"What appears urgent that you wish to see me at such an ungodly hour?" She inquired from him the two seated face to face with one another.
"Pardon me for intruding, quite a number of things have transpired these past couple of days." Han Touzhou responded.
"The Court seems more eventful." The Empress remarked.
"Certainly." Han Touzhou agreed.
"But you didn't mean to discuss these dynamics with me." The Empress mentioned.
"The Grand Chancellor passed and it was unfortunate, reliably I was told that His Majesty is bedridden." Han Touzhou said.
"Seeing that you are well conversant with what goes on in the Palace you must have grown closer with its walls the past couple of months." The Empress remarked.
"Your Highness seems to understand what goes on in my household as well." He pointed out.
"Don't flatter me, up until now all ears and eyes in this Empire lead to my Palace." The Empress confidently bluffed.
"Then please allow me to bring one thing to your attention Your Highness." He uttered.
"What is it?" The Empress asked.
"We have never been on the best of terms, we can not pretend to be on very good terms, I will offer you something then in exchange for something as well." Han Touzhou responded.
"Really?" The Empress inquired doubtfully.
"Yes." Han Touzhou assured.
"Why should I believe you?" The Empress asked.
"Your Highness has the power of the Imperial Court but I have the support of the people, seeing that we are in a very dangerous state of affairs I don't wish to wrestle with you so much as it would bring disorder to the Monarchy especially at this hour when we need to stand United the most." Han Touzhou responded.
"And you dare to propose a truce to me?" Empress Yang raised her voice.
"Appease your anger Your Highness and allow yourself to hear me out." Han Touzhou muttered.
"If I may." The Empress remarked smiling at him.
"Controversy surrounds the death of the Imperial Grand Chancellor and Your Highness doesn't have the evidence which is sufficient to hold me accountable, the people would seem more curious to know and the confusion of the Imperial State Tribunal will certainly do us no harm, if you can abandon this issue and make me the Grand Chancellor then I assure you that I will guarantee the safety of your supporters especially against the wrath of the people." Han Touzhou said as he leaned closer, "don't you think they would find it infuriating if the voices of their leaders were opposed to theirs?" He asked.
"It doesn't sound that reasonable to me." The Empress remarked.
"Is it supposed to be Your Highness?" Han Touzhou asked.
"Let's see, His Majesty is the final Court of Appeal and his word is law in this country, but as you see I am just his Empress there isn't much power I can command in an unofficial position to make you the Grand Chancellor as it would put me under public scrutiny." She responded as she leaned closer as well, "but since it is a give and take situation I want to propose a much better move that will benefit us both." She whispered.
"What is it Your Highness?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"The people are behind you and you have their support, however in the absence of His Majesty the command of the Palace rests with me and as the Crown Prince is underage and the Grand Empress Dowager herself not well versed with the affairs of State I will make you the Grand Chancellor on one condition." The Empress responded.
"Perhaps I get the idea." Han Touzhou muttered.
"Not you or your people can oppose me therefore tomorrow in the Imperial Court during the Daily Assembly you shall Empower me and support me to become the Empress Regent." The Empress mentioned.
"I see Your Highness." Han Touzhou remarked.
"Isn't it interesting an offer?" She asked while he was quiet, "you can put it into consideration but you should keep it in mind that even if you opposed it as you mentioned I have the power in the Imperial Court and you would greatly benefit from it as well." The Empress reminded him as he smiled at her and standing up, he bowed his head before he withdrew from the room.
Xiaoyang and Manyin immediately rushing in they bowed their heads to her.
"Your Highness?" They spoke out of worry, "you can not trust him." Xiaoyang cautioned.
"I don't trust Han Touzhou." Empress Yang professed, "it's our insurance, after all if Han Touzhou chooses to stand we need to mobilize ourselves and protect whatever we have." She insisted.
"Will he agree to it?" Manyin asked.
"It's not like he has a choice as it will happen anyway, however he does understand that for the good of everyone else in the country it must be unanimous." The Empress responded as she turned to Xiaoyang, "Have you delivered the message to the Grand Secretariat?" She asked.
"Don't worry Your Highness, by tomorrow morning the Edict designating you as the Empress Regent will be finalized." She assured her while the Empress clenching her fists she smiled at herself.
Consort Han in her residence Court Lady Liu rushing to her presence she handed over an envelope which the latter opened and pulling out the letter that was inside she read through.
"What does it say Your Grace?" She inquired.
"The Empress agrees to make my Uncle the Grand Chancellor on condition that empowers and supports her to be designated as the Empress Regent." Consort Han responded as she held the letter and putting it above the candle, burnt it before she finally lowered it onto the ash tray.
"If the Empress legitimizes her position as the Empress Regent it will draw more power to her political Faction." Court Lady Liu seemed cautious.
"But it isn't a bad thing after all, apart from this what would be more prime and proper?" Consort Han asked joyously.
"Aren't you worried Your Grace?" Court Lady Liu inquired.
"War is inevitable, the sooner the better, however if power shifts from the hands of the Emperor himself and the Empress is designated as the Imperial Regent, what message does that send to the world?" Consort Han asked.
"His Majesty can't just govern the nation but he is unfit to do so." Court Lady Liu responded as though hinting on what Her mistress was trying to say.
"Who cares whether the Empress legitimizes her position or not, something gained with one's hands can simply be lost to another." Consort Han remarked.
"What should I do Your Grace?" Court Lady Liu inquired.
