All of Song Song’s things piled together in Yangxin palace. His flowers and plants were raised next to empress Zhao’s Chinese roses.
The weather began to turn warm. Song Song got rid of his cotton clothes. His overcoat was also changed to a single layer. The thing that he’s been worried about all this time actually didn’t happen. No one complained to Li Xiao about removing him from Yangxin palace. The longer he lived there, the more he felt it strange.
Until one day, imperial tutor Zhao entered the palace in person to see the emperor. Because they were part of the same family, Song Song carried over the tea himself. This was when he unexpectedly heard: “Recently some of the old officials have been visiting my estate. They want the empress to accompany your majesty to court.”
Song Song stood behind the folding screen, his expression astonished. However, Li Xiao said: “Song-er is currently with child. The weather is too cold, it’s not appropriate for him.”
“But many of the officials are worried about your illness. During court, there are some things they don’t dare to speak frankly about.”
Amongst the court officials, there was no lack in officials who love to criticize publicly and speak the honest truth. However, the prerequisite was that they’re facing a normal ruler. Clearly it goes without saying, Li Xiao was far from normal.
Back when emperor Hong Ren let Li Xiao manage the affairs of the nation in his stead, people already had issues. They had written pleas to ask the previous emperor to change his decision. However, the general that returned from the frontlines suddenly revealed a secret. He was personally recommended by Li Xiao to bring troops to the frontlines. Not only that, he had also received an entire stratagem from Li Xiao. Well prepared ahead of time, he was able to foresee all of the enemy nation’s plans and movements. That was why he was able to take down seven of the enemy nation’s cities in a few short months and obtain such accomplishments.
Therefore, all of the officials became aware that Li Xiao was a very capable ruler. They had no choice but to recognize his skills and abilities. At the same time, however, they were still scared of his illness. Recently, everyone had been busy preparing for the previous emperor’s burial, so their concerns were suppressed momentarily. But it didn’t change the fact that when they wrote their report or offered their opinions in person in court, they were terrified of angering Li Xiao.
With no other choice, they went to find imperial tutor Zhao. He was Li Xiao’s blood grandfather. His seniority in the court was unmatched. At least nothing bad would happen to him if he went to talk with Li Xiao.
Li Xiao said coolly: “I have to consider this matter some more.”
“Your majesty….”
“No need to say more.”
Although they were grandfather to grandson, they were also ruler to subordinate. Imperial tutor Zhao sighed and said: “Qin family’s father and son, how does your majesty plan to deal with them?”
“There’re still some things that need to be investigated thoroughly. Then the entire Qin clan will be pulled up from its roots.”
“Careful that it’ll sway people’s trust.”
“Zhen will make sure they accept without doubts.”
Their topic changed to family business. When Li Xiao began asking about how things were going at home, Song Song finally entered, smiling: “Grandfather’s here? I just made this tea. Here, give it a try.”
“Many thanks to the empress.”
Song Song said smiling: “You should just call me by my name.”
“Etiquette can’t be forgotten.” Imperial tutor Zhao was the same as empress Zhao. However, even though he said this, he was still pretty happy to know that Song Song remembered past affections. No matter how one counted, from the older generation, the only two left today were the imperial tutor Zhao and the empress dowager. Both were getting on in years. Song Song didn’t mind being a little more intimate to make them happy.
After finishing chit chatting about family life with imperial tutor Zhao, Song Song sent him out the door. Imperial tutor Zhao said: “It’s okay, empress. It’s better to just call a servant to send me off.”
Song Song stopped and watched him leave. He turned to go back inside and saw Li Xiao with his chin propped up on a hand, gazing towards him. Li Xiao said: “Is there something you want to ask?”
“No.” Although he said this, Song Song still stomped away to the inner room without looking back, clearly displeased. Li Xiao followed behind him and said: “Zhen rejected the proposal to have you come to court. You’re angry?”
“Your rejection was correct.” According to logic, Song Song knew he was only an empress. Who’s ever heard of the empress following the emperor and listening to the state politics behind a curtain? However, from an emotional point of view, he was still a little unhappy, just a little.
Just like how the officials didn’t dare to directly suggest Song Song come to court to Li Xiao, since this would be openly challenging Li Xiao’s authority. If Song Song asked for this to happen himself, it would seem like he was coveting Li Xiao’s nation.
Li Xiao held him, looking pretty cheerful: “Looks like you really are angry.”
