Chapter 201 The Grand Ceremony (End of Main Text)
Just as Chu Mingheng said, the time for the grand ceremony to begin was drawing ever closer.
As the weather grew colder, Lanwu began to be taught the rules of the grand ceremony by the master of ceremonies.
The ceremony was held in winter, and Lanwu's auspicious robes were also delivered. This was the third time she had worn this magnificent garment.
The dark outer robe is decorated with inlaid gold thread and peacock feathers to outline intricate patterns. The rolled-up edges are interwoven with cloud patterns and phoenix totems. The decorations on the robe are not so numerous as to be dazzling, but at a glance, one can tell that it is noble and not to be easily offended.
Lan Wu put on the dress, tugged at the hem, and whispered, "It's a bit heavy..."
"During the ceremony, Her Majesty will have to walk from Chengwu Gate to the high platform in Taiyong Hall, passing in front of all the civil and military officials. It's a long and arduous journey, and it's cold outside. Although these clothes are a bit heavy, they will keep her warm. We will make sure Her Majesty doesn't get cold."
"Your Majesty, please see if there is anything else that needs to be changed."
Lan Wu looked at herself in the mirror and gently shook her head: "This is fine, it's good enough."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
The palace servants helped her take off her auspicious robes and change into her everyday clothes, then carefully took the auspicious robes away and put them away.
"Your Majesty, would you like to try this set of headdresses again?" Lianqiao presented the tray and said, "It was delivered a few days ago, but Your Majesty hasn't tried it on yet."
This is a set of gold-inlaid red beads and green jade headdress. Although it is luxurious, unique and beautiful, Lan Wu gets a headache just looking at it.
It was too heavy. She tried to lift it that day, and it took both arms to lift the tray. Just thinking about having to put all that stuff on her head gave her a headache, and she didn't want to experience it beforehand.
But she couldn't go without it, after all, it was a big occasion, and missing something would make her seem like she didn't know the rules.
Lan Wu shook her head: "Don't wear it now, take it off."
Well... okay.
When Chu Mingheng came over, Lan Wu couldn't help but whisper to him.
"I wish I could wear just a hair crown." As she spoke, she stood on tiptoe to examine the hair crown that Chu Mingheng was wearing today, and then thought of the several pounds of weight she would have to wear on her head, and felt listless.
"You think it's too heavy?" Chu Mingheng picked her up, pinched her cheek, and asked with a smile, "You think it's too heavy, but you're secretly happy about it, aren't you?"
He bluntly exposed Lan Wu's thoughts.
Lan Wu was naturally delighted. She loved pretty things, and if she were to go to the ceremony wearing only a crown, she might not say anything on the surface, but she would definitely make a fuss inside.
Lan Wu was so flustered by his words that she buried her face in his neck, begging him to stop talking.
"Have you learned the rules enough?" Chu Mingheng patted her back, soothing her.
"Yes, the master of ceremonies said I've learned very well."
Although no one dared to say she didn't learn well.
"Still nervous?" Chu Mingheng calculated the days; there were only five days left. The entire palace was preparing for the ceremony, so it was understandable that Lan Wu was nervous.
Lan Wu wrapped her arm around Chu Mingheng's neck and replied, "Mmm."
Soon, she sat up straight with curiosity and asked Chu Mingheng, "Wasn't Your Majesty nervous when you ascended the throne?"
To be honest, Chu Mingheng wasn't nervous at all. After all, his ascension to the throne was in accordance with the rules and something he had prepared for long ago. Everything was just normal.
Before Chu Mingheng could speak, Lan Wu knew his response and said with some envy, "If only I could have a little bit of His Majesty's composure and calmness, just a little bit would be enough."
"Didn't I tell you I'd be there for you? What are you afraid of?"
"You've never been an empress, what are you saying?"
Chu Mingheng and Lan Wu locked eyes. Seeing the unwavering determination in her eyes, he chuckled, picked her up, and carried her toward the inner palace: "Then let A-Wu be the emperor for once today, and I will be A-Wu's empress."
"What? I won't—Chu Mingheng, put me down—"
Thanks to Chu Mingheng, Lan Wu no longer felt that those few pounds of jewelry were a big deal.
