Chapter 388

Time flows, plants flourish and wither.

Let's translate line by line.

Time flies, grass and trees flourish and wither.

Translation: Time flows, plants flourish and wither.

It feels like just a few ups and downs in court debates, a few settleings of border tensions, and a few joys of new grain being stored.

Translation: It seems merely the rise and fall of a few court disputes, the calming of a few border frictions, the joy of a few new grain stores.

the joy of new grain being stored

Five years passed, slipping away unnoticed.

Translation: Five years of time quietly passed unnoticed.

Even the real palaces of Bian Liang bore the traces of time, with the beast‑headed finials on the eaves silently observing the empire's changes.

Translation: The true palace of Bian Liang also seemed stained with the marks of time, the beast‑headed finials on the eaves silently watching the empire's changes.

The beast‑headed finials on the eaves silently watched the empire's changes.

Inside the Purple Hall, incense wafted softly.

Translation: Inside Zichen Hall, incense smoke curled gently.

Chen Wen sat upright on the throne, looking thinner than he had five years before.

Translation: Chen Wen sat upright on the throne, his frame appearing even more gaunt than five years ago.

His temples were completely white as frost, and the furrows on his forehead had deepened.

Translation: His temples were fully frosted white, and the lines on his forehead had deepened somewhat.

Only his eyes remained calm as an ancient well, though occasionally a hint of unavoidable fatigue flickered across them.

Translation: Only his eyes remained still as an ancient well, though occasionally a hint of fatigue that could not be hidden flickered across them.

He laid aside a memorial on the grain transport commutation reform that Crown Prince Chen Hong had reviewed and he had finally approved, then coughed lightly twice.

Translation: He set down a memorial on grain‑transport commutation reform that Crown Prince Chen Hong had reviewed and he finally approved, and gave a light cough twice.

a memorial that Crown Prince Chen Hong had reviewed and he finally approved

His voice sounded especially clear in the spacious hall.

Translation: His voice rang especially clear in the vast hall.

Fúquan at his side promptly presented a cup of warm ginseng tea, his eyes filled with concern.

Translation: The attendant Fu Quan standing beside him immediately offered a cup of warm ginseng tea, his eyes full of worry.

"Everyone, you ought to rest."

Translation: "Everyone, you should rest."

Chen Wen waved his hand, signaling that it was all right.

Translation: Chen Wen waved his hand, indicating it was fine.

His gaze drifted toward the hall's exterior.

Translation: His gaze turned toward the outside of the hall.

Sunlight streamed through the carved lattice windows, casting dappled shadows on the polished gold‑brick floor.

Translation: Sunlight filtered through the carved lattice windows, casting mottled light and shadow on the polished gold‑brick floor.

It had been five years.

Translation: Five years.

Over the past five years, he deliberately and gradually transferred an increasing share of governmental duties to the crown prince.

Translation: Over these five years, he deliberately and gradually handed over more and more state affairs to the Crown Prince.

Starting from merely observing and consulting, then moving to coordinating and giving final approval, and up to now—except for core authorities like military and state affairs, imperial clan ennoblement, and appointments and removals of officials ranked five and above—the everyday administration of government is largely managed by the crown prince's Eastern Palace staff in conjunction with the three provincial ministers.

Translation: From initially observing and offering counsel, to later coordinating and giving final approval, and now, aside from core powers such as military and state affairs, imperial clan ennoblement, and appointments of officials of rank five and above, the day‑to‑day running of government is largely handled jointly by the Crown Prince‑led Eastern Palace officials and the Three Ministries' leaders.

coordinating and giving final approval; military and state affairs; imperial clan ennoblement; appointments and dismissals of officials of rank five and above

Crown Prince Chen Hong had not let him down.

Translation: Crown Prince Chen Hong did not disappoint him.

Guided by the five senior ministers—Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian—whether openly or behind the scenes, the young heir apparent grew at an astonishing pace.

Translation: With the open or covert assistance and tempering of the five core ministers—Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, Shi Dun, Qian Gui, and Zhao Lao Nian—this young heir apparent grew at an astonishing speed.

He perhaps lacked Chen Wen's keen insight—derived from a 'double effect' strength—to grasp essentials and cut through complexity with decisive speed.

Translation: He perhaps lacked Chen Wen's sharpness in grasping essentials with the power of "Double Effect" and cutting through tangles like a swift blade;

But he had gained greater composure and dignity, excelled at listening to diverse opinions, managed affairs with clear logic, and especially displayed a notable talent for balancing interests and reassuring the populace.

Translation: Yet he possessed greater steadiness and gravitas, was adept at listening to all sides, handled affairs with clear order, and especially showed notable talent in coordinating interests and pacifying the populace.

Officials also became accustomed to reporting to the crown prince and following his directives.

