(The Finale)
Outside the Lin family's gate, a solemn and dignified scene unfolded. In front, civil and military officials, dressed in magnificent court robes, stood solemnly. Behind them was a well-organized army, their disciplined bearing and imposing presence completely surrounding the alleys around the Lin family's residence.
All eyes were focused on the Lin family's slightly worn-out front door, their minds filled with a myriad of thoughts.
Some people sighed to themselves, "I never expected that a true dragon would be hiding in this place."
Someone said regretfully, "If I had known the throne would fall into the hands of the former crown prince's son, I would have treated him better in the past!"
...
Prime Minister Xiao first straightened his clothes, then took a few steps to the door. He raised his hand and gently knocked on the door, shouting loudly, "Open the door! We've come to welcome you into the palace."
Behind the gate, Lin Daoyan and Zhao Canchen exchanged a glance, both somewhat at a loss.
Upon seeing this, Lin Yajun quickly said, "Father, open the door quickly! It's the Prime Minister leading all the officials to welcome the new emperor." Her face was beaming with smiles, but her gaze was fixed on Zhao Canchen.
As if waking from a dream, Lin Daoyan staggered towards the door. He stopped in front of the door, hesitated for a moment, and finally reached out and slowly pushed the door open.
As the gate opened, the outside world came into view.
Lin Daoyan glanced around and saw that the gate was filled with officials in their official robes. The sight was so magnificent that he was astonished and took a few steps back before standing aside, his face pale.
Zhao Canchen appeared remarkably calm and composed. He held Lin Yajun's hand tightly, standing side by side, his bright eyes looking directly at the officials outside the door without uttering a word.
Upon seeing that the door was open, Prime Minister Xiao took out the imperial edict from his bosom, unfolded it, and read it aloud in a loud voice.
After reading it, he bowed and asked, "Your Highness, is the Imperial Seal in your possession?"
As if by magic, Lin Yajun secretly slipped the jade seal into Zhao Canchen's hand.
“The imperial seal is with me.” Zhao Canchen nodded to Prime Minister Xiao and held out his hand to show the imperial seal.
Upon seeing the imperial seal revealed, the Prince of Lu immediately took the lead in performing the grand salute of a subject to his nephew Zhao Canchen, saying, "Your subject pays his respects to Your Majesty."
One after another, the people behind them bowed down, saying, "Your subject pays respects to Your Majesty."
Amidst the bustling crowd, only the Imperial Son-in-Law Liu Shen stood quietly, his gaze fixed on Zhao Canchen, a look filled with joy and satisfaction.
His eyes were slightly moist, as if tears were welling up in them, but he held them back from falling.
Zhao Canchen and Liu Shen stared at each other. Suddenly, it seemed he understood something. A surge of emotion welled up in his heart, and his eyes gradually moistened. He said excitedly, "So, the person who has been silently protecting me all these years is actually you!"
Liu Shen smiled slightly at Zhao Canchen, a smile filled with boundless tenderness and care. Then, he bowed deeply and turned to leave. His steps were light, as if a great burden had been lifted from his shoulders.
Seeing this, Zhao Canchen quickly chased after him, his voice filled with pleading and entreaty: "Please stay, okay?"
Liu Shen stopped, turned around, looked at Zhao Canchen, gently shook his head, and said, "No..."
“If you don’t stay, I won’t take the position.” Zhao Canchen’s voice revealed an unshakable stubbornness. His gaze was fixed on the other person, expressing the deep-seated determination in his heart.
Liu Shen shook his head again, opening his mouth as if to persuade him.
Zhao Canchen lowered his voice slightly and continued, "You've protected me for so many years, giving me fatherly care. How could I let you go far away alone after I've risen to power?" His tone was full of sincere emotion, which moved everyone present.
Zhao Canchen's attitude became increasingly sincere, and he continued to plead, "You have protected me for many years; without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. In the days to come, please allow me to take care of you, okay?" These words were like a warm current flowing through the other person's heart.
Liu Shen remained silent for a moment, seemingly deep in thought.
Finally, he nodded and said, "Well... alright!" His voice carried a hint of helplessness, but more so, it showed his understanding of Zhao Canchen.
Upon seeing this, Zhao Canchen smiled with delight.
He then turned around, straightened his body, and stared intently at the officials present.
He raised his hands and said in a steady, resonant voice, "Rise, everyone."
Upon seeing this, the Prime Minister immediately took the lead in shouting, "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
A chorus of voices followed, thunderous and resounding throughout the capital, echoing for a long time.
"Let's go!" With a loud shout, a group of eunuchs and palace maids dressed in gorgeous clothes stepped forward in unison to help the new emperor put on his brand-new dragon robe, and then surrounded him like stars around the moon.
In the bustling crowd, the new emperor's figure, dressed in a yellow dragon robe, stood out conspicuously.
Just as the new emperor was about to be escorted away by the crowd, he suddenly stopped.
All eyes turned to him, and he turned around and tightly held Lin Yajun's hand, showing that he didn't want to be separated from her. Lin Yajun obediently stepped forward and also held Zhao Canchen's hand tightly, and the two walked side by side.
This scene was witnessed by all the officials present, who secretly pondered: it turns out that the new emperor's most trusted and beloved person is actually Lady Lin.
And so, Zhao Canchen entered the palace amidst the greetings of the officials and ascended the throne that symbolized supreme power.
After ascending the throne, the new emperor first issued an edict granting amnesty to the entire country and reducing taxes for three months, which brought new vitality and hope to the whole country.
Immediately afterwards, the new emperor issued an edict to bury the late emperor in the underground palace, in order to express his respect and remembrance for the late emperor.
The new emperor then issued an edict to confiscate the property of the Duke of Enguo, who had murdered the late emperor, as punishment for their crimes.
