Volume One, Chapter Seventeen: Aspiring to be King

On the eve of the morning court assembly, Lou Hongling helped Xu Qing arrange his elaborate ceremonial robes. Seeing his expression still composed and self-assured, a faint bitterness welled up within her heart. Catching her momentary distraction, Xu Qing naturally spoke:

“What’s the matter, gazing at me so intently?”

The pearl strings of his court crown hung lightly over his forehead, clinking softly with every slight tilt of his head, accentuating the sharp angles of his face. His collar was embroidered with vermilion threads tracing cloud patterns, where auspicious dragons subtly appeared, revealing the sovereign’s majestic presence.

“Nothing, the servant simply did not rest well last night,” Lou Hongling replied with a feigned relaxed smile.

Just then, as the morning sun streamed into the palace prison, an experienced elder matron approached the iron cell where Li Yuan lay comfortably asleep on a straw pile. The guards beside her showed great respect and promptly unlocked the cell at her signal.

Matron Zhao, with a mixture of helplessness and mild reproach, approached the slumbering Li Yuan—more properly called Xu Yuan—and chided:

“Princess, how long will you keep causing a scene? Come with this old servant.”

As Lou Hongling had anticipated, during today’s morning court, a group of elderly ministers with graying beards presented a towering stack of memorials. They spoke with fervent passion, and after listening, Xu Qing summarized their arguments in two points:

First, to establish a precedent by granting the Deng family the title of king; second, to bestow this title upon General Deng Wei.

Deng Wei was the Empress Dowager’s own elder brother and the biological father of Deng Chumo. It was clear without much thought that this proposal was orchestrated by the Deng family’s faction of in-law officials.

As their intentions gradually became apparent, the assembled ministers fell into stunned silence, exchanging uneasy glances.

Everyone present knew well the oath sworn by the late emperor with the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers: any who claimed kingship outside the Xu clan would be executed by the realm.

Ordinary ministers, no matter their merits, could only be granted noble ranks up to marquis. Only members of the imperial family could receive land and titles of king, hereditary through generations.

Due to the scarcity of the late emperor’s descendants and the dual system of commanderies and kingdoms, most of the country’s lands, apart from the counties and commanderies, were granted to the emperor’s kin.

Perhaps it was the vastness of the territory that tempted the Deng family toward other ambitions.

Beneath the beaded curtain, Empress Dowager Deng expressed slight hesitation:

“This seems to contravene the late emperor’s established decree…”

“General Deng Wei’s contributions to the founding of the Dahe dynasty are undeniable. As Grand General, he swept through the three commanderies, stabilizing the northern border against desert incursions, and decisively crushed treacherous factions, surpassing even the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers!” the leading minister presented the memorial with fervent zeal.

Minister of Justice Li Chunan raised an eyebrow, his mind already clear on Deng Wei’s ambitions. Deng Wei had once attempted to arrange a marriage alliance between his heir Deng Chumo and his own daughter, Li Shangyan. Yet Li Chunan had not decided which side to support, so he remained silent for the moment.

Everyone present knew this was a staged play, self-directed and self-acted.

General Deng Wei stepped forward, bowed humbly, and declined:

“Thank you all for your kindness, but I truly do not deserve such honor.”

Left Chancellor Wei Shulin said nothing, studying Deng Wei’s determined expression and pondering a suitable response.

Right Chancellor Sima Lun, noticing no one opposed the proposal, could not contain his impatience and blurted out:

“Preposterous! How can this be…”

Xu Qing lowered his head, the six-colored grand ribbon and three-colored smaller ribbons intertwined with the pearl strings veiling his eyelids, hiding his expression from view.

In truth, most believed his opinion carried little weight; many were already plotting how to align themselves advantageously in the future.

Gradually, unrest stirred among those below.

“Inappropriate.”

Xu Qing’s voice rang out sharply, his youthful tone piercing through the elder ministers’ debate.

All eyes turned to him in surprise. Some thought, Did the young emperor just speak?

Empress Dowager Deng also looked slightly startled, casting a narrowed gaze at Xu Qing. He wished to say more, but upon meeting the Empress Dowager’s cold, forbidding eyes, he swallowed nervously and held his tongue.

To her, this matter required only the ministers’ endorsement and the emperor’s nod—there was no need for an imperial edict. After all, the final documents would bear her grand imperial seal.

Xu Qing endured the scrutinizing gazes for a long moment, sweat beginning to bead on his forehead.

Left Chancellor Wei Shulin quickly rose and took up the emperor’s cue:

“The late emperor’s decree must not be disregarded. When Dahe was founded, General Lou Xiao still had three thousand men break through the enemy's ten-thousand-strong encirclement to rescue the late emperor, later pacifying southern troubles. I believe his deeds remain unmatched. If he was never granted a kingship, how can it be granted now…”

“Is Left Chancellor Wei implying that I am inferior to Lou Xiao, that treacherous rebel who has been executed?” Deng Wei sneered with disdain.

“This has nothing to do with Lou Xiao’s status as a traitor. I am merely stating facts,” Wei Shulin replied calmly.

“You!” Deng Wei snapped.

“Enough!” Empress Dowager Deng waved her sleeve, silencing the hall. Her voice was grave:

“If the emperor disagrees and the ministers have objections, we shall postpone discussion. Court is adjourned.”

Not that the matter would never be discussed, only that it would be deferred.

A few conscientious ministers cast sympathetic glances toward the slender youth upon the throne—daring to openly challenge the Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager Deng rose, her deep crimson robe embroidered with flying cloud patterns sweeping past Xu Qing’s feet with an air of flamboyance. Her gaze remained unwavering, yet she exuded a chilling menace, like a venomous serpent coiling nearby.

As the ministers dispersed, some finally noticed the aged figure of Liu Changqing, one of the few remaining founding elders and a Three Duke, the Imperial Censor.

As before, he had not voiced a single opinion, invisible as ever.

Right Chancellor Sima Lun passed by him, intending to speak, but only a cold snort escaped as he brushed past.

Many inwardly mocked this faction of meritorious officials as lacking any real strength, merely seeking to preserve themselves.

Liu Censor’s pale hair ruffled slightly in the wind, his unsteady steps echoed in the vast palace corridors, seeming utterly alone. Xu Qing, seated high above, observed him closely, lowering his gaze thoughtfully—his thoughts unknown…