Chapter 76 The Establishment of an Empress and Jealousy
Chapter Seventy-Six: The Establishment of an Empress and Jealousy
For a long time, the officials of the previous dynasty had repeatedly submitted memorials to Emperor Qianzhe, arguing that "if the position of empress is vacant, the foundation of the country will be unstable; if the legitimate and illegitimate heirs are not clear, trouble is likely to arise." This was to reassure the people.
Memorials flew into the imperial study like snowflakes, each word hinting that each family had a beautiful young woman of marriageable age, eagerly awaiting the emperor's favor.
Li Qianche remained noncommittal on this matter, either keeping it to himself or dismissing it lightly.
The situation is now completely different. Consort Su Su gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. The birth of the eldest prince, Li Ziming, and the eldest princess, Li Zhaoyue, is like two guiding stars, completely stabilizing the line of succession in the royal family.
The eldest son is the foundation of the nation, and the eldest princess is the apple of the emperor's eye. Moreover, the "dragon and phoenix in harmony" is an auspicious omen that is rare in a hundred years, indicating the prosperity of the country.
Under these circumstances, Li Qianche issued an edict at the court assembly, publicly appointing Consort Su as Empress, making her the mother of the nation.
Those court officials who could have subtly advised against the rise of powerful maternal relatives in the past now had no room for argument in the face of the meritorious official who had given birth to the eldest son and Princess Jizhao. The matter of establishing an empress was thus settled.
After leaving court, Li Qian went straight to Yongshou Palace without stopping for a moment. Since Su Su gave birth, she had devoted almost all her energy to her two children, feeding them, soothing them to sleep, and playing with them, keeping herself extremely busy.
Li Qianche clearly felt that his status in Su Su's eyes had plummeted. Whenever he came back, she would only glance at him briefly before her gaze returned to the children.
The moment he stepped into the palace gates today, Su Su, unusually, came to greet him with a gentle yet knowing smile. She asked, "Your Majesty, I heard that at the morning court session this day... you made me Empress? Those officials must have been quoting classics and causing Your Majesty a headache, right?" Her words were filled with concern, clearly indicating that she was aware of the turmoil in the court over this matter.
Li Qianche was pleased and reached out to pull her into his arms. He pinched her delicate cheek with a mixture of affection and complaint, and snorted, "Did the sun rise in the west today? Su Su finally saw me? In the past, when I came back, you only had eyes for those two little ones, Zi Mo and Zhao Yue. When have you ever greeted me so proactively?"
Su Su was amused by his sarcastic words and laughed out loud. Her eyes sparkled as she playfully retorted, "Why is Your Majesty jealous of your own child?"
"Hmph, I don't care," Li Qianche tightened his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, his tone domineering and uncompromising, "Today is a joyous day for establishing an empress. Tonight, Su Su is mine, and no one is allowed to take her away, not even the children."
Su Su blushed slightly and gently pushed him: "Your Majesty is always so improper."
Li Qianche then put away his joking expression, coughed lightly as if to put on airs, and said seriously, "Those court officials, how dare they say anything now? Su Su, you have given birth to Zi Mo and Zhao Yue for me, which is of great merit to the royal family and the country. It is right and proper to make you empress. They will naturally be speechless."
He paused, looking at her with a deep and solemn gaze, "I have ordered the Ministry of Rites to begin preparations. I will give you the grandest and most solemn coronation ceremony, so that the whole world will know that you are my only empress."
Knowing his feelings and grateful for his tenderness and respect, Su Su felt a warm glow in her heart. She tiptoed and gave him a gentle kiss on the lips as a reward.
This fleeting touch ignited Li Qianche's long-suppressed passion. He immediately embraced her slender waist, lowered his head, and kissed her deeply, his kisses lingering and passionate, filled with an irresistible heat and desire.
From the time she became pregnant until her postpartum period, he had been celibate for far too long. Now, their lips were locked in a passionate embrace, as if he wanted to pour out all the longing he had felt during that time. Only when Su Su's breath became unsteady and she gently pounded his chest did he reluctantly release her, looking at her flushed cheeks and shimmering eyes, feeling immensely happy.
Su Su shyly changed the subject, her tone filled with maternal pride: "Your Majesty, today Zi Mo can call you 'Mother'!"
Li Qianche was indeed pleasantly surprised: "Oh? My son is so intelligent? Quickly, let me hear it."
The two women walked hand in hand to the side hall where the children were. The wet nurse was playing with Zimo and Zhaoyue. When Zimo saw his familiar mother, he grinned and called out indistinctly, "Mother~ Mother~". He had only learned this word because he often heard the palace servants call Su Su. Seeing her brother make a sound, Zhaoyue followed suit and babbled an unclear "Liang~".
