Huangming

Chapter 260 The Emperor's Wedding: I Am the Rule

The fourth day of the fifth month of the first year of the Tianqi reign.

Beijing city.

The warm summer breeze swept through the nine gates of the capital, and this magnificent imperial city was currently immersed in a peaceful and prosperous atmosphere.

The smoke and fire of war on the Liaodong battlefield seemed to be far away, and the chilling sounds of clashing swords and galloping horses could not be heard in the streets and alleys, only the hustle and bustle of the marketplace.

Since the new emperor ascended the throne, a series of new policies have been implemented like a gentle spring breeze, quietly changing the underlying character of the city.

Especially after Yang Lian was ordered to rectify the canal transport, the corrupt officials who had once dominated the waterways were swept away, and the waterways that had been silted up for many years were once again unobstructed.

Grain ships from Jiangnan sailed into Tongzhou Wharf day and night, and the grain transported from various places filled the granaries of the capital. Even the shouts of the dockworkers were three times louder than in previous years.

Outside the city gates, the refugees who once huddled in thatched huts are now bending over in their own fields.

Hong Chengchou, wielding the Emperor's sword, cleared the wasteland of the capital region, distributing acre by acre of unclaimed land hidden by powerful families to the poor who were barely clothed.

As soon as the spring-sown millet seeds were planted, wisps of smoke began to rise from the roofs of the newly built thatched huts.

With more mouths to feed, the porridge in the pot has become thicker.

This is all thanks to the grace of the Holy Emperor.

What people talked about most was the sharp drop in grain prices in both the eastern and western markets.

Last year, a sign that read "two taels per stone" was prominently displayed, but now it has been changed to "one tael of silver" in red ink.

It turned out that the emperor personally took charge of Shuntian Prefecture, arresting and punishing those unscrupulous merchants who hoarded grain and raised prices, which also caused the prices of salt and cloth to drop.

The people of the Ming Dynasty were simple and honest by nature, yet they also possessed a keen eye for detail.

They may not be able to articulate any profound truths, but they know better than anyone that their porridge is thicker and their clothes are thicker!

Ever since the emperor reformed the canal system, surveyed land, and stabilized grain prices, the common people in the capital gradually began to reap the benefits.

At the tea stalls on the streets and alleys, old farmers held rough porcelain bowls and smacked their lips: "In previous years, rice prices would have skyrocketed by this time, but this year, a bushel of rice is only one tael of silver!"

Old Wang, who sells steamed buns, boasts to everyone he meets: "Ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, our business has become much easier. Even the tax collectors no longer dare to ask for 'tribute'!"

The agents of the Embroidered Uniform Guard mingled in taverns and teahouses, and whenever they heard someone utter "His Majesty is wise," those words would instantly become the praise of the people in the "Huangming Daily."

The Eastern Depot's spies were everywhere, even incorporating phrases like "Lord Tianqi, send down sweet rain" into children's rhymes.

With such overwhelming public opinion, not only ordinary people, but even those pedantic scholars who used to love to find fault, now had to stroke their beards and sigh at literary gatherings: "Your Majesty's governance is indeed that of a benevolent ruler."

What's even more ingenious is the government's methods.

In the stories told by street storytellers, the tales of emperors traveling incognito to punish corrupt officials were embellished.

On the temple fair stage, the newly staged play "The Emperor's Relief for Disasters" brought tears to the eyes of the elderly women.

Even the temple keeper of the City God Temple, when issuing divination slips, would not forget to add, "This is due to His Majesty's great blessing."

This subtle and pervasive influence has long since etched the title "Sage Emperor" into the hearts of the people.

Of course, the bustling activity in Beijing these past few days is not just about the increasingly comfortable lives of ordinary people thanks to the new policies.

A momentous event that will shake the entire nation is unfolding.

