7 – The Origin of the Nine Thousand Years Old (Revised)
Jiang Lige remained silent for a long while.
Li Fu, being a eunuch, seemed to empathize deeply. He sighed, “If not forced by circumstances, who would willingly endure such a cut? Especially a child of six or seven—how much pain must the Lord of a Thousand Years have felt in his heart.”
Involuntarily, an image surfaced in Jiang Lige’s mind: the seven-year-old Shang Guanqi pinned down by his own brothers, weeping and begging for mercy, crying out for help, yet his parents not only failed to save him but even raised a knife to strike him.
Shang Guanqi, Shang Guanqi.
What could be more despairing than being abandoned by one’s own parents and family?
It seemed this name must have come from such an origin.
Entering the palace at seven, powerless and without influence, he must have endured immense hardship to climb to his current high position.
From his perspective, Jiang Lige felt a mix of sympathy and sorrow.
Influenced by these emotions, when she looked at Li Fu again, he no longer seemed so detestable.
“Here. This medicine can only be taken for three consecutive days.”
Before leaving, Jiang Lige poured out another pill for Li Fu.
Li Fu was taken aback for a moment, then slowly stored the pill in a porcelain vial.
…
The next morning, at dawn.
“Your Majesty, it is time for the morning court.”
Luzhu pulled Jiang Lige out of bed and helped her dress.
“Did Your Majesty sleep poorly last night? I heard you tossing and turning all night. You must stay alert for today’s court session. I heard from the purchasing matron of the imperial kitchen that the incident of the stone tablet appearing at Green Completion Mountain has caused quite an uproar. Rumors of the calamitous star Huo Chao are spreading fiercely, and the common people are in a panic.”
Like a mother sending her child off to school, Luzhu chattered away while attending to Jiang Lige’s morning routine, reminding her to stay focused and not let her mind wander during court.
Jiang Lige yawned. After hearing Li Fu’s words, she had kept thinking of Shang Guanqi while trying to sleep last night.
Executing high-ranking officials in court, hunting down shamans within the palace grounds, disregarding imperial authority and laws, showing no reverence for heaven, earth, or spirits—by these standards, Shang Guanqi was indeed an unmitigated god of slaughter and a calamitous star!
But as for the stone tablet appearing with inscriptions, it was clearly someone deliberately directing public opinion toward Shang Guanqi.
Most likely, it was the work of the Su Faction.
“Luzhu, last night I dreamed of the night of my coronation ceremony, when I fell into the lake,” Jiang Lige said.
Recalling that night, Luzhu couldn’t help but laugh. “What about that night? That night scared me half to death. After Your Majesty was rescued from the lake, you babbled incoherently for a long time. I thought you had been possessed by a water ghost and spent the whole night chanting Amitabha…”
Jiang Lige asked, “Do you remember which guard rescued me that night?”
Luzhu thought for a moment and said, “Now that you mention it, it wasn’t a guard who truly saved Your Majesty. Longevity Lake is so vast, and it was nighttime. The guards searched in the water for a long time but couldn’t find anyone. In the end, it was Nine Thousand Years who jumped into the water and found Your Majesty almost immediately.”
So, it was Shang Guanqi who had rescued her?
Her dream from last night was correct.
Last night, Jiang Lige had drifted into a hazy dream where she was trapped underwater, her feet entangled in seaweed, unable to break free.
Then she saw someone jump in to cut the seaweed away for her. In the dream, she vaguely glimpsed a flash of red.
“Your Majesty, what’s wrong? Are you still sleepy? You can rest again after the court session,” Luzhu said with concern, noticing Jiang Lige’s distracted state.
“Mhm.”
Jiang Lige nodded absently, drank some water, had a light breakfast, and headed to the Golden Luan Hall.
She took her seat on the Dragon Throne, and Shang Guanqi emerged from the inner hall, positioning himself behind the throne.
For some reason, Jiang Lige found her gaze drifting backward repeatedly.Shang Guanqi stood motionless, his figure tall and straight, his majestic aura innate and natural.
The red and black official robe had not a single wrinkle. In his hand, he held a Jade Bone Fan, leisurely fanning himself. Every gesture and movement exuded the confidence of holding the world in his grasp.
Jiang Lige couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. With such looks and bearing, if he hadn’t become a eunuch but had pursued scholarly honors or a military career, he would surely have been a dazzling figure. What a pity.