Su Su and Li Qianche looked at the two little ones with a mixture of surprise and delight. Su Su stepped forward and took Zhao Yue from the wet nurse's arms, kissed her rosy little face, and said happily, "Yue'er can say it now! That's wonderful!"
Li Qianche leaned over and kissed Xiao Zhaoyue, then reached out and touched his son's little face, teasing him with a hint of barely perceptible jealousy: "Mo'er, call me Father Emperor, and make your father Emperor happy too."
Little Zimo rolled his big, dark eyes, looking curiously at Li Qianche, his little mouth pursed, refusing to speak. Little Zhaoyue, on the other hand, just kept giggling, her voice clear and melodious.
Li Qianche was infected by Xiao Zhaoyue's laughter, and his slight disappointment vanished instantly. He lifted Xiao Zhaoyue up a little higher, forehead to forehead with hers, and said affectionately, "What are you laughing at, Yue'er? Let me guess, is it because you saw your father and are happy?" Xiao Zhaoyue was amused by him and laughed even more.
Watching the heartwarming interaction between the father, son, and daughter, Su Su felt a surge of warmth in her heart and picked up Zi Mo. Little Zi Mo nestled affectionately in his mother's arms and clearly called out, "Mother!" making Su Su's heart flutter with joy.
After dinner, Su Su finished her bath, sat in front of her dressing table, picked up a jade comb, and slowly combed her cascading black hair.
When Li Qianche came out after washing up, he saw a beautiful woman under the lamp, her hair loose and her profile graceful, exuding a unique fragrance and languidness after her bath. His heart stirred, and he went over to take the jade comb from her hand, gently combing her long hair.
Looking at his focused expression in the mirror, Su Su saw those hands that once held the reins of power and reviewed memorials now carefully combing her hair. Her heart was filled with immense happiness and contentment. With such a husband and both a son and a daughter, she had no other desires in this life.
After Li Qianche finished combing his hair, he put down the jade comb, bent down and picked her up horizontally, carrying her to the bed in the palace. His voice was low and suggestive: "Tonight, my empress, you can no longer push me away for any reason."
He was referring to the times when their feelings were intense, when Su Su immediately softened and went to take care of Zhao Yue as soon as she heard her crying, leaving him standing aside.
Su Su blushed and buried her face in his neck, her voice barely audible: "Your Majesty... I understand."
Li Qianche gently placed her on the soft bed, then pressed himself against her, his gaze fixed intently on her. Since giving birth, Su Su's breasts had become even fuller and more voluptuous from breastfeeding, while her waist remained slender and delicate. Her figure had only gained a more mature and alluring charm, making him unable to put his hands down.
He could no longer hold back. He lowered his head and precisely captured those two soft lips he had longed for day and night. At first, it was a gentle and tender lick, followed by a deep kiss like a conquering empire, filled with long-suppressed desire and an undeniable possessiveness, as he seized the sweet breath from her mouth.
Su Su was so weak from his kisses that her consciousness became hazy, and she could only passively endure it, with soft sobs escaping her throat.
His large hand eagerly caressed that familiar softness that haunted his dreams. Even through the thin nightgown, he could feel its amazing elasticity and heat. The slight calluses on his fingertips rubbed against her skin, sending shivers down her spine. He skillfully untied the intricate ties of her nightgown, the hem opening to reveal a water-red undergarment and a large expanse of snow-white skin like solidified cream.
His kiss followed, like a brand, landing on her slender neck, her delicate collarbone, and finally resting on her full, undulating breasts. Through the thin silk, he could feel her rapid heartbeat beneath. Su Su felt a strange heat coursing through her body, leaving her both powerless and yearning. Her slender fingers involuntarily climbed onto his strong arms.
The bed curtains hung low, completely concealing the room from the sensual spring light. The bed began to sway gently, emitting a rhythmic and ambiguous soft sound, accompanied by increasingly rapid breathing and uncontrollable moans. His burning body temperature soothed her slightly cool skin, and the two were pressed tightly together, with no gap between them.
After an unknown amount of time, the faint sound of Xiao Zhaoyue crying could be heard again. Su Su's body stiffened, and she subconsciously tried to get up, but Li Qianche held her firmly down.
“With the wet nurse here, there’s nothing to worry about.” His voice was hoarse with passion, carrying an undeniable force. Under his ardent advances, Su Su quickly became lost in passion, utterly captivated, unable to think of anything else…
The clouds dispersed and the rain ceased; it was late at night. Li Qianche embraced the exhausted and sleeping Su Su with satisfaction, placing a loving kiss on her sweaty forehead before closing his eyes and drifting off to sleep with her.
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