Young White Horse: The Poison Sword Master of the Wen Family, Shocking the Apocalypse

Chapter 439 The New Emperor of Beili Ascends the Throne, 37 Pieces of Love and Romance (1)

North of Tianqi City, Pingqing Palace.

The ninth day of the fifth lunar month, at the third quarter of the Yin hour.

Outside the Pingqing Hall in Tianqi City, officials were lined up according to their rank.

The morning mist had not yet dissipated, and dew condensed on the white marble steps, slightly dampening everyone's court boots.

Minister of Rites Tang Xianda stood at the front of the line, his hands tucked into his sleeves, his gaze occasionally glancing toward the palace gate.

Everyone knows that today is the coronation ceremony of the new emperor.

Everyone assumed that the new emperor would be Xiao Ruofeng, the Prince of Langya.

At the exact hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the palace gates slowly opened.

Jin Xuan, the newly appointed Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, was the first to step forward. This eunuch, who was only in his thirties, had a fair complexion and slender eyebrows and eyes. He carried a sandalwood tray containing the dragon-sealed scroll that symbolized the Mandate of Heaven.

Behind him followed four other newly appointed chief eunuchs—Jinyan, Jinxian, Jinyan, and Jinwei—all dressed in brand-new purple robes and with solemn expressions.

"All officials enter the hall—" Jin Xuan's voice was high-pitched, yet it echoed throughout the square.

Everyone filed in.

Inside the Pingqing Hall, seventy-two golden nanmu pillars support the dome, and the dragon-patterned caisson ceiling gleams with a dark gold in the morning light.

Above the imperial steps, the dragon throne hangs suspended in mid-air.

Below the imperial steps, Xiao Ruofeng, dressed in a prince's python robe, stood at the head of the left side.

Xiao Ruojin stood on the right, dressed in the ordinary attire of a prince, with his eyes lowered.

Xu Wei, the head of the seven censors of the Censorate, frowned slightly. This censor, who was over sixty years old, was known for his uprightness. He glanced at Xiao Ruojin and then looked at Xiao Ruofeng, already having made up his mind.

The censor Hu Bufei beside him lowered his voice: "Lord Xu, about today's events..."

"Keep quiet." Xu Wei shook his head.

Hong Chengfu, the Minister of the Court of State Ceremonial, stood in the middle of the civil official's line, his hands clasped together, his fingertips turning white.

He recalled that yesterday evening, Jinxuan had privately sought him out to "discuss" the ceremony, her words carrying a strange undertone.

At the time, he thought it was just his usual caution, but now he felt a vague unease in his heart.

The Minister of Works, Tan Li, the Minister of Revenue, Gao Shuyi, and the Minister of War, Zhang Taiyue, stood together.

Zhang Taiyue was a general promoted by the late Emperor Xiao Chongjing, and Xiao Ruofeng was on good terms with him when he served in the army.

Even before taking office as Minister of War, this general had held Xiao Ruofeng in high regard for his literary and military talents. At this moment, he wore a smile on his face, seemingly waiting for Xiao Ruofeng to inherit the throne and become the sixth wise and decisive monarch of Beili.

He kept staring at the scroll in Jin Xuan's hand, and when he noticed that Xiao Ruojin on the right side of the steps seemed confident, he immediately felt something was wrong.

He was about to speak when Gao Shuyi, who was beside him, quickly tugged at his sleeve: "Minister Zhang, be careful."

"Old Gao, something feels off about today's coronation ceremony..."

"Taiyue!" Gao Shuyi gestured for silence. "Do not speak recklessly. Wait for the Grand Eunuch to issue the decree."

Upon hearing this, Zhang Taiyue had no choice but to shut his mouth and quietly wait for Jinxuan to read the late emperor's edict.

At this moment, the hall was completely silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Jinxuan walked to the imperial steps and turned to face the officials.

He gently opened the dragon-sealed scroll, slowly unfurling the bright yellow silk cloth inside. After glancing at it, he cleared his throat, his voice echoing in the hall:

"By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since ascending the throne, I have governed the world in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven, and have been diligent and conscientious, daring not to slacken in the slightest."

Now, I am old and frail, my illness is terminal, and I know my time is near. Therefore, I write this will to stabilize the nation and reassure the people.

The successor must be able to establish a great dynasty and devote all his energy and effort to unifying the people of the world…

Jinxuan paused deliberately at this point.

The hearts of all the officials in the hall were in their throats. Xu Wei from the Censorate subconsciously looked at Xiao Ruofeng, only to see that the Prince of Langya had a calm expression, as if he had expected it all along.

Jin Xuan continued reading: "After many twists and turns, and countless worries day and night, I hereby decree—to pass the throne to the Third Prince, Xiao Ruojin!"

boom--

The moment the imperial edict was announced, it resounded like a thunderclap in the main hall!

Xu Wei suddenly looked up, and Hu Bufei gasped.

Hong Chengfu swayed and was supported by his colleagues.

Tan Li and Gao Shuyi exchanged bewildered glances, while Minister of War Zhang Taiyue stepped forward and blurted out, "Impossible!"

Among the ranks of military officers, General Ye Xiaoying, clad in golden armor, looked up with disbelief in his eyes.

Lei Mengsha, the silver-clad captain beside him, had an even more ashen face, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"Silence!" Jinxuan shouted shrilly.

