Chapter 90: Your Majesty, please marry soon to bring good fortune to the Great Han

Inside the Pepper Chamber Hall of the Endless Palace, light streamed through the carved lattice windows, casting mottled, disorderly shadows, yet this bright scenery could not dispel the heavy, leaden gloom that weighed on Wei Zifu's heart.

Recently, news of the Yellow River flooding again spread like a surging tide, drowning her in endless worry and sorrow.

They heard that the torrential flood, like a beast unleashed from its chains, rampaged wildly, and in an instant the sixteen commanderies became a vast sea; the people were displaced, their mournful wails and cries echoed between heaven and earth, countless families were torn apart, homes destroyed and lives lost.

As Empress Dowager, Wei Zifu held all under heaven in her heart; the grim sight of the Yellow River flood was like a sharp blade, fiercely stabbing her heart, leaving her unable to rest or eat.

That day, Wei Zifu sat alone in the hall, holding a scripture in her hands, trying to calm her inner turmoil and anxiety by reciting the text, but the words before her eyes danced like musical notes, never coalescing into anything she could understand, her mind filled to the brim with images of the Yellow River flood.

Just then, as she drifted off, her personal palace maid whispered beside her, 'Empress Dowager, His Majesty the Emperor has come to pay his respects.'

Wei Zifu startled awake, quickly tidied her attire, and forced a gentle smile onto her face.

Liu Ju strode into the hall with steady, powerful steps, bowing deeply to Wei Zifu and saying, 'Mother, your servant pays his respects.'

Wei Zifu gazed at her son, now grown into a man of impressive bearing, and a sense of relief welled up in her heart; yet thinking of the disaster brought by the Yellow River flood, she could not help but sigh deeply and say:

"Ju, the Yellow River flood now rages, the people are deep in misery everywhere, everywhere is a scene of wailing wild geese—what can be done about this?"

Liu Ju frowned, his eyes showing firm resolve, and he spoke in a ringing, powerful voice: 'Mother, rest assured, I have clearly expressed my determination to manage the Yellow River flood in the court; I will spare no effort to return the people to a peaceful and harmonious life.'

Wei Zifu looked at Liu Ju's resolute and daring appearance, feeling both proud and pained.

She gently took Liu Ju's hand and said earnestly, 'Ju, you have this heart that cares for the people and worries for the nation; I am deeply gratified. But managing the flood is a myriad of threads, fraught with difficulties, and cannot be accomplished overnight.'

"Empress Dowager, I have been thinking lately and heard that there is a folk saying about warding off misfortune—if you marry early, perhaps it could bring good fortune to the Great Han and dispel the gloom brought by the Yellow River flood."

Saying this, Wei Zifu's eyes flashed with affection and anticipation as she continued, 'I also hope to hold a grandson soon and enjoy the joy of family.'

Liu Ju blinked in surprise, never expecting his mother to suddenly bring up his marriage.

He showed a troubled expression, somewhat helplessly saying, 'Mother, I am wholly focused on managing the Yellow River flood; I truly have no spare time for other matters. Once the flood is completely controlled, I will consider marriage then, and that will not be too late.'

Wei Zifu gently shook her head and said softly but firmly, 'Ju, these two things are not in conflict. If you marry early, having a virtuous wife by your side to assist you will also lessen your rear worries while managing the flood. Moreover, the prosperity of the imperial lineage is always a matter of national importance, not to be overlooked.'

Just then, a shrill voice from a eunuch outside the palace called out, 'Report to the Empress, His Majesty the Emperor, the officials request an audience.'

Wei Zifu and Liu Ju exchanged a glance, and Wei Zifu softly said, 'Let them come in.'

The officials filed in one by one, with Tian Qiuqiu leading the way; he knelt with a thud and said earnestly, 'Your Majesty, Empress, we have heard that the Yellow River has flooded again—this is undoubtedly a national catastrophe. At this critical moment of survival, only if Your Majesty marries early can we bring good fortune to the Great Han, pray for Heaven's blessing, and eliminate this flood disaster.'

The other officials, seeing this, also knelt down and chorused, 'We earnestly implore Your Majesty to marry early, to pacify the people and stabilize the foundation of the state.'

