Forced Into the Palace: Becoming the Emperor's Favorite-Chapter 500 Extra Story 4: Waiting to Rebuild the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Heavenly Palace (6)

Chapter 500: Chapter 500 Extra Story 4: Waiting to Rebuild the Old Mountains and Rivers, Facing the Heavenly Palace (6)

Since then, she has leapt to become the most important Consort Xian in the Emperor’s heart.

The Empress remained calm when she heard the news.

To her, as long as this Consort Xian did not touch the Princess or the Zhang Family, she did not mind the Emperor’s favor towards her.

After all, in all her years in the palace, she had never seen such a passionate smile and indulgent gaze on the Emperor’s face.

In this life, she had not had the fortune to experience it.

So witnessing others’ happiness could also make her days a little sweeter.

But just as the tree longs for peace, the wind never ceases.

The Empress was not in a hurry, but the Empress Dowager was.

And it wasn’t just her; her maternal family, the Zhang Family, and the court officials were also anxious.

Petitions were sent one after another, and fervent advice offered persistently.

Especially the Empress Dowager, who, despite her illness, threatened to die unless the Emperor legitimated Consort Xian’s newly born son.

She demanded to raise him personally. 𝙛𝒓𝒆𝙚𝒘𝒆𝓫𝙣𝓸𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝒄𝒐𝓶

Otherwise, she could not rest in peace.

Pressure from all directions weighed on the Emperor like a mountain, rendering him breathless.

Though he felt no romantic affection for the Empress, he knew her character and conduct.

He thought that his life was bound to be muddled through.

Meeting Consort Xian was already a blessing from heaven.

As for the matters of the state, he would leave it to capable people.

If he had a choice, he would rather set himself as the Supreme Emperor and elope with Consort Xian to explore mountains and rivers.

Therefore, under both pressure and personal interest,

The Emperor compromised.

The Empress remembered that day clearly when the Emperor personally brought the infant Prince Yu Wenhong, still in swaddling clothes, to her.

He solemnly and seriously said,

"I ask the Empress to take good care of him."

For a moment, the Empress did not know whether to laugh or cry.

The Prince she had desired but never had, now came to her in this manner.

And she, for the ailing Empress Dowager, for the great Wei Dynasty, and for the hopes of the Zhang Family,

Could not refuse.

Therefore, what she took was not just an infant.

It was also the future hope of Da Wei.

From then on, the Empress devoted herself to caring for the Crown Prince Yu Wenhong.

The Empress Dowager could finally pass away with a smile.

As grass grew and warblers flew, winter melted into spring.

In the blink of an eye, the Crown Prince Yu Wenhong had grown to the age of six.

At this age, he was supposed to be playing and practicing progress, but his small body endured much more rigorous archery training and literary study every day,

Because after Consort Xian’s passing, the Emperor’s health also deteriorated.

The Imperial Physician said his end was not far.

As for how long he could hold on depended on fate.

So, Empress Zhang had to take on the responsibility of overseeing Yu Wenhong’s education and skills in archery.

With the Emperor young and the country dubious, naturally, the Empress Dowager oversaw the governance from behind the curtain.

While she was well-read in poems and military strategies,

It was ultimately mere paper talk.

Especially with neighboring countries watching like tigers and veteran court members scheming.

What awaited her and her son was not a smooth path.

It was a road of thorns.

Since she took up this responsibility, she would not slack off.

Hence, she imposed strict demands on Yu Wenhong, now crowned prince.

She had never relaxed on herself either.

Secretly even learning some life-preserving skills from others.

Thus, mother and son, in more than a year of the Emperor’s serious illness, frantically absorbed everything they could.

The Emperor also endeavored to cling to life, providing his family with more time to grow.

However, eventually, there comes a time when he could hold on no longer.

One day, feeling his end approaching,

He summoned four ministers:

The Duke Xu, Prime Minister Lin, Marquis of Northwest, and Prince Zhan.

On his deathbed, charged them as assistant ministers,

To ensure the Empress and Crown Prince securely transition these dynastic reins.

At that time, Duke Xu was loyal and courageous, Prime Minister Lin still had ambitions to serve the country.

The Marquis of Northwest remained mostly uncommitted, but the centuries-old instructions of the Liu Family made betrayal unlikely.

Prince Zhan bore some personal motives, but currently sought to preserve peace for the Great Wei Dynasty.

Thus, after summoning the Empress, Crown Prince, and all the concubines of the harem,

Duke Xu announced the decree face to face.

The Emperor, weak and sickly, spared a final glance at the Empress, making himself clear.

In this life, they were never meant to be a good couple.

It was destiny’s folly.

But he always remembered his sister’s protective intent from the mother’s palace.

With his last breath, he spoke.

"I entrust Hong’er to you, I am at ease with..."

With that said, he passed away.

The Jianwu Emperor of the Great Wei Dynasty, having reigned for only ten years, became history permanently.

In the harem, rumors circulated, accusing Consort Xian of being the calamity.

But only Empress Zhang understood.

To people like them who view love as celestial, departure might be the greatest relief.

A full month passed.

Empress Zhang, with the Crown Prince Yu Wenhong, mourned the late Emperor.

The palace remained orderly, without any sign of chaos.

The transition was smooth and peaceful.

It spoke volumes about the methods of Empress Zhang.

Meanwhile, the Marquis of Northwest led the army back to the Northwest, intimidating the restless Da Jin with 600,000 formidable soldiers.

The Fourth Prince commanded troops in Huazhou, blocking rebellious forces from the south.

The tenth year of Jianwu, June.

Also the first year of Yuanhe, June.

Crown Prince Yu Wenhong officially ascended the throne as Emperor.

He sat on the Dragon Chair, watching the court ministers bow below.

His heart filled with fear and tension.

But from behind the curtain came a faint voice.

"Emperor, do not fear, I am here."

This single sentence eased him significantly.

Despite being only eight years old.

Despite many court ministers relying on seniority frequently defying him.

Despite having not slept in for a long time.

Despite often falling from his horse, getting hurt.

He was never afraid.

Not of future matters.

Not of ministers like tigers and wolves.

And in the nearly eight years following, with the Empress Dowager’s governance from behind the curtain,

He learned how to deal tactically with ministers,

How to control his emotions,

How to balance and manage subordinates.

At the same time, he learned how to manipulate the court and the harem to counteract one another.

All for the people of the realm, for the Great Wei Dynasty.

The year the Emperor turned sixteen

Was the year of his grand wedding to Empress Xu.

Also the year Princess Consort Yi from the Western North Marquis Family and Princess Consort Min from Prime Minister Lin’s family entered the palace.

Red dragon-phoenix candles burned through the night.

The entire palace was filled with festivity.

Yet the Cining Palace remained calm and quiet.

Wen Lan brought in a cup of tea favored by the Empress Dowager.

Finding that the Empress Dowager still loved reading as before.

But instead of statecraft and military strategies, they were just some casual books now.

"Have the lights of the Changchun Palace gone out?"

"Replying to the Empress Dowager, they have."

"That’s good."

The Empress Dowager had observed the Emperor managing state affairs over the years.

Though young, his political acumen might surpass even hers.

She felt proud to have such a son.

With such an Emperor, she was assured for the Great Wei Dynasty.

So she casually remarked.

"After taking care of matters concerning the Zhang Family, let’s go to Wutai Mountain. I’ve always liked it there, just never had the chance."

"Yes, I am willing to follow the Empress Dowager for life."