460: Discussion of the capital

The streets, alleys, tea houses, and wine shops, which were originally bustling, fell silent in an instant.

Immediately afterward, a clamor of discussion erupted like a boiling pot.

"What? Noble Consort Xia is no longer becoming the Empress? She's going to cultivate immortality?"

A peddler carrying a pole was so shocked his jaw nearly dropped, and the counterweight in his hand hit the ground with a "clang."

"An immortal cultivation spirit body? A hidden immortal Sect? This... this is too bizarre!" In the tea house, several scholars put down their teacups, their faces full of disbelief. "Only yesterday we were saying the Xia Family was about to ascend to the heavens in a single bound, and today the world has changed?"

"Tsk tsk, a spirit body that appears once in a thousand years!" A white-haired old man stroked his beard, his eyes full of envy. "Giving up the position of Empress in exchange for the Opportunity of immortality—it seems the Xia Family has struck it lucky!"

"I wouldn't be so sure!" A merchant dressed in silk lowered his voice and said cautiously, "Why wasn't it discovered sooner or later, but specifically the day before the grand ceremony? And it even involves City Lord Situ of the Northern Border? There must be something fishy going on!"

"Shh! Watch your words! Watch your words!" The person next to him quickly pulled him back, scanning the surroundings with a terrified gaze. "Didn't you see the notice? It says Your Majesty is doing this to fulfill an immortal fate and for the sake of the national fortune. How can we commoners dare to speculate on royal affairs? Be careful, or your words will bring disaster!"

"Even so..." The merchant shrank his neck but still couldn't help muttering, "That Noble Consort Liu suddenly rose to the position, and her father is the Minister of Revenue... the inner workings of this are probably impossible to explain."

"Regardless, Noble Consort Liu is indeed virtuous and kind." A woman holding a child said softly, "I heard she has been in the palace for many years and never gets jealous. She is also generous to the servants. Making her the Empress isn't exactly a slight."

"I just wonder if there's enough time to prepare for tomorrow's grand ceremony..." someone said worriedly. "Envoys from all nations are watching; we can't afford any mishaps."

Various speculations, discussions, and exclamations swept through the entire Royal Capital like a tide.

In front of the Xia Mansion, a drama of "ice and fire" was unfolding.

Yesterday, it was still crowded with carriages and guests, with gift-bearing lines stretching to the end of the street, and the gatekeepers were busy beyond belief.

But today, as soon as the announcement was made, the front of the mansion became desolate. Carriages vanished, and only a few servants huddled in the gateway, peeking out with terrified expressions.

Those guests who had originally been carrying congratulatory gifts turned their horses around one after another, or took detours, for fear of being tainted by even a bit of bad luck.

In sharp contrast was the residence of the Minister of Revenue, Minister of Personnel.

As soon as the edict spread, guests flocked there in droves.

The previously quiet Liu Mansion suddenly became lively. Carriages filled the entire alley, and officials arrived in an endless stream, all wearing fawning smiles as they vied to offer their congratulations.

Minister of Personnel, dressed in his court robes, stood at the mansion gate, his face glowing with health and a smile so wide he couldn't close his mouth.

This sudden turn of events caused the Liu Family to leap from obscurity to become the most sought-after Family in the Royal Capital.

The residences of the envoys from various nations were also in an uproar.

The envoys gathered together, whispering to one another with varying expressions.

Some were surprised, some curious, some disdainful, and some with deeper thoughts had already begun to write secret reports to send back to their home countries through their respective secret channels.

This change of Empress in the Tianqi Dynasty seemed like a beautiful story of "immortal fate ordained by heaven," but in reality, undercurrents were surging, involving a power clash between the imperial court and the Sects.

In any case, under the efficient operation of Mysterious Clarity Master and the Ministry of Rites, as well as the appeasement of the imperial Family's generous rewards, although the commotion was significant, it did not turn into an uncontrollable riot.

Most people accepted the explanation of "immortal fate ordained by heaven."

After all, State Preceptor Xuan Qingzi held extremely high prestige in the hearts of the Tianqi people. His words were enough to make many unbelievable things seem "reasonable."

Deep within the imperial palace, two palaces presented completely different scenes.

The Yuhua Palace, where Liu Airu resided, was now filled with joy.

Liu Airu was sitting by the window embroidering; the needle and thread in her hand were depicting a pair of mandarin ducks playing in the water.

The moment she heard the eunuch read the imperial edict, the embroidery needle in her hand fell to the ground with a "clack." She was completely stunned, standing frozen in place for a long time, unable to snap out of it.

The sudden position of Empress was like a pie falling from the sky, hitting her so hard she felt dizzy.

Joy, fear, and disbelief—various emotions intertwined, making her momentarily unsure of how to react.

The palace servants were already in an uproar. Maidservants ran to spread the news, and eunuchs were busy decorating the palace. The originally elegant Linhua Palace was instantly adorned to be magnificent and golden.

Officials from the Bureau of Imperial Clothing hurried over carrying the brand-new auspicious Empress robes, and the mamas from the Imperial Household Department also brought a group of female officials to teach her the etiquette for tomorrow's grand ceremony.

Although time was tight, the palace already had contingency plans for the promotion of concubines.

Moreover, Liu Airu was already a Noble Consort and was well-versed in palace etiquette, so she wasn't exactly thrown into a panic.

She sat before the bronze mirror, watching the maidservants do her hair. The woman in the mirror had gentle features, with a faint, imperceptible smile at the corners of her mouth.

She knew that from tomorrow on, she would be the most noble woman in this vast land, and the Liu Family would also enter its peak.

Meanwhile, Xia Wei's Changle Palace was as silent as death.

The candlelight in the hall flickered in the wind, casting shadows on the window frames that shifted between light and dark.

Xia Wei sat on the edge of the bed, her tears falling like pearls from a broken string.

She didn't understand why everything had changed in just one night.

Yesterday, she was still fantasizing about tomorrow's grand ceremony, imagining herself dressed in a Phoenix Crown and Embroidered Robe, standing beside Your Majesty and receiving the homage of the hundred officials.

Today, she was stripped of her position as Empress and given the title of "possessing immortal fate," only to be sent to the distant and unfamiliar Northern Border.

She didn't want to go to some hidden Sect, she didn't want to leave the bustling Royal Capital, and she didn't want to leave her parents. She only wanted to be her Empress and possess that supreme glory.

But her tearful pleas were ignored.

The trusted maidservant sent into the palace by the Xia Family stood by her side with red eyes, only able to comfort her over and over:

"Young Miss, don't cry. This is Your Majesty's decree and also City Lord Situ's intention. We... we have no choice. The Master said for you to practice well and become an immortal master in the future, so as to bring glory to the Xia Family's threshold."

These words sounded like sharp knives in Xia Wei's ears, piercing her heart.

Bring glory to the threshold?

She couldn't even control her own destiny; how could she talk about bringing glory to the threshold?

As night fell, the imperial palace was brightly lit, both inside and out.

Officials from the six ministries—the Ministry of Rites, Ministry of Personnel, Ministry of Revenue, Ministry of War, Ministry of Works, and Ministry of Justice—as well as the eunuchs and maidservants of the inner court, all stayed awake throughout the night, making final preparations for tomorrow's conferment ceremony.

The Phoenix Crown and Embroidered Robe were rushed to completion, the golden book and precious seal were re-engraved, the sacrificial offerings for the heaven-worshiping ceremony were updated with new prayers, and the standing positions for the hundred officials were redrawn... Although time was short, with the strength of the entire nation and the unswerving support of the Liu Family, the various ceremonies, items, and personnel arrangements miraculously fell into place quickly.