Chapter 118 Conferring Imperial Consort Titles and Bestowing Honors, Boundless Glory
"...I am old and senile, and have failed in my duty to educate my children. This has led to the Prince of Qi's rebellion, his coup, and my shame before Your Majesty's trust...I have no face to see Your Majesty's mother, nor to face the world. I have no choice but to die to repay Your Majesty's grace."
When Yuan Yan paid his respects, Yuan Hao had just finished listening to his attendant read aloud. He fell silent, his turbid eyes revealing an unreadable emotion.
After a long pause, she finally spoke softly.
"Minister Wang, why did it have to come to this..."
If Wang Renyu were to resign and apologize for his poor teaching, then what would she, as the Empress Dowager, be?
Ultimately, the reason Yuan Jing became like this, taking that risky step, was related to Yuan Hao's constant promotion and suppression of the princesses.
Yuan Hao also bears an inescapable responsibility for Yuan Jing's self-immolation.
Recalling the words in Wang Renyu's letter of apology, Yuan Hao finally felt a pang of heartache and regret.
After Yuan Yan entered, he listened to the last few sentences being read aloud and saw Yuan Hao's expression, and he already knew the gist of it.
“The Empress’s health has not yet recovered, how can you trouble her with these things?” Yuan Yan said to his attendants.
"Yan'er, don't blame them. I told them to read it," Yuan Hao said.
Before she could finish speaking, Yuan Hao began coughing violently. Amidst the panicked expressions of the palace servants, she coughed up blood.
The palace maid was at a loss: "Your Majesty!"
Yuan Yan immediately ordered, "Quickly summon the imperial physician."
The poison in Yuan Hao's body had already spread to his internal organs, and now, due to the intense emotional stimulation, he coughed up blood and fainted again.
After diagnosing the illness, the imperial physician knelt down in fear, expressing his inability to save the patient and begging for forgiveness from Yuan Yan.
Fortunately, Yuan Hao had already made arrangements for his affairs after his death and had chosen Yuan Yan as his successor.
Even though she was unconscious at this time, it did not cause any turmoil in the court.
That night, the bells rang.
Yuan Hao ultimately succumbed to his injuries. Amidst the weeping of the palace servants, the once-powerful Phoenix Emperor passed away.
After the funeral rites are completed, a sacrifice is offered to Heaven and Earth.
Last night, following the customary practice for an emperor's ascension to the throne, Yuan Yan finally sat on the phoenix throne after being repeatedly refused and persuaded.
Before the master of ceremonies could even lead them, all the officials had already prostrated themselves in worship, their voices echoing throughout the palace.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Whether they were ministers who originally supported Yuan Yan or some old ministers who had previously remained neutral, they all shouted loudly, their voices resounding like mountains.
"Rise, my lords," Yuan Yan said calmly, surveying the ministers in the hall.
Yuan Yan, as a new emperor with outstanding prestige, smoothly navigated the power transition.
The first thing she did after ascending the throne was to posthumously honor her biological father, the Imperial Noble Minister, as the Phoenix Minister and the Empress Dowager Ciyi.
The second step was to reward meritorious officials.
Xue Lang, Yu Liu, and other former subordinates of the Prince's Palace, as well as Yuan Shi and other military subordinates, were all rewarded and promoted to important positions in the court by Yuan Yan according to their merits.
Some former officials of the late emperor were also promoted, which stabilized the people's hearts and gradually consolidated the court.
Lu Yingkan and other members of the Lu clan who were directly involved in the rebellion were all severely punished according to the law.
However, in order not to cause panic among the aristocratic families, Yuan Yan did not further implicate or expand the matter after careful consideration.
This relieved many of the remaining members of the Lu clan, who were moved to tears and praised the new emperor's benevolence.
As for those in Yuan Jing's inner circle, the families of Consort Lu and Chief Minister Liu were both implicated in Yuan Jing's rebellion. The two were stripped of their titles and forced to become monks.
