Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!-Chapter 1247: Ascension to the Throne

Xuzhou Province, Lady Dong ignored the shouting outside, silently drank the rice porridge in the bowl, took another look at her son who wasn’t scared, and then laid back down and closed her eyes.

The maid carefully carried the tray out, and upon leaving, saw the women being stopped by the older servant, sneering to herself.

Lady Dong wasn’t sleeping, she was just resting with her eyes closed. The premature birth went smoothly but still damaged her health. She not only had to complete a two-month confinement but would also need to dedicate the next few years to properly recuperating. fɾēewebnσveℓ.com

Lady Dong pulled up the corners of her mouth. She really shouldn’t have been polite to her sister-in-law from her natal family. Thinking of the herbal soup her second sister-in-law had given her, claiming it was fetus-preserving medicine, if it hadn’t been for Granny Song being by her side, it wouldn’t have been just a rush to give birth prematurely—her son might have died in her womb.

As soon as Granny Song returned to the front yard, she heard the shouting and came in with a stern face, scolding the maids and older servants in the main yard, "Are you all dead? Why haven’t you dragged them away yet? The third mistress and the young master need quiet, don’t you know that?"

Upon hearing this, the servants didn’t hold back, and a few of them together escorted the person out.

Granny Song pressed her brow. She was really tired these past few days, no, she should say she had never been at ease since arriving in Xuzhou Province. The third mistress’s eldest sister had come to visit and very considerately left after two days.

Unexpectedly, the second mistress followed right after with her son, refusing to leave and more anxious about this birth than the third mistress herself. The third mistress didn’t care whether the child in her womb was a boy or a girl, whereas this person somehow procured a recipe for giving birth to sons and deceived the third mistress claiming it was fetus-preserving medicine—fortunately, she understood the principles of medicine.

Granny Song entered the room and looked at the third mistress with her eyes closed, sighing inwardly. The third mistress had a tough time. If it hadn’t been for her natal family’s dignity, she would have wanted to send people away right after giving birth.

Granny Song sat beside the baby’s cradle and whispered, "They’ve been sent back to their courtyard. I have arranged the carriage; we can start the journey tomorrow."

Only then did Lady Dong open her eyes, "Thank you for your trouble."

She had intentionally let her second sister-in-law into the yard today. Only by doing so could Granny Song have an outburst, enabling her husband to take action when he came back in the evening. If it weren’t for the sake of her natal family, why would she bother to exert herself so much?

Time flowed by, and two days later, before dawn, the entire capital was already bustling with activity.

Zhou Shuren dressed in his official uniform and put on his official hat, his heart that hadn’t felt excitement in a long time was exceptionally excited today—the New Emperor’s succession had been in preparation for a while, and the Ministry of Rites’ request for Silver flowed like water.

Many palaces in the Palace were renovated for the New Emperor’s succession, and the Ministry of Rites had replaced many items with new ones. Zhou Shuren thought about the ceremonial articles and such he had seen the day before, tsk tsk, all of that cost Silver.

Zhou Shuren, "I’m leaving now."

"Mhm."

Three days later, she, as his wife, also had to enter the Palace to pay respects to the Empress, as it would be the Empress’s coronation.

Zhou Shuren stepped out, Chang Yi and Chang Zhi were already waiting in the front yard. It was rare for someone to witness such a smooth transfer of imperial power—it was a great era, one that would be extolled by future generations.

Zhou Shuren straightened his back, "Let’s go."

Chang Yi and Chang Zhi answered in unison, following behind their father as they left the house.

The streets outside the Palace were festooned with lights and decorations, and the residents along the street had also gotten up early, with some bold enough to open doors and watch as carriage after carriage headed towards the Palace.

There have been abdications and successions in history, but most were forced; voluntary abdications to the next Emperor were few. Thus, one could imagine the grandeur of today’s New Emperor’s succession.

Many ministers responsible for the procedures had not left the Palace the day before, and the Palace was brightly lit all night long.

Within the Palace, the Crown Prince had taken sleeping pills before finally falling asleep. Out of sheer excitement, even someone as composed as him still struggled to rest.

The Crown Prince slept for three periods, a full six hours, and awoke exceptionally refreshed. In contrast, the Crown Princess Consort, who had entered the Palace the day before, looked fatigued.

The Crown Prince had already changed into his Dragon Robe. The two sat opposite each other in silence, for all words now seemed empty. It was better to await in quiet anticipation.

The Empress and the Emperor no longer resided in the Empress’s sleeping quarters. Yesterday, the Emperor had completely moved out of the government hall, and the Empress had also left the empress sleeping quarters, both settling into the future Empress Dowager’s residence.

The other consorts, each having sons, had left the Palace early the day before to reside in their respective princely mansions.

After discussing the proposal with several consorts, who had been confined to the harem for years and had seen through the Emperor, they harbored no further expectations. Once the Empress suggested it, they naturally agreed.

In fact, they thought they would have to wait until the Emperor’s death to leave the Palace, and were prepared to endure longer. Unexpectedly, the Emperor allowed them to leave the Palace and live with their sons, an act of kindness on his part.

The Emperor, having changed his attire, was standing motionless in front of the mirror.

The Empress watched in silence. Even someone as rational as the Emperor, who always appeared to take things in stride, showed signs of reluctance to let go, as proven by his tossing and turning the previous night.

The Empress simply sat beside him in support. Such a gap was for her husband to cross alone; she could be of no help. Unlike her husband, she wasn’t stepping down from her throne; in becoming the Empress Dowager, she remained the supreme authority of the harem.

The Emperor let out a long sigh and finally started to move, "It turns out I’m no sage after all!"

The Empress, "Both you and I are but worldly mortals."

The Emperor laughed, "Indeed, we’re worldly mortals with our own private desires. I’ve always been partial and never short of personal biases!"

Seeing her husband’s buoyant tone, the Empress smiled. It was a sign of acceptance, "We may be worldly mortals, but in my eyes, you are a good father—not only to our son but also to Prince Qi and the others."

The Emperor took her hand in return, "Yes, let’s go, it’s almost time."

Zhou Shuren and the other ministers stood at their designated positions outside. The enthronement of the New Emperor today was immensely intricate, with many procedures unfolding out of the ministers’ view.

Zhou Shuren had been standing for a long time, estimating the time by the sun’s position.

With a heart full of thoughts about the complexity of the procedures, Zhou Shuren was contemplative until, at last, there was a stir ahead—the music of the Palace sounded.

Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince, adorned in Dragon Robes, strode over. The Emperor led the Crown Prince step by step up the stairs to the throne. Following the process, the Emperor assisted the kneeling Crown Prince to rise and handed over the Jade Seal of the realm.

At that moment, the Emperor stepped aside, and the Crown Prince turned to face the assembly of ministers. In that moment, there was only the sound of hundreds of officials bowing in homage.

Zhou Shuren had recovered from the mesmerizing ceremony. Being so close to the grandeur was indeed staggering—the subsequent profound bows were made with utmost sincerity.

But don’t think it was over—there was still more to endure, and it was exhaustive, though nobody dared to make a mistake.

Zhou Shuren had to admire that, at such a time, an intense will to survive was awakened. Driven by this survival instinct, minor issues might arise during the succession procedure, yet no one erred.

Having become the Retired Emperor, the succession ceremony ended with the new Emperor entering the great hall to ascend the Dragon Throne, and as the ministers were about to enter the hall, the Retired Emperor had already departed.

The Retired Emperor ascended a raised platform, where he stood and could hear the sounds from within the great hall.