Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 207 The Emperor Chooses a Wife
Lou Suyi was practicing calligraphy in her study when Jiqing arrived.

She thought Jiqing had something important to do, or that he had come on Murong's orders, but she was surprised to hear him say, "If Xianfu Palace lacks anything, just let me know, and I will take care of it as soon as possible. Especially since the young prince is still young, just tell me if there is anything that needs to be added."

Lou Suyi felt that Ji Qing's warm attitude was somewhat strange.

She knew that Ji Qing, who appeared friendly to everyone, was actually quite arrogant.

"I have everything I need. You're kind enough, but His Majesty sent you here to ask me something?"

"Of course His Majesty cares about the young lady. Since His Majesty couldn't leave, I came here specifically to check on the situation." Ji Qing certainly couldn't say that he had taken it upon himself to come and curry favor with the Fourth Young Lady.

He simply felt that the Fourth Miss had a very high chance of becoming Empress. If the Fourth Miss really became the Empress and had a little prince under her wing, then her status in the harem would be unmatched. It was never wrong for him to take the initiative to show goodwill.

"Everything is fine here, and I don't lack anything. Your thoughtfulness is enough."

As Lou Suyi spoke, she specially gave Jiqing a reward.

This time, Ji Qing declined, saying, "Fourth Miss may have many other things to take care of in the future, so keep the money for yourself. I have to go back to serve in front of the Emperor, so I won't linger here any longer. I'll take my leave."

Lou Suyi watched Ji Qing walk away, then asked in confusion, "Why did Ji Qing specifically come over to ask me what I needed?"

Judging from his tone, he came on his own initiative, not on Murong's orders.

"Perhaps he's concerned about the young lady and the young prince? Maybe His Majesty hinted at this, which is why he came over," Jinshu guessed.

Lou Suyi didn't think much of it and continued to focus on practicing calligraphy.

Because a group of concubines were punished, Liang Wanying was also confined to her quarters, and the palace became quiet for the next period of time.

However, despite the seemingly peaceful state of the harem, undercurrents were surging beneath the surface.

Everyone was concerned about which lucky person would become empress, and this matter was being debated by ministers in the court every day, but Murong never made a statement.

In the blink of an eye, it was July. Seeing that Murong had not yet decided on an empress, the civil and military officials once again jointly submitted a memorial, requesting Murong to establish an empress as soon as possible.

Perhaps it was because everyone was pressuring him too much, but Murong finally relented during court that day and said he would consider making her empress.

In an instant, all the ministers were overjoyed, and the tense atmosphere in the court was swept away.

Then, many ministers suggested that Empress Dowager Chen be in charge of selecting the empress, and Murong had no objection.

The news quickly spread throughout the streets and alleys, and the women in the harem naturally received the message as well.

With the selection of the empress entrusted to Empress Dowager Chen, Shou'an Palace suddenly became the liveliest place again. Every day, many noblewomen would submit their name tags to enter the palace, hoping to catch a glimpse of Empress Dowager Chen.

Empress Dowager Chen accepted all who came.

Even the concubines in the harem frequently visited Shou'an Palace, hoping that Empress Dowager Chen would make them empresses.

Empress Dowager Chen was busy welcoming and seeing off guests every day, and she witnessed many aspects of life.

Everyone in the harem went to curry favor with Empress Dowager Chen, except for Lou Suying, who didn't go to cause trouble for her at this critical juncture. She usually went to Shou'an Palace every two days, but seeing that it was overcrowded, she couldn't be bothered to join in the fun.

Empress Dowager Chen obtained many portraits of noble ladies and then went to the Qianqing Palace. Although she did indeed favor Lou Suyi as Empress, the final decision rested with Murong, the person involved. It was his marriage, and she couldn't simply force an Empress upon him.

If he is unwilling, nothing she does will make a difference.

She handed the portrait to Murong: "Your Majesty, take a look at these candidates and see if any of them suit your taste."

Murong picked up the portraits and examined them carefully, but found that they all looked similar, and he couldn't remember them either.

"Since it was the Empress Dowager who helped me choose a wife, I naturally trust her judgment." After looking at the portrait, Murong handed it back to Empress Dowager Chen.

Seeing his attitude, Empress Dowager Chen wanted to test him: "Then I think Su Yi is suitable for this position, do you agree?"

Murong chuckled: "It's fine as long as Mother decides."

"But this is your marriage, not mine. What if you resent me for making decisions on your own in the future?" Empress Dowager Chen said irritably.

She felt that his attitude was like that of someone getting married.

"As I just said, I trust the Empress Dowager's judgment. Besides, Su Yi is the savior of my son and me, so marrying her would be quite good." With that, Murong said solemnly, "Let's leave it at that. If I don't make her my empress, those ministers will bother me every day. Once this matter is settled, I can finally have some peace and quiet."

Empress Dowager Chen was surprised that Murong readily agreed to make Lou Suyi empress; the matter proceeded with an almost uncanny ease.

She looked at Murong: "Is this decision really made?"

"Yes, I will draft an imperial edict to appoint an empress next," Murong said calmly.

Empress Dowager Chen stared blankly at Murong, wondering if things had gone too smoothly.
She thought she would have to use a lot of persuasion to convince the emperor, but he made his decision easily.

The servants nearby overheard the conversation between Empress Dowager Chen and her son, and exchanged bewildered glances. Since neither of the two important figures had dismissed them, they had pricked up their ears to eavesdrop on their conversation.

The choice of empress was decided so easily, especially since it was chosen by the Empress Dowager herself. It was like playing house; it didn't seem real at all.

Although Ji Qing had been mentally prepared, when he saw Lou Suyi actually become the empress, he could only sigh in his heart, "The fourth young lady is a blessed person."

What others strive for with all their might, the Fourth Miss obtains without vying or fighting. First, His Majesty's health; second, the young prince; and third, the position of Empress.

As the person involved, the Fourth Miss probably didn't even know she was going to become Empress.

There were information channels within the imperial harem, and some people made money by selling information. In addition, neither Empress Dowager Chen nor Murong dismissed the crowd, so the news of the selection of the empress spread throughout the entire harem in no time.

However, no one dared to say it was Lou Suyi; they only said it was a woman from the harem. Then someone received confirmation that Empress Dowager Chen had chosen the empress, and His Majesty would obey her every arrangement.

The news of the chosen empress naturally reached Xianfu Palace as well. Lou Suying, upon hearing this, became curious: "The empress has been chosen so quickly? Who is it?"

"I received news that it was a concubine in the harem. It can't be Consort Hui, can it?" Yan Hui was also extremely curious.

If Liang Wanying becomes empress, then the girl who offended Liang Wanying last time will not have a good life in the palace.
"Are you stupid?! You just said that the Empress Dowager was the one chosen for the Empress, and His Majesty was just following orders. If that's the case, do you really think it could be Consort Hui?" Lou Suyi was both amused and exasperated.

Yan Hui blushed with shame: "This servant never thought of that. But if it wasn't Consort Hui, then who could it be?"