Due to the great turmoil in the nation, the Late Emperor and Crown Prince were quickly buried, and the ceremony for the Imperial Grandson’s ascension to the throne was held.
Along with this was the ceremony to install the Empress.
The Imperial Grandson and Empress’s ceremonies were held together, which was not customary, but both Deng Yi and Xie Yanfang insisted on this arrangement. The court officials’ objections were futile—in the current court, Deng Yi had been entrusted by the Emperor with the imperial jade seal and tiger tally, while Xie Yanfang was the Imperial Grandson’s only relative. The Yang family had been nearly exterminated by the Third Prince, the Zhao family had been completely uprooted through the execution of nine clans, and more than half the court officials had begun currying favor with the Xie family from Dongyang.
With one being resolute and the other smiling without comment, half the court remained silent.
Before daybreak, Chu Zhao had already begun her preparations.
Compared to the Imperial Grandson, Chief Eunuch Qi was more concerned about Chu Zhao’s side. The Imperial Grandson had grown up in the imperial family, with protocols and rules ingrained in his bones, so the Chief Eunuch specifically made time to come check on her.
The hall was brightly lit, with palace maids and eunuchs standing in rows. As Chief Eunuch Qi entered, he immediately spotted the girl sitting in the center. She was still being dressed, wearing simple palace clothing, but as she sat there, her posture was dignified and her expression composed.
She looked into the mirror, her gaze a bit strange, seemingly distracted, yet with focused eyes that commanded respect without anger.
In that moment, Chief Eunuch Qi inexplicably felt that she truly was the Empress.
The girl was perceptive. She raised her eyes to look at him, and upon seeing it was Chief Eunuch Qi, the faint gloominess in her eyes instantly dispersed, replaced with a smile.
“How is A-Yu?” she asked.
Chief Eunuch Qi hurriedly bowed: “All is well, all is well. The young master is worried about you and urged this old servant to come check. If this old servant hadn’t come, he would have rushed over himself.”
Chu Zhao smiled, her gaze sweeping across the table. She picked up a plate of plum blossom cakes and handed them to Chief Eunuch Qi: “I’ve tried these and found them just right—not too sweet or too dry. Let him have a few bites, though I dare not eat too much of the others.”
Chief Eunuch Qi acknowledged and received them with both hands.
At this time, palace maids brought over various vermilion hairpins and the phoenix crown.
Chu Zhao raised her hand to stop them: “Let’s change clothes first. If we arrange the hair first, then change clothes, it’s easy for it to become disheveled, and sitting or lying down would be uncomfortable.”
The palace maids acknowledged, and the palace matrons standing to the side did not say a word more.
Chief Eunuch Qi couldn’t help but glance at Chu Zhao again. Her words seemed strange, as if she had experience with such preparations before, though it could also just be general experience that girls have with dressing up.
However, it was remarkable that she could recall such an experience at a time like this and be concerned with her comfort.
This girl was—Chief Eunuch Qi admired her in his heart, recalling that night when the girl had drawn her sword and killed without hesitation. Then thinking of her father, Chu Li, who had been as steady as a mountain when he first entered the palace, it wasn’t so surprising after all.
Chief Eunuch Qi averted his gaze, carrying the plum blossom cakes as he took his leave. There was no need to worry about Miss Chu; he should focus on taking care of the Imperial Grandson.
Chu Zhao had noticed Chief Eunuch Qi’s gaze but didn’t mind. She looked around the hall, and entering it once again, she didn’t want to and couldn’t be bothered to pretend to be a stranger.
She glanced again at the obedient palace maids and matrons surrounding her with downcast eyes.
In her previous life, when she was installed as Empress, she had been tormented considerably.
These palace maids, matrons, and eunuchs hadn’t been so docile then, looking down on her as a nobody from a border province. They would constantly say “this is the rule,” while she, trembling with fear, worried about embarrassing Xiao Xun.
Thinking of this, she stood up and looked at herself in the mirror, now dressed in the Empress’s ceremonial attire.
Rules—rules were made by the masters.
And this time, she was the master here.
…
…
A-Le took a deep breath, listening to the music playing around them, and looked at Little Man on the other side.
“Little Man,” she called softly, “don’t be nervous.”
Little Man, dressed as a palace maid, glanced at her.
