Helian Jue lowered his eyelids slightly and reminded her softly, "Mother, my father just passed away three days ago!"
According to custom, as a son, he was required to observe a three-year mourning period.
Of course, some court officials might suggest that the emperor observe mourning for his parents in days instead of years.
The three-year mourning period could be reduced to three months for the emperor.
Even more so, some only need to observe mourning for twenty-seven days.
There was also an emperor in history who observed the shortest mourning period, only seven days!
The reason was perfectly legitimate: "A country cannot be without a ruler for a single day."
When a new emperor ascends the throne, he must appoint an empress.
This can be considered a disguised form of "marrying a wife," which goes against the strict ancient customs.
Under normal circumstances, emperors could not truly observe three years of mourning.
Therefore, when she heard Helian Jue's words, Empress Ashina did not take them seriously at all, saying, "The emperor is different from the common people."
"Moreover, this is a special situation. If the Turks really come to the city gates, the capital will be in danger, and the Great Zhou will be in danger!"
"By forming a marriage alliance with the Turks, we can quell the war. Ah Xi's actions are for the sake of the world and for the Helian clan's rule."
Special cases require special handling!
Even among ordinary people, there are examples of people celebrating mourning and getting married.
As the saying goes, "Rules are rules, but people are flexible!"
Everything can be adapted to the specific circumstances.
Helian Jue shook his head, "Mother, I am the Crown Prince, and I will soon become the new emperor. I must set an example for all the people!"
"I've made up my mind. I will observe three years of mourning for my father!"
It wasn't three months, it was twenty-seven days.
Helian Jue had this idea, but he didn't really want to be a filial son.
Instead, observing mourning is simply the best excuse.
Firstly, he wouldn't need to build a large harem.
In the past, he only had one woman, A Yuan, and in the future, he will only have her.
But when a new emperor ascends the throne, court officials, nobles, and even powerful families will all keep an eye on the harem.
The Empress belongs to A Yuan, and below the Empress are four concubines.
The imperial harem has always been connected with the imperial court.
Normally, after a new emperor ascends the throne, he will use "marriage alliances" to recruit powerful ministers or aristocratic families.
Helian Jue, however, had no idea!
His pride wouldn't allow it, nor would his feelings and promises to Xie Yuan allow it.
However, a hasty refusal might cause some minor trouble.
Helian Jue was not afraid of trouble, but he would save money wherever possible.
It's better to "observe mourning" because it's both legitimate and righteous.
Helian Jue silently added another merit to his mother Xiao Zhaoyi's record in his heart: His father died at just the right time!
Secondly, he could uphold some of the late emperor's policies as a filial son.
For example, continuing the imperial examination system!
Helian Jue was even more paranoid and self-centered than the late emperor.
He had a deep dislike for those powerful families who monopolized authority.
He didn't propose the imperial examination system, and the powerful families already held a grudge against the late emperor.
The late emperor also suffered a "backlash"—
The Tangquan Palace Coup and the Turks' probing—these all bear the mark of aristocratic families.
The fact that Helian Jue's "succession struggle" went so smoothly this time was the result of the combined efforts of multiple parties.
He just happened to be there!
However, Helian Jue would not be afraid of the aristocratic families because of this.
Since the late emperor had already borne the consequences, Helian Jue, as the successor, would continue to promote the imperial examination system on the grounds that "he had not changed his father's ways for three years."
He's such a filial son!
Since he is a filial son, he must go all the way and observe the mourning period for three years in strict accordance with the rites!
Empress Ashina's expression was rather unpleasant: "Axi, now is not the time to talk about filial piety."
Empress Ashina could not possibly be unaware of the true nature of the relationship between Helian Gui and his son Helian Jue.
Helian Gui is already dead, so why should Helian Jue pretend?
A filial son?
Ha, who doesn't know that Helian Jue is the most eccentric? Even before he was deposed, he wasn't exactly filial to Helian Gui.
Furthermore, his return this time is absolutely against Helian Gui's wishes.
If Helian Jue were truly filial, he would have returned directly to Lingnan instead of staying in the capital to become the crown prince and emperor!
"The Turkic troops were eyeing us covetously, and the powerful ministers in the court were also abusing their power."
"Axi, you have just ascended the throne and are a new ruler. You have no achievements and no prestige. How will you quell these internal and external troubles?"
"A marriage alliance with the Turks will not only force them to withdraw their troops, but it will also give you an additional ally."
At first, Empress Ashina used a reprimanding tone.
As she spoke, her tone softened, like a loving mother patiently instructing her son on how to do things.
Unfortunately, Helian Jue is no longer a five-year-old child; he is already twenty-five years old.
And even at the age of five, he became exceptionally precocious due to his complex environment.
Empress Ashina's words could not fool him at all.
On the surface, the empress was indeed doing it for his own good.
The Turks and key officials in the court are indeed problems that the new ruler will face after ascending the throne.
However, Empress Ashina still harbored extremely strong personal motives—
She was a Turkic princess, and although the current Khan was not her direct relative, he was her distant cousin.
They were all members of the Ashina royal family.
Empress Ashina was naturally drawn to the Turks.
Most importantly, the Turks were Empress Ashina's backers!
Three years ago, the late emperor defeated the Turks, and Empress Ashina had to retreat to the palace, becoming a nobody in her own right.
Now that the late emperor has passed away, the Turks have recovered and regained the strength to invade the Great Zhou. Empress Ashina wants to restore the marriage alliance with the Turks!
Helian Jue was allowed to propose marriage to a Turkic princess, and the Great Zhou and the Turks became allies once again.
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