Chapter 78 The Tranquility of the Imperial Palace and the First Sprouts of Childhood Fun
Chapter Seventy-Eight: Tranquility in the Imperial Palace and the First Sprouts of Childhood Fun
Li Qianche's decree to dismiss the harem was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.
The most vehement opposition came from former officials, especially those whose families still had daughters of marriageable age who hoped to send them to the palace to bring glory to their families.
Memorials of advice were submitted in an endless stream, with officials kneeling and begging the emperor to rescind his decree. Their words were earnest, but they were nothing more than clichés such as "to consolidate the foundation of the country, we should increase the number of imperial heirs" and "only when the six palaces are full can the majesty of the emperor be displayed."
They reasoned that although the new empress was favored, she was not intolerant of others. They thought that once the empress's coronation ceremony was over, they could discuss the selection of concubines again. Who would have thought that the emperor would completely extinguish everyone's hopes!
Faced with the overwhelming public opinion, Li Qianche took a firm stance and clearly declared: "The concubines currently in the palace have not been favored by me and are all virgins. After being dismissed from the palace, they may marry as they see fit, and I will bestow upon them generous dowries to ensure their future well-being."
However, some persistent individuals continued their incessant refrain. At the grand court assembly that day, several senior officials once again jointly submitted their remonstrance. Li Qianche, his patience exhausted, his gaze turned cold as he swept his eyes across the assembled officials. His voice, though not loud, carried a chilling intensity:
"Since you are all so concerned about the affairs of my harem, why don't I also concern myself with your harems? From this day forward, if anyone dares to utter the word 'selecting concubines' or 'accepting concubines,' I will bestow upon them a beautiful woman as a concubine! For every word spoken, I will bestow one. I want to see which of you, my beloved ministers, is willing to sacrifice the tranquility of your own harem for the liveliness of mine. If anyone dares to favor a concubine over their wife and cause your wives to come before me to lodge complaints, I will be the first to punish them for failing to properly manage their households! Anyone want to try?"
These words shocked the entire hall. At first, some people were secretly delighted, thinking that getting a beautiful concubine for free was a good thing. But upon closer reflection, they realized that the emperor's words were law, and this concubine was a royal gift. She could not be beaten or scolded, and had to be treated with great respect. Wasn't this like bringing a Bodhisattva home?
Even worse, if this leads to neglect of the principal wife, he could be impeached for "favoring a concubine over the wife," angering the emperor and potentially losing his official position! This is hardly a reward; it's practically planting a thorn in the side of the family! The thought of welcoming such an untouchable "ancestor" into their own backyard is enough to make them want to avoid her at all costs. How could they possibly have the face to advise the emperor to take a concubine?
The thought of their wives at home, some gentle, some fierce, and the endless troubles that might follow, caused the ministers who had just been speaking so eloquently to fall silent, like quails with their necks choked. No one dared utter a sound. After all, every family has its own troubles. To gamble their own peace and future for a vague dream of becoming the emperor's father-in-law was simply not worth it.
The turmoil in the previous dynasty was thus quelled. When the news reached the inner palace, the concubines who had long lost favor were also filled with anxiety and unease upon hearing it. Although they had gained freedom by leaving the palace and returning home, they were also afraid of being criticized and looked down upon.
But then I thought about it again. The Emperor used to never interfere in the harem, and he only had eyes for Empress Su. Now he has even issued an edict to dismiss them. If they stay in this deep palace, they will only be living like widows and wasting their lives.
Now that they are free, they can leave the palace with generous rewards, marry again, find a good husband, and have children. Isn't that better than dying alone in this gilded cage? Thinking of this, everyone gradually felt relieved and went to Kunning Palace to thank the Empress for her grace. Then they waited quietly for their families to come and go.
The vast harem suddenly became unusually quiet, with only Kunning Palace remaining vibrant. Su Su was delighted to be undisturbed, no longer needing to worry about social obligations, and could focus solely on spending time with her two children each day.
The sun shone brightly that day. Su Su sat on a soft couch by the window, playing with her two children, Zi Mo and Zhao Yue, who were about to turn two. The two children were exquisitely beautiful, at the most adorable age. Chunlan came in to report, "Your Majesty, Madam Pei has submitted her nameplate and brought the young master to the palace to pay her respects."
Su Su was delighted to hear this and quickly said, "Please invite Sister Hanyan in. There's no need for such formalities."
A moment later, Mu Hanyan entered the hall carrying two-year-old Pei Jingnian. Just as she was about to curtsy, Su Su waved her hand with a smile: "Sister Hanyan, please don't be so formal, come and sit down." As she spoke, she gestured for her to sit down beside her.
Mu Hanyan placed Xiao Jingnian on the soft couch, letting him sit next to the quiet Xiao Zimo. She looked at the two little ones and said softly with a smile, "The eldest prince and the princess are so lovely and beautiful, growing more and more beautiful every day."
Su Su looked at her own pair of pearly eyes, her eyes full of affection: "The palace servants all say that Zhao Yue's eyebrows and eyes resemble mine, while Zi Mo looks just like the Emperor."
Mu Hanyan nodded in agreement: "That's right. The little princess has bright and lively eyes, especially those big eyes, which are just like the Empress's. The young prince, on the other hand, has a calm and composed demeanor between his brows, just like the Emperor. He also seems to have a quiet temperament."
