Chapter 622: Chapter 622: The Grand Finale (7): A Lifeti Together_1
Upon becoming emperor, Wei Jinyi beca busier than ever before. As Empress, Wei Ruo was naturally tasked with managing the affairs of the imperial harem.
Luckily, the palace was not heavily populated, Wei Jinyi had not taken in any concubines, and the previous emperor did not leave behind any imperial concubines. With minimal staff, there was little to preoccupy her ti.
Though managing the daily routines and staff of the palace was a more complicated task, Wei Ruo was skilled in handling these affairs. The principles were the sa whether within or outside the palace, and the thods were universally applicable.
In addition, Wei Ruo was also involved in relief efforts for various disaster-stricken areas and spring planting initiatives. At tis, she would also participate in governnt decision making, discussing related matters with other officials from behind a curtain.
Gaining from the successful example set in Jiliao, no one raised any objections towards Wei Ruo’s political involvent.
In so respects, it could be said that Wei Ruo and Wei Jinyi governed together as emperor and empress.
The responsibilities they shouldered now were slightly more complicated than they had been in Jiliao, but with the experience they had gained there, they now handled these tasks with ease.
Besides this, in her spare ti, Wei Ruo could not break her old habits. Even in the Royal Garden, she allocated a plot of land to grow so fruits and vegetables.
Occasionally, she would go out for a stroll, disguising herself to visit Qiao Manor, thus avoiding living under constant restrictions.
Wei Ruo had also had a heart-to-heart conversation with Wei Jinyi. She had told him that if he ever fell out of love with her, to let her leave. She did not lust over her title as empress, nor would his change of heart lead her to be trapped in resentnt. She continued to live in the palace because the man she loved was there.
She would not obstruct him from falling in love with other won, and neither would she prevent him from filling his harem with three thousand beauties. If he truly were to fall out of love, her attempts to stop him would be futile.
What she desired was love that was voluntary and free, not a confining matrimonial relationship.
Wei Jinyi promised her; he made no excessive pledges, simply stating that ti would prove everything.
Wei Ruo considered herself fortunate. Along her journey, she had been lucky enough to et many kind-hearted people who had protected her and nurtured her, sharing in her joys and sorrows.
Even in power struggles, she had hardly worried about anything.
Though occasionally, there were individuals such as Wei Qingwan who made her feel uneasy, they did not cause her significant harm.
Now, as the empress, she should be worrying about the affairs of the palace and the fight for power and favor, but none of these issues arose.
As empress, her role was stress-free and effortless. Other people would worry about the trivial matters on her behalf, and she was free to follow her interests and indulge in her skills.
Her brother and her husband, who doubled as the emperor, had kept their promise to her. Even in his imperial role, he still treated her as before, and even his form of address towards her did not change. In private tis with no outsiders present, he still referred to her affectionately as ‘Second Brother’.
She was satisfied with how everything was presently.
She didn’t know what the future would bring, but those were problems for the future. She would cross that bridge when she got there.
###
The next year, the era na was changed to Xingning.
In the first year of Xingning, the climate remained unfavorable. However, due to the blessings on the empire, many new high-yield crop varieties were discovered and promoted, allowing people’s harvests to gradually et their needs.
The situation in the disaster-stricken areas improved, and the number of bandits also decreased gradually.
anwhile, the conflict between the empire and the Jurchen Tribe eased. The emperor summoned Martial General Xu Zhengyong back to the capital for reassignnt.
While awaiting his assignnt in the capital, General Xu married Xiui, a high-ranking maiden from Empress Wei Ruo’s entourage. The emperor and empress presided over their wedding ceremony. The empress provided a bridal procession for ten miles as a dowry, making the wedding a grand event. The celebration was not inferior to any other noblewoman’s wedding in the capital.
The following month, Lu Bei, the emperor’s top guard, resigned and left the capital to travel.
In the second year of Xingning, the empress was pregnant. The emperor was overjoyed and issued a nationwide amnesty.
