The imperial carriages of the new emperor and empress were just as grand and imposing as when Xuanyuan Peng paraded through the streets, attracting countless onlookers.
"It's been half a month since the late emperor passed away, and the new emperor has finally ascended the throne!"
"The new emperor and empress are so good-looking! The new emperor is as handsome as a god, and the new empress is as beautiful as a celestial being. They are truly a match made in heaven!"
"Is the little prince being held by the new empress? The new emperor and empress are both so beautiful. I'm so curious about what the little prince looks like!"
"I heard he looks like the new emperor, like they were cut from the same mold."
"I said no matter who he looks like, the little prince won't be bad-looking, since the new emperor and empress are both so good-looking!"
Listening to the chatter of the people along the way, Su Xuening teased her sleeping son in her arms: "This little guy will probably charm countless girls in the future."
"Won't."
Xuan Yuanzhan said something softly, which left Su Xuening puzzled: "Why?"
Xuan Yuanzhan coughed lightly and looked at his eldest son, who was fast asleep in Su Xuening's arms: "Because this kid looks like me when he grows up, and I've never seen me charm any girl, so how could he possibly charm any girl?"
I thought he was going to say something else, but I didn't expect him to say this.
Su Xuening was immediately amused by Xuan Yuanzhan. She glared at him and said, "You have no idea what your own market value was back then. Besides, just because you're not good enough doesn't mean my son isn't!"
...Xuanyuan Zhan's face instantly darkened. He wrapped his arms around her waist, pinched her slender waist, and said in a low, husky voice, "Who are you saying is no good?"
She's already had a son, how dare she say he's no good!
Su Xuening blushed instantly at Xuan Yuanzhan's actions.
That's not what she meant at all; what was he thinking again?
Looking at her shy appearance, Xuan Yuanzhan's heart began to wander again, especially the slender waist under his palm, which made his mind race.
His large hand gently caressed her waist, and Xuan Yuanzhan suddenly asked in a low, husky voice, "Is our little baby two months old?"
Su Xuening had no suspicions and counted the days, saying, "It's been more than two months."
Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuanzhan's inner turmoil seemed to intensify.
Soon, the imperial carriages of the new emperor and empress arrived at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.
Xuanyuan Zhan and Su Xuening carried the still-sleeping Xiaobao up the stone steps.
On the stone steps, King Kang and his officials were already waiting.
Upon seeing Xuan Yuanzhan and Su Xuening approach, Prince Kang respectfully stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Greetings, Your Majesty and Empress."
The King of Kang's respectful attitude left Xuan Yuanzhan somewhat bewildered.
What's going on? Why does it seem like Prince Kang has suddenly become nicer to him?
Previously, whenever King Kang saw him, he would treat him with disdain, but now he is so respectful.
Could it be that their attitude towards him has changed because they see he is about to ascend the throne?
This old man doesn't seem like the type to flatter or fawn!
Before Xuanyuan Zhan could figure it out, Prince Kang smiled at him again and said, "Your Majesty and Empress, the auspicious time is approaching. Let's offer sacrifices to Heaven first."
Xuanyuan Zhan nodded and said to Su Xuening, "Let the masters hold Xiaobao."
Whether it was their parade or the sacrificial ceremony, Pei Luo and You Yidao accompanied them. Dao Yi, in particular, knew that Xuan Yuanzhan was ascending the throne today, so he had his disciples send him to the capital city early in the morning.
Su Xuening handed Xiaobao to Pei Luo and the others to hold, while she went to the altar with Xuan Yuanzhan.
King Kang offered three long sticks of incense and began the ceremony of worshipping Heaven.
The ceremony for the new emperor's ascension to the throne was extremely elaborate; the eunuchs spent half an hour reading the imperial edict.
After the imperial edict was read, Prince Kang presented another tray covered with a red cloth, under which something appeared to be placed.
