. His pale face brightened into a smile. “Just in time. I have finally calculated it! At the third quarter of the hour of the Hare, the day after tomorrow, at dawn’s first light, when the earth’s energy rises, coinciding with the auspicious ‘Jiazi Encountering Chen’ alignment, if we take the elixir then, it will draw the essence of the celestial stars, allowing the mystical medicine to open the gateway to transcendence, transforming mortal flesh into jade bones, ascending in radiant clouds!”

Qinghe bowed her head, feeling both sorrow and resignation.

As her brother prepared to speak, one Taoist beside her father chuckled, “Brother Dao, since we are about to ascend, no need to use worldly titles.”

The Retired Emperor suddenly understood and smiled. “Indeed, from now on, address me as fellow Daoist!”

The Yongning Emperor turned and left.

The Empress Dowager stayed a while longer but soon left, unable to endure the smoke inside the pavilion.

Qinghe remained, instructing the young princes to kowtow and pay respects.

Perhaps moved by their tender faces, or because he was about to take the elixir and ascend, the Retired Emperor was in good spirits. He took the hand of the Second Prince and asked, “What have my dear grandchildren been learning in class recently?”

The six-year-old Second Prince was usually shy around his imperial grandfather and said little.

Qinghe stepped forward. “Father, I have recently learned a poem and would like to recite it for you.”

“Oh? What poem have you been reading?” the Retired Emperor smiled at her.

Qinghe recited:

“Forty years of homeland and nation,
Three thousand miles of mountains and rivers,
Phoenix pavilions and dragon towers reach the heavens,
Jade trees and crystal branches form misty vines,
How often have we known war?”

Her heart was filled with relief!

Within the quiet Wansian Pavilion, the Retired Emperor’s smile froze.

“Qinghe, it is time to leave.”

Empress Zhang took her hand and turned to go.

Qinghe stumbled as she followed her sister-in-law, while the young princes and princesses, unable to stay still, hurriedly followed behind them.