Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
The following year, Tuoba Gui proclaimed himself as the Emperor Wu of the Northern Wei. Traditionally, a newly enthroned emperor needed to select an empress to manage the imperial harem.
The mother of Crown Prince Tuoba Si, the Liu, naturally became the first choice.
However, Prime Minister Tuoba Yi and other ministers proposed that the empress should be selected through the "casting of a golden man" and recommended the Ms.Murong as a candidate.
Minister's main suggestion is that during Murong Sheng's reign, Later Yan gradually prospered, and during this period, Tuoba Gui did not launch a large-scale attack on Later Yan. Moreover, after Murong Sheng's succession, Tuoba Gui expressed goodwill by conducting the hand-casting ceremony to establish Murong Sheng's sister, Murong Yao, as the queen.
Due to the large number of ministers supporting these two proposals, Tuoba Gui had to agree.
"The hand-cast gold man" is a method used by some ethnic minorities during the period of the Southern and Northern Dynasties to predict good and bad luck.
Although its origins are uncertain, records show that it was used in the Later Zhao and Northern Wei dynasties established by the Jie tribe and the Tuoba clan, primarily for the enthronement ceremony of empresses.
According to the regulations, whenever an empress was to be enthroned, the candidate had to personally cast a golden figure in front of the public to divine the will of heaven.
Only those who successfully complete this mission can become the ultimate victor and the first empress of the Northern Wei.
In the palace of the Northern Wei, a quiet struggle for the position of the queen is unfolding.
The newly crowned emperor, Tuoba Gui, faces an important choice: whether to choose the mother of his eldest son, Tuoba Si, from the the Liu, or to choose the captive Princess of Later Yan from the Ms.Murong.
Prime Minister Tuoba Yi stood on the court, his gaze firm as he faced the many ministers and proposed, "Your Majesty, we should select the empress through the method of 'casting a golden man by hand.' Princess Murong from the Ms.Murong is virtuous and benevolent. During the reign of her brother, Murong Bao, the Later Yan gradually prospered. After being captured by us, she has consistently shown dignity and virtue. We should consider her as a candidate."
In the court, for a while, the ministers were discussing fervently. Some nodded in agreement, while others furrowed their brows in thought.
One of the ministers named Li Zhongben stood up, a sly glint in his eyes as he smiled and said, "The Prime Minister's words are indeed wise. When Murong Bao ascended the throne, His Majesty led an army of over four hundred thousand to launch a massive attack on Later Yan, dealing a heavy blow to them. Now, if we can establish Ms.Murong as the empress, it would undoubtedly be a friendly gesture towards Later Yan."
Li Zhongben's words caused a wave of agreement. A slightly older minister named Wang Yuangui had a thoughtful look in his eyes.
He stood up slowly and said in a wise tone, "Your Majesty, the ritual of casting the golden man is a tradition of our Northern Wei, it can display the mandate of heaven. If Ms.Murong can successfully complete this task, then she is naturally the chosen one."
The atmosphere in the court gradually became tense. The ministers were exchanging words as if the struggle had already begun. Some ministers supported the Ms.Murong, while others stood with the the Liu.
Tuoba Gui sat on the dragon throne, his gaze wandering among the ministers. His heart was also filled with conflict. He knew that choosing the Ms.Murong as the empress would be beneficial for the relationship between Northern Wei and Later Yan. However, he also could not ignore the status of the the Liu.
A minister named Zhao Mu stepped forward with a disdainful look in his eyes. He sneered and said, "Why do we need to argue so much here? The position of the queen naturally belongs to Mrs. Liu, and no one can rival her. Although Ms.Murong comes from a prestigious background, she is ultimately an outsider. How can we let an outsider preside over the harem of our Northern Wei?"
Zhao Mu's words were echoed by some ministers, who expressed their support for the Liu. The atmosphere in the court became even more confrontational.
At this moment, a young minister named Han Zhongxuan, with a determined look in his eyes, stood up and loudly retorted, "Lord Zhao, your words are too one-sided. Although the Ms.Murong is of foreign origin, her virtue and wisdom are the most evident to us. If she can become the empress, it will undoubtedly be greatly beneficial to the development of our Northern Wei."
Zhao Mu frowned, a displeased expression on his face. He coldly responded, " Lord Han, what do you mean by this? Should the position of the queen of Northern Wei be given to a woman from an outside tribe?"
Han Zhongxuan does not back down, he looks firmly at Zhao Mu and says, "Lord Zhao, we should prioritize the interests of the country. If Ms.Murong can become the empress, it will greatly benefit our relationship with Later Yan. This will not only stabilize our country but also improve the lives of our people."
