Chapter 86 086 My Grand Wedding.
Zhao Jialing wasn't entirely satisfied, but he didn't say anything more at this moment, fearing that he might truly anger Xie Lanzao and cause the opposite of what he intended. She had gone a bit too far last night; as long as she hadn't left the palace, he would find a suitable opportunity to coax her to stay.
As night fell, Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzao sat side by side in the waterside pavilion. The lanterns on the riverbank glowed, their reflections shimmering on the rippling surface of the pond. Their shadows were also cast on the water, merging with the moonlight and trembling gently in the autumn breeze.
The gates of the ward had already been closed, but Xie Lanzhao was a prime minister, so passing through was still easy. Zhao Jialing held her hand, afraid she would leave. She whispered, "I have already instructed Yin'e to take care of it."
"Hmm?" Xie Lanzhao raised her eyebrows, looking somewhat puzzled.
Zhao Jialing said, "It's a matter of requesting permission." She really wanted to strike while the iron was hot and have a grand wedding.
Xie Lanzhao nodded, her brows furrowing slightly, a hint of distress in her heart. She didn't want to spoil Zhao Jialing's smile, but after a moment's hesitation, she spoke. "What about my duties in the court?" Information access differed between the palace and outside, and different positions handled different matters; she didn't want to relinquish those political duties. While systems could be flexible, some things couldn't be done arbitrarily.
“Let’s get engaged first,” Zhao Jialing said without hesitation. She blinked and added, “Actually, it’s just a different way of handling government affairs.”
Xie Lanzhao understood Zhao Jialing's meaning. She sighed and said, "We need to find a suitable successor."
Zhao Jialing then asked, "Do you have someone you like in your heart?"
Xie Lanzhao pondered for a moment and said, "The position of Zhongshu... Minister Xiang might be suitable. As for the Ministry of Personnel..." She didn't yet have a suitable candidate. She couldn't transfer Xiang Yanyi to the Ministry of Personnel, nor could she let her hold two ministerial positions concurrently, and there were also urgent matters at the Ministry of Revenue.
Zhao Jialing said, "It's fine not to appoint a Minister; the Vice Minister can handle it, and he'll be directly responsible to you." It wasn't because the Empress lacked power; on the contrary, the position was too high, making it difficult for her to handle matters directly. Just like when Zhao Jialing took the imperial examination, some people said she had usurped the position of Minister of the Palace. Her marriage to Xie Lanzhao was, after all, unprecedented; what the right path was, she still needed to carefully explore.
A few days later, the people of Chang'an jointly petitioned the emperor. The copper box was established to receive suggestions from all sides; however, the information was so vast and complex that it was impossible to gradually present it to the emperor, so it still needed to be filtered. The petition reached the Secretariat and was then sent to the emperor intact. Zhao Jialing simply smiled and sent it to the Hall of State Affairs for the prime ministers to discuss.
After witnessing the auspicious omen that day, the ministers had been waiting for this moment. Upon seeing the people's petition, they felt a sense of "just as expected." The stories circulating in Chang'an's markets had changed repeatedly; the Emperor and Xie Zhongshu were already a match made in heaven. The appearance of this auspicious unicorn was a sign of divine intervention, and everyone said that Xie Zhongshu and the Emperor were a perfect match.
The common people weren't worried about the matter of choosing an heir, but the court officials always kept it in mind. After Xie Lanzhao was made empress, would His Majesty possibly open a harem? Perhaps he could persuade Xie Zhongshu to be more magnanimous and consider the future of the dynasty? With various thoughts swirling within them, the court officials, having roughly grasped His Majesty's intentions, finally saw some waver and joined in the petition to make Xie Lanzhao empress. As for dissenting voices, naturally, there were also some. Those people hadn't been able to accept Princess Jinxian and Gao Shao's marriage even after many years, so they weren't expected to understand anything. Zhao Jialing was too lazy to argue with them and simply ignored their advice. With Heaven's will in hand, what did these people matter?
Zhao Jialing remained steadfast in his opinion, and his opponents couldn't stir up public opinion to dissuade the emperor. They did try to persuade their colleagues, but two years had passed since they first heard his voice, and Xie Lanzhao's affections for the emperor weren't exactly sudden. What was the point of all this back and forth, this constant opposition? Their tactic of appealing to public opinion failed when Xie Lanzhao rode a qilin through Zhuque Street in full view of everyone. As for their courtroom protests, threatening to resign—the emperor was eager for reform and readily agreed. With their official positions gone, their protests became increasingly futile.
"Ultimately, it's just a family matter. Didn't you see that even the Empress Dowager didn't object?" the veteran ministers said. With self-interest at stake, convincing themselves was easier than convincing His Majesty.
With virtually no dissenting voices, the Imperial Observatory had to calculate an auspicious day, while the Ministry of Rites was busy preparing for the ceremony. Although they were all familiar with each other, the establishment of an empress could not be taken lightly; the procedures of asking the name and accepting the auspicious date still had to be followed, even though Zhao Jialing hoped that the wedding date could be set as soon as possible.
