Chapter 254 (The End) (Part 1)

Hongzhao looked at the small, soft child in his arms. He seemed to freeze in his arms, afraid to use any force. If he held him too lightly, he was afraid of dropping the fragile little person who didn't even open his eyes. If he held him too hard, he was afraid of hurting him. So he could only support himself with his arms and hold him up like this.

Manchus do indeed believe in holding grandchildren but not sons, but his father never followed this tradition. Not to mention holding them, it was common for him to ride on his father's shoulders, so Hongzhao naturally didn't care.

Perhaps it really is a blood connection, otherwise he would never have believed that there was someone he liked so much at first sight.

Although he truly liked him, he only remembered his son's appearance before gently placing him in his mother's arms and walking towards the delivery room.

Others might not have seen it before, but Lü Jiaying held the little person in her arms with practiced ease. That tiny bundle looked exactly like Hongzhao when he was a child. At first glance, even the eyebrows and eyes were similar, and seeing it made a soft spot in her heart inexplicably collapse silently.

As soon as Hongzhao entered, he was greeted by a distinct smell of blood. Because it was winter, two charcoal braziers were placed in the small inner room, making the stuffy and damp atmosphere even stronger. The people who were still busy inside were all startled when they saw the bright yellow voice enter.

"Your Majesty, what's wrong...?"

Hongzhao frowned and waved his hand at them, indicating that they didn't need to say anything more. He took three steps at a time and walked to the bedside to take Fucha Yingjun's hand.

"The stench of blood from the delivery room hasn't dissipated yet, why has the Emperor entered?"

The Empress's delivery was remarkably smooth; she suffered little from start to finish. She seems to be in good spirits, though her complexion is rather pale, and her sweat-dampened hair clings to her face in clumps, a sight that evokes pity.

Hongzhao reached out and tucked her stray hairs behind her ear, his tenderness evident in his words—"We don't concern ourselves with these things between us. You've gone through so much. Have you seen the baby?"

Fucha Yingjun seemed to feel that she didn't look very good at the moment, and lowered her head shyly, with a satisfied smile on her face—"Look, he's so small, I don't dare to hold him too much."

Hearing that he wasn't the only new parent with this problem, Hongzhao smiled empathetically and tightened his grip on her hand—"Me too, I just handed her over to my mother to hold. I should learn more from her in the future."

The atmosphere inside was just right, but Xiao Dezi still had to bite the bullet and interject, "Your Majesty, it's time for court. If we don't leave soon, we'll be late."

This wasn't the first time he'd reminded us of the time; it was clear that if we didn't act soon, we'd miss our chance.

"Your Majesty, please go quickly. State affairs are of utmost importance. I'm all settled here; I'll have everything ready by the time you return." Fucha gently nudged him. She had witnessed everything the Emperor had said and done these past few days. Now, she knew without being told that the Emperor would definitely come to Jingren Palace again after court.

"Then I'll come see you again later." Hongzhao tucked her in, gave the servants a lot of instructions, and then left quickly without further delay.

Although he knew that the Empress had given birth not long ago, the ministers waiting to attend court outside were still unaware. He needed to hurry up and announce it to them personally, to make a grand entrance and spread the news – "My eldest son has been born."

That's what he thought, and that's what he did.

"Just now, at the hour of Mao (5-7 AM), the Empress gave birth to a legitimate son." Hongzhao stood with his hands behind his back. His father had taught him to always keep his emotions in check. But now, his radiant confidence was impossible to conceal. The sunlight streamed through the hall and shone on his court robes embroidered with golden dragons, making him appear even more noble.

This is what a ruler of the world should be like.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty! May Heaven bless the Great Qing!" The Emperor's words were like a pebble thrown into a still lake. Amidst the jingling of his robes and jade pendants, the ministers knelt down in unison.

"Xiao Dezi, issue the decree: all prisoners who have not committed serious crimes shall have their sentences reduced by three degrees, and all land taxes shall be reduced by 10%, so that the people may share in my joy. All palace servants on duty today shall be rewarded!" Hongzhao waved his hand, determined to let everyone feel his happiness.

It must be said that he truly resembled whoever taught him; his actions were all too familiar to the ministers, as if they were seeing the late emperor reborn.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

The crowd bowed again, and then, after receiving a word of encouragement from the Emperor to rise, they all stood up, lifting their robes, waiting for the meeting to begin. However, the person who suddenly appeared in the hall inevitably stole everyone's attention.

A court assembly was underway in the hall, and without the emperor's summons, no one would dare to walk openly in the hall. Therefore, the deep blue voice was particularly noticeable to everyone.

Hongzhao naturally noticed it as well, but he had better eyesight and recognized the face from a distance, as if it were an old acquaintance.

The man strode over, his figure appearing somewhat aged and hunched over, not particularly upright. Yet, the respectful demeanor emanating from the bright yellow box he carried was evident to everyone.

As they drew closer, a commotion began to stir among the ministers. They looked at each other in bewilderment, and a few of the bolder ones whispered among themselves, "Why does this eunuch look so familiar?"

"Are you stupid? Isn't this Eunuch Su from the late Emperor's side? You can't even remember him after only half a year?"

"Oh yeah, it's him! Then why is he showing up at the morning court session today?"

A commotion arose below, with everyone talking amongst themselves. Hongzhao kept his eyes fixed on the newcomer without blinking. He remembered that he had granted Su Peisheng's request to have a secluded courtyard in the palace built specifically for him so that he could live comfortably in his old age.

He also knew that Su Peisheng had his own residence outside the palace, and Hongzhao assumed that Su Peisheng wanted to stay in the palace because he was used to it and wanted to see Jinxi as well.

But looking at it today, it's clear that it's not just for that.

"This servant greets Your Majesty, long live the Emperor!"

Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Su Peisheng walked to the front with a normal expression. In the six months since we last saw him, his face had aged considerably, and his braid had turned gray. He still greeted people with a smile as always, and his smile was even brighter when he saw Hongzhao.

As the chief eunuch by the late emperor's side, his duty upon the new emperor's ascension to the throne was to disappear from public view. So today was the first time he had seen the emperor in his dragon robe at such close range, and a strange feeling of warmth welled up in his eyes.

Although he was kneeling, he held the bright yellow box high above his head, pointing it towards the emperor, clearly telling everyone that there was something extraordinary inside.

"Rise." Hongzhao abruptly pulled his gaze away from the box. It took him a lot of effort to find his voice, trying his best not to let the tremor in his throat show. But inevitably, he had almost guessed what was in the box.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Su Peisheng stood up, turned around to face the assembled officials, and amidst their puzzled or astonished gazes, opened the box he was holding and took out a bright yellow imperial edict.

"The late emperor's edict, all officials receive the decree."