That sa year, the Minister of Rites, Lord Cui, proposed to the emperor to take in more concubines, but his proposal was turned down by the emperor, citing concerns about the country as the reason.
Many among the court greatly respected the empress for her contributions to the nation. As the emperor had no concerns about an heir, they supported the emperor’s decision to refrain from taking more concubines.
In the third year of Xingning, the empress gave birth to a second son, nad Chu Zhen.
That sa year, after years of infertility, King Qin and Queen Qin had their first child, reportedly due to the empress’s assistance in improving their health.
In the sa year, Fan Chengxu and Xie Ying also had their first child.
The couple established an orphanage outside the capital, taking in holess children from various locations. They provided shelter and taught these children how to read and write.
In the fourth year of Xingning, due to the joint efforts of the emperor and empress, agriculture witnessed the first major revival in several years. Grain output returned to the level of the tenth year of Renwu, and the national treasury was replenished.
In the sixth year of Xingning, the empress gave birth to a third son, nad Chu Wei.
From then on, no one in the court brought up the issue of the emperor taking more concubines.
The empress having several sons ensured peace in the palace.
With a stable court and peaceful public, what reason was there to repeat the previous emperor’s mistake of having many sons fighting for the throne, resulting in internal damage to the empire?
In the seventh year of Xingning, Wei Mingting, the Marquis of Nan’an, was appointed as a grand general. However, he largely remained on the battlefield all year round to guard the frontiers and protect the country. He seldom returned to the capital.
In the ninth year of Xingning, the empress gave birth to a daughter, nad Chu Yue.
That year was another bumper harvest year. With agriculture as the foundation, other trades also thrived. The overall economic level of the empire returned to its peak period.
In the twelfth year of Xingning, Wei Yichen beca the head of the cabinet—an influential position in the court. The residence of the Marquis of Nanning enjoyed great prosperity.
In the sixteenth year of Xingning, the empire reached unprecedented prosperity. The taxes collected that year reached a record high, and smaller neighboring countries all ca to offer tribute.
In the eighteenth year of Xingning, the emperor fell seriously ill. The crown prince served as the regent, and the emperor passed away that sa winter. Crown Prince Chu Yan then ascended to the throne.
The following spring, the empress dowager fell ill due to the bereavent of the emperor. She never recovered and passed away half a month later. She was buried with the emperor in the imperial tomb.
Wei Mingting, the Marquis of Nan’an, returned to the capital to mourn. After the empress dowager’s funeral, he asked the emperor for permission to retire and took his family to Taizhou Prefecture.
His eldest son, Wei Yichen, and his wife and children continued to stay in the capital. His second son, Wei Yilin, took his wife and children to Taizhou Prefecture with his father. There, he served as the Guard Commander of the Taizhou Prefecture guard.
###
Three months later.
Jiliao City.
The forr residence of King Rui.
The original plaque was removed, replaced by one reading “Residence of Prince of Blessing.”
The emperor’s second son, Chu Zhen, was granted the title of the Prince of Blessing, with Jiliao as his fiefdom.
Inside the residence which was supposed to be occupied by the newly appointed Prince of Blessing, were two individuals who appeared to be around forty years old.
Although ti had aged the woman sowhat, she had lost the naïveté of teenage girls, gaining the attractiveness unique to mature won. Her face was ruddy, and she was still radiant. It was almost impossible to tell that she was nearly forty years old.
The man, with a face as handso as jade and an upright posture, moved with an agility that suggested his profound internal strength. In quiet monts, he was as refined as a scholar.
At dusk, the woman personally prepared several holy dishes. The couple enjoyed a simple dinner under the bamboo in Songzhu Garden.
After dinner, they rested in the courtyard. The woman nestled in the man’s arms, bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun.
“Second Brother.”
“Hmm.”
“Thank you.”
“Why?”
“Thank you for being with throughout my life.”
“I should thank you for coming into my life.”
“Then let’s thank each other.”
“Sure.”
(THE END)
— The End —
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