Huangming

Chapter 262 The Shift in Wind, the Empress Takes Power

As dawn broke, Zhu Youxiao led Zhang Yan into the Qianqing Palace, his face no longer showing any trace of the ecstasy he had just displayed.

The emperor's majesty was like a deep, still pool, his joy and anger hidden deep within.

now.

Inside the East Warm Pavilion of Qianqing Palace.

Breakfast had been prepared long ago; the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor had put in extra care today.

Deer antler and wolfberry porridge, ginseng and black chicken soup, and sea cucumber stewed with pigeon eggs are all delicacies that replenish qi and strengthen the body.

Zhu Youxiao picked up his jade chopsticks, but only took a small bite of each dish.

"Your Majesty, please use more."

Zhang Yan personally served half a bowl of deer tendon soup.

"last night."

Before she could finish speaking, the tips of her ears turned red.

Zhu Youxiao chuckled and shook his head, saying, "The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic says: 'Strong fire consumes qi.'"

He tapped his temple with his fingertip and laughed, "The fire burning here is much stronger than these ingredients."

Young people naturally have more internal heat and don't need to eat these nourishing foods.

And
These highly nutritious foods, if consumed in excess, are not good for your health.

Just then, the head of the Imperial Medical Academy bowed and presented a brocade box, saying cautiously, "Your Majesty, please use the Strengthening Pill."

The crimson pills inside the box gleamed with an eerie light, and the pungent smell of deer blood mixed with the metallic scent of cinnabar wafted towards us.

Zhang Yan looked at the pill with curiosity, only to see Zhu Youxiao's face suddenly darken.

"Withdraw."

The two words were like ice blades drawn from their sheaths.

The imperial physician wanted to persuade him further, but the emperor's eyes were already chillingly cold: "Do I need to remind you how our late father passed away?"

The hall suddenly became silent.

The taboo word from the Red Pill Case hovered like a ghost above everyone's heads.

The abbot knelt down with a thud and kowtowed desperately.

Zhu Youxiao was not deliberately making things difficult for the Imperial Medical Academy Director; he simply said, "From now on, the Imperial Medical Academy is not allowed to send up any more elixirs."

The Imperial Medical Academy has long been untrustworthy.

Zhu Youxiao would not take a single one of the pills they offered.

Life still matters.

After finishing breakfast, Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Yan left the Qianqing Palace together.

now.

Outside the Qianqing Palace, sixteen Jinyiwei guards stood solemnly on both sides, and the gilded imperial carriage gleamed in the morning sun.

Zhu Youxiao took Zhang Yan's hand and helped her onto the imperial carriage.

This gesture caused the attendant's pupils to contract slightly.

According to ancestral rules, the emperor and empress should ride separately during the ancestral worship ceremony, but the young emperor is determined to break this rule today.

"Sit tight."

Zhu Youxiao whispered in Zhang Yan's ear and gently scratched her palm with his fingertips.

The Empress's dignified demeanor nearly crumbled, and she quickly covered her slightly upturned lips with a round fan.

On both sides of the palace road, civil and military officials had been kneeling and waiting for a long time.

When the imperial carriage carrying the emperor and empress slowly passed by, the beards of several senior officials visibly twitched.

Just as the most conservative official from the Ministry of Rites was about to speak, he was secretly tugged at by the sleeve of Sun Shenxing, the Minister of Rites.

"Is Your Majesty going to teach me to break the rules again?"

Zhang Yan gazed through the beaded curtain at the majestic Fengxian statue at the end of the imperial road, her voice trembling slightly.

Zhu Youxiao held her slightly sweaty hand tightly and said with a smile, "The main purpose is to bring you along so that we can tell our ancestors that I have found them a good wife."

"Secondly, I'd like to see who dares to object to my love for the Empress?"

Upon hearing this, the inexperienced Zhang Yan was no match for the emperor's sweet words and was completely captivated by Zhu Youxiao.

After a moment, Zhang Yan blushed and managed to say, "I think Your Majesty should be more serious."

As the imperial carriage approached the Danbi steps, the chant of praise from the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices pierced the clouds: "The auspicious time has arrived!"

Zhu Youxiao dismounted first, but did not rush to take a step.

He turned around in full view of everyone and reached out his hand to the empress on the palanquin.

This action, which violated etiquette, caused the officials kneeling in the distance to gasp in shock.

However, they dared not utter a single word.

His Majesty is young and impetuous, and now that Liaodong has just won a battle, who would dare to be the first to take the lead?

"Come."

Zhang Yan placed her trembling fingertips into her husband's palm.

She couldn't embarrass His Majesty in front of all the officials.

Zhang Yan straightened her back, and as her skirt embroidered with golden phoenixes brushed past the threshold of the Fengxian Hall, ceremonial music suddenly resounded.