"As everything seems to be moving according to plan next it is high time we took care of Consort Cao." She responded.
"Yes Your Grace." Court Lady Liu said as she stepped out of the room.
At the break of dawn, the Courtiers having gathered in the Grand Hall the Empress Yang dressed in a beautiful yellow robe walked down the aisle while bring accompanied by her assistants Xiaoyang and Manyin who were dressed in their own official floral attire.
Everyone watching her and standing in their order they bowed their heads and while she bypassed Han Touzhou she eventually stopped right in front of the Imperial Dragon throne with her ceremonial Jade tablet and she bowed her head.
Eunuch Deng stepping forward while everyone was watching he bore in his hands a golden Scroll which he opened.
"This is His Majesty's Edict." He announced and everyone including the Empress went down onto their knees.
"I THE EMPEROR OF THIS COUNTRY ARE CONCERNED FOR THE WELFARE OF MY PEOPLE BUT MY ILL HEALTH FAILS ME, AS IT IS THAT I MUST RECUPERATE IN THE PROCESS THE STATE STILL HAS TO BE GOVERNED AND THE IMPERIAL COURT NEEDS TO KEEP RUNNING I THEREFORE WITH THE POWER VESTED IN ME AS THE RULER OF OUR HEAVENLY EMPIRE DO FIND CONFIDENCE IN MY EMPRESS THAT I OFFICIALLY DESIGNATE HER AS THE EMPRESS REGENT IN MY STEAD UNTIL MY RECOVERY, ALL OFFICIAL MATTERS AND MATTERS CONCERNING THE MILITARY SHALL BE DISCUSSED AND PRESENTED AND HER JURISDICTION SHALL BE MINE AND MINE HERS. I DO HOPE THE IMPERIAL COURT ASSISTS HER TO THE FULLEST AS YOU HAVE ALWAYS ASSISTED ME." He read aloud and closing it, he handed it over to the Empress who took it into her own hands.
"I thank His Majesty." She said as she stood up and faced the Imperial Court while they bowed thrice to her.
"Long Live Your Highness, Long Live Our Empress." They sang in unison and herself mounting the stairs that led the throne, she moved to it's left where her own seat had been prepared behind a silk screen and she sat down while the Courtiers stood at attention.
"Let the Daily Assembly begin." Eunuch Deng announced and Han Touzhou ceasing that opportunity he stepped forward.
"Greetings Your Highness." He offered his salutation calmly.
"At ease Left Chancellor." The Empress Yang responded as the old man stood upright.
"Yesterday His Excellency the Grand Chancellor passed in his residence and we are all concerned as the people are, in the midst of his wake we can not ignore our duty to this country, it is important that as his seat is vacant it needs to be filled, for order, for Stability." The Left Chancellor remarked.
" I do agree with His Excellency." Minister Ye Shi mentioned as he stepped forward as well.
"The Left Chancellor is right in his judgement, it so happens that the Office of the Grand Chancellor can not be empty especially now, as the untimely passing of His Late Excellency struck a very deep and sombre note in us all, it's at this trying time that we should seek comfort, that we should stand as the Imperial Court and look at a glorious future that I therefore wish to announce that my first act as the Empress Regent of this country will be to invest it's Grand Chancellor." The Empress mentioned as Han Touzhou smiled at him.
"If Your Highness pleases I would like to nominate a candidate." Han Touzhou mentioned.
" There won't be a need for that." The Empress mentioned and everyone of the Courtiers startled, she looked at Yang Cishan and nodded her head.
"What do you mean Your Highness?" Han Touzhou asked.
"The Office of the Grand Chancellor entirely rests on one's ability to command the confidence of the Government and the Crown and seeing everyone within this room, who would be a more worthy successor than Your Excellency the Left Chancellor?" The Empress Yang asked and everyone murmuring amongst themselves the Empress' supporters didn't seem reluctant and led by Yang Cishan they immediately backed her up on the idea.
"Your Highness is sagacious." They remarked.
"Given the current state of affairs the people seem to have put their confidence in Your Excellency and His Majesty equally put his confidence in you, our relationship with the Jurchens is your responsibility as is the National Security which is threatened and henceforth the War Cabinet I move that the house with all its support empowers me to appoint the Left Chancellor to the office of Grand Chancellor." The Empress insisted.
"Yes Your Highness." Everyone said in unison while bowing their heads and the Empress looking at Han Touzhou he felt her actions suspicious.
"What do you think Your Excellency?" She asked him.
"I Han Touzhou are at your service Your Highness." He said while bowing his head and at that moment Yang Cishan looking at his sister she moved her right foot forward to the side of the screen.
"If I may Your Highness?" He muttered that everyone turned their attention to him while he stepped forward.
"Seeing that His Excellency the Left Chancellor will be appointed to the Office of Grand Chancellor his position as the Chancellor of the Left can not be left vacant that I wish to put forward another candidate to assist His Excellency." He mentioned as Han Touzhou seemed alarmed while the Empress nodded her head in approval.
"With Your Highness' blessing I move that His Excellency Chen Xiangzu be designated as the Left Chancellor." He mentioned and the rest of the Empress' supporters backing him up they pleaded to the Empress Regent.
