Volume One, Chapter 18: Walking on Thin Ice

After the court session ended and he returned to the palace, Xu Qing’s troubled expression caught Lou Hongling’s attention. She didn’t ask much and, as usual, prepared tea for him.

“Your Majesty, please have some tea,” Lou Hongling said with genuine concern.

Xu Qing tilted his head slightly and stared at Lou Hongling, his voice dim. “Hongling, Empress Dowager Deng intends to grant her elder brother, Commander Deng, a royal title.”

Lou Hongling was momentarily taken aback. Though she had long anticipated such a move from the previous reign, she was still surprised by Xu Qing’s sincere confession. She spoke softly, “Your Majesty, the court is rife with treachery now, but this is beyond your power to change.”

Xu Qing shook his head, his hands clenched into white-knuckled fists. “It is I who am too weak, unable even to safeguard the kingdom my father built.”

Before Lou Hongling could reply, a loud announcement came from outside. “Aunt Qingdai has arrived.”

No one visits the Three Treasures Hall without reason; such an arrival surely boded ill.

Those groomed by the Empress Dowager shared the same somber demeanor. Qingdai bowed slightly, her tone measured and deliberate. “Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager requests your presence.”

A heavy weight settled in Xu Qing’s heart. He pressed his lips tightly, trying to steady his voice. “I have just returned from court and have yet to change out of my robes. Please, Aunt, wait a moment—”

“Your Majesty should come at once, lest the Empress Dowager wait too long,” Qingdai interrupted, her courteous tone laced with unyielding authority.

It was outrageous. Lou Hongling’s brow furrowed, but she concealed her thoughts in Qingdai’s presence.

Seeing this, Xu Qing’s gaze turned cold as he said solemnly, “Then please lead the way, Aunt.”

Xu Qing strode ahead swiftly, Lou Hongling following closely behind. Though his pace was quick, there was an undeniable gravity in his steps.

Lou Hongling recalled that at this age in his previous life, many said Xu Qing’s delicate appearance masked a weak spirit.

But to her, that was far from true. His innate wisdom and decisive hand were nothing short of natural talents, rivaling the average emperor.

Even without extensive imperial training, his farsightedness and benevolent heart shone through. Xu Qing only needed time to grow; she believed the day would come when he would truly emerge.

Xu Qing stopped before the resplendent Chang Le Palace. The sandalwood structure gleamed with gold lacquer, its carved peonies blooming vividly, almost lifelike.

Palace maids respectfully pushed open the doors, and even before stepping inside, the faint scent of sandalwood filled the air.

Adjusting his robes, Xu Qing knelt solemnly, placing his interlaced palms to the floor and bowing his head in reverence. Beads spilled like a gentle rain onto the polished floor as he remained motionless, like a statue.

He had repeated this ritual thousands of times.

The rhythmic tapping of wooden fish echoed eerily in the otherwise empty surroundings.

“Emperor, please enter,” Empress Dowager Deng’s voice finally came after a long silence.

“Thank you, Empress Dowager,” Xu Qing replied, ignoring the ache in his knees from prolonged kneeling as he stepped inside swiftly.

Though he knew well this woman had once nearly ended his life, only Lou Hongling remained behind, watching him with worry and helplessness.

The Empress Dowager, her silver hair coiled into a bun, eyes closed, rotated her prayer beads steadily between her fingers. No one could believe such a woman, nearing her sixties, wielded the highest power in Dahe, her influence spreading across court and country.

She opened her eyes, sharp and piercing. Age seemed insignificant compared to the vitality fueled by her long-held authority. She remained silent, offering no seat. Xu Qing understood and knelt again.

“I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager.”

He knew why she had summoned him.

“Emperor,” her indifferent voice sounded, causing his heart to tighten with unease.

Yet, under the circumstances, he could not remain silent or blindly allow the petition to pass. That would be akin to hanging his father’s legacy over a cliff’s edge. Was Dahe doomed to perish in his generation?

First, a marquisate; then what?

Would the throne still bear the Xu name, or would it belong to the Dengs?

Aware of his own incomplete strength, Xu Qing nevertheless spoke: “Empress Dowager, the Deng family’s merits are evident to all, but the late emperor decreed that the three-year mourning period must be observed. To make such changes prematurely would be improper...”

The Empress Dowager said nothing at first, casting a sly glance. Her smile held a mix of admiration for his courage and mockery for his feeble excuse. Finally, she spoke slowly.

“Your reasoning is sound. The mourning period will end in a few days. Then, Your Majesty can issue the decree.”

Xu Qing inhaled deeply. There was no room for delay here. His hands trembled slightly as he bowed, overwhelmed by a crushing sense of helplessness.

Could there truly be no other way?

Before he rose, the Empress Dowager struck again.

“I advise you, if you wish to live long, you must learn when to speak and when to remain silent.”

“Thank you, Empress Dowager.”

Sweat clung to his heavy ceremonial robes, and her words plunged him into an icy abyss. He struggled to steady his breath, but his chest heaved uncontrollably.

After Xu Qing withdrew and knelt in farewell, the Empress Dowager closed her eyes, her mind racing.

She knew that as Xu Qing matured, controlling him would grow increasingly difficult. The failed assassination attempt and whispered rumors within the palace made another attempt risky.

…but if she could not kill him, at least she could teach him a painful lesson, justifying her painstaking “efforts.”

And Lou Hongling, the one she had planted beside Xu Qing?

At the thought, a sinister smile curled her lips. If Lou Hongling failed to provide useful intelligence by the end of the month, she would quietly erase her from the palace without a trace.

Outside Chang Le Palace, Lou Hongling saw Xu Qing’s face pale—she knew the Empress Dowager had threatened him.

“Your Ma—”

Lou Hongling stepped forward to steady him, but Xu Qing shook his head, waving her off gently.

“Return to the palace.”

His steps were steady but heavy, his expression grave. Nothing was more humiliating than this.

Inside the Xuan Shi Palace, the chill wind blew outside, but the bedchamber was warm, thanks to the silver charcoal brazier.

Though the Empress Dowager controlled all decisions on petitions and court affairs, with the year’s end approaching, Xu Qing still personally handled some formal documents for the officials.

With Xu Qing’s approval, Lou Hongling ground ink nearby as Lin Lang and the others waited on standby. These three were truly bullies who preyed on the weak. Although Daimao and Peiyu had softened their attitude toward Lou Hongling, Lin Lang still shot her envious glances, still nursing resentment from their last conflict.

That incident had been their fault, and fortunately, Xu Qing had not held it against them. They dared not openly trouble Lou Hongling anymore. Over time, she had become the person Xu Qing trusted most within Xuan Shi Palace.

Lou Hongling pondered her next move when Xu Qing suddenly stopped writing.

“Hongling?” he called, noticing her distraction.

“Your Majesty, what is it?” she quickly pulled herself back.

Seeing her lost in thought, Xu Qing’s face softened, a faint smile playing about his lips.

“Why are you daydreaming? I’m done writing—you may stop.”

Xu Qing dismissed the others, leaving only Lou Hongling inside.

“Damn it, look at her acting so smug,” Lin Lang grumbled in frustration.

But Lou Hongling was the favored confidante of Xu Qing, backed by the Empress Dowager. No matter how much they slackened, none dared openly anger the emperor.

Damned Lou Hongling, you better not give me any leverage!