Chapter 459 – The Empress

Chapter 459 - The Empress

Xie was in a terrible state now. Despite all the nourishment she received, her body was already broken—how much could it really replenish?

All she could do was endure. She was well aware that Qi would never let her die peacefully.

Upon hearing of Concubine Shu's demise, she felt a sense of liberation. But with things as they were, she no longer had the chance to take her own life.

Every day, someone watched over her, precisely to prevent her from doing so. If she were to make a desperate attempt, those serving her would suffer the same fate.

She wished to starve herself, but whenever she refused food, someone would force-feed her. Her suffering was unbearable.

Enduring until death—only those who had experienced it knew the torment it entailed.

This was true torment... unable to seek death even if one desired it...

"I Qi, you're truly ruthless... so ruthless..." Lying on her bed, she gazed blankly at the canopy, muttering softly to herself.

Those attending to her rolled their eyes, thinking to themselves that it was her own incompetence. Even with a legitimate son, she had ended up in such a miserable state.

Amidst her busy schedule, Yun Li learned that Concubine Qin had been frequently visiting the deposed empress.

"Her title truly suits her. She is indeed diligent," Yun Li commented.

"servant has instructed someone to keep an eye on her. She only goes there to provoke the empress a bit. She doesn't do anything else," Jujube said with a smile.

Yun Li nodded. "That's good then. Let her do as she pleases. This woman, though sharp-tongued, may not necessarily be all that wicked."

If it weren't for her overly sharp tongue, she might have achieved a higher rank as a concubine long ago. Perhaps the loss of her child back then was partly due to her careless words.

This person doesn't have a second child.

Regardless of anything else, the Emperor had vividly remembered this person's sharp tongue.

In June, the Sixth Princess remarried. Her new husband was the youngest son of an earl's family, who had also been betrothed before. However, his fiancée had tragically passed away before they could wed.

He could be considered loyal, having held on for two years.

Princess Six quite favored him. At the very least, she was very willing about this marriage herself.

The Third Prince made a special effort to meet with Princess Liuyu alone, seeking clarity solely to ensure that her agreement was not coerced by external circumstances but given willingly.

Regardless, Princess Liuyu deeply appreciated her brother's concern for her well-being.

Yun Li also took note of this. The Third Prince's affection was enough to overshadow his mischievous behavior from childhood, which was truly remarkable.

In September of this year, the grand ceremony for the enthronement of the new Empress took place.

Yun Li donned a dark robe adorned with scarlet borders. The garment was intricately embroidered with patterns interwoven with golden threads.

Above, the embroidery depicts the four seasons of mountains and rivers; below, it illustrates the geography of heaven and earth. Adorned with four auspicious beasts and six fortunate creatures, the fabric is further embellished with images of elegant blue phoenixes and proud pheasants.

Twelve layers inside and out, each with its own significance.

Adorned with a crimson golden crown, twelve dragons and nine phoenixes intertwined, set with one hundred and eight gemstones and three hundred and eighteen pearls. Two tassels of the headpiece, each divided into three strands, dangle all the way down to her chest.

A band of precious gems, like a galaxy of stars, adorned her from head to toe, reaching all the way down to her feet.

At his waist hung a pair of jade pendants, significantly larger than ordinary ones – a pair of double dragon pendants reserved only for such grand occasions.

The boots beneath her feet were adorned with auspicious clouds supporting divine beasts, intricate with cloud patterns.

Outside the Zhengqian Palace, ceremonial cannons and trumpets sounded in unison.

Yun Li walked slowly into the main hall of the Zhengqian Palace.

In the annals of the dynasty, only three empresses had been enthroned in this palace. The first was the Empress of the founding emperor, and the second was the Empress of the wise emperor.

The former was the founder's queen, while the latter's family had sacrificed their lives for the nation in battle.

Yun Li was the third.