Song Song pursed his lips and said: “To be honest, even if you permitted it, I still wouldn’t go.”
Li Xiao said: “Zhen didn’t allow it because I’m worried about your health. The court starts way too early. Right now, the most important priority for you is a good rest.”
Song Song’s tiny bit of displeasure dissipated after 2-3 sentences of explanation from Li Xiao. He obediently agreed: “En.”
We’re sorry for MTLers or people who like using reading mode, but our translations keep getting stolen by aggregators so we’re going to bring back the copy protection. If you need to MTL please retype the gibberish parts.
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The officials were full of disappointment. Someone amongst them said through gritted teeth: “But these days in court, the emperor’s temper has been extremely temperamental. All of the officials are terrified. Not only are they whispering amongst themselves, when it’s their turn to report, they don’t even dare to speak loudly. If it goes on like this, who would dare to make suggestions. Who would dare to tell the truth?”
“When you say this, it doesn’t seem like the emperor is the unreasonable one. All of the officials are aware of how capable the emperor is. But no one can handle his illness ahhh.”
“His illness can only be steadied by the empress being present. This is the only way all of the officials would dare to speak to their heart’s content, and not worry about being executed for saying the wrong thing.”
The imperial tutor sighed again: “I really can’t do anything.”
Listening from the side, Zhao Yin said: “I heard that some officials have been resigning?”
“That’s right. But the emperor took the letters of resignation to court and publicly denied them.”
Everyone wanted a smooth political career, however, the prerequisite was that they could stay alive. Zhao Yin also couldn’t do anything. Suddenly, an idea came to mind, he said: “Of the hundreds of government officials, there are six departments. If you six administrators do not have any objections, why not present a joint petition to beg the empress to convince the emperor himself. His pillow talk is bound to be more successful than anything us old people say.”
“Now that’s an idea.” Someone agreed and said: “Although the emperor rejected the imperial tutor, he has never said any heavy words to the empress. Maybe if the empress asks, he’ll agree.”
“But if the empress asks, would he make the emperor angry?”
“He is pregnant. The emperor definitely won’t touch him.”
Those people considered for a moment. This was equivalent to pushing Song Song into the heart of the struggle. If it was effective, then great. If it wasn’t effective…. Then in the end, they’d have to risk their lives to go to court. This was a last ditch effort.
“But how can we meet with the empress?”
“He currently lives in Yangxin palace. The coronation ceremony is imminent. Tomorrow the minister of rites will bring the dragon robes to his majesty….”
The minister of rites hastily said: “No no, this matter requires all of the six departments to work together as one. How can I convince him myself?”
“The minister of revenue should go hand in the account book tomorrow.”
The minister of revenue said in response: “Now that Qin Ning is thrown behind bars, his troops need to be re-dispatched. Doesn’t the minister of war need to report to his majesty?”
“Ha….”
When the discussion completed, no one managed to get away. On the second day, the group made arrangements to go to Yangxin Palace together. The minister of rites ordered servants to bring Li Xiao inside to try the dragon’s robe. Immediately, the group walked in a line out to the back of the palace. Song Song, who was trimming flower branches, saw them when he turned his head and said quickly: “His majesty is in the front hall…”
He didn’t finish when the 6 ministers all kneeled down uniformly. “Empress, please come to court to discuss politics with the emperor together.”
Song Song was stunned for a moment, his thoughts gradually became clearer. He said with furrowed brows: “Did you discuss this matter with his majesty?”
“Empress, please ask his majesty for permission for us. We really don’t dare to challenge his majesty.”
Song Song instantly laughed: “You guys don’t dare, so you want me to challenge him?”
“Please forgive us, empress.” Someone said: “This is for the safety of all the government officials. The officials’ discussions involve the state of the nation. Even though his majesty is very skilled, his illness is unstable. At the moment, no one dares to say anything in court, insignificant or important. You’re the emperor’s cure. If you are there to oversee the proceedings, then the officials can speak their mind.”
Song Song put down the shears and said: “The empress and concubines are not allowed to get involved in politics. Me living in Yangxin Palace is already breaking the rules.”
“His majesty loves the empress very much. That’s why we came to you to ask him to permit this.”
“The rules are set by people, but his majesty is not a normal emperor. If you didn’t live in Yangxin Palace, then that really would be not conforming to the rules.
“That’s right. The empress is kind. All of the officials remember this. The common people also talk about your benevolence.”
