"It seems that this matter still requires us old ministers to share the burden for His Majesty and the Empress!"
When Chancellor Chen Xuan uttered these meaningful words, a "birth-inducing" operation, initiated by the highest power center of the empire and arguably the strongest in history, had already quietly begun.
...
The next day, at the Golden Palace.
The atmosphere of the morning court session was as solemn and dignified as ever.
Xiao Che sat high on the dragon throne, listening indifferently as officials from various departments reported on matters concerning the nation and its people. Behind the beaded curtain, Lin Wanwan, no longer showing the "weariness" of the past few days, once again sat upright on the phoenix throne, listening quietly.
Everything seemed to have returned to the efficient operation of the "mom-and-pop shop".
However, Xiao Che keenly sensed something unusual.
The court was unusually quiet today. Especially the core ministers, led by Prime Minister Chen Xuan, were all keeping their eyes down, reporting their official business and immediately returning to their ranks without uttering a single unnecessary word, as if they were all holding back some big move.
Xiao Che's heart stirred slightly, and he glanced at Lin Wanwan behind the beaded curtain without making a sound, only to see that she also had a calm and composed appearance.
Soon, all the routine state affairs were concluded.
Just as Xiao Che was about to announce his resignation from court, an unexpected event finally occurred!
At the head of the line, the white-haired and highly respected Prime Minister Chen Xuan, trembling, stepped forward once again.
Everyone's hearts were in their throats. What important military and national affairs would the Prime Minister report this time?
However, Chen Xuan's next words stunned everyone in the court, including Xiao Che on the dragon throne.
He didn't discuss politics, and even set aside his court tablet. He raised his head and, in a tone filled with reminiscence and deep affection, spoke with utmost kindness:
"Your Majesty, the sky is clear and the air is crisp today. This old minister... suddenly thought of the late Emperor."
The entire court was in uproar!
The late emperor? Why bring up the late emperor out of the blue?
Xiao Che's brows furrowed slightly, almost imperceptibly.
Chen Xuan, however, seemed oblivious to everyone's reactions and continued his narration with great emotion.
"This old minister still remembers that when the late Emperor was Your Majesty's age..." He deliberately drew out his words, a smile of satisfaction appearing on his face, "...he already had a large family, a lively and joyful household! Back then, the Eastern Palace was often filled with the laughter of princes and princesses. After finishing his state affairs, the late Emperor's favorite thing to do was to hold the eldest prince, who was still an infant, or play with the toddler princess, playing with a rattle drum for a while..."
He vividly and touchingly depicted the late emperor's daily life of taking care of his children, as if he were not an emperor, but an ordinary loving father.
Inside the Golden Palace, there was a deathly silence.
Everyone was dumbfounded. They stared at the prime minister, completely baffled as to what he was up to.
Is this... a recollection of past hardships to appreciate present happiness? Or is it... hinting at something?
However, this is just the beginning.
As soon as Chen Xuan finished speaking, Wang Shouren, the Minister of Revenue in the queue, immediately understood and stepped forward!
Instead of complaining about being poor as usual, he beamed with joy and spoke in a loud voice:
"Your Majesty! Thanks to the blessings of Your Majesty and the Empress, since the implementation of the new policies in our dynasty, the national treasury has been gradually replenished! Now, the treasury is piled high with money and grain! This old minister believes that such a magnificent sight is worthy of a grand... royal celebration!"
A royal celebration?
What royal celebration is this?
Before anyone could react, the Minister of Rites stepped forward, holding a thick book in his hands, with a serious expression.
"Your Majesty!" he said righteously, "I recently revised the royal archives and discovered several omissions in the regulations concerning the ceremonial procedures for the 'appointment of the Crown Prince.' I believe this matter concerns the foundation of the nation and cannot be ignored! It should be perfected as soon as possible, in preparation for... any unforeseen needs!"
boom!
If Prime Minister Chen Xuan's words were merely a subtle "introduction," and the Minister of Revenue's words were a "prelude" to adding fuel to the fire, then the Minister of Rites' words about "establishing a crown prince" were like a thunderclap that directly lifted the lid of a pot, instantly making everyone understand!
So it turns out these big shots are...
