The next morning, Liu Hong, exhausted from working half the night, opened his eyes and looked at Song Yue, who was still sleeping soundly in his arms. He then carefully pulled his arm out and covered her with a quilt.
Just as he stepped out of the bedchamber, Zhang Rang, who had been guarding outside all night, hurriedly led his men forward.
"Be quiet, don't disturb the Queen."
Looking at the people who came to serve him, Liu Hong couldn't help but say something.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Zhang Rang glanced at the Empress's bedroom, and then began to gently help Liu Hong dress and wash up.
Stepping out of Weiyang Palace and looking at the faintly brightening sky, Liu Hong took a deep breath and began practicing the Five Animal Frolics.
Now that there is an empress and so many concubines, for the sake of myself and them, I must have a strong body.
Half an hour later, as the sun began to rise, Liu Hong finally stopped what he was doing and picked up a handkerchief to wipe the fine sweat from his forehead.
At the same time, Song Yue also woke up, feeling tired all over, but a happy smile appeared on her face.
Upon learning that the Emperor had already woken up, Song Yue hurriedly got up and, with the help of the palace maids, began to dress, preparing to go with Liu Hong to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.
The palace maids served with utmost respect. Through yesterday's wedding and the scene just now, they knew the Empress's importance in the Emperor's heart, so they served her with extra care.
Before long, Song Yue, having changed her clothes, arrived before Liu Hong, surrounded by palace maids.
Looking at Song Yue, whose face showed a hint of fatigue, Liu Hong showed a hint of apology, and then led her toward Chang Le Palace.
Inside Chang Le Palace, Dou Miao, who had gotten up early, sat with Dong Shi, chatting happily.
Before long, a palace maid came to report that the Emperor and Empress had arrived, and the two then sat down.
As soon as Liu Hong and Song Yue appeared, Dou Miao and Madam Dong turned their attention to Song Yue.
Watching Song Yue's gait, Dou Miao and Madam Dong couldn't help but smile knowingly, and then looked at their son with admiration in their eyes.
Upon approaching, Liu Hong and Song Yue bowed to Dou Miao and Madam Dong.
"Your son greets Your Majesty, Mother!"
"This concubine greets the Empress Dowager and Mother!"
"Alright, alright, get up now!"
Dou Miao and Madam Dong quickly and cheerfully greeted the two of them as they got up.
"Come, come, Your Majesty, sit here."
As she spoke, Dou Miao invited Song Yue to sit between her and Madam Dong, and then took out a seal.
"These are the seals of empresses throughout history. Today I entrust them to you. From now on, you must help the emperor manage the harem well and not distract him, understand?"
"Yes, Mother."
Song Yue respectfully agreed, and then solemnly accepted the seal.
Madam Dong, who was standing nearby, then picked up a jade hairpin and said with a smile, "This was given to me by the emperor's grandmother when I married into the Marquis's mansion. Today I am giving it to you."
"I hope the Empress will take good care of the Emperor and bear many more princes and princesses for our Han Dynasty."
"Thank you, Mother."
Upon hearing that Madam Dong wanted her to have more princes and princesses, Song Yue blushed and agreed.
Liu Hong, left standing to the side, watched his two mothers, who had both become wives but had forgotten about their sons, and felt speechless.
After the wedding, the imperial court returned to its usual busy routine.
Under the pressure of the officials, Liu Hong took a half-month leave, spending his days either touring the palace with the empress or making babies.
Although the emperor was young, the Han Dynasty and its officials urgently needed a prince to stabilize public sentiment.
During the time he spent with Song Yue, Liu Hong felt extremely peaceful and doted on this gentle, tolerant, and generous empress.
During the time the two spent together, Empress Song Yue repeatedly asked Liu Hong to share his affections more with Wang Yan and Yin Lan.
At first, Liu Hong refused, but he couldn't resist Song Yue's persistent pleading and eventually had to give in, so he favored all six concubines in turn, enjoying the bliss of having multiple wives.
The news that the Empress had taken the initiative to advise the Emperor to visit his concubines had also spread, which not only made Dou Miao and Lady Dong very happy, but also won unanimous praise from the officials.
Therefore, Song Yue's position in the palace became more secure, and she also gained the title of a virtuous empress.
Just as Liu Hong was enjoying his time with his concubines, a group from the south arrived in Luoyang, carrying some strange objects, and headed straight for the Honglu Temple.
This team was dispatched by the Court of State Ceremonial to the southwest to search for various seeds and crops.
Upon learning the news, Liu Hong disregarded his intimacy with the Empress and concubines and immediately summoned Yang Ci to inquire about the harvest.
September 25th.
"Sigh, no wonder so many emperors throughout history died so young. This kind of life is really not something ordinary people can endure."
Liu Hong, who had just emerged from Consort Wang Yan's palace, rubbed his lower back and couldn't help but let out a soft sigh.
After exercising for about half an hour and eating the nutritious breakfast sent by the Empress, Liu Hong changed into his imperial robes and headed towards Chongzheng Hall.
At this moment, all the officials gathered in the Chongzheng Hall. For them, the fourth year of Jianning was the busiest year.
First came the emperor's personal expedition, with everyone diligently allocating resources; then came the development of Liaozhou; next came the earthquake in Zhao County; and finally, the emperor's wedding and currency reform.
One thing after another happened without any gaps. Fortunately, the food and accommodation in Luoyang were good, and the doctors at the medical school were highly skilled, which prevented the ministers from collapsing.
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