Empress Yang and Shi Miyuan sitting face to face, a chess board was in their midst.
She put the first piece, a white one in the centre.
"Why?" Shi Miyuan said, "why Your Highness?" He insisted on trying to know.
"You must have heard that His Majesty has officiated my request to adopt the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji, you must be against it." She muttered.
"You know this Your Highness, but you still haven't answered my question, " he pointed out, "why?" He asked.
"What do you think?" Empress Yang retaliated with a question as well.
"If you adopt the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji you'll just strengthen his claim to the Imperial Dragon throne as its pretender, it'll not only jeopardize the position of the Crown Prince but also yours as well Your Highness as he is the Emperor's own son not the Crown Prince Zhao Xun." Shi Miyuan cautioned.
"I am aware." Empress Yang said, "that is why I must do so." She muttered.
"I don't understand then, what is it that you are after?" He asked, "had it been the child of another Imperial concubine, perhaps I wouldn't have minded, but it is Consort Cao of all people, you shall have given her a chance to gain more power. " Shi Miyuan said.
"Most people would think of it that way, the possibility is also true, but after further deliberation, I realised, it could be the best move. " She said.
"How so Your Highness? " Shi Miyuan asked.
"His Majesty is well aware that my position is strengthened by the safety of the Crown Prince and his position as well, yes I admit that automatically by adopting the Imperial Prince it would be risky as it would threaten my position and the position of Zhao Xun, but if it is intended to protect the Imperial Prince's legitimacy what do you think His Majesty will perceive?" She inquired.
"You become the Imperial Prince's protectress to gain his trust." Shi Miyuan asserted.
"If better even the Imperial Prince's affection." Empress Yang replied.
"But blood is thicker than water Your Highness, why would you wield a double edged sword when you know that it could hurt you too? " Shi Miyuan asked.
"Because there's something that I intend to do with it first." Empress Yang replied as she placed a small book on the table.
"A biography of the Empress Zhangxian of the Liu Clan." He read its title.
"If Li Lanhui had raised the Renzong Emperor, she would have contended with the might of Empress Liu or even perhaps surpassed it, the latter having envisaged this she was not only in the position to gain the phoenix throne but consequently also become the most powerful woman in the world she would have even perhaps become the second Dasheng after the Tang Usurper Wu Zhao." Empress Yang said.
"So you intend to raise the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji as an insurance in case Zhao Xun doesn't inherit the throne?" Shi Miyuan asked.
"Master Bao might have been in the position to cure Zhao Xun's disease but he told me that since he was using poison to fight poison his life would be extended but it wouldn't be that long, I worried and knew it automatically that if Zhao Xun died then automatically the next heir to the Imperial Crown would be Consort Cao's son Zhao Ji. " She responded.
"You couldn't kill him as it would raise public scrutiny and intensify His Majesty's suspicions." Shi Miyuan seemed to be piecing everything together.
"But I could rob Consort Cao of the power and influence she would have enjoyed as the Crown Prince's mother or even better an Emperor's." She responded.
"But suppose His Highness the Imperial Prince finds out while growing up, with Consort Cao's presence in the Palace it would be very difficult to use him as a weapon against our enemies he will instead become a thorn in our flesh, he'll become a very big liability." Shi Miyuan cautioned.
"Which is why we shall play this game the way Empress Liu played it, we shall succeed the way she succeeded, we shall move the way she moved." Empress Yang responded.
"Of course, Consort Cao will have to be sent from the harem and the Inner Court to live in obscurity outside the Palace, His Majesty will do this as the only way of protecting the Imperial Prince and additionally as a way of ensuring that his feelings for you as his mother are not divided, his devotion as well." Shi Miyuan finally made sense of the entire situation.
"Being a mother, nothing will be more painful for Consort Cao like living with the fact that her son is close to her but out of reach probably forgetting her or probably bound to lose his life any time soon beyond her protection, that misery will prey on her until living itself becomes painful and miserable she'll slowly lose her mind until it kills her." Empress Yang concluded as she smiled at herself.
"What?" Consort Cao said.
"Yes Your Grace, Her Highness reported to His Majesty that there were rumours that were spreading around the Capital some time back questioning the legitimacy and paternity of the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji that she decided to petition to his Majesty to adopt him as a way of protecting both you and His Highness." Linxiang reported.
"No." Consort Cao refused.
"It's already too late Your Grace, His Majesty has already officiated an Imperial Edict and as it is that all the Emperor's children are the Empress' as well, there's not much that we can do now." Linxiang remarked as Consort Cao frustrated she held her forehead.
"No." She said, "I can't give up like this." She mentioned.
"What are you going to do Your Grace?" Linxiang inquired.
"Call for Qian Xiangzu immediately, in the meantime I shall go and see Her Highness." Consort Cao responded.
"Yes Your Grace." Linxiang responded reluctantly as she left the room while Consort Cao infuriated she clenched her right fist.
"You must have heard seeing that you are here." Empress Yang muttered blowing lightly at her cup of tea.
"Why?" She asked.
