Chapter 127 : The Woman in Power Kills the Monarch
Trigger Warning: suicide
“Your Majesty . . .” Imperial Consort Chen looked at the Emperor. Although she said nothing else, her bright eyes conveyed a sense of worry, as if she was concerned for the realm. The Empress pursed her lips, and a helpless expression flitted across her face briefly while she remained silent.
“All right, we will watch you burn the incense now!” the Emperor said to the Astronomical Bureau Supervisor.
The Astronomical Bureau Supervisor lowered his head and ordered his subordinates to bring forward the xiyuan incense. This stick of incense was exceedingly bulky, almost like a small pillar. The Emperors of past dynasties had only lit the xiyuan incense to inquire of the heavens when the omen of great evil appeared. Once the incense was lit, the astronomical observatory and its surroundings was wreathed in warm smoke.
The Astronomical Bureau Supervisor knelt down facing the xiyuan incense and heavily kowtowed thrice before saying, “May the heavens grant us favour, may a warning descend from the heavens. Twin stars with the moon are in the sky, the demon star has made an appearance. We beseech the all-knowing heavens, reveal this demon star to us!”
Green smoke spiralled upwards, gradually suffusing the pitch-black curtain of night. A slight smile hovered over Jiang Ruan’s lips, her arms were crossed over her chest, and the breeze lightly ruffled her long hair. Her plain white clothes were wrapped tightly around her and her appearance was alluringly beautiful. However, it was as if she were a beautiful evil spirit in the midst of hell, materialising gracefully before them while bearing great hatred.
Xiao Shao’s gaze rested on the kowtowing figure of the Astronomical Bureau Supervisor, and his expression changed subtly.
Without warning, cries of alarm sounded from the crowd.
Imperial Consort Chen’s pupils slowly enlarged, like the clear spring water of the Yangtze spilling over its banks, full of the soft warmth of joy.
“Wang Jiejie, why does your body have . . .” The sound grew louder.
The mirth in Imperial Consort Chen’s eyes disappeared abruptly.
She saw the womenfolk falling into a panicked flutter, each one retreating backwards, leaving Wang Meiren all alone in the centre of a widening circle. At that moment, her plain clothes were transforming from white to bright red, starting from the top and moving downwards. The colour was as shocking as blood, and the blood-red colour was spreading continuously, staining her chest area then moving gradually to the rest of her body. As the stained area increased, she looked like someone who had been dredged up from a pool of blood. Losing their heads in fear, the palace folk scrambled to flee, abandoning Wang Meiren, who was slapping at her clothes in a frenzy while mumbling, “How could this happen . . .no, no, how can this be happening?”
Imperial Consort Chen lowered her head to glance at Jiang Ruan, standing next to Empress Dowager Yi De. Jiang Ruan, seeming to feel the weight of the gaze, turned her head to lock eyes with her and smile minutely. That smile was gentle and self-possessed, lighting up her charming face in an instant. However, there was endless mockery and provocation in her eyes. Jiang Ruan nodded at Imperial Consort Chen, who stiffened.
The Emperor said, angrily, “Demoness! Catch hold of her!”
The imperial bodyguards surged forward and took hold of her without any effort as Wang Meiren had never anticipated such an occurrence would befall her, and was already in a state of total confusion. When seized, unwilling to be thus treated, she hollered, “Your Majesty! Your Majesty! This concubine has been wrongly accused, this concubine has been wrongly accused!”
Imperial Consort Shu clutched her heart and said, “What do you mean, wrongly accused? All of us here are witnesses to this warning from heaven, you are clearly this demon star who will cause calamity. Truly frightening.”
“Your Majesty, your Majesty.” Wang Meiren knew that if she were confirmed to be the demon star, the consequence would be so terrible for her. Her eyes fell upon the figure who stood next to Empress Dowager Yi De, not far from the Emperor. Jiang Ruan’s clothes draped neatly around her, pristinely white, with nary a trace of blood.
How could this happen? It should have been Jiang Ruan, how could it be her?
Wang Meiren experienced a sudden flash of understanding. It had to be Jiang Ruan, she must have done some sleight of hand, some trick with the clothes, otherwise, how could this mishap have fallen on her instead?
“Your Majesty, it was Hong’an Junzhu who set up this concubine!” Wang Meiren gritted her teeth and said, “It was Hong’an Junzhu! She played some trick on this concubine’s clothes! Your Majesty, this concubine has truly been unjustly accused!”
