lcionline Chapter 492 The Emperor's Heart is Unfathomable, His Sworn Sister is Crowned Empress!
Chapter 492 The Emperor's Heart is Unfathomable, His Sworn Sister is Crowned Empress!
Several days later, the Eastern Jin army returned in triumph to the capital.
The emperor personally led civil and military officials out of the city for ten miles to welcome them, rewarded the three armies, and distributed prizes according to their merits.
The atmosphere in the Golden Palace was lively.
"Gu Junze, the garrison commander of Pingzhou, is both wise and brave. He defeated the Northern Yan and brought glory to our nation. He is hereby promoted to Duke of Zhenguo, with a fief of ten thousand households. This is the imperial decree!"
As the eunuch's shrill voice fell, the entire court gasped.
Duke Zhenguo!
This is the youngest duke since the founding of the Eastern Jin Dynasty!
Gu Junze's face was ashen. He stepped forward, cupped his hands in thanks, and said, "Your subject accepts the decree and expresses his gratitude."
Behind him, all the generals of Pingzhou smiled, feeling honored.
"General Gu's wife, Chu Ruohan, remained calm in the face of danger, offered valuable advice, and even used extraordinary techniques to dismantle the enemy's ghost soldiers. Her contributions are invaluable. Therefore, she is hereby granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady... So be it!"
Another reward was bestowed, and the court officials were abuzz with discussion.
Having performed such a remarkable feat, she was directly granted the title of First-Rank Imperial Lady, an honor that even many concubines in the imperial harem could not attain.
Chu Ruohan stepped forward with Gu Junze and bowed gracefully: "Your Majesty, I thank you for your great kindness."
After leaving the palace to express their gratitude, the former general's mansion now bears a brand-new plaque that reads "Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion," with gold lettering on a black background, exuding an extraordinary grandeur.
Chu Ruohan didn't bother with pleasantries with everyone and went straight to Chu Yueshu's residence in the inner courtyard.
They had been away from the capital for three months, and then spent more than a month in the barbican. Counting the days, Yue Shu should be due to give birth in a little over a month.
As soon as they stepped into the courtyard, they saw Chu Yueshu walking slowly, supported by her maid.
Her belly was swollen and her figure was much rounder than before.
"Sister!" Chu Yueshu's eyes reddened when she saw Chu Ruohan, and she quickly took a few steps forward.
"Slow down, slow down!" Chu Ruohan rushed forward and carefully supported her. "You're about to give birth, and you're still so careless."
"Sister, it's good that you're back safe and sound, it's good that you're back safe and sound." Chu Yueshu held her hand, her voice choked with sobs, tears streaming down her face.
These days, although she is in the capital, her heart is constantly preoccupied with the war in the north, and she often has nightmares at night.
"Silly girl, why are you crying? We're back safe and sound, aren't we?" Chu Ruohan wiped away her tears and helped her sit down on the soft couch in the corridor.
"Quickly, have Doctor Qian take your pulse," Chu Ruohan instructed.
A moment later, Dr. Qian withdrew his hand.
"Madam, rest assured, the second young lady's pregnancy is stable, and both mother and child are safe," Doctor Qian replied, rising to his feet.
Chu Ruohan breathed a sigh of relief and then carefully reminded Chu Yueshu of many things to pay attention to during her pregnancy.
The two sisters were having a private conversation when a steward rushed in to report: "Madam, someone from the palace has arrived, saying they are here to deliver an imperial decree to you."
Chu Ruohan was slightly taken aback, but then she realized that the official decree for bestowing the title of Lady must have arrived.
She led everyone in the mansion to set up an incense table in the front hall.
An elderly eunuch held up a bright yellow imperial edict and read aloud the decree conferring upon Chu Ruohan the title of First-Rank Lady of the State, and bestowed upon her the corresponding crown, robes, golden book, and imperial seal.
"Your subject, Chu Ruohan, kowtows in gratitude for Your Majesty's grace. Long live the Emperor!" Chu Ruohan respectfully accepted the decree.
The entire Duke Zhenguo's mansion was filled with a joyful atmosphere.
When the masters are glorious, those of us who serve them also feel honored.
Even if they go out, people will look at them with more respect just because they are servants of the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion!
As evening fell, Chu's parents also arrived. Seeing their daughter wearing the court robes that symbolized her first-rank imperial consort, they were so moved that tears streamed down their faces.
