Chapter 299: Chapter 276: Dreams of Old Colors, Why Be Trapped in a Gloomy Morning
Just three days after Yu Wenye left the Eastern Capital, news emerged from the court that the Emperor would tour Jiangdu.
This was not a surprising piece of news for Shang Ruyi, who had experienced a game of life and death in the Tinghe Building, but for the entire court and even the whole Da Ye Dynasty, it was enough to turn the world upside down.
Although the words of the Emperor at the court assembly were — Now is the time when the trees in Jiangnan are in full bloom, and flocks of orioles flutter about. You all are weary from long years of war; why not ride a crane with me to Jiangnan to see the scenery of the magnolia paddles and the green birds singing in spring?
These words were rare in their thoughtfulness; since ascending the throne, the Emperor had never been so considerate of his subjects, and they should have been moved to tears, but in fact, that was not the case. Because everyone understood that Hebei had already fallen, and uprisings were occurring in Longyou, Shanxi, and even Bohai County. Leaving the Eastern Capital to travel south at this time meant abandoning the Eastern Capital, and perhaps even the entire North!
This sort of thing was not without precedent; at the beginning of his reign, he abandoned Daxing City, which the late Emperor had cultivated for decades, to establish the Eastern Capital, shifting the power center of the Da Ye Dynasty from west to east.
However, it did not cause much stir at the time because he, in order to construct the Eastern Capital, promoted many officials from the Central Plains. These people actively maneuvered within the court to push the power center of the Da Ye Dynasty toward themselves, suppressing the Guanlong aristocracy that Chu Yin had promoted single-handedly.
Now, as Chu Yang intends to abandon the North, heading south, how could these people be content?!
For a time, people were filled with panic.
Empress Jiang hurriedly braved the cold wind to reach the Warm Dock.
As she approached, she heard a burst of glamorous silk and bamboo music. Looking up, she saw that the Warm Dock, usually with its doors wide open, was closed today. Yet, the seductive music flowed from within, accompanied by the silver-bell-like laughter of young maidens, making the music appear all the more charming and seductive, luring one into a trance.
Empress Jiang slightly furrowed her brow, walked over, and pushed open the main door.
As the door opened, the cold wind gushed in, interspersed with the maidens’ giggles turning to numerous gasps of shock.
Witnessing the scene before her, Empress Jiang’s brow furrowed even deeper.
The usually tranquil Warm Dock, a peach blossom haven Chu Yang created for himself, had warm springs flowing beneath the floor in winter, and ice trays were constantly replaced to keep it cool in summer. A court orchestra played in the distance during leisure times, with music blending with the sound of water, exquisite beyond compare. He even forbade anyone from the palace from coming here. If anyone disturbed his peace, he would sever their legs.
Thus, except for searching for Shang Ruyi a few times, Empress Jiang rarely set foot here.
However, at this moment, the place was thronged with people. Before her were dozens of slender, young, and beautiful maidens, each dressed in bright red skirts, wide-sleeved robes, dancing gracefully with the music. Their jade-like arms, like tender lotus roots, were raised high in the air, the red skirts and snowy skin blending beautifully.
The air was filled with an intoxicatingly rich aroma of wine.
Seeing the Empress arrive, the maidens were startled, and they nervously retreated to the sides, bowing in respect.
Empress Jiang cast them a cold glance, showing no anger, but merely waved a sleeve and calmly said, "All of you, withdraw."
Though her demeanor was gentle, the Empress’s authority was unquestionable. The maidens dared not speak, lowering their heads and cautiously retreating from the Warm Dock one by one.
Not until the last person stepped out of the door did Empress Jiang take a deep breath and walk past the large screen into the inner chamber, witnessing an even more chaotic scene than the festivity outside. The carpet that usually covered the ground had been overturned to one side, and on the large bed, Chu Yang lay sprawling. Clad in simple white attire, his robe widely open, exposing much of his chest, the sash slung carelessly around his hips, appearing ready to slip off at any moment.
At this moment, he held a wine cup in one hand, supporting his head with the other, his phoenix eyes half closed, and his brow slightly furrowed, resembling an immortal disturbed by worldly affairs, irritably saying, "Where’s the song? The dance? Continue!"
Empress Jiang’s face grew even more grave.
But she took a deep breath and stepped forward respectfully, bowing, saying, "Your servant pays respects to the Emperor!"
"...!"
Upon hearing her voice, Chu Yang paused for a moment.
Then a smile curved his lips as he slowly opened his eyes to look at her, smilingly saying, "Why has the Empress come?"
Empress Jiang said, "I heard Your Majesty intends to tour Jiangdu."
Chu Yang smiled and said, "The Empress indeed has sharp ears."
Empress Jiang said, "The matter Your Majesty announced at the court, my news could hardly not be sharp."
"Since you know, why not go prepare rather than coming here?"
"Your servant wishes to ask Your Majesty to rescind the decision."
"..."
Chu Yang’s brows furrowed again, yet he didn’t immediately grow angry. Instead, he chuckled twice, slowly rising from the bed. His body reeked of alcohol, taking shaky steps, yet maintaining a graceful demeanor like a collapsing jade mountain.
