Wish You All the Best - Extra Chapter 3

Extra Chapter - Yiyuan & Xiguang (Part I)

Xiguang's name was chosen by her grandfather.

Her father told her that she was born at dawn, just as the first light of the rising sun shone into the Zhang family courtyard. Because there were already three elder brothers above her, and all the children born to the branch family of her generation had been boys, her grandfather was delighted to learn of a granddaughter. He believed she completed the character "Hao" (Good) and that her birth was a blessing for the family, so he named her Xiguang, meaning "the light of the rising sun."

The Zhang family was a renowned and high-ranking clan in the North. Since the previous dynasty, their ancestors had served as officials for generations. It was a long-standing scholarly family. By the time of Xiguang's grandfather, Zhang Shiyong, he had risen to the position of Minister of Rites, was granted the title of Pillar of the State, and—following the late Emperor's last testament—assisted the Pei Prime Minister in guiding the young Emperor, who was then only seven years old. It was a time of immense glory, yet who would have thought that such morning splendor would fall by evening? Today, over a decade later, the Zhang family found themselves in a precarious and embarrassing position.

Two years ago, due to being implicated in the partisan controversy involving the Chief Censor of the Censorate, her grandfather was forced to claim illness and petition for retirement. After returning home, he could never resolve his inner conflicts, and combined with his advanced age and frail health, his condition steadily deteriorated. Just a few months ago, he passed away suddenly.

When her grandfather retired, in recognition of his years of service in assisting the government, an imperial decree had been issued naming the then-fourteen-year-old Xiguang the future Empress of Great Wei. The grand wedding was originally set for two years later, when the Emperor turned eighteen, and the date was drawing near. Unexpectedly, her grandfather passed away, and at sixteen, Xiguang had to observe a one-year mourning period, which delayed the marriage.

At her grandfather's funeral, although the Emperor did not pay his respects in person, he sent envoys to bestow posthumous honors and a temple name, ensuring his funeral rites were filled with supreme honor and sorrow.

However, Xiguang’s father, Zhang Ming, remained filled with trepidation, restless day and night.

Xiguang knew her father was afraid.

Ever since her grandfather retired two years ago and she became the future Empress of Great Wei, this fear had haunted them, remaining with her father as he stayed home observing the mourning period.

Compared to her grandfather, her father’s official career had been quite lackluster. He was indifferent by nature and did not seek glory or advancement. Before his period of mourning, he had only reached the position of Vice Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, daily responsible for the various rituals, ceremonies, and music of the imperial court.

The Emperor was only eighteen now, yet he had been ruling personally for four years. Since the Pei Prime Minister left the capital to take up his fief outside the passes two years ago, the Emperor had not only fully seized control of court affairs but had also grown increasingly formidable, ensuring that no court official dared to treat him with the slightest disrespect.

Her father’s fear stemmed from this fiancé she had never met: the current Emperor.

Her father knew that her grandfather had already fallen into the Emperor's disfavor. This position of "Empress" might be a hidden danger for both the Zhang family and Xiguang, rather than the glorious, door-illuminating honor envied by those outside who did not know the truth.

Xiguang’s grandfather had held high office and had been cautious his entire life as an official; yet, he had ultimately tripped at the hands of one of his own proudest students.

That student was the then-Chief Censor of the Censorate, Yang Song. Because of a disagreement with a political rival, Yang Song had secretly run about and united with several others to impeach his opponent before the Emperor.

The impeached official was later proven guilty and stripped of his office, but before Yang Song could celebrate, he was himself accused before the Emperor of privately forming a faction. The evidence was irrefutable, even listing a detailed schedule: on such a year, month, day, and hour, at such a place, who was involved—nothing was left out.

These impeachments vaguely implicated Xiguang’s grandfather, claiming that when Yang Song was secretly active, he had hinted more than once to others that this was also the intention of his mentor.

Although the Pei Prime Minister had been the regent for many years and served as the Senior Grand Secretary, by that time, due to his "three petitions" to retire, the court officials had already seen his intention to depart.

