After the new emperor ascended the throne, the customary process of welcoming the new and bidding farewell to the old began: rewarding those who had served him and cutting down his opponents.
Of all those swept up in this change of power, the most enviable was an unremarkable minor official from Prince Shao's Residence-Yang Xingjian. Although he came from a distinguished family, his official career had faltered. By middle age, he had managed to attain only an idle post of the lower sixth rank.
During the darkest days, when Prince Shao was under the late emperor's suspicion, even the Cui family of his Princess Consort had betrayed him. Yang Xingjian alone had possessed the discernment to insist on a marriage alliance. Though his daughter Yang Fangxie had died of illness before the wedding, Li Yuanying still posthumously named her Virtuous Consort after ascending the throne. With the late emperor's death, his children were forbidden to marry during their three years of mourning. This long-dead girl thus became the Sage's only formally recognized consort.
Everyone knew perfectly well that this was not because Li Yuanying harbored any affection for a secondary wife he had never met. He was repaying his father-in-law for recognizing a pearl when he saw one and remaining steadfastly loyal. As the Virtuous Consort's father, Yang Xingjian soared straight into the clouds, receiving the title Duke of Wei and an active appointment as administrative officer of Princess Chengtian Princess Wanshou's household. He could now secure honors for his wife and privileges for his sons, bringing glory to his family.
At the promotion banquet, the newly appointed duke excitedly performed the Barbarian Whirl Dance before his friends, relatives, and colleagues. His vigor and agility were nothing like those of a man in his forties.
As for Yuan Shaobo, Li