Chapter 10: Empress Zhang

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“Your Majesty, Your Majesty, it’s the fifth watch of the night; you should wake up now.”
The palace maid Lü Yan stood outside the crimson gauze canopy, softly calling to the Empress who was still lost in slumber.
After calling twice, a voice finally came from within: “Go and tell the Empress Dowager and the Grand Dowager Consort that I am ill today and will not pay them a visit.”
Lü Yan was momentarily taken aback but then replied obediently, “Yes, Your Majesty. Shall I fetch the imperial physician?”
“No need. I just need to rest for half a day. You may leave now. If anyone comes, help me send them away with a few words.”
After a brief silence, the Empress added, “Even if the Emperor himself comes, it’s the same.”
Lü Yan was quite surprised!
From her perspective, the Empress and the Emperor always treated each other with utmost respect, never once showing anger or reproach. Why then, today, when the Empress was unwell, would she forbid the Emperor from visiting?
Lü Yan recalled the events of the previous night.
The Empress had gone to the Imperial Study, emerging with a displeased expression. Upon returning to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, she sat despondently for half a day. The palace maids had to persuade her several times before she finally rested.
It must have been that she quarreled with His Majesty in the study last night.
“Yes, Your Majesty,” Lü Yan answered and was about to take her leave when the Empress said, “Forget it. If the Emperor or the Empress Dowager comes, call me again.”
Lü Yan acknowledged and stepped out of the Empress’s chamber, sending someone to inform the Empress Dowager and the Grand Dowager Consort of the Empress’s illness and her inability to pay respects.
Waiting outside the chamber, Lü Yan’s mind wandered with anxious thoughts, doubting the strange behavior of the Empress and worrying about the bandits outside the city.
At the hour of Chen (7–9 AM), Imperial Noble Consort Yang, Noble Consort Wu, Virtuous Consort Jia, Pure Consort Wu, Benevolent Consort Song, Consort Zhou, and more than twenty other consorts gathered at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to pay their respects and inquire after the Empress’s health.
With the consorts assembled, Lü Yan hesitated a moment but then quietly entered the chamber and softly called, “Your Majesty.”
Receiving no response for a long while, she guessed the Empress had fallen asleep again. Quietly, she stepped out and dismissed the consorts with the Empress’s name.
Before leaving, Lü Yan caught a worried glance from Virtuous Consort Jia Yuanchun.
Unsure of her meaning, Lü Yan decided not to pry and continued to wait outside the chamber.
It was not until the sun was high that Lü Yan finally heard the Empress calling from within.
She entered with two palace maids and saw the Empress had risen, sitting alone before the dressing mirror. Usually dignified and imposing, the Empress now had her long black hair flowing freely, appearing listless and weary.
Yet even so, as the Empress, the mother of the realm, and possessing a graceful and delicate beauty, her simple state in a sleeping gown before the mirror lent her an added touch of enchanting charm.
“Have they been here?”
The Empress asked.