Other ministers in the court also express their opinions one after another. Some support Ms.Murong, while others insist on the Liu. For a while, the atmosphere in the court becomes unusually tense.
A minister named Zhang Xian stepped forward with a thoughtful look in his eyes. He said softly, "Your Majesty, we are all considering the interests of the country. Whether it's the Ms.Murong or Mrs. Liu, they both have their merits. We should carefully consider and choose the most suitable queen."
Tuoba Gui listened to the ministers' arguments, feeling conflicted. He knew that no matter who he chose, there would be dissatisfaction from one side.
"It's better to follow the advice of Prime Minister Tuoba Yi and choose a day to use the 'casting of the golden man' to select the empress, leaving everything to fate to decide," Tuoba Gui's words instantly quieted the atmosphere in the court. The ministers looked at each other, their expressions varied. Some showed a satisfied smile, while others furrowed their brows.
Prime Minister Tuoba Yi stood up, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes. With a slight bow, he said, "Your Majesty is wise. The 'casting of the golden man' ceremony can reveal the will of heaven, making it the most fair and impartial choice."
Zhao Mu's expression showed a hint of displeasure, but he also knew that in this situation, he could not raise any further objections. He could only bow his head and obediently say, "I will comply with the decree."
Other ministers in the court also expressed their approval one after another. For a while, the entire hall was filled with affirmations and praises.
Later, Tuoba Gui announced the specific date and details of the "hand-cast golden man" ceremony. He decided to hold this ceremony on an auspicious day ten days later, and all the candidates must personally participate.
The news quickly spread to the harem. When Ms.Murong heard this news, her heart was filled with complex emotions. She knew that this ceremony would determine her future and destiny.
Ms.Murong sat alone in her palace, feeling uneasy. She didn't know if she could pass this ceremony and become the queen. Her palms were sweating involuntarily because of this.
At that moment, a palace maid named Li Wan walked in. Seeing the expression on Ms.Murong's face, she comforted softly, "Madam Murong, there's no need to worry too much. Your virtue and wisdom will surely gain the favor of destiny."
Ms.Murong smiled slightly, knowing that Li Wan meant well.
She nodded gently and said, "Wan'er, you are right. I cannot lose my composure. Regardless of the outcome, I must face it with strength."
Seeing a slight relaxation in Li Wan's expression, Ms.Murong felt a little comforted. She gently said, "Consort, rest assured, Wan'er will definitely accompany you, no matter what happens."
Ten days passed by quickly.
On this day, the entire palace was decorated as if it were a festival. Lanterns of various colors and colorful flags fluttered in the air, filling the entire palace with a festive atmosphere.
However, for the Ms.Murong and Mrs. Liu, this day was filled with pressure and tension.
Tuoba Gui, this young emperor who is only twenty-nine years old, is facing an important choice: who will become his empress and rule together with him over this emerging empire?
That morning, the two consorts were both brought to a huge square. In the center of the square, there was a massive furnace burning with fierce flames. This was the place where the "hand-casting golden man" ceremony would take place.
Tuoba Gui is sitting on a high platform, his gaze is serious and profound. His eyes sweep over the two of them, finally resting on the Ms.Murong.
In a magnificent palace, the Liu is sitting upright, her eyes shining with confidence, filled with anticipation for the upcoming position of the queen.
"Madam, you will definitely become the empress," a maid said softly to the Liu, with a humble smile on her face.
the Liu nodded slightly, her expression appearing proud and confident. "Of course, I am the emperor's wife and the mother of the eldest son, Tuoba Si."
However, things in the palace often change unpredictably. The palace of the Northern Wei dynasty inherited an ancient rule of Dai.
The woman who desires to become queen must personally pour and cast a bronze figure. Only those who successfully cast the figure are considered to have received the guidance of destiny and are qualified to become queen.
The ceremony has begun. Each candidate must personally place a piece of gold into the furnace and then stir it with a copper rod.
This process is extremely testing of a person's patience and determination. Only true virtue and wisdom can maintain calmness throughout this process and successfully cast a complete golden figure.
the Liu and Murong Yao each performed the ritual of hand-casting a golden figure.
In the hall, the fire flickered and the furnace roared. Two women were fully focused on their respective hand-casting work.
the Liu's hands trembled slightly, her eyes filled with anxiety and her heart full of mixed emotions, eager for success.
She repeatedly poured Golden liquid into the mold, but each time the result was a failure.
"Madam, please try again." The maid looked at the Liu anxiously, her eyes filled with worry.
the Liu Biting her lower lip, the anxiety in her eyes became more apparent. She tried again, but the result was still a failure.
Comment 0 Comment Count