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In the imperial palace, as the morning sun rose, court officials gradually assembled in the main hall.
The young emperor, dressed in a dark black-gold dragon robe, sat high upon the dragon throne. Yet everyone in attendance knew in their hearts that the one who truly held power was the Regency Prince sitting beside him.
After the court session, the emperor accompanied the Regency Prince as they left the main hall.
Emperor Lan Heng had a handsome face and proper bearing, exuding nobility—the heir meticulously groomed by the royal family. But he was still young, slender and lean, and compared to the steady and mature Lan Xun beside him, he appeared slightly lacking in both appearance and presence.
Lan Heng spoke first: “Royal Uncle, you look unwell today. Are you feeling unwell? Shall I summon the imperial physician?”
Lan Xun waved his hand. “No need. I simply stayed up late reviewing memorials last night.”
Lan Heng smiled with concern. “Royal Uncle, do not overexert yourself. You must rest well today. Tomorrow is the Mid-Year Ancestral Ceremony—you must preside over it yourself.”
Lan Xun thought to himself that if he wanted a good night’s sleep, he would have to stay in the palace today.
As they discussed preparations for tomorrow’s ceremony, suddenly a eunuch hurried in. “The Empress Dowager summons the Regency Prince.”
Lan Xun replied, “I will go at once.”
The emperor, curious, asked, “I heard the Marchioness of Zhen’guo sought an audience with the Empress Dowager early this morning, claiming she wanted justice. I wonder what it is about.”
Lan Xun naturally knew.
A few days prior, after he had taken Mu Shengsheng away, the Marquis of Xuanwu’s household had been angered but dared not speak. The Duke of Zhen’guo personally went to Lan Xun yesterday to demand her, only to be humiliated; Lan Xun told him his son’s death was nothing to mourn, nearly causing the duke to faint on the spot.
Today, they had escalated the matter to the Empress Dowager, knowing that only she could rein in Lan Xun’s immense power.
Lan Xun went to Kunhe Palace to meet the Empress Dowager, with the emperor tagging along, eager to watch the scene.
Entering the hall, they saw a majestic woman with her hair powdered and face grave—Lan Xun’s mother, the Empress Dowager Qin.
Lan Xun and the late Emperor Lan Ze were both sons of the Empress Dowager Qin, who was seven years older than Lan Ze.
The late Emperor Lan Ze was the legitimate eldest son, naturally made crown prince upon birth, admired and respected by all.
Seven years later, when Lan Xun was born, a heavenly sign appeared—a golden light shining brilliantly. Astrologers claimed that Lan Xun was born under the Ziwei Star, destined to be a ruler of the highest caliber, a future emperor who could leave an eternal legacy.
Fearing that Lan Xun might one day contend for the throne and cause fratricide, the Empress Dowager sent him to be raised by Consort Jing. But Consort Jing could not nurture him, lacked the emperor’s favor, and was often suppressed and tormented by the empress and other concubines. She vented her anger on Lan Xun, treating him cruelly.
Though of noble birth and highly intelligent, Lan Xun suffered inhuman abuse from an early age. At ten, he could no longer endure; during one instance of abuse, he struck back. Consort Jing fell onto a candle stand and died on the spot.
Though it was an accidental killing, the emperor and empress intended to punish him severely. Lan Xun was demoted to commoner status and sent to a border military camp, left to survive on his own.
By fate or sheer skill, he did not die. With just his hands and a blade, he fought through a sea of corpses, honing his martial skills, becoming brave and formidable. By seventeen, he had earned battlefield fame and became a legendary war hero.
Later, Emperor Hui passed away. The late emperor Lan Ze ascended the throne, and under pressure, had to grant Lan Xun the title of Duke of Jin, yet confined him to the border, forbidding his return to the capital without imperial decree.
Five years ago, Lan Ze, after only two years as emperor, suddenly died. The eleven-year-old crown prince Lan Heng ascended, while Prince Qin Lan Xiao rebelled for the throne.
The court was in turmoil: internal and external threats, northern Xiongnu not yet subdued, southern vassal kings rebelling, factionalism rampant in court.
The Empress Dowager, powerless, summoned Lan Xun back to the capital, appointing him Regency Prince to manage this chaotic situation.
For five years, Lan Xun single-handedly stabilized the court, deterred enemies, and brought peace to the people.
Due to past issues, the Empress Dowager’s relationship with Lan Xun was not close, yet as his biological mother, appearances had to be maintained—he did not wish to leave a reputation of filial disrespect.
Upon entering the hall, Lan Xun respectfully bowed. “Mother, may you be blessed.”
The Empress Dowager spoke sharply: “Regency Prince, I hear you seized someone from the Duke of Zhen’guo’s household? Have you no law left? Your father would rise from his coffin to scold you!”
On this day, probably only the Empress Dowager dared reprimand Lan Xun this way.
Lan Xun remained composed. “Mother, I know nothing of what you speak.”
Beside her, the Marchioness of Zhen’guo, Cui, pretended to weep. “The daughter of the Duke of Xuanwu was to wed my son. The Regency Prince abducted my would-be daughter-in-law—this is known to all. Please return her at once; we must complete the wedding.”
Lan Xun snorted disdainfully. “Fu Li is dead. How can he marry?”
Cui had clearly prepared for this. She explained, “My son is indeed deceased, but Miss Mu is terminally ill and will not live long. Our families intended to arrange a posthumous marriage, so that he would have a companion in the afterlife and Miss Mu would be enshrined in our family temple…”
Da Yu had not forbidden posthumous marriage, but even so, it would be two dead people—how could there be one living and one dead? Even then, the living one must consent—Mu Shengsheng clearly did not!
Cui seemed to anticipate Lan Xun’s objection, quickly producing a marriage contract. “This marriage was arranged personally by the Duke of Xuanwu. The contract is here. The Duke could not return in time, and my son needed burial urgently, so the marriage was preemptively handled. Regency Prince, rest assured—though my son is gone, Miss Mu remains, and we will ensure she is attended to in her remaining days.”
“….”
Lan Xun grew increasingly displeased.
Mu Shengsheng was clearly alive and lively—how could these people rush to arrange her posthumous affairs?
Even the Duke of Xuanwu, outwardly doting on his daughter, actually agreed to this absurd posthumous marriage and drafted a contract with the Zhen’guo family!
After a long silence, Lan Xun said, “Once she passes, I will deliver her body to you. Completing the marriage afterward will not be too late.”
Cui was instantly choked—she could hardly admit that the Fu family wanted Mu Shengsheng to wed her deceased son immediately, then be buried together.
Hearing this, the Empress Dowager accepted Lan Xun’s proposal. After all, a posthumous marriage was undignified, and continued quarrels would make them a laughingstock.
There were only two dead people involved—why let such trivial matters disturb the living?