Once the Pei Prime Minister left the court, her grandfather would have been the undisputed high official rising to power, both in terms of seniority and prestige.

Yang Song and Xiguang's grandfather had deep ties, and it was widely known that he was highly valued by the latter. It was precisely for this reason that others were persuaded by Yang Song to follow him.

The Emperor did not personally pass judgment at the time. Instead, he transferred all the memorials impeaching Yang Song's faction—including those questioning the grandfather himself—to Xiguang's grandfather, ordering him to handle the matter with full authority.

Her grandfather was conservative and stubborn, while in recent years, the Emperor had begun to slowly reveal ideas for sharp, decisive reforms regarding military and state affairs.

In the two years since the Emperor began his personal rule, as the Pei Prime Minister gradually relinquished power, the rift between the young Emperor and her grandfather, the old advisor, had deepened day by day.

The grandfather, who had been cautious his entire life, ultimately failed to notice the danger and fell because of his own proud student.

Or perhaps, it was at the hands of that sixteen-year-old boy Emperor.

Later, Xiguang heard a theory that the Emperor had long received secret reports knowing that Yang Song had used Xiguang's grandfather's name to secretly build a faction to topple his rival. The Emperor had endured in silence, waiting until the very last moment to turn the matter over to her grandfather, even calling it "handling it with full authority."

The depth of his schemings was evident.

It was only then that her grandfather understood everything.

The young Emperor who had ascended the throne at seven was truly grown up now. Even the Pei Prime Minister had to step down to avoid the suspicion of interference, let alone himself.

The Emperor no longer needed the Pei Prime Minister, and he needed her grandfather even less.

That old era had completely passed.

Xiguang remembered clearly that night, the lamp in her grandfather's study burned until dawn.

The next day, her grandfather submitted a memorial suggesting the matter be handed over to the Ministry of Justice for investigation, to be dealt with according to the law. Afterward, he petitioned for retirement on the grounds of illness.

The Emperor granted it. Soon after, an imperial decree was issued, and Xiguang became the future Empress.

She had to observe a year of mourning for her grandfather, so the originally scheduled wedding date was postponed.

Several of Xiguang's brothers who had already entered government service were, like her father Zhang Ming, required to observe the period of mourning.

Her two elder brothers had both passed the imperial examinations to serve as officials; before their mourning period, they were serving as minor officials in remote places far from the capital.

This had been her grandfather's wish. Although he held a prominent position, no one in his clan held a high official post.

He had cherished his reputation his entire life and did not want to be criticized for using his power to promote his own family. Yet, in the end, he tripped over a student he had once valued, which was nothing short of ironic.

Three months had passed since her grandfather’s funeral, and her brothers had already returned to their ancestral home. Xiguang, because of her special status as the future Empress, remained in the capital's residence, with her father accompanying her.

Xiguang was strikingly beautiful. Influenced by her family’s upbringing, she was proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting. Cherished by her family, her only regret was that her mother had passed away early. However, her stepmother was gentle and treated her as her own, and Xiguang had a very close relationship with her, so she never lamented her background. Originally, she had been extremely cheerful and lively, loving to laugh all day long. It was only in these past two years, feeling the changes in the family, that her smiles had vanished, and she had slowly become quiet.

Her father’s health had never been good, and recently, due to the funeral arrangements and excessive worry, he had caught a cold that had not yet fully healed.

That night, she and her stepmother sent the brewed medicine to the study and served it to her father. Seeing his troubled expression, she felt a sharp pain in her heart and couldn't help but say, "Father, daughter knows you yearn for a life of seclusion. Why not leave the capital and return home? From now on, even if it is just planting beans at the foot of the southern mountains, it is better than being trapped in this capital, unable to find happiness day after day."

Zhang Ming shook his head, "You are the future Empress of Great Wei. With such a status, how could father bring you out of the capital?"

