Mythical Three Kingdoms

”What brings the two of you here today?” Princess Wannian asked at the door, clearly indicating she had no intention of letting Chen Xi and Jia Xu inside.

”Since the princess is already in mourning attire, it seems you are aware of what happened at Weiyang Palace. We ask the princess to oversee all funeral arrangements,” Jia Xu said with a sigh.

”The Minister of Ceremonies will handle this matter. I am just a woman. I can pay my respects to my brother in the courtyard, just as I did for my father and brother,” Princess Wannian said calmly, but her eyes were suddenly filled with tears at the mention of her father and brother.

Jia Xu looked at Princess Wannian, feeling rather helpless. ”In truth, we came not only hoping the princess would oversee the funeral but also to ask that during this vacancy of the throne, the princess govern the court to prevent national unrest.”

Princess Wannian was taken aback by these words, then silently shook her head, indicating she would not get involved. Jia Xu looked at Chen Xi, who had anticipated this outcome; anyone who had suffered for so many years would learn caution, especially since Princess Wannian was not foolish.

”What concerns does Your Highness have?” Chen Xi immediately stepped forward and asked.

Princess Wannian did not answer, leaving Chen Xi somewhat helpless. Since there was no response, they might have to resort to strong-arming. ”Since the princess tacitly agrees, we will announce this in three days. Most of the officials in Chang’an perished in last night’s chaos, and at that time, the princess can assume regency.”

Upon hearing this, Princess Wannian’s chest tightened with anger. ”Chen Zichuan, acting this way, aren’t you afraid of people talking behind your back? Are you a Han official?”

”Oh, and are you not a Grand Princess?” Chen Xi countered calmly.

”Hmph, you know well that I am a Grand Princess and still dare to treat me this way. Do you still care for the Han dynasty?” Princess Wannian rebuked angrily.

”As the Grand Princess, sister of the late Emperor, if you care so little about the rules of the Han dynasty, why should we, the ministers, care?” Chen Xi retorted without restraint. ”The Han dynasty’s realm, if you as the heirs do not maintain it, why should we?”

”...” Princess Wannian was silent for a moment before speaking, ”You merely need a puppet, and so blatantly ask the Grand Princess to assume regency; even if I agree, I’d merely be manipulated by you. Since it is so, why should I agree? The Han dynasty’s realm ceased being ours the day my father passed away.”

”To speak plainly, I will not hinder Liu Xuande from ascending the throne, nor will I hinder Liu Jiyu or Liu Bo’an, but if they wish to obtain legitimate documents from me, forgive me, Liu Tong is not that cheap!” Princess Wannian said with a cold smile.

Chen Xi was astonished as he watched Princess Wannian. He hadn’t expected so many useless princesses before her in the Han dynasty, yet in its last days, one worthy character appeared.

”Have I finished speaking? Do you have anything more to say?” Princess Wannian looked at Chen Xi with slight disdain and said. After the passing of her father, brother, and younger brother, Liu Tong inexplicably felt her own fate might soon reach its end as well.

”Oh, plenty to say.” Chen Xi touched his chin. ”First, I commend your vision and temperament. If you were a prince, given the same setting, you would surpass your brothers.”

”Secondly, your keen vision and temperament are confined by the environment you are in. Much of what you discern is, quite frankly, speculation. If you don’t see for yourself, you may be blinded for life.” Chen Xi looked calmly at her.

”Thirdly, as I’ve said before, I will announce the Grand Princess’s regency. Whether you agree or not, it practically doesn’t matter,” Chen Xi said blandly. ”So Your Highness, from the start, your rebuttal missed the point. You don’t need to refute; you need strength.”

”Is this also the view of Minister Jia?” Princess Wannian asked, her chest heaving as she suppressed her anger, looking at Jia Xu.

”In fact, I believe it would be best for the princess to accept. Whether Princess could assume regency is still uncertain. The invitation from both of us is merely a result of our private discussion,” Jia Xu hesitated, revealing Chen Xi’s basis. Chen Xi shot Jia Xu a displeased glance.

Princess Wannian gave Chen Xi a deep look, fully understanding what Chen Xi meant by ”You need strength”—just two people’s private discussion was enough to pose a threat, which showed just how vulnerable she was.

”Indeed, this matter was merely the result of our discussion; in fact, it was initiated by me, bringing Jia Wenhe along.” Chen Xi looked calmly at Princess Wannian, no longer with the previous aggressive demeanor.

”Why did you choose me?” Princess Wannian asked, looking at Chen Xi.

”Because nobody else is suitable. Regarding legality or not, these matters should be asked to Emperor Guangwu,” Chen Xi replied calmly. ”Inviting the princess to regency is indeed more about balance.”

”Balance?” Princess Wannian asked, puzzled.

”Many things have happened. The crucial point is that Lord Xuande has no interest in the throne, and our power can suppress everyone else,” Chen Xi said solemnly to Princess Wannian, though she clearly did not trust him.

”What Zichuan says is true,” Jia Xu interjected, upon hearing which, Princess Wannian’s expression changed.

”The current situation is somewhat complicated; our Lord does not want to damage the foundation of the Han dynasty, so he has no intention for the throne before the unification. During this time, you can govern the court and earn some political capital,” Jia Xu said to Princess Wannian.

”What should I do then?” Princess Wannian asked.

”Stabilize the people’s hearts, accumulate capital for yourself, and you can’t always remain in the imperial palace,” Jia Xu sighed. ”You’re already seventeen. How much longer do you think you have? Rather than weep for the Emperor in the Northern Palace, you’d better do something else.”

Princess Wannian’s face turned grim upon these words, considering her age.

”Not asking you to ascend the throne, merely to appear and reassure the people. Minister Jia has already explained the benefits,” Chen Xi said impatiently.

”What else can I do?” Princess Wannian asked, and Jia Xu was slightly surprised.

”There’s plenty you can do—for example, restore the Imperial Family’s reputation, create some positive image for it. While it’s impossible to clean up past princesses’ indecencies, you can clear your own. Even though your position resulted from a compromise among various forces, with proper maneuvering, you may gain both fame and fortune, as you are the Regent Grand Princess,” Chen Xi said blandly.

”Is that so?” Princess Wannian lowered her head, pondering silently.

Chen Xi felt inexplicably annoyed. Having Princess Wannian reign was part of Chen Xi’s plan, preparing for a possible inner cabinet system several centuries later. With a record of her regency, political change would be more manageable when necessary.

At the very least, there would be a basis for the future, as the history, no matter what the historians record, will note how governance was exercised in this era. This mutual compromise will be etched in the history books and may serve as a precedent when future generations have no other choice.

Thus, when systemic reform occurs in the future, they won’t undergo the inevitable growing pains caused by trial and error. It’s a way of setting a path for future generations.

After all, if there was an explicit constitutional era in history where people lived reasonably well, then, during unavoidable reform in the future, this system may smoothly enter the vision of sages of that era, another form of mutual compromise.