But the changes happened too quickly. Just as they finished their lunch, someone came to report: "The King of Nanyang wants to see you!"

Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen knew that Qin Yao was coming to the capital, and they also knew that he would arrive in the next two days. They didn't expect him to arrive so soon, a day earlier than expected.

If it was someone else, Gu Jue would have just left the other person alone, but since the person who came was Qin Yao, he had to meet him.

Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen looked at each other, and their eyes were filled with smiles, just like the sparkling surface of a lake.

Gu Jue smiled and said, "Let him come over here quickly."

There was obvious teasing and familiarity in this sentence, and one could tell at once that the friendship between Gu Jue and Qin Yao was different from that between an ordinary monarch and his subjects.

The middle-aged eunuch who came to report the news responded respectfully, not surprised at all.

It is said that Prince Chen and Prince Nanyang are as close as brothers. When Qin Yao was a hostage in the capital, he was very close to Gu Jue, who was the ninth prince at the time. Last year, Qin Yao was falsely accused of patricide, and Gu Jue defended Qin Yao against all odds.

The middle-aged eunuch understood what was going on and knew how to welcome Qin Yao later.

After a cup of tea, a noisy male voice broke the tranquility of the Qianqing Palace.

"Ninth Brother!" Qin Yao came in a hurry, with an overly bright smile on his face, "I came here specially to attend your coronation ceremony. Such an important day, no one can be absent, but I can't be absent, right?"

The young man in a purple robe looked exhausted, with his raven-black hair tied into a high ponytail. As he walked, the ponytail and his sleeves fluttered in the wind, showing off his unbridled style.

Hearing the news of the death of the late Emperor Gu Lang, he rushed to the capital from the northwest at full speed.

Shen Qianchen looked Qin Yao up and down. Even without taking his pulse, he could tell that Qin Yao's leg injury had completely healed.

When he left the capital last year, he was still in a wheelchair and had to travel secretly to avoid being seen. But this time, Qin Yao can finally come to the capital openly.

Shen Qianchen's eyes flickered slightly, and he curled his lips. In this life, he and she are both well.

When Qin Yao's eyes met Shen Qianchen's, his smile deepened, and he said with a bit of mischief and teasing: "Little Miracle Doctor... No, this time I should call you 'Ninth Sister-in-law'!"

Qin Yao smiled cynically, and sat down without Gu Jue's greeting. He poured himself some tea and drank half a cup in one breath. His eyes lit up, and he continued to pour himself some tea without stopping talking: "Sister-in-law Jiu, when Tang Yuchu went to the northwest and told me that Gu Lang was arranging a marriage between you and Jiu Ge, Jiu Ge was still hesitant at that time, but I guessed that this marriage would be a sure thing."

"I don't have many good qualities, but I have a very good intuition. As expected!"

Qin Yao spoke eloquently, and it would be more accurate to say that he was deliberately teasing Gu Jue rather than talking to Shen Qianchen.

"Should today be considered a recognition of family? Sister-in-law Jiu, my gift for meeting you cannot be small."

Qin Yao shamelessly asked for a gift and at the same time made faces at Gu Jue, unable to hide his teasing intent.

He felt that he really had a keen eye. When Sister-in-law Xiaojiu was treating his leg injury, he could see that his ninth brother treated Sister-in-law Xiaojiu in a special way.

Qin Yao was teasing Gu Jue on purpose, but Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen had seen a lot, and they didn't show any embarrassment at all because of Qin Yao's teasing. Both of them were calm and composed.

A more important reason is that both of them are used to Qin Yao's chatterbox.

Gu Jue turned to Shen Qianchen and said, "Qianchen, please prescribe a prescription for him."

Shen Qianchen nodded obediently, smiling sweetly: "Would you like more Coptis chinensis?"

Gu Jue: "Add if necessary."

Shen Qianchen: "That's right."

