The document is clear to the world

Chapter 102

"Your Majesty, everything is ready!" Liu Shang called softly from behind.

"What are you waiting for? Let's go now." I said, turning around as the crimson court robe embroidered with golden larks fell onto my body. Just as the maid finished fastening the last clasp, Liu Shang led all the maids to kneel down in unison, "Long live the Imperial Noble Consort!"

I laughed, "Today I'm going to meet some new and old friends."

The East Palace seat was now vacant and thus meaningless, like a mere decoration. I sat behind the beaded curtain, receiving the homage and blessings of the concubines.

The female historian led the newly appointed concubines, reporting their titles and ranks from time to time.

"The Imperial Concubine of Yingchun Courtyard in the Western Palace, a third-rank official."

I looked up in response and saw Ling walking slowly towards me, bowing and paying homage, just as she had done when she paid homage to the principal wife back in the Prince's mansion. She hadn't changed much, but she was becoming more and more like Lu Li, increasingly calm and self-possessed. She was a smart woman, knowing what she wanted and even more so what she could get.

"Consort Shu of the Western Palace of Illusion and Pleasure, a third-rank official."

I took a sip of tea and couldn't help but smile as I watched Yao Shuhuan approach respectfully. After all, she had been the principal wife, yet now her status and rank were the same as Ling's, who had previously held the rank of madam. I wondered if she harbored any resentment.

Thinking it over carefully, after sitting in charge of the main courtyard for so many years, the only people who could truly be considered rivals were those two plus Qin Lanruo, who had ascended to immortality. The only four of us who had any contact with Lu Li were the four of us. Over the years, we've had our wins and losses, so it's fair to say we've reached a draw.

Yao Shuhuan looked up at me, her eyes filled with complex emotions. Finally, she bit her lip, knelt down, and said in a trembling voice, "May Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort enjoy boundless blessings and peace."

I ignored her, treating her existence with utter contempt, yet even a single glance from her stirred up a torrent of emotions. The people following were mostly obscure, including women I had accepted bribes from at the mansion for Lu Li and Zhang Luo, and women bestowed upon me by the Emperor Emeritus—mostly concubines or wives of officials below the fifth rank. After the female historian finished introducing them, I flipped through the register four or five times, knowing full well that the most influential woman hadn't yet appeared—the Prime Minister's daughter, Fu Jing, who had just been formally enthroned last night. She and I had entered the palace almost simultaneously. It must be said, the Prime Minister's daughters are indeed favored; one married the Third Prince, the other entered the palace of a Noble Consort.

"What? Has Consort Jing not come? Should I go and invite her myself?"

As soon as I finished speaking, a sedan chair slowly landed outside the palace. The person who stepped out was adorned with tinkling ornaments, as beautiful as a woman in a painting, gentle yet not coquettish, with an ethereal air. Every gesture she made exuded a subtle air of pride. I watched with great interest as she approached with a gentle smile.

I met a woman even more proud than me, and the rising sun outside the palace seemed to lose its brilliance.

The female historian cleared her throat, "Consort Jing of the Western Palace, a second-rank official."

The woman, still smiling gently, straightened her sleeves. She made no move to kneel, but looked at me, about to speak, "Your Majesty—"

"Disperse!" I interrupted her clear voice with those three words. Everyone below the stage looked up. Consort Jing was stunned and her face turned pale.

Before anyone could react, I stood up, making a move to leave, and looked down at the audience, "What? Don't you understand what I'm saying?"

"Who dares to move!" This resounding voice startled everyone, who rushed to look at the determined eyes below the stage. Fu Jing was no longer pale; she exuded confidence and showed no fear whatsoever.

The women in the hall staggered and knelt, having no other choice but to kneel. Fu Jing certainly had the capital to be arrogant. This time, she entered the palace solely to ascend to the position of Empress. Let alone a second-rank Imperial Concubine, even I, a first-rank Imperial Noble Consort, was an ant in her eyes. It was common knowledge throughout the land that the Emperor Emeritus intended to appoint a woman surnamed Fu as Empress when he abdicated! Lu Li had been in power for less than half a year, and it was said that memorials urging the establishment of an Empress had piled up in the side hall of Chaoyang. After the Spring Festival, it would be the first year of the Deyou era, and Lu Li indeed needed an Empress to worship his ancestors with him. Now, with an imperial edict summoning Fu Jing to the palace and bestowing upon her the title of Imperial Concubine, everyone could guess that the next step would be to elevate her to Empress!

