Chen Zhennan gently stroked the golden dragon pattern on the dragon robe, his heart surging with immense excitement.

His heart was pounding, and it felt as if the whole world was cheering for him.

After weathering countless storms over the past seven years, he has finally reached the pinnacle of power at this very moment.

"Your Majesty, let me help you put it on."

Song Yunyang's gentle voice was like a spring breeze, and her eyes were full of relief and anticipation.

"Thank you, Yunyang."

Chen Zhennan smiled slightly, slowly opened his still aching arms, and put on the dragon robe with Song Yunyang's help.

Chen Zhennan gently stroked the delicate fabric, feeling the exquisite and noble craftsmanship from ancient times.

At this moment, he felt an unprecedented surge of excitement, as all his dreams and reality converged.

"I've become the emperor!"

Chen Zhennan muttered to himself, his voice still carrying a hint of disbelief.

When I came into this world, I never imagined I would get to this point. It all feels like a dream.

Song Yunyang helped Chen Zhennan straighten his dragon robe, and every movement revealed her deep care for him.

"Let's go, it's time to let the world witness your majesty."

Song Yunyang gently lifted the tent flap, her voice filled with encouragement and expectation, and led Chen Zhennan out of the tent.

Outside the tent, the sun was shining brightly, and a carriage was parked there. It was drawn by six horses and its body was inlaid with gold, silver, jade, gemstones, and pearls. The carriage was also carved with dragon and phoenix patterns, showing the nobility and luxury of the royal family. It was obviously a dragon carriage that only the emperor could ride in.

Under the sunlight, the dragon carriage shone brightly, and the special forces on both sides stood solemnly, waiting for Chen Zhennan to step onto the carriage.

Chen Zhennan stepped out of the tent, and sunlight streamed through the gaps in the tent, casting dappled shadows on the ground.

Two hundred special forces soldiers stood neatly on both sides, their eyes filled with reverence and anticipation, as if waiting for the arrival of a hero.

Chen Zhennan walked out of the tent, and Song Yunyang carefully helped him. The two of them stood out under the gaze of two hundred special forces soldiers.

Under their gaze, Chen Zhennan slowly walked onto the imperial carriage. Song Yunyang was about to turn around and mount her horse, but Chen Zhennan did not let go of her hand.

Song Yunyang was taken aback and turned to look at Chen Zhennan with a strange expression.

"Yunyang, come up with me." Chen Zhennan's voice was gentle, instantly warming Song Yunyang's heart.

Song Yunyang was slightly taken aback, then smiled and shook her head, her tone playful: "I'm not your empress yet. Only the emperor is entitled to ride in this imperial carriage. I'm still..."

Before she could finish speaking, Chen Zhennan had already pulled her up.

The dragon carriage shimmered with golden light in the sunlight, resembling a soaring dragon.

Surprise and shyness instantly appeared on Song Yunyang's face. Chen Zhennan pulled her hand, and her body involuntarily moved closer to him, her heart fluttering.

Chen Zhennan gritted his teeth slightly, the intense pain almost making him scream, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, but he managed not to make a sound.

Are you alright?

Chen Zhennan slowly shook his head: "It's alright, don't worry. Shiyu, let's go, take me to the palace."

Upon hearing this, Yan Shiyu's face hardened with determination. He carefully steered the imperial carriage, and the procession slowly headed towards the capital's gates.

Sunlight shone on the dragon-shaped carriage, making it glitter like a golden dragon slowly swimming down the street.

The procession slowly entered the capital, with kneeling people lining both sides of the street. Their figures swayed like ears of rice as the imperial carriage passed by.

Everyone's face was filled with genuine joy, their eyes sparkling with anticipation for the future and reverence for the new emperor.

They had been waiting for this day for a long time. In the hearts of the people, Chen Zhennan was the one who should be the emperor.

Through the thin window screen, Chen Zhennan looked at the people kneeling and worshipping the dragon carriage outside, and his heart was filled with complex emotions.

This wasn't what he most wanted to see. He really wanted to shout, "Stand up! Don't kneel!"

In this feudal era, the symbol of imperial power was like a high-hanging deity, second only to divine authority, and could not be easily shaken; it was an essential symbol.

These foolish ideas can only be changed over time.

"General, oh no, Your Majesty, look! The people are united, and the will of the people is with us!"

Yan Shiyu's voice came from ahead, interrupting Chen Zhennan's thoughts.

"I've seen it all, and I won't let them down. A new era begins today."

Chen Zhennan responded in a low voice, his tone revealing a hint of helplessness. His mood was like this dragon chariot, moving slowly forward but unable to shake off its heavy burden.

The imperial carriage continued forward, passing through the magnificent palace gates, and finally stopped at the Rijō Hall, which symbolized supreme glory.

The interior of the hall was decorated with gold and jade, and the carved beams and painted rafters exuded endless majesty, making even the light seem exceptionally solemn.

Chen Zhennan stepped off the imperial carriage and onto this land that symbolizes power and responsibility. The excitement he felt not long ago had vanished.

Song Yunyang frowned slightly, trying to pull her hand away from Chen Zhennan's grasp, only to find that Chen Zhennan's palm held her slender hand tightly like an iron clamp, warm and firm.

What are you doing?

Chen Zhennan took a deep breath and explained softly, "I'm a little nervous with you. I feel more at ease with you by my side."

Chen Zhennan's tone revealed his reliance on and trust in Song Yunyang; at this moment, he needed her strength to be by his side.

For a moment, Song Yunyang's heart seemed to skip a beat, her cheeks flushed slightly, and she lowered her head shyly, whispering, "I'll follow you, just let go first."

Chen Zhennan feigned seriousness and coughed slightly: "No."

After saying that, he pulled Song Yunyang along without further ado and slowly walked into the Lizheng Hall.

At that moment, it seemed as if the whole world fell silent at the sound of their footsteps, with only the sound of their heartbeats echoing in our ears.

After the two entered the main hall, Yan Shiyu immediately summoned all civil and military officials to enter the hall. The civil officials stood on the left and the military officials on the right, standing in neat rows and in good order.

An official from the Ministry of Rites slowly stepped forward and shouted loudly, "The new emperor has ascended the throne! Kneel three times and kowtow nine times!"

Upon hearing this, the officials were about to kneel down, but Chen Zhennan directly reached out and interrupted the ceremony.

"No need!" Chen Zhennan said loudly, his voice echoing in the hall.

"Kneeling and bowing means nothing. I know some of you don't want to see me ascend the throne, but rest assured, I will make you submit wholeheartedly!"

As he spoke, Chen Zhennan's eyes swept over the officials below the imperial steps, his eyes narrowing slightly. "I am a little different from other emperors. I, Chen Zhennan, am not Wu Yunyin, nor am I any emperor of the past. My ascension to the throne will be simple. Now I announce my first imperial edict: any official who embezzles or accepts bribes of more than fifty taels of silver will be executed without mercy!"

The moment these words were spoken, half of the officials below immediately showed strange expressions and became hesitant and timid.