The gravest taboo throughout the dynasties was the usurpation of power by imperial relatives. Emperor Gaozong of the previous dynasty, to prevent such occurrences, had established a rule: whoever became the Crown Prince, his mother was to be put to death. This was to prevent a situation where the son was weak and the mother strong, leading to imperial relatives seizing control of state affairs and causing unrest.
Until the current Emperor Taizong, known for his benevolence, unable to bear witnessing rivers of blood, abolished this policy, which had lasted for hundreds of years. He merely issued an order that no one from the maternal family of the Crown Prince could hold official positions.
The previous Emperor had passed away in his prime, and Emperor Xuanwen was too young. The Empress Dowager, with her frail body, shouldered the burden of state affairs for over ten years. During this time, it was not uncommon for the Empress Dowager's maternal family to harbor thoughts of controlling state affairs.
They even coerced the Empress Dowager to join forces with a group of ministers to enfeoff princes and nobles, and they committed wicked deeds throughout the land.
To preserve the Eastern Chu and Emperor Xuanwen's throne, the Empress Dowager personally executed her maternal family members who disrupted state affairs, beheading over a hundred people.
A wave of purges swept through the entire imperial court.
Only then did the imperial relatives quiet down, and the court became clear and upright.
However, this led to estrangement between the Empress Dowager and her maternal family. The Empress Dowager's own mother could not accept the deaths of her son and grandson, and constantly cursed the Empress Dowager, even severing their mother-daughter relationship. Her mother, consumed by melancholy, eventually leaped to her death from the city walls.
This incident became an eternal source of pain for the Empress Dowager.
She further decreed a strict prohibition against imperial relatives being enfeoffed as kings or marquises, thereby stifling the trend of imperial relatives dominating state affairs.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is too serious. Her Majesty the Empress has always strictly disciplined the Liu family. Moreover, the Liu family has been law-abiding and has never made any mistakes over the years, so they naturally would not dare to commit such rebellious acts."
The Imperial Noble Consort knew that the monopolization of power by imperial relatives had always been a sensitive issue in court and a deep concern for the Empress Dowager.
The consorts in all the palaces also strictly disciplined their respective maternal families, and over the years, there had been no instances of consorts' maternal families using their influence to bully the common people.
Even if the Empress were foolish, she would never do such a thing.
"Once she ascends to the position of Empress Dowager, what will she not dare to do?"
The Empress Dowager had never approved of Liu Shi becoming the Empress. It was not only due to Liu Shi's flawed character but also because her maternal family, the Liu clan, was unwilling to let their descendants remain only in third-rank official positions.
The Empress had been meticulously planning for the Third Prince to become emperor, and she had arranged for women of the Liu clan to become consorts to the various princes, harboring this very intention.
"Yun Momo, go and tell the Empress to copy and send me a copy of 'The Rules for Women' and 'Women's Admonitions'."
"This servant obeys."
The Empress Dowager sighed and rubbed her temples, "I am tired. You may all withdraw first."
"Your humble consort takes her leave..."
As the three of them were about to reach the palace gate, the Empress Dowager called out to Feng Jin.
"I have had a terrible headache these past two days. Feng Jin, stay and help me with a massage."
Feng Jin's expression flickered, and she immediately responded, nodding, "Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
After the others left, only the Empress Dowager and Feng Jin remained in the vast pavilion.
"Come and sit. It's just the two of us now. Keep me company and talk with me."
The Empress Dowager beckoned Feng Jin, inviting her to sit beside her.
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager." Feng Jin, uncharacteristically dignified, respectfully sat beside the Empress Dowager.
"It is thanks to your care that Princess Jing was not bullied by Wang Qin."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is too kind. Princess Jing knows how to conduct herself properly. Wang Qin is merely a secondary consort, and Princess Jing is the principal consort appointed by Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, so she can naturally handle Wang Qin."
Feng Jin did not wish to claim all the credit, lest she be accused of instigation. The Empress would certainly not let her off easily.
For the sake of future peace, it was better to let Lin Yuwei bear more of the burden.
"Although Princess Jing is intelligent, her disposition is a bit too soft. Having been raised in the inner chambers, she has not experienced the artifice and deceit among women. If she does not experience some hardship now, when Chen Yi ascends to the throne as the Son of Heaven, there will be many more consorts in the harem. As the Empress, she must have the decisiveness to command the consorts, so I will have to trouble you to teach her more."
Although she had long suspected that the Empress Dowager favored Prince Jing as the Crown Prince, hearing it stated so openly made Feng Jin's heart tremble slightly.
Thinking of what she had done to Prince Jing before, she became a little flustered. She would have to get along well with Prince Jing in the future, as he was the future emperor and her superior. It was best to offend him as little as possible.
"By the way, how is Prince Jing's leg these days?"
"It's much better. After a period of recuperation, he will be able to walk on his feet."
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt considerably relieved. After such a long time, she had finally heard some good news.
"Good... good... Your healing of Prince Jing is a great achievement. I must reward you handsomely..."
The Empress Dowager's joy was evident as she pondered how to reward Feng Jin. Unexpectedly, Feng Jin spoke first.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I am already immensely fortunate to have your care and be conferred the title of County Princess. I dare not ask for anything more, but I have one wish that I hope Your Majesty the Empress Dowager will grant."
"If you have something to say, just say it. It's just us here, no need to kneel. Hurry and get up."
The Empress Dowager reached out to help Feng Jin up, pulling her to sit beside her, "Speak, what is it about?"
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, what Feng Jin asks for today is for my mother."
"Miaoqing..." The Empress Dowager couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness, as if recalling past events, tears welling up in her eyes.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, could you extend your grace to my mother? My mother has already passed away, and I only hope she can receive some posthumous honor, so that my mother may find some comfort in the netherworld."
Feng Jin spoke with heartfelt emotion, and as her feelings deepened, two tears even flowed from the corners of her eyes, "In a few days, it will be my mother's birthday. After she passed away, I was sent to the countryside. The incense offerings at her memorial tablet were discontinued, and the seasonal sacrifices no longer included fruits and offerings. How desolate and miserable..."
The Empress Dowager sighed and reached out to wipe away Feng Jin's tears, "You are a child with filial piety. Miaoqing in the netherworld will know that you are so devoted and will be able to smile in the Yellow Springs. As you wish, I will posthumously confer upon Miaoqing the title of a first-rank wife and the honorific name of Lady Si Yi."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
"The imperial decree for the posthumous conferment will be sent to the Prime Minister's mansion tomorrow."
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, His Majesty is seeking an audience outside..." Yun Momo paused, glanced at Feng Jin, and then continued, "Young General Ling is also here."
Ling Mohan, why is he here? Feng Jin's eyes were filled with confusion.
"Let them in."
"Yes, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
Emperor Xuanwen walked in with vigorous steps, knelt respectfully before the Empress Dowager to pay his respects, and then took his seat.
"Your humble subject respectfully wishes Your Majesty the Empress Dowager good health."
"Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."
The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over Ling Mohan and Feng Jin. Indeed, they were a match made in heaven, looking so compatible!
"When you two got married, the arrangements were hurried, and I was unable to attend personally. I have prepared a congratulatory gift, which serves as my best wishes for your harmonious union and a long, happy life together."