Tang Dynasty: Consort Wu? Your Majesty, please address her as the Crown Prince's Consort.

Seeing their emperor's increasingly twisted smile, the cabinet members couldn't help but feel a chill run down their spines.

What's wrong with His Majesty?

That smile is really creepy!

Seeing everyone looking at him strangely, Li Chengqian couldn't help but cough and say:

"Then let's choose Wenxi. I have no shortage of martial skills, but I certainly can't neglect civil administration!"

Upon hearing this, Changsun Wuji and the others couldn't help but show expressions of relief.

It is a blessing for the Tang Dynasty that His Majesty has such an ambition.

Throughout history, most emperors have been keen on expanding their territories, but few have truly been willing to focus on civil administration.

Now that His Majesty is willing to take this as his motto, it's hard for them not to be happy, after all, he's the child they watched grow up!

Thinking of this, everyone quickly bowed respectfully to Li Chengqian and said:

"Your Majesty is wise!"

……

After discussing the details of the enthronement ceremony with everyone for a while, Li Chengqian went straight back to the Lizheng Hall.

The day after Li Shimin abdicated, he hurriedly moved to Ning Shou Palace with Empress Zhangsun.

Seeing his old man's enthusiastic attitude, Li Chengqian couldn't help but feel speechless.

My own husband barely has any gray hair, and he just retired. Is he even human?

No! Absolutely not!

How can we waste such a valuable workforce?

Just wait, after my coronation ceremony, I'll find you something to do, hehehe!

Inside the Li Zheng Palace.

Now that the entire Eastern Palace has moved into the inner palace, it is a foregone conclusion that Su Wan, as the principal wife, will become the empress.

These days, because of this incident, the threshold of the Su family's martial arts school has been almost worn down by visitors.

Just kidding, the Empress's maternal clan, it's hard for them not to rise to power, okay?

Moreover, the Empress already has a legitimate eldest son, so her position is secure!

If you don't try to curry favor now, when will you?

However, Su's martial arts skills did not disappoint Li Chengqian.

The officials who wanted to offer gifts to curry favor with the Su family had their gifts returned.

The main focus is on being low-key and incorruptible!

Upon seeing Li Chengqian return, Su Wan went up to greet him and gave a slight bow.

"His Majesty!"

Seeing this, Li Chengqian waved his hand dismissively and said:

"Alright, Wan'er, we're husband and wife, there's no need for such formalities."

He couldn't help but rub his temples and said with a hint of helplessness:

"Quickly give me a massage, I'm exhausted! Being an emperor is no job for a human!"

Seeing her prince's exhausted appearance, Su Wan couldn't help but find it somewhat amusing.

She slowly stepped forward and gently massaged Li Chengqian's temples with her delicate hand.

Li Chengqian, on the other hand, closed his eyes comfortably.

"Wan'er, from now on, the affairs of the harem will be entrusted to you. If you are too busy, you can ask Meiniang for help."

Hearing this, Su Wan smiled slightly and said softly:

"Your Majesty, rest assured, I understand!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian nodded.

He had no worries about Su Wan managing the harem.

When he was in the Eastern Palace, he never worried about matters in the inner quarters.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but speak again:

"Oh, by the way, there's something I need to discuss with you."

Regarding the ranks of Wu Zetian and the others!

Upon hearing this, Su Wan couldn't help but frown slightly.

She's been thinking about this for a while now.

To be honest, this is not a easy matter to handle.

His Majesty currently has six women in his harem.

Besides her being the Empress, there are also Mei Niang, Li Ling'er, Xin Ran, Hou's younger sister, and Qing Ya.

Imperial Concubine, Virtuous Concubine, Wise Concubine.

This means that one of them will be ineligible for the position of imperial concubine.

It's not scarcity that's the problem, but inequality.

Moreover, their backgrounds are not simple.

Wu Zetian was one of the earliest to follow His Highness, so she was destined for the position of a concubine.

What about the rest of the people?

The daughters of Li Jing, Li Ji, and Hou Junji each had a powerful duke behind them who held military power.

Li Qingya's brother is His Majesty's trusted general.

No one can be wronged!

"Your Majesty! This matter is difficult to handle. There are only four positions for the imperial concubines, but there are five of them, including Meiniang."

They have all served His Majesty for many years; we must not let them down!

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian nodded in agreement.

He surely understands the principle that it is not scarcity but inequality that is to be feared.

Of all the things that have happened recently, this is the one that's giving him the biggest headache.

Seeing the troubled look on her emperor's face, Su Wan couldn't help but lower her head and ponder.

After a moment, he tentatively spoke:

"Your Majesty! I do have a plan, but I don't know if it's feasible!"

Upon hearing his wife's words, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up.

Tell me about it!

Upon hearing this, Su Wan no longer hesitated and immediately expressed her thoughts.

"Your Majesty! Meiniang was one of the first to follow you and has borne you a daughter. I also rely on Meiniang's assistance in handling matters in the harem."

In that case, why not create another position below the Empress, whose rank is only below the Empress but above the Four Consorts?

The title of Consort Gui was changed to Imperial Noble Consort, placing her above the Four Consorts. The original Four Consorts—Shu Consort, De Consort, and Xian Consort—were supplemented by Consort Ning, forming the new Four Consorts.

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian's eyes lit up.

Yes, that's a good idea. Giving Wu Zetian a separate position would satisfy everyone's expectations.

Li Chengqian was also human; he couldn't treat all six people equally.

Of the six, if we were to say who was the most special in his heart, it would be Wan'er and Meiniang.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian's gaze towards Su Wan softened considerably.

"But that would be a bit unfair to you, Wan'er!"

Creating another rank below the Empress would pose a significant threat to her.

If not handled properly, such a rank might rival that of the Empress.

Hearing Li Chengqian's words, Su Wan smiled and shook her head, saying:

"It's alright. My concubines and I have a very good relationship, so there's no need for such concerns. Your Majesty can establish an ancestral rule that, from Your Majesty's time onward, the Empress and the Imperial Noble Consort cannot coexist!"

Upon hearing this, Li Chengqian nodded in agreement.

Seeing his wife's sensible demeanor, Li Chengqian felt a warmth in his heart.

With such a dignified and virtuous woman managing his harem, he would have no worries whatsoever.

Thinking of this, Li Chengqian slowly took Su Wan's hand and said:

"It's so good that I can marry you!"

Seeing Li Chengqian's affectionate expression, Su Wan smiled faintly and said:

"It is Wan'er's blessing to be able to marry His Majesty in this life!"

After saying that, she slowly stepped forward, lifted Li Chengqian's chin, and spoke with seductive eyes:

"Now that I have solved Your Majesty's problem, shouldn't it be Your Majesty's turn to serve me properly?"

Hearing this, Li Chengqian couldn't help but burst into laughter, picked Su Wan up in his arms, and said:

"Very well! Then I shall serve Her Majesty the Empress well!"