"Why What?" Empress Yang inquired.
"Why did you choose to adopt the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji?" Consort Cao said.
"Are you really that curious?" Empress Yang asked.
"it's the reason I am asking." Consort Cao replied.
"Very well then, I'll tell you. " She said as she put her hands on the table and leaned a little bit.
"I am protecting your son, from all those Courtiers, from you." She whispered.
"And you expect me to believe that, after all, it's not like it is in your nature to worry for your enemy's kin since Han Touzhou's example has very well proven that fact." Consort Cao mentioned.
"What choice have you, he is His Majesty's child, he is a member of the Zhao Clan, this Imperial Dynasty and because you are not the Empress sadly, you can't own him on one hand but I on the other, I have what it takes, I surely can." Empress Yang responded.
"Your Highness....." She furiously lashed out at her.
"Your Grace?" The Empress yelled in a much louder tone, "you go behind my back to connive with my enemies, scheme to take what's mine and kill those that are precious to me I would be damned if I just sit down and do nothing, that's why I get up and do everything." She said while Consort Cao went silent.
"You thought I wouldn't know that you and that imbecile Qian Xiangzu are meeting up and forming your little pathetic alliances in the name of contending with my might and trying to supplant my influence?" She asked.
"You will not touch my son, I'll do whatever it takes to protect him from you." Consort Cao professed.
"And what is it that you're going to do to me?" The Empress asked, "what reserves have you, what power in this world do you posses." She inquired, "you should be thankful that you are very much alive, considering the numerous secrets you know, the things that you have seen with your eyes, this should be a reminder that I can hurt you without necessarily lifting a finger." The Empress mentioned as she smiled at herself.
"What do you want?" Consort Cao asked.
"I have been very lenient with you and honestly, I don't really care which of those magnificently dense and pathetic Cohorts you meet up with but it's best that you understand from now on that the life of your dear son is in my hands that means I can use him and dispose him anytime that I want," Empress Yang responded, "do what you have always been so good at, keeping your mouth shut and enduring that pain until the bitter end." She concluded while Consort Cao stared at her speechlessly.
"You can't get rid of me that easily Your Highness." She assured her.
"Try me Your Grace, test my patience, Consort Han was a recent example, the Imperial Prince Zhao Shen must be rotting somewhere six feet deep, because that is the type of person I am your grace, I bring war to all my enemies regardless and your only crime is that you know so much about me yet you chose to stand against me." She said.
"I should have just killed you when I had the chance, I should have killed you back then when I drove the blade through your abdomen." Consort Cao said.
"But it's a pity that I lived, and because I surpassed you in any way, anything else can happen but before my blood dries you'll have to bleed and die first." The Empress swore.
"Anyone?" She called as the doors of her Chambers being opened Manyin and Xiaoyang walked in.
"Your Highness." They said bowing their heads out.
"Escort Consort Cao out." She ordered and the two holding her she freed herself.
"This isn't the end Your Highness, I promise you, I belong to this Palace, I'll die here, I'll make you shed blood that you'll plead for me to spare your life, this I promise." She said.
"I shall look forward to that day Your Grace." Empress Yang muttered smiling at herself while furiously her rival sashayed out of the building.
"Your Highness, are you alright?" Manyin asked.
"How far is everyone aware of the adoption?" She inquired.
"The Courtiers are well aware, they'll move if you give the order." Xiaoyang responded.
Ask the Grand Chancellor to relay my message to His Majesty, let him try convincing him." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Manyin said as she withdrew leaving behind Xiaoyang.
"I want you to do something else for me." She said, "there's no doubt that Consort Cao will do whatever is in her power to remain in the Palace, she might even get some people to plead for her which is why you must see to it that you see this through to the end, we can not give her a chance to strike back." The Empress whispered.
"Whatever it is Your Highness, just give the order." Xiaoyang said while she pulled out an envelope which she placed on top of her table.
"Put this in Rongchang Palace, Consort Cao's Chambers in particular." She whispered.
"Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang replied as she took the letter in her hands and hid it before she left the room as well.
Consort Cao barging through the doors she found Qian Xiangzu seated there and waiting for her as she approached her seat.
"You called for me Your Grace?" He inquired while she furiously smacked the table.
"You must have heard about the adoption of the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji." She mentioned in a sombre tone.
"It's no longer news within the Capital, however the Empress knows that it is a risky move as it would naturally bolster His Highness' legitimacy as a pretender to the Imperial Dragon throne, what's worse is that it could even jeopardize the Crown Prince's position in the succession in particular." Qian Xiangzu said.
"Her Highness is buying time and sending out a warning, as the Imperial Prince's protectress she's much closer to him than any of us are." Consort Cao responded.
"Then what are you going to do Your Grace, with the look of things it appears to me that the Empress has scored a flawless victory with this single move." Qian Xiangzu remarked.
"There's no victory without the Empress but I don't have that much time left in the Palace." Consort Cao mentioned, "once again, with all my full force I have decided that if I can't supplant the Crown Prince then I am going to aim directly for the Empress' throne." She confidently resolved.
