The girl wore the ceremonial robes, scarlet and solemn, with layer upon layer of magnificent cloud-patterned hems below, a flowering tree crown on her head dazzling and brilliant. Her posture was dignified yet relaxed and at ease.
Empress—Miss was Empress, Empress was Miss. A’Le took a deep breath, straightened her back, her mind at peace.
Everything proceeded smoothly. No officials stood out crying and making scenes, no one walked the wrong steps or stood in the wrong position, until it was time for the Emperor to ascend the steps, enter the court hall, and sit on the dragon throne.
The Emperor refused to walk.
The child dressed in dragon robes stood in the sunlight and turned to look back.
……
……
“What does he want?”
The court officials standing several steps away watched Eunuch Qi run over and asked urgently.
Eunuch Qi’s face was covered in a layer of sweat.
“He wants Chu, the Empress,” he stammered, about to say Miss Chu but correcting himself in time. “To walk with him.”
Hearing this, a white-haired court official could no longer contain his anger: “Absurd!” “It’s not like he’s a six-month-old baby.”
In history there were infant emperors carried through their enthronement, but Xiao Yu was six years old after all. What nonsense was this!
“Don’t be hasty,” another official with a gentler temperament said. “His Majesty is still young. Mainly, what he’s experienced in succession—we adults couldn’t bear it, let alone a six-year-old child. Let’s talk to him nicely, persuade him.”
Hearing him say this, the officials behind stirred and called out a name.
“Minister Xie.” “Minister Xie, quickly come.”
Following the calls, the ranks parted, and Xie Yanfang in official robes strode forward quickly, looking at Eunuch Qi and asking, “What happened?”
Eunuch Qi looked at Xie Yanfang’s official robes and young face, and bowed: “Please go persuade His Majesty. He doesn’t dare walk alone.”
“No problem, no problem,” Xie Yanfang said. “I’ll go talk to him.”
With that he walked forward. The officials watched as Xie Yanfang walked before Xiao Yu, knelt down, and spoke softly with the child. Though the child shook his head with a tense face at first, gradually his expression eased, becoming hesitant—
It seemed he had been persuaded.
The officials’ expressions were gratified: “Still needs coaxing.” They sighed, “He’s a child, after all.” Some were moved: “Fortunately Third Master Xie is here as family.”
Deng Yi, standing in the front row, hadn’t said a word from start to finish. When he saw Xie Yanfang take Xiao Yu’s hand and Xiao Yu lower his head to turn around—
“Summon the Empress,” he suddenly said.
The officials were startled. What?
“Grand Tutor, what do you mean?” the white-haired official from before asked. “Do you want the Empress to also come persuade His Majesty?”
Without waiting for an answer, he shook his head.
“No need. His Majesty has already been persuaded by Minister Xie. Having the Empress come would be redundant. We cannot delay the auspicious time.”
The other officials also nodded in agreement.
But Deng Yi wasn’t speaking to them or consulting with them—he was giving orders to the Imperial Guards beside him.
Those Imperial Guards paid no attention to what the officials said and immediately left. Soon the ranks of officials parted again, and guided by the Imperial Guards, Chu Zhao strode forward.
“What happened?” she asked.
The clamoring officials instantly fell silent, averting their gazes.
Deng Yi didn’t explain what the matter was, only saying: “His Majesty is looking for you. Go see him.”
Chu Zhao didn’t ask further questions, just nodded: “Alright.”
She passed the crowd and walked forward. Deng Yi called out again: “Your Majesty the Empress.”
Chu Zhao turned to look at him.
Deng Yi looked at her, his eyes deeply shadowed, and said: “Don’t miss the appointed hour.”
Chu Zhao paused for a moment, then nodded: “This palace understands.” With that she turned and walked forward.
Xiao Yu, who was about to turn around, caught sight of the girl approaching. He withdrew his hand from Xie Yanfang’s grasp and reached out toward Chu Zhao.
“Elder Sister,” he called.
Xie Yanfang looked over and saw the girl approach with a smile, bend down and take Xiao Yu’s hand.
“What’s wrong?” she asked softly. “Didn’t we already agree? You even told me not to be afraid. How come you’re afraid now?”
Xiao Yu looked at her: “I don’t want to walk alone. Elder Sister, come with me.”
Chu Zhao looked at him and smiled: “Alright.”
A smile bloomed on Xiao Yu’s face.
Only then did Chu Zhao look toward Xie Yanfang, saying softly: “Third Master, the appointed hour approaches. The ceremony cannot have any more mishaps.”
Xie Yanfang knelt on the ground, looking at the girl’s clear eyes, and nodded: “Very well.”
He stood up and stepped aside.
Chu Zhao looked at Xiao Yu again. The child was still smiling happily at her. Chu Zhao smiled, then straightened her expression and coughed lightly. Xiao Yu immediately stopped smiling and straightened his expression to match hers.
Chu Zhao held Xiao Yu’s hand and stepped onto the stairs.
Xie Yanfang stood in place watching them, then withdrew his gaze and turned to walk back. Passing Deng Yi, he suddenly looked at him and smiled.
Deng Yi was completely indifferent to his smile, his expression wooden, and gave a slight nod: “Thank you for your efforts, Minister Xie.”
Xie Yanfang smiled and said: “The Grand Tutor is too kind.” With that, he said no more and passed him, walking back into the ranks of officials.
“Kneel!”
The ceremonial official called out loudly. Drums and music sounded together. The officials knelt in unison.
High on the steps were only two figures.
Chu Zhao held Xiao Yu’s hand, walking up step by step. She didn’t look back. Of course she knew that walking together with the Emperor wasn’t according to protocol, but so what?
Since she was becoming Empress again in this life, she couldn’t be the same as in that previous life.
This Empress position—she was choosing to take it herself. Therefore, how to be this Empress, she herself would decide.
……
……
Not everyone knelt. The Imperial Guards stood solemnly with weapons in hand, guarding the new Emperor.
Xie Yanlai stood at the head, watching the figures on the steps, step by step, higher and higher.
Though high, the back view was still that of a little girl.
Who could have imagined that A’Fu from the post station would become Empress today?
Quite amusing.
He pulled at the corner of his mouth in a smile.
Actually, there was nothing unimaginable about it. He also hadn’t imagined that he would be standing here today.
Xie Yanlai withdrew his gaze and stood solemnly with a wooden expression.