Even for the Empress’s installation ceremony, Little Man stayed by Chu Zhao’s side, responsible for carrying the ceremonial robe together with A-Le. By rights, this task should have been performed by experienced palace matrons, as it was an important occasion where not the slightest mistake could be tolerated.
Some palace matrons had raised this point, but Little Man had insisted.
“The more important the occasion, the more dangerous it is,” she said. “We’re used to handling important occasions.”
The palace matrons were stunned. Dangerous? Did she mean walking incorrectly, walking too slowly, accidentally tearing something—that kind of danger? And what important occasions had she worked at before?
Chu Zhao smiled: “It’s fine, let her accompany me.”
Hearing Chu Zhao say this, A-Le immediately wanted to join as well.
What more could the palace matrons say? This previously unknown Miss Chu in the imperial city had been decreed by the Late Emperor, was constantly accompanied by the young Emperor, was treated with respect by Chief Eunuch Qi, could sit across from Grand Tutor Deng Yi, could have detailed conversations with the national relative Third Young Master Xie, and when she went out, the imperial guards bowed in respect—
Even if this young lady made a mistake during the installation ceremony, who would dare say anything?
A-Le was still somewhat nervous, afraid she wouldn’t perform well. She had never been nervous before—previously following her mistress into the imperial city during the night fighting, with Little Man accompanying her mistress in and out, and she guarding the palace where her mistress stayed, taking charge of everything without feeling any pressure. But now, seeing the imposing hall, the mass of court officials, hearing the solemn palace music—
This was no dream. Miss was truly going to become the Empress.
The Empress—
“Little Man,” she murmured, “do you know what it means to be the Empress?”
The wife of the Emperor, the most noble woman in the world.
When she left the border province with Miss to come to the capital, she thought the General wanted Miss to find a family to marry into in the capital, which seemed appropriate—the people from the border province weren’t worthy of Miss. But she had never imagined that Miss would marry the Emperor and become the Empress.
Miss would be the Empress from now on!
Little Man glanced at her: “I know what it means to be the Empress, but regardless of what an Empress is, isn’t she still Chu Zhao?” Then added, “Your hand is trembling. Can you manage? If not, I can do it myself.”
A-Le blinked. That’s right, she thought, looking at the girl standing in front of them.
The girl was wearing the imperial robe, dignified in vermilion red, with layer upon layer of magnificent cloud patterns at the hem. On her head, she wore a flower tree crown that dazzled with brilliance. Her posture was dignified yet relaxed and comfortable.
Empress, Miss is the Empress, the Empress is Miss. A-Le took a deep breath, straightened her back, and her mind settled.
Everything proceeded smoothly. No officials stood up to wail in protest, no one walked out of step or stood in the wrong position, until it was time for the Emperor to ascend the steps, enter the court hall, and sit on the dragon throne.
The Emperor refused to proceed.
The child dressed in imperial robes stood in the sunlight, turning back to look behind him.
…
…
“What does he want?”
The court officials standing a few steps away asked urgently as Chief Eunuch Qi hurried over.
Chief Eunuch Qi’s face was covered with sweat.
“He wants, Chu, the Empress,” he stammered, about to say Miss Chu but correcting himself in time, “to walk with him.”
Hearing this, a white-haired official could no longer contain his anger: “Preposterous!” “He’s not a six-month-old baby.”
Historical records indeed mentioned baby emperors who had to be carried during their enthronement, but although Xiao Yu was young, he was already six years old. What nonsense was this!
“Let’s not be hasty,” another official with a milder temperament said. “His Majesty is still young, and after everything that’s happened—even we adults can hardly bear it, let alone a six-year-old child. Let’s talk to him gently and persuade him.”
Hearing this, the officials behind began to stir, calling out a name in unison.
“Lord Xie.” “Lord Xie, please come quickly.”
Following the calls, the ranks parted, and Xie Yanfang, dressed in official robes, came hurrying over. He looked at Chief Eunuch Qi and asked, “What’s the matter?”
Chief Eunuch Qi looked at Xie Yanfang’s official robes and his young face, bowed, and said: “Please persuade His Majesty. He’s afraid to walk alone.”
“It’s no trouble,” Xie Yanfang said. “I’ll speak with him.”
