Chapter 285 The Imperial Harem Election?
Upon hearing this, both Yuan Chiyu and Shui Xiu were taken aback.
The previously awkward atmosphere between the two suddenly became ambiguous and blurred.
They looked at each other for a moment, then turned their heads away at the same time, as if in perfect unison.
The spring breeze brushed past their slightly reddened ears, stirring ripples in the hearts of who knows who.
The feast is in full swing, and the spring scenery is just right.
In the Imperial Garden, Narcissus noticed the still slightly chilly spring breeze and gently pulled her shawl closer. This subtle movement was immediately noticed by Emperor Zhaoheng beside her.
Without hesitation, in full view of everyone, he took off the cloak embroidered with golden dragon patterns that he was wearing.
The bright yellow imperial robe, large in size and still warm from his body, with a unique ambergris scent, was carefully draped over Narcissus's shoulders, completely covering her slender body.
"emperor……"
Narcissus was slightly taken aback.
Although the empress could also wear bright yellow, Emperor Zhaoheng actually wanted to drape his robe over her shoulders, which was an honor that was surprising even for the empress.
Emperor Zhaoheng had already stood up, looked around at the noisy crowd, and spoke in a calm tone, yet with the depth and majesty of an emperor.
"The Empress is still recovering from her illness and cannot be exposed to the wind. Today, the Flower Festival will end here."
He gave no one time to react, personally helped Narcissus up, and together with a group of palace servants, they left, leaving behind a garden full of people with various expressions.
Zheng Yu'e and the others looked at the empress's dazzling bright yellow dragon robe and the emperor and empress's departing figures, seemingly forming their own world. Their faces turned ashen, and their hearts turned ice-cold.
They knew that all their scheming today, even those underhanded provocations, had vanished in an instant, resulting in a crushing defeat.
Before the afterglow of the Flower Festival had completely dissipated, an even more intense storm erupted in the Golden Palace the following day.
Zheng Shangshu and his cronies seemed to regard the scene of the Emperor and Empress being of one mind on the Flower Festival yesterday as a threat, or felt that their power was already secure. They even joined forces with more officials who had been incited or were already dissatisfied with the Empress's exclusive favor, and launched a final gamble.
"emperor!"
Minister Zheng held a jade tablet in his hand, his body bowed, but his words were a clear attempt to coerce the Emperor.
"Although the Empress has princes and princesses, the Empress has been the sole favorite for so long that His Majesty is worried about his health and his offspring are few. This is not a blessing for the country! We old ministers cannot sleep at night, fearing that the foundation of the country will be shaken. We earnestly request His Majesty to prioritize the country and issue an edict to select virtuous women, so that his favor may be distributed equally among all the noble ladies. Only in this way can we ensure the eternal stability of our Great Qi!"
Behind him, a group of officials knelt down and echoed his sentiments, their words vehement, as if Emperor Zhaoheng would be a foolish ruler who would ruin the century-old foundation of the Great Qi if he did not select a consort.
On the dragon throne, Emperor Zhaoheng's face was ashen, and he did not immediately lash out.
He remained silent for a moment, his gaze deep and unfathomable, his tone carrying an enigmatic and profound quality.
"A talent show..."
He spoke slowly, his voice echoing in the silent hall, "There are many old precedents, which are extremely costly and wasteful of resources... Since you gentlemen are all dedicated to the country, do you have a solution that satisfies both needs?"
His words sounded like... a softening of stance? Even a hint of hesitation?
Upon hearing this, Minister Zheng and the others' eyes instantly lit up with wild joy!
Was the emperor forced to make concessions by them?
Indeed, with enough pressure, even the heart of an emperor can be shaken!
"Your Majesty is wise!"
Minister Zheng's voice rose several decibels with excitement as he eagerly interjected, "The old precedent can indeed be streamlined! As long as His Majesty approves, all procedures can be simplified, ensuring that the national treasury is not overtaxed! As for the selection of personnel..."
Minister Zheng spoke repeatedly, as if afraid that Emperor Zhaoheng would change his mind.
"This old minister...this old minister dares to recommend my niece, Zheng Yu'e, who is virtuous, beautiful, eloquent, and accomplished, and has a long-standing reputation for being wise. She can share the burdens of Your Majesty! In addition, the daughter of Vice Minister Wang, the sister of General Li...are all excellent choices!"
He eagerly rattled off a list of eligible women from his faction or vassal families.
Several other core henchmen also stepped forward, vying to recommend their own female relatives, making the hall resemble a marketplace with all sorts of ugly scenes.
They were overjoyed at the prospect of persuading Emperor Zhaoheng to hold a grand selection of concubines, but they failed to notice the cold and cruel smile on the lips of the young emperor on the dragon throne.
When their performance was nearly over and the sounds gradually subsided, Emperor Zhaoheng slowly stood up.
He found himself holding a thick, secret book.
He looked down at Minister Zheng, who was still kneeling on the ground, seemingly loyal to the emperor and the people. His voice was devoid of any warmth, chilling to the bone.
"What a fine example of 'for the sake of the nation'!"
He suddenly slammed the secret document in his hand onto the desk with a loud "thud," making everyone's heart skip a beat!
"Minister Zheng!"
Emperor Zhaoheng shouted sternly and snorted coldly.
