Chapter 63 Imperial Edict Conferring the Title of Empress

Several days later, at the morning court session in the Taiji Hall, the atmosphere was solemn and dignified. After handling several routine administrative matters, Yuwen Che did not announce the end of the court session as usual, but instead calmly swept his gaze over the civil and military officials below.

"My lords," he said in a steady voice, yet with an undeniable air of authority, "today, I have something to announce."

The ministers immediately held their breath, secretly wondering what important matter it was.

Yuwen Che slowly stood up, the gold thread embroidery on his black dragon robe gleaming with a majestic luster in the morning light. He spoke clearly and firmly:

"Consort Chen, née Su, is gentle, virtuous, and of impeccable character, deeply pleasing to my eye. Since entering the palace, she has been adept at domestic duties and possesses virtuous conduct. Moreover, she has borne me an imperial heir, a contribution to the nation. I have decided that on New Year's Day, I will formally confer upon Consort Chen, née Su, the title of Empress, to rule the inner palace and serve as the mother of the nation!"

These words, once uttered, were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating a huge uproar in the imperial court!

Although everyone knew that His Majesty favored Consort Chen, and everyone tacitly agreed that the Empress's position would be vacant after the deposition of Consort Shen, no one expected that His Majesty would announce the establishment of an Empress so suddenly and clearly at the beginning of the new year! Moreover, the Empress was a consort from a merchant family who had only been in the palace for a little over half a year!

After a brief silence, several more conservative senior officials immediately stepped forward to object.

The Minister of Rites bowed first, his tone urgent: "Your Majesty! The establishment of an empress is a matter of great importance to the nation, concerning the very foundation of the country! Although Consort Chen has won Your Majesty's favor, her background... I fear it will be difficult to convince the people! Moreover, she has only been in the palace for a short time. To establish an empress so hastily is against the rules. I urge Your Majesty to reconsider!"

Another censor chimed in, "Your Majesty, the position of Empress should be filled by a lady from a distinguished family, one who possesses both virtue and talent. Consort Su is young and pregnant; I fear she is ill-suited to the heavy responsibility of managing the six palaces!"

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

"The matter of establishing an empress still requires careful consideration!"

Several ministers echoed this sentiment, attempting to dissuade him by citing "etiquette," "ancestral rules," and "personal background."

Yuwen Che listened expressionlessly until the dissenting voices subsided slightly, then he spoke coldly. His voice wasn't loud, but it carried immense weight, silencing the entire hall:

"Ritual and law? Ancestral rules?" He scoffed, his gaze sweeping over the ministers who dared to object like a sharp sword. "I am the ritual and law! I am the ancestral rules!"

He descended the imperial steps, his black dragon robe billowing even without wind, his imposing imperial aura sweeping across the entire area.

"Do I need you to tell me who I should make empress and when I should make her?"

He stopped in front of the Minister of Rites, his eyes icy: "You say she comes from a humble background? Let me tell you, the woman who can win my heart is the noblest woman in the world! You say she is too young to command respect?"

He turned to face all his ministers, his voice resolute:

"If I say she can, then she can! I want to see if any of the officials and concubines in the harem dare to disobey me!"

The last sentence, brimming with undisguised ruthlessness, sent a chill down everyone's spine.

Those ministers who had originally intended to offer advice were now all silent, drenched in cold sweat, and dared not utter another word.

Seeing that no one dared to object anymore, Yuwen Che returned to his throne and said in a deep voice:

"Since all the ministers have no objections, this matter is settled. The Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Observatory shall immediately begin preparations for the investiture ceremony, without any delays!"

"Your Majesty, I obey!" The Minister of Rites and the Director of the Imperial Observatory hurriedly stepped forward, their voices trembling as they accepted the order.

"Court adjourned!"

Yuwen Che turned and left, leaving behind a hall full of ministers with their own thoughts. Everyone understood that from this moment on, Consort Chen, née Su, was no longer just a favored concubine, but was about to become the rightful and unshakeable Empress of the Great Zhou!

