novelraw Chapter 405
Chapter 405
Chu Ruoyan wore a bright yellow robe and a ceremonial dress decorated with golden silk clouds and dragon motifs, complete with a jade belt. Even the nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown on her head was a grand dynasty ceremonial dress rushed out by the Ministry of Rites over several sleepless nights.
The new Emperor seemed determined to announce her identity to the world. Not only was it explicitly written in the patent of appointment, but even this Empress's ceremonial dress strictly followed the grand dynasty's regulations.
"Receiving the imperial grace, long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!"
The woman bowed down with her hands respectfully folded. The dangling pearls on the nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown swayed with her movements, making her look even more graceful and majestic.
Cao Yang respectfully presented the patent, feeling a myriad of emotions in his heart.
Who could have imagined?
The little lady who once stormed the heavenly prison and the Ministry of Revenue, and even ran to his mansion to threaten him over a disagreement, had now become the Mother of the Nation, second only to one person and above ten thousand.
Seeing Chu Ruoyan receive the patent with both hands, the Minister of Rites hurriedly shouted loudly.
"The ceremony is complete!"
Everyone in the hall knelt down again and paid deep respects.
"Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!"
"A thousand years to the Empress, a thousand years, a thousand, thousand years!"
Holding the imperial edict, Chu Ruoyan felt a bit dazed. Once upon a time, she was just the sickly legitimate daughter of the Duke of Chu's mansion, her life hanging by a thread.
But now she had ascended to the position of Empress, achieving something even her birth mother, who had the destiny of a phoenix, had never accomplished.
Taking a deep breath to steady her mind, she said, "My lords, please rise! In the future, this Empress will certainly be diligent in virtue and assist the Emperor. If there is any slackness, I hope my lords will not hesitate to advise."
The ministers bowed again, expressing their trepidation, but deep down, they were extremely satisfied.
Virtuous, capable, humble, and self-motivating—how many Empresses in history possessed such grace?
Cao Yang smiled and stepped forward. "Congratulations, Empress. Now that the patent has arrived, the imperial seal is still in the Emperor's hands. He and the ministers and titled ladies are waiting for you in Fengtian Hall. Shall we set off now?"
Chu Ruoyan nodded and silently mouthed the word "Uncle."
Cao Yang's body stiffened slightly, but the smile reached his eyes.
Thus, Chu Ruoyan boarded the imperial carriage, leading a massive procession of guards of honor, along with Cao Yang, Xu Yan, and others, toward Fengtian Hall.
In Fengtian Hall, everyone qualified to attend the Empress's coronation ceremony had arrived.
The ministers and titled ladies stood in their respective ranks, the entire hall solemn. But anyone with eyes could see that the one at the top was getting impatient, occasionally glancing outside.
"How much longer until she arrives? Didn't I tell the Chief Grand Secretary to hurry up? I knew I should have gone myself!"
Yan Zheng frowned, already looking like he was about to stand up.
This frightened Yin Shun so much that he bowed repeatedly. "Emperor, the rites must not be abandoned! The most important part of the coronation ceremony is for you to personally confer the imperial seal. Please, be patient and wait a little longer..."
Yan Zheng let out a heavy breath, thinking to himself that Cao Yang was simply too slow!
When it came time to confer a title on Cao Yang's wife, he would make sure Cao Yang tasted this agonizing impatience!
Just as he was thinking this, a voice suddenly rang out from afar.
"The Empress arrives!"
His spirits lifted as the chanting grew closer and clearer.
When the figure, wearing an intricate ceremonial dress yet still looking gentle, dignified, and elegant, appeared in his line of sight, Yan Zheng actually felt his palms sweat a little. He was nervous.
The woman looked straight ahead, her hands folded in front of her chest, stepping onto the golden stairs step by step according to the teachings of the female officials of the Ministry of Rites.
The festive red carpet contrasted with her bright yellow figure.
Every movement was flawless!
Among the solemn ministers standing beside them, a few old censors who had fiercely opposed this could only comfort themselves. Even if her background wasn't entirely proper, she had at least been educated by the Duke of Chu for so many years. The Empress's etiquette was quite good.
They could only hope she wouldn't harbor any improper thoughts about the Yun family!
At the highest point of the grand hall.
