Wen Yanran smiled faintly but did not press the matter further.
On the way back to Western Yong Palace, Wen Yanran suddenly called out to Chi Yi, “Send two additional dishes to the Grand Tutor today.”
Although Yuan Yanshi had already been demoted, out of habit, people still informally referred to him by his former title in casual settings.
Chi Yi responded gently.
From the Emperor’s unchanged attitude toward him, many close court officials speculated that the demotion of the former Grand Tutor, Yuan Yanshi, was likely only temporary and that he might be reinstated to his former position one day.
Sitting in the sedan chair, Wen Yanran was also pondering the matter of Yuan Yanshi, though her speculation differed from that of most.
By now, her intent to consolidate power had become quite evident. As an experienced veteran statesman, Yuan Yanshi could hardly have failed to notice. Under normal circumstances, he would have leveraged his position as a regent-minister to become the temporary center of court affairs before the Emperor fully assumed power. However, Wen Yanran had defied convention by firmly securing control over the Imperial Guards and the Imperial Household Department, while also winning the allegiance of key officials. As a result, Yuan Yanshi’s time as the de facto center of authority had been exceedingly brief. Moreover, as a scholar-official renowned for his loyalty to the throne, he could neither openly resist the Emperor’s consolidation of power nor justify doing so.
Yuan Yanshi was already advanced in years and needed to plan a path for his retirement. Once he realized this, it was highly likely he would take the initiative to show deference to the Emperor.
However, for someone of such high status and influence, deference did not mean he would abandon his political ideals.
Wen Yanran tapped the edge of the carriage, summoned Chi Yi over, and instructed with a smile, “In the coming days, if the Grand Tutor submits any recommendations, no matter when they are delivered to the palace, bring them to me promptly.”
Chi Yi acknowledged the order, though she was somewhat puzzled, wondering if something important was happening on the Grand Tutor’s side.
Noticing her confusion, Wen Yanran couldn’t help but laugh. “Don’t worry, Ah-Yi. This can be considered a good thing – if the Grand Tutor intends to maintain a harmonious relationship between ruler and minister, then it is only natural for me to respond in kind.”
While Wen Yanran was having a rather enjoyable dinner with Xiao Xichi – enjoyable on her side, at least – the younger members of the Yuan family were attending to Yuan Yanshi during his meal.
The Emperor had always held this assisting minister in high regard, sending him something from the palace almost daily. Sometimes it was dishes, other times clothing. Though not particularly valuable, these gifts underscored the former Grand Tutor’s significant status.
Yuan Yanshi, advanced in years, ate very little. When dishes arrived from the palace, he would only take a few bites before distributing the rest to his family. Afterwards, leaning on his grandson’s arm, he took a short stroll in the courtyard before returning to his inner chamber to convene with members of his household for discussions.
As a high-ranking minister, his residence naturally housed not only family members but also advisors, clerks, and retainers.
That day, the advisors were discussing matters concerning their lord’s reinstatement -none of them believed there was any possibility that the Emperor would not restore Yuan Yanshi to his former position.
Just then, a young woman in a simple cloth dress entered, carrying a tea tray. She was Wang Youyin, the orphaned daughter of Yuan Yanshi’s former student. Having lost both parents at a young age and with few relatives on either side of the family, she had been taken in and raised in the Yuan residence, serving its master with the devotion of a granddaughter.
Among the younger generation, Wang Youyin had always been favored by Yuan Yanshi and was permitted to enter the household’s discussion areas. After serving tea, she did not leave but remained standing nearby for a while. When the advisors’ discussion reached a pause, she seized the moment to speak. “Are you concerned about the reinstatement after the new year, my lord?”
Yuan Yanshi stroked his beard. “Do you have something to say?”
Wang Youyin first bowed respectfully before speaking. “In my humble opinion, the Emperor will certainly issue an edict to reinstate you, but you need not accept it immediately.”
Yuan Yanshi remained composed and gestured for her to continue.
Wang Youyin said, “Since Her Majesty ascended the throne, many events have occurred. Although all matters have been resolved peacefully, none were accomplished by you, my lord.” She gritted her teeth, bowed once more, and continued, “Though you hold great prestige, you have neither achieved merit in the eyes of the Emperor nor bestowed favors upon your colleagues. If you were to simply resume your former position, others would perceive it as the Emperor showing you undue leniency.”
