Feng Xie rose and sat on the high seat, his face stern as he looked down. He remained silent for a long time. The imperial concubines standing in the great hall carefully lowered their heads. The chilling aura surrounding them conveyed the Emperor's intense anger.
No one dared to breathe a sound. Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing, however, remained stunned for a considerable period. They had always believed that the choice for empress would inevitably come from the Jin or Lou families. They never expected it to fall upon the Liu family.
Furthermore, the fact that the Capital's most beautiful woman and most talented woman had been defeated by the Capital's ugliest woman fueled their envy, burning like a fierce flame, yet they dared not show it in the slightest.
Liu Liu, standing among the imperial concubines, was completely petrified. Although her aunt, the Empress Dowager, had this intention, she had always believed the Emperor would not agree. Who would have thought a posthumous imperial decree from the late Emperor would suddenly appear?
Even she doubted why the late Emperor had left a decree for her to become empress. Could it truly be the Empress Dowager's and her father's wishes? Her delicate brows furrowed. She had initially wanted to live a more leisurely life in the palace, but she feared she wouldn't be able to find peace from now on. Lost in thought,
Qing An, the chief eunuch of Cining Palace, presented the brocade box to Liu Liu. He bowed respectfully and said, "This servant congratulates Her Majesty the Empress. I beg Her Majesty the Empress to accept the posthumous decree."
Liu Liu raised her head and glanced at everyone in the great hall. She saw envy, disdain, contempt, and even those who wished they could devour her flesh.
It seemed she would not have a peaceful life in the palace. She couldn't help but inwardly blame the late Emperor and her own aunt. Her intuition told her that it must have been her aunt whispering in his ear.
It was only then that the late Emperor issued the decree, bestowing this honor upon the Liu family. Since her elder sister was already married, this matter had fallen upon her.
"Her Majesty the Empress, please accept the posthumous decree," Chief Eunuch Qing An reminded her softly. Liu Liu snapped back from her deep contemplation and slowly reached out to take the brocade box.
In this situation, what else could she do? She couldn't possibly cast aside the decree, could she? She slowly thanked the Empress Dowager and the Emperor.
"Liu Liu thanks the Empress Dowager and Your Majesty."
The Empress Dowager, her face beaming with pride, waved her hand kindly. "Liu'er is virtuous and honorable, perfectly suited to be the mistress of the harem. She will surely be a mother to the nation."
Liu Liu lowered her head, rolling her eyes inwardly. Mother to the nation? She didn't covet that at all. Whoever wanted it could have it. Sharing a husband with so many women and constantly scheming, how exhausting would that be?
"Thank you for your kindness, Empress Dowager. Liu'er fears she cannot bear this heavy responsibility. I beg the Empress Dowager to withdraw the posthumous decree."
Upon hearing this, the imperial concubines in the palace widened their eyes and looked at the woman before them. Had this ugly woman gone mad? That was the most precious position in the realm, something they could only dream of, yet she refused it.
The Empress Dowager's expression soured upon hearing Liu Liu's words. Just as she was about to speak, Feng Xie, seated on the dragon throne, cast a fierce glare with his starlike eyes. He smiled without a genuine smile and said,
"Since the late Emperor issued a posthumous decree, I officially bestow upon Liu Yao, daughter of Prime Minister Liu, the title of Empress of the Tianfeng Dynasty, granting her Huaqing Palace."
As the Emperor's words fell, the Empress Dowager and the little princess Feng Wuyang on the dragon couch cried out in surprise. The Empress Dowager's face darkened.
"My son, you have gone too far! The Empress should reside in the central palace, yet you are sending her to Huaqing Palace? Huaqing Palace is adjacent to the cold palace. Not only the Empress, but even ordinary concubines should not reside there."
Feng Lie, who had remained silent by the side, also objected to the Emperor's decision. "Yes, imperial brother, how can the Empress of the Tianfeng Dynasty reside in Huaqing Palace?"