Xiguang lowered her eyes for a long time, finally gathering the courage to say, "Father, daughter also knows that while the Emperor is polite on the surface, he is actually cold-hearted—it is all for show for others to see. Others envy me, but I do not value that position of Empress; what is so good about it? Even if he truly marries me, in the future, if he has the intention, he can depose me for any reason. Grandfather served the imperial court for half his life and was loyal to the Emperor. If there was no credit, there was at least hard work, yet how did the Emperor treat him? Thinking of him ending up in such a state makes me feel cold. I suspect the Emperor does not genuinely want to make me Empress; he must have had other thoughts from the beginning. Why doesn't Father take this opportunity to submit a memorial, saying that a nation cannot go a day without an Empress, and that he cannot let the state affairs be delayed because of me? Perhaps he is just waiting for Father to say this. Once he agrees, I will accompany Father back to our hometown to plant melons and beans, with no more worries—wouldn't that be better than worrying every day like this?"

The stepmother had not expected her to be so bold; she widened her eyes, looking at her in shock.

Zhang Ming was slightly stunned as he looked at his daughter.

Xiguang had just turned sixteen, the most beautiful age of a girl's life. A few days ago, she had removed her heavy mourning clothes but was still wearing white. Her plain attire made her eyes seem even brighter and her teeth even whiter; her wrists were whiter than snow, making her look like a delicate bud that had just blossomed.

She opened her eyes wide and stared straight at him.

"Why is Father looking at me like that? Is daughter wrong?"

Xiguang was not afraid and asked in return.

This only daughter had been raised like a pearl and jade since she was small, which was why she was spoiled to the point of being so bold, daring to say even such things.

The young Emperor in the palace was brilliant and wise, but his iron fist was not a bit inferior to the previous Emperor. In fact, compared to the previous Emperor’s severe punishments, he was even more patient and profound.

Sometimes, thinking about what might have happened if her father had not wisely petitioned for retirement on his own, she didn't know the outcome; thinking too much about it made one’s hair stand on end.

Zhang Ming frowned and scolded, "Is this something you can say? You are not allowed to talk nonsense!"

He loved this daughter dearly; it was the first time in his life he had disciplined her so severely.

Xiguang’s eyes gradually filled with tears, her teeth biting her lip tightly for a moment before she said, "Father, I really do not want to be Empress. Although I have never met the Emperor, I know he is not an easy man to deal with. If I really enter the palace, with so many eyes watching, Father and my brothers will inevitably have a harder time in the future. What happens to me is unimportant, but I cannot bear to see Father and my brothers walking on thin ice, trembling with fear."

Thinking of her father’s and brothers’ love for her, crystal-clear tears rolled down her cheeks.

The stepmother hurried over, comforting her in a low voice while taking out a handkerchief to wipe away her tears.

Xiguang took it herself, lowered her head to wipe her eyes haphazardly, and looked up at her father again, her gaze filled with a stubborn persistence.

Facing such a delicate daughter, the father’s heart instantly softened.

Zhang Ming let out a long sigh and shook his head, "Silly girl, do you think Father can bear to part with you? It is just that the imperial order is hard to disobey. It is not that Father has not thought about your suggestion just now. It looks like it follows the Emperor’s heart, but in reality, it is absolutely impossible. If Father really uses your grandfather’s death as an excuse to delay state affairs and asks His Majesty to appoint another Empress, do you think His Majesty would agree? If he agreed, he would certainly be criticized by others. Therefore, he will never agree. Moreover, he might even suspect our Zhang family of using the tactic of 'retreating in order to advance' to win the world's sympathy. This method will not work. Fortunately, it is only for one year; why not wait until your mourning period is over, and Father will think of a way to see if we can ask for a compromise from the Prince of Jin? The Prince of Jin served at court with your grandfather for many years; he knows better than anyone how your grandfather was as an official. If we can get his help, it is far better than Father opening his mouth himself. Do you understand?"

Although the Prince of Jin had been away from the capital in Ganzhou for two years, the Emperor’s favor toward him had not diminished; it had grown even stronger.