King Kang carried the tray to the altar, unveiled the red cloth, and on the tray was the Xuanwu Sword.
King Kang prepared a dagger and handed it to Xuanyuan Zhan: "Please summon the Xuanwu divine beast, Your Majesty."
Xuanyuan Zhan paused, recalling what Xuanyuan Peng had said before: each emperor of Eastern Chu had one chance to summon the Xuanwu divine beast upon assuming the throne. However, no previous emperor had ever succeeded, so the people of Eastern Chu had never seen what the real Xuanwu divine beast looked like.
Xuanyuan Zhan followed his instructions, stepped forward, cut open his palm with a dagger, and dripped the blood onto the Xuanwu sword.
Everyone craned their necks, their eyes filled with anticipation, as they looked at the Xuanwu sword.
If the new emperor can summon the true Xuanwu divine beast, then Dongchu will become the second person to truly possess a divine beast.
Of course, Xuan Yuanzhan himself also had expectations.
After all, none of his ancestors had succeeded in summoning the divine beast, and he hoped that he would be the one to successfully summon the Xuanwu divine beast.
One drop of blood, two drops of blood, three drops of blood...
I don't know how many drops of blood were dripped, and it felt like I waited for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, but I didn't see any movement from the Xuanwu Sword, nor did I see any sign of the Xuanwu Divine Beast appearing.
Although King Kang was somewhat disappointed, he had witnessed at least three such enthronement ceremonies and no emperor had ever actually been able to summon the Xuanwu divine beast, so he was not surprised.
The surrounding officials didn't seem to care much. After all, so many emperors before them had failed to summon the Xuanwu Divine Beast, so the new emperor's failure was already expected.
It would be truly astonishing if the summoning were successful!
King Kang presented a handkerchief, indicating the end of the summoning ceremony.
Xuanyuan Zhan was also somewhat disappointed. He had thought he could summon the Xuanwu divine beast, but it seemed he had been overthinking it.
Xuanyuan Zhan took the handkerchief and pressed it against his wound.
The imperial physicians immediately stepped forward to treat Xuanyuan Zhan's wounds, but the new empress beat them to it.
Su Xuening took out her homemade ointment and applied it to Xuan Yuanzhan's wounds. Her ointment was excellent; once applied, the bleeding basically stopped.
Su Xuening knew that Xuan Yuanzhan was feeling down at the moment. When she applied the medicine to his palm, she gently scratched it to comfort him silently.
Xuanyuan Zhan felt her concern, and the disappointment in his heart immediately dissipated. He gently squeezed her hand in return to indicate that he was alright.
So what if he can't summon the Xuanwu Divine Beast? Previous ancestors couldn't summon it either, so he has nothing to be unhappy about.
The couple looked up at each other and smiled; at that moment, even the deepest gloom vanished.
The sacrificial ceremony continued, with Xuan Yuanzhan and Su Xuening kneeling and bowing for another hour before it finally ended.
During the sacrificial ceremony, there were no unusual celestial phenomena, and Xuanyuan Zhan was about to officially ascend the throne.
King Kang produced Xuanyuan Peng's last edict, and all the officials, royal relatives, commoners, and soldiers knelt down.
"By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Since I ascended the throne according to the will of the Retired Emperor, I have diligently handled all important military and national affairs, personnel appointments, and administrative matters, without ever becoming weary or complacent… Although I have not yet fulfilled my destiny, I have no regrets and am overjoyed. Crown Prince Xuanyuan Zhan is of noble character, closely resembling myself, and will surely be able to inherit the great lineage. He is hereby appointed to succeed me and ascend the throne. Crown Princess Duanmu Xuening, the Crown Princess of Xiliang, is virtuous, wise, and of dignified appearance. She and the Holy King are a match made in heaven, a perfect union, and are hereby appointed Empress. The eldest grandson, Xuanyuan Xi, is intelligent, lovely, and deeply beloved by me, and is hereby appointed Crown Prince…"
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