After seizing Ji Yue and his men, Wen Yanran knew that someone would inevitably come to ask about her plan for handling them. She had only just ascended the throne, and every word or action of hers would shape how the court officials perceived her.
Whenever Wen Yanran met with ministers in her daily audiences, she could feel that faint sense of being weighed and measured – and within her, an involuntary flicker of excitement would stir.
In a challenging environment, it is only natural for one’s fighting spirit to be roused.
Ji Yue and the others had rebelled against their sovereign, and when they were captured, they were caught in the very act of treason. In every dynasty, that was an unforgivable crime – not only would the ringleaders be executed, but their families would also be implicated. There was virtually no room for leniency. Wen Yanran thought: when Yuan Yanshi asks this question, there are only two possible answers – either handle it strictly according to the law, or show mercy. The former would be the ordinary course of action; only the latter left room for debate.
Wen Yanran’s gaze flickered slightly before she smiled and said, “Then I wonder, what do you think should be done?”
Grand Tutor Yuan’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. The reason he had raised the question in the first place was to sound out the young emperor’s intentions – he had not expected her to toss the question right back at him.
Though his original purpose was thus frustrated, Yuan Yanshi felt a faint sense of satisfaction: before making her decision, the Emperor had chosen to consult his opinion, which clearly showed a measure of reliance and trust.
He replied, “Although the evidence of Ji Yue and the others’ rebellion is conclusive, it would still be best to conduct a thorough interrogation first, and only then proceed according to the law.”
As he spoke, Yuan Yanshi studied the Emperor’s expression – Wen Yanran gave a slight nod, seemingly without objection to the Grand Tutor’s words.
What Wen Yanran, newly acquainted with the workings of government, could perceive, Yuan Yanshi – her Grand Tutor and regent – could of course perceive as well. The facts of the case were clear. After suffering Wen Yanran’s decisive blow, Ji Yue had abandoned all resistance and answered every question put to him, confessing everything in detail. The Grand Court of Revision would thus be able to conclude the trial swiftly and move straight to the final judgment.
While Yuan Yanshi appeared to be casually studying Wen Yanran, she was openly and unabashedly studying him in return.
Beyond the “spoilers” she had seen in the comment section, Wen Yanran had also heard from others about the Grand Tutor’s background and reputation. His name, she knew, was quite respected. The late emperor had been notoriously cruel – especially in his later years, when he executed many ministers at whim. Because Yuan Yanshi had once enjoyed the emperor’s trust, he had often risked remonstrating with him and, for that reason, was well regarded by the court. If not for the late emperor’s final purge, which had swept through both court and harem and sent thousands to their deaths, the Grand Tutor’s prestige would have been even greater.
Yuan Yanshi, for his part, assessed the young emperor before him. Wen Yanran was still very young, and young people were often impulsive, quick to reveal their likes and dislikes. He had once thought the Ninth Princess, having been confined for so long, must be timid. But from the fact that she had personally slain her brother before the late emperor’s bier only days ago, he could tell she was anything but meek. A sharp and daring nature, he thought – so she would most likely choose to punish the rebels harshly, to make an example before the court.
At this thought, Yuan Yanshi’s heart stirred. He decided to use the case of Ji Yue to test how much influence he still held over the new emperor. He spoke earnestly, “A wise ruler wins the hearts of the people through benevolence. If Your Majesty were to punish Ji Yue and the others strictly according to the law, I fear it might unsettle the people and sow unrest.”
Wen Yanran made no comment upon hearing this, as though lost in thought. Her index finger tapped the table twice, absently.
Seeing this, the Grand Tutor pressed on, “Your Majesty has only just ascended the throne, and the people long for stability. Since the incident has not led to grave consequences, why not take this opportunity to demonstrate imperial magnanimity – punish only the Ji clan and the other ringleaders?”
Leaning back in her chair, Wen Yanran finally nodded after a pause.
“In that case, we shall follow your counsel – and show leniency to this band of traitors.”
Grand Tutor Yuan smiled with satisfaction.
Chi Yi, the palace attendant who served the Emperor at close hand, had remained by Wen Yanran’s side throughout – whether during the interrogation of Ji Yue or the private conversation with the Grand Tutor. Now, standing quietly with her head bowed, she could not help recalling another thought.
If showing leniency to the rebels could be counted as a political favor, then Wen Yanran had already sold that favor twice.
She had used it first to bestow grace upon Ji Yue, extracting from him the secret she wanted; and again to let Grand Tutor Yuan believe that she was a merciful ruler, willing to heed counsel.
After their discussion of Ji Yue and his followers concluded, Grand Tutor Yuan took his leave. Not long afterward, a message came from outside: the State Preceptor was requesting an audience.
Upon hearing this, the first thought that rose in Chi Yi’s mind was – the third person to whom this favor must be sold has arrived of his own accord…
Wen Yanran nodded slightly. “Invite the State Preceptor to the front hall.”
