Reborn to Become A Queen: The Real Heiress's Comeback
Chapter 520: The Empress’s Decree is the Imperial Edict!

Chapter 520: Chapter 520: The Empress’s Decree is the Imperial Edict!

The people within Ding’an City heard the mighty congratulatory sounds from the civil and military officials and the Imperial Army.

No matter if they were in a teahouse, setting up a stall by the roadside, or hurrying along the road, the people all stopped, knelt on the ground, and after a moment, shouted in unison: "Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live forever!"

Sunlight bathed the entire city of Ding’an, sweeping away the gloom of the imperial city.

After the sacrificial ceremony, the solemn sound of drums resonated within the palace, and on the majestic stone steps, Imperial Army soldiers stood on each side holding their swords.

Zhan Lan wore a phoenix robe, and Mu Yan extended his hand to her with affectionate eyes.

Holding Zhan Lan’s hand, he walked through layer upon layer of halls, stepping along the red carpet all the way to the Golden Throne Hall.

Zhan Lan wore layers upon layers of phoenix robes, a jade belt around her waist. A gust of wind blew, making her appear otherworldly and ethereal, her features unparalleled.

Her black hair adorned with a phoenix crown of tassels, a touch of carmine fell between her brows, and her eyes, radiant like stars and water, fully displayed her elegance.

The officials looked on as Zhan Lan walked, her demeanor graceful, the tassels on her phoenix crown swaying orderly and rhythmically, unlike in the past when she was a gallant general. At this moment, the dignity, nobility, and majesty emanating from her as the Queen Mother made the officials sigh: Zhan Lan is truly the Mother of the Country, a truly compassionate Empress!

Zhan Lan was too familiar with these processes. In her previous life, she was the Empress, and in this life, she is still the Empress.

It seems that some things are her destiny.

Mu Yan was also amazed at Zhan Lan’s calm dignity today, her every smile and frown embodying the demeanor of an Empress.

It seems his Lan’er was born to be an Empress.

Mu Yan held Zhan Lan’s hand, and together they stepped over the high threshold, walking step by step to the front of the dragon throne.

They both turned around, and the officials prostrated, "Long live His Majesty! Long live! Long live forever! Long live Her Majesty, a thousand autumns and a thousand years!"

"Rise, my lords!" Mu Yan looked down at the officials, gently raising his hand.

The ministers stood up in unison, and in the next moment, no one expected Mu Yan to pull Zhan Lan’s hand and sit together on the vast dragon throne.

In the Golden Throne Hall, the golden dragon coiled atop the hall, and the golden phoenix perched under the eaves, with jade lions guarding outside the large door.

The two sat in the Golden Throne Hall, a kind of cold majesty intimidating all directions.

Zhan Lan never expected Mu Yan to do such a rebellious thing. She was only startled for a moment, then calmed down.

The officials’ faces were all shocked, even Zhan Beicang was startled by Mu Yan’s actions. In ancient and modern times, how could an empress sit on the dragon throne? This is utter disrespect!

Especially Zhong Xuanliang’s brows tightened. For the empress to sit on the dragon throne, only their rebellious new emperor would dare.

Zhan Beicang knew Mu Yan extremely cherished his daughter. Could it be that Mu Yan was merely in high spirits, wanting his daughter to sit on the dragon throne and experience the feeling of being an emperor?

In the next moment, Mu Yan looked toward the officials, his voice carrying endless majesty, and said loudly: "From today onwards, the rule that the empress cannot participate in politics is abolished. Dayu and its people are mine, also the Empress’s! In Dayu, seeing the Empress is like seeing me. The Empress’s decree is the imperial edict!"

Zhan Lan’s pupils dilated, and with a sidelong glance, she looked at Mu Yan. Mu Yan actually disregarded worldly views and let her sit on the dragon throne, even allowing her to engage in politics!

The officials were internally tumultuous. Their emperor allowed the empress to participate in state affairs; it seems the rumors were true, their emperor’s deep love for the empress meant the harem would likely have only the empress in the future.

Zhan Beicang’s eyes swirled. Since ancient times, emperors have been wary of the harem’s involvement in politics, yet Mu Yan could do this for his daughter!

Xiao Chen lowered his gaze. Mu Yan indeed could provide Zhan Lan with the best, and he truly gave all his favor to Zhan Lan.

Lu Zhong had long known of the emperor’s rebellious nature, and he was not overly shocked, having foreseen this matter.

Zhong Xuanliang had assisted three generations of the Si family emperors, witnessing their incompetence and decline firsthand. His old-fashioned ways would have surely led him to oppose if he had heard such words from Emperor Jian’an when he was younger.

However, he admired the present emperor, and he even more admired the empress, Zhan Lan!

With them together revitalizing the declining Nanjin and leading the more prosperous Dayu to bring benefits to the people, he was hopeful!

How could he oppose it!

Huang Gun stood there with a straight face, yet inside he was brimming with joy. His main general was the empress, truly an empress equal to the emperor!

Lu Zhong was the first to speak out, "May Your Majesties live for millennia, live forever!"

"May Your Majesties live for millennia, live forever!" the officials responded loudly.

Mu Yan looked up at Lu Zhong, "Grand Academician Lu Zhong, draft the decree."

Lu Zhong bowed his head, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

"From today, the three-year tax exemption for the people commences!"

Lu Zhong’s lips curled up, indeed, as expected, His Majesty immediately sought to bring peace and rest for the people after ascending the throne; the people would undoubtedly work hard during these three years!

The officials were greatly encouraged by Emperor Jian’an’s words!

The tax exemptions primarily include reductions for disaster-struck areas after natural calamities; for people of war-affected cities after conflicts with neighboring countries; for areas where farmer uprisings were quelled; for newly cultivated lands to encourage reclamation; for celebrating significant state affairs with tax exemptions, and so forth.

Besides, other numerous types of tax exemptions are implemented due to royal ceremonies, era name changes, and other reasons.

However, such a large-scale tax exemption is the first, an absolute boon for Nanjin’s populace and merchants.

Only this means that the state’s coffers will undoubtedly become strained over the next three years.

Zhong Xuanliang was stirred by Mu Yan’s decision and took the lead to express, "His Majesty loves the people as his children and exempts them from three years of taxes. I am willing to reduce my salary in cooperation!"

The other ministers exchanged looks; just now, they hadn’t considered this aspect. With reduced taxes, state revenues would certainly decrease, meaning salaries for officials and the minor clerks would be hard to disburse.

Not to mention, in the event of a war, even the soldiers’ pay might not be met. Without silver, how would military provisions be collected? These are the problems!

Mu Yan looked at the ministers, just quietly observing their expressions.

Zhan Beicang stood out to say, "Your Majesty, the wars over these years have wearied the people of Nanjin physically and mentally. I agree with Your Majesty’s decision to exempt the people from three years of taxes, and I am willing to forgo my salary for three years!"

Lu Zhong nodded and stepped forward, "I second this!"

Wang Qingchen, Xiao Chen, Huang Gun, Dugu Yan, and the deputy generals who had followed Zhan Lan all stepped forward, "I second this!"

Hearing these major officials expressing their stance, the other officials had no choice but to follow suit reluctantly, "I second this!"

Zhan Lan saw the worry in their eyes—among the civil and military officials, few could endure three years without salary.

If one cannot support oneself and their family, what talk is there of serving the country and its people!

If the salaries of court officials can’t be delivered after exempting people from taxes, it’s also a significant risk.

She did not believe Mu Yan would make such a decision lightly.