Feng Xie's finely sculpted brows knitted, his lips curled with icy disdain. He glared at his mother and his younger brother, gritting his teeth as he spoke word by word, "The late Emperor's posthumous decree did not specify where she should reside, only that she should be Empress. Am I not making her Empress?"
The Emperor's words brought joy to some hearts. Even though Liu Liu was now the Empress, she was clearly an unfavored empress from the beginning, and would eventually be deposed by the Emperor. Now, by sending her to Huaqing Palace, it was only a matter of time before she ended up in the cold palace.
In the great hall, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager's eyes blazed like torches as they faced each other. Seeing the situation, Feng Lie knew his imperial brother's mind was made up. He did not want the imperial family's affairs to escalate into a public spectacle in front of the imperial concubines. He could only look at his mother and say,
"Mother, please don't be angry. Since Imperial Brother has decided, he will not change his mind. You shouldn't be upset either."
Liu Liu, who had been feeling vexed and angry, rejoiced upon hearing the Emperor's words. So, the Emperor had granted her that place, which resembled a cold palace.
This was wonderful! She wouldn't have to live with those scheming women who vied for the Emperor's favor every day. Moreover, the Emperor must have been infuriated by today's events.
She hoped they would never see each other again, which would grant her freedom. With this thought, Liu Liu immediately bowed gracefully.
"Liu'er thanks Your Majesty for granting Huaqing Palace."
The Empress Dowager, who had intended to persist, felt somewhat appeased upon hearing Liu Liu's words and seeing Feng Lie's constant attempts to placate her. She said with a darkened expression,
"Since Liu'er says so, let it be," she declared, then stood up and walked out. Long Wuyang, seeing her mother leave, also slipped away. Her imperial brother's temper was quite cold and aloof; she didn't dare to say much. Second cousin, you'll have to fend for yourself.
Liu Liu thanked the Emperor and stood aside, holding the posthumous decree. Feng Xie cast no further glance at her, suppressing his overwhelming rage within his heart. Liu Liu, you will have no easy time in the palace.
Liu Liu watched Feng Xie's handsome features flicker with light and shadow, a fleeting coldness in his beautiful eyes, his curled eyelashes defiantly upturned.
She knew his inner fury and unyielding hatred, but she was by no means someone who feared trouble. Just because she didn't want to meddle didn't mean she was afraid. Feng Xie, if you dare to provoke me, don't blame me for not being polite, she thought with a cold snort.
Since the choice for Empress was decided, it was time to address the other imperial concubines. The Emperor swept his gaze across them, his eyes finally landing on Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing. He slowly said,
"Jin Jiali, daughter of General Jin Youtian, Grand Concubine of the First Rank, granted the East Palace, Guangyang Palace."
"Lou Sijing, daughter of Grand Tutor Lou, Virtuous Concubine of the First Rank, granted the West Palace, Changxin Palace."
The other imperial concubines remained silent regarding the ranks of Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing. The influence of these two families was comparable. They had initially hoped that the Empress would be chosen from among them, but unexpectedly, the Liu family had claimed the position.
However, the imperial concubines were not particularly concerned about the Empress's selection, as it was impossible for it to be them, so there was no reason for surprise. They were only thinking about whether they themselves would be chosen.
Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing, despite being granted high ranks by the Emperor, were still quite disappointed. They had aspired to contend for the position of Empress, only to have it taken by an ugly woman.
However, considering the Emperor's extreme disdain for Liu Liu at the moment, they still had a chance. With this realization, Jin Jiali and Lou Sijing smiled gracefully and stepped forward.
"This humble daughter Jin Jiali (Lou Sijing) thanks Your Majesty."
Feng Xie looked at the two beautiful concubines below, his heart finally easing somewhat. Beauties were indeed pleasing to the eye. A faint smile appeared on his face, and with a wave of his hand, he said concisely, "You may withdraw."