Chapter 61: Establishing a New Empress
Although Jiang Wan’s behavior was somewhat fierce, most people actually sympathized with her in their hearts.
After all, everyone could see that as the Princess Consort of Rui, she had been gentle and virtuous for many years, her conduct impeccable. Yet Chu Lianmo had taken one concubine after another in previous years, and now favored only Qi Xiaojun, never keeping a place for her in his heart.
This was the difference between Chu Lianmo and Chu Ziqian—even if he had to end a relationship, he would never let everyone point fingers at the woman who once had a bond with him. On the contrary, he preferred that people scolded him, Chu Lianmo.
One of the reasons he had let Jiang Wan have a child back then was to dispel the rumors that he was impotent. This was for his reputation, and he needed a good reputation then to contend with Chu Ziqian. Now that he had obtained what he wanted, a small stain on his reputation didn’t matter.
That night, Chu Lianmo held Qi Xiaojun in his arms and said guiltily, “Ah Jun, Zhen originally wanted to hold a proper birthday celebration for you, but had to stage this play… Next year, Zhen will definitely give you a peaceful and joyful birthday.”
“How could I blame you for this?” Qi Xiaojun smiled brightly. “You are racking your brains for our future. Besides, the guests gave all the gifts they should have, but lost their appetites halfway through the meal. Didn’t we come out ahead?”
Hearing Qi Xiaojun’s joke, Chu Lianmo also laughed relaxedly. “In any case, Zhen can soon compensate you with the position of Empress.”
After this incident, Chu Lianmo, left with only Qi Xiaojun as his wife, could finally openly establish Qi Xiaojun as Empress.
Not long after, Jiang Wan and Murong Ying finally got married, and the child could openly call Murong Ying “Father.”
Murong Ying was very moved by Chu Lianmo’s painstaking efforts.
Normally, having been involved with the same woman would easily lead to a falling out, but after this event, their brotherhood became even deeper.
Seeing that everything was developing perfectly, Chu Lianmo’s mother, Xu Ruliang, brought up a matter with her son:
“Mo’er, before, when you had just ascended the throne and things were unstable, it wasn’t appropriate for Ben Gong (this Palace/me) to mention it. Now it is time to discuss it with you… Although Wen Cheng’s health has improved under Doctor Ji’s care, he is still riddled with ailments. Ben Gong thinks he is no longer suitable to be a eunuch doing heavy labor. Why don’t you grant him permission to return home to live out his old age in peace?”
Eunuchs in the palace were generally allowed to leave and retire around the age of sixty, while Wen Cheng was only in his forties. Using the phrase “live out his old age” was perhaps inappropriate.
Of course, Chu Lianmo understood his mother’s thoughts.
But seeing his mother so concerned about this man’s affairs, Chu Lianmo felt a bit displeased. “Zhen will consider this.”
In the evening, Chu Lianmo came to Qi Xiaojun’s bedchamber with a heavy expression.
“What’s wrong?” Qi Xiaojun went up to him as usual, helping him take off his outer coat and hanging it on the wall. “Did something go wrong in court today?”
“Nothing happened in court,” Chu Lianmo shook his head. “It’s about Mother Consort…”
He then relayed Xu Ruliang’s intentions to Qi Xiaojun. “Ah Jun, do you think Zhen should do as Mother Consort says? People were just about to forget about Wen Cheng. If Zhen gives Wen Cheng special treatment now, won’t it let those with ulterior motives take the opportunity to make an issue of Zhen‘s parentage again?”
After all, Chu Lianmo was neither the legitimate son nor the eldest. No matter how many of Chu Ziqian’s crimes he publicized, he had usurped Chu Ziqian’s position as Crown Prince. Some ministers who revered orthodoxy still opposed him, always looking for a chance to target him.
Qi Xiaojun understood Chu Lianmo’s current predicament, yet he said, “I think you should agree to your mother’s request.”
Chu Lianmo smiled bitterly. “I knew you were the kindest, always prioritizing feelings when considering problems.”
“You are wrong.” Qi Xiaojun shook his head solemnly. “I do sympathize with Wen Cheng’s plight, but even considering feelings, how could my sympathy for him override my love for you? The reason I agree is precisely to solve the issue of your parentage that you just mentioned.”
“Oh? How can it be solved?” Chu Lianmo was startled, not understanding his meaning for a moment.
“Lianmo, think about it. Has everyone really forgotten this issue just because no one mentions it now? It’s just that you are the Emperor now, so they dare not mention it. However, if a suitable opportunity arises, those with bad intentions might still use it as a pretext.
“In that case, you might as well bring it up yourself first.
“If there were truly a problem with your parentage, you would surely keep it a deep secret; conversely, you can openly vindicate your Mother Consort and Wen Cheng!”
Chu Lianmo was shocked upon hearing this.
Yes, he had been blinded by personal emotions. Why hadn’t he thought of this level?
The more he tried to avoid something, the more it would be treated as a weakness by those with ulterior motives.
Having made up his mind, Chu Lianmo began to act decisively the very next day.
Years ago, Wen Cheng’s father was a third-rank official. Because of that incident, Emperor Chu Wen found excuses to demote him again and again. Now he was just a petty official, struggling to survive on a meager salary.
Chu Lianmo announced that the affair between Wen Cheng and Xu Ruliang was purely a false accusation by Wen Yingying. He restored Wen Cheng’s father to his original position, granted Wen Cheng permission to leave the palace early to retire, and bestowed upon him a thousand taels of gold as compensation for the years he had been wronged.
