eurekapd Chapter 1187: The Great Court Meeting, Deciding on the Crown Prince
Chapter 1187: The Great Court Meeting, Deciding on the Crown Prince
When he returned to the inner palace, the concubines and children had been waiting for him for a long time.
Chang Ningxue led everyone to stand up and bow, while Li Che waved his hand, signaling them to sit down.
Huai En had already instructed the imperial kitchen to prepare wine and dishes, which were served one after another, filling the table to the brim.
This is a family banquet, without the formalities of the imperial court, and without all the intricacies of court life.
Li Che made a point of having Huai En sit at a large table with the whole family, instead of having separate seats.
He sat in the main seat, surrounded by his concubines, and below them were his children.
He picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and then began to recount his experiences over the past two years.
He talked about the misty rain of Jiangnan, the lychees of Lingnan, the boundless sea of Leizhou, and the vow he made by the sea.
He spoke vividly, the children listened intently, and the concubines occasionally nodded slightly.
When it was the children's turn to speak, Li Cheng was the first to stand up and report his homework in a serious and methodical manner.
Li Yue chattered on and on, telling me about the little rabbit she raised in the palace, which was eaten by Xiao Song, and how she asked her father, the emperor, to intervene.
She talked about how she learned to embroider and how much she missed her father.
Li Hao chuckled sheepishly, scratching his head as he said he missed his father, but he missed the delicious food his father brought back even more.
The youngest, Li Tong, sat in his wet nurse's lap, staring at Li Che without saying a word.
Li Che reached out and hugged him. The little guy was soft and warm, and he squirmed in Li Che's arms before settling in comfortably.
The laughter and chatter continued until late at night.
As night fell, the children were taken to sleep by their wet nurses, and the concubines also took their leave one after another, leaving only Chang Ningxue behind.
Li Che's gaze also fell on Chang Ningxue. The candlelight illuminated her profile, which remained gentle and graceful.
Two years have passed, and instead of fading her beauty, she has gained a more mature charm, becoming even more alluring.
Li Che's heart stirred, and he walked over and sat down beside her, his gaze softening slightly: "My beloved consort, shall we rest?"
Chang Ningxue met his gaze and smiled faintly.
She bent down slightly and said softly, "Your Majesty, I am not feeling well today."
Li Che was stunned for a moment, then thought to himself, "What bad luck!"
"Okay, then get some rest."
After saying that, he wanted to go to bed.
Chang Ningxue shook her head and chuckled, "Your Majesty should go back to sleep. Neither of us would be comfortable sleeping here with me..."
Li Che didn't suspect anything, he just rubbed Chang Ningxue's cheek and walked outside.
He was indeed a little tired.
Although he was served by others throughout his two years away from home, it was still a royal tour, and it was nothing like the freedom he enjoyed in the palace.
It's good to rest today, since there's plenty of time in the future.
Unexpectedly, Li Che arrived at the palace and just pushed open the door.
But the candlelight flickered, illuminating a figure sitting by the bed.
The woman was slender and graceful, dressed in a light nightgown, with her long hair flowing down her back; she was none other than the eldest princess of Tibet.
Zhuoma sat on the edge of the bed. Hearing the door open, she immediately looked up at Li Che.
There was a hint of shyness in those eyes, but even more so, anticipation.
Li Che smiled and immediately understood what Chang Ningxue meant.
He walked to the bedside, lifted the quilt, and lay down.
After two years of hard work, the softness of this bed made him feel somewhat dazed.
He rested his head on his arm, gazed at the embroidered patterns on the canopy ceiling, and let out a long sigh.
Then they discovered that Zhuoma was still sitting in the same spot, motionless.
Li Che turned his head and looked at her somewhat stiff back, and couldn't help but laugh again.
"Come here." He lifted a corner of the blanket and patted the spot next to him. "What are you standing there for?"
Zhuoma then stirred, got up and walked to the bedside, her face turning even redder.
Li Che looked at her and said, "The fire in the palace is hot enough, why are you wearing such thick clothes?"
Zhuoma's cheeks flushed bright red, the blush spreading from her cheeks to her ears, and even her neck was tinged with a light pink.
She bit her lower lip, and her fingers finally moved, slowly untying the sash of her robe.
His outer robe slipped off, and his undergarments followed suit.
The candlelight flickered and flowed over her.
It was truly a body so beautiful it left one speechless.
Her skin was like solidified cream, gleaming with a dewy sheen in the dim light.
Her legs were long and straight, as if carved from white jade.
Her waist was slender and delicate, with two shallow indentations at her waist that rose and fell slightly with her breathing.
The person before him was so beautiful that even Li Che was mesmerized.
He had seen many beauties, but he had never seen one so naturally beautiful, possessing both the coolness of the high-altitude snow-capped mountains and the softness of a young woman.
Zhuoma stood there letting him look at her, her eyelashes trembling slightly.
After a while, Li Che reached out and gently grasped her wrist, which felt slightly cool to the touch.
He pulled her, and Zhuoma fell into his arms.
Outside the palace, the night breeze gently swept across the eaves.
Inside the hall, the candle flame burned down by half an inch, and a single, scalding tear fell from it.
The night of pleasure goes without saying, but it's a scene that can't be unlocked even if you pay.
. . . . . .
The next day, there will be a meeting.
Before dawn, the Meridian Gate was already packed with people.
Since this was Li Che's first court assembly after returning to the capital, all officials of the fourth rank and above in the capital were required to attend.
They were arranged by rank, a dark mass of people, talking to each other in hushed tones.
At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), bells and drums sounded in unison.
The officials filed in and entered the main hall along the white marble imperial road.
Inside the palace, the throne was suspended high, with civil and military officials lined up on either side.
