Chapter 105: Choosing a Consort?

The night was as dark as ink, and the Lady's Chamber within Never-Ending Palace was so quiet that one could hear the heartbeat.

Moonlight streamed through the carved window, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

Wei Zifu sat on the couch, playing with a string of jade pendants in her hand, yet her eyes unconsciously fixed on the hall door.

Her heart pounded fiercely, her hands trembling uncontrollably, and the jade pendant in her grasp nearly slipped from her fingertips.

Upon learning that Emperor Wu of Han was still alive, she was so shocked she felt dizzy and blurred vision.

Your Majesty is still alive? The emperor rumored to have passed away, the man who broke her heart and whom she loved deeply, is actually still alive?

So all of this was his meticulous plan?

"Your Highness, Your Majesty has arrived." the palace maid beside her whispered.

Wei Zifu waved her hand, signaling them to withdraw.

Faint footsteps sounded from outside the hall door.

"Empress Dowager, you summoned me late at night—is there something urgent?"

As his words fell, Liu Ju pushed open the hall door and entered the room.

He wore a dark red robe woven with gold dragons, his hat slightly tilted, half his face hidden, his gaze toward Wei Zifu full of concern.

Wei Zifu looked at her son, her eye sockets warming slightly.

"Sit down and speak."

Wei Zifu pointed to the cushion beside her, her voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable seriousness.

Liu Ju sat as instructed, but his gaze unconsciously swept toward the outside of the hall.

He guessed that the Empress Dowager surely knew the news that Emperor Wu of Han was still alive, but having been overly busy lately, he hadn't informed her right away, filling him with guilt.

"Empress Dowager..." Liu Ju began to say something, but Wei Zifu raised her hand to interrupt him.

"A few days ago, I already knew." Wei Zifu spoke, very solemn.

Liu Ju turned his head, looking at the unusually solemn Wei Zifu, and hurriedly said, "Empress Dowager, I have already seen Father Emperor; rest assured, all is well."

Wei Zifu's hand jerked violently, the jade pendant in her grasp nearly falling, and she slowly looked at Liu Ju, saying, "Is that so?"

"Empress Dowager, there's no need to worry." Liu Ju took his mother's cold hand, his eyes firm, and said, "Father Emperor understands the greater good; Great Han will not plunge into war again."

Tears welled in Wei Zifu's eyes as she gazed at her son's handsome face, suddenly feeling a pang of sorrow.

Over these years, her Liu Ju has grown up, becoming steady and resolute.

"Then that's good—how is Father Emperor faring?" Wei Zifu asked softly, her voice laced with worry and longing she could not hide.

"He's fine."

Liu Ju said, "He has his cousin and General Li Guang accompanying him in the Western Regions, and his body is strong and healthy."

Liu Ju paused, then added, "Father Emperor also mentioned you."

Wei Zifu's heart clenched, and she urgently asked, "Then why hasn't he come back?"

"Empress Dowager, you understand Father Emperor..." Liu Ju began, then trailed off.

"Alas!"

After a long while, Wei Zifu let out a soft sigh; she knew her husband all too well, and his not returning to Great Han was also the best choice.

Immediately she said, "Liu Ju, Empress Dowager wishes to see your Father Emperor—would that be alright?"

"Empress Dowager!"

Liu Ju suddenly raised his voice, urging, "The journey is far too long; your constitution cannot endure the hardship."

"How is my health?"

Wei Zifu frowned and cut off her son: "I am sturdier than you imagine! When I bore you, I was nearly unable to endure; now this bit of wind and frost is nothing."

Liu Ju looked at his mother, a flicker of guilt and concern crossing his eyes: "Empress Dowager speaks the truth. I am not unwilling to see Father Emperor, it's just..."

Wei Zifu gently shook her head, then her eyes shifted, a hint of mischief flashing as she said, "Empress Dowager can rely on you, but you must promise her one thing."

"Empress Dowager, please speak." Liu Ju nodded.

Wei Zifu said, "Earlier the court wanted to ward off flood disasters with a joyous marriage, urging you to wed; you said you'd think about it—have you decided now?"

Liu Ju startled, never expecting the Empress Dowager to suddenly bring up marriage—this hurdle was impossible to get past.

Such marriage pressure is indeed the same in any dynasty.

He scratched his head, gave an embarrassed laugh, and said, "What the Empress Dowager says is true. It's just... this..."

Wei Zifu looked at her son, her eyes full of affection, and said, "Rest assured, Empress Dowager will surely find you a good family's young lady; if you have someone you favor, you may also take her as a wife—to be looked upon by the Son of Heaven is a great blessing for them."