"Chen Xiangzu is himself capable and doesn't lack in the qualities that the job demands, therefore as Guardian of the Imperial Seal with the powers invested in me, as Empress Regent I officially designate His Excellency Han Touzhou as the Imperial Grand Chancellor and Chen Xiangzu as His Chancellor of the Left." The Empress mentioned and the Edict being drafted by the Grand Secretary there and then was borne to Eunuch Deng who carried it to the Empress along with the Imperial seal and placed it on the table in front of her.
The Empress holding the seal in her hands she stamped the document and formalized it as the Courtiers went onto their knees and bowed their heads.
"Long Live Your Highness." They said in unison and Han Touzhou furious she had stolen a match on him.
The Daily Assembly having been concluded, the Empress exiting the hall with her retinue was intercepted by Han Touzhou who stood in her path.
Seeing her he bowed his head and offered his salutations while she kept her head high.
"You fulfilled your end of the deal and I have fulfilled mine Your Excellency, what more do you need from me?" She inquired.
"Nothing." He responded.
"You wanted to be the Grand Chancellor and I have succeeded in making you so and perhaps if you are curious about the Left Chancellory that was something out of the question." The Empress Yang muttered.
"You are in deed very wise Your Highness." Han Touzhou remarked.
"Then I suppose that this will be the end of our temporary alliance." The Empress confidently said as she turned around to walk away.
"Every shadow can not exist without its body." Han Touzhou mentioned, " it's too early for Your Highness to tell but I see we shall be working together more often." He said while she turned her head and looked over her shoulder.
"Is that so?" She asked.
"There's still a war to fight Your Highness, don't forget that." Han Touzhou reminded her and smiling quietly the Empress continued her way while Han Touzhou looked at her.
Consort Cao in her Chambers was seated uneasily.
"The Courtiers empowered the Empress to become the Regent?" She asked.
"An Edict was issued by His Majesty and it was presented to the Imperial Court this morning, the Empress assumed a temporary regency and presided over the daily Assembly but in addition to that she appointed Han Touzhou as the Grand Chancellor and he was succeeded in his position by Chen Xiangzu," Linxiang reported.
" What happened to His Majesty?" Consort Cao asked.
" You'll forgive me but I don't seem to know, all servants were forbidden from coming close to him with the exception of Eunuch Deng and Superintendent Beiyuan as well as the Empress' Court Ladies, his residence is out of bounds to others except the Imperial guards." Linxiang remarked.
" Perhaps His Majesty's condition is worse than we think." Consort Cao remarked.
"There have been rumours that His Majesty is terminally ill and in addition to that the rumours that the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji isn't His Majesty's legitimate issue are going out of hand." Linxiang reported.
"It can't be." Consort Cao muttered.
"If His Majesty passes then the choice of an Emperor will fall to the Empress, she's worried that the Imperial Prince's very existence threatens the legitimate position of her son." Linxiang muttered.
"We don't have the power to enthrone our Prince let alone protect him." Consort Cao muttered as she looked at Linxiang.
"Are you going to do it again?" She asked seemingly reading her mind.
"The Imperial Prince Zhao Ji will ascend the throne once there's no Crown Prince Zhao Xun, if we need to waver the Empress' position we should take care of him fast." Consort Cao responded.
"Yes Your Grace." Linxiang said as she stood up and bowing her head, she walked out of the room leaving her mistress alone.
"I won't let you harm my son Your Highness, I won't." She swore angrily as she clenched her fists not knowing that the Empress' spy was eavesdropping her conversation.
Han Touzhou walking into Consort Han's Chambers he offered his salutations.
"Congratulations Uncle, you have finally become the Grand Chancellor." She responded as she smiled joyously at him.
"It doesn't feel as cheerful as it's supposed to be." Han Touzhou reported.
"Why?" Consort Han asked.
"You must have heard that Chen Xiangzu succeeded me as the Chancellor of the Left." Han Touzhou responded.
"And Your Excellency worries that he is one of the Empress' people?" Consort Han asked.
"We're a step ahead but the Empress is now a step closer, the people are excited as ever for war but I don't think that they are prepared for it." Han Touzhou responded.
" You don't think that they are entirely convinced?" Consort Han asked.
"The Empress is confident that she can stop the possibility of us resorting to war, I have a single Trump card that will change everything, meanwhile I am worried for the Palace." Han Touzhou replied.
"You worry for nothing Uncle, you can leave everything to me." Consort Han assured him as she smiled ghastly while picking a cup of tea and sipping it.
The Empress walking into the East Palace moved up to the Crown Prince's Chambers and finding the young boy seated she smiled at him noticing how focused he was on his study.
As though noticing another presence, the Crown Prince raised his eyes and beheld her.
"Mother?" He said in excitement while she got closer to him.
"Yes my Prince." She responded as she moved forward and sat next to him noticing that he hadn't touched his morning meal.
"You haven't had your breakfast." She pointed out.
"I didn't seem to find my appetite." The Crown Prince Zhao Xun replied.
"Why?" She asked.
"I failed you last time mother." He responded while she smiled at home.
"You still have a lot to learn as Crown Prince but because I am your mother I shall guide and see you through." She comforted him and picking up one of the bowls she held in her hands a silver spoon and dipped it into the soup.
Raising it slowly to feed the Crown Prince Manyin shouted aloud that she was interrupted.
"Your Highness?" She said while the Empress turned and judging from the expression on her and Xiaoyang's face she could tell that there was something wrong.
Her eyes returning to the silver spoon it had turned black at the front and angry she threw the Jade bowl down along with everything in fury as she stood up from where she was seated as everyone else fell onto their knees.