Both Wen Cheng and his father were moved to tears. When receiving the imperial decree, they kowtowed repeatedly, shouting, “Long live the Emperor.”
Then, Wen Cheng returned to the Wen family home.
Eunuchs mostly came from poor families and were viewed by their families as shameful or disgraceful existences, so even after leaving the palace, they dared not return to their hometowns. Wen Cheng became the exception.
His father was not a heartless man; instead, he felt great heartache for the undeserved calamity his son had suffered over the years. On the day of their reunion, father and son embraced and wept. The scene made onlookers feel both poignant and relieved.
This incident also convinced Emperor Chu Wen completely that Xu Ruliang and Wen Cheng were innocent.
He had been affectionate with Xu Ruliang recently, as if returning to the sweet times when they were in love. Now knowing this, he ran to apologize to Xu Ruliang very sincerely.
However, Xu Ruliang began to refuse to see him.
Nominally, Emperor Chu Wen was the Retired Emperor, his status still above the Empress Dowager. But in reality, Emperor Chu Wen held no power, so if Xu Ruliang wouldn’t see him, he had no recourse.
After some time, Xu Ruliang actually proposed a divorce to Emperor Chu Wen.
Divorce was originally extremely rare in the imperial family, but ever since Chu Lianmo and Jiang Wan set the precedent, others seemed to follow suit. Now it seemed to have become a common occurrence.
Emperor Chu Wen was furious when he heard. “Zhen will not agree to a divorce!”
Xu Ruliang sneered at him holding the divorce agreement. “If you refuse to sign, Ben Gong will have to divorce the husband.”
“You…!” Emperor Chu Wen glared at Xu Ruliang, grinding his teeth. “Your tenderness towards Zhen a while ago was all fake?!”
“Correct.” Xu Ruliang nodded decisively. “At that time, Mo’er intended to seize the throne. naturally, Ben Gong had to lend him a hand. Besides, seeing Wen Yingying triumphant every day was annoying; I had to dampen her spirit.”
“…” Emperor Chu Wen’s eyes burned with anger, but after glaring at Xu Ruliang for a long time, he eventually had to sign his name on the divorce papers. After all, as the Retired Emperor, if he were “divorced by his wife,” he would become the biggest laughingstock in the world.
Afterward, Xu Ruliang made an even more shocking decision—she was going to stay by Wen Cheng’s side and take care of him for the rest of his life.
Chu Lianmo was very confused about this for a time. “Mother Empress, why torment yourself like this! Didn’t you say you didn’t like Wen Cheng at all, and the person you liked was Father Emperor? Besides, with Wen Cheng’s current condition, how is he worthy of you!”
“Indeed, I have only loved one person in this life, and that is your Father Emperor. However, in his years of indifference and neglect, my heart has long since died.
“I don’t love Wen Cheng, but he ended up in this state because of me. I have guilt in my heart towards him.
“As for that sort of thing, I have long lost any desire for it over the years. I only wish to accompany Brother Wen for the rest of my life to make up for what I owe him in this life.”
“…” Chu Lianmo was silent for a long time before finally saying, “Your son respects your decision.”
Thus, Xu Ruliang finally got her wish to leave the man-eating cage that was the palace.
Before she left, she specifically went to the Cold Palace to see Wen Yingying.
At that time, Wen Yingying had none of her former grace and luxury. Her clothes were dirty and torn from lack of care. Though not yet fifty, her hair was almost entirely white, her appearance haggard, and her eyes completely devoid of life.
“Are you here to gloat?” Seeing Xu Ruliang appear, Wen Yingying stared at her with eyes that looked ready to eat someone.
Xu Ruliang smiled faintly. “I am leaving this place. I once truly loved the Retired Emperor, but my love and youth were ruined by you. Neither of us is a winner, so what is there to gloat about?
“I came here only to ask you: we had no grievances, merely shared the same husband. Why did you have to plot against me like that?”
“Does that even need asking?” Wen Yingying sneered ferociously. “Because I also truly loved him, yet the only person in his eyes was always you!”
“…” Xu Ruliang was silent for a moment, her expression grave. “It was him who failed you, not me. The person you should hate is him, not me. You shouldn’t have harmed me like that. Your current fate can only be called self-inflicted.”
“Hahahaha!” Wen Yingying laughed maniacally. “I do hate him! His current fate serves him right—he dismissed the person he cherished, and the one he loved wholeheartedly is now abandoning him, preferring a eunuch over him!”
Xu Ruliang said indifferently, “You finally understand who your anger should be directed at. Pity you understood too late. Otherwise, why would you have incited your son to target my son time and again, leading to you and your son losing everything today? If Chu Ziqian hadn’t done all those evil deeds first, Mo’er wouldn’t have pulled him down from his horse.”
These words made Wen Yingying freeze instantly. Only then did she suddenly realize that her life had been a complete waste, a living joke!
“Hahaha! Hahahahahaha!” Wen Yingying looked up at the sky and laughed, having fallen completely into madness.
Xu Ruliang sighed silently, turned, and left.
That evening, news came from the Cold Palace—Wen Yingying had committed suicide.
Hearing this news, Chu Ziqian was stunned for a moment, then suddenly began to run wildly towards the palace.
He ran to beg for an audience with Chu Lianmo, then knelt before him, kowtowing repeatedly. “Caomin (Commoner/I) begs the Emperor to grant permission to see my mother one last time!”
Strictly speaking, Chu Ziqian was now a commoner and was not qualified to see off a deceased concubine of the Cold Palace.
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