"With what power Your Grace?" Qian Xiangzu inquired.
"With the power of a dead Emperor." Consort Cao replied.
"I don't understand anything Your Grace." Qian Xiangzu said.
"The Empress used a Posthumous Edict from the Late Xiaozong Emperor and no one dared to question it even after it was fabricated." Consort Cao mentioned.
"Because majority of the officials were her supporters, they were men who had sworn their allegiance to her and given her their undivided devotion." Qian Xiangzu muttered.
"What about the Imperial Censors, what about the retired officials?" Consort Cao inquired.
"How are you going to do that Your Grace?" Qian Xiangzu inquired.
"You can leave that to me, try contacting as many of those as possible." She ordered
Emperor Ningzong stared at the chest with the Imperial Edict and his mind seemed to be caught up in a series of endless thoughts as he thought about the words that he'd read inside and the side of tge Empress that he seemed most conversant with.
"My Mei'er is caring and compassionate, His Majesty knew a different side of her back then but she is a changed person now, is there anyone in the world that is more virtuous than she is?" He asked himself as he rested his right arm on the chest.
The Daily Assembly convening in the Grand Hall, the Emperor seated on his throne the doors were opened and a group of Jurchen emissaries made their way through led by Wanyan Guang.
In the presence of the Han officials they bowed their heads.
"Greetings Your Imperial Majesty and may you live forever." Wanyan Guang led the others.
"Of course, it is a pleasure to see you." He remarked.
"On behalf of our Sovereign Emperor, on behalf of the Jurchen Court, in honour of the friendship of our two countries we chose to visit the Great Southern Song Dynasty, pardon us if we have come a bit too late." He said.
"It's nothing, now that you are here we would take this as an opportunity to put our mutual agreement as two Independent Sovereign States in writing, it has been a very long time since we were honoured by your visit." Emperor Ningzong said.
"Rest assured, we won't disappoint you this time, when it comes to being grateful, none surpasses our kind." Wanyan Guang said.
Empress Yang seated in her Chambers Xiaoyang walked in.
"Your Highness." She said bowing her head to her.
"Are the emissaries here?" She inquired.
"Yes Your Highness, they'll attend a feast later in the evening and His Majesty has decided to put you in charge of everything." Xiaoyang responded, "it's likely that Consort Han might cause trouble but I am keeping her under surveillance as you asked, if she acts up sooner or later, we'll surely know of it." Xiaoyang assured.
"Alright." Empress Yang replied, "do you happen to know any personal details about the Chief Jurchen emissary?" She asked.
"You might have known him from the battlefield as I heard that he is Wanyan Guang, one of the Generals that fought in the battles at Xiangyang and Guanghua, he is also a member of the Dynasty." Xiaoyang replied.
"I see." Empress Yang mentioned.
"Any personal interests of his that you might know perhaps?" She inquired.
"He loves swordsmanship and chess." She responded.
"Very well then, I see." Empress Yang muttered as she smiled at herself.
Consort Cao in her Chambers she was thinking about the words that the Empress had mentioned to her when Linxiang walked in.
"Your Grace." She offered her salutation, "the Jurchen emissaries are here." She notified her.
"How long will they be staying?" She inquired.
"I don't know that as of yet but His Majesty asked the Empress to particularly arrange a feast to welcome them along with the Courtiers." Linxiang responded.
"That's good." Cao Zhaoyi replied as she placed a scroll on the table in front of her.
"Bury it around the Central Palace." She ordered.
"Yes Your Grace." Linxiang replied as she took the scroll into her hands and she withdrew from the room.
Wanyan Guang walking into the room that had been prepared for him he looked around.
It was candlelit with magnificent wooden pillars, Jade, silver and golden utensils all around with soft and very comfortable furniture while Beiyuan stood behind him.
"It's very remarkable, I suppose nothing beats a Han Chinese man at being hospitable." He remarked.
"Since Milord takes pleasure then the welcome certainly must have been worth the effort." Beiyuan mentioned.
"Such a sweet tongue you have!" Wanyan Guang exclaimed.
"Her Highness the Empress." Her presence was announced outside the doors which upon being opened the two men inside bowed their heads as she slowly approached them.
"Your Highness." They said in unison as the Empress looking at Beiyuan he stepped aside leaving her in close proximity to Wanyan Guang.
She held his hand and push it back.
"It is alright." She replied, "if you don't mind I heard that you love playing chess." She asserted.
"I am passionate about the game." Wanyan Guang responded.
"The last time I played with the Imperial Princess Zhangguo I couldn't help but admire her moves, seeing that I emerged victorious I have been anticipating another game with her but as she couldn't make it instead, I thought it best if we had a try." Empress Yang softly said.
"Be my guest Your Highness." He replied pointing at the table next to them that Xiaoyang carrying the board and the pieces she placed them onto the table while they gracefully sat down.
"Be my guest and start the game." She said and without any hesitation, Wanyan Guang complied.
Moving the first piece onto the board she smiled at him.
