Chapter 654 - 240: Empress

Chapter 654: Chapter 240: Empress

Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing stood at the bottom of the steps. They silently counted to five before seeing the eunuch return. He smiled at them and said, "Please come in, you two. His Majesty and Madam are waiting for you inside."

Confirming from the eunuch that the esteemed guests in the drawing room were indeed the most precious couple in the Wei Dynasty, the two did not dare hesitate. After bowing in thanks, they quickly stepped into the room.

The drawing room was clean and refreshing. The usual incense was completely gone, replaced by a faint scent of oranges. A baby babbled, calling out for his father, accompanied by a woman’s crisp laughter. The two kept their eyes straight ahead without daring to delay, dropping to their knees the moment they entered.

"We greet Your Majesty, the Empress, and the Crown Prince."

There was a momentary silence in the room. A moment later, a clear laugh rang out from the seat of honor. "Rise. Mr. Xu recommended you two to keep us company, so we will have to trouble you today."

To their surprise, Grandfather was also present. He spoke in a mild tone, "There is no trouble at all. It is their blessing to be able to keep Your Majesty and Madam company."

Chen Wanqing’s heart pounded noisily, and her legs felt a bit weak. Zhao Jing supported her waist and pulled her up, allowing her to rise from the floor. The couple had not expected Grandfather to be there, so they hastily bowed to him as well.

It was also in this brief moment that they caught a glimpse of the supreme family out of the corners of their eyes.

The man seated at the head wore brocade robes and a jade crown. His gaze was as sharp as lightning, exuding a golden and jade-like nobility. As he sipped his tea, his aura carried a commanding presence without any need for anger. He was unmistakably the Emperor, the sovereign who held the power of the world in his hands.

Across a table from him sat a young woman, also in the seat of honor. She wore only two simple pieces of jewelry. Although her looks were merely above average, her bearing was graceful and magnanimous. Coupled with her amiable smile and dignified demeanor, she perfectly fit the common imagination of the mother of a nation at first glance.

The Young Crown Prince, held in her arms, was dressed in red and shared a fifty percent resemblance with his imperial father. Perhaps he had been a bit fussy earlier, but upon seeing two strangers enter, he immediately put on an expression identical to his father’s. Seeing an adult’s serious demeanor on such a tender, naive little face was both comical and adorable.

It was often said that the men of the imperial family rarely possessed true love. However, in Chen Wanqing’s eyes, regardless of whether they were a deeply affectionate young couple or simply forced to work together under the crushing weight of a metaphorical mountain above them, they appeared to have an excellent relationship. Even their occasional eye contact was full of genuine sincerity.

Old Sir Xu accepted their greetings and instructed the couple, "Serve them well. I will be right back." He then turned to the Emperor and the Empress and said, "The Cabinet just sent over a memorandum. It should be regarding the disaster relief in the nearby Prefecture. I will go handle it and return shortly."

The Emperor naturally sighed in admiration. "Mr. Xu is truly the pillar of the nation. I can sit securely on the throne and rest easy precisely because of capable subjects like you. Go attend to your business first. Later during the banquet, we shall share a few drinks."

Mr. Xu expressed his deep gratitude once more before taking his leave.

Once he left, the atmosphere in the room suddenly cooled and quieted.

The Empress was a considerate person. She spoke with a smile, "Don’t just stand there. Quick, offer them seats."

Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing hastily thanked her and sat down on the chairs.

The Young Crown Prince could no longer sit still. Grunting softly, he squirmed in the Empress’s embrace, wanting to get down. Seeing this, the Empress teased with a smile, "You were the one throwing a tantrum for me to hold you earlier, and now you’re the one who wants to get down. You really are a little troublemaker."

The Emperor said, "Let the nanny take him down to play. It’s rare that we bring you out; you should also relax."

The Empress naturally agreed.

After the nanny took the Young Crown Prince away, the Emperor turned to Zhao Jing and said, "Speaking of which, Zitong and I still have to thank you."

Zhao Jing and Chen Wanqing naturally knew that the Emperor was referring to nothing else but the Empress’s treasure seal.

Because the late Emperor passed away early, state affairs had been handed over to the Empress Dowager and several Assistant Ministers. As the Emperor gradually grew older, the Empress Dowager, having tasted the sweetness of absolute power, refused to return control of the government to the sovereign.

First, she claimed the Emperor was unmarried, forcing him to choose an Empress at fifteen and marry at sixteen. Then, she argued that the Emperor had no heirs, insisting that the throne would only be secure once a royal son was born. Getting married was easy enough to arrange, but having a child was not something that could simply be willed into existence.

Due to the Empress Dowager’s manipulation, the Emperor was heavily restricted in the previous dynasty, and the Empress fared no better in the inner palace. The Empress Dowager held complete control over everything, so how could the Empress possibly be her match? ℯ

For the first few years of their marriage, the Empress was virtually a mascot, a mere decoration beside the Emperor. However, this entire predicament changed after the Empress’s treasure seal was sent back to the Capital City.