Noble Son-in-Law - Chapter 54

Chapter 54

Li Zhi ascended the throne under the watchful eyes of both civil and military officials.

Once he became emperor, Li Zhi stripped the wives, concubines, and children of the executed crown prince of their titles and reduced them to commoners.

He promoted the third and fourth princes to kings, allowing them to move out of the palace while still enjoying the privileges of royalty.

Li Zhi also arranged for the childless concubines of the deceased emperor to return home to their families. In addition, he issued a series of imperial decrees aimed at lowering taxes for the people. He instructed soldiers nationwide to refrain from disturbing the citizens, which helped him gain their support.

While the public was easily won over, some officials proved to be a different challenge.

Several ministers, including Shen Qingqing’s grandfather Shen Qushenge and Shen Tingkai, resigned. Li Zhi made genuine attempts to persuade them to stay, but ultimately, he couldn’t change their minds. Feeling helpless, he sent them off with generous gifts.

Meanwhile, some military generals with their own troops tried to march into the capital to rebel. However, Li Zhi was well-prepared, and the 800,000 imperial guards were ready to follow his commands at any time.

To fully stabilise the situation, it took a whole year. And only then did Li Zhi truly play his role as emperor.

Xi’an Palace.

Shen Qingqing walked into the hall with little Niuniu and spotted Old Lady Zhu, now the Grand Empress Dowager, sitting on the Luohan bed. She was chatting with her granddaughter, the previous Noble Concubine Chen, who was now known as Princess Chunning.

After the previous emperor’s passing, Noble Concubine Chun was supposed to be elevated to Imperial Concubine Dowager. However, with Li Zhi took the throne, he chose to overlook the ministers’ objections and granted his sister the title of Princess, which also elevated his two nieces to princess status. 

This decision was one of the few actions made by Li Zhi after becoming emperor that drew significant criticism.

Alongside Princess Chunning and the two young princesses, Jiang Yiyue was also present. She was sitting across from Old Lady Zhu. Upon seeing Shen Qingqing, Jiang Yiyue quickly rose and respectfully greeted her as “Empress”.

Shen Qingqing took another look at Jiang Yiyue. Although Li Zhi’s two cousins were already married off, Jiang Yiyue remained with Old Lady Zhu in the palace. Now, at sixteen, Jiang Yiyue had blossomed into a stunning young woman. Others would sympathise with her creamy complexion and large, expressive eyes, which were frequently cast down shyly.

Whereas Jiang Yiyue had seemed like a child two years ago, she had now transformed into a graceful and captivating young lady.

It was a bit surprising that Old Madam Zhu had a special fondness for Jiang Yiyue, even more than for her own granddaughter. 

Amidst his busy life, Li Zhi once selected a young man from a prestigious family to marry her. However, before Jiang Yiyue could express her interest, Old Madam Zhu turned him down, disapproving of his laid-back attitude. Although the man was clearly talented, he chose not to take the imperial exams and lived a carefree life. So Old Lady Zhu said the man was unworthy of her Yiyue.

Shen Qingqing believed that Mr Xie, whom Li Zhi had selected, would be a perfect match for Jiang Yiyue. After losing his parents, Mr Xie was raised by his uncle, Duke Chu. Once he came of age, he found the strict rules of the Duke’s Mansion stifling and opted to live in a house his parents had left him. He preferred to spend his time at home, often playing the piano.

If Jiang Yiyue were to marry Mr Xie, she wouldn’t have to mingle with others or deal with her elders’ criticisms. Both of them appreciated elegance and sophistication, making them a truly harmonious couple.

Unfortunately, Old Lady Zhu was completely against the idea, and Li Zhi couldn’t change her mind. Shen Qingqing could only feel a sense of pity for Jiang Yiyue in silence.

“There’s no need to be so formal, sister,” Shen Qingqing said with a smile.

Jiang Yiyue straightened up, and her gaze landed on the two-year-old Princess Niuniu.

The peonies were in full bloom lately, and Niuniu adored them. She wore a peony flower every day when she went out. The little girl had a tiny head, but the flower she wore was larger than an adult’s fist, making her look incredibly adorable.

