Chapter 1084: Demoting a Wife to a Concubine
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Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
The emperor’s words carried weight. Since the decree had been issued, how could there be any reason to change it? This was on the account that she had some relationship with the emperor. She even wanted to control the emperor.
Previously, Princess Liyang had privately looked for the Eldest Princess, which had already angered the emperor. He had also lost his patience with Empress Ning. Did she still want to see the emperor? The country had just been settled, and the emperor was busy with political matters every day. He felt that it was not enough to spend the rest of his time by the Empress’s side, so how could he have time to see her?
No matter how smart a person was, once they were in the face of power, their brains would not be clear.
The corners of Yin Huaixi’s mouth twitched. “Make a trip personally. I’ll give them three days to move out of the palace and into the palace courtyard I’ve given them. How can an empress of the previous dynasty live in the Central Palace?”
Although he and Yao Yao did not live in the Yi Kun Palace and planned to eat and live together in the Chengqian Palace like ordinary husband and wife, the Yi Kun Palace was a place in the Central Palace. Regardless of whether they lived there or not, it represented Yao Yao’s honor. How could she let others occupy it?
It had been three days since the emperor’s imperial decree was issued.
Madam Ning, the Madam of the Rong Nation, lived safely in Yi Kun Palace. She looked after the flowers and gra.s.s every day and was free.
However, Princess Qiuli, who lived with Yi Kun Palace, was not in such a good mood.
She had been raised in the palace as a legitimate princess since she was young. Previously, when her aunt wanted to arrange for her to become Emperor Zhaoyong’s concubine, she was also unhappy.
The Ning Residence had suffered annihilation because of Emperor Zhao Yong and his father.
Her aunt also did her best to support Emperor Zhaoyong to the throne.
Emperor Zhaoyong had to remember the efforts of the Ning Residence and his aunt and confer her the t.i.tle of Empress.
However, her mother advised her, “The marriage between King Yue Fei and Eldest Princess Shaoyi was bestowed by the previous Empress Dowager. The three books and six etiquettes are more than thorough. Marriage is not a child’s play. At this point, there’s no reason to cancel the marriage!”
She was indignant. “Doesn’t King Yue Fei want to change the dynasty? At that time, there’s no need to respect the decree of the Empress Dowager of the previous dynasty. If they can’t call off the marriage, can’t he demote his wife to a concubine? Anyway, they haven’t even arranged a marriage. It’s still flattering him to say that he’s demoting his wife. It’s not like there hasn’t been such a situation in history. Mother, you’ve helped the emperor ascend to the throne and worked hard…”
“Shut up.” Empress Ning’s expression was solemn as she stopped her. “The previous Empress Dowager was famous for her virtue. King Li of Zhou and his son have always been indebted to her. No matter what, King Yue Fei has to be grateful for her kindness. He can’t disobey. There’s no room to change the marriage.”
“In short, I don’t want to be a concubine.” Princess Liyang was still very indignant. She pursed her lips and looked unhappy. “The imperial concubine is also a concubine. When she sees the empress, she still has to bow. Who is Yu Youyao? Is she worthy of worshiping me? She’s just the daughter of an external minister. Do you want me to be under her feet for the rest of my life? When have I ever suffered such grievances in the past?”
Empress Ning sighed slightly. “I don’t want to wrong you either, but when King Yue Fei formed a relationship with the Eldest Princess, the two of them were childhood sweethearts, and they shared joys and sorrows. Their relationship was very deep. The Eldest Princess’s reputation for being virtuous was widely spread throughout the world, and the subsequent position was given to her by everyone. The Yu Clan is loyal and resilient, and they’re also extremely famous among the people under the heavens. The emperor’s contribution to pacifying the Northern Barbarians and the Eldest Princess Shaoyi’s external family is also indispensable. No matter how you look at it, Yu Youyao is the best choice for the Empress.”
What did the Ning Residence have?
They were just living under the new emperor’s nose. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have schemed so painstakingly.
In the end, it was still Yu Youyao’s fault.
If it weren’t for Yu Youyao’s reputation as a virtuous person and the Xie family’s wealth that could rival a country to stabilize the situation in the North, how could King Yue Fei have easily calmed the North?
