Guan Qingyue was someone who had been domineering since childhood. While there were some things she didn’t care about, trying to snatch them from her hands was like pulling teeth from a tiger’s mouth!
So, hearing Qiao Tangjie’s words, she smiled slightly and asked: “Then when does the official think would be the best timing?”
“At least wait a year or two after His Highness ascends the throne…”
“He may be able to wait, but the child in my belly cannot.” Interrupting him, Feng Yue straightened her back and gently touched her belly with tender eyes: “After all, it carries His Highness’s bloodline. Wouldn’t it be unfair not to give it proper status?”
Eyes widening, the wrinkles on Qiao Tangjie’s face were frightened smooth again! Trembling, he pointed at her: “Y-young lady is carrying His Highness’s heir?”
“Though I am carrying it, that’s not the most important thing.” Brushing off nonexistent dust from her shoulder, Feng Yue smiled at him with red lips and white teeth: “What’s most important is, official, you haven’t understood His Highness’s dedication to country and people.”
What? Dedication to country and people? He only saw Prince Xiao’an trying to please a beauty!
With some reproach in her gaze, Feng Yue frowned and sighed: “How can the official not consider? The coronation ceremony has many complicated procedures requiring much preparation, greatly taxing the people and treasury, as does the empress’s installation ceremony. His Highness specially combining these two into one event accomplishes two goals with one effort. Saving money and trouble – isn’t this dedication to country and people, showing deep consideration?”
Hearing this, everyone thought – hey, it seems to be that way! The national strength was already weak. These grand ceremonies each cost a lot of silver – Prince Xiao’an ascending the throne and establishing an empress simultaneously would at least save several days’ worth of rations for the frontier soldiers.
Qiao Tangjie pondered deeply. Although something felt off, he was moved by Prince Xiao’an’s thoughtfulness, and took the opportunity to reflect on himself – had he been with Emperor Wei too long that he wasn’t used to encountering a wise ruler?
“However…” After thinking, he still spoke: “Forgive this old one’s directness, but Lady Guan’s identity… becoming empress at this time might cause an enormous uproar.”
“Why is that?” Feng Yue raised an eyebrow: “Shouldn’t all the officials be very reassured and happy about me becoming empress?”
Reassured about what? Happy about what?! True, you’re from a loyal family, but your father died at the royal family’s hands – how can everyone trust you? What if one day you can’t take it anymore and stab the new emperor?
The ministers beside him had complex expressions, basically agreeing with Censor Qiao’s thoughts, and softly said: “Inappropriate!”
Feng Yue’s face immediately showed a doubtful expression of “Can people like you really assist an emperor?”, staring until Qiao Tangjie became restless and couldn’t help saying: “It’s not that this old one is prejudiced, but may I ask Lady Guan, how can we be reassured with you as empress?”
“What is there to be unassured about?” Lifting her chin, Feng Yue said: “My martial arts are gone, posing no threat to your new emperor. Moreover, my entire family is gone – as empress there won’t be any in-laws causing trouble, nor any nepotistic relationships pulling strings. Shouldn’t the officials be happy about this?”
Qiao Tangjie was stunned, his eyeballs moving slowly as he drew in a light breath.
It was this reasoning!
Earlier when they had submitted memorials promising not to interfere in harem matters, they had still worried that if the empress position fell to some noble family’s daughter, that clan might cause trouble, and they could only watch helplessly since nepotistic relationships had always been able to change many things. But now, if Guan Qingyue became empress, they wouldn’t need to worry about such things – she had no clan left! All nine branches of her family were extinct!
This candidate wasn’t chosen randomly – His Highness was wise!
After much internal admiration, Qiao Tangjie’s expression softened as he held his tea and smiled at Feng Yue: “Hearing the young lady’s words has made this old one ashamed. With recent affairs being so numerous, this mind isn’t sufficient! Many things weren’t thought through clearly – we misunderstood His Highness and wronged the young lady.”
“It’s fine.” Lowering her eyes slightly, Feng Yue’s tone suddenly became world-weary: “Wandering outside for so many years, I’m used to being wrong. Qingyue has no one to rely on, anywhere I go I’m at others’ mercy. The official need not mind.”
Her final words carried a slight tremor, sounding both sighing and melancholic as they echoed in the room, making everyone’s hearts tighten.
The group of important ministers immediately felt extremely guilty, especially elderly officials like Qiao Tangjie who had granddaughters – his compassionate heart was particularly moved as he stood up and said: “Young lady, don’t be sad. With His Highness here, surely no one will dare bully you in the future.”
“Thank you for your kind words, official.” Her brows remained clouded with worry as Feng Yue smiled bitterly: “But since ancient times beauties have had bitter fates, and Qingyue faces many misunderstandings. How future days will pass depends entirely on luck.”
Where did the misunderstandings come from? Wasn’t it just that the court officials would find her status awkward, unsuitable for empress? Qiao Tangjie thought about it, stroked his beard, and said: “Young lady, rest assured. Since we officials support the new emperor’s ascension, we will naturally support the empress he wishes to establish. Only when the new emperor’s harem is stable can court affairs run more smoothly!”
Looking at him deeply, Feng Yue raised her sleeve to wipe nonexistent tears with emotion: “Then… many thanks to all the officials.”
