Chapter 33

The morning ceremony for the officials’ congratulations was equally tedious, following the protocols led by the Ministry of Rites.

Lin Jiayue wore a black dragon robe, similar to the Han style—black with red trim and embroidered with golden dragons. This outfit was reserved for major ceremonies; for daily court, she usually wore a red dragon robe, as bright yellow was relatively rare. She typically avoided such cumbersome attire, preferring simpler red robes.

In daily life, the people of Great Zhou wore daopao (Taoist-style robes) as casual wear. Her wardrobe was full of them for non-formal occasions because they were more comfortable. Having worn these heavy ceremonial garments for so long today, she was utterly exhausted. It felt like going out for a walk with high spirits only to wilt halfway through—especially at the thought of those ten pages of calligraphy every day. Hateful Lu Siling.

Next was the rewarding of the officials. At the thought of what she was about to bestow upon Lu Siling, she couldn’t help but want to laugh. Lin Jiayue squinted, keeping her eyes fixed on Lu Siling, curious to see her reaction the moment she saw the “reward.”

Wei Jinming personally led the junior eunuchs, carrying three large crates before her. One was taller than a person, prompting everyone to crane their necks for a look.

Lu Siling: “…” She had experienced many high-profile moments—sweeping the top three imperial exams (Zhuangyuan), parading through the streets as the Top Scholar, being appointed Grand Chancellor—each event drawing all eyes to her. Especially after becoming the head of the Secretariat, she was the focus wherever she went. However, this was the first time everyone was staring at her because of this. If Lu Siling knew the term “social death,” she would likely continue to curse Lin Jiayue as a “dog Emperor.”

“Grand Chancellor, these were specifically commissioned by Her Majesty. Her Majesty’s love and esteem for you are truly immense!” Wei Jinming gave her a look of faint envy; who wouldn’t want to be the sovereign’s favorite minister?

Lu Siling remained silent. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the curiosity of everyone present regarding these three crates—especially since two large characters were written on them: Blind Box. One look at the calligraphy and she knew it was a ghostwriter; the young Emperor’s writing wasn’t this elegant.

Blind Box?

Wei Jinming, ever the number one lackey of Daming Palace, immediately explained: “Her Majesty’s idea is that a box containing unknown items that brings a surprise upon opening is called a ‘blind box’.”

Lu Siling remained silent. Dog Emperor, who knows what mischief she’s up to now.

“This official thanks Your Majesty.” Even if her heart was full of dissatisfaction, she still had to say thank you.

Lin Jiayue thought: See? She even has to thank me.

Lu Siling’s silence was deafening, yet Lin Jiayue could see it clearly; she suppressed a smile. Perhaps because she was so happy, she didn’t feel tired at all during the remaining rituals. She was even more curious about how “happy” Lu Siling would be the moment she opened those crates.

The ceremonies ended and they returned to the palace. Lu Siling was also set to leave, as her shift had not yet begun. During the holidays, everyone was off except for the duty officers. Lu Siling’s shift was on the second day of the New Year.

The most frustrating part was that tomorrow, the first day of the New Year, the morning rituals had to be repeated. However, tomorrow afternoon there would be a grand banquet attended by the Imperial Clan, the nobility, and all civil and military officials of the third rank and above.

There were so many New Year events—it felt like visiting relatives as a child. When relatives gave red envelopes, parents would stand aside saying, “No, no, it’s not necessary.” If you really didn’t take it, you’d be scolded later; if you did, you’d be called impolite for not declining.

The most awkward part was the “Come on, perform what you’ve learned recently” segment. Lin Jiayue: “?” What did I learn? Should I perform a recitation of ancient poems? Truth be told, everyone loved hearing children recite; it didn’t matter if they understood it—a fluent recitation earned a calm “good,” but a single stumble gave them something to talk about.

During today’s various procedures, all eyes were on the young Emperor who had yet to take full power. If she made a single ceremonial error, the censors’ memorials would bury her. Seeing that the young Emperor had no issues with etiquette and maintained a stern, imperial dignity throughout, the officials saw a ruler who had truly grown up.

Then they remembered how the Emperor had struck the Empress Dowager’s faction with lightning force during the last assembly. Word was that the Bureau of Equipment was now in the Emperor’s hands, and she had even arranged for Zhang Huairou to enter the Eunuch Directorate.

Technically, the unnamed eunuchs of the Directorate were the Emperor’s men, but in reality, only Wei Jinming belonged to her; the other four served the Empress Dowager and the Empress. Now that the Empress Dowager had lost two of her head eunuchs, her reaction was quick—she immediately tried to install a replacement. To her surprise, the young Emperor issued a direct decree appointing Zhang Huairou.

The Emperor had not yet taken full power, but once a decree is issued, no one dares to slight [unauthorized copy]the monarch’s face. Naturally, the Empress Dowager intended to do just that but was stopped. If the Emperor’s decree were blatantly overturned, the civil and military officials of this dynasty would become a laughingstock.

This was the absolute authority of the Emperor—unless one could prevent the decree from leaving the palace. But Great Zhou was not the Empress Dowager’s domain alone; the court was currently a three-way standoff. Would the other two sides watch the Empress Dowager commit such an act?

The young Emperor’s will was followed. As the nominal supreme ruler of Great Zhou, she held the ultimate power of the seal and verbal consent. No one could ignore the Emperor’s decree once it had been issued. Combined with her performance today, everyone realized the Emperor had grown up and was about to rule personally. To continue resisting her would invite disaster upon one’s entire clan.

