Chapter 122 Returning Power to the Emperor
On the third day after the Emperor and Empress's wedding, the morning court session was held.
As is customary, this was the first time the newlywed emperor had formally received the congratulations of his officials, marking a significant moment in his life as an adult.
The atmosphere in the Hall of Supreme Harmony was both solemn and enthusiastic.
Shen Xingchen wore a brand-new dragon robe. Although his face still had some boyishness, after these years of experience, he already had a bit of imperial majesty between his brows.
However, just when the officials thought today was just a formality, Shen Jin, who was standing on the regent's throne, suddenly took a step forward.
This step, taken with extreme composure, instantly silenced the entire hall.
Today, Shen Jin did not wear the purple and gold python robe that symbolized his immense power. Instead, he changed into a simple black casual dress, with only a simple jade hairpin in his hair.
He walked to the center of the hall, faced Shen Xingchen on the dragon throne, and slowly knelt down.
This was the first time he had performed such a grand ceremony since becoming regent.
"Royal Uncle!"
Shen Xingchen was so startled he almost jumped off the dragon throne. "What are you doing? Get up! I can't accept this!"
"Your Majesty is worthy of it."
Shen Jin's clear and resonant voice echoed throughout the hall, "Your Majesty has been married and is mature and benevolent towards the people, showing the qualities of a wise ruler. Your subject, Regent Shen Jin, has served as regent for eight years and has fortunately fulfilled his mission."
As he spoke, he took two items out of his sleeve and raised them above his head with both hands.
Both symbolize the tiger tally, representing the command of all armies under heaven. Both symbolize the power to act as regents and tour the realm on behalf of Heaven.
"Now that the world is at peace and the seas are calm, I have come to return my military power and hand over my seals of office."
"From this day forward, I wish to relinquish my position as regent and retire to the countryside to live a leisurely life as a member of the royal family. I humbly request Your Majesty's... permission."
boom--!
Although the officials had a premonition, they were still shocked when the moment actually arrived.
Power has been handed over!
That regent, who held absolute power and could even be said to have been all-powerful, actually relinquished all his power without hesitation at the height of his power?
There was no coup, no bloodshed, not even the slightest hesitation?
This...this is so unconventional!
Throughout history, which powerful minister didn't try every means to control the government until his death?
"No! Absolutely not!"
Shen Xingchen's eyes instantly reddened. He rushed down the steps and tightly grasped Shen Jin's hand. "Uncle! I'm still young! I can't live without you! There are so many memorials, I can't finish reviewing them all by myself!"
[Waaaaah... If you leave, who will take the blame for me? Who will intimidate those old ministers for me?]
[I don't want to be all alone! I want to continue clinging to powerful figures!]
Shen Jin looked at his nephew, who was already almost as tall as him but was still acting spoiled, and sighed helplessly.
He whispered in a voice only the two of them could hear:
"Your Majesty, you are no longer a child."
"And... you have an empress now."
Shen Xingchen was taken aback.
“Although the Empress’s fried chicken is delicious, she can’t control the affairs of the court.” Shen Jin patiently persuaded, “If you want to eat fried chicken every day in the future, and if you want to protect the people you want to protect, you have to stand up for yourself.”
"I...should go and keep your imperial aunt company."
When the emperor's aunt was mentioned, Shen Xingchen's hand loosened.
He knew that his uncle had already sacrificed too much for the sake of this great undertaking. And his aunt… that woman who always talked about “retiring,” she probably couldn’t wait any longer, could she?
“But…” Shen Xingchen choked up, “I can’t bear to part with him.”
"If you can't bear to give it up, then work hard."
Shen Jin patted his shoulder, stood up, and solemnly placed the tiger tally and golden seal in Shen Xingchen's hands. "Don't let me down. And don't... let your imperial aunt down either."
Holding that heavy power, Shen Xingchen finally shed tears.
He took a deep breath, wiped away his tears, turned around and walked back to the dragon throne to face his ministers.
At this moment, the crybaby boy finally disappeared, and in his place came the true master of the Great Battle.
"Granted!"
Shen Xingchen's voice trembled slightly, yet remained incredibly firm, "I hereby bestow upon the Imperial Uncle the title of... the Carefree Prince, and grant him... ten thousand taels of gold and ten thousand acres of fertile land! He shall be permitted... to leave the capital for recuperation!"
