Chapter 135

This is the first day after Yan Donghuang officially ascended the throne. The civil and military officials, dressed in their formal attire, knelt and bowed, shouting, “Long live the emperor.”

Yan Donghuang sat on the dragon throne, looking at the civil officials led by Prime Minister Pei and Grand Tutor Qi. They all lowered their heads respectfully, but respect did not mean loyalty. During the struggle for the throne among the princes, the court was divided into factions.

The interests between the princes and officials, which had been planned for many years, were deeply rooted and interconnected. It was almost impossible to make them completely loyal to the new emperor.

Yan Donghuang’s gaze shifted to the military officials. Today, General Xie Yunjian and General Qin Yang were present, along with four elderly generals, the oldest being sixty and the youngest just over fifty. They were all generals who had followed the emperor’s father in battle and achieved great merits. Now, they were either dukes or marquises.

Yes, besides the Sheng family’s Duke Zhen, there were also the Zhou family’s Duke Wei, the Yun family’s Duke Wu, and the Li family’s Marquis Zhenbei.

Emperor Wu Lie, in his youth, generously bestowed titles on those who achieved great merits in battle. At the peak of his military achievements, he conferred three dukes and two marquises in one day. Although these dukes were now old and had retired from the battlefield and the center of power, their past prestige remained formidable.

Yan Donghuang turned her head and glanced at the position of the Minister of Personnel, and then her gaze fell on the princes.

Yan Ming, Yan Wei, Yan Yu, Yan Ying, and Yan Ling were all present, except for Yan Zhang, who was confined to his mansion and not allowed to enter the palace for three months. The five princes standing in the court had five different hearts.

How many ministers in the court were backed by their hidden forces?

Yan Donghuang knew well that sitting on the throne did not mean her position was secure. The seemingly solid kingdom was actually full of hidden dangers and crises. She calmed herself and spoke calmly, “Rise, everyone.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty!”

“I ascended the throne yesterday, and I will make some adjustments to the Qingluan Army,” Yan Donghuang said calmly, her tone steady. “Since the time of my grandfather, the Yong Dynasty has always valued both civil and military officials. The military and the army are indispensable forces for the strength of the Yong Dynasty.”

“The Qingluan Army is the army I brought out. I will still decide the promotion and selection of military officers.”

“I hope the Qingluan Army will continue to be strong, protect the country, and deter strong enemies from invading!”

The officials bowed, “Long live the emperor!”

Yan Donghuang held the armrest of the dragon throne, her voice carrying more authority, “I cannot tolerate any sand in my eyes. You receive the court’s salary, and I hope you will do your work diligently and not harbor any improper thoughts.”

“I am not a bloodthirsty demon, but I am not a soft-hearted person either.”

“Those who are capable will be heavily used, and those who are not will be discarded. I hope you all understand!”

The officials knelt and respectfully shouted, “Long live the emperor!”

Yan Donghuang said indifferently, “If there is anything to report, do so. If not, the court is dismissed.”

As soon as she finished speaking, a minister spoke up, “Your Majesty, now that you have ascended the throne, the urgent matter is to fill the harem—”

“What is the purpose of filling the harem?” Yan Donghuang looked at the Minister of Personnel who spoke, her expression stern. “In the past, emperors filled the harem to ensure the continuation of the royal lineage. The concubines in the harem were all women, some could bear children, and some could not. What is the purpose of me filling the harem? Can you men bear children?”

The Minister of Personnel was at a loss for words, then argued, “Men cannot bear children, but… but women cannot give birth without men…”

“So?” Yan Donghuang’s voice was cold, “Does that mean if I select ten men to enter the palace, I can have ten children in a year?”

The Minister of Personnel looked embarrassed and quickly lowered his head, “I… I didn’t mean that…”

“Or are you suggesting that I should get pregnant early and stay in the palace to nurture the fetus, giving you men a chance to seize power?”

The Minister of Personnel turned pale with fear and hurriedly knelt, “I dare not. I absolutely did not mean that. Please understand, Your Majesty!”

Yan Ming listened to Yan Donghuang’s words, glancing sideways at the kneeling Minister of Personnel, and suddenly had a thought.

Yan Donghuang would have to bear children sooner or later. For a woman, giving birth was like passing through the gates of hell…

“The matters of the harem do not need your concern,” Yan Donghuang’s tone was cold and firm. “At the beginning of my reign, the court’s affairs are busy. I hope you will focus on your duties and not act like gossiping women, always watching my harem! I care about my kingdom and heirs more than you do.”