“Only with you, can his majesty sit steady on the throne and rule the nation. Empress, if you didn’t accompany the ruler, the officials wouldn’t dare to speak. How can his majesty’s talents be put to use fully?”
“It’s against the rules for the empress and concubines to interfere with politics, but you’re still a man. So it’s normal for you to go to court.”
This sentence seemed to suddenly remind them. The group started to echo each other: “That’s right. You’re also a man. Men have their own ambitions. How can the imperial concubines of the past compare to you?”
Song Song allowed them to get excited while he remained unperturbed: “Even if you guys keep saying these good words, I still don’t dare to covet his majesty’s nation… …”
The group immediately panicked: “How can this be called coveting his majesty’s nation? You and his majesty compliment each other. This is a thousand year of merit!”
“His majesty is currently extremely temperamental. Good things can be reported, but no one dares to say the bad things. Even if they encounter any greedy corrupt politicians, they can only suppress the knowledge in their hearts, terrified that if his majesty got angry, it would trigger his illness. Some day in the future, every official will conceal corruption to hide evil and accept wrongdoing. Is this what you want to see, empress?”
“It’s not that we don’t dare to petition. Before, there have been people writing petitions, but they must be getting lost within all the other piles of matters. His majesty completely did not respond at all. That’s why we had to make this opportunity to see you. We beg you to ask the emperor to place more importance on this matter and also to acknowledge his own illness. His majesty loves you so much, empress. As long as you ask, he definitely will listen. “
“We have absolutely no desire to put you in harm’s way. It’s just that we have no other choice!”
The group of people continued one sentence after the other, talking like if Song Song wasn’t present at court, then the entire nation would be destroyed. Song Song still remained silent and wordless.
The group of officials all felt bitter inside. The truth was that without the empress present, no one at court had any sense of security. Or else they wouldn’t have tried all these methods to convince Song Song. Of course they knew this would make things difficult for Song Song but this was the only option left.
The skin on their lips was about to break from talking so much. Song Song finally said: “I will consider it. You can all get up.”
The group hastily bowed their heads to the floor: “The empress is kind!”
When they hurried back to the front hall of the palace, Li Xiao just finished trying out his clothes and was walking out: “You can all come in.”
The group of officials wiped away the sweat on their forehead, and entered to report one by one. All had insignificant little matters. When Li Xiao heard them, he looked at them a few times with not quite a smile, and scared them full of cold sweats.
Good thing Li Xiao didn’t say anything. The group finished reporting, bowed uniformly, then left together.
No matter how dumb Song Song was, he’d still understand what just happened. The fact that the six ministers managed to get past the front hall to the back to see him. It was clearly with Li Xiao’s approval. This man, he’s really too shrewd.
He walked over and stood in front of Li Xiao and said straightforwardly: “You did that on purpose.”
“Zhen doesn’t understand what you’re saying, empress.”
“Back then I was even worried that if I lived in Yangxin palace, it would attract the official’s anger. Now that I think about it, you’ve been planning this since then. If you really didn’t want me to accompany you to court, when they wrote up the petitions, you could have rejected it directly. The reason why you ignored them, and even allowed me to live in Yangxin Palace, was just to let them know that you love me and remind them how important I am. Now, if I asked to accompany you to court, in everyone’s eyes, I’d be the empress who braved death for the sake of the nation. So benevolent and righteous. A thousand year of merit for me.”
Li Xiao looked at him and said: “You seem unhappy?”
“I’m not happy because you tricked me too!”
“I thought Song-er understood from the beginning.”
“The emperor’s heart is hard to fathom. It’s not like I’m god!”
Seeing Song Song talking without restraint, Li Xiao became even happier. He said: “I wanted them to come ask you personally to make your position irreplaceable in their hearts. With this, when Zhen dotes on you solely in the future, they will remember they owe you their lives. Even if they aren’t used to seeing an emperor having only one wife, they still won’t dare to trouble you.”
Song Song huffed: “You’re really… “
“En?”
“Forget it.” Song Song picked up the shears again, and returned to the back of the palace: “As long as you’re happy.”
Li Xiao said loudly from where he was: “You’re not happy?”
“… …” Song Song pressed his mouth into a line, and turned his head to look at Li Xiao, his eyes overflowing with affection: “Originally I was very happy, but your trickery hurt my heart. The happiness and sadness canceled each other out. I am in no mood now. Hn!”