"Please appease your anger Your Highness." They muttered to her and her eyes turning red she couldn't help but recall the corpses of her two sons Zhao Zeng and Zhao Jiong.
"Who?" She asked while everyone was speechless, "who dared to harm the life of the Crown Prince?" She asked at the top of her voice while the Crown Prince's attendants got closer to her.
"Forgive us Your Highness." One of them said but the Empress already infuriated slapped her across the face as Beiyuan and a couple of other Eunuchs made their way in.
"Please calm down Your Highness." They continued to beg her when her spy from Consort Cao's residence appeared in the hall abruptly.
"Your Highness." She said while going onto her knees, "I know who is responsible." She remarked while the Empress stared at her.
"Who did this?" The Empress asked.
"I happened to eavesdrop on Consort Cao's conversation with her Court Lady Linxiang, she professed to her that she intended to kill the Crown Prince." She responded as Beiyuan and everyone in the room looked at her.
"Are you certain?" Beiyuan asked.
"The two have been secretive Your Highness but if you were to look around her Palace then I am certain that you would find something." She said while bowing her head and the Empress furious she clenched her fists.
"I want all the Lady Investigators and some Imperial guards gathered, search Consort Cao's residence at once." Empress Yang ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." They all replied in unison as they dispersed from the hall while she looked at Manyin.
"Take care of the Crown Prince for me." She said before she ceased her hanfu and walked out of the room as well.
Consort Han in her Chambers Court Lady Liu barged in excited as she bowed her head before her.
"Congratulations Your Grace." She mentioned, " Her Highness the Empress has ordered a thorough search of Consort Cao's residence and she's headed there with the Lady Investigators along with Some Imperial guards as well." She reported.
"Things just got a bit interesting." Consort Han muttered.
"The attempted murder of the Crown Prince can be considered treason, I am more anxious to see the look on Consort Cao's face when she has no way of crawling out of this.
The gates of Consort Cao's Palace were flung open and the Empress furiously marching Linxiang seeing everything from a distance she rushed towards her mistress' presence.
"Your Grace?" She shouted at the top of her voice and appearing in front of her the latter seemed startled.
"What's the problem with you?" She asked.
"Her Highness the Empress is headed this way." Linxiang responded while gasping for breath but before she could finish her statement the doors of the room were slid open viciously by the Empress herself and a ferocious expression on her face she set her first foot inside darkening the way.
Consort Cao seeing her she stood up immediately.
"Greetings Your Highness." She said while bowing her head but the latter awfully quiet she didn't utter a single word until she was standing face to face with her.
"How long have you been in this Palace?" She asked.
"Over thirty years Your Highness." Consort Han replied.
"Thirty three years to be exact." The Empress remarked.
"What's the matter Your Highn....." She was still saying when the Empress slapped her across the cheek that everyone including Linxiang was surprised as Consort Han infuriated she stared the Empress in the eye.
"She slapped her again." And everyone was shocked.
"How dare you roll your eyes at your Senior?" She asked at the top of her voice and Consort Cao staring at her the third time the Empress infuriated she slapped her again.
"Please appease your anger Your Highness." Linxiang pleaded on her mistress' behalf.
"How dare a mother of an Imperial Prince, the son of His Majesty and a Senior Consort do something so vile and disgraceful to the ladies of the harem and the Inner Court?" The Empress raised her voice.
" I don't understand what Your Highness is saying." Consort Cao said and the Empress slapped her yet again.
"You dare to lie to my face?" The Empress asked as she got closer while Consort Cao frightened she withdrew but found herself against her own table.
"You dare to threaten the life of the Crown Prince of this Country, I suppose you would understand best that any crime to bring harm against the children of His Majesty is an attack on His Majesty himself and it is tantamount to treason." The Empress Yang muttered, "you of all people are aware how we punish traitors in this Palace." She remarked.
"Forgive me Your Highness but you have been misinformed, is there any proof whatsoever that I made an attempt on the Crown Prince's life?" Consort Cao asked.
"You want proof?" The Empress asked.
"It is only right Your Highness." Consort Cao mentioned.
"Bring them in." The Empress ordered and the doors being opened two ladies in waiting were led into the room while a Eunuch reported with a very small trunk.
"What's this Your Highness?" Consort Cao asked.
"Tell us." Empress Yang ordered and the first girl stepped forward.
"I happened to overhear Her Grace talking to Linxiang a while ago devising schemes to kill the Crown Prince." The spy reported.
"And the second?" The Empress asked.
"Forgive me Your Highness but Consort Cao threatened to harm my family through Linxiang if I didn't add poison to the Crown Prince's meal, she told me that it wouldn't react to the silver immediately and I bought the idea and did her bidding." The second girl said while falling onto her knees.
"You can't just rely on the words of two Palace maids Your Highness." Consort Cao speaking up in her defense the Empress slapped her across her face again and at that moment the Eunuch with the small chest stepped forward.
"This poison has been discovered in this main building which is close enough to you, coincidentally it is the same poison that ended up in His Highness the Crown Prince's meal." The Empress said and at that moment Consort Cao was frightened.
"You can't do this to me Your Highness, I have been framed." She pleaded but the Empress slapping her another time she was immediately silenced.
"You dared to lay a finger on my one and only son and you think that I can't see through your lies?" The Empress asked as Consort Cao fell onto her knees and held the Empress' feet.
"Please forgive me Your Highness." She cried allowed.
