470: The ceremony concluded

In a corner of the square, Minister of Personnel Xia Guanglin stood in a location that was inconspicuous yet prominent, his face ashen and his eyes full of complex emotions.

He looked at Liu Airu, dressed in the Phoenix Crown and Embroidered Robe on the Imperial Steps, and then thought of his own daughter, Xia Wei. His heart was a mess of mixed feelings: guilt, resentment, helplessness, and apprehension intertwined deep inside.

Occasionally, when his gaze met Situ Jun's on the Viewing Platform, he would quickly lower his head as if shocked by electricity, daring not to meet that gaze which seemed capable of piercing through a person's soul.

Liu Airu walked to the bottom of the Imperial Steps, gracefully knelt down, and her clear, gentle voice, penetrating the ceremonial music, distinctly reached everyone's ears:

“Your humble servant, the Liu Clan's daughter, pays respects to Your Majesty.”

Li Xuan stood up, walked down the high platform, and personally helped her up.

His fingertips brushed her slightly cool hand. Looking at the gentle and obedient woman before him, a trace of disorientation suddenly arose in his heart—just yesterday at this time, he had been imagining Xia Wei wearing the Empress's Robes and kneeling before him. But life is unpredictable; in just one night, everything had been turned upside down.

He steadied himself, a gentle smile appearing on his face, and his voice was calm and steady:

“Empress, rise.”

The Investiture Ceremony proceeded in an orderly manner according to the most solemn specifications.

First was the Offering Sacrifices to Heaven and Earth.

Ministry of Rites officials, holding sacrificial texts, ascended the Altar of Heaven and recited the prayer texts, announcing to Heaven and Earth the establishment of the New Empress.

Next, the Edict of Investiture was read aloud.

The Vice Minister of Rites unfolded the bright yellow imperial edict, and his clear voice echoed across the square:

“By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Imperial Consort Liu, born of a distinguished family, virtuous, prudent, gentle, and respectful, skilled in inner court administration, having served the palace for a long time with reverence and without fault. The Central Palace is now vacant; thus, she is to be invested as Empress, taking her rightful place in Kuning, serving as the mother figure to all under Heaven. Let this be announced throughout the land, so all may know.”

Finally, the Empress's official sealed documents, the Golden Seal, and the Phoenix Crown and Embroidered Robe were conferred.

Li Xuan personally handed the Golden Seal, inscribed with “Seal of the Empress,” to Liu Airu.

Liu Airu received it with both hands. Her fingertips touched the cool Imperial Seal, and her heart gave a sudden leap. She bowed and kowtowed again:

“Your humble servant thanks Your Majesty for your great grace. May Your Majesty enjoy good health and may the national fortune prosper.”

Every step of the procedure was executed flawlessly.

Liu Airu handled herself appropriately, her demeanor elegant. Every gesture displayed the style of an Empress, causing many observing officials and Envoys to nod secretly. Compared to Xia Wei, they felt this Empress Liu seemed to understand the rules better and was more suited to be the mother figure of the world.

The Investiture Ceremony lasted the entire morning.

When the final ceremonial music sounded, and Liu Airu stood shoulder to shoulder with Li Xuan atop the high platform, receiving the homage of the officials and Envoys, the bells and drums rang out again. The mountain-tsunami-like shouts of “Long Live the Emperor!” and “Long Live the Empress!” reverberated through the sky, shaking the banners and flags in the square, and even the Glazed Tiles of the Taiqian Hall seemed to tremble.

The ceremony was complete.

Li Xuan looked at the kneeling subjects below the steps and the New Empress beside him. The stifling feeling in his heart seemed to have eased slightly.

At the very least, superficial dignity was maintained. The support of the Liu Clan, the stability of the imperial court, recognition from various nations, and the witnessing by the Sects were all initially achieved through this Grand Ceremony.

However, when his gaze inadvertently swept toward the Dark-Robed figure by the edge of the Viewing Platform, his chest tightened with frustration and anger.

Situ Jun maintained a placid expression, as if the conclusion of this Grand Ceremony had nothing to do with him. But Li Xuan knew that as long as Situ Jun remained in the Royal Capital for a day, his Imperial Throne would not be secure for a day.

Following the ceremony was an extremely extravagant Palace Banquet.

Inside the Taiqian Hall, the lights were brilliant, complementing the sunlight streaming through the windows.

Huge round tables were set up along the hall. Exquisite Delicacies were laid out in abundance, Fine Wine and Jade Nectar filled jade cups, and the scent of sandalwood intertwined with the aroma of fine dishes, permeating the hall.

