64Chapter 64: Autumn Wind, Autumn Wind, the Thirteenth Year of Emperor Jing
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Autumn winds, autumn winds, though beautiful, they are ultimately in vain.
Ever since Empress Dowager Dou had obediently stayed in the Inner Palace, Emperor Jing had felt that his mood had been consistently good—this good mood lasted from the fifth or sixth year of Emperor Jing's reign until the thirteenth year of Emperor Jing's reign.
Finally, in the thirteenth year of Emperor Jing's reign, an imperfect end was drawn.
Thirteenth year of Emperor Jing's reign, autumn.
The Emperor caught a cold. Originally, this was a minor ailment, but for some unknown reason, his body did not recover quickly, and he remained confined to his sickbed.
One or two days were fine, but as time went on, it eventually gave some people other ideas.
Among them were First Imperial Prince Liu Rong, Royal Tenth Prince Liu Zhi, and… a Prince of Liang who should not have had any ideas in the first place.
Back then, after Prince of Liang resisted the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms, almost destroying his own fiefdom, Prince of Liang regretted it. He clearly realized that the Emperor was merely giving him empty promises, so he dejectedly returned to his fiefdom.
But now… Emperor Jing remembered this diligent and hardworking younger brother of his.
Because of his severe illness, the imperial court needed several forces to balance and constrain each other, so that he, a person gravely ill in bed, could continue to hold power.
However, the current imperial court did not meet such requirements.
Even if he wanted to personally support Liu Zhi, it wouldn't work, because Liu Zhi was truly too young.
Liu Zhi was born in the fifth year of Emperor Jing's reign, and he was only eight years old now. An eight-year-old child, no matter how brilliant he was, how could he debate, argue, or even contend with an adult in the imperial court?
Even if this eight-year-old child had Guandu Marquis behind him—because Guandu Marquis could not truly stand behind Liu Zhi as his backer, for everyone knew that when most emperors were not acting insane, the Chen clan's will was the Emperor's will.
Therefore, those people could not align with his intentions and target Liu Zhi to achieve the purpose of a "target."
Emperor Jing searched back and forth, and finally found a suitable person.
Prince of Liang.
.....
In Empress Dowager Dou's palace,
Empress Dowager Dou slightly closed her eyes, listening to the Inner Attendant beside her recite numerous works by the Huang-Lao masters in the main hall. She had not left her palace for a long time, and even when she did, it was merely to stroll around a couple of times.
"Thump, thump, thump—"
A measured footsteps sounded. One of Empress Dowager Dou's most favored palace maids walked in, leaned close to Empress Dowager Dou's ear, and whispered something, causing Empress Dowager Dou's brows to furrow slightly.
After the palace maid finished speaking, she sat there quietly waiting, and when Empress Dowager Dou had finished her thoughts, she finally sighed, "Has it really come to this point?"
The palace maid nodded slightly, "This news came from Tai Yi Ling, so it should not be false."
"This time, His Majesty invited you over, likely for this matter as well."
Empress Dowager Dou then nodded slightly, "Let's go, see what the Emperor intends to do."
Saying so, she slowly rose, trembling slightly, and with the support of the palace maids beside her, she slowly walked towards the distance.
.....
In Weiyang Palace,
Emperor Jing lay on the bed, his complexion pale, but his brows held a calculating expression.
When Empress Dowager Dou walked over, she saw Emperor Jing looking pale and utterly weak: "Qi'er? Qi'er?"
Seeing the Emperor like this, Empress Dowager Dou's heart instantly softened. Regardless of whether she was biased, regardless of whether she always wanted Prince of Liang to gain more advantages, she still loved this child after all.
Now that this child lay on his sickbed, looking as if he was on the verge of death, how could Empress Dowager Dou not feel heartbroken?
Emperor Jing heard Empress Dowager Dou's voice, tremblingly stretched out his hand, fumbling on the bed, and finally found Empress Dowager Dou's hand. He held it tightly, his sorrowful voice inevitably carrying a hint of sincerity.
"Empress Mother—"
His voice carried sadness and helplessness, and even a hint of reluctance to leave the world.
Just these two short words made tears instantly well up in Empress Dowager Dou's eyes. She pounded her chest: "It wasn't enough for Heaven to take my husband, must it also take my son?"
"Why aren't you willing to take me? Let me die in place of my child!"
These words came from the bottom of her heart and were truly sincere; at least at that moment, Empress Dowager Dou was willing to exchange her remaining life for Emperor Jing's life.
This was a mother, this was maternal love.
Emperor Jing gave a bitter smile: "Mother, how can such a thing exist in this world?"
Perhaps moved by Empress Dowager Dou, Emperor Jing's address also changed from Empress Mother to Mother. He struggled to raise his head from the bed and said to Empress Dowager Dou: "Tai Yi Ling says I only have one or two years left, but I cannot let go of the matters in the imperial court now."
"Although Guandu Marquis is there, there's no need to worry, but… what I worry about is precisely Guandu Marquis!"
"First Imperial Prince is mature and steady, but he has the shortcomings of Fusu, the First Emperor's son from back then, and Royal Tenth Prince, although most similar to me, is too young."
"Mother…"
Tears fell from Emperor Jing's eyes: "I truly cannot make a decision."
He gripped Empress Dowager Dou's hand tightly: "Will you let my younger brother help me one more time, will you let him help me one more time, please?"
"Let my younger brother come to the capital and contend with Liu Rong and Liu Zhi. If Liu Rong can win, then I will be at ease."
"If Liu Rong loses, then let him remain in the imperial court, balancing Guandu Marquis, until Liu Zhi grows up."
"If Liu Zhi loses… then let the succession be from elder brother to younger brother. Mother, you help me oversee it, and when Liu Zhi comes of age and has the means, then let my younger brother abdicate."
"But you absolutely must not say it like that; just say that I intend to pass the throne to my younger brother, following Emperor Hui's example of elder brother to younger brother succession… otherwise, my younger brother will absolutely not be willing to come to Chang'an."
"Mother…"
Emperor Jing choked out, "You have favored my younger brother for many years; please indulge your son just this once before I die!"
Such heart-wrenching words, coupled with Emperor Jing's pale and weak state at the moment, made Empress Dowager Dou's sorrow completely break like a flood of tears. She looked at Emperor Jing and slowly sighed: "Good."
"Good."
"Mother will help you."
"Mother will help you trick your younger brother over this time!"
.....
Thirteenth year of Emperor Jing's reign, late winter, the last day.
The Emperor was gravely ill, yet Empress Dowager Dou issued an imperial decree at this time, summoning Prince of Liang Liu Wu to the capital.
Strangely, this time… Guandu Marquis did not obstruct it.
At the same time, in Liang Kingdom.
Prince of Liang looked at the secret letter in his hand, his heart trembling with excitement.
"My Imperial Brother is gravely ill… but is dissatisfied with First Imperial Prince?"
A slight smile played on his lips: "Finally… have I waited for this opportunity?"