Crowned Consort in Golden Age-Chapter 289 - 287. Enthronement Ceremony
287. Ascension Ceremony
"What are you doing here?" Noble Consort Liu, unable to sleep due to excruciating pain, raised her head to see a pale-faced Princess Zhenning standing by the door, watching her. She spoke with a hint of annoyance.
Princess Zhenning walked in and quietly placed the medicine bottle by the bedside. Noble Consort Liu glanced at her and said calmly, "Apply the medicine for me."
Princess Zhenning bit the corner of her lip, as if wanting to say something. Seeing Noble Consort Liu sprawled on the bed, covered in blood, she decided to treat the injuries first. Noble Consort Liu was severely injured, not only from the brutal caning that had left her blood-soaked but also from the whipping she had endured at Prince Ding’s Mansion. Although the pain had been bearable while at Prince Ding’s Mansion, it had progressively worsened since her return, as if seeping into her very bones. This escalating pain was excruciating for Noble Consort Liu. Being somewhat versed in martial arts herself, she suspected that the guards at Prince Ding’s Mansion might have secretly harmed her. This thought only intensified her hatred towards Ye Li and Prince Ding’s Mansion.
Princess Zhenning carefully tore away the tattered clothes from Noble Consort Liu’s body. As a princess, she had no experience with such matters and inevitably caused Noble Consort Liu more pain. Fortunately, Noble Consort Liu knew that, aside from Zhenning, there was no one else to help her, so she gritted her teeth and endured it.
As she cut away the clothes stained with dark red blood, the sight of the mangled flesh before her almost made Princess Zhenning vomit. With trembling hands, she hurriedly cleaned the wounds and applied the medication. Then, she began to treat the less severe whip marks. By the time she finished, the delicate young girl was drenched in sweat.
The medicine Princess Zhenning had brought was a superior healing ointment. Although the pain persisted after its application, Noble Consort Liu gradually found it more tolerable. Lying on the bed with her eyes closed, feeling drowsy, she said, "You may go back now. Return tomorrow night with some clean clothes."
Princess Zhenning bit her lip and whispered, "Mother Consort... I... I won’t be able to come tomorrow."
"What do you mean?" Noble Consort Liu opened her eyes and asked coldly.
Princess Zhenning replied, "On my way back just now, I ran into Brother Xiao’er... Mother Consort... please be careful. The Empress Dowager wants to kill you."
Noble Consort Liu stared at her daughter and asked, "Who told you that?"
Princess Zhenning shook her head. "I overheard some eunuchs talking in the Imperial Garden. They said... Mother Consort, you’ve offended Prince Ding, and the Empress Dowager... the Empress Dowager wants to kill you."
Noble Consort Liu narrowed her eyes, gritting her teeth in hatred. "It was him! What did your brother say?"
Princess Zhenning shook her head, refusing to speak. How could Noble Consort Liu not understand? Although a pang of sadness for her son’s heartlessness struck her, she quickly pushed it aside. Looking at Princess Zhenning with a smile that held no warmth, she said, "Now that I’m in dire straits, you and your brother are afraid I’ll drag you down, so you want to distance yourselves from me, is that it?"
Princess Zhenning looked with sorrow at the woman before her, whose smile was as radiant as a flower yet radiated an inexplicable coldness. Perhaps they did want to distance themselves for that reason, but it was more so because of their own mother’s ruthlessness. And the things she had done... how could they, her children, accept them so easily?
Soon, Noble Consort Liu’s smile vanished. She looked at Princess Zhenning and sighed lightly. In a somewhat earnest tone, she said, "I understand your reasons. As your mother consort, I haven’t doted on you much throughout your lives. You two take care of yourselves."
"Mother Consort..." Princess Zhenning looked at her sadly.
Noble Consort Liu reached out, pulled her closer, and whispered, "All I ask is that you bring me two sets of clean clothes in a couple of days. I have been proud all my life. Even if I am to die, I must die clean and with dignity. I absolutely will not let those wretches laugh at me!"
"Mother Consort..." Princess Zhenning sobbed. "Mother Consort, don’t worry. Tomorrow night... tomorrow night, I will bring the clothes."
A flicker of satisfaction crossed Noble Consort Liu’s eyes. She said gently, "No need to rush. If you come out on consecutive nights, it might arouse suspicion. The new Emperor is ascending the throne in a few days, isn’t he?"
"In three days. In three days, the Tenth Prince will ascend the throne," Princess Zhenning replied.