"But who would have thought you would go this far, it must be your expertise Your Grace, having a taste of what it's like to advance your status, a Prince whose paternity is uncertain you wish to supplant the son of an Empress and put the son of a Concubine on the Imperial Dragon throne." The Empress muttered hatefully.
" Spare me Your Highness, I spoke ill of the Crown Prince but I didn't dare to harm him." Consort Cao pleaded.
"It's too much for you two-faced witch and now that I think about it, until now you refuse to admit to your sins Your tears are not sincere it seems." The Empress said as she tried to step away from her.
"You can do anything to me Your Highness but don't harm the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji." Consort Han pleaded while still holding onto her feet.
"Is that so?" The Empress asked with a ghastly smile on her face.
"Yes Your Highness." Consort Cao responded and letting go she put her hands together and kept pleading earnestly.
"I am begging you." She said.
"You Consort Cao are a sinner to His Majesty and the Dynasty, you breach decorum that is expected of you as a member of the Imperial family and bring shame onto the ladies of the harem and the Inner Court, make an attempt on the life of the Crown Prince of this country with the power vested in me as the Empress I find you guilty of treason." The Empress muttered.
"No Your Highness..." Linxiang pleaded.
"Consort Cao is hereby stripped of her titles and banished to the Cold Palace while the Imperial Prince of Su Zhao Ji is banished from the Palace and demoted to the rank of Commoner." The Empress announced her verdict as she turned around, "be grateful that I have let you keep your pathetic lives." She said before being joined by her retinue and charging out of the hall to leave Consort Cao in tears.
"Prepare to go to the Cold Palace Your Grace." Beiyuan said as he got closer to Consort Cao who was speechless on the ground and could barely believe anything that had happened before her.
The Empress moving into the direction of the Central Palace Xiaoyang spoke up.
"She is guilty of treason Your Highness, why did you let her keep her life?" She asked.
"Her death would be her salvation and seeing that blood is thicker than water, nothing will torture her more than the fact that she has a son liable to being killed anytime." Empress Yang replied.
Consort Han standing at the balcony of Rongchang Palace she stared at the Imperial Pond in a distance as Court Lady Liu with her retinue she made her way toward her.
"How did it go?" She asked her.
"Her Highness was furious and has ordered Consort Cao to be stripped of her titles and banished to the Cold Palace, in the mean time the Imperial Prince of Su Zhao Ji has been demoted to the position of Commoner and banished from the Palace." Court Lady Liu responded.
"So the Empress dreaded her that much after all." Consort Han muttered.
"Consort Han was guilty of treason the very moment evidence charging her with the attempted murder of the Crown Prince sufficed, I was hoping that she would have to lose her head along with the Imperial Prince's." Court Lady Liu remarked.
"It is remarkable how the Empress' instinct of self-preservation led her to do the one thing that I doubted her to be smart enough to do, if she killed Consort Cao along with her son it would have aroused quite a number of questions from the General public, besides, given the current circumstances there's nothing more useful and at the same time more dangerous than the public opinion itself." Consort Han muttered.
"I see." Court Lady Liu said.
"Consort Cao was in deed very ambitious but lacked the mental reserves to push herself to greatness, so it may seem that the Empress has cleared her from our path for us it's time that we advanced our next move as well." Consort Han mentioned.
"I already identified all the links and loyalties that the Empress has established in the Palace throughout all the six departments and the female Officials that run it, I have planted there some people that might be helpful to us in the future and all that is left for us to take care of is the war and the Empress." Court Lady Liu reported.
"There's one more person that worries me." Consort Han mentioned.
"Who could it possibly be?" Court Lady Liu asked.
"We can't ignore the presence of the Grand Empress Dowager." She responded.
"How come?" Court Lady Liu inquired.
"To place the reigning Emperor on the throne she was non-partisan but she played a significant role even if it was passive, the fact that she is neutral to any conflict makes her dangerous enough." Consort Han responded.
"As she is always confined within her Palace what more can she do, she doesn't have the political backing and only an empty position is something she holds onto with her life even as I learnt that her illness is worsening with the day." Court Lady Liu mentioned.
"Then we must keep things that way, we must ensure that she remains quiet within her Palace." Consort Han said.
"I'll take care of it Your Grace." Court Lady Liu assured her as she withdrew from her presence and left her staring at the beautiful scenery.
Consort Cao in her Chambers she was being undressed by her ladies in waiting and putting on a plain white hanfu with a simple silver hairpin, her makeup was cleaned from her face and her shoes replaced with simple bare sandals she stood at the entrance of her residence.
She'd only spent a couple of days in her new Palace she'd barely gotten used to the luxuries it had had to offer.
"Let's go Milady." Beiyuan said to her and leading the way, she stepped out of the Palace into the Courtyard and eventually descending the stairs with grace, she stopped in front of Linxiang who was holding her son.
"Your Grace." She cried out to her.
"Please take care of my son for me." The Deposed Consort Cao requested her while she nodded her head in approval.
"I'll protect him with all my heart." Linxiang assured her as she moved further towards the gates of her residence and stepping through , she negotiated a corner that finally set her on the path that led to one of the pavilions in the Imperial garden.
There she saw the Consorts and Concubines standing and watching her as she was being escorted by some Imperial guards up to the Cold Palace.
"I heard that the let Empress Mother lost her mind in that place." One of the Concubines whispered.