“Be quiet.” It was Empress Dowager Yi De who had shouted. She sneered coldly, “Such nonsensical babbling, what has this to do with Hong’an!”
“This has to do with Hong’an’s innocence. Naturally, Wang Meiren has her theories, but Hong’an is not afraid to confront Wang Meiren.” Jiang Ruan bowed respectfully to the Emperor, seated on the highest level, and said, “Imperial Father, yesterday, Wang Meiren brought the clothes from the Imperial Household Department to this subject’s residential hall, and this subject received the clothes. According to Wang Meiren, this subject framed Wang Meiren. But, Wang Meiren’s clothes have never passed through this subject’s hands.” A vague half-smile rested on her lips as she looked towards Wang Meiren and said, “Hong’an wants to ask Wang Meiren, how was she set up? Wang Meiren’s clothes have nothing at all to do with Hong’an. From the time we entered the astronomical observatory until now, Hong’an has stayed far away from Wang Meiren. Wang Meiren talks about being framed, please produce the evidence. Otherwise, this is purely slander!”
Faced with this barrage of questions, the beleaguered Wang Meiren was rendered speechless. Afterall it was true, when she brought the clothes to Jiang Ruan, Jiang Ruan had never touched her own clothes. Then, how did it come about that the mishap had fallen on her? Was it possible that . . . Wang Meiren abruptly wrenched her gaze to Imperial Consort Chen. Was it her?
Imperial Consort Chen read Wang Meiren’s expression perfectly clearly. Silently, she cursed her for being a moron, and returned her gaze coldly. As Wang Meiren faced that pair of icily indifferent eyes, she could not help but shiver. Her entire family would have to depend on Imperial Consort Chen’s assistance to survive this firestorm; if she offended Imperial Consort Chen, then everyone in the fu would not have a future to speak of. Thus, she had no choice but to swallow her grievances, though it was truly bitter.
She knelt down, thinking that since she was going to die anyway, she would rather have the satisfaction of taking her own life than being tortured to death as the demon star. Without warning, like a crazed woman, she bit the imperial bodyguard who was holding on to her. That guard, having observed her gradually quietening down, had relaxed his vigilance. Thus, he was caught off guard by the bite and was unable to stop Wang Meiren as she seized the sword hanging from his waist and drew it across her neck.
No one anticipated that she would make such a sudden move. Blood sprayed forth and Wang Meiren slowly sank to the ground. Her eyes were as huge as saucers, and they were staring in Jiang Ruan’s direction.
In this way, everyone present found themselves staring at Jiang Ruan with the feeling that Wang Meiren had died with unresolved grievances[1]. Even though Jiang Ruan’s line of questioning just now had been flawless, at this point in time, it was inevitable that there would be some degree of suspicion directed towards her.
[1] 死不瞑目 (si bu ming mu) – lit. dead, but not closing one’s eyes in contentment. Fig. to die with an unresolved grievance.
Xiao Shao’s expression turned cold. That had been precisely Wang Meiren’s objective, to gamble her life in order to splash dirty water on Jiang Ruan. Perhaps, when Imperial Consort Chen saw her heartfelt effort, she would be willing to help the Wang family a few times after Wang Meiren’s death.
The imperial bodyguard came forward to check if Wang Meiren was still breathing, then knelt down to seek forgiveness. The Emperor was in a rage. First, they had gathered peacefully to observe the celestial bodies but blood had been shed; and second, this demon star had appeared in the nation. It was truly inauspicious. He looked at the Astronomical Bureau Supervisor, who was standing transfixed and utterly stunned, and said, “What are we going to do about this situation?”
The Astronomical Bureau Supervisor startled at being spoken to and came back to his senses, while his entire body trembled uncontrollably. Today’s events should not have turned out this way. From the time the so-called demon star had been revealed to be Wang Meiren, the situation had spiralled out of control. He had never anticipated that something like this could happen and had no idea how to bring about a satisfactory conclusion. However, the show had to go on, so he said, in a tremulous voice, “To answer Your Majesty’s question, the demon star has already died, the heavens will indeed bestow good fortune on Great Jin and its people.”
The Emperor was evidently not pleased with this answer, so he directed his question to Hui Jue, who had been standing quietly to one side all this time. “What is the opinion of Grand Preceptor?”
