Chapter 110 - 109: The Eldest Miss as a Substitute Bride 25

Chapter 110: Chapter 109: The Eldest Miss as a Substitute Bride 25

Chu Qingyun hurried into the bedroom. He saw Ji Xiaosong lying on the bed, her face pale. Fine beads of sweat still lingered on her forehead, and a few strands of sweat-dampened hair clung to her cheeks, making her look exceptionally fragile.

His heart clenched, and his eyes reddened slightly. He tiptoed to the bedside and slowly sat down, his movements so gentle as if he were afraid of startling Ji Xiaosong.

"Song, it must have been so hard for you." He reached out and gently brushed the strands of hair from Ji Xiaosong’s cheek, his voice as soft as a spring breeze.

Ji Xiaosong slowly opened her eyes. The moment she saw Chu Qingyun, the corners of her mouth turned up in a weak smile. "Qingyun, we have a son."

"I know. It’s all thanks to you."

Not long after, the Emperor’s imperial edict arrived at the Eastern Palace.

Everyone in the hall immediately knelt to receive the edict.

The Imperial Eunuch unfurled the bright yellow edict, cleared his throat, and proclaimed in a loud voice:

"By the Mandate of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The current Crown Prince, Chu Qingyun, having endured many trials, possesses both virtue and talent. Furthermore, the Crown Princess Consort, Ji Xiaosong, has given birth to the eldest legitimate son, ensuring the Royal Family has an heir. We are deeply gratified and feel the time has come. We have decided to abdicate the throne to Crown Prince Chu Qingyun, effective immediately. We hope he will carry on the great lineage, rule the nation with benevolence, ensure the prosperity of our lands, and protect the peace and happiness of our people. By imperial command!"

Upon hearing the edict, Chu Qingyun was stunned for a moment. Then, his eyes reddened, and his heart filled with a profound sense of being moved and a heavy weight of responsibility.

He solemnly accepted the imperial edict and replied loudly, "This son accepts the decree. I will not fail the trust you have placed in me, Father Emperor. I will do everything in my power to protect this vast empire."

Tears glistened in Ji Xiaosong’s eyes. Though her body was weak, she still struggled to sit up and said softly, "Qingyun, from now on, we will work together for the good of the people."

Chu Qingyun turned to look at her and nodded firmly. "With you by my side, I will not fail the realm."

The news quickly spread throughout the Eastern Palace. Servants and attendants fell to their knees, crying "Long live Your Majesty!" An atmosphere of joy and solemnity filled every corner.

The Empress held the little prince, her face wreathed in a gratified smile. "Qingyun, you are about to ascend the throne. You must be a good emperor. I also hope that this little prince will one day follow in your footsteps."

"I will, Mother."

The accession ceremony was set for a month later, which was also when Ji Xiaosong would finish her postpartum confinement.

On the day of the grand accession ceremony, the sky had barely begun to lighten, yet the entire Capital City was already abuzz with activity.

Vermilion Bird Street was swept spotless. Both sides of the avenue were hung with bright yellow silks that fluttered in the wind, a display of the Royal Family’s majesty and solemnity.

The civil and military officials, dressed in their court robes, arrived early in front of the Imperial Palace. They were arranged in order of rank, their expressions solemn.

Inside the Imperial Palace, Taihe Hall was decorated in splendor.

Enormous red candles cast a brilliant glow, making the hall’s carved beams and painted rafters appear even more majestic in the flickering light.

In the center of the hall was a magnificent Dragon Throne, the symbol of supreme power, now quietly awaiting the arrival of its new master.

「At 7:00 AM, the auspicious hour had arrived.」

With the long, drawn-out toll of a bell, Chu Qingyun appeared. He was dressed in a magnificent Dragon Robe and a tasseled imperial crown. Surrounded by a retinue of guards and eunuchs, he walked slowly toward Taihe Hall.

His gait was steady, his gaze firm. Each step seemed to land upon the very river of history itself.

Ji Xiaosong, holding the Little Prince, followed behind Chu Qingyun, accompanied by the Empress Dowager.

She wore a phoenix robe and carried herself with infinite grace.

When Chu Qingyun stepped onto the stairs of Taihe Hall, the civil and military officials all knelt and kowtowed, shouting, "Long live Your Majesty."

The sound was deafening, echoing throughout the entire Imperial Palace.

