The Wise King Chapter
She had always remained within the estate, rarely venturing out.
She deliberately spread rumors of her immersion in the game of Go, aiming to cultivate an image of someone engrossed in trivial pursuits, incapable of shouldering great responsibility.
Back then, she was just a child of six or seven, and she had personally witnessed the palace attendants of Consort Shu push her sixth sister into the frigid lake.
From a young age, she was exceptionally intelligent and precociously mature. She knew she was next.
Thus, from that moment on, she began to foster the persona of a woman obsessed with Go, uninterested in the throne.
Indeed, she had narrowly escaped death.
However, Consort Shu still seemed uneasy, arranging for her to marry three consorts, two of whom were spies for the opposing faction.
During the day, she would sequester herself in her study. When her consorts visited, she would feign deep concentration on chess manuals. As soon as they left, she would slip into a secret chamber to discuss important matters with her advisors.
Finally, after years of diligent effort, most of the ministers who appeared neutral in court had become her supporters.
Before the Empress Mother passed away, she was secretly summoned to the palace by imperial decree.
In her chambers, the Empress Mother regarded her with a complex expression, her words striking her with surprise.
It turned out her mother had known all along about her clandestine efforts to build her influence.
The Empress Mother presented her with an imperial edict, the contents of which appointed her successor to the throne.
"Hui'er, I know you have been wise since childhood. After you ascend to the throne, spare their lives."
These were the Empress Mother's last words to her.
The following day, the Empress Mother passed away.
She produced the imperial edict and, surrounded by a throng of ministers, became the new Empress. By the time her other sisters and consorts realized what had happened, it was already too late.
In accordance with her mother's wishes, she did not enact widespread executions. Instead, she stripped them of all their power and banished them from the capital to serve as idle princes in other prefectures.
Families that had supported her sisters were no longer favored by the court; indeed, she secretly suppressed them.
Two of her previous three consorts were relegated to the cold palace, making the expansion of the harem an urgent matter.
Families that had remained neutral or sided with her began sending their eligible young members into the palace.
She did not rush to appoint an Empress or consorts. Instead, she had them first receive tutelage from Eunuch Luo. After a period of observation, she personally selected an Empress and three consorts.
Her third consort, whom she had taken to avoid spies while not arousing suspicion, hailed from a humble background. Now, elevating him to the rank of "Pin" was considered a great imperial favor.
Young Master Cui, on the other hand, came from one of the prominent families in the capital. He was the legitimate son of Lord Cui. While his status was not the absolute highest among the young gentlemen, it was still quite respectable.
What she admired most was his erudition, his understanding of propriety, and his discretion. She found solace in his company; such should be her Empress.
Thus, she bestowed the title of Empress upon him.
Tong'er sometimes appeared lonely. After much questioning, she learned he missed his younger brother.
Speaking of Cui Qingluo, she knew that he had already married Nian Sicheng.
Her first encounter with Nian Sicheng was at his wedding to her eighth brother. She was pleased with this woman who married her own brother.
Unexpectedly, there was now another connection.
A sudden curiosity struck her, so she took Tong'er with her to Qingzhou.
Upon entering Qingzhou, she was surprised by its tranquility. With the invasion of demons, although each prefecture had its Demon Extermination Department to maintain order, the populace lived in constant fear for their lives.
Therefore, as she passed through other prefectures, the streets were somewhat desolate, and people dared not walk outside.
Qingzhou, however, was no different from before the demon invasion.
The citizens strolled casually through the streets, their expressions relaxed, with smiles gracing their faces, showing no apparent concern for demonic threats.
The guards blocking their entry to the Nian Residence were instantly brought to their knees when her escorting guards presented a token.
She stopped the guards from announcing their arrival and entered the residence directly with Tong'er.
As soon as she stepped into the courtyard, she saw the Nian Sicheng, revered by the populace, reclining in her eighth brother's embrace. Her eighth brother was gently fanning him with a palm-leaf fan.
A man with a bright, striking appearance and a man with cat-like eyes crouched on either side, vying to feed him fruit.
A man of exquisite beauty held a little girl, pointing at the koi in the pond as if explaining something.
A man of upright posture and heroic features, and another man with a face like white jade and an ethereal demeanor, each held a small boy's hand.
They were teaching the children to walk.
The last man, an elegant scholar with a refined aura, held a jade flute, its melodious notes echoing through the courtyard and resonating in the heart.
Witnessing this scene of peaceful domesticity, she couldn't help but sigh: this brother's spouse enjoyed life more than she, the Empress…
(To my dear readers, I have written an extra chapter beyond the original estimate. The author thanks you for your continued companionship and support. I also wish all readers who have come this far ever greater beauty, to make handsome men unable to look away, and handsome men unable to tear their gaze. The story concludes here. Hooray! ヾ(✿ﾟ▽ﾟ)ノ)
— End of the entire story.