The question also stumped Chong Yan.
Did he want children?
He didn't know. When they were traveling alone, enjoying their time together, he had never thought about having a child in the future.
If it weren't for Zhu Han's concern for the pregnant Regent today, he probably wouldn't have pondered this question anytime soon.
Zhu Han looked at him with gentle eyes, "Say whatever comes to your mind. If you want children, we can have one too."
Chong Yan didn't respond.
Zhu Han held his hand and continued walking towards the sleeping quarters.
Only when they were lying side by side did Chong Yan speak again, "You want to make the Regent's unborn child the Crown Prince. If she finds out, will she develop greater ambitions? Will she harm you?"
"Silly boy," Zhu Han said, stroking his head. "Do you think anyone in this world can harm me?"
Except for this ungrateful little thing in front of her.
Chong Yan listened to her doting words, but his heart didn't feel much more at ease.
Power could change a person so much.
"Don't think about it anymore. There's plenty of time, and it's not useful to think about it now. Perhaps, when the time comes, everything will resolve itself peacefully."
Chong Yan turned and hugged her, rubbing his slightly cool face against her skin, his voice lingering with dependence, "I want to be with you forever."
"Me too."
"If her daughter becomes the Crown Princess, will she want to be the Emperor? At that time, the Crown Princess won't be your own child. They will be the closest mother and daughter. Will they plot against you together?"
Zhu Han rubbed his ear, finding it unrealistic to make him stop thinking. So, she dropped a bigger bomb.
"Tomorrow morning, at the imperial court, I will announce something."
Chong Yan asked, not understanding, "What is it?"
"I will bestow upon you the title of Emperor."
Chong Yan: "...What do you mean?"
"Figure it out yourself."
Chong Yan was truly stunned.
Emperor?
If his thoughts were correct, Emperor meant another Emperor.
"You really... why would you do this?"
"To give you something to do, so you stop overthinking."
Chong Yan, slightly frustrated, nuzzled against her. "When am I overthinking? I'm thinking about important matters! I don't want to be an Emperor. The civil and military officials won't agree either. You don't have to do this."
"Do I need their consent for anything I do?"
Those people were simply too idle. They couldn't even manage their own affairs properly all day, yet they kept prying into her harem and personal matters. How much salt did they eat to be so idle?
"They are, after all, court officials. You should show them respect and be courteous."
"Showing respect is for those with true talent and wisdom. These are a bunch of people who just eat and don't work. It's already polite that I haven't fired them."
"Fired them, what is that?"
Zhu Han didn't want to explain. She hugged him tightly, "No more questions. Go to sleep quickly."
Chong Yan struggled slightly, but finding he couldn't break free, he obediently let himself be held. The breathing of the two gradually synchronized, becoming steady and consistent, and they finally fell asleep.
The imperial court the next day, which was also the last one of the year, finally saw the Emperor. Originally, the civil and military officials had a pile of matters to report. However, before they could speak, they were all dazed by an imperial decree from Zhu Han.
"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: The Empress Chong Yan, with his compassionate heart, benevolent nature, friendly disposition, humble demeanor, and virtuous character, has deeply won the Emperor's affection. He is hereby conferred the title of Emperor, with all the ceremonial protocols and systems to be in accordance with those of the female Emperor. Henceforth, two Saints shall preside over the court, and all ministers shall treat the Emperor with the same reverence as they treat Me, the Emperor. So decreed!"
Pulled from his warm bed and dressed in new attire early in the morning, a groggy Chong Yan accepted the imperial decree and then sat beside Zhu Han.
She gave the civil and military officials below absolutely no chance to object.
It was only when Zhu Han, holding Chong Yan's hand, informed the officials that from now on, Chong Yan would be the Emperor of the Vermillion Bird Kingdom and would have the right to act on behalf of the court that they finally came to their senses.
Grand Tutor Chang was the first to step forward. The position of Grand Tutor actually held little real power, but the title sounded impressive. Because of his long service, he was also highly respected.
"Your Majesty, this action is truly inappropriate. The Vermillion Bird has been founded for many years, and there has never been a precedent for a man to preside over court affairs. I beg Your Majesty to retract this decree."
"We beg Your Majesty to retract this decree!"
Everyone knelt down in a dense crowd, begging her to retract the decree.
Zhu Han's expression immediately changed, and she said sharply, "If there is no precedent, I will set one. My mind is made up. If any of you ministers wish to threaten me by offering to retire, you may take off your official hats and leave the palace now."
Indeed, many of them had considered this, but they hadn't expected the Emperor to take the initiative. The group was instantly dumbfounded.
As soon as an official stood up to say something, Zhu Han added, "If you wish to offer advice unto death, do not say it in the court. Leave the palace and find a deserted place to die on your own, without disturbing others."
A veteran official, who had just stepped forward, trembled when he heard this. He rolled his eyes and fell backward rigidly.
"Lord Yang has fainted!"
"Take him to the Imperial Hospital and have him carefully attended to. Lord Yang has worked tirelessly for the nation and its people. It is time for him to retire. Once he wakes up, send him back to his hometown."
At this point, those who had intended to offer counsel were all silenced.
The Emperor was completely intractable; nothing they said would be of any use.
Even if they threatened to die, the Emperor told them to die somewhere far away.
It was utterly preposterous.
Many were so angered that they almost erupted on the spot. They managed to hold back until the end of the court session, intending to continue their pleas at the Imperial Study. However, Zhu Han refused them entry, citing "The end of the year is approaching, and affairs are busy."
They knelt outside the Imperial Study for a long time. It wasn't until Nangong Cai heard about this and entered the palace that she saw them.
"What is wrong, sirs?"
Seeing her, they felt as if they had found a lifeline. They babbled out everything that had happened that morning and then asked her to try and persuade the Emperor again.
Nangong Cai had already heard the news and had come precisely for this matter. However, she had no intention of persuading Zhu Han.
Although they had not spent much time together, Nangong Cai had already understood Zhu Han's character. She seemed indifferent to everything except for that Empress... now Emperor.
Whether the decision to make Chong Yan the Emperor was her own or Chong Yan's request, it was not something she could change with a few words.
Thus, it was better to behave themselves and not get involved in this matter.
She said calmly, "You sirs overestimate me. His Majesty is the ruler of the nation. Whatever decision she makes is not something we, as her subjects, can change. Moreover, Emperor Chong Yan is indeed talented and capable. In the war against the Azure Dragon Kingdom, he even shot down the Azure Dragon Kingdom's Emperor with an arrow, achieving a great merit. His Majesty making him Emperor is also for the sake of the Vermillion Bird."