Chapter 13: The Empress Dowager’s Birthday Celebration
The dragon carriage soon arrived at the newly constructed palace nestled by the mountains and waters, surrounded by the admiring common folk. Though modest in size, the palace was lavishly decorated and exquisitely maintained.
As the principal initiator of this public event, appointed by Emperor Ning Chen himself, the Governor of Jingzhao, Wang Zhongliang, naturally seized the opportunity to bask in the limelight. Vividly and energetically, he detailed all the palace’s features and the event’s arrangements to the Empress Dowager.
However, the Empress Dowager furrowed her brow and said, “Your filial piety brings me great comfort, truly. Yet, with the treasury depleted, you have spent such vast sums on renovating this palace and organizing these public festivities for my birthday—this is not what I desire.”
Wang Zhongliang glanced at the youthful Ning Chen beside him and hastened to explain, “Your Majesty, you may not be aware, but His Majesty previously decreed that I am forbidden from using official funds. The expenses for renovating this palace and organizing the event were not drawn from the steward’s coffers but were entirely raised voluntarily by the people to celebrate Your Majesty’s longevity.”
The Empress Dowager arched an eyebrow and looked at the seemingly innocent Ning Chen beside her. “Oh? Not a single coin of official funds was used?”
Ning Chen respectfully replied, “Mother, your birthday is the most important occasion for our Great Ning Dynasty and should be celebrated by all under heaven. Your love for the people and your concern for the realm endears you deeply to the populace. Thus, when they learn they can contribute to your celebration, they naturally rush forward to do so.”
Though her face remained composed, the Empress Dowager’s eyes betrayed her joy. Tenderly, she patted Ning Chen’s small head. “I see. My son’s thoughtfulness brings me great comfort.”
Wang Zhongliang quickly added, “Indeed, Your Majesty, His Majesty has spared no effort to surprise you.”
According to the schedule, the morning began with a poetry gathering led by the literary leader Fan Dayou, drawing talented scholars from across the land. Even Ning Chen had not anticipated such a grand turnout.
He glanced toward Fan Dayou, seated sternly as a judge, and a faint, barely perceptible smile crossed his lips. Approaching the Empress Dowager once more, he bowed deeply and said with sincere regret, “Mother, forgive me, for I have failed to invite the venerable Confucius to celebrate your birthday.”
The Empress Dowager smiled gently. “It matters not; no one in the world can summon the old master. Your filial heart is enough to please me.”
The poetry gathering commenced promptly, naturally themed around the Empress Dowager’s birthday, with judges including the Empress Dowager herself, Fan Dayou, and Chancellor Song Guozhong.
For ordinary scholars, this was a golden opportunity. Each poured their lifetime of learning and creativity into poems honoring the Empress Dowager, weaving endless streams of praise and admiration like cannonballs, showering her with warmth and satisfaction.
Her upturned lips could hardly be restrained.
Through countless trials, flattery never fails.
Ning Chen knew this poetry gathering had truly touched her heart. He decided to delight her even further.
As the event neared its close, Ning Chen stepped forward, casting a sweeping glance over the assembly before respectfully bowing to the Empress Dowager. With eager eyes and clear voice, he declared, “Mother, I too have composed a poem to celebrate your birthday. Please honor me with your critique.”
Compose a poem?
The officials exchanged puzzled looks. In three years of his reign, none had ever seen this young emperor write poetry, or even spend much time reading. Now, he was to present a poem for the Empress Dowager’s birthday in person?
Interesting!
This little emperor was truly racking his brain to please the Empress Dowager and avoid being deposed.
Let’s see what this little fool could produce…
The Empress Dowager raised an eyebrow, inwardly thinking, “Little fool, if you embarrass yourself, don’t say I didn’t protect your dignity…”
Her face softened with a meaningful smile as she lovingly said, “Since my son has such filial devotion, how could I refuse?”
Beside him, Xiao Anzi felt uneasy. Having spent much time with Ning Chen, he had never seen him read books, let alone recite poetry. Moreover, Ning Chen’s plans had never mentioned personally presenting a poem.
Yet, seeing Ning Chen’s confidence, Xiao Anzi could only suppress his worries and pray the young emperor would not mess things up.
Ning Chen stepped lightly onto the stage, scanned the crowd again, and in his youthful voice proclaimed loudly, “Today, we celebrate the Empress Dowager’s birthday with joy throughout the land. The talented scholars have all presented their works.”
“As my mother, the Empress Dowager has dedicated her heart and soul to assisting the Great Ning Dynasty, safeguarding the realm and its people. I shall likewise devote myself to honoring her!”
