Chapter 29: Moving Into a New Home

On the first day of the fourth lunar month in the first year of the Daoming era, all things were auspicious.

At the entrance of Banyan Alley, two banyan trees stood tall with thick trunks and lush, verdant canopies. Two magpies perched in the branches, chattering incessantly. Sunlight, like molten gold, filtered through the dense leaves, casting a dappled mosaic of shadows across the ground.

A large cart was parked at the mouth of the alley. It was so overloaded that the cargo teetered precariously, nearly spilling over.

"I told you to hire another cart, but you wouldn't listen. Look at this, it's about to fall!" Song Shiyu grumbled as she hauled a bundle.

Li Xubai, his forehead slick with sweat, struggled to carry a white-flowered, blue-backed bundle that reached his chest. He panted heavily, "You—you make it sound so easy. After buying this house, we only have two hundred taels of silver left. Hiring another cart would cost another two taels. It’s not your money, so of course you don't care!"

Song Shiyu snorted, rolled her eyes, and turned to head into the courtyard to start cleaning.

Li Xubai calculated their dwindling funds, the joy of their new home dampened by the reality of their expenses. They had moved into a house that didn't require buying furniture, but there were still quilts, clothes, pots, and pans—everything required money.

"Look, someone moved into that house at the end of the alley."
"Those belongings look so shabby; they don't look like a wealthy family at all."
"Our Banyan Alley has truly fallen if any stray cat or dog can move in."
"Hey, there’s even a cripple. What kind of family is this?"

Li Xuzhang, who was following behind in his wheelchair while carrying a few light items, caught the whispers from behind a partially closed door. He whipped his head around, a cold, murderous intent—never seen before—surging in his eyes. The onlookers, who had been peeking through the cracks, immediately fell silent, terrified by his fierce gaze.

Li Yunnuan had already cleaned the house from top to bottom, scrubbing the floor tiles until they glistened. The kitchen was tidy, with pots, pans, and ingredients all neatly arranged. The main room, naturally, went to Li Xubai. Aside from a large heated brick bed and a wardrobe, the previous owner had left behind a table, chairs, and a bookshelf—though the shelves stood empty, devoid of a single book.

To the left of the main room were the quarters for Li Xuzhang and Li Xuwei, while to the right were the rooms for Song Shiyu and Li Yunnuan. Each room was small but complete, containing everything they needed. Only then did everyone’s heart finally settle. This was their home. In the city of Bianliang, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, they finally had a place to call their own.

Li Xubai patted Li Yunnuan’s hair. "Yunnuan, you are so capable."

Li Yunnuan smiled shyly. "Second Brother, once we plant the vegetable garden, we won't need to go out to buy food."

"Good. The yard is yours; do whatever you like with it." Li Xubai looked at the frail Li Xuzhang and Li Yunnuan, then waved his hand grandly. "Today, we eat well. No cooking tonight—let's go to Fanlou and order a banquet."

Song Shiyu chimed in, "Oh? And you're not worried about the silver now?"

The morning court session was unusually lively. Memorial after memorial rained down upon the ministers, leaving them dizzy and unable to keep up.

First, Censor Cui Ji impeached Privy Councilor Cao Heyong for failing to govern his household, allowing his nephew Cao Ne to oppress the people and wear imperial yellow, even ordering eight civilians, including Wang Wen and Wang Yuanheng, to hail him with "long live." Then, Cheng Yulin of the Bianliang Prefecture impeached the nephew of the Duke of Wen, Wen Qixiong, for abusing his power to bully others and ordering his servants to beat an old veteran to death. Next, Censor Cai Tianqi impeached Qian Weiyong for seeking personal favors and selling influence, disturbing the public heart. Finally, Grand Tutor Gu Qingzhi submitted a proposal stating that since the Emperor had reached maturity and possessed great wisdom, it was time for the Empress Dowager Wen to return political power to him.

These memorials, layered one upon another, wove a tight, impenetrable web.

Empress Dowager Wen sat behind the pearl curtain, her expression grim. She had anticipated friction with Zhao Yizhen, but she had never expected anyone to be so bold as to openly demand that she relinquish power. She swept aside the pearl curtain and walked to the side of the dragon throne, casting a slow, intimidating look at the ministers. "My lords, is this the collective will?"

The implication was clear, yet no one followed Gu Qingzhi’s lead. Zhao Yizhen’s face darkened; this was not what he had expected. He had anticipated a fierce debate, not this eerie, heavy silence that gripped the court.

The Empress Dowager turned to Zhao Yizhen. "Does the Emperor think so too?"

Zhao Yizhen stood up abruptly. His back was drenched in cold sweat. He was terrified, but he could not back down.

"Mother," Zhao Yizhen said, gritting his teeth, "I have long since come of age and married. The late Emperor’s edict explicitly states that military and state affairs are to be managed by the Empress Dowager only as a temporary measure until the Emperor matures. You yourself said at the start of your regency that you would return power when I came of age. Are those just empty words? Do you treat the late Emperor’s edict as a joke?"

Seeing the usually docile Zhao Yizhen openly defy her, the Empress Dowager was stunned, and the ministers were sent into a frenzy. Ten years had passed since the Emperor ascended the throne, and ten years since the Empress Dowager began her regency. The ministers had long grown weary of the Empress Dowager holding the real power.

"I second the motion; let the Empress Dowager return power to the Emperor," Cai Tianqi stepped forward to stand behind Gu Qingzhi. "I second the motion," Cheng Yulin followed. Soon, ministers from the Six Ministries, the Censorate, and the Hanlin Academy were all echoing the call.

The court was in an uproar. If they could force the Empress Dowager to retire to the inner palace and enjoy her twilight years, it would be worth any price.

The Empress Dowager’s head throbbed. She stared at the ministers, clearly marking them for future retribution. Gu Qingzhi, however, showed no fear. He looked her directly in the eye and said calmly, "Your Majesty has shown the capacity to rule. It is time for the Empress Dowager to return power to the Emperor."

The Empress Dowager laughed softly as she smoothed her sleeves. "You lords wish for me to retire to the inner palace and enjoy my grandchildren. Do you think I have enjoyed this burden? But tell me," she turned to Zhao Yizhen, her tone shifting to that of a misunderstood, doting mother, "where are the grandchildren? You have been married for a year, with an Empress and two concubines, yet there is no heir. Even if I wished to enjoy my grandchildren, where are they?"