Noble Consort Liu nodded. "Good, come then. As for your maternal grandfather and your brother... there’s no need to tell them, lest it upsets them."
Princess Zhenning nodded. "I understand, Mother Consort. You can rest assured. I will take my leave now."
"Go." Watching Princess Zhenning slowly disappear beyond the door, the gentle look in Noble Consort Liu’s eyes gradually turned icy, and her smile became colder, more unsettling. They want me to die... It won’t be that easy!
「Three days passed swiftly.」
During these three days, everyone was busily preparing for the new Emperor’s enthronement ceremony. Naturally, no one had the time or inclination to concern themselves with a woman confined to the Cold Palace and demoted to the rank of Noble Lady.
On the day of the ceremony, the entire imperial city of Great Chu was filled with jubilation, a festive atmosphere that completely overshadowed the mourning for the recently deceased Emperor. Such ostentatious celebration during the mourning period naturally drew dissatisfaction from many scholars and cultured individuals. However, a new emperor’s ascension was indeed a grand national event. Moreover, the new Emperor was still young, and all affairs were presided over by the Regent Prince. Currently, Great Chu faced internal and external troubles and was in need of some joyous news to lift spirits, so many tacitly accepted it.
Mo Xiuyao and Ye Li, as Prince Ding and Princess Consort Ding, and also as the leaders of the Mo Family Army, naturally had to attend the enthronement ceremony. However, they attended not as subjects or hosts, but as guests, alongside envoys from other states who had come to offer congratulations. This certainly disappointed many veteran ministers of Great Chu, but it also reassured many others.
Even though Great Chu’s national strength had declined, it was still a major power. Almost all states whose timelines allowed had sent envoys to offer congratulations. Although prominent figures like the Southern Garrison Prince, Princess Anxi, and the Emperor of Beirong did not attend in person, they sent high-ranking envoys, so it was not considered a slight.
Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao sat side by side at the forefront of the seats prepared for the envoys from various nations. Both wore white robes embroidered with subtle silver patterns. Their mere presence, seated casually, was enough to draw the attention of everyone present. Furthermore, in front of each of them sat an exquisite and adorable small child. Although no one knew the identity of the baby girl in Ye Li’s arms—dressed in white, as delicate and exquisitely carved as a jade figurine—most recognized the handsome, black-clad boy in Mo Xiuyao’s arms, who already showed faint signs of an arrogant demeanor. He was Mo Yuchen, the heir of Prince Ding’s Mansion, Mo Xiuyao’s sole successor, and the Young Master of the Mo Family Army—a child whose very name was extraordinarily imposing and who was destined for the world’s attention from birth.
"Eldest Princess."
A good while before the ceremony was to officially begin, the Eldest Princess, supported by her palace maids, approached. Ye Li and Mo Xiuyao promptly rose to greet her. The Eldest Princess waved her hands. "Enough. Since you are guests, there’s no need for such formalities." The old woman’s eyes, though wrinkled, twinkled with wisdom, yet they also held a deep sense of regret, helplessness, and a touch of sorrow.
"Little Yuchen, do you still remember me?" the Eldest Princess asked, looking affectionately at Mo Xiaobao, who was nestled in Mo Xiuyao’s arms.
Mo Xiaobao blinked and nodded. "Hello, Imperial Aunt Grandmother."
"Ah..." the Eldest Princess responded joyfully. "So, Little Yuchen remembers his Imperial Aunt Grandmother? Why haven’t you come to play with Imperial Aunt Grandmother? Do you find me too old?"
Mo Xiaobao looked at the Eldest Princess and said seriously, "Yuchen has to study and practice martial arts; I can’t go out to play. Imperial Aunt Grandmother, please come visit our home. That way, Yuchen will have time to play with you."
"What a clever little rascal," the Eldest Princess chuckled, then chided him gently. She looked at Mo Xiaobao with regret. How sad it was that the royal family didn’t have such an intelligent child.
"Imperial Aunt Grandmother, this is a new friend I made. You can call him Xiao Dai," Mo Xiaobao introduced, quite maturely, and cleverly omitted Leng Junhan’s surname.
The Eldest Princess squinted, observed the boy closely, and smiled. "This child looks well-behaved too."
Ye Li smiled faintly. "Xiaobao is growing up. The Prince and I were considering finding him a playmate."