Especially since the Grand Chancellor was becoming close to the Emperor. Every day, no matter how busy, she made time to tutor the young Emperor. Now the benefits of that “closeness” were showing—riding together, sharing meals. Envious and jealous gazes almost drowned Lu Siling. As the Emperor’s personal rule approached, everyone wanted to be near her. Many regretted choosing other sides for short-term gains, fearing the Emperor would settle scores once she took power.

No, even if she took power, they must not let her grasp it too quickly. The Empress Dowager’s faction thought even further: it would be best if something happened to the young Emperor so Prince Cheng could ascend.

Lin Jiayue didn’t care what they thought. She had Wei Jinming send the gifts to the Grand Chancellor’s manor and ordered him to report Lu Siling’s reaction upon opening the blind boxes. Although he didn’t understand his sovereign’s peculiar hobby, Wei Jinming did as he was told.

After the ceremonial process, Lin Jiayue returned to Daming Palace, changed into lighter clothes, and headed to Zichen Hall for the banquet. The Imperial Clan had been waiting, so she didn’t delay, grabbing a few bites and returning, as she couldn’t stand the small talk.

Upon reaching Zichen Hall, the Empress Dowager and Empress Xining hadn’t arrived. She turned to Wei Jinming. Wei Jinming bowed: “The Empress Dowager is on her way. The West Palace (Empress Xining) said that although the mourning period is over, as the late Emperor’s Empress, she feels it inappropriate to attend.”

Lin Jiayue raised an eyebrow. Was her “sister-in-law” seeking the title of Grand Empress Dowager? Looking at recent events, it seemed the new year would be busy; the congratulatory memorials had basically been turned into political petitions.

“The Empress Dowager has arrived!”

A shrill announcement drew everyone’s attention. Everyone knew the Empress Dowager had lost face by storming the court last time; having not seen the high-and-mighty woman for so long, many were in a mood to watch the drama. Furthermore, since the Emperor was currently showing signs of overshadowing the Empress Dowager, some intended to flatter the Emperor by belittling the Dowager.

Seeing her, Lin Jiayue rose calmly and cupped her hands. “Empress Dowager.”

The crowd followed suit. Empress Dowager Cui gave a hum. “Your Majesty need not be so formal.” Having suffered a loss that day, she wasn’t as arrogant toward the young Emperor anymore. At last year’s banquet, the Dowager hadn’t even hummed until she sat down, saying not a single extra word to display her majesty. She had acted indifferent to the Emperor; back then, who in Great Zhou was greater than her? Everyone had to grovel at her feet.

Lin Jiayue smiled and sipped her tea. Before long, Wei Jinming whispered, “Your Majesty, the Grand Chancellor has opened them.”

“Opened them?”

“Yes, the messenger has returned.”

Lin Jiayue scanned the Imperial Clan members below. The Old Prince of Jing was absent due to illness. Since the person she most wanted to see wasn’t there, she decided to let the Empress Dowager finish this performance alone.

“Members of the Clan, I am a bit weary today. I toast to you all; eat and drink your fill, but I shall not stay to accompany you.” She downed her tea, rose, and left Zichen Hall, sending a clear message to the room. The Emperor had left just as the Dowager arrived. It signaled that the two were now irreconcilable. Whether civil officials, military officers, or the Imperial Clan, they had to choose a side. Decide for yourselves.

“Go back and report to Mother immediately,” a very low voice whispered, unheard by anyone except the person beside them. “It’s a good thing Mother didn’t come today. Otherwise, if the Emperor forced her to choose a side, it would have been a disaster.”

“Shut up. We’ll talk at home.”

Lin Jiayue didn’t know how much speculation her move had caused. In her past life as a child, she had been oppressed by her parents and couldn’t leave a hated dinner party at will. Now that she was an Emperor, if she was still that frustrated, she might as well not be one. Besides, it was just a New Year’s Eve banquet—it wasn’t as if she hadn’t shown up at all. Surely she didn’t have to sit there from start to finish. She wasn’t the original owner who feared the Empress Dowager’s power.

Returning to her palace, Lin Jiayue immediately summoned the eunuch who delivered the boxes. “Chen Xiang, tell me quickly—what was Teacher Lu’s reaction?” She felt her gifts were very thoughtful; Lu Siling would surely like them… right?

Chen Xiang hesitated, recalling everything he had seen at the manor. Only one thought remained: bailiantales.com de="96">As expected of Her Majesty.

“Reporting to Your Majesty… the Grand Chancellor said: the daily calligraphy is increased to twenty pages.”

Lin Jiayue: “?”

Chen Xiang hurriedly recounted the events: “Your Majesty, after the items reached the manor, the Grand Chancellor did not open them immediately…”

So the messenger stayed until Guang Wei came to ask her, “Are you still here?”

She had given a dry laugh. Could she say the Emperor wanted to see the Grand Chancellor’s reaction to the gifts? Thus, for the next half-hour, she experienced the sensation of being thoroughly unwanted.

“When are you leaving?”

“Do you want to stay for New Year’s dinner?”

“Do you want me to escort you out personally?”

That Guang Wei was a chatterbox, rattling on until finally the Grand Chancellor came out and said, “Open the items.” What a wonderful Grand Chancellor—otherwise, the palace gates would have closed and she wouldn’t have been able to get back.

Lu Siling had wanted to open them as soon as she returned, but seeing Chen Xiang waiting, she knew it was the Emperor’s idea. Since the Emperor wanted to wait, she decided to make her wait a bit longer.