| Chapter 09: The Weight of Power |

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| Aegon Targaryen - 1st Person Pov |

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The scent of incense hung in the air, thick and cloying, as I followed Jia through the palace corridors.

The palace of Xia Quo had always felt overwhelming, but lately, I had begun to see it differently. The grand columns of jade and gold, the intricately carved walls, the courtiers whispering in hushed tones,— these were more than just symbols of wealth and power. They were part of a game, one I was slowly mastering.

Jia moved ahead of me, her silken robes trailing behind her like the shadow she cast over the court. Her influence was undeniable. Ministers, generals, and nobles bowed their heads in respect as she passed, though I had begun to see the wariness in their eyes. They feared her, yes, but there was something else,— something that made me wonder just how secure her power really was.

Today, I was not just following her as a student. I was here to learn, yes, but also to observe. Jia had taught me much, but there were things she didn't say, things I had to learn on my own. And one of the first of those lessons was that even the most powerful could be challenged.

We entered the Jade Hall, the seat of power in Yi Ti, where the Emperor's court gathered to discuss matters of state. The hall was as grand as ever, with its towering columns and gilded tapestries, but I had come to realize that the true power here did not lie in its grandeur. It lay in the people who moved through these halls, the ones who whispered and schemed behind the scenes.

At the far end of the hall stood the Emperor's throne, carved from a single block of jade, its surface gleaming in the morning light. But as always, the throne was empty. The Emperor himself was nowhere to be seen.

I had heard little of him since the start if my stay here. His absence from the court was so constant that it had become almost a matter of routine. The ministers and generals who ruled in his name spoke of him only when necessary, and even then, it was with a careful tone of respect that felt more like obligation than loyalty.

And as I took my place in the shadows, watching from the edges of the room, my thoughts wandered back to the stories I had overheard. The courtiers spoke of the Emperor as if he were a child, too weak and sick, or too afraid to face the realities of ruling.

And that made me wonder what kind of man, the Emperor really was. Because for all his titles, he was actually little more than a figurehead.

It was Jia who wielded the true power here, not through force but through influence. She controlled who had access to him, what decisions were made in his name, and how the empire was run. And yet, as I watched her today, I began to wonder if even her power was as secure as it seemed.

Speaking of Jia, she took her place at the center of the room then, her presence commanding the attention of everyone there. The ministers and generals who had been speaking fell silent as she approached, their eyes flickering between her and the empty throne behind them.

"Lady Consort Jia." one of the ministers said, bowing his head slightly while using Jia's original title. "We were just discussing the situation in the west. The Golden Lotus Rebellion continues to spread, and we once more fear that the Emperor's forces may not be sufficient to quell the unrest."

Jia nodded her head then, her expression calm but thoughtful. "The Emperor's forces are more than capable, I am sure. But if reinforcements are needed, we shall see to it soon. The empire will surely not be shaken by a mere group of dissidents."

Her words were confident, but I could see the flicker of uncertainty in the eyes of those around her. They feared the rebellion, yes, but there was something else,— something that made me realize just how precarious the situation truly was.

The rebellion was growing stronger. I had heard the whispers, seen the fear in the eyes of the servants who passed through the palace. The Golden Lotus Rebellion wasn't just a threat to the empire,— it was a threat to Jia's power. If the Emperor's forces failed, it would be a sign of weakness, one that her enemies could exploit on her.

But even more than that, I could see now that Jia's control over the court was not as absolute as I had once thought. The ministers deferred to her, yes, but there was a wariness in their eyes, a sense that they were watching for any sign of vulnerability.

I stayed in the shadows, as Jia had instructed, watching, learning. But I was no longer just her student. I was beginning to see the game for what it truly was.

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It had been weeks ago when Jia had first told me about the true Empress.

"The Emperor's wife." I had said, frowning. "Why don't we ever see her in the palace as well?"

Jia's smile had been cold then, almost dismissive. "The true Empress is… a figurehead as much as the Emperor himself. She holds the title, yes, but she wields no real power. She was chosen for her family's influence, not for her intelligence or ambition. The court respects her as the Emperor's wife, but that is where her influence ends."

I had nodded, trying to understand. "So that's why most call you Empress sometimes."

Jia had laughed softly, a sound that carried both amusement and something darker. "I have told you before, that titles are just words, Aegon. The court may call me Empress as much as they wish, but as you well know by now, I hold no official title. I have told you, and I am sure you undertand it by now, what matters is not the name they give you,— it's the power you gain, behind it. I have built my influence carefully, over years of watching, listening, and learning. The true Empress has no such skill."