"Court adjourned!"
...
The Regent's Palace.
When Shen Jin returned to the main courtyard feeling relaxed, Jiang Mianmian was directing all the servants in the mansion to carry out an unprecedented massive relocation.
"That beanbag chair! I have to take it with me! It's my life!"
"Is this box of silver notes sealed properly? Keep it close to your body! Don't lose it!"
"And that frying pan! That's my battle armor! Take it with you!"
The courtyard was piled high with boxes and trunks of all sizes, as if people were fleeing a disaster or emptying out the palace.
"The prince is back?"
Jiang Mianmian's eyes lit up when she saw Shen Jin, and she pounced on him like a little bird. "How did it go? Did your resignation get approved? Did that little emperor cry?"
Shen Jin caught her and casually pinched her cheek.
"Approved."
He pulled a bright yellow imperial edict from his sleeve and casually tossed it on the table. "From today onwards, I am a carefree 'unemployed vagrant' with no official duties."
"yeah--!!!"
Jiang Mianmian let out a screeching sound like a groundhog.
[Retired! Finally retired!]
No more worries about assassination! No more early mornings! No more having to put up with those old fogies!
The world is so big, I can finally go see it!
"When are we leaving?" Jiang Mianmian asked impatiently.
"Now?" Shen Jin raised an eyebrow.
"Now?"
Jiang Mianmian glanced at the things filling the yard, "But... we haven't finished packing all this stuff yet! And Tuantuan, that kid is still sleeping!"
"You don't need to bring too much stuff."
Shen Jin glanced at the boxes. "Take some money and a few changes of clothes. That should be enough. As for the rest... we can buy them when we get there."
This is the source of the arrogance of the nouveau riche.
"As for Tuantuan..."
Shen Jin pointed to the side, "Ying Yi has already packed him up."
Yingyi was carrying a specially made basket on her back, inside which was Xiaotuantuan, who was still fast asleep and clutching a gold brick in her arms.
"Then... what will happen to this manor?" Jiang Mianmian was a little reluctant, after all, she had lived here for so many years.
"Keep it."
Shen Jin took her hand and looked around at the place that held countless memories for them. "When we're tired of playing, we can come back anytime we want."
"This will always be home."
Jiang Mianmian felt a warmth in her heart.
yes.
Home is wherever he is.
"Okay! Let's go then!"
Without further hesitation, Jiang Mianmian slung the small bundle full of silver notes over her shoulder. "Let's—elope!"
"elopement?"
Shen Jin chuckled, “This is called… traveling the world.”
...
Half an hour later.
An extremely understated yet extremely comfortable carriage quietly drove out of the south gate of the capital.
There were no ceremonial guards, no crowds seeing them off.
Only Yingyi, who was rushing to catch the train, and a family of three inside the train.
Jiang Mianmian leaned against the window, watching the city walls of the capital gradually recede into the distance, and a strange sense of emotion suddenly welled up in her heart.
When she arrived, she was in a bridal sedan chair, filled with fear and only wanting to live. When she left, she was in a horse-drawn carriage, overflowing with love and only wanting to live.
Is this the meaning of time travel?
"What are you thinking about?"
Shen Jin fed her the peeled orange.
"I'm thinking..." Jiang Mianmian chewed on an orange, her eyes crinkling with a smile, "Where should we eat first?"
"Jiangnan".
Shen Jin replied without hesitation, "Now is the perfect time to eat crabs. And... I've had the gardens there filled with your favorite osmanthus trees."
Wow! Sweet lotus root with osmanthus! Osmanthus cake! Osmanthus duck!
Jiang Mianmian's mouth watered instantly.
"Tuantuan is awake!"
Just then, the little one in the basket woke up, rubbing his eyes and groggily calling out, "Mother... Rou Rou..."
Jiang Mianmian and Shen Jin exchanged a glance and laughed at the same time.
"Okay, let's eat meat."
"Let's go, as a family, and eat our way around the world!"
The carriage gradually disappeared into the distance in the afterglow of the setting sun, leaving behind a string of cheerful bells.
The turbulent changes in the capital and the intrigues in the court were no longer relevant to them.
The era of the regent's prudence has come to an end.
But the happy life that belongs to Shen Jin and Jiang Mianmian has only just begun.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com