"Your Highness seems to be too kind to ask me to play a game with you, however I am perhaps too certain that this isn't a mere game." He said.
"Yes." She didn't refuse.
"What is it that is on your mind?" He inquired.
"It hasn't been that long since our emissaries returned back into the capital." She switched to the Jurchen language.
"The Jurchen Court was pleased with the terms after the little discussion between us and your chief emissary, we only came here to see to it that the terms and conditions are not only applying but that they are fulfilled by whatever means necessary." He responded.
"Or perhaps is it that the Jurchens are that desperate to act up before we change our minds, there must be something that you are needing so much if I am not mistaken." Empress Yang said as she made a move of hers.
"You won't go back on your terms Your Highness." Wanyan Guang inquired.
"I can't guarantee that." Empress Yang replied for a moment and himself frightened inwardly only tried to retain his composure and confidence in front of her.
"So you are risking the possibility of war again?" He asked.
"It's not that I am eager, it so happens that it hasn't even been a weak, the administration in the Southern Song Court has taken a drastic change, those that are my people in power find the agreement a bit too unreasonable of course while weighing the status of our two Empires." Empress Yang responded.
"So what are you suggesting Your Highness, upon what grounds and why would it be reasonable?" Wanyan Guang asked.
"Goryeo can no longer acknowledge your suzerainty over them, as far as I know even Western Xia, Da Viet and Japan, among many countries yet the Mongols seem to have grown into a vast Empire under the leadership of Temujin whom I heard isn't fond of your race." She responded.
"Your Highness, if there are terms within a mutual understanding between our two Empires you can't necessarily change them." Wanyan Guang seemed to remind her.
"As far as I know these terms aren't drawn with the question of the people in mind, they are only inflicted upon them, our predecessors were pacifists but we the later generations can't mean to be similar I suppose what I am trying to say here is that heirs to autocratic thrones are usually liberals." She responded.
"What do you want to say to me Your Highness?" Wanyan Guang inquired.
"We'll honour our side of the arrangement, we'll leave you to handle your internal politics without any interference and supervision, give you the tribute that you require to get you back on your feet on one condition." She replied.
"What is it Your Highness?" He asked.
"Both our Empires can't be equals, and neither can they be Great, in Status when referring to our Sovereign Majesty and our Heavenly Empire, in all forms of speech and documentation we must be called the Greater Southern Song Dynasty." She responded.
"Your Highness....." Wanyan Guang soon to protest she halted him.
"Even if you refuse to it here when you walk into that hall tomorrow that will be the ardent appeal of the officials and our people as well to His Majesty, the Emperor may be the Titular head of this country but whatever concerns its reign is decided by me therefore, your refusal will make it a customary declaration of war which of course if I must consider the last resort I'll push for it seeing that I have done so before." Empress Yang interfered as she stood up having won the game.
"If you'll excuse me Your Excellency, find a way of convincing your colleagues before the day's end, in the mean time I shall be preparing the welcome feast for you that will be held tonight." She mentioned as she bowed her head with the most sincere smile before she departed from the room leaving Wanyan Guang alone and immersed in his thoughts.
Linxiang sneaking around the Central Palace with the scroll that Consort Cao had given her in a chest she halted behind her Chamber where a small garden was.
Certain that no one was seeing she dug the ground and hid it before she stealthily made her way out.
Having stepped away Manyin who had been around tailing her approached the scene and digging it with a brunch she unearthed the chest and took it to the Empress' Chambers placing it on the table in front of her.
"Linxiang, Consort Cao's Head Lady just buried this behind your audience Chamber." She reported as the Empress looking at the trunk momentarily she was about to open it when she halted halfway.
"What's the matter Your Highness?" Manyin inquired.
"Have you opened it?" She inquired.
"Not at all Your Highness." Manyin responded.
"How certain are we that it isn't a trap?" She inquired.
"A trap?" Manyin asked.
"Consort Cao knows that I am no fool and that I would keep a close eye on her every move." The Empress replied.
"That could mean that Linxiang was probably aware that I was following her." Manyin remarked.
"Because we might have been desperate to see her at there is no doubt that if we got some dirt on her naturally we would let our guard down." Empress Yang said.
"But how sure can we be Your Highness, we don't even know what's in the chest to begin with." Manyin asserted.
"Consort Cao could be suspicious but she shouldn't be our main concern right now, it should be someone else who is moving as her piece." Empress Yang replied.
"Are you suggesting that it should be Qian Xiangzu?" Manyin asked.
"Perhaps." Empress Yang replied when Xiaoyang suddenly barged through the doors of the room.
"Your Highness," she said while bowing her head, "we have a bit of a problem." She reported.
"What's the matter?" Empress Yang asked.
"There's a terrible rumour going around the Palace." Xiaoyang responded, "it claims that His Late Majesty the Xiaozong Emperor left behind a Posthumous Edict stating that any member of the Yang family that ascends the phoenix throne should be killed lest they'd bring turmoil to our Great Heavenly Empire and shall unleash upon our Holy Land the scourge of the Female Ruler Wu Hao." She reported.