Once the imperial edict was issued, it spread like wildfire, quickly reaching every corner of the palace and then flying even faster to all parts of the capital.

Inside Guanju Palace, Su Luoxue, accompanied by Fuling, was basking in the sun by the window, nibbling on freshly made candied plums. Li Dehai, holding a bright yellow imperial edict, strode in with a broad smile, followed by a group of respectful palace servants.

"Your Highness, receive the imperial decree!" Li Dehai's voice was loud and clear, filled with genuine joy.

Su Luoxue was somewhat puzzled. What decree was she receiving? But with Fuling's help, she stood up. Just as she was about to kneel, Li Dehai hurriedly said, "His Majesty specifically instructed that Your Highness is unwell and need not kneel to receive the decree!"

Su Luoxue's heart stirred, and she bowed slightly.

Li Dehai unfolded the imperial edict and read it aloud: "By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Consort Chen, née Su, is gentle and kind by nature, virtuous and prudent in her conduct... She has won my heart... She is hereby established as Empress, and the investiture ceremony will be held on New Year's Day. She will enter the Central Palace and serve as the mother of the nation! This is the imperial decree!"

After the imperial edict was read, all the palace servants in Guanju Palace knelt down in unison, their voices filled with excitement and awe: "Congratulations, Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

Su Luoxue stood there stunned. Although A'che had made a promise to her that night, when she heard the imperial edict of investiture, the immense joy and disbelief still overwhelmed her, and her eyes instantly reddened.

Fuling excitedly supported her, her voice choked with emotion: "Your Majesty! Did you hear that? His Majesty has made you Empress!"

The concubines throughout the palace didn't react much to the news. "Sigh, it was bound to happen sooner or later anyway; they're all several months pregnant now."

"That's right. Given how much His Majesty values ​​her, he'll definitely ensure that her child is born as the legitimate heir..."

"Yes, but twins... are not easy to give birth to."

"Don't talk nonsense, or it will reach His Majesty's ears..."

Everyone was so frightened that they immediately fell silent, and the person who had spoken then realized what had happened and hung his head in annoyance.

Consort De sighed softly and said gently to Yuwen Hao beside her, "Hao'er, you must respect Consort Chen even more from now on. She is the Empress now." Most of the other concubines remained silent or gathered together to sigh softly. In this harem, there had never been anyone who could rival her.

News circulating in the capital spread like wildfire, instantly causing a stir.

"Have you heard? His Majesty has decreed that Consort Chen will be made Empress!"

"My goodness! She's only been in the palace for a short time, yet she's already the Emperor's favorite!"

"I knew it! The chance encounter of love at first sight on Suzaku Street is something that the Northern Kingdom princess can't compare to!"

"To be bestowed an official title on New Year's Day is an immense honor! The Su family is truly blessed!"

"From now on, you shall address her as Your Majesty the Empress!"

In teahouses and taverns, on every street corner, everyone was talking about the earth-shattering imperial edict bestowing the title of Empress. His Majesty's deep affection and protection for Consort Chen had once again become the hottest topic in the capital.

Helian Mingzhu and Wuzhu naturally heard the news as well.

Helian Mingzhu sat by the window, listening to the faint noise outside, his face expressionless, only a deathly silence.

"The Empress... he actually made her Empress..." she murmured to herself, her voice betraying neither hatred nor numbness.

Wuzhu stood to the side and said in a low voice, "Princess, now... we need to be even more careful with our words and actions."

Helian Mingzhu did not answer. The imperial edict appointing her as empress was like the last straw, completely crushing her. She finally realized that here, she didn't even have the right to be an opponent. That man had given all the honor he could offer to that woman named Su Luoxue without reservation.

And she, along with the northern kingdom behind her, seemed to have become the backdrop to this extreme pampering and... the targets of impending reckoning.

When the imperial decree was proclaimed throughout the land, some rejoiced, some were heartbroken, and others were secretly plotting. All of this was quietly brewing around the palace that was about to welcome a new ruler.