Su Su smiled helplessly and gently tapped Zhao Yue, who was trying to grab the fluffy flower in her hair: "That's right, Zhao Yue is very lively, she can cry and laugh quickly, while Zi Mo has never liked to cry since she was a child, she is very quiet, just like the Emperor when he was a child. It's just that Zhao Yue, I don't know who she took after, especially at night, she often makes a fuss."
Upon hearing this, Mu Hanyan, Chunlan, and Qiuju couldn't help but cover their mouths and chuckle. Qiuju, being straightforward, laughed and exposed her shortcomings: "Your Highness, have you forgotten what you were like when you were little? The old lady often said that you were quite the little tyrant in the manor when you were young. You did all sorts of things like climbing on the roof, tearing off tiles, chasing chickens and dogs. You were much more mischievous than Her Highness the Princess! It was only later, when you grew up, that you learned to be more dignified."
Su Su blushed at her words, glared at Qiu Ju in embarrassment and annoyance, and tried to defend herself: "You little brat, you're just talking nonsense! When I was a child, I was the quietest person I could be. I spent my days practicing calligraphy and embroidery, drinking tea and appreciating flowers. I was never that naughty."
Qiuju readily agreed, suppressing a laugh as she changed her tune: "Yes, yes, yes, this servant has a bad memory. Your Majesty, you have been a well-educated and virtuous lady since childhood, proficient in all the arts, and the most dignified of all."
Su Su then raised her chin slightly, with a hint of smugness: "That's how it is." Her forced composure caused another burst of laughter from everyone in the hall.
While the adults chatted and laughed, the children had their own world. As soon as Xiao Jingnian sat down, his gaze was drawn to Xiao Zhaoyue, who had big eyes and fair, tender skin like a glutinous rice ball. He tilted his head and looked at her for a while, then suddenly remembered how his father often showed affection to his mother in this way. So he imitated her, clumsily crawled over, and gave Zhaoyue a "smack" kiss on her smooth little face.
Little Zhaoyue was playing with her chubby little hands when suddenly a "huge creature" leaned in and kissed her. She was stunned for a moment, then her little mouth twitched and she burst into tears.
Sitting quietly to the side, Xiao Zimo watched his younger sister. When he saw her crying because she had been "bullied," his little brows immediately furrowed. He thought that it was this Pei family boy who had made his sister cry. Without thinking, he stretched out his chubby little hand and slapped Xiao Jingnian's arm.
Xiao Jingnian kissed his beloved younger sister, but instead of getting a response, he was beaten. Seeing Xiao Zhaoyue crying sadly, he also felt wronged and burst into tears.
For a moment, the cries of the two children rose and fell in the hall, echoing each other. Little Zimo frowned even more as he listened to the commotion of their crying, his little face full of impatience.
Su Su quickly picked up Xiao Zhaoyue and gently comforted her, "Yue'er, don't cry, don't cry. Brother Nian kissed you because he likes you. Look, he's so scared he's crying."
Mu Hanyan quickly picked up Xiao Jingnian, feeling both embarrassed and amused. With her cheeks slightly flushed, she said to Jingnian, "Jingnian, you mustn't be so abrupt with Her Highness the Princess! Who told you... who told you to be so reckless like your father!" As soon as she realized her mistake, her face turned even redder.
Su Su didn't mind at all, and laughed, "It's alright, it's just kids playing around, what do they know?"
Jingnian was scolded by his mother, feeling confused. He only knew that he seemed to have done something wrong, made his pretty little sister cry, and was disliked. He looked at Xiao Zhaoyue, who was still sobbing, with a pitiful expression. He suddenly remembered that he still had a piece of candy that his wet nurse had given him in his pocket. He quickly took it out and stretched his little hand out to Xiao Zhaoyue, his eyes full of expectation.
With tears blurring her vision, Xiao Zhaoyue's sobs immediately subsided when she saw the glistening candy in front of her, and she opened her little mouth to reach for it.
Seeing this, Xiao Zimo quickly slapped the candy out of Xiao Jingnian's hand. Then, he precisely picked up a candied fruit from the fruit dish on the small table next to him and fed it to his sister.
Xiao Zhaoyue was happy as long as she had something to eat, regardless of who gave it to her. She immediately stopped crying and started eating in small bites.
Now, Xiao Jingnian was completely heartbroken. His candy had been knocked away, and his sister was ignoring him. His crying grew even louder.
Xiao Zimo frowned as he looked at the boy who was still crying. Seemingly finding it too noisy, he hesitated for a moment, then picked up a piece of candy from the plate and handed it to Xiao Jingnian.
Xiao Jingnian's crying stopped abruptly. Looking at the candy offered to him, and then at the expressionless Xiao Zimo, he hesitated before taking it and putting it in his mouth. As the sweetness melted in his mouth, he immediately forgot his earlier grievances and grinned, tears still clinging to his face.
Su Su and Mu Hanyan looked at the dramatic love-hate relationship between the three little people, exchanged a glance, and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Su Su thought to herself, judging from this situation, if her precious little Zhaoyue were to choose a husband in the future, she would probably have to get past her brother Zi Mo, that iron-faced little devil.
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