Meanwhile, the seventh day of the twelfth lunar month arrived.
On the day of the grand ceremony, Chu Mingheng would first travel by carriage to Taiyong Palace, and Lan Wu would arrive later.
But they got up together.
I got up early, before dawn.
There is no custom of paying respects to Lan Wu here, so she usually gets up at dawn, but today she is considered to have gotten up early.
He splashed water on his face and quickly came to his senses.
After breakfast, palace servants would help her put on her auspicious clothes and headdress.
Before leaving, Chu Mingheng specifically told her to take her time and not to rush.
Lan Wu slowed her pace and, following the instructions of the female official, waited in front of the hall for the envoy to read the investiture document.
Before long, it was already dawn.
As the sound of ceremonial music gradually approached, the palace gates opened, and two rows of people stepped into the palace. Following them, the chief and deputy envoys for investiture stepped forward and stood in the middle.
The ritual music was suspended.
Lan Wu, dressed in a magnificent auspicious robe, slowly walked out of the palace.
Female officials led the way on her left and right sides, and palace servants stood behind her. The surroundings quieted down.
The female official's voice was particularly clear and bright: "Proclaim the imperial edict—"
One of the investiture envoys stepped forward with his staff, while another opened the investiture document and read it aloud.
Lan Wu had never heard of this imperial edict of investiture before, because it was Chu Mingheng who announced the edict in the court, and immediately ordered someone to hand the edict over to the official in charge of rites.
After the document was read aloud, the female official beside her immediately followed with, "Kneel—"
Lan Wu stepped forward, knelt on the prepared mat, and held the book open with both hands to receive it.
After kneeling and rising three times, the female official stepped forward, took the imperial edict from Lan Wu's hands, and handed it to the palace servants behind her. The envoy in front of her made way, and then the female official led Lan Wu out of the palace gate.
A palanquin was placed outside the palace gate.
The female official stepped forward and announced loudly, "Please, Your Highness, ascend the palanquin—"
As Lan Wu boarded the palanquin, the music and ceremonial music resumed, and the group headed towards the Taiyong Palace.
Taiyong Hall is located to the north of the palace, and it takes more than half an hour to get there from the inner palace.
Although it was winter, it was a sunny day. As I walked out of the last palace gate of the inner palace, the sky slowly cleared and the warm sun gradually shone down, making me feel no longer cold.
As they approached the Taiyong Hall, Lan Wu heard the sound of drums.
The imperial carriage was guarded on both sides, and the Chengwu Gate was open. Outside the Chengwu Gate, the carriage stopped.
Lan Wu waited for a moment, and when she saw the female official outside nod slightly to her, she stepped out of the carriage.
It is an auspicious time.
Taiyong Hall was built on a high wall. Entering through Chengwu Gate, you would see a vast flat area. At the very end of the area was a long staircase, and above the staircase was another high platform, which was the platform in front of Taiyong Hall.
Lan Wu crossed the threshold alone. The distance was too far, but she still saw Chu Mingheng, who should have been waiting for her on the high platform, standing below the steps.
When she saw Chu Mingheng, she seemed to forget the civil and military officials on both sides of her. Everyone's eyes were focused on her, but her gaze was only on Chu Mingheng.
Step by step, she walked steadily and calmly toward Chu Mingheng.
Finally, they arrived in front of him.
Chu Mingheng smiled at her and reached out his hand to her.
Lan Wu placed her hand on his and followed him up the steps.
There were countless steps, but when I finally stood on the high platform, I looked down and took in the figures of everyone.
The master of ceremonies offered incense to the Emperor and Empress, saying, "Your Majesty and Your Highness are requested to pay homage to Heaven and Earth and comfort our ancestors—"
The two stepped forward and placed the incense sticks they were holding into the cauldron.
A resounding clang of ceremonial instruments echoed in their ears, followed by the simultaneous kneeling of all the civil and military officials below, who cried out in unison, "May His Majesty enjoy boundless blessings—and may Her Majesty the Empress live a long and peaceful life!"
The hand hanging by her side was slowly pulled and gripped by another person.
Lan Wu turned her head to look and saw Chu Mingheng's smiling and gentle gaze.
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