Chapter 663 - Chapter 663: Title

Chapter 663: Title

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

A month later, Tang Guixi officially changed the name of Liaodong County to Eastern Tang at the Heaven Worshipping Ceremony in Xingning City.

She became the founding empress of the Eastern Tang.

Xiao Juan was conferred the title of Founding Duke. Yu Niaoniao became the Madam of the Duke and was specially conferred a first-grade order.

Everyone in Eastern Tang accepted this well.

Be it the soldiers of the Eastern Expedition Army or the commoners, they all knew that when they needed help the most, it was Tang Guixi who stood in front of them without hesitation. They had lived and died together and had a deep friendship.

In comparison, Emperor Dayan’s actions of cutting off the provisions and abandoning Liaodong County were too heartless.

The news of Liaodong County’s independence quickly reached the Imperial

Capital.

Shen Zhuo was furious!

Coincidentally, the rebellion in Prince Jia’s Mansion was about to be suppressed. He prepared to send troops to Liaodong County to eliminate the rebels.

In the end, he was dissuaded by the elders.

“We just ended a civil strife. It’s really not appropriate to make a big fuss in the short term! ”

“Although we’ve suppressed the rebellion of Prince Jia’s Mansion, our casualties are also very heavy. If there’s another war, be it the treasury or the soldiers, I’m afraid they won’t be able to hold on.”

“After fighting one battle after another, I’m afraid there will be resentment!”

“A mere Liaodong County is not a threat. Let’s ignore them for the time being and recuperate for a while. It won’t be too late to go to war when we have enough money and food.”

“Yes, yes! Your Majesty, please think twice!”

No one supported Shen Zhuo.

He stormed off.

In the Fengyi Palace, Empress Dowager Wen could not help but ask when she saw Shen Zhuo walk in with a dark expression.

“What happened?”

Shen Zhuo told Empress Dowager Wen what had happened in Shang’s study just now. In the end, he could not help but snort heavily, “All of them made it sound dignified, but they’re actually very shrewd! The reason why they don’t want to fight is that they’re afraid that I’ll reward those generals again. They’re afraid that their status will be replaced by the generals. What a group of sly old foxes!”

Because he had successfully suppressed the rebellion of Prince Jia’s Mansion,

Shen Zhuo had rewarded a large number of outstanding generals, including many trusted aides he had nurtured.

This made many civil officials in the court feel a sense of crisis. They were afraid that Shen Zhuo’s emphasis on martial arts and literature would affect their status in the future.

Therefore, the civil officials in the court did not want to go to war.

Empress Dowager Wen comforted her. “Since you know it in your heart, there’s no need to be angry with them.”

Shen Zhuo took a deep breath and tried to suppress the anger in his heart. “I’m not angry because of their thoughts. I’m angry because…”

It was because no one stood beside him and supported his decision at the critical moment.

Empress Dowager Wen got someone to pour him a cup of chrysanthemum tea.

“Drink some tea to clear the fire. There’s still a long way to go. Everything has to be done step by step.

Those people in the cabinet were very cunning, but they were also humans. As long as they were humans, they would have weaknesses. As long as you can grasp their weaknesses, you can naturally restrain them.”

Shen Zhuo took a sip of tea and completely calmed down.

“I understand. Thank you for your advice, Mother.”

Empress Dowager Wen ordered someone to bring over a stack of portraits and said softly.

“You’ve been on the throne for almost a year, but the harem is still empty. This is too ridiculous. I got someone to draw portraits of all the young ladies of prestigious families in the capital who were ready to marry. Take a good look and pick.”

Shen Zhuo put down his teacup and stood up. “I suddenly remembered that there are still some memorials that haven’t been approved. I have to leave first. Mother, rest well. I’ll visit you tomorrow. ”

With that, he was about to leave.

Empress Dowager Wen had expected this and said unhurriedly.

“Since the emperor is so busy, I’ll bring these portraits to the study. I’ll show you these portraits when you’re done reading the memorials.”

Shen Zhuo had no choice but to stop and beg, “Mother, please spare me.”

Empress Dowager Wen said, “I know that you still can’t forget Yu Niaoniao, but it’s impossible for her to come back. Taking a step back, even if she really comes back, I’ll never let her enter the harem. Give up.”

Shen Zhuo was silent, exuding a silent stubbornness.

Empress Dowager Wen sighed. “It’s a big deal to have children. You can’t stay single forever, right? Even if I can agree, the ancestors of the Shen family won’t. ”

Shen Zhuo naturally knew this.

He was the emperor. He had to have a prince as his heir.

But he was indignant.

He already had the world. Logically speaking, he should be able to do whatever he wanted.

But why couldn’t he have Yu Niaoniao?

Empress Dowager Wen said, “Don’t forget that you promised me before that if Yu Niaoniao hasn’t married you in a year, you have to listen to my arrangements to choose a concubine. Now that the one-year deadline is up, it’s time for you to fulfill your promise.”

After a long silence, Shen Zhuo suddenly said as if he had made up his mind.

“But I’m still indignant. Mother, give me a little more time. I’ll confirm it one last time, just once, okay?”

Towards the end, he was pleading.

Empress Dowager Wen’s heart softened in the end and she was willing to give him one last chance.

“I hope you won’t be disappointed when you get an answer.”

In the end, Shen Zhuo temporarily gave up on the idea of sending troops to attack Liaodong County.

But that didn’t mean he was giving in.

He just needed some time to deal with the sly old foxes in the cabinet.

At the same time, Tang Guixi excitedly found Yu Niaoniao to discuss conferring Xiao Yining as a princess.

“Take a look. This is the princess title I want for Little Fubao. What do you think?”

Yu Niaoniao had once declined the conferment of a princess. After all, Xiao Yining was not Tang Guixi’s biological daughter. It was a little against the rules to make her a princess without any merit.

However, Tang Guixi insisted on doing this. Yu Niaoniao really could not persuade her, so she simply let her be.

Yu Niaoniao picked up the rice paper and looked at it.

There was a long string of titles written on the paper— Princess Sheng’an Jiashun Dexian.

Yu Niaoniao was speechless.

In her life, this was the first time she had seen such a long title.

In her previous life, she had only seen such a long name for the female lead of a ridiculous novela.

She couldn’t help but complain, “I might as well call Mary Sue Zibing Princess Meng Cuishuang.”

Tang Guixi immediately took a brush and asked excitedly.

“That’s a good title. Say it again. I’ll make a note.”

Afraid that she would take it seriously, Yu Niaoniao quickly advised, “Don’t you think these titles are too long? Most people won’t remember them. They might bite their tongues when they read them. Let’s change to a simpler title.”

Tang Guixi disagreed, “Little Fubao is a natural lucky star and can bring good fortune to our Eastern Tang. How can an ordinary title highlight her distinction? I think the name you just mentioned is very good. It’s pleasant and special. Quick, repeat it for me to remember.”

Yu Niaoniao was speechless.

“Girl, I’m sorry.” she muttered an apology her daughter couldn’t yet understand..