If it had been any later, she would have been able to plan to help the Fourth Prince ascend the throne and marry Liyang to a general with a large army. With military power in her hands, she would have been able to firmly hold the new emperor in her palm and enjoy the status of Empress Dowager forever.
In the end, the situation was better than the person.
No matter how much she thought, under Yin Huaixi’s ambition, she could only abandon her p.a.w.n to protect the carriage.
Although she was dissatisfied, Princess Liyang still accepted this arrangement and obediently went to Xiangping City under Empress Ning’s arrangements.
It wasn’t until the capital had just been settled that Princess Liyang would return to the capital and move into the Yi Kun Palace. She had originally planned to take advantage of the fact that Eldest Princess Shaoyi hadn’t returned to the capital to visit a nearby pavilion.
When Eldest Princess Shaoyi returned to the capital, everything was already set in stone, and it was no longer up to her.
Princess Liyang was scheming. She had also thought of all kinds of opportunities to create a chance to “meet” Emperor Zhaoyong.
However, she did not expect that she would not even have the chance to approach Emperor Zhaoyong.
Her mother had also used excuses to ask to see Emperor Zhaoyong time and time again, wanting to create an opportunity for her and Emperor Zhaoyong. She had always been rejected by Eunuch Zhu because the emperor was busy with state affairs.
With this, Yu Youyao was dragged into the capital. Emperor Zhaoyong simply did not return to the palace. He moved into the Eldest Princess’s residence without any scruples and even “moved” the Hall of Diligent Governance into the Eldest Princess’s residence.
Even after Yu Youyao was registered, Princess Liyang had not seen Emperor Zhaoyong.
Once, when she was really indignant, she went to the Chenggan Palace to ask to see Yu Youyao. She wanted to meet Emperor Yongzhao openly in the name of knowing Yu Youyao.
However, she was blocked outside by the guards of the Chenggan Palace. “The emperor has ordered that no one in the Yi Kun Palace is allowed to approach the Chenggan Palace. Those who disobey will be executed immediately.”
She was so frightened that she collapsed to the ground on the spot. She asked the palace servants beside her to support her and escape.
The next day, they received an imperial edict from Emperor Zhaoyong.
Her mother had been conferred the t.i.tle of Madam of the Rong Nation and was given another residence outside the palace.
She conferred the t.i.tle of Princess Qiuli.
She would also address her “mother” as her aunt.
“Aunt, what should we do now?” Princess Qiuli did not want to leave the palace. She had lived in the palace since she was young and was already used to being high up in the air. “I can’t even see the emperor…”
The Madam of the Rong Nation accidentally cut off the bud of a spring tea. “Are you anxious now? You’ve finally made me rest easy.”
Princess Qiuli lowered her head.
“Back then, I sent you to Xiangping City because I hoped that you could befriend the Eldest Princess. No matter what, there’s still a path in the future. Who knew that you would be so anxious? The Eldest Princess is from a n.o.ble family, and her personality is the most unyielding. How can she be controlled by a mere ‘Princess’ like you? Why don’t you think about it? How can your schemes compare to the Eldest Princess, who has been living under her stepmother since she was young? Her intelligence and shrewdness are comparable to Emperor Zhaoyong’s.”
Yin Huaixi was proud and arrogant. Not everyone caught his eye.
She had not lost to Yin Huaixi.
Instead, she lost to Yu Youyao.
If it weren’t for Yu Youyao promoting the planting of sweet potatoes and encouraging the raising of silkworms in the North, allowing the North to alleviate the lack of supplies, King Yue Fei wouldn’t have been able to escape the restraint of the n.o.bles so easily. If it weren’t for Yu Youyao promoting green fertilizer and animal husbandry techniques in the North, Yin Huaixi wouldn’t have had the confidence to launch an army all the way to the desert.
Without the support of the Xie family’s wealth, the drought and snow disaster in the North would not have pa.s.sed safely, causing the cohesion of the North to reach its peak.
Then, the population in the North increased, revealing an unprecedented prosperity.
All of this created a powerful opportunity for Yin Huaixi to pacify the Northern Barbarians.