In Cining Palace, the back hall.
Upon receiving Ding Yun's reply, Emperor Ronghua dared not agree directly or issue an imperial edict. After some thought, he hurried to find his mother, the Empress Dowager, to discuss the matter.
"Mother, that Noble Consort Taizong wants to be the principal wife. This should mean she wants to be Empress Dowager Taizong, right?
But there has never been a precedent for this.
I truly don't know what to do…"
Promoting a concubine from generations past to the position of principal wife was not only unprecedented in this dynasty but also in all previous dynasties, unless the son born to that concubine became emperor. Such situations were rare.
Even his father, Emperor Jin'an, only posthumously honored his own birth mother as Empress Dowager after ascending the throne. He did not posthumously honor his paternal grandmother or great-grandmother.
"Wants to be the principal wife?"
The Empress Dowager understood Ding Yun's meaning as well but, like her son, fell into deep contemplation and dilemma. She knew very well that their influence was not high at the moment, and imperial etiquette was notoriously difficult to navigate.
Back then, her husband, the late Emperor Jin'an.
To posthumously honor his biological father and mother as Emperor and Empress Dowager, he had indeed been in a prolonged standoff with all the civil and military officials. He had even angered and executed dozens of officials before he could barely achieve it.
And for many years afterward, it was criticized.
Furthermore, what concerned her more was that if this Noble Consort were truly elevated, from Noble Consort Taizong to Empress Dowager Taizong.
Her status and authority would undergo a qualitative change.
Noble Consort Taizong was an honorary title. Whether she ate well or not depended on whether the Empress Dowager and the Emperor were willing to let her eat well. But once she was upgraded to Empress Dowager Taizong, theoretically, from that moment on, she would be the highest-ranking figure in the harem.
Even the current Empress Dowager would have to.
To pay her respectful and proper respects.
To put it bluntly, the power the current Empress Dowager possessed, Empress Dowager Taizong could wield similar to that of the Grand Empress Dowager, surpassing the Empress Dowager. If she became even more assertive, she could even conduct court from behind a screen.
Yes, the difference was that significant. This was the power disparity between a concubine and a principal wife. No matter how noble a Noble Consort was, she could not outrank the principal wife.
Historically, there were many regents who were empresses dowager.
But there had never been a regent who was a noble consort…
"Agree. Agree for now, but don't rush the investiture. Let it linger, perhaps for two or three years, then discuss it. The reasons are also easy to find. Although the current evidence is sufficient to prove that the potatoes and sweet potatoes she provided are indeed high-yielding varieties, they have not yet been officially promoted.
The common people have not yet benefited.
So, put it on hold for now. Delaying the investiture for a few years is also reasonable. After all, one does not confer a marquis position before the army has even marched and captured territory, merely based on the theoretical possibility of success.
Don't you agree?"
"For now, you can grant her other things, such as increasing her maids and eunuchs, and improving her treatment.
Elevate her treatment to be comparable to that of Empress Dowager Taizong."
After much deliberation and struggle, the Empress Dowager came up with a plan and stated it directly.
Emperor Ronghua pondered for a moment and said with difficulty:
"Mother, I think I understand your meaning. You want to delay this matter, perhaps hoping that she will die of old age. After all, she is already over a hundred years old and could pass away from some accident at any moment.
But I worry that her constitution is robust.
She might not have any accidents within three to two years.
Then, wouldn't I still have to bestow the title of Empress Dowager Taizong?"
"Then bestow it. In my opinion, the reason Noble Consort Taizong was willing to contribute her cultivated superior seeds this year is because she saw the sincerity of myself and you, and because you bestowed rewards upon her maternal descendants.
I suggest delaying the bestowal of rewards for a few years. While there is hope that her lifespan might be short, this is not the primary factor. The primary factor is that at present, only the officials know of her achievements. Outsiders have not witnessed it firsthand and find it difficult to acknowledge this contribution.
It is inevitable that some rumors will spread.
This would not be good for you or for Noble Consort Taizong.
But if we first promote the sweet potatoes and potatoes for three to two years, letting the common people throughout the land know how high-yielding these two grain seeds are, then not only will your own prestige increase significantly, and your decrees become even more absolute.
Noble Consort Taizong's reputation will also spread far and wide.
Then, when we discuss elevating her to Empress Dowager Taizong.
There will be far fewer people opposing it.
Even the descendants of Emperor Taizong Jianwu from the imperial clan would likely not strongly object, as having a female hero comparable to Shennong as Empress Dowager Taizong could indirectly increase Emperor Taizong Jianwu's merits and achievements."
Despite many concerns about this course of action, the Empress Dowager truly did not fear that Ding Yun, at such an advanced age, would contend for power with her. It was illogical for someone who had no desire for power for over a hundred years to suddenly develop it in her final years.
Therefore, her words were quite honest.
The resistance to elevating Ding Yun from Noble Consort to Empress Dowager Taizong now would undoubtedly be significant. However, it would be different in a few years. By then, not only would her son's imperial position be secure, and the people's approval increased, but Noble Consort Taizong's reputation as the discoverer of high-yielding superior seeds would also undoubtedly rise.
At that time, undertaking this matter would be far more logical.
The opposition would also be significantly reduced.
"Alright, but could I trouble you, Mother, to personally explain this matter to Noble Consort Taizong? I hope she doesn't misunderstand. After all, even I feel that delaying the matter for a few years carries the intention of wishing her to die before it happens.
[Recommendation, @, for you to view the fastest updates of this book next time, please be sure to save your bookmark!
Chapter 974: High-Imitation Life Elixir (14) Free Reading.]