The Ming emperor, who has been on the throne for more than half a year, is finally getting married!
The yamen runners of Shuntian Prefecture went door to door, banging gongs to announce that red silk palace lanterns painted with vermilion and gold must be hung on major thoroughfares such as Qipan Street and the Imperial Road of Daming Gate; and that shops along the street must post the imperial couplets "A Match Made in Heaven" sprinkled with gold on their door lintels.

Furthermore, there is the grace of having the curfew lifted within three days.

As dusk fell, the entire street was ablaze with candlelight, like a galaxy of stars. Amidst the bustling crowds, the old man selling malt sugar used up three loads of malt sugar overnight.

The imperial court's rewards were even more substantial.

Officials from the Five Cities Military Command carried baskets of copper coins around the neighborhoods to distribute them. Twenty coins of "lucky money" per household was not much, but it was enough for a poor family to buy half a bushel of coarse rice.

Even more interesting was the scene in front of the Dongyue Temple: women praying for children crowded the three courtyards, and an old Taoist priest with white hair stood on the incense table scattering talismans while chanting auspicious words such as "This is the true dragon energy transformed by His Majesty."

The "Dragon and Phoenix Talismans" adorned with gold powder were snatched up as soon as they were offered.

It is said that placing a talisman under the wedding bed will ensure the birth of a son.

In addition, on the occasion of the Ming emperor's wedding, envoys from various countries presented lavish gifts: the celadon mandarin duck pillow from Korea was as lustrous as jade, and the coral tree brought by the Ryukyu delegation was half a person tall.
As for congratulatory messages from officials in various regions, they poured into the Office of General Affairs like snowflakes.

Amidst this joyous celebration, only a few inappropriate snorts emanated from the private room of Zuixianlou.

Qian Qianyi leaned back on the gilded soft couch, playing with a jade wine cup in his hand.

The clamor of gongs and drums outside the window only made his face appear even more gloomy.

The courtesan he held in his arms, 'Sai Mudan,' wore only a light gauze bodice, her snow-white skin gleaming alluringly in the candlelight.

Qian Qianyi's rough hands unceremoniously slipped inside the gauze dress, causing the beauty to whimper and then fall silent, frightened by his cold gaze.

"The soldiers of Liaodong fought bloody battles, yet Your Majesty has the leisure to indulge in such extravagance!"

He looked down at the brightly lit streets below, and the cheering, ignorant masses made his stomach churn.

Just over ten days ago, he was a Hanlin Academy editor whom everyone fawned over, but now he has to sell his ancestral hundred acres of fertile land to pay the fine!
Thinking of that ticket, Qian Qianyi's fingers unconsciously tightened around the courtesan's slender waist.

It's all that damned canal transport scandal's fault!

Although he had only acted as a go-between for a few grain merchants and received some "tea money" while Yang Lian was investigating the case, he never expected that the agents of the Eastern Depot would investigate him so thoroughly.

The emperor issued a decree in vermilion ink, not only stripping him of his official post but also ordering the recovery of three thousand taels of embezzled silver!

Where did he get three thousand taels?
"Master, it hurts!"

Sai Mudan was in so much pain that tears welled up in her eyes, but she dared not break free.

She had witnessed it firsthand; one of her sisters had been burned all over her back by this Mr. Qian with a candlestick for not serving her properly.

Qian Qianyi's sinister gaze swept across the window, and his grip not only didn't lessen, but actually became much heavier.

Ma Shiying, the former head of the Ministry of Revenue, also let out a long sigh.

"A country with loyal ministers will not perish, but Your Majesty's arbitrary and autocratic rule puts our Great Ming Dynasty in grave danger!"

Ma Shiying was also dismissed from his post and sent home to await further instructions regarding his bribery offenses.

Looking at the lively scene below, he felt very uncomfortable.

The former censor Gao Hongtu downed a cup of wine, then embraced the beautiful courtesan beside him, who groped him all over. His face was flushed with drunkenness, but his eyes flashed with resentment.

