The reverberations of the Wutou case were immense, turning an infant in swaddling clothes into the crown prince, and the Iron Gallant Marquis’s mansion into the biggest winner. One must remember that the name Consort Rong had been erased from the inner palace. The crown prince’s birth mother was the Imperial Noble Consort, who hailed from the Iron Gallant Marquis’s mansion.
Li Man'er, though at odds with the Li family, was still a Li by blood and the Ninth Princess Consort. Furthermore, she had rendered meritorious service by saving the emperor when the rebels entered the city.
With these two trump cards, the Iron Gallant Marquis’s mansion began to regain its former glory. Those who had distanced themselves from the mansion due to Li Shu’s illness now deeply regretted it.
They wished they could turn back time.
Many individuals began to curry favor once more, using the pretense of visiting Li Shu to see him.
Currently, the Iron Gallant Marquis’s mansion was managed by Madam Bai. She had previously insisted on separating from the main family, but seeing the Li family’s resurgence, and to a greater extent than before, Madam Bai’s ambitions were stirred. Not only did she cease mentioning separation, but she also assumed the role of the mansion’s mistress, overseeing the entire household. Those who brought gifts, hoping to curry favor with the Li family and connect with the royal household and the crown prince, were all considered by Madam Bai to be connections of the second branch.
In any case, Li Shu was incapacitated, and the heir apparent was not of much promise. By the time he inherited the title, it would likely be many years later. In Madam Bai’s words, a paralytic could live on, and it would be an unknown number of years until Li Shu passed away.
Though Li Yi felt uncomfortable, he could not change the reality. Madam Bai also advised him, "Whose influence are you borrowing? What truly matters is living your life."
"Now that I walk outside and so many people fawn over me, that is true glory. This is how people are meant to live."
Madam Bai's high-profile behavior also drew dissatisfaction from many quarters, but out of deference to the Li family's current prominence, no one dared to voice their complaints.
Ah Si specifically relayed this matter to Li Man'er, fearing negative repercussions.
Li Man'er, however, merely said, "Let her revel for a few more days!"
Emperor Chenghua’s illness waxed and waned, showing no signs of recovery.
When Li Man'er arrived with her medicine chest to treat Emperor Chenghua again, the Emperor himself knew his time was drawing short.
"Anning, my time is short."
Li Man'er offered no words of comfort or politeness, merely glancing at Li Qingshu by her side.
Li Qingshu's eyes reddened, and tears welled up. "Your Majesty, Anning has exceptional medical skills and will cure you."
Emperor Chenghua raised his hand, signaling Li Qingshu to leave.
Li Qingshu, a consummate actress, shed two streams of tears. "Your Majesty..."
"Leave."
Li Qingshu lowered her head and walked out, never looking at Li Man'er.
Li Man'er knew that Emperor Chenghua had become suspicious. He was an emperor, and even though she had hypnotized him, his will was vastly different from that of an ordinary person. Some struggle was understandable.
"Does Your Majesty wish to ask something?"
"Am I like this because you did this to me?"
Li Man'er shook her head. "No, I have never harmed Your Majesty." She had merely gathered all of Emperor Chenghua’s vitality to one point and released it instantly, even extending his lifespan slightly. This was hardly harm.
"Then is this illness truly incurable?"
Li Man'er simply said, "Your Majesty should relax, rest more, and your imperial body will soon recover. The Crown Prince is still young and requires Your Majesty's guidance. Please rest assured, Anning will do her best. The Crown Prince will be a wise ruler in the future; he is your son, he will not disappoint."
A faint aroma of medicine wafted through the air. Emperor Chenghua felt a sense of profound peace. Though a void seemed to open within him, he was too weary and soon closed his eyes, slowly drifting into sleep.
Li Man'er took his pulse, then rose and walked to the west chamber.
"How is it?"
Li Man'er simply said, "Aunt, prepare yourself! At the latest, it will be within these one or two days."
Li Qingshu tightly clutched the handkerchief in her hand, her heart pounding. She did not know whether to rejoice or to grieve, always feeling that the path ahead was uncertain.
Initially, she had envisioned herself raising the Seventh Prince, becoming a Dowager Princess later, and living a life of freedom with the Seventh Prince in his fiefdom. But she had never imagined that one day she would become Empress Dowager!
"Do not be afraid, I am here for everything."
"Man'er, will we be branded as villains for eternity for doing this?"
"No, we are not usurpers, nor have we harmed His Majesty. Everyone knows what his previous physical condition was. Just put your mind at ease. The Crown Prince is young and still needs you. Just remember, if you don't want to speak, cry..."
Li Qingshu nodded. "I have noted it."
"Everything has its procedures. Rest assured."
Li Man'er left the palace and returned to her residence, not sleeping all night.
Qi Yihan, having made prior arrangements, had been waiting in the palace all night.
Indeed, before dawn the next day, news came from the palace that Emperor Chenghua had passed away.
The death of a monarch was to be announced by the tolling of a bell. Soon, funeral bells rang throughout the imperial city, over and over.
The entire palace became busy, everyone donning mourning attire.
Several ministers who had been summoned by Emperor Chenghua during his lifetime formed a special funeral committee to oversee Emperor Chenghua's posthumous affairs. The mausoleum had long been constructed, and as Emperor Chenghua's health had been poor, everything had been prepared in advance, including his imperial decree. Thus, everyone handled the arrangements with composure.
The entire nation mourned, observing a period of mourning for the sovereign.
As the Ninth Princess Consort, Li Man'er naturally had to enter the palace. For months, officials paid their respects, kept vigil, and participated in the funeral procession. By the time Emperor Chenghua was interred in the imperial mausoleum, the weather had grown warm.
The Empress Dowager, upon hearing of Emperor Chenghua's demise, fell ill. However, no one paid her any mind now. Everything would be left to time.
A nation cannot be without a ruler for a day. Although the Crown Prince was still an infant, among Emperor Chenghua's princes, he was the most legitimate and suitable. Moreover, there was the imperial decree, which Emperor Chenghua had revised. Several ministers served as witnesses, making it as genuine as gold.
Therefore, after the grand funeral, Li Qingshu, holding the Crown Prince, ascended the throne. Li Qingshu became the Empress Dowager, and the imprisoned Empress Dowager was promoted to Grand Empress Dowager.
As the Crown Prince was too young to handle state affairs, several regents, in conjunction with Qi Yihan, governed the country.
Consort Rong's method from back then had truly been effective. Qi Yihan indeed became the Prince Regent.
He and Emperor Chenghua shared the same mother. At least in the eyes of others, he was the uncle of the current Emperor. Coupled with his meritorious service in quelling the rebellion, no one suspected him of any ulterior motives. If he truly harbored such intentions, disposing of an infant would be as simple as drinking water.
Many events transpired this year. This year marked the first year of Xuande.
On a midsummer night, Li Shu reached his final moments.
The Iron Gallant Marquis's mansion sent word to Li Man'er, requesting her presence.
Li Man'er naturally had to return. She had many words she wished to speak with Li Shu.
Li Shu lay in a coma, appearing even thinner than before his illness. The physicians were at a loss, and the Li family attempted to enlist Li Man'er's help to save him.
"I can only say I will try. You all should leave."
Madam Bai and the others remained rooted to the spot. Li Qingyun, in particular, watched her with a fierce gaze.
Li Man'er stated, "If the optimal rescue time is missed, do not blame me afterward. I will not admit to any fault."
Unable to do anything else, the group retreated.