Although the palace banquet did not start until noon, when the morning light broke, the front of the Laifeng Kingdom Palace was already bustling with traffic and people.
The royal family, princes, nobles, and officials of the third rank and above who were invited to the palace banquet were all dressed in their finest attire and came with their families. They were all beaming, exchanging pleasantries and celebrating the full month of the Crown Princess' twins.
Today, the imperial palace of Laifeng Kingdom was festooned with lights and streamers, a scene of joy and celebration. The Baohua Hall, where the banquet was to be held, was adorned with magnificent brilliance and beauty. Palace attendants bustled about like butterflies, making final preparations for the impending banquet. As time passed, the hall was filled with fragrant aromas, and a dazzling array of delicacies filled the air, a lavish feast looming.
"Her Royal Highness, Her Royal Highness, has arrived!"
As the Si hour was coming to an end, the eunuch chief Guo Dongbing's high-pitched chanting voice, like the sound of a Huangzhong Dalu, was heard, and the originally noisy palace suddenly became quiet.
Then, Hua Qingcheng and Mu Lige, dressed in gorgeous court attire, arrived, flanked by a group of palace attendants. Behind them, held by Shu Mo and Li Xiang, were a pair of adorable twins, a boy and a girl. They were as delicate as jade and instantly captured everyone's attention.
Everyone in Baohua Hall stood up, first bowed to the Princess and the Princess's husband, and then extended their most heartfelt blessings to the two young princes. The atmosphere was warm and cheerful.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
Hua Qingcheng and Mu Lige had just taken their seats in the East Palace when Guo Dongbing's loud and clear singing voice was heard outside the Baohua Hall.
"Long live the emperor! Long live the emperor! Long, long live the emperor!"
When Nalan Yunzhi, wearing a yellow robe with a phoenix flying in colorful auspicious clouds and yellow-forged green-soled court boots, stepped into the Baohua Palace, it was the arrival of the emperor. Wherever he went, people shouted "Long live the emperor".
"My dear ministers, please stand up!" Nalan Yunzhi, who was sitting high on the throne, raised his hand slightly and made a gesture of supporting downwards.
"Thank you, Your Majesty!"
At this moment, the civil and military officials in the court finally got to see the true face of Nalan Yunzhi, who had not attended court for many days. However, everyone was shocked to find that although the emperor was present at the palace banquet today, his spirits were obviously not as energetic as before, and his face was slightly pale and gloomy.
All the officials in the court couldn't help but wonder, could it be that the emperor has really reached the end of his life?
As the saying goes, "a new emperor appoints his own ministers." If the current emperor truly passes away, what will they do next? Will they stick with their original camp, or seek higher ground and join other factions?
In a matter of moments, many officials in the court began to weigh the pros and cons of the Crown Princess and the other princesses, wondering whether they should support the Crown Princess or one of the other princesses...
After everyone stood up, Nalan Yunzhi winked at Guo Dongbing beside him, and Guo Dongbing understood. He slowly unfolded the imperial edict in his hand and read it aloud in the hall:
"By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims:
I have heard that the Crown Princess's legitimate daughter, Nalan Zetian, is exceptionally gifted, intelligent, and unconventional, a true prodigy; and that the Crown Princess's legitimate son, Su Muhongming, is quick-witted, kind-hearted, and of noble character, a true brilliance. Such a beautiful daughter and son are truly a blessing to our dynasty.
Today, I specially confer the title of Crown Prince's Granddaughter upon Nalan Zetian, grant her the treatment of a First-Rank Prince, and grant her 5,000 households of land. I hope she will be diligent in learning, cultivate herself and uphold virtue, inherit the royal bloodline, and bring glory to our ancestral family business.
At the same time, Su Mu Hongming was canonized as the Crown Prince, enjoying the treatment of a First-Rank Imperial Minister and rewarded with a thousand households of land. May he thrive in the future, become a pillar of the country, and work for the welfare of the people.
"So ordered!"
Guo Dongbing read the imperial edict loudly, his voice echoing throughout the palace. After he finished reading, he respectfully presented the edict to Hua Qingcheng.
"Thank you for your grace! Long live our emperor! Long live! Long live the emperor!" Hua Qingcheng and Mu Lige bowed and thanked the emperor Nalan Yunzhi on the throne, and happily accepted the imperial edict of enthronement that symbolized supreme honor.
The following ceremony was followed by the presentation of precious gifts by envoys from various countries. These envoys from all corners of the world brought with them all kinds of rare treasures as a token of their respect and blessings for the newly crowned Crown Princess and Crown Prince.
However, for the royal relatives, princes, nobles, and civil and military officials in Laifeng who had already entered the palace, they had already handed over the carefully prepared gifts to the eunuch officials who were responsible for counting and collecting them when they entered the palace.
Hua Qingcheng first accepted the gifts sent by envoys from various countries, including Zhaoyang Kingdom and Lengyue Kingdom. Then, after Hua Qingcheng finished her speech as the princess, she announced the official start of the palace banquet at noon.
Accompanied by the melodious, cheerful and exciting court music, a group of graceful and elegant dancers wearing colorful and gorgeous costumes came in as lightly as swimming fish and sang and danced in the center of the magnificent hall.
But seeing them dancing with graceful sleeves and elegant postures, their every move and gesture reveals their charming demeanor; their every frown and smile reveals their enchanting charm, which is pleasing to the eye and fascinating.
At this moment, the packed Baohua Hall was bustling with people: the guests were savoring delicacies such as mountain and sea delicacies, fine wines, and watching the exquisite singing and dancing performances with great interest.
For a while, laughter and joy echoed one after another, blessings were heard continuously, and praises lingered in the ears...
What a happy, warm and beautiful picture!
The adorable and cute Crown Prince and Crown Princess were dressed in exquisitely made, gorgeous and noble court gowns, and were carefully held in the arms of Shu Mo and Li Xiang respectively.
They were like two dazzling pearls, attracting the attention of everyone present. Members of the royal family gathered around them, gazing at the innocent little ones with fondness, and muttering words of praise from time to time.
My dear, there is more to this chapter. Please click on the next page to continue reading. It will be even more exciting later!
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