Read Novel Full Chapter 1683: The Coronation
Chapter 1683: Chapter 1683: The Coronation
Cui Shanggong really guessed it right. There are indeed people who want to meet the Empress.
A few days later, a lady from the Wang Family submitted a card requesting an audience with the Empress.
"Master, the Wang Family is the Prime Minister’s family."
"Does the Prime Minister’s family have a daughter of marriageable age?"
"Yes, actually, every family has daughters of marriageable age."
Su Yuanyuan nodded.
"Tomorrow, let her come tomorrow."
She couldn’t refuse the meeting, wanted to hear what was really going on.
Su Yuanyuan didn’t believe that outsiders didn’t know by now that she, the Empress, still hadn’t consummated the marriage with the Emperor.
She had already decided that if the Emperor truly wanted to consummate the marriage, she wouldn’t agree. She’d just drug him unconscious and pretend it happened, or she’d run away. Live in a faraway place. She hadn’t planned to become one of the Emperor’s women anyway.
Su Yuanyuan was also speculating that maybe the Emperor really had issues, which would be for the best.
The next day, the Prime Minister’s wife brought three girls into the palace.
The three young ladies of the Prime Minister’s family looked like blossoms and jade, much prettier than herself.
"Please rise, all of you, and sit down."
A brief silence fell over the palace hall. The Prime Minister’s wife looked at the plain-faced Empress, who had been in the palace for almost two years, still looked like a child, and even dressed in the Empress’s clothes, she seemed like a child borrowing adult’s clothes.
"Empress, I apologize for the intrusion."
"It’s fine."
The Prime Minister’s wife also felt quite speechless, it seemed if she didn’t speak, she’d just be sitting there.
"Empress, these are my three daughters. It’s quite quiet in the palace now. I thought you might be lonely. They are about the same age as you. How about letting them stay to keep you company?"
Su Yuanyuan nodded, "Sure, the three young ladies can stay for a while, but they don’t need to accompany me here."
The Prime Minister’s wife felt annoyed. Was this a dismissal? But since she agreed, they had to stay.
"Thank you for your concern, Empress."
Su Yuanyuan nodded. "Madam, I will arrange for them to stay at the Chuxiu Palace. The environment there is good."
This made the Prime Minister’s wife happy; this Empress was quite tactful.
"Thank you for your care, Empress."
Su Yuanyuan instructed Cui Shanggong to have Chen Shanggong arrange for the Prime Minister’s three young ladies.
The Prime Minister’s wife left happily; Chuxiu Palace was the closest to the front hall, offering the best chance to be near the Emperor.
Rumors were circulating that the Emperor was unwell. She had given each of the three girls helpful medicine, should they encounter the Emperor, they must try.
Other families outside were watching, surprised that the three young ladies from the Prime Minister’s family were staying. As a result, more calling cards were sent to Su Yuanyuan.
She wasn’t in a hurry to meet them, instead waited for a reasonable number to come together at once. Otherwise, it would waste too much of her time.
Cui Shanggong was at a loss regarding her master’s approach.
The three young ladies of the Prime Minister’s family paid respects daily and then wandered around the palace, though some places were arranged off-limits for them.
Cui Shanggong felt her master was merely watching the spectacle.
The three young ladies were trying everything to get to the front hall, but even with someone in the palace, it couldn’t be arranged.
Since the incident, the Imperial Palace was essentially under the Emperor’s control.
Their intentions were doomed to fail.
Five days later, the Empress invited all the ladies who had submitted calling cards.
This was the largest banquet since the Emperor’s ascension.
That’s what others thought. Su Yuanyuan only had fruits and tea prepared.
It wasn’t stinginess; she simply hadn’t planned to host a formal meal.
Over twenty young ladies competed in beauty, making Su Yuanyuan dazzled.
"Empress, will the Emperor be coming?"
Su Yuanyuan shook her head. How would she know, she hadn’t seen the Emperor for several months.
"In a few days, it’s your big day, Empress. Then you’ll see the Emperor."
Whether they understood her stance or had ulterior motives, Su Yuanyuan didn’t care. Even if she were demoted to a palace maid tomorrow, she wouldn’t mind, as long as they drove her out of the palace.
Sometimes she felt she had let down those who anticipated her adventurer spirit; others mixed well and maneuvered the harem, but she just holed up here.
A group of women together wasn’t much fun. In the end, they all requested to accompany the Empress.
Su Yuanyuan generously waved them off to stay at Chuxiu Palace.
Tan Shaoting found Su Yuanyuan’s actions quite amusing.
But it didn’t matter. He had no intention of visiting the harem.
More women meant more conflicts; indeed, there was a conflict the next day during the morning greetings.
In truth, everyone secretly looked down on Su Yuanyuan, lacking family background, just a neglected Empress.
Su Yuanyuan, watching the three quarreling young ladies, said, "Cui Shanggong, send someone to escort these three home. They needn’t return here again."
Do whatever you want, but don’t take me for a fool.
The palace quieted down. If they really were sent away like this, what of their future? Claiming they can no longer enter the palace would ruin their reputation.
The three young ladies turned pale with fright and knelt to beg for forgiveness.
"Empress, please show mercy. The day after tomorrow is your joyous occasion; there’s no need to be angry," advised Cui Shanggong.
"After the Empress’s ceremony, the three can go back; it’s also saving your face."
The others dared not speak. They once thought her a brainless and cowardly person, but now, realized a single light remark had determined the future of three lives.
Some hearts burned hotter; every young lady present had better family backgrounds, higher status, and better looks than Su Yuanyuan.
Even if she became Empress, what of it? Everyone had a chance, it just depended on who had better methods.
Su Yuanyuan cared not how they thought. She told them there’s no need for greetings in the coming days; she had no time to attend to them daily.
The next day, the Chief Eunuch came to confirm again with the Empress; after all, it was a significant affair for the entire kingdom.
Tan Shaoting reviewed the Ministry of Rites’ procedures, confident that the veteran ministers would ensure nothing went awry.
In the afternoon, the Empress’s ceremonial attire arrived. Cui Shanggong carefully inspected it twice, and only after confirming there were no issues did Su Yuanyuan try it on.
It was so heavy; the crown alone weighed a few pounds. Being Empress was laborious.
With the ceremonial attire set, she tested the shoes and socks, giving Cui Shanggong peace of mind.
"Empress, all these accessories need to be worn."
Su Yuanyuan nodded indifferently, not one to fuss over such things.
Watching her master go back to reading, Cui Shanggong thought how nice it would be if she ventured out for a walk.
There was no breakfast the next day, fearing any mishap during the ceremony.
This was Su Yuanyuan’s grievance; why couldn’t they let a person eat before such events?
Once elegantly dressed, she let Cui Shanggong handle her as needed.
Su Yuanyuan looked at the Emperor, only offering a light curtsy.
The paired couple listened to the Ministry of Rites’ ceremony official, finding it quite interesting. Though tedious, it eventually ended.