"What?" Empress Yang inquired.
"It's very hard to trace the source of the rumour yet I am told that it is starting to spread around the capital, I believe it is the Rongchang Palace." Xiaoyang spoke as the Empress instantly turned her attention to the chest in front of her.
Slowly stretching her hand towards it, she opened it and inside she saw a gilded scroll that looked somewhat old.
Pulling it out she opened it and her eyes perusing through its contents she rested it onto the table in front of her while Manyin and Xiaoyang getting behind her they read it.
"I HAVE BEEN STRUCK AT THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART AND IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO EMBRACE CONSOLATION, I BEHOLD DEATH AND GRIEF ALONE HAVING RECEIVED THIS ALARMING REVELATION, NO MEMBER OF THE YANG CLAN SHOULD ASCEND THE PHOENIX THRONE IN BOTH MY LIFE AND DEATH AND WHOEVER DOES THEY MUST BE KILLED FOR THEY SHALL BRING UPON OUR GREAT HEAVENLY EMPIRE THE REIGN OF THE SCOURGE OF THE FEMALE RULER WU AGAIN." Manyin said while her eyes travelled to recognize what she identified as the authentic Seal of the Emperor.
"Impossible." Xiaoyang said.
"This is how Consort Cao intends to fight me." Empress Yang concluded.
"Another Posthumous Edict from the Xiaozong Emperor like the one which ordered for the assassination of Han Touzhou." Xiaoyang said.
"Using the power of a dead Emperor, huh." The Empress whispered under her breath.
"Your Highness, what are we going to do this, the universal public opinion shall soon be influenced, if Consort Cao won't go through the Imperial Court she'll push the masses against it." Manyin remarked.
"At a time like this nothing would be more dangerous than the public opinion abandoning our cause." Empress Yang pointed out, "I need to have a word with Master Bao." She said.
"Yes Your Highness." The two replied while the Empress folding the Edict immediately she cast it into the brazier in front of her and watched it slowly getting reduced to ashes.
Emperor Ningzong walking through the gardens he suddenly crossed paths with Consort Cao who was approaching him from the opposite direction.
"Your Majesty." She said bowing her head to him with a sombre expression on her face that he couldn't help it but feel concerned.
"Would you mind joining me for a walk?" He asked before she said anything else that she nodded her head in approval and the two set off on the same foot while their retinues kept their distances.
"What's the matter with you, it appears to me that you are lost in your thoughts and you are strangely sad." He pointed out.
"Forgive me Your Majesty, I was just from seeing the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji." She responded.
"I see." Emperor Ningzong muttered.
"It hasn't even been that long since we were reunited, I finally thought that we would be safe once more within the walls of the Palace but who thought that the circumstances would force us apart again." She asked.
"Are you worried about the Courtiers?" He asked.
"Since young I always protected the Empress, I loved her that much, growing up I had never expected that in turn she'd go out of her way to protect me and my family." Consort Cao responded.
"The Empress must have told you." Emperor Ningzong said.
"No," Consort Cao responded, "she might also be unaware though that if she makes the Imperial Prince Zhao Ji her legitimate son then the custom requires that I leave the Palace as well to protect my son as well." She added.
"I was told by Eunuch Deng as he submitted a memorial from the Empress, she went through a hustle finding one of the most magnificent Imperial villas where you'd comfortably live in obscurity, she picked out a handful of the best guards she could find to ensure your security." Emperor Ningzong reported.
"I didn't know that." Consort Cao pointed out.
"That much the Empress is considerate of you, that much she adores you." Emperor Ningzong asserted while she looked at him.
"Even then I guess I am lucky, my only crime is that I have become a burden to both Your Majesty and Her Highness, I feel guilty and it preys off me inwardly." She professed.
"But do not worry, I understand Her Highness' thoughts best more than anyone else and when the time is right I know she'll call you back into the Palace." Emperor Ningzong said while she kept quiet trying to avoid his gaze, holding back the fact that she wanted to scream at him loudly to let him know that the Empress would not do that sooner or later, to tell him that she'd prefer to slowly watch her die in obscurity, forgotten as a midnight dream.
"I don't know." She said, "but for the safety of Zhao Ji it would be better if I stayed outside the Palace for good, that I died there and silently disappeared with the wind to be forgotten, I only failed that I made the Empress bear that burden, seeing that Zhao Ji has no strong maternal relatives, growing up will be very hard for that boy." She said.
"I am partially responsible." Emperor Ningzong said when Eunuch Deng suddenly intruded on their conversation and interrupted the two.
"Your Majesty, we have a problem." He said.
"What is the matter?" Emperor Ningzong asked giving him his attention.
"There is an insidious rumour that is circulating around the Palace about the Empress." He reported.
"What are they saying?" Emperor Ningzong instantly spoke up concerned.
"It claims that His Late Majesty the Xiaozong Emperor left behind a Posthumous Edict stating that any member of the Yang family that ascends the phoenix throne should be killed lest they'd bring turmoil to our Great Heavenly Empire and shall unleash upon our Holy Land the scourge of the Female Ruler Wu Hao." He responded and hearing this the Emperor was taken aback that very instant.
