Chapter 91: Chapter Ninety-One In Life and Death, We Are Bound Together…

Chapter 91: In Life and Death, We Are Bound; With You, My Vow Is Made...

Six days after Wei San regained consciousness, his wounds were mostly healed. The internal stitches, made of treated catgut, would dissolve naturally, but the external ones needed removal.

Once the stitches were out, and with Ruan Xingji’s permission, Wei Zheng immediately moved him back to the main residence.

Wei San then spent over a month bedridden, finally permitted to get up and move around briefly, though still not allowed to step outside his room.

During that month, many events unfolded. The young prince reached his first month, and Wei Zheng seized the opportunity to host a grand celebration under the guise of bringing good fortune to the old emperor. He invited all officials, high and low, as if to proclaim to the world that his male Secondary Consort had borne him a son.

Whether it was due to the celebration or not, the old emperor’s condition improved slightly. The once critically ill monarch became lively and energetic again, even showing interest in handling state affairs.

Outsiders attributed this turn of events to the young prince bringing fortune to the old emperor, but the imperial physicians knew it was merely a final rally before death.

Aware that his time was running out, the old emperor, despite his lingering regrets, ultimately drafted an imperial edict naming Wei Zheng as his successor.

That very night, the old emperor summoned Wei Zheng to the palace. No one knew what was discussed between father and son, but Wei Zheng left the palace with a grim expression. Less than two hours later, the emperor’s demise was announced.

With the emperor’s death, someone had to take charge of state affairs. Once the succession edict was announced, Wei Zheng could no longer remain idle. He became overwhelmingly busy, having not returned home for several days.

Though unable to return, he meticulously oversaw every aspect of Wei San’s care. Upon learning that Wei San, restless from prolonged bed rest, had slipped outside for fresh air, Wei Zheng specifically assigned Wei Liu and Wei Jiu to keep him under constant surveillance.

Left with no choice, Wei San obediently returned to bed, spending another half-month confined there until he was going stir-crazy.

Gradually, Wei San’s health improved. Thanks to careful nurturing, he filled out a bit, no longer appearing as gaunt and frail as before.

Despite being born prematurely, the young prince was robust, had a hearty appetite, and was soon nearly as big as other infants his age.

During his recovery, Wei San’s sole joy was playing with his son, his heart melting at the sound of the baby’s laughter.

With the old emperor’s passing, the funeral procedures were elaborate and time-consuming, delaying his burial in the imperial mausoleum.

A nation cannot be without a ruler for long. The court officials pleaded with the Virtuous Prince to ascend the throne promptly, but Wei Zheng resisted until after the old emperor’s coffin was interred in the imperial mausoleum at the start of spring.

Three days later, the Imperial Astronomer selected an auspicious date, and the Ministry of Rites began preparations for the coronation.

Defying all opposition, Wei Zheng made Wei San his empress, scheduling the empress's coronation ceremony for the same day as his own.

There had never been a male empress in all of history. The ministers prostrated themselves in protest at the Mingde Hall, begging Wei Zheng to revoke the decree.

Yet, even their threats of death failed to sway him. The edict appointing Wei San as empress was delivered as planned.

Wei San was stunned upon receiving the decree; Wei Zheng had never hinted at such an intention.

He had never sought any title or status, content to remain by Wei Zheng’s side even as a mere assassin. The sudden appointment as empress came as a profound shock.

That night, as soon as Wei Zheng returned from the palace, Wei San sought him out, pleading for the decree to be withdrawn.

Anxiously and reverently, he said, “Your Majesty, this lowly one is of humble status and a man besides. How could I possibly fulfill the role of empress? If I were to become empress, it would surely provoke dissent among the court officials and criticism among the people, damaging Your Majesty’s standing and undermining your authority.”

Wei San cared not for titles; his greater concern was that since Wei Zheng’s reign was still new and unstable, he might lose the trust of his ministers and the people’s support because of him, earning the stigma of a foolish ruler—a blame Wei San could never atone for, even in death.

With this in mind, Wei San knelt immediately. “I beg Your Majesty to revoke the decree!”

Though Wei San’s wounds had largely healed, his vitality had been severely depleted, leaving him weaker than before. The sight of him kneeling caused Wei Zheng’s face to darken.

Without giving him a chance to speak, he swept the person up from the ground and held him in his arms, declaring in an unwavering tone, "I once said I would marry you properly with all the pomp and ceremony of a royal wedding. My word is my pledge, and now that the edict to establish you as empress has been issued, I will not change it."