“Young lady, take good care of your health.” Looking at her kindly, the knot in Qiao Tangjie’s heart was gone. He happily led the group of officials away from the main courtyard.
Guan Zhi stood in the reception hall with a worried expression.
The main courtyard had always forbidden visitors. When the Censor and his group forced their way in, he had already reported to his master. He had thought his master would rage and rush to stop them, but unexpectedly his master calmly said “Let them be” and continued playing Five-in-a-Row with Commander Chen.
Let them be?! What if something went wrong?! Lady Feng Yue was just a weak woman…
Just as he was worrying, he suddenly heard some movement. Guan Zhi looked up to see Qiao and his group return with relaxed expressions.
“Your Highness!” Qiao Tangjie stepped forward, cupping his hands in greeting with a bow nearly to the ground, extraordinarily sincere.
Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow and calmly asked: “What’s the matter? Returned from the privy in such a good mood?”
Qiao Tangjie looked up with a face full of guilt and said: “We old ministers didn’t understand Your Highness’s concern for the country and people. Instead, we thought Your Highness was obsessed with beauty and acting willfully. We were shallow and crude – please forgive us!”
Guan Zhi listened in confusion – wasn’t his master actually obsessed with beauty and acting willfully? When did he show concern for the country and people?
However, seated above them, Yin Gezhi’s mastery was indeed profound. Looking at the heads bowing in apology before him, he gently set his teacup aside and let out a long sigh, speaking in a world-weary tone: “That the officials could understand so quickly already satisfies this prince.”
“Your Highness…”
“As a ruler, making decisions for all under heaven based on one person’s will inevitably leads to misunderstandings at times.” Slightly raising his head to gaze at the ceiling beams, he spoke wistfully: “But as long as there is peace under heaven and the country and people are safe, what does it matter if one person suffers some grievance?”
Look at this breadth of mind, this sentiment! They had lived several extra decades in vain, unable to catch up even with flattery!
Qiao Tangjie and the others were deeply moved!
Thus, a heated discussion arose in court afterward, with important court officials led by Qiao Tangjie showing a firm stance and overwhelming momentum! Over three days, they completely suppressed all voices opposing the new emperor’s simultaneous coronation and empress establishment!
“You’re very impressive.” Lying on the soft couch, Yin Gezhi reached out to hold Feng Yue in his arms, stroking her head as he praised her.
Feng Yue bared her teeth: “Your Highness overstates. But why must you hold me?”
Had their relationship already become close enough for such intimacy?
Looking at her expressionlessly, Yin Gezhi said: “I can still carry you now, so why shouldn’t I? When your belly grows big and I can’t carry you anymore, then I won’t.”
Squinting at him, Feng Yue laughed coldly: “Don’t try to fool me! Whether you can carry me or not, I don’t want you to!”
“Why?” Frowning slightly, Yin Gezhi said: “You’re about to marry me.”
“So what?” Her face darkened as Feng Yue’s gaze turned cold.
His heart sank as Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes.
He seemed to have been pleased too early. This person’s great revenge was unfulfilled, the resentment in her heart not yet dispelled. Even though he had used methods to keep her, she wasn’t a docile kitten.
However, he wasn’t without options. As long as she still had things she cared about, he could slowly build roads. Build them to her feet!
Though his thoughts turned many ways, his face remained undisturbed as Yin Gezhi released her, gently adjusting the cloak around her as he asked: “What style of phoenix crown do you like?”
“Whatever.” Breaking free from his embrace, Feng Yue hugged her teacup and sat to the side. Though her spirit had improved, her whole person still looked somewhat gloomy.
Yin Gezhi didn’t mind, turning over to get up as he said: “These past days they’ve been moving things into the palace. The mansion is in chaos – rather than staying here getting bumped and knocked about, why not come for a walk with me?”
“No.” Without even thinking, Feng Yue refused.
“Mount Zhaoying has nice scenery.” Slowly uttering these words, Yin Gezhi turned his head to look at her: “Really won’t go?”
Mount Zhaoying.
Remembering something she hadn’t finished, Feng Yue pressed her lips together, glaring at this shameless person!
“I’ll go!”
“Then come with me.” Reaching his hand toward her, Yin Gezhi said very proudly: “With my current status, this prince can’t go just anywhere. If you don’t want a crowd following, move quickly.”
Hearing this, Feng Yue immediately placed her hand in his palm with a “pat.”
Lips curving slightly, Yin Gezhi applied force with his hand, watching the red cloak rise behind her like the red silk that had broken on the roof beams of the Menghuai Building long ago, dazzling his eyes.
The carriage sped away, and Guan Zhi worriedly said while driving: “Your Highness, when Censor Qiao and the others can’t find you later, there will be chaos.”
“At their age, how can they look for me for everything?” With a serious face, Yin Gezhi held Feng Yue and said deeply: “They need to learn to handle things themselves.”
Guan Zhi: “…” For other matters, they could indeed handle things themselves, but today was clearly for trying on the dragon robes, Your Highness!
Wiping his face, he shook his head and stopped caring – if his master wasn’t worried, why should he be anxious?
The autumn wind was desolate, leaves falling everywhere. Feng Yue climbed the mountain breathing heavily, and saw what seemed to be some construction around Guan Canghai’s grave. An arch of marble had been built over the grave mound, but the stone tablet in front was still blank.