Chu Qingyun walked steadily to the Dragon Throne, turned to face the court, and raised his hand to signal for them to rise.

Afterward, the Grand Emperor came forward and solemnly handed the Jade Seal, symbolizing imperial power, into Chu Qingyun’s hands.

Chu Qingyun accepted the Jade Seal with both hands, raised it high, and showed it to the court.

Immediately after, an official from the Ministry of Rites began to read the sacrificial text, praying to the heavens to bless the new emperor’s ascension and the nation’s prosperity.

Once the sacrificial text was read, Chu Qingyun delivered his accession edict. His voice was sonorous and firm as he proclaimed his philosophy of governance and his promises to the people for all the realm to hear.

Just then, the Little Prince in Ji Xiaosong’s arms suddenly started to cry. The cry was clear and loud, unlike that of an ordinary infant.

While everyone was still bewildered, a dazzling golden light burst from the little prince’s swaddling clothes. Then, the phantom image of a lifelike golden dragon slowly emerged from the baby’s body.

The golden dragon coiled and danced, its whiskers flowing, its majestic eyes sweeping over everyone in the hall. It emanated an auspicious glow, and for a moment, the entire Taihe Hall was enveloped in this golden radiance.

At this sight, everyone fell to their knees, and gasps of astonishment filled the air.

Before anyone could recover from the shocking sight, the sound of melodious birdsong suddenly drifted in from outside the hall.

A flock of five-colored phoenixes could be seen flying from the horizon, circling and soaring around the Imperial Palace.

This scene genuinely shocked Ji Xiaosong. ’I definitely didn’t arrange for this.’

’But then again,’ she thought, ’my son is destined to be an emperor unrivaled in history. It’s not that strange for such phenomena to occur.’

The Grand Emperor and Empress Dowager saw these visions, and their first reaction was to look at Ji Xiaosong.

Seeing her equally stunned expression, they understood.

Chu Qingyun watched, his heart filled with surprise and emotion. ’Since my wife didn’t create this phenomenon, it must be a blessing and a sign of hope from the heavens for the new dynasty.’

He hurried to Ji Xiaosong’s side and looked at the little prince in his swaddling, his eyes filled with tender love and pride.

Chu Qingyun turned back to the court and announced loudly, "Today, my son has manifested the phantom of a golden dragon, and phoenixes have come to pay homage! This is a profoundly auspicious sign. We have decided, effective immediately, to name Our son the Crown Prince! We hope that he will one day inherit the great lineage and lead Our dynasty to even greater prosperity."

With that, Chu Qingyun paused in thought for a moment before naming the little prince. "Our son’s name shall be Chu Yuzhe. ’Yu’ means to rule or command, symbolizing mastery over the realm. ’Ze’ means grace and beneficence, in the hope that he will one day rule with benevolence and bring blessings to all people."

It was not customary to formally name a child before the age of three, for fear they might not survive.

But Chu Qingyun believed that a child born to him and Ji Xiaosong would surely grow up safe and sound, so he had no need for such superstitions.

Everyone knelt and kowtowed once more, their voices echoing to the heavens as they cried, "Long live the Crown Prince! Long live His Highness!"

Sure enough, upon hearing his name, Chu Yuzhe stopped crying.

Seeing this, Chu Qingyun couldn’t help but smile, his eyes full of doting love. He gently tapped little Yu Ze’s nose and chuckled teasingly, "Well, look at that. Do you think this little one knows he has a name and has been made Crown Prince, so he’s too happy to cry anymore? It seems he’s destined to be a clever and perceptive ruler who understands the affairs of the realm."

With that, he turned his gaze to the assembled court officials and declared, "Today, Our Yu Ze has shown such intelligence and is accompanied by these auspicious signs. This is truly a blessing for Our dynasty. In the days to come, We hope that you, Our beloved ministers, will join Us in diligently teaching the Crown Prince, helping him mature quickly so that he may be worthy of heaven’s favor."

The civil and military officials all knelt, replying in unison, "We, your subjects, will do our utmost to guide the Crown Prince!"

With the day’s ceremonies complete, Ji Xiaosong finally became the Empress and moved into the Imperial Palace.

Her first order of business was to meet with the various titled ladies.

Of course, this included Mother Ji.

The Grand Emperor had made Mr. Ji retire, but he had not stripped Mother Ji of her status as a first-rank titled lady.