"What!" He exclaimed.
"Yes Your Majesty." Eunuch Deng affirmed.
"No." Emperor Ningzong whispered as he hurried off into the direction of the Grand Palace leaving Consort Cao staring at him suspiciously.
"Everything seems to be taking effect." Linxiang remarked.
"Yes." Consort Cao replied nonchalantly.
"Is there anything wrong Your Grace?" Linxiang inquired.
"It is strange that His Majesty acted out that way, it feels like he knows something or he's hiding something." She responded.
"You know that His Majesty is very concerned for our dear Empress, how couldn't he be moved by something like that?" Linxiang asked.
"Perhaps." Consort Cao muttered.
Emperor Ningzong entering his private bed chamber, Eunuch Deng followed him.
"Your Majesty?" He said.
"I need to be alone." Emperor Ningzong said.
"But.........." Eunuch Deng protesting the Emperor infuriated he turned to him.
"Which part of my order wasn't clear?" He asked at the top of his voice that Eunuch Deng without wasting any more time he withdrew from the room and had the doors closed.
The Emperor slowly approaching his table he touched underneath and pulling out the chest with the Imperial Edict he quickly studied the locks to see if they were tampered with but there was no sign.
Opening it he looked inside to see the scroll inside that he momentarily sighed in relief.
"It's still here." He said to himself as he reclined in his seat when something occurred to him.
"But who would spread that rumour, perhaps, someone knows about this Edict." He thought to himself, "but who could it be?" He asked himself as he thought about it more deeply.
Wanyan Guang still seated in his room he was thinking about the words that the Empress had said to him.
"Even if you refuse to it here when you walk into that hall tomorrow that will be the ardent appeal of the officials and our people as well to His Majesty, the Emperor may be the Titular head of this country but whatever concerns its reign is decided by me therefore, your refusal will make it a customary declaration of war which of course if I must consider the last resort I'll push for it seeing that I have done so before." She had cautioned him when the doors were opened and one of his servants walked in.
"You have a guest Your Excellency." He said as the latter seemed to be returning to his senses.
"Let them in." He responded and at that moment Consort Cao appeared before him.
"Your Excellency." She bowed her head saying as she offered her salutations.
"And who might you be Miss?" Wanyan Guang inquired.
"You don't know me, I am not certain that you have heard about me as well, but I happen to have learnt that you are the Chief Emissary from the Great Jin Empire." She responded.
"You weren't misinformed." Wanyan Guang assured her while she stepped closer and took the seat in front of him while he watched her.
"I am An Imperial Consort in His Majesty's harem, I am second to the Empress, I heard that you aren't that fond of her even back at your home, I was hoping that between you and I there would be a fruitful alliance." She proposed.
"Alliance?" Wanyan Guang muttered.
"Think of it as an offer from me, peace, interdependence, friendship between our two Great Countries." She said.
"And what would a Consort do to ensure that?" Wanyan Guang inquired, "as far as I know the Empress, your Empress calls all the shots within this Empire." He added.
"But what makes you think that her power and influence are unrivalled when I am before you here the mother of an Imperial Prince that would one day ascend the throne which makes me that significant in the Court." She responded.
"Yet could you supplant the Empress?" Wanyan Guang inquired.
"Do you doubt that I can't?" She asked him as well while he silently studied her.
"There's nothing that I can do, I am a Jurchen, I am not even a member of the Southern Song Dynasty's Government and I can't even influence your state of Internal affairs which makes me a useless ally if you are looking for one." Wanyan Guang said.
"How long do you expect our Emperor to live, how much longer do you think the Empress' influence will remain dominant in the Court, until now all that we have done is let her have her way and judging from her character it isn't hard to tell that she is likely to side with the Mongols against you if she gets the chance." She asserted.
"You haven't yet answered the question that I have asked you Your Grace." Wanyan Guang said, "what is it that you want from me in particular given my inadequacies?" He inquired.
"I want your foreign support, things you can offer, skills, men and weapons if necessary to help me take the Imperial Dragon throne for my son." She responded.
"And I would risk that much?" Wanyan Guang inquired.
"It's between me and the Empress and what you require isn't just an alliance but influence." She added as she smiled at herself ghastly.
Empress Yang seated in her Chambers she was uneasy when Master Bao walked through her doors.
"You called for me Your Highness." He said while bowing his head to her as she turned to him.
"You must have heard the rumours going around concerning His Late Majesty the Xiaozong Emperor's Posthumous Edict.
"Yes." He replied reluctantly.
"You know why I have called you here then, you fully understand that news that is so damaging isn't something I am willing to embrace." She said.
"I'll do whatever I can Your Highness." Master Bao assured her.
"Very well then, I need your help, I wish to perform a miracle in public, one that shall make the crowds fall silent, one that shall suppress those insidious rumours against me." Empress Yang said.
