Leaving the Changmen Palace - LTCP 27: Aftermath

Since ascending to the throne as the grand empress dowager, the Dou family has enjoyed a period of swift and prosperous advancement.

Nevertheless, the grand empress dowager herself was originally chosen from among the palace servants, with modest family roots. Her brothers had not pursued formal education, and Dou Changjun only began practicing calligraphy after her rise to prominence.

In contrast, the older generation of the Dou family esteemed the grand empress dowager, who had diligently studied and learned to read and write alongside female officials during her time in the palace, earning her a reputation as the most learned and knowledgeable among them.

While the exclamations “Are kings, princes, generals, and ministers born with a special seed?” were voiced during times of unrest by Emperor Gaozu and the King of Chu, in times of peace and stable governance, many still believed that “dragons beget dragons, phoenixes beget phoenixes, and the sons of mice know how to dig holes,” reflecting an enduring faith in the influence of lineage and virtue.

The grand empress dowager was well aware of the talents within the younger generation of the Dou family. With the exception of Dou Yinh, who was truly worthy of any promotion, she regarded the others as lacking the requisite qualities.

Accordingly, despite Dou Ying’s unwavering integrity and his frequent disregard for his cousin’s influence—often thwarting her own plans—she never neglected to show him kindness for long.

Following the Rebellion of the Seven Kingdoms, Prince Wu of Liang had distinguished himself through his steadfast service in defending the emperor and quelling the upheaval, prompting increasing calls for him to be recognized as the emperor’s younger brother and heir.

Contrarily, Dou Ying refused to heed her advice and opposed this notion vehemently. Consequently, he was stripped of his official position and confined to a life of leisure at home. Yet, the grand empress dowager continued to send him gifts and permitted his wife to visit her within the palace.

When Liu Che ascended the throne, a prime ministership was promptly prepared for him, a testament to her enduring indulgence and support for Dou Ying throughout his life.

Even if she chose to indulge him, a sense of melancholy would still weigh heavily upon her.

Dou Ying was a scholar dedicated to Confucian principles, and there was nothing inherently wrong with holding such beliefs. Yet, it was often said that Confucian scholars could bring ruin to the nation—words spoken to those beneath them to serve as caution.

After all, how could Zhao Wan and Wang Zang have risen to positions as the emperor’s teachers if not through such channels? The late emperor had already begun laying this foundation seven or eight years prior.

Liu Che himself was known for his affinity for Confucianism, and the old woman was well aware of these facts.

So why, then, did he initially bring up the wrongful deeds of the Dou family, especially given his close ties to Confucianism and Taoism, and his efforts to restrain the emperor’s relatives?

It was true that some members of the Dou family had committed crimes and oppressed the populace, and the old lady understood that these individuals would undoubtedly face consequences after her departure. Yet, she simply could not bear to see them suffer, and she believed her protection of their faults was justified.

Her actions, though seemingly unreasonable, were driven by a deep sense of personal conviction. Who could truly compel her to act otherwise?

What was truly most disheartening was that Dou Ying had depended heavily on the old lady’s persistent reluctance and her innate instinct to safeguard herself in order to navigate the tumultuous political landscape of the late emperor’s reign—an era marked by intricate twists and grand complexities.

Had he not borne the surname Dou, merely his vehement opposition to the establishment of the crown prince would have barred him from ever rising to power.

He had ascended through the old lady’s protection and her self-preservation, yet now he was turning against her safeguard—what could this be if not the act of consuming the very sustenance of one’s own kin and betraying it? No wonder she felt such profound sorrow and anger that she chose not to speak of him; it appeared she had utterly lost hope in her stubborn nephew.

The grand princess was not particularly skilled at discerning the thoughts of others, yet she possessed an exceptional talent for understanding her mother’s mind. She could intuitively grasp approximately seventy percent of the grand empress dowager’s inner thoughts and subtle intentions.

At this moment, Chen Jiao brought up Dou Ying, inadvertently stirring a sensitive nerve—much like lifting a forbidden lid and unwittingly probing an old wound.

The grand princess’ brow furrowed deeply, and her gaze sharpened as she fixed her eyes on Chen Jiao, her intent to speak evident.

However, Chen Jiao gently but firmly interjected, her voice calm and measured, flowing with steady clarity and composed grace, entirely free of any hint of anger, “Grandma,” she began, “at nearly seventy years of age, it’s natural to hope for many more years—eighty, ninety, perhaps even beyond. But it’s also wise to consider what comes after, to make preparations for the inevitable transition.

Even if your feelings toward Uncle Wangsun are not entirely warm, it remains important to ensure that the Dou family has a guiding figure to carry on. When the time comes to close your eyes, A’ Che will rely on the Dou family’s legacy to establish his authority. And at that moment, even my mother and I may not possess the same confidence as Uncle Wangsun…”

Only a granddaughter as close as Chen Jiao would have the courage to speak so plainly.

The grand princess’s face darkened with visible displeasure, her brow furrowing sharply.