Qin Yao: “…”

Looking at the couple singing the same tune, Qin Yao shook his head, feeling that he had been fed a mouthful of greasy sugar before he even had time to eat the coptis.

Qin Yao smiled and said, "Brother Jiu, you are too cruel. I specially traveled thousands of miles to bring a 'meeting gift' to Sister Jiu."

He paused for a moment, but before Gu Jue could ask, he confessed, "I just got a batch of good horses, a total of 1,000. I went into the city first today, and the horses will arrive soon."

Speaking of horses, Shen Qianchen was also aroused and asked, "What horse?"

"Dayuan horses." Qin Yao was even more proud, and threw a coquettish glance at the two of them, "I robbed these horses from the Lin people, and originally wanted to send them to the north."

As he spoke, Qin Yao felt a little regretful, and couldn't help but say, "Originally, I have taken good care of the northwest. The northwest and the north can become a separate area. Brothers like you and I can work together and live a carefree life."

Qin Yao really wanted to lend a helping hand to Gu Jue in such a big event as forcing him to abdicate, but he was far away in the northwest and could not reach him, so he could only guard the northwest.

It was not until the situation in the capital city was settled that Qin Yao received a handwritten letter from Gu Jue, in which he learned that Gu Lang had passed away and Gu Nanjin was seriously injured but rescued by Shen Qianchen. It was still undecided who would ascend the throne next.

As the King of Nanyang stationed in the northwest, Qin Yao was not allowed to leave his base without permission, but he still secretly rushed to the capital from the northwest. His purpose was to ask Gu Jue in person what his next plans were.

Unexpectedly, before his people arrived in the capital, they heard that Gu Jue had issued an edict of accession to the throne, and the good news spread throughout the world.

Qin Yao was finally relieved, but he did not turn back to the northwest. He still made this trip. Anyway, he was here, so he might as well think of himself as being summoned by his ninth brother to the capital to attend the coronation ceremony.

Anyway, he has his ninth brother backing him up, so he is fearless.

Qin Yao quickly threw away the regret he had just felt, and said with a playful smile: "But it's even better now. The whole Da Qi belongs to Brother Jiu! From now on, I have you as my backer, and I can walk sideways."

He smiled brightly and looked very comfortable, just like before, without changing because of Gu Jue's rising status.

When the middle-aged eunuch outside heard these words, he couldn't help but sigh that the King of Nanyang was too bold, and every word he said was shocking.

There was laughter and joy inside, but the middle-aged eunuch had to go in and interrupt them: "Your Highness, the envoys of Dahao have just arrived outside the capital to congratulate your ascension to the throne."

The room suddenly became quiet.

Shen Qianchen raised his eyebrows thoughtfully, stretched out his finger and tapped lightly on the back of Gu Jue's hand.

Gu Jue understood what she meant and shook his head.

He had never heard before that Emperor Hao Uhadula was going to send an envoy to Da Qi. Now the relationship between Qi and Hao was really delicate. After all, the marriage between the two countries failed, and the Prince of Andaman died in Da Qi.

Gu Jue asked calmly, "Who is among the envoys?"

The middle-aged eunuch immediately replied respectfully, "It's Dahao's third prince Wuhelangnan and the second princess Shaye."

Now that he has arrived at the doorstep, he still has to meet him to see what kind of medicine Uhadula is selling in his gourd.

So, Gu Jue ordered: "Take the person to Wuying Palace."

The middle-aged eunuch withdrew. As for Gu Jue, he was not in a hurry to meet anyone. He asked Qin Yao, "Why don't you stay in Prince Chen's Mansion for the time being?"

"The one who understands me best is my ninth brother!" Qin Yao wished this was the case. He patted his butt, stood up and prepared to leave.

Before leaving, he even pestered Gu Jue to ask for Jueying to go with him. For this, he was so eloquent: "Ninth brother, it's a rare trip for me to the capital, can't I let Jueying accompany me?"

"Hey, I haven't seen Jueying for half a year."

