LIGHTNOVELONLINE
Chapter 206.2
In the blink of an eye, three days had passed, and the imperial decree stored in the Ministry of Rites could no longer be delayed anymore. The cabinet could still reject it again, but it had already been rejected once before. Rejecting it again would be a clear confrontation with the new emperor.
In the cabinet and even in the court, there was no unity of minds. Everyone had their own thoughts and considerations. If a family had a suitable daughter of marriageable age, it could be considered reasonable to object, but why bother if there was no daughter?
When a person is doing something, there must be corresponding interests to make them take great risks. So far, there was no certainty of winning, and no one dared to burn their bridges.
On the sixth day of the second month of the first year of Jin’an, Emperor Jin’an proclaimed Consort Jin, also known as Su-shi, as the empress and announced it to the world, causing widespread celebration.
As dawn broke, the Kunning Palace was brightly lit.
It was still early in the morning when Yaoniang got up and took a bath under the service of palace maids, washing her long hair. The palace maids came and went like flowing water, creating a bustling scene.
Today was a joyous day for the empress and for the entire Kunning Palace. Everyone wore a happy expression, and Yaoniang had been smiling since the beginning. She kept smiling until Emperor Jin’an couldn’t help but glance at her and say she looked a little silly.
However, she didn’t mind. She stopped smiling when he mentioned it but immediately started smiling again.
“Zhen will leave first. You take your time.”
“Qie1 sees Your Majesty off.”
According to the rules, the emperor and empress were not allowed to share the same bed before the ceremony. The empress had to observe a three-day fasting and purification period until the day of her coronation.
But obviously, Emperor Jin’an didn’t care about such rules. Since he didn’t mention it, nobody had the audacity to remind Yaoniang. Thus, those three days of fasting and purification, which were supposed to be observed, were ignored by Emperor Jin’an with great ease.
Emperor Jin’an left, and the Kunning Palace continued to bustle.
It wasn’t until Yaoniang put on the empress’s ceremonial attire and thoroughly checked for any mistakes that everything was considered complete.
“Niangniang, you look truly beautiful!”
Yaoniang looked at herself in the mirror, wearing the deep blue ceremonial robes adorned with twelve pairs of pheasant motifs and small wheel-shaped patterns in between, with a red collar, cuffs, pleated skirt, and embroidered golden clouds and dragons. She also wore jade accessories, a knee cover, and a large belt. Her hair was styled in a nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown, with a dragon holding a large pearl in the center, adorned with emerald covers and hanging pearl ornaments, and decorated with various other beautiful hair accessories as well.
Yaoniang had a delicate and innocent appearance, but her body exuded a seductive charm. When she sat still without speaking or smiling, she appeared perfectly poised. But once she moved, she became even more captivating.
This solemn and dignified empress’s ceremonial attire complemented her charm. It not only made her exquisite but also added an aura of inviolability and the lofty majesty of an empress. Yaoniang also felt that the person in the mirror was beautiful. She had never felt this beautiful before, and it made her dizzy with a sense of exhilaration.
“Second Prince, you must behave!”
This voice brought Yaoniang back to her senses, only to find that Xiaobao and Erbao had arrived without her noticing.
Erbao, being himself, wanted to rush over as soon as he saw Yaoniang. But with all the effort put into Yaoniang’s dressing up, she couldn’t withstand his collision.
“Behave and stand properly. Mother will make your favorite braised pork for you later.”
It would have been fine if she didn’t speak, but once she did, she revealed her true nature. What empress would talk about making braised pork on the eve of her coronation?
Xiaobao walked up and bowed, saying, “This son pays respects to Mother Empress.”
This action seemed to wake up Erbao, and he hurriedly imitated his older brother’s gesture.
Yaoniang narrowed her eyes and scolded, “You two little rascals, making fun of your mother.”
“It’s a special day for Mother Empress today, so it’s only right.”
As they spoke and played, the distant sound of bells and drums could be heard.
Although it was a monotonous drumbeat that made it difficult to discern the melody, it inexplicably filled people’s hearts with awe.
“Father Emperor has already arrived at Taihe Hall.”
As expected, the sound of bells and drums ceased, and the music of “Lofty Harmony” began to play.
The music reached the Kunning Palace, but the sound was very faint. However, today was the coronation ceremony, and all attention was focused on the empress. There were no other sounds in the entire Forbidden City except those related to the empress, so even sitting in the Kunning Palace, one could vaguely hear it.
After “Lofty Harmony” ended, “Joyful Harmony” and “Evident Harmony” followed.
Yaoniang was supported by Yu Chan, while Xiaobao held Erbao and moved aside. The palace maids and eunuchs followed and stood at the gate of the main hall.
In the courtyard, various ceremonial tables and incense tables had been prepared, and the six ceremonial officials had already taken their positions.
In the distance, the sound of the music grew closer and closer.
Yaoniang descended the steps of the hall and just stood still when she saw Emperor Jin’an dressed in black court robes, followed by the chief and deputy envoys of the coronation, as well as a large group of bearers carrying the imperial edict and ceremonial pavilions.
She was both surprised and excited and she couldn’t help taking a few steps forward.
The emperor and empress spoke to each other across a one-meter distance.
“Your Majesty, why have you come?”
According to the usual practice, the envoys should be officials from the Ministry of Rites, and Emperor Jin’an should be seated in the Taihe Hall, waiting for the envoys to report the successful completion of the ceremony.
“Zhen was wondering whether you would look good in this ceremonial attire?”
Yaoniang blushed slightly. “Is it good-looking?”
“Not bad.”
gingercat's notes:
1Not sure if I mentioned it already but this is a form of self-address commonly used by the empress, consorts, and concubines in the palace when speaking to the emperor.