Chapter 3: Empress Dowager Li

The Imperial Palace of the Great Zhou had four gates: the Central Yang Gate facing south, the Divine Martial Gate to the north, and on either side, the Azure Splendor Gate and the Violet Noon Gate.

Civil and military officials would enter through the Central Yang Gate and leave via the Violet Noon Gate. The palace’s imperial guards, when changing shifts, would also use the Central Yang Gate to enter and exit by the Divine Martial Gate. The Azure Splendor Gate was generally reserved for royal relatives, envoys of state, urgent envoys summoned on short notice, and those scholars and warriors who had earned the right to participate in the final imperial examination.

Upon reaching the Azure Splendor Gate, even a princess of the realm was required to step down from her jade carriage and proceed on foot, presenting both the imperial summons and entry register before being allowed into the palace. The procedure was so elaborate that even one missing item would see one turned away, no matter how noble their status. Even Cheng Guang, heir of the Duke who Guards the Nation, would not have been able to enter without Lady Wu’s guidance.

From this moment onward, a solemn atmosphere, as palpable as the air itself, spread around them.

Cheng Guang dismounted from the jade carriage, gazing at the red-tiled walls surrounding him. The palace seemed eerily reminiscent of those he had seen in films during his previous life. Yet this palace of the Great Zhou was far grander than any he had ever witnessed before—its walls alone rose a full ten fathoms high. Owing to the existence of formidable martial artists in this world, palace walls and towers were hewn from vast blocks of hard white jade, displaying an unparalleled craftsmanship.

This lent the palace an air of exquisite refinement, and at the same time, an unmistakable aura of luxury and nobility.

Outside the Azure Splendor Gate, imperial guards stood watch. Each was clad in heavy chainmail, fully armed, emanating an icy aura—they were first-rate masters of the martial path. Only after carefully inspecting the summons and registers did the guards allow passage, and even then, the number of attendants was strictly limited. Other than two personal maids, no one else was permitted entry; they would have to wait outside.

“Guang’er, let’s go.” Lady Wu spoke. She was intimately familiar with the palace, having been raised within its walls. Cheng Guang, by contrast, had visited only rarely; thus, she drew him close, holding his hand as they walked inside.

The palace was immense, visibly vast—one could not see its end at a glance. Towering halls and pavilions rose behind high walls, and everywhere grandeur and solemnity reigned, as if it were a small city unto itself.

Were he truly the heir, Cheng Guang would have felt little nervousness entering the palace. But he was merely a stand-in. Should he become complacent and begin to act the part of the true heir, he would likely meet a miserable end if his identity were exposed within these walls.

Cheng Guang was self-aware. He resolved not to touch what he shouldn’t, and to keep silent whenever possible—otherwise, he might not even know how he had met his death.

As Cheng Guang pondered, their group paused before another, smaller palace gate.

Here, the number of guards was markedly fewer than at the Azure Splendor Gate; yet their quality was several magnitudes higher. These guards wore silver armor and stood motionless, faces stern and cold. Yet, in the next instant, Cheng Guang felt as if they were all watching him. Those of lesser cultivation would be seized by a chill at the mere sight of them.

It was not a deliberate intimidation; rather, it was a natural aura, forged through years of battle—a domain of sorts. Anyone without comparable strength who stepped within their range would find their fighting ability diminished by thirty percent.

Most of these men were of general rank on the battlefield, but here they were relegated to guarding a mere palace gate.

Cheng Guang could not help but marvel at the imperial family’s extravagant might.

Entering further, Cheng Guang was awed by rare flowers and exotic sights. After a brief survey, they arrived at the main hall of the inner palace.

Stepping inside, he saw a kindly-looking old woman, holding a Buddhist scripture. She wore a lens device reminiscent of reading glasses, peering intently at the text.

Her hair was silver-gray, she wore a purple dragon robe, and her jade hairpin was adorned with nine jade dragons. Around her neck hung a string of white jade pearls—her appearance radiated the utmost splendor and nobility.

This was the Dowager Empress Li of the Great Zhou Dynasty. She had once served the founding emperor and had single-handedly raised the current emperor. It was she who orchestrated the dethroning of the crown prince and the enthronement of Wu Shang, plotting each step herself.

Though she seemed gentle and benevolent, there was far more to this woman than met the eye.

At this moment, Cheng Guang grew extremely alert. Although the Dowager Empress had rarely seen the heir, who could say whether she might discern that he was an impostor?

“Mother, Yue Mei greets you.”

Lady Wu led Cheng Guang to kneel before the old woman.

“Ah, Yue Mei, you’re here.” The Dowager Empress, absorbed in her scripture, was startled by Lady Wu’s voice. She looked up, a broad smile spreading across her face.

Cheng Guang sensed her gaze falling upon him and Lady Wu, and promptly followed Lady Wu’s lead.

“Greetings, Grandmother. I wish Grandmother blessings as vast as the Eastern Sea, a life as long as the Southern Heavens, eternal happiness, and robust health.”

