Chapter 166: The Final Chapter

Yan Cang always keeps his word.

With him around, Chu Yunjin didn't need to worry about anything.

She was the only one in the harem, so she didn't need to manage it or deal with the conflicts between the concubines. All she needed to do was quietly rest during her pregnancy and wait for the coronation ceremony. The Empress Dowager took care of all the trivial matters for her.

On August 16, the new emperor's enthronement ceremony was held as scheduled.

In the square in front of the Golden Palace, hundreds of officials stood in great numbers, creating a magnificent spectacle.

A long red carpet was laid down to the foot of the palace steps.

The majestic and imposing palace, bathed in the morning light, stood quietly in the square in front of the hall. Imperial guards stood guard every ten steps and sentry every five steps on either side of the red carpet, their ranks orderly and disciplined.

At 3:45 AM, the imperial carriage slowly entered through the Meridian Gate.

Twelve eunuchs led the way, each carrying a golden umbrella adorned with a coiled dragon.

The youngest emperor of the Dayong Dynasty, Yan Cang, sat on his imperial carriage. His black dragon robe accentuated his noble bearing and made his face even more handsome. Sunlight shone on him, and the five-clawed golden dragon embroidered with gold thread shone brightly in the sunlight, symbolizing absolute nobility and high status.

Following closely behind the imperial carriage was a phoenix palanquin carried by twelve eunuchs. Chu Yunjin sat upright on it, her face radiant, her makeup exquisite and magnificent. Her phoenix crown was exquisite, and her phoenix robe shimmered with a noble luster in the sunlight. The hundred birds paying homage to the phoenix embroidered in gold thread on the sleeves and hem of the robe appeared radiant and magnificent in the sunlight.

This is the most honorable moment for any woman in the world, and it is also the greatest love and respect that Yan Cang gives her.

As the imperial palanquin approached the palace steps, eunuchs walked on both sides of the steps, carrying the palanquin up the steps one by one, with the phoenix palanquin following closely behind.

The steps leading up to the throne are the path that emperors take when they ascend the throne. Since ancient times, only emperors have been allowed to walk on them, but now the new empress Chu Yunjin has become the first woman to step onto the steps.

The master of ceremonies announced loudly: "Grand ceremony of the new emperor's enthronement! All officials kneel and kowtow!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

The master of ceremonies proclaimed: "Auspicious omens descend from heaven; the Emperor and Empress are of one heart!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

After dismounting from the imperial carriage, Yan Cang turned to look at the phoenix carriage that had landed. He took a few steps closer, reached out his hand to Chu Yunjin, took her hand, and together they turned and walked into the main hall.

Stepping through the palace gates, the two walked step by step toward the position that symbolized the emperor's supreme authority.

All the civil and military officials knelt down again and kowtowed, shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

The grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine kowtows was so solemn that the sound almost echoed through the sky.

Yan Cang led Chu Yunjin to their seats, his imposing presence evident in his eyes: "All of you, rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

Yan Cang's voice was calm, yet it carried an undeniable force: "From this day forward, the Empress and I will share the empire."

The ministers fell silent for a moment, then kowtowed again: "Your Majesty, we obey! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"

Yan Cang turned to look at Chu Yunjin, gesturing with his eyes.

Chu Yunjin sat upright in the chair, straightened her back, and calmly said, "Please rise, esteemed sirs."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The enthronement ceremony and the ceremony for bestowing the title of empress have concluded successfully.

Whether the ministers were satisfied or not is unknown, but Yan Cang and Chu Yunjin were certainly very satisfied.

That evening, the palace servants prepared hot water and flower petals to help Chu Yunjin bathe and change.

Soaking in the bathtub filled with the fragrance of flower petals, Chu Yunjin felt the fatigue from a busy day instantly disappear, and she unconsciously relaxed, enjoying the lazy and satisfying feeling of being surrounded by hot water.

A pair of slender hands landed on the back of her neck, gently kneading along her snow-white neck towards her shoulders. His voice was deep and pleasant: "Tired?"

Chu Yunjin turned her head, looked at the handsome face so close to hers, and smiled: "It's alright."

"You're pregnant, so you can't soak in the bath for too long." Yan Cang put his hand into the tub and splashed water on her, a few fresh flower petals landing on her slender white arms. "From today onwards, this world belongs to the two of us."

Chu Yunjin stood up from the bathtub, put her arms around his neck, and kissed his lips: "Tonight is still our wedding night."

The coronation ceremony was combined with the empress's investiture ceremony.

Although they were already married, the coronation ceremony could have served as the wedding ceremony for the emperor and empress, so it wouldn't be wrong to call tonight their wedding night.

But unfortunately...

Yan Cang put his arm around her waist and said with regret, "It's a pity we can't do anything tonight."

Chu Yunjin gave a light snort and said coquettishly, "Do you want me to find two beauties for Your Majesty to show my virtue?"

“No need for that.” Yan Cang casually took an outer robe and draped it over her, wrapping her up completely, then turned and walked towards the inner hall. “One person in this life is enough; I dare not be greedy for more.”

Chu Yunjin lay on her back on the bed, her eyes filled with joy and satisfaction.

Looking at Yan Cang's noble and handsome face, her voice couldn't help but soften a bit: "Yan Cang."

"Um?"

"I love you." Chu Yunjin wrapped her arms around his neck and couldn't help but kiss his face, saying, "I will only love you in this life."

Yan Cang smiled gently and tenderly: "My heart feels the same way."

Inside the hall, red candles burned softly, creating a romantic atmosphere.

The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers.

The night is long, and although we cannot enjoy physical intimacy, the satisfaction and fulfillment we feel from being so close to each other far surpasses any physical pleasure.