Now Lu Li has confined me to the Eastern Palace, giving me a brief moment of unparalleled glory. Is this out of respect for my status as the legitimate wife, or out of gratitude for my years of managing the Prince's mansion, or perhaps to let me watch how the daughter of a powerful minister ousts the legitimate wife from her position?! What a fine example of a concubine being better than a wife!

I stared at the hall full of beautiful women, my voice carrying an imposing authority without anger, and declared, "Who dares to stay!"

This was clearly a fight! The women on the ground were practically paralyzed. A few of the stronger ones could barely get up and pull the people around them up as well. Some of them, however, kept their heads on the ground, no matter how much the people around them pulled them, and wouldn't budge.

Ling, however, stood up calmly and addressed the crowd, "Didn't you hear what the Imperial Noble Consort said? Those who can get up, get out; those who can't, carry them out." After saying this, she took the lead and walked out.

The first to respond was Yao Shuhuan. She patted her skirt, stood up, gave a cold laugh, and stepped out of the hall.

Groups of two or three women pulled and tugged their way out, while a few oblivious people remained kneeling and motionless.

I glanced at the women in the palace and waved my hand lightly, "Take them away, and anyone who stays will be punished with ten strokes of the cane, including the Imperial Concubine!"

As soon as he finished speaking, some of His Highness's men panicked, some regretted their actions and stumbled to their feet, some glared at me angrily, and others watched my commotion with disdain. In short, there are all sorts of birds in a big forest!

Fu Jing smiled dismissively, her expression nonchalant. Rather than calling it arrogance, it was the mockery in her eyes that truly enraged me.

"Where are the people who obey orders?" I slammed my hand on the table, and the purple clay teacup beside me fell to the ground and shattered.

"You dare?!" Fu Jing finally took a step forward, meeting my gaze without any fear.

"Dare?!" I suddenly burst out laughing. "Let me ask you, do you dare to seize power and disrupt the government? Do you dare to let rebels enter the country? Do you dare to attack the capital and force the emperor to abdicate? Do you dare... to usurp the throne?"

Fu Jing's eyes widened, and she was speechless.

I slowly stepped out from behind the beaded curtain, my gaze never leaving her. "No matter how capable you are, Fu Jing, would you dare to choose one of these things to do? If you do even one, I'll hand over the title of Imperial Noble Consort to you without a word and voluntarily demote myself three ranks! Since you can't do it, let me tell you, I've done these things that are enough to kill me a thousand times over. Tell me, what wouldn't I dare to do?!"

The beaded curtain was removed, and everything became clear. Fu Jing's astonishment and the fear that gradually spread across her face were all visible. She looked at me as if I were a monster.

"Take them all away!" I didn't give her a chance to look at me anymore, and turned to lead my attendants into the inner hall.

Back in the inner palace, I went to the library and pulled out lists of names—the connections I'd built up during the coup d'état. I hadn't expected them to come in handy again. I tossed the stacks of names to Siliang, "Go, send messages to the people on these lists, tell them to submit their memorials."

"What kind of memorial should we submit?" Siliang frowned, completely unsure of what to do.

“Just say I want to be Empress.” I took a sip of tea, Fu Jing’s mocking smile still lingering in my mind’s eye, and waved my hand repeatedly. “If you say it like that, they’ll understand!”

———————————————A fancy dividing line————————————————————————

Outside the Phoenix Cry Hall of the Eastern Palace, cries of resentment rose and fell, a cacophony of wails. Palace maids and eunuchs hurried past, eyes downcast and trembling with fear, none daring to glance afar. The scene was utterly shocking: a dozen or so women were lined up, lying prone on torture benches in broad daylight, each blow tearing at their skin. These women, usually pampered and privileged, had never endured such torment. Three or four of the imperial wives, too frail to withstand the pain, fainted on the spot. Even Liu Shang, who stood outside monitoring the entire execution, couldn't bear to watch. She preferred to listen to the wailing rather than return to the inner palace to serve her master, who seemed like a completely different person. She didn't understand the purpose of her master's severe punishment of the women, but she knew he had gone too far this time. If word got back to the Chaoyang Palace, who knew what chaos would ensue? Liu Shang silently prayed to the gods to prevent things from spiraling out of control.

