The Emperor Has An Illness

Chapter 55

Names mentioned in this chapter (which can also be found in the glossary):

-廖青青(Liào qīngqīng)- Liao Qing Qing, the female lead.

-景礼帝(jǐng lǐ dì)- Emperor Jing Li, the male lead.

-荷香(Hé xiāng)- He Xiang, the female lead’s maidservant

-福生(fú shēng)- Fu Sheng, the emperor’s chief eunuch.

–贤妃(xián fēi)- Worthy Consort, Noble Consort Liang’s maternal cousin

–梁妃(liáng fēi)- Consort Liang, previously Noble Consort Liang

Current Ranking: Empress Dowager → Empress → Worthy Consort + Virtuous Consort + Consort Liang → Lady Li of Graceful Ceremony → Ye Liangyi + Wu Liangyi → Noble Lady Liao + Noble Lady Jiang

Imperial Decree?

What imperial decree?

Why is it so solemn?

It had been a long time since Liao Qing Qing had received an imperial decree.

She immediately put down the book, slowly got up and approached Fu Sheng. She slightly bowed and said, “This imperial concubine[1] accepts the decree.”

Fu Sheng unfolded the decree and read aloud, “Announcing the Emperor’s edict, the Emperor has decreed as follows: I,[2] the ruler of heaven and earth of noble character, hope that the sun and moon will shine on the world together. In the current capital city, Liao Shi is warm-hearted, elegant, kind, virtuous and is someone who always thinks of the people. She has created a legendary achievement in agriculture … On the sixth day of the fourth month of the tenth year of the Year of Jing Li, I proclaim her the Empress. End of the Emperor’s decree.”[3]

Fu Sheng read out quite a lot.

The attention of Liao Qing Qing, He Xiang and the others were focused on the word “Empress”.

Empress!

An Empress!

Emperor Jing Li had mentioned making Liao Qing Qing the Empress more than once. He had even expressed his intention in the courtroom. However, it had been pushed back because his opinion was different from that of the imperial officials. She didn’t expect that it would be decided so soon.

Liao Qing Qing was still a bit surprised.

He Xiang and the others were astonished!

They accompanied Liao Qing Qing, only thinking that if Liao Qing Qing became Consort Xi, they would also gain some glory. However, they did not expect Liao Qing Qing to become the Empress in one leap.

She became an Empress!

The mother of a nation!

They were all very excited.

Fu Sheng was also quite excited. Who would have thought that the unfavoured small Liangyi would become the Empress of the Wei Dynasty as the only woman who could stand beside Emperor Jing Li three years later?

As expected of the woman he thinks highly of.

(Spit)!

Is he allowed to say such things?

He can’t even think about it!

If His Majesty were to find out, his measly life would be in danger.

Fu Sheng hurriedly taunted his face and said respectfully, “Your Highness, the Empress, please accept the decree.”

Liao Qing Qing said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your grace.”

He Xiang hurriedly went to support Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing stood up and stretched her hands out to receive the imperial decree.

Fu Sheng and all the other palace maids and eunuchs knelt down together and shouted, “This servant[4]/maidservant[5] greets Your Highness, the Empress. May Your Highness, the Empress, live and reign for a thousand years, a thousand years and thousands of years.”

Liao Qing Qing received the imperial decree and looked at the people kneeling on the floor. She was a little delighted and somewhat excited. She said, “You may all rise.”

“Thank you, Your Highness.”

Only then did Liao Qing Qing look towards Fu Sheng and ask, “Where is His Majesty at the moment?”

“His Majesty is currently deliberating in the imperial study and said he would come later.”

“All right. Thank you, Eunuch Fu, for the trouble.”

“This is what this servant should do.” Fu Sheng spoke very respectfully. Of course, he respected and admired the Empress deep down. He continued, “Then, this servant will go back and report to my post.”

Liao Qing Qing rewarded Fu Sheng with some things before letting him leave.

Then she continued to reward the palace maids and eunuchs of Lisheng Pavilion.

The news of Liao Qing Qing becoming the Empress spread amongst the people. Before then, she had already been very well-known among the common people. It seemed that Liao Qing Qing becoming the Empress of the Great Wei Dynasty was much anticipated by many. The people were overjoyed —— His Majesty had finally established an Empress.

The imperial harem was a different scene. Other than the very few who had the self-awareness to be self-composed after receiving the news, the other concubines were either shocked, remorseful, sad or dejected.

One of them was Consort Liang, who had moved out of Linhua Palace. She simply went mad, shouting in the courtyard that the Empress had finally fallen into the hands of another person after all her years of management.

She completely lost her usual calmness and gentleness and turned hysterical, startling a group of palace maids. While Worthy Consort, who also lived in an isolated residence, fell limp to the ground after hearing the news.

She felt that she was done for.

Liao Qing Qing would not let her off.