The Minister of Personnel’s face turned from white to red, and he knelt silently.

The civil and military officials followed suit, “Long live the emperor!”

Yan Donghuang coldly repeated, “If there is anything to report, do so. If not, the court is dismissed.”

The ministers, lowering their heads and restraining their tempers, began to report their matters one by one, and no one mentioned the selection of concubines again.

The atmosphere in the hall was solemn, and the entire process of the meeting was nerve-wracking.

After the court session finally ended, Yan Donghuang summoned a few ministers to the Qin Zheng Hall. The other ministers breathed a sigh of relief, unconsciously wiping the cold sweat from their foreheads, and weakly walked out of the hall.

Chen Wenli, the Left Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Rites, walked to Yan Ling’s side and spoke proactively, “Prince An used to have a good relationship with Her Majesty.”

Yan Ling’s expression stiffened slightly, and then he smiled nonchalantly. “The past is the past. Now that Her Majesty is the emperor, there is a distinction between ruler and subject. It is no longer appropriate for me to address her as a sibling.”

“It’s not necessary to address her as a sibling,” Assistant Minister Chen said, turning his head to look around, then lowering his voice. Her Majesty does not plan to select concubines for now, but she did not say that people cannot be sent to her.”

Yan Ling’s eyes moved slightly, and he spoke calmly, “What do you mean, Assistant Minister Chen?”

“My youngest son is eighteen, handsome and outstanding, gentle and considerate, a good temperament for serving people,” Assistant Minister Chen smiled meaningfully, “Didn’t Her Majesty take in a few male concubines in anger last year? I heard that those few did not please Her Majesty and have been learning the rules in the palace, not having officially met Her Majesty even once.”

Yan Ling was moved, “So Assistant Minister Chen wants to send your son to serve Her Majesty?”

“That is my intention.”

Yan Ling was silent for a moment, then slowly nodded, “I will think of a way.”

“Thank you, Your Highness. I will await your good news,” Assistant Minister Chen bowed and left.

Chapter 136

After the court session, Yan Donghuang issued a decree. Qi Fangfei, the granddaughter of the Grand Tutor, known for her outstanding knowledge, grace, kindness, broad-mindedness, and loyalty to the country, was appointed as an attendant at the Qin Zheng Hall, given the rank of sixth grade and made a female official before the Emperor. She became the first female official with an official rank in the Yong Dynasty. Chang Lan and Chang Yue were appointed as female officials before the Emperor. Yuan Ziying was appointed as an imperial physician with the rank of sixth grade. Although all were female officials, Chang Lan and Chang Yue served the Emperor in her daily life and managed the palace maids, while Qi Fangfei was an official who could participate in state affairs, with different responsibilities. Meng Zhou was appointed as the imperial eunuch. Yan Donghuang’s first official task for him was to bring Sheng Jing’an into the palace. Meng Zhou received the order, had the inner court prepare a sedan chair for the entry, and then led people to the Duke of Zhen’s mansion.

When the old madam of the Sheng family learned that her son was to serve the Empress in the palace, she froze, then her face turned pale with anger: “The Emperor is too much!”

“What does serving the Emperor mean? Isn’t it just being a male concubine? Even if Jing’an is not her fiancé, he is still the legitimate son of the Duke’s mansion. How can she… how can she…”

Sheng Jing’an signaled her to lower her voice and comforted her, “Mother, calm down. This is something I am willing to do.”

“You are willing?” The old madam turned her head, looking at him in disbelief, “You are the only heir of the Duke’s mansion, Jing’an. How can you be so foolish? Even if the engagement is canceled, you should marry and have children normally. You can’t become a male concubine serving others.” What about the inheritance of the Duke’s mansion? Whose children will they be in the future?

“Mother, don’t worry.” Sheng Jing’an helped her sit down and said softly, “I am doing this for the future of the Duke’s mansion.” The old madam was stunned, “What do you mean?”

“Although it is a bit humiliating now, if we don’t endure it, she will not let us go.” Sheng Jing’an sat beside her, his expression gloomy, “Mother, do you remember when we invited Yan Donghuang to our mansion last year?”

The old madam nodded, her expression ugly, “She became the crown princess, her status more honorable. Naturally, she wouldn’t give a face to an old woman like me.”

“No,” Sheng Jing’an shook his head solemnly, “She heard from somewhere that we wanted to poison her, intending to harm her, so she didn’t come. Later, she imprisoned me in the Grand Princess’s mansion for this reason.”