In terms of civil affairs, the East is respected; in terms of military affairs, the West is valued. Each takes their place, silent and respectful.
Prince Yan, Li Lin, stood below the imperial steps, one step ahead of all his ministers.
"His Majesty has arrived!"
Huai En's singing and chanting were drawn out.
Li Che emerged from the rear hall, wearing a black dragon robe and a twelve-tassel crown, his steps steady.
He ascended the throne and slowly sat down, his gaze sweeping over the dark mass of officials below.
"Greetings, Your Majesty!"
All the officials bowed down, their court tablets raised high, their voices resounding throughout the palace.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Li Che remained seated, waiting for the commotion to subside before slightly raising his hand: "Rise."
The officials rose, but remained standing with their heads bowed.
Li Che didn't exchange any more pleasantries and glanced at Huai En beside him.
The latter understood and stepped forward, unfolding the yellow silk in his hand.
That was an edict that had been drafted yesterday.
Huai En cleared his throat, his voice high-pitched and drawn-out, and read out each word carefully.
From five years of conquering the world, to five years of nurturing the people, and then to five years of bringing peace.
From reducing taxes and levies to building water conservancy projects, to encouraging agriculture and sericulture, and then to establishing more schools.
Each and every plan clearly outlines Daqing's future plans.
The ministers listened, their expressions varying.
Some nodded slightly, some seemed lost in thought, and some lowered their eyes, their expressions unreadable.
After reading the last word, Huai En put away the imperial edict and stepped aside.
After a brief silence, Huo Duanxiao stepped forward and led the way, shouting, "Your Majesty is wise! We, your subjects, will obey your decree!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Waves of sound echoed through the hall.
Such a significant matter must have been discussed with key officials yesterday.
Even if some civil and military officials had their own thoughts, they could only shout "Long live the Emperor!" without having been informed of the situation.
Moreover, recuperation and rest are beneficial to the country, the people, and even the officials.
With taxes reduced, the people can breathe a sigh of relief, and officials can receive less criticism.
After all, who would want to turn down their good life?
As the clamor subsided, Li Che slightly raised his hand, signaling the officials to be quiet.
"There is one more thing that needs to be decided today."
The hall fell silent once more.
Li Che glanced at Huai En, who understood and unfurled another roll of yellow silk.
"Consort Chang is virtuous and renowned for her moral character; she shall be made Empress, the mother of the nation!"
All the officials held their breath.
“Yang’s daughter, Xuan, is dignified and virtuous, and is hereby made a Noble Consort.”
Someone glanced at them sideways.
Yang Xuan is Yang Zhongsi's daughter, and she herself is a meritorious official who rose to power alongside His Majesty.
Marshal Yang is now the leader of the army and is about to become the emperor's father-in-law. The rise of the Yang family is now unstoppable.
"The Tibetan woman, Drolma, is gentle, virtuous, and obedient; she shall be made a consort."
He successively bestowed the titles of Empress, Imperial Concubine, and Imperial Concubine, all of which were within the expectations of the officials.
After all, Chang Ningxue was the first to follow His Majesty and should have been made Empress long ago, while Yang Xuan and His Majesty have a deep and sincere relationship, so it is reasonable for her to be made a Noble Consort.
However, what he said next caused an uproar among the ministers.
Huai En paused, then continued reading:
"The eldest son of the Emperor, Li Cheng, is intelligent, kind, filial, respectful and frugal. He can be established as the Crown Prince and the heir apparent."
boom--
These words shocked everyone in the room.
The once quiet hall was now filled with gasps of breath.
Some people subconsciously looked up, while others nearly dropped their ceremonial tablets, their eyes quickly scanning the faces of their colleagues, trying to confirm whether they had heard correctly.
Crown Prince!
The eldest prince, Li Cheng, is only nine years old this year, yet His Majesty has directly designated him as the crown prince in front of all the civil and military officials at this grand court assembly!
That was too fast, so fast it caught everyone off guard.
Li Che sat upright on his throne, his gaze slowly sweeping across the area below.
He took in every face that looked surprised, bewildered, thoughtful, or exchanging glances.
Even important ministers and close advisors like Zhuge Zhe and Huo Duanxiao looked at Li Che with some surprise.
Only Prince Yan, Li Lin, stood below the imperial steps, his expression unchanged, only slightly raising his eyebrows.
He already knew about this; Li Che had mentioned it to him before, saying that a crown prince would be established after returning to the capital.
Even though he knew it, hearing Huai En read it aloud in public still made him feel somewhat emotional.
Establishing an heir is a joyous occasion, but also a major source of trouble.
Those in the court who want to curry favor and seek personal gain will likely start to make their moves.
As expected, the other officials all had different thoughts.
Some people were secretly pleased, after all, the eldest son of the emperor was established as the heir apparent, and the status was set early, which would reduce the amount of disputes in the future.
Some people are worried that establishing an heir so early might cause resentment among the princes in the future.
But no matter what they were thinking, no one dared to speak at that moment.
Because the one on the throne was quietly watching them at that moment.
The silence in the hall lasted for a moment, until finally someone took the lead and knelt down.
It was none other than Prince Li Lin of Yan.
He was the first to kneel below the imperial steps, his court tablet raised high, his voice resounding throughout the palace:
"Your Majesty, I offer my congratulations! Congratulations to the Empress! Congratulations to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Immediately afterwards, all the civil and military officials reacted and knelt down, their voices rising like a tidal wave:
"Your Majesty, we offer our congratulations! Congratulations to the Empress! Congratulations to His Highness the Crown Prince!"
Li Che sat upright on his throne, looking at the mass of kneeling officials below, a smile appearing on his face.
"All of you, rise."
As the clamor subsided, the officials rose to their feet.
Huai En put away the imperial edict and stepped aside.
At this point, the national reserve for Daqing has been determined.