Xuanyuan Zhan's imperial edict greatly surprised Duanmu Junyu.
It must be said that she is still very satisfied with what her son-in-law has done so far.
This imperial edict, in particular, showed Ning'er ample respect and love, something most men, especially men from a patriarchal society, would not do.
As the emperor of Eastern Chu, the fact that he could ensure Ning'er's status was equal to his own, and that he would never take any more concubines, was already astonishing enough.
Bai Fuya, standing next to her, also smiled, her face full of satisfaction.
Their son has finally figured it out!
This wife is well-pampered. Ning'er is so good, she really deserves to be treated this way!
Those who knew Xuanyuan Zhan well were not too surprised when they heard the imperial edict.
Judging from Xuanyuan Zhan's obsessive love for his wife, this imperial edict is probably still quite subtle.
Just wait and see, they'll only spoil me more in the future.
The officials, however, were stunned upon hearing the imperial edict.
The new emperor's edicts always manage to surprise them!
If you're going to make her an empress, why pull this stunt? If the emperor never takes a concubine, how will the imperial line continue? Besides, the empress's position is equal to the emperor's, and she can handle the affairs of state, politics, and military of Eastern Chu with him. Doesn't that mean the empress is also equivalent to the emperor?
When this imperial edict was issued, the censors and historians could no longer contain themselves.
"Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable! The empress dowager has always been forbidden from interfering in politics; this is the long-standing rule of Eastern Chu!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, a hen cannot crow at dawn. How can the Empress handle state affairs with Your Majesty? This is against the rules!"
"Your Majesty, you bear the responsibility of continuing the imperial lineage. How can there only be one person in the harem!"
The censor's words made Duanmu Junyu's face turn green.
What kind of officials are these? How dare they spout such nonsense!
If someone dared to say such a thing in the main hall of their Western Liang, they would be immediately dragged away and beheaded.
"Bang!" Before Duanmu Junyu could react, Xuanyuan Zhan slammed his fist on the dragon throne in a rage and roared, "Rules, rules, everything must be done according to rules, is that it? I am the late emperor's illegitimate son, according to the rules, how am I qualified to sit on this throne? Come on, you may sit here!"
As he spoke, Xuanyuan Zhan stood up abruptly, with an expression that said, "I'm not doing this."
The officials were immediately terrified and prostrated themselves on the ground: "We dare not!"
"Dare not?" Xuan Yuanzhan was so angry he laughed, and shouted again, "I see you dare to do it!"
"None of you dared to object to the late emperor's decrees. Now that I have just ascended the throne, you think I'm easy to talk to, right? You want me to kill a few chickens to scare the monkeys, right?"
Xuanyuan Zhan's angry shout sent chills down the spines of all the officials.
This new emperor is truly the late emperor's own son; he's always making an example of someone to scare others. Aren't they doomed to fail sooner or later?
All the officials prostrated themselves on the ground, and not one of them dared to speak again.
After a moment of silence, Prime Minister Zhao Ji lowered his head and spoke: "I believe that the Empress is intelligent and virtuous, and as the Crown Princess of Western Liang, she will be the future Empress of Western Liang. There is no problem in her handling of state affairs with Your Majesty. As for Your Majesty marrying only the Empress, although it is not in accordance with the rules, Your Majesty swore a solemn oath in the main hall long ago that you would only be with the Empress for life. I also believe that Your Majesty is loyal and righteous, and broad-minded. This is a great blessing for the people of Eastern Chu. I support Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, all the officials immediately began to curse Zhao Ji's ancestors for eighteen generations.
That bastard Zhao Ji, he can actually say such flattering things!
Just because the Empress will become the Empress of Western Liang in the future, shouldn't we be even less able to let her handle the affairs of Eastern Chu?
What does the emperor's deep affection have to do with the common people? The Zhao family may not have any daughters who can enter the palace, but that has cut off their path to advancement!
Xuanyuan Zhan raised an eyebrow and glanced at Zhao Ji, seemingly somewhat surprised that he could say such a thing.
Wasn't Zhao Ji previously on Xuanyuan Yu's side? Why is he speaking up for Ning'er now?
Could it be because Ning'er saved Zhao Zhenzhen's life before?
Su Xuening was also somewhat surprised that Zhao Ji would speak up for her, wondering if it was because she had delivered a letter to the Zhao family on behalf of Zhao Zhenzhen, and Zhao Ji was now repaying her kindness.
Besides Zhao Ji, Mu Lingchen, and Ling Lang, Bai Ying and others also shouted, "We also support Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
Well, now that all these meritorious officials and generals have supported the emperor, these small fry have no choice but to support him as well.
The other officials could only echo, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
Today is the day Xuanyuan Zhan ascends the throne, and Xuanyuan Zhan is too lazy to bother with them.
“Continue.” Xuan Yuanzhan looked at Zong Jiu.
Zong Jiu, understanding the implication, switched to another imperial edict and continued announcing: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The ruler, entrusted with the weighty responsibility of the throne and residing in the highest position, examines the old laws, proclaims the principles of filial piety and good governance, upholds the righteousness of honor, and comforts the hearts of the people. My mother, Empress Bai, is virtuous, filial, and benevolent; she is hereby conferred the title of Empress Dowager, with the title of Xianjing, and granted residence in Kunning Palace. My father, Emperor Xuanyuan Peng, reigned for many years with outstanding achievements; he is posthumously conferred the title of Emperor Xiaoren. My father, Emperor Xuanyuan Kun, though he died young, also loved his mother dearly and diligently governed the country; he is posthumously conferred the title of Emperor Xiaode…"
It was also an irregular imperial edict.
It's reasonable for the Emperor to bestow titles upon the Empress Dowager and posthumously honor the late Emperor, but he went so far as to posthumously honor the late Crown Prince as well. Posthumous honors are fine, but to also posthumously honor him as an Emperor is really... a bit too much.
However, after what just happened, no one dared to speak out of turn anymore.
Let the Emperor bestow posthumous titles as he pleases, since neither the late Emperor nor the late Crown Prince are here anymore.
"Long live the Empress Dowager!"
Bai Fuya hadn't expected Xuan Yuanzhan to posthumously confer the title of Xuan Yuankun, and couldn't help but raise the corners of her lips.
Xuanyuan Kun, you truly deserve to have such a son. You can die in peace now.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since ancient times, emperors who succeed to Heaven and establish the dynasty, governing the world, must establish an heir to strengthen the foundation of the nation and ensure the endless prosperity of the dynasty. My eldest son, Xuanyuan Xi, is of exceptional talent and noble character. He has rendered meritorious service in summoning the Xuanwu divine beast and is hereby appointed as Crown Prince."
The late emperor was overthinking it. Even if he hadn't appointed Xiaobao as crown prince, he would have done so himself.
Moreover, Xiao Bao has now summoned the Xuanwu divine beast, so the future throne of Dong Chu will surely belong to him.
The officials had no objection to the imperial edict, nor dared they have any, and shouted in unison, "Long live the Crown Prince!"
Just kidding. Not to mention that the young prince is the legitimate son of the emperor and empress, and was personally appointed as the crown prince by the late emperor in his will, just based on the fact that he can summon the Xuanwu divine beast, he absolutely deserves to be their crown prince.
They wouldn't object to him becoming the new emperor!
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