「Inside Cining Palace」
The Empress Dowager was utterly surprised by the Chief Eunuch’s verbatim recitation of the young Emperor’s words.
"Did His Majesty really say this himself?"
Her wide-open mouth clearly showed her utter disbelief.
The Chief Eunuch hastily reassured her.
"Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager, I assure you those were indeed His Majesty’s own words; I heard them quite clearly. By the way, if you don’t believe , you might summon the seventh and eighth young masters of the Ji Family for questioning. His Majesty spoke those words while the two young masters were both in the Yangxin Palace."
"The seventh and eighth young masters of the Ji Family were present? Why would the Emperor have such thoughts out of the blue? These two young masters from the Ji Family are his left and right arms. They haven’t even left the Palace to return to their mansion yet; they’re still in the Yangxin Palace discussing matters with His Majesty. Has sothing significant happened in the Imperial Court recently?"
The Empress Dowager fell into deep thought, murmuring to herself.
The National Master, his eyes downcast, listened quietly to the Empress Dowager’s murmurs before he said softly, "Empress Dowager, there are currently two major matters in the Imperial Court. The first is the arrival of the envoy from Nanjiang. The Honglu Temple is handling this for now, and His Majesty will make the final decision. However, the selection of personnel for the reception and the terms of negotiation both require discussion and decision by His Majesty and the Courtiers."
"Hmm! Indeed. I heard that the Great Han successfully thwarted the Nanjiang Great Wizard’s conspiracy. This was entirely due to Ji Youzhi’s impressive investigative skills, which clarified the matter within a re three to five days and even managed to turn the tables. It’s quite normal for the two Ji Family young masters to be discussing this with His Majesty now!"
After agreeing with the National Master, the Empress Dowager then asked, "What about the second issue?"
The National Master recalled the birth horoscopes His Majesty had provided!
"The second issue is, naturally, that His Majesty’s harem is vacant. Courtiers have repeatedly petitioned for His Majesty to select his empress and concubines."
"Sigh! That’s impossible. Every ti this matter is brought up these years, His Majesty weeps in rembrance of the late Emperor! Today, when I rely ntioned it, he was about to weep over the late Emperor again. Also, that commoner Princess—why did he suddenly confer such a title? What is he trying to achieve?"
The National Master was speechless. He, too, had watched the young Emperor weep over the late Emperor for years. It truly left one exasperated, and the Courtiers dared not broach the subject of appointing an empress again.
"As for conferring the title of Princess, I surmise this is likely a favor His Majesty bestowed upon the Ji Family. After all, the Ji Family lived in seclusion for over ten years. His Majesty went to great difficulty to find them and bring them back to the Imperial Court. Granting them so mark of favor is appropriate, and this sufficiently demonstrates His Majesty’s sagacity."
The Empress Dowager considered this and agreed, "What you say is reasonable, National Master. However, the vacancy in His Majesty’s harem is a major concern of mine. Yet His Majesty is utterly impervious to persuasion. Last year, you said His Majesty’s Hongluan Star had not yet moved, and the dragon and phoenix had not yet t. What will you say this year? When will His Majesty’s Hongluan Star finally move? Where is the Mother of our Great Han?"
The Empress Dowager, exuding majesty, spoke with a hint of suppressed anger in her voice when this topic arose.
Upon hearing this, a faint smile touched the National Master’s lips as he quickly said to the Empress Dowager, "Empress Dowager, please calm your anger. His Majesty has instructed that families of officials of Fifth Grade and above are to bring their daughters to the Palace to perform. This current matter is likely connected to that."
The Empress Dowager was first stunned by his words, then a wave of joy washed over her. "Is what you say true?"
The National Master nodded. "Your Majesty, Empress Dowager, please just await the good news. The Mother of the Nation has appeared, and the dragon and phoenix have likely already t."
"Good, good! Excellent! Truly excellent!"
The Empress Dowager imdiately had ssengers dispatched overnight to all the prominent Mansions.
Word was sent to the Ji Family as well.
Old Mistress Ji truly did not want to enter the Palace. It wasn’t for any particular reason, other than the Palace having too many rules. She had lived in the countryside for decades and was accustod to a comfortable and carefree life.
"This decree from the Empress Dowager... I fear it’s not rely about wanting you to attend the banquet in the Palace."
Zhu Xiuxiu subtly gestured with her chin towards Xiaosuisui.
User Comments
0 comments from readers