Chapter 31 Questioning the Epic-Level Lung Treatment
Wen Miao couldn't quite remember what else happened that day—
Or rather, it wasn't that she couldn't remember, but rather that lingering shame prevented her from recalling the scene.
Almost the instant she nodded in agreement, Emperor Qian Yuan, standing beside the horse, was momentarily stunned, and then he let out a low, hoarse, and suppressed laugh.
At first, he felt repressed, but soon he felt exhilarated and satisfied. He looked up at Wen Miao with a deep and intense gaze, like a child who had just received a long-desired toy, begging the woman he had longed for for so long.
"My lady, may I hold you?"
The unusually polite inquiry made Wen Miao feel somewhat uncomfortable.
She had barely nodded when the emperor gathered her slightly parted legs and lifted her up as if she were being carried, her body wrapped around Emperor Qian Yuan's waist and abdomen, and she was lifted up so gracefully.
The jade lion snorted, seemingly bored, and lifted its hoof to walk towards the mountain stream not far away.
Meanwhile, her soft silk skirt was caught between Wen Miao and Emperor Qian Yuan's bodies. To steady herself, she could only hug the emperor's neck, but this action also pulled his head into her arms.
The scalding breath made Wenmiao's chest heave, and the small jade key pendant trembled, instantly turning her neck and collarbone red.
At this moment, Wen Miao sensed it clearly—
The emperor, whose nose was hidden in a soft, high mound, took a deep breath and then carefully rubbed against her, as if he wanted to inhale all the warm fragrance of his lady into his lungs, like a dog trying to remember her scent as much as possible.
Bestial, bizarre, and extremely erotic.
The emperor murmured in a hoarse voice, "My lady, Wen Miao... Miao Miao, Miao Miao... I love you so much."
I like you so much that I want to devour you whole and never be apart from you.
Wen Miao's face flushed red, her ears went numb, and she was completely overwhelmed.
In the past, when Emperor Qian Yuan called her "Madam" in a low voice, she always felt a strange sense of taboo beneath the politeness. Now, when it was changed to the more intimate "Miao Miao," her scalp tingled and even her fingertips trembled.
Whether before or after losing her memory, Wen Miao intuitively felt that no one had ever called her so affectionately before.
She pursed her lips, trying to push away the head in her arms, "Don't, don't call me that, it sounds so strange."
"Why would that be strange?"
Emperor Qian Yuan rested his chin against Wen Miao's chest, ignoring her attempts to push him away, and even gently brushed his high nose against the soft white jade key.
"I have wanted to call you 'Madam' for a long time."
The word "long" had been on his lips and in his heart day and night, waiting for the right opportunity.
“Miaomiao,” Emperor Qianyuan called out again.
Helpless, Wen Miao could only reply, "Mm."
“Vast and insignificant”.
"……Um."
"Vast, vast."
"..."
Wen Miao couldn't stand this man and couldn't help but tug at his ear. The emperor didn't seem to care much, and with his strong arms, he chuckled and said in a hoarse voice, "My lady, wait for me to come and marry you."
He had been waiting for this day for more than a decade.
Even if Emperor Qian Yuan knew perfectly well that his wife didn't really like him right now, so what? Since he could coax and beg for her to become her husband now, he could also squeeze a little bit of himself into her heart in the future.
Even if he cannot obtain love, he will always be bound to his wife's name and be buried with her in the same grave.
...
In the sweltering heat of July, after escaping the summer heat at the Taihua Imperial Palace, the emperor returned to the capital.
The next morning, during the court session, all the officials stood solemnly in the Taiji Hall.
The current emperor of the Great Chu, Qian Yuan, wearing a crown and tassels, sat upright on the dragon throne, his cold gaze sweeping over the assembled officials, seemingly without any emotional fluctuation.
The imperial demeanor was profoundly majestic.
Below, the Grand Tutor, who was over fifty years old, stepped out from the ranks of officials, holding a jade tablet, and said loudly, "I have something to report."
Emperor Qianyuan: "Granted."
Grand Tutor: "Now that the world is at peace and the nation is prosperous, the Empress should be a virtuous and capable woman to guide the nation, and this position should not remain vacant for long. Previously, the Director of the Imperial Observatory reported auspicious celestial phenomena and auspicious signs in the Purple Palace. Later, the Dowager Consort Rong went to Lingyun Temple to draw lots for Your Majesty and received a very auspicious sign from Abbot Mingjue, indicating that one should wait patiently for a good match... All these things make me earnestly request Your Majesty to choose a virtuous and capable woman as soon as possible to secure the peace of the nation and the hearts of the people!"
