As the only son of the emperor, Zhao Yang has always been the recognized heir to the throne.
Zhao Yang was quite certain of this. Throughout his life, Zhao Yang had diligently pursued his studies, maintained his high status, taken the rise and fall of the nation as his own responsibility, and strived tirelessly to become a qualified future ruler of the dynasty.
Most of the princes of the Dacheng dynasty formally entered the court to participate in government affairs after reaching adulthood. There were two exceptions during the reign of Zhenlong.
The first exception was Princess Ruining. After she came of age, Emperor Zhenlong brought this daughter, who had been favored since childhood, to court to participate in government affairs, making her the first princess to be officially recognized as a political advisor since the founding of the Great Cheng Dynasty.
The second one is today.
Today is the coming-of-age ceremony chosen by the Imperial Astronomical Bureau for the eldest prince, Zhao Yang.
According to custom, a prince's coming of age signifies his formal adulthood, and he may marry or take concubines. The emperor will also bestow titles and rewards upon him, and these titles hold significant meaning for the princes.
Generally speaking, the title bestowed upon a prince upon reaching adulthood is the current emperor's final reward. Barring unforeseen circumstances, he will not be promoted further during the reign. Higher honors will only be granted by the next emperor.
Zhao Yang is the current emperor's only son. Therefore, logically speaking, the day he comes of age should also be the day he is appointed crown prince.
The Ministry of Rites made exceptionally careful preparations. Because there was no imperial edict appointing the Crown Prince, they did not dare to prepare ceremonial robes for the Crown Prince, but they paid special attention to the Crown Prince's coming-of-age ceremony and made meticulous preparations for everything.
It was strange that the emperor had not issued an edict to prepare for the crown prince's investiture ceremony.
The Ministry of Rites was still making preparations in private for the Crown Prince's investiture ceremony. If the Emperor issued an edict, all the necessary items and utensils would be ready, so there would be no chaos.
The day before, Empress Lu summoned Zhao Yang to Changqiu Palace and earnestly instructed him: "My son will have his coming-of-age ceremony tomorrow, and he will be an adult. The ceremony will be very complicated, so you must be careful and not make any mistakes."
Seeing the impatience on Zhao Yang's face, she still spoke softly: "Although your father has not said it explicitly, he has already drafted an edict a few days ago, just waiting to confer the title upon you at your coming-of-age ceremony. As the future crown prince, your responsibilities will be even heavier, so you must be more careful in your words and actions."
Zhao Yang's eyebrows lifted, and she was somewhat impatient with her mother's nagging, but her anticipation and joy for the future outweighed her impatience.
He verbally agreed to Empress Lu's instructions, but inwardly he disagreed—he was already the Crown Prince, why should he be so cautious in his words and actions? As long as the Crown Prince acted in a way that was worthy of the world and himself, that was enough. Being cautious in words and actions was something a subject should do.
On the day of his coming-of-age ceremony, the ceremony was quite grand and solemn.
Before dawn, Zhao Yang, with the help of his attendants, rose, bathed, changed his clothes, and went to the ancestral temple to offer sacrifices to his ancestors, respectfully informing Heaven and Earth and praying for divine blessings.
As the ceremony reached the point of investiture, Dengbao, the most trusted eunuch by the emperor's side, presented a bright yellow imperial edict and, under the watchful eyes of all the officials, loudly proclaimed:
By the grace of Heaven, the Emperor decrees: Time flies, and the child of yesteryear is now a tall and graceful young man, a source of great joy and comfort. My other sons have grown up! My eldest son, Zhao Yang, is handsome and studious, possessing lofty character and outstanding qualities, and I greatly admire him. I hereby bestow upon him the title of Prince Qing, granting him an imperial edict and seal, and a fief of five thousand households. The Ministry of Rites is ordered to prepare the necessary ceremonies for the investiture. This is the imperial decree!
The scene fell eerily silent. The high-ranking officials present exchanged bewildered glances.
This is the only son of the Sage! How could it be just Prince Qing?
