Chapter 63

Chapter 63

Three days passed. The Ministry of Rites had already prepared the accession ceremony. Early in the morning, Li Zhen took Zhu Qinghou to make sacrifices to Heaven, Earth, and the ancestral temples. After the rites, they returned to the Qianqing Hall to receive the homage of the entire court.

In the Qianqing Hall, a secondary seat was set up beside the imperial throne, specifically reserved for Zhu Qinghou.

This move sent a ripple of shock through the assembled court officials. They wanted to voice objections but dared not, fearing they might anger the new emperor and be made an example of. They could only bow and kneel, holding their ceremonial tablets, their eyes filled with envy as they gazed at Zhu Qinghou seated in the secondary position—by the emperor's side, wielding immense power: yesterday a convict, today a noble in the palace hall.

Zhu Qinghou wore an official robe embroidered with avian motifs, a rich, shimmering purple. With an official cap on his head, his posture was uncharacteristically proper, sitting upright in the secondary seat, looking down upon the hall full of crimson-and-purple-robed high officials.

Within the great hall, the powerful nobles who had once kicked the Zhu family when they were down secretly wiped sweat from their brows. Had they known Prince Su would ascend the throne, had they known the new emperor would hold Zhu Qinghou in such high regard, they would never have dared to offend him.

Zhu Qinghou casually swept his gaze around the hall, his look neither light nor heavy, showing little concern.

The official from the Ministry of Rites, in a sonorous, measured voice, finished reading the imperial edict, proclaiming the new emperor's succession and the change of the era name to Yuanshuo.

The officials hurriedly kowtowed, shouting "Long live the Emperor!" in unison.

The grand hall, with all officials bowing and kneeling below, was a magnificent sight.

Zhu Qinghou stood up, intending to bow to Li Zhen as well, for show's sake. Before he could bend his waist, Li Zhen had already stepped forward to support him. Their fingertips touched, and their gazes met through the beads hanging from the emperor's crown. They couldn't help but smile at each other.

On the day of his enthronement, Li Zhen decreed three edicts in a row. The first lightened corvée labor and reduced taxes, allowing the people to live and work in peace, free from the burden of excessive levies. The second granted a general amnesty to celebrate throughout the land.

The third edict reassigned officials, promoting some and demoting others to balance the various factions. The most significant change was—dismissing the former Chief Secretary, Lin Hanyi, and exceptionally promoting the Right Assistant Secretary of the Secretariat, Zhu Qinghou, as the new Chief Secretary, overseeing all officials and assisting in state affairs.

A brand-new Chief Secretary's jade token was presented to Zhu Qinghou, engraved with his name. He gave it a few curious glances, then lifted it to fasten to his belt, turning a circle in front of Li Zhen.

Zhu Qinghou asked with a smile, "Xian Pu, does it look good?"

Nearby, Cui Bo, newly promoted from Prince's Steward to Imperial Household Steward, looked at Zhu Qinghou with a complex gaze. Truly, Zhu Qinghou remained as flamboyant as ever, no matter the time or place, completely lacking the sense of caution one should have toward the new emperor.

The smile between Zhu Qinghou's brows and eyes grew even brighter and more unrestrained, carrying the spirited arrogance of youth, shining brilliantly. "I still have many things left to do."

Such as bringing the Secretariat firmly under control, promoting the disciples of the Zhu family, and settling scores with those who had schemed against the Zhus.

Li Zhen chuckled softly. "Xiao Yu, have you forgotten something?"

Zhu Qinghou looked up, momentarily unable to recall what he might have forgotten. With a note of helplessness, Li Zhen took his hand and led him into the imperial study.

The imperial desk was piled with numerous dossiers and memorials, except for a clear space in the center where only one imperial edict lay.

Even before seeing the edict's contents, Zhu Qinghou had an inkling. He picked up the edict, preparing to unroll it, then suddenly turned his head to look at Li Zhen.

Li Zhen, in his imperial robes and crown, carried the majesty of an emperor in his every gesture. Yet, the gaze he directed at him remained gentle, calm yet imbued with an indescribable emotion, deeper than mere cherishment and affection.