Even the grand empress dowager couldn’t hide her discomfort; the older one grew, the more sensitive she was to words about “what happens after,” revealing a reluctance to confront the reality of mortality.

But Chen Jiao was relying on her own self-love, and she clearly relied on the grand empress dowager not to abandon herself over a mere swear word, which was why she boldly brought up the old lady’s deepest concerns.

The grand empress dowager frowned, but showed no displeasure.

After a moment of thought, she said in a gentle tone, “Jiaojiao, you don’t understand. It’s not because he’s no longer reliable…”

The gravest error Dou Ying committed this time was his decision to act against the Dou family. Had he refrained, she would have unquestionably endeavored to safeguard his position as prime minister.

However, by proposing to expose the Dou family’s illicit activities, he inadvertently caused her to lose faith in him, “I supported him out of loyalty to the Dou family. If he no longer values them, why should I continue to stand by him?”

Chen Jiao cast a cautionary glance at the grand princess, signaling her to hold her tongue.

For years, the grand princess had been accustomed to heeding her daughter’s advice and had never suffered a loss from doing so. Though reluctant, she suppressed her words and remained silent.

“Grandma, no matter how unreliable he is, he is still surnamed Dou, and blood is thicker than water. If he does something wrong, you must teach him a lesson. The Dou and Chen families have produced many unfilial sons. It was okay when you were here, but if you let them go, the Dou family will lose their backing, and who knows what will happen. Even our Chen family’s brothers, Jiaojiao, are indeed unreliable, as you know,” Chen Jiao said softly. “When the time comes, we will have to ask Uncle Wangsun to take care of us, otherwise there will be no one in the former dynasty to speak for us. No matter how promising a retainer is, he is not as good as a relative.”

When she spoke of the children of the Chen family, the grand empress dowager’s expression shifted once more, revealing a hint of emotion that even the grand princess could not help but be moved by, her gaze turning contemplative.

Chen Jiao, observing this, was filled with a desire to utter sharp words in mockery of the grand princess: What is the value of wealth and honor if you failed to teach me in my youth? Engaging in pleasures and behaving foolishly was trivial, but the true issue lay in her lack of wisdom. You could not bring any benefit to the Chen family during the previous dynasty; instead, you only caused harm. No wonder the bond between the siblings and you grew so fragile in the end.

Yet, one also recognized the steadfastness of the grand empress dowager—despite their shortcomings, they remain her kin, and she would never abandon them. Even if she wished to, she would not permit to do so.

So, the two families had only produced one talented Dou Ying. So what if he was rebellious? The women had no choice but to be patient and educate him. It didn’t matter if they harbored anger towards him for life, it would still be the Dou family that would suffer.

After the grand empress dowager realized this, her expression softened. Seeing this, Chen Jiao shut her mouth. As for the grand princess, she was in the mood to strike while the iron was hot.

She said to her daughter, “There’s no need to think too highly of the imperial grandson. Although Ji Xu isn’t of high status, I believe your second brother is still very intelligent.”

Even the grand empress dowager laughed, “A’ Piao, you really think highly of him. I’d rather rely on my grandson than him.”

Nevertheless, the day’s work was nearly finished.

Chen Jiao winked at grand princess and chatted briefly about the weather. She called in singers to sing, served lunch for the old lady, and personally laid out her futon.

After a rest, the two left the Changshou Hall.

The grand princess was about to go to the Jiaofang Hall, but Chen Jiao stopped her, “It’s about time you head home and visit the Marquess of Wei Qi’s mansion.”

The grand princess vented a little frustration at her, “You’re the one being nosy. Why do you care about the Dou family? I can’t stand those outlaws either. Do you think the granddaughter of an imperial family can protect them from me?”

Chen Jiao could no longer suppress her feelings and let out a profound sigh.

Perhaps it’s the gift of foresight that causes her to perceive crises everywhere before they unfold, or perhaps the grand princess’ perspective is simply too limited. She has offered counsel for many years, yet even now, the grand princess fails to see beyond the immediate horizon.

“There has always been someone in the previous dynasty who could advocate for us,” Chen Jiao remarked with weariness. “The Marquis of Wei Qi has long been distant and proud, seldom showing concern for our Chen family. Nonetheless, he is undoubtedly a man of great ability. Why not seize this chance to forge a connection with him?”

There was another thought, hidden beneath her words in the circumstances, that she dared not voice aloud: What benefit does the Chen family gain from allowing Tian Fen to wield such arrogance?

…

Liu Che, unsurprisingly, was unable to visit Changshou Hall that day as he had hoped, instead choosing to present a gracious display of ‘deep affection’ with the grand empress dowager.

When Chen Jiao returned, she informed him, “Once grandmother sees Dou Wangsun, it will be the appropriate moment for you to pay your respects.”

Though she did not specify the steps to be taken prior, Liu Che understood her meaning implicitly.

Following the detention of the prime minister and the imprisonment of both the Imperial Censor and the Director of the Imperial Household, all court officials’ memorials were directed solely to the grand empress dowager.

