roccoschili Chapter 150 The Wave of the Empress's Establishment
Chapter 150 The Wave of the Empress's Establishment
Empress Fucha's departure was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, stirring up ripples throughout the palace. Hongli observed three years of mourning for the Empress, during which the atmosphere in the palace remained oppressive and somber. Xiao Yanzi silently stayed by Hongli's side, the two supporting each other in their grief. However, they both knew that even greater challenges lay ahead.
When the three-year term was up, Hongli decided to make Xiaoyanzi his empress. When he announced this decision in the court, it was like a thunderclap, instantly causing an uproar throughout the court.
An old minister, his face full of worry, stepped forward first and spoke earnestly: "Your Majesty, this is absolutely unacceptable. The Imperial Noble Consort is the daughter of the Prime Minister. Although she has some nobility, she is not a match for the Empress. She is lively but not composed, and she acts impulsively. I fear she is not capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of being the Empress and mother of the nation."
Another minister chimed in, "Your Majesty, the position of Empress is crucial to the foundation of the nation. Only someone of virtue and talent, and of noble birth, can be qualified for the post. Although the Imperial Noble Consort is favored by Your Majesty, the ancestral rules cannot be easily abandoned!"
Hongli sat upright on the dragon throne, his face terribly grim. He slowly swept his gaze over the assembled ministers and said in a deep voice, "My mind is made up. Xiaoyanzi has been with me for many years, and I have witnessed her kindness, courage, and intelligence. She is capable enough to manage the harem with me and serve as the empress. However, to appease the public, I intend to order Zuo Ling Nara Nerbu to adopt the Imperial Noble Consort as his daughter and change her surname to Ulanara. In this way, her status will be more commensurate with the empress's position." After speaking, he looked at Xiaoyanzi, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.
Xiao Yanzi stood to the side, and upon hearing this, her heart trembled. She never imagined that the Emperor would have such a plan. She knew that this was a temporary measure to ensure her smooth ascension to the position of Empress, but the thought of changing her surname to Ulanara, the same surname as the Empress who had always opposed them in her previous life as Huanzhu Gege, made her feel the capriciousness of fate, a lump in her throat, yet she could not speak of it.
At this point, the ministers' objections rose and fell, one after another, without end.
The news quickly reached Consort Zhixi's ears, and she was immediately enraged. She rushed to the Imperial Study in a panic. Upon seeing Hongli, she hurriedly bowed, and then couldn't help but shout, "Your Majesty, I have heard that my father is to adopt the Imperial Noble Consort as his daughter and make her Empress. This is absolutely unacceptable!"
Hongli frowned and rebuked, "Zhixi, this is a consideration I made for the overall situation of the court. Leaving the Empress's position vacant for too long is not good for the palace."
Zhixi's eyes reddened, and she said urgently, "Your Majesty, my father is just a minor military officer. How can he shoulder such an important responsibility? And what merit does the Imperial Noble Consort have to pave the way for her?"
Hongli's face darkened, and his tone was icy: "Zhixi, don't be willful. My mind is made up, and your father will obey the imperial decree."
Seeing that Hongli had made up his mind, Zhixi was both angry and anxious, but there was nothing she could do. She could only take her leave with tears in her eyes.
After all these ups and downs, Xiao Yanzi was extremely depressed. Xiao Tao, watching from the side, softly asked, "Your Highness, what are you thinking about? Are you worried about what will happen after you become a member of the Ulanara clan?"
Xiao Yanzi forced a smile and sighed, "Xiao Tao, this change in identity is so sudden, it's like a dream. But I'm afraid the harem will never be peaceful again."
Xiao Tao quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, no matter what, you are still yourself, the Emperor's most beloved person, and you will surely be able to gain a foothold in this harem."
Little Swallow nodded slightly: "I hope so. But the palace will once again be thrown into turmoil because of me, alas!"
While strolling in the palace garden, Xiao Yanzi bumped into Lin Yuhang. Lin Yuhang stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Sister, I have heard that the Emperor intends to make you Empress and change your surname. Do not worry, your brother will fully support you."
Little Swallow looked at him gratefully: "Brother, with you here, I feel much more at ease. It's just that I'm really tired of the power struggles in the palace!"
Lin Yuhang said, "Little sister, since you've chosen this path, you must walk it bravely. I believe you have enough wisdom and courage to face everything."
Little Swallow gazed into the distance and said firmly, "Yes, I will. For the Emperor, for our future, I will not back down!"
However, Zhixi did not give up. She secretly gathered some of the concubines who were on good terms with her to discuss how to prevent Xiaoyanzi from becoming empress.
In Zhixi's palace, she addressed the other concubines, saying, "Sisters, once that Imperial Noble Consort becomes Empress, will we still have a place in this harem? We must find a way to stop her!"
One of the concubines said worriedly, "Your Highness, the Emperor has already made his decision. What can we do?"
Zhixi's eyes turned cold: "There's always a way. We can start with her background, find something to use against her, and make the Emperor change his mind!"
The concubines looked at each other, and although they had doubts, they could only follow Zhixi's arrangements.
Xiao Yanzi also sensed the undercurrents in the palace. She knew that her love and future with Hongli faced many trials. In this court full of power struggles and intrigues, she had to be even more careful to protect her happiness and status.
This chapter concludes here. Stay tuned for the next chapter.