The Western Yong Palace, as the emperor’s residence, contained not only the sleeping quarters and the study, but also the halls used for official business and deliberation.
Chi Yi had intended to personally escort the State Preceptor to the front hall, but Wen Yanran stopped her. After a brief moment of thought, Wen Yanran asked those nearby, “Which Assistant Secretary from the Secretariat is on duty today?”
Chi Yi immediately replied, “It is Gao Shu, Assistant Secretary Gao.”
Wen Yanran glanced at the two attendants beside her and smiled faintly.
As someone who had already read the “spoilers” for their future side stories, Wen Yanran could be considered the person in this world who understood Chi Yi and Zhang Luo the best. The two of them would one day rise to become powerful palace officials and eunuchs – people of sharp minds and constant awareness of court affairs. Zhang Luo’s silence, then, was most likely not due to ignorance but because he thought it improper for him to speak.
In Great Zhou, there was no explicit law forbidding eunuchs from taking part in government, but the scholar-official class harbored strong resentment toward any emperor who allowed them to hold influential posts. Even the emperors themselves tended to see appointing eunuchs to high office as something less than honorable.
Since it was Chi Yi who had answered, Wen Yanran instructed her calmly, “Then summon Assistant Secretary Gao here.”
Light snow was drifting down from the sky.
When Wen Jingmei was led by the eunuchs to the front hall instead of the side hall that served as the imperial study, he already had a faint premonition. Upon seeing Assistant Secretary Gao from the Secretariat arrive, his suspicion was confirmed.
The Assistant Secretaries of the Secretariat were typically responsible for drafting imperial edicts. Since Wen Yanran had summoned Gao Shu to wait here, it was clear that an imperial decree was about to be issued.
Ordinarily, the first decree proclaimed by a new emperor should be an act of general amnesty marking the accession. However, given that last night’s rebellion of the Imperial Guards was an exceptional event, Wen Yanran would likely proceed as she had when promoting Zheng Yinchuan and others – draft the edict first to settle how those involved would be dealt with, and only after the enthronement ceremony make a formal proclamation to the realm.
Wen Jingmei knew that Wen Yanran had publicly declared before the rebels that she would deal with them leniently. However, by precedent, in cases of treason such leniency typically extended only to minor accomplices – never to the principal offender. Moreover, the Ji clan was a long-established official family, with many old connections in Jianzhou; the investigation might well drag in far too many people.
Since the events of the previous night were, after all, connected to him, Wen Jingmei had come today to sound out the Emperor’s true intentions.
He and Gao Shu waited together in the front hall. Though conversation between ministers was not forbidden in this place, neither spoke a word – for ever since the news of Ji Yue’s arrest had spread, many officials had found themselves instinctively more reverent and cautious in the young emperor’s presence.
Amid the pale whiteness of the falling snow, the scarlet silk of the parasol stood out vividly. Before the eunuch’s voice could even announce the arrival, Wen Jingmei had already risen to his feet in greeting – he recognized the one holding the umbrella: a young eunuch named Zhang Luo.
Wen Yanran did not summon her sedan chair; instead, she walked through the snow, steadying herself with Chi Yi’s hand, followed by eight palace attendants bearing dusters and ceremonial implements.
At the sight, State Preceptor Wen Jingmei felt a fleeting thought cross his mind – these days, the young emperor seemed to rely quite heavily on the two newly promoted attendants, Chi Yi and Zhang Luo.
According to the customs of Great Zhou, unless it was a Grand Court Assembly or a rite of worship to Heaven, ministers were not required to perform the full ceremonial bow when granted audience. Wen Yanran raised her hand to excuse Wen Jingmei and the others from the formal salute, and smiled as she said, “What happened yesterday – I owe much to your aid.”
Standing to one side, Gao Shu felt his eyelid twitch involuntarily at those words.
Wen Yanran said, “Assistant Secretary Gao, draft an edict for me.”
She made no mention of anything else and went straight to the point, ordering Gao Shu to compose an imperial decree promoting Wen Jingmei – granting him additional estates and conferring upon him the title of Grand Pillar of the State.
In Great Zhou, the title Grand Pillar of the State was an honorary rank: it carried prestige and privileges, but no actual administrative duties.
Even so, Wen Jingmei was reluctant to accept it.
For the title belonged to the military ranks. By bestowing it upon him, the Emperor was, in effect, placing a large share of the credit for quelling last night’s rebellion upon his shoulders. Though Wen Jingmei did not understand the young sovereign’s true intent, he could not help but feel a vague unease.
Before the State Preceptor could voice his refusal, Wen Yanran spoke, “You keep yourself apart from worldly affairs and seek only quiet cultivation within the Tianfu Palace. I would not force you to go against your own wishes. Yet if merit goes unrewarded, it will inevitably chill the hearts of the soldiers. Fortunately, the title of Grand Pillar of the State is purely honorary – it does not violate what I said that day in the Tianfu Palace.”
