90 Humiliation

◎As the Empress, I have the duty to advise you◎

She hurried to the Huangji Hall, where Fu Hua was sitting with his legs crossed, leisurely eating an orange, with memorials scattered on the table.

Seeing her coming, he hurriedly sat up straight.

Rong Qianyu didn't want to play around with him. She could have just ignored it, but since this matter involved her, she couldn't just let it go and let him increase taxes.

Before she could even take off her outer robe upon entering the house, she simply bowed and said straight to the point, "It's the end of the year, Your Majesty, why is it so important to increase taxes at this time? The country is in need of a renovation..."

The heater in the house was burning brightly, and the heat from the floor heating was a bit dry. Fu Hua raised his eyes slightly to stop her from speaking, "Who are you lobbying for?" he asked in a deep voice.

They had been married for a long time, but their only truly happy days were probably the brief two months during the epidemic.

But the favor was over and no one wanted to mention it again, and Rong Qianyu didn't want to use it to threaten him.

He is the kind of person who will do something immediately if he wants to do it, and if he doesn't want to do it, he won't pay any attention to it even if you talk to him nicely.

But Rong Qianyu had to say this. Although she had expected that it would not be an easy conversation, for the sake of Da Zhou, she had to say it as the queen.

She cleared her throat and raised her voice. "I'm not trying to persuade anyone, but this matter is truly inappropriate. Why not wait until after the New Year, when spring arrives, and discuss it so everyone can enjoy a peaceful and tranquil New Year?"

The Great Zhou had not been a peaceful year. An epidemic had plagued the country intermittently for six months at the beginning of the year. Then, the late emperor fell seriously ill, and the expedition to the north was a waste of resources and labor. After the new emperor ascended the throne, another palace coup ravaged the country, further turmoil. Now, with increased taxes, the people simply couldn't afford to pay.

The epidemic broke out in early spring, the time for sowing, but at that time, the people stayed indoors, and the harvest that year was reduced.

"Then what do you think we should do about the cavalry?" Fu Hua asked.

"The situation in Qianbei has calmed down. Winter has already arrived, so they won't attack again. I think this matter can be done, but we can't rush for quick success. This matter cannot be rushed. Slow things down and they will be perfect. At this time, we should wait until the people have passed the New Year in peace before we can make any move."

Qian Bei's incident was indeed unavoidable, but now was not the right time. Rong Qianyu wanted to resolve the matter peacefully with him. But now he was the Son of Heaven, a man who could cover the sky with one hand, no longer the prince who had been ignored before.

Fu Hua was displeased and stared at her coldly, "Don't you know that the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs?"

Hearing him say this, Rong Qianyu realized something was wrong. She pleaded earnestly in front of him, "The former court and the harem are one. As the legal wife, I should have the responsibility to advise. This matter cannot be rushed."

The two of them were so engrossed in their conversation that Fu Hua forgot he still had half an orange in his hand.

He just didn't answer Rong Qianyu's questions, nor did he eat the orange. He was bored and peeled off the orange peel one by one, then put it in his mouth and chewed it carefully.

His gentle brows tightened instantly, and he looked down at her from top to bottom, "What if I don't agree?"

His eyes were sharp and more serious than ever, as if warning Rong Qianyu that he was now the emperor and no longer the crown prince.

It was the coldness unique to an emperor. Rong Qianyu then saw clearly that the man in front of her was no longer the same as he was two years ago.

Back then he was cynical and willful, but now he has a cold look and is cruel.

But despite this, what needs to be said must be said.

She brought up the adults to pressure him, "Your Majesty, you should at least consult the Queen Mother and the other ministers. This concerns the people's livelihood. Water can carry a boat, but it can also overturn it. Your Majesty is the common ruler of this world, but you cannot ignore the power of the people. Since ancient times, the decline of many countries began with popular uprisings. Your Majesty, please take heed!"

This is true. Throughout history, dynasties have often perished in peasant uprisings, or perhaps because the uprisings weakened the imperial power. In this situation, with the cold weather and the need to increase taxes, if the people refuse to form factions and cause unrest, the capital's current military deployment will likely be unable to cope.

But the person in power was Fu Hua, not the empress dowager, nor any minister.

Fu Hua was unwilling to answer, still looking down on him with a cold tone, "Queen, you really are meddling too much."

Rong Qianyu really had nothing to say, so she could only explain the real reason, "To be honest, Madam Wei came to see me and said some heartfelt words, and I didn't want to disappoint you!"

She knelt only three feet below Fu Hua. Fu Hua leaned forward and slapped her hard, "Bitch, you still say you never interfered in politics!"

With a loud slap, a slap hit Rong Qianyu's face.

The slap was powerful, a sign that he had been holding back for a long time. Then, silence fell all around. The servants outside heard the noise, but no one dared to come in.

Rong Qianyu was beaten dizzy by him.

Fu Hua shouted, "Who do you think you are? I don't want to bother with you, but you keep causing trouble. What do you want?!"

Scolding her a few times wasn't enough to vent his anger. He threw away the orange peel he was jokingly holding, stood up, grabbed her collar, dragged her thin body, and threw it heavily to the ground. "Did that bastard Xue Ji instigate you to speak to me like that?"

His face was ashen, and he was suppressing his anger, but he didn't want the people outside the door to hear it.

Rong Qianyu's eyes were filled with tears. Even though a large piece of her collar had been pulled out by him, she still refused to give in.