Urge them to have children!!!
At this moment, the entire Golden Palace erupted in chaos!
As if they had received the signal for a general offensive, the civil and military officials, who had previously been acting like quails, were now united as never before and launched an unprecedented discussion about "when His Majesty will have a son!"
Minister of War Shen Ce, this usually stern and iron-willed general, now spoke with an honest and simple expression: "Your Majesty, this humble general believes that the early birth of an imperial heir will reassure the army!"
A frail-looking Hanlin scholar, quoting classical texts and swaying his head, said: "As the ancient saying goes, of the three unfilial acts, the greatest is to have no descendants. Your Majesty, as the ruler of the world, should set an example for all the people!"
Even the historian, who was usually only responsible for recording, couldn't help but interject: "Your Majesty, if a prince could be born soon, I... would be able to write a biography for His Highness the Crown Prince as soon as possible!"
For a time, lofty terms like "foundation of the state," "ancestral temples," "state affairs," "military morale," and "public opinion" poured forth from the ministers' mouths, but the core idea was singular—
Your Majesty! It's time for you to have a child!
The entire Golden Palace instantly transformed from a solemn and dignified place for deliberation into a massive scene of relatives urging marriage and childbirth!
Xiao Che sat high on the dragon throne, feeling as if he were surrounded by countless buzzing flies.
Looking down at the "baby-making group" below, who usually fought tooth and nail over political views but were now unusually united and spitting as they spoke, he felt his temples throbbing.
His face maintained the composure and majesty befitting an emperor, as if he were oblivious to everything.
However, inside, he was already overwhelmed and on the verge of collapse!
Having a baby?
Do you think this is like reviewing memorials? That I can just issue an imperial edict?!
Is this matter...is it something I can decide alone?!
He suppressed the urge to overturn the table, raised his hand, and interrupted everyone's "advice" in a dignified and calm tone.
"Everyone loves you and cares about the country. I am very relieved."
His voice wasn't loud, but it instantly drowned out all the noise.
“However,” he changed the subject, adopting an unyielding tone and employing the emperor’s usual delaying tactic, “the reform is just beginning and everything needs to be rebuilt. The Empress and I should prioritize state affairs. As for the matter of offspring… let nature take its course. There’s no need to discuss this further.”
After saying this, he prepared to immediately announce the end of the court session, thus concluding this absurd "coup."
However, he clearly underestimated the determination of these veteran officials.
Chancellor Chen Xuan seemed not to have heard his words "no need to discuss it further," and instead took the lead in kneeling down, his voice filled with sorrow.
"Your Majesty! No matter how important the affairs of the state are, they cannot be more important than the foundation of the nation! I implore Your Majesty to consider the well-being of the country and its people!"
"Your Majesty, I implore you to consider the fate of the nation!"
With a whoosh, more than half of the civil and military officials knelt down!
Looking at the kneeling officials below, Xiao Che felt a lump in his throat, unable to breathe.
As an emperor, he possessed absolute authority in the court, with no room for argument.
However, for the first time, he discovered that his imperial power was so pale and powerless when it came to the purely private matter of "having a child"!
He was surrounded on the dragon throne by this group of ministers who claimed to be "loyal to the emperor and patriotic," leaving him in a dilemma and in a sorry state.
...
Behind the beaded curtain, Lin Wanwan had already seen everything clearly.
At first, she watched with great interest, like watching a play, as these adorable old men used various creative ways to "force the emperor to resign."
But when she saw Xiao Che's handsome face, which was maintaining a calm demeanor but was actually on the verge of collapse, she finally couldn't help but burst out laughing.
Looking at Xiao Che's serious and forced composure, and then at the meme above his head that was already filled with countless blood-red "life life life" comments, she felt both amused and heartbroken.
Beneath the dense barrage of bullet comments, a tiny chibi character, seemingly on the verge of exploding with annoyance, was clutching his hair and silently roaring:
[Got it! Got it! I'm trying! Don't rush me! .gif]
Seeing this meme, Lin Wanwan laughed so hard she almost cried.
For the first time, she felt that these old men, who had worried themselves sick over national affairs, were now collectively pressuring her to resign over their "family matters"...
They're quite cute too.
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