Chapter 290 - Clearance (1/2)
The Emperor continued on to say, ”As the head seer said other creatures cannot share the same sky as the dragon and the phoenix. While the practice of a full harem may have been alright with other Emperors, yesterday was a clear sign that it cannot be the case for my rule. And so, for the sake of the prosperity of the nation, I shall adhere to the will of the heavens and the harem will be cleared out today -”
Prime minister Zhao frowned, ”Your majesty, this is -!”
”Silence!” The Emperor ordered, glaring down at Prime minister Zhao and then he continued, ”The records will be amended today to accord them all the statuses of titular Princesses and they will be given the respect and all that comes with that new status. And within the next three days they shall be relocated to the Imperial residences outside the palace. Alternatively, they may return to their family home if they choos-”
”Your majesty!” Prime minister Zhao exclaimed again. This was not what he wanted.
{...What am I supposed to do with a stupid adopted Princess?!...}
”Would you have me go against the will of the heavens?!” The Emperor shouted back in annoyance, he had been tolerating Prime minister Zhao's nonsense long enough.
Prime minister knit his brows and hesitantly, ”Well, not that...but...Your majesty!” he wailed in a greatly aggrieved tone.
The Emperor then raised an eyebrow and asked, ”Or would you prefer I sent them all to Fenli temple live out the rest of their days as nuns? Would that be better?” Prime minister Zhao promptly and quietly lowered his head with a frown.
Obviously, a Princess was the better choice. In normal circ.u.mstances, it would be considered a great honor for one's child to be adopted into the royal family but a princess was really not what he wanted.
{...It obviously cannot compare to the seat of Empress, to being the mother of the next Emperor...What is a stupid princess compared to ruling an empire?!...}
”I will take this silence to mean we are in agreement...They may return home if they choose or go wherever they please with royal sanction and protection. They are free to marry whoever pleases them and their dowries will come from the royal family. Their weddings will also naturally be as grand as is deserving of their statuses as Princesses. That is my decision and it is final.”
The ministers silently bowed, all of them in questionable moods while Lei Xing stared at the Emperor with an incredulous expression, unbelieving. She honestly could not describe her current feelings right now, she was not even sure what these feelings were herself. She was drawing a blank.
”Minister of Rites...” The Emperor called and the Minister of Rites promptly stepped out and bowed, ”Your majesty...”
”Make the required preparations for their crowning, the edicts shall be sent over later today...” The Emperor calmly said and the Minister of Rites bowed, ”I will prepare accordingly Your majesty...”
”Good, then that is all for today... As for the other realizations, they will come with time. You may all leave.” The Emperor said and the ministers bowed, although some begrudgingly so and then withdrew from the hall along with the seers.
As they withdrew, Defense minister Lei cast one last glance at the royal couple on the throne to see the Emperor turning to what looked to be a confused and conflicted Lei Xing with a little smile. Defense Minister Lei inwardly sighed in relief, it seemed sending her to the palace was the right decision after all.
Lei Xing watched the departing figures of the men and remained staring through the huge doors of the main hall at the open sky even after the top of their heads disappeared down the steps.
”Xing er'...” The Emperor called but Lei Xing did not seem to hear him. So he lightly pulled her hand to get her attention and called again, ”Xing er'...?”
Lei Xing finally reacted and turned to him wide-eyed and then she frowned and went, ”What are yo- why did you do that?”