Although Xu Qinghan's mother did not participate in the rebellion due to her official position and abilities, she was still implicated and dismissed from her post.
Xu Qinghan and Yuan Jing's son was Yuan Jing's only heir, so the son was taken away and given to someone else to raise, while Xu Qinghan was imprisoned.
After dealing with these complicated political affairs, the system's belated reward notification finally sounded.
[Achievements Acquired: Popular Favor, 50,000 Achievement Points; Initial Stability of the Court, 8,000 Achievement Points; Foundation for the Empire, 30,000 Achievement Points...]
The system kept ringing with a series of "ding-dong" sounds, which excitedly created fireworks in Yuan Yan's mind.
"Alright, stop, stop. Turn your sound effects down, they're giving me a headache." Yuan Yan rubbed his temples, stopping the overly excited system and making it stop immediately.
[Tch, they're just too happy!] The system scoffed, reveling in its achievement points. If Yuan Yan hadn't stopped it, it would have burst into song; it was incredibly joyful.
"Host, you have now inherited the throne and cleared away the obstacles within the country. You are getting closer and closer to our ultimate goal of unifying the world. What are your plans next?" it asked again.
“No rush. We’ve just gone through several major battles, our soldiers are exhausted, and our national strength is depleted. We need to recuperate and strengthen ourselves first before looking for an opportunity to march north,” Yuan Yan said.
It's been another busy period for several days.
After the previous dynasty was stabilized, Yuan Yan then ordered the preparation of the investiture ceremony.
Yuan Yan's harem was small, consisting of only three men. Among them, Yang Lingyi was undoubtedly the best choice for Feng Qing.
As for the appointment of the other two, Yuan Yan did not make the decision himself, but chose to discuss it with Yang Lingyi.
"Yi'er, regarding the investiture of concubines, I would like to hear your opinion first," Yuan Yan inquired.
“Although Shen Shuqing comes from a merchant family, he made great contributions in procuring military provisions, and his contributions to the country deserve to be rewarded,” Yang Lingyi said after thinking for a moment.
Yuan Yan nodded, "Yi'er thinks the same way I do."
Her gaze then turned to Lu Lingyue's name, and she paused slightly.
Yang Lingyi knew that Yuan Yan had complicated feelings for Lu Lingyue.
Lu Lingyue's mother, Lu Yingkan, was a traitor who had sided with the Prince of Qi. With Lu Yingkan's punishment, Lu Lingyue should have been implicated to some extent. However, he had contributed significantly to the military supplies and had severed ties with the Lu family. Yuan Yan, mindful of Lu Lingyue's contributions, did not hold him responsible for the crime.
However, due to the many entanglements between Yuan Yan and the Lu family, Lu Lingyue was destined never to be granted a high position.
Yang Lingyi: "As for Lady Lu, let His Majesty decide."
Lu Lingyue could never compare to Yuan Yan in this lifetime, but Yang Lingyi wasn't worried about that. She smiled at Yuan Yan with her eyes crinkled.
“If that is the case, then let us appoint Lianzhou as the Noble Minister Lian and Lulingyue as the Attendant Minister.” Yuan Yan finally made the decision.
The ranks in the imperial harem, from Fengqing down, are: Imperial Noble Minister, Noble Minister, Minister, Junior Minister, Attendant Minister, Attendant, and Attendant.
Upon receiving the imperial decree, the palace servants who served Shen Lianzhou were overjoyed for their mistress.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty has bestowed upon you the title of Noble Minister. This is an immense honor!" The palace servant was so excited that her face turned red.
Shen Lianzhou recalled the imperial edict praising him, his eyes softening.
“Amber, help me change my clothes. I’m going to see His Majesty.”
When Yuan Yan met Shen Lianzhou, he was dressed in a dark green robe, which made him look even more like a pine tree and a cypress, with a graceful and jade-like appearance.
"Lianzhou, you've arrived." Yuan Yan put down his pen and said with a smile.