Chaoyang Hall.

The person before the imperial platform was practicing calligraphy, seemingly imitating someone else's style, so engrossed in his practice that he didn't summon the waiting prime minister for quite some time. The prime minister had been kneeling outside the hall for half an hour. Initially, upon hearing of his daughter's injustice, he was filled with resentment and dragged his two protégés, who had risen through the ranks to high office, all the way to the hall. Entering the hall only to be denied an audience with the emperor—how frustrating!

"Haven't you been waiting for half an hour?" The person in the hall finally put down his pen, looking at his masterpiece with a satisfied smile. "Summon—"

“Jade shatters in the spring breeze, sorrow lingers, when will the regret end?” The words on the tribute paper were surprisingly elegant and unrestrained, like those written by a woman. Indeed, the more one learns, the more similar it becomes. Lu Li couldn’t help but smile. He carefully tidied up the papers on the table and put them into the book next to him. He watched the three important officials approach from afar without making a sound.

The three men, led by the prime minister, knelt down to pay their respects. Lu Li was sitting at his desk, casually flipping through a memorial.

"Your Majesty, we have heard that the Imperial Noble Consort is severely punishing the Noble Consort and a group of concubines in front of the palace." At the Prime Minister's signal, the Left Commandant of the Ministry of Justice hurriedly reported.

"I heard that even corporal punishment was used. As the three of us walked along, we heard only the constant weeping from the Eastern Palace, a truly pitiful sound. We also heard that four or five of the imperial concubines had fainted. Such corrupt practices cannot be allowed to flourish in the harem!" The Censorate official echoed.

"The Imperial Noble Consort's entry into the palace has already caused unrest and panic, which is probably not a good omen for the harem."

"Was Shandong's harvest poor this year?" Lu Li asked as he flipped through the folded document.

They actually ignored what I just said?! Your Highness and the Prime Minister were first taken aback, then quickly lowered their heads and said sadly, "Yes, it's 30% less than in previous years."

"It's 35%!" Lu Li slammed the memorial shut and said sternly, "If you had more free time, you would be better off reviewing the memorials submitted by the various prefectures than worrying about my family affairs."

Upon hearing this, the prime minister's anger only intensified. He had served three emperors and carried considerable weight in the court; even the retired emperor had intended to grant the Fu family a position as empress. Now, his concern for his youngest daughter's punishment was being accused of meddling in other people's affairs. He truly wanted to know how he, the new emperor, was going to maintain his position by invoking the retired emperor's decree to interfere in palace matters!

"Your Majesty's words have truly broken this old minister's heart." The prime minister bowed deeply. "With the harem in disarray and cholera rampant, how can Your Majesty govern in peace, and how can the realm be at peace?"

Lu Li narrowed his eyes slightly upon hearing this. "Oh? Then what does the Prime Minister suggest we do?"

The words "Empress!" were uttered, and the prime minister immediately felt much happier.

"Good idea." Lu Li smiled inexplicably, which surprised His Highness even more.

The Censor-in-Chief, sensing the hidden meaning, quickly stepped forward and asked, "Has Your Majesty already chosen someone?"

"I've got it." Lu Li nodded calmly. "The only question is whether this aligns with your opinions! Who do you think should it be?"

The Censorate quickly gave the Left Vice Minister a wink, and the two stood up straight and bowed in unison, saying, "We believe that Consort Jing is filial, respectful, and virtuous, and is the only suitable candidate for the position of Empress."

Lu Li frowned slightly, but only for a moment, unnoticed by anyone. He stood up, his back to the court officials, his voice now carrying a chill, "Does Your Excellency the Prime Minister also think so?"

The prime minister quickly added, "The Emperor Emeritus also said that Jing'er is virtuous—"

"I'm asking you!" Lu Li turned around abruptly, his voice sharp and stern.

