Eunuch Feng cleared his throat.

He was a little nervous at this solemn and dignified moment.

But this is His Majesty's chance to establish his authority, how can I show weakness?

He took a deep breath, opened the scroll, and began to read it aloud.

"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Now, as the eldest son of my late father, I have succeeded to the throne. To consolidate the foundation of the nation and ensure the endless prosperity of the dynasty, I hereby establish my eldest son, Yuan Zhaoyan, as Crown Prince..."

boom!

Everyone's mind was blown apart.

No one could hear what came next; they were all dumbfounded, unable to believe their ears.

The new emperor has already appointed a crown prince upon ascending the throne?

No prior notice was given?

Is the baby standing there less than a month old?

No one could understand it.

Those who were planning to send their daughters to the palace, in particular, could no longer maintain their composure.

That's absolutely outrageous!

The new emperor is too cunning!

Many officials secretly glanced at Marquis Chengen, formerly the Imperial Censor Zhou, who had now become Grand Secretary Zhou in the cabinet.

A little fox is taught by an old fox!

The crowd cursed with their eyes.

Grand Secretary Zhou remained indifferent, as if he hadn't seen anything.

After reading the imperial edict in a melodious and rhythmic tone, Eunuch Feng shouted loudly.

"Welcome the Crown Prince to the palace!"

The imperial carriage was ready long ago.

Dozens of people carried the imperial carriage, which walked out of Taihe Gate and then out of Wu Gate in a grand procession.

Song Xibai, standing outside the Meridian Gate, had no idea what was happening inside the palace.

She only received a message from Yuan Shen, telling her to wait there after noon, but he didn't specify what she was waiting for.

Song Xibai sat inside the carriage, each holding a child with his wet nurse, and whispered to each other.

"There's quite a commotion here..."

As they were talking, they suddenly heard a series of synchronized footsteps, followed by a familiar voice coming through the carriage curtain.

"I am here on His Majesty's orders to invite Your Highness to the palace."

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Song Xibai saw Jin Xiang's small, round face.

"It's just going to the palace, why do you need to come and pick me up, Eunuch Jin?"

Song Xibai raised an eyebrow, bent down and crawled out of the carriage, stepping onto a footstool to get off.

Just as she steadied herself and was about to take the child from the wet nurse, Song Xibai subconsciously looked up and froze.

"This is?"

She pointed to the imperial carriage, which was taller than a person, and wasn't quite sure.

Isn't this overstepping the bounds?

Jin Xiang was clearly very excited, his eyes were shining.

"This is a surprise His Majesty has prepared for you." He blinked and bent down a little. "Please, Your Highness, carry His Highness the Crown Prince to the sedan chair."

When Song Xibai heard the words "Crown Prince," he didn't react yet.

When she saw Jin Xiang's eyes looking at the swaddled baby in the wet nurse's arms, she suddenly realized something.

"What's going on? What do you mean? What are you all doing so mysteriously?"

Jin Xiang chuckled.

"His Majesty has just appointed your eldest son as Crown Prince in front of all the civil and military officials. Now, His Majesty is waiting for you and His Highness the Crown Prince in the Hall of Supreme Harmony!"

Song Xibai's beautiful eyes widened in surprise.

She originally thought that the Crown Prince would compromise if he couldn't persuade the officials, but she didn't expect him to come up with such a method.

Making a child less than a month old the crown prince would definitely be opposed by the officials, so he came secretly.

Song Xibai was at a loss for words.

But Yuan Shen has done so much for her, so she can't let him down at a time like this!

Song Xibai composed herself, took Zhao Yan from the wet nurse's arms, and got into the sedan chair first.

As soon as she sat down, she suddenly turned her head.

"Hand over Zhaojing as well."

Without the slightest hesitation, the wet nurse stood on a footstool and tiptoed to hand over the other swaddled baby.

Song Xibai sat in the sedan chair, holding a child in each arm.

"Let's go!"

With a shout from Jin Xiang, the imperial carriage set off, heading step by step toward the palace gate.

When she arrived at the Hall of Supreme Harmony, she saw the ministers kneeling neatly in the hall through the swaying curtains.

So he hasn't even gotten up yet and has been kneeling all this time?

Song Xibai felt a little guilty.

There are quite a few old men with white hair here!

But she was carrying two children and was a little flustered when she tried to get off the sedan chair.

Just as she was about to call Jin Xiang over for help, she suddenly saw a person rush out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, stop directly in front of the sedan chair, and then stretch out a pair of arms towards her.

Who else could it be but Yuan Shen?

Song Xibai glanced around the hall and noticed that many ministers were trying their best to resist the urge to turn their heads away.

Facing a group of gossipy heads, Song Xibai felt a little shy.

"I... I can get down myself."

"It's okay, don't be afraid."

Yuan Shen looked up, a bright smile flashing in his eyes.

Song Xibai hesitated for a moment, then put Zhao Jing down first and handed Zhao Yan over.

But to everyone's surprise, this fussy child still refused to be held by his father.

Just as he was about to burst into tears, Song Xibai swiftly pulled him back and changed him into Zhaojing.

Anyway, all the ministers had their heads down and couldn't see the baby in the swaddling clothes...

Besides, both children are still young and actually look very alike.

The moment Yuan Shen held the swaddled baby in his hands, he knew it was a daughter.

Because the little girl was looking at him with her big, bright eyes!

Those eyes, round and bright, were filled with intense curiosity, wanting to look around. Unfortunately, her neck wasn't strong enough yet; she could only shift slightly before she couldn't turn it around.

Yuan Shen carefully changed his posture, and after Song Xibai got off the sedan chair, he led her into the palace.

Upon entering the hall, the solemn and somber atmosphere immediately made Song Xibai's heart race and made her much more nervous.

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