Translation: Court officials also gradually grew accustomed to reporting to the Crown Prince and accepting his orders.

Though the title of Regent had not been formally conferred, the crown prince's authority was already deeply felt.

Translation: Though the title "Regent" had not been formally bestowed, the Crown Prince's authority had already taken root in the people's hearts.

Chen Wen felt comforted, yet also sensed an ineffable complexity.

Translation: Chen Wen felt relieved about this, yet also carried an indescribable complexity.

He knew this was the inevitable route, the hope for a peaceful transfer of the dynasty.

Translation: He knew this was the necessary path, the hope for a smooth dynastic succession.

But when he truly sensed the transfer of power, realizing he no longer needed to manage everything himself while still being the absolute core of the empire's functioning, an inevitable feeling of emptiness welled up.

Translation: But when he truly felt the shift of authority, and sensed that he was no longer handling everything personally while still being the absolute core of the empire's operation, a sense of emptiness inevitably arose in his heart.

Yet his health would not let him overexert himself.

Translation: Yet his physical condition would not allow him to push himself.

The aftereffects of the Battle of Xiongzhou, together with five years of painstaking covert planning and reflection, inevitably drove his once‑robust physique into decline.

Translation: The aftermath of the Battle of Xiongzhou, together with five years of painstaking covert planning and thought, made his once‑strong body inevitably decline.

His cough became increasingly frequent, and his energy was no longer what it once was.

Translation: His cough grew ever more frequent, and his strength was no longer what it once was.

Now he had to significantly reduce the time he spent each day on governmental duties.

Translation: Nowadays, the time he could devote to state affairs each day had to be greatly reduced.

More often he stayed in the imperial study, perusing memorials the crown prince had processed, or in the Purple Hall listening to the crown prince's briefings and giving crucial advice.

Translation: More often, he was in the Imperial Study, reviewing memorials that the Crown Prince had handled, or in Zichen Hall listening to the Crown Prince's reports and giving crucial guidance.

He was learning how to move from being an all‑controlling pioneering ruler to becoming a guiding, consolidating monarch—or, in other words, a transitional figure laying the groundwork for his successor.

Translation: He was learning how to shift from a ruler who controlled everything, a pioneering sovereign, to one who guides direction, a consolidating sovereign—or, put another way, a transitional figure paving the way for the heir.

Amid his drifting thoughts, a hurried but softened footstep sounded from outside the hall.

Translation: In a wandering reverie, a hurried yet softened footstep sounded from outside the hall.

A Cining Palace attendant, his face anxious, whispered a few words into Fúquan's ear.

Translation: A eunuch from Cining Palace, face full of panic, whispered a few words into Fu Quan's ear.

Fúquan's face went pale in an instant; he rushed to the throne, his voice shaking uncontrollably.

Translation: Fu Quan's face instantly turned pallid; he hurried to the throne, his voice trembling uncontrollably.

"Everyone… the Grand Empress Dowager… she… has passed away!"

Translation: "Everyone…… the Grand Empress Dowager…… she…… has passed away!"

Chen Wen's hand gripping the tea cup jerked sharply.

Translation: Chen Wen's hand holding the tea cup jerked violently.

The warm tea spilled, staining the cuffs of his dragon robe.

Translation: The warm tea spilled, soaking the cuffs of his dragon robe.

He remained silent for a moment, his face betraying no sudden shock, only a deep, long‑expected sorrow that gradually welled up.

Translation: He fell silent for a moment; his face showed no sudden shock, only a deep, long‑anticipated grief that slowly spread.

Over the past five years, his mother Lady Liu's health steadily declined.

Translation: His mother Lady Liu's health had deteriorated day by day over these five years.

Over the past six months, she had spent most of her time bedridden, relying solely on medication and sheer determination.

Translation: In the past half year, she had spent most of her time confined to her sickbed, sustained only by decoctions and sheer will.

He visited her nearly every day, watching his mother grow increasingly frail, her awareness shifting between clarity and confusion.

Translation: He almost daily went to visit, watching his mother grow ever thinner, her consciousness alternating between lucidity and haze.

He knew in his heart that this day would eventually arrive.

Translation: He knew in his heart that this day would eventually come.

But when it finally came, that piercing heartache was just as intense.

Translation: But when it truly arrived, that heart‑rending pain remained just as clear.

He slowly stood up, his voice raspy.

Translation: He slowly rose to his feet, his voice hoarse.

"Let's go… to the Cining Palace."

Translation: "Make ready…… to Cining Palace."

Within the Cining Palace, sobs echoed everywhere.

Translation: Inside Cining Palace, already filled with weeping.

Court ladies and eunuchs fell to their knees.

Translation: Court ladies and eunuchs knelt in a heap on the floor.

Chen Wen walked slowly into the bedchamber, the air thick with medicinal odor and a vacant stillness after life had departed.

