Chapter 260 Qingwu is my child!

After Xiao Yuluan became emperor, the first thing he dealt with was the funeral of Xiao Yuancheng and several princes.

All arrangements for Xiao Yuancheng's funeral were handed over to the Ministry of Rites. The people in the Ministry of Rites were very smart and the process they handed over was extremely simple. It could be said to be the simplest national funeral since the founding of the Dayu Dynasty. The funeral of Prince An, who died of illness on the same day, was even simpler because it conflicted with the national funeral and was almost drowned out by the noise of the national mourning.

The Imperial Noble Consort lost her husband and son one day, and was so grief-stricken that she volunteered to guard the mausoleum.

After the death of King Wu and King Ning for the crime of regicide and treason, they were buried with the rites of commoners. Their mothers, concubines, female relatives and sons were all demoted to commoners and returned to their families.

After all this is done, Xiao Yuluan's coronation ceremony will take place.

Although the national mourning was not far away, the ceremony was simplified according to the regulations and not extremely luxurious, but its majesty and solemnity were even greater than before.

The capital's garrisons cleared the streets throughout the night. The Jinwu Guards, in their gleaming armor, lined the route from the palace gates to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Because it was a female empress's coronation, all officials and their wives wore brand new auspicious attire. In the dim morning light, they stood solemnly, arranged according to rank. No one dared to whisper, and the only sound in the air was the rustling of flags.

Qing Wu naturally separated from Xiao Ji, and the two of them stood in the second position at the bottom of the Taimiao stairs, with only Prince Wen and his wife in front of them. Because Prince Ying had not yet married, the women of the court only had two princes' wives, so they were naturally compared.

Princess Wen glanced inadvertently at Qingwu's auspicious dress beside her, which was taller than hers. She felt jealous, but she didn't dare to reveal it on her face. Now, she and the prince had to make a living under the rule of Prince Zhao and his wife.

However, Qing Wu did not care about her gaze. Her eyes were always on the direction where Xiao Ji or the emperor came from, until the auspicious time arrived, the bells and drums rang, and the Shao music played loudly.

Xiao Yuluan, wearing an imperial robe with a dark black background and embroidered with twelve patterns of mountains, sun, moon and stars, slowly walked towards the Taimiao, which was also the direction where Qingwu was.

Although she was already in her sixties, she was tall and straight, walked steadily, and her eyes were like lightning on her weathered face. The domineering aura she exuded reminded many old ministers of the scene when Emperor Yang was still alive.

They are indeed mother and daughter, this scene is so similar!

Qing Wu, who was standing at the foot of the imperial steps, stared intently at her grandmother as she walked towards her step by step. She was very excited, but as she watched, Xiao Yuluan suddenly stopped in front of her.

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Xiao Yuluan looked at Qingwu standing beside her and said, "Qingwu, follow me."

Qing Wu was stunned for a moment, and Princess Wen standing beside her and the surrounding female relatives also looked sideways. All the officials couldn't help but feel puzzled, and for a moment they didn't know who this "Qing Wu" was calling.

Only Qingwu's heart suddenly skipped a beat, and all the sounds around him seemed to fade away in an instant, leaving only grandma's calm and clear words echoing in his ears.

She subconsciously looked into her grandmother's eyes, which contained gentle encouragement, just like she had seen thousands of times before.

After this glance, Qing Wu took a deep breath, suppressing the turmoil in his heart. Amidst countless shocked, puzzled, and inquiring gazes, he steadily stepped out of the line, bowed his head, and respectfully replied, "Yes, Your Majesty."

She walked to the foot of the imperial steps, and Xiao Yuluan turned around and stepped onto the white marble imperial steps leading to the main hall of the Taimiao. Qingwu was only three steps behind the empress, and followed the master of the world step by step to climb the supreme stairs.

This scene was earth-shattering! All the officials were shocked!

There was an uncontrollable gasp from the ladies!

Since ancient times, only the emperor could ascend the main throne during sacrifices to the heavens and ancestral temples. Even if someone else did, it was always the crown prince or heir apparent! And now, the new emperor was actually bringing Prince Zhao's wife with him? What was the meaning of this?! Shouldn't he have brought Prince Zhao along?

Almost instantly, Xiao Ji received countless looks of sympathy, scrutiny, and gloating.