"Many Palace women have barely survived there." Her colleague asserted yet Consort Cao moving forward without any hesitation she looked further ahead where she saw Consort Han isolated from the rest of the Crowd.
"Has the Deposed Consort Cao left her residence?" The Empress in her Chambers asked.
"Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang responded.
"What about her son?" She asked.
"Her former Court Lady Linxiang shall nurse the boy outside the Palace, he'll live a hard life there in obscurity." She responded as the Empress smiled at herself.
"When His Majesty gains consciousness he won't hold me accountable at least, I saved her life after she committed a grave sin it had to be convincing and besides I must ensure that they are not exploited against me by anyone one way or another." The Empress remarked.
"The Palace is yet to return to order." Xiaoyang asserted.
"Someone made an attempt on the life of the Crown Prince and seeing that we've always been surrounded with so many snakes and scorpions we can't let our guard down just because we have apprehended one culprit." The Empress Yang pointed out.
"Rest assured we'll be more careful with His Highness, the bigger question at the time however is what have we to do to stop this impending war." Xiaoyang mentioned.
"Han Touzhou must already be weary but still determined to bring the conflict to us." The Empress remarked.
"I heard that he plans to carry out a worship ceremony in the next two days for our heroes in the past, as it so happened that His Majesty had issues a decree to confer new posthumous titles upon them the ceremony is intended to officiate his intentions but having been Han Touzhou's idea I doubt that it shall be a mere ceremony." Xiaoyang mentioned.
"Han Touzhou is surely up to something." The Empress said.
"It initially required the Emperor's presence but seeing that Your Highness is acting as his Regent for the time being that means that you'll have to be present as well." Xiaoyang informed her.
" You're right perhaps, maybe this ceremony has something to do with me in particular." The Empress remarked and tapping her table while she immersed herself in her own thoughts something occurred to her.
"Have our men posted, make sure that they keep an eye on the movements of Han Touzhou and his men." The Empress Yang ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang replied as she departed from her presence.
"Consort Cao has been deposed and banished to the Cold Palace while the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji has been demoted to the rank of Commoner and sent to live outside the Palace?" Han Touzhou asked.
"An attempt was made on the life of the Crown Prince and evidence charging Consort Cao with being involved sufficed, it is a crime tantamount to treason so the mere fact that they have to keep their lives is good enough for them." Lin Xue reported.
"The Empress seems to be more desperate to safeguard her power seeing that she's only been Regent for a short while and A Consort and a Prince have already lost their place in the Palace." Han Touzhou muttered.
"There were already rumours circulating concerning the legitimacy of the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji." Lin Xue reported.
"It is clear that the Empress is more than determined to subdue any opposition, we need to proceed with our plans." Han Touzhou mentioned.
"What if she finds out what we intend to do at the worship, the mere fact that you proposed it to His Majesty and he affirmed it before will make her suspicious enough." Lin Xue cautioned.
"Perhaps." Han Touzhou muttered, "but we have the advantage here." He remarked.
"What is it Your Excellency?" Lin Xue asked.
"The Empress' uncertainty can not compete with our certainty." Han Touzhou mentioned as he smiled at himself ghastly.
The Empress in her Chambers at night was joined by Bao Langya, Shi Miyuan, Yang Cishan and Beiyuan.
"You called us Your Highness?" Yang Cishan inquired.
"Did you get the records from the Ministry of Rites on how the ceremony will be held?" She asked Shi Miyuan.
"Yes." He replied as he placed the paper onto the table and opening it everyone studied it.
"It seems normal to me." Yang Cishan remarked.
"Since the Emperor is absent Your Highness will conduct the worship first by offering the incense at the altar and the Grand Chancellor will follow, after the monk chants the prayers the Edict will be unfolded and read to the people in front of the Memorial plaques and this way the ceremony will be brought to an end." Shi Miyuan reported.
"What about you Bao Langya?" The Empress asked him.
"We kept our eyes on Han Touzhou's retainer and we managed to learn that various orders for gunpowder were purchased, we then intercepted a message but these were the only words that were written on it." He responded as he handed over a piece of paper with the words 'OPERATION PHOENIX'
"OPERATION PHOENIX!" The Empress exclaimed while she looked at the plan, "Gun Powder!" She wondered while she tapped her finger.
"What could he be up to?" Beiyuan asked.
"Me." The Empress mentioned.
"Are you sure Your Highness?" Bao Langya asked.
"The Phoenix represents the Empress and I am the one performing the worship first in the Emperor's stead, it so happens that as the Regent I am now the actual ruler of the Empire and besides much gunpowder was purchased since it is combustible Han Touzhou plans an explosion." The Empress said as she recalled the words that he had mentioned to him.
"There's still a war to fight Your Highness, don't forget that." Han Touzhou had cautioned her.
"He wants to provoke the masses." She said.
"And an attempt on your life would do the trick, besides, if you were harmed one way or another, it would provoke the people who are endeared to you and should harm befall you one way he'll have the opportunity to exercise immense power as his position commands." Shi Miyuan responded.
"He will be ridding himself of you and at the same time justifying the cause of war in front of the people." Yang Cishan asserted.
"A disaster of the First magnitude, combining all materials for a great combustion to be the spark to set it alight and turn this smoldering to fire, he'll hit two birds with one stone." The Empress remarked as she smiled at herself.
"What are we to do Your Highness?" Bao Langya inquired.
"We'll all watch more closely and see, he'll deliver the gunpowder into our own hands and we'll use it to finish him off." The Empress replied as she smiled at herself ghastly.
