Chapter 144: Xu Miaoyun Ranked Fourth Among the Ten Historic Virtuous Empresses—Well Deserved Yet Still Insufficient!

【The sound of the celestial veil rose again, solemn and austere.

Summary: Xu Miaoyun, daughter of Prince of Zhongshan Xu Da, wife of the Yongle Emperor Zhu Di.

She was born into a military family, grew up in chaotic times, married a feudal prince, and finally became an empress.

In her forty‑six years of life, she witnessed dynastic changes and saw a golden age begin.

She is a wife, sharing hardships and wealth with her husband;

She is a mother, teaching her children benevolence and guiding them on the righteous path;

She is an empress, assisting the ruler with wisdom and governing the people with compassion;

She is also a warrior, donning armor to defend a lone city, single‑handedly holding back the heavens.

Beneath Beiping City, she used the Ice City strategy to halt a half‑million army, preserving the foundation of the Jingnan Campaign;

In Yongle Palace, she offered benevolent counsel to the resolute ruler, laying a humane governance for the grand blueprint of the prosperous era.

Without Xu Miaoyun, could Zhu Di have seized the world?

Without Xu Miaoyun, could Zhu Gaochi have retained the crown prince's position?

Without Xu Miaoyun, could the Yongle golden age have been so brilliant?

History has no "ifs"; we only know that at the most perilous moment of the Ming dynasty, a woman stepped forward and upheld half the realm.

Behind the brightest splendor of the Yongle era lies an empress who silently contributed, nourishing ten thousand miles of rivers and mountains.

With a woman's body she performed a husband's duties, achieving unparalleled feats.

Therefore, ranking her fourth among the ten historic virtuous empresses is well‑deserved, though still not enough!】

The scene on the celestial veil gradually contracts, finally freezing on a portrait.

It is a portrait of Xu Miaoyun in court attire, dignified and beautiful, features like a painting, with a faint smile at the corner of her mouth.

【Beside the portrait, golden characters appear:

"Guard a city and set the throne; assist a generation to usher in peace."

"A benevolent heart shines like sun and moon; filial virtue moves heaven and earth."】

【Golden light swells, and the solemn voice sounds again, resonating across the universe.

Gu Xianren specially bestows the following rewards upon Ming Empress Xu Miaoyun:

Reward One: Increase her lifespan by thirty years.

(This added lifespan can be allocated freely, allowing her to witness the full scope of the Yongle golden age. If she wishes, she may share it with loved ones to bask together in heavenly grace!)

Before the words finish, a golden pillar of light descends from the celestial veil, piercing straight through the Forbidden City.

Within the pillar, specks of golden radiance fall like rain, sinking into the Qianqing Palace.

Zhu Di feels a warmth spread through his body, the lingering hidden pains from years of campaigns slowly fading away;

Zhu Gaochi finds his breathlessness and chest tightness from obesity greatly eased.

Xu Miaoyun feels a warm force surge into her limbs and bones, the weakness, fatigue, and shortness of breath that tormented her for years being brushed away by gentle hands.

She takes a deep breath, experiencing unprecedented comfort in her chest.

"Miaoyun?" Zhu Di asks anxiously, looking at her.

"Your servant..."

She pauses, raises her hand to look, and says, "It seems... I'm fine?"

Zhu Di's throat rolls, and he suddenly pulls her into his arms.】

【Reward Two: Steam engine schematics.

Fulfilling her lifelong wish to "cherish the people's labor," this device can replace oxen and horses, transforming the toil of the masses into lasting benefit!

A scroll, neither silk nor paper but shimmering with metallic luster, drifts down, hovering in mid‑air of the Qianqing Palace.

It depicts exquisitely intricate mechanical structures: cylinders, pistons, flywheels…

Though he does not understand it, Zhu Di instantly sees that its power far exceeds human or horse strength.

【Reward Three: A world map.

Allowing her to see beyond the four seas, there are still ten‑thousand‑mile oceans and endless territories. Zheng He's treasure ships that sailed westward should now have even farther destinations!

