Chapter 464 Conferring the Title of Empress
The next day, before dawn, Jiang Huan was gently awakened by a palace maid.
Despite being up until the wee hours of the morning and feeling sore all over, she forced herself to get up because she knew today was the official investiture ceremony.
After another round of meticulous dressing and grooming, once again she donned the dignified and magnificent Empress's robes and donned the heavy phoenix crown. Looking at her naturally majestic self in the mirror, Jiang Huan was momentarily disoriented, unable to distinguish between day and night.
Yesterday she was a bride in red bridal attire; today she is the empress, ruling the world with grace and dignity.
Huo Lin was already dressed in full attire, wearing a black robe embroidered with gold dragons, which made him appear even more upright and imposing.
He walked in and saw Jiang Huan dressed in her finest attire, his eyes gleaming with undisguised pride.
[She was a bit too noisy last night and didn't get enough sleep. Now she has to stand in this outfit for most of the day. Will her neck be able to handle it? Will her back ache?]
[This Empress's court dress, with its layers upon layers, looks so cumbersome and heavy. And those people in the Ministry of Rites, all they do is make things difficult, needlessly tiring out my Empress.]
Ah, I really want to wrap her in my arms and carry her to the ceremony, so she won't have to suffer like this.
However, she will definitely refuse, and she'll probably glare at me then.
He stepped forward and took her hand; his palm was warm and strong.
"Are you ready?" he asked in a low voice, his voice filled with barely suppressed excitement.
Jiang Huan took a deep breath, grasped his hand in return, and nodded.
With him by my side, the heavy phoenix crown and the tedious etiquette no longer seemed so unbearable.
When the auspicious time arrives, ceremonial music begins.
In front of the main hall of the palace, officials in court attire stood solemnly according to their rank, with banners waving and ceremonial guards in full display.
The solemn and dignified atmosphere was completely different from the joyous atmosphere of yesterday's wedding banquet.
Under the proclamation of the master of ceremonies and the watchful eyes of all the officials, Jiang Huan, personally led by Huo Lin, stepped onto the long imperial road and walked towards the supreme palace.
The phoenix crown was heavy, and the hairpin swayed lightly. With each step she took, she could feel the gazes from all directions—awe, scrutiny, and envy.
But she stood ramrod straight, her gaze fixed straight ahead, and a perfectly poised and elegant smile played on her lips.
Stay calm, she's the empress now, she can't lose her aura!
She tried to cheer herself up and ignore the stinging sensation in her neck.
only……
This road is so long, my neck is going to break. Is this phoenix crown solid? I'll have to ask Huo Lin to give her a good neck massage tonight.
Huo Lin held her hand tightly, feeling the slight coolness of her fingertips. Knowing she was nervous, he tightened his grip slightly, conveying silent support.
Finally, the two stood side by side on the steps of the imperial palace, receiving the homage of the officials.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
The thunderous shouts of worship echoed above the palace, deeply moving everyone present.
The elaborate investiture ceremony proceeded step by step: bestowing titles, bestowing treasures, and swearing oaths... Jiang Huan followed the etiquette perfectly, her demeanor dignified and her responses appropriate, leaving no room for criticism.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, Huo Lin did not immediately announce the end of the court session.
He stepped forward, his gaze sweeping over the sea of officials below, his voice steady and resonant throughout the hall: "Today, I hereby establish Lady Jiang as Empress. The Empress is virtuous and capable, has rendered meritorious service in raising the imperial heirs, and is of one heart with me..."
He paused, making sure every word was clearly heard by everyone.
"Therefore, I have decided never to hold another imperial concubine selection. Those concubines who wish to return home will be granted generous dowries and will be free to marry. Those who wish to remain in the palace will continue to receive all their expenses and supplies as before. I will ensure their safety, honor, and longevity."
These words caused an uproar throughout the hall.
This is unprecedented. Throughout history, which emperor didn't have three palaces and six courtyards? Even if he had a favorite, there has never been an explicit decree to abolish the selection system. This is simply a subversion of the ancestral rites and laws.
Although there had been prior rumors, some conservative old ministers still looked worried, their lips moving as if they wanted to offer advice and remonstrance.
However, when they met Huo Lin's cold, sharp, and uncompromising eyes, they all subconsciously fell silent.
They still vividly remembered the new emperor's iron-fisted methods since his ascension to the throne, and at this moment, no one dared to easily provoke him.
Huo Lin stopped looking at the officials and turned his gaze to Jiang Huan, his eyes gentle yet firm, as if he were declaring to her and to the whole world.
"With such a virtuous empress, I am content. I wish to join hands with the empress and work together to protect our empire forever."
Jiang Huan looked up to meet his gaze, a thousand words unspoken.
She saw promises, the future, and her unique self in his eyes.
She gently grasped his hand, which he had never let go of, her fingertips warm.
After the investiture ceremony, the news spread like wildfire throughout the palace and beyond.
Some of the concubines chose to express their gratitude and leave the palace, looking forward to a new life outside the palace.
Some concubines, whose families had declined, who were afraid of life outside the palace, or who had become accustomed to palace life, chose to stay in the palace.
Consort Li also stayed behind and took the initiative to show goodwill to Jiang Huan, expressing her willingness to assist in managing the affairs of the inner palace and seeking a peaceful life for the rest of her days.
Jiang Huan agreed and arranged things for her, which can be considered as making the best use of her talents.
As for He Ling, because she presented high-yield crops, Huo Lin specially appointed her as the Minister of Agriculture, in charge of agricultural research and the cultivation and promotion of new crops.
After a busy and noisy day, Jiang Huan returned to her palace, feeling as if all the bones in her body were about to fall apart.
The phoenix crown almost broke her neck, and the muscles in her face were stiff and sore from maintaining a dignified smile for too long.
She dismissed the palace servants, collapsed onto the couch without any regard for her image, and let out a long sigh.
"Oh, it's finally over. Being an empress is no easy task; I'm exhausted."
Huo Lin followed her in and, seeing her true colors revealed, couldn't help but chuckle.
He waved his hand, dismissing the palace servants who had wanted to serve him, and then walked to the bedside and sat down.
"It's too hard."
[It really wore her out; that phoenix crown alone must have been exhausting.]
Jiang Huan waved her hand weakly: "Stop just talking, do something practical. Quick, help me take off this outfit, it's so heavy."
Huo Lin readily complied, gently removing her phoenix crown and untying her elaborate wedding dress.
Shedding the heavy constraints, Jiang Huan felt a sense of lightness throughout her body and let out a comfortable sigh.
She was about to turn over and lie flat when she saw that Huo Lin hadn't left. Instead, he sat down at her feet and reached out to hold her feet.
Jiang Huan: ? ? ?
She instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but Huo Lin gently pressed it down.
"Don't move," he said softly, his tone natural. "We've walked so far and stood for so long, how can we not rub it?"
As he spoke, he took off her shoes and socks, held her pair of fair and slender feet in his palms, and began to massage them carefully.
Jiang Huan blushed, and even the roots of her ears turned crimson.
If word got out that the emperor of a country was massaging her feet, the historians would probably have to kill themselves by running into a pillar in protest.
Although the technique was a bit clumsy, the pressure was quite comfortable.
She glanced at Huo Lin furtively and saw him with his head down, looking focused, as if he were dealing with some rare treasure.
Her feet are so small, shorter than my palm. How did she manage to walk so far?
[Wouldn't this make me seem pathetic? Oh well, there are no outsiders here anyway. It's only natural for me to massage my empress's feet!]
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