Chapter 78

Looking at the little Empress’s eager expression, Nie Qinglin understood well that this young Empress Shen was entertaining the notion of “three fires for a new official,” intending to make a strong impression before the Emperor.

(T/N: It means that when someone new takes charge, like a leader or official and they often make bold or dramatic moves right away to show they’re in control, prove they’re capable, or set a new tone.)

After massaging her temples for a while, Nie Qinglin gently poured a bucket of cold water on her enthusiasm.

“This matter, the Grand Tutor has already made up his mind. Empress need not trouble yourself.”

Upon hearing this, Empress Shen’s fingers twisted the handkerchief in her hand even more forcefully.

She was still thinking of that day the Grand Tutor had swaggered into the Princess’s palace, fretting silently.

Yet she couldn’t bring herself to speak openly of such a thing that would tarnish the Princess’s reputation.

She had planned to use this chance, while that rascal Wei was away to quickly arrange the Princess’s marriage prospects.

But who would have thought that the Emperor, as her brother, didn’t seem all that invested in the matter! For a moment, she was at a complete loss and could only keep kneading her handkerchief.

Nie Qinglin recalled her earlier words.

If they were to reach the ears of someone with ill intent, wouldn’t that be handing them leverage on a silver platter? She sighed lightly and continued, “My harem is not as vast and extravagant as the late emperor’s, so there is far less for the Empress to worry about. If the Empress can exercise restraint in speech and conduct, and like this time, discuss matters with me beforehand, that would be ideal. Never presume things on your own and commit acts unbefitting of the inner palace.”

Seeing the young Empress Shen nod silently and lower her head, Nie Qinglin slowly rose to her feet and said, “We have grown weary from today’s court session. We shall rest for a while. If the Empress has no other matters, you may return to your palace.”

Upon hearing this clear dismissal, Empress Shen obediently stood up, curtsied, and withdrew without a trace of displeasure or disappointment on her face.

This young Empress Shen was like a pristine sheet of blank paper, not nearly as savvy as someone like herself, who had grown up steeped in worldly tales and gossip.

Perhaps in her mind, the relationship between husband and wife was merely about respectfully raising dishes to one another, and she probably didn’t even understand why a bedframe would creak at night.

At the time of their wedding, due to the Grand Tutor’s unspoken signal, no one had dared slip any intimate spring-themed paintings into Empress Shen’s dowry chest.

And so, this naive and innocent young lady had entered the deep palace in a state of complete ignorance.

Now, without even understanding the ways of conjugal life herself, she was already genuinely worrying over her little sister-in-law’s future prospects.

A warm-hearted girl, truly! But in this cold and shadowy palace, who would ever spare a thought for Shen Hong’er?

Thinking this, Nie Qinglin sighed once more.

She instructed Nanny Shan to have the imperial kitchen send over two extra dishes to the Empress that night, and personally selected a small tabletop mirror made from the same rare material as her own silver-plated western mirror, to gift to her.

The palace servants were all weather vanes, swaying whichever way the wind blew.

If she never stayed in the palace, and remained indifferent to this Empress who lacked any background or strong allies, then in this already-declining imperial household, this little Empress would become someone all could trample without consequence.

She needed to show favor…at least from time to time.

Though the war dragged on endlessly, the Grand Tutor’s letter had been swiftly delivered back by a galloping courier.

Before the envelope had even been opened, a faint fragrance escaped.

A pressed flower and a small folded paper packet fell from within.

Though the flower had long since been flattened and dried, its scent was still intoxicating.

Nie Qinglin brought it close, its fragrance was sweet and mellow.

Unfolding the letter, the Grand Tutor’s bold, flowing script leapt from the page:

“Rain falls upon the Yunnan campfires in disarray,
Mist and fog veil the moon, leaving men forlorn.
When rain ends and clouds part, wild geese soar,
A swan’s feather bears love across a thousand mountains.”

The Grand Tutor’s past romantic entanglement with the talented Lady Yun had become a tale admired throughout the realm.

While most believed that the two, separated by great distances, had relied on carrier pigeons to express their love, it was only Lady Yun’s poems that had ever been collected into volumes.

The First Beauty of Great Wei had never revealed even a single verse of his own, stunningly elegant…until now.

He had always been thought to be a man ill-suited for tender feelings, someone more familiar with sword and blade.

