Unlimited estates for rural beauty-Chapter 425: The Enthronement of the Empress (3)
"Wife, aren’t you curious to know who the new Emperor is?" After waiting for so long without his wife asking about the matter, he couldn’t help but raise the question.
Feng Xuxu slightly furrowed her brows, "Prince An has died, leaving only you, Prince Xuan, and Prince Huai. Let me guess, the new Emperor wouldn’t be you, would it?"
"Wife is truly clever." Dugu Chen chuckled softly, his eyes brimming with a smile as he gazed at his wife.
Feng Xuxu glanced at him witheringly, her face awkward, "Hmph, Prince Xuan has always eschewed court affairs, living contentedly within his fief. Ever since Dugu Han became Emperor, Prince Huai has also lost interest and returned to his fief. Even when Prince An sent him secret missives, there were no rumors of him mustering troops. So by that account, he knew he could not become Emperor, leaving you as the last possible candidate."
"In that case, it seems I’ve stumbled upon quite the advantage."
"Er, you could say that," Feng Xuxu seriously nodded in agreement.
"...I don’t want this advantage. Give it to our son in a few years. I still want to take you traveling and sightseeing."
Feng Xuxu felt a black line slide down her forehead, thinking that this father wasn’t quite on the ball.
Upon the Emperor’s demise, each vassal king returned to the capital. After Dugu Chen’s ascension, he performed the sacrificial rites for his predecessor in his new capacity as Emperor. Only after enshrining the late Emperor’s spirit tablet in the ancestral temple was this episode concluded.
The remaining task was the Coronation Hall ceremony. Dugu Chen had always felt guilty for not giving Feng Xuxu a grand wedding. Now he finally had the chance. From the Empress’s Phoenix Crown to her Phoenix Robes, and all the arrangements for the day at the hall, he meticulously considered each detail before making a decision. Unbeknownst to Feng Xuxu, such preparations were underway.
As time slowly progressed, the day of September 19th arrived, and the coronation ceremony was officially held. With the sounds of drums and music playing, the Empress, clad in a brilliant yellow Phoenix Robe that trailed behind her, slowly climbed the steps one by one, making her way towards Jinluan Hall.
Ever since hearing "Announce Feng Xuxu’s audience," Dugu Chen had been sitting restlessly on the Dragon Throne, glancing outside the hall. At the far end, he finally saw a figure in a bright yellow Phoenix Robe. Dugu Chen, filled with excitement, stood and quickly descended the steps, walking out of the hall to personally greet Feng Xuxu.
"Wife, you look truly beautiful today." Holding Feng Xuxu’s hand, he admired her carefully adorned appearance, unable to hide his emotional agitation.
Feng Xuxu gave him a playful scold and her cheeks blushed red.
Dugu Chen led Feng Xuxu into the great hall and looked towards Eunuch Wei on the side, "Proclaim the decree." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
Eunuch Wei momentarily zoned out before glancing at Feng Xuxu and then unfurled the imperial edict, loudly proclaiming, "Feng Xuxu, accept the decree."
Feng Xuxu was just about to bend down when she was supported by Dugu Chen, who glared disapprovingly at Eunuch Wei.
Eunuch Wei, swallowing nervously, loudly read the imperial edict, "By the mandate of heaven, the Emperor decrees: Here is beloved wife Feng Xuxu, gentle and virtuous, graceful and dignified, who did not hesitate to endure hardship for ’me,’ Dugu Chen, bearing a son and a daughter. Thus, she is hereby named Empress Jing Min today, henceforth to sit in equal rank with me. From this day, the harem shall be abolished, by my will."
The ministers below all stirred, raising their heads to look at the Emperor on the steps and the newly crowned Empress, then the murmur arose that Dugu Chen had for this woman, purged the Prince Mo Residence, even at the cost of shattered armor.
For the first time in history, Eunuch Wei encountered such a unique edict; he then opened another decree, "The beloved son, Dugu Qi, is named Crown Prince, and the beloved daughter, Dugu Yue, is named Princess, steadfast and graceful in engagement. By my will."