Then her tone suddenly turned solemn as she said, "The Son of Heaven's grand wedding is a matter of vital importance to the state's foundation; it not only puts our own minds at ease but also gives the court, from top to bottom, a reassurance. If delayed too long, it would instead arouse suspicion among the officials."

Liu Ju sighed, "I understand, Your Subject; I will promptly handle the marriage affair to settle the people's hearts."

Wei Zifu nodded, her heart slightly easing.

She gazed at Liu Ju's handsome visage, a hint of relieved smile touching her lips: "You've grown up; many things no longer need me to worry about for you. However..."

She paused, "If you encounter any difficulty, remember to tell the Empress Dowager. Don't bear it alone."

Liu Ju nodded heavily, "Yes, Your Subject will keep Mother's teachings in mind."

The next day.

Above the court, civil and military officials stood in rows on both sides.

Liu Ju sat upright on the throne, his gaze sweeping over the officials standing with heads bowed.

"Your Majesty!"

Tian Qianqiu's deep, resonant voice broke the silence.

He held a memorial in his hands, strides firm as he approached.

"Beloved official, what matter do you have to report?" Liu Ju slightly lifted his head.

Tian Qianqiu paused his steps, gazing at the other senior officials inside the hall: "Your Majesty, we have important matters to present."

In the hall, the officials Wei Qing, Zhang Qian, and others followed suit and stepped out of formation.

"Your Majesty!"

Wei Qing's voice was low and solemn: "Your Majesty, your ascension day is glorious, you have cleared false charges, pacified the borders, controlled floods, been wise and decisive, your achievements are splendid; the omen of a prosperous Han has already appeared."

"Yet a state cannot go a day without a ruler, the ancestral altars cannot go a day without a king. Your Majesty's marriage concerns the Han's incense lineage, concerns the court's stability; I hope Your Majesty will decide soon, to set the hearts of the realm at ease."

"What General Wei said is quite right." Jin Ridi also stepped forward, his expression solemn: "As a minister who surrendered from the Xiongnu, I deeply feel the Han's heavenly might. If Your Majesty can marry soon, it will surely pacify the hearts of the four barbarians."

Zhang Tang stood with a cold face, the hand holding the memorial slightly trembling: "Your Majesty! I have pondered day and night; now, civil and military officials throughout the court all eagerly await Your Majesty's marriage. If further delayed, it may invite gossip. I implore Your Majesty to reconsider."

Zhang Qian stepped out from the ranks, though he is over seventy, he remains vigorous: "Your Majesty, now the Han's prestige is great, yet if your marriage is not settled, I fear petty scoundrels will take the opportunity to cause trouble..."

"Not bad!"

Sima Qian stepped forward, his eyes blazing: "Your Majesty, I observe that the officials' memorials concern the foundation of the state, the ancestral altars, great righteousness, and also the people's will."

"You!"

Liu Ju laughed and cried, this must be colluded with Wei Zifu, right?

The matter of marriage, I myself don't worry about it; why are you all anxious?

He was just about to refuse.

"Your Majesty, do not hide it, this is the consensus reached after our discussion."

Wei Qing stepped forward and said: "The senior officials in court have reached unanimity; please, Your Majesty, set the wedding date soon. If you hesitate further, it will surely shake the foundation of the state."

Liu Ju took a deep breath, gazing at the stacked memorials on the table, remaining silent.

"Esteemed officials, could you grant me a few more days to consider?"

After a long while, he then hesitated and spoke.

"If Your Majesty's marriage remains undecided for a day, we will not withdraw from court for a day."

Tian Qianqiu looked at Liu Ju with righteous solemnity, and the others nodded in agreement.

"Then, as you officials say, select a day to choose eligible women to enter the palace for examination, but I have said it will be entirely up to their volition, no coercion, and as for who is chosen, that will be for me to decide."

"As for the empress position, we will first wait until I have a beloved woman, or later decide from among those women who enter the palace."

Finally, under the mutual persuasion of the officials, Liu Ju finally yielded; after all, the choice is his, and he can simply find an excuse to refuse when the time comes.

Meanwhile, a name suddenly burst into his mind.

"Shi Liangdi!"

In his previous life, the concubine of Crown Prince Liu Ju, and grandmother of Emperor Xuan of Han, Liu Xun.

The officials, including Wei Qing, in the great hall did not see Liu Ju's complex expression.

Upon hearing the Son of Heaven agree to select consorts, they all rejoiced exceedingly, shouted 'long live' in unison, and withdrew from the hall.