“Niuniu looks so beautiful today.” Jiang Yiyue bent down and praised the little girl softly.

Seeing Princess Chunning, Niuniu dashed away from Jiang Yiyue and ran towards Princess Chunning with a bright smile. The little girl adored her aunt and wasn’t fond of Jiang Yiyue.

Just last month, while playing in the garden, Niuniu met Jiang Yiyue. Unaware of Jiang Yiyue’s illness, the little princess eagerly invited Jiang Yiyue to join in on viewing the peach blossoms. Despite the maids trying to stop her, Jiang Yiyue spent a long time with Niuniu outside. Then she fell ill as soon as she returned to Xi’an Palace.

After that incident, Old Lady Zhu scolded Shen Qingqing. Niuniu heard about it from the palace maids and decided not to bother with Jiang Yiyue anymore.

“Aunt!” Niuniu expertly wrapped her arms around Princess Chunning’s neck.

Princess Channing smiled and gave her niece a kiss. “Niuniu, have you missed your aunt?”

Niuniu nodded enthusiastically.

Just then, the third princess approached them, gently touching her cousin’s face. “Did Niuniu miss me too?”

Niuniu nodded again.

The two little sisters began chatting earnestly while the adults watched with smiles. The hall fell silent only when the wet nurses took Niuniu and her sisters out to play.

Shen Qingqing settled next to Princess Chunning.

With concern, Princess Channing asked, “Is the emperor still as busy as ever?”

Shen Qingqing nodded, recalling Li Zhi’s words from the night before. “But it’s just for a few days. Last night, the emperor mentioned wanting to properly celebrate Grandma’s birthday,” she said a bit excitedly.

The Old Lady Zhu’s 65th birthday was at the end of the month.

Princess Chunning had a mix of emotions when she thought about her brother. Last year, Emperor Qingde was bedridden and refused to see her. She had already accepted her fate, but she never anticipated her brother would stage a rebellion! As his younger sister, Princess Channing knew that her brother was quite shrewd, not the noble and honourable figure he pretended to be. Yet, he actually rebelled—and he actually pulled it off!

Surprisingly, Princess Chunning held no grudges against her brother, even after he was responsible for her children’s father’s death. She believed that if her two daughters had to choose between their father, who wanted to harm their mother, and their uncle, who had always protected her, they would undoubtedly side with their mother and uncle. As for Emperor Qingde, she didn’t dwell on him much. The moment she knew the emperor wanted to bury her alive, any remaining affection between them was completely finished.

Now that her brother was the emperor, Princess Chunning and her daughters could enjoy a life of freedom in the princess’s mansion. Therefore, she was quite satisfied with her current life.

“Grandma, you must be thrilled! The emperor is so busy, yet he still took the time to celebrate your birthday,” Princess Channing said with a smile, turning to Old Lady Zhu.

“That’s just for appearances. At my age, if he truly respected me, he’d hurry up and fill his harem so I could have a great-grandson already,” the old lady scoffed, casting a glance at Shen Qingqing. 

When the previous emperor was alive, the old lady didn’t trouble Li Zhi much. But now that he was the emperor, Old Lady Zhu was eager to bring up her old grievances. She had initially supported Li Zhi’s marriage to Shen Qingqing to strengthen ties with Shen Qingqing’s grandfather. But now that Shen Qingqing’s family didn’t have any cabinet ministers, the old lady thought Li Zhi should have chosen a more suitable queen instead.

As the powerful Empress Dowager, Old Lady Zhu openly showed her dislike for Shen Qingqing.

Shen Qingqing had spent the last year feeling isolated, rarely seeing Li Zhi and constantly facing Old Lady Zhu’s arrogance. If it weren’t for Princess Chunning’s continued affection, she would cut off her ties with the Li family.

Before Old Lady Zhu could finish her thoughts, Princess Chunning turned to Shen Qingqing.

Shen Qingqing kept her gaze down, sitting quietly as if she had no intention of replying.

