Chapter 364 Disbanding the Harem
That evening, when Huo Lin returned to Weiyang Palace after handling official business, it was already late at night.
He habitually slowed his pace, took off his outer robe, and, carrying the slightly cool night air, wanted to go to bed and pull Jiang Huan into his arms as usual.
However, just as he approached the bed, a soft pillow landed precisely in his arms.
Huo Lin was taken aback. In the dim moonlight, he saw Jiang Huan lying on the inside, wrapped tightly in the quilt, looking like she didn't want to be near him.
【Huh? What's wrong?】
Who upset her? I didn't do anything wrong today, did I?
[Could it be that her stomach is upset and the babies are bothering her?]
Huo Lin was filled with anxiety. He cautiously leaned closer and whispered, "Jiang Huan?"
Jiang Huan didn't turn around, her voice muffled as she said, "You'll sleep on the couch yourself tonight."
Huo Lin was even more bewildered, completely baffled.
[A sleeping mat? Why?]
[Could it be that I spent too much time reviewing memorials during the day and neglected her? No, that doesn't make sense; I didn't come home that late today.]
He patiently sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out to touch her shoulder, but she dodged him.
"What's wrong? Tell me, are you feeling unwell? Or did someone upset you?" Huo Lin's voice was clearly tinged with anxiety.
Jiang Huan felt a pang of sadness as she listened to his jumbled speculations.
She turned over, looked at him, and sighed softly.
“He Ling told me today that you are the emperor. After I give birth to my child, you may hold a selection of concubines and many new people will enter the harem.”
Her tone was calm, yet it was like a boulder crashing into Huo Lin's heart.
Huo Lin's eyes widened instantly, and he froze completely.
[What nonsense is He Ling spouting all day long? She wants to build her own harem, but she shouldn't drag me into it. She's just trying to smear me.]
[When did I ever say I wanted to hold a selection of concubines? I'm annoyed just looking at those women in the harem!]
[Is He Ling bored? I'll have her do laundry at the laundry department tomorrow!]
A surge of grievance welled up in Huo Lin's heart. He grabbed Jiang Huan's hand and urgently defended himself, his voice rising several decibels: "She's talking nonsense. I have you, that's enough. What do I need those irrelevant people for? To cause trouble?"
Seeing his flustered and pale face, Jiang Huan felt a little less annoyed, but she still deliberately kept a straight face: "You are the emperor, isn't it normal for you to have three palaces and six courtyards? Who can say what will happen in the future?"
Upon hearing this, Huo Lin immediately reacted like a large dog whose tail had been stepped on. He abandoned all imperial dignity, grabbed a pillow, and snuggled up to Jiang Huan, gazing at her expectantly.
"What kind of normalcy is this! My heart is only so big; it can only hold you. How can it accommodate anyone else!"
Seeing that Jiang Huan was still pursing her lips and looked disbelieving, he became even more anxious. He reached out to take her hand, but was afraid that she would shake him off, so he could only tightly grip the edge of the pillow in his arms.
"I have already made up my mind. When the time is right, I will dismiss the harem. Those concubines who wish to return home can do so, and those who wish to cultivate in seclusion can do so. I only want you and our child!"
I beseech Heaven to judge the loyal from the treacherous!
[That troublemaker He Ling, just wait and see how I deal with her tomorrow!]
Listening to his intense inner monologue and seeing his eyes slightly reddened with anxiety, Jiang Huan finally couldn't help but laugh.
"Okay, okay, I believe you. Let go, you're hurting me." She pulled her hand back and rubbed it.
Huo Lin breathed a sigh of relief when he saw her smile, but he was still shaken. He quickly climbed onto the bed and hugged her tightly in his arms, as if afraid she would run away.
"Don't listen to He Ling's nonsense anymore!" he said fiercely in her ear, gritting his teeth, "I will issue an edict tomorrow to put the matter of disbanding the harem on the agenda."
Meeting the next day.
After finishing his daily administrative duties, Huo Lin glanced at his ministers, cleared his throat, and dropped a bombshell.
"I have something I wish to discuss with you all."
His voice was steady and authoritative: "I have thought about this for a long time. There are too many concubines in the harem, which is of no benefit to the country or the family. I have decided to dismiss the harem from this day forward. Except for the Imperial Noble Consort, all other concubines shall be allowed to return home and remarry, or choose a quiet place to practice Buddhism."
These words caused an uproar throughout the court.
Dismissing the harem? That's unheard of.
Throughout history, has any emperor ever voluntarily dismissed his concubines? What kind of decorum is that!
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" An elderly minister with white hair and beard immediately stepped forward, knelt down with a thud, and cried out in tears, "The ancestral rules cannot be abolished. The harem is a symbol of the royal family and concerns the foundation of the country. How can it be easily dismissed? This move may arouse criticism from the people and shake the foundation of the country!"
Immediately afterwards, a large number of people knelt down, echoing each other.
"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"
"If this precedent is set, and future generations follow suit, what will become of etiquette and law?"
"The concubines in the harem all come from prestigious families. How can they be sent back at will, bringing shame upon their families?"
Huo Lin stared expressionlessly at the mass of people kneeling below, his eyes icy cold. He had long anticipated this outcome.
He glanced at the old minister who was shouting the loudest, a cold smile playing on his lips.
“Minister Wang,” he began slowly, “you keep talking about ancestral rules and the fundamental laws of the state. Let me ask you, where did the 30,000 taels of silver from last year’s flood relief funds end up, passing through your nephew’s hands? And with what silver did you use to purchase that five-courtyard house you recently acquired in the south of the city?”
The old minister's face turned deathly pale instantly, he broke out in a cold sweat, his lips trembled, and he couldn't utter a single word.
Huo Lin then turned to another impassioned censor: "Censor Li, you impeached others for forming cliques and engaging in corrupt practices, and the evidence is conclusive. But how do you explain your marriage to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, whose son was promoted three ranks in your jurisdiction?"
One by one, names were called out, and one by one, hidden scandals were casually revealed. The ministers, who had just been indignant, fell silent, their faces ashen and covered in cold sweat.
Huo Lin looked down at them, his voice carrying a chilling edge.
"Aren't the things you've done more shameful to your families than my dismissal of the harem? I'll give you time to think about what happened today. Think it over carefully, think it over slowly. Court is adjourned!"
He turned and left, leaving behind a hall full of ministers with their own differing thoughts.
Although no decree was issued by force this time, everyone understood that the Emperor was not consulting with them, but rather issuing a notification.
Anyone who dares to stand up and oppose it will likely face more than just losing their job.
The news spread like wildfire throughout the palace, causing an uproar in every corner.
The concubines were filled with anxiety; some wept in despair, some plotted in secret, and some clung to a sliver of hope.
Among them, the one who reacted most strongly was naturally Consort Li.
She was pruning a rare orchid when she heard the news, and the scissors fell to the ground with a clatter.
Her face turned deathly pale instantly, and she swayed, barely managing to steady herself by holding onto the table.
The Emperor went to such lengths for Jiang Huan, not even sparing these noble ladies the last shred of dignity?
She sat up abruptly and ordered, "Prepare the sedan chair, I'm going to Weiyang Palace!"
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