Chapter 358 Preparing for the Wedding
Pei Siyan's great victory over the rebels and his efforts to eradicate corruption in the court earned him widespread praise among the people, and his prestige immediately surpassed that of Emperor Muzong.
Emperor Muzong, who was living in seclusion in the Fulin Palace as the retired emperor, was not angry when he learned of this. Instead, he was very pleased and even issued an imperial edict to the Ministry of Rites, ordering them to make a grand wedding.
Seeing that his health was deteriorating, he unexpectedly summoned Dou Wenyi.
The Emperor Emeritus recounted many amusing anecdotes about Pei Siyan's childhood, which Dou Wenyi listened to intently, occasionally offering a few words of commentary.
Emperor Muzong looked haggard and let out a long sigh. "Siyan's temperament was originally like his mother's. If I hadn't been so muddle-headed, he wouldn't have gone through so many hardships. But it was precisely because of these hardships that he was ultimately shaped. Although he hates me, I have ultimately nurtured a 'wise ruler' for the Great Zhou. The Great Zhou's empire has a successor, and I can die without regrets."
Dou Wenyi was speechless. Suffering can temper one's will, but it was wrong of him, as the emperor, to create suffering for others.
She had no choice but to agree with him, saying, "Your Majesty often reviews memorials until late at night, working diligently to govern the country and managing countless affairs every day. You truly have the qualities of Yao and Shun, which is a blessing for all the people and the nation!"
Emperor Muzong said bitterly, "He is deeply in love with you, far more so than I was with Wenwan. He would never wrong you in the slightest. However, it is his responsibility to produce an imperial heir. I hope you can be more magnanimous and that there are more people in the palace who can bear him children. That is the proper thing to do."
"You must consider the bigger picture and not be too headstrong! Don't be like Empress Dowager Wen in this respect."
Then she launched into a tirade, “You’re pregnant and don’t have the energy to take care of him. Why don’t you think more about him and persuade him to treat his concubines equally? How can you be worthy of being an empress?”
Dou Wenyi secretly rolled her eyes, and understood more and more why Pei Siyan and Emperor Muzong were irreconcilable; she feared that the rift between the two would never be eliminated.
"Yes, I am unworthy."
Hearing her throw up her tantrum, Emperor Muzong choked, "You're not worthy? When I bestowed this marriage upon you, why didn't you say you weren't worthy? I think you're deliberately shirking your responsibilities as Empress."
Dou Wenyi: "..."
In that instant, she suddenly realized that Pei Siyan's sharp tongue was probably inherited from Emperor Muzong.
"Now that you are the Empress, you should set an example and offer advice when necessary. However, you must be careful with your approach and not be too hasty. It's inevitable that the two of you will have disagreements, arguments, and grievances. But no matter how great the grievance, never act impulsively, lest you regret it later..."
"If someone had been willing to back down back then, things wouldn't have come to this..."
At this point, Emperor Muzong's eyes welled up with tears.
Dou Wenyi felt a pang of sadness in his heart. Therefore, Empress Wen was the only white moonlight and cinnabar mole in his heart.
Fortunately, Pei Siyan's personality was completely different from his.
Just then, Pei Siyan strode into the hall and said bluntly, "Father, rest assured, if Yi'er and I really quarrel, regardless of who is right or wrong, I will be the first to admit my mistake."
Emperor Muzong was speechless when he saw how worthless he looked. If he had realized this earlier, would his relationship with Wen Wan have ended differently?
Perhaps recalling the past, Emperor Muzong suddenly coughed, the heart-wrenching sound echoing in the hall.
Pei Siyan and Dou Wenyi rushed forward to check on him, helping to massage his back and soothe his breathing. Dou Wenyi also took his pulse and found that his body was severely overdrawn and he probably didn't have much time left to live.
Eunuch Feng brought over the medicine, and Pei Siyan took the bowl and personally served Emperor Muzong the medicine spoonful by spoonful.
Emperor Muzong was lost in thought as he watched him move with such fluid grace. He had once longed for a harmonious relationship between father and son.
Unfortunately, this rare display of 'filial piety' is more likely just a show.
But with Wen Wan's life separating them, this conflict could never be resolved, and he could only carry his regrets to his grave...
After Emperor Muzong finished his medicine, he gave one last instruction: "If a child is not taught, it is the father's fault; if a child is raised but not taught, it is the mother's laziness. You are all about to become parents. In the future, teach your grandson well, but don't be too strict. You may all leave."
As the two left Fulin Hall, they both slowed their pace along the long palace path.
Dou Wenyi glanced at Pei Siyan beside her. His jawline was still taut, clearly annoyed by Emperor Muzong's clichéd remarks.
She hooked his fingers that were hanging by his side, and Pei Siyan came back to his senses. He took her hand in his own, their fingers intertwined, and said in a deep voice, "You don't need to take his words to heart. What do you mean by having children and spreading the love evenly? My affairs are none of his business."
His words revealed a complete disdain for Emperor Muzong's set of precepts.
A warm feeling welled up in Dou Wenyi's heart. "I know."
She responded softly, resting her head gently on his arm, "It's just... when he mentioned Empress Dowager Wen, it made my heart ache."
Pei Siyan paused slightly, remaining silent for a moment: "No matter how much he regrets it now, he can't bring my mother back. He created the 'wise ruler' we know today, but he personally killed my mother. This debt can never be settled, nor can it be forgiven."
Dou Wenyi deeply understood this kind of pain, so naturally she wouldn't force him to forgive anyone.
He stopped, placed his hands on her shoulders, his gaze intense, and his tone firm and unwavering: "Yi'er, I want our wedding to be grand and glorious, so that the whole world will know that you, Dou Wenyi, are my most cherished and lawfully wedded empress."
Dou Wenyi looked into his deep eyes and nodded vigorously: "Okay. I'll do whatever you say."
Meanwhile, at Jingkun Palace, a completely different scene unfolded – a bustling and vibrant atmosphere.
Consort Tan had few duties in the palace to begin with, so she naturally took the initiative to take on the important task of organizing the new emperor's wedding.
The table was piled high with account books, gift lists, drawings, and so on. She was discussing the details with officials from the Imperial Household Department and the Ministry of Rites, personally overseeing every single matter.
She felt that the Zhang family had been able to get to where it was today thanks to Dou Wenyi. She had originally planned to have Dou Wenyi marry into the Zhang family, but now that Zhang Chengxian and Shen Lishu's marriage was settled, that only barrier had long since disappeared.
Putting aside past favors, considering the current situation, Dou Wenyi is deeply favored by the Emperor, while Pei Shuyue is also favored by her.
As long as they maintain a good relationship with her, the Zhang family will enjoy wealth and prosperity for decades to come.
Consort Zhang naturally took great care and did her utmost in preparing for this marriage.
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