Since it would be seen as leniency, such extraordinary treatment would eventually reach its limit.
Many advisors turned pale upon hearing her words, but Yuan Yanshi remained unperturbed, even smiling slightly.
“You speaks wisely,” he remarked. Then he added, “Are you suggesting that I firmly decline the position of Grand Tutor?”
Wang Youyin replied, “Even if you do not accept the title of Grand Tutor, you will still effectively lead the officials. As for the empty title of Grand Tutor, it can be set aside for now.” She continued, “Moreover, in my humble opinion, Her Majesty balances grace and authority, enforcing rewards and punishments with strict clarity. The trend of consolidating power is now unstoppable. It would be wise for you, my lord, to align yourself with the Emperor’s intentions.”
Among the advisors, the more astute had already grasped Wang Youyin’s implication -since the Emperor was intent on consolidating power, whether Yuan Yanshi truly wished to retreat or not, he must at least make a gesture of stepping back. Moreover, while anyone in Jianping could pledge allegiance to the Marquis of Quanling, Yuan Yanshi alone could not. After all, he was a minister appointed by the late emperor to assist the throne. Even if the Marquis of Quanling, renowned for her virtue, were to accept a defecting official, she would never allow such a person to lead the officials.
Wang Youyin continued, “Her Majesty cannot govern the realm alone. Thus, after consolidating power, the next step must be to delegate it. This is precisely the opportunity to act. If you assist the Emperor in this endeavor, you need not seize authority – authority will naturally come to you.”
Her words were spoken with utmost sincerity. In this time of transition between the old and the new, Wen Yanran would undoubtedly begin promoting her own trusted aides. For the long term, it would be best for Yuan Yanshi to find a way to shed the label of being a veteran official of the previous emperor and transform into a confidant of the current sovereign. After all, Yuan Yanshi was known for his unwavering loyalty. Once the Emperor believed he could serve her purposes, she would naturally delegate power to him.
Wang Youyin’s analysis was quite astute, yet Wen Yanran’s “loyal official retirement plan” clearly lay beyond her expectations…
Yuan Yanshi neither agreed nor disagreed. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, and looked thoughtfully at Wang Youyin. “Ah-Yin, you are seventeen this year – it is time to secure a position for yourself.”
Wang Youyin immediately knelt and declined, “My words today were not spoken for my own gain–”
Yuan Yanshi waved his hand. “Whether for yourself or for others, since you possess such insight, it is only right that you serve the state.”
A man of decisive action, he summoned the scribe among his advisors and, without letting Wang Youyin say more, settled on the spot the matter of recommending her for an official post.
Given Wang Youyin’s qualifications and personal reputation, she could not start as a high-ranking official. Yuan Yanshi intended to recommend her for the position of Tongshi – a low-ranking post responsible for receiving imperial decrees and disseminating announcements, which meant direct involvement in central government affairs. Since those in this role often served close to the Emperor, it had previously been filled by inner court officials as well.
After the discussion concluded, the various advisors, retainers, and disciples returned to their rooms. A fellow student who was on good terms with Wang Youyin remarked with a smile, “You were quite bold today. Fortunately, our lord is tolerant and did not take offense.”
Wang Youyin brushed her sleeves, the earlier apprehension on her face completely gone, replaced by composure. “Because that was our lord’s own thought all along.”
She saw clearly that after the Emperor dispatched the Imperial Guards to storm Marquis Dong’s residence and, unexpectedly, claimed the moral high ground afterward, her mentor had grown somewhat apprehensive. Yet, he could not openly express his reluctance to assume the position of Grand Tutor, lest he disillusion his followers. Thus, he had a junior – one who could speak more freely – voice the idea, clarifying that even without the title of Grand Tutor, his actual influence would remain unaffected.
Yuan Yanshi had mentioned recommending Wang Youyin for an official post, and indeed, the recommendation letter was promptly submitted. The palace, showing considerable respect, responded swiftly. On the same day, the Secretariat issued the appointment document, confirming the young woman’s position.
