The Prime Minister, Yuan Hongli, was a veteran of two dynasties and was also recognized as a capable minister.
After the previous Emperor's passing, it was also Yuan Hongli who assisted Emperor Jingwu in successfully taking control of the court and completing the transition.
However, ever since Emperor Jingwu took over the reins of governance, this old Prime Minister gradually relinquished his power, maintaining a semi-retired state.
In Zhang Jian's view, this old Prime Minister was extremely wise, as his retirement avoided direct conflict with Emperor Jingwu.
After Emperor Jingwu ascended the throne, he was at the peak of his energy and enthusiasm, and was diligent in affairs of state.
The role of the Prime Minister was originally to share the burden of state affairs, but now that Emperor Jingwu was diligent, it was inevitable that there would be conflict if the Prime Minister consistently asserted his presence.
The more diligent and conscientious the Emperor, the more he valued his authority.
Zhang Jian had little interaction with this old Prime Minister, Yuan Hongli, but his interactions were mainly with Zhuang Ying, the Imperial Censor, head of the Imperial Censorate.
Yet Zhang Jian knew that with Yuan Hongli's departure, the court was losing a Stabilizing Divine Needle.
...
Mid-summer, the twelfth year of Emperor Jingwu's reign.
Yuan Hongli, the wise Prime Minister of the Daqian, passed away during days when the sky was blazing like fire, and countless meteors fell from the sky, which the Observatory Platform considered an ominous sign.
In the same year, Minister of Justice Li Yan took over from Yuan Hongli as the Prime Minister.
The position of Minister of Justice was temporarily filled by Wang Wan, the Deputy Minister of Justice.
The political landscape in the court changed, with intrigue and hidden schemes. Zhang Jian clearly felt that the previously stable and clear political situation was becoming a thing of the past.
Prime Minister Li Yan, who had been in charge of the Ministry of Justice for many years, had accumulated significant prestige and was quite talented, but was not without opponents. Many senior ministers in the court considered him a harsh official, and Emperor Jingwu's appointment of the Minister of Justice to the Prime Minister's position at this time was strongly opposed by many senior ministers.
Inside Jingtai Hall.
Emperor Jingwu, with a slight beard and wearing profound yellow casual clothing, had a somewhat weary expression on his face.
First, his most beloved Princess was kidnapped by bandits, and then he lost the old Prime Minister, his Imperial Tutor. Emperor Jingwu felt his old headache ailment recurring.
He didn't know if it was right or wrong that he had chosen to let these courtiers share the backlash from the Dragon Vein with him initially.
He believed the departure of the old Prime Minister, Yuan Hongli, was most likely related to the backlash from the Dragon Vein.
Otherwise, it was only recently that he heard the old Prime Minister could move about freely, in good health, not to mention he had instructed the Daoists from Dong Shen Temple to refine an Elixir to diagnose and treat the old Prime Minister's ailments.
Depressed in spirit, Emperor Jingwu put aside the mountain of memorials on his desk.
As he pondered, he found himself unwittingly stepping out of Jingtai Hall.
Within the Palace of the Imperial Harem, it was also much quieter at this time.
Many palace maids knew Emperor Jingwu was displeased after losing Princess Bai Hua, and dared not speak loudly, lest they incur his reprimand.
He initially intended to enter Yuexiu Palace to relax but upon remembering Consort Liu who had lost her eldest daughter, he hesitated slightly, then stepped instead into Cixin Palace.
Cixin Palace was the bedchamber of the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was the Empress of Emperor Wen, and she had been quite forceful in her youth, but as she reached middle age, she developed an interest in Daoism.
She had been consulting the Kun Dao of Cave God Sect from the royal family for health-preserving methods, which invisibly eased many burdens for Emperor Jingwu.
Within Cixin Palace, upon hearing the Emperor's Chariot arrive at the door, the Empress Dowager immediately instructed her close attendants to usher Emperor Jingwu into the palace.
"It seems the Imperial Tutor's departure has affected the Emperor greatly! Otherwise, this aloof son of mine would hardly set foot in this Cixin Palace!"
Upon hearing this, Dong Jue Daoist gently shook her head and said.
"The matter requires the Empress Dowager's careful guidance, but as for the matter of establishing the Empress, I hope the Empress Dowager and His Majesty will consider it carefully. If it is handled well, it may win His Majesty a strong ally!"
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "I will do so, and I must thank Master Dong Jue for the guidance!"
"I cannot bear to be addressed as a master in such a manner!"
At this time, Dong Jue Daoist stood up from the seat and said with a smile.
"But as I am also from the royal family of Daqian, I cannot stand by and watch the Daqian's Heaven and Earth's Sheji be in turmoil!"
Waving the Duster in her hand, she gradually faded from sight within Cixin Palace in a single step.
Watching Dong Jue Daoist's unrestrained departure, the Empress Dowager's gaze moved slightly with a hint of envy in her eyes.
"Mother!"
After entering Cixin Palace, Emperor Jingwu only said a word before directly sitting down to the side.
He noticed another teacup was placed in the main hall, with some traces not yet wiped away.
"Has there been other guests in the Empress Dowager's palace just now?"
Empress Dowager Li nodded slightly.
"Dong Jue Master has been here, just now expounding scriptures for me!"
She looked at Emperor Jingwu with some concern in her eyes.
"The Emperor seems unwell during this time, why so haggard?"
Hearing this, Emperor Jingwu slightly shook his head.
"Master Yuan is gone, I feel troubled and stifled within. I originally thought of taking a walk in the palace, and as I walked, I found myself in Mother's palace, for it is here that I feel relaxed!"
At this, he closed his eyes, a light, relaxed smile appearing upon his face. Empress Dowager Li immediately gestured to the nearby palace maid to step forward and gently massage Emperor Jingwu.
Meanwhile, another aged maid had someone bring fragrant tea, set up a small stove, and lighted the Soothing Incense.
A moment later, Emperor Jingwu opened his eyes, looking at the concerned expression of Empress Dowager Li beside him, and couldn't help but smile.
"Truly, it's still most comfortable here with Mother!"
These words brought a hint of joy to Empress Dowager Li's face, and looking at Emperor Jingwu, she felt even more tenderness.
Although there was no blood relation between the mother and son, Emperor Jingwu's attitude made her feel very comforted.