Liu Ju looked at the kneeling officials, amused inwardly, never expecting that these people would think of this first, just like Empress Dowager; no matter how capable they were, they could not escape the era's entrenched mindset.

At the same time, he clearly understood that many of these officials sought to use this opportunity to ingratiate themselves with him for greater familial gain.

But he could not bluntly break that barrier, so he patiently explained, 'I appreciate your good intentions, officials. However, the Yellow River flood is now severe; the people are suffering greatly, and I truly have no mind to consider marriage. Once the flood is controlled, I will certainly follow the arrangements of the Empress Dowager and you, officials.'

However, the officials had no intention of giving up just then.

Even Sima Qian, who had always followed Liu Ju, spoke with a tone full of worry and sincerity:

"Your Majesty, while the Yellow River flood is certainly urgent, the imperial marriage is equally vital. As the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, marrying early and having offspring is not only a major matter for the continuation of the imperial line, but also a blessing for the state. From the perspective of heavenly omens, Your Majesty's wedding symbolizes the harmony of yin and yang, the smooth order of heaven and earth, which plays an indispensable role in stabilizing the Great Han's fortune."

Zhang Qian also said, 'Your Majesty, among the common folk, people pay close attention to every move of the imperial family; especially your marriage would let them feel the prosperity of the imperial house, see the nation's hope and future, thereby stabilizing public sentiment.'

Zhang Tang echoed, 'Your Majesty, alas, with the flood at hand, the people's hearts are panic-stricken, the future full of fear and confusion; the Son of Heaven's marriage is like a bright lamp in the darkness, able to dispel the gloom in their hearts and give them the courage and confidence to go on living.'

"Moreover, Your Majesty has reached the marriageable age; it is proper to uphold the rites."

Chen Ying then added:

"Your Majesty, since ancient times, marriage has been a major affair for families and the state. Through marriage alliances, we can strengthen the ties between the imperial house and the great clans, promoting unity and cooperation among all forces. Now the Yellow River flood is severe; managing it requires vast manpower, material resources, and wealth, and the great clans play a crucial role in this."

"If Your Majesty marries early and forms an alliance with a suitable clan, it will not only consolidate the imperial house's position but also garner more support and resources for flood control. This will actively promote an early resolution of the flood problem and the restoration of normal life for the people."

Another official also said urgently:

"Your Majesty, the wedding is also an excellent opportunity to showcase the Great Han's strength and prestige. When the time comes, guests from all directions will come to congratulate, and envoys from all nations will gather in Everlasting Peace, allowing them to see the prosperity of the Great Han and the dignity of the imperial house. This is of great significance for enhancing the Great Han's standing internationally and maintaining peace and stability on the borders."

Wei Zifu, seeing this scene, also urged from the side, 'Ju, the officials make sense. Just listen to the Empress Dowager and settle the marriage first.'

Liu Ju looked at the Empress Dowager's earnest, expectant gaze, then at the kneeling officials, his heart full of amusement.

He, the Son of Heaven of the Great Han, was actually being forced into marriage!

He fully understood Empress Dowager's eager desire for him to marry and have a grandson, also grasped the officials' thoughts, but he truly did not want to discuss romantic affairs at this time.

Moreover, in his previous life, at this time he was still a pure young man; talking about love would have been fine, but being ordered to marry is really quite absurd!

"Now that the people are displaced, I should not be holding a grand wedding for myself."

He looked at the stunned officials, hesitated a moment, and finally said, 'Empress Dowager, officials, since that is the case, let me consider it a bit more before making a decision.'

Seeing that Liu Ju had not directly refused, the officials secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

They performed the salute again and then withdrew.

Wei Zifu looked at Liu Ju, eyes full of expectation, and said, 'Ju, just listen to the Empress Dowager and get the marriage done soon; which lady have you taken a fancy to? I will arrange it for you.'

Liu Ju nodded and said, 'I understand, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager; please be patient for a few days while I consider it.'

After Liu Ju left, Wei Zifu sat alone in the hall, silently praying for the Yellow River flood to subside soon and hoping her son would marry early to add offspring to the imperial house.

In her view, these two matters are both vitally important for the Great Han.

All she could do was to silently support her son from behind, contributing her share to the Great Han's realm and foundations.