Princess Chunning felt a pang of frustration; her brother and sister-in-law had a solid relationship, so why did their grandmother have to meddle?

“Don’t worry, Grandma. The emperor has just been busy. Once he spends more time with the empress, he’ll surely fulfil your wishes,” Princess Chunning reassured Shen Qingqing.

Old Lady Zhu seemed to not understand her granddaughter’s words. She stared at Shen Qingqing and smiled. “It’s good for the Empress to be pregnant, but it would be more lively in our palace if there were more concubines, right? It’s good you could visit me. Otherwise, if it were just the empress and I, we wouldn’t even be able to play mahjong together.”

Princess Chunning frowned, wanting to say something more, but just then, a palace maid outside called out, “The Emperor has arrived!”

At that announcement, all the women in the room turned their attention to the door. The first thing they noticed was a flash of bright yellow fabric, and then Li Zhi entered confidently. The man in the dragon robe’s gentleness he once had was now replaced by an air of authority, making him seem worlds apart from the kind and graceful commander of the imperial guards he used to be.

Honestly, Shen Qingqing felt a sense of unfamiliarity with this Li Zhi. It was only during their intimate moments at night that she could still feel the remnants of their past affection.

“Grandma,” Li Zhi greeted Old Lady Zhu with a smile and a bow.

Old Lady Zhu’s eyes brightened, and she asked with curiosity, “What brings you here today?”

As Shen Qingqing stood from her seat, Li Zhi sat where Shen Qingqing had been sitting and started talking, “I’ve finished going through the memorials and heard my sister was here, so I wanted to check in on the kids.” 

Princess Chunning nudged Shen Qingqing to sit next to her brother and added, “The young ladies are gone to the Imperial Garden to play. They can’t stay inside all day.”

Li Zhi felt a wave of relief seeing his sister looking healthy and vibrant. However, when he glanced at his young wife beside him, he noticed Shen Qingqing had her lips pressed together, looking unhappy.

“Your Majesty, you came at the right time. We were just discussing selecting beauties to fill your harem. How about you set a date?” Just as Li Zhi was wondering what happened to his wife, the old lady chimed in.

Li Zhi instantly understood why his young wife was unhappy.

But it was not only his grandmother who urged him to take part in the selection of concubines. The ministers of the previous dynasty were also urging him to take part in the selection, and it was inevitable sooner or later.

“There’s no rush for the talent show. Let’s wait until after my grandmother’s birthday and then choose a day to prepare.” Li Zhi said casually.

‘Did the eldest grandson agree?’ Old Lady Zhu was over the moon.

Jiang Yiyue on the side also moved her fingers gently.

Upon hearing that, Shen Qingqing stared at her husband, the emperor, in a daze. When Old Lady Zhu mentioned the selection, she thought Li Zhi would at least look at her before making a decision. But he agreed directly without any hesitation or embarrassment as if the selection were a matter of course for him.

But that was true. He was the emperor, so of course she couldn’t be the only one in his harem. 

‘Some promises are valid for the commander of the imperial guards, but they lose their meaning when it comes to the emperor.’

Shen Qingqing felt a chill all over her body.

Suddenly, she felt a hand on hers. Following the scarlet sleeve, she saw the lovely face of Princess Chunning, who was silently offering her comfort.

Shen Qingqing found comfort in that simple gesture.

Princess Chunning was there, offering her silent support. Indeed, Shen Qingqing felt reassured.

Even though Emperor Qingde was quite old, Princess Chunning had managed to endure. She was fortunate that Li Zhi was young and charming.

With a smile directed at Princess Chunning, Shen Qingqing’s troubled expression quickly settled into calmness.

However, when Li Zhi visited the palace again that night, Shen Qingqing treated him the same way.

Once the maids had left, Li Zhi pulled her into his embrace, gently pinching her chin while flashing a smile with his captivating phoenix eyes. “Who upset you this time?” 

Shen Qingqing scoffed. ‘Really? Now that he is the emperor, he thinks I would be in the mood to help him pick out women.  He must be dreaming!’

End of chapter 54

Have a nice day!