Palace maids, dressed in colorful robes, moved back and forth carrying food boxes, their steps light.

Musicians played the cheerful “Song of the Rainbow Skirt and Feathered Dress,” the strings and flutes pleasant to the ear.

Dancing girls, wearing silk skirts, danced gracefully in the hall, their water sleeves fluttering and their movements enchanting, presenting a scene of prosperous peace and harmony.

At the banquet, Li Xuan and the New Empress Liu Airu sat side-by-side in the main seats. The Dragon Throne and the Phoenix Chair were placed together, bright yellow and dark blue complementing each other, fully displaying the unity of the Emperor and Empress.

Li Xuan tried hard to play the role of a triumphant monarch happily welcoming his New Empress. A proper smile hung on his lips as he exchanged pleasantries with every subject who toasted him and responded to the congratulations of the foreign Envoys with sincere words and graceful bearing.

Liu Airu also did her best to display the Empress's grace and joy, returning toasts with great composure. She responded gently to the congratulations of the Official's Wives and answered the greetings of the Envoys appropriately, fully demonstrating the style of the Mistress of the Six Palaces. In just half a day, she won over many hearts.

However, whenever Li Xuan's gaze inadvertently swept past Situ Jun, a hint of almost imperceptible gloom and apprehension, along with profound helplessness and powerlessness, would flash across his eyes.

Situ Jun's presence was like an invisible thorn lodged in Li Xuan's heart, preventing him from drinking heartily with the various officials and Envoys.

Situ Jun, meanwhile, sat at a Side Table near the end. The wine cup before him was almost untouched; he only occasionally took a shallow sip, his gaze indifferent as he watched the singing and dancing in the hall, acting as if the surrounding splendor had nothing to do with him.

Mysterious Clarity Master sat beside him, whispering something. Situ Jun occasionally nodded, his expression remaining cool and detached.

Halfway through the banquet, the sound of strings and flutes reached its peak, and the dancing girls' movements grew even more enchanting.

Situ Jun suddenly put down his wine cup, stood up, and slightly nodded toward Li Xuan on the main dais. His voice was cool and clear, penetrating the noisy music and distinctly reaching everyone's ears:

“Your Majesty, your humble subject returns to the Northern Border tomorrow. The journey is arduous, and my mind is weary. It is inconvenient to stay long, so I beg leave to depart and rest first.”

Li Xuan rejoiced inwardly, wishing this Grim Deity would hurry and leave the Royal Capital and disappear from his sight.

On his face, however, he immediately displayed a look of reluctance to part. He raised his cup and smiled, saying:

“City Lord Situ, it is rare for you to visit the Royal Capital. I haven't even had time to host a welcoming banquet for you, nor have I introduced you to the Envoys of various nations. Why not stay a little longer and share a few drinks with these esteemed subjects?”

Situ Jun smiled faintly, his eyes holding a hint of detachment:

“I appreciate Your Majesty's gracious invitation. However, affairs in the Northern Border are numerous, and it is inappropriate for your humble subject to linger. I hope Your Majesty grants permission.”

Li Xuan pretended to look reluctant and nodded, agreeing to Situ Jun's departure.

In front of the Envoys of various nations and the messengers of the Sects, Situ Jun still had to fulfill the etiquette of a subject; after all, the Tianqi Kingdom still relied on Li Xuan for governance, and necessary imperial prestige had to be maintained.

Thus, only after receiving Li Xuan's consent did he turn and walk toward the outside of the hall.

The singing and dancing inside the hall continued as before.

The palace maids' dancing grew more enchanting, the musicians' tunes became more cheerful, and the guests' toasts and laughter grew more enthusiastic, as if Situ Jun's departure had not caused a single ripple.

But Li Xuan looked at the vanishing silhouette, and the fingers gripping his wine cup slowly tightened. The Fine Wine and Jade Nectar in the cup trembled slightly, splashing out a few drops onto his bright yellow Imperial Robe, spreading a small wet stain, much like his current state of mind: outwardly calm, yet inwardly turbulent.

He turned his head, looked at the gently smiling Liu Airu beside him, and then looked at the officials celebrating with raised cups inside the hall. Suppressing the hostility in his heart, he resumed a gentle smile and raised his cup to everyone in the hall:

“My esteemed subjects, esteemed Envoys, let us drink this cup together, wishing our Tianqi Kingdom prosperity and unity between the Emperor and Empress!”

“We wish Your Majesty peace and health, Long Live the Empress, and prosperity to the national fortune!”

Cheers erupted again in the hall, and the Fine Wine and Jade Nectar clinked together, making a crisp sound.