This is the first time in the two hundred years since the founding of the Ming Dynasty that an empress has entered the Imperial Ancestral Temple in this manner.

In this scene, Zhu Youxiao kept observing the reactions of his ministers.

To Zhu Youxiao's surprise, not a single person stepped forward to advise him against riding in the same carriage with the Empress to worship their ancestors.

No one stepped forward to say that his actions violated the rules of etiquette.

Those officials who usually cited ancestral rules as an excuse all lowered their heads and pressed their tablets tightly to their chests, as if they had suddenly become mute.

A barely perceptible smile flickered across the young emperor's lips.

He suddenly understood.

In this imperial court, the shackles of rules have only ever bound mediocre rulers.

This victory in Liaodong not only beheaded a Jurchen general, but also shattered the confidence of some people who relied on their seniority.

Yes, Emperor Hongwu could set rules, and Emperor Yongle could change ancestral systems, so why couldn't Zhu Youxiao?

Although we cannot yet reach the level of Zhu Di.

But it's already a good start, hasn't it?

After the ancestral worship ceremony at the Fengxian Hall, the officials returned to their respective places.

Wenyuan Pavilion.

The group received an imperial edict from the emperor instructing them to draft decrees to reward and provide relief to the soldiers on the Liaodong front.

Sun Ruyou and Li Ruhua immediately exclaimed:

"Your Majesty is wise! Your decision to appoint General Xiong against all opposition now proves to be a brilliant move!"

The two exchanged a glance, each reading unspoken words in the other's eyes.

As key members of the imperial faction who were promoted by the emperor through exceptional means, this victory not only proved the emperor's ability to recognize talent, but also gilded the image of these "favored ministers".

His Majesty's promotion of them to the cabinet was not based on personal preference.

That depends entirely on ability.

Just like His Majesty's high regard for Xiong Tingbi!
Li Ruhua was already quickly calculating: with this military achievement as a foundation, the tax reform plan that had been in the works for a long time might be able to gain a foothold in the court.

When Grand Secretary Fang Congzhe received this task, his brows furrowed at first, then slowly relaxed.

The old minister, who had served three dynasties, had a look of relief on his aged face, as if he had known it all along.

"Xiong Tingbi actually succeeded in making it happen."

Not far away, the Second Grand Secretary Liu Yizhu first showed a happy expression on his face, but this happiness quickly disappeared and was replaced by worry.

Beside him, Zhu Guozuo's expression was a mixture of joy and worry.

"This good news came at a really bad time."

Liu Yiju sighed softly.

Previously, they were discussing how to take advantage of the unfavorable situation in the Liaodong war to persuade the emperor to "distance himself from the secret police and befriend virtuous officials" and thoroughly purge the court.

Who would have thought that Xiong Tingbi's stubbornness would actually lead to the first major victory since the Battle of Sarhu!

"Your Majesty, Holy Might!"

"God bless the Ming Dynasty!"

Amidst the cheers, Liu Yizhu forced a stiff smile.

Anyway, we won a battle, didn't we?
As for advising His Majesty, there will always be an opportunity.

"Gentlemen, based on the victory report, we shall immediately draft an imperial decree to reward those who have achieved great merit. The matter of providing relief and compensation should also be handled properly at the same time."

Fang Congzhe tapped lightly on the table, his aged voice echoing in the cabinet office.

Everyone present knew perfectly well how much importance the emperor attached to this matter.

In the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the officials of the six ministries had all gathered at the Wenyuan Pavilion.

The Minister of War meticulously reviewed the merit book, the Vice Minister of Revenue calculated the amount of money and grain on an abacus, and the Secretary of the Ministry of Rites consulted the "Collected Statutes of the Ming Dynasty" to find the basis for granting titles.

Amidst the fragrant tea, Fang Congzhe gazed at the palace walls outside the window and suddenly sighed softly, "Today, seeing His Majesty and the Empress riding in the same carriage, it seems like a harmonious union. If they could soon have an heir, it would truly be a blessing for the nation."

"What Master Fang said is absolutely right."

Liu Yiju took over the conversation, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"The Empress is virtuous and dignified. If she could stay by Your Majesty's side, I advise Your Majesty to befriend virtuous ministers and distance yourself from the secret police and eunuchs."

Before he finished speaking, the entire room was filled with seasoned officials who had experienced the ups and downs of officialdom. How could they not hear the implied meaning?

"Does Lord Liu intend to emulate the tricks of those imperial relatives interfering in politics during the Eastern Han Dynasty? There was already an ancestral rule during the Hongwu era that stipulated that the empress dowagers should not interfere in politics!"

Sun Ruyou's words were barbed.

Liu Yijuan paused for a moment, then turned to whisper to Zhu Guozuo.

As the tea cooled, the whispers in the duty room grew increasingly dense.

