The imperial seal gleamed golden in the sunlight as Wu Yunyin slowly handed it to Song Xuan, completing the formal transfer of power.

Song Xuan took the jade seal, feeling its weight in his hand, and could hardly contain his excitement.

From this moment on, I am the emperor of this Great Wu! Wu Yunyin, Chen Zhennan, who could have imagined that I am the only one in the world!

Song Xuan slowly rose and issued his first imperial edict as emperor.

"Wu Yunyin's virtue matches that of Heaven and Earth, and her contributions benefit the nation. Now that I have ascended the throne, I hereby bestow upon her the title of Retired Emperor to honor her virtue."

Wu Yunyin was stunned upon hearing this, and anger instantly ignited in her heart.

Song Xuan declared himself the Retired Emperor and made no mention of her being his wife, which means that this bastard never considered her his woman!

The tense atmosphere on and around the city wall suddenly eased. People began to whisper and discuss among themselves.

Some felt fortunate for Wu Yunyin's treatment, some were surprised by Song Xuan's leniency, and some felt uneasy about their own future.

But no one could understand the anger in Wu Yunyin's heart, the anger of being worshipped high above others but having lost everything.

Song Xuan stood before the majestic palace, gazing into the distance, a surge of indescribable emotions welling up within him.

I, Song Xuan, am the new master of the Great Wu Empire. But a true emperor needs more than just an imperial edict; he also needs a grand celebration to let everyone witness my coronation.

Song Xuan stepped into the court and faced the many ministers, his eyes flashing with an unquestionable authority.

However, when the topic of the coronation ceremony was brought up, there was a collective sigh throughout the court, with everyone shaking their heads. The fact that the national treasury was in dire straits made this grand ceremony seem unattainable.

"Your Majesty, please forgive my bluntness, but the national treasury is empty and the people are suffering. It is not the right time to be extravagant and wasteful."

Upon hearing this, Song Xuan frowned. "Extravagance and waste? I have become the new emperor of the Great Wu. Does holding a coronation ceremony count as extravagance and waste?"

Upon hearing Song Xuan's words, all the ministers suddenly realized that if Song Xuan became emperor, he would be even more tyrannical than Wu Yunyin.

After pondering for a long time, and seeing that no one in the court spoke, Song Xuan slowly stood up.

"An imperial edict was issued to use the military funds to prepare for the enthronement ceremony, and at the same time, to call on merchants inside and outside the capital to donate, promising to give them corresponding tax exemptions in order to make up for the shortage in the national treasury."

The thought of using military funds to hold the coronation ceremony filled all the civil and military officials with a bad feeling.

Although Song Xuan has not yet launched a large-scale massacre, the political climate in the court has completely shifted.

Those old ministers who dared to speak out were either killed or demoted, and most of the remaining officials were cowardly and afraid of death; no one dared to defy their superiors.

Five days later, at dawn in the capital, the rosy dawn illuminated every corner of this ancient city.

Dressed in a magnificent dragon robe and wearing a crown, Song Xuan stood before the grand palace gates, awaiting the start of the sacred ceremony.

As the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds, the melodious tolling of bells marked the beginning of the ceremony to worship heaven and earth.

Guided by the master of ceremonies, Song Xuan slowly stepped into the center of the altar, facing east, and devoutly performed the ritual of three kowtows and nine prostrations to express his reverence for heaven and earth and all things.

At the same time, the surrounding bands played solemn music, and the air was filled with a faint sandalwood scent, creating a solemn and sacred atmosphere.

The master of ceremonies stood to one side and proclaimed in a deep voice: "Our Emperor Song Xuan, by virtue of the Mandate of Heaven and in accordance with the will of the people, ascends the throne today and offers sacrifices to Heaven and Earth to show his respect!"

After the sacrificial ceremony, Song Xuan immediately went to the ancestral temple to pay the highest respects to his ancestors.

Here, he not only had to demonstrate his inheritance of imperial honor, but also to swear to abide by ancestral teachings, be diligent in governing and love the people, and ensure the long-term stability of the empire.

"With the ancestors of the Great Wu above, Song Xuan, who has inherited the throne today, will do his utmost to restore the ancestral legacy, revitalize the Great Wu, and live up to the legacy of his forefathers!"

As the ceremony drew to a close, Song Xuan returned to the palace, stood atop the highest tower, and, facing all directions, unfurled the document proclaiming the news to the world.

"I, Song Xuan, have been blessed by Heaven and succeeded to the throne. From this day forward, I vow to govern the country and nurture the people with a just and benevolent heart. I hope that all my subjects will work together to create a prosperous era and enjoy lasting peace."

As night fell and the stars twinkled, the excitement of the coronation ceremony gradually faded from the crowd, but Song Xuan's heart remained filled with lingering excitement.

With slightly weary steps, I passed through the magnificent palace and arrived at a quiet pavilion in the inner palace. I sat down, took a deep breath, and tried to calm myself down.

The pavilion is surrounded by the fragrance of flowers, and a gentle breeze brings a touch of coolness.

There are almost no women in this harem. Wu Yunyin is the empress, so naturally she has no concubines, but now that Song Xuan is in power, I always feel that this harem is somewhat desolate.

Song Xuan looked up at the night sky, his mind replaying the grand scene of the day: the homage of civil and military officials, the cheers of the people, all demonstrating his supreme authority.

A smug smile crept onto his lips, but then he felt a sense of emptiness.

Just as Song Xuan was immersed in this unique sense of loneliness, two palace maids appeared silently in his line of sight.

They carried exquisite tea sets, their steps light and gentle, like a spring breeze caressing their faces.

Unlike the plain attire of ordinary palace maids, these two maids were exquisitely dressed and had outstanding looks, like fairies under the moon, which made Song Xuan's eyes light up.

Unexpectedly, such beauties were hidden within the imperial harem. As an emperor, enjoying the pleasures of the world is only natural.

A strange impulse rose in Song Xuan's heart. He stretched out his hand and gestured for the two palace maids to come closer.

"You two, come here and let me take a good look at you."

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