Chapter 601 Reprimand by the Emperor
In particular, there were two conservative ministers, one was Lord Ren, and the other was Lord Jiang.
After the Wu, Yang, and Shi families fell from grace, these two were promoted by Lord Zheng and filled the vacancies.
These two ministers were indeed talented in governing the country, and they were incorruptible and dedicated to the country and its people, but unfortunately they were too pedantic.
"Your Majesty, Miss Du is merely a merchant's wife; how can she become the mother of the nation?!"
"Yes, Your Majesty, there has never been a peasant woman or a merchant woman who became an empress."
Zhou Ruiyuan frowned and coldly rebuked, "Du Wanchun has been married to me for several years and has three sons and one daughter. Of course she is qualified to be Empress!"
The two ministers were still not giving up and even incited others.
"Your Majesty, it is true that Miss Du has rendered meritorious service in giving birth to princes and princesses, but she cannot be made a concubine or empress."
"As for the Empress, she should be chosen again from among virtuous and kind noble ladies."
Their intention was to make Du Wanchun, their wife, a concubine, and then find Zhou Ruiyuan a wife of equal social standing.
Lord Zheng, who had been listening nearby, was burning with rage. He had been holding back for a long time, but he could no longer contain himself and turned around to shout angrily, "What you are saying is utter nonsense!"
"The Crown Princess and His Majesty met when they were still children. Now that His Majesty has returned to the palace, how can he abandon her? If His Majesty were to do as you suggest, wouldn't he be an unrighteous and heartless person who abandons his wife and children? How can such a person be a ruler!"
His voice was loud enough to be heard throughout the entire hall.
The other ministers who had joined in the commotion lowered their heads and remained silent.
Lord Ren's face was full of resentment. His reason for standing up for himself today was not only because of his pedantry, but also because of his daughter.
He has five sons and one daughter. His youngest daughter is exceptionally beautiful and has just come of age.
Because he was often praised for his beauty, he began to think about sending his daughter to the palace to become empress.
He gritted his teeth, turned to the side, and retorted to Lord Zheng's words: "Lord Zheng, how can taking someone into the palace as a concubine be considered abandoning one's wife and children?! As the supreme ruler, what's wrong with the Emperor having three wives and four concubines?"
Lord Zheng was taken aback, his face filled with anger.
Zhou Ruiyuan's face was also full of displeasure. He raised his voice and said sternly, "This matter is not up for discussion. Du Wanchun and I are husband and wife. It is only right and proper for her to be made empress. Anyone who dares to speak disrespectfully again will not be spared by me!"
"Yes, Your Majesty," Lord Zheng echoed loudly.
No matter how unwilling Lord Ren was, he could only bow and reply, "Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhou Ruiyuan got up to leave, and at that moment, Xiao Mianmian, who had been hiding behind the dragon throne, peeked out.
Among the ministers, someone noticed and pointed at Xiao Mianmian in surprise, asking, "Then, who is that little baby?"
Lord Zheng turned around and said, "That is the Emperor's little princess."
Everyone suddenly realized, "So this is the little princess."
"Yes, I heard that the Emperor dotes on this little princess very much, and he even takes her with him when he doesn't attend court."
"Which emperor in history has ever kept a little princess by his side? It seems that this time, Lord Ren and Lord Jiang will not only offend the Empress, but also His Majesty."
"And our little princess."
They all nodded, casting sympathetic glances at Lord Ren and his companions.
Little Mianmian emerged from behind the dragon throne, took Zhou Ruiyuan's hand, glanced at the ministers, her gaze clearly falling on Lord Ren. Then, her eyes narrowed and a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Zhou Ruiyuan left the court early, picked up Xiao Mianmian, and walked towards the back.
He didn't care what the ministers said; in his heart, the empress could only be Du Wanchun.
If Du Wanchun is truly unsuitable to be empress, then he would disdain being emperor.
News of what happened in the court quickly spread outside the palace.
When Zhou Zhao and Aunt Zhou heard about this, they felt indignant on behalf of Du Wanchun and thought about visiting Lord Ren's residence in the future.
Zhou Feng was even more anxious. He was usually calm, but this time he was pacing around in circles in the room.
Han Yan'er walked over, supporting her pregnant belly, and asked, "A-Feng, what's wrong?"
Zhou Feng quickly said, "I just heard in the shop that some people in the court are against my sister-in-law becoming empress. Those ungrateful people just got promoted and they're already pointing fingers at my elder brother."
Upon hearing what this was about, Han Yan'er smiled gently and said, "Don't worry, His Majesty will definitely have a way to resolve this matter."
Zhou Feng strode up to her, helped her up, and said, "You don't know my elder brother's temperament. If those ministers cause trouble for a few more days, he will definitely take off that dragon robe and take my sister-in-law and the children back to Changliu Village."
Han Yan'er raised her eyes as she listened, and realized it was true.
Zhou Feng continued, "If my elder brother doesn't become emperor, those ministers in the court will definitely recommend me for the throne. I don't want to be pointed at and criticized by those old men all day long."
As he spoke, he took Han Yan'er's hand and continued, "And I also know that you don't like life in the palace."
Han Yan'er held his hand and smiled, "Have you all forgotten that when Madam Chang took my sister-in-law in as her goddaughter, she was not just an ordinary peasant woman, nor was she a lowly merchant's wife. She was a young lady of the Chang family, a family of three generations of marquises. Although the line ended with Lord Chang, her status was still no less than that of the noble ladies in the capital."
She raised her voice as she spoke, and continued, "Naturally, she's not comparable to that little girl from the Ren family."
Zhou Feng was delighted to hear this, as he had truly forgotten about it. "I'll go to the palace right away and tell my elder brother."
Han Yan'er pulled him back, "A-Feng, I think my elder brother has his own plans for this matter. It would be better if you went."
Zhou Feng stopped and thought for a moment. "That's right. What you can think of, my brother can also think of. No wonder he's not worried at all. If those ministers in the court cause trouble again, he will summon Madam Chang back to the capital for a confrontation. Those people probably won't dare to say a word."
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