The prime minister knew that continuing the discussion at this point would likely not yield the desired outcome. Having served three generations of emperors, he had naturally learned to read people's expressions and moods, but he still couldn't fathom the new emperor's thoughts. To say he favored the Imperial Concubine seemed impossible; to say he was incompetent was absurd, as his concern for the people and his hands-on approach to affairs surpassed even the most enlightened rulers of the past; and to say he disliked Fu Jing was also undisguised. Why, then, on the matter of choosing an empress, had the emperor gone from procrastination to such uncertainty that he couldn't fathom the emperor's heart! Although he couldn't understand, he wasn't completely confused. As long as the emperor didn't reveal his chosen candidate, there was still room for maneuver, and besides, the retired emperor's decree could still influence the situation to some extent.

The prime minister, realizing his mistake immediately, hurriedly knelt down, "Your Majesty is old and senile! Your Majesty has not yet established a firm foundation for the throne, and it is too early to discuss establishing an empress!"

"Too early again this time?" Lu Li looked at this old fox who made a living by understanding the emperor's mind, and a smile gradually appeared on his face. Too early? You still have your disciples submitting memorials day and night requesting the establishment of an empress, little do they know how much trouble the Diligent Governance Hall has to deal with those joint memorials full of nonsense and petitions for the emperor's life!

The prime minister emerged from the Chaoyang Hall drenched in cold sweat. He saw people from the Qinzheng Hall carrying stacks of memorials, hurrying towards the hall. There were so many memorials that more than one person was carrying them, and they had to enter the hall in batches. The prime minister was puzzled. He hadn't seen so many memorials even in half a year, and even in the most chaotic times, there shouldn't be so many major events requiring reports.

The Grand Secretary of the Hall of Diligent Governance, along with the Vice Ministers carrying memorials, knelt down in unison, saying, "Your Majesty."

Lu Li looked up at the staggering number of memorials, "This... is it another urging me to establish an empress?" Why is this time even more intense than the previous months combined?!

"Yes." The Grand Censor was so frightened that he didn't even dare to wipe his sweat. The previous times he had presented his memorials, the emperor's face had become increasingly grim. This time, with such a grand display, he didn't even know if he could keep his official hat and plume.

"Didn't I say that we don't need to submit these kinds of memorials anymore?!"

"But...but this time, everyone unanimously recommends...the Imperial Noble Consort."

Lu Li's furrowed brows quickly relaxed, seemingly in disbelief. He hurriedly rose from the hall, casually flipped open a memorial, glanced at it twice, and then, without showing any emotion, instructed the officials to leave the memorials behind and take their leave. His fingers traced the memorials one by one; these must be from officials in the capital. Tomorrow, there would be a steady stream of urgent dispatches, some lasting three hundred, five hundred, even eight hundred li. Lu Li smiled silently. It seemed that allowing Fu Jing into the household wasn't without its advantages; at least… it had provoked someone, forcing her to take action!

Xiao Si kept urging him, it seemed the Eastern Palace was truly in utter chaos! He didn't want to get involved in the women's affairs, especially when she was disciplining his women; he was even less willing to intervene, so he just let her be! A woman capable of destroying the world, how many women could you stop her from harming? As long as she didn't leave, as long as she was still willing to stay by his side. What he owed her couldn't be repaid overnight, like that child from back then, like her feelings for Zhi'er, like all the tragedies he was powerless to change yet helplessly allowed to unfold. What good was having the world in his heart, compassion for all living beings if he couldn't even protect his own woman and child? How could he protect the world? So he had to fight, for his ambition, for the woman who was wounded because of him, for the day when things would change.

Now, he possesses the power to prevent tragedy. He has endured so much, swallowed so much pain—couldn't she see it? He could spread his wings to protect her, yet she chooses to leave! Those women, those women she cares about—could they ultimately become an excuse separating them? He is destined to rule the world, and she is destined to endure. Isn't this the life of an emperor? To grow old together, one must have a cold knife piercing their heart—endurance!

Fang Shi's forbearance was for today's lack of forbearance. Doesn't she really understand that?