"It would be best if Liaodong suffered a major defeat, then let's see if His Majesty can still laugh!"

Gao Hongtu was disliked by the emperor because he repeatedly submitted memorials impeaching Xiong Tingbi, Sun Chengzong, Hong Chengchou, Chen Qiyu and others.

Afterwards, the emperor ordered the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Eastern Depot to investigate his background, and they actually found evidence of corruption.

As a result, Gao Hongtu, the censor, was dismissed by the emperor.

He's furious right now.

Upon seeing the reactions of the crowd, Qian Qianyi immediately revealed a sinister smile.

"What you say is absolutely right!"

He lowered his voice, his tone laced with a hint of gritted teeth.

"We recommended Yuan Gong, a man of extraordinary talent, to lead the campaign in Liaodong, but Your Majesty insists on appointing a mediocre person like Xiong Tingbi. Once the Liaodong campaign is defeated, let's see how Your Majesty will continue to dictate the court!"

He slammed the wine cup heavily onto the table.

The courtesan Sai Mudan, who was standing beside him, was startled by the sudden commotion, but dared not make a sound. She could only lower her head and pour him wine.

Upon hearing this, Ma Shiying sneered repeatedly: "That's exactly right! When the court and the public are shaken, all of His Majesty's so-called new policies, such as the reform of the Grand Canal and the land survey, will have to be overturned and started over!"

Gao Hongtu, his eyes glazed with drunkenness, slammed his fist on the table and stood up: "It would be best if the Jurchens won a great victory, losing both Shenyang and Liaoyang. Let's see if His Majesty can still laugh then!"

He grabbed the beautiful prostitute beside him and pinched her waist hard, causing her to cry out in pain.

Inside the private room, the three looked at each other and smiled, their eyes filled with resentment and malice.

These officials, who had been dismissed and investigated, were now hoping for a defeat in the Liaodong campaign so they could seize the opportunity to overthrow the emperor's new policies and regain control of the court.

However, just as the room was filled with resentment, a rapid sound of horses' hooves suddenly came from outside the window.

Immediately afterward, a messenger with six command flags stuck in his back galloped past, his loud voice piercing through the clamor of the Drunken Immortal Pavilion:

"Make way! Great victory in Liaodong! Great victory in Liaodong!"

The shout was like a thunderclap, instantly shattering the gloomy atmosphere in the private room.

The wine cup in Qian Qianyi's hand fell to the ground with a crash and shattered into several pieces.

Ma Shiying's cold smile froze, and Gao Hongtu's flushed face instantly turned deathly pale.

The three looked at each other, their eyes filled with disbelief.

Qian Qianyi's lips trembled slightly, and after a long while, he managed to squeeze out a sentence: "How...how is this possible?"

Weren't the Jurchens invincible?
How could Liaodong still achieve such a great victory?

Outside the window, cheers surged in like a tidal wave.

The people spread the news excitedly, and joyful shouts rose and fell in waves:

"Your Majesty!"

"General Xiong is mighty!"

Long live the Ming Dynasty!

These voices were like sharp knives, piercing the hearts of the three men.

Qian Qianyi slumped down on the soft couch, the last glimmer of hope in his eyes extinguished.

He knew that this great victory not only shattered their plans, but also propelled the emperor's new policies to an unshakeable position.

Those who have lost power will probably never have a chance to turn their lives around.

Unlike Qian Qianyi, Ma Shiying, Gao Hongtu, and others who were ashamed and pale upon hearing of the great victory in Liaodong, the Forbidden City was immersed in a joyous and peaceful atmosphere.

Kunning Palace, a palace symbolizing the empress's virtue, has finally welcomed its mistress after months of preparation.

Inside the hall, red candles burned brightly, gold-threaded curtains hung low, and vermilion-lacquered and gilded palace lanterns illuminated the entire room.

