novelraw Chapter 595 - 7: Empress Dowager, Peace Be Upon You (7)
Chapter 595 - 7: Empress Dowager, Peace Be Upon You (7)
The Emperor considered carefully, still retaining some sense of reason.
Although he thought, as the Emperor, he should be able to do whatever he wanted, he also had some considerations as a monarch.
This Shenglong Dynasty has stood for so many years, and naturally, in his mind, he had to consider the great kingdom.
The Eldest Prince wasn’t young anymore, already thirty years old, yet he indulged in pleasure and roamed the world.
If the Eldest Prince were to inherit the throne, the kingdom would probably be ruined.
He even worried whether the Eldest Prince might insult the Empress at that time.
After all, the Eldest Prince’s unruly behavior had long opened people’s eyes.
Back then, wasn’t he the one who rudely approached a noble lady in the Imperial Garden and was promptly sent away?
The Second Prince was a gentleman, but too rigid, with his head full of archaic ideologies, also unsuitable for that position.
The Third Prince was not bad, the Fourth Prince was similar in age to him, and he’s already given up on Xiao Wu.
Xiao Six was still too young, merely sent to the Empress to pass the time.
Of course, if his health held, Xiao Six had hope as well.
No matter which Prince ascended the throne, Shenglong Dynasty would likely not be peaceful.
He needed the Empress’s assistance in maintaining stability.
If there were old generals, and he left some arrangements, the Empress could help the reigning Prince stabilize the court.
No one could replace the Empress’s role.
"Ning, I’m a bit tired, could you help me look at the memorials?"
Li Shuning hastily stood up, "Your Majesty, the harem must not involve in politics; I dare not."
"Ning, we are husband and wife, I’m really a bit tired, and those useless brats, had they not failed me, I wouldn’t have asked for your help."
Li Shuning, filled with reluctance, was relentlessly urged by the Emperor; she had no choice but to take the memorials and read them.
The handling remained the Emperor’s responsibility.
Li Shuning also stated that this was her bottom line; otherwise, even at the risk of angering the Emperor, she would never touch those memorials.
The Emperor, however, was very satisfied.
With someone helping to read, things became much easier.
The efficiency of the Emperor in handling affairs also increased significantly.
After finishing the day’s work, the Emperor planned to stay overnight at the Phoenix Palace that night, while Li Shuning acted all smiles, turned around, and went to the bath, and released a puppet to serve as her double.
She herself hid away.
There was a secret chamber in the Empress Palace, where she hid.
She knew well, with the Emperor’s condition, he couldn’t do anything to her, but previously, just a touch from him disgusted her; she wouldn’t feel comfortable lying together.
Afterwards, the Emperor would visit the Phoenix Palace daily, asking Li Shuning to help read the memorials.
Li Shuning kept certain taboos in mind, never allowing herself to be caught in danger.
The Emperor seemed good to her, trusted her, but if she really got involved in politics, she would face a deep abyss.
Even so, the entire harem and even the former court knew the Emperor’s health was poor and the Empress needed to help him sort the memorials.
The former court naturally had strong reactions.
The Imperial Censors particularly accused the Empress of involving in politics.
The Emperor remained indifferent, his gaze cool as he looked at Imperial Censor Wang: "Is Lord Wang suggesting I let you read the memorials?"
Imperial Censor Wang was startled: "I dare not, yet having a hen crow at daybreak is absolutely unacceptable. Your Majesty can certainly choose a Prince to assist with state affairs."
"Is Lord Wang teaching me what to do? Do I need your guidance on what to do? Is the Empress someone you can criticize?"
"I dare not, I’m merely fulfilling my duty to remind Your Majesty. Furthermore, Your Majesty is unwell, it is time to choose a Crown Prince, please reconsider."
"Hmph, I’m not dead yet; Lord Wang, discussing and spying on the harem, you’re dismissed."
"Your Majesty, reconsider."
"Your Majesty, reconsider."
The Emperor sneered: "What, are you going to learn from the ancients and threaten me by hitting the pillar? You can try, and I’ll ensure your family joins you soon."
With these words, no one else spoke up.
Some civil servants turned red with anger.
The Emperor didn’t care.
These people constantly babbled, as if the grand Emperor should be commanded by them.
At his age, why couldn’t he indulge a bit?
All these years, he had faced plenty of grievances from these Censors, who threatened with death on any minor matter. It was as if he was a tyrant, yet they gained a reputation for defying authority.
Most importantly, the actions he had taken weren’t arbitrary; he was preparing for the future of the Shenglong Dynasty, what did they understand?
The Empress was currently at the peak of her influence.
Li Shuning strolled through the Imperial Garden with the Sixth Prince, holding him personally, children’s joyful sounds echoing all along.
"Your son greets Mother Empress; is Mother Empress taking the younger brother out to play?"
The Empress glanced over, it was the Thirteenth Prince, still just a child, gentle and courteous, seemingly pleasant.
But how could a royal child be simple?
Who would have thought that beneath this gentle exterior lay a violent and lecherous heart?
"Greetings, Third Prince, I’m taking Xiao Six for a walk."
With that, Li Shuning continued towards the Imperial Garden with the child.
The Third Prince, holding something, followed along.
"Third Prince, are you also going to the Imperial Garden?"
"Mother Empress, I’m going to the Imperial Garden to paint; seeing how innocent and lovely the Sixth Prince is, I’ve been inspired. How about your son helps paint a picture of him?"
Li Shuning looked at the Third Prince and nodded with a smile, "Sure."
The Third Prince lowered his head and followed along.
The Empress called the Sixth Prince Xiao Six, but addressed him as the Third Prince, clearly showing the distinction in closeness.
Now, however, their father only trusted and heavily relied on the Empress.
If he could gain the Empress’s favor, he would have a chance to ascend to that position.
The Third Prince’s mind was active.
His consort mother constantly reminded him to remain humble, and he believed he maintained a good image.
In the Imperial Garden, the Third Prince continued to paint while Li Shuning wandered around with her child. Shortly after, feeling the wind, she took the child back.
The Third Prince’s painting wasn’t finished yet.
He dared not ask the Empress to wait.
Quietly, he completed the painting and eventually presented it to the Empress.
A painting of winter sun warmth emerged, with the Sixth Prince depicted, and Li Shuning was also in it.
The Emperor praised it upon seeing it.
Afterwards, the Third Prince would occasionally have chance encounters with the Empress, exchanging a few words.
The Third Prince indeed enjoyed this convenience.
The Eldest Prince and the Second Prince had already moved out of the palace.
Only he, being still underage, remained living in the palace.
Only he had the opportunity to show attentiveness.
Privately, both the Eldest and Second Princes were somewhat anxious.
Although one seemed without ambition and the other lost in books, they both longed for that position, being Princes with equal opportunity, right?