Zhao Yang's previously cheerful smile froze as he stared incredulously at the bright yellow scroll in Deng Bao's hand.
He knelt stiffly on the steps, his back ramrod straight, the uneven stones beneath his knees making him sway slightly.
It felt as if a cool sensation was emanating from the jade, spreading upwards through my knees, until it reached my heart, leaving me with a chilling coldness.
A layer of sticky, fine sweat rose up on my back, and the cold wind blowing outside, which was no longer warm, chilled me to the bone.
The officials from the Ministry of Rites who were in charge of Zhao Yang's coming-of-age ceremony were also terrified.
Traditionally, only emperors and crown princes have been allowed to walk on the imperial steps.
Previously, the eldest prince was the de facto heir apparent. Now that the eldest prince has come of age, the emperor has specifically instructed him to be diligent and ensure the ceremony is solemn and thorough. Knowing that the emperor would surely appoint the eldest prince as crown prince at the coming-of-age ceremony, he intentionally tried to curry favor by leading the eldest prince from the steps of the imperial palace to listen to the emperor's teachings beforehand.
To everyone's surprise, the eldest prince was only granted the title of Prince Qing!
If we only talk about bestowing a title of king and granting a fief of five thousand households, it would already be an extremely generous honor. However, the eldest prince is the only son of the emperor. If he is not made crown prince, who else can be made crown prince?
Could it be that the rumors circulating among the people actually revealed the sage's thoughts?
The more the official in charge of the Ministry of Rites thought about it, the more sweaty he became.
Today's presumptuous attempt to curry favor not only failed to achieve its intended effect, but has likely incurred the wrath of Prince Qing. Even the Emperor himself will probably seek retribution.
Zhao Yang also felt as if needles were pricking his knees, and his face was burning hot. He felt as if countless eyes around him were watching him make a fool of himself.
Deng Bao sighed.
The eldest prince is indeed too arrogant. Although the current emperor is kind and loving, and has a genuine fatherly heart for his two children, he is still, after all, an emperor.
What emperors find most unbearable is someone taking their seat as their own.
His Highness Prince Qing and His Majesty the Empress have violated the taboo of the Emperor.
Deng Bao held up the imperial edict and handed it to Prince Qing, saying, "Your Highness, please accept the edict."
Zhao Yang, now the Prince of Qing, finally awoke from his reverie, accepted the imperial decree and expressed his gratitude. He listened in a daze to the emperor's admonitions and encouragement to his newly grown eldest son, and like a puppet on a string, he completed the remaining rituals.
He felt as if he were detached, coldly observing the physical form of the Prince Qing, watching him maintain his royal airs and arrogance, flawlessly executing every movement. His etiquette was impeccable, his demeanor refined and noble.
By the time Prince Qing came to his senses, he had already arrived at Empress Lu's Changqiu Palace.
Empress Lu naturally knew what had happened at today's coming-of-age ceremony, and her face was very unpleasant.
Seeing her son still looking dejected, Empress Lu revealed an unprecedented sternness: "Get rid of this dazed look! Who are you trying to impress! Do you want your father to think you're dissatisfied with him?!"
She was clearly in a bad mood; her voice had long lost its usual gentleness and was even somewhat shrill.
Prince Qing looked at her blankly, then smiled again: "So what if I know? The old man has already bestowed upon me the title of Prince Qing, can he possibly take it back?"
Empress Lu's lips trembled, but she still sternly said to her son, "Your father has only bestowed upon you the title of Prince Qing, not demoted you to a commoner! It is not impossible for him to first make you a prince and then a crown prince."
Her voice lowered: "My son! You are the only prince now, and the tutors all praise you for your wisdom and ability. If he doesn't make you the heir, who else can your father make? It's only a matter of time. If he won't give it to you now, then you should prove him wrong!"
Prince Qing chuckled: "Mother, do you even believe what you say yourself?"
"Your father will surely name you Crown Prince! But..."
Empress Lu's expression suddenly turned cold, her expression becoming gloomy and uncertain.
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