SFS Chapter 233: Accepting the Mandate of Heaven and Showing Virtue
Chapter 233: Accepting the Mandate of Heaven and Showing Virtue
The princess, Qiao Rongjin, Chen and the heirs of Prince Rui were all brought into the palace by Wang Fuyang the day before Prince Rui ascended the throne.
As soon as the queen entered the palace, she was taken to Kunning Palace, while Qiao Rongjin was placed in Jingyang Palace and Chen was placed in Changchun Palace.
This arrangement caused different thoughts among those who were paying attention to Prince Rui's backyard. Everyone knew that this arrangement would probably be where the ladies of the palace would live in the future.
Kunning Palace is, without a doubt, the place where the future queen will live. No one was surprised at this. However, when people saw how Prince Rui arranged for Concubine Qiao and Concubine Ping, they were very surprised.
Jingyang Palace is a magnificent palace with gorgeous decorations, but the nobleness of this palace lies in its meaning. It is usually the residence of the imperial concubines of all dynasties. So does Prince Rui mean that Concubine Qiao will become the imperial concubine in the future? However, it is generally agreed in the palace that the queen is the queen, and there is no position of imperial concubine. Also, although Concubine Qiao was favored for a period of time in Prince Rui's mansion, it is difficult for her to become an imperial concubine. However, some people say that Concubine Qiao is very likely to get the position of imperial concubine. After all, she has a good son and a capable family. Therefore, people have different opinions on whether Concubine Qiao can be promoted to the position of imperial concubine.
As for Concubine Ping's Changchun Palace, no one was surprised. Although Concubine Ping was not favored, she had many brilliant ideas and various inventions that could make the Dajing Dynasty reach a higher level. Everyone felt that Concubine Ping had no chance of becoming a noble concubine.
As expected, Concubine Xian moved into Shoukang Palace.
On the day of the coronation ceremony, all civil and military officials were present, and those in the harem, such as the princess and Qiao Rongjin, were allowed to watch from the sidelines.
Qiao Rongjin got up early in the morning, dressed himself, and followed the group to the best viewing position.
She had seen the coronation ceremony before, but that was on TV. Now she had the opportunity to see it in real life. Qiao Rongjin was very excited and curious.
The enthronement ceremony of the new emperor was solemn and magnificent, fully demonstrating the royal majesty.
Inside and outside the palace, the imperial guards stood in rows, their helmets shining, their weapons gleaming with cold light, guarding this crucial moment.
Prince Rui was dressed in a gorgeous dragon robe, which was embroidered with a lifelike five-clawed golden dragon. He wore a crown on his head, and a pearl curtain swayed, covering the majestic face of the new emperor. Then, surrounded by his attendants, he slowly walked towards the dragon throne on the high platform.
The road leading to the throne was paved with bright red carpet, with princes, ministers, and royal nobles standing on both sides. They were dressed in court robes and had solemn expressions. The musicians played solemn music, with bells and drums ringing in unison. The sounds were powerful and high, as if announcing the birth of the new monarch to heaven and earth.
"Long live my emperor! Long live!"
Civil and military officials knelt down and shouted "Long live the emperor" in unison, with waves of voices covering one another.
"Everyone loves you!"
Then, there was a whole set of procedures. Qiao Rongjin was impressed by the majesty and difference of Prince Yu Rui today. However, after watching for a while, his initial enthusiasm was dissipated by the solemn and complicated coronation process.
Well, it's quite complicated. I heard that this is already a much simplified version of the coronation ceremony. Qiao Rongjin just wants to say, wouldn't the unsimplified coronation ceremony take a whole day to complete?
Looking at the suppressed excitement on the faces of the princess and Prince Rui's many descendants, as well as their undisguised admiration for Prince Rui on the podium, Qiao Rongjin suddenly felt that his reaction seemed too bland and so out of tune with the atmosphere here.
Prince Rui ascended the throne today, but Qi You did not come. He has been guarding Emperor Jingyuan in the mourning hall these days. Of course, he did not kneel all the time, as the child is still growing and could not bear it, so he only kneeled appropriately. However, when Qiao Rongjin saw him in the past, he was always in a bad mood. He even cried when he saw her on the day he entered the palace, which made Qiao Rongjin very distressed.
Although Qi You is young, he is not as crybaby as other children. It is even rare to see him lose control of his emotions. This time he was really sad, and Qiao Rongjin hugged him for a long time.
Today, he was asked to come but he refused, saying that he wanted to accompany Emperor Jingyuan. These words made Qiao Rongjin shed tears, but she just let him be. Anyway, Concubine Xian and Prince Rui would not say anything to him. They would probably even praise him for being filial.
Seeing that the sacrificial ceremony was finally over, Qiao Rongjin finally breathed a sigh of relief. He heard that the next step was for the new emperor to enthrone the empress and the crown prince.
Qiao Rongjin was somewhat interested in this. He straightened his back, but his eyes were calmly looking at the princess standing in the front and the pair of children beside her.
Then she discovered that not only the princess and her son, but almost everyone's eyes were fixed on them, intentionally or unintentionally.
However, what was issued next was not the imperial edict of enthronement, but the announcement of the reign title.
"I have been appointed by Heaven and have ascended the throne. I have chosen an auspicious day and changed the era name to Chengming, hoping to start a prosperous era with my subjects and people."
Chengming means: "Accept the will of heaven and show your virtue."
Upon hearing this, all the civil and military officials shouted "Long live the emperor" again.
Later, Prince Rui became Emperor Chengming.
Qiao Rongjin silently repeated it a few times in his heart, and felt that it was quite smooth. In the future, this person will be the emperor, with three thousand beauties in the harem. I don't know what position she will be given? Qiao Rongjin was very curious about this.
Qiao Rongjin knew some of the private discussions in the palace. Some said that the new emperor arranged for her to live in Jingyang Palace probably to make her an imperial concubine. Some said that at most she would be made a concubine. Others said that the position might be lower than these two. After all, she only had one child and did not have many offspring. If she wanted to become a concubine of a higher rank, she could only get pregnant and with the help of her natal family, only then would she have a chance to become a concubine.
Qiao Rongjin knew her own limitations. She would be very satisfied if the new emperor could give her a position as one of the four concubines. It would be so nice to have a palace that belonged to her alone.
As for the position of Imperial Noble Consort, she had never even thought about it. Even if someone was to confer the title of Imperial Noble Consort, it would most likely not be her. Madam Xian, the new favorite of Prince Rui, might be a possibility.
"Here it comes! The next step should be the imperial edict of conferring the title, right?"
Someone muttered this, and Qiao Rongjin quickly came back to his senses. He and everyone else looked at the new emperor on the high platform. Beside the new emperor stood Wang Fuyang and Li Jin.
All the ministers were also full of energy at this moment, looking intently at the new emperor on the high platform above, wondering whether the prince would be enthroned today.
The most nervous people present were the princess and Qi Shao and his mother. The princess tried hard to suppress her excitement and she began to pull her son's fingers with unconscious force.
Qi Shao was also very excited at the moment, but he was still uncertain and his mind was blank, so even though the princess was trying so hard, he didn't seem to feel any pain, and his eyes were fixed on the movements of the figure on the platform.