The palace doors swung open, and Xiao Si's cry of "The Imperial Noble Consort requests an audience" seemed to come a beat too late, or perhaps she simply rushed in without waiting for a summons. Surrounded by her entourage, she was dazzling. Had she finally come? And why? Judging from the unsmiling expression on her face, it was clear that this wasn't a pleasant conversation. How long had it been since she had smiled at him? How long had it been since they had a proper conversation? As for how long it had been since they had shared a bed, he didn't even dare to think about it! Lu Li stared at her, stunned, until she stood before him.

They get straight to the point, disdaining subtle and tactful expressions, and their plain tone reveals extraordinary things.

"I want to be the empress."

"good."

Everyone in the hall was stunned! What was going on?! The prime minister's long-planned scheme, the emperor's repeated instructions, the position that the beauties of the harem had been eagerly awaiting—all of this was turned upside down by a single, emotionless sentence from this woman!

Chapter Nineteen: Shall I Just Sell You?

I want to be queen.

"good."

He actually said "okay." Not hesitant, not a refusal, but a resolute agreement! I had prepared a whole carload of reasons to counter his refusal, countless scenarios flashing through my mind where he might say no, but I hadn't considered this one—saying yes without even a moment's hesitation. I gasped, the breath piercing my lungs, utterly confused. Was this his compensation, or his conscience? Was it his habit, or simply indulgence of me?!

"I was just kidding, don't take it seriously!" After the initial shock, I blurted out this thoughtless remark. In short, things went too smoothly, which made me feel a little guilty.

He remained expressionless as he looked at me, remarkably calm.

I let out a sigh of relief, leading the group of women behind me, young and old, as we turned and left the hall. These women, who had been brought in to act as my advocates, had unexpectedly found themselves without a chance to speak. Amidst their astonishment, I swaggered out of the Chaoyang Hall, looking at the blazing sun already high overhead, and involuntarily covered my forehead with my hand. "What's going on here!"

As the weather turned cooler, I began to stay indoors by the stove, finding things to do, not summoning the concubines, and never leaving the East Palace. Jingrui coughed a few more times, leaning on the table. This child was born weak, and I took better care of him than any other child. I went over, placed the hot tea beside him, and snatched the paper and pen from his hand. "Write, write, write! You're willing to ruin your health for a few words?"

"Since my son can't see, he naturally has to train harder than his brothers!"

I hurriedly unfolded the sheet of white paper and looked at the two characters on it, "天下" (Tianxia, meaning "All Under Heaven"), written in a somewhat clumsy yet elegant style. I couldn't help but sneer. Well, even his son has taken after him.

"Mother, did I write it poorly?" Jingrui stood there nervously.

"It's ugly!" I said, walking to his side. "You'll only amount to anything if you learn my handwriting!"

I placed the pen in his hand. Then I gently grasped his hand. Guided his hand, I wrote the character "睿" with a pause.

"Son, remember this well." I smiled. "It's your name."

Jingrui's hand trembled slightly as he held the pen. He smiled gently.

I remembered the day I returned to the palace. Jingrui stood before the East Palace with that same gentle smile. Hearing footsteps, he quickly let go of the nanny who was supporting him and walked over with some difficulty. The moment he took my hand, tears streaming down his face, he buried his face in my arms. This embrace felt so unfamiliar. For a moment, I couldn't even remember how long it had been since I had held him. A childish voice behind me startled me. "Mother," the childish voice trembled with tears. Before I could react, Jingrui nestled into my arms. My arms stiffened. I didn't know how to hold him. I knew in my heart that I couldn't love him as much as he did!

As evening approached, I accompanied the Empress Dowager in reciting several scrolls of scriptures. Knowing that Lu Xiu would bring Xi'er to pay his respects today, I prepared some light and refreshing snacks in the small kitchen of the Wanshou Palace, all of Xi'er's favorite flavors. I waited and waited, but the father and son, who usually came early to pay their respects, did not appear. Leading Siliang, I walked towards the East Hall. Just as I turned the corner, a little girl ran towards me and tripped, falling into my arms.

I gently lifted her little face from my arms. She pouted and looked at me timidly. Her expression grew increasingly uncomfortable. Then, she burst into tears.