Chapter 90 (Inappropriate)
April 11th, Yongsheng 8th year.
Only five days have passed since the sixth day of the Lunar New Year.
However, the capital city has undergone tremendous changes.
First, the emperor passed away.
Then, Consort Liu's father took the opportunity to cause trouble, trying to put a "prince" of unknown origin on the throne.
The Empress Dowager even suspected that the Emperor was murdered by Lord Liu.
However, the imperial physician said that he died of palpitations, but there was no evidence to support this claim. It seems that the Qi-Boosting and Spirit-Nourishing Pill was used too late and therefore had no effect.
In any case, Lord Liu seized the opportunity to take power and, together with General Wu of the Imperial Guard and Eunuch Sun, forced the emperor to abdicate.
Fortunately, the Empress Dowager wrote a secret decree and gave it to Su Qing and Yan Zhengzhou.
One of them took control of the palace guards, and the other subdued the Imperial Guard.
Solve this problem.
Otherwise, the court would inevitably descend into chaos.
It's lucky that we're managing to stay afloat.
Otherwise, even the emperor's funeral could not be held.
Su Qing specially invited Grand Tutor Zhou to preside over the funeral. With him in charge, there were indeed no objections from the court.
Some people had reservations about Su Qing and didn't understand why she was in charge.
However, Prince Zheng first stated that this was his fiancée, and since he was leading troops in the field and could not interfere in political affairs, it was just right for her to help the Empress Dowager handle the matter.
Furthermore, someone else unexpectedly stepped forward.
That was Consort Qin, who was about to give birth.
Consort Qin personally reported to the Empress Dowager, hoping that her cousin Su could come and go from the palace, as she now only trusted her cousin.
The Empress Dowager was still immersed in grief over the loss of her son and had no time to attend to these matters.
Furthermore, Su Qing is a different kind of person; he is a filial and good child.
She and Prince Zheng were also in love, and they even told the Emperor about it.
Now that she's Consort Qin's cousin, naturally I trust her.
Consort Qin was pregnant with her son's only child, who was the most precious person in the world.
As long as she's happy, nothing else matters.
At this moment, no one mentioned Consort Liu's child anymore.
The mother and son are still alive only because Su Qing pleaded for them.
However, it is said that they did not have a difficult time; they had everything a new mother and baby should have.
With the Empress Dowager's permission, Consort Qin's guarantee, and her status as the Prince's fiancée, she was able to achieve her goal.
It is most appropriate for Su Qing to temporarily assume power.
This left the Ministry of Revenue officials who worked for Su Qing dumbfounded.
Especially Guo Gaojie and Wei Wenwei.
Originally, he was just an assistant to Lord Su in the Ministry of Revenue.
That's great, he can now work directly as an assistant in the Hanlin Academy and the cabinet of the Diligent Governance Hall.
However, given their abilities, they are indeed capable of doing these things.
But one person bypassed them and followed Lord Su.
Gu Zhuangyuan, Gu Congsi.
At first, everyone was thinking, "Isn't this Lord Su's ex-fiancé?"
Isn't that embarrassing?
Some people even reported it to Prince Zheng, but Prince Zheng only returned occasionally and had no objection to it.
It's clear that it's their heart that makes everything look dirty.
Regardless, Grand Tutor Zhou, the Empress Dowager, and the officials of the Ministry of Rites were responsible for the late emperor's funeral.
The other departments, however, fell into an eerie calm.
Aside from participating in the worship activities as required, nothing else seems to have changed.
That's not right either; there are still changes.
Those scholars who had risen to power through flattery were all sidelined.
Those who participated in Lord Liu's coup attempt were all imprisoned.
Lord Su promoted many people with real talent and learning.
Regardless of age or official rank.
She promoted young officials, and she promoted old and middle-aged officials alike.
These people, who thought their careers were hopeless, were suddenly transferred to fill vacancies, and they will only work harder.
Senior officials like Tao Ge Lao also received more preferential treatment.
At least these elderly men in their sixties and seventies no longer have to stand when they go to the Hall of Diligent Governance to discuss matters.
When the emperor holds the 27th day memorial service.
The atmosphere in the imperial court has been completely renewed.
When the burial took place on the 37th day after the death, the court and the public were all calm and peaceful.