With that, he moved forward. The officials watched as Xie Yanfang approached Xiao Yu, half-kneeling, and spoke softly to the child. The boy, though initially shaking his head with a tight expression, gradually relaxed his countenance, his expression turning hesitant—
It seemed he was being persuaded.
The officials’ expressions grew relieved: “Children need coaxing after all.” Some sighed, “Children, what can you do?” Others lamented, “Fortunately, he has Third Young Master Xie as a relative.”
Standing in the front row, Deng Yi had remained silent throughout. As he watched Xie Yanfang take Xiao Yu’s hand, and Xiao Yu lower his head, about to turn around—
“Request the Empress to come,” he suddenly said.
The officials were startled. What?
“Grand Tutor, what are you doing?” the earlier white-haired official asked. “Do you want the Empress to come persuade His Majesty as well?”
Without waiting for a reply, he shook his head.
“It’s unnecessary. His Majesty has already been persuaded by Lord Xie. Having the Empress come would be redundant and might delay the auspicious timing.”
Other officials also nodded in agreement.
But Deng Yi wasn’t speaking to them, nor consulting with them. He was ordering the imperial guard beside him.
The guard paid no attention to what the officials were saying and immediately left. Soon, the ranks of officials parted again, and under the guard’s guidance, Chu Zhao hurried over.
“What’s the matter?” she asked.
The clamoring officials instantly fell silent, averting their gazes.
Deng Yi didn’t explain the situation, merely saying: “His Majesty is looking for you. Go see him.”
Chu Zhao didn’t ask further, just nodded: “Alright.”
She passed through the crowd and moved forward. Deng Yi called out again: “Empress.”
Chu Zhao turned to look at him.
Deng Yi looked at her, his eyes profound, and said: “Don’t miss the appointed time.”
Chu Zhao paused momentarily, then nodded: “This Palace understands.” With that, she turned and continued forward.
Xiao Yu, who was about to turn around, caught sight of the approaching girl and withdrew his hand from Xie Yanfang’s grip, extending it toward Chu Zhao.
“Sister,” he called.
Xie Yanfang looked over to see the girl approaching with a smile, bending down to take Xiao Yu’s hand.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Didn’t we agree? You even reminded me not to be afraid, so why are you afraid now?”
Xiao Yu looked at her: “I don’t want to walk alone. Sister, come with me.”
Chu Zhao looked at him and smiled: “Alright.”
Xiao Yu’s face broke into a smile.
Only then did Chu Zhao turn to Xie Yanfang and say softly: “Third Young Master, the time is approaching. There can be no more mishaps in the ceremony.”
Xie Yanfang, half-kneeling on the ground, looked into the girl’s clear eyes and nodded: “Very well.”
He stood up and made way.
Chu Zhao looked at Xiao Yu again. The child still smiled happily at her. Chu Zhao smiled back, then composed her face, lightly coughing once. Xiao Yu immediately stopped smiling and composed his face just like her.
Chu Zhao held Xiao Yu’s hand as they ascended the steps.
Xie Yanfang stood in place watching them, then withdrew his gaze and turned to walk back. As he passed Deng Yi, he suddenly looked at him and smiled.
Deng Yi paid no attention to his smile, his expression wooden, slightly nodding: “Thank you for your trouble, Lord Xie.”
Xie Yanfang smiled: “Grand Tutor is too polite.” With that, he said no more and moved past him back into the ranks of officials.
“Kneel!”
The ceremonial official cried out, drums and music resounded, and the officials knelt in unison.
On the high steps, there were only two figures.
Chu Zhao held Xiao Yu’s hand, ascending step by step. She didn’t look back. She certainly knew that walking together with the Emperor was against protocol, but what of it?
In this life, since she had become Empress again, she couldn’t be the same as in her previous life.
This Empress—she had chosen to be herself. Therefore, how to be this Empress was for her to decide.
…
…
Not everyone had knelt. The imperial guards stood at attention with weapons in hand, protecting the new Emperor.
Xie Yanlai stood at the front position, watching the figures on the steps, climbing higher and higher.
Though high up, the back figure was still that of a young girl.
Who could have imagined that A-Fu from the courier station would become the Empress today?
It was quite amusing.
He tugged at the corner of his mouth and smiled.
It wasn’t so unimaginable. He hadn’t imagined that he would be standing here today either.
Xie Yanlai withdrew his gaze, his expression wooden as he stood at attention.