Chapter 116: Extra: About the Throne 7

Chapter 116 And a Side Story: About the Imperial Throne 7

Su Zheng looked at the eunuch standing in the corner and asked, "Have the people been brought?"

The eunuch bowed and replied, "Your Majesty, they are waiting outside the hall."

Su Zheng nodded and said, "Then, bring them in."

The eunuch gave the order, and soon, several people were brought into the hall to pay their respects.

At the front, kneeling side by side, were two young maidens in gauze skirts and adorned with hairpins and jade, but their faces were veiled with silk scarves, hiding their features.

Those behind them were dressed as maids and matrons.

The ministers exchanged glances, puzzled as to who these people brought before the emperor were.

Su Zheng's gaze swept across the ministers and settled on one official whose hands had begun to tremble. He asked kindly, "Minister Zhang, why are you so shy? Come now, aren't these your two daughters? Step forward and greet them."

Minister Zhang broke out in a cold sweat, knelt with a thud, and kowtowed as he begged for mercy: "Your, Your Majesty, I, I am guilty and deserve death..."

Su Zheng watched until Minister Zhang's forehead was bleeding from the kowtows before he unhurriedly waved his hand to stop him and said, "You've gone to great lengths, dear minister, afraid that your own daughters might not win my favor. You carefully found a beauty and even gave away your own daughter's identity, making your own flesh and blood strangers, all in the hope of one day supplementing my harem."

As soon as these words were spoken, the ministers were in an uproar; everyone understood Su Zheng's meaning.

Luo Yunchen narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over the two women before finally resting on Minister Zhang, turning dangerous.

Brother was his!

His alone!

Anyone who dared compete with him for Brother deserved to die!

Su Zheng had the kneeling women and matrons taken away and ordered, "Send them back to where they belong. Let them marry whoever they should in the future, and this matter need not be mentioned again."

The ministers were slightly surprised, not expecting the emperor to be so merciful and not hold anyone accountable.

Some ministers stepped forward and said bluntly, "Your Majesty, these people acted on orders and may be treated leniently, but the mastermind must not be lightly punished."

Su Zheng nodded and said unhurriedly, "Indeed, they cannot be let off lightly. So, let it be a year's salary deduction, three years under supervision, and no promotion."

Such a light punishment left not only the ministers stunned but even Minister Zhang himself dumbfounded, standing there forgetting to tremble.

Luo Yunchen lowered his eyes, concealing the chill within.

Brother didn't agree...

He had to help Brother so that Brother wouldn't be unhappy...

He would first dig a pit, and when Brother agreed, then bury them!

Some ministers regained their senses and said indignantly, "Your Majesty, this is the crime of deceiving the sovereign! It cannot be condoned!"

Su Zheng waved his hand dismissively and said, "Who doesn't have their own little schemes? For fame or profit, can any of you claim to have never had the slightest thought of deceiving the sovereign? I am but a mortal; I will not hold you to the standards of a sage."

Su Zheng dropped his relaxed demeanor, his tone becoming serious and authoritative, and said solemnly, "I only ask you to remember two bottom lines. First, do not entertain thoughts of rebellion or treason; anyone who disrupts the state will be killed without mercy. Second, do not oppress the people; anyone who dares to harm the innocent and take lives will be killed without mercy."

His gaze shifted back to Minister Zhang, and Su Zheng said with an imposing air, "Minister Zhang, you should be grateful that in your entire plan, no lives were taken. Otherwise, Grand Princess Gui'an would be your warning."

"I was foolish! I admit my guilt! I will never dare to entertain crooked thoughts again! I kowtow in gratitude for Your Majesty's immense grace!"

"Enough." Su Zheng waved for Minister Zhang to withdraw, rose from the dragon throne, and stood with his hands behind his back. "As for my harem, there is no need for you to waste your efforts. I will make this clear: I will never have a harem in my lifetime."

Luo Yunchen suddenly looked up and met Su Zheng's tender gaze.

Su Zheng raised his hand to signal the ministers to quiet down and continued, "I was previously poisoned by the deposed empress. Fortunately, the Grand General wrestled with the King of Hell to bring me back, and thus I survived. However, my body was damaged, and I can no longer have heirs. A harem would be meaningless, so I will not establish one."

The ministers finally understood what it meant to experience a rollercoaster of emotions. With so many shocks in one grand court session, those with weak hearts might have to be carried out!

Su Zheng put his hands behind his back, slowly descended the steps, and walked toward Luo Yunchen. Taking his hand amid Luo Yunchen's dazed gaze, Su Zheng interlaced their fingers and pulled Luo Yunchen step by step up the steps to the dragon throne. He sat Luo Yunchen beside him on the throne and said in a calm but unwavering tone, "The Grand General and I have entrusted each other with our lives. He is my only companion in this life, the one with whom I will share bed and grave—my Prince Consort! Henceforth, seeing the Prince Consort is the same as seeing me!"

The ministers opened their mouths, not knowing what to say.

The purpose of establishing a harem was to produce heirs for the royal family.

Now that the emperor could no longer have heirs, whether or not a harem was established, and whether it housed male or female consorts, as long as it did not harm the state, it had nothing to do with them anymore!

After a long silence, the ministers finally managed to ask, "But does the Prince Consort agree to this?"

The question was met with no reply.

Su Zheng also looked at Luo Yunchen with slight confusion.

By this time, Luo Yunchen could no longer hear anything or think of anything else. He stared straight at Su Zheng without blinking.

Su Zheng was amused and squeezed his fingers, saying, "If you don't say anything, do you not want to be the Prince Consort?"

Luo Yunchen immediately snapped out of it. His eyes blinked, and he grabbed Su Zheng's sleeve, saying urgently, "No! I want to be the Prince Consort!"

Su Zheng smiled and said to everyone, "You heard him. The Prince Consort naturally agrees."

After another moment of silence, the Grand Tutor finally asked the question that many ministers were concerned about: "Your Majesty, regarding the position of heir apparent?"

Su Zheng nodded and said, "I know you all are worried about the succession of the state. But the heir apparent does not necessarily have to be my biological child. The Prince Consort and I will find suitable candidates to nurture as future rulers. You should know what to focus on at what time. For now, your priority is to do your own duties well—let the nation prosper and the people live in peace. When the heir apparent ascends the throne, you will do your best to assist. Do you understand my intention?"

"We understand and will follow Your Majesty's decree!"

"Very well, I am tired. The court is dismissed. I have not been feeling well lately and need rest. If there are matters, you may discuss them with the Prince Consort."

"Yes, we take our leave! Long live Your Majesty, may you live ten thousand years! Long live the Prince Consort, may you live a thousand years!"

Luo Yunchen's pupils trembled. When the ministers had all dispersed, he finally seemed to react. He pounced on Su Zheng, pinning him to the dragon throne, hugging him tightly and rubbing against him: "Brother, brother, am I dreaming? No, no, tell me brother, I'm not dreaming, am I..."

Su Zheng reached out and stroked the back of his neck, smiling tenderly: "Not a dream, it's real. Now everyone knows you are my only companion in this life."

Luo Yunchen stared at Su Zheng's lips as they parted and closed, listening to every word until they were fully imprinted in his mind.

Then, Luo Yunchen went wild. He pressed forward excitedly, kissing him deeply, possessively, passionately...