Chapter 379: Let’s Sit on It Together
Translator: Dragon Boat Translation Editor: Dragon Boat Translation
On the day of the coronation, Su Ying and the rest woke up before dawn.
Aunt Zhao led the palace maids to help Su Ying put on the phoenix robe for the ceremony layer by layer.
Su Ying allowed them to fuss around with her, but she felt as if her waist was about to break from the sash tightening.
The costumes for the ceremony were particularly cumbersome, making it difficult for Su Ying to move around. “Aunt Zhao, loosen up a little. Quickly loosen up a little, or else 1 will collapse when I walk.”
Aunt Zhao’s heart ached for Su Ying. When she saw that the waist sash had been tightened so much that there wasn’t a single gap, she took advantage of the moment when the lady-in-waiting in charge of etiquette wasn’t around to help Su Ying loosen the waist area. After she was done, Aunt Zhao stuffed a few more candies into Su Ying’s hands.
“If you feel hungry later, eat two. Bear with it for a while. It will be fine after the ceremony.”
Su Ying took the candy and nodded. “I know.”
Only after she put on the phoenix crown was her outfit considered complete.
At this moment, Xiao Jin was going through his coronation ceremony. After the ceremony ended, he would enter the palace to confer the title on Su Ying.
“When will Xiao Jin finish on his end?”
“Your Highness, don’t worry. It should be over before noon.”
Su Ying glanced at the hourglass. There were still at least four hours before noon, so she quickly asked Aunt Zhao to help her remove the phoenix crown from her head.
“There’s still so much time. What’s the hurry?”
Aunt Zhao was also worried that Su Ying would get tired, so she asked the palace maid to bring some snacks and tea.
When the lady-in-waiting saw this, she unconsciously furrowed her brows. Su Ying had already eaten quite a few portions of snacks just now. Why was she asking for more now? How much did she have to eat?
In order to keep her robe intact, Aunt Zhao helped Su Ying to lie down on a soft couch after she had eaten her fill. This way, her robe would not crease easily.
“If Your Highness is really tired, then take a nap. When it’s about time, I will wake you up.”
Su Ying was satisfied with this suggestion. After Aunt Zhao let down the curtains, Su Ying closed her eyes.
Su Ying felt as if she had barely closed her eyes when she heard hurried footsteps outside the door.
She immediately sat up on the bed, lifted the curtain, and stood up.
The door opened at this moment, and Aunt Zhao walked in.
“Aunt Zhao, is it time yet?” Su Ying asked with a frown.
“It’s time. His Majesty has already entered the palace and is about to summon Your Highness.” As Aunt Zhao spoke, she took the phoenix crown and put it on Su Ying. After she touched up Su Ying’s makeup again, she saw a team of eunuchs jogging over.
“Our respects to Your Highness. His Majesty has already entered the palace, so please proceed to the main hall.”
Aunt Zhao supported Su Ying as she walked out of the inner palace. “There’s no need to say anything more after Your Highness enters the palace. The etiquette officer from the Ministry of Rites will naturally take you through all the procedures.”
Su Ying slowly nodded and then slowly straightened her back and walked to the main hall.
At this moment, the civil and military officials were already standing on both sides of the main hall. When they saw Su Ying walk over, they bowed slightly as a show of respect.
When they reached the outside of the main hall, Aunt Zhao released her grip and stood on one side of the door while Su Ying entered the hall alone.
Su Ying raised her eyes and saw Xiao Jin, who was wearing a pure gold dragon robe, sitting upright on the dragon throne.
The moment he saw Su Ying, Xiao Jin stood up from his dragon throne.
The people from the Ministry of Rites widened their eyes in shock. They wanted to remind Xiao Jin, but Su Ying had already walked in.
Su Ying walked in with the light behind her. Her fiery red phoenix robe emitted a blazing and intense aura under the golden light. She was like a golden phoenix bathing in flames of fire. She seemed to cut through all the darkness and filth in the hustle and bustle. She was like a ray of light that shone straight into Xiao Jin’s heart.
Xiao Jin’s brows gradually rose upward as he walked to the bottom of the dais and slowly extended his hand toward Su Ying.
Su Ying looked at him in surprise. She didn’t know what he was doing walking down at this juncture. According to the rules, wasn’t she the one who had to bow and then stop?
Could it be that this rascal was so happy to become the Emperor that he became muddle-headed?
Su Ying reached out her hand and gripped his fingertips. “What’s wrong? Shouldn’t you follow the rules?”
Xiao Jin looked at her face that was so close to him and said with a smile, “Mm-hmm. I am. When you sit down with me, you are officially my Empress.”
Su Ying was skeptical. She got the feeling that the rules Ling and the others read to her had gone to the dogs.
“Are you sure?”
Xiao Jin tightened his grip on her hand. “I’m sure. Let’s go. Don’t miss the auspicious time.”
Su Ying looked at the dragon throne at the top of the dais. Forget it. It was just a chair. She would sit since he insisted. “Alright.”
Under the watchful eyes of the civil and military officials, Xiao Jin pulled Su Ying along and walked to the dragon throne with confident steps before sitting down.
The moment their two butts landed on the throne…
Gasp!
Gasps of shock rippled through the crowd of officials.
With an eye signal from Xiao Jin, Zhang Shuming took out the Imperial edict and read out the title Su Ying had been conferred.
An outspoken minister immediately jumped out.
“Your Majesty, that dragon throne has always been reserved for the most exalted Emperor. How can you let the Empress sit on it?”
Xiao Jin looked carefully at the minister and wished he could smash his skull to the ground. He then said faintly, “Lord Wen, did the Empress go to your residence a few days ago to save your father’s life?”
Minister Wen choked and his expression was very conflicted. “Your Majesty, indeed she did.”
“Then with this kneeling down, I will take it that you are thanking the Empress. You may go.”
Minister Wen raised his head in fright and looked very lost. “Your Majesty…”
Xiao Jin frowned. “Are you not going to thank her?”
Minister Wen choked. “No, that’s not what 1 meant…”
“That being the case, excuse yourself at once. I don’t want to punish my officials for being ungrateful on the day I ascend the throne.”
“Your Majesty, please calm down. Lord Wen doesn’t look like someone who doesn’t know how to repay kindness. Lord Wen, quickly thank Her Imperial Highness.” Zhang Shuming stepped out with a smile to smooth things over for Lord Wen.
Lord Wen subconsciously kowtowed to Su Ying. “Thank you for treating my father’s illness, Your Imperial Highness. Your Imperial Highness’s great kindness is something I will never forget.”
“Enough. Now is not the time for you to express your thanks. You can step down.”
When Lord Wen returned to his position and stood there, he felt that something was not quite right. What was he trying to do when he stepped out just now?
“You’re asking to be humiliated.”
A mocking voice behind him enlightened Lord Wen. That was right!
What bullshit!
Lord Wen turned his head back in humiliation and caught sight of Zhu Lin’s mocking gaze which he had yet to withdraw.
As the Imperial Censor, Lord Wen wrote Zhu Lin’s name in his little black book. This Zhu Lin had better not let him catch him doing anything wrong! He would make Zhu Lin suffer!
With Lord Wen as a precedent, even if the remaining people were dissatisfied, they only wanted to cower down like quails at this moment. Who didn’t know that the Empress had run all over the place saving many officials a few days ago? From Duke Jingguo to some minor officials, she had extended a helping hand without discrimination.
Moreover, if they angered the Empress, she could send them to the netherworld with a single punch in private. Who could they reason with then?
Forget it. They would turn a blind eye.. Anyway, they weren’t the ones sitting on the dragon throne!