"After I ascended the throne, I waged wars and expanded the territory. Although this led to the depletion of the people's strength and the large number of displaced people, it also expanded the territory and made the country awe-inspiring to all nations. Tell me, was I right or wrong?" Emperor Tianqi spoke slowly and with difficulty, but he had no intention of stopping.
Upon hearing this, Yun Chuwei said in a low voice, "Your Majesty is wise. The world is at peace now, and the people are recuperating. Looking back at what happened before, it was all thanks to Your Majesty."
Yun Chuwei naturally knew that at this moment, the person in front of her still cared about the reputation behind him.
She naturally said things he liked to hear.
Emperor Tianqi was indeed in a much better mood; his lips moved as if he were smiling.
But his condition was very bad, and he couldn't really laugh.
He looked at Yun Chuwei and continued, "Have you thought about what I told you before?"
Yun Chuwei was somewhat puzzled and asked in return, "What is Your Majesty referring to?"
"I'll raise Cui Yuetuan's child under your name, and let him inherit the throne in the future," Emperor Tianqi said earnestly.
Yun Chuwei's expression remained calm: "Hasn't His Majesty already made a decision on this matter? Moreover, His Majesty should discuss this matter with His Highness!"
Emperor Tianqi frowned slightly.
He did make a decision, but his decision has no bearing on what happens after he dies.
As for Xie Xuan, he knew him all too well; his son would only listen to Yun Chuwei.
This matter still requires Yun Chuwei's approval.
However, Yun Chuwei's words clearly indicated that she did not intend to agree to his request.
Emperor Tianqi looked at Yun Chuwei and asked, "You...do you have other ideas?"
Yun Chuwei looked back at Emperor Tianqi, and without hiding anything, spoke gently: "Your Majesty, do you remember that I told you that I wanted to make life better for women in the lower classes and those in difficult circumstances?"
Emperor Tianqi's eyes widened slightly, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
"You...you just want Xiao Wu to have some power, don't you?"
Yun Chuwei smiled slightly: "That's a preliminary plan."
"You..." Emperor Tianqi was somewhat incredulous. He hadn't expected Yun Chuwei to actually have such a plan. "You want to honor Xiao Wu as emperor?"
Yun Chu lowered her eyes slightly and said slowly, "It's not necessarily true, it depends on the situation. It could also be Cui Yuetuan's daughter."
Emperor Tianqi glared at Yun Chuwei, about to say something, but suddenly coughed.
He coughed until his face turned red, and after finally recovering, he looked at Yun Chuwei's calm face and couldn't say anything more.
Yun Chuwei looked at Emperor Tianqi and slowly said, "Your Majesty, there is no need to worry too much about the future."
Emperor Tianqi's expression gradually changed, from shock and disbelief to calm and helplessness.
He finally closed his eyes.
"I really can't manage so many things anymore! Do as you please!"
He was cunning and meticulous, making plans and doing a great deal of work.
He hadn't expected that Yun Chuwei had other ideas right under his nose.
Moreover, she had kept it a secret from him all along, and only now did he find out that she had such thoughts.
Now that things have come to this, even if he knew, there's nothing he can do.
Yun Chuwei bowed respectfully: "If Your Majesty has nothing else to attend to, I shall take my leave now!"
Emperor Tianqi was speechless. He waved his hand, signaling Yun Chuwei to leave.
Yun Chuwei entered Emperor Tianqi's bedroom.
The imperial physician outside the palace saw Yun Chuwei and hurriedly entered the palace.
Yun Chuwei did not leave, but stood outside the hall waiting.
Although she did not cast a divination, she could tell that Emperor Tianqi was indeed at his last gasp and could not hold on any longer.
Although the imperial physicians who entered the palace were still busy, they were afraid they couldn't save Emperor Tianqi.
Sure enough, less than a quarter of an hour later, a loud yet sorrowful voice came from inside the hall: "His Majesty has passed away!"
Yun Chuwei turned her head slightly, knelt down in front of the bedchamber.
Those around Yun Chuwei knelt down just like her.
-
Because Xie Xuan had made preparations in advance, the death of Emperor Tianqi did not bring any changes to the capital.
After everything stabilized, the court began preparations for Emperor Tianqi's funeral.
Before the spirit of Emperor Tianqi, Sun Jiasheng read out two imperial edicts.
The first decree was to pass the throne to Xie Xuan.
The second decree was to appoint Yun Chuwei as Empress.
Yun Chuwei and Xie Xuan were already engaged, so it was expected that Emperor Tianqi would leave such an imperial edict.
Thus, Xie Xuan ascended the throne before the spirit tablet of Emperor Tianqi.
Then came the matter of observing mourning.
According to regulations, the new emperor only needs to observe a 27-day mourning period for the deceased emperor.
For the next twenty-seven days, Xie Xuan kept vigil before the spirit tablet every day.
Yun Chuwei naturally accompanied him.
Although Xie Xuan didn't show that he was too sad, Yun Chuwei knew that he was feeling very down.
After all, the one lying in the coffin was his father, the emperor.
She reached out and clasped Xie Xuan's hand, whispering, "If you're sad, talk to me. Don't keep it bottled up inside!"
Xie Xuan was silent for a moment before saying, "It's not so much that I'm sad, it's just... he was so powerful, yet he still died..."
It seems that no one can change this outcome.
The thought that one day he and Weiwei would be separated by death made his heart ache.
He tightened his grip on Yun Chuwei's hand and called her name, his voice filled with tender affection.
"slight……"
"I'm here," Yun Chu replied softly.
-
Twenty-seven days later, Emperor Tianqi's coffin was placed in the mausoleum.
Afterwards, the Ministry of Rites selected an auspicious day for Xie Xuan's enthronement and began preparations for his enthronement ceremony.
At Xie Xuan's request, his enthronement ceremony and the ceremony for establishing his empress were held on the same day.
However, since he and Yun Chuwei were not married, the ceremony for establishing an empress was actually their wedding.
According to custom, the two cannot see each other before the marriage.
Originally, neither Yun Chuwei nor Xie Xuan cared about this.
However, the officials from the Ministry of Rites knelt outside the Imperial Study, demanding that they abide by the regulations.
They exuded an aura that if they met before their marriage, they would have to kneel to death outside the Imperial Study.
Left with no other choice, Xie Xuan and Yun Chuwei had to agree.
Therefore, Yun Chuwei no longer attended court.
Every day, she would go directly to the Hall of Official Affairs, and after finishing her official duties for the entire day, she would return directly to the Marquis's residence.
For several days in a row, Yun Chuwei did not see Xie Xuan.
However, this situation only lasted for three days.
On the third night, Xie Xuan quietly appeared in Yun Chuwei's courtyard.
At that time, Yun Chuwei was already lying on the bed, preparing to sleep.
The next moment, she sensed someone in her room.
She subconsciously got out of bed, put on her shoes, and assumed a defensive posture.
The next moment, she saw Xie Xuan appear beside the screen.
At this moment, Xie Xuan was wearing a white imperial robe, embroidered with majestic dragon patterns in gold thread, which immediately gave him an air of extraordinary nobility.
However, against the backdrop of white, the imperial aura seemed to soften somewhat.
He stood there quietly, tall and handsome.
It's impossible to look away.
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