The old lady was shocked and stood up unconsciously, “What did you say?”

“Mother, calm down,” Sheng Jing’an comforted her, “Attempting to harm the crown princess is a capital offense. No matter who instigated it in front of her, once she believes I intend to harm her, do you think the Duke’s mansion can survive?”

The old madam was horrified. She sat down weakly, her palms cold with sweat.

Poisoning the crown princess? Who had such a venomous heart to frame the Sheng family?

Although she… although she couldn’t accept the Grand Princess becoming the crown princess and thought it was a joke, even attempting to harm an ordinary princess was a capital offense. She indeed had unrealistic thoughts of suppressing Yan Donghuang, worrying that she would not respect her as a mother-in-law after marriage. But she never dared to think of harming the Grand Princess. Moreover, now that the Grand Princess had become the Emperor, if she believed the Sheng family intended to harm her, she would find a reason to execute the entire Sheng family sooner or later.

The more the old madam thought about it, the more restless she became, her face turning pale: “Jing’an, what should we do? Think of a way…”

“Mother, I am already thinking of a way,” Sheng Jing’an said gently, “The Empress sent Eunuch Meng to fetch me, but there is no explicit decree, so being a male concubine should be temporary. As long as I enter the palace, I can be closer to her and find a way to clear up the misunderstanding. Moreover…” He paused, a dark gleam in his eyes, “Moreover, I already have a marriage contract with her, arranged by the late Emperor and my father. Now, not only does she not honor the marriage contract, but she also makes me, a dignified son of a Duke, enter the palace as a male concubine. This will cause dissatisfaction among the officials and ruin her own reputation.”

The old madam didn’t quite understand his meaning. If his purpose in entering the palace was to clear up the misunderstanding, how would ruining Yan Donghuang’s reputation benefit him? Or perhaps… after clearing up the misunderstanding, could Yan Donghuang be pressured by the officials to fulfill the marriage contract with Jing An, making him the legitimate husband? But even as the legitimate husband, any children Yan Donghuang bore would still carry the Yan surname, not the Sheng surname. Wouldn’t the Sheng family face extinction?

“Mother, don’t worry too much for now,” Sheng Jing’an clearly understood what his mother was concerned about and patiently reassured her. “The urgent task is to protect the Sheng family and make the Emperor believe that I have no intention of harming her. As for what happens in the future, we’ll take it one step at a time.”

The old madam nodded quickly, “You’re right. The urgent task is to ensure our survival. Once you enter the palace, be humble and respectful, talk to her properly, and don’t provoke her anger again.”

“I understand, Mother,” Sheng Jing’an nodded and then said, “I’ll go change my clothes and head to the palace. Mother, try not to go out recently. The Emperor has just ascended the throne, and we need to be cautious in our words and actions.”

For the son of a Duke to offend the Emperor and be forced to enter the palace as a male concubine was a humiliation for any noble son. Even though Yan Donghuang hadn’t issued a direct decree, many in the noble families of the capital knew about it, and the women in the inner chambers would gossip terribly. It was best for his mother not to go out, to avoid seeing and hearing things that would upset her.

“Alright, I’ll listen to you,” the old madam said.

Sheng Jing’an sighed lightly and got up to leave. As he walked out of the courtyard, he encountered his sister, Sheng Chuyue, who was hurrying over. Before she could speak, he raised his hand to stop her, “Don’t ask anything. Stay home and take good care of Mother these days.”

Sheng Chuyue looked uneasy but nodded, “Okay.”

Sheng Jing’an walked away. As he reached the deserted corridor, his expression gradually turned cold, his eyes dark and filled with calculation.

A male concubine? How could he willingly be a male concubine? He didn’t even care for the title of Emperor’s husband. What he wanted was to bring glory to his ancestors, to be a man who stood tall and inherited his father’s Duke title, not to be a woman’s subordinate for life. He wanted to make the Sheng family a century-old noble family in the Yong Dynasty. To achieve this, he needed to gain the Emperor’s favor.

Did Yan Donghuang really think he would submit to her? What a joke.

He wanted to dispel her suspicions, use their past relationship to soften her heart, gradually gain her trust, and restore their relationship. If he could make her pregnant, that would be ideal. At that time, wouldn’t it be the best way for both of them to die together?

Even if he couldn’t make her pregnant…

Sheng Jing’an’s eyes darkened. In any case, Yan Donghuang wouldn’t hold the throne for long.