Hui Jue sighed, and an expression comprising both sorrow and pity crossed his face. He walked slowly to Wang Meiren’s body and stroked Wang Meiren’s eyes with both hands. When he removed his hands, those open yet unseeing eyes were finally shut. In silence, he closed his eyes and put his palms together, as if chanting an incantation for rebirth.
It was only after he had finished the incantation that he bowed his head towards the body and intoned, “Amitabha.”
Imperial Consort Shu, however, did not like what she was seeing, and cried out, “Although Grand Preceptor is merciful at heart, how could you pay respect to this demon star? This kind of demon star deserves no pity on death. Grand Preceptor said a rebirth incantation, wouldn’t that bring disaster to Great Jin?”
“Shut your mouth!” The Emperor was incensed. He had always had great trust in Hui Jue, and naturally would not denounce Hui Jue’s behaviour. Hui Jue merely sighed before turning to face the Emperor, bowing, and saying, “Your Majesty, this benefactor is not the demon star.”
“What are you saying?” the Emperor queried urgently.
The Astronomical Bureau Supervisor, on the ground, could not stop his shoulders from quaking. From her seat, Imperial Consort Chen paused and lifted her eyes to look at Jiang Ruan.
Jiang Ruan calmly stood next to Empress Dowager Yi De. There was no change in her expression when she heard what Hui Jue said, as if she were deaf. Her gentle and guileless smile seemed to be carved onto her face, a chilling sight. Imperial Consort Chen’s heart sank as she had a bad premonition.
Hui Jue shook his head wordlessly and his sorrowful expression deepened.
Before he could say anything, the screech of an owl resounded in the night sky. The astronomical observatory was always well looked after, with people appointed to sweep and tidy it daily, so how could there be an owl? Everyone was bewildered. Then, they saw a black shadow flash across the sky. It was incredibly fast, and brushed the tops of the people’s heads as it swept past. Even if there had been an archer at the astronomical observatory, he would not have been able to bring down that object.
“Ah!” Imperial Consort Shu exclaimed. That black shadow had the form of some kind of bird, with something tightly clutched in its claws. When it reached Imperial Consort Chen’s head, it released the object, which dropped into her lap, eliciting a fearful shriek from Imperial Consort Shu!
There was a shift in the Empress’ expression, and she said, “Hurry, protect Imperial Consort!”
The imperial bodyguards rushed forward to remove the object. Imperial Consort Chen had indeed received a shock, but she had always had impeccable self-control. Thus, although some panic was visible on her face, she was still able to get a grip on herself, and did not create any embarrassing situations.
When the imperial bodyguard who had speared the object looked at what was on the end of his sword, he was shocked out of his skin. Rooted to the spot, he had no idea what to do. On viewing this scene, the surrounding people felt very curious, and craned their necks to get a clearer picture of what was going on.
Imperial Consort Chen’s heart was already in the pit of her stomach when she took in the imperial bodyguard’s expression, but after she had a good look at the object, the scene before her eyes blurred and she narrowly avoided fainting.
The thing on the ground was still twitching. Its slender body was covered with scales and it was clearly a snake. Moreover, the snake’s scales were a dusty gold, and there were four protuberances on the underside, as if legs were about to grow out.
“The golden dragon[2] has appeared in this lifetime . . .” someone muttered.
[2] T/N – The golden dragon symbolises the Emperor.
Imperial Consort Chen hurriedly glanced at the Emperor. His face was ashen, and he was suppressing his emotions as he watched the snake writhe on the ground.
Hui Jue’s voice echoed in the astronomical observatory. “Jupiter has devoured the moon, there is great mourning, the woman in power[3] kills the ruler, and all is transposed.”
[3] 女主 (nu zhu) – lit. female master. An ancient informal term. In the narrowest sense, the female protagonist, usually referring to the Empress Dowager or Empress who is in power. In a broader sense, the female protagonist who dominates the government and/ or the monarch.
It was like a doomsday proclamation, and it boomed in the ears of the crowd like a thunderclap. Hui Jue’s palms were placed together in a posture expressing his piety; he truly looked like a disciple at Buddha’s feet, listening intently to his will. Imperial Consort Chen’s body went weak and she finally fell to the ground, unable to support herself. At the same time, the Empress’ demeanour changed completely, and Empress Dowager Yi De clenched her fists tightly. A tense atmosphere shrouded the palace folk.
Only on Jiang Ruan’s face was there the faintest hint of a smile.