The palace maids, dressed in brand-new crimson palace gowns, stood respectfully on both sides, holding ruyi scepters and incense burners, waiting for the auspicious time to arrive.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, Empress Zhang Yan, wearing a red silk veil embroidered with gold, sat regally on the dragon and phoenix wedding bed.

She placed her hands together in front of her knees, her fingertips slightly clenched, and her heartbeat was clearly audible, like a drumbeat.

Beneath the veil, her cheeks were slightly flushed with nervousness, and her long eyelashes drooped, casting a soft shadow in the candlelight.

The faint sounds of string and wind instruments drifted from outside the hall; it was the musicians from the Imperial Music Bureau playing "The Dragon and the Phoenix Bring Auspiciousness".

Although Zhang Yan had been taught etiquette since childhood, she still couldn't help but feel a surge of emotions at this moment.

From this day forward, she will be the Empress of the Ming Dynasty, a role model for all women, and the wife with whom she will spend the rest of her life.

She took a deep breath, trying to calm herself, but she could still hear her own rapid breathing.

Suddenly, a series of orderly footsteps came from outside the hall, followed by the respectful kowtows of palace servants: "This servant greets Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty!"

Zhang Yan's heart suddenly started racing.

"Rise." Zhu Youxiao's deep and authoritative voice echoed in the hall.

He wore a bright yellow robe embroidered with twelve imperial symbols, the gold-embroidered dragons gleaming in the candlelight. The jade pendants hanging from his belt tapped gently with each step, producing a clear, melodious sound. The patterns of the sun, moon, and stars on his wide sleeves appeared and disappeared with his movements, adding to his imperial majesty.

He slightly raised his hand, gesturing for the kneeling palace servants to rise, his movements composed and dignified.

Dozens of palace maids and eunuchs inside the hall immediately held their breath, lowered their heads, and retreated to both sides, making way for a passage covered with red felt.

Zhu Youxiao walked slowly into the inner room, the hem of his heavy ceremonial robe sweeping across the gleaming gold-brick floor.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion, red candles burned brightly, filling the room with joy. The figure sitting on the dragon and phoenix wedding bed appeared exceptionally dignified in the candlelight.

The female attendant, holding a jade ruyi scepter with a lotus scroll pattern, respectfully knelt and presented it to him.

Zhu Youxiao took the jade ruyi with his slender fingers, feeling the warm, smooth texture from his fingertips.

He walked steadily toward the wedding bed and stopped a step away from the new bride.

"May you have good fortune!"

The clear, melodious voice of the female official resounded throughout the hall.

Zhu Youxiao held a jade ruyi in his hand and gently lifted a corner of the red silk veil with gold embroidery, revealing the delicate jawline of the new empress.

"Two picks for Ruyi!"

The veil was lifted slightly, revealing glimpses of crimson lips beneath the red gauze.

Zhang Yan's breathing became noticeably more rapid, and her hands, clasped in front of her knees, unconsciously tightened the hem of her clothes.

"May you have many descendants after three attempts!"

With the final chant, Zhu Youxiao slightly turned his wrist, and the jade ruyi scepter traced a graceful arc, finally lifting the red silk veil adorned with gold thread.

The pearl tassels adorning the phoenix crown swayed gently, and the phoenix embroidered with gold thread on the bright red wedding robe spread its wings as if about to take flight, making the new queen even more dignified and beautiful.

Zhang Yan lowered her head, her fair skin flushed with shyness.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze lingered on the new empress for a moment, and the corners of his lips unconsciously turned up.

He gently returned the jade ruyi to the female official, gazed at Zhang Yan, who was dressed in a phoenix coronet and wedding gown, and said softly:
"I have received the mandate of Heaven to serve the ancestral temples and the state. Now, with a wise empress, we can work together to achieve peace and prosperity."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Yan's cheeks immediately flushed red, like peach blossoms in early March.

Her long eyelashes trembled slightly as she finally mustered the courage to look up at the man she was about to spend her life with.