He walked step by step to Empress Jiang, smilingly saying, "Why does the Empress say so?"
Empress Jiang seriously stated, "Your Majesty should understand, leaving the Eastern Capital now, the majority of the garrison in Eastern Capital City must escort Your Majesty south. Once they leave, Eastern Capital will be hard to defend."
"..."
"Does Your Majesty not want the Eastern Capital, not want the North?"
"...!"
Chu Yang’s gaze flickered for a moment.
But after a brief silence, he suddenly burst into laughter, turning around and waving his hand forcefully. His wide sleeves flew in the air like flowing clouds, and with them, the wine in his cup scattered like a fine drizzle.
Chu Yang, bathing in this intoxicating drizzle, laughed wildly while loudly chanting:
"Conquest of Liao is not my wish, my love lies only in Jiangnan."
"Old dreams of Chen are but stale hues, why be trapped in a secluded court."
Upon hearing these lines, Empress Jiang’s expression stiffened, and her dignified figure trembled slightly. After a moment, she mumbled, "Old dreams of Chen... Does Your Majesty still remember the late Chen Emperor? Remember how he indulged in wine and women, only to meet his end under Your Majesty’s divine power? And now, Your Majesty dreams of those old days of Chen?"
Chu Yang’s face changed, and he shouted angrily, "How dare you!"
Empress Jiang’s body trembled, and she hurriedly knelt down, "Your Majesty, please forgive me!"
"..."
Chu Yang slowly walked towards her, took a few deep breaths, his expression softened again, and he said with forced composure, "I am just too tired and want to rest at Jiangdu Palace for a while, not abandoning the Eastern Capital or the North as you mentioned."
"But—"
"Enough,"
This time, he did not let Empress Jiang speak again, but turned coldly and said, "Go and prepare, we will depart in ten days."
"..."
Empress Jiang looked up at him, wanting to speak several times but stopping herself, finally letting out a long sigh, "Yes."
After speaking, she got up and walked out.
When she walked out of the Warm Dock’s gates, a sudden, piercing cold wind blew by, as if countless steel knives were stabbing into her body. Empress Jiang looked up at the gloomy sky, shivering slightly, she murmured, "So cold..."
Before long, the verses His Majesty the Emperor chanted at the Warm Dock spread widely.
If the current situation was like a clay jar filled with tung oil, then this poem was the spark ignited within, causing the entire court to explode into turmoil, the sun and moon shaken. In the following days, ministers continuously submitted petitions advising against it, but Chu Yang acted willfully, even dismissing dozens of officials, with several thrown into prison.
And when this poem reached Shang Ruyi’s ears, it was already several days later.
Without Yu Wenye by her side, much news was delayed before she could hear it. When she learned that even Doctor of Righteous Discussion, Guan Ao, who was Yu Wenye’s cousin, was ordered to close his doors and reflect, she vaguely felt that this fire truly could not be extinguished.
Seeing her pale face, Tushere worried if she was cold, so she brewed a cup of hot tea and handed it to her, whispering, "Miss, is the court going to be in chaos this time?"
Wo Xue, who was making the bed, shivered slightly upon hearing this, and whispered, "Sister She’er, don’t scare me."
Shang Ruyi shook her head and said, "What do you know, don’t speak nonsense."
Tushere said anxiously, "But now, the townsfolk are all fleeing. I heard that there are tens of thousands of troops gathered in Hebei, as if they’re heading towards the Eastern Capital."
"..."
"If a fight breaks out, what will we do?"
Shang Ruyi took a sip of tea and calmly said, "The Eastern Capital City, after all, was meticulously built by His Majesty back in the day. The city fortifications are strong, and the food supply is ample. Although Liang Shide has many troops, they are but a ragtag group. He’s not qualified to take Eastern Capital."
When Tushere heard this, she immediately breathed a huge sigh of relief.
Although her Miss was also a woman, she was unexpectedly capable and not a blank slate in military matters. The siege of Yanmen County last time left a profound impression, so her words instantly reassured Tushere.
Wo Xue quietly said, "But Young Madam, I heard that His Majesty the Emperor has already appointed the list of those accompanying him to Jiangdu. Our family seems to be on the list."
Shang Ruyi glanced at her and said, "Oh..."
Actually, this was not surprising either.
That day at the Tinghe Building, when Chu Yang asked her in such a manner, it was already decided to take her along to Jiangdu. However, his personal inquiry seemed to carry another layer of meaning.
From him even directly asking if she was inferior to Yu Wenye, Shang Ruyi felt he seemed to want to bring their relationship closer—since he wanted to bring them closer, it was inevitable for her to accompany him to Jiangdu; However, if her answer that day had been different, perhaps her identity in Jiangdu and the treatment afterward would have been different too.
Thinking of this, she sighed softly.
Wo Xue approached and said quietly, "Young Madam, do we have to go with them?"
Tushere frowned and said, "This is His Majesty the Emperor’s decree, I’m afraid we can’t disobey it?"
Wo Xue said, "Then, what about the Second Young Master?"