Who would have guessed that when he did write of love, it would flow as effortlessly as drifting clouds and flowing water?

Aside from the poem, the letter contained nothing else.

Nie Qinglin lay down on the bed, reading the poem one word at a time.

Then she closed her eyes, her pale, slender fingers tapping the carved wooden edge of the bed with the letter.

After a while, she suddenly sat up with a roll and opened the small paper packet.

Inside were some fine, tiny seeds.

Nie Qinglin thought for a moment, then summoned Nanny Shan to bring over two flowerpots, blue-and-white porcelain with enamel-inlaid bases.

Taking a jade-handled trowel, she gently dug into the soil, sprinkled in those slender little seeds, covered them back up, watered them, and placed the two pots on a desk beneath the window lattice, where sunlight poured in each day.

A flower from the southern lands, separated by countless mountains and rivers, had now come here.

She wondered…having fallen into this foreign soil, would it be able to break through the ground and sprout? Had it already missed its rightful blooming season?

Alongside the fragrant love poem came another letter but this one lacked any tenderness or sentiment.

It was an urgent dispatch urging the Ministry of Revenue to release military funds.

The Grand Tutor, having reached the southern frontier, had adopted a policy of appeasement.

He subdued scattered local militias entrenched in the hills and incorporated a number of local fishermen skilled in navigating the waters.

As a result, the military budget quickly became strained.

Great Wei’s national treasury had never been flush with silver.

The Grand Tutor had pored over the Ministry’s ledgers with a calculating eye for a long time before finally resolving to wage a campaign in the south.

But no matter how shrewd the accountant, there would always be something that slipped through the cracks.

If the military funds weren’t allocated in time, the newly consolidated navy could easily fall into disorder.

And the only one who could come to the Grand Tutor’s aid in such an urgent moment was none other than Qiu Mingyan.

During the Grand Court session, Nie Qinglin sat behind the veiled canopy, listening to Qiu Mingyan and the Ministry of Revenue engage in fierce debate.

Qiu Mingyan, the prime minister, proposed raising local taxes especially from the fiefdoms of the various vassal lords.

He also suggested setting up tolls along major roads and waterways to collect shipping fees.

This method would yield immediate results and resolve the urgent military funding crisis.

However, the new Minister of Revenue refused to budge.

His name was Shi Ren, and true to his name, he was inflexible and rigid in principle.

(T/N: meaning “stone man”.)

Before his departure, the Grand Tutor had given clear instructions: During wartime, the people at home must be kept stable and secure. But Qiu Mingyan’s plan prioritized the success of the front lines and disregarded the well-being of the civilian population.

Naturally, Shi Ren couldn’t accept it.

What’s more, he was an upright man who wouldn’t sugarcoat his words.

Back and forth they went and what was meant to be a discussion quickly escalated into a confrontation.

Had the Grand Tutor been present, one sharp glare from those phoenix eyes would’ve brought silence to the court.

But now, that person who once held supreme authority was missing from the chamber.

Qiu Mingyan, long accustomed to military command, was used to issuing orders and having them carried out without question.

Yet here in this tiny square of royal floor tiles, even his commands met with repeated resistance.

How could he not be furious?

It looked as though Minister Shi was about to follow in Elder Wu’s footsteps.

Behind the beaded curtain, Nie Qinglin could no longer endure it.

She opened her mouth to speak several times, but just as often closed it again.

This Qiu Mingyan was indeed a capable subordinate of Grand Tutor Wei.

But his flaws were just as obvious.

He sought only to accomplish things as quickly as possible, with no regard for long-term consequences.

His approach might be suitable for commanding troops, but governing a nation is like cooking a delicate fish—how could it bear the clumsy pounding of a military ladle? Even if military funds were successfully raised, what if the commoners rose up in rebellion next? But if she spoke out now, it would embarrass Lord Qiu in public.

No doubt he would take offense.

He inherited the Grand Tutor’s bad temper, but lacked his finesse in managing a court.

Turning it over in her mind, Nie Qinglin gradually made up her mind.

Just as Lord Qiu was about to have someone drag Shi Ren away, she lazily spoke:

“Can’t My beloved ministers discuss matters more quietly? Your shouting is giving We a headache.”

Her voice was not loud, but it effectively silenced the two quarreling officials.

Qiu Mingyan looked upward, the red mole on his forehead glowing even redder from his earlier outburst.