The Eldest Princess didn’t inquire about Leng Junhan’s identity, merely nodding with a smile. "It’s good to have company; it’s not good for a child to be lonely. I am thinking that after the Tenth Prince ascends the throne, I will select a few children of suitable age from noble and powerful families to serve as study companions for His Majesty."
Ye Li smiled faintly and said nothing. The Eldest Princess’s idea was naturally excellent. If the Tenth Prince had the capability, these children could become his trusted aides in the future. The only fear was that it wouldn’t be so easy. Since they were attending as guests, there were many matters they naturally couldn’t meddle in. The Eldest Princess was merely speaking casually. Having been involved in political affairs in her youth, she was not a woman sheltered in the deep palace, ignorant of worldly matters. She naturally understood the current situation and its inherent difficulties.
"Xiuyao, I heard you intend to spare the one in Zhangde Palace?" the Eldest Princess asked, looking at Mo Xiuyao.
Mo Xiuyao laughed. "Where did Imperial Aunt hear such rumors? What does this have to do with our Prince Ding’s Mansion? Xiuyao said he would stay out of it, and he meant it."
The Eldest Princess, having watched him grow up, was not so easily fooled. She stared at him. "Tell me the truth. What is your purpose in keeping her alive? I don’t believe you harbor any goodwill towards her."
Mo Xiuyao lowered his gaze and smiled faintly, not entirely concealing his thoughts. "No matter how much you care for the new Emperor, Imperial Aunt, you are, after all, outside the palace and your reach is limited. The new Emperor needs someone to protect him... otherwise..."
"Her? Is she capable?" the Eldest Princess asked, frowning.
Mo Xiuyao smiled. "As long as she understands that her own well-being is tied to the new Emperor’s, it’s certainly possible. The one in Zhangde Palace may be an amateur in political matters, but she has, after all, spent a lifetime in the deep palace. Regarding affairs in the harem, she likely knows even more than you, Imperial Aunt. Back then, she was able to protect those two brothers, ensuring their safety until they grew up, with one eventually ascending the throne and she herself becoming the Empress Dowager. Imperial Aunt, how can you be sure she can’t do it this time?"
Seemingly persuaded, the Eldest Princess nodded. "Even so... why are you so concerned about the new Emperor, Xiuyao?"
Mo Xiuyao laughed heartily. "I am simply displeased with Mo Jingli. The affection between that mother and son has dwindled to almost nothing after this period. As long as you, Imperial Aunt, provide her with a satisfactory bargaining chip, then as long as she is alive, Mo Jingli will forever remain merely Prince Li."
Hearing this, the Eldest Princess became thoughtful. She was naturally aware of the strained relationship between the Empress Dowager and Prince Li, but she wasn’t certain if the Empress Dowager could truly restrain Prince Li.
Several heavy drumbeats sounded, signaling that the auspicious time for the enthronement ceremony had arrived. People who had been whispering amongst themselves straightened up and fixed their gazes on the far end of the enormous red carpet embroidered with dragon patterns.
A child of only six or seven years old walked leisurely, surrounded by a large entourage. The Empress Dowager, dressed in magnificent and dignified court robes, walked beside Mo Suyun, holding the hand of the clearly timid child. From this moment on, she would no longer be the Empress Dowager but the Grand Empress Dowager.
Seeing so many adults staring at him, Mo Suyun instinctively wanted to shrink back, but his hand was held firmly by the Empress Dowager, rendering him unable to move. The Empress Dowager looked down at him and whispered, "Don’t be afraid, Grandmother will accompany you."
The tiny child, dressed in a bright yellow dragon robe, looked pitiful, like a small, abandoned unfortunate. However, he showed some progress by not crying out in such a setting. The Empress Dowager’s eyes flashed slightly as she calmly reminded him, "Do you still remember what the Eldest Princess taught you?"
"I remember..." Mo Suyun replied in a small voice, looking at his grandmother with some trepidation. Remembering the very amicable Eldest Princess seemed to give him a bit more courage, and he nodded seriously.
The Empress Dowager said, "It’s good that you know. Let’s go. The Eldest Princess is also watching you from below."
Mo Suyun nodded and allowed the Empress Dowager to lead him towards the high dragon throne. Although he still felt terrified, he no longer thought only of escape as he had moments before. While passing by the table where the Eldest Princess, Mo Xiuyao, and Ye Li were sitting, Mo Suyun’s eyes lit up, and he looked as if he wanted to speak to the Eldest Princess. The Eldest Princess smiled lovingly at him and shook her head. The child bit his lip, looking somewhat aggrieved, and followed the Empress Dowager forward.
