Chapter 122: Another Outburst

Chapter 122: Another Outburst

The six halls in front of Qixing Palace serve as offices for the Emperor and his ministers.

Only Yaoguang Hall belongs to the inner court. Modeled after Fuhua Palace, Yaoguang Hall is several times larger in size. While the preceding six halls boast magnificent opulence, Yaoguang Hall highlights a meandering elegance, soft and luxurious. The sound of silk and bamboo music seems to float from the northeast corner.

Its melodious tunes are light and almost imperceptible.

Empress Liu stepped down from her phoenix carriage and looked towards Zhu Yan, who came to greet her. Dressed in a lotus-flower-colored brocade skirt, her hair styled in a low-hanging bun at the back of her head, Zhu Yan appeared slightly indolent. Her face lightly made up and wearing minimal gold and jade ornaments, she still radiated an undeniable allure.

Her figure seemed ethereal, as if she could turn into a wisp of smoke and drift away at any moment.

This thought startled Empress Liu.

She quickly approached and helped Zhu Yan, who was bowing to her, to rise. "Ah Yan, please get up quickly."

"Thank you, Sister,"

Zhu Yan said with a smile, standing up, "It's your first visit from the city, and after more than an hour's carriage ride, please come in and rest."

Empress Liu agreed, noting how Zhu Yan seemed untouched by time, her beauty unmarred by the years, despite not having seen each other for four years.

Perhaps even in another ten years, Zhu Yan would still look the same.

It was peony blooming season. On the way to the main hall, they saw a large array of brightly colored peonies. Empress Liu suddenly remembered that when Qixing Palace was built, the Minor Treasury and the Construction Bureau, presuming the Emperor's preference, had filled Yaoguang Hall's gardens with various prestigious peonies.

Symbolizing the king of flowers, with a fragrance that graces the nation.

The Emperor was very pleased upon seeing her and generously rewarded them.

After Zhu Yan moved in, seeing the palace filled with peonies, she mentioned her preference for peonies. Overnight, all the peonies in the palace were replaced with peonies.

The sight of these splendidly blooming peonies instantly calmed Empress Liu's restless and eager heart, bringing her a sense of peace.

Upon entering the main hall, every aspect of its interior reflected exquisite luxury.

"Since Zhu Yan moved into Qixing Palace, almost all tributes from the Imperial Treasury, except for those for her Fengyi Palace, were chosen for Yaoguang Hall. Only after Qixing Palace was served did the rest go to the inner court. Empress Liu was well aware that at least half of her honor was bestowed by Zhu Yan."

"Initially, Empress Liu had hoped for Zhu Yan to be favored, but she had never imagined such an overwhelming favoritism, an exclusive devotion akin to the Emperor's abolition of the concubine system. She hadn't expected the other concubines to lose all opportunities for advancement."

"This was not a good development for the women in the harem."

"Three years ago, Empress Liu had advised the Emperor about this matter."

"The Emperor had only responded, 'I don’t lack sons. Empress, you should first take good care of the princes and princesses in the palace.' The primary duty of the concubines was to continue the imperial lineage."

"Thus, the matter was left unresolved."

"Empress Liu sipped her tea to moisten her throat before broaching the purpose of her visit, 'Today, the Emperor has issued a decree appointing the Eighth Prince as King of Nankang, who will leave for his fief in three days.' As she spoke, she saw Zhu Yan’s surprised face and swallowed the question about whether she knew the reason."

"Zhu Yan immediately asked, 'What did he do?'"

"'Lady Su wanted the Eighth Prince to enter into a marriage discussion with the young Sanniang of the Xu family,' Empress Liu said. Seeing the unsurprised expression on Zhu Yan's face, she quickly asked, 'Is there something inappropriate about that?'"

"'Previously, the Emperor had wanted Ajie to be betrothed to the young Sanniang of the Xu family, but the two children didn’t get along, so it was called off. Since it didn’t happen, I didn’t specifically tell my sister.'"

Empress Liu hurriedly asked, "Does Ah Fan know about this?"

In her reference to Ah Fan, Empress Liu was speaking of Xu Sanniang's birth mother, Lady Fan.