Liu Che, displaying remarkable restraint, neither reviewed the memorials dispatched from the Changshou Hall nor engaged with them; instead, they were promptly stamped and dispatched from the Qingliang Hall.

During his leisure moments, he preferred to spend his time within the confines of the Jiaofang Hall and Yongxiang Hall. His demeanor was so detached that even his attendants grew distant from him.

It could be said that he deliberately cultivated a reserved persona, concealing his true brilliance.

Chen Jiao, too, maintained her composure, frequently visiting the Changshou Hall to converse with the grand empress dowager, yet she refrained from mentioning Liu Che.

It was as though they had collectively forgotten the presence of a supreme ruler within the palace.

Even when the grand princess entered the court, she avoided uttering the word “A’ Che.”

The palace, in its outward appearance, remained tranquil, seemingly untouched by turmoil—yet beneath this serene facade, the emperor’s absence persisted silently, unnoticed by all.

Others could still tolerate it, and Liu Che himself could tolerate it, but Princess of Pingyang could not.

She went to see Empress Dowager Wang first, “I don’t know what Chen Jiao and Aunt are up to. I’m afraid they are setting an example and putting on airs, trying to force mother to beg them.”

The empress dowager was skeptical and did not express her opinion, “Other things are fine, but this matter involves too much, and they are not so ignorant of the overall situation. I’m afraid the time is not right, and it’s difficult to make a conclusion for the time being.”

Although Princess of Pingyang did not speak, her expression did not show that she was convinced at all.

Seeing this, the empress dowager could not help but say to her, “I know you are determined to make merit and make up for the awkwardness between you and A’ Che, but the more you do this, the more cautious you must be.”

While the rivalry between the emperor and the empress was nearly inevitable, any attempt to break the tension risked offending the emperor himself.

Princess of Pingyang, in her candidness, confided in the empress dowager regarding the affairs of the Marquess of Pingyang’s fief, a matter that ignited Liu Che’s ire.

Though he was constrained by the tumultuous circumstances and could ill afford open anger towards his elder sister, his demeanor remained markedly froide—his expression cold and impassive during multiple encounters in the Changxin Hall, speaking no more than necessary.

Recognizing her mother’s keen insight, Princess of Pingyang, though still somewhat uneasy, dared not challenge Chen Jiao directly. Instead, she sought the mercy of the grand empress dowager, carefully navigating the delicate political landscape with cautious deference.

When these words reached Chen Jiao, she was deeply disappointed, “The elder sister still has some sense; she’s not hopelessly stupid.”

This sentence, uttered with a sigh, resonated in Chu Fu’s ears—there was no other listener.

The palace servants in the Jiaofang Hall had long been trained to be prudent and cautious, and Chu Fu had sent the idlers away before entering the room.

The senior servant moved her mouth but swallowed the words she wanted to say.

Chen Jiao saw this and smiled, “Say it, I won’t blame you if you say something wrong.”

Chu Fu said cautiously, “Your Majesty, no matter what, the elder princess is the emperor’s sister, and they are blood relatives. How could they be torn apart so easily…”

Compared to the quarrel with the Princess of Pingyang and the empress dowager, Chen Jiao had to calm down and get along well with her mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

This was the nature of an empress. Otherwise, as long as she made a mistake, Liu Che would hear countless whispers, and she would still be trembling and unable to walk steadily.

How could Chen Jiao not understand this?

She smiled and said calmly, “Chu Fu, you don’t understand. Some people are invincible.”

The voice within her echoed softly in concordance, seldom offering praise to her, yet this time it murmured with rare admiration, “The greatest joy in life is witnessing you command those two women with such effortless grace.”

Her smile returned, slightly distant yet serene. She shifted gently, turning over and settling onto the ground, gazing upward through the window at the expansive, luminous sky.

In her eyes, there flickered a glimmer of longing and aspiration; yet, after a brief moment, she gradually withdrew her gaze and resumed her calculated composure, her eyes narrowing as she plotted her next move.

A few days later, the grand empress dowager summoned Dou Ying in a gesture of recognition and counsel. That afternoon, Liu Che, accompanied by Chen Jiao, entered the revered halls of Changshou Hall to pay his respects to the venerable empress dowager.

The grand empress dowager gently rested her hand upon his neck, her touch lingering in silence, conveying her wisdom beyond words. After several visits and persistent efforts, her stern countenance gradually softened into a rare smile.

In that moment, she imparted her guidance, “I understand that your intentions are noble, but, foolish boy, governing a great nation is akin to cooking a small fish—one must proceed with patience, foresight, and careful deliberation.”

Liu Che bowed his head humbly, accepting her counsel with conviction.

“This time, grandson did not handle matters well,” he acknowledged with respectful humility.

Zhao Wan and Wang Zang tragically took their own lives within the confines of prison, while Dou Ying and Tian Fen faced dismissal. Meanwhile, the Marquess of Baizhi, Xu Chang, ascended to the position of prime minister.

The fervent and ambitious policies of the inaugural year drew to a close, ushering in a period during which Liu Che found himself compelled to tread with caution and humility, his stature diminished and his confidence waning.