Reborn Lady - Chapter 367
Empress Xu had reiterated these principles to her son numerous times before. Feeling that she had conveyed all that was necessary, Empress Xu turned her gaze towards the door and instructed, “Let your sister come in.”
With that, the Crown Prince and his consort stepped back, allowing the Eldest Princess to enter in their place.
The Eldest Princess has been crying into tears.
Empress Xu gazed at her daughter, tears welling in her eyes. “My dear, I am most sorry for you. Zhao Mao’s words are truly unforgivable. You should consider divorcing him in two years. Do not continue to endure such injustice.”
The eldest princess shook her head gently. “Please do not dwell on it, Mother. My only desire is to be by your side and care for you.”
Empress Xu understood that her sons and daughters were now grown and had their own thoughts and aspirations.
After the Eldest Princess left, she was replaced by the four princes and four princesses.
Empress Xu instructed the four princes to be filial to their father and to assist him in his duties. To the four princesses, she imparted the importance of taking good care of their husbands and children.
Next, it was the turn of the Second Princess and the Third Princess.
The Second Princess, Wei Shan, had already become a mother, and she and her husband lived in harmony, so there was little need for Empress Xu to offer further guidance.
However, for the Third Princess, Wei Ying, Empress Xu felt both pity and affection. Recognizing Wei Ying’s desire to serve the people, Empress Xu focused on advising her on how to be a compassionate princess who genuinely cared for the welfare of the people.
The grandchildren had all gathered, and Empress Xu had the opportunity to see them once more.
There were indeed many grandchildren.
Empress Xu held a special fondness for those born in the Yan Palace.
She reiterated to her eldest grandson, Da Lang, the importance of being a good older brother and caring for his younger siblings in the future.
Eighteen-year-old Da Lang burst into tears and nodded solemnly.
Once the children had left, Empress Xu expressed her desire to see Emperor Yongping and the four concubines.
Emperor Yongping sat by Empress Xu’s bedside, tightly holding her hand.
The four concubines knelt by her side, each overcome with tears.
Empress Xu smiled and addressed them tenderly, “After I pass away, the Emperor may choose new attendants to serve in the palace. I won’t be here to see them, and I feel uneasy entrusting the Emperor’s care to them. We sisters have spent many years serving the Emperor together. I understand that each of you has your own temperament—some may be gentle, others quiet or cheerful—but you all share the same devotion to the emperor. After I’m gone, it’s imperative that you work together to manage the harem, ensuring that the Emperor doesn’t worry about its affairs. You must also remind the Emperor to take care of his health and not overwork himself.”
The four concubines nodded in agreement, tears streaming down their faces.
Empress Xu then turned her gaze towards Emperor Yongping.
Unbeknownst to him, Emperor Yongping found his garments soaked with tears.
Empress Xu devoted her remaining strength to imparting wisdom to her husband. Having been married for nearly forty years, she was the person most acquainted with Emperor Yongping. Aware of his temper, she cautioned against impulsive actions that could tarnish his reputation as a wise ruler. From matters of state to family affairs, Empress Xu leaned against Emperor Yongping’s chest, her voice fading, her breath weakening, until her final lament, “It’s a pity that this wasn’t Pingcheng.”
Emperor Yongping cradled Empress Xu’s face against his, shielding his tears from the four concubines as he wept uncontrollably.
In the winter of the fifth year of Jinghe, the Empress succumbed to illness.
In the rainy south of the Yangtze River, Emperor Yongping conferred a posthumous title upon his wife, naming her Empress Renxiao.
To honor Empress Renxiao’s memory, Emperor Yongping decided to wear white clothes for one year, as did his courtiers.
Emperor Yongping also instructed the Crown Prince and the four princes to serve Empress Renxiao for three years, during which time they were to wear linen clothes.
One year after Empress Renxiao’s passing, Emperor Yongping ceased wearing white clothes and a faint smile returned to his face.
The Emperor was in good health and appeared youthful, so it seemed inconceivable that the position of Empress remained vacant. As a result, ministers began urging Emperor Yongping to appoint a new Empress.
During this time, Concubine Li showed exceptional attentiveness to Emperor Yongping.
Considering her status as one of the most senior members of the harem, second only to Empress Renxiao, her birth into a renowned family in Jinling, and her familial relationship as the cousin of Emperor Yongping, she thought undoubtedly that she was the top candidate to ascend to the position of Empress.
Concubine Li adopted various tactics to please Emperor Yongping. One day she personally prepared a table of Emperor Yongping’s favorite dishes, and the next day she massaged his shoulders while reminiscing about their youth as cousins. Her intentions were transparently evident on her face.
Emperor Yongping observed Concubine Li, who seemed only capable of flattery, and inwardly smiled, his lips curving upwards.
“What’s amusing, Your Majesty?” Concubine Li asked, her lips pursed.
Emperor Yongping replied frankly, “I find it amusing how you waste your time.”
Concubine Li’s complexion changed abruptly, and she retorted, “Why can’t I try?”
Emperor Yongping remarked, “Your ignorance of such matters indicates your incapability.”
Infuriated, Concubine Li returned to the Yongshou Hall.
Emperor Yongping made no effort to detain her, instead, he lay alone on the dragon couch, contemplating the women in his life.
While Concubine Li possessed more charm than others, her lack of depth and capability rendered her unsuitable for the position of the Empress.
Concubine Xian was born into a noble family, while the Guo family held significant military power. If Concubine Xian were to ascend to the throne as the Empress, their fourth child would abruptly be elevated to the status of heir, potentially leading courtiers to entertain alternative notions.
Concubine Shun was the daughter of a small family with a poor background. Although she was virtuous and courteous, her family background was too humble, and her qualifications were the lowest among the four concubines, making it difficult to win over public opinion.
Furthermore, with Empress Renxiao taking the forefront, all four of them were overshadowed.
The four concubines were deemed insufficient, and those young women who lacked any merit to their family or the court, aside from their beauty, were even more unlikely to attain such a position.
Therefore, Emperor Yongping swiftly decreed that Empress Renxiao was to be his sole empress, and he would not designate another in the future.
This decree utterly dispelled the petty thoughts within the harem, eliminated various speculations among the courtiers, and elicited praise from people across the world for Emperor Yongping’s profound affection for Empress Renxiao.
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Anyhow_Mittipao
She was a truly impressive woman. I winder how her son turned out so wrong