Upon hearing this, the courtiers couldn't help but murmur among themselves, wondering if the Grand Tutor was simply too old to dare bring up this matter in front of His Majesty again. Had he forgotten the pile of "dark history" that Cheng Yingwei had exposed a few years ago when the courtiers resigned and forced His Majesty to expand his harem?
Amidst the sighs, the emperor remained silent for a moment, then lightly tapped the armrest of the dragon throne with his fingertips.
The sound was exceptionally clear in the silent Taiji Hall, and the restless officials immediately fell silent, lowered their heads and eyes, and obediently awaited their punishment.
They were prepared for the Emperor's cold rebuke.
Unexpectedly, Emperor Qian Yuan casually said, "I think the Grand Tutor's words make sense... Gentlemen, do you have anyone in mind?"
They knew His Majesty would definitely not agree... Wait? What did His Majesty just say? His Majesty said, "The Grand Tutor's words make sense"? His Majesty asked them if they had any candidates to recommend?
Is it true or false?
The ministers, who had already prepared themselves for the vacant throne and the lack of a successor for the Great Chu Dynasty several years ago, were once again shocked.
They looked at each other, their faces filled with disbelief, as if a thunderclap had struck in the clear sky, and they were trying to see the so-called truth in the faces of their colleagues.
The Duke of Wei and the Minister of Revenue, who were holding jade tablets, felt a sudden tightness in their hearts. They looked at each other across the other officials and thought to themselves, "We've finally waited for this moment."
Soon it will be their turn to take charge.
On the other side, among the officials in line, Xie Jingxuan kept his head down and remained silent, a stark contrast to his astonished colleagues. In his mind, he had thoughts of being like the Duke of Wei and the Minister of Revenue.
From the day he became Miao Niang's maternal grandfather, Xie Jingxuan knew that this day would come, but it arrived much earlier than he had expected.
The emperor in the hall completely ignored the officials who were still in shock and hadn't even reacted yet, and said to himself, "It seems that none of you have a candidate to recommend."
The incident happened suddenly, and they naturally had no one to recommend. But upon hearing the emperor speak, the quick-witted ones immediately realized what was going on and were just waiting for the emperor to speak so they could prepare their response in advance.
Emperor Qian Yuan's crown swayed slightly. He curled his lips, sat up straight, and looked down with his deep, unfathomable gaze.
Under the watchful eyes of his ministers, Emperor Qianyuan slowly and deliberately spoke: "I already have someone in mind."
The hall fell silent instantly, and all the officials held their breath in concentration.
"I wish to establish Wen Miao, the granddaughter of Xie Jingxuan, as Empress."
Xie Jingxuan's granddaughter, Wen Miao? Isn't she the widow who came with him from Jinling and whose husband died young? What kind of behavior is this? How can the dignified Emperor Qian Yuan of the Great Chu marry a widow into the palace and take charge of the Phoenix Seal?
This was the sentiment of most court officials, but due to the emperor's immense power, they could only secretly criticize and point fingers in their hearts. On the surface, however, they all pretended to be like quails, and no one was willing to be the first to speak out.
Just then, the Duke of Wei stepped forward.
His voice was loud and clear, his expression serious, and his tone forceful: "Your Majesty is wise! The Xie family was a distinguished family in its early years, and now they have returned to the court. Their family traditions are strict, and they have certainly raised their daughters well. I have heard that Xie Gong's granddaughter is virtuous and talented, well-versed in poetry and literature, and reasonable and righteous. Although she is a widow, she is chaste and dutiful, and her demeanor is upright, showing the demeanor of a mother!"
The officials displayed a variety of expressions, each harboring their own thoughts.
Heard? When did you, Duke of Wei, hear about the Xie family's women? How come you're the only one who heard about it! How come we didn't know! Did you sneak up to the back corner of the Xie residence to eavesdrop?
Minister Lin of the Ministry of Revenue stepped forward immediately, saying, “What the Duke of Wei said is absolutely right! I have also heard that when Lady Xie was in Jinling, she was intelligent and studious, gentle and modest, and had a graceful demeanor, just like an empress.”
Some people praised Xie's daughter, while others disagreed.
The Minister of Rites frowned slightly, seemingly disagreeing: "Leaving aside whether Lady Xie is virtuous and talented, as a widow, she is easily criticized by the world. If she is made Empress of Great Chu, it may violate the rules of etiquette."
Duke Wei, who was known for his fiery temper, immediately bristled and glared, as if he were a relative of Lady Xie. "That's not right. Lady Xie is a woman of chastity and virtue. How could she have violated propriety?"
If Lady Xie can't become Empress, her son will likely be executed by His Majesty! This matter must succeed! No one can oppose it!
The censor retorted: "Even if she is chaste and virtuous, she is still a remarried woman, and I fear she will be criticized by the people!"