"Increasing taxes is a serious matter. It cannot be decreed on a whim of Your Majesty. The people still need to make a living, Your Majesty. I speak with absolutely no selfish motives! The palace is lavishly extravagant, yet little do they know that a bowl or a bracelet can save the lives of several children in a famine. The shadow of the epidemic hasn't even passed, and now there's a mutiny. How will the people survive if you rashly increase taxes? Do you really want to force them to eat their own children?"

Fu Hua's heart was also beating fast, but he was a person who was extremely reluctant to admit his mistakes. He would stubbornly deny anything. He knew that this was not a good time, but he remained firm and refused to back down even if given the chance.

He was used to doing whatever he wanted, and now that he was the emperor, no one could control him, so his temper became even worse.

He didn't want to continue dealing with Rong Qianyu. He gasped for breath, feeling infuriated by her and unable to do anything. He sat back in his original position and asked, "Do you really have to be unhappy with me today?"

The hard blow just now had ruined Rong Qianyu's makeup and loosened her hair. She had never looked so miserable before.

Even when she was humiliated by sleeping with him, she had never been so weak.

But she still said the same thing, which made Fu Hua feel upset. "As the Empress, I have the duty to advise her."

Fu Hua was extremely frustrated and upset because of her. He looked at her kneeling in front of him crying and said a few words of annoyance, but if he didn't give her any result, she would continue to pester him.

The room was dead silent, with only the smoke from the incense burner swirling.

"How about this? Winter has arrived. When the first snow falls, take off your hat and plain clothes and kneel down every three steps throughout the six palaces. I will promise you not to raise taxes."

He looked at her amusemently, as if he was watching a huge joke, his eyes full of sarcasm.

Rong Qianyu said nothing after hearing this, but just looked at him calmly as usual.

Fu Hua always found various ways to humiliate her, and now he embarrassed her in front of the entire palace.

She knelt down every three steps and walked around the six palaces, but suddenly she hesitated.

I was already in poor health and was just giving advice. Why should I lose half my life for it?

Seeing her hesitation, Fu Hua kindly gave her a way out, "There's still time during the first snow. You can regret it at any time. I won't pursue it."

But as long as she doesn't go, the taxes will be increased without any negotiation.

Rong Qianyu lowered her body and bowed to him first, "Your Majesty, could you please issue an edict and seal it? Words spoken cannot be revoked."

"Okay!" Fu Hua agreed to her very readily.

Suddenly, heavy footsteps were heard outside the house. Cui Rumei seemed to have heard the news. She came in dressed up and holding her belly.

It happened that Rong Qianyu had loosened her hair and her collar was wrinkled, as if she would rather die than surrender.

She first paid her respects to Fu Hua, and flatteringly called him "Your Majesty!"

After circling a long circle, he turned around and looked at Rong Qianyu lying on the ground. "Oh, the Queen is here too. Long live Her Majesty!"

Even without seeing her, Rong Qianyu knew that she had a disgusting face.

"Why are you here?" Fu Hua took Cui Rumei's hand and hugged her to sit on his lap.

Cui Rumei placed her hand on her belly, but her eyes were fixed on Rong Qianyu. "The child in my belly is very restless and wants to see its father."

The two of them started to flirt in front of her, "Go to your palace!"

He walked out the door with Cui Rumei in his arms, but suddenly stopped and said, "This matter is not something you can just deal with in a momentary fit of anger. You are not in good health, so you should take good care of yourself."

After everyone left, Rong Qianyu stood up from the ground. Her whole leg was numb. She tidied herself up before going out to find Rong Pan.

She always maintained her dignity as a queen and was unwilling to tell her many things, so Rong Pan pretended not to know.

"What does Your Majesty say?" Rong Pan asked.

She said helplessly, "He has a thousand ways to humiliate me, but he chose to use the most embarrassing one..."

Rong Pan saw that she was not in good condition. Even if he didn't know the situation, he could still think of what happened in the room just now. He comforted her, "Your Majesty has tried your best. Why do you have to work so hard? Your health is not good to begin with. You can't bear it in such a cold now."

But Rong Qianyu was also someone who didn't want to give in easily. Many times, the two of them gradually became estranged because neither of them would give in.

"Since he's already agreed, I don't think he'll go back on his word. The worst that can happen is death, and everyone will be at peace."

"Should we spread some rumors? Perhaps there is still room for easing the situation."

"Forget it." Her eyes were dim and full of fatigue.

"I have two things to report to your Majesty. Master Xue has delivered the things."

Rong Qianyu nodded, "I understand."

"Another thing, a letter came from the motherland saying that Rong Ruoyu will come to marry after the new year, and His Majesty intends to give her the title of consort."

This matter is indeed a big deal. I have been busy recently and have forgotten about it. Her sister is coming soon, and life will be difficult from now on. Their relationship was not good when they were in Rongguo. After finally leaving Rongguo, they have to see each other every day.

But Rong Ruoyu is the apple of the eye of Queen He Wanrou, so why would she be sent to Da Zhou? I'm afraid there is some plan that will be detrimental to me.

But right now I really don't have time to spare.

"I don't have time to take care of it. I'll just deal with it as it comes."

The two walked back to Fengyi Palace together. The corridor was cold and the north wind was howling. It was already a bit cold at this time. I wonder what would happen if Su Yi stood in this cold wind.

A young palace maid ran over from behind and blocked Rong Qianyu's way, "Greetings to Her Majesty the Queen!"

Rong Pan recognized that this was Fu Tao's servant, "Are you the maidservant of the eldest princess? What's going on?"

The little palace maid was very anxious, "Your Highness, Your Highness wants to see the Queen!"