Chapter 20: Regency I

The 14th day of the tenth lunar month, year 3 of Li Shan's reign, commemorates the 3rd death anniversary of emperor Gongxu and marks the end of the mourning period for his wife and children. As such, at 7 in the morning, empress dowager Ruyi, Wan Li, and Li Shan, were all in the hall for Ancestry worship to pay their respects.

After the ritual and ceremony, Empress dowager Ruyi took the time to observe Wan Li. Although this was their third time visiting, it was the first that they have been joined by Li Shan and his retinue.

Ever since she noticed Wan Li's extreme aversion to strangers, she has been keeping eye while trying to improve her condition. Now, after 5 months of Wan Li joining her during Li Shan's morning greetings from time to time, Wan Li can now be in Li shan's presence somewhat comfortably.

Why 'somewhat'? Actually, she was regretting a little that she asked lady Yang to introduce Wan Li to the lessons for women earlier than she should have. The reason was because, Wan Li, who was so diligent that she has already devoured all the theoretical aspects of the four disciplines, would utilize all that she has learned to her utmost. Thus, although Wan Li just turned six years old three months ago, she could not interact with Li Shan like a normal child her age (might have).

Initially, she thought that having lady Yang teach Wan Li the basics earlier would only ensure that Wan Li, knowing the difference between her and Li Shan, not dare to learn from him (being too spoiled). In addition to that, she also anticipated that children might have light scuffles, so her purpose was to ensure that Wan Li won't get into conflict with Li Shan for simple matters in the future. However, it was too effective.

Sometimes, it's funny how the mind of adults' work. When a child is unruly, they think that the child is too spoiled and needs discipline. When a child is behaving too well, they would still worry because they think that a child needs to be more childlike.

The same is true for empress dowager Ruyi. She feels like Wan Li should be livelier.

As solution, she thought that Wan Li should spend more time with a lively child her age. Of course, the most suitable she could think of now was Li Shan. Based on her observations these 5 months, he doesn't seem to be as bad as the rumors portrayed him to be.

In any case, seeing how Wan Li was now able to stand being in the presence of Li Shan and his retinue outside their palace without shaking like a leaf nor being too pale that she looks like she would faint any second, Ruyi thought that it was time to take another step forward.

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In contrast to how seemingly uneventful life in the inner court of the forbidden city was, its outer court and the rest of China has been in an uproar.

After the death of emperor Gongxu and empress dowager Cixui, Li Shan ascended the throne and through the maneuvering of Gongxu's faction, Prince Zaili, though no longer nominally the biological father of Li Shan (since Li Shan was adopted by Gongxu and Tangzhi), became the prince regent.

In all honesty, Prince Zaili as the prince regent was a last-ditch plan that was born out of the unforeseen turn of events. No one in their faction expected that Gongxu would die when he did, much more that the empress dowager would follow not 24 hours later. They did talk about putting Prince Zaili in the position after he informed them that his eldest son was taken to the palace; however, that was the long-term plan, subject to change. They had no idea that amongst all their best laid plans, that one would be the fastest to come into fruition.

From the start, everyone knew that Prince Zaili was an unfit ruler. He was too impulsive, has a tendency to shirk responsibilities, and has an inclination to become easily swayed. In fact, everyone considered that aside from him being well-intentioned and steadfast loyal, he had no other redeeming qualities.

However, the die has been cast. Leading figures in their faction can only rely on the notion that Prince Zaili can be guided towards the right direction.

Except, that wasn't what happened.

The grass always knew how to bend where the wind blows, and so, the clear line between factions blurred once more. Once in the position, Prince Zaili has become the subject of flattery. This in turn made him become obstinately tenacious of his own opinions, which would, most of, if not all the time, turn out wrong.

Now, one must understand that majority of those who supported Gongxu were of Han ethnicity. They chose to do so because they agreed with Gongxu's advocacy of constitutional monarchy. Prince Zaili for all his inadequateness knew this but being given absolute power corrupts absolutely.

He wanted to backtrack from all the economic and political reforms they agreed upon but was pushed to only delay them. Later, because he was backed in the corner, he implemented some, for example, he changed the grand council to the imperial cabinet. Of course, this only earned more discontent especially that only 4 of the 13 members were Han Chinese, the rest being of Manchu ethnicity.

At this point, even the staunchest of Gongxu's supporters have already given up hope for political reform under prince Zaili's regency.

Outside the walls of the forbidden city, the tide of history was changing. Due to the increased presence of expatriates and foreign congregations, the average Chinese man who used to embrace tradition now wanted to break-away from it to make way for modernization and reform.

In this way, the revolutionists aiming to topple the Qing dynasty and end the imperial rule in China once again picked up steam as more people were getting frustrated by the conservative Qing government.

Timing was finally about to meet opportunity, and only fools who cannot adjust their sails shall find themselves sinking.

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TBC