[Hmph! I'm clearly your favorite! .gif]
Seeing the sarcastic emoji above Xiao Che's head, Lin Wanwan laughed so hard she almost cried.
She stepped forward, "rescued" the still giggling little boy from Xiao Che's hands, put him back on the ground, coaxed him softly for a few moments, and then had the wet nurse take him to play.
After doing all this, she turned around, looked at Xiao Che who still had an accusing expression, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in his ear in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Yes, you are my favorite child."
boom!
Xiao Che felt a surge of heat rush from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. The feigned serious expression on his face instantly collapsed, and his ears quickly turned a suspicious blush.
The jealous little figure on his head was instantly blasted into countless heart-shaped bubbles by a huge and dazzling firework.
...
The opening of the orphanage was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing huge waves throughout the entire Liang Dynasty.
This event, along with the previous "Royal Charity Auction," brought Empress Lin Wanwan's prestige to an unprecedented peak. Her "benevolence" and "wisdom" were no longer empty praises, but were deeply imprinted in the hearts of every citizen through tangible and concrete deeds.
This led to a rare honeymoon period in the imperial court.
Those officials who had once harbored doubts about the emperor and empress joining forces are now completely reassured. They have witnessed firsthand the astonishingly powerful force that can be unleashed when imperial power and the wisdom of the harem truly combine, a force that benefits the country and its people.
Chancellor Chen Xuan and Minister of Revenue Wang Shouren, among others, held the Empress in the highest esteem. Every day, they eagerly awaited what groundbreaking new national policy the Empress would extract from the vast sea of memorials.
The entire Liang Dynasty was like a huge machine that had just been fitted with a brand-new precision engine. Everyone was giving it their all, ready to go full speed ahead and drive towards an unprecedented golden age under the leadership of the legendary emperor and empress.
However, just when everyone thought the clarion call of reform was about to spread to every corner of the empire, one of the most crucial engines suddenly... "went on strike".
After the orphanage became a great success, Lin Wanwan, contrary to her usual behavior, began to become "lazy".
She no longer spent as much time and energy each day reviewing the memorials sent from all over the country as before.
The memorials sent to Kunning Palace were still piled up like mountains, but Lin Wanwan only occasionally flipped through a few. Most of the time, she would just draw a circle on them with a vermilion pen, then reseal them and send them back to the Imperial Study untouched.
She no longer frequently visited the Imperial Study to discuss state affairs with Xiao Che.
More often than not, the palace servants saw the Empress either catching up on sleep in her bedchamber or basking in the sun in the Imperial Garden, sipping fragrant tea and listening to music, looking leisurely and carefree, seemingly unconcerned with politics.
At first, everyone thought that the Empress had been working too hard on state affairs and needed to rest for a few days, so they didn't pay much attention.
However, after ten days to half a month, the situation not only did not improve, but worsened.
The Empress seems to have truly lost interest in state affairs.
This greatly worried the old ministers in the imperial court!
In particular, several core cabinet ministers, led by Chancellor Chen Xuan, had become completely accustomed to the highly efficient and comfortable "husband-and-wife shop" work model.
In the past, a memorial concerning the reform of the Grand Canal might sit in the Imperial Study for ten days or half a month before receiving an ambiguous reply from His Majesty.
Now, memorials are first sent to Kunning Palace, and the Empress's comments are returned the following day. These comments are often incisive and to the core of the matter, and also include several highly constructive alternatives, clearly stated and logically sound. His Majesty only needs to select the best option from the Empress's suggestions, approve it with his vermilion pen, and it can be immediately implemented!
The difference in efficiency is like night and day!
Once you're used to driving sports cars, who would want to go back to driving an oxcart?
On this day, Chancellor Chen Xuan, Minister of Revenue Wang Shouren, and Minister of War Shen Ce could no longer contain themselves. After court, they blocked the door of the Imperial Study and requested an audience with His Majesty.
"Your Majesty!" Upon seeing Xiao Che, Chen Xuan, whose hair and beard were both white, looked distressed. "Your Majesty, may I ask if the Empress is unwell? Why... why has she been so listless about state affairs lately?"
Wang Shouren echoed, "Indeed, Your Majesty! We old ministers have been eagerly awaiting a solution to the Yellow River flood! In the past, Her Majesty could come up with a plan in just half a day, but now five days have passed, and there is still no response from Kunning Palace!"
The three of them chatted amongst themselves, their faces etched with "concern for the country and its people," but in reality, they were subtly urging the emperor to get the empress to "get to work" as soon as possible.
Xiao Che listened to their "accusations" without showing any sign of anger. He put down the memorial in his hand, slowly picked up his teacup, blew on the foam, and said in a calm tone:
"The Empress has worked tirelessly for the country for a long time, and her mind and body are exhausted. She should rest and recuperate."
As he spoke, he took out a pre-prepared imperial edict from the dragon table and handed it to the eunuch beside him.
"Issue my decree," he announced in an unquestionable tone, "From this day forward, except for urgent military and national affairs, all memorials need not be sent to Kunning Palace. The Empress's health is of utmost importance; she has been working tirelessly for the country and should rest in peace. No one is to disturb her!"
boom!
This imperial edict struck the three veteran ministers like a bolt from the blue!
What? !
