Fengtian Hall.
The place where the crown princes were conferred by successive dynasties of the Dayu Dynasty not only has a magnificent hall, but also a square that can accommodate thousands of people.
At this moment, civil and military officials stood, imperial guards gathered, and the Zhu family members of the royal family arrived.
The officials who received the imperial edict, read the edict, presented the edict, and so on all stood in their respective positions.
Jiang Chengfeng and his sister Xu Mo, along with the other members of the Crown Prince's residence, also joined up with them.
Outside Fengtian Gate, banners fluttered and the ceremonial guard was solemn.
Dressed in formal attire and a royal crown, the emperor, supported by Chief Steward Wu, slowly walked through the passage and sat on the dragon throne.
The crowd chanted in unison, "Greetings, Your Majesty! May Your Majesty enjoy boundless blessings!"
The emperor did not speak, but simply waved his hand, indicating that the sun should be observed.
Steward Wu sighed and turned away, "The auspicious hour is approaching; the investiture ceremony will begin."
The prepared drum music began, with a combination of deep and high-pitched sounds, and a blend of sharp and deep tones.
The east gate of Fengtian Hall was opened, and the long banquet, with its attendants dressed in orange-yellow robes, finally revealed its true form.
He walked slowly but firmly, led by his attendants, stepping across the crimson carpet through Fengtian Square and arriving at the Fengtian Hall.
The civil and military officials watched him with smiles, his brother and sister looked at him with bright eyes, his former rival Zhu Changhong looked wistful, only Zhu Changyu remained calm and composed.
As Chang Yan passed by, he still smiled憨厚ly, revealing his teeth.
It was as if he was still that honest and taciturn second brother, willing to lend a helping hand to his younger brother.
Not now, and not last year.
It was a very, very long time ago.
Perhaps it was because the road to Fengtian Square was too long that Chang Yan was momentarily lost in thought, recalling some past events that he had almost forgotten.
In fact, he had also crossed paths with the second prince.
When he was three or four years old, Xiao Changyan, who had always longed for his father's love but could not get it, loved to sit by the pond and feed the fish with the crumpled leftovers.
He was young and small, and difficult to find when hidden behind the trees, so he could always overhear some of the secrets of the inner palace.
For example, several concubines vied for the emperor's favor, causing Consort Ju to miscarry and lose her fertility. The emperor was furious and banished the concubines to the cold palace. It was only through the empress dowager's pleading that the turmoil in the court was averted.
For example, the second prince was a stubborn little boy with a sullen and unpleasant personality, like a rock. When the eunuchs were mistreated by their masters, they would find ways to torment the second prince to vent their anger.
While venting his anger, he also shouted, "So what if you're a master? You still get beaten by your servants."
Once, when they were making a ruckus by the pond, Xiao Changyan heard them, stood up unsteadily, and glared angrily, saying, "What are you doing!"
Although he was not favored and his mother did not hold power, he was still an empress.
The young eunuch was so frightened that he knelt down and begged for mercy, "This servant did nothing. This servant was helping the Second Prince to loosen his muscles and bones. This servant meant well. The Second Prince can testify for this servant."
Xiao Changyan looked over blankly and saw only Zhu Changyu's bluish-purple face.
"Second brother, don't you think so?" He tried his best to appear less childish.
How old was Zhu Changyu back then? Only seven or eight years old. While Zhu Changhong was still just clinging to his parents' laps, he had already learned to face the world with indifference.
This includes a cold, indifferent response, "Yes."
Without any hesitation or doubt.
The young eunuch wept with joy, straightening his back even more. "Fifth Prince, you heard that? This servant truly meant well. This servant is serving the Second Prince."
Xiao Changyan was stunned for a moment. He didn't understand why his second brother had lied, and could only watch helplessly as the two walked away.
Later, nestled in his mother's arms, he quietly asked the question.
His mother stroked his temples and said softly, "Because you can protect him once, but you can't protect him many times."
Once out of the sight of the legitimate prince, the young eunuch will only become more ruthless, and may even retaliate many times over.
For Zhu Changyu, it was nothing short of a losing proposition.
So this is what it means to be a child without a father and mother. For the first time, Zhu Changyan felt fortunate to still have a mother's love. At such a young age, he thought and thought and thought and thought, and finally mustered up the courage to beg his mother, "Let's help him."
Those most likely to lend a helping hand in this world are those who are equally pitiful.
After hesitating for half a day, Empress Yan finally used the power of the Yan family to drive away the eunuch who was punching and kicking her.
Zhu Changyu's life was given a respite, although he still needed scraps to eat and had to endure humiliation from time to time, living like a woodlice in a corner of the imperial city.
For a long time after that, Xiao Changyan had no news of his second brother. Then one day, while trying to keep up with his father, he fell to the ground. A gloomy young man appeared out of nowhere, picked him up, patted his clothes clean, and then turned and left.
Later, Xiao Changyan gradually realized that he could not receive his father's love. He gave up following in his father's footsteps and quietly sat by the pond feeding the fish.
Their paths crossed again.
Ten years later, one became a diligent and capable, taciturn second prince, while the other became a sickly and frail fifth prince who rarely left his home.
They too lacked paternal and maternal love, and they too were determined to seize the throne.
They brushed past each other in Fengtian Square.
Chang Yan snapped out of his daze, took a deep look at the gloomy but cuddly boy from his memory, and stepped onto the stairs.
The master of ceremonies stood on either side of the steps and shouted in unison, "Bow!"
Chang Yan bowed solemnly.
When it was the official's turn to call out, "It is in order."
The master of ceremonies immediately followed up, "Kneel."
The young man in the orange-yellow robe knelt on both knees, listening to the formal investiture.
After an unknown amount of time, the master of ceremonies stepped forward, helped the Crown Prince to his feet, and led him into the main hall.
The inner attendant, positioned ahead, called out, "Kneel."
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