Three days passed in a flash. With time being tight and the task heavy, the Ministry of Rites borrowed a large number of personnel from elsewhere to ensure the abdication ceremony could proceed as scheduled.
Amidst the cheers of "Long live the Emperor" from all the officials, Situ Yan, clad in a bright yellow dragon robe and wearing a crown, ascended the throne of supreme imperial power step by step.
Unfortunately, as a woman, Lu Nianfu was not privileged to witness the grand occasion of her man's ascension. She could only stand a wall's distance from the Hall of Supreme Harmony, listening to the commotion. The music was too boisterous, and apart from the three shouts of "Long live the Emperor," she only heard Situ Yan calmly say, "All your lords, rise."
His tone was steady, as if he had seen many grand occasions. Lu Nianfu imagined his appearance at that moment and couldn't help but curve her lips. Oh my, she was truly excellent at choosing a husband.
Situ Yan successfully ascended the throne, and the thirty-seventh year of Changwu was officially changed to the first year of Jinwu.
At the beginning of his reign, there seemed to be no major events. Situ Yan planned to spend a few days fulfilling his filial duties. Who knew the Emperor Changwu had already vacated the Qianyuan Hall and was packing his bags to go to the imperial villa.
"Father Emperor, must you be in such a hurry? Anyone who didn't know would think your son couldn't accommodate you!"
"Is it your place to accommodate me? Haven't you heard Imperial Physician Ji say that my body needs rest and recuperation? Do you understand what rest means? Can you find peace staying in this palace?"
"Your son promises to handle state affairs with care and will never let you worry about a thing."
Emperor Changwu, however, shook his head. "Being here, how can one truly be oblivious to worldly affairs? Furthermore, with the transition from old to new, once I leave, you can then fully exert your influence in the court..."
Situ Yan waved his hand. "There's no need. The court is doing quite well now, and I have no intention of making changes."
Emperor Changwu was truly a good emperor. During his years on the throne, the loopholes in the court had been eradicated one by one. The practices currently employed in the court were mostly the most suitable. Situ Yan's statement of not intending to make changes was not an empty one.
Emperor Changwu looked at him. "If you're not changing matters, are you not changing people either?"
Those old officials were naturally well-behaved under his rule, but with a new monarch, they might take advantage of their seniority and become arrogant.
"The people your father Emperor left behind are indeed a bit old, but we'll take it slowly, no rush." A complete overhaul of the court was unrealistic; it had to be done gradually.
Emperor Changwu, seeing his confident demeanor, was very pleased. "It's good as long as you have things under control yourself."
Situ Yan said happily, "Then are you willing to stay? With you in the palace overseeing things, I won't have to worry about the court falling into disarray."
"Do you think I'm still a three-year-old who can't be weaned? I don't want to be your wet nurse. Little Fuzi, issue an order: we depart tomorrow morning."
Situ Yan: ...
Situ Yan's attempts to persuade him were in vain. Emperor Changwu truly set off for the imperial villa the next day, taking a large number of his concubines with him.
The Prince Qing's mansion had not yet been built, and the former Crown Prince's family was moved from the Eastern Palace to a separate villa outside the palace. The Empress was worried and wanted to stay, but Emperor Changwu didn't give her the chance. Instead, he proactively suggested that Concubine Jian move to the Prince Ning's mansion.
With four children at home, how could they possibly entrust them all to a foreign princess? In comparison, the former Crown Princess Fu Yingxiao was more reliable, being a native of the capital and always knowing how to be a good mistress of the house.
A whole bunch of young girls, and not a single one left for his own son, made Concubine Jian feel exasperated just thinking about it. However, she dared not disobey the imperial decree and had no choice but to huffily go to the Prince Ning's mansion.
Meanwhile, Lu Nianfu was also busy moving. Her husband was amazing, actually becoming the Emperor. Naturally, she, the future Empress, couldn't live outside the palace. These past few days, her smile had not ceased, and the entire mansion was filled with joy. Only Little Wuzi was filled with worry. As his personal attendant, he was supposed to enter the palace.
It was different for women; entering the palace as a palace maid was no different from being a servant girl. But for men to enter the palace, they had to be castrated.
Although the title of Director of the Imperial Household Department sounded impressive, he really didn't want to be a eunuch.
Amongst the jubilant crowd, Little Wuzi's dejected face was particularly conspicuous. Lu Nianfu found it hard to pretend not to notice. "What's wrong, Little Wuzi? Did Mian'er take your pocket money again? That shouldn't be the case, the mansion just rewarded three months' salary."
With the master of the mansion ascending the throne, naturally, there had to be a celebration. If not for the need for discretion, she would have held a grand feast.
Little Wuzi said, "Your Ladyship, please don't tease me. I'm just worried and don't know how I will continue to serve His Majesty."
Qingya, with her pregnant belly, chuckled and said, "Isn't that simple? Just get yourself castrated, and you'll be the Head Eunuch of the Imperial Household Department. Who would dare offend you then? Oh, Little Wuzi, when you get rich, don't forget us. We grew up together."
Little Wuzi felt even more dejected.
Lu Nianfu laughed and tapped her head. "You're about to become a mother and you're still so improper. Little Wuzi, don't worry. His Majesty will definitely arrange something for you, but he wouldn't possibly make your wife a widow, would he?"
"But other positions wouldn't allow me to serve His Majesty personally."
"What? Do you want to be a follower for your entire life?"
Little Wuzi sighed. "Of course I want to, but being a eunuch is absolutely out of the question."
Lu Nianfu laughingly chided, "You worry about these unnecessary things all day. Why don't you go help Mian'er check if the storeroom is organized?"
The Prince Rui's mansion would become Situ Yan's personal villa. This wealth naturally wouldn't go into the national treasury. Lu Nianfu thought of sealing it up and distributing it to the two younger ones when they grew up. As for what to bring to the palace, well, what wouldn't they have in the palace? Bringing clothes and small personal items would be enough.