459: Altering the imperial edict

Huang Renzhong knew this was his only option.

He took a deep breath, suppressing the shock and panic in his heart, bowed, and spoke in a slightly hoarse voice:

“Your subordinate... obeys the command. However, time is short, and if there are any omissions...”

“Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures.”

Mysterious Clarity Master patted his shoulder, his tone containing a hint of encouragement, yet also an undeniable pressure:

“The priority is to stabilize the situation and complete the Grand Ceremony. For the specific details, you must handle them flexibly. The Sovereign and this National Preceptor both trust Minister Huang's capabilities.”

“Yes!”

Huang Renzhong gritted his teeth and accepted the order.

Mysterious Clarity Master said no more, turned, and left the Ministry of Rites Office.

After he left, Huang Renzhong immediately turned and issued a series of urgent and clear instructions to the subordinate officials waiting outside the door.

“Guards! Immediately transmit my order: all Section Chiefs and Clerks, gather immediately in the Document Office to draft the imperial edict changing the New Empress candidate!”

“Notify the Imperial Clothing Bureau to immediately halt the production of Noble Consort Xia's Phoenix Crown and Embroidered Robe, and work through the night to rush the production of Empress Auspicious Robes to Noble Consort Liu's measurements!”

“Send an edict to the Post House, informing the Envoys from Various Nations about the change in the New Empress candidate; the wording must be tactful!”

“Also, go to the Imperial Household Department and retrieve Noble Consort Liu's detailed records; bring them to my desk immediately!”

Instructions, one after another, flew out like snow flakes.

The normally orderly Ministry of Rites Office instantly turned into a state of chaotic emergency.

Meanwhile, deep within the Imperial Palace, inside the Imperial Study.

Li Xuan was sitting opposite the Minister of Revenue, Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu.

Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu was a shrewd man; the moment he saw Li Xuan's expression, he knew the matter was settled.

He no longer hesitated, prostrated himself on the ground, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement and sobs:

“Your subject... Your subject thanks Your Majesty for your Great Favor! Your Majesty trusts your subject so much, trusting my humble daughter—your subject is overwhelmed with gratitude!”

He knocked his head three times heavily, his forehead hitting the cold Imperial Paving Stone with a dull thud:

“Your subject swears here and now that henceforth I shall dedicate my life and soul, loyal to Your Majesty, serving the Tianqi Dynasty until my dying breath! If my humble daughter can ascend to the Empress position, she will surely uphold the Empress's Virtue, assist Your Majesty, stabilize the Imperial Harem, and never fail Your Majesty's high expectations!”

“Rise.”

Seeing him like this, the frustration in Li Xuan's heart finally dissipated somewhat.

He needed the support of the Liu Family, and the Funds and Provisions from the Ministry of Revenue, to stabilize his Imperial Throne and counter the pressure brought by Situ Jun.

And Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu's loyalty was precisely what he needed most at this moment.

Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu stood up trembling, still keeping his head lowered, not daring to look directly at the Imperial Face.

His back was soaked with sweat, but a fire seemed to ignite in his heart.

With his daughter becoming Empress, the Liu Family would instantly become the most prominent Family in Tianqi—an honor he had never dared to dream of.

Li Xuan took a sip of tea and said with a complex expression:

“The Grand Ceremony is tomorrow, and time is pressing. The Ministry of Rites is already rushing preparations. When you go to see Liu Airu later, remind her not to panic; I will handle everything.”

“Your subject obeys the Imperial Decree!”

Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu quickly responded, his voice full of reverence:

“Your subject will certainly instruct my humble daughter well, so that she can prepare with peace of mind and not fail Your Majesty's Sacred Grace.”

He paused, then added:

“Your Majesty, rest assured, although the Ministry of Revenue's Treasury Vaults are not exactly overflowing, your subject will properly arrange the rewards and Ceremonial Procedures expenses required for tomorrow's Grand Ceremony, ensuring not the slightest omission!”

Li Xuan nodded in satisfaction:

“With your promise, I am relieved.”

Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu bowed again, his tone sincere:

“It is my honor to be able to share Your Majesty's burdens. This kindness and virtue, your subject and the Liu Family will never forget!”

Li Xuan waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw.

Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu bowed again in thanks for the Imperial Favor, then cautiously withdrew from the Imperial Study.

Before long, the draft of the imperial edict prepared by the Ministry of Rites was delivered.

Li Xuan looked at the paper draft of the imperial edict, his brows tightly furrowed.