Narrowing his eyes, he said,“Your Majesty, we grew too animated while discussing state affairs. Please forgive our offense.”

Minister Shi hurriedly knelt and pleaded,“We have disturbed the sanctity of the court, our crime is unforgivable. But the matter of military funding must not come at the expense of the people’s livelihood. May Your Majesty give a just ruling…”

Before he could finish, Qiu Mingyan cut him off coldly:“His Majesty has yet to officially assume power and has not received authorization from the Grand Tutor. It’s inappropriate to meddle in state affairs especially when he’s suffering from a terrible headache. Minister Shi, you truly lack tact!”

Nie Qinglin laughed softly and said:“Both of you are pillars of Great Wei. Surely, you can find a way to resolve this issue smoothly. Isn’t there some compromise; one that can secure the military’s needs while still preserving the people’s rest and livelihood?”

As soon as she said this, many officials smiled and shook their heads quietly, thinking: This little Emperor is far too naive.

Qiu Mingyan’s eyes held a hint of mockery.

“Your Majesty’s thought is admirable, but time is tight. Your humble servants are too dull to come up with such a perfect plan.”

Nie Qinglin nodded, then added:

“But there’s something We truly don’t understand. The soldiers are stationed in camp and can’t return for the time being. What use is that pay to them anyway?”

Qiu Mingyan was clearly growing impatient, but in front of the entire court, he still had to give some face to this puppet Emperor. He replied:

“They may not use it themselves, but their wives, children, and aging parents at home still depend on it. If we ask them to risk their lives without compensation, which soldier would be willing to serve?”

“Oh, I see now…” Nie Qinglin made a show of sudden realization, then added,“In that case, wouldn’t it be simpler to just exempt the soldiers’ wives, children, and parents from taxes? That way, there’s no need to shuffle silver from one purse to another. How troublesome that would be!”

This naive remark brought sudden silence to the entire court.

The ministers all began pondering the feasibility of His Majesty’s whimsical idea.

Lately, Great Wei had suffered from poor harvests and it was indeed time to reduce some of the burdens of corvée and taxation.

If they were to offset military pay by granting a year of tax exemption to the families of enlisted soldiers, it would truly be a win-win.

It would alleviate the immediate strain on the treasury and serve as a strong incentive for enlistment, all while easing public resentment.

For a time, the court was silent.

Some veteran ministers even had tears welling in their eyes.

The ancestors of Great Wei above bless this land with lasting fortune! It seems we’ve been granted a bright, wise young sovereign!

Minister Shi nodded repeatedly, murmuring:

“His Majesty’s insight has enlightened us all. This… this is a workable and worthy solution.”

Qiu Mingyan, however, wore an extremely dark expression.

The Emperor’s proposal was undeniably sound but what was with this increasing pattern of speaking out in court? Could it be that he was trying to break free of the Grand Tutor’s reins and begin ruling in his own right while he was away?

He thought back to the recent ambush along the Swallow Lake road.

The Grand Tutor had been willing to risk playing into Southern strategies, but still refused to announce the Emperor’s supposed death.

And just before departing on his campaign, he had solemnly instructed Qiu Mingyan: Treat the Emperor with full respect; do not allow even the slightest negligence or impropriety.

How could Qiu Mingyan not be suspicious?

To imagine that this young monarch could rule by virtue and win the Grand Tutor’s loyalty ; that would be the greatest joke under heaven! Think of how magnificent Grand Tutor Wei was…surely he was destined for the dragon throne himself.

How could such a man bow before a mere child? Besides, the Grand Tutor, like himself, despised the corruption of the Nie imperial clan.

That rotting decadence, inside and out, was enough to disgust any ambitious, driven man and naturally give rise to thoughts of replacing them.

Unless…

Qiu Mingyan quickly stopped himself.

Even though this young emperor had such a delicate, feminine appearance, how could a man as heroic and upright as the Grand Tutor possibly harbor such… unspeakable desires?

Since the Emperor’s innocent remark had inspired a new line of thinking among the ministers, the previously tense atmosphere between the Ministry of Revenue and the prime minister began to ease.

They shifted to calmly discussing the logistics of using tax exemptions in place of military pay.

Nie Qinglin remained seated for a while longer.

At last, it was time to end the session.

She rose and exited the hall.

