Chapter 16: Your Pride, Your Grandeur [New Book—Please Support]
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“Waaah—”
The sound of crying filled the Lìzhèng Hall, casting a mournful atmosphere over the entire palace.
At that moment, a palace maid knelt on the ground, sobbing, “Your Majesty, I can’t bear it—I can’t bear to see you go!”
“Ah!”
Standing at the entrance, Empress Chángsūn sighed softly, saying, “Serve your parents well, marry early, bear noble sons early. One day, when you have children of your own, tending to their every need, your days will be full.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty...”
“Go now.”
With those words, the palace maid slowly rose, took a bundle, and turned to leave the hall.
At the same time, after watching her depart, another palace maid came forward, weeping as she expressed gratitude.
Empress Chángsūn looked at them with tear-filled eyes and gently said, “Leaving the palace is a good thing. Take your reward money and travel safely!”
After speaking, she turned and walked deeper into the hall.
Just then, a panicked voice suddenly rang out from outside, “Mother! Mother?”
Empress Chángsūn halted, instinctively turning toward the voice. “Chéngqián? What’s happened to you?”
Li Chéngqián, carrying a food box, gasping for breath, rushed into Lìzhèng Hall and saw a line of palace maids weeping outside. He stood frozen.
“Mother, what are they doing?”
The chubby little prince had also run back, blinking his curious eyes as he asked.
Empress Chángsūn glanced at her two sons, smiled warmly, and beckoned, “Come inside quickly. Mother has something to tell you.”
“Oh!”
The two brothers exchanged looks and obediently stepped into the hall.
“Mother, has something happened in the palace?”
Upon entering, Li Chéngqián noticed many things missing from the hall and quietly asked.
Empress Chángsūn glanced at him and then at the chubby prince, sighing, “Some time ago, your father decreed a reduction of palace maids to save expenses. These are the palace maids who were let go...”
“This...”
Li Chéngqián and Li Tài exchanged looks, unsure of what to say.
At their age, they couldn’t intervene in political matters.
But could cutting palace maids really save money?
“Mother, how many palace maids does Father plan to reduce?” Li Chéngqián asked curiously.
Empress Chángsūn thought for a moment and replied, “There are about ten thousand palace maids registered now. This time, about three thousand will be cut.”
“Three thousand? That many?”
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The chubby prince’s face turned pale in surprise. “Does that mean no one will serve us in the future?”
“You!”
Empress Chángsūn poked the little prince’s forehead teasingly, scolding, “You’re young but your heart is big. Why do you need so many servants?!”
“No, Mother, that’s not what I meant...”
The little prince held his forehead, wincing in pain, and said pitifully, “I’m worried that Grandfather might have objections!”
“What objections?” Empress Chángsūn furrowed her brow.
The little prince replied cleverly, “Mother, think about it. The reduction of palace maids won’t just be in Lìzhèng Hall, but throughout the entire palace. What if that displeases Grandfather? How will Father explain it then?”
“This...”
Empress Chángsūn’s heart tightened upon hearing this.
Although Emperor Taizong had entrusted her with managing the harem, she still had to consider Emperor Gaozu’s feelings.
Those two had just gone through the Xuanwu Gate incident and already had a strained relationship. If this issue further displeased Grandfather, it would only deepen the rift...
Thinking this, Empress Chángsūn suddenly stood from her seat, intending to ask Emperor Taizong’s opinion, but at that moment, he just happened to enter the hall.
“Empress! Empress! Where are those two rebellious sons?”
As soon as Emperor Taizong stepped inside, he shouted loudly.
Startled, Li Chéngqián and Li Tài shivered and quickly hid behind Empress Chángsūn.
“What nonsense is Your Majesty speaking? Rebellious sons!”
Empress Chángsūn, protective as a mother hen, shielded her sons and shot Emperor Taizong a reproachful look.
“Hmph! A doting mother spoils her sons. Have you even asked what good deeds they’ve done?”
Emperor Taizong sat gruffly on the soft couch, glaring at his two sons.
Empress Chángsūn was slightly taken aback and looked at Li Chéngqián and Li Tài. “Weren’t you supposed to be at the academy? What have you done?”
“Nothing... nothing...” The chubby prince lowered his head sheepishly.
Li Chéngqián, however, spoke boldly, “Mother, Qingque wrote an essay and asked Master Kong for corrections. I only asked Master Kong to explain historical allusions. There’s nothing wrong with that. Master Kong himself didn’t set a good example and even reported us to Father...”
“Heh, what a smooth-talking boy. Why don’t you mention the content of the essay or the sources of the allusions?” Emperor Taizong sneered.
“It was about the succession of the crown prince...”
“You have the nerve to say that!”
“How can I not say it? I didn’t say anything wrong!”
“You unfilial son!”
Emperor Taizong pounded the couch, rising to scold his son.
At that moment, Empress Chángsūn, having understood the situation, immediately scolded Li Chéngqián, “Chéngqián! Do not be disrespectful to your father!”
“Mother, I...”
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Empress Chángsūn shot Li Chéngqián a sharp glance, then turned to Emperor Taizong and smiled gently, “Your Majesty, Chéngqián and the others are still young and naïve. Please don’t hold it against them. The matter of establishing the crown prince is something you decide in discussion with the court ministers, isn’t that right?”
“Hmph!”
Emperor Taizong snorted, showing no intention to argue with his sons.
After all, Wei Zheng had just advised him.
He sat back down on the couch and said, “The matter of establishing the crown prince—I will consider it carefully. But the reduction of palace maids is urgent. Empress, how is it progressing?”
“At present, the lists for each major palace have been sorted out. According to Your Majesty's instructions, about three thousand palace maids will be cut...”
“Three thousand? Hmm, good. Empress, you’ve done well.”
“But Your Majesty, I have something to say—I’m not sure whether I should...”
“What kind of behavior do you siblings have? There are no outsiders here. What’s there to hesitate about?” Emperor Taizong couldn’t help but complain.
Empress Chángsūn paused, realizing it was her elder brother who had displeased Emperor Taizong. She bowed deeply and said, “My brother has caused offense. I will accept punishment on his behalf...”
“Punishment? Wújì is a fine man! Really fine!”
“This...”
Empress Chángsūn was again taken aback, somewhat confused.
Emperor Taizong waved his hand, “Speak of what you just mentioned.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
Empress Chángsūn replied and continued, “Qingque reminded me earlier. I realized something: won’t this reduction of palace maids affect Father’s side?”
“A reduction of palace maids must be impartial and will naturally affect Father’s side. Are you worried Father will be displeased?” Emperor Taizong frowned.
“Father is after all Father. I think we should consider his feelings more carefully...”
“I am the Emperor now; I govern the realm! Today the ministers discussed the new era name. Do you know what it is? Zhēnguān! It means ‘upright and proper.’ If I am not upright, how can I govern the land?”
“Uh...”
Li Chéngqián twitched at the corner of his mouth, thinking, *You’re so great, so virtuous. You seized the throne from your father and won’t even keep a few palace maids for him.*
No wonder later scholars would scold you!
But why make life hard for your wife?
Seeing Empress Chángsūn caught between Emperor Taizong and Emperor Gaozu, looking troubled, Li Chéngqián sighed inwardly and decided to help her.
“Father, cutting palace maids is like sending them to their deaths!” Li Chéngqián said unexpectedly.
Emperor Taizong’s face darkened. “What did you say?!”
Empress Chángsūn instinctively steadied the chubby prince beside her.
His blood pressure must be a little high!