Chapter 124 Ceremony 1
Three star-shaped glass lamps hung on the dome of the dressing room in the palace. The pale golden light sprinkled on the gilded mirror in the hall, reflecting Karen's tall but somewhat anxious figure.
He stood in front of a custom-made dress mirror, and two attendants behind him were carefully tying a gilded belt around his waist. The embossed pattern on the belt buckle perfectly matched the royal emblem.
Two attendants were kneeling in front of him, carefully adjusting the hem of his royal star-patterned dress.
The dress was woven with gold silk, a specialty of the empire, and the cuffs and hems were embroidered with star patterns that flickered as she moved. Each pattern emitted a light blue halo as she moved.
"Hurry up!" Karen raised her hand to push away the servant's overly cautious hand, and tugged at the imperial star emblem on her collar.
The three-dimensional holographic projector is inlaid with diamonds. By pressing the button on the side, a miniature version of the empire's territory can be projected.
"Increase the power of this emblem so that everyone can see it clearly during the coronation ceremony."
The servant nodded quickly, took out an energy calibrator from his tool kit, and tapped it lightly on the emblem a few times. The originally light blue halo instantly deepened a few degrees.
Karen looked at her image in the mirror with satisfaction, her eyes swept over her own face in the mirror, the excitement in her eyes could hardly be hidden,
All the annoyance caused by trivial matters was largely diluted by the power that was about to be obtained.
"Your Highness, the head of the Lin family has arrived." A guard's announcement came from outside the palace.
Karen raised her hand to let all the attendants leave, adjusted the shoulder line of her dress, and then said in a deep voice, "Let him in."
"Good day, Your Highness." Lin Zhixiong's voice came from the palace gate. He was wearing dark purple aristocratic clothing and approached calmly.
When his eyes swept over Karen's figure in the mirror, a trace of calculation flashed across his eyes, and then quickly disappeared.
Karen raised her hand and stroked the embroidery on the neckline of her dress, her tone filled with uncontrollable pride:
"My Lord Father-in-law, I am where I am today thanks to your planning. After I am crowned, I will grant the Lin family the seat in Parliament that they desire."
The holographic mirror in the dressing room emitted a cold white light, illuminating Karen's royal dress in every detail.
The imperial coat of arms embroidered on the fabric and the gems inlaid on the collar shimmered with his movements, every detail highlighting the power he was about to gain.
Out of Karen's sight, Lin Zhixiong approached with a box in his hand.
"Your Highness, oh no, Your Majesty! Your Majesty, you are too kind."
Lin Zhixiong stopped, his tone was just right and humble, but his fingertips unconsciously stroked the box.
"The Lin family and Your Majesty are one. Helping Your Majesty ascend the throne is not only for the well-being of the family, but also for the greater good of the empire."
He looked up at the mirror, and saw Karen's smug smile that was barely concealed.
The calculations in his eyes were completely hidden by his drooping eyelids.
Karen, who was immersed in joy, obviously did not hear the deep meaning of the words. He held the royal sword in his hand.
He was looking at himself in the mirror, trying to find the most suitable angle to wear it. The gem on the scabbard reflected a dazzling light.
"My father-in-law is very thoughtful. After the ceremony, I will promote the Lin family to the first-class nobility of the empire. The three new seats in the parliament will all be controlled by the Lin family."
Lin Zhixiong bowed slightly and said words of thanks, his tone becoming more and more respectful, but he sneered in his heart.
Karen put down the sword in her hand, and suddenly seemed to remember something. She turned to look at Lin Zhixiong: "By the way, father-in-law, have you seen Ruhui today?"
He paused, his tone adding a touch of deliberate emphasis.
"Although today is my coronation day, Ruhui is my princess consort and the legitimate queen.
The ceremony for the queen should have been held in a few days, but it would be inconvenient to disturb her since she is already in the advanced stage of pregnancy.
After the ceremony, I will give Ruhui a name first, and then hold the ceremony after the child is born. What do you think?
After all, I can’t be where I am today without the support of my father-in-law and the Lin family.”
These words sounded like a show of concern, but in fact they were a reminder to Lin Zhixiong: Don't forget that your daughter is still in my hands, and the Lin family's support cannot be interrupted.
Lin Zhixiong knew what was going on, but a gentle smile appeared on his face:
"Your Majesty, rest assured. I have already met Ruhui. She will attend the ceremony in the most appropriate manner."
He paused and added,
"I have already instructed her to stand quietly behind His Majesty today, not to say anything she shouldn't say, and not to do anything she shouldn't do. She has always been sensible and will not cause any trouble for His Majesty."
"Just be sensible."
Karen nodded with satisfaction and adjusted her collar in front of the mirror.
"As long as my father-in-law always stands by my side, the glory of the Lin family will only grow stronger."
Lin Zhixiong said "of course" and then showed Karen a square box inlaid with ebony and silver.
The surface of the box was carved with twined branch patterns, and the corners were inlaid with tiny white crystals. It shone with a warm luster under the soft light in the hall, just like the smile on his face at the moment, without any sharpness.
"Today is the coronation day. I have carefully selected treasures for you to present to you. This is the Lin family's gift to the new emperor."
As he spoke, Lin Zhixiong raised his hand and opened the ebony box. The box was padded with dark golden velvet, and a pigeon blood ruby brooch lay quietly in the center.
