Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

Fengtian Temple.

This morning's court session was one of the more pleasant ones in recent days; it could be described as a distribution of perks.

Shang Lu, a compiler at the Hanlin Academy, was responsible for reading the official documents aloud.

Empress Dowager Sun was given the honorific title of "Supreme Holy Empress Dowager" and moved to Renshou Palace, where the former Grand Empress Dowager had resided. Empress Qian was conferred the title of "Grand Empress Dowager" and moved to Huiluan Palace.

Zhu Qiyu originally wanted Empress Qian to go to Xian'an Palace, so that she could be separated from Empress Dowager Sun by one side and the other side. However, when Empress Qian heard about Zhu Qiyu's arrangement, she insisted on not going and instead chose to live in Huiluan Palace in Renshou Palace.

It was said that he could fulfill his filial duties to Empress Dowager Sun on behalf of Zhu Qizhen at any time. Filial piety was the right thing to do, and faced with such a reason, Zhu Qiyu had no choice but to acquiesce.

Zhu Qiyu still felt some pity for his sister-in-law. Although her methods in the harem were far inferior to those of Empress Dowager Sun, her infatuation with Zhu Qizhen was extremely rare.

Since Zhu Qizhen was captured in the north, she had gathered all the things in her palace to redeem him, but it was all for naught. Since then, she has been crying almost every day and praying day and night. Her health has deteriorated to a very low level. If she continues to suffer like this, she will surely become crippled.

Zhu Qiyu also sent people to persuade her, but to no avail. Empress Qian believed that as long as she was sincere, she could move Heaven and Heaven would punish her and then let her husband come back.

Seeing this, Zhu Qiyu sighed helplessly, thinking that he, Zhu Qizhen, was not worthy of having such a good woman!

Consort Wu became Empress Dowager and moved into Cining Palace; Wang Lingshu was made Empress and moved into Kunning Palace; Hang Qingyi was made Imperial Noble Consort and moved into Yikun Palace.

The court bestowed titles and rewards continuously. Wang Zhi was promoted to Grand Tutor of the Crown Prince, Hu Ying was promoted to Grand Preceptor of the Crown Prince, and other important officials were also rewarded.

After the bestowal of honors, the court assembly was unusually harmonious and joyful.

Zhu Qiyu, seated on his throne, glanced at his ministers. When his gaze fell upon Li Xian behind him, the latter instantly understood.

Li Xian stepped forward, his face solemn, and said, "Your Majesty, I have a memorial to present."

The hall suddenly fell silent, and all the ministers' eyes fell on Li Xian. Was this official who had just been released going to cause trouble?

Tell me!

Li Xian calmly replied, “Your Majesty’s ascension to the throne has extended your grace to all under Heaven. However, the times are not in harmony, and the nation has suffered calamities, which is due to the excessive yin energy. From the Xuande to the Zhengtong era, a large number of women were selected for the palace, and many of them harbored resentment and complaints, which harmed the harmony of the nation. This was especially true for women who had been confined to official positions. Your Majesty, in the spirit of Heaven and Earth’s benevolence, has specially granted the privilege of reviewing these women’s names, allowing those with official duties and those who did not wish to leave to remain, while the rest, including women, who wished to leave, were released and allowed to return to their families. This is truly a virtuous act of the wise emperors and enlightened kings of the past.”

Upon hearing this, the assembled officials were momentarily stunned, and Xu Cheng even thought he had encountered a fellow professional.

This clearly implies that the Tumu Crisis and other calamities were caused by an excess of yin energy in the palace.

Anyone with a discerning eye could see this was a lie. However, none of the ministers dared to refute it, because they couldn't prove the nation's calamity was unrelated to this incident. In their eyes, the loss of Wang Zhen and others' manhood also fell under the category of "yin energy." Therefore, the argument of "excessive yin energy" was not problematic.

Seeing this, Chen Xun hurriedly echoed, "Your Majesty, wise rulers throughout history have all released palace women to demonstrate their determination to govern the country. Emperor Taizong of Tang released thousands of palace women upon ascending the throne, earning praise throughout the land as a virtuous act. Emperor Taizong of our dynasty also released a large number of palace women, thus forging the Yongle era of prosperity. I believe that Physician Li's suggestion is very appropriate, and I hope Your Majesty will accept it!"

Seeing that Zhu Qiyu's expression remained normal, the officials could guess that this was Zhu Qiyu's instruction to act in this way.

