In similar situations, long-lost memories emerge.

When he ascended the throne in his previous life, Yin Chengyu had also asked this question. However, at that time, it was Xue Shu who took the initiative and pressed forward step by step.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, you finally got what you wanted. On this auspicious day, I wonder if Your Majesty would allow my family to fulfill their long-cherished wish as well?"

"As a factory official, I am already second to none, what other wishes do I have?"

At that time, the two of them had contradictory positions and never made clear what they were thinking. He took a step forward, and he took a step back.

"Your Majesty knows exactly what I want."

"I'm afraid I can't give you what the factory manager wants."

At that time, Xue Shu asked him "Can't afford it, or don't want to give it?" He avoided answering, simply because he didn't have the answer in his heart.

Humans are not plants, and it is impossible for him to remain indifferent after years of entanglement and sharing hardships. However, reason always restrains him and makes him hesitate to move forward.

He can't afford to make the wrong choice, both publicly and privately.

The greatest indulgence was to spare his life out of selfishness before dying.

Yin Chengyu stared at him, her pearls swaying gently, her drooping eyes faded. Gone was the cold and calmness of the past, and now there was tenderness flowing out. Like a bright moon that was finally full, the moonlight pouring down gently enveloped the person in front of her.

Xue Shu looked into those eyes filled with the gentle moonlight, and in a trance he had the illusion that he was being indulged.

It seemed that at this moment, no matter what he asked for, it would be met.

He was completely immersed in the lingering moonlight that belonged only to him. The wounds and wrinkles on his heart that had accumulated over the years were smoothed out bit by bit. The joy that arose spontaneously was beating in his chest, and his heartbeat was stronger than ever before.

But he is not as impatient as before.

He held Yin Chengyu's hand, kissed the back of his hand devoutly, then stood up and lowered his head to kiss his forehead. His dry and hot lips brushed across his trembling eyelashes, the slightly curled nose tip, and finally pressed against his plump and red lips with great care.

The kiss was like a dragonfly touching the water, without any hint of love or desire. It was like touching an unexpected dream, which would be shattered if it was too hasty or too heavy.

Yin Chengyu tilted her face slightly to respond to his kiss, letting him hold her, feeling the arms clasped around her waist tightening slightly.

He never opened his mouth from beginning to end, as if he was patiently waiting for the other party's answer.

Xue Shu buried his face in the crook of his neck and took a deep breath, his nostrils filled with his unique scent mixed with snow pine.

After a long while, he finally spoke: "I have no other request, I only hope to be with Your Majesty forever in the future. I wish I could be like a star and you could be like the moon, shining brightly every night. The moon is dim, but the stars are always bright. Wait until the moon is bright again, and we will be full together on the third and fifth day of the lunar month."

"The moon is dim, but the stars are always bright."

Yin Chengyu murmured softly, pressed his lips close to his, opened his lips with the tip of his tongue, and exchanged a lingering kiss with him before saying, "I agree."

…

The two of them stayed in the inner room for a while. Xue Shu tidied up his somewhat messy clothes before calling the others in.

After everything is ready, the auspicious time will soon arrive.

The Supervisory Office of the Monks and Treasures had already displayed the throne and treasure case at the Huangji Gate. The Jiaofang Office played the Zhonghe Shao music, with eight tones overlapping and the sound of jade and gold.

When the drums of the Qintianjian were sounded, the young emperor, wearing a dragon robe and wearing Dai Yumian, walked out of the Linzhi Gate, surrounded by many palace servants.

All the palace maids of Ciqing Palace lined up on both sides of the road and knelt down to pay homage to Yin Chengyu when he passed by.

The officials from the Ministry of Rites who had been waiting early received the sacrificial text from Yin Chengyu, held it in both hands and went to the Altar of Land and Grain and the Imperial Ancestral Temple to inform the ancestors.

When the second drum sounded, Yin Chengyu guarded the Huangji Gate.

At this time, all civil and military officials had already put on court robes and entered the Meridian Gate under the guidance of officials from the Honglu Temple. They stood on both sides of the road and paid homage to the new emperor in the Meridian Gate Square.

