Chapter 3
2391words
In the study, the giant sand table was marked with every palace, every corridor of the Imperial City, those tiny flags representing all we had staked our lives on. I stood before the sand table, my fingers ice-cold, my gaze fixed intently on the North Gate that represented the northern entrance to the Imperial City. The most critical link in the entire plan, success or failure hinged on this single move. Time flowed like a frozen river, slow and viscous. Each strike of the watch drum was like a heavy hammer pounding on my heart.
"Princess!" A trusted guard responsible for delivering messages burst in, soaking wet. It was impossible to tell whether his face was covered in rainwater or sweat, and his voice was hoarse from running frantically. "Prince Edward... He has broken through the defensive line of the North Gate guards! The city gate is now in our hands!"
This news struck like lightning, splitting the stagnant air. My tightly clenched fists instantly relaxed, and the deep marks my nails had dug into my palms stung, but this pain made me feel incredibly clear-headed. We succeeded! The most difficult first step, we had taken it! Prince Edward, my normally low-key nephew, indeed did not disappoint me. He was like a dagger dipped in deadly poison, precisely and fatally stabbing into the heart of Victoria.
"Send orders to Commander James!" Without the slightest hesitation, I immediately issued the second command, my voice so calm it surprised even myself. "According to the original plan, lead the main force of the Imperial Guards through the North Gate into the palace. Ignore any small pockets of resistance along the way and head straight for the Imperial Hall to take control of the center! Tell him that after tonight, he will be a meritorious official of the Great Tang!"
"Yes, sir!" The guard accepted the order and left, his footsteps disappearing into the sound of rain in the courtyard.
I turned around, my gaze falling back on the sand table. I could imagine that within the Imperial City at this moment, there must already be a scene of raging fires and clashing weapons. Shouts of battle, screams of agony, and terrified shrieks intertwined to form the most bloody movement of music. And I, the composer of this piece, could only remain in this confined space, piecing together the scroll of life and death through fragments brought back by messengers. This feeling was both torturous and yet accompanied by a spine-tingling pleasure of having everything under control.
"Report! Princess, Captain Alexander has led troops to surround Empress Victoria's chambers. The Victoria clan is putting up desperate resistance, but the palace gates have been breached!"
"Report! Princess Catherine and her husband Walter were intercepted by our mounted patrol while fleeing to their villa and were executed on the spot!"
"Report! Members of the Victoria family have all been executed in their mansions, and their properties confiscated!"
Messages arrived one after another, each representing the fall of an enemy, signifying another step toward victory. I listened with a blank expression, mechanically issuing subsequent orders. Sever all connections between Victoria clan's still-resisting supporters and the outside world, control key routes throughout Chang'an, reassure the city's residents, announce the Victoria clan's crimes to the realm... My brain operated like a precise machine, frantically processing the snowflake-like flurry of information without the slightest error.
Lord Marcus's figure flashed through my mind. He was the most important chess piece I had placed in the imperial court. At this moment, he should have already, according to my instructions, contacted those court officials who had long been dissatisfied with the Victoria clan. They were just waiting for the situation in the palace to be settled before immediately stepping forward. With his position as the head of all officials, he would stabilize public sentiment and drape our "military remonstration" in a cloak of legitimacy.
The night deepened, and the rain gradually subsided. The shouting and killing outside the mansion had ceased, replaced by the uniform footsteps of the Imperial Guards and their patrol calls. I knew that the situation was settled. The dark cloud that had hung over our royal family for nearly ten years was finally torn apart by this bloody night. I slowly walked to the window and pushed it open. A fresh breeze mixed with rain and a faint smell of blood rushed in, allowing my tense nerves to finally relax a little. I had won. Or rather, we had won.
At dawn, Lord Marcus sent someone with definitive news from the palace. Empress Victoria had taken her own life in her chamber, still wearing her magnificent imperial dress, as if declaring her unwavering nobility until death. Upon hearing this, I merely let out a cold laugh. A defeated person, no matter how they adorn themselves, cannot hide their disgrace and shame.
Everything that followed proceeded with precision, as if Prince Edward and I had rehearsed it countless times beforehand. Lord Marcus, in his capacity as Grand Chancellor, led the court officials and first tearfully enumerated the heinous crimes of Empress Victoria and Princess Catherine on the imperial court—how they had thrown the government into disorder, plotted against loyal officials, and attempted to overthrow our dynasty. Those opportunists who had once allied themselves with the Victoria clan now unanimously turned against her, each one feigning righteous indignation, as if they had been the most determined fighters against the Victoria faction all along. The baseness of human nature was exposed beyond doubt in that moment.
Immediately after, under Lord Marcus's leadership, all the officials jointly submitted a memorial, earnestly requesting Prince Robert, who had been under house arrest in his residence while bearing the title of "Commander-in-Chief of the Imperial Forces," to comply with heaven's will and the people's wishes by ascending to the throne to stabilize the dynasty.
My fourth brother, Prince Robert, a man who had never fought with the world his whole life and was even somewhat timid, was once again pushed to the pinnacle of power by the torrents of history. When he sat on the imperial throne in the Supreme Ultimate Hall wearing dragon robes that didn't quite fit him, trembling with nervousness, I could see the bewilderment and gratitude in his eyes. He looked at me, looked at Prince Edward standing beside me, his lips quivering, too emotional to speak a word for quite some time.
"If not for my imperial sister and Edward," he finally walked down from the throne, gripped my hand tightly, and patted Prince Edward's shoulder, his eyes already brimming with tears, "I and our family's realm would have been beyond salvation long ago! Such life-saving grace, I shall never forget for all eternity!"
