The investiture ceremony for the new dynasty's empress was not held at the Temple of Heaven on Zijin Mountain, but rather at the Hall of Union within the imperial palace.
After the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Zhaowu of Tang, Chen Huai'an, was completed, the civil and military officials who had gathered at the Temple of Heaven on Zijin Mountain followed the emperor's dragon carriage back to the imperial city of Jinling and went to the Hall of Union to continue to participate in the investiture ceremony of the new empress.
Inside the magnificent and luxurious Hall of Union, officials from the Ministry of Rites had already directed the palace eunuchs and maids to complete the decorations, showcasing the grandeur of the imperial court.
In the center of the main hall, a golden dragon throne carved with dragon patterns is placed.
On one side of the dragon throne, there was a small and exquisite phoenix seat, covered with a brocade cushion embroidered with phoenix patterns. In front of the phoenix seat, there was also a golden jade table.
On the jade table were the jade book and gold seal that would be used for the investiture ceremony.
On the other side of the dragon throne, there was another small and exquisite phoenix throne. In front of the phoenix throne, there was also a jade table and a jade book and a gold seal that would be used for the investiture.
When Zhang Fu, the Minister of Rites, led the civil and military officials into the Hall of Union, the eyes of the court officials and generals were immediately drawn to the furnishings inside.
After a brief moment of surprise, there was more astonishment than anything else.
In the very center of the Hall of Union, a dragon throne and two phoenix seats were placed, the meaning of which was quite clear.
Could it be that the emperor is really going to "set a precedent in history by establishing empresses for the East and West Palaces"?
For a moment, the civil and military officials in the Hall of Union whispered among themselves.
The group, led by Liu Ziyu, the chief military commander of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, had faces as gloomy as livers, their sinister gazes fixed on the delegation of envoys from the Thirty-Six Kingdoms of the Western Regions opposite the main hall.
Meanwhile, Lukes, the representative of the delegation from the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, was not to be outdone, responding fiercely to Liu Ziyu's provocation with an extremely aggressive gaze.
Clearly, neither of the two princesses represents any power that is willing to submit to the other.
Only Liu Xinwu, the Prince of Wuning and the biological father of Princess Shujun, who was standing near the front of the hall, seemed to have noticed something amiss in the placement of the two phoenix thrones.
The phoenix throne on the right side of the dragon throne is clearly positioned further forward than the phoenix throne on the left side.
In the previous dynasty, and even in the dynasty before that, according to court etiquette, "the right was the place of honor."
At this moment, the shrewd and calculating Prince Wu Ning, Liu Xinwu, seemed to have understood Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an's intentions.
The third quarter of the hour of Si (9:45 AM).
On both sides of the vast Hall of Union, the right side was already crowded with civil and military officials arranged according to their official ranks, while the left side was occupied by envoys from the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, Tibet, Pyu, and the various vassal states of Nanyue. The hall was noisy and bustling.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
As Cai He, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, announced the news outside the main hall, the once noisy Jiaotai Hall fell silent. All the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries looked out of the hall.
Then, Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an, dressed in a golden five-clawed dragon robe, strode in, passing through the passageway between civil and military officials and envoys from various countries, and walked step by step up to the dragon throne in the Hall of Union and Harmony to take his seat.
His face was dignified and solemn, and his piercing gaze swept over the assembled officials in the hall.
Wherever his gaze fell, all the ministers lowered their heads, and not one dared to meet his eyes.
This, perhaps, is the majesty of an emperor!
Chen Huai'an thought to himself.
"The auspicious time has arrived—"
"The ceremony for the investiture of the Empress of the Tang Dynasty officially begins!"
The eunuch Cai He, in a shrill voice, announced the official start of the Empress's investiture ceremony.
He then produced the imperial edict personally written by Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, appointing the new dynasty's empress, and solemnly read it aloud in court: "By the mandate of Heaven, the Emperor decrees:"
"I have heard that Heaven and Earth are positioned to provide shelter and support; the sun and moon, receiving the mandate of Heaven, symbolize eternal prosperity; the Empress's position is that of a model for the royal family, a mother to the nation, presiding over the inner palace, and crucial to the stability of the nation and the harmony of the family."
"Liu Shujun, daughter of the Prince of Wuning, comes from a distinguished family in Zhongxiang. She is a woman of both virtue and talent, and is truly the only suitable candidate for Empress..."
brush!