"She should be aware."

Zhu Yan responded, noting that although Lady Fan wasn't present during Lady Yan's recent visit to Yaoguang Hall, marriage matters typically involve the consent of parents. Despite her junior status and lack of decision-making power, she would have been informed.

"Knowing yet still agreeing to Lady Su's proposal is nothing short of harming others and herself," said Empress Liu, rarely showing anger. She found it absurd that if a brother was not an option, a younger prince would be considered. Even a less favored prince was not theirs to choose, let alone involving the fourth prince.

No wonder the Emperor exiled her family to the harsh, cold land of Liaodong.

None of the Xu family dared to plead for them.

Zhu Yan understood Empress Liu's anger, guessing she might not know that the Emperor had once stated: the next Crown Princess must come from the Xu family.

Whether Su Wanzheng's matchmaking between the eighth prince and Xu Sanniang was informed by this reason or merely an attempt to align with the Xu family remained unclear.

Empress Liu carefully spoke up, "Yan, I'm not sure of any grudge between you and Lady Su, but the child is innocent. The eighth prince is only eight years old, too young. As per the dynasty's tradition, princes are only sent to their fiefs at fifteen. Could you help speak to the Emperor, so he doesn’t have to go to his fief so early?"

Zhu Yan shook her head, "It’s not just him; at the beginning of the year, Duke Dingguo suggested that the princes should go to their fiefs early."

“But the Emperor hadn’t agreed, and there has been no movement these past months.”

The lack of action was due to the refusal of the Minister of Rites, Xie Wu, to approve Ah Si’s appointment as King of Jingzhao, with twelve counties of Jingzhao Prefecture as his territory.

Xie Wu, even while ill, had petitioned the Emperor: Jingzhao Prefecture, being central to the imperial government, was too crucial to be granted as a prince’s territory. The Emperor’s affection for his son was understandable, but for the sake of the nation and future generations, the fourth prince should be named Crown Prince, not King of Jingzhao.

It was Xie Wu’s severe illness that led the Emperor to delay the decision.

These were private conversations between Zhu Yan and the Emperor, not suitable to share with Empress Liu. Zhu Yan suggested, “Perhaps send someone to request the Emperor, and Sister can speak to him directly.”

"As soon as she finished speaking, they heard the Emperor's voice from outside, 'Is there something you need to discuss with me personally?'"

"Zhu Yan looked up, seeing the Emperor entering the hall. Just as she was about to respond, she saw Empress Liu rising to greet him and had to stand up and follow suit. Since coming to Qixing Palace, she had almost abandoned all formal court etiquette in front of the Emperor."

"Now, with others present, she had to pick it up again."

"She performed a respectful bow alongside Empress Liu."

"The Emperor, seeing Zhu Yan performing a formal bow, was taken aback. Usually, when he entered, Zhu Yan hardly moved, let alone bow. Seeing her formally bowing now felt unfamiliar to him. He wanted to tease her but restrained himself due to Empress Liu's presence. He told them to rise and directly sat in the seat Zhu Yan had just vacated."

"Seeing this, Empress Liu didn't dare to return to the seat of honor, instead taking the first seat to the right."

"Zhu Yan, realizing the two had important matters to discuss and thinking to excuse herself, was about to speak when Empress Liu stopped her, 'Ayan, you don’t need to leave.'"

"Hearing this, Zhu Yan acknowledged and took a seat opposite, to the left of Empress Liu."

"The Emperor glanced at Zhu Yan and quickly looked away, guessing Empress Liu's purpose for the visit. Without waiting for her to speak, he said, 'Not just the Eighth Prince, but all other princes will depart for their fiefdoms once their lands are confirmed this year. I will select suitable tutors and chief historians for their royal courts to accompany them.'"

"Additionally, aside from Ajie marrying into the Xu family, and the Fourth Princess being the daughter of the former Imperial Concubine Xu, now Lady Xu, no other princes or princesses shall form marital ties with the Xu family. When they reach a suitable age, the Empress may first select appropriate marital candidates for them, then report to me," the Emperor mused.