"Good, good! Ruohan, you are the pride of my Chu family, you truly bring glory to our family!"
Chu's father held Chu Ruohan's hand and kept praising her.
Back then, he only hoped that his daughter could find a good family and live a peaceful life.
Who would have thought she would have such glory today...
Several days later, at the pilgrimage temple.
The Eastern Jin Dynasty had just experienced a great victory, driving away the threat from the Northern Yan. At this time, the emperor and his ministers were of one mind and their morale was high.
Emperor Zhao Yunci, sitting on the dragon throne, was unusually quiet today. He did not discuss state affairs first, but instead calmly swept his gaze over the officials below.
The atmosphere inside the hall was subtle, with all the officials trying to guess the emperor's intentions.
"My lords," Zhao Yunci began slowly, his voice carrying clearly throughout the hall, "today, I wish to establish an empress."
The entire court was immediately in an uproar, with whispers and murmurs filling the air.
The selection of an empress is a major national event, concerning the very foundation of the country, yet not a word of it was leaked beforehand. Which noble lady has the emperor taken a fancy to?
Several high-ranking officials with daughters of marriageable age were filled with mixed emotions, a mixture of anticipation and unease.
"I wonder which family's daughter Your Majesty favors?" An old minister couldn't contain himself and stepped forward to ask.
Zhao Yunci's gaze fell on him, and she said calmly, "The person I wish to make Empress will not be from a prestigious family."
Not from a prestigious family?
The officials were even more surprised and uncertain.
"When I was a monk, I was once rescued by a woman in a moment of danger," Zhao Yunci said with a hint of reminiscence.
“At that time, I had nothing and was in a difficult situation. It was she who gave me food and clothing and helped me without expecting anything in return, which enabled me to get through the crisis.”
"This woman is intelligent and kind-hearted, of pure character. She saved my life and we share a deep and abiding love..."
“My mind is made up. I will make her my empress to repay her kindness and to comfort my heart.”
As soon as he finished speaking, the court fell into an eerie silence.
Moments later, a tidal wave of opposition surged forth.
"Your Majesty, you mustn't!" The Grand Tutor stepped forward, trembling, tears streaming down his face. "The Empress is the mother of the nation, required to be a model for the world and to rule the harem. How can a commoner like me bear such a heavy responsibility?"
“The Grand Tutor is absolutely right!” The Minister of Personnel stepped forward immediately. “Since ancient times, empresses have all come from noble families, are well-educated and reasonable, and have a noble status.”
"If we were to make a village woman our empress, wouldn't the world laugh at our Eastern Jin Dynasty for having no one capable of ruling?"
"Your Majesty, please think again!"
"Your Majesty, please choose another virtuous and capable person!"
In an instant, everyone in the hall knelt down, all expressing their opposition.
They weren't questioning the woman's character, but rather they knew that a commoner woman with no connections and no knowledge of court etiquette would have no chance of survival in the treacherous imperial harem.
Not to mention assisting the monarch and stabilizing the country.
Zhao Yunci's expression gradually darkened, and her fingers under the dragon robe tightened slightly.
He knew there would be opposition, but he hadn't expected the resistance to be so great.
Just as tensions were about to rise, a calm voice rang out.
"Your Majesty is holy."
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and saw the newly appointed Duke Zhenguo, Gu Junze, slowly walking out from the ranks of military officers.
He stood tall and straight, his face stern, his gaze calmly sweeping over the officials kneeling on the ground.
“Duke Zhenguo, you…” The Grand Tutor was stunned.
Gu Junze ignored him and walked straight into the hall, bowing to Zhao Yunci.
"I have heard of the woman Your Majesty speaks of. She is of noble character and kind heart, and has done Your Majesty a great favor. She is indeed a rare and virtuous woman."
He paused, his voice not loud, but clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"To be honest, this woman is also my sworn sister."
Adopted sister?
The adopted sister of the Duke of Zhenguo!
This news shocked the court officials even more than the emperor's decision to make a commoner woman his empress.
Everyone knows that Gu Junze is currently enjoying the Emperor's favor, wields considerable military power, and wields immense influence in the court.
His sworn sister's status and position were far beyond that of an ordinary woman.
Those officials who had been speaking eloquently were now dumbfounded, looking at each other, unsure of how to respond.