In the dark of night, Han Touzhou's men stood guard in a very small Courtyard while Bao Langya and the rest of his team sneaked about the place and monitored them.
Very large trunks were being moved in discreetly as he kept watch when he ordered his team to split up and surround the place.
Han Touzhou's men not prepared for anything, they were first faced with the smooth howling of their wind, and at that moment still relaxed in the cold, Bao Langya picked his bow and arrow and aimed at one of them that stood at the forefront.
He took a deep breath and closed his eyes before he opened them again, certain that he had locked him in his target he let go of the arrow that flew up to the man's chest.
He let a faint cry escape his mouth and before long the rest of the guards were alarmed.
"Intruders." One of them shouted and Bao Langya's men flying over the rooftops they descended into the compound as the rest marched in from the front unsheathing their swords and clashing with the watchmen.
Bao Langya the most aggressive streaked through them until he had made his way to the doors, his sword drenched in blood he flung them open to see the huge trunks that had been piled inside while the rest of the others concluding their slaughter they joined him.
"Search them." He ordered and they spread out about the room opening each of the trunks to reveal the gun powder that was hidden inside.
"This is it." One of them mentioned as he got close enough and looking into one of the trunks he touched the dark substance and smelled it.
"It's gun powder." He concluded as he smiled at himself.
"What do we do with it Sir they asked.
"Move it to the offices of the Ministry of war." He ordered and the men immediately carrying the trunks out of the room, he inspected the place but couldn't find anything else.
The Empress in her Chambers she was seated with Xiaoyang who offered her a small cup of tea.
"Tomorrow is the day Your Highness." She mentioned.
" Have you still heard from Bao Langya?" The Empress seemed more concerned.
"He is yet to report." Xiaoyang confidently calmed her when the latter was announced outside the doors.
"Speak of the Devil." She muttered.
"Let him in." The Empress agreed to having an audience with him and the doors of the room being opened he walked forward and bowed his head.
"Your Highness." He spoke confidently.
"What did you find out?" The Empress asked.
"I gathered my elite men and we went on a hunt, we rounded up all the gunpowder we could find that was being watched by Han Touzhou's men and we secretly moved it to the Ministry of War for safekeeping." He responded as the Empress sighed seemingly calmly.
"That's good." She remarked, "what excuse has Han Touzhou to light some fireworks without fuel?" She rhetorically asked.
"But I don't understand one thing Your Highness, even if you confiscated the gunpowder won't he find more?" Bao Langya asked.
"It's a short time left until the ceremony and besides what makes you think he'll even be aware in time?" The Empress asked.
"How come your Highness?" Xiaoyang asked.
"Do you certainly think that you left the gunpowder storage empty?" The Empress asked.
"I didn't leave anyone behind." Bao Langya confidently professed.
"I had to send someone in advance to help you in case everything didn't go as planned, however, to convince Han Touzhou I asked them to stay behind with a couple of trunks in their care." The Empress responded as she smiled at herself ghastly.
The next day dawning, the people gathered outside the Liuhe Pagoda and the ceremony starting with the musicians entertaining the people the trumpets were sounded and the Empress' Palanquin heavily guarded proceeded through the streets amidst the praises and the worship of the people.
Arriving at the entrance of the Temple Courtyard, it was lowered and its doors being opened, the Empress walked out with Manyin and Xiaoyang gracefully taking her hand adorned in a beautiful blue robe that was covered in Phoenix and Dragon patterns.
They escorted her through the Courtiers who were clad in their Official robes and as she arrived at the forefront where Han Touzhou along with his Right and Left Chancellors were, she halted as they bowed to him.
"Please proceed Your Highness." Han Touzhou calmly mentioned, "seeing how calm you appear you must be certain that you did a good job moving the gunpowder to the offices of the Ministry of war." He whispered that at that moment the latter seemed startled she was forced to break her concentration and turn to him as he smiled.
Time appeared to slow down while the noises of the people appeared to quieten as Han Touzhou smiled, the Empress moving her gaze all over the place she could see the buildings nearby and a lot of the people gathered about the place while men dressed like Jurchens with thick braids on their hair broke into the storage and poured fuel all over the place while setting it on fire.
Before long there was a very loud explosion that sent the whole structure in flames and the screams of the people following a number of the Imperial guards were tossed away while men in the crowd that had covered themselves in the attires of commoners threw them away and started to slaughter some of the people that had gathered.
"Defend Her Highness." Han Touzhou shouted at the top of his voice as the Imperial guards surrounded the Empress who could hardly comprehend what was going on as archers shot down the assassins and the ones that had broken into the Ministry of war were surrounded entirely.
"No." The Empress said as she looked around at the people crying that she broke her own defense and running to the scene of the explosion all that was left for her to see were the corpses of many innocent people ranging from old men and women down to the harmless common children.
"Your Highness?" Bao Langya shouted after her as she lost all the strength that she could find in her feet and fell onto her knees where there was a little girl that was still breathing slowly and in pain.
"Youuuu......" she was struggling to say as she took her in her arms, her eyes wet and teary the only thing the girl was holding onto was a small wooden doll before she suddenly stopped and let go of it, it was at that moment that the Empress knew that there and then she had ceased to breathe.
"In the name of the Great Jin." Those surrounded by the Imperial troops mentioned before they bit the poison that was hidden in their mouths and they fell to the ground dead while the Empress raising her eyes she looked at the people that were staring at her.