"Brother Jiu, I will remember your kindness..."

“…”

Shen Qianchen thought that Qin Yao was a hopeless chatterbox. It was not until an incense stick later that she met the third prince Wuhelangnan and the second princess Shaye from Nanhao in Wuying Palace. She still felt her ears buzzing.

Wu Helangnan was about seventeen or eighteen years old, with deep eye sockets, a high nose bridge, clear features, tanned skin, and deep facial features that showed at first glance that he was not from the Central Plains.

The second princess, Saya, was of the same age as him. She was dressed in a white dress and had a veil covering her face, so her appearance could not be seen clearly. But just by looking at her green eyes, her smooth and beautiful forehead, and her tall and slender figure that appeared outside the veil, one could tell that she was a great beauty who was the most stunning among all the other girls.

Shen Qianchen was looking at the two visitors from Nanhao. At the same time, Wu Helangnan and Saya were also looking at Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen with complicated eyes.

The two of them approached as if nothing had happened and performed the Dahao etiquette towards Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen.

"Your Highness, Princess."

The brother and sister spoke a passable Qi dialect, with a peculiar emphasis when they spoke.

Wu Helangnan's smile was so attentive that it was almost flattering: "On behalf of my father Emperor Hao, my sister and I would like to congratulate His Royal Highness Prince Chen on his upcoming ascension to the throne. This is truly a joy for your country."

What he said seemed to mean that he came to Da Qi from Nanhao specifically to congratulate Gu Jue, which was a reasonable reason.

Throughout the history of Da Qi, there were also many small countries and tribes that were dependent on Da Qi who traveled thousands of miles to Beijing to congratulate the new emperor on his ascension to the throne, and also took the opportunity to establish diplomatic relations with the new emperor of Da Qi.

However, Gu Jue would not be easily fooled by Wu Helangnan's few words.

He looked directly at Wu Helangnan with a cold gaze, and first said something polite: "Emperor Hao is thoughtful."

"However, next time your country sends an envoy, it is better to follow the rules."

However, every time Emperor Hao Uhadula sent envoys to Qi, it was extremely unreasonable. The first time, Andaman entered the country secretly, and it was not until he arrived outside the capital that he revealed his identity as an envoy of Hao and asked for an audience. This time, the Uhadrannan brothers and sisters did the same.

Wu Helangnan: “…”

Saya: “…”

Wu Helangnan looked a little unhappy.

Of course they knew that this was against etiquette. Originally they came to Da Qi privately in order to secretly meet Gu Jue without Gu Lang's knowledge.

Halfway through the journey, they found out that Gu Jue had forced the emperor to abdicate just like their father, Emperor Uhaduro. Gu Lang died at the hands of Gu Jue, and the rule of the Great Qi Dynasty changed.

So, they hurried to the capital as fast as they could, hoping to make friends with Gu Jue.

Wu Helangnan suppressed his unhappiness, maintained a smile on his face, and said politely, "Your Highness Prince Chen is right."

"When I was in Hao Country, I heard that Your Highness was a genius, invincible in battle and invincible in attack. My father also often praised Your Highness as a rare genius in a century. I must catch up with Your Highness if I have the chance."

Wu Helangnan said a series of flattering words without changing his expression, and also talked about Gu Jue's mission to Nanhao, as if Gu Jue and Wu Heduluo hit it off at first sight.

Gu Jue originally thought that the other party would mention the death of Prince Andaman, but unexpectedly, the young Prince Nanhao was very patient and did not say a word about the Andaman envoy team "disappearing" in Da Qi.

If the other party didn't mention it, Gu Jue certainly wouldn't ask. He was too lazy to deal with him anymore, so he instructed the Minister of Rites, "Yang Xuanshan, the Third Prince Wuhe has come a long way, and he must be very tired. Please help me entertain this distinguished guest."

