Chapter 106

At one point, the birdsong seemed to suddenly increase in volume.

Immediately following this were gasps of breath.

The sound originated from the main gate and then spread towards the palace.

Interspersed among the sounds were the orderly footsteps, and everyone knew that the Emperor and Empress had arrived.

Those behind them couldn't understand why someone would make a sound in such a solemn occasion, and why there was even a hint of a disturbance.

Are they out of their minds? Aren't they afraid of being held accountable by His Majesty? Losing their official positions and their heads?

People were baffled and wanted to look up to see what was going on, but they didn't have the courage.

When the people around them also gasped softly, they finally gritted their teeth and raised their heads. In this moment, they also became part of the group that lost their composure and risked their lives. Some even reacted more strongly and took a few steps forward.

If it weren't for the people blocking their way, these people might have been able to rush up to the Emperor and Empress!

Such exaggerated behavior, and the bewitched appearance of everyone present, would seem absurd to any outsider, but none of those involved felt anything was wrong.

A goddess suddenly appeared where everyone's attention was focused.

It truly is a sight to behold, with a hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix; no wonder a miracle occurred!

The future new empress was dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe, with a magnificent phoenix embroidered on her body with gold thread, covering the entire skirt, and the long skirt trailing on the ground was just like the phoenix's tail feathers.

The phoenix embroidered so vividly, its wings spread as if about to take flight, yet also seeming to burn with raging flames that could scorch one's eyes at any moment. The gold threads reflect the sunlight, dazzling and captivating, as if covering the phoenix with a layer of divine light.

And then there's that dazzling kingfisher feather phoenix crown, its blue so captivating, its beauty so poignant, adorned with three-dimensional openwork dragon and phoenix ornaments, and further complemented by pearls, gemstones, flowers, and jade—it's breathtakingly beautiful, so exquisitely beautiful it takes your breath away.

However, even such stunning attire could not overshadow the new queen's unparalleled beauty.

Her delicate eyebrows and eyes seemed to have been meticulously drawn by Nuwa, and her clear, phoenix eyes looked down on everyone with a detached gaze, like a goddess looking down on all living beings. She seemed indifferent and cold, yet possessed an indescribable clarity.

Her stunningly beautiful features were even more dazzling than her fiery red dress, making it impossible to look directly at her.

She came towards the sun, captivating everyone at first glance and making each person present willing to be her puppet.

So, this is the new Empress Dowager of the future?

Of course, only she could make Emperor Chengyuan, who was obsessed with the past and the future, willing to start over?

People sighed inwardly, and some of the older ministers who had seen the former empress and empress even exclaimed in shock, "Who would have thought that the new empress would look exactly like the former empress and empress? This is no coincidence!"

So they came back one after the other?

Their reaction was exaggerated, but the scene was already chaotic, and no one thought much about it.

Everyone stared at Rong Rong with fascination, their eyes following her every step.

The Crown Prince, Xie Tianrui, and Lou Boshan were the same. Although they had seen Rong Rong before, they were still amazed by her beauty. Moreover, Rong Rong, dressed in a phoenix coronet and embroidered robe today, was exceptionally beautiful.

It was so beautiful it almost burned their eyes.

After Rong Rong and Li Tianyi passed the ministers and ascended the high platform, the crowd gradually came to their senses.

Immediately afterwards, all sorts of gazes were cast toward Marquis Yongning.

Without a doubt, the Marquis of Yongning's plan failed; his daughter could never steal the Emperor's favor in front of the Empress.

Moreover, if they remember correctly, the daughter of the Marquis of Yongning is now the head palace maid of the Empress, right?

The Empress is truly kind-hearted. According to their custom, those with ill intentions should be sent to hell.

No one said anything, and no one laughed out loud, but Marquis Yongning felt the ridicule and mockery of the crowd surrounding him, making it hard for him to breathe.

His face turned pale and then red, and now he finally believed what his daughter had said back then, but unfortunately it was all too late.

His beautiful daughter, even if she didn't marry the emperor, could still marry into a prestigious family and bring profit to the family.

Now, it's all over! It's all over!

His daughter will never be able to turn things around, and he and the Yongning Marquis's mansion will forever be nailed to the pillar of shame, becoming a laughing stock for everyone!