"How are things? Are you getting used to living in Nonghua Palace?"
“The new palace is wonderful in every way, and I like it very much.” Shen Lianzhou stepped forward.
Especially since the location of Nonghua Palace is very close to Yuan Yan. As long as Yuan Yan wants to see him, he can come quickly, which is what Chen Lianzhou is most satisfied with.
Yuan Yan noticed that the palace servants behind Shen Lianzhou were not carrying food boxes, which was unusual, and teased with a smile, "Lianzhou, didn't you come to bring me soup today?"
"Your Majesty, please don't tease me. I've come here for the investiture ceremony." Shen Lianzhou smiled, her eyes also filled with amusement.
"I am of humble birth, and it is already a great blessing for me to be able to serve by Your Majesty's side. However, Your Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of Noble Minister. I am truly grateful for this favor."
“Zhou’er and I have shared hardships and shared a deep bond, which is different from others. You are wholeheartedly devoted to me, and I am sincere to you in return. This is what you deserve,” Yuan Yan said.
Looking at her, Shen Lianzhou felt as if her heart was being immersed in warm water, a warm current flowing through her. "Your Majesty, you serve me so well."
"Is that all?" Yuan Yan smiled and embraced Shen Lianzhou. "I have issued an edict, bestowing upon your father the title of Third-Rank Imperial Consort. This is a great honor for Old Master Shen, letting the world know that your father has raised a fine son."
"His Majesty……"
Shen Lianzhou felt a burning sensation in her chest, and her heartbeat grew louder and louder, like a restless drum.
His eyes welled up slightly, his throat tightened, and finally he buried his face completely in Yuan Yan's arms.
"The thing I regret least in my life is meeting His Majesty by the river."
...
Shen Lianzhou rose from an obscure merchant to a noble noble in the imperial harem, and the Shen family in Tanzhou also rose in status and became a popular household.
When Shen's father was granted the title of a third-rank imperial consort, the Shen family's prestige reached a new level.
The husband of the governor of Tanzhou even personally brought gifts to the Shen residence, praising Shen's father for his excellent upbringing of his son. His words were warm and his smile was radiant.
"No, no, you flatter me." Shen's father was just a merchant's husband. He never expected to receive such courtesy from the governor's husband. He was flustered and flattered.
"Old Master Shen, there's no need for such modesty. You are now the father of Consort Lian, a third-rank noblewoman personally bestowed by His Majesty. Consort Lian is deeply favored by the Emperor in the palace. Not to mention me, you could accept even the courtesy of Minister Wang."
"You've raised such a gentle and virtuous son; it's clear you're a good husband who manages the household and raises your son well. If you don't mind, our two families should visit each other more often so I can learn from you."
After the governor's husband left, Shen's father couldn't stop smiling.
“Zhou’er has truly made his father proud… I never imagined that in my old age, I would be able to receive an imperial title thanks to Zhou’er.”
When Shen Lianzhou sold his shop to raise military supplies, some of the Shen family's matriarchs had objections upon hearing the news.
She felt heartbroken for the silver that flew away like snowflakes, and she also resented Shen Lianzhou for borrowing so much silver without consulting the clan, which implicated the Shen family... Even Shen's father did not approve, but dared not stop her because of the Prince of Qin.
When the King of Qin returned victorious and ascended the throne, in order to reward Lian Guiqing's achievements, he specially ordered the Shen family to be promoted to imperial merchants. These people were overjoyed and praised Guiqing for his foresight.
...
Meanwhile, in the palace, Yang Lingyi, as the Fengqing, was summoning her husband.
The husband flattered Yang Lingyi, who was seated at the head of the table, saying, "Fengqing, you are truly dignified today. How could an ordinary family possess such an air of elegance? It is no wonder that you were personally taught by His Highness the Eldest Prince. The imperial demeanor is indeed different from that of others."
Yang Lingyi knew these were compliments, so she just smiled and let it go, without taking it to heart.
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