Yin Chengyu lowered his eyes. From the Huangji Gate, the huge crowd of palace maids and court officials spread out like splashing water, one layer on top of another, until they reached the palace gate.

There are countless people kneeling at his feet. These people are the water that can overturn the imperial power, and they are also the cornerstone that can carry his ideals and ambitions.

Yin Chengyu's heart was beating fast, and the jade beads hanging from Yu Mian swayed slightly. He subconsciously glanced sideways at Xue Shu who was half a step behind.

Coincidentally, Xue Shu was also looking at him intently.

The two of them looked at each other briefly, and Yin Chengyu curled his lips and smiled slightly.

This is where his journey in this life begins.

The road to becoming an emperor is difficult, but there is one person who will always be by his side.

After coming down from Huangji Gate, Yin Chengyu had to go to Huangji Palace to accept congratulations from civil and military officials, and then the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Household Department would read out the edict of accession to the throne in public to make it known to the world.

The eunuch who now holds the seal of the Imperial Household Department is Xue Shu. He is wearing a scarlet dragon robe and has a solemn look. He holds a bright yellow imperial edict in his hand and slowly unfolds it, reading out in front of the crowd:

"The Emperor, by the Mandate of Heaven, proclaims: 'Emperor Hongwei, who received the mandate of Heaven, founded the great foundation, and has performed divine and holy deeds... The palace is in danger of extinction one day... It cannot be left empty for long, and the family line cannot be without a master. The princes have unanimously chosen me to succeed them. I will follow the will of the people and ascend the throne in the Imperial Palace on the sixth day of the sixth month of this year... The first day of the first month of next year shall be the first year of the Yongguang reign, and a general amnesty shall be issued to make a new beginning. From dawn on the sixth day of the sixth month, all criminals, including those not pardoned by the regular amnesty, shall be pardoned. This announcement shall be made throughout the country and abroad, and the envoys shall be informed." [1]

After the imperial edict was read out to the world, Yin Chengyu was no longer the heir to the throne, but the legitimate new emperor.

Xue Shu put away the imperial edict and knelt down to kowtow.

After him, all the ministers knelt down one after another, shouting "Long live the emperor" with the sound like the tide, one after another.

After the coronation ceremony, everything gradually got back on track.

Many aspects are similar to when he was the crown prince and regent, but there are also many aspects that are very different from before.

For example, during grand court meetings, he could sit upright on the dragon throne, overlooking the ministers from across the high platform, taking in all of their actions and expressions.

——This was the first grand court meeting after he ascended the throne.

As the saying goes, a new emperor appoints new ministers. Although Yin Chengyu had dealt with many officials when he was still the crown prince, things would always change after he became the emperor. So some cunning officials were eager to test the new emperor's bottom line.

Yin Chengyu looked at the officials who came out, his expression and tone were indifferent, and no emotion could be heard: "I am very grateful to Shao Ci Fu for his dedication, but firstly, Xie Wendao's case of cheating in the imperial examination has not been investigated yet, and we still need to avoid danger. Secondly, I heard that Shao Ci Fu is ill and is recuperating. He even ignored the summons from the Dali Temple. I think he is seriously ill. In this case, let Shao Ci Fu rest more."

When he mentioned "rest", he deliberately emphasized the word.

After the retrial of Xie Wendao's case, Shao Tian returned home under the pretext of avoiding suspicion. He originally wanted to retreat in order to advance, but he never expected that a series of palace coups would lead to the death of Emperor Longfeng and the rapid ascension of Yin Chengyu to the throne. His "avoiding suspicion" turned into an indefinite rest, and now he was in a difficult situation.

Not to mention that Xie Wendao's case was tried by the Dali Temple, the Ministry of Justice, the Censorate and the three departments, and with the assistance of the Dongchang, under heavy pressure, a number of officials were implicated.

If we continue investigating, we will soon find evidence of Shao Tian's guilt.

However, at this critical juncture, Shao Tian was forced to stay at home to "recuperate" and was unable to contribute at all.

Under such double pressure, he was impatient and ordered Dang Yu to test Yin Chengyu's attitude at the first grand court meeting after the new emperor ascended the throne.