She had paused then, her gaze turning more serious. "But do not underestimate her. She may be a figurehead, but even figureheads can pose a threat if the court decides to rally behind them."

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Those words echoed in my mind now as I watched the ministers and generals exchange glances. Jia had sidelined the true Empress, yes, but I was beginning to see that even a sidelined figure could become dangerous if the balance of power shifted.

And the balance was shifting.

The rebellion in the west was growing, the Emperor was absent, and Jia's control over the court, while still strong, was not as unshakable as it had once seemed.

I stayed quiet, my eyes following the movements of the courtiers, the subtle exchanges of glances, the way certain ministers hesitated before speaking. They were testing her, looking for signs of weakness, though none dared to challenge her openly. Not yet.

But it was coming. I could feel it.

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The council meeting continued, but I knew that I had seen what I needed to see. As the ministers discussed military strategies and the allocation of resources, my thoughts drifted to what Jia had taught me about power. It wasn't just about strength or alliances,— it was about perception. And today, I had seen that perception start to shift.

Jia's power, while formidable, was not unassailable. She had built it carefully, yes, but the cracks were starting to show. The rebellion, the Emperor's absence, the wariness of the court,— it was all part of a larger picture, one that I was beginning to understand.

As the meeting drew to a close, Jia turned to leave, and I followed her as I always did. But this time, I wasn't just following. I was watching, thinking, planning.

Once we were alone in the corridor, I spoke.

"The court is watching you more and more, lately." I said quietly, my voice steady. "They're waiting for a sign of weakness."

Jia glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "And what did you see, Aegon?"

I hesitated, choosing my words carefully. "I saw them hesitate. They respect you, but they're afraid. The rebellion… it's giving them something to question."

She nodded, her gaze turning thoughtful. "The court has always been afraid, Aegon. Fear is a tool, but it's a fickle one. Too much, and they will turn on you. Too little, and they grow bold."

Her words carried a weight that I hadn't fully grasped before. Jia had built her power on careful manipulation, using fear, respect, and influence in equal measure. But now I saw the delicate balance she maintained. One wrong move could send it all crashing down.

"And the true Empress?" I asked carefully, testing the waters. "Is she part of that balance?"

Jia's expression hardened slightly, though her steps remained steady. "She is a symbol, nothing more. But symbols can be dangerous in the wrong hands."

I considered her words as we continued down the corridor. The true Empress had been little more than a ghost to me, a name whispered in passing. But now, I could see that her very existence posed a threat, however slight. She held the title, and while that title might be hollow, it could still be used by those looking for leverage against Jia.

As we walked, I thought about what I had seen in the court today,— the ministers' hesitation, the uncertainty in their eyes. They feared Jia, yes, but they were also starting to question her. And in the Emperor's absence, they might begin looking for another figure to rally behind. The true Empress, despite her passivity, could be that figure.

I knew what Jia would do. She would tighten her grip on the court, use her influence to quell any dissent before it could take root.

But I couldn't help but wonder how long she could maintain that control.

We arrived at her chambers, the familiar scent of jasmine and incense greeting us as the doors closed behind us. Jia moved gracefully to the window, her gaze drifting out over the city of Xia Quo, though I could tell her mind was elsewhere.

I stood in silence for a moment, watching her. The tension in the air was palpable, and for the first time, I began to see the cracks in her composure. She had always been a master of control, but now, the weight of the empire seemed to be pressing down on her.

"You've built something strong here." I said carefully, stepping closer to her. "But I am starting to see that it's fragile, too."

Her eyes shifted to meet mine, and for a brief moment, I saw something flicker in her expression,— thoughI couldn'tplace my finger on what. It was also gone just as quickly, replaced by the calm, collected mask she always wore.

"Everything is fragile, Aegon." she said quietly. "Even empires. That is why we must always be vigilant. Power is not something you hold. It is something you constantly fight to keep."

I nodded, understanding her words more deeply than I had before. Power was a constant struggle, a game of control and influence that never truly ended. And here in Yi Ti, Jia had mastered that game. But even a master could be challenged.

"Do you ever think about it?" I asked, my voice low. "About what happens if you lose that fight?"

She was silent for a long moment, her gaze returning to the city below. "I don't intend to lose."

Her words were firm, but there was a weariness to them that I hadn't heard before.

Jia had been fighting this battle for years, maintaining her power in a court full of rivals and enemies. But now, I could see that even she was beginning to feel the strain.

I thought about the future,— about my future. Jia had been my guide, my teacher, but I was beginning to see that I couldn't rely on her forever. I needed to carve my own path, to build my own influence. The court was watching her, yes, but they were also watching me. And I needed to be ready for whatever came at me, next.