As she walked with Eunuch Ruan and her attendants, preparing to return to the palace, Lord Qiu suddenly caught up behind them.

“Your Majesty, please wait.”

Hearing Qiu Mingyan’s voice, Nie Qinglin slowly turned around.

“Lord Qiu, is there something you need?”

After bowing, Qiu Mingyan rose.

Previously, with the curtain between them, he hadn’t looked too closely at this young emperor.

But now that he was face to face, raising his eyes, he suddenly felt something flicker in his mind…as though a light had gone on.

This young emperor’s eyes shimmered like waves, his brows and eyes held subtle emotion, his skin was pale and delicate.

Every feature exquisitely formed. He’d heard that the Emperor’s younger sister, Princess Yong’an, shared the same appearance.

And Grand Tutor Wei seemed quite enamored with the princess.

If he’d once spent time at court with this emperor, was it her resemblance to the Emperor that led to his infatuation with the princess?

A cold chill crept over Qiu Mingyan’s heart.

But remembering why he had stopped the Emperor, he spoke:

“There is something I wish to say, but I do not know if it is appropriate.”

Nie Qinglin chuckled lightly.

“If it was important enough to bring the prime minister running after We, it must be worth saying. Please, speak freely.”

Qiu Mingyan gave a half-bow, hands clasped in front of him.

“Today, Your Majesty’s words in court enlightened the ministers and left me deeply ashamed. However… Your Majesty has yet to formally take the reins of government. These repeated interjections in court put those of us who were tasked by the Grand Tutor to assist Your Majesty in a very difficult position. Might I humbly request that from now on, Your Majesty observe court in silence, and leave the exhausting affairs of state to your ministers?”

Nie Qinglin lazily lifted her eyes and glanced at Qiu Mingyan’s face, which showed not a trace of reverence.

Of course, these were all trusted aides personally trained by the Grand Tutor.

Their eyes likely held only the Grand Tutor, not the Son of Heaven.

The fact that they could still maintain a passable appearance of respect in court was already no small feat, and she knew better than to expect more.

She then spoke mildly, “Lord Qiu’s concerns are quite reasonable. Although a Son of Heaven may govern in his own right at sixteen, We have always matured slower than others My age. My thoughts are still unsettled, and We often feel anxious, fearing We might bring harm to the nation. That is why We used the excuse of observing mourning for imperial father to delay taking the reins until We turned eighteen.

Still, although We have not formally taken power, We have learned much under the Grand Tutor’s guidance. Such as the meaning of the word ‘benevolence.’ People often say that Grand Tutor Wei wins submission through his martial might, through thunderous methods. But let We ask; Ge Qingyuan, that treasonous rebel, was even crueler in his tactics than the Grand Tutor. So why did his short-lived return to power burn out in mere moments?

In My eyes, it is because the Grand Tutor not only possesses great fortune but also holds the heart of the people. Even when danger struck in Li County, he never forgot the safety of the common folk. As they say, ‘The benevolent are invincible’. We suppose that’s what it means.

We have long heard of Lord Qiu’s wisdom. Misfortune befell your family, and treacherous ministers caused you great harm. The rights and wrongs of those past events, let future generations judge them clearly. But now that the villains of old have been purged, We hope that Lord Qiu can lay down your grievances, take your place in the court, dwell in the great halls of the state, and carry a heart of compassion; one that can embrace all the common folk of the world. That would be a blessing for the nation, a blessing for the Grand Tutor… and a blessing for We as well.”

Having said all that, Nie Qinglin did not wait for Qiu Mingyan’s response.

She turned gracefully, her eunuchs following behind, and left.

Qiu Mingyan remained rooted to the spot, unable to rise for a long while.

His lowered face was full of shock.

He had planned to give this young emperor a hard lesson after court, to stop him from growing too arrogant during early sessions.

He had expected the little emperor to lash out in rage, to wield the authority of the imperial bloodline and denounce him as a traitor.

He had already prepared himself for such a confrontation.

But never did he expect that this seemingly soft and gentle young ruler, with such calm demeanor, would pierce him right where it hurt most! Instead, he…the adult…was the one who had been subtly and thoroughly admonished.

Slowly, Qiu Mingyan lifted his head, his expression complicated.

But only one thought filled his heart:

With such an emperor… why has the ever-wise Grand Tutor allowed him to live this long?