"I am of humble birth, but I am deeply grateful for the Emperor's grace. How dare I fail to fulfill my duties as a woman to Your Majesty?"

Her voice was soft as a spring breeze caressing the willows, yet every word was clear.

As she spoke, her slender, pale fingers unconsciously tightened the gold tassels on her wedding gown, revealing the nervousness and anticipation of a young woman becoming a wife for the first time.

Zhu Youxiao's smile deepened as he reached out and grasped her slightly cool, soft hand.

The emperor's palm was warm and dry, completely enveloping the girl's nervousness.

He turned to the female officials standing on either side and announced loudly, "Change your clothes!"

Eight female officials immediately stepped forward, their movements as light and graceful as swallows.

They held gilded trays with neatly folded nightgowns on them.

The ladies-in-waiting skillfully helped the emperor and empress change their clothes.

Zhu Youxiao took off the heavy twelve-symbol robe weighing dozens of kilograms and immediately felt a sense of lightness throughout his body.

Zhang Yan was surrounded by female officials. Her wedding robes were peeled away like flower petals until only a bodice embroidered with mandarin ducks with intertwined necks remained, which made her skin look as white as snow and her figure graceful.

After changing clothes, red candles burned brightly in the hall, filling the room with a joyous atmosphere.

Eight female officials bowed their heads and retreated to both sides. The leading female official, Shangyi, held a gilded tray and crawled on her knees to the front of the dragon and phoenix wedding bed.

On the tray, the gold cup carved with dragons and the silver cup depicted with phoenixes gleamed in the candlelight.

"Your Majesty and Your Majesty, please drink the nuptial wine!"

Zhu Youxiao held the dragon-carved gold cup with his slender fingers, while Zhang Yan held up the phoenix-decorated silver cup.

The emperor and empress exchanged a smile, intertwined their arms, and drank the wine together in one gulp.

The wine is sweet and refreshing with a faint medicinal aroma. This is a calming and nourishing wine specially prepared by the Imperial Medical Academy.

After finishing his drink, Zhu Youxiao flipped his wrist, and the dragon-carved gold cup drew a golden arc in the air.

It landed with a 'ding' on the gold brick floor in front of the bed.

The golden cup spun several times before finally coming to a steady stop.

With the rim of the glass facing upwards, the remaining wine on the inner wall reflects the candlelight, resembling a pool of golden spring.

"Cup rim facing upwards, good luck!"

The palace maids offered their congratulations in unison, their voices filled with joy.

According to the rites, this signifies harmony between the emperor and empress, and the continuation of their lineage.

Zhang Yan took a deep breath and, imitating the emperor, tossed the silver cup.

The silver cup with phoenix design was not as stable as the gold cup when it landed. It bounced twice on the brick surface before finally falling face down on the ground.

She panicked immediately.

The nanny who taught etiquette clearly said that only when both cups face upwards is it considered very auspicious.

"Your Majesty, I will throw it again." Her voice trembled slightly as she reached out to pick up the silver cup.

Zhu Youxiao grabbed her wrist.

"Cup upside down is also very auspicious."

Zhang Yan was stunned.

In the candlelight, her clear almond-shaped eyes were filled with confusion.

This is completely different from what the traditional ceremonial matrons taught.

In that instant of hesitation, the palace servants standing around all knelt down in unison and shouted, "Cup down, great fortune!"

"All right!"

Zhu Youxiao's voice suddenly rang out in the warm pavilion.

The wedding ceremonies of the past few days had left him exhausted, and all he wanted to do now was escape the constraints of these formalities.

"Stand back!"

The eight female accountants looked at each other in bewilderment.

According to ancestral custom, on the night of the emperor and empress's wedding, four senior female officials must stand outside the curtains of the dragon and phoenix wedding bed, holding the "Daily Records" to record the emperor and empress's every move in detail.

At this moment, the young emperor frowned slightly, and his sharp, hawk-like eyes swept over the crowd, sending chills down the spines of the female officials.