Zhu Qinghou paused, slowly unrolling the edict. The characters gradually came into view. Unexpectedly, it was an edict to establish an empress.

Li Zhen intended to establish him as the new empress of the Jin Dynasty.

The Jin Dynasty looked upon male relationships with deep reserve. As the new emperor, Li Zhen establishing a man as empress would inevitably draw harsh criticism from historians and public censure.

If he accepted this edict and became Li Zhen's empress, he would unavoidably face the disapproving stares of court officials. In the future, once Li Zhen passed away, he, a male empress without support, would likely meet a grim fate.

Zhu Qinghou hesitated for a moment, countless thoughts flashing through his mind. Then, the corners of his eyes curved, and he gave Li Zhen a soft smile. "Alright."

So what if it's being an empress?

Since Li Zhen had this wish, what harm was there in fulfilling it for him?

Less than half a month after the new emperor's enthronement, an edict was issued to establish the new empress. Just as everyone was speculating which noblewoman from a prominent family it might be, they learned the new empress was actually the newly appointed Chief Secretary of the Secretariat, the famous Zhu Qinghou.

The entire city of Yejing, and indeed the whole Jin Dynasty, was thrown into an uproar. Did the current emperor have feelings for Zhu Qinghou? And was he determined to make him empress?

Immediately, court officials wanted to remonstrate and advise the emperor. The new emperor merely glanced at them lightly, paying no heed to their words. Instead, the new empress, lazily seated in the secondary throne, cast a glance at them and said with a smile, "If I can't be empress, then will you be?"

That official was already in his seventies, with graying hair. Hearing this, under the teasing gazes of his colleagues, he nearly fainted on the spot.

What a Zhu Qinghou! To be so glib-tongued and shameless even in the emperor's presence!

Yet the new emperor indulged him, allowing him to talk nonsense and act recklessly.

Seeing the situation, other court officials dared not advise further, fearing Zhu Qinghou might say something else earth-shattering.

Moreover, the new emperor's methods were ruthless. Within less than a month of his enthronement, he had dealt decisively with several individuals harboring disloyal intentions, intimidating the entire court into silence, leaving them to follow the new emperor's lead unquestioningly.

Never mind him wanting to marry a male empress; even if he wanted to dig up the previous emperor's tomb, they wouldn't dare say a word.

When the head of the Qinghe Cui clan finally arrived in Yejing to take up his post and heard the news, he hurriedly entered the palace for an audience with the new emperor. Before he could utter a word of advice, the new emperor said, "Since you're here, you may also pay your respects to the empress."

Zhu Qinghou emerged from behind the curtain, holding Nalan flowers in his arms, his purple robes flamboyant. He looked down at him with a smile. "Uncle, please rise."

Cui Yu: "..."

Fearing Zhu Qinghou might utter more outrageous words, he had no choice but to grit his teeth and bear it, paying respects to the new empress.

The Zhu residence had been renovated on its original site. Wei Si, who had moved back to the Zhu residence with Zhu Liujun, learned of the empress-establishment matter and entered the palace with Zhu Liujun.

Surprisingly, it was the new emperor, rumored to be ruthless and merciless, who came to receive them. Shedding his usual aloofness, the emperor softly addressed Wei Si, "Mother." Then he addressed Zhu Liujun, "Sister."

Wei Si: "..."

Zhu Liujun: "..."

After hesitating for a long moment, Wei Si finally managed to squeeze out a sentence: "Your Majesty, why hasn't Xiao Yu come yet?"

Behind the crown's beads, the new emperor's dark eyelashes flickered slightly, as if with a hint of hesitation. "Xiao Yu hasn't woken up yet. I intend to let him sleep a while longer."

Wei Si silently exchanged a look with Zhu Liujun, swallowing back the thousands of words they had prepared on the way.

A sudden gentle breeze stirred within the hall, causing a light, tinkling sound. The new emperor abruptly turned to look.

Zhu Qinghou, appearing languid and lazy, casually lifted the beaded curtain and walked out.

"End of Main Text"

Author's Note: It's finished! Thank you all for accompanying Deyu and Xianpu. Comments on this chapter will receive red packets. [Throws confetti]

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