"Yes, Your Highness." Yang Xuanshan agreed, feeling overwhelmed. The Ministry of Rites has been busy day and night recently with the coronation ceremony and the empress enthronement ceremony, and now the Nanhao people want to make trouble! Saya quietly pulled Wuhelangnan's sleeve, but Wuhelangnan didn't even look at her. He thanked Gu Jue politely and said to Yang Xuanshan, "Then I'll trouble you, Lord Yang."

After sending away the brother and sister with ulterior motives, Gu Jue took Shen Qianchen out of the palace and ran to the residence to find Qin Yao, or rather, to see the batch of Dayuan horses that Qin Yao brought to the capital this time.

Although Qin Yao joked that this batch of Dayuan horses was a gift for Shen Qianchen, his ninth sister-in-law, everyone else believed that this batch of horses was a gift for Gu Jue's ascension to the throne. They couldn't help but sigh that this young King of Nanyang was really good at trying to please people.

Two days later, the rituals that were re-drafted by the Ministry of Rites were finally approved by Gu Jue. This was just the beginning. After that, the entire Ministry of Rites became even busier, and all the officials worked overtime every day to prepare for the coronation ceremony and the empress's establishment ceremony.

Over the next ten days or so, the capital city became increasingly bustling, with officials and civilians from various states flocking in from all directions, all for the coronation ceremony on the first day of May.

After everyone's eager anticipation, the first day of May finally arrived.

It was a sunny and cloudless day.

On that day, in order to celebrate the new emperor's ascension to the throne, many families gave up setting off firecrackers, and the sound of "crackling" firecrackers could be heard one after another.

On that day, the streets of the capital were packed with people, and streams of people flocked towards the imperial palace like birds flocking to a phoenix. Even though they could not see the new emperor ascending the throne, they still wanted to stand as close as possible to share in the joy.

Shen Qianchen got up very early today. She got up at daybreak and started to dress up.

Today she was going to wear a full set of formal clothes belonging to the queen. The dress was quite exquisite and complicated. The clothes and accessories had to be wrapped around her body layer by layer like a rice dumpling. She had to put on a Zhai robe on the outside, and then put on a side belt, a big belt, a leather belt, a bright red knee-guard and a shawl... and finally put on a pearl, jade, and gold filigree nine-dragon and four-phoenix crown.

After repeatedly confirming that there was nothing wrong with Shen Qianchen's clothes and jewelry, the maids and palace maids breathed a sigh of relief. Everyone was in a state of high tension and was sweating profusely.

At this time, a eunuch came in and winked, and an old maid carefully helped Shen Qianchen up: "Princess, it's time for you to go. His Royal Highness Prince Chen is waiting for you."

According to ritual system, the ceremony of establishing a queen should not be like this. The future queen should wait in her own residence to receive the edict from the new emperor, then kneel three times and kowtow nine times to receive the edict, and then go to the Hall of Supreme Harmony accompanied by officials from the Ministry of Rites. The emperor will wait in the Hall of Supreme Harmony for the queen to come and pay her respects.

However, at Gu Jue's request, the procedure of the ceremony was changed again and again, and it was changed to Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen setting out from the Qianqing Palace to the Taihe Hall together.

"The princess has arrived!"

As these four words sounded, Gu Jue, who was standing in the main hall, immediately looked over.

Today, Gu Jue was wearing a bright yellow robe and a crown with twelve tassels on his head. When he turned his head, the twelve strings of colorful jades swayed slightly in front of his handsome face like a bead curtain.

Gu Jue's gaze passed through the swaying tassels and looked at Shen Qianchen with burning eyes.

The girl's skin was as white as snow, her eyes were bright, her lips were as red as fire, and the Nine Dragon and Four Phoenix Crown on her head was inlaid with more than a hundred rubies and thousands of pearls, sparkling with bright light, making the girl's eyes shine brighter than the rosy clouds in the sky, making her breathtakingly beautiful.

Gu Jue looked at her straight, his eyes becoming brighter and brighter, and a tender smile couldn't stop overflowing from his eyes.