After the court session ended, the ministers returned to their respective residences with mixed feelings. The imperial edict establishing an empress was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, its aftershocks lingering in their hearts for a long time.

As soon as Imperial Censor Wang entered the study, he slammed his official hat down on the table, sighed deeply at the approaching staff, and said with a tone of dissatisfaction and worry, "Foolish! His Majesty's actions are truly...foolish!"

The aide quickly served hot tea: "Why do you say that, sir?"

"That Lady Su, how long has she been in the palace? Only a little over half a year! Born into a merchant family, although she is favored by His Majesty, to establish her as Empress so hastily, where does that leave the rules of propriety? Where does that leave the ancestral system?" Imperial Censor Wang lamented, "Today in court, His Majesty's statement that 'I am the law of propriety' was even more... even more domineering and tyrannical! If this continues, I fear it will not be a blessing for the country!"

The aide whispered, "My lord, please calm down. His Majesty's mind is made up, and he is furious. There is no turning back now."

Imperial Censor Wang slumped down, shaking his head and sighing, "I'm not targeting the Imperial Concubine, it's just... alas, His Majesty has already broken with convention time and again for her sake, and now... well, well, both thunder and rain are imperial favors, what can we, as his subjects, do?"

Minister Li leisurely sipped his tea in the flower hall and said to his wife with a smile, "I saw quite a show at court today."

The lady asked curiously, "My lord, is it about establishing an empress?"

“Exactly.” Minister Li put down his teacup. “Those old fogies tried to bring up etiquette and law, but His Majesty silenced them. His Majesty’s aura, tsk tsk, you didn’t see it.”

"Then, sir..." the lady said with some concern.

"Me?" Minister Li waved his hand, looking relaxed. "I will naturally follow His Majesty's will. What does His Majesty's choice of empress have to do with my position in the Ministry of Revenue? As long as the national treasury is not touched and the people's livelihood is not disturbed, His Majesty can choose whomever he pleases. Our Emperor knows this very well; he can distinguish between the imperial court and the harem. We should just do our jobs well and not risk offending anyone."

Zhang Zhongcheng was having a drink with several close colleagues in the backyard, and they inevitably talked about the day's events.

A colleague remarked, "This woman from the Su family is truly... remarkable."

Another person chimed in, "Who can argue with that? She's only been in the palace for half a year, yet her favor with the Emperor has not waned, and now she's directly ascended to the position of Empress. His Majesty uprooted the Shen family for her sake, and now he has resolutely refused the marriage alliance with the Northern Kingdom... Such favor is unheard of since the founding of our dynasty."

Zhang Zhongcheng stroked his beard, a shrewd glint in his eyes: "It's more than just favor. Think about it, why is His Majesty so eager to establish an empress at this particular time?"

Everyone looked at him.

"The Northern Kingdom's delegation is still in the capital, and undercurrents are surging on the border." Zhang Zhongcheng lowered his voice. "His Majesty's move is not only to legitimize the Consort and stabilize the inner court, but it is also probably... a message to the Northern Kingdom. It is telling them that the Great Zhou is united internally, with the Emperor and Empress working together, and any external schemes are futile!"

"And... what did the Shen family do in the accident that happened to the late emperor...? Heh... do you really think His Majesty didn't know? He was just waiting for an opportunity."

"Even if His Majesty was infatuated with the Su family... how could he be so foolish as to execute high-ranking officials, slaughter his wife and her entire family, and even exterminate nine generations of her relatives for the sake of a woman? That was utterly ruthless!"

Upon hearing this, the group all looked enlightened and nodded in agreement.

"Yes... Our Emperor is extremely cautious. He either doesn't act at all, or when he does, he's ruthless and merciless, not even sparing a dog kept by the Shen family."

"So, this future Empress is not only His Majesty's most beloved person, but also a key link in His Majesty's plan!"

"The Su family... is about to soar to great heights."

Different residences, different thoughts. Some are worried, some are trying to protect themselves, and some are insightful about the situation.