CHAPTER 313: CHAPTER 313: NEW EMPEROR (PART 1)

Tonight, those deeply shocked were not only Jiang Wanhua and Jiang Yuehua.

After returning to their respective mansions, the father and son of Prince Dongping and Prince Huaiyang each had a long conversation. Exactly what was discussed, no one knew.

As for the Crown Prince, due to excitement and tension over the inauguration ceremony tomorrow, he barely slept all night.

Similarly, Zheng Chen also had a sleepless night.

Zheng Chen lay on his bed silently pondering and calculating. However, the beautiful, dazzling, confident, and composed face kept flashing in his mind, leaving him restless, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Fortunately, he was young and fit, so enduring one sleepless night was nothing significant. By the fifth hour in the morning, he rolled a boiled egg under his eyes a few times, still looking spirited.

When meeting the Crown Prince, Zheng Chen ran into Wang Jin. They exchanged a glance, each noticing the other’s faint under-eye shadows, and silently scoffed in their hearts.

"Did Wang the Fourth not sleep well last night?" Zheng Chen mocked casually, "Could it be that your mind was troubled, keeping you awake?"

Wang Jin replied with a calm expression, "Today is the Crown Prince’s grand day of inauguration. Last night, I was too excited and joyous, thus slept lightly."

Zheng Chen’s eyes flickered, and he smiled, "Such a joyous occasion is indeed exhilarating. I also didn’t sleep well last night."

Li Boyuan and Jiang Yi also came over.

Li Boyuan laughed broadly, "Today is a great day for the new emperor’s inauguration, you two should calm down and stop bickering."

Jiang Yi, the youngest, spoke most directly, "That’s not easy. Without talking, they can duel several rounds just with eye contact."

Zheng Chen and Wang Jin each smiled gracefully and did not engage in verbal sparring with Jiang Yi.

At this moment, the Crown Prince, already dressed neatly, emerged.

The Crown Prince was wearing the prince’s ceremonial robe, and would only change into the dragon robe during the coronation ceremony. A sixteen-year-old youth, with fuzz still visible at the corners of his mouth, his eyes held the unique fervor and vitality of youth.

Soon to become the Emperor of Da Liang and command the realm, with all pledging loyalty. Such excitement and exhilaration brought by power must be the most wonderful sensation in the world.

Zheng Chen watched the Crown Prince, whose eyes shone brightly, silently pulled a corner of his mouth, and hurried forward, speaking ahead of everyone else, "Please, Your Highness, proceed to Jinluan Palace."

The Crown Prince nodded slightly and stepped out of the Eastern Palace.

The first rays of dawn spilled from the horizon.

Standing outside the Eastern Palace, dressed in a black ceremonial gown, the beautiful young woman smiled and saluted in the morning light, "Shao Hua greets the Crown Prince cousin. After today, I should address you as Emperor."

The Crown Prince’s eyes flickered with a smile, and he naturally reached out to support her, "Cousin, there’s no need for such courtesy, accompany me to Jinluan Palace."

Jiang Shaohua agreed with a smile, her gaze casually swept over the Crown Prince’s companions. She neither deliberately focused on nor avoided anyone.

Just a light glance.

Suddenly, an indescribable anger surged within Zheng Chen, who hadn’t slept all night.

Jiang Shaohua, do you think you can sever all ties with me by discarding the feelings of a past life?

This is absolutely impossible. What Zheng Chen desires will eventually end up in his hands.

Of course, that’s all for the future. Right now, as the Crown Prince’s companion, he is powerless against the palace favorite, Nanyang County Princess. He can only watch as Jiang Shaohua follows behind the Crown Prince, stepping steadily and briskly into Jinluan Palace.

Prime Minister Wang, Duke An, and the other ministers were already waiting in the palace.

Minister of Rites Mr. Li, having rested well for the past few days, was energetic today and declared loudly, "The new emperor’s inauguration ceremony is about to commence, all ministers welcome the Crown Prince."

Led by Prime Minister Wang, all officials shouted in unison, "Welcome, Crown Prince."

The Crown Prince barely suppressed the excitement within him and feigned calmness, "Be at ease, ministers."

Jiang Shaohua quietly watched this scene. No one knew what she was thinking at this moment.

...

The inauguration ceremony for the new emperor was grand and solemn, lasting for most of the day.

The new emperor donned the dragon robe and accepted bows and congratulations from the officials. From this day forward, Da Liang would enter the Tahe First Year.

Then, Emperor Taihe led the officials into the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to the ancestors.

In the past, this world belonged to men. Today, Nanyang County Princess naturally participated in the entire ceremony among the vassal kings.

It must be said, people’s tolerance and boundaries can change and retreat again and again.

Entering the mourning hall to the Imperial Mausoleum, then to attending court to partake in state affairs, all the way to today’s participation in the new emperor’s inauguration ceremony. Jiang Shaohua walked step by step, questioned and criticized by the ministers, even subjected to various harsh challenges. Yet she walked through it all steadily and calmly.

Wearing a heavy and magnificent princess ceremonial gown, she stood among the vassal kings, her face seemingly glowing.

Zheng Chen occasionally lifted his eyes, clearly very close, yet the distance between them kept growing. That familiar face also became increasingly unfamiliar.

Upon the conclusion of Emperor Taihe’s inauguration ceremony, the palace feast followed. This was the grandest palace feast since Emperor Taikang’s passing.

The new Emperor Taihe, clad in the dragon robe, sat at the head, with officials sitting in order of rank. The vassal kings’ positions were still above the officials. Therefore, Jiang Shaohua sat beside Prince Gaoliang, right next to the newly enthroned young sovereign.

Opposite were Prime Minister Wang and Duke An.

Today, the old rivals Prime Minister Wang and Duke An were surprisingly harmonious, frequently raising their cups, drinking together, chatting, and laughing.

With the new emperor ascending, a new atmosphere must be presented.

Jiang Shaohua smiled and raised her cup, "Minister Jiang Shaohua toasts His Majesty. Wishing Da Liang prosperity and peace, and His Majesty’s robust health."

Emperor Taihe gladly raised his cup and drank it fully.

Emperor Taihe had a decent tolerance for alcohol, but couldn’t withstand the ministers’ successive toasts and congratulations, soon becoming slightly intoxicated.

Zheng Chen and the others, one by one, rose to shield the emperor from drinks.

The palace feast lasted until darkness fell before dispersing.

The officials bid farewell to the emperor one by one, leaving the palace with joyful faces. Emperor Taihe, supported by several companions, returned to the Eastern Palace.

Consort Li waited with a smile in the Eastern Palace.

Zheng Chen and the others discreetly withdrew.

"Drink a bowl of sobering soup." Consort Li brought a bowl over, personally feeding her son the soup.

"Thank you, mother." Emperor Taihe naturally changed his address.

Consort Li’s eyes reddened upon hearing the word ’mother’, and she whispered quietly, "I’ve endured for so many years in the palace, your father always remembered the Late Empress and refused to establish me as the empress. Now, with you, my son, I can finally become the Empress Dowager."

In those tears that flowed freely, there was resentment towards Emperor Taikang, pride in her son, and joyous anticipation for future honor and respect.

As soon as Consort Li shed tears, the new emperor’s intoxication cleared slightly. He looked at his tearful mother and said softly, "I will certainly honor mother well in the future, making mother the most revered woman in Da Liang."

Consort Li wiped her tears with her sleeve, sighing lightly, whether intentionally or not, "In this harem, naturally it is the Grand Empress Dowager who holds the highest respect."

Emperor Taihe: "..."