Chapter 61: Palace Coup

In the eighth year of Yifeng, in March, the results of the imperial examination were announced.

Forbidden City, Hall of Supreme Harmony

Early morning court session

Today was the day of announcing the results of the imperial examination. According to custom, if there were no major events, the early morning court session would end early.

This was because most civil and military officials had sons, nephews, or disciples participating in the imperial examination.

Therefore, on the day of announcing the imperial examination results each year, only urgent matters would be reported at the early morning court session, and other trivial matters would not be brought up on this day.

Empress Mingxing sat regally on the dragon throne wearing a phoenix robe. She lowered her eyelids, her well-maintained hand tapping the imperial desk rhythmlessly.

At this time, no more officials were stepping forward before the hall. It seemed only one word from the Empress was needed to dismiss the court.

The young Empress suddenly raised her head. She swept her gaze over the civil and military officials, took a deep breath, and finally spoke the words she had long prepared: “Tomorrow is the palace examination. It is said among the common people that there are four great joys in life: long drought meets sweet dew, meeting an old friend in a foreign land, wedding night, and having one’s name listed on the golden placard.”

The civil and military officials looked at each other, then turned to look at the Emperor seated above.

The young ruler’s voice still carried a hint of immaturity. The phoenix robe on her body, with narrow shoulders and slim waist, could not fill out the majestic image of a phoenix soaring through nine heavens depicted on the robe.

Usually during court sessions, Empress Mingxing did not speak much. But today she inexplicably detained all the officials to say such words, and they did not know her intention.

Pei Yuanshao sat to the left below the Empress. He narrowed his eyes, his gaze meeting Jing Huan sitting opposite, only to receive her meaningful smile.

A faint glint flashed in his eyes, and his right eyelid twitched three times. He turned his head to look at Empress Mingxing, immediately opening his mouth to interrupt her next words.

However, the Empress seemed to be guarding against him. She turned her gaze away and raised her voice to continue: “The day of having one’s name listed on the golden placard of the imperial examination is truly a day of great joy. How about I join in the festivities today?”

She asked and answered herself, leaving no room for objection: “The imperial harem has been vacant for years. Today, I will specially appoint an Emperor Consort, to celebrate together with all the successful examination candidates. I hereby decree that Jia Zichan, the second son of former Grand Tutor Jia Shi who served three dynasties, shall be appointed. He comes from a virtuous family of generations, and is of a gentle and refined nature. Following his elder brother, the former Emperor Consort, he has taught etiquette to the six palaces. He is chaste and upright in conduct, and will set a fatherly example for all nations. Appoint him as Emperor Consort and bestow upon him the imperial seal!”

Empress Mingxing finished speaking regardless of consequences, her palm already damp with cold sweat. She dared not look at her imperial brother’s expression beside her, her round eyes staring straight ahead. She sat upright, the picture of grace and dignity.

The court officials before the hall, however, had already fallen into chaos.

The ministers all knelt on the ground, their words earnest.

Their voices rang out in unison: “This absolutely cannot be done. We beseech Your Majesty to retract this order!”

The censors’ hands trembled with anger, their tongues stumbling as they remonstrated.

The four grand secretaries of the inner court also had grim expressions at this moment, their gazes toward Empress Mingxing complex and disappointed.

The strongest reaction came from the pro-emperor faction. Marquis Xuanping knelt at the forefront of the pro-emperor officials, shock evident on his face, nearly dropping his official tablet.

“If Your Majesty does not retract this order, we can only remain kneeling!”

The civil and military officials spoke in unison, remonstrating to retract the order, pressuring with their kneeling.

Empress Mingxing sat at the head, her eyes flashing fiercely as she violently swept the memorials off the imperial desk onto the ground.

She slammed her palm heavily on the now bare desk.

“I am the ruler of this country. An emperor’s words cannot be taken back. The edict has already been sent to the Jia residence this morning. Appointing an Emperor Consort is my own affair. Your opposition now, is it because you think I am young and have not yet taken personal control of the government? Are you rebelling?”

Empress Mingxing suddenly stood up from the dragon throne and questioned fiercely, emphasizing the words “rebelling” with extra force.

Marquis Xuanping opened and closed his mouth, meeting the Empress’s fierce gaze that brooked no objection, then closed it again helplessly. The pro-emperor faction officials behind her also felt their hearts grow cold at this moment.

They never imagined that the ruler they had worked so hard to support would be like this. They had thought that since the Empress was still young, with the Long Emperor assisting in government and them helping from the side, after some polishing over time, she could become a wise ruler in the future.

They never expected the Empress to be… not only weak and incompetent, but so foolish!

So muddle-headed, incompetent and fatuous, indulging in lust and acting recklessly!

Former Grand Tutor Jia was a teacher to poor scholars across the land, with disciples all over. Even though she had retired to her hometown now, she still held a place in court.

Three years ago in that false accusation, the former Emperor Consort had not committed any misconduct, yet died in a fire due to false charges.

The Grand Tutor retired to her hometown because of this, firstly to avoid the undercurrents of factional strife, and secondly because the palace was full of heartbreaking memories.

Yet now the Empress proposed to take the Jia family’s second son into the palace. Even if they had never heard of the second young master of the Jia family before, someone born to the Jia family absolutely could not enter the palace.

Grand Tutor Jia had already lost one son and retreated to the countryside, yet the Empress still would not let her be, forcibly making her send another son…

Empress Mingxing’s actions were fatuous and lustful, neither benevolent nor virtuous.

If she was already like this before taking personal control of the government, how much more muddleheaded would she be after grasping power!

Foolish, utterly foolish!

Marquis Xuanping’s disappointment was fully evident. Braving the Empress’s pressure, he glanced at the red-robed man sitting casually on the right side of the dragon throne.