Chapter 241 A Virtuous Wife
Pei Huaijin waited to the side, "Your Highness, please advise on how to settle this Tibetan prince."
Li Yuanzhao tapped his fingertips on the imperial desk, saying casually, "Keep them. I said before that no matter how many princes Tibet was willing to send, my Great Qi could afford to support them. Now that they've arrived, how can my Great Qi go back on its word?"
Pei Huaijin continued, "Where would be a more appropriate place to put him?"
Li Yuanzhao casually instructed, "Settle them in a side hall of Xihe Palace. Have someone take good care of them and make sure nothing goes wrong."
"Your Majesty, I will make the arrangements immediately." Pei Huaijin bowed in agreement and was about to leave when Li Yuanzhao suddenly called him back.
"Huaijin..."
This soft call made Pei Huaijin tremble violently, and he stopped in his tracks.
His Highness had never called him that before. Those two words brushed against his heart like a feather, sending a shiver of tingling through his body.
He looked at Li Yuanzhao with a puzzled expression, waiting for her instructions.
Do you know why I entrusted you with the entire responsibility for the talent show?
Li Yuanzhao's voice carried a subtle, almost imperceptible, seductive undertone.
Pei Huaijin's Adam's apple bobbed. "Your Majesty... I do not know."
"Because of you, you have always been my most beloved choice for the position of Empress."
Upon hearing this, Pei Huaijin immediately knelt down, his forehead pressed against the blue brick, his voice filled with fear.
"Your Highness! I dare not! I am utterly unworthy of such an honorable title!"
Since refusing the princess last time, he has not dared to have any more expectations.
Being able to stay by Her Highness's side and serve her is already the greatest fortune in my life. How could I possibly hope to stand beside her and bear such a noble title as "Royal Consort"?
That was a favor he never even dared to dream of.
Li Yuanzhao looked at him quietly, "If I say you are worthy of it, then you are naturally worthy of it."
"I have seen your hard work these past few days. Since I ascended the throne, I have been busy with state affairs, and the affairs of the harem naturally need a capable person to manage them. Whether it is a noble family or a court official, no one is more suitable than you in terms of being meticulous and composed."
Pei Huaijin remained kneeling on the ground. "Your Highness, I...I truly dare not accept such great favor."
Li Yuanzhao asked coldly, "What? You still don't want to be my imperial consort?"
Pei Huaijin quickly replied, "Of course not!"
He finally raised his head, his eyes already slightly red.
“Your Highness, I am devoted to you! Even if Your Highness does not grant me any title, I am willing to give my life for you! But I am afraid that I am not worthy of such honor.”
“When Your Highness asked me if I was willing to become the prince consort, I was young and foolish, only concerned with my family responsibilities, and I failed Your Highness’s favor. In recent days, I have been filled with remorse whenever I think about it.”
His voice trembled with suppressed emotion, as if he were about to pour out all the feelings hidden deep in his heart.
"Later, I finally understood my own feelings, but I dared not have any more expectations, much less reveal this belated sentiment to Your Highness, for fear of offending your eyes. Your Highness is about to rule the world, and I... only wish to silently guard you, that is enough."
He took a deep breath and kowtowed sharply.
"But Your Highness is willing to give me another chance today... I dare not refuse again! If Your Highness does not abandon me, from now on I will do my best to share Your Highness's worries and troubles, manage the affairs of the harem, and let Your Highness have no worries."
He kowtowed deeply again, saying, "Your subject Pei Huaijin thanks Your Highness for your great kindness."
"Get up," Li Yuanzhao said. "After the coronation ceremony, the wedding will be announced to the world. Go back and make preparations."
Pei Huaijin bowed and replied, "Yes."
Li Yuanzhao's choice of Pei Huaijin as his consort was a well-considered decision.
The Pei family is now the head of all aristocratic families, wielding considerable influence within the gentry circle and best representing the opinions of all aristocratic families.
Marrying him as the emperor's consort would naturally appease the deeply entrenched power of those aristocratic families.
She wanted to make these aristocratic families understand that following her was more reassuring than following someone like Li Ye who would betray them after using them.
More importantly, the imperial harem was forbidden from interfering in politics.
Once Pei Huaijin entered her harem, the Pei family lost its backbone. Even though it remained the head of the aristocratic families, it would be difficult for it to form a force that could rival the imperial power.
She effortlessly dismantled a major potential threat, a far more prudent approach than forceful suppression.
Moreover, Pei Huaijin was indeed a very virtuous and capable wife.
He was thorough in his dealings, meticulous in his thinking, and never jealous. Since following her, he had quietly mediated between various powerful families, securing considerable support for her.
Such qualities are most suitable for ruling the harem.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com