This was the most unique coronation ceremony in history.

It didn't seem like a crowning ceremony for an empress; it was more like an empress ascending the throne.

Everyone stared intently at Rong Rong, watching her every move, captivated by her charm, some even wanting to shout out loud.

Even after the ceremony ended and Rong Rong and Li Tianyi had already left the scene, the ministers lingered, reluctant to leave, as if this departure was a final farewell and they would never see the Empress again.

Actually, it's pretty much the same. From now on, apart from palace banquets, what other opportunities will they have to see the Empress? Only the ladies and young women in their families will have a few more chances.

Once everyone had calmed down, they gradually left. The Crown Prince and Marquis of Jiangyang left much earlier, walking hurriedly as if they had something urgent to attend to.

Marquis Yongning lingered until the very end, mostly lost in thought, his mind preoccupied with what to do.

When a brilliant idea suddenly struck him, he slapped his forehead and strode happily back home.

Yeah, how come he didn't think of that?

If his Caiwei can't get close to His Majesty, she can get close to the Empress. As the Empress's head maid, it's easy for her to ask the Empress for anything.

Marquis Yongning rushed back to his residence in high spirits, quickly wrote a letter, and asked someone to deliver it to Ding Caiwei in the palace.

He eagerly awaited good news, but instead received only a letter severing ties.

"This...rebellious daughter! Rebellious daughter!" Marquis Yongning cursed, and in a fit of rage, he was about to tear up the document in his hand, but a hand suddenly grabbed his wrist, almost breaking it.

"Ouch! Ouch! Ouch!" the Marquis of Yongning wailed.

"My lord!"

"Father!"

Lady Hou and her son were in a great hurry and were about to go up to help when they were scared away by the cold look in Nan Shi's eyes.

Nan Shi was the chief steward and most favored person by Emperor Chengyuan.

When he came to deliver the message, everyone in the Marquis's mansion thought that their daughter was valued. Now, it is clear that the Empress sent him to intimidate them.

"Lord Yongning, sign it quickly," Nan Shi said coolly.

Amidst the Marquis of Yongning's cries and screams as he nodded repeatedly, the Southern Attendant finally released the man.

With trembling hands, he signed his name and even went so far as to remove Ding Caiwei from the family genealogy.

Once everything was settled, Nan Shi led his men away.

Marquis Yongning breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time cursed Ding Caiwei viciously.

However, he had barely opened his mouth when he received news that he had been transferred to a remote and impoverished area to serve as a county magistrate.

Barring unforeseen circumstances, he will never be able to return to the capital in his lifetime. Even his son, if he has no hope of passing the imperial examinations, will have to stay in a remote and impoverished area.

Clearly, his son lacks the talent, and he himself might lose his official position in a few years.

With that departure, the Yongning Marquis's Mansion became a thing of the past!

"No! My lord!" The lady of the house cried miserably, no longer maintaining her composure as a noblewoman.

The young master, with tears streaming down his face, cried, "Father, I won't leave! I want to stay in the capital! I am the heir of the Marquis's mansion, I won't go to the countryside!"

"Please, sister! Please, sister! Let me beg you!"

"Shut up!" Marquis Yongning slapped the heir across the face, looking like a mad bull. "Don't I want to? Your sister has already severed ties with me!"

"It's all your fault! Why did you have to send our daughter to the palace? What kind of future is she hoping for? She's our own daughter! How could you not care about her life or death?" The Lady of the Marquis attacked Yongning Marquis with a barrage of blows, leaving his face covered in blood in the blink of an eye.

"Stop! You crazy woman, you still have no objections, don't you? What are you pretending to be, a good mother?" Marquis Yongning didn't tolerate it and grabbed his wife's hand, slapping her twice across the face.

"It's all your fault! It was your idea, you're the one who harmed my sister, it has nothing to do with me! I'm going to the palace! I want to explain to my sister!"

The young prince then ran towards the door, but was caught in time by the Marquis of Yongning. "You wish!"

In the blink of an eye, the three of them were locked in a fierce battle, each fighting with all their might, and they didn't stop until their heads were bleeding.

No one could tell that this was a family of three; they would have thought they had a blood feud.