However, Xiao Ji's face was as calm as water. He even raised his chin slightly, and his eyes followed Qing Wu's back as he climbed up step by step. There was no dissatisfaction or jealousy in his eyes, only complete... pride.

This made King Wen, who originally wanted to see a joke, wonder what was wrong with this kid?

Xiao Ji was too calm and composed, so those who wanted to laugh at him quickly looked away in embarrassment.

No one dared to question them aloud, despite their doubts. All discussion and suspicion were stifled, transforming into countless intertwined, disbelieving gazes that followed the two figures, one old and one young, dressed in the finest formal attire.

Xiao Yuluan walked steadily, looking straight ahead, as if she was just doing something very natural.

Qing Wu followed closely behind, trying to straighten her back, ignoring the gazes that almost burned her through. Her heart was beating like a drum, and the hot tears in her eyes wanted to burst out countless times, but Qing Wu suppressed them tightly in her eye sockets.

She finally understood why her grandmother insisted on making new clothes for her. It turned out to be for now...

Grandma gave her such a noble appearance and supported her so much, she must complete this journey perfectly to live up to her grandma's trust!

Xiao Yuluan climbed to the highest point, turned around, and faced the officials and clan members who were kneeling in the crowd below.

The eunuchs in charge of ceremonies sang a loud "yes" and the ceremony continued.

"kneel--"

"knock--"

"Knock again—"

"Three knocks—"

All the officials performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the new emperor on the imperial steps. Every time they bent down and kowtowed, they could catch a glimpse of the young girl standing one step away from the right side of the empress.

She was wearing a bright red auspicious dress with images of mountains, rivers, sun, moon and flying phoenixes on it. She had an extraordinary appearance, an upright posture and a calm face as she accepted the most honorable kneeling worship in the world, which should only belong to the emperor.

At this moment, without any words, Xiao Yuluan announced to the whole world Qingwu's unparalleled status and honor in the most direct and shocking way.

After the ceremony, Xiao Yuluan did not immediately ask everyone to stand up. She swept her deep gaze across the entire room, and her voice, transmitted clearly to every corner through her inner strength, carried unquestionable majesty:

"Today, I have inherited the Mandate of Heaven, continuing the legacy of my ancestors and ruling the world. I also hope that you will unite your hearts and minds to assist the new dynasty!"

"Your Majesty, I will follow your instructions! Long live your Majesty, long live your Majesty, long, long live your Majesty!"

After saying that, Xiao Yuluan slightly turned sideways and her gaze fell on Qingwu. Gentleness and deep expectations quietly blended into her deep and majestic eyes.

Qing Wu understood, took a deep breath, and took a steady half step forward. At this moment, Xiao Yuluan's warm and strong hand reached out and held her tightly.

That old palm has held Qingwu countless times, just like today.

Qingwu lowered her eyes to suppress the hot tears, and when she raised her eyes again, her face was calm and clear.

Xiao Yuluan held Qingwu in her hand and faced the officials below who were holding their breath. Her voice was clear and deep, like the sound of a jade chime, echoing throughout every corner:

"Everyone around me, you all regard her as Princess Zhao, the daughter of the Xi family. However, today I must inform the world—"

She paused for a moment, her eyes like lightning sweeping across every surprised face, and then she continued to speak clearly, word by word:

"The ten years she spent wandering among the common people weren't a life of wandering without care. I personally raised her and nurtured her with the utmost care. I treated her like my own granddaughter, teaching her medicine, martial arts, and the ways of life! What she inherited was my legacy; what she held in her heart was my hope!"

As soon as these words were spoken, the entire room fell silent. All the hidden speculation and contempt regarding Qingwu's "countryside origin" were completely shattered by the Empress's resounding words!

All the officials were speechless. King Wen was stunned for a long time before looking at Xiao Ji. King Ying did the same, with envy and jealousy in his eyes. Only then did he understand why Xiao Ji had such a proud expression just now. How could he not be proud?

It's ridiculous. They thought they lost a few days ago, but they didn't expect that they lost since they got married.

At the same time, on the high platform, Xiao Yuluan held Qingwu's hand and announced to the world:

"Today, I stand here holding her hand, before all our ancestors, to tell you, to tell everyone in the world—Qingwu is my child! Her honor and disgrace are my honor and disgrace! Her dignity cannot be insulted by anyone!"