In fact, Liao Qing Qing wasn’t even thinking of anyone else.

After putting the imperial decree away and receiving a number of rewards from Emperor Jing Li, she gently stroked her still-flat belly. She whispered, “You’re really Mother’s little lucky star.”

He Xiang laughed and said, “Isn’t that so? Your Highness, now the sky is clear, the snowstorm in Dongliao County has been eased, and the flooding in the south has been managed. That means it is a blessing.”

“Yes, it is a blessing.”

“What blessing?” Emperor Jing Li’s voice sounded from outside the door.

Liao Qing Qing and He Xiang hurriedly paid their respects.

Emperor Jing Li walked up with big steps and held onto Liao Qing Qing’s hand.

Upon seeing this, He Xiang and the others took the other palace maids and left.

There were only Emperor Jing Li and Liao Qing Qing in the hall.

Emperor Jing Li asked, “Empress, how do you feel?”

Liao Qing Qing smiled. “Your Majesty, you are amazing!”

Emperor Jing Li asked with a smile, “How am I amazing?”

“You are just amazing!”

Emperor Jing Li put his arms around Liao Qing Qing and walked toward the bedroom with a smile. After sitting on the stool, he carried Liao Qing Qing and placed her on his lap. He said, “I have already chosen an auspicious day. The coronation ceremony will be held on the sixth day of the sixth month.”

“So soon?” Liao Qing Qing was surprised.

“Is it fast? I have been preparing for a year.” As soon as Emperor Jing Li was certain that he wanted to spend his life with Liao Qing Qing, he had already started preparing for the coronation ceremony.

“??? Your Majesty has been preparing for that long?”

“Of course, when Qing Qing becomes the Empress, I naturally have to be more prepared.” Emperor Jing Li played with Liao Qing Qing’s fingers and added, “You don’t need to consult anyone. Just walk to my side when the time comes.”

Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

Emperor Jing Li smiled. He continued speaking about today’s visit to the experimental fields in Zhu prefecture. Emperor Jing Li asked, “Have you heard about it?”

Liao Qing Qing nodded. “Your Majesty, this concubine[6] only heard about it after you left the palace.”

“Do you know how many catties of potatoes the experimental fields produced?”

“How many catties?”

“Guess.” Emperor Jing Li had a proud expression on his face.

The potatoes were grown by Liao Qing Qing. Although she didn’t know precisely the state of potatoes grown within Zhu prefecture and counties, it shouldn’t be too bad. So she replied after much deliberation, “A million catties?”

“That’s right, at least 1.1 million catties.”

“That’s a lot!”

“Yes, that’s a lot!” It was clear that Emperor Jing Li was overjoyed by this figure. He reached out to sweep the loose hair in front of Liao Qing Qing’s forehead. He was overwhelmed with emotion. Ever since he took over the Great Wei, his knowledge of crops was two to three hundred catties per mu. He tried his best to increase the yield but had little success. However, Liao Qing Qing had solved this problem.

A yield of over a thousand catties per mu is five times the usual amount.

How many lives will be saved from this?!

Emperor Jing Li said, “Qing Qing, you deserve all the credit.”

Liao Qing Qing said, “Your Majesty, don’t give me such high praises. This concubine just likes to grow vegetables and accidentally discovered potatoes, so I don’t deserve any credit or worldly success.”

“You are worthy if I say you are worthy, ”

“….”

Emperor Jing Li said, “Look, once the potatoes were discovered, none of those stubborn imperial subjects dared to say that you can’t be the Empress anymore.”

Liao Qing Qing couldn’t have imagined that the potatoes were so powerful. She was probably the first woman in the ancient world to be pushed to the position of the Empress because of potatoes.

Potato Empress!

Thank you, potatoes!

She looked at Emperor Jing Li and asked, “Where are those potatoes?”

“Put them back in the national treasury.” Emperor Jing Li said.

“You’re not giving to the common people?” Liao Qing Qing asked.

“I’ll be giving it to them. One family would receive three hundred catties, plus one hundred catties of seed potatoes.”

“And the rest was delivered to Dongliao and the south?”

“Yes,” Emperor Jing Li replied. Initially, he was worried about the food problem in Dongliao County and the south; this batch of potatoes really solved the pressing issue. There was never before a natural disaster problem was solved so quickly. Now, it was unknown how many lives had been saved.

Emperor Jing Li was in a good mood.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Then this concubine will not send my hundred mu of potatoes.”

“Why?”

“So that I can keep some to plant. After two months of growing them, we can harvest another crop in autumn.” The soil of the Great Wei Dynasty was very special. It seemed to be highly suitable for potatoes, which could be planted twice a year, especially during the autumn harvest that would be exceptionally abundant.

“Oh, right. I almost forgot about this. I should let the whole country grow potatoes.” Emperor Jing Li just wished he could have the idea of making the world hunger free all at once.

“You can’t.”