At sundown, the Courtiers gathered in the Imperial garden the Jurchen emissaries present were being entertained by the Han Chinese women who were dancing in their midst.
The feast very cheerful the Emperor and the Empress' presence was announced that the gates of the small yard being opened, the two walked in hand in hand dressed magnificently as they took their seats at the forefront.
The celebrations continued and once in a while the Empress holding her face high she remained proud looking and courteous, strong willed and beautifully fierce while the Emperor was more relaxed.
Wanyan Guang still lost in his thoughts while still thinking about the two offers some of his colleagues burst into murmuring.
"His Imperial Majesty does look weak and frail compared to his Late Grand father, but the Empress, she's remarkably astute and strong in her appearance." One said.
"Do you not know, some people say she is the true power behind the throne and considering that she personally led the soldiers into war against us while the Emperor did nothing, she's a much bigger antagonist to us than Her husband." Another replied.
"In a world dominated by men she'll barely go far with that character." One pointed out.
"You can not be too certain, many respect him and her influence goes deeper than most people can see." The other mentioned that.
Wanyan Guang eavesdropping nearly everything seemed to be hesitant to keep considering Consort Cao's offer.
The Empress smiling more frequently Xiaoyang approached her.
"Is everything alright?" She inquired.
"Master Bao has said that everything is under control, all you need to do is to enjoy the feast Your Highness." She responded.
"What about Qian Xiangzu." She inquired.
"He's contacting some people that might be influential and you wouldn't believe who it is?" Xiaoyang said as she got closer to her ear and whispered in a lowlier tone before she pulled away.
"Is that so?" She inquired.
"Yes Your Highness." Xiaoyang replied.
"Very well." The Empress said, "we should give Consort Cao a gift for her hard work, don't you think?" She asked as she smiled at herself ghastly while Xiaoyang bowing her head she withdrew when the Emperor turned to the Empress.
"Is there anything wrong?" He inquired.
"Nothing at all Your Majesty." She replied in a sincere manner, "Xiaoyang was only reporting to me about the Crown Prince and his brother Zhao Ji, he said that His Highness was merely concerned about the insidious rumours spreading around the Palace and the capital about me that he could barely sleep." She said.
"How is he now?" Emperor Ningzong asked.
"He's doing much better." She responded.
"What about you my dear?" He asked.
"I'll be fine Your Majesty, heaven has always been on my side, if the almighty stands by me, what more is there that I have to fear a man would do to me?" She responded and the Emperor perhaps considering that she was trying to calm herself down he turned his attention to the emissaries and the Courtiers once again while she did the same.
Eunuch Deng bearing the finest wine for the ceremony he carried it up to the Emperor while Beiyuan delivered it to the Empress, other maidservants offering it to the officials and the emissaries, they poured it for them as the Emperor stood up.
"We all are gathered here, in the same spirit, we honour our men and women, children that were lost in our most violent strife, with our hearts ailing, yet we look to a future, one of cooperation and unity, of peace and stability, of brotherhood and feuds buried, to us." He said as he raised his glass in the air.
"To us." Everyone replied as they took a sip while the Empress anxiously watched, her heart uneasy for a moment until everyone rested their cups neatly on the table.
Consort Cao seated in her Chambers she held a letter in her hands and her eyes having perused through it, Linxiang walked in.
"You called for me Your Grace." She said.
"Every thing is ready, Qian Xiangzu has affirmed, tomorrow, we shall make our move and strike first." Consort Cao muttered.
"Yes Your Grace." Linxiang agreed.
"Consequently when the voices of the world become one with the demand for the Empress' head, a Posthumous Edict fabricated shall become real." She confidently said as she smiled at herself ghastly.
The sun rising to announce the dawn of a new day, the Courtiers dressed in their Official robes approached the Grand Hall and made their entrance.
The Empress anxiously seated in her Chambers heard the morning drum that announced the beginning of the Daily Assembly.
The Jurchen emissaries led by Wanyan Guang made their entrance into the hall amidst great pomp and slowly, they approached the front where they halted and they bowed the head to the Emperor.
"We are here to come to terms with the agreement that we have discussed." Emperor Ningzong said as he turned to Eunuch Deng.
"Bring in the traitor's heads and mutilated bodies." He announced and the doors of the Grand Hall being opened, they were brought forward in two coffins and two small boxes for the detached heads which were laid in front of the emissaries.
They were opened and the emissaries confirmed while shortly after three hundred ounces of silver and three hundred bolts of silk were presented to them as well.
"This is what we offer on our side." Emperor Ningzong said, "the Grand Chancellor shall present the terms that you are to honour." He added.
"Thank you Your Majesty." Shi Miyuan said as he stepped forward and bowed his head to him before he faced the Jurchen emissaries.
"We shall keep diplomatic meetings between our two states and there shan't be territorial losses, all Empires shall retain their original boundaries prior to the war and we shall not report our internal politics to the Jurchen Empire, all remaining Jurchen scouts in our territory shall be withdrawn and we shall only acknowledge the Jin Empire as a brother state and not a Suzerain one, in Status we demand that when officially referring to our Great Heavenly Empire the Jurchens call it the Greater Song in acknowledgement of our greatness, Economic, Social, Civil and Military Independence and Sovereignty." Shi Miyuan said as he had the document presented in two versions one Han Chinese and the other Jurchen.
