Since the imperial edict for Rongxi's succession had already been issued, all departments of the palace had been preparing for the enthronement ceremony a few days later.
Although Luo Yunya was a princess from a foreign land and, according to ancestral rules, was unfit to be empress, and many in the court disagreed, Rong Yuan and Lin Yiran were not unreasonable people and followed Rong Xi's wishes in everything. Moreover, since marrying into the family, the Crown Princess had been dutiful, intelligent, and well-mannered, and was qualified to be empress. Rong Xi had already stated that he would only have one wife in his life and would never marry again.
The courtiers had no choice but to let it go.
Although the courtiers had objections, they did not point out any wrongdoing or misconduct by Luo Yunya during her time as Crown Princess. Moreover, she had given birth to a legitimate son for the future emperor, which further solidified Luo Yunya's status as Empress.
On the day of his coronation, Rong Xi, accompanied by Luo Yunya and the young crown prince, walked directly into the Hall of Supreme Harmony. After the eunuchs announced the imperial edict, Rong Xi handed the edict and the imperial seal to the eunuch beside him. After the coronation, he declared a time of universal celebration and a three-year tax reduction. He then immediately issued an edict appointing the empress and the crown prince. Furthermore, he publicly announced the abolition of the harem, declaring that he would have only one empress for life.
Upon hearing the new emperor's words, the officials who had been trying to send their daughters into the harem all gave up their plans. They knew that the emperor's word was law even when he was the crown prince, let alone now that he was emperor.
After hearing the Emperor's words, Consort Qing also planned to quickly find an honest man to marry her daughter off. With the new Emperor on the throne, their status was already awkward, and now that the Emperor was going to abolish the harem, he probably didn't want to see people like them who were an eyesore.
If the retired emperor were still on the throne, he might still be able to consider the father-daughter relationship to some extent, but after Rong Xi ascended the throne, even that familial bond would likely be gone. If Rong Yang continues to cause trouble, they might be separated by death. She should probably choose a way out first.
Rong Xi made this announcement simply to reassure Luo Yunya. Although they were deeply in love, Luo Yunya did not want Rong Xi to make an enemy of the officials and the world for her sake. While she minded sharing her husband with another woman, these were responsibilities she would have to bear if she became Empress.
But to everyone's surprise, Rong Xi kept his promise to her; no matter what, she was his only wife.
Luo Yunya was deeply moved by all of this. Having met such a wonderful husband, and such wonderful in-laws, she felt she had no regrets in this life.
After the coronation ceremony, Luo Yunya kept replaying Rong Xi's appearance on her way home. So majestic, so noble, his gaze so different from usual. Her husband had ascended the throne; she was now the Empress. Before meeting Rong Xi, she had never dared to dream of such a thing. After all, she was just a lowly princess; becoming Empress seemed like an unattainable dream.
It all feels like a dream.
Luo Yunya gently touched her belly. When Rong Xi returned, she would tell him another piece of good news: her husband had become the emperor, and she was pregnant again. It was a double blessing.
This was discovered a couple of days ago. Rongxi has been quite busy these past few days, so she hasn't told him yet. She hopes this baby is a daughter, her and Rongxi's daughter. She hopes it will be a lovely daughter like Wanwan.
After Rong Xi returned, Luo Yunya told him about her pregnancy. Rong Xi felt overwhelmed with happiness, even happier than when he became emperor.
So he disregarded his status as the new emperor and carried Luo Yunya around the palace several times to express his joy.
The news quickly reached the Emperor Emeritus and the Empress Dowager, and gifts and treasures poured in from all sides.
The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager also took on the important responsibilities of raising Rong Mochen and naming their unborn grandson. Rong Xi only needed to take care of the Empress.
Rong Xi was naturally very happy about this. After all, he didn't feel at ease having that mischievous little devil, Rong Mochen, by Ya'er's side.
......
Two months after the new emperor's ascension to the throne, Consort Qing chose a husband for Rongyang: the second son of a honest and upright third-rank official. Rongyang was initially dissatisfied, but after seeing the groom's appearance and receiving her mother's earnest advice, she finally agreed. After the marriage, Rongyang was relatively well-behaved, and because of her title as a princess, their life was quite harmonious.
Consort Qing requested to leave the palace, citing her need to care for her daughter, and Rong Xi granted her request.
After Consort Qing left the palace, a few of the retired emperor's concubines remained in the harem, and they all followed suit. Although they had no children, they were still young and yearned for freedom. Rather than growing old and dying in the deep palace, they preferred to leave and live a carefree life.
From then on, the imperial harem was truly a place of bright moonlight, gentle breeze, and clear blue sky.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