The role of Tongshi did not have a formal probation period but came with an implicit evaluation phase. Since the primary workplace was within the imperial inner court, many of her colleagues would be inner officials.
It was widely known that the Emperor currently favored Chi Yi and Zhang Luo as her regular court attendants. Wang Youyin observed them closely and noticed that although these two inner-official-turned-attendants were not extensively educated, their clarity of judgment was in no way inferior to that of the court ministers.
After all, they were trusted aides personally cultivated by the Emperor.
Wang Youyin did not underestimate them due to their relatively low official rank and instead carried out her duties with even greater care. Gradually, she realized that the current emperor, while balancing grace and authority, leniency and strictness, also maintained a frugal lifestyle that was far from pretentious.
Though she did not hold an inner court title, being a woman allowed her to enter and exit the inner palace without restraint. She often waited in attendance at the Western Yong Palace. From what she saw, the Emperor seldom wore silk or satin, disliked jade ornaments and elaborate embroidery, and was particularly moderate in diet – not even drinking wine in winter. She devoted herself diligently to state affairs, enjoyed reading, seldom indulged in leisure, and often had her attendants bring memorials for her to review in bed before she even rose.
The Great Zhou had seen its share of diligent emperors, yet Wen Yanran had ascended the throne in her youth, facing the intricate and countless threads of daily governance. If she were excessively diligent, draining her energy day and night, it could easily shorten her lifespan.
Wang Youyin observed carefully and finally felt somewhat reassured, believing she could plan her loyalty to the Emperor for the long term. Though the Emperor worked diligently, her mindset was remarkably steady. She rarely burned the midnight oil reviewing memorials, appearing to have the makings of a long life – fully capable of serving the Great Zhou for another fifty or sixty years.
Little did she know that Wen Yanran was no ordinary thirteen-year-old girl. Before her transmigration, she had already accumulated considerable work experience.
As for her personal mindset, if asked, it had been tempered by years of a regular office lifestyle, honing immense resilience and a knack for maintaining a steady work pace. Moreover, Wen Yanran’s goal was to be a “tyrant.” If she were striving to be a wise sovereign, the endless stream of problems from across the nation might indeed cause her anxiety. But with her ultimate aim being to squander her family’s legacy, her mindset remained exceptionally serene.
Of course, the serene Wen Yanran had no idea that her officials held such unrealistic expectations regarding her tenure…
Song Nanlou and the others had been dispatched to Gaoyi and Xiangqing for some time. Now, with only two days left until the New Year, officials had already begun their holidays. This year, due to the Emperor’s recent ascension and the multitude of matters to attend to, court officials had worked extra days. Under normal circumstances, they would have over a month of vacation each winter.
Wen Yanran: “…”
Although her current standard of living was far below what she had experienced before transmigrating, when it came to the length of holidays for working people, she fervently wished modern society could align with the Great Zhou in this regard.
During this holiday period, even ministers like Grand Tutor Yuan, who valued their personal reputation, would engage in various recreational activities.
Wang Youyin observed coldly and concluded that there were two individuals in the court and the country least affected by the New Year atmosphere: one was the State Preceptor, Wen Jingmei, and the other was Wen Yanran herself. The former, as always, remained in the Tianfu Palace for quiet cultivation, while the latter maintained her usual pace of life, staying in the Western Yong Palace to read and attend to state affairs.
However, no matter how unaffected she was, as the sovereign, Wen Yanran still had to participate in certain unavoidable activities.
As New Year’s Eve approached, the Taiqi Palace was filled with solemn music. Though it was already evening, palace attendants holding lanterns could be seen everywhere. They stood in front of the Qianyuan Hall, illuminating the night as bright as day, while a group of people dressed in red performed exorcism dances.
Emperor Li had been particularly fond of song and dance, using this as a pretext to greatly expand the palace troupe. As for Wen Yanran, she was still at the elementary stage of “trying hard to understand what these dances expressed.” Her mindset while watching the performances was like that of an office worker forced to attend overtime meetings – physically present but mentally checked out.
Moreover, unlike low-ranking officials who could fully enjoy the holidays, the higher one’s status and power, the more troublesome matters arose during the New Year.