It was just the death of an emperor.
What's so strange about that?
He was no different from ordinary people; he died, and everyone else continued to eat and sleep as usual.
The only one who truly cried was his mother, the mother he had always ostracized.
Su Qing and Yan Zhengzhou stood in front of the imperial mausoleum, looking at the increasingly aged Empress Dowager, and whispered, "Don't be sad."
Yan Zhengzhou wanted to say that he was not saddened by the emperor's departure.
He knew that this day would come sooner or later.
"It's not him."
It does not refer to the emperor.
She is the Empress Dowager.
Don't be saddened by this favoritism.
Anyway, everyone's dead.
Yan Zhengzhou remained silent for a moment, then said, "I'm sad about something else."
Yan Zhengzhou glanced at Gu Congsi behind him: "Why is he still by your side?"
Su Qing remained silent.
On the other side, Liu Qin, who was heavily pregnant, was being helped to kneel and worship.
Her pregnancy and that of Consort Liu were only about a month apart.
Today is April 28th, and the imperial physicians all say it will be over in the next couple of days.
But the Empress Dowager insisted that she attend the burial ceremony.
Liu Qin was sweating profusely and didn't want to appear timid.
Su Qing went up to help her, and Liu Qin thanked her, and they completed the ceremony with difficulty.
They returned to the palace in the afternoon.
Liu Qin then started the attack, and she was in excruciating pain.
The imperial physicians and midwives were all ready.
The Empress Dowager, who was already exhausted and grieving, struggled to get up.
Su Qing was shocked and quickly ordered someone to prepare the soft couch so that the Empress Dowager could lie down and wait: "The female doctor said we have to wait a while, so please rest first."
The Empress Dowager was relieved to see that everything was arranged properly.
Lying half-reclined, she stared intently into the room, listening to Consort Qin's heart-wrenching cries, wanting only to know whether this baby was a boy or a girl.
It must be a prince.
Otherwise, her son would have no descendants.
Late at night on April 28th.
The sound of crying could be heard.
"She's a princess."
"Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager! Consort Qin has given birth to a princess."
The Empress Dowager, who was already holding on, suddenly felt dizzy.
Why is it a woman?
Why have a princess?
Helpless, Su Qing asked the imperial physician, who had just breathed a sigh of relief, to come and take her pulse.
The palace was instantly thrown into chaos.
When the news reached outside the palace, everyone looked at each other in bewilderment.
What should I say?
The emperor is gone.
The eldest son is not his.
The child of Consort Qin should have been his, but it turned out to be a princess.
What should we do?
They could either install a "first prince" who had no royal bloodline.
It's not appropriate to either watch the little princess grow up.
The imperial relatives and other nobles were overjoyed and were already planning whose child was of suitable age to inherit the throne.
Suddenly someone said, "Prince Zheng is still here. How can we possibly get past him?"
Everyone fell silent.
Moreover, his fiancée, Su Qing, controls the court, and for the past month, most people in the court have been obedient to her.
If Yan Zhengzhou ascends the throne.
Most people would agree.
Many people even found it increasingly feasible the more they thought about it.
Although we don't know Prince Zheng's political acumen, with Lord Su around, he can't be too wrong.
Wouldn't it be perfect if one of them managed the government affairs and the other went to fight the war?
Thinking about it this way, it's actually much better than supporting a baby!
Given Su Qing's ambition, she would certainly be happy to wield power as Empress.
At that time, it will be very convenient for her to do whatever she wants.
This rumor started.
Whether in the harem or the imperial court, they clearly listen to Su Qing more.
Especially the matter of women taking the provincial examination.
Memorials were sent from various places, saying that they also wanted to hold provincial examinations for women, but unfortunately there were no female scholars.
But please rest assured, Lord Su, that girls will definitely be accepted for the local children's examination next year.
People from Guangyue Prefecture, Shanyang Prefecture, and Gaoqing Prefecture were all smiles.
All three of these places have female scholars, so there will definitely be women in this year's provincial examination!
Even without Su Qing's intervention, various regions immediately sprang into action.
It is expected that by next year, girls' examinations will be held in large numbers across the country.
Even some families who were initially hesitant started to consider this idea.