Regretfully, Jiang Lige stole another glance at Shang Guanqi. Suddenly, Shang Guanqi raised his hand and tapped Jiang Lige’s head with the Jade Bone Fan.
Jiang Lige panicked, shrinking her neck like a cat caught stealing food.
Just then, the time for court assembly arrived. As the ministers bowed in reverence, Jiang Lige straightened her posture, masking the fluster on her face.
Shang Guanqi’s palm felt scorching, the Jade Bone Fan in his hand like a piece of red-hot charcoal. For a moment, his gaze grew distant.
Why had he used it to tap her head?
In their past life, when he accompanied her to court, Jiang Lige often found political affairs dull. She would secretly eat snacks on the Dragon Throne or turn to look at him and giggle. Every time he caught her, he would take advantage of the ministers’ inattention and gently tap her head with the Jade Bone Fan.
Recalling this, Shang Guanqi casually tucked the Jade Bone Fan behind his back.
On the Dragon Throne, Jiang Lige cleared her throat and asked as a matter of routine.
“What matters do my esteemed ministers wish to report today?”
During court sessions, she was merely a host, responsible for transitioning between different segments.
Duke Su, missing half a finger, stepped forward and declared loudly, “Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present. I wish to overturn the case of Grand Academician Xie Jinliu from six years ago. Please review it, Your Majesty.”
A young eunuch presented the memorial. Jiang Lige unfolded it and saw a familiar name: Xie Shu, the eldest son of the Xie Clan.
Grand Academician Xie Jinliu hailed from the prestigious Xie Clan, the foremost among noble families. The Xie Clan had been loyal and virtuous for generations, producing many literary talents and scholars. During the reign of the previous emperor, there was a saying: ‘Martial prowess lies with the Yuan, literary excellence with the Xie.’
Six years ago, Emperor Jiangwu favored eunuchs and neglected court affairs day after day.
Scholars from across the capital jointly protested, demanding that Emperor Jiangwu eliminate Shang Guanqi.
The previous emperor was enraged and ordered a thorough investigation. It was later discovered that the entire protest had been secretly organized by Xie Jinliu.
Xie Jinliu and Shang Guanqi held opposing political views. To eliminate his rival, Xie Jinliu had covertly orchestrated the disturbance.
After the truth came to light, Xie Jinliu was beheaded, and the descendants of the Xie Clan, including Xie Shu, were exiled eight hundred li away.
Jiang Lige quickly finished reading the memorial, her mind filled with questions.
Duke Su continued, “Regarding the incident back then, there were six leaders among the protesters. By chance, I recently found three of them. All three have confessed and admitted that the incident had nothing to do with Grand Academician Xie. Apart from the testimonies of these three witnesses, here is a joint petition signed by a hundred participants of the event. They can all testify to Grand Academician Xie’s innocence.”
Duke Su spoke passionately, “I implore Your Majesty to order a retrial of this case and restore the innocence of the Xie Clan!”
Jiang Lige reviewed the testimonies. With witnesses and evidence present, it could be said the proof was ironclad.
She couldn’t help but turn to look at Shang Guanqi—the spearhead was aimed directly at him.
“What does Nine Thousand Years think?”
Shang Guanqi raised his eyes, his gaze colliding with Jiang Lige’s, a surge of murderous intent swirling in his pupils.
Now he knew who Jiang Lige had met at the prince’s residence. It was Xie Shu!
Jiang Lige, however, thought he was angered by the case being overturned, and her sympathy instantly evaporated.To eliminate dissidents, he framed a family of loyal officials, causing the entire Xie Clan to be exiled. Shang Guanqi’s methods were too ruthless.
“Nine Thousand Years, you presided over that case back then. Such an absurd miscarriage of justice forces this old man to suspect you deliberately framed them,” Duke Su pressed aggressively.
“I did indeed preside over the case, but the order to execute the Xie family was issued by the late emperor. Old Su, are you now doubting the late emperor as well?” Shang Guanqi replied unhurriedly.
“Shang Guanqi, do not twist words. The Xie family were all virtuous officials. Today, I must overturn their wrongful conviction. I implore Your Majesty to order a retrial of the Xie family case!”
“We second the motion!” A group of ministers knelt in support.
Jiang Lige swept his gaze around the hall. Interesting—among those kneeling were not only members of the Su Faction but also many neutral, highly respected senior officials such as Han Chengxiang and the Minister of Rites.
In this battle, Shang Guanqi had already lost!