Sun and Moon
The 23rd year of the Yongxi reign, September 21st, was an auspicious day.
The palace haze that had lingered for over half a month was finally dispelled by the crisp autumn sky, yet a faint hint of blood and murder still hung in the air. In the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the cracks in the white marble seemed to have not yet been completely cleansed of the dark red stain.
Officials, clad in brand new court robes, stood at attention according to rank, a hushed silence reigning. Having experienced the tragedies of the previous emperor, the crown prince's sudden death, the third prince's rebellion, and the eldest princess's usurpation of the throne—a series of heart-wrenching changes—each face wore a daze of survival and a deep awe for the future. Their gazes involuntarily drifted toward the tightly closed palace door atop the steps.
The bells and drums rang out in unison, solemn and dignified.
The heavy palace door slowly opened, and a dark figure bathed in the bright autumn morning light slowly walked out.
Xie Wuqi wasn't wearing a dragon robe, still clad in the black crown and robes symbolizing the exalted position of Prince Jing. The nine-chapter pattern, jade belt, and dragon robe, with drooping black tassels, partially obscured his features, but couldn't conceal the chilling majesty and imposing aura emanating from him, like a sword unsheathed. With steady steps, he stepped over the blood-soaked steps and approached the supreme, gilded throne with nine dragons.
Behind him, Xu Xianyue, also wearing the same court attire of a court lady, stood beside him, dressed in a simple, elegant blue dress. Her face was beautiful, her expression calm. In this solemn, almost oppressive occasion, she seemed like a solitary orchid in a valley, incompatible with the scene of power at its peak, yet strangely integrated into it.
The ceremonial officers sang the long and complicated ceremony, and all the officials knelt down. The thunderous cheers of "Long live" swept the entire square, making people's eardrums buzz.
Xie Wuqi stood before the throne, but didn't immediately sit down. He raised his hand, motioning for everyone to stand. His gaze, like lightning, slowly swept across the dense crowd below, scanning faces that were filled with awe, flattery, hesitation, and fear.
"Everyone, please stand."
His voice was not loud, but it had a texture like metal and stone, and it was clearly heard by everyone, carrying an unquestionable majesty of a new king.
"The late emperor passed away suddenly, and the country suffered a great disaster. The rebels provoked and almost destroyed the country." He spoke, his voice deep and powerful, and his words struck the hearts of the people. "Thanks to the protection of our ancestors, the dedication of our soldiers, and the concerted efforts of loyal officials and righteous men, we were able to restore order and restore the world."
He paused, his gaze sharpening. "However, the lesson of the Yin Dynasty is not far away; it lies in the Xia Dynasty. The mistakes of the past serve as a lesson for the future. I, inheriting the mandate of Heaven and the throne, must reform the old ways and establish the new, work diligently to govern, comfort the people, and revive the government!"
He announced a new reign title - "Chengtian", which means inheriting the mandate of heaven and creating a new world.
He issued the first edict after ascending the throne, granting amnesty to the entire country, except for the main culprits of treason and those who committed the ten most unforgivable crimes. He also reduced taxes, provided relief to the soldiers and palace maids who died in the palace coup, and posthumously honored and commended meritorious officials.
Every decree was clear and decisive, carried out with a swift and resolute style. It was nothing like the flustered behavior of a new monarch. Instead, it was like a ruler who had already taken control of the overall situation and was implementing his will in an orderly manner.
All the officials were in awe. This new emperor, who was famous for his great military achievements and iron-blooded tactics, was obviously not someone who could be easily controlled.
Finally, Xie Wuqi's gaze fell on Xu Xianyue beside him.
The entire square fell silent, everyone's attention focused on this woman of unique status, who had demonstrated remarkable energy and skill in navigating numerous crises. What title would she receive? Empress? Imperial Concubine?
However, Xie Wuqi's next words stunned everyone.
"I was able to purify the world and restore order, and besides the soldiers' devotion, it was all thanks to the efforts of one man." He slowed his voice, taking on an unprecedented, almost solemn tone. "Xu Xianyue, utterly chaste and serene, possessed divine skills. In times of national crisis, he repeatedly offered ingenious strategies, saving countless lives, and his contributions will be remembered for generations to come."
