By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:
Since my ascension to the throne, I have diligently governed and strived to improve the nation. However, Heaven has not granted me the longevity I deserve, and my health has recently deteriorated. Despite the best efforts of the imperial physicians, my condition has been prolonged, making it difficult for me to personally manage all affairs of state. The well-being of the nation depends on the peace and security of its people; the rise and fall of the dynasty rests on the rule of the emperor and his subjects. I am deeply concerned for the well-being of the people and mindful of the weight of the nation's fate. Therefore, I issue this edict to reassure the hearts of all my people.
My younger sister, Yunhe, also known as Princess Anping, is exceptionally intelligent and virtuous, possessing profound knowledge of governance and a deep concern for the people's welfare. During my illness, she repeatedly offered sound advice; her insight and abilities far surpass my own. After careful consideration, for the sake of the nation and its people, I have decided to abdicate in favor of my younger sister, Yunhe. From this day forward, Princess Anping shall inherit the throne and ascend the throne as Empress, adopting the reign title "Anzhi," in accordance with the will of Heaven and the will of the people.
The Ministry of Rites is hereby ordered to expedite the grand ceremony, proclaiming it to the world, so that all may rejoice. I, the Retired Emperor, will now retire to the position of Emperor Emeritus, to recuperate and assist the new Emperor, working together to ensure the prosperity of the Yun Dynasty. I hope that all officials will serve with utmost loyalty and devotion, assisting the new Emperor, jointly safeguarding the foundation of the Yun Dynasty, and ushering in a new era of prosperity.
So be it!
Zhao Zhi raised his hands high and accepted the imperial edict, his eyes already filled with tears.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty!" "Long live the Emperor!"
Congratulations rang out once again in the Golden Palace.
Zhao Zhi didn't know how she got to her brother's palace. She didn't ride in a sedan chair; Zhu Sanniang and Qin Han followed behind her at a distance, discussing Zhao Zhi's ascension to the throne in hushed tones.
"It can't be too extravagant, but it also can't be too simple," Qin Han said with concern. He sighed, "It's really giving those officials in the Ministry of Rites a real headache."
Zhu Sanniang was not worried about the coronation ceremony a month later, but about Zhao Zhi's future.
Whether it's the imperial court or the harem, both are places where people can be devoured. One wrong move, and the whole game is lost.
Moreover, this was a foreign land where Zhao Zhi knew no one. Those officials, outwardly obsequious and submissive, were all secretly plotting their own schemes. Furthermore, judging from the morning court session, it seemed that all the civil and military officials feared Prince Yi.
Prince Yi, Prince Yi... Zhu San Niang sighed inwardly. Last night, Zhao Zhi stayed in Prince Yi's bedroom for a full hour; what happened, she had no idea.
As dawn approached, Prince Yi carried Zhao Zhi into the carriage and escorted her all the way to the Chunchao Palace before leaving.
Along the way, he moved as if he were in an empty place; no one dared to look at the two of them, including her, the former Empress of the Great Xuan Dynasty. Even though she had spent more than twenty years with the Emperor, the cold aura emanating from Prince Yi still made people want to keep their distance.
One month later.
The Yun Dynasty ushered in an unprecedented grand event—the coronation ceremony of Princess Anping, Zhao Zhi.
The sky was a clear, deep blue, and the golden sun hung high in the sky, as if even heaven and earth were celebrating. Inside and outside the imperial city, colorful flags fluttered, melodious music filled the air, and the people watched with bated breath, eagerly anticipating the coronation of this legendary empress.
The grand ceremony began slowly outside the Golden Palace in Lingyang City at the break of dawn.
Zhao Zhi, dressed in a dragon robe with twelve imperial symbols and wearing a phoenix crown, entered through the side door with firm and solemn steps, each step exuding unprecedented majesty and determination. Her eyes held both trepidation about the unknown challenges and boundless anticipation for the future of Yun Dynasty.
Yun Zhang stood at the lower end, squinting at the woman on the high platform.
She would never know that he had spent months with her, separated only by a screen.
Now, seeing her become Empress, his wish has finally taken its first step. From now on, he will be the sword in her hand, the knife in her palm. The things that Cui Shenghe was no longer able to do, he will take over from this day forward.
Just as the master of ceremonies loudly read the congratulatory message and the officials knelt in worship, a sudden gust of wind whipped up the curtains in front of the hall, obscuring the sky.
Looking at the suddenly changing sky, Yun Zhang immediately focused his attention and paid close attention to Zhao Zhi's movements.
Suddenly, it seemed as if something was falling from a great height, heading straight for Zhao Zhi.
The crowd erupted in uproar, and the guards drew their swords to protect the emperor, creating a chaotic scene.
"Your Majesty, be careful!"
At this critical moment, Yun Zhang stepped forward. He moved nimbly and leaped into the air, intercepting the unknown object in mid-air—it turned out to be an out-of-control kite with sharp bamboo strips wrapped around it. If Yun Zhang hadn't acted in time, the consequences would have been unimaginable.
Yun Zhang landed steadily, tossed the kite aside, then turned to face Zhao Zhi, his gaze gentle yet firm, as if to say, "With me here, you have nothing to fear."
Zhao Zhi looked at Yun Zhang, her heart filled with complex emotions.
She nodded to him. Regardless of whether today's incident was a genuine accident or orchestrated by Yunzhang, she was grateful to him for preventing her from getting hurt.
After a brief setback, the ceremony continued, and Zhao Zhi, witnessed by her ministers, completed the enthronement ceremony, officially becoming the first female emperor in the history of the Yun Dynasty.
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