Having done his homework well in advance, Minister Lin of the Ministry of Revenue, who had been waiting for this day, calmly argued: "As far as I know, Empress Dowager Huiyi of the previous dynasty was also a widow who entered the palace, yet she assisted three wise rulers, leaving a lasting legacy and being revered by the world. This shows that a woman's virtue lies not in her birth or experience, but in her character and conduct."
Censor: "This..."
For a moment, the court was quiet.
The Grand Tutor, who had initially proposed making her empress, bowed again and spoke softly:
"I believe that although Lady Xie is a widow, she already possesses the ability to manage a household, and is resilient and composed. Furthermore, etiquette and laws are designed for people, not for them to be bound by. Your Majesty's choice of this woman, whose virtue has only become more evident after experiencing vicissitudes, as the Empress of Great Chu further demonstrates her rare and precious character. This will greatly benefit the stability of the harem and show the people of the world Your Majesty's wisdom in valuing virtue over appearance. Why not do it?"
First, he praised Lady Xie for her ability; second, he praised His Majesty for his good judgment; and third, he praised this action as a model for the world. Since emperors can marry widows as empresses, then widows in the common people who have experienced the loss of their husbands can have more freedom and choices and be free from gossip.
After the Grand Tutor said this, although there were whispers in the court, no one stood up to object.
Emperor Qianyuan raised the corners of his lips slightly and looked at Xie Jingxuan: "What does Minister Xie think?"
Xie Jingxuan bowed his head: "Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree."
Emperor Qianyuan then glanced at the other court officials, seeing them all bowing their heads and looking down, and finally made the decision, "Since all the ministers agree, then the Ministry of Rites shall select an auspicious day to draft the edict."
"Your Majesty, we will obey your decree!"
...
After the court session, the Grand Tutor walked alone at the very front, his sleeves fluttering in the wind, his expression serene; Xie Jingxuan lagged a few steps behind, unperturbed by honor or disgrace, showing no joy or excitement at having just been promoted to the position of the Emperor's father-in-law.
After them, the Duke of Wei and the Minister of Revenue walked together. The two looked at each other and breathed a sigh of relief, looking relaxed and at ease.
On the other side, the censor and the Minister of Rites walked slowly. The Duke of Wei, recalling the two men's terrified opposition in the hall earlier, couldn't help but say, "Censor Zhao and Minister Li are quite bold today."
Censor Zhao and the Minister of Rites waved their hands repeatedly, saying, "We dare not, we dare not."
They smiled bitterly to themselves. If His Majesty hadn't given his approval, who among them would dare to be the one who truly opposed making Lady Xie the Empress?
In this performance, they—even the courtiers—were merely putting on a grand show on the stage set up by His Majesty—to be as realistic and comprehensive as possible, while also avoiding and addressing any potential questions that might arise later.
Your Majesty has gone to great lengths for this.
That evening, because the Emperor had made remarks about establishing an Empress, the Director of the Imperial Observatory observed the celestial phenomena and saw auspicious energy rising from the sky and floating above the capital, which was truly a wonder.
He led his colleagues and disciples to observe for a long time and found that the energy was gradually gathering in the southeast of the capital, which happened to be the location chosen for the Xie family's residence when they entered the capital.
The officials of the Imperial Observatory were shocked and in uproar. They bowed down to worship the celestial phenomena and, with trembling hands, picked up their pens to record the scene.
The Imperial Censor clapped his hands and exclaimed that this was the will of Heaven. He declared that the Xie family's daughter was the embodiment of virtuous qualities, and that His Majesty's choice was extremely wise. He said that when the phoenix and dragon entered the Empress's palace, they would surely assist the Emperor in governing the world with virtue and bringing peace and prosperity to the Great Chu Kingdom!
Within three days, this opinion spread throughout the capital, and everyone knew that the Xie family widow was blessed with good fortune and was the only choice for the empress.
...
July 15th is an auspicious day.
A group of eunuchs in scarlet robes, carrying ceremonial guards, filed out of the main gate of the imperial city. Their faces were solemn as they crossed East Street toward the Xie residence.
Along the way, people stopped to watch the procession and couldn't help but whisper among themselves—everyone in the capital knew about the new empress of the Great Chu, and they were curious about what kind of widow could catch the emperor's eye; she must possess virtues and abilities beyond the comprehension of ordinary people.
Everything was ready in front of the Xie residence.
Wen Miao was dressed in a light blue dress, her hair was styled in a bun with flowers in her hair, her makeup was elegant yet graceful, her eyes were bright and sparkling, her skin was full and her bones were delicate, and a red rope was tied around her long neck, through which half of a jade-white key could be faintly seen hidden in the depths of the moon.