"Please get justice for the people." Han Touzhou suddenly mentioned as he went onto his knees with the rest of His Members of the War Cabinet.
"Declare war on the Jurchens." The people started shouting in unison and the Empress was ultimately cornered as Han Touzhou smiled at himself ghastly.
The Empress returned to the Palace and standing on top of the Imperial Pavilion she beheld the capital from a distance quietly.
Her retinue stood far from here and the closest person being Bao Langya, it was a matter of time before Han Touzhou appeared.
"Her Highness asked to be alone." He mentioned to him.
"Would you care what I say to her?" Han Touzhou inquired.
"Let him come." The Empress suddenly spoke up and Bao Langya stepping aside the old man made his way towards her and bowed his head.
"Your Highness?" He said.
"It is a very spectacular view isn't it?" She asked.
"It's a pity not everyone gets to enjoy it." Han Touzhou responded.
"For once I thought I was ahead of you, for once I though I was winning this fight only to play into your trap, I was lagging two steps behind." The Empress professed.
"My certainty gave me the advantage over your uncertainty." Han Touzhou responded.
"Information can not compete with knowledge." The Empress remarked.
"I did what's best for this country, for the Monarchy." Han Touzhou insisted.
"Sacrificing innocent women, men and children?" The Empress furiously lashed out.
"Do you think I wanted it, do you think it was easy covering my hands with the blood of my people?" Han Touzhou asked.
"Teach me what it means to smile, perhaps I misinterpreted your expression." The Empress scolded.
"I did what had to be done, a sacrifice was always necessary, I did something Your Highness and your pathetic clique are not strong enough to do." Han Touzhou retaliated.
"Rejecting a most generous peace offer that would have allowed us to retain our natural frontiers, you have so left our people exposed to premature conflict in your bid to seek out a conflagration." The Empress pointed out.
"And we were supposed to wait until the Jurchens acted up like it had always been in the past?" Han Touzhou asked while the Empress remained silent.
"Terror is necessary to inspire virtue." He mentioned.
"But when it runs out?" The Empress asked.
"Everything loses meaning." Han Touzhou responded.
"Great ends can often be achieved only by means which rob them of much of their worth, bravery is no substitute for Cannons and you are throwing this country and all its people into darkness, into an abyss you are going out of your way to play a very dangerous game." The Empress mentioned.
"That is why I was born prepared to take that responsibility and my whole political career rests on this war, I was made for this war." Han Touzhou persisted.
"War is inevitable and the sooner the better, we need to do more than press, we needed to prepare because even in their inefficiency our enemies were arming themselves more strongly than we were." The Empress insisted.
"Your hands are tied Your Highness, even if you have the will you don't have the power to stop me, the people are clear that they want a war now or it'll seem that you care less about their longing, if you wish to protect your position as the Empress Regent then you'll have to move and officiate the Declaration of War against the Jurchens." Han Touzhou said as he bowed his head.
"Your Majesty only has until the Daily Assembly tomorrow." He informed her before he withdrew from the pavilion and the Empress standing there she closed her eyes.
"Are you there Bao Langya?" She asked as he immediately got closer to her.
"Yes Your Highness." He replied.
"Send word to the Grand Secretariat and have the Minister Ye Shi draft an Edict announcing the declaration of War." The Empress ordered.
"Forgive me Your Highness but he initially refused to put his hand on it." Bao Langya responded.
"Then find someone in the Grand Secretariat to do the job." The Empress shouted at top of her voice.
"Yes Your Highness." Bao Langya immediately responded as he withdrew from the pavilion.
The Courtiers gathering at the Grand Hall the next day Empress Regent arrived in Majesty and sat behind the Silk Screen as Eunuch Deng took into his hands the Imperial Edict to read it aloud before the whole Court.
"THE JURCHENS HAVE GONE OUT OF CONTROL, THE STATE IS CRUMBLING ON ITS FOUNDATIONS, THE GOVERNMENT OF THE NORTH SEATED IN ZHONGDU HAS BROUGHT DARKNESS OVER OUR LAND AND A SCOURGE HAS DESCENDED UPON OUR PEOPLE, IN THIS GLORIOUS DAY WE SEE, I AS THE EMPRESS REGENT, COMMANDING THE CONFIDENCE OF THE GOVERNMENT UNDER THE CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE GRAND CHANCELLOR MOVE THAT THE NATION ALONG WITH ALL ITS HAN PEOPLE RISE AGAINST THE JIN STATE, AS THEY HAVE LOST THE MANDATE OF HEAVEN THEY ARE UNFIT TO GOVERN OUR OPPRESSED MINORITIES, WE OFFICIALLY DECLARE WAR ON THE NORTH, AGAINST THE TYRANNY OF THE JURCHENS AND THEIR CONTINUED SUBJUGATION, IN THE NAME OF OUR SECURITY, AS THE MOTHER OF THIS NATION, IN THE NAME OF ITS PATRIOTS, IT IS ONLY PRIME AND PROPER, ONLY RIGHT AND JUST." He said and handing over the scroll to the Empress, she ceased the Jade Seal and stamped it to officiate the document.
"Long Live Your Highness, Long Live Our Empress." The Courtiers shouted in unison as she stared through the silk screen at Han Touzhou who was standing at the forefront.
"Yes Your Highness." He thought to himself, "I am victorious." He smirked at himself ghastly.