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The following days were a blur of observation and subtle maneuvering. Jia continued to attend court, maintaining her grip on the ministers and generals, but I began to take more of a role, stepping out of the shadows bit by bit.

I started by speaking with the servants, the ones who moved through the palace unnoticed but who saw and heard everything. They were the true eyes and ears of the court, and through them, I began to gather information,— rumors of discontent among the nobles, whispers of dissatisfaction with Jia's control over the Emperor.

It was through them that I learned more about the true Empress. She remained mostly out of sight, fulfilling her ceremonial duties and little else, but there were those in the court who still respected her. Her family was powerful, and while she had been sidelined, she was not entirely without influence.

One afternoon, I overheard two courtiers speaking in hushed tones near the gardens.

"The true Empress has been quiet for too long." one of them said, his voice barely audible over the sound of the wind rustling through the trees. "But her family… they haven't forgotten what she was promised."

"Promised?" the other man asked, frowning. "What do you mean?"

"The Emperor's late father made certain guarantees when she was married into the imperial family. Power, influence. But now… now it's all in the Lady Consort, Jia Niao's hands."

I stayed hidden, listening closely as they continued.

"They say her family is starting to grow restless. They want to see her reclaim her rightful place."

"And what of the Emperor?"

There was a pause, and then the first man spoke again, his tone more cautious. "The Emperor is mostly sick. He does what Jia tells him. But I don't think that will last forever."

The conversation left me unsettled. I had known that there were factions within the court, but I hadn't realized just how deep the divisions ran. The true Empress's family still had ambitions, and if they decided to act, it could destabilize everything Jia had built.

I reported what I had heard to Jia later that evening, but she seemed unsurprised.

"The court is full of whispers, Aegon, as always." she said calmly, pouring herself a cup of tea. "But whispers mean nothing without action. The true Empress's family may be restless, but they have no power here. Not as long as the Emperor is with me."

Her confidence was reassuring, but I couldn't shake the feeling that something was shifting. The balance of power in the court was delicate, and it wouldn't take much to tip it in another direction.

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It was a few days later when I decided to take matters into my own hands. I had spent enough time watching, learning. Now it was time to test what I had learned.

The opportunity came when Jia was occupied with a council meeting. I had been observing the ministers and generals long enough to know who the key players were,— the ones who held real influence in the court.

And today, I decided to approach one of them.

General Wei was one of the most respected military figures in Yi Ti, a man whose loyalty to the Emperor was unquestioned. But he was also wary of Jia, and I could tell that he was one of the few who hadn't fully submitted to her control.

I found him in one of the courtyards, watching a group of soldiers train with their spears. He looked up as I approached, his expression neutral but guarded.

"General." I said, inclining my head slightly in respect.

"Aegon." he replied, his tone measured. "What brings you here?"

The truth was, everyone already knew of who I was, and what my presence meant in the broader scheme of things, so his acknowledgment was met with a simple nod from me.

"I wanted to speak with you," I said carefully. "About the court."

He raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued but cautious. "What about the court?"

"I've been watching." I continued, choosing my words carefully. "And I've noticed… tensions. Between the ministers, the nobles. Even among the generals."

General Wei nodded slowly, his expression thoughtful. "There are always tensions in the court. That's the nature of politics."

"True." I agreed. "But I think there's more to it. The Emperor's absence… Lady Jia's control… it's creating divisions. People are starting to question the way things are run."

He studied me for a moment, his gaze sharp. "And what do you think should be done about it?"

I hesitated, aware that this was a test. "I think the court needs stability. Real stability. Not just the appearance of it."

General Wei's eyes narrowed slightly, but he didn't respond right away. Instead, he turned back to the soldiers, watching as they moved through their drills.

"Stability is a difficult thing to maintain, young man." he said finally, his voice low. "Especially when power is concentrated in the hands of one person."

I nodded, understanding the subtext of his words. Jia's power was formidable, but it was also fragile. The more control she held, the more vulnerable she became to those who sought to challenge her.

"I think we could find that stability." I said quietly. "But it will take more than just one person."

General Wei glanced at me, a flicker of something in his expression that I couldn't quite read.

"Perhaps." he said after a long pause.

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| Author's Ending Note: I hope I am doing a good job at showing the Yi Ti political side. Politics in a realm I know close to nothing is quite strange to write about. Also, I am on vacations, so as an inexperient author, I hope I am not mentioned the same thing again and again by mistake in some dialogues. Have fun, and share your thoughts. |