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Chapter 199 - Coronation
Today was a monumental day for the Ruen Dynasty. The next Emperor was ascending the throne.
Although Chen Xun's face was marked by a lingering sorrow, from this day onward, he bid farewell to the title of Crown Prince. From now on, people would call him Your Majesty instead of Your Highness.
Eunuch Yue delivered the dragon robes to Chen Xun’s chambers early in the morning and helped him put them on.
Standing before the bronze mirror, Chen Xun still seemed downcast. Eunuch Yue, however, wore a smile as radiant as a blooming flower. As he adjusted Chen Xun’s collar, he said, "Your Majesty looks truly majestic in the dragon robes. No one else could carry this aura. Just like the late... late Emperor in his time."
Chen Xun nodded silently before suddenly asking, "Ah Dou, Teacher said that my father became the Emperor to save the world and its people... Do you think that’s true?"
Ah Dou paused mid-motion, as if recalling something. "Heh... perhaps it was so. But it wasn’t just the late Emperor who thought that way. The Empress also believed the same thing back then."
"My mother," Chen Xun murmured softly, "I can’t even remember her face anymore. Father said she was the most beautiful woman in the world—I wonder if that’s true."
"Of course, it’s true!" Ah Dou’s eyes crinkled with laughter. "Your Majesty, just look at your eyes and brow... almost identical to the Empress’s. You inherited most of her features.
"I still remember the late Emperor once said that it’s fortunate you take after her more, as it makes you more handsome..." His voice trailed off as he realized Chen Xun’s mood was growing more somber with his words.
"Heh..." Ah Dou offered an awkward laugh. "I misspoke... it's my fault for saying too much."
Chen Xun shook his head gently. "It’s fine. Father didn’t talk much about Mother either. I know it’s because he didn’t want to bring it up. It would hurt him too much. That’s why I rarely asked him... Ah Dou, tell me more. I want to hear about her."
Ah Dou let out two dry laughs. "If Your Majesty wishes to hear, then I shall speak. What should I say..."
"Tell me how Mother and Father planned on helping the world," Chen Xun prompted. "Teacher said that holding office requires shouldering its duties. Idle indulgence is never an Emperor’s birthright. An Emperor’s duty is to lead his people onto the right path."
"Su Yi..." Ah Dou muttered the name softly before suddenly adding, "I remember the Empress once said something... now it seems like she was describing Lord Su precisely."
"Oh?" Chen Xun’s interest was piqued, and the sadness on his face lessened somewhat.
Ah Dou hurriedly continued, "One day, the late Emperor and the Empress were debating why people study. The late emperor argued that scholars study for a clear career path and wealth. The Empress disagreed.
"She said that while many do pursue such worldly honors, there must also be those who study for the sake of the common people and the wellbeing of the world... Now that I think about it, perhaps Lord Su is just the kind of person the Empress was talking about."
"Teacher, he..." Chen Xun’s gaze fell on his reflection in the mirror, and he suddenly said, "Ah Dou, what do you think about making Teacher the Internal Prime Minister? Senior Fan is planning to retire, right? I think it’s a perfect fit."
Ah Dou offered a bitter smile. "This servant thinks... it may not be appropriate. At his current age, Lord Su has already reached the rank of first grade.
"If he advances further, the opposition voices in court may be too great... especially during this critical period. The court must not be destabilized."
Chen Xun nodded gradually, half-understanding. "Then let’s wait a little longer."
The ascension ceremony was complex. The edict had been issued to the public days earlier. At noon, the most crucial part of the ceremony, the ritual to offer sacrifices to Heaven, would take place.
Dressed in his dragon robes, Chen Xun solemnly ascended the altar for the Heaven Worship Ceremony. Below the altar, rows of officials stood in respectful silence.
Standing together, Su Yi and Eunuch Yue fixed their gaze on the young man on the altar.
"What’s the situation in the north?" Su Yi asked quietly, his lips barely moving.
Eunuch Yue’s gaze remained fixed on Chen Xun, but he answered in a low voice, "No news yet. The latest update is that Qi Zongbi has split his forces to defend the provinces of Jibei and Ningye.
"For the Northern Qiang to penetrate into the heartland of our dynasty, they must pass through these two provinces. As long as the defenses there can hold, the Northern Qiang army won’t be able to break through and will eventually retreat."
"Jibei and Ningye... that’s southwest, right?" Su Yi mused. "What about the east? How many troops are stationed there?"
"The east?" Eunuch Yue glanced at Su Yi in confusion. "The east is the Liangzhou region. The mountain ranges there are natural barriers. Even if Northern Qiang had twice their current forces, they couldn’t get through."
Su Yi’s lips parted slightly as he stared intently at Eunuch Yue, his voice hoarse. "Have you forgotten... there’s another path through Liangzhou?"
"What—" Eunuch Yue’s voice cut off abruptly as a terrifying realization struck him. His pupils contracted to pinpoints as he stammered, "That’s... that’s impossible..."
On the altar, Chen Xun had begun reciting the sacrificial text. His voice, though slightly youthful, rang clear across the plaza. The sky was cloudless, yet Eunuch Yue distinctly saw an inky black cloud rolling in from the north, darkening the horizon.
Su Yi’s breathing quickened as he spoke in a low, urgent tone. "When we return, send a message to Qi Zongbi immediately. Explain the urgency and have him dispatch troops to Liangzhou Prefecture at once—let’s hope the garrison there can hold until then."
Eunuch Yue nodded grimly, but Su Yi grabbed his arm before he could respond, his voice trembling. "By the way, the news of Madam Tan’s death... no one has informed Qi Zongbi, right?"
Eunuch Yue’s eyes widened as he sucked in a sharp breath. "This... this matter... I’ll have the Eastern Depot investigate immediately." He knew exactly why Su Yi had brought it up.
At such a critical juncture, if Qi Zongbi learned of Madam Tan’s death and its cause, would he believe the court had driven his wife to her death? How could he focus on fighting for his nation while his wife was pushed to suicide by the very government he was fighting for.
Such news would damage the court’s credibility. Worse still, if Qi Zongbi truly thought this way, with military power in his hands, would he defect to Northern Qiang? Even if he did not, would he still heed the court’s orders?
No one knew the answer.
"It must be investigated immediately. If anyone has sent news, intercept it!" Su Yi’s tone was commanding, yet neither of them noticed the impropriety in it. "Under no circumstances... at least not now, can Qi Zongbi learn of this."
By now, Chen Xun had finished reciting the sacrificial text on the altar. All the officials knelt in unison to welcome the new Emperor's ascension.
Kneeling on the ground, Eunuch Yue stole a glance at Su Yi, noticing that even as the Imperial Teacher's forehead was pressed firmly to the floor, his expression was dark and grim.
Su Yi tried his best to show a calm front, but his mind churned with unease. He could feel it. How could all these events be mere coincidences? Was someone in the shadows weaving them together, driving everything toward an uncontrollable, horrific outcome?