These scholars were shrewd; they dared not openly defy the emperor's will, but they all harbored schemes to "save the country through indirect means." Since the emperor favored the empress, why not use her to gradually achieve their goal?

Fang Congzhe observed the undercurrents with a cold eye, then suddenly slammed down his teacup: "Gentlemen, it's more important to finish discussing the reward and conferment regulations first."

He looked around at everyone and said meaningfully, "In addition, there is something I must remind you all: what His Majesty hates most is someone meddling in his family affairs."

One sentence caused the temperature in the duty room to drop sharply.

Yes!

Now the emperor has eliminated all the spies in the inner court.

They, the officials of the outer court, had no idea what the emperor did in the inner court.

This shows His Majesty's deep resentment towards foreign officials interfering in the inner court.

If anyone dares to instigate the Empress.
Does he even want to live anymore?

Immediately, no one dared to mention the matter again.

The impact of the victory in Liaodong continues to spread.

As the sun rose, Ni Yuanlu, the newly appointed top scholar, hurried along the imperial road in front of the Meridian Gate.

Suddenly a breeze swept by, and he subconsciously looked up, where a tattered indigo flag came into view.

The flag was hung high in the center of the Meridian Gate, its ferocious python patterns baring their fangs in the morning light.

"This is."

Ni Yuanlu's Hanlin hat almost tilted to one side. He hurriedly straightened it, a look of doubt on his face: "What dares to hang this at the emperor's gate?"

Lu Xiang-sheng, standing beside him, had already stopped and stared intently; the newly crowned runner-up's gaze was as sharp as a knife.

He had long studied the Jurchens and could naturally recognize their banners at a glance.

"The Manchu Plain Blue Banner Dragon Banner".

He pointed to the burn marks on the broken corner of the flag and said, "Judging from the broken flagpole, it must have been caused by capturing the flag on the battlefield."

The music box in Ni Yuanlu's hand fell to the ground with a thud.

As the newly appointed official in charge of recording the emperor's daily activities, he has been engrossed in compiling the "Veritable Records of Emperor Guangzong" these past few days, completely unaware of the changing events happening outside.

Lu Xiang-sheng bent down to pick up the ceremonial box for him and whispered, "Brother Ni, do you really not know?"

"His Majesty once said: 'Family affairs, national affairs, and world affairs should all be of concern. Brother Ni, it is probably not appropriate for you to be so oblivious to what is happening around you.'"

Lu Xiang-sheng gently stroked the jade belt at his waist, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

He had long ago figured out His Majesty's thoughts.

We need capable officials, not pedantic scholars who spend their lives studying ancient texts.

Seeing that Ni Yuanlu still looked confused, he finally stopped keeping her in suspense and decided to give her a hand.

"This matter has already spread like wildfire throughout Beijing. Not long ago, a great victory was achieved in Liaodong! Liu Xingzuo, under Commander Xiong, killed Degelai, the tenth son of the Jurchens, in battle. This blue banner is a trophy from that battle!"

"I see!"

Ni Yuanlu suddenly realized what was going on, and then a look of joy appeared on her face.

"Your Majesty has only been on the throne for a short time, yet you have already achieved such a great victory. It is truly a blessing from Heaven for the Ming Dynasty. Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune!"

"Strong luck?"

Lu Xiang-sheng suddenly stopped, but his face showed that he did not agree with Ni Yuan-lu's words.

"If His Majesty had not overruled the objections and appointed Xiong Tingbi, and if His Majesty had not disregarded the pressure from the court to allocate military funds, how could we have achieved today's victory? The soldiers of Liaodong are currently fighting a bloody battle. How can we, the noble scholars of the Hanlin Academy, simply attribute all of this to the will of Heaven?"

Upon hearing this, Ni Yuanlu could only say, "Of course, it's related to His Majesty's proper use of people."

"but."

Ni Yuanlu's Confucian upbringing made him instinctively frown.

"The Book of Rites of Zhou says: 'We should not provoke the drums, but we should not provoke the flags.' It would be too petty to hang the flags of victory at the gate of the country."

"I think this is just right!"

Lu Xiang-sheng's eyes flickered, as if a divine light was shining within them.

"When dealing with barbarians, you should use methods they can understand! Do you intend to debate scriptures with those Jurchens?"

Ni Yuanlu was speechless after being confronted by Lu Xiangsheng.

In terms of charisma, this top scholar was not even half as good as the second-place scholar.

perhaps
His previous idea was indeed wrong.

Ni Yuanlu stared blankly at the dark brown bloodstains on the flag, suddenly recalling the record of the Battle of Sarhu that he had seen in the historical record yesterday.

After that crushing defeat, how many cities in Liaodong were forced to fly the Jurchen flag?

Now that this flag is hanging at the Meridian Gate, it is nothing short of a resounding slap in the face to all the court officials who opposed the emperor's use of personnel in Liaodong.