"You embezzled 1.7 million taels of silver from the Jiangnan canal transport, causing the river works to become lax. Last year, when the cargo ships capsized and dozens of boatmen perished, did you ever think of the foundation of the nation?!"
"When you indulged your relatives in seizing thousands of acres of fertile land on the outskirts of Beijing, driving seven tenant farmers to their deaths and causing their families to be destroyed, did you ever think of the foundation of the nation?!"
With each question he asked, his voice rose a notch, and the emperor's rage, like tangible thunder, resounded throughout the hall, making everyone's heart skip a beat!
The details he listed, including the time and place, were crystal clear, indicating that he had already investigated everything in secret!
The color drained from Minister Zheng's face instantly; he never expected Emperor Zhaoheng to suddenly launch an attack at this moment.
He opened his mouth, but no sound came out.
"Your Majesty! Your subject has something to report!"
The censor Lian Chenxi, who had been waiting for a long time, immediately stepped forward and presented a thick stack of account books and letters with both hands. "This is irrefutable evidence of Minister Zheng's embezzlement of grain transport funds and selling official positions! Please, Your Majesty, review it!"
"Your Majesty! Your subject also has something to report!"
Several officials from humble backgrounds who had been secretly supported by Emperor Zhaoheng or who were already dissatisfied with the Zheng faction stepped forward and presented evidence of the Zheng faction's various crimes, including seizing farmland, colluding with local authorities, and framing loyal officials!
"Summon the aggrieved party!"
Emperor Zhaoheng coldly issued the order.
The palace gates opened, and several people dressed in clean cloth, their faces filled with sorrow, walked shakily into the Golden Palace, escorted by Yuan Chiyu's elite soldiers.
They knelt on the ground, sobbing uncontrollably, accusing the Zheng family of seizing their land and driving their relatives to their deaths...
The mournful voice echoed in the bright and luxurious Golden Palace, shaking the hearts of all who heard it.
Who could have imagined that such a forceful seizure would occur right under the emperor's nose?!
Minister Zheng turned pale and retreated repeatedly.
Emperor Zhaoheng's scheme was profound, his preparations were early, his evidence was conclusive, and his witnesses were complete!
This was not a spur-of-the-moment counterattack, but a long-planned decisive blow!
Emperor Zhaoheng looked down at Minister Zheng, who was slumped on the ground, and the ashen-faced members of the Zheng faction. His voice carried the judgment and punishment of an emperor, like thunder descending from the heavens.
"Minister Zheng, strip him of all official positions, imprison him in the imperial jail, and hand him over to the three judicial departments for joint trial. He will be severely punished without leniency!"
"The remaining accomplices involved in the case will be dealt with severely according to the law, either by dismissal from office or exile, without any leniency!"
His gaze swept over the few royal family members who had been jumping the loudest just moments before, his voice icy cold.
"Prince An and General Huaihua... shall be stripped of their titles by one rank, and all their direct descendants shall be assigned to serve in the Northern Frontier Army. Without my decree, they shall never return to the capital!"
Emperor Zhaoheng had been patient for a long time, just to gather evidence so that the imperial clans and noble families would have no room for maneuver!
He uprooted these treacherous officials who had been robbing the court, punishing them ruthlessly! He completely extinguished any possibility of the Zheng faction and its followers making a comeback!
Finally, Emperor Zhaoheng surveyed the silent court officials, his voice as cold as unyielding ice, carrying an unquestionable authority, and declared:
"My harem is not a place for you to form cliques, seek personal gain, or attempt to curry favor! From this day forward, anyone who dares to speak ill of the Empress... Minister Zheng will serve as a cautionary tale!"
These words were like a thunderclap from the heavens, completely blocking all avenues for selecting concubines for the imperial harem, and proclaiming to the world the unshakeable position of the empress!
Regardless of their expressions, everyone in the court bowed down to Emperor Zhaoheng.
It seems that no one will question Emperor Zhaoheng's decision anymore, and no one will dare to mention the imperial harem selection again!
——
That evening, a small banquet was held in the palace.
Emperor Zhaoheng's thunderous rage in the court reached the inner palace in no time. Narcissus, caught in the eye of the storm, seemed unaware of Emperor Zhaoheng's deep protection of her, nor of the opposition from the aristocratic families.
She actually took the initiative to invite women from aristocratic families or the imperial family to the palace and hosted a banquet for them.
Only a discerning eye could see that this was a brilliant collaboration between the Emperor and Empress.
Emperor Zhaoheng's punishment, combined with Empress Shuixian's reassurance, effectively nipped any potential conflict in the bud.
The aristocratic women who were arrogant and domineering at the Flower Festival yesterday, and who tried to provoke others, are now all silent and trembling with fear. They are all looking for an opportunity to step forward and toast the narcissus, speaking humbly and flattering her to the extreme.
Those noble ladies and their families who had been included in the "selection list" by the Zheng faction in the court were huddled in a corner, not even having the courage to look the emperor and empress in the eye.
The old forces collapsed, and a new order has been quietly established with the concerted efforts of the Emperor and Empress.
During a break in the banquet, Shui Xiu quietly left her seat and went to the outer corridor of the hall for some fresh air.
The moonlight, as clear as water, spilled onto the white marble railings.
A tall figure approached silently, appearing even broader in stature and longer in the moonlight.
The person who arrived was none other than Yuan Chiyu.
This was the first time the two had met since the Flower Festival...
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