Her tone was gentle, but the note of authority in it left no room for argument.
Wen Jingmei remained silent for a moment, then could only bow deeply and offer thanks for the imperial grace.
It was the period of national mourning, and the State Preceptor, being the foremost of all Taoist clerics in the realm, was dressed in plain, unadorned robes. As he bent in obeisance, he looked like a slender crane spreading its snow-white wings.
Wen Yanran gazed quietly at her distant cousin, a man of the same clan.
If Great Zhou were a great ship on the verge of sinking, then the State Preceptor – by virtue of his special office – was one of those who could never leave the vessel.
Since that was the case, she might as well make full use of him.
She already knew from the “spoilers” in the comment section that Grand Tutor Yuan was a loyal minister. To fulfill the objective of her transmigration, she would, sooner or later, have to see this regent retire from the court and withdraw from political affairs. Yet considering that Yuan Yanshi had many disciples and old allies, and had been personally appointed by the late emperor, Wen Yanran planned to elevate others to counterbalance his influence.
Wen Jingmei was one such choice.
Wen Yanran smiled faintly. “You rendered great service in protecting us. If there is anything else you wish for, speak freely.”
Wen Jingmei replied, “I have no personal request – only a question. How does Your Majesty intend to deal with the rebels?”
Wen Yanran answered at once, clearly having already decided on her course of action. “Ji Yue plotted rebellion, a crime of the utmost gravity. He himself shall be executed, and his family punished by implication.”
Wen Jingmei said, “Ji Yue’s father was of the Qian clan, but he has long since passed away. The Qians were a minor family, and in recent years have fallen into decline. His wife, meanwhile, came from a collateral branch of the Du clan and has also been dead for many years. I fear neither would have known anything of Ji Yue’s actions.”
There were many noble clans in Great Zhou, and over the generations their genealogies had grown exceedingly intricate. Moreover, in earlier times several emperors of fierce and ruthless temperament had ruled – emperors who would, at the slightest pretext, exterminate entire families. To preserve even a single branch of their bloodline, the great houses had developed a habit of sending unnamed infants to live with their in-laws, thus ensuring the child’s survival.
However, treason was unlike any other crime. The Ji clan could not possibly escape its doom, and even their relatives by marriage would not be spared.
Wen Jingmei felt concern on behalf of the sovereign. The late emperor, in his final years, had already purged the court once with sweeping brutality. If Wen Yanran were to follow her father’s example, then many noble families – driven into desperation – might well begin secret dealings with the regional lords.
Hearing the State Preceptor’s words, Wen Yanran leaned back against the armrest, neither agreeing nor denying, and gestured with her eyes for him to continue.
Wen Jingmei bowed deeply. “Your Majesty has only just ascended the throne. It would be wiser to act with magnanimity, so that the people of Jianzhou do not grow restless.”
“What you say is reasonable,” Wen Yanran replied slowly. “Yet treason is a crime beyond pardon. If it is not dealt with severely, the world will inevitably look down upon me. Should anyone take that traitor Ji’s example and dare to rebel again – what then?”
Wen Jingmei said, “The hearts of the people already turn toward the capital; they will only be more grateful for Your Majesty’s mercy. The officials of the court will devote themselves wholeheartedly to Your Majesty’s service… Even those of the Tianfu Palace, though not normally involved in state affairs, were moved by Your Majesty’s resolve last night and now all vow to serve unto death.”
Wen Yanran stood with her hands clasped behind her back. She neither bade Wen Jingmei rise nor gave any reply – she only looked at the State Preceptor in silence.
After a long moment, Wen Yanran finally spoke, a faint smile on her lips. “Since that is the case, let the matter end with the Ji clan alone.” She added, “Within the Ji family, how many have not yet come of age?”
Wen Jingmei replied, “There are seven.”
Wen Yanran asked, “Then, according to your view, how should these seven be dealt with?”
Wen Jingmei had not wished to say more, but since the Emperor had asked directly, he could not refuse to answer. “Ji Yue left no sons of his own. As for the younger members of the clan, perhaps their sentence could be commuted to exile.”
Wen Yanran smiled. “Since it is your suggestion, so it shall be.” She then ordered Gao Shu on the spot to draft the imperial edict.
Standing to one side, Chi Yi felt her heartbeat quicken as she listened to their conversation.
The Emperor had clearly decided long ago how to deal with the Ji clan, yet she still managed to give the admonishing minister the illusion that “it was through your persuasion that I was moved.”
News within the Western Yong Palace seemed to sprout legs of its own – spreading swiftly throughout Jianping. By afternoon, many already knew that Wen Jingmei, credited with saving the Emperor’s life, had successfully persuaded Her Majesty to deal leniently with the rebels.