When Cai He, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, read out the imperial edict stating that Liu Shujun, the daughter of Prince Wuning, was the only suitable candidate for Empress of the Tang Dynasty, all the civil and military officials in the Hall of Union, who had been bowing their heads and holding their breath, suddenly raised their heads and looked at the front of the hall.
Standing at the foot of the steps of the Hall of Union, just a few steps away from the eunuch Cai He who was delivering the imperial edict, Prince Liu Xinwu of Wuning finally felt the weight of his heart, which had been hanging in his throat, fall back into his stomach.
The look in his eyes as he gazed at Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, held a touch of gratitude.
My dear nephew, you have truly lived up to my expectations!
In that instant, Liu Xinwu couldn't help but recall the scene when he first met Chen Huai'an, and he was even more glad that he hadn't misjudged him.
Liu Ziyu, the chief military commander of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, was so excited when he heard the imperial edict announcing that his sworn sister was the only candidate for Empress of the Tang Dynasty that he almost shouted it out in court.
I knew it! No matter how incompetent the emperor is, he wouldn't go so far as to make a foreign demoness his empress!
With his sworn sister whispering sweet nothings in the Emperor's ear, wouldn't he, as the "brother-in-law," be granted a title of Duke or something similar at the upcoming investiture ceremony?
Thinking of this, Liu Ziyu straightened his back, looked at the Uyghur envoy Lukes with a smug expression and a provocative look!
Those eyes clearly spoke volumes: Hey, you barbarian from another race, what makes you think you can fight me?
Among the civil and military officials, there was one person who, upon hearing that Liu Shujun, the daughter of Prince Wuning, was to be made empress of the new dynasty, unconsciously straightened his back, and his previously somewhat cloudy eyes became clear and firm at this moment.
This man was Guo Xiaoru, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites!
He naively believed that it was because he risked his life to remonstrate with the emperor at court that Emperor Zhaowu abandoned his decision to "set a precedent in history by establishing empresses in the East and West Palaces".
Emperor Zhaowu, heed my advice!
While some are happy, others are sad.
Upon hearing Emperor Zhaowu's decree announcing the appointment of Liu Shujun as the new empress, Lux, an envoy of the Uyghur Khanate, felt his heart sink into a bone-chilling cold.
Lukes's journey was made with the expectations of the valiant Khan Moyanchuo of the Uyghur Khanate, and the expectations of millions of Uyghur subjects. He was to bring back to the Uyghurs and the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions the news that Princess Bilge Yueqiluo had been made Empress of the Tang Dynasty!
At this moment, the position of Empress of the Tang Dynasty has fallen to Liu Shujun. Where should Princess Pijia be placed?
How is Lucas supposed to explain this to the mighty Khan?
Did the old prime minister, Has, die in vain after personally getting involved in the scheme?
Lucas, utterly despondent, didn't even have the heart to respond to Liu Ziyu's provocation. He stood there dumbfounded, looking like a defeated rooster.
Inside the Hall of Union, Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an, sitting on the dragon throne, observed and remembered the reactions of civil and military officials and envoys from various countries upon learning of the empress's appointment.
He maintained his calm and composed expression, as if none of this concerned him.
Cai He, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, continued reading the imperial edict appointing the Empress: "I hereby bestow upon you, with a golden book and golden seal, the title of Empress..."
"May you forever enjoy heavenly blessings, abundant happiness, and lasting good fortune, and together with me, create a new era of national prosperity and strength!"
"This decree is hereby issued to the whole world, and all under heaven shall rejoice!"
"So be it—"
As the eunuch Cai He finished reading the last two words of the imperial edict, the matter of appointing the new dynasty's empress was finally settled. Liu Shujun, daughter of Prince Wu Ning Liu Xinwu, became the founding empress of the Tang Dynasty.
Then, under the direction of the master of ceremonies, the palace musicians began to play music.
Amidst the melodious court music, Empress Liu Shujun, dressed in a magnificent phoenix-embroidered crown, slowly entered the main hall, surrounded by palace maids and eunuchs, and walked step by step toward Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an, who was sitting upright in the hall.
Liu Shujun's gait was light and elegant. Her already stunning face was made up with appropriate makeup, making her look even more dignified and elegant, and she even had a bit of the aura of an empress.
Even now, Liu Shujun's mind was still blank, and she felt dizzy. She was led step by step up the steps of the Jiaotai Hall by the palace maids and eunuchs to the side of the man she admired.
