Dugu Kangze squinted his eyes as he looked out at the weather, then glanced at the civil and military officials standing on both sides of the hall and the envoys from other countries. After a long silence, he finally spoke, "The coronation ceremony will proceed as scheduled."

Eunuch Wei understood the signal, shook the whisk in his hand, and shouted loudly outside the hall, "The coronation ceremony begins."

Voices echoed from inside the hall to the outside, reaching the ears of Crown Prince Dugu Han.

After Dugu Han stood up, he straightened the Dragon Crown atop his head and brushed off non-existent creases from his Dragon Robe. Then he began to ascend the steps in front of the great hall with composure, his gaze growing deeper with each step, until he arrived at the front of the hall.

Eunuch Wei opened the decree in his hands and, in a sharp voice, started reading, "By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees that by the grace of heaven and the blessings of the gods, our Xueyan Country has a legacy that will last for thousands of generations. The ancestors of the Dugu family were diligent in their governance and established a great foundation. Today, I, Dugu Kangze, am retiring due to ill health on the seventeenth day of the eighth month of the solar calendar. Crown Prince Dugu Han is young and promising. From this day forward, he will inherit the throne. I hope that the guards will be tireless in their duties, and the loyal and brave will selflessly serve the outside, aiming for renaissance. Let the nation celebrate for three days and grant amnesty to all. Let this be known!"

After reading the decree, he slowly closed it and handed it to the Minister of Rites. The Minister of Rites, holding the decree, descended the steps and placed it on the dragon-embossed tray held high by a guard, to be stored in the ancestral temple.

As Dugu Han ascended each step to the throne of supreme honour, he turned abruptly upon reaching the top, his piercing gaze sweeping over the people below. He then slowly settled himself in the seat of ultimate power, touching the cold chair with both hands. Lifting his eyes, he gazed down upon his ministers from his elevated position.

At the entrance of Jinluan Hall, three whips sounded. Inside and outside the hall, except for the envoys from other nations and the Prince, the civil and military officials all fell to their knees, loudly proclaiming, "Long live the Emperor, may he live for ten thousand, ten thousand years."

The new Emperor on the high throne glanced at Dugu Chen, a subtle light flashing in his indecipherable eyes.

"My lords, rise," boomed the authoritative voice.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

After the ministers stood up, the new Emperor’s voice rang out again, "From the day of my ascension, I hope all officials, both great and small, will work together in support of my reign. Henceforth, starting from the first day of the ninth month, this era will be renamed the Jiayou Era. Amnesty shall be granted, and we shall plan for renewal. From this day until the dawn of tomorrow, all criminals, including those not usually exempted from punishment, shall be pardoned, and this decree shall be made known throughout the land. On the seventeenth day of the eighth month."

The ceremony of praying to heaven began afterward, involving the ministers, and after the lengthy ritual, a banquet was held in the evening. From start to finish, not a single drop of rain fell from the sky.

"Princess, how about this red Yunluo Silk dress?" Lengqing stood in front of the bronze mirror, lifting the silk skirt in her hands for the princess to examine.

Feng Xuxu merely glanced at it. This skirt had been meticulously sewn by a skilled seamstress from Yunyi Workshop at the behest of the Prince at the beginning of summer. It was then she had learned that Yunyi Workshop, Zuiyun Pavilion, and Shenghe Pharmacy were all owned by Dugu Chen.

"Let’s wear this one." Considering she hadn’t worn it before and today was a festive occasion, she decided to put on the dress.

After getting dressed, the Prince’s carriage arrived at the second gate.

"My dear," Dugu Chen said as he entered the bedroom, staring at the lady in red intently.

"What’s the matter? Don’t recognize your own wife?" Her face flushed with embarrassment from his gaze, she teased him.

Regaining his focus, Dugu Chen stepped forward to embrace Feng Xuxu. "Who says? I could find you even with my eyes closed."

"Really?" she asked, looking at him with skepticism.