Free Web NovelChapter 1350: Chapter 793: Youyou’s Happiness, Luming Crowned Empress (Part 4)
The eunuch was rendered speechless by Xiao Luming.
Although the Supreme Emperor has a harem, he has never set foot in it.
For all these years, the Empress Dowager has been his only companion.
But ultimately, what the Supreme Emperor did cannot be used as a precedent.
Now, the Supreme Emperor and Empress Dowager have only two sons and two daughters, one of whom is an adopted daughter. So in the true sense, they have only three children. Fortunately, among these three children, such an outstanding emperor was chosen, enabling the Daxuan Kingdom to continue its legacy. However, such occurrences are undoubtedly rare.
Historically, the royal family has always needed heirs, the more the better. Because entrusting the throne to just one prince is highly uncertain, many factors such as health, intellect, and ambition could affect the succession of the throne. Lacking heirs, bloodlines could easily be extinguished.
To extinguish the bloodline is to become a sinner through the ages.
But the eunuch dared not speak.
Speaking would offend the Supreme Emperor.
For which his ten heads would not be enough to behead.
Xiao Luming clearly understood the reasoning behind this as well.
He truly had no interest in the harem.
He thought Anqi would be his only in the harem.
But now, Anqi had left the Imperial Palace.
He didn’t know whether he should follow past emperors, with numerous ladies in the three palaces or six courtyards, or like his father, seek a true love, and spend his life with one person.
Xiao Luming suddenly chuckled.
The smile carried with it self-mockery and a hint of desolation.
He thought he might not be destined to find true love.
All these years, the only person he ever liked was Anqi.
To learn to love someone new, how difficult it would be!
And yet he was well aware.
A truly great emperor not only governs the state well but also must ensure the continuation of the bloodline.
Xiao Luming turned around and descended from the city wall.
The eunuch could not discern the emperor’s intentions.
But he hoped that through the selection of new maidens entering the palace, the emperor might feel less lonely at least.
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Daxuan Kingdom, Year Six of Emperor Xuanjing’s reign.
The grand ceremony of the Empress’s investiture was majestic.
The imperial procession stretched like a long dragon, with no end in sight at the front, nor at the back. The streets were lined with onlookers, all chatting excitedly amidst the lively affair.
Xie Qianyun sat in the sedan chair, wearing the Phoenix Crown and ceremonial robes, feeling restless and uncomfortable.
Who would have thought that just a while ago she was leading troops at the border, having just quelled a city’s turmoil, and then received an imperial decree commanding her to return and become the Empress.
From the moment she received the decree to when she was seated in the bridal sedan, she still felt as though everything was unreal.
Her last impression of the young emperor was from her tenth birthday banquet; she had accidentally sat on his head, causing him to have a nosebleed. Subsequently, there was the infamous chaotic scene with him, Princess Anqi, and Prince Jing. After that event, her mother had taken her to the border, where she stayed for six years. She missed her father, who had to visit her there because she wasn’t allowed to return to Xun City.
She had thought she would spend her life at the border, never expecting an imperial decree to call her back.
Returning meant she wouldn’t be able to go back to the border anymore.
Wasn’t it all just a joke?!
Having been away for so many years, she didn’t even have friends?!
And to be an Empress, for what purpose?
Wasn’t the young emperor fond of Princess Anqi?
Of course, she had heard that Princess Anqi eventually married Prince Jing.
And the young emperor’s affection had ended in defeat.
But after all, the young emperor had countless beauties in his grand harem, and there were annual selections for him, which she was well aware of.
Couldn’t any of those numerous maidens be crowned as Empress?!
With her stature and demeanor, she was hardly fit to be an Empress! freewebnøvel.coɱ
She had no idea what the young emperor was thinking, nor what her parents were thinking.
Naturally, she didn’t wish to become that kind of Empress.
So, she argued with her parents.
Later, she learned that the young emperor wanted her as Empress to reclaim power.
Her father was a Prime Minister, wielding immense influence, second only to one. Her mother, being a Great General who guarded a region, held military power.
If her parents harbored even a hint of ambition, the young emperor’s position wouldn’t be so secure.
To balance power, he could only bring her into the palace. Though said to be the Empress, she was essentially a hostage, compelling her parents to act cautiously.
In truth, her parents never had such intentions, but human hearts are complex, and mutual trust was scarce.
Not only did the young emperor have reservations about fully trusting her parents, but her parents also couldn’t entirely trust the young emperor.
Ultimately, her parents agreed to her palace entry, mostly considering themselves, besides the irresistible imperial order.
As their influence grew, so did the rumors and whispers in the court. Her father feared an impending purge from the young emperor, hence placing her in the palace to gauge his intentions, ensuring any indication would allow for their timely retreat.
She puzzled over what might happen to her if her family withdrew!
If the young emperor did purge her family, being inside the palace, wouldn’t she only face death?!
Her father advised her that her sole way out would be winning the emperor’s favor because if he truly cared for her, he would be reluctant to execute her?!
So.
Could love really vanish?!
Was she no longer their cherished darling?!
Xie Qianyun sat in the sedan chair, her mind in turmoil.
She just didn’t understand.
If she were to be a tool, did she really have to be the Empress?
Would it not suffice to be a concubine, a noble, a talented lady, or even a palace maid, or an extra?
Was she capable of being an Empress?
She only knew the arts of war; being the emperor’s Imperial Guard would suit her better.
But alas.
The young emperor considered her parents, while her parents didn’t dare refuse the emperor’s favor.
Thus, she was forcefully pushed into it against her will!