Cheng Guang blurted out the well-wishes from his previous life. The moment he finished, he wanted to slap himself. The heir was not one to speak such words—in the past, he had been taciturn, with perhaps a touch of arrogance and aloofness.

His act had collapsed.

His persona was ruined.

Cheng Guang’s heart plummeted, and he dared not meet the old woman’s piercing gaze.

Yet things did not unfold as badly as Cheng Guang had feared.

The Dowager Empress, hearing his words, was momentarily stunned, then her smile grew a hundredfold.

“Oh my, it’s been so long, and little Guang’er has learned to make his grandmother happy. Come, let me take a good look at you.”

It must be said, the reason why the heir’s position was so exalted—so much so that he could easily find a substitute and sneak away unnoticed—owed much to the Dowager Empress’s particular fondness for Cheng Guang.

No one understood why. By rights, her own grandson, the crown prince, should have been closer to her heart. Yet it was common knowledge that while the Dowager Empress liked her great-grandson, she was even fonder of Cheng Guang, her daughter’s son.

People couldn’t help but speculate whether the Duke who Guards the Nation, Cheng Shiyuan, had any hand in this.

At that moment, the Dowager Empress entirely overlooked her daughter and drew Cheng Guang close, her tone full of concern.

“Oh, little Guang’er, it’s only been a short while, how have you grown so thin? And your hands are rough—has your father been forcing you to train again?”

“Your complexion isn’t the best either. Are you ill? I’ll have the imperial physicians prescribe you some medicine.”

“If you need anything, just tell Grandmother. If your father insists on forcing you to practice martial arts, I’ll have a word with him myself.”

Cheng Guang was momentarily at a loss. He hadn’t expected the heir’s grandmother to react this way. Relieved that he had not been exposed, he kept his true feelings to himself. As for being thin—he had spent so long as a carriage driver, rarely with enough to eat or wear, that surviving was a feat in itself. Lately, he had even put on some weight.

Though he grumbled inwardly, he dared not speak his mind. Instead, with a hint of calculation, he expressed concern for his grandmother.

“Grandmother, I’m fine. But you should take care of yourself, and not overwork. As long as you are well, your grandson is content.”

On hearing these words, the old woman’s heart nearly melted. Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes. Though simple, his words were sincere, warm, and moving.

“My good grandson, you truly care for your grandmother. My health is still strong.”

“Come, you must be hungry after your journey. Here are all your favorite pastries since childhood—eat as much as you like.”

“Sparrow, go tell the imperial kitchens to prepare more spiritual delicacies.”

The Dowager Empress’s tone was full of kindness as she sent a maid to make arrangements. The maid smiled and departed at once.

“Mother, Guang’er is not young anymore. I am thinking of arranging a marriage for him soon, but I am unsure which family’s daughter would be suitable. Mother, I’d like you to help me decide.”

When Lady Wu spoke, the Dowager Empress immediately became spirited, sitting up a little straighter.

“As for his marriage, I shall certainly keep a keen eye. Yue Mei, do you have any candidates in mind?”

The Dowager Empress shifted her attention from Cheng Guang to Lady Wu, and the two began to discuss the heir’s marriage.

To be precise, it was the heir’s marriage, not Cheng Guang’s.

In her mother’s presence, Yue Mei relaxed, counting on her fingers in the manner of a young miss.

“The legitimate daughter of the Minister of Revenue, Song Wanyu, is renowned for both her poetry and her martial arts. She is a celebrated talent in the capital, and at her young age, has already reached the third rank of the Purple Palace Realm—she is both scholarly and accomplished. I think she is an excellent choice.”

“The Minister of War’s daughter, Wan Duoduo, is also very suitable. She has the physique of a woman who will bear children well, and her cultivation is high—already at the fifth rank, the Divine Opening Realm. Among the younger generation, she is considered outstanding.”

“…”

The Dowager Empress listened to each name, offering timely comments and assessments. There was a certain air of picking melons at the market—as if, should she approve, the girl would immediately become a member of the family.

In fact, this was not far from the truth. The heir of the Duke who Guards the Nation, nephew to the reigning emperor, and the only son of Princess Yue Mei—such titles combined meant that any young lady he favored could be his with a single word.

Cheng Guang noticed that the Dowager Empress and Lady Wu were engrossed in their conversation, paying him no further heed. He breathed a sigh of relief, thinking, “Go ahead and discuss—I’ll just listen. After all, I’m just a stand-in, a nobody. None of this concerns me.”

Yet just at that moment, a maid’s voice suddenly sounded.

“Your Majesty, the Empress and several noble consorts are arriving, accompanied by their princes and princesses.”

At these words, the Dowager Empress’s smile faded noticeably. Yue Mei paused, straightened her attire, and turned her gaze solemnly toward the palace doors, ending the discussion of Cheng Guang’s marriage.

Clearly, with others present, continuing that conversation would be unseemly.

…