Chapter 163 The Higher You Climb, the Colder It Gets
However, the ministers were clearly unaware of her thoughts and would not easily allow the emperor to break the rules established by their ancestors. Even though the newly enthroned emperor was tough and resolute, and would not tolerate any questioning, the ministers would still not compromise easily.
After the court session, several loyal ministers knelt in the Hall of Diligent Governance, arguing with the emperor with great passion, sometimes apologizing to their ancestors, and sometimes saying that if the emperor broke this precedent, he would be labeled a foolish ruler, which would also put the empress in a disadvantageous position.
Some even said that unless the emperor agreed to select concubines to fill the harem and ensure the continuation of the imperial line, this matter might be feasible.
Unfortunately, His Majesty the Emperor had no intention of paying them any attention.
No matter how passionate, agitated, or fearless they were, Yan Cang remained unmoved.
When the news reached Fengyi Palace, Chu Yunjin's expression was strange.
She had absolutely no idea how filling the harem and ascending the throne could be related.
The emperor selected a concubine, and just because that broke the rules, you can tolerate it?
If the emperor doesn't hold a selection of concubines, wouldn't our ancestors be fed up?
"In short, the ministers are tough and fearless, and the Emperor is determined not to back down, so the stalemate continues." The eunuch of Fengyi Palace kept a close eye on the activity in the front hall and reported to Chu Yunjin in a timely manner. "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much. Once the Emperor has made up his mind, no one can change it."
Chu Yunjin was not worried.
She got up, walked to the edge of the bed, and half-lay down: "I only need to focus on my pregnancy and give birth to this child. The affairs of the front hall are none of my concern."
She was the empress.
The rule that the imperial harem must not interfere in politics is a tradition passed down from our ancestors.
Moreover, Chu Yunjin knew that Yan Cang was only a little insecure in matters of the heart; otherwise, he was as hard as a rock and wouldn't listen to reason.
The court officials could do nothing about him.
She was right.
When Yan Cang arrived at Fengyi Palace in the evening, he appeared perfectly normal, showing no sign of displeasure whatsoever, as if the ministers' protests had never happened.
Chu Yunjin stepped forward, took off his outer robe and handed it to Ade, then hugged him and kissed him: "You've been working hard on government affairs, you've gotten so thin lately."
Yan Cang looked down at her, his gaze tender and gentle: "Has the child been bothering you?"
Chu Yunjin shook her head: "I'm much better lately, and I have a good appetite today too."
Relieved, Yan Cang turned around and went to wash his hands.
"Have you heard about what happened in the front hall?" Yan Cang asked while washing his hands. "The older officials in the court are old-fashioned and stubborn; we don't need to pay them any attention."
Chu Yunjin hummed in agreement.
“They’re all just bored and have nothing better to do.” Yan Cang sneered, turned around and walked over, putting his arm around her waist. “There are so many things in the world that they don’t have enough to worry about, but they have to meddle in the royal harem.”
Chu Yunjin pondered for a moment and said, "If they object strongly, actually—"
"Actually what?" Yan Cang frowned at her, his expression displeased. "You want to join them in persuading me to be a virtuous empress?"
Chu Yunjin shook her head and smiled, "That's not what I meant, it's just that my physical condition is special..."
"The ceremony will be kept simple," Yan Cang said. "It won't tire you out."
Chu Yunjin remained silent.
Yan put his arm around her, walked to the bed and sat down, resting his head on her shoulder and closing his eyes slightly: "I just want to be with her."
He wanted to walk alongside her to that highest position, to witness the prosperity of the world together, to shoulder the responsibility of the vast nation together, and to live together for a hundred years.
It is said that the higher you climb, the colder it gets.
He didn't want to be all alone.
Chu Yunjin felt a pang of sadness, sighed softly, and reached out to hug his neck: "I know."
However, such a major matter could not be resolved simply by her saying "I know." The ministers' advice was useless, so they could only mobilize the Empress's father, the Minister of Revenue, to start with his own daughter.
The Minister of Revenue, being a man from outside the palace, found it inconvenient to enter the inner palace. After returning home, he spoke with Madam Chu and asked her to go to the palace to persuade her daughter.
The next morning, Chu Yunjin had just gotten up and hadn't even had breakfast when a eunuch came to announce, "Your Majesty, Madam Chu requests an audience."
Chu Yunjin paused for a moment, then said, "Let Mother in."
"yes."
Lady Chu entered the hall and bowed respectfully: "This humble woman greets Your Majesty the Empress, may Your Majesty live a thousand years!"
"Mother, please rise." Chu Yunjin slowly sat up and pointed to the chair beside her. "Mother, please sit down."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Madam Chu walked to the side and sat down in a chair. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "Your father sent me to see you about the enthronement ceremony."
As expected, Chu Yunjin was not surprised.
She said calmly, "The women of the inner palace must not interfere in politics."
"His Majesty will listen to you," Madam Chu said, her tone much more cautious. "Your Majesty, the enthronement ceremony of a new emperor has always been a solo event; there has never been a precedent for combining it with the empress's investiture ceremony—"
"Rules are meant to be broken," Chu Yunjin said calmly. "The Emperor loves me, cares about me, and is willing to break this rule for me. Mother should be happy."
Madam Chu showed no sign of happiness.
She spoke with deep concern: "The greater the favor you enjoy today, the greater the leverage you will have against you tomorrow. Your Majesty, although you and the Emperor are husband and wife, you are also ruler and subject. You must never overstep this rule."
Throughout history, countless empresses and concubines who enjoyed immense favor ultimately met tragic ends, and their families were also implicated.
Chu Yunjin said calmly, "Since Mother knows that we are ruler and subject, she should understand that the Emperor's will cannot be defied. A ruler's favor to his subject is a favor, and so is his punishment. Does Mother want me to go against the Emperor's will?"
Lady Chu choked back a sob: "Your Majesty the Empress—"
"No one dares to disobey the Emperor's thunderous punishment, but the Emperor's favor makes people feel terrified and try every means to stop it?" Chu Yunjin smiled and said, "There is no such logic in the world."
Madam Chu choked, speechless.
"Mother, you should go back," Chu Yunjin said calmly. "Whatever decision the Emperor makes, I will support him."
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