"The Tenth Prince has changed a lot; your guidance these past few days, Imperial Aunt, hasn’t been wasted," Ye Li sighed in a low voice.
The Eldest Princess shook her head. "He still has a long way to go." Compared to when she had first seen him a few days ago, he was indeed somewhat better. But to become the ruler of a nation, the child still had an incredibly long road ahead. Along this path, he would need the guidance and support of wise mentors; no one is born a brilliant monarch. Only... she wondered if those people would give him the chance.
Mo Suyun was led by the Empress Dowager up the high steps, while officials from the Ministry of Rites and the Bureau of Imperial Astronomy conducted various complicated ceremonies. Even from afar, Ye Li could see the child’s small body was so exhausted it was on the verge of collapsing. However, he didn’t cry out or say anything, silently enduring it.
Ye Li glanced around and asked with some confusion, "Why hasn’t Ms. Li arrived?" Given both sentiment and protocol, Ms. Li, as the new Emperor’s biological mother, was to become the rightful Empress Dowager upon his ascension. It was inconceivable for her to be absent on such an occasion.
The Eldest Princess shook her head. "To make the child obedient, the Regent Prince had Ms. Li confined." Mentioning this, the Eldest Princess’s snow-white eyebrows knitted together, and she glanced at Mo Jingli, who was seated at the forefront in the distance, her eyes filled with disapproval.
With the new Emperor ascending the throne, confining his biological mother, the nation’s Empress Dowager—even for the Regent Prince, and even for the sake of a smooth coronation—was an excessive act.
The ceremony, which had lasted nearly two hours, finally concluded. The exhausted new Emperor was led away to rest. What followed was the banquet. As the new Emperor was young, these proceedings were naturally presided over by the Regent Prince, Mo Jingli. Watching Mo Jingli raise his cup with high spirits, toasting the guests and court officials, everyone could clearly sense that, for the time being at least, the vast realm of Great Chu belonged to Prince Li.
Long banquets were not something Ye Li enjoyed, and two children under the age of six could hardly sit still. After only a short while, Mo Xiaobao began to fuss, wanting to go out and play. Ye Li informed Mo Xiuyao and then took the two children to the Imperial Garden.
In March, the Imperial Garden was vibrant with growing grass, flitting orioles, and a hundred flowers vying for beauty; waves of floral fragrance filled the air. Countless butterflies danced among the flowers, captivating Leng Junhan, whose round eyes stared fixedly.
Watching Leng Junhan, who seemed mesmerized by the flowers and butterflies, Mo Xiaobao snorted contemptuously. That Leng Xiaodai is just too inexperienced! What’s so interesting about these red and green flowers and those butterflies fluttering all over the place? The scenery in our Northwest is far better! And Great-grandfather’s Lishan Academy, full of green bamboo, and Uncle Han’s villa outside Licheng—those are a hundred times more beautiful than this Imperial Garden in the palace!
Having instructed the guards to follow them closely, Ye Li let the two children run wild and play in the Imperial Garden. She herself found a quiet pavilion in the garden to enjoy a moment of leisure.
Looking at the familiar scenery, she couldn’t help but recall her first visit to the palace after being betrothed to Mo Xiuyao, and many incidents from their occasional visits to court after their marriage. Prince Ding’s Mansion, once constrained at every turn, could now act freely without regard for anyone or anything. And the emperor of yesteryear, once so full of ambition, had already departed this world, all his grand aspirations turned to dust.
The Imperial Garden gradually filled with more people, mostly noblewomen and the unmarried daughters of prominent families. While the banquet was lively and interesting, it was, after all, not as engaging for women if they sat for too long. Thus, many came to stroll in the Imperial Garden in groups of twos and threes.
The pavilion Ye Li occupied wasn’t particularly secluded, so quite a few people noticed her. However, due to the special status of Prince Ding’s Mansion, few dared to approach and speak. Ye Li didn’t mind; she knew few people in the Capital of Great Chu anyway. She preferred solitude to meaningless pleasantries.
"Princess Consort..."
Lifting her head, she saw a familiar face: Madam Qin, Qin Zheng’s mother. Ye Li smiled warmly. "Madam Qin, please have a seat."