During this period, Xie Lanzhao remained Minister of Personnel and Chancellor. She methodically arranged her affairs, and it was clear to everyone that she was beginning the search for a successor. The positions of Chancellor and Grand Councilor were vacant due to their power; would the Chancellor position remain vacant after Xie Lanzhao's appointment? Or would a suitable candidate be found among the existing ministers? Having worked together for many years, the court officials could discern some of Xie Lanzhao's intentions, guessing that she would appoint Xiang Yanyi. However, they still had to try to persuade her—just in case. As for how to persuade her, the only way was through institutional reforms. If they worked hard enough, their efforts should be noticed.
The seventh year of Tianfu was a turbulent and busy year. Although Zhao Jialing felt a sense of relief regarding her marriage, neither she nor Xie Lanzhao could fully focus on the wedding. While the locust plague in Henan had ended, there were still tasks to be completed. Taxes had been waived in the disaster area, but with food shortages, how would they survive? Fortunately, new seeds were available and could be sown after the locust plague, alleviating the subsequent food pressure.
Meanwhile, in the northwest, the Turkic Khan implicated the high-ranking noble who launched the raid, completely absolving himself of responsibility. Internal unrest within the Turkic Khaganate has been stirred up, and if the Khan wishes to resolve internal tribal conflicts, he may very well launch a surprise attack on the border. The intimidation of weapons may postpone the war, but it may not completely quell his burgeoning ambitions; vigilance is still necessary.
In October, various prefectures and counties sent their most learned and exceptionally talented individuals to Chang'an. Because the selection criteria focused solely on their abilities in planting and irrigation, only a small number of candidates participated in this examination. The examination was scheduled for February of the following year, and these candidates were all sent to Mingde Academy. Their inherent talents, combined with their exposure to numerous classic texts at Mingde Academy and its library, further enhanced their learning.
The locust plagues are concentrated in certain areas, so they might be eradicated before they even begin to appear. They also often occur after droughts, so alleviating the drought could potentially prevent the locusts from multiplying. Although the imperial court has not issued any decrees, these individuals quickly integrated themselves into the agricultural and engineering studies at Mingde Academy, taking it upon themselves to conserve water and soil and construct irrigation canals.
Time flies, and the end of the year is fast approaching. A biting wind blows across the Wei River, and snowflakes fall in a flurry.
Zhao Jialing and Xie Lanzhao sat in the plum garden admiring the snow, both wearing well-tailored cotton-padded coats.
This year's cotton planting and promotion have resulted in cotton cloth and cotton being sent to the palace from the Jianghuai region and the Protectorate General's office. The cotton cloth was cut into cotton-padded clothes, and the cotton was processed into cotton-padded quilts, which are far warmer than hemp or silk. However, Emperor Zhao Jialing feared that this would cause a panic, and that if profits increased, some people would take the risk of withholding winter clothing intended for soldiers at the border. Therefore, he issued a decree, designating cotton as "imperial property," meaning that high-ranking officials could only obtain it through palace rewards. Anyone who violated this rule would be imprisoned. It wouldn't be too late to lift the ban after cotton was widely distributed.
"After New Year's Day, it'll be almost time for the wedding ceremony." Zhao Jialing gazed at Xie Lanzhao. Thanks to her tireless efforts, the wedding date had finally been pushed to the final step, set for the fourteenth day of the first lunar month. She sighed, "It's very troublesome." The imperial investiture of an empress is different from that of ordinary families; it's a major national ceremony. The Ministry of Rites simply adopted the original rites, making only minor modifications. As for matters like the announcements at the Round Altar, Square Altar, and Imperial Ancestral Temple, Zhao Jialing didn't argue with the Ministry of Rites. If they objected, she would be the one who got angry.
Xie Lanzhao raised her hand and brushed the fine snow off the plum branches. She glanced at Zhao Jialing and asked casually, "Is it annoying?"
“How could that be?” Zhao Jialing hurriedly said. She was really afraid that Xie Lanzhao would say “no”, but they had already come this far, so she shouldn’t go back on her word, right? She gazed at Xie Lanzhao and saw that she always had a gentle smile on her lips. She then said, “Punch me and make me sleep until the fourteenth.”
Xie Lanzhao: "..." This person is talking nonsense again. She frowned slightly and said seriously, "Your Majesty, please don't say such unlucky things."
Zhao Jialing spat and said repeatedly, "No worries, no worries." She looked at Xie Lanzhao expectantly: "We're not allowed to meet before the wedding."
Xie Lanzhao was not so rigid; she said, "It is alright for me to come and see Your Majesty."
"No, thank you." Zhao Jialing puffed out her cheeks. It was an ancient custom to seek good fortune, and she was a little reluctant, but then she thought, if she could endure not seeing each other for months, what was three days? She would exchange these three days of longing for countless days to come.
On New Year's Day, everything proceeded as before.
Zhao Jialing did not produce any more "auspicious omens".
If there are too many "auspicious omens," then the value of the item decreases, and it becomes worthless.