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Lü Yan quickly replied, “Your Majesty, Imperial Noble Consort, Noble Consort, Virtuous Consort, and the others have all come to visit. Seeing that you were still asleep, I sent them away first. They will return in the afternoon.”
After a moment of silence from the Empress, Lü Yan added, “Your Majesty, I have summoned attendants to help you wash up.”
Soon, the eunuchs and palace maids of the Palace of Earthly Tranquility busied themselves.
Half an hour later, the seven young princes and princesses of Emperor Yongning came to pay respects to their mother.
Lü Yan noticed Princess Qinghe among them; she was the daughter of the Retired Emperor and his only unmarried child, betrothed and set to wed next month.
“Your humble son greets Mother.”
The young princes and princesses knelt obediently on the prayer cushions, bowing their heads respectfully.
Princess Qinghe stepped forward to salute, her bright eyes fixed on the Empress. “Sister-in-law, is your health any better?”
At the sight of Qinghe, a faint smile appeared on the Empress Zhang’s radiant and dignified face. She invited the young princess to sit beside her. She was particularly fond of this gentle and clever little sister-in-law.
According to court protocol, the Emperor’s daughters were titled princesses, his sisters as elder princesses, and paternal aunts as grand elder princesses.
Thus, Chen Yuzhen, set to marry next month, held the title Qinghe, ranked seventeenth, also called the Seventeenth Elder Princess; Emperor Yongning’s daughters bore titles such as Princess Hanyang and Princess Huainan.
After some casual conversation, the Empress noticed the unsettled expressions on all the princes and princesses. She comforted them with a few words, fulfilling her duties as their lawful mother.
“Sister-in-law.”
Princess Qinghe’s delicate, lovely face showed slight unease as she whispered, “The bandit king Chu Yan will attack the city in three days, won’t he?”
Empress Zhang’s heart tightened, her gaze fixed on the children. If the bandits breached the city, not a single one of the three young princes would survive. Perhaps the four princesses might have a chance. Bandit King Chu Yan would likely keep them alive, raising the former dynasty's princesses to eventually bestow them upon his subordinates.
As for Princess Qinghe, originally to be married next month to the son of Marquis Anyuan, if the capital could hold out until then, she might escape the worst fate and live or die alongside her husband’s family.
But if the city fell before then, Qinghe would likely be taken into the bandit king’s harem against her will.
From the historical records she had read, Qinghe might be granted the status of consort, much like a consort Li Shimin of the Tang dynasty who came from the Sui dynasty.
Or she might be bestowed upon the forces of Prince Qian as a slave or concubine.
Their futures, whether good or ill, depended entirely on Prince Qian’s will.
“Don’t worry too much, Qinghe.”
Despite the troubling thoughts inside, Empress Zhang offered a gentle smile. “Your elder brother will find a way. When you return, rest well and learn to honor your in-laws from the palace attendants. For your wedding next month, your sister-in-law will prepare a generous dowry for you.”
Princess Qinghe’s slender brows furrowed briefly before relaxing as she smiled and said, “Thank you, sister-in-law.”

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“Go now. All of you may return. Though the situation is tense, do not neglect your daily studies.”
“Yes, Mother!”
The young princes and princesses rose, bowed in order, and left.
Watching them depart, Empress Zhang gradually withdrew her smile, a resolve forming in her heart.
Everyone fears death; she was only trying to carve out a path to survival for herself.
...
In the afternoon, Imperial Noble Consort Yang, Noble Consort Wu, Virtuous Consort Jia, Pure Consort Wu, Benevolent Consort Song, and the other consorts once again gathered at the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to pay respects and inquire after the Empress’s health.
Empress Zhang chatted with them briefly, then brought up the bandit Chu Yan, issuing an edict: “The bandit army surrounds the city; unrest reigns inside and out. All palaces must maintain strict vigilance. Assign duty eunuchs to guard, and all palace affairs shall be reported to me through them.”
The consorts dared not disobey and rose to salute, complying with the Empress’s decree.
After dismissing them, Empress Zhang summoned Lü Yan alone into the warm chamber, scrutinized her for a moment, then asked, “Lü Yan, how many years have you served me?”
“Your Majesty, it has been ten years.”
“There is an important matter now. Are you willing to do it for me?”
“Your Majesty, please command me!”
Lü Yan knelt, heart pounding nervously, uncertain of what grave task the Empress referred to.
“Good.” Empress Zhang’s expression turned cold and resolute. She bade her rise and said, “Select a few of the duty eunuchs you find untrustworthy. Tell them to prepare three feet of white cloth, to be kept for future use.”
Lü Yan was shocked, staring at her in alarm, but saw the Empress’s unwavering resolve.
“Remember, choose only those you find untrustworthy. Do not make a mistake. Relay my exact words and say nothing more.”
“...Yes, Your Majesty. I know what to do!”
Having served in the palace for many years, Lü Yan was no fool. After overcoming her initial terror, she quickly understood everything—the reason the Empress had sat withdrawn late into the night.
The Emperor... might be contemplating self-immolation or hanging himself to die for the nation!