They exchanged fearful glances, and finally, under the emperor's irresistible pressure, they all lowered their heads and backed out of the warm pavilion.

The palace doors creaked shut, locking the candlelight and enchanting atmosphere inside.

For a moment, only Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Yan remained in the large East Warm Pavilion.

"What? Is the Empress surprised?" Zhu Youxiao's voice suddenly softened.

Zhang Yan took a deep breath and finally mustered the courage to look up.

Her clear almond-shaped eyes were filled with confusion: "I remember that according to ancestral rules, when a concubine serves the emperor in bed, four female officials are required to record the daily activities. If the time for intercourse is too long, they should be reminded at three-quarters of an hour past midnight. It is really against the rules for them to leave like this."

Before she could finish speaking, Zhu Youxiao reached out and took her hand, pulling her to sit beside him on the dragon and phoenix wedding bed.

The emperor gently lifted her chin with his long, slender fingers, forcing her to look directly into his deep eyes: "Then do you think I did something wrong?"

Zhang Yan's heart skipped a beat. She bit her red lips lightly, her eyes showing a hint of struggle, but she still said firmly:
"These are the rules, of course they are the rules, and they must be followed."

But as soon as she finished speaking, Zhang Yan realized something was wrong.

His own words just now sounded like he was lecturing a king.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Youxiao's smile deepened. He gently stroked the new empress's soft skin with his slender fingers, feeling the girl's pulse trembling slightly with nervousness.

Zhu Youxiao continued, "When the wine cup was thrown just now, the rim was facing down, which is not considered auspicious. Why did I say it was auspicious? And why did they agree with that? Don't they know the rules?"

"because."

Zhang Yan bit her lip lightly, pondered for a moment, and then cautiously replied, "Because they are afraid of His Majesty."

"That's only one reason."

Zhu Youxiao stroked Zhang Yan's soft little hand, liking it more and more the more he touched it.

But Zhu Youxiao quickly regained his composure.

From this day forward, Zhang Yan will be his empress. As his empress, she must stand with him through thick and thin, and be his helper, not a burden.

and so.

On their wedding night, Zhu Youxiao began to train Zhang Yan!
Since there is no perfect empress, he trained one to be perfect!

"They are afraid of me because I have killed many palace servants, and they are afraid."

By taking advantage of having sex with Yu Peizhen and deliberately spending the night with her, Zhu Youxiao tested the reaction of the outer court and gradually eliminated the spies placed by the outer court around him.

And amidst this bloodshed, the palace servants dared not disobey his orders.

"But the main reason is that I am the rule, and what I say is the rule."

Zhu Youxiao reached out and lifted Zhang Yan's chin, saying, "You are my Empress. You need to help me manage the harem and maintain harmony among the people. Some rules must be followed, but some rules are no longer appropriate and must be changed. Empress, do you understand what I am saying?"

Zhang Yan finally understood why the emperor had said those words to her.

"Your Majesty, I understand," Zhang Yan replied softly.

Zhu Youxiao gazed at her beautiful profile, a meaningful smile curving his lips.

He wasn't sure how much of the meaning behind that statement was genuine.

However, the young emperor was not in a hurry to achieve success.

There is ample time.

He had plenty of patience to mold Zhang Yan into his own shape.

now.

The red candles burned brightly, casting a beautiful glow inside the tent.

Zhu Youxiao's gaze lingered on Zhang Yan.

The Ming Dynasty empress was now only wearing a gold-embroidered mandarin duck bodice, and her snow-white skin shone with a pearly luster in the candlelight.

The embroidered pattern of mandarin ducks with intertwined necks undulates gently with each breath, outlining the graceful curves of a young girl.

With a soft sound, the light and shadows inside the tent flickered, leaving only the sound of intertwined breathing gradually becoming rapid.
Tonight is destined to be sleepless!
P.S.: A long chapter of 6,000 words!
(End of this chapter)