It’s a pity that although Yin Chengyu’s words sounded gentle, his attitude was unprecedentedly tough.

Several officials from the Shao faction who had stepped out to speak for Shao Tian retreated nervously, quietly exchanging glances, feeling uneasy in their hearts.

After the court meeting ended, the uneasiness reached its peak when the news came out that His Majesty had summoned Prime Minister Yu Huaian alone.

——In order to dispel the suspicion of Emperor Longfeng, Prime Minister Yu Huaian had submitted a letter of retirement long ago. However, Emperor Longfeng did not immediately agree due to many reasons. Later, Yu Huaian followed Yin Chengyu's advice to avoid the sharp edge, and simply claimed to be sick and no longer cared about the affairs of the court, and only held the title of Prime Minister.

Now that the new emperor has ascended the throne, the Yu family no longer has to keep a low profile. Yu Huaian, who had not attended court meetings for a long time, not only attended the court meetings in high spirits, but was also summoned individually afterwards.

The implication is obvious.

While the court officials were speculating, Yu Huaian was playing chess with Yin Chengyu in the Yangxin Palace.

Yu Huaian made a move and said, "Your Majesty has made up his mind to purge it?"

Emperor Longfeng reigned for more than ten years, but he was addicted to pleasure and neglected state affairs, which led to many officials in the court forming cliques to pursue private positions and eat for free.

"How can we bring vitality if the deep-rooted problems are not eliminated?" Yin Chengyu said.

"The court is in great need of talents right now. Grandfather, do you really not want to come back?"

Yu Huaian sighed and said, "I am old."

He looked at the young emperor with a mixture of love and awe in his eyes. He had raised this child by himself, and he understood his character and ambitions, so he did not want his closest in-laws to become a stumbling block to his great cause one day in the future.

"My eldest uncle has been in the Ministry of Works for many years, and it's time for him to move." Yin Chengyu saw that he was unwilling, so he didn't force him: "And my youngest uncle, outsiders only think he is a playboy, but I know that he is well-versed in military books and has learned martial arts. It's just right for him to go to the Five Armies Commandery to show his skills and help me sort things out."

The two uncles of the Yu family, one is a scholar and the other is a warrior, both are people of outstanding talents.

However, the Yu family is already the prince's maternal family, and Yu Huaian has sat in the high position of prime minister. It was really a situation of boiling oil on the fire, so the two had to hide their edge for the time being.

Now that Yu Huaian has stepped down, the two of them no longer have to hide their incompetence.

Yu Huaian had no objection to this arrangement: "It's time for them to serve the country."

Yin Chengyu pondered for a moment and made another move to block the opponent's retreat. But he suddenly changed the subject and turned back to Yu Huaian: "Grandfather has retired and is now at home with free time. Why don't you come to the palace more often to teach Qian'er? By this time next year, Qian'er should have started to learn."

The princes of the Great Yan Dynasty all started to learn early, but by this time next year, Yin Chengqian would not even be three years old.

Yu Huaian frowned and asked in confusion: "The Fifth Prince is still young, why are you in such a hurry to start his education?"

Moreover... he chose his words carefully and said, "According to the opinions of this old minister and the Queen Mother, the Fifth Prince does not need to be too outstanding in the future. It would be a great blessing for him to be a rich and leisurely prince. Your Majesty, why do you have to..."

He had not made his words very clear.

Yu Huaian served in three dynasties, rose to the position of Prime Minister, and was also honored as the Prince's Tutor.

Apart from Emperor Longfeng, the only person who could receive his personal teaching was Yin Chengyu.

The royal family is ruthless, even brothers from the same mother cannot guarantee that there will not be rifts in the future because of the throne. Therefore, neither Yu Huaian nor Queen Mother Yu wants Yin Chengqian to be too outstanding, so as to avoid his ambitions and quarrels between brothers in the future.

The time had not come yet, so Yin Chengyu did not explain it too clearly. He just smiled and said, "Grandfather, please be at ease. You will understand it in the future."

Yu Huaian knew that he had his own opinions, and although he still had doubts in his heart, he did not persuade him any further.