Chapter 91: Going to Cining Palace to Select the Empress

The most crucial thing was that, according to historical records, this Empress Zhang was very beautiful.

As for romance and love like in later court novels, Zhu Youxiao didn't even think about it.

He was the Emperor; he didn't have that privilege. Willfulness didn't belong to him.

Having a beautiful Empress who was also obedient and sensible — that was already good enough.

Feelings could be cultivated later anyway; marrying first and falling in love afterward was actually quite convenient.

Setting the name card aside, Zhu Youxiao said to Li Huan, "I understand the matter. Go back and report to the Consort Dowager — once everything is prepared, just let me know, and I will come over."

Though he had already chosen Empress Zhang in his heart, the process still had to be followed.

But it was simple enough — basically, it was choosing one out of three.

When the time came, all he had to do was point at Empress Zhang.

As for the remaining two, one Noble Consort position each was unavoidable.

Marrying three wives at once — thinking about it, he felt a little excited.

Hearing Zhu Youxiao's words, Li Huan felt a sudden relief in his heart, and the smile on his face grew even brighter. He quickly said, "Rest assured, Your Majesty. This servant will return at once to report to the Consort Dowager."

Zhu Youxiao nodded and waved his hand, signaling him to withdraw.

Li Huan bowed and backed out of the room.

After Li Huan had left, Zhu Youxiao let out a soft sigh.

Things having reached this point, he didn't really care much about it.

Though it was choosing an Empress for himself, Zhu Youxiao's attitude was not enthusiastic.

He didn't care about this matter — what Zhu Youxiao cared about were the affairs at court.

Right now, the entire court was waiting for him to make his move. The Donglin Faction appeared to be sitting quite steadily, but in truth, they were already buffeted by wind and rain.

Though the Donglin Faction was powerful and had many members, their opponents were not few either.

The forces at court were tangled like roots and vines — it was hard to tell who was who.

Zhu Youxiao had no interest in sorting out those things either.

What he needed to do now was to screen out who was standing on his side.

As for how to screen them, Zhu Youxiao was already prepared.

Over the next two days, Zhu Youxiao spent all his time listening to Chen Kedao's lectures.

Naturally, the news spread out.

His Majesty was refining alchemical pills, and at the same time listening to Chen Kedao's lectures.

For a moment, the court and the public were in an uproar.

Countless people began submitting memorials admonishing Zhu Youxiao, while simultaneously impeaching Luo Sigong, the Regional Military Commissioner of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

But as for all of this, Zhu Youxiao simply pretended not to see it.

Toward Chen Kedao's doctrines, Zhu Youxiao displayed tremendous interest.

At the same time, toward Chen Kedao the man himself, Zhu Youxiao also seemed to show great favor — not only were rewards bestowed without end, but he even personally sent people to escort him to and fro.

For a moment, the entire capital felt like a storm was brewing.

Zhu Youxiao flipped through the routine memorials before him, and a smile appeared on his face.

Sure enough, there were still people who knew what he was trying to do.

Over the past few days, there had been quite a few such impeachment memorials, all saying the same thing — impeaching the Donglin Faction for forming cliques for private gain, impeaching Yao Zongwen and others for colluding with Xiong Tingbi.

In one sentence: begging Your Majesty to punish them severely.

This round of impeachment had an extremely wide reach, directly dragging in Sun Shenxing, Minister of the Ministry of Rites, and Zhao Nanxing, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Works.

After reading these memorials, Zhu Youxiao roughly understood.

This was a large-scale counterattack.

Clearly, some people had seen that he was about to make a move against the Donglin Faction, and these people had directly begun kicking them while they were down.

Of course, kicking them while they were down was only one aspect; the other aspect was pledging their loyalty to him.

Their actions were like standing there hopping and jumping, saying, "Look at me! Look at me! I am utterly loyal! I'm willing to do anything! Promote me quickly! Promote me quickly!"

Toward this kind of behavior, Zhu Youxiao naturally welcomed it.

Sure enough, in this world, there were never few clever people.

All he had to do was put on a bit of a show, toss out a few scraps, and these people would jump out on their own.

Setting the memorial in his hand aside, Zhu Youxiao tapped the table expressionlessly.

The timing was about right — he could begin making his move.

But first, he still needed to stir up some big commotion.

"Your Majesty, the Consort Dowager's side has sent word over. The preparations are mostly complete. Would tomorrow be acceptable as the date?" Chen Hong walked up to Zhu Youxiao's side and said cautiously.

Zhu Youxiao nodded.

The matter of the Empress could indeed be put to rest for now.

Once the Empress was chosen, he could have his grand wedding. Then he would have something new to keep himself busy.

As for the business of ruining people, he could leave that to Wei Zhongxian and the others — there was no need for him to appear personally.

"Go tell Her Ladyship the Consort Dowager that tomorrow is no problem." Zhu Youxiao nodded and said.

Chen Hong dared not delay and immediately turned to report to the Consort Dowager's side.

Nothing else happened that day.

The next morning, Zhu Youxiao rose quite early. Under Chen Hong's attendance, he ate breakfast, then changed into a new set of clothes, and led his retinue to Cining Palace.

By the time Zhu Youxiao arrived at Cining Palace, everything there had long been prepared.

Consort Dowager Zhuang led her attendants to receive Zhu Youxiao.

Inside the palace now, Zhu Youxiao was the true sovereign.

This was not because of his status as Emperor, but because everyone in the imperial palace who dared to cause trouble was already dead.

Zhu Youxiao was a young emperor—before he ascended the throne, even Consort Li had dared to detain him. One can see what attitude the imperial palace held toward the young Tianqi Emperor.

Since Zhu Youxiao had come, he naturally would not allow such things to happen.

In history (as recorded), Consort Li had colluded with Madam Ke and Wei Zhongxian, stirring up storms within the harem.

True or false, Zhu Youxiao naturally would not allow such things or anything similar to happen in the harem.

So ever since ascending the throne, Zhu Youxiao had been purging the harem.

Zhu Youxiao could not forget how his own father had died.

One must know that his father's health had been fairly good—it was Noble Consort Zheng who found eight women for his father, accompanying him in wild debauchery for several days straight, bedding eight women in a single night.

Doing such a thing—let alone for a father who was an Emperor that rarely exercised, even the various fitness enthusiasts of later generations probably could not withstand it.

Doing this continuously for several days, a person would probably be about done for.

Not to mention all the wine and drugs—the medicines of this era were not Viagra.

Even Viagra has very, very serious side effects—it might well cause sudden cardiac arrest and death.

Zhu Youxiao had no desire to die inexplicably.

The original Tianqi Emperor had died young, and Zhu Youxiao always felt there was something behind it.

Perhaps it was Madam Ke's doing, perhaps someone else's—it didn't matter.

As long as he thoroughly cleaned up the harem.

That would be enough.

Moreover, Zhu Youxiao also trusted the Empress Zhang he was about to select—she was a woman with capability, and also a woman who understood the bigger picture.

As long as he supported her, she would be able to take charge in the harem.

This was the place where he lived—he had to ensure his own safety.

He had no desire to die inexplicably.