The golden dragon had fallen on the Imperial Consort’s body: the woman in power kills the ruler. If it could be said that the former occurrence was a lucky coincidence, Hui Jue’s words stabbed deep into the hearts of everyone who had heard him.
Xuan Li instantly came forward to kneel hurriedly at Imperial Consort Chen’s side, kowtowing to the Emperor repeatedly as he said, “Imperial Father, how could Mother Consort be the demon star? Imperial Father, it must be some kind of mistake. Your son will vouch with his life that Mother Consort is not the demon star which will cause calamity for the nation!”
The Emperor stood up and unhurriedly made his way to Imperial Consort Chen where she had fallen on the ground. Imperial Consort Chen did not beg for mercy, neither did she cry forth her grievances. She watched the Emperor in total silence, with a trace of a tender smile playing on her lips.
Tian Zhu’s eyes betrayed her momentary surprise, and she considered how different Imperial Consort Chen was from ordinary people. Any other imperial consort would long have kicked up a big fuss. Moreover, unlike Wang Meiren, she did not try to put the blame on others, nor did she beg the Emperor for mercy. She simply smiled as she usually did, yet that was enough to cause the Emperor to hesitate, with some doubt in his heart.
Sure enough, as the Emperor looked at the woman before him, his face took on a rather conflicted expression. Within the palace, it was perhaps only Imperial Consort Chen who could make him feel as if he was visiting a warm, peaceful spot, somewhere amongst the distant, meandering waterways of the Yangtze. However, it was also this woman who, this day, had been revealed to be the reincarnation of the demon star, who intended to shake the foundation of the Great Jin dynasty!
However, the monarch must tend to the welfare of his kingdom above his own desires. The Emperor had never tolerated soft-heartedness and leniency and so after a split second, all trace of his previous hesitation was completely wiped off his face. Dispassionately, he pronounced, “Take Imperial Consort Chen to the Cold Palace[4].”
[4] 冷宫 (leng gong) – lit. cold palace. The place where a monarch would banish a wife or concubine who falls from favour.
“Imperial Father —” Xuan Li called out in great alarm, and was about to say more, when Imperial Consort Chen grasped his hand and shook her head. She said, “Royal son, heed your Imperial Father.”
For a brief moment, the Emperor’s eyes exposed how unbearable all this was, and he could not stop himself from breathing Imperial Consort Chen’s personal name, “Lian’er . . .”
Silently, Imperial Consort Chen prostrated herself, and her voice was as soft and gentle as before as she said, “If it is to serve Great Jin and benefit its power and influence in this small way, then the death of this concubine will not be in vain. If only the Emperor and the people will live safe and sound, this concubine has no complaints.”
Such touching words, such devotion to righteousness as to be awe-inspiring – all the palace folk present were emotionally moved, and even Empress Dowager Yi De sighed softly. Jiang Ruan raised her eyebrows; Imperial Consort Chen surely knew how to put on a show. Even now, there was no sign of panic in her expression – was she that confident that Xuan Li would rescue her in the end?
As if feeling the weight of someone’s eyes on her, Jiang Ruan turned her head and met Xiao Shao’s gaze. Xiao Shao pursed his lips and nodded imperceptibly once.
Jiang Ruan nodded lightly. She had shown very little of herself in today’s events, only said a few words from the rear. However, she had a whole new level of respect for Hui Jue. When all was said and done, if he were not so capable, he would hardly have climbed to his present position. These past years, she had indeed underestimated Hui Jue.
In bitter anguish, the Emperor waved his hand, and several imperial bodyguards came forward to take Imperial Consort Chen away. He was only banishing her to the Cold Palace, not demanding her life, but the Emperor clearly still cherished this long-time love. However, the Cold Palace had always been intrinsically known as a place littered with piles of dead bones. Therefore, if one wanted to ensure secrets were kept, a person would be very easy to deal with there. What exactly the Emperor’s move meant, or what would the future hold, was yet to be known.
As Imperial Consort Chen walked past Jiang Ruan, she paused, smiled, and said, “Junzhu truly looks beautiful today.”
“Imperial Consort flatters me,” Jiang Ruan said as she smiled lightly. The mockery in her eyes caused Imperial Consort Chen, who was maintaining a serene appearance, to give in to a moment of crazed madness, such that she was barely able to keep up her slight smile.
Watching someone who considered herself to be clever caught in a net, how could one not smile beautifully?
“If only Junzhu could continue to always be so beautiful,” Imperial Consort Chen said through gritted teeth.