There was not a single impurity in the clear red color, and it shone with an almost scorching luster under the light, as if a handful of solidified flames were sealed in the crystal.
The base of the brooch is gilded and carved with intricate patterns.
It looks like an ordinary aristocratic ornament, but only when you get close to it can you faintly smell a very light scent similar to cedar.
That was the trace of the evaporation of a special neurotoxin, which was wrapped in a micro sustained-release device in the base of the gem and would not spread without body temperature.
Karen's eyes were instantly drawn to the gem. She raised her hand and picked up the brooch from the box. Her fingertips stroked the cool surface of the gem, and the pride in her tone intensified.
"This ruby's red is striking, fitting for today's occasion. My father-in-law is very thoughtful."
"As long as Your Majesty likes it." Lin Zhixiong bowed slightly, but his fingertips secretly pressed the microcontroller in his sleeve.
The toxin release valve in the base of the brooch has quietly opened, waiting for Karen to pin it on her dress.
Body temperature will cause toxins to slowly penetrate the skin along the fabric fibers, and soon the symptoms of heart failure will gradually appear without anyone noticing.
"This gem is now being used for His Majesty's coronation, which is truly the best use of it. This is the Lin family's sincerity."
Karen was satisfied with what she heard. She raised her hand and pinned the brooch on the left chest of her dress, which was just above her heart, so the toxin would penetrate faster.
Lin Zhixiong smiled as he watched Karen pin the brooch on the left lapel of her dress. There was calculation in his eyes hidden under satisfaction, and his hands were quietly clenched in his sleeves.
What he wanted was not the Lin family's seat in parliament, but to use Karen to get rid of the old emperor.
Then use the poison in this brooch to kill Karen suddenly, and finally support the newborn heir to succeed to the throne. The Lin family will then be able to control the entire empire in the name of regent.
At this moment, the brooch was already on Karen, and his plan was only one step away.
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The lights in the banquet hall became brighter and brighter, and melodious interstellar classical music echoed under the dome, mixed with the whispers of the nobles.
Lin Yao changed the person he was serving this time. There were three cups of starberry juice neatly stacked on the tray.
The cup wall was covered with fine ice mist, and an edible star-petaled flower floated on the rim. It was one of the drinks specially prepared for female participants at the royal banquet.
He walked steadily among the guests, the hem of his waiter's uniform swaying slightly with his movements.
He had a perfectly respectful smile on his face, but his eyes were always paying attention to the movements around him. Everything was progressing according to their plan.
"Please enjoy your meal."
Lin Yao handed a cup of starberry juice to a countess in a pearly white dress. As he bowed, he caught a glimpse of a slight commotion coming from the entrance of the banquet hall.
It was General Cang's family that arrived, that is, Cangye's family and his parents.
General Cang Lin, leading the troops, was dressed in a dark grey Imperial Army uniform. The golden star emblems on his epaulettes stood out under the bright lights. His upright posture, etched with the weight of years of battle, carried an undeniable majesty.
Madam Cang beside him was wearing a dark purple long dress embroidered with gold, and a complete set of pearl jewelry. Her every move revealed the elegance and dignity of a superior.
Following behind them was Cangye, who was wearing a slim-fitting black casual suit. Compared to his father's dignified demeanor, he had a more youthful agility.
Behind Cangye, Delinwei and Lin Ya were being supported by maids. It was more of a formality than a support.
Lin Yao stood there holding the tray, his fingertips rubbing the edge of the tray lightly.
De Linwei wore a light pink maternity dress, with a pair of exquisite low-heeled shoes visible under the skirt.
Although her belly was slightly bulging, her steps were not at all slow, and she even walked more steadily than the maid beside her.
Lin Ya chose a mint green long skirt with a loose ribbon tied around her waist, and her pregnancy was also obvious.
But she was not as cautious as an ordinary pregnant woman. Instead, she turned her head from time to time and said something to Delinwei, with a competitive tone in her voice.
The maids beside the two of them were carrying small floating insulated boxes, which were obviously prepared for pregnant women, but judging from their conditions, it seemed that they were completely useless.
A waiter came forward at the right moment to greet the Cang family and ask if they needed any warm drinks suitable for pregnancy.
General Cang couldn't answer this question, and Madam Cang just said, "Ask them yourself!"
After saying that, the two of them walked forward and started greeting their acquaintances, not paying any attention to the three people behind them.
The waiter looked at the two pregnant women, but Cangye impatiently said "No need" before they could answer.
These two words stopped the two people who were about to say something and looked at Cangye who had already followed General Shangcang.
Delinwei coughed lightly, and the corners of her mouth curved up: "Thank you, I'm fine, I'm not that squeamish."
As soon as the words fell, Lin Ya quickly took over: "That's right, I walked around the courtyard twice yesterday, and I was more agile than before."
As the two spoke, their eyes met inadvertently, and they both saw a hint of unwillingness to admit defeat in each other's eyes.
Even though they were both pregnant, they still wanted to compete with each other, as if whoever was a little weaker would be at a disadvantage.
Seeing this scene, Lin Yao couldn't help but raise his eyebrows. Isn't Lin Ya Cangye's favorite? Has she become a mosquito blood so quickly?
The last time Lin Yao saw Cangye’s impatient expression was at his wedding with De Linwei.
Someone happened to need a drink and called him.
Lin Yao shook his head slightly, then put on a smile and said to the customer who needed a drink, "Wait a moment."
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