Chapter 255 Unexpected Changes
After all the officials had offered their congratulations, the new emperor would go to the city wall at Longwu Gate to receive the people's congratulations, and then go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to his ancestors.
In the evening, there was a grand banquet to celebrate the new emperor's ascension to the throne.
When Li Yuanzhao walked onto the city wall, the cheers from the people below grew even louder.
The streets below Longwu Gate were packed with people who came to watch the ceremony, a dense crowd that stretched as far as the eye could see.
After the gong was struck three times, the noisy crowd instantly fell silent.
Su Qingci, acting as the messenger, stood beside Li Yuanzhao, unfurled the yellow silk edict, and loudly proclaimed it.
"Listen, subjects of Great Qi!"
The Mandate of Heaven has been renewed, and the imperial regalia has been returned to its rightful owner. The former emperor abdicated, and the state has been inherited.
Now there is Crown Prince Li Yuanzhao, who is benevolent, filial, brave, and virtuous, matching the heavens and the earth. He has already ascended the throne in the Taiji Palace in accordance with the imperial edict, offered sacrifices to the heavens, and established the dynasty!
From this day forward, we will reform and establish a new dynasty, changing the name of the country to "Zhaoming" in accordance with the Mandate of Heaven!
May our dynasty enjoy favorable weather, abundant harvests, and peace throughout the land!
The new emperor is benevolent and virtuous, and hereby issues an imperial edict: a three-year tax exemption and a general amnesty! May you all live in peace and prosperity, and celebrate this peaceful era together!
So be it!
As soon as he finished speaking, the crowd erupted in cheers even more enthusiastically than before.
The crowd knelt and kowtowed towards the city wall, and the thunderous shouts of "Long live the emperor!" continued for a long time.
Standing atop the city wall, Li Yuanzhao watched the scene of thousands of people thronging the streets in celebration, and a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.
Pei Huaijin stood in the line of officials, his eyes always following Li Yuanzhao.
From the moment of the abdication ceremony until now, his gaze has almost never left her.
When he saw that rare smile on her lips, he was stunned for a moment, as if something had gently bumped into his heart.
Li Yuanzhao is not a cold person; she often smiles.
But at this moment, her smile was one he had never seen before.
As Liu Jinzhang, standing in the crowd, looked at the figure in black robes and red skirts on the city wall and listened to the cheers rising and falling around him, he couldn't help but feel a little hot in the corners of his eyes.
The little girl he once held so high hopes for has finally grown into an emperor.
The word “昭明” comes from the poem “既醉” in the Book of Songs, specifically the section “大雅”.
It takes the character "昭" from his name "元昭" and also implies that light shines brightly and the world is at peace.
It is a name full of hope for the country.
Since none of his worries had come to pass, and everything he hoped for had been achieved as expected, he truly had no reason to stay any longer.
He stood in the crowded throng, glanced at Li Yuanzhao from afar, and then resolutely turned and left.
Li Yuanzhao on the city wall seemed to sense something and subconsciously glanced at the crowd, only to see a dense mass of heads.
She frowned slightly, then relaxed her gaze, assuming she had misread it.
After the court ceremony concluded, Li Yuanzhao descended the sloping steps along the side of the city gate, followed closely by the court officials, who filed down in single file.
Having experienced the coronation ceremony and the worship of the masses, everyone's faces showed a mixture of excitement and a sense of relief.
With the new emperor's successful ascension to the throne and the empire initially at peace, the emperor and his ministers will work together to build a glorious and prosperous era.
Duke Liang and Shen Guojiu, as the second and final officiants in this sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, walked at the very front.
Shen Guojiu was all smiles as he turned to chat with Liang Guogong beside him, only to find him frowning and looking grave.
Upon careful reflection, throughout the entire process today, Duke Liang maintained this solemn expression, as if he were carrying a tremendous burden on his mind.
Before Shen Guojiu could figure out the reason for this unusual behavior, he saw Liang Guogong, who was half a step behind Li Yuanzhao, suddenly draw a soft sword from the wide sleeve of his court robe.
His movements were astonishingly fast; almost instantly, he lunged forward, his left arm gripping Li Yuanzhao tightly, while his soft sword was precisely positioned against her neck.
The unexpected turn of events caused many officials to cry out in alarm.
Shen Guojiu's smile froze, and he immediately shouted, "Duke Liang! Are you insane?! Release His Majesty at once!"
Ru Mo's expression changed drastically, and he quickly stepped forward, but was stopped by the Duke of Liang's sharp gaze: "Anyone who dares to take a step closer, I will kill her immediately!"
Ru Mo paused, not daring to step forward rashly.
The courtiers were in uproar.
No one expected this to happen, not even Li Yuanzhao himself.
Given her usual sharpness, she could have easily dodged the attack at such close range.
But it was only then that she realized she was weak all over and her reactions were much slower.
When he ascended the throne, he thought it was due to excitement causing his blood to rush to his head and making him dizzy, but it turns out that it was not at all. In fact, it was caused by poisoning.
Where did the poison come from?
In that instant, her brain was racing.
Today, food and drinks are subject to strict inspection, and absolutely no one can easily tamper with them.
Only one place!
During the sacrificial ceremony to Heaven, the Duke of Liang presented her with a cup of sacrificial wine as the second offering!
She drank it down without thinking much at the time, but now she realizes that the poison must have been in that drink!
The blade pressed even closer to his neck, but Li Yuanzhao remained calm and composed, as if he were not the one being held hostage.
Her voice remained calm and composed: "Minister Liang, what is the meaning of this?"
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