He bowed respectfully once more. “Mother, I offer this poem to wish you blessings as boundless as the Eastern Sea, and a life as enduring as the Southern Mountains!”
Clearing his throat, his voice still childlike yet full of confidence, he recited:
“Jade chimes resonate with primal breath,
The celestial palace celebrates enduring steps.
One governs with profound filial grace,
The four seas admire her radiant embrace.
Treasure banners flutter with splendid hues,
Rosy cups toast to health and good news.
Watchful virtue guides the righteous way,
Welcoming blessings that forever stay.”
As Ning Chen finished, the once noisy hall fell utterly silent.
But only for a moment before an uproar of thunderous discussion erupted.
No one had expected such poetry from a mere nine-year-old child! To ordinary scholars, the line “One governs with profound filial grace, The four seas admire her radiant embrace” was the highest praise, and the entire poem exuded imperial grandeur.
Genius!
This child emperor, merely nine years old, could compose such verse on the spot.
If not a genius, then what?
For the ministers, the shock was even greater. They knew this young emperor as a feeble fool; how could he suddenly display such talent?
Even Xiao Anzi was dumbfounded.
The Empress Dowager’s mouth parted slightly, her eyes wide with astonishment.
Only when the murmurs died down did she awaken from her daze.
She stared at Ning Chen, unease flickering in her eyes, her brow tightly furrowed. None could guess her thoughts.
Muttering softly, she said, “Is this poem truly his own work?”
Nearby, the old maid whispered, “Your Majesty, in my view, this poem cannot be his. We all know what he is like after three years.”
“This poem must have been penned by someone else!”
Seeing Ning Chen’s proud, childlike excitement, the Empress Dowager slowly relaxed and murmured, “No doubt he must have sought help outside the palace recently.”
“Still, the fact that he cared enough is commendable…”
Unnoticed by others, Fan Dayou’s gaze toward Ning Chen was tinged with a strange haze and dullness.
Observing everyone’s reactions, Ning Chen was indeed very satisfied.
He had lavished praise and flattery so that all present would know of his “filial devotion” to the Empress Dowager.
The more devoted he appeared, the more leverage he would have when the storm came.
Otherwise, all his painstaking efforts to stage such an event would be wasted.
He was now simply waiting for the evening birthday banquet.
Following the poetry gathering came the midday dragon boat races, the site bustling with crowds and uproarious cheering.
The people threw themselves wholeheartedly into supporting their favored boats, as if engaged in fierce battle.
The civil and military officials were also deeply impressed, repeatedly praising the splendid organization.
Even the Empress Dowager was thoroughly delighted.
Having spent many years confined within the inner palace, she had not enjoyed such a lively, nationwide celebration for a long time.
After the dragon boats came the “Dancing Phoenix Lantern” event. Originally planned as a dragon lantern festival, Ning Chen had insisted on changing it to phoenix lanterns.
He wanted to declare to the world, especially to the Empress Dowager and all of Great Ning, that she was supreme.
He intended to exalt her, lifting her high into the heavens.
And indeed, he succeeded.
After a full day of tightly scheduled festivities, the Empress Dowager’s lips never ceased to curve in delight.
Her joyous expression was genuine, not an act.
So much so that when changing clothes before the banquet, she smiled at her old maid and said, “For years I have walked on thin ice, calculating every step. Do you know why?”
The old maid paused, “Your Majesty, it is naturally for the enduring peace and stability of Great Ning…”
“Nonsense!” the Empress Dowager snapped.
“What I desire is this very day—universal reverence and unrivaled supremacy!”
Her gaze brimmed with fierce resolve and unwillingness to submit.
“Who says a woman is inferior to a man?”
“I have clawed my way up step by step all these years. I shall reach the summit and stand unshaken!”
The old maid softly remarked, “It seems Your Majesty truly enjoyed today, and the young emperor’s efforts were not in vain…”
But the Empress Dowager abruptly interrupted, “That little fool did put in effort, and today I am greatly pleased.”
“Yet this does not change my resolve. Once the banquet ends tonight, tomorrow he shall be deposed!”
The imperial banquet was naturally exclusive; even the various princes could only send family members with gifts.
Several young princes caught Ning Chen’s special attention. Taking advantage of a moment when no one watched, he whispered instructions into Xiao Anzi’s ear.
Thereafter, he behaved obediently at the banquet, awaiting the events he had anticipated.
Sure enough!
As the banquet drew to a close and everyone was heartily merry, Fan Dayou suddenly rose, knelt before the Empress Dowager, and loudly declared, “Your Majesty, I, Fan Dayou, have something to report…”