Xiao Ruofeng stepped forward and said in a clear voice, "The late emperor's edict is here. Do any of you have any objections?"

That's a clever question—to have any objection would be to question the late emperor.

Of all the officials in the court, who dared to bear this blame?

Xu Wei opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent.

Hu Bufei sighed and lowered his head. Hong Chengfu wiped the cold sweat from his brow. Tan Li and Gao Shuyi exchanged glances, both seeing helplessness in each other's eyes.

Zhang Taiyue wanted to say something, but Ye Xiaoying reached out and pressed his shoulder, slowly shaking his head.

Lei Meng stared intently at Xiao Ruofeng, her eyes filled with incomprehension, anger, and a hint of... disappointment.

“Since there are no objections,” Xiao Ruofeng turned to face the imperial steps, knelt down, and said, “Your subject Xiao Ruofeng respectfully requests the new emperor to ascend the throne—”

This kneeling was like a signal.

The officials, as if waking from a dream, all knelt down: "We respectfully request the new emperor to ascend the throne!"

Only then did Xiao Ruojin raise his head. His face displayed a perfect balance of fear and humility as he repeatedly said, "My beloved ministers, please rise… I… I am of meager virtue and limited talent, and have been unjustly favored by the late Emperor; I am deeply apprehensive…"

As he spoke, surrounded by Jin Xuan and the other five chief eunuchs, he walked step by step toward the dragon throne.

The dragon throne was carved from a single piece of rosewood, inlaid with gold and jade, and had two five-clawed golden dragons coiled around the armrests.

Xiao Ruojin walked to the chair, reached out and gently stroked the back of the chair, his fingertips trembling slightly. He took a deep breath and slowly sat down as if he had made a great decision.

In that instant, the fear on his face vanished, replaced by a deep, unfathomable calm.

"Everyone is safe!"

The subsequent procedures of the coronation ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner: offering sacrifices to Heaven, informing ancestors, receiving the imperial seal... When the sun was high in the sky, the final stage of bestowing titles and rewards finally arrived.

Xiao Ruojin sat upright on the dragon throne, her gaze sweeping over the officials in the hall before finally settling on Xiao Ruofeng.

He spoke, his voice gentle yet carrying an undeniable authority:

"My first decree upon ascending the throne: Prince Xiao Ruofeng of Langya is loyal and brave for the country, and possesses both virtue and talent."

He was specially promoted to the rank of First Prince of Dali, bestowed with the Emperor's sword, allowed to ride in the Emperor's carriage, granted the Nine Bestowments, a crown with ten tassels, the right to wear a sword and shoes in the palace, the right to enter the court without hastening, and the right to be praised without naming his name!

Furthermore, he is hereby appointed as the Grand General Protector of the Nation, in command of all the armies under Heaven. From this day forth, he shall prepare for war, choose an auspicious day to offer sacrifices to Heaven and ancestors, and march into the southwest to quell the rebellion of Baili Luochen!

As soon as these words came out, the whole hall was silent.

Nine bestowals, a crown with ten tassels, the privilege of wearing a sword and shoes in the palace, the privilege of not having to hasten one's steps when entering the court, and the privilege of not having one's name when being praised and worshipped—these were almost the highest honors that a subject could receive.

In addition, with his "control over the army of the whole country," Xiao Ruofeng's power had already subtly surpassed that of the emperor.

Xiao Ruofeng remained calm as he knelt down, saying, "Your subject accepts the imperial decree and expresses his gratitude."

“My second decree,” Xiao Ruojin said, looking at Lei Mengsha, “is that Lei Mengsha, a Silver-Clad Captain, comes from a prestigious family and is commendable for his loyalty and bravery.”

He was specially granted the title of Silver-Clad Marquis, a hereditary title, and appointed Left Protector-General, serving under the Grand General Who Protects the Nation as the vanguard in the campaign against the rebels.

Lei Mengsha gritted his teeth, but above the steps, Xiao Ruofeng's eyes were like swords, staring intently at him.

Lei Mengsha glanced at Xiao Ruofeng, then had no choice but to step forward and kneel down: "Your subject... receives the decree."

"The third decree: General Ye Xiaoying, who has fought for many years and made outstanding contributions, is hereby promoted to Right Protector General and shall, together with Lei Mengsha, serve as the Grand General of the State and be ordered to suppress the rebellion."

Ye Xiaoying knelt on one knee, his face cold and his voice low: "This subordinate obeys the order."

As the three imperial edicts were issued, the atmosphere in the hall grew increasingly eerie.

Anyone with eyes can see that the new emperor, Xiao Ruojin, is using his immense power to control Xiao Ruofeng, while also binding Lei Mengsha and Ye Xiaoying, two of Xiao Ruofeng's most loyal followers, to his cause.

The grand ceremony finally ended amidst the music, and as the officials left the court, they whispered among themselves, discussing the matter.

"How could the late emperor have passed the throne to Prince Jingyu..."

"The Nine Bestowments bestowed upon the Prince of Langya are unprecedented in our dynasty..."

"With the Prince of Langya leading the army in the southwestern campaign, victory is practically assured this time..."

"Do you think... is there a possibility that the Prince of Langya might abdicate...?"

"Old Zhang, shut up. I think you don't want your entire family to die, do you?"

"..."