While Ni Yuanlu was pondering, Lu Xiangshan stared intently at the large banner, saying with some eagerness, "I really hope that one day, I, Lu Xiangshan, can also take up my sword and go beyond the Great Wall, slaughtering the Jurchens until not a single one of them is left!"

The two, each with their own thoughts, entered the Meridian Gate.

Behind them, more and more officials stopped and looked up at the fluttering enemy flag.

At the same time, many people's thoughts also changed slightly after the victory.

Many people may have actually believed the contents of the Huangming Daily.

Your Majesty is truly a sage ruler capable of saving the Ming Dynasty!
The brightest sun in the world.

the other side.

After Zhu Youxiao and Zhang Yan paid homage to their ancestors at the Fengxian Hall, they went to the Cining Palace to visit Consort Li.

Actually, this bowing ceremony was to pay respects to the two empress dowagers.

But
There is no Empress Dowager now; Zhu Youxiao's biological mother has long since passed away.

Therefore, they could only pay their respects to Consort Li and go through the motions.

Furthermore, since Kunning Palace was previously without a master, the affairs of the harem were temporarily handed over to Consort Li.

Now that the Forbidden City has a female master, naturally, this power must be taken back.

The imperial carriage soon arrived at Cining Palace.

Zhu Youxiao followed the proper etiquette and entered the palace to pay his respects to Consort Li.

With the emperor by her side, Consort Li remained very respectful to Empress Zhang Yan.

Only occasionally, a hint of envy would flash in his eyes.

As for why I envy him?

Very simple.

After Zhang Yan became empress, she became the most powerful woman in the harem.

As the Dowager Consort, the power she originally held on behalf of others was gone.

另外
Consort Li envied Zhang Yan for having a man's love. Although she was a consort, she was not yet thirty years old and could only spend her days alone in her empty room.

After the formalities, Zhu Youxiao, realizing he still had many memorials to review, left due to the complexity of state affairs.

The vermilion palace gates slowly closed behind the emperor, leaving only two women inside the hall.

One was a young empress, still wearing her phoenix crown; the other was a widow living deep within the palace.

Consort Li gently stroked the rim of the teacup with her fingertips.

This widow, who was only twenty-eight years old, still retained the charm of a young woman in her eyes and brows, yet she insisted on putting on a mature and composed demeanor.

Although Zhang Yan is only 16 years old, she already shows the demeanor of an empress.

After some pleasantries, Zhang Yan got straight to the point.

"The Dowager Consort has worked tirelessly for the affairs of the six palaces during this time. Now that I am the Empress, I should take over the affairs of the inner palace so as to share the burdens of His Majesty."

Upon hearing this, the carefully maintained smile on Consort Li's face froze instantly, but after a moment, she resumed smiling.

"The Empress is new to assuming the throne and is not yet familiar with palace affairs."

The Empress Dowager forced a smile.

"Why don't you study with me for a while first?"

Zhang Yan chuckled upon hearing this, recalling the whispered conversation between the emperor and her the previous night.

If we cannot create a stable harem for His Majesty, how can His Majesty focus on state affairs?
Thinking of this, even the most delicate woman will become tough.

"I am grateful for the Dowager Consort's compassion."

She suddenly looked up, her gaze as clear as autumn water yet concealing a sharp edge.

"However, the Great Ming Code clearly states: Once the Empress is established, the affairs of the six palaces should be under the jurisdiction of the Kunning Palace. If the Empress Dowager still has to handle everything, wouldn't it make me, the Empress, seem too unfilial?"

"Your Majesty flatters me."

Consort Li took a deep breath, slowly rose and walked towards the antique shelf, taking out a gilded box from a hidden compartment.

"These are the palace treasure tokens and the list of palace servants."

The Empress Dowager's voice tightened as she pushed the box toward Zhang Yan.

"I only hope that the Empress remembers that although the inner palace may seem splendid, it is actually turbulent and the waters here run deep!"

"Don't worry, Your Highness."

Zhang Yan took the box and gently stroked the phoenix-patterned clasp with her fingertips.

"If there is anything I don't understand, I will definitely come back and ask the Dowager Consort. The Dowager Consort has been working too hard these past few months, and she should take good care of herself from now on."

Watching her power gradually disappear, Consort Li sighed heavily.

Without a man supporting her from behind, this imperial concubine couldn't straighten her back.

Forget it!

She's come to terms with it.

Instead of thinking about things you can never have, it's better to be content with your lot and enjoy your retirement!

After Consort Li relinquished power, Zhang Yan stared at the box in her hand, but was thinking:

The heavy responsibility of managing the six palaces has now fallen on her shoulders.

His Majesty is destined to be an emperor for all ages, and she can't hold him back!

She wants to be the woman behind the greatest emperor in history!

(End of this chapter)