Chu Ruoyan slowly walked to the last golden step and paused. "This concubine thanks the Emperor for his heavenly grace—"
With that, she bent her knees to kneel, but the new Emperor caught her wrist and pulled her up directly.
"I have said before, in front of me, you will never kneel!"
As his words fell, the entire hall was in an uproar.
A few old censors who had just managed to calm themselves down almost spat blood.
What did he mean by not kneeling? Was the Emperor trying to elevate the Empress to the same status as himself?
They all shot glaring looks at Cao Yang, who was standing at the very front.
By now, the new Emperor wasn't just violating the regulations; he was completely ignoring them!
As the head of all officials, shouldn't the Chief Grand Secretary say something?
Yet this old fox stared straight ahead without even glancing sideways, pretending to be deaf and mute!
Since the Chief Grand Secretary didn't speak, the rest of the ministers naturally didn't dare to speak up in such a grand setting. And a few stubborn old censors hadn't even opened their mouths before their vision went black and they were knocked out by someone.
High on the platform, Yan Zheng didn't care what the people below thought.
He had fought his way into this imperial city with great difficulty, not to be a restrained Emperor. If he held supreme power but couldn't even elevate one person, what was the point?
He turned and picked up the imperial seal, solemnly handing it to the person in front of him. "A-Yan, here."
This was the Phoenix Seal. According to the regulations, she was supposed to kneel and receive it with both hands raised above her head to demonstrate the Emperor's majesty.
But now Yan Zheng forbade her from kneeling and simply handed it to her like this. Wasn't this announcing to the world that the Emperor and Empress were of equal status?
Chu Ruoyan's mouth twitched slightly. Feeling the prickly stares from behind, she hesitated for a moment before taking it with both hands.
If Yan Zheng wasn't afraid, why should she be?
At worst, the historians would curse her for a hen crowing at dawn. She didn't care about her reputation anyway.
"Emperor, no—"
Among the officials, an old minister whom the Shadow Black Crows had failed to deal with finally spoke up.
But before he could utter more than three words, a louder voice covered his. "The Emperor and Empress are of one heart, their prosperity will last for ten thousand generations. This minister, Cao Yang, respectfully wishes the Emperor and Empress a thousand autumns and ten thousand years!!!"
The Minister of Revenue, Ji Yao, immediately echoed, "A thousand autumns and ten thousand years to the Emperor and Empress!"
With these two taking the lead, the ministers knelt down like a tidal wave. "The Emperor and Empress are of one heart, a thousand autumns and ten thousand years!"
The old minister's eyes widened, and he turned to look at Old Censor Yu, only to see this usually upright remonstrant close his eyes.
After experiencing the previous dynasty, he had seen clearly that so-called regulations meant nothing in front of an Emperor.
When an Emperor was incompetent and the people suffered, what use were regulations?
On the contrary, this was a wise ruler who simply wanted to bend the rules for his beloved wife. A small flaw was harmless.
So he slowly bowed down. "The Emperor and Empress are of one heart, a thousand autumns and ten thousand years..."
The old minister completely lost his voice. Seeing everyone around him bowing, and him being the only one standing, he finally bent his spine...
Yan Zheng paid no attention to this at all. He took Chu Ruoyan's hand and walked to the Dragon and Phoenix thrones to sit down.
"Bow!"
The civil and military officials, titled ladies, and noblewomen solemnly performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows.
Yan Zheng held Chu Ruoyan's hand the entire time, never letting go for a moment.
This scene fell into the eyes of the ministers, especially Pei Ji and others, who saw it clearly. The new Emperor's elevation of the Empress wasn't to win over old officials like Chu Huaishan and Cao Yang, but out of genuine love and respect.
The scariest thing for a person was genuine affection. After all, when the Yan family fell on hard times, this Empress had married into it without hesitation. When the late Emperor grew suspicious, this Empress had desperately led both families away.
A light in a dark room, a boat at a desperate crossing—especially since this new Emperor had tragically lost his father and brother. Who could resist such timely help in such circumstances?
The ministers who had originally planned to stuff people into the inner palace gave up on the idea.
There were also those who refused to give up, like Pei Ji, who carefully examined the Empress's face before giving a low-voiced order.