Qin Ye returned to the palace, and after he freshened up, he headed to court.
The ministers, seeing that the Emperor had finally arrived, stopped their discussions one by one.
They began to pay their respects to the Emperor...
Qin Ye looked at the people kneeling down, and after letting them rise, he didn’t wait for their reports but instead took the lead in announcing a major event.
"An important matter needs to be announced—I am to have a grand wedding. The Ministry of Rites and the Observatory, come forth and speak of the auspicious wedding date you have selected."
As he spoke, leaving everyone dumbfounded, officials from the Ministry of Rites and Lord Xu, along with Lord Wei from the Observatory, stepped forward.
After paying their respects to the Emperor, Lord Wei spoke, "Your Majesty, the Observatory has selected an auspicious day. The eighteenth of this month is suitable for marriage."
Qin Ye was, of course, satisfied with this date since he had actually known about it well in advance.
Because it was he who had the Observatory find the nearest auspicious day... after all, he was rather eager.
"Very well, we shall hold the grand wedding on this date."
He then turned his head to another, "Lord Xu, will the Ministry of Rites be ready in time?"
Lord Xu immediately replied, "Answering Your Majesty, it will be completely manageable. The Ministry of Rites has been preparing for the past two or three years."
Qin Ye’s heart swelled with joy: "Good!"
The ministers were somewhat baffled—they were bewildered and astonished. What grand wedding was the Emperor speaking of?
How had it come to be a wedding?
Who was the Emperor marrying?
And what was with the Ministry of Rites and the Observatory? How had they already chosen a wedding date? Could it be that they already knew of the Emperor’s intent to marry?
Thinking this, they cast unfavorable glances at Lords Xu and Wei.
If they had known about the Emperor’s wedding in advance... why had they not leaked a whisper of it?
Moreover, who was the Empress that was about to marry the Emperor? From which minister or noble family did she hail?
Just as they were guessing internally whether the Empress was from a colleague’s family, the Prime Minister spoke out loudly, "Congratulations to the Emperor! Joyous blessings to the Emperor! Long live the Emperor for ten thousand, ten thousand years!"
This blessing vexed the ministers with their own hidden designs. Original content can be found at novel{f}ire.net
What was there to congratulate when the identity of the Empress was unknown...
Qin Ye, observing the ministers with pinched faces, narrowed his eyes, "What’s this? I am to marry the Empress, and you are not happy for me?"
Though his tone was casually indifferent, the underlying implication filled one with trepidation—the emanating pressure was that of an Emperor.
The color drained from everyone’s faces once more.
Because they knew the Emperor was angry.
In these three years, they might not have known much... but they had come to understand the Emperor’s personality.
He was headstrong, and when it came to doing what he wanted, no one’s advice could sway him.
To oppose the Emperor meant misfortune only for themselves.
This was a lesson learned through bitter experience.
If the Emperor was obstinate, refusing to heed his ministers’ advice, proving to be an exceedingly self-reliant man with formidable means...
Yet, the Emperor was also deeply loved by the people, because these three years... were the best times the common folks had lived through.
Who would dare oppose him?
Even if everyone wanted to ask something, they now kneeled instead.
"Congratulations to the Emperor, joyous blessings to the Emperor, long live the Emperor forever and ever!"
"Enough, the wedding date is set. The Empress is one I sought out myself, and if I find anyone acting in the shadows, well then, do not blame me for being heartless when the time comes."
At these words, the ministers bowed their heads even lower.