Translation: Chen Wen stepped slowly into the sleeping chamber, the air permeated with the scent of medicine and the emptiness left by a life gone.

Lady Liu lay still on the phoenix bed, her face serene, as though she were simply sleeping.

Translation: Lady Liu lay still on the Phoenix Bed, her countenance peaceful, as if merely asleep.

She passed away peacefully in her sleep, having suffered little pain.

Translation: She departed quite peacefully, in her sleep, without having endured much suffering.

Chen Wen knelt at the bedside, clasped his mother's icy hand, and lightly rested his forehead upon it.

Translation: Chen Wen knelt beside the bed, took his mother's already icy hand, and gently pressed his forehead against it.

He did not wail aloud; only silent tears traced down his furrowed cheeks.

Translation: There was no loud wailing, only silent tears that slid down his wrinkled cheeks.

This woman, who had struggled to survive in turbulent times, raised him and his sister, and watched him rise from a commoner to a founding emperor, had at last lived out her seemingly ordinary yet truly extraordinary life.

Translation: This woman, who had struggled to survive in chaotic times, raised him and his sister, and witnessed his rise from a commoner to a founding emperor, had at last completed her ordinary yet extraordinary life.

She was his first and warmest tie in this world.

Translation: She was his earliest, and warmest, bond in this world.

Now that bond is severed.

Translation: Now, that bond has been severed.

"Mother…"

Translation: "Mother……"

He whispered her name, his voice choked with emotion.

Translation: He called out softly, his voice choking.

Child subject…… I'm seeing you off.

The bells of national mourning once again rang across the sky over Bian Liang.

But unlike the funeral bells of the False Song five years ago, which were filled with oppression and intrigue, this time the bells carried genuine grief and the nation's sorrow.

Grand Empress Dowager Liu Shi, though she did not intervene in state affairs, her kind and benevolent character was deeply loved by the palace staff;

Her status as the mother of the founding emperor also earned her a virtuous reputation among the people.

The funeral rites were arranged by the Ministry of Rites, observing the utmost mourning honors.

The Crown Prince Chen Hong, in his capacity as heir apparent, presided over the inner and outer funeral rites; his conduct was proper, his grief sincere, earning unanimous praise from the imperial clan and court officials.

Chen Wen forced himself to attend the key ceremony despite his illness.

But he did not overly interfere, entrusting most matters to the Crown Prince and the Ministry of Rites officials.

He needed the Crown Prince to further establish his authority in such a major state affair.

He also needed time to privately digest the pain of losing his closest kin forever.

After the funeral ended, Chen Wen seemed to have grown a bit older.

His time spent alone increased.

Sometimes he sat in silence in the imperial study before his mother's spirit tablet;

Sometimes he paced outside the abandoned old hall in the palace where he, his mother, and his sister had once briefly resided.

He was reminiscing, and also bidding farewell.

Farewell to the warmest part of his life, and farewell to the former self who once feared nothing and charged forward single-mindedly.

He knew that his era was accelerating toward its end.

The Crown Prince's wings were already full, and the court situation was largely stable.

Externally, under Zhao Guangyi's rule, the False Song had basically completed its internal consolidation; although unable to launch a large-scale offensive, small maneuvers continued;

After the Khitan Empress Dowager Xiao fully grasped power, the genuine Khitan's national strength had somewhat recovered, its attitude toward the Chen dynasty grew increasingly subtle, border trade continued as before, but friction began to increase;

Regarding sea routes, the lanes to Goryeo and Japan had initially stabilized, bringing new trade opportunities as well as new diplomatic challenges.

What worried him most secretly was the feeling of being watched.

Since Zhao Guangyi changed the era name five years ago, that icy gaze originating from the master of the Iron Crow Army, though not strengthened, had never truly disappeared.

It was like a poisonous snake lurking in the shadows, silently waiting for an opportunity.

"Almost enough..."

That day, Chen Wen gazed at the wutong leaves beginning to drift down outside the window, murmuring softly to himself.

His mother's passing was like a clear signal.

The relatives he cared about most in his life have now found peace;

The heir he chose is now capable of standing on his own.

The time he had reserved for himself and for this dynasty is not much left.

Some final arrangements, it is time to put on the agenda.

Some investigations into the truth also must be attempted once more before he completely loses his ability.

He turned and walked toward the imperial desk.

On the desk lay a draft he had pondered for a long time, concerning further improvement of the central decision-making mechanism.

And a secret order, demanding that the Office of Tranquil Peace increase its investigation into the remnants of Nether Energy Crystal Ore and any possible movements of the Iron Crow Army.

The afterglow of dusk stretched his shadow long.

Lonely, yet resolute.

Five years of time changed his appearance, shifted authority, and took away his closest kin.

Yet it never wore down his will to protect this dynasty.

Only, the way will be different.