Madam Qin thanked her with some restraint. Although Prince Ding and the Princess Consort had brought back a letter from Qin Zheng when they first returned to the capital, what was written in a letter was not as reassuring as hearing it in person. However, given the status of their two families, they couldn’t just visit Prince Ding’s Mansion unceremoniously. Seeing Ye Li in the Imperial Garden now, Madam Qin naturally wanted to approach and inquire about her daughter.
Ye Li understood her thoughts and smiled. "Madam, please rest assured. Zheng’er and Xu Qingze are doing very well. Their child has also begun his studies and is a clever little fellow. Even if you don’t believe my words, you should trust the Xu family’s reputation; they would certainly not let Zheng’er be wronged." Far from being wronged, the entire Xu family doted on Qin Zheng. First Madam Xu practically cherished Qin Zheng as her own daughter. It couldn’t be helped; the Xu family had five sons, yet four of them were unwilling to marry. This made First Madam Xu and Second Madam Xu deeply regret not having arranged more child betrothals back then. As the Xu family’s only daughter-in-law, and one who had given them their only current great-grandson, how could Qin Zheng not be cherished and pampered?
Madam Qin chuckled, a little embarrassed. "Princess Consort, you jest. How could I not trust you? It’s just..."
Ye Li smiled and patted the back of her hand comfortingly. "I understand. Such is the heart of a parent; which parent doesn’t worry about their children? Please rest assured, Madam. The Xu family and Xu Qingze will definitely treat Zheng’er well. Otherwise, never mind you and Imperial Censor Qin, even I would not stand for it." Although Xu Qingze had a somewhat reserved personality, he was a truly good husband. In all these years, he and Qin Zheng had never even quarreled, their harmonious relationship making even Ye Li feel a twinge of envy. She and Mo Xiuyao occasionally had small quarrels or fits of pique themselves!
Madam Qin smiled with relief. "It is Zheng’er’s good fortune to have a friend like you, Princess Consort."
"Madam, you jest. It is my good fortune to have a friend like Zheng’er."
As they were talking congenially, several other ladies who had been observing nearby also gathered around. Madam Qin and Ye Li, as if by unspoken agreement, naturally changed the subject and began to chat idly with these noblewomen. Accompanying these noblewomen were their young daughters, as beautiful as flowers. Seeing these young ladies, blooming with youth, yet shy and demure, Ye Li was inwardly amused.
It turned out these noblewomen had ulterior motives; their polite conversation was a pretense. Their real goal was to promote their own daughters. Come to think of it, although it was now obvious that Prince Li held the power, the influence of Prince Ding’s Mansion was not so easily erased. If any family’s daughter caught Prince Ding’s eye and managed to form an alliance with Prince Ding’s Mansion, gaining a future backer would naturally be a good thing. Even if they failed, the loss would only be a daughter, and these noble and powerful families certainly had daughters to spare, whether illegitimate or even legitimate.
These young ladies, one might say, had grown up listening to stories of Prince Ding’s Mansion and inherently admired the successive Princes Ding. Furthermore, Mo Xiuyao’s unwavering devotion to Ye Li over so many years was widely spoken of as a beautiful tale. To receive the favor of such a man was, naturally, the most magnificent dream in every young girl’s heart.
Ye Li had rarely encountered such a situation. It wasn’t that no women had tried to curry favor with Mo Xiuyao over the years, but most of the time, Mo Xiuyao himself managed to deal with them. The only one she had personally dismissed was Noble Consort Liu. However, these young ladies were not shamelessly persistent like Noble Consort Liu, so Ye Li naturally couldn’t use the same sharp tongue on these girls and noblewomen as she had on Noble Consort Liu.
Just as she was silently grumbling about Mo Xiuyao attracting unwanted attention, a shrill scream pierced the air from a distance. Ye Li’s heart lurched, and she shot to her feet. Mo Xiaobao and Leng Junhan had gone in that direction! Muttering a quick "Excuse me," Ye Li used her lightness skill and darted out of the pavilion, rushing towards the source of the sound.
The noblewomen, who had been clustered together in the pavilion, were startled by this sudden development. When they recovered, they only saw Ye Li’s white figure fluttering away gracefully like a butterfly into the distance.
"What... what happened?"
"Perhaps something happened over there?" someone whispered.
"Let’s go and see too," someone suggested. Soon, everyone began to move out of the pavilion towards the direction from which the scream had come. The once noisy and bustling pavilion instantly fell silent. Madam Qin, walking at the very end, watched the group of people chasing after the Princess Consort’s figure, shook her head with a smile, and followed them.