No one could have imagined that a widow would be wearing the only jade key to the emperor's private treasury around her neck.
The leader of the eunuchs was Xu Sheng.
He bowed slightly to Wen Miao with a fawning smile, "Madam Wen, please sit down, please sit down—"
Wen Miao paused.
Xu Sheng immediately said, "Madam Wen, this was His Majesty's special instruction. You can't make things difficult for us!"
The Minister of Rites also said, "Madam Wen, please have a seat."
His Majesty specifically instructed them that none of them would dare to make Lady Wen kneel to receive the decree. With such blatant favoritism and affection, wouldn't this lady be able to ride roughshod over His Majesty in the future?
The servants behind were also quick-witted. As soon as Xu Sheng and the Minister of Rites spoke, they took the initiative to bring over the grand master's chair in the front hall. Shi Cui and Wan Bi helped Wen Miao to sit down on either side, while the Xie family members knelt behind, bowing their heads and waiting to receive the imperial decree.
Immediately, the Minister of Rites coughed lightly, unfurled the bright yellow scroll, and Lang Sheng read it aloud—
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: I live in a prosperous and peaceful era. There is a woman named Wenmiao of the Xie family, who is virtuous, chaste, and faithful, and is also benevolent and virtuous, making her a model for women. I, by the mandate of Heaven, govern all under Heaven, and hereby establish Wenmiao of the Xie family as Empress, to rule the inner palace. So be it!"
The Minister of Rites, holding the imperial edict in both hands, slowly stepped forward and presented it to Wen Miao, saying, "Madam Wen, please receive the edict."
Xu Sheng took another step forward, cheerfully reminding her, "His Majesty has decreed that Lady Wen need not refer to herself as 'your humble servant,' nor does she need to accept the imperial decree to express her gratitude. Lady Wen is perfectly normal and need not feel any pressure."
It is obvious that Emperor Qianyuan wanted to make his favoritism towards the Empress public, so that the world would know that he had no one but the Empress.
Such favoritism and preferential treatment caused the onlookers outside the Xie residence to whisper among themselves, marveling at the exceptional beauty and figure of the Xie family's widow. No wonder even emperors could not escape the allure of a beautiful woman, a beauty that has been difficult to resist since ancient times!
The beautiful widow, having received the imperial edict, sat on the chair. She exhaled a soft breath. Although she knew this day would come sooner or later, and that this was the result she had accepted, the emotions in her eyes were still somewhat complicated. After a moment's pause, she raised her hand to accept the imperial edict and simply said, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
The scene of such an imperial edict being issued was unprecedented, but no one dared to object.
The Minister of Rites bowed and changed his form of address: "After the Imperial Observatory recalculates an auspicious day, the imperial carriage will welcome Your Highness to the palace."
Wen Miao nodded and turned her head to look in the direction of the imperial city.
The sky in late summer was clear and bright, with thin clouds, and the golden glazed tiles on the roof of the palace could be seen in the distance.
In the distance, bells and drums resounded, and the imperial edict was copied and posted throughout the capital. In less than half a month, this edict establishing an empress would spread to every prefecture and county within the Great Chu territory.
As the procession delivering the imperial decree left the Xie residence, Xie Jingxuan stroked his beard and silently approached. Xie Mengjun let out a soft gasp and hugged Wen Miao's waist, saying with some sadness that she would no longer be able to see her aunt every day.
Shi Cui and Wan Bi offered their congratulations in whispers, while the Xie family servants were filled with excitement.
The imperial edict felt heavy in Wen Miao's hands. It was not only a symbol of her new identity, but also, for her, the beginning of something else whose outcome she could not foresee.
...So you're getting married like this?
But it seems that her previous wedding was not like this.
A hazy image flashed rapidly through Wen Miao's mind.
The strange architecture, the scattered petals, the inexplicably familiar music, and the man with a blurred face standing at the end of the long carpet, seemingly reaching out to hold her hand.
In a daze, she seemed to hear someone asking—
"Miss Wen, are you willing to marry the man beside you, to spend your life with him, and grow old together?"
Snap.
The imperial edict suddenly fell to the ground.
In the instant when her brain was throbbing with pain and her consciousness was fading, Wen Miao only vaguely heard her maternal grandfather and Meng Jun calling out in alarm.
...For the first time, she wondered if she had really lived in the Great Chu.
Why had she never seen such architecture or clothing before?
-----------------------
Author's Note: Your subject: With such favoritism, I'm afraid the Empress will be riding on His Majesty's neck from now on!
Emperor: Riding on the neck is nothing! You've already ridden on the face! [Please!]
Recovering memories after marriage [sunglasses] Thanks for your support!
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