He looked at Xu Xianyue. Her figure was now clearly reflected in his phoenix eyes, which were always filled with storms. He was filled with a complex and indescribable emotion, including admiration, gratitude, unquestionable possession, and even... a hint of cautious temptation that even he himself did not fully understand.
"I hereby appoint you as 'Lady Chenyue', with the same rank as a prince. You may see the emperor without bowing. You will be a minister of state, in charge of reforms in textiles, medicine, and other crafts. I grant you the plaque 'Xianyue Pavilion', and allow you to establish a school and spread your art throughout the world."
Madam Chen Yue! Rank equal to a prince! Co-minister of state affairs! In charge of all industrial innovations!
This was no longer a simple title for a concubine; it was real, unprecedented power and honor! It was almost like handing over the empire's economic lifeline and technological core to her!
All officials were in an uproar! No woman had ever received such an honor since ancient times! This... this was simply...
Xu Xianyue also raised her eyes slightly and looked at Xie Wuqi. She had never expected that he would give her such a position. Not to lock her up in the deep palace, not to give her false fame and favor, but to provide her with a broad platform to truly display her ambitions and realize the value of her skills.
She saw the seriousness and commitment in his eyes. He remembered what she had said, what she wanted.
"Xianyue," Xie Wuqi extended his hand to her in front of all the civil and military officials. His voice was low and powerful, yet it also contained a subtle earnestness that only she could understand. "I will allow you to share this vast land with me."
It wasn't a question, it was a declaration. It was the greatest sincerity and compromise he could offer.
The sunlight fell on his palms and also on her cold face.
Xu Xianyue stared at him quietly, at his eyes, deep as the abyss, yet now revealing such clear emotion just for her. Her mind raced through the events of their acquaintance, from the suspicious confrontation at Prince Jing's mansion, to their life-and-death struggle in Jiangnan, to their battles side by side in the palace...
What she pursued was never the position of queen or false fame, but the freedom and realization of her heart's desire.
Now, he brought the greatest "freedom" and "stage" he could give to her.
She lowered her eyes slightly, her long eyelashes casting a faint shadow under her eyes. After a moment, she raised her hand, but did not touch his outstretched hand, but took something out of her sleeve.
It was a velvet flower that had just been completed and had never been shown to anyone.
The shape is not that of any known flower, but more like a bright moon held up by soft clouds, with restrained brilliance. As the moonlight flows, the miniature light and shadow of the mountains and rivers can be vaguely seen. It is exquisite and complex to the extreme, and contains a strange and grand rhythm.
She gently placed the "Mountains and Rivers Reflecting the Moon" velvet flower on Xie Wuqi's open palm.
"Your Majesty," she met his instantly brightened gaze, her voice clear and calm, just as it had been when they first met, "The country is most important."
She neither accepted nor refused.
But this velvet flower that condensed her mind and symbolized the mountains, rivers and the bright moon was already the best answer.
She would not enter the harem and become a vine dependent on him.
But she will stand by his side, as "Lady Chen Yue", and in her own unique way, participate in the construction of this new dynasty and protect the mountains and rivers where they fought bloody battles together.
This is her choice.
Xie Wuqi tightly grasped the "bright moon" in his palm, feeling the warm and firm power flowing in it. Looking at her cold and frank eyes, the corner of his heart that had been frozen by the change of power seemed to be quietly illuminated by a ray of moonlight.
He understood what she meant.
"Okay." He withdrew his hand and tightly grasped the "Mountains and Rivers Reflecting the Moon". A real and bright smile slowly appeared at the corner of his lips. The smile dispelled the usual hostility and coldness between his brows, revealing the emperor's heroic spirit that looked down on the world and a hint of hidden tenderness.
He turned around, facing the officials, facing this new, unknown era of "Chengtian", and his voice was like a huge bell, resounding through the sky:
"My Lords! From this very day forward, we will abolish the old ways and usher in a new era! The sun, moon, mountains and rivers of this Great Zhou—I and you, the Lords, will jointly rule them!"
"Long live! Long live! Long live!"
The thunderous cheers of worship rang out again, echoing in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, foreshadowing the official start of a legend belonging to Xie Wuqi and Xu Xianyue.
A powerful emperor and a unique woman.
A brand new dynasty, an unknown journey.
The road ahead may still be full of thorns, but at least at this moment, the sun and the moon are the new sky, and the mountains and rivers are witnesses.
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