Rewards after the successful coup were only natural. I was ennobled as the Princess of State Security, granted ten thousand households, allowed to establish my own official residence, treated with the same courtesy as a prince, and even permitted to participate in court politics. My brother specially decreed that any matter I presented would be given priority. This almost replicated my mother's power at its peak. As for Prince Edward, due to his merit in initiating the great plan and personally braving arrows and stones, he was exceptionally appointed as the Prince of Peace, and also given command of the Palace Guards in the capital. The royal clan members of his faction were all promoted as well.
The entire Chang'an city was immersed in post-disaster celebration and anticipation for the new dynasty. My nephew and I were undoubtedly the brightest stars of this celebration. People praised my decisiveness and wisdom, and admired Prince Edward's courage and fearlessness. Together we had saved the Great Tang; we were heroes of our family.
The celebratory palace banquet was held in Linde Hall of Daming Palace. The hall was brilliantly lit, palace music played melodiously, and fine wines and delicacies were served like flowing water. I stood shoulder to shoulder with Prince Edward, receiving congratulations and compliments from the court officials. I had changed into a magnificent palace attire woven with gold threads, adorned with pearls and jade, radiating splendor with every glance, once again becoming Princess Grace, the peerless noble who outshone all beauties. Prince Edward had also changed out of his military uniform, wearing princely court attire that made him appear even more vigorous and imposing. We smiled, raising our cups together to return the toast to those ministers and nobles who came to offer drinks, our coordination flawless, as if we had been the closest comrades since birth.
After several rounds of drinking and various dishes, my elder brother Prince Robert on the royal seat was clearly somewhat intoxicated. Red-faced, he stood up, and the great hall instantly fell silent, with everyone's gaze focusing on him.
"Today, I have been able to reclaim the throne thanks to my Imperial Sister Grace and my son Edward," his voice trembled with emotion. "For my sister's merits, I have already bestowed titles. As for Edward... it is my intention, following the precedent of Emperor Taizong, to appoint Edward as the Crown Prince of our Great Tang! What say you, my loyal ministers?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall erupted in commotion, followed by thunderous cheers of approval.
"Your Majesty is most wise!"
"Prince of Peace's achievements are unparalleled across the land, he deserves to be the Heir Apparent!"
"This is a blessing for our dynasty and good fortune for all people!"
Lord Marcus was the first to step forward, leading all officials to kneel down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" and earnestly requesting His Majesty to establish the heir apparent without delay to secure the foundation of the state. This was, of course, a scene we had arranged in advance. Appointing Prince Edward as Crown Prince was one of the core political objectives of this coup, and also the best reward for his contributions.
I watched Prince Edward, his face showing just the right amount of trepidation and humility. He quickly knelt down, repeatedly saying "This son would never dare to accept such honor," and attributed the main achievement to his elder brother, the eldest son of his father, Prince Charles. His demeanor displayed his modesty while further winning people's hearts. I inwardly sneered at how precociously mature Prince Edward was, putting on a performance that was absolutely flawless.
Prince Charles was also a clever person. He immediately stepped forward, saying that his own "virtue was shallow and achievements insignificant," while his third brother Edward had "the merit of rebuilding the state," and should rightfully become the Crown Prince. The sincere and earnest yielding between the two brothers moved Prince Robert on the throne beyond measure.
Finally, under everyone's "anticipation," the father officially issued an edict appointing the Prince of Peace, Prince Edward, as Crown Prince, with the grand ceremony to be held on a selected day.
Deafening cheers erupted once again within the hall. Prince Edward accepted congratulations as people crowded around him. His face radiated the glory of a victor, an undisguised exuberance of ambition finally unleashed after years of suppression. He made his way through the crowd, came before me, and bowed deeply.
"Aunt," his voice remained respectful, but in his eyes appeared something I had never seen before—a gaze of equal standing, even containing a hint of subtle sharpness—"Without Aunt's strategic planning and decisive actions behind the scenes, I would not be where I am today. Henceforth, I hope Aunt will continue to guide me. Together as aunt and nephew, we shall assist my royal brother in creating a golden age for our Great Tang."
"You are too kind," I smiled, helping him up with a gentle and affectionate tone. "We are family after all, so why distinguish between us? From now on, I shall certainly do my utmost to assist you."
We, aunt and nephew, stood side by side in the hall, our robes flowing gracefully, looking like a perfect pair, the most flawless and harmonious scene at this victory banquet. Everyone believed that we were the most solid guarantee for the revival of our Dynasty.
However, in the instant when my gaze met his, that tightly strung chord in my heart was plucked once again. In those deep eyes of his, I saw a burning flame. That flame was no longer pure ambition, but something far more terrifying—lust for power. It was exactly the same flame I had seen in my mother's eyes, and deep within my own heart.
In that moment, a cold and clear thought pierced my mind like an ice-tempered steel needle: the war was not over. I had gone to great lengths to eliminate a hungry wolf called Empress Victoria, only to personally nurture a younger, shrewder, and more ravenous tiger.
My elder brother is weak and easily controlled. But this newly established Crown Prince is certainly no ordinary figure. Today we are allies, but what about tomorrow? When only us, aunt and nephew, remain in this court, when our power and will collide, will he still remember today's oath of "aunt and nephew of one heart"?
The smile on my face remains gentle and warm, but my heart sinks bit by bit. The celebratory wine in my hand has become bone-chillingly cold without my notice. Looking at this young and handsome face before me, I realize with unprecedented clarity that my true opponent is not the foolish Empress Victoria, nor Princess Catherine, but him. It has always been him.
One bloody battle for imperial power has just concluded, while another more secretive and cruel power struggle has already quietly begun at this seemingly harmonious celebration banquet.