When the Duke of Enguo was lifted from his bed, people were surprised to find that he had been dead for some time.
This result makes one sigh at the impermanence of life and the ultimate retribution for good and evil.
The new emperor also punished the deceased Prince Song for "treason," demoting him to a commoner, confiscating his property, and stripping him of his throne and fiefdom.
The sons and grandsons of the Song emperor were also implicated and expelled from the capital to clean the imperial tombs in order to apologize to their ancestors.
Finally, the new emperor ordered the princess's residence to be demoted. However, out of respect for Liu Shen, the new emperor did not confiscate the princess's property, but only demoted the princess's two sons to commoners.
Only after the late emperor's coffin was placed in the underground palace did the new emperor officially issue an edict to hold a grand ceremony of bestowing titles and honors.
Lady Lin was made empress, wielding power over the six palaces and becoming the mistress of the harem.
Her family also gained great honor as a result; her father, Lin Daoyan, was granted the title of Duke of Zhongguo, a position of great prominence. Her mother was a first-rank imperial consort, and she could enter the palace to see the Empress at any time.
Lin's younger brother, Lin Songhao, was even more remarkable. At a young age, he was appointed as the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard, an unprecedented honor, making him the youngest deputy commander of the Imperial Guard in history.
Liu Shen was granted the title of a king of a different surname, with the honorary title of King Qi'en. This was undoubtedly a high recognition and reward for him.
Xiao Yu was originally the prime minister. Now, he was first granted the title of Duke of Zhenguo by the new emperor, then dispatched to guard the western border, shouldering the heavy responsibility of protecting the country. Finally, he was even granted the title of King of Jieding, which can be described as a great honor.
This series of rewards did not surprise everyone too much, after all, Lin and Xiao Yu had made significant contributions to the new emperor's ascension to the throne.
What truly astonished the officials was that the new emperor actually decreed that the throne of Prince Lu would be hereditary, something that had never happened before.
Ren Chuanhu was enfeoffed as the Marquis of Ding'an and appointed as the commander of the Imperial Guard.
The two Generals Huang were actually loyal to the late Crown Prince in private, and the brothers were promoted to the rank of second-grade generals.
Lin Daowei was promoted to a third-rank general for his meritorious service in helping Xiao Yu. After returning home, he excitedly told his wife, "I had long seen that my eldest niece had the appearance of bringing good fortune to her husband and family."
...
Those who were loyal to the court were all promoted or rewarded.
To the astonishment of everyone inside and outside the palace, the wealth that had been lost from the palace had actually returned.
This instilled awe in everyone towards the new emperor: His Majesty is no ordinary man; he possesses divine power!
When the new emperor held court, he addressed all his officials, saying, "I am a person who rewards and punishes fairly. I hope you will all work diligently in your official duties and bring benefits to the people! If you are a good official who serves the people, you will be promoted faster!"
"As you command, Your Majesty! Long live the Emperor!" the officials shouted excitedly. They saw hope; as long as they performed well, they could be promoted at will, without having to form cliques and fight for power.
After court, Zhao Canchen returned to the inner palace and couldn't wait to see his empress. He held Lin Yajun's hand, his eyes filled with deep affection.
He said gratefully, "Ah Jun, without you, I wouldn't be where I am today. I've only just realized how talented you are!"
Then Zhao Canchen said gently, "Being able to share the world's riches and honors with my beloved wife is the happiest thing in my life."
Lin Yajun nestled quietly in the new emperor's arms, feeling his warmth and love.
Her voice was soft and affectionate: "Whether you are a high-ranking emperor or an ordinary poor person, you are the person I love most."
The new emperor was deeply moved. He gently kissed Lin Yajun's forehead and said with anticipation, "Let's first manage the government together and seek benefits for the people. When our son is born and grows up, I will pass the throne to him as soon as possible. Then, my wife and I can travel the world together, appreciate the beauty of the world, and be a loving and harmonious couple."
Upon hearing this, Lin Yajun smiled with delight.
She gently stroked her belly and said softly, "My husband, I have good news to tell you. I am pregnant with our child!"
"Really?" Upon hearing this, the new emperor was overjoyed, even more so than if he had been granted the throne.
“Really!” Lin Yajun nodded at him.
Zhao Canchen reached out and hugged Lin Yajun tightly, saying excitedly, "This is wonderful! Yajun, you're going to be a mother, and I'm going to be a father!"
Lin Yajun nestled in his arms, her face beaming with happiness as she exclaimed, "It's so wonderful that I can give birth to a child who looks like both you and me! This is the fruit of our love and the greatest blessing in our lives!"
Her voice was soft and full of love, and every word she spoke contained endless tenderness and joy.
Hearing her words, Zhao Canchen felt a surge of warmth in his heart. He hugged Lin Yajun tightly and murmured affectionately, "The greatest blessing in my life is meeting you, marrying you, and having our child. From now on, I am no longer alone and have a warm home in this world!"
"My husband, that's what I think too!" Lin Yajun said with emotion, murmuring softly, "I'm so lucky to be here, so lucky to marry you, so lucky to have our child. From now on, I have a home!"
The two looked up, their eyes met, and they gazed at each other with deep affection, like a clear spring flowing with endless tenderness and longing.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the whole world consisted of just the two of them.
Then, they turned their heads at the same time and looked at the colorful clouds.
The clouds drifted in the sky, changing into various shapes, sometimes like a soaring eagle, sometimes like a blooming flower.
Looking at those beautiful clouds, they seemed to see a bright future, filled with hope and anticipation for the time to come.
They believe that no matter how many difficulties and challenges they may encounter in the future, they will join hands to overcome every obstacle, create a happy life together, and give their children a warm and joyful home!
----------------------The End---------------------
The couple were full of expectations for the future.
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