Wei San trembled all over, his eyes welling with tears.

What he had thought was a casually spoken jest turned out to be His Majesty’s sincere and heartfelt words.

Though deeply moved, Wei San remained rational and tried to reason with Wei Zheng again. But just as he opened his mouth to speak, before any sound could escape, Wei Zheng seemed to anticipate his words and spoke first in a firm voice, "Wei San, you know my temperament. No one can stop me from doing what I want to do."

"You will become the empress, whether willingly or not. If not, I’ll have you bound and forced into the role."

He had always been domineering and forceful. Wei San knew he was fully capable of binding him and carrying out the coronation ceremony in front of the officials and commoners. If that happened, the rumors and criticism would only multiply, making it impossible to avoid being labeled a tyrant.

Seeing this, Wei San had no choice but to reluctantly nod in agreement.

Noticing his submission, Wei Zheng softened his attitude, worried that his earlier tone had frightened him. He quickly embraced him, planting soft kisses and murmuring gently, "The Ministry of Rites will take care of everything for the investiture ceremony. You need not worry too much. Just rest well in the manor and await your coronation."

"Alright."

Wei San nodded again, unable to suppress the joy in his heart, yet also filled with self-disgust.

In the end, he was ambitious, daring to aspire to stand side by side with his lord, now the supreme ruler, despite his own lowly status.

But Wei San had forgotten that this ambition was indulged by Wei Zheng, who had even insisted on it with such force that he had no choice but to accept.

.

On the eighth day of the fifth month, the new emperor ascended the throne, appointing Secondary Consort Yun as empress and the less-than-half-year-old little heir as crown prince.

As a man, Wei San's empress’s robes were nearly identical to Wei Zheng's, both adorned in imperial yellow. The only difference was that Wei Zheng's robe was embroidered with a five-clawed golden dragon, while Wei San's featured a four-clawed one.

Every official and palace attendant present could see the new emperor's deep love and respect for his empress.

Although many disapproved of Wei Zheng's insistence on appointing a male empress, no one dared to show it at such an important moment.

Before the enthronement ceremony, officials had prostrated themselves, pleading with the emperor to revoke the decree, but without exception, all efforts were in vain. Many officials were even forced to retire and return to their hometowns as a result.

No one could persuade the emperor to change his mind, not even the Left Chancellor. The officials had no choice but to turn a blind eye, planning to urge the emperor to establish a fuller harem and secure the lineage after the ceremony. Little did they know that, for over a decade of Wei Zheng's reign, the harem would remain occupied by the empress alone.

Over time, the officials resigned themselves to the situation, consoled by the fact that the male empress was at least capable of bearing an heir, ensuring the throne would not lack a successor.

Yet, these officials remained unaware and still clung to hope.

Wei San, oblivious to the officials' thoughts, walked side by side with Wei Zheng, his body stiff with tension. He tread carefully, step by step, up the altar stairs, afraid of making a mistake and embarrassing his lord.

Suddenly, a warm, large hand enveloped his cold palm. Wei San jumped, nearly losing his footing.

A soft chuckle sounded in his ear as Wei Zheng whispered to him, "I'll hold your hand. Don't be afraid."

Wei Zheng's words seemed to carry a soothing power, and Wei San suddenly felt calm, his inner tension and unease melting away.

He glanced sideways and looked up at Wei Zheng, his eyes filled with unmistakable affection. Though he said nothing, his gaze conveyed everything.

This was the first time he had expressed his feelings so openly. Wei Zheng's heart raced, and he nearly couldn't resist pulling him into an embrace and kissing him.

He managed to restrain his desires, instead locking fingers with Wei San's as they ascended the altar together, performing the three bows and nine kowtows to worship heaven and ancestors.

The officials bowed in congratulations, hailing them with cries of "Long live the emperor!" The chief eunuch proclaimed the new era name *Mingzheng* and announced a general amnesty.

Side by side, they stood, receiving the bows of all the officials.

Wei Zheng said in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Wei San, I share my empire with you alone."

"You alone are the love of my life."

Wei San shuddered, tears welling up wildly in his eyes, and he blinked desperately to hold them back.

His eyes crinkled, his smile shone brighter than the midday sun.

He said, "In life and death, bound we are together."

Wei San did not finish the latter half of the verse, for they would live out the promise together.

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