Guаn Qingyue, hаving bееn dоminеering since сhildhоod, was аccustоmеd tо hаving hеr wаy. While shе might not care much abоut сertаin things, trying tо snаtсh thеm from hеr hаnds wаs nо diffеrent frоm pulling teeth frоm а tiger's mоuth!
Thus, upon hеaring Qiaо Tangjiе's wоrds, shе smilеd fаintlу аnd asked, "Тhеn, sir, when dо уоu think would bе the bеst timе?"
"At leаst а yеar or two аfter His Highnеss аsсends thе throne..."
"Hе саn wait, but thе сhild in mу bеllу сannоt." Intеrrupting him, Fеng Yue strаightened hеr baсk аnd gеntly strоkеd hеr stоmach with a tеnder expressiоn. "After all, it сarries thе bloоd оf His Нighness. Wouldn't it be unfair not to grant it a proper status?"
Wide-eyed, Qiao Tangjie's wrinkles were once again smoothed out in shock! Trembling, he pointed at her. "Miss... Miss is carrying His Highness's child?"
"Though I am indeed with child, that is not the most important matter." Brushing off nonexistent dust from her shoulder, Feng Yue flashed him a bright, red-lipped smile. "What matters most, sir, is that you have yet to understand His Highness's painstaking efforts for the nation and its people."
What? For the nation and its people? All he saw was Prince Xiao trying to win a beauty's smile!
With a hint of reproach in her gaze, Feng Yue frowned and sighed. "Why doesn't the sir consider this: the coronation ceremony involves numerous elaborate rituals and preparations, which are both laborious and costly. The same goes for the enthronement of an empress. By combining these two ceremonies into one, His Highness aims to achieve two goals with a single effort. Saving money and effort—isn't this a testament to his dedication to the nation and its people?"
Upon hearing this, everyone thought, hey, that does make sense! The nation's resources were already strained. Holding these grand ceremonies would require a great deal of silver. By combining Prince Xiao's coronation with the enthronement of an empress, at least a few days' worth of rations could be saved for the soldiers at the border.
Qiao Tangjie fell silent. Though he felt something was off, he was also moved by Prince Xiao's thoughtful intentions. He even reflected on himself, wondering if he had been serving Emperor Wen of Wei for too long and had grown unaccustomed to encountering a wise ruler.
"But..." After some thought, he spoke again. "Forgive my bluntness, but Miss Guan's status... becoming empress at this time would likely stir up a storm of controversy."
"And why is that?" Feng Yue raised an eyebrow. "If I become empress, shouldn't all of you feel reassured and delighted?"
Reassured? Delighted? It's true you are the descendant of loyal subjects, but your father died at the hands of the royal family. How could anyone feel at ease with you? What if one day you lose your mind and stab the new emperor?
The other ministers shared similarly complex expressions, their thoughts aligning with Censor Qiao's. One of them whispered, "It's inappropriate!"
Feng Yue's face immediately took on a look of suspicion, as if questioning whether people like them were truly fit to assist an emperor. Her gaze made Qiao Tangjie restless, and he couldn't help but say, "It's not that I harbor prejudice, but may I ask, Miss Guan, how can we feel at ease with you as empress?"
"Why wouldn't you feel at ease?" Tossing her chin up, Feng Yue replied, "My martial arts are gone, so I pose no threat to your new emperor. Moreover, my entire family is gone. As empress, there would be no risk of maternal relatives causing trouble or nepotism. Shouldn't you all be pleased?"
Qiao Tangjie was taken aback. His eyes shifted slowly, and he drew in a soft, cold breath.
That actually made sense!Previously, they had submitted a memorial pledging not to interfere in the affairs of the inner palace. They had been worried that if the position of empress fell to someone from a powerful noble family, and that clan caused trouble, they would have to watch helplessly, since nepotism could always change many things. But now, if Guan Qingyue became empress, there was no need to worry about such matters—she simply had no clan left! All nine branches of her family had been wiped out!
This candidate was truly not chosen at random. The prince is wise indeed!
With a long sigh in his heart, Qiao Tangjie’s expression softened. Holding his tea, he smiled at Feng Yue. “Listening to your words, young lady, makes this old man feel ashamed. With so many affairs lately, my mind is not sharp enough! I failed to think things through clearly and misunderstood the prince, and I have wronged you as well.”
“It’s nothing.” Lowering her eyes gently, Feng Yue’s tone suddenly turned somber. “After drifting for so many years, I’ve grown accustomed to being wronged. Qingyue has no one to rely on and can be pushed around anywhere. There’s no need for you to mind, sir.”
Her trailing voice trembled slightly. It sounded like a sigh, filled with melancholy, echoing in the room and tightening everyone’s hearts.
The senior officials immediately felt deeply guilty, especially old ministers like Qiao Tangjie who had granddaughters. Compassion welled up in him, and he stood up, saying, “Young lady, do not grieve. With the prince here, no one will dare bully you in the future.”
“I thank you for your kind words.” The worry between her brows remained unresolved as Feng Yue smiled bitterly. “But since ancient times, beauties have often met tragic fates. Qingyue has also suffered many misunderstandings. How I will live in the days to come depends entirely on luck.”
Where did these misunderstandings come from? Wasn’t it because people in the court felt her status was awkward and unsuitable for the position of empress? Thinking this, Qiao Tangjie stroked his beard and said, “Young lady, rest assured. Since we old ministers supported the new emperor’s ascension, we will naturally support the empress he wishes to establish. Only when the new emperor’s inner palace is stable can affairs in the court proceed more smoothly!”
Giving him a deep look, Feng Yue raised her sleeve and wiped away nonexistent tears, moved. “Then… I thank all of you, sirs.”