Otherwise, how would the officials of the outer court dare to interfere in the affairs of the inner palace? Because Zhu Di killed and released many palace servants back then, and later Zhu Di just used them as they were, he did not recruit people into the palace on a large scale. Emperor Renzong died young and did not have time to make a big fuss. When Emperor Xuanzong and Zhu Qizhen came to power, they recruited palace servants on a large scale. Now it is no exaggeration to say that the palace is overcrowded.

Wang Zhi and the others couldn't help but admire this method. It was quite ingenious. By using the words of the ministers, they achieved the ultimate goal of cleaning up the inner palace. The key was that the ministers would definitely agree and be willing to cooperate.

For most court officials, reducing the number of palace servants was a good thing, as it would reduce expenses, and these palace servants were indeed causing trouble. Wang Zhen's faction only purged the ringleaders; some remained at large. If it weren't for these palace servants misleading the retired emperor, things might have been very different.

Some ministers loyal to Empress Dowager Sun and Zhu Qizhen looked extremely grim. They could naturally see the deeper meaning behind this move, but they couldn't refute the reasons Li Xian had given, unless they could make Zhu Qizhen take the blame for the earth-shattering Tumu Crisis and prove that the defeat had nothing to do with the palace servants.

Zhu Qiyu took in the expressions of his ministers and asked calmly, "Gentlemen, do you have any further objections?"

When the ministers heard that Zhu Qiyu was asking for a statement, they exchanged glances and, after weighing the options, agreed with the proposal. Offending Empress Dowager Sun was far better than offending the new emperor. Moreover, the inner palace's influence couldn't reach the outer court. Even if Empress Dowager Sun regained power one day, the law would not punish the masses.

"We have no objection!"

Zhu Qiyu pondered for a moment, then, as if reluctantly agreeing, said, "Your words are in accordance with my wishes, so let it be done!"

"Your Majesty is wise!" the ministers hurriedly responded.

It was not Zhu Qiyu's style to fail to reward meritorious service. He immediately said, "I have already accepted the resignation of Vice Minister Li of the Ministry of Personnel. The position of Right Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel is vacant. I will promote the Vice Minister of War to fill the vacancy. Li will be promoted to Right Vice Minister of War. In the past, Minister Wang presided over the court recommendation."

"Your Majesty, we obey."

After the ministers agreed, Li Xian felt countless complicated gazes falling on him, and he inwardly groaned.

Some people were angry because Li Xian was clearly someone who followed the retired emperor on the expedition and should be considered a loyal follower of the retired emperor. Those ministers who were loyal to Zhu Qizhen believed that Li Xian had "betrayed" them and even stabbed them in the back. Such behavior was despicable.

Of course, there were also jealous people. Li Xian was promoted just because of a memorial to the throne. These people only regretted that the person who submitted the memorial was not themselves, and secretly sighed at Li Xian's good luck.

……

Regardless of how one views Li Xian, from this moment on, he, Li Xian, can only belong to Zhu Qiyu.

At least in the eyes of the court officials, this man was a confidant of the new emperor; otherwise, he would not have carried out such an important task and would have thoughtfully prepared for the position of Vice Minister of War.

When the news of the reduction of palace staff reached Empress Dowager Sun, who had just moved to Renshou Palace, her expression changed drastically.

"Yongchang, are you sure this is true?"

Li Yongchang nodded helplessly and said, "It's already a hot topic in the palace. I heard that it was a court official who petitioned, and His Majesty agreed to it."

A fierce glint flashed in Empress Dowager Sun's eyes. If she were to truly purge the palace staff, it would greatly diminish her control over the inner palace, and she might even gradually lose control altogether. How could she not be furious? She demanded, "Who dares to act so arrogantly?"

"Li Xian, who escaped from the north!"

Empress Dowager Sun had no recollection of this man and, furious, gritted her teeth, saying, "Damn traitor! Why didn't the court officials stop him?"

There are still many loyal ministers in the court who are devoted to Zhu Qizhen, and she doesn't believe they can't see through the trickery involved.

Li Yongchang said with difficulty, "Li Xian argued that the nation's misfortune was due to the excessive yin energy in the palace, but since Wang Zhen has already been convicted, the court officials cannot refute him!"

Empress Dowager Sun stood there stunned, and in her anger, she smashed a fine porcelain cup to the ground!

"Go and invite the Emperor here!"