Wanli Emperor Chapter 37 Part 1 (Patreon)

Chapter 37 Part 1: A Strong Wind Reveals Sturdy Grass, A Situation Trending Towards Stability

Qianqing Palace, side hall.

When Zhu Yijun led Lü Diaoyang inside, he saw several people already present in the hall.

Besides Empress Dowager Li and Zhu Xizhong, there was also Empress Dowager Li's biological father, Li Wei.

The latter had naturally been "conveniently" invited to enter the palace when Zhu Xizhong arrived.

Seeing the emperor enter, everyone except Empress Dowager Li rose to bow.

Even the Imperial Father-in-Law had to respectfully address him as His Majesty the Emperor.

Zhu Yijun slowed his pace, waiting for them to finish their salutations before striding forward and taking both their arms.

He said reproachfully, "Imperial Father-in-Law, Duke of Cheng, you are both my benevolent elders. In private, why perform such a grand ceremony?"

Li Wei dared not accept the support, quickly stepping aside while offering a string of polite words.

He was of humble birth, having spent half his life in Shanxi, only coming to the capital at age forty. His accent was extremely heavy.

Zhu Yijun could barely understand what he was saying.

He simply smiled and nodded throughout.

He then looked at Zhu Xizhong and asked with curiosity: "How does the Duke of Cheng have time to enter the palace? Is your health any better?"

When the Duke of Cheng was still robust, he had served as Ritual Correction Officer during court conferences at Wenhua Hall.

Later, after a serious illness, he could no longer perform his duties and rarely entered the palace.

Since he'd been instructed to enter the palace today, it was only proper to inquire after his health.

Zhu Xizhong, afflicted with the ailments of old age, spoke very slowly: "The ladies of my household came to the palace to converse with the Empress Dowager."

"But perhaps because of Your Majesty's accession and the Empress Dowager's elevation, my body has felt better these past days, so I accompanied them to thank Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager."

Zhu Yijun nodded repeatedly.

No wonder the late emperor had called this Duke of Cheng astute.

His manner of speaking alone was exceptionally comforting.

Empress Dowager Li, seeing her son arrive with the Minister of Rites, knew he likely had business.

She sighed and said to Li Wei, "Father, you should return home for today. We can talk again in a couple of days when I have leisure."

Li Wei was about to bow and take his leave.

Zhu Yijun quickly interjected: "Since ascending the throne, I have not yet received the Imperial Father-in-Law's guidance. Today is a timely opportunity—a perfect chance to fulfill the duties of kinship."

"Imperial Father-in-Law, why not first go to the outer hall to sample the tribute tea?"

"I will have a few words with my mother, then come brew tea for you personally."

Having brought the Duke of Cheng and Li Wei into the palace together, he naturally had a purpose.

How could he let Li Wei leave so easily?

Li Wei's heart stirred, and he quickly looked to Empress Dowager Li.

Status was still determined by position. Though he was her father, his status derived from his daughter's nobility, so he had to defer to her.

Seeing Empress Dowager Li nod in agreement, he quickly expressed his gratitude: "Your Majesty's benevolence, virtue, and filial devotion move this subject. I will go to the outer hall to wait."

With that, he respectfully followed a eunuch to the front hall.

After Li Wei left, Zhu Yijun asked quietly, his expression unchanged: "Mother, the Imperial Father-in-Law seems unhappy?"

Empress Dowager Li said with annoyance: "Every time he sees me, he only knows to ask for ennoblement. I gave him a scolding."

With an outsider present, she couldn't say much, only hinting.

After shaking her head helplessly, she finally looked at her son and the Minister of Rites he'd brought: "Emperor, and Minister Lü, why have you left the court conference to seek me out together?"

It was still early—logically, the court conference had just begun.

Zhu Yijun didn't answer directly, first signaling a eunuch to grant Lü Diaoyang a seat.

Only then did he sigh: "Mother! It's disaster!"

Lü Diaoyang, having carefully observed the emperor's behavior throughout their journey, now heard these words and couldn't help pursing his lips in helplessness.

Empress Dowager Li, however, didn't know this. She showed slight alarm: "What has happened?"

Zhu Yijun said quickly: "Does Mother know of the great case of the Left Gate of Obedience?"

"Today threatens to become a second Left Gate of Obedience."

"Just now at the court conference, dozens of speaking officials impeached Grand Attendant Feng. I worry about dynastic turmoil—my heart fills with trepidation."

Hearing this, Empress Dowager Li naturally couldn't remain seated.

She had certainly heard of the Left Gate of Obedience case.

Over two hundred court officials had prostrated themselves at the palace gates, weeping. To suppress them, Emperor Shizong had deployed the Embroidered Uniform Guard, beating more than ten to death.