At the beginning of last year, when the Princess gave birth to a daughter, the Emperor, upon hearing the news, not only sent the eunuch Cui Yinshui far to the borders with many gifts but also broke the rules to confer the title of Princess on the newborn baby, styling her "Changning," with a fief of ten thousand households. At the time, some court officials thought it was overstepping and submitted memorials to advise against it. The Emperor replied, "Since I was seven, I have been assisted by the Grand Tutor; calling him 'Father Prime Minister' is not too much. After I personally took the reins of power, the Grand Tutor did not wish to claim credit and was willing to go to the bitter, cold border to defend the territory for our Great Wei. Which one of you can do that? Now that he has a daughter in his middle age, it is nothing for me to just confer a title of Princess on her; is it worth all your talk?" The ministers were left speechless.

"From now on, just stay home with peace of mind and don't let your imagination run wild. Father will handle everything."

Zhang Ming finally comforted his daughter.

Xiguang had naturally heard some things about the Prince of Jin and his wife; knowing that they were cousins and lived like a pair of celestial lovers, she couldn't help but yearn for it. After being lost in thought for a moment, she sighed, "Daughter understands. Daughter spoke wrongly just now, and will never dare again."

The spring of the following year, the Imperial Palace.

On this day, Cui Yinshui rushed into the Imperial Study, beaming with joy, to report that the Prince of Jin and his wife, along with the little Princess Changning, had already reached the vicinity of the capital and would arrive within two or three days.

Time had passed so quickly. That night, that sixteen-year-old boy Emperor had gone in disguise to the Pei household, lingered for a night, and left at dawn.

Everything seemed as if it were just yesterday, and in the blink of an eye, three years had already passed.

Soon, he would be able to see his parents again, as well as his sister who was already two years old.

He wondered if his father’s demeanor remained the same, and if his mother was still as spoiled as ever, easily tearing up and crying in front of his father?

And his sister—that sister whose adorable appearance he had imagined countless times through the hand of painters.

The nineteen-year-old young Emperor could not suppress the excitement in his heart. That handsome face, which usually did not easily reveal joy or anger in front of others, was filled with smiles. He abruptly threw down his brush and stood up from behind the imperial desk, "Quickly, send someone to welcome them!"

He paced two steps, "Send the Minister of Rites; tell him to lead people to welcome them personally!"

"Yes," Cui Yinshui laughed, "The Minister of Rites has the same intention, but he did not dare to leave the capital without permission. He was just about to ask for your Majesty’s decree. I will send the order down immediately."

Cui Yinshui hurried out.

The Emperor had no more heart to review the memorials. He walked to the window, pushed it open, and toward the courtyard, let out a long breath. He suddenly thought of one thing.

The Zhang family father and daughter did not know that the conversation in their family study last year had been recorded in a ledger that very night, and sent secretly to him without missing a single word.

Just as the granddaughter of Zhang Shiyong had said, his initial decision to make her Empress had been out of consideration for political balance.

Three years had passed, and the court situation was already under his control. Whether to marry or not was irrelevant now.

If he married her, given the Zhang family's current situation, even if that woman gave birth to a Crown Prince in the future, there would be absolutely no worry of the maternal clan usurping power. She could be considered a candidate for Empress who met his intentions.

If he didn't want to marry her, he could just change the edict. It wouldn't be hard to find a suitable excuse.

That woman was also nearly finished with her mourning period.

Just a few days ago, her father, Zhang Ming, had indeed submitted a report, listing various shortcomings of his daughter, claiming she lacked talent and virtue, was unworthy of the position of Empress, and for the sake of the world, he dared not occupy the center palace in vain, willing to yield to a more worthy person.

Before Zhang Ming submitted this report, he must have greeted her parents first.

He knew that his parents’ return to the capital this time must be for this matter.

That Zhang family granddaughter, who looked down on the position of Empress and was unwilling to marry him—should he marry her, or should he not?

During the morning court earlier, there had been a sudden spring rain, and now that the rain had stopped and the sky had cleared, the Imperial Garden was filled with bright sunshine, and the plants were covered in dew.

The young Emperor’s gaze fell upon a gorgeous Canna lily outside the window that had been broken by the sudden rain. He stared intently for a long time, and his two heroic, sword-like eyebrows unknowingly wrinkled slightly.