She was the only one in his eyes, and everything around him seemed to become blurry.

When she came to his side, he held out his hand to her, as usual, and said gently, "Let's go."

He smiled slightly, and his beautiful eyes and eyebrows were like rippling spring water, reflecting her shadow.

Shen Qianchen also habitually placed one hand gently on Gu Jue's palm, with ripples in his eyes, sparkling with dazzling brilliance.

To her, it made no difference where she was, as long as she was with him.

He is more important than her life.

It was so in the previous life, and it is still so in this life.

She knew, and she was sure, that her existence was equally important to him.

They will be together forever! The two held hands and walked out of the Qianqing Palace hand in hand.

In the back, the left assistant minister of the Ministry of Rites, who had gray hair and a stern face, was simply disgusted and wanted to tell Gu Jue that this was against etiquette.

He was sure that there was no such step in today's ceremony.

However, on such an important day, even if the Left Vice Minister of Rites felt that it was inappropriate, he could not say anything and could only let them do as they pleased.

A large red carpet extends all the way from the entrance of the main hall of the Qianqing Palace to the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The golden sunlight poured down, warming people's hearts. Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen bathed in the sunlight, walking forward slowly on the bright red carpet.

The palace was decorated with lights and lanterns, and everyone had a beaming smile on their face, with eyes only on this perfect couple.

Shen Qianchen walked forward slowly, with a smile on his lips and a calm expression, as if they were not going to attend the coronation ceremony, but just casually going out for a walk and admiring the flowers.

As they walked, they looked at each other from time to time, and a silent understanding flowed in the air around them.

Amid the melodious sounds of ceremonial music, the two arrived at the square in front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Civil and military officials were divided into two rows, kneeling on both sides of the imperial road, quietly waiting for the arrival of the emperor and empress.

The atmosphere in the square was solemn and dignified.

The couple walked hand in hand along the imperial road between the civil and military officials and went straight to the main hall of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

The threshold of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was very high. Gu Jue paused outside the threshold and whispered to Shen Qianchen, "Be careful."

All along the way, he was coordinating Shen Qianchen's steps, reminding her when to pay attention to her steps, and being careful and thoughtful.

At this time, he raised his hand slightly so that Shen Qianchen could hold his hand and step over the threshold.

This was just a threshold. Shen Qianchen was not so squeamish on weekdays. It was just that the Nine Dragons and Four Phoenixes crown on her head and the dress she was wearing were too heavy today, pressing her neck so hard that she could hardly straighten it.

She held Gu Jue's hand tightly, borrowed some strength, and carefully stepped over the high threshold, then looked up and smiled at him.

"Walk slower." Gu Jue slowed down his pace even more. He helped her walk through the main hall, then climbed the stairs, and then they sat on the high golden throne together.

The Left Vice Minister of Rites looked straight ahead, not even at the throne, and was exhausted both physically and mentally.

In the history of the Great Qi Dynasty, this position should have belonged to the new emperor alone, but Gu Jue insisted on sitting with his princess and accepting the kowtow of all officials.

The Ministry of Rites and the cabinet elders were all unable to persuade Gu Jue, so they could only let him do as he pleased. As long as the coronation ceremony could be completed smoothly, it would be fine.

Gu Jue and Shen Qianchen on the golden throne didn't even look down. They looked at each other with smiles on their faces. Their hands were still tightly clasped together, but now they intertwined their fingers, cuddling and caressing each other's body temperature.

Then, civil and military officials entered the Hall of Supreme Harmony in order of their rank, and stood in two rows in an orderly manner.

When the music stopped, after the officials from the Honglu Temple shouted "salute", those officials knelt down in unison and performed the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

"Greetings to our Emperor, long live the Emperor!"

"May the Queen live a thousand years and a thousand years!"

The ministers saluted respectfully in unison.

Today, the coronation ceremony of the new emperor and the ceremony of establishing the queen were held at the same time.

(End of this chapter)