“Take good care of yourself, young lady.” Giving her a kindly glance, Qiao Tangjie felt the knot in his heart dissolve. Happily, he led the other officials away from the main courtyard.
Guan Zhi stood in the flower hall, his face full of worry.
The main courtyard had always been off-limits to outsiders. When the Censor-in-Chief and his group forced their way in, he had already reported it to his master. He had thought his master would fly into a rage and rush to stop them, but instead, his master calmly said, “Let them be,” and then began playing “five-in-a-row” with Commander Chen.
Let them be?! What if something happened? Miss Feng Yue is just a weak woman…
While he was fretting, he suddenly heard some movement. Guan Zhi looked up and saw Minister Qiao and the others returning, their faces relaxed and at ease.
“Your Highness!” Qiao Tangjie stepped forward, cupped his hands, and bowed deeply, his gesture exceptionally sincere.
Yin Gezhi raised an eyebrow and asked calmly, “What is it? Did a trip to the latrine put you in such a good mood?”
Qiao Tangjie looked up, his face full of remorse. “We old ministers failed to understand Your Highness’s concern for the nation and its people. Instead, we thought Your Highness was indulging in beauty and acting willfully. We were shallow and ignorant. Please forgive us, Your Highness!”
Guan Zhi listened, utterly bewildered. Wasn’t his master exactly indulging in beauty and acting willfully? When had he ever shown concern for the nation and its people?However, Yin Gezhi seated above possessed profound cultivation after all. Watching the bowed heads before him pleading for forgiveness, he gently set his teacup aside and let out a long sigh. With a tone steeped in vicissitude, he said, "I am already satisfied that you gentlemen have come to understand so quickly."
"Your Highness..."
"As a ruler, making decisions for the world based on one's own will inevitably leads to misunderstandings at times." Slightly raising his head to gaze at the rafters, he lamented, "But as long as the world is at peace and the nation prosperous, what does it matter if one person suffers a little injustice?"
Look at this breadth of mind, this depth of feeling! They had lived decades in vain, unable to catch up even if they flattered their way through!
Qiao Tangjie and the others were deeply moved!
Thus, a fierce debate erupted in the court. Led by Qiao Tangjie, the high-ranking ministers stood firm and imposing! Over three days, they completely suppressed all voices opposing the new emperor's ascension and the establishment of the empress!
"You are very capable." Lying on the soft couch, Yin Gezhi reached out and pulled Feng Yue into his embrace, patting her head as he praised her.
Feng Yue bared her teeth: "Your Highness flatters me, but why must you hold me?"
Had their relationship grown so harmonious that they could be this intimate?
Expressionlessly glancing at her, Yin Gezhi said, "I can still carry you now, so why not? When your belly grows big and I can no longer hold you, then I won't."
Narrowing her eyes at him, Feng Yue sneered, "Don't try to fool me! Whether you can carry me or not, I don't want you to hold me!"
"Why?" Frowning slightly, Yin Gezhi asked, "You are about to marry me."
"So what?" Her face darkening, Feng Yue's gaze turned cold.
His heart sank, and Yin Gezhi lowered his eyes.
It seemed he had rejoiced too early. This person's deep-seated grudge remained unresolved, her resentment not yet dispelled. Even if he had managed to keep her through schemes, she was no docile kitten.
However, he was not without recourse. As long as she still cared about something, he could slowly pave the way. All the way to her feet!
Though his mind raced with thoughts, his face remained impassive. Yin Gezhi released her, gently adjusting the cloak around her, and asked, "What style of phoenix crown do you like?"
"Whatever." Breaking free from his embrace, Feng Yue picked up her teacup and moved to sit nearby. Though her spirits had somewhat revived, she still appeared somewhat gloomy.
Yin Gezhi paid no mind. Rolling over to get up, he said, "These past two days, things have been moved into the palace. The mansion is in utter chaos. Rather than staying here where you might bump into things, why not come out for a walk with me?"
"Not going." Without a second thought, Feng Yue refused.
"Zhaoying Mountain has beautiful scenery." Slowly uttering these words, Yin Gezhi turned his head to look at her. "Really not going?"
Zhaoying Mountain.
Remembering something she had yet to finish, Feng Yue pursed her lips, glaring at this shameless man!
"I'll go!"
"Then come with me." Extending his hand toward her, Yin Gezhi said with great haughtiness, "Given my current status, there are not many places I can go. If you don't want a large entourage following, be quick about it."
Hearing this, Feng Yue "slapped" her hand into his palm.
A slight smile curling his lips, Yin Gezhi tightened his grip, watching the red cloak billow behind her like the broken red silk from the rafters of the Dream Return Pavilion long ago, dazzling his eyes.The carriage sped away, leaving a trail of dust behind. Guan Zhi, deeply concerned, kept glancing back as he drove, saying, "Your Highness, when Lord Qiao and the others can't find you later, things will be thrown into chaos."
"Men of such advanced age should learn to handle matters on their own instead of relying on me for everything." With a stern expression, Yin Gezhi held Feng Yue tightly and spoke gravely, "They must learn to manage affairs independently."
Guan Zhi: "..." If it were any other matter, they could indeed handle it themselves, but today was clearly the day for trying on the imperial robes, Your Highness!
Wiping his face, he shook his head and decided not to worry further. If his master wasn't anxious, why should he be?
The autumn wind howled desolately, and fallen leaves drifted everywhere. Panting heavily, Feng Yue climbed up the mountain and saw that something seemed to be under construction around Guan Canghai's grave. The mound was topped with a marble arch, but the stone tablet in front remained blank.
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