Chapter 1116: Grand Finale: Return of an Old Friend (24)
"Your Majesty—passed away—"
…
Shen Miao looked towards Empress Xian De, who was dressed in a plain white gown. Her expression remained gentle and steady, as if nothing could shake the composure in her heart.
After a brief period of turmoil, the court finally calmed down.
Before his death, Emperor Yongle had arranged everything, including the imperial edict of succession and the potential for unrest within the court. While some were eager to make a move, the forces Emperor Yongle had arranged were no mere decoration. Furthermore, Xie Jingxing was now frequently reporting victories, and everyone knew that Emperor Yongle had no sons, and that passing the throne to his only blood relative was a long-decided fact.
There were doubts, but they would eventually fade. Xie Jingxing's bravery and the Yongle Emperor's thorough arrangements had made the court surprisingly secure. Even at this moment, no chaos had occurred. Perhaps they also knew that once Prince Rui returned, he would bring not only victory but also the territories of Ming Qi and Qin. This chaotic world of conquest would be completely unified, and the throne would become less important.
It would be better to be obedient and wait for the new emperor to return triumphantly and ascend the throne, so that you can share some of the credit.
There is only profit in the former dynasty, what about the harem?
Without the monarch they relied on for survival, the women in the harem were naturally lost and bewildered. Some sought suicide, but many more simply contemplated their futures. The majority of Yongle Emperor's concubines were daughters of court officials; few were taken in on his own initiative. Furthermore, Yongle was naturally aloof. Aside from his earlier favor for Lu Jing, he had little interest in women. Therefore, his relationships with his concubines were not particularly affectionate. After Yongle Emperor's death, these women actively sought help from their families, hoping for a better future.
Empress Xian De handled everything calmly, declaring national mourning and burying her in the imperial mausoleum. Emperor Yongle did not request anyone to be buried with him. Emperor Yongle had instructed Eunuch Deng on his final arrangements, and everything was done according to his wishes.
Shen Miao came to visit Empress Xian De at night. Ever since Emperor Yongle was buried in the imperial mausoleum, she seemed particularly calm. Today was Mid-Autumn Festival, and the full moon was in the sky, but she was in the Weiyang Palace listening to her maid playing the zither.
Shen Miao asked the palace maid playing the zither to leave. Empress Xian De then saw her. She seemed extremely tired, but she smiled again and said, "You're here."
"It's getting cold, your majesty, you need to put on more clothes. If you want to listen to the zither, please heat up the small stove to prevent you from catching a cold." Shen Miao said.
Empress Xian De smiled disapprovingly and pointed at the mooncakes on the table. She said, "They were made in the imperial kitchen. I wanted to have them delivered to you, but then I thought they had probably already been delivered, so I didn't bother with it anymore."
Shen Miao smiled and said, “Your Majesty, please eat some too.”
Empress Xian De waved her hand and said, "I can't eat any more."
The imperial edict of succession has been issued. When Xie Jingxing returns to Longye, he will ascend the throne. At that time, Shen Miao will be the queen. Speaking of which, it is actually inappropriate to address her as the queen Xiande now. However, neither of them cared.
"These past few days, I've been thinking about the past. I originally thought that the Emperor was gone, a fact I'd known for a long time, and I'd slowly get used to it. But the longer time passes, the more I feel uncomfortable. I always feel empty inside, as if something is missing. Princess, are you feeling the same way after Jingxing passed away?"
Shen Miao was stunned.
Missing her? Of course I do. Normally, I think the daily presence is nothing special, but only after we're truly apart do I realize what I've lost. When we're apart, people can probably figure out many of their feelings. But... Shen Miao subconsciously touched her belly. Perhaps because she still had a little one in her belly, these long, torturous days seemed less boring.
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