When are you leaving?

Talking with intelligent people saves effort, Chiyung exhaled deeply, deciding to speak plainly, "I'm going to Liangzhou, unsure when or if I'll return. I need you to step forward as Empress Dowager and govern on my behalf, taking care of my children. If either my husband or I return, you can live out your days as Empress Dowager, respected but not wielding absolute power. If neither of us returns, Hao'er will ascend the throne, and you'll be the rightful Grand Empress Dowager."

Rong Shi looked at her coldly, "Aren't you afraid I'll kill your children?"

Chiyung raised an eyebrow, smiling, "Then you'll never be Grand Empress Dowager."

Rong Shi was silent for a moment, then asked, "I don't understand why you chose to collaborate with me. Though confined, I'm not oblivious to external affairs. Cui Yi kept the prince and Jiangzhou Marquis in the capital for your safety. You could entrust your children to the marquis, who is Cui Yi's uncle. Why not make him regent instead of relying on me?"

"There's more," Chiyung replied, "First, I need you to stabilize the court. Second, while I'm in Liangzhou, pretend I'm ill and unable to attend court. Take care of the prince, and let Princess Chang handle the princess."

Rong Shi smiled ambiguously.

"Third, publicly announce that Cui Jie died long ago and the current ruler in Hulun is merely a puppet trained by Guo Ziyang, aiming to sow discord between Chu and the Western Regions."

Chiyung waited for her response. Rong Shi didn't react with anger, surprise, or mockery, as Chiyung anticipated. She simply frowned slightly and agreed, "Alright."

Chiyung was surprised by her straightforward acceptance. Rong Shi seemed indifferent, as if discussing dinner plans.

"When are you leaving?"

Chiyung composed herself, "There are still arrangements to make, so I won't leave immediately. I need to convincingly fake illness to avoid suspicion. If something happens after I leave, it shouldn't implicate you."

Rong Shi smiled, "You're considerate. It's a pity... we weren't destined to be mother-in-law and daughter-in-law. Cui Yi was lucky to marry you, benefiting both him and Empress Xiaoling."

Chiyung thought, "This luck, you once had but didn't cherish."

"I'll discuss details with you later," Chiyung said, relieved. "Yan Shou Palace lacks nothing except quality charcoal. Xiaoqiu, go to the Imperial Household Department and request two baskets of silver-threaded charcoal."

Xiaoqiu left, and Rong Shi remained calm, "Go back and rest. I'll think about what to say to the ministers."

Chiyung stood up, "Alright, I'll leave now." Rong Shi instructed a maid to escort them out.

Mothers often sever ties with their children for selfish reasons. Would Rong Shi easily betray her own son for power? Chiyung pondered. Perhaps since Cui Jie abandoned her, their relationship ended.

Chiyung reflected on her own mother. If Lady Fan had accepted her fate as a noblewoman, and Rong Shi had been content as Empress Dowager, the tragedy could have been avoided. But Rong Shi's love for power provided an opportunity for collaboration.

"Absolutely not!"

Zhong Yuanshan reacted with shock and fury when informed of her decision. He interrupted her before she finished speaking, "Are you handing over the empire Cui Yi fought for to the Rong family? Why did you encourage him to rebel if you intended to let the former emperor and the Rong family fight it out? Do you truly believe Rong Shi will treat your children kindly and support their ascension? Will she willingly step down as Grand Empress Dowager?"

Chiyung calmly listened to his outburst and responded, "I never said I'd give the empire to the Rong family. General Zhong, why do you misinterpret my words?"

Zhong Yuanshan angrily questioned, "With the emperor missing, as the royal concubine, you should stabilize the court. But you're abandoning the prince to find the emperor! With both emperor and empress absent, how can a young prince protect himself? The Rong women are ruthless; they won't spare your children."

Chiyung stared at him silently.

Nian Jiaojiao nervously interjected, "Your Highness... there's more to say..."

Zhong Yuanshan remained livid, breathing heavily.

"My decision isn't impulsive," Chiyung's tone was almost cruel, "Even before the emperor departed, I foresaw difficulties. He's merely missing, not necessarily dead. As long as he lives, there's no question of handing over the empire."

Her gaze swept over each person present, lingering longest on Zhong Yuanshan.

"Asking Rong Shi to return is a contingency plan. Despite the emperor arranging you and Commander Yang as our support, you're outsiders. Who can make decisions in the palace? Only Rong Shi can manage the prince."

Zhong Yuanshan countered, "Why not ask Lady Fan to enter the palace? She's the prince's grandmother; surely she wouldn't harm him."

Chiyung anticipated this question, replying smoothly, "My parents are criminals. Lady Fan has no official standing. Rong Shi is the former Empress Dowager, and historically, Empress Dowagers governing is common. Have you ever heard of a consort's family governing?"

Zhong Yuanshan remained indignant, and Chiyung added, "I don't understand your anger. You're closer to the emperor than Rong Shi. Are you jealous that I gave power to the Rong family instead of yours?"

This accusation startled Cheng Fengyi and Yang Qiong, who exchanged glances. Zhong Yuanshan paled, "If I harbored such thoughts, may I be struck by lightning and never reincarnated!"

Chiyung mocked, "I don't believe in divine retribution. Vows are mere words; few face consequences."

Zhong Yuanshan stared in disbelief, speechless. Suicide was no longer an option, as it would raise suspicions.

"I intend to entrust internal matters to Rong Shi and external ones to the Six Ministries and the Secretariat. Generals, with your military power and the emperor's trust, oversee everything. If Rong Shi or any minister shows disloyalty, execute them according to the emperor's edict and my decree."

Chiyung paused, smirking at him.

Zhong Yuanshan's anger vanished, and he lowered his head.

"If General Zhong refuses, you can continue as commander. Supervising the government falls to Commander Yang."

Yang Qiong knelt, "At Your Highness's service."

Chiyung nodded, allowing him to rise, and addressed Zhong Yuanshan again, "General, one last time, will you join Commander Yang in overseeing Rong Shi, protecting the prince, and safeguarding the empire?"

Given the respect shown, Zhong Yuanshan had no choice but to comply, "I will serve the emperor and Your Highness with utmost loyalty."

Chiyung smiled approvingly, "Good. This is best. You've all suffered alongside the emperor. This is our final battle, crucial for our future. Victory ensures peace; defeat erases everything and dishonors those who sacrificed."

The four in the hall solemnly pledged allegiance.