She didn't have any notable accomplishments, but her promotion from concubine to empress, the glory it brought to her family, and the birth of the crown prince, could justify her position.

Nonetheless, she received this honor because the emperor deemed her worthy. To outsiders, it might simply appear as a result of the emperor's favoritism.

So what if that were the case?

Back then, Madam Xie had merely received her imperial seals in the Zhengyang Palace. Her ceremony was far less grand than today's. Her formal attire was not of the highest rank, adorned with only four auspicious beasts instead of six. She wore a double dragon pendant, but it was not as magnificent as Yun Li's.

Her crown featured seven dragons and five phoenixes, lacking the abundance of precious stones and tribute pearls seen today.

There were no ceremonial cannons or trumpets either...

How could such details escape notice?

The new replaces the old. Neither Madam Xie nor Empress Dowager Lin had experienced such grandeur. Lin had been a successive empress back then, even less esteemed than now. Even the late emperor's primary empress did not receive this level of splendor.

Regardless, from this moment on, the Qi family's status would rise to new heights, and Empress Qi herself would wield supreme power.

Whether history books portrayed Empress Qi as good or bad, her legacy would be etched deeply in the annals.

Hao Jinli stood there, watching her approach, reaching out to take her hand.

Outside, the assembled officials bowed and shouted their congratulations.

Hao Jinli's children knelt on the ground, paying respect to their imperial mother.

Yun Li took the imperial scroll and performed a grand ceremony.

Thus, she became the Empress of Great Jin.

She officially became He Jinli's lawfully wedded wife. Regardless of whether she cared or not, this was what was rightfully hers.

He Jinli did not say much, but he was always smiling, indicating his joy.

He had long been fond of Yun Li, and now, he had finally given her the best and highest status.

From this day forward, they would walk hand in hand, side by side.

From this day forward, Xiao Jiu's identity would be beyond doubt.

Yun Li received the obeisance of all, and her demeanor and comportment were witnessed by even more people.

Everyone sincerely praised the Empress.

Since the spring of Chongzheng Year Four, Qi Shi, who was sent to the palace, became a Baolin.

For twenty-three years, she climbed the heights of power step by step, also penetrating the emperor's inner world.

In this world, perhaps Yun Li didn't initially desire it, but one couldn't deny that on this path, she gained the best.

The best protection, the best care, the utmost respect, and the finest offerings.

This man beside her, from youth to old age, from stranger to confidant, had always supported her.

Her current standing was due to Yun Li's inner strength. But it was also because of He Jinning's favoritism.

One cannot help but be grateful.

Even if He Jinning wasn't the qualified lover she envisioned, and even if she didn't love him, their twenty-three years together had fostered the deepest affection between them.

An unbreakable bond, an inseparable connection.

At least here, within these palace walls, he gave Yun Li everything he could.

It also embraced Yun Li's bad temper, her caprice, and her irrationality.

At this point in life, there was no more room for complaints or reluctance.

No one's life is without regrets; it is the imperfect life that is the most genuine.

Now, on Yun Li's shoulders, there lay an added responsibility.

Being the Empress, the Mother of the Nation, was not just about glory.

She was no longer that willful Concubine Xian. Wherever she was, she needed to assume the corresponding responsibilities. Her every word and action must not be in vain.

Regardless, she would fulfill her role as the Empress with dedication.

Thus, looking at He Jinli, Yun Li smiled and said, "Leave the harem to me, Your Majesty. You can rest assured."

He Jinli nodded with a smile. "Very well, I have always been at ease."

Yun Li smiled back at him and, in front of all these people, took his hand.

The chroniclers could write as they pleased; it mattered not to her.

Hao Jinli held her hand in return, clasping it tightly without a word.

He stood by her side, facing everyone together.

At this moment, Empress Yun Li thought she understood the emperor's sentiments.

Although I never imagined meeting you, the life that has unfolded since our encounter is quite wonderful, too.

"There's still more...cough, cough..."