“Why?”

Liao Qing Qing explained, “It still has to be paired with some wheat and rice. Otherwise, the body will have problems if the nutrition is not balanced.”

Emperor Jing Li nodded his head repeatedly.

“And—” Liao Qing Qing slowed down for a moment.

Emperor Jing Li asked curiously, “And what?”

“And we have enough potatoes left to plant just over a thousand mu.” The last time they grew it on a thousand mu of land, they had nearly dug the umbrella flowers in the northwest to cause it to be extinct.

Liao Qing Qing’s words pulled Emperor Jing Li back to reality. After a brief moment of contemplation, he said, “Then let’s leave some. Plant five thousand mu (333.33 hectare/3333333.33 sqm), and next year we will leave more potatoes and slowly spread them across the country.”

“Will there not be enough to ship to Dongliao County and the south?”

“No, when the time comes, I will take down two corrupt officials, and the confiscation of the property will be enough.” Emperor Jing Li said with extreme ease.

“??” How come it sounded as if it was as easy as beating two little birds down?

“It’s decided!” Emperor Jing Li said.

Liao Qing Qing nodded vigorously.

Emperor Jing Li wrapped his arm around Liao Qing Qing’s waist and said guiltily, “Qing Qing, I’ve been too busy these days. I haven’t been able to keep you company properly.”

“This concubine understands.”

“Qing Qing is so obedient.” Emperor Jing Li gently kissed Liao Qing Qing’s cheek.

Liao Qing Qing smiled and wrapped her arms around Emperor Jing Li’s neck.

“Your Majesty and Your Highness, the Empress, dinner is ready.” At this moment, the voice of He Xiang rang out from outside the door.

Emperor Jing Li’s eyebrows were slightly knitted.

What is wrong with this He Xiang today?

Isn’t it just a dinner being ready?

Must it even be announced?

Can’t she see that he is being intimate with Liao Qing Qing?

Can’t we have dinner later?

Emperor Jing Li looked at Liao Qing Qing with displeasure.

After Liao Qing Qing responded to He Xiang, she said, “Your Majesty, this concubine is hungry.”

Emperor Jing Li immediately changed his expression and said in a warm voice, “Then let’s have our meal first.”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing got up from Emperor Jing Li’s lap.

When Emperor Jing Li got up with his hand pressed against the tabletop, his fingers touched something, and he unconsciously turned his head to look at it. It was a flat bamboo basket.

When he averted his gaze from it, he saw a pair of tiny red tiger-head shoes in the flat box. The small shoes were embroidered with flowers and were extremely cute. He reached out to pick one up and asked, “Qing Qing, what is this?”

“Shoes,” Liao Qing Qing replied after taking a look.

“What kind of shoes?”

Liao Qing Qing answered, “The shoes that one can wear.”

Emperor Jing Li said, “Who wears such small shoes? They are not as long as my finger.” He compared the shoes to his own fingers. They were indeed not as long as his fingers. He laughed and tugged at them, finding it extremely amusing.

“Children wear them,” Liao Qing Qing said softly.

“Children-” Emperor Jing Li paused in his words, seeming to think of something, and suddenly raised his eyes in shock to look at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing had always wanted to tell Emperor Jing Li about the pregnancy. But recently, there had been one thing after another, and Emperor Jing Li had been so busy that she hadn’t taken it to heart.

Emperor Jing Li’s gaze slowly moved towards Liao Qing Qing’s stomach.

Liao Qing Qing gently touched her feet and said shyly, “Your Majesty, this concubine is pregnant.”

Emperor Jing Li’s brain rumbled as if something had exploded, and he asked a stupid question, “It’s my child?”

Liao Qing Qing: “???” Does a green hat[7] smell good? That you even forced yourself to wear it?

“It’s my child!” Emperor Jing Li took a step toward Liao Qing Qing and wanted to hug her tightly, but he was afraid that he would be too rough and hurt Liao Qing Qing and the child. So he was so excited that he was at a loss for words and finally held Liao Qing Qing’s hand tightly and asked, “Really? Do we really have a child?”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing smiled and nodded her head.

“Then, then…” Emperor Jing Li was so excited that he didn’t know what to say. He said incoherently, “Quickly let the Imperial Physician take a look at you.”

“The Imperial Physician had come several times.”

“How is it?”

“The pulse is very good.”

“That’s good. I will summon Virtuous Consort to come and tell her to worry more about the imperial harem. You—”

“Virtuous Consort knows.”

“Oh, Virtuous Consort knows. Then let’s tell Queen Mother to make her happy.”

“Queen Mother knows about it too,” Liao Qing Qing said.

Emperor Jing Li tasted a sour taste and asked, “Chang Momo also knows?”

“She knows.” Liao Qing Qing nodded her head.

“Your mother is also aware?”

“Mm.” Liao Qing Qing nodded.

“Your father also knows?”