The edict lightly glossed over Xia Wei's “Immortal Destiny,” and the lines were filled with extravagant praise for Liu Airu—“Gentle, kind, respectful, and frugal, possessing both virtue and talent, having served long in the Inner Court, deeply cherished by Us, fit to be the Exemplar of the Six Palaces.”

Li Xuan looked at the flowery rhetoric, feeling a mix of emotions in his heart.

There was the humiliation of being coerced by Situ Jun—he was the Lord of Tianqi, yet even the Empress he appointed had to be changed.

There was the relief of finding a replacement in time—if it hadn't been for Liu Airu, the Grand Ceremony, once postponed, would have meant the complete loss of face for the Tianqi Imperial Family.

Furthermore, there was a hint of anticipation for the new patron he was about to gain—Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu controlled the Ministry of Revenue's Funds and Provisions, and with the Liu Family's support, he, the Emperor, could straighten his back a little more.

Li Xuan gritted his teeth, picked up the Vermillion Brush, his fingertips trembling slightly, and drew a heavy circle on the edict draft.

“Approved. Immediately announce it to the Royal Capital and inform all parties. The Grand Ceremony... proceeds as scheduled!”

That afternoon, Three Quarters past Wei Hour (2:45 PM).

Several swift horses, carrying the new imperial edict and Announcement, galloped out from the side gate of the Imperial Palace, heading towards all corners of the Royal Capital.

The riders on horseback wore the Armor of the Imperial Guards, holding Gilded Tokens, and pedestrians quickly moved aside wherever they passed.

The swift horses stopped beneath the Official Walls at the four city gates and major intersections; the riders dismounted swiftly, tore down the old appointment edicts, and replaced them with the new Announcement.

At the same time, dozens of Eunuchs, carrying His Majesty's Verbal Decree, rushed to the Post Houses where the Envoys from Various Nations were staying, as well as the Manors of important Court Officials.

Furthermore, officials from the Ministry of Rites, holding Gongs, loudly proclaimed the latest Imperial Family Announcement throughout the streets and alleys of the Royal Capital.

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor Decrees—”

The officials' voices, clear and majestic, penetrated the noisy crowds and spread to every corner of the Royal Capital.

“Noble Consort Xia Wei, originally designated for elevation, is Gentle and Virtuous by Nature, Prudent and Self-Restrained. However, due to a Heaven-Bestowed Marvelous Destiny, she possesses a Cultivation Spirit Body and extraordinary Aptitude, which was observed by an Emissary of a Hidden Immortal Sect passing through, and whose talent was also recognized by City Lord Situ of the Northern Frontier. This is an Excellent Material for Immortal Cultivation, rarely seen in a thousand years. If she were confined to the Inner Court, it would truly be a failure of Heaven's grace, and might also incite covetousness from other nations, which would be detrimental to Tianqi. Although We are extremely reluctant, in order to fulfill the Imperial Consort's supreme Immortal Destiny, and for the long-term benefit of the state, We specially permit Noble Consort Xia to resign the Empress position and follow the Immortal Master to the Mountain Gate to wholeheartedly cultivate the Dao and pursue the Great Dao of Immortality.”

“Your Majesty, whose Sacred Heart is Benevolent, moved by her Sincerity in Seeking the Dao, specially grants her request, bestowing a quantity of Gold and Silk, and a quantity of Spirit Medicine and Magical Artifacts to aid her journey, and commends the Xia Clan for being Loyal to the Sovereign and Mindful of the State.”

“The candidate for the New Empress in the appointment Grand Ceremony originally scheduled for tomorrow is changed to Noble Consort Liu Airu. The Liu Clan originates From a Prestigious Family, she is Gentle and Well-Behaved, Capable in Managing the Inner Court, has served long in the Inner Court, and is deeply cherished by Us, fit to be the Exemplar of the Six Palaces. Her father, the Minister of Revenue, Minister of Personnel Liu Wenshu, Serves with Utmost Devotion and is a Pillar of the State. Now that The Central Palace is Vacant and The Foundation of the State Awaits Consolidation, after careful deliberation between Us and the Court Officials, and with the Ancestral Temple Divination Yielding Good Fortune, We specially appoint Noble Consort Liu Airu as Empress, to be Mother to All Under Heaven. The appointment Grand Ceremony will proceed tomorrow morning on the original Auspicious Date. Respect this!”

As soon as the Announcement was released, the Royal Capital erupted in an uproar!