Li Xiao saw him leave through the folding screen and said: “Finicky.”
The next day, Li Xiao officially brought this matter to court: “I heard that yesterday the six ministers went to find the empress, and wished that he would join Zhen in court together to discuss official business.”
This kind of matter, they weren’t afraid that he’d deny it. They were more afraid he’d disregard it. Disregarding it was equivalent to not even allowing anyone to express their stance and convince him otherwise.
Now, he finally faced this matter head on, which also meant that he’s recognizing his own illness. All of the officials hastily shouted: “Please allow it, your majesty!”
“The empress’s words, my dear official’s worries, Zhen carefully thought about them all. However, this really does not fit the rules set by the ancestors.”
Someone said loudly: “The rules need to fit the circumstance. The rules of the ancestors also need to be kept in accordance with current times!”
“The rules are dead, but people are alive. Your majesty is a giant among men. To flex the rules somewhat is not impossible.”
“Please approve, your majesty!”
All of the officials kneeled: “Please allow the empress to participate in politics, your majesty!”
Li Xiao was extremely satisfied: “All of you really have no objections?”
“Definitely none!”
“To have the empress participate in politics is really a nationwide change. You guys have no objections, but the common people only know that Zhen pampers the empress. They don’t know the details within, I’m afraid they will ridicule Zhen as muddleheaded.”
The people kneeling looked at each other in dismay. Li Xiao continued to say darkly: “Why don’t we put this matter aside for now?”
All of the officials: “!!!!”
If you’re going to reject it, then just reject it directly. Don’t put it aside ahh!!
The next day, all of the common people learned about how Li Xiao devised the stratagem for General Xin. One told 10. 10 told a hundred. The people knew that although the mad King was mad, he was extremely talented. As long as he had the empress, he was the perfect candidate for the emperor.
The rumors of the miracle spread like a gale, and returned again on all the great streets and small alleyways. If the empress could become pregnant as a man, he must be an unique individual. So what if he participated in politics? How many men could bear children in this world? No, the empress is not a man, he’s a god! He’s a god reincarnated on earth!
Just look at the previous empress Qin’s talent and moral character, how could she compare to the current empress? This empress came to rescue the mad king and to allow him to display his full talents. If this ambition becomes reality, then he’d indirectly be the savior of the nation!
Three days later in court, with Zhao Yin as head, he personally handed over a petition that had signatures from all of the common people and declared: “For the empress to participate in politics, this is the people’s wishes! Please approve of it, your majesty!”
The officials all bowed to the floor again and shouted in unison: “Please approve, your majesty!”
Lunatics have special privileges. Tapping on the table, Li Xiao accepted the thick roll of paper, finally relented: “Since it’s the will of the people, then so be it.”
“Your majesty is wise–!”
Steward Qi looked at his emperor and saw the corner of his lips rising. He lightly exhaled.
Who’d have thought, his majesty wanted to stick to his wife even during court.
…. Forget it. Lunatics have special privileges.
The author has something to say:
Li -the stickiest emperor in history- Xiao.
😂😂😂😂😂😂
Ack, he’s such a toffee~ when will my single ass have someone like him~
Thank You for the chapter (๑°꒵°๑)･*♡
Thanks for the chapter! That evil Empy, lol, playing tricks on his ministers, lol. All so he could be sticky to his wifey like caramel, all day…
Ahaha the best way to get something past the officials is to make them ask for it themselves 😆. Temperamental in court, my foot! He played everyone and now poor Song Song has no mood – that was hilarious too.
Kkkkkk🤏 desse tamanhinho♥️
I forgot if it was mentioned, did the novel ever address who chopped off Song Ge’s feet??
I think it was the cart driver, who was revealed to be one of LX’s subordinates. SS also said that it’s true LX didn’t touch SG, but what if he found someone to do it instead? I’m guessing it was the person named Y(?) something that Doctor Ji mention when LX asked about the ability to change faces or physical appearance.
Ohh! Ok ok thank you sm 🙂 My short-term memory didnt fully process that scene ahah
Nice Strategy to be with wife all the time 😂
He is really very sticky and full of tricks 🤣
The really borrowed their hands to get what he wants. Smart 🤣🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Lol I love sticky clingy man, just like I love my toffee😆😆
i’m curious how did song song address himself as the empress? what word did he use to refer to himself?
Finicky & Sticky! What a good pair ☺️💖