Her son had only just ascended the throne—was he going to encounter this!?

Zhu Yijun continued: "Regarding the various reasons the speaking officials cited from the ancestral system, I'm not entirely clear, so I invited the Minister of Rites to explain it to Mother."

With that, he signaled to Lü Diaoyang.

Unlike Gao Gong's faction, Lü Diaoyang held a positive impression with Empress Dowager Li.

Additionally, Feng Bao often spoke well of him before them, so in Empress Dowager Li's heart, Lü Diaoyang was trustworthy.

This was why he'd brought Lü Diaoyang.

Before Empress Dowager Li, one word of persuasion from Lü Diaoyang was worth more than a hundred impeachments from Gao Gong.

Being called upon, Lü Diaoyang naturally had to state his position: "Whatever Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager ask, this subject will speak all he knows."

Empress Dowager Li looked at Lü Diaoyang.

She said urgently, "Minister Lü, what exactly has happened?"

Zhu Yijun chimed in: "Lü Qing, explain it properly to the Empress Dowager."

He then requested permission from Empress Dowager Li: "Mother, Lü Qing has already explained it to me on the way. I'll go accompany the Imperial Father-in-Law first."

Empress Dowager Li nodded.

Zhu Yijun then rose and went to the front hall.

As he passed, he gave Zhu Xizhong a meaningful look, signaling him to assist well.

After the emperor left, Lü Diaoyang sighed inwardly.

He bowed to Empress Dowager Li and slowly began speaking with an impartial air, explaining the court incident and the reasoning from established precedents.

…..

Li Wei waited anxiously in the front hall.

He drank cup after cup of tea. Although it was tribute tea, he treated it like a cow chewing on peonies—failing to appreciate something so fine.

He only hoped that when speaking with the emperor later, he could obtain a definite answer about his ennoblement.

His daughter had gained power now and scolded him at every turn—communication was truly difficult.

Presumably, this ten-year-old grandson would be easier to talk to.

Just as he thought this, a voice came from afar.

"How can you all be so lacking in etiquette that no one pours tea for the Imperial Father-in-Law?"

Li Wei looked up to see the young emperor approaching with a displeased expression.

Only upon seeing him did the emperor's anger turn to joy.

Immediately, without a word, he took up the tea set to serve him personally.

Li Wei felt comfortable inwardly but still had to refuse on the surface, reaching out for the tea set: "I dare not, I dare not! This subject can manage himself."

Zhu Yijun forcibly took the teacup from him, filled it, then signaled the attendants to withdraw.

He lifted the teacup and handed it to Li Wei: "The Imperial Father-in-Law is accustomed to doing everything himself. You must be used to simple living, yes?"

"To think I have ascended the great throne yet nearly forgot to repay my mother's family. It is truly my fault."

The two exchanged another round of polite words.

Zhu Yijun said with concern: "Imperial Father-in-Law, were you just asking my mother about ennoblement?"

Qianqing Palace was now filled with his people. As long as he didn't dismiss the attendants, nothing could be hidden from him.

Li Wei quickly half-rose from his seat: "Your Majesty, this subject is not asking for a title..."

Zhu Yijun reached out and pressed him back into his seat: "Imperial Father-in-Law, we share the same blood. No need for such distance."

"What 'asking for'? So unpleasant to hear. I have ascended the great throne—to bestow grace upon my mother's family is only proper."

This attitude finally made Li Wei feel as if basking in spring warmth.

He summoned courage and asked: "Then, Your Majesty, what word is there on this matter now?"

The ennoblement was certain.

But titles differed, and stipends differed accordingly. He'd come to sound out Empress Dowager Li's opinion on this.

Zhu Yijun poured himself tea and said leisurely: "A stipend of eight hundred..."

Hearing this number, Li Wei's face immediately showed disappointment.

Eight hundred shi was too shabby. A normal imperial father-in-law should receive at least a thousand shi.

Zhu Yijun continued: "...is what the Ministry of Rites proposed. My mother rejected it, saying it must be at least a thousand shi!"

Only then did Li Wei's face brighten slightly.

The Earl of Yutian, Emperor Shizong's imperial father-in-law, and the recently deceased Earl of Deping both had received a thousand shi.

But then he heard the emperor shake his head again: "I didn't agree."

Li Wei was stunned.

He heard Zhu Yijun continue: "How can a thousand shi display my affection for my kin?"

"Imperial Father-in-Law, after my imperial father's mausoleum site is determined, I'll have you and Zhu Xixiao oversee the construction of Zhaoling 【TN: The mausoleum of the Longqing Emperor】. After completion, your stipend will increase by another two hundred shi!"

Li Wei's surprise immediately turned to joy, and he rose to bow down.

This time, Zhu Yijun didn't stop him.

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