“If only Imperial Consort could see that day,” Jiang Ruan retorted, refusing to back down.
Imperial Consort Chen’s behaviour caught Xuan Li’s attention. Startled, Xuan Li narrowed his eyes as he sized up Jiang Ruan, slowly clenching his fists.
* * *
A perfectly proper ritual finally came to a close, although no one could have foreseen the unfortunate incidents that occurred midway. Wang Meiren had died a violent death, and Imperial Consort Chen had suddenly been exposed as the reincarnation of the demon star in this lifetime and been banished to the Cold Palace. Imperial Duke Chen and his family knelt outside Jing Yang Palace the entire night; eventually Imperial Duke Chen had fainted as he was physically weak, but Xuan Li carried on.
The Emperor seemed to have hardened his heart and, together with the Empress, paid no heed to what was happening outside the palace. On the other hand, Imperial Consort De and Fifth Prince, Xuan Hua, were totally over the moon. The Empress was not someone to fear, and Imperial Consort Shu only had a daughter. Xuan Li had lost Imperial Consort Chen as his patron, and his power was almost weakened by half. For the son of a demon star, wanting to vie for the throne was nothing more than a pipe dream. If a day should come when the Crown Prince was changed, the position of the heir apparent would naturally be in Fifth Prince’s pocket.
It was not only Xuan Hua who thought this way. Many people in the imperial court, who had earlier been hesitating over which side to take, had, one after another, made known their intent to stand with Fifth Prince after witnessing that day’s misfortunes. Even several of those who had sided with Xuan Li threw their lot in with Xuan Hua after this incident.
The seizure of the imperial consort had set off ripples of change in the blink of an eye. The downfall of the highly favoured Imperial Consort Chen opened up many opportunities among the consorts of the Inner Palace. In addition, the palace was currently conducting the selection of consort candidates, so the court officials had all started assessing their own daughters.
Furthermore, the Astronomical Bureau Supervisor as well as the Chief Astronomer and others had all been dismissed from the palace for dereliction of duty, as well as fined a goodly amount of silver. The unfortunate situation was all due to the poor supervision of the Imperial Astronomical Bureau; if the Grand Preceptor, Hui Jue, had not been present that day, the situation could have descended into chaos.
Additionally, after this occurrence, Hui Jue had entered into seclusion in the Buddhist temple, claiming that he had divulged too much of the will of heaven. The Emperor’s regard for him had grown, and his position had inadvertently become more secure.
Lu Zhu conveyed all the information that she had dug up to Jiang Ruan, saying, “In short, all the people from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau have brought trouble upon themselves, which is truly delightful.”
The Imperial Astronomical Bureau worked hand in glove with Imperial Consort Chen for her nefarious purposes. That day, they had sought to sully Jiang Ruan’s reputation, but had not expected that Hui Jue would intervene. The bi luo essence on her clothes had been washed off by Tian Zhu using a counter-essence. As for the essence on Wang Meiren’s clothes, Jiang Ruan had given Jin Er and Jin San the assignment of giving Wang Meiren a ‘gift’. Jin Er and Jin San were way more capable than the imperial bodyguards stationed at the consorts’ residence, and they were especially skilled at handling such secret matters.
Imperial Duke Chen had knelt at Jing Yang Palace overnight. On the surface, he was the picture of deferential respect as he pleaded for leniency on behalf of Imperial Consort Chen. In reality, in the eyes of the Emperor, it was nothing less than an overt provocation. Perhaps Imperial Duke Chen had not yet realised that the Chen family had already angered the Emperor, but there would come a day when he would regret what he had done.
Imperial Consort Chen was out for her blood, but Jiang Ruan did not want Imperial Consort Chen to die so early. Just like Xia Yan, if Imperial Consort Chen remained alive, she would always be a stain all Xuan Li’s life. Xuan Li was such a filial son, but no one could tell if he would be like the Jiang siblings, intent on killing their biological mother by their own actions.
In her previous life, Xuan Li’s conduct and deeds had clearly revealed the depth of his affection for Imperial Consort Chen. In this life, if he was still as filial, he would definitely not engage in matricide. Then what Xuan Li could only do was hasten his plans to usurp the position of crown prince.
Without Imperial Consort Chen to back him up, it was hard to tell if he would be as successful as before. However, with the sudden change in the current situation, Xuan Li ought to be more prone to making mistakes.