"We agree to the terms." The Jurchens said as the two settlements were stamped concluding the truce between the two Empires.
The Courtiers walking out of the Grand Hall were excited as a clique formed around Shi Miyuan.
"We have finally concluded peace with the Jurchens without pacifying them." Peng Zishou said.
"Without any more bloodshed, we have returned glory and status to our Empire and saved its prestige despite losing the bodies of the two traitors." Shi Miyuan added as they descended the stairs of the Grand Hall.
The gates at the opposite end opening they seemed surprised at the sight of very old and retired officials that had served the previous Emperors who made their way in that they halted in their footsteps.
"What are they doing here?" Yang Cishan inquired as some of them leaping they stood in front of them and blocked their path.
The Emperor having not moved far from the scene decided to return to the top of the staircase right in front of the doors of the Grand Hall while his retinue led by Eunuch Deng halted at a distance.
"Your Majesty." They said in unison bowing their heads being led by Li San, the Emperor's maternal uncle and brother of the deceased Empress Ciyi.
Consort Cao seated in her Chambers she tapped her table with her finger as Linxiang throwing the doors open she rushed into her presence.
"Your Grace," she called excited, "they are here." She reported enthusiastically that the latter smiled at herself ghastly.
"What are you doing here?" Peng Zishou asked them brazenly.
"We are here as witnesses Your Majesty." Li San said, "we are here to honour the memory of the deceased Xiaozong Emperor." He added.
"As far as I recall none amongst you were loyal to his service while he was alive that you misled the Guangzong Emperor into failing to observe the Confucian principles which made him the unfilial ancestor." Shi Miyuan lashed out, "how is it that you convince us that your service is loyal to him now that he is dead?" He asked.
"It is because I put the welfare of our Great Heavenly Empire first." Li San responded as he faced the Emperor, "Your Majesty, please honour His Late Majesty the Xiaozong Emperor's Posthumous Edict." He said as he went on his knees and bowed his head.
"Your Majesty, please honour His Late Majesty the Xiaozong Emperor's Posthumous Edict." His colleagues backed him up in his plea as they kowtowed as well.
"And what is this Edict?" Shi Miyuan asked.
"No member of the Yang Clan should ascend the Phoenix throne Your Majesty, any that does so must be killed to prevent the scourge of the Female Ruler Wu from befalling us on this land again." Li San spoke aloud.
"How could you let such a rumour derail you distinguished men and women, where on Earth and in heaven is this Posthumous Edict of His Majesty that you are talking about, where is it that I know nothing of?" The Emperor asked when Beiyuan suddenly appeared and interrupted them.
"Your Majesty, the Ancestral temple." He notified the Emperor.
"What has happened?" He inquired.
"I don't think that I can explain everything myself Your Majesty, perhaps it is better that you see for yourself." Beiyuan responded and everyone curious, the Emperor without wasting time he set off for the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
The Courtiers following the Emperor out of concern they approached the Magnificent building whose doors were opened.
The Emperor and a few high ranking officials walked in while the rest remained outside, there at the altar a Court Lady was had hanged herself with a piece of linen fabric which had some words written on it in blood.
Everyone stared at them momentarily while the Emperor read them aloud.
"Asking His Late Majesty of Her Highness the Empress should be deposed and killed." He said that the Officials started murmuring amongst themselves.
"How did a mere Court Lady end up in the ancestral hall?" They asked themselves when it happened that Eunuch Deng noticed something quite strange.
"Look." He pointed at what was a tortoise shell close by which about fifteen centimetres long and seven centimetres wide slowly started to crack.
Ultimately on it the character NO was boldly formed which caused most of the Officials to gasp with surprise.
Shi Miyuan leading the large lot they immediately went onto their knees and bowed their heads to the portrait of the deceased Xiaozong Emperor.
"This is His Late Majesty's will." Shi Miyuan said, "the Empress can not be deposed or killed." He asserted while Li San and the rest of the retired officials fell silent when the Emperor seized that opportunity to advance his cause before they would act up.
"This is His Late Majesty's posthumous Providence, whoever speaks of the Empress' deposal or execution blasphemes his solemn name." He said.
Empress Yang seated in her Chambers Manyin rushed in instantly and bowing her head she seemed excited.
"It has been done Your Highness." She said, "not only at the Ancestral Temple within the palace but also outside it." She assured her.
"Is that so?" She inquired.
"It doesn't matter what the officials think or say, the people regard it to be heaven's Providence already." Manyin responded.
"Very well then," Empress Yang said as she stood up from where she was seated, "gather the lady Investigators of the Palace, it's time we retrieve what we sent into the Rongchang Palace." She ordered.
"Yes Your Highness." Manyin replied as she stepped aside while the Empress led the way out of the hall.