"The Fourth Princess is the daughter of the former Imperial Concubine Xu, now Lady Xu."

"Empress Liu acknowledged his statement, yet still pleaded, 'Your Majesty, I am concerned about the princes being too young for their fiefdoms. The youngest, the Tenth Prince, is only seven. Sending them away so early, given their delicate health, may not be suitable. Furthermore, being far from the palace without family guidance, even with their potential, I worry they might not develop properly.'"

"Additionally, all princes in the palace are raised by the concubines. I humbly request Your Majesty to consider the maternal feelings of the concubines and adhere to traditional practices. Let’s wait a few more years until they grow older before sending them to their fiefdoms," Empress Liu said, rising and kneeling in a deep bow.

"Upon seeing this, Zhu Yan felt uneasy, hesitating whether to kneel as well, but then heard the Emperor, with narrowed eyes, coldly say, 'As feudal lords, they need not be too accomplished. Sending them early to their fiefdoms will ensure they focus on their duties and not harbor inappropriate ambitions.'"

"'Your Majesty,'" Empress Liu, with a pale face, raised her head, "'The princes are very sensible, and still young…'"

"'The princes may be young, but the ages of their mothers are not insignificant. This matter is settled,' the Emperor said with a cold laugh. His decision to send the other princes to their fiefdoms early was due to concubines with sons seeking marital alliances with influential court officials."

"He had to secure Ajie’s position."

Hearing this, Empress Liu knew there was no room for negotiation. She turned to Zhu Yan beside her, "You may leave first."

Zhu Yan immediately complied.

She truly wanted no part in these affairs and almost fled the hall.

Empress Liu watched Zhu Yan leave, then turned her gaze, which followed Zhu Yan to the door, back to the Emperor and calmly reseated herself, "What about Ah Si? And the Empress? What are Your Majesty's plans?"

The Emperor, eyes lowered, countered, "What now? Does the Empress wish to emulate Empress Deng the Deposed?"

This remark sent a shiver down Empress Liu's spine, "I dare not. With the princes heading to their fiefs, Ah Si included, can the Empress bear it? If Your Majesty intends to designate Ah Si as the Crown Prince, what about the Empress? Can you bear to part with her?"

"I have no plans to appoint Ah Si as the Crown Prince for now. I will keep him in the capital as the King of Jingzhao."

"Is Your Majesty considering abolishing that imperial edict, yet worried about me?" Empress Liu, suppressing her fear, forced herself to complete her thought, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. I will never be a hindrance. As I've said before, I do not desire children. Whether the edict exists or not, I will never seek children of my own. I only want the Empress's title."

The Emperor gazed at Empress Liu for a long time, until she almost couldn't hold on, before finally responding affirmatively, "I agree to your request."

Moments later, he added, "You may return. Do not come to the Qixing Palace again. What I have decided cannot be swayed by you, nor by her. There's no need to seek her."

"Thank you, Your Majesty. I shall take my leave."

Empress Liu, having received a clear response, performed a bow and departed without seeing Zhu Yan again. The Emperor's directive to avoid Zhu Yan was not because she couldn't change his mind. In fact, on many small matters, Zhu Yan had the ability to sway him.

Hence, he preferred that Empress Liu did not seek Zhu Yan's intervention.

After Empress Liu left, the Emperor sat silently for a while before inquiring of the attendants at the door, "Where is the Empress?"

"She has gone to the rear garden."

The Emperor rose and headed to the rear garden, which featured a large man-made lake fed by flowing water. Along the lake's edge were rows of willows and interspersed plum trees. The shallower parts of the lake were adorned with lotus flowers. Zhu Yan stood beside a plum tree, gazing thoughtfully at the lake.

"What are you thinking about?" the Emperor approached and embraced Zhu Yan from behind.

Zhu Yan, returning to the moment, didn't respond to his question, "Has the Empress left?"

"The Emperor hummed softly, embracing her, resting his head on her shoulder, then suddenly asked, 'Ayan, do you want to be Empress?'"

"Startled, Zhu Yan pushed his head away, looking at him in shock, 'What madness is this now?'"

"Author's Note:"

"That's all for today's update, kisses~~"