His Majesty not only didn't urge the Empress to "return to work," but instead personally issued an edict granting her an "extended leave"?! And he's taken back most of the state affairs to himself?!
Isn't this...a step backwards?!
The three old ministers were completely dumbfounded. Looking at the emperor on the dragon throne with an "obvious" expression, they felt that their worldview had been greatly impacted once again.
Is this... is this still the same Emperor who was so diligent in his duties and wished he had twenty hours a day to review memorials?
How come he... how come he's also become "lazy" like the Empress?
The Emperor and Empress's sudden and "abnormal" actions left the veteran officials, who had just become accustomed to the efficient system, in a state of panic. They couldn't understand it, they simply couldn't understand it! Why would such a promising reform momentum suddenly come to a halt? What was the reason for this?!
They were completely baffled and could only leave the Imperial Study with a heart full of worries and resentment.
...
Unlike the gloomy atmosphere in the Imperial Study, Kunning Palace was at a leisurely and comfortable place.
The afternoon sun was warm and gentle.
Lin Wanwan leaned against the chaise lounge in the Imperial Garden, covered with a soft blanket, holding a book in her hands. On the small table beside her were exquisite tea snacks and freshly brewed flower tea.
A gentle breeze carries the fragrance of flowers, creating an indescribable sense of tranquility.
She squinted at the flowing spring on the artificial hill in the distance, enjoying this rare moment of leisure where she could openly "slack off".
She raised her head and, as usual, cast her gaze toward the imperial study. Though separated by layers of palace walls, she seemed to be able to see through everything and behold the man who was in a state of utter distress, and the vivid and amusing expression on his face.
As expected.
In her "vision," a pixelated figure was floating above Xiao Che's head. The figure was being overwhelmed by a pile of memorials, its hands still struggling to push away a few cartoon heads representing senior officials who were trying to get closer, its face bearing a helpless expression that was both annoyed and sweet.
Beside the little figure floated a line of affectionate, sarcastic text:
[Wife can rest, I'll take care of things. These old men are so annoying.jpg]
Upon seeing this meme, Lin Wanwan couldn't help but burst out laughing.
She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and felt a sweet and tacit understanding between them.
Yes, the so-called "Empress's weariness of politics" was nothing more than a play co-directed by the couple.
Although she appeared to be enjoying a leisurely time these days, she had not truly let go of state affairs. She had simply shifted the battlefield from the open to the shadows. Xiao Che, on the other hand, willingly stood in the spotlight for her, bearing all the pressure.
However, the old ministers in the court could not understand the tacit understanding between the two of them.
That night, at the Prime Minister's residence.
Chen Xuan, Wang Shouren, and Shen Ce, three of his most trusted advisors, secretly met again.
The atmosphere in the study was somber.
"No! This can't go on!" Minister of Revenue Wang Shouren wrung his hands anxiously. "If this continues, won't the great cause of reform be abandoned halfway?!"
“But His Majesty’s decree has already been issued, and the Empress has claimed to be ill and is recuperating. Even if we are extremely anxious, what can we do?” Minister of War Shen Ce sighed, looking helpless.
Only Prime Minister Chen Xuan remained silent, stroking his white beard, his eyes gleaming with contemplation.
After a long while, he slowly spoke, revealing the "secret of heaven" in one sentence.
"Gentlemen, why do you think Her Majesty the Empress is suddenly 'weary'?"
Wang Shouren and Shen Ce were taken aback and looked at each other in bewilderment.
"What else could it be?" Wang Shouren guessed. "Perhaps...perhaps he's really tired?"
“No.” Chen Xuan shook his head, a glint of light flashing in his eyes. “Based on my understanding of Her Majesty, she is by no means a person who indulges in pleasure. Her ambition and aspirations far surpass those of us. The reason she is like this must be because… she has worries in her heart.”
"Worries?" The two were even more puzzled. "Now that the world is at peace, the rebels have been eliminated, and His Majesty's favor towards Your Highness is unparalleled, what could Your Highness possibly have to worry about?"
Chen Xuan's gaze deepened. He lowered his voice and uttered the answer that sent a jolt through the hearts of the other two.
"Now that the country is peaceful and prosperous, Her Majesty the Empress, as a woman, probably only has one 'worry' left."
He didn't say it explicitly, but his eyes and tone were enough to make it clear.
Wang Shouren and Shen Ce reacted instantly. They looked at each other and saw a look of sudden realization in each other's eyes!
yes!
The foundation of the nation is not yet established, and there is no heir!
The Empress has been in the palace for nearly two years, and His Majesty favors her above all others, yet there has been no news of marriage or pregnancy. This is the only "flaw" she has as Empress!
Presumably, the Empress is troubled by this, which is why she has no interest in state affairs!
His Majesty must have been considerate of the Empress and couldn't bear to force her, which is why he indulged her like this!
Having figured this out, the three old ministers felt a sudden sense of clarity and immediately found the "root cause" of the problem!
"So that's how it is! So that's how it is!" Wang Shouren slapped his thigh. "We were so foolish! We were only thinking about national affairs and forgot that this matter is the most important 'family matter' right now, and also the most important 'national matter'!"
Prime Minister Chen Xuan nodded slowly, a resolute glint in his eyes.
"It seems that this matter still requires us old ministers to share the burden for His Majesty and the Empress!"
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