Su Qing was not particularly happy to hear Guo Gaojie say this; instead, her expression became somewhat serious.
Su Qing asked Gu Congsi, "When did you meet the late emperor?"
February or March of the third year of Yongsheng.
Gu Congsi replied.
"What kind of person was he back then?"
Guo Gaojie had not met His Majesty at that time, so he was unaware of the situation and was also somewhat curious.
Upon entering the Hall of Diligent Governance, Grand Tutor Zhou, Grand Secretary Tao, and others fell silent upon hearing this question.
At their age, it could be said that they watched the late emperor grow up.
Was the late emperor always stubborn, obsessed with saving face, and only willing to listen to flattery?
No, it isn't.
At first, he was able to secure a lot of supplies for his younger brother, Yan Zhengzhou.
His personality also changed little by little.
Looking at the articles from various places trying to guess the emperor's intentions, Su Qing couldn't help but feel alarmed.
Before she could even say anything, various places followed her idea and quickly established girls' schools to promote the imperial examinations for women.
Anyone would be flattered and fawned over by so many people.
As long as there is an idea, people will go through fire and water to carry it out.
It's fine for a short time.
Over time, it becomes difficult to maintain one's original intentions.
It's not that what these people did was wrong, but rather that it was absolutely right.
Over time, one will inevitably become addicted.
No wonder many emperors became incompetent and tyrannical in their later years.
Su Qing said, "From now on, all such flattering memorials should be rejected. Let's get straight to the point."
“All sycophantic eulogies are to be sent back to their original place.”
Zhou Taifu's eyes showed admiration.
Tao Gelao was somewhat dazed.
What year is it tonight? How come he sees the shadow of his late grandfather in Su Qing?
If she were to take control of the court as Empress, it would undoubtedly be a boon for the Shunchang Kingdom.
Su Qing found that her words made many court officials even more convinced that she was the right person to be empress and wield power.
If I am the empress, then who is the emperor?
When Yan Zhengzhou came in the evening, Su Qing looked at him.
He must have heard the widespread rumors.
Now that things have come to this, the two of them should discuss what to do next.
The late emperor has already been buried.
After hearing that Consort Qin had given birth to a princess, the Empress Dowager fell ill and remained bedridden.
Liu Qin didn't care about any of that. She was content with having a daughter, and with the guard by her side, she had no other thoughts.
The entire court felt that the two of them should become emperor and empress.
Even the imperial relatives had no objections.
It seemed that the throne was already within their grasp.
Thinking of those memorials and many other things, Su Qing took the initiative to ask Yan Zhengzhou, "Do you want to be the emperor?"
Unexpectedly, Yan Zhengzhou countered with, "Do you want to be one?"
They both knew this very well.
Even after ascending the throne.
The one who holds real power is Su Qing, and only Su Qing.
The throne that everyone wants is right in front of us.
Su Qing, would you like to sit down?
The empty dragon throne stands in the middle of the Hall of Diligent Governance.
Su Qing worked in this place and never paid much attention to it.
The rumors circulating both inside and outside the court regarding the women's imperial examinations today have forced her to take notice.
Do you want to be one?
This is not a problem that Yan Zhengzhou needs to consider.
It was Su Qing's choice.
Su Qing herself laughed.
This seems like a question that doesn't require any thought.
Everything is now pushing her toward that position.
But if she does that, wouldn't she become another former emperor?
If that's the case.
The purpose of all this becomes ridiculous.
Su Qing opened a plan she had written.
Within five years, we will restore people's livelihoods and allow them to recuperate.
Ensure that people have a place to live and that their living conditions are secure.
That night.
Su Qing dreamed of her maternal grandmother again.
Grandma was dressed simply, talking about how many patients she had treated that day, and saying that the new society and the new era were even better.
When Su regained consciousness, her eyes became even more determined.
She has her own answer.
At least for now, she must support Consort Qin's daughter, the baby born yesterday, as her "heir".
As for how the child will grow up, that depends on what she looks like.
In any case, she would never become a feudal emperor.
The death of an emperor is not the end.
Improving people's livelihoods is more important than anything else.
It's almost May.
In some places, the first wheat harvest is just around the corner.
There's no time to care about emperors or anything like that.
Go harvest the wheat!
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