But on the day of the wedding, she couldn't hold back. There were still people dissatisfied and unconvinced about her marriage to Xie Lanzhao. She could no longer hear the criticism, but that didn't mean it was gone. She still needed something to shock people's hearts.
Although the person lived in the Daming Palace, according to the old system, the investiture ceremony was held in the Taiji Palace.
It was still a chilly winter day, but amidst the sound of firecrackers, the long street was filled with a warm and festive atmosphere.
Upon entering the palace, the atmosphere became solemn and serious, followed by a long and arduous ceremony. A large group of people stood there, and the loud voices of the cheerleaders echoed throughout the Taiji Palace. Finally, a drawn-out "The ceremony is complete" rang out, bringing a sense of relief. The oppressive atmosphere was finally over.
When it came time to be together in the same cell, everything became much easier. The flickering candlelight accentuated Xie Lanzao's beautiful features. Zhao Jialing removed her headdress and sighed, "Wearing all those hairpins on your head must have been pulling your scalp sore. It's still an imperial appointment, but it's much more tiring than being a prime minister, isn't it?"
Xie Lanzhao said "Of course," and then asked with concern, "Are you still holding on?"
"Of course." Zhao Jialing couldn't let things fall apart at her own wedding. She pulled Xie Lanzhao to sit at the table. They were both young, and after a rest and a bite to eat, they would be full of energy again in no time.
There were many servants in the palace, but Zhao Jialing didn't like them loitering around. After asking someone to leave hot water, she waved her hand to signal them to leave. Zhao Jialing wrung out a towel and leaned close to Xie Lanzhao to wipe off the thick makeup from her face. She then said, "I think she needs a bath to truly come back to life."
Xie Lanzhao lifted her eyelids to look at her, pondering the meaning of her words. The questioning in her eyes was too obvious. After Zhao Jialing chuckled, she immediately became righteous. Hadn't she done nothing? So when she defended herself, her expression was frank and upright.
Xie Lanzhao still didn't quite trust Zhao Jialing, but the ceremony was quite solemn that day, and even after the sweat subsided, she still felt a bit sticky. She shifted her gaze from Zhao Jialing's face, nodded slightly, and said, "Your Majesty, please wipe off the makeup on your face as well."
Zhao Jialing nodded repeatedly, but his eyes seemed to want to say something but couldn't.
While Xie Lanzhao was bathing, she didn't do anything. She rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the plum blossoms under the moonlight outside the window, her mind preoccupied with the hot springs. The late emperor had built a palace at Mount Li with a hot spring pool, but she hadn't visited it even once since ascending the throne.
Zhao Jialing's obedience continued even after Xie Lanzao emerged from her bath. While her heavy makeup made her strikingly beautiful, she also possessed a natural charm. "Want to come see me?" Zhao Jialing coaxed.
Xie Lanzhao glanced at her and said "No." She sat down on the bed by herself. There was nothing uncomfortable on it, but some books were placed there. Xie Lanzhao caught sight of the words "Mao's Poems," and upon flipping through them, she discovered they contained erotic illustrations. She was both amused and exasperated. What was His Majesty's cleverness all about?!
When Zhao Jialing climbed into bed in her nightgown, she noticed Xie Lanzhao's gaze, a clear accusation of ill intentions. Her eyes darted to the moved books, and Zhao Jialing immediately understood. A smile spread across her face. She knelt before Xie Lanzhao, wrapped her arms around her waist, and declared confidently, "A wedding night should be different, shouldn't it? Otherwise, what's the difference from our previous nights?" It was time to take things step by step; she was determined to coax Xie Lanzhao into agreeing to try something different with her.
"You—" Xie Lanzhao could easily sense Zhao Jialing's surprise. Her face burned, and she could only glare at her in embarrassment and anger. She might be considered old-fashioned, yet before marriage she and Zhao Jialing had already made love, oblivious to the world's complexities; but she was also considered unrestrained, always struggling to cross that psychological barrier—her words always stopped at her chest. Every time she said "no," His Majesty, though disappointed, still obeyed her, but never gave up, never discouraged, and always wanted to try whenever she had the chance. His Majesty never asked for a reason, and in truth, she couldn't give a proper reason; just thinking about it made her feel like her body and mind were on fire.
Zhao Jialing wasn't in a hurry; she gazed at Xie Lanzhao with a smile. She had figured Xie Lanzhao out; the fact that she hadn't immediately said "no" meant there was hope. Taking in the changes in Xie Lanzhao's expression, Zhao Jialing waited a while before calling out in her ear, "Empress... Lanzhao... My Lady." Her voice was mournful, and the pleading was obvious.
The intense internal struggle finally subsided with a sigh. The wedding night was different from any other romantic night; she couldn't disappoint His Majesty. Her slightly furrowed brows slowly relaxed, her carefully constructed defenses teetering on the verge of collapse. Xie Lanzhao bit her lower lip, suppressing her embarrassment, and said, "Blow out the candles."
Zhao Jialing nodded repeatedly and said with a smile, "I will listen to the Empress."
This was something she had longed for for a long time, and finally her wish could come true.
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