Yan Suizhi was the popular choice and ascended the throne, returning to the Li family name and becoming Emperor Renzong.
The Empress Dowager Xie was honored as the Grand Empress Dowager, and the legitimate daughter of the Duke of Zhenguo, Xie Wanyun, was made the Empress, and Prince Rui Li Jinbai was made the Crown Prince.
The whole country celebrates.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, he issued a general amnesty. In just a few months, he abolished several harsh policies, reduced the burden on the people, and won widespread praise from the people.
After the new decree was promulgated, emphasis was placed on agriculture and commerce and less on corvee labor, and the national economy flourished.
Since the new emperor ascended the throne and the empress moved into the central palace, the empress dowager has stayed indoors and set up a Buddhist temple in the palace, where she only eats vegetarian food and chants Buddhist scriptures every day.
Empress Xie's repeated requests for an audience were politely declined.
It was the Empress Dowager's birthday, and Empress Xie came in person with gifts to ask for a meeting.
The Queen Mother finally opened the palace door.
She was wearing a dark blue satin robe. Her hair was almost completely white, but it was combed neatly. Apart from a jade hairpin, she had no other jewelry.
Because he had not seen the sun for many days, his face was a little pale, but his eyes were calm and peaceful.
"The Queen is here? Come in and sit down."
"Empress Dowager, you are angry with me, so you don't want to see me, right?" Xie Wanyun had mixed feelings in her heart, and her voice was a little hoarse.
The Queen Mother said gently, "Wanyun, you're overthinking it. Why would I be angry with you? This is exactly what I wanted to see."
"Then why don't you want to see me? And you stay in the palace all day and refuse to come out." Xie Wanyun didn't understand.
The Queen Mother sighed, "I am doing this to atone for the sins of the late Emperor, the late Empress, and the former Crown Prince. I am old, and have been feeling increasingly weak lately, so I figured I'd do as much as I can."
Xie Wanyun finally understood the Queen Mother's good intentions and was deeply impressed. She said, "Your Majesty, your compassionate heart is seen by the heavens. God will bless you with a long life."
The Queen Mother laughed and said, "You are always good at making me happy. Now that you are the Queen, you can no longer speak as casually as before."
Xie Wanyun breathed a sigh of relief when she saw her smile. She said, "Today is the Queen Mother's birthday. I've prepared a banquet to celebrate your birthday. Your Majesty, please come and enjoy it."
"Okay, okay. I'll do as you say." The Queen Mother patted her hands and smiled.
Xie Wanyun finally asked the question that had been hidden in his heart for a long time.
"Why is the Queen Mother so determined to push His Majesty to the throne? It's obvious that the Crown Prince, the Eighth Prince, and the other two princes are your grandchildren."
The Queen Mother was silent.
Xie Wanyun was not in a hurry either. He sat quietly aside, waiting for her answer.
The Queen Mother finally sighed and said, "Wanyun, do you also think that being an emperor is a good thing?"
Xie Wanyun said frankly: "I don't see it that way, but everyone in the world thinks so."
The Queen Mother shook her head.
"I entered the palace at the age of fifteen and have lived within it my entire life. Every day, I see only these four walls. While the emperor may appear superior to all, he is in reality a lonely man. Sitting in this position, one must constantly guard against schemes against oneself, fears of rebellion from ministers, and even betrayal from one's own brothers and nephews.
I watched my son tremble in fear since he was a child, fearing that he would lose his father's favor. Even when he finally ascended the throne, he had not had a few days of peace and quiet. He was worried day and night and could not sleep.
He and Huang Yanjing, one was an unpopular prince, and the other was a prince who was ashamed to be in the spotlight. They were in the same boat and had a deep brotherly love since childhood. When he became emperor, he also vigorously supported his younger brother, and Huang Yanjing also assisted him with all his strength.
But in the end, they still came to the point of killing each other. He forced Huang Yanjing to commit suicide, and Huang Yanjing arranged for assassins to assassinate him. I really don’t know how these two brothers will settle this account in the afterlife.
"Empress Dowager! Do you know that this is..." Xie Wanyun was so shocked that his speech was incoherent.
"I know everything. The assassin was Huang Yanjing's loyal soldier, who had been placed by the emperor's side long ago." The empress dowager nodded.
"Don't you hate Huang Yanjing? And yet... you do this?" And you put all the blame on the Queen and the Crown Prince?
Yan Suizhi is Huang Yanjing's son. You gave the throne to the son of the enemy who murdered your son. Even if the Queen and you are at odds, the Crown Prince is your grandson. And there's also the Eighth Prince, Li Chengrui.
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