Another massive scroll unfurls, showing not the traditional Ming "Map of All Under Heaven" but a spherical world diagram.

The Ming realm occupies only a corner, while the vast oceans and unfamiliar continents dazzle the mind.

Zhu Di suddenly rises, staring intently at the expansive sea and distant land on the map.】

【Reward Four: Nationwide grain output multiplied fivefold.

With this heavenly grace, repay her lifelong dedication to the people's welfare.

The granaries, far surpassing those of the Wenjing era, ensure Ming never again faces famine, and all people enjoy perpetual peace and health!

Once this blessing is issued, not only in the Qianqing Palace but across the entire Ming realm, every field sees crops sprouting, filling, and ripening at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Rice ears grow heavy, wheat waves roll, and crops that normally take months to mature are harvested instantly under the golden light.

Elderly farmers kneel in the fields, and city dwellers cheer exuberantly.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Di releases Xu Miaoyun, turns, and looks up at the heavens.

He takes a deep breath, straightens his attire, and solemnly, slowly, bows until his hand touches the ground.

"Zhu Di... on behalf of Miaoyun, thanks the immortal for the generous gift!"

Zhu Gaochi, Zhu Gaoxu, Zhu Gaosui, and all ministers, guards, and palace staff in the hall kneel together, following the emperor, performing the grand ceremony of three kneels and nine kowtows toward the celestial veil.

"Thanks to the immortal for the generous gift! Thanks to the celestial veil for its grace!"

The sound shakes the Forbidden City, reaching straight to the clouds.

Xu Miaoyun stands before the crowd, looks up at the celestial veil, watching her own portrait slowly retract and disappear into the sea of clouds.

She suddenly smiles.

It was not the Empress's dignified, proper smile, but the heartfelt smile that the girl had many years ago in the Yan Prince's residence in Beiping.

"Your Majesty," she said softly.

Zhu Di straightened up and turned to look at her.

She stepped forward, adjusted his collar, and, like the picture on the heavens' curtain, gave a slight, low smile: "I… can stay with Your Majesty for a long time."

Zhu Di's eyes reddened, yet he smiled.

He grasped her hand, interlacing all ten fingers, and embraced her.

The two held each other in front of the crowd for a while before releasing their hands.

Immediately, Zhu Di began issuing orders:

"Summon Zheng He."

"The heavens grant a map; the world is vast, far beyond my imagination. Prepare the next expedition to the Western Seas, doubling the fleet's scale. I will see how much territory beyond this great sea can be incorporated into the Ming domain!"

"Ministry of Works: gather all skilled craftsmen across the realm to study the heavens‑granted diagram of the 'steam engine.' If this device succeeds, our Ming's national strength shall surpass all ages!"

A series of commands were issued, and in the eyes of the emperor, who was in his prime, a fierce flame burned.

He turned his head and looked at Xu Miaoyun.

She was also looking at him, her eyes showing a hint of worry, but mostly trust and support.

"Miaoyun," Zhu Di said softly, "I will create an age that far surpasses the Han and Tang flourishing eras."

"You will forever be the Empress of Ming, my sole wife."

Xu Miaoyun gently nodded, her eyes full of yearning.

Morning light first broke, illuminating the brand‑new Forbidden City and the rising Ming dynasty.

【The sun and moon, mountains and rivers endure; the Ming realm endures.】

【With feet treading ten thousand li of mountains and rivers, and the sun and moon shining overhead, anyone who offends Ming, even from afar, shall be punished!】

【No marriage alliances, no reparations, no ceding land, no tribute; the Son of Heaven guards the borders, the king dies for the state.】

【Expel the Hu barbarians, restore China, establish order and record history, aid the people.】

【I was once a commoner of Huai‑Right; what more can the world give me!】

【Mountains and rivers now hold the Chinese lands; the sun and moon reopen the Song heavens.】

【Purify the desert, awe the civilized and the barbarians; wherever the sun and moon shine, where frost and dew fall, none shall disobey.】

(If anyone has a bold Ming proclamation image, you can show it now—ദ്ദി˶•̀֊•́)✧)