Chapter 15: The Regent Crown Prince

Eunuch Li placed the writing brush, ink, paper, and inkstone on a tray, and had Yuwen Chengshun act as the Emperor’s hand to pen the decree. The old Emperor, seeing that the edict was in order, ordered Eunuch Li to affix the imperial jade seal. Li Chengyun, after verifying that the edict adhered to the regulations of Great Qin, drew the Grand Secretariat’s seal from his sleeve and stamped it below the jade seal.

In Great Qin, any imperial decree concerning state affairs or governance required two formalities: the imperial jade seal and the Grand Secretariat’s seal. Without the latter, an edict could not be called a true imperial decree but was merely a palace order. Appointing the Crown Prince as Regent was a matter of great importance and naturally required the Grand Secretariat’s confirmation.

Eunuch Li, holding the decree with both hands, presented it for the old Emperor’s review once more before stepping out of the grand hall to proclaim the edict.

Outside Qianqing Palace, a noblewoman in a golden gown and a crown of purple-gold phoenixes was in a towering rage.

“Impudence! I am the Consort personally appointed by His Majesty. I am here by imperial command to serve. How dare you bar my way? Do you wish to die?” Her slender, jade-like hand pointed at the Imperial Guards blocking her path, her voice sharp with anger.

The guards hurriedly bowed. “Your Ladyship, we are only following orders. Without command, no one may enter. We beg Your Ladyship’s forgiveness.”

Regardless of who confronted them, the guards had only these words. No entry was permitted.

“You…” The Consort trembled with fury, her face darkening as if she could strangle them on the spot.

As the most powerful woman in the palace, not Empress but ruling over the six palaces, to be barred by a mere guard outside Qianqing Palace was an unbearable insult.

“I don’t care who you are! Move aside at once. Should you delay me, when I see Father Emperor, I will make you regret it!” A boy of about ten, seeing his mother so angered, pointed at the guards and threatened them.

The guard responded as before. “Eighth Prince, it is not that we do not wish to let you pass, but our duty is clear. We dare not defy the Crown Prince’s orders.”

“Outrageous!” The Consort’s fury only deepened. “I hold authority over the six palaces. Even the Eastern Palace is within my jurisdiction. The Crown Prince’s orders cannot bar my way. Move!”

For five years, the old Emperor had favored her alone. Alas, he was unable to produce a son and had no choice but to take in the motherless Eighth Prince, hoping to raise him as heir.

Who could have expected that the Crown Prince’s illness would clear up today, and the Emperor would appoint him Regent? The Consort could not stand idle—she had come in haste, hoping to sway the Emperor’s decision, only to find herself blocked from even entering the palace gate.

At that moment, Eunuch Li emerged from within. Seeing the commotion, he cleared his throat.

At once, all fell silent.

“His Majesty is discussing affairs of state inside. Is it not a crime to make such a disturbance and disturb His Majesty?” Eunuch Li reprimanded sternly.

At his words, all hurriedly professed their innocence and bowed deeply.

The Consort stepped forward with a smile. “Eunuch Li, I come by His Majesty’s command to serve, but these worthless dogs dare defy the imperial will and block my way.”

Eunuch Li bowed slightly, his face suffused with a broad smile. “Your Ladyship, there’s no need for anger. I shall see to their punishment myself shortly.”

“Very well. I shall go in to see His Majesty.” The Consort’s expression softened as she took the Eighth Prince’s hand, preparing to enter.

Eunuch Li quickly interjected, “Your Ladyship, please wait. His Majesty is about to issue an imperial edict. Kindly enter after it is proclaimed.”

Hearing of an imperial edict, all officials straightened their robes and knelt on the steps, awaiting the decree.

The Consort’s heart skipped a beat—could it be that His Majesty had resolved to appoint the Crown Prince as Regent after all?

Eunuch Li slowly unfurled the decree and proclaimed:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:

Ever since my ascension to the throne, I have labored day and night for the welfare of the state and the people. Now, my health is exhausted, and the Crown Prince Zhao Su is virtuous and wise, possessing the qualities of a true sovereign. Therefore, I desire to appoint the Crown Prince Zhao Su as Regent.

However, fearing that he may not yet be equal to the task, I set a term of one year. If the state prospers and flourishes, this shall become an enduring precedent. If he proves incapable of governing, he shall be stripped of the title of Crown Prince, and a more worthy successor shall be chosen.

From this day forth, all under heaven must obey. I await the Crown Prince Zhao Su’s performance and the nation’s peace and prosperity.

Thus is my command.”

At the words appointing the Crown Prince as Regent, the Consort’s face went pale. She had married the old Emperor at the cost of great sacrifice, her tears washing her face daily. Was this the result, a situation bleak and fruitless?

But as despair gripped her, the latter part of the edict reached her ears: “A term of only one year; if he fails, he will be deposed.” Her heart, moments before lifeless, now bloomed anew.

With the Crown Prince’s mediocrity and weakness, she could not believe he would succeed in governing the nation. Even if he possessed extraordinary talent, she was certain the assembled ministers would not allow him the chance to prove himself.

Thus, as the edict was proclaimed, civil and military officials all seemed eager and ready, each hoping to see the Crown Prince deposed as soon as possible.

Eunuch Li, having finished reading, smiled. “Ministers, receive the decree.”

The officials, far from protesting, received the edict gladly. Even the Consort raised no objections.

A simple wager had silenced the Three Dukes and the court, allowing the Crown Prince to assume regency with perfect legitimacy. Eunuch Li was sincerely impressed by the Crown Prince’s cunning.

“One year from now, will you emerge a dragon or a worm? I shall watch and see,” Eunuch Li mused silently.

But as for what the future held, in this coming year—be it in the court, the palace, or the entire Great Qin Empire—a multitude of grand dramas were sure to unfold.

After the edict’s proclamation, the three princes and four ministers also exited Qianqing Palace. The Crown Prince, holding the Imperial Sword of Authority, received the ministers’ homage.

Zhao Su allowed the officials to return to their posts, keeping only Li Chengyun and two others.

“Your Highness, may we ask why you have detained us?” Yang Rucheng inquired, though he harbored no fear of retribution. Should the Crown Prince attempt it, the officials would not wait a year—they would force the Emperor to depose him at once.

Zhao Su raised the Imperial Sword and smiled. “Gentlemen, I shall visit the Grand Secretariat shortly. I trust there will be no unauthorized persons there.”

“We obey,” the three replied without protest.

“Congratulations, Brother, on becoming Regent,” the Sixth Prince offered with a brilliant smile, his white teeth shining like carved jade in the sunlight, as if he bore no grudge over Zhao Su barring their access to the memorials within the Secretariat.

If not for knowing his true character, one might have been deceived by his appearance.

Zhao Su replied, “You are too kind, Sixth Brother. I shall rely on your support in the days to come.”

“Naturally, I shall follow your lead, Brother,” Zhao Heng answered cheerfully.

“Congratulations, Brother. I shall take my leave,” the Fourth Prince Zhao Yu said, bowing before departing with his guards.

Pointing in the direction the Consort had gone, Zhao Heng remarked, “That is Father’s favorite consort, Lady Yang. She now reigns over the six palaces. Brother, you must be cautious.”

“Thank you for your concern, Sixth Brother. I shall remember it.” Zhao Su understood his brother’s intention—to set him against Consort Yang’s faction, so that he might profit from their conflict.