Beforehand, Liu Shujun had no idea that she would be crowned Empress of the new dynasty.
Even when the eunuch Cai He of the Directorate of Ceremonial read the imperial edict in court, she and Princess Yue Qiluo of Pijia, who was also unaware of the situation, waited nervously in the side hall.
When Cai He read out the passage, "Liu Shujun, daughter of the Prince of Wuning, is from a distinguished family in Zhongxiang. She is virtuous and talented, and is the only suitable candidate for Empress," Liu Shujun could hardly believe that she was the Empress of the new dynasty.
It wasn't until Princess Yue Qiluo of Pijia, who was also dressed in a phoenix-embroidered crown and ceremonial robes, took the initiative to congratulate her on becoming the new empress that Liu Shujun finally realized what was happening.
Of course, she didn't forget that when Princess Bika, Yue Qiluo, congratulated her on becoming empress, she also said: "Sister Shujun, although I lost in the competition for empress, I will not give up in the competition for the crown prince in the future!"
So let's see which of us sisters can give birth to a prince for the Emperor first!
Later, still in a state of dizziness, Liu Shujun was surrounded by a group of palace maids and eunuchs, and walked through the narrow passage in the Hall of Union and Peace, which was lined with civil and military officials and envoys from various countries, to the side of the man she had been longing for.
Under the guidance of the master of ceremonies, Liu Shujun began to kneel and bow to Emperor Zhaowu Chen Huai'an, who was seated on the dragon throne, in accordance with court etiquette.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"
Seeing this, Chen Huai'an, who was sitting upright on the dragon throne, hurriedly got up, walked to Liu Shujun's side, and personally helped her up. His starry eyes sparkled with tenderness as he said softly, "No need for formalities, rise!"
Immediately, the palace etiquette official respectfully presented the golden jade book and golden seal from the jade table in front of the phoenix throne to Chen Huai'an.
After receiving it, the latter personally handed it to Empress Liu Shujun and then personally led her to sit on the phoenix throne to the right of the dragon throne.
Thus, the ceremony for the new dynasty to confer the title of empress was completed.
However, all the civil and military officials and envoys from various countries below the stage knew very well that although the ceremony of bestowing the title of Empress was over, there was still an empty phoenix throne next to the Emperor!
Clearly, the Emperor will next bestow titles upon Princess Yue Qiluo, who comes from the Uyghur Khanate in the Western Regions.
The story between the Emperor and Princess Yue Qiluo of the Uyghurs, with the arrival of the delegation of envoys from the thirty-six kingdoms of the Western Regions, has become a popular tale in Jinling City, recounting how Princess Bilge saved Emperor Zhaowu from a fatal arrow by an assassin in the Uyghur palace.
Although some officials who knew the truth saw through it at a glance, they realized that this was a ruse by the Uyghur prime minister, Has.
However, this cannot deny that Princess Bhikkhu Yue Qiluo did indeed shield the emperor from an assassin's hidden arrow with her own life at a critical moment.
That's why the rumor spread that the emperor had the idea of "establishing empresses in the East and West Palaces".
This is to repay Princess Bhikkhu's life-saving grace!
Of course, these were all speculations made privately by the people of Jinling City and the officials who were unaware of the situation.
In fact, Chen Huai'an's initial idea of establishing empresses for the East and West Palaces, under the guidance of his mother Xu Ruoyun, was merely to accelerate the ethnic integration between the Central Plains dynasty and the Western Regions.
After all, Chen Huai'an, as a time traveler, far surpasses the civil and military officials limited by historical constraints in terms of vision, perspective, and breadth of mind.
As for why Chen Huai'an ultimately gave up his decision to establish the East and West Palace Empresses, it was because he did not want to stand against the civil and military officials in the court because of this matter. Whether it was to promote the reform of the imperial examination system or the subsequent conquest of the Tang army, he still needed the support of the civil and military officials.
Ultimately, after drafting the imperial edict establishing Liu Shujun as the empress of the new dynasty, Chen Huai'an drafted another imperial edict conferring the title of Imperial Noble Consort upon Liu Shujun.
Princess Yueqiluo of the Uyghur Khanate was conferred the title of Imperial Noble Consort of the Tang Dynasty!
The ceremony for bestowing the title of Imperial Noble Consort is very similar to the ceremony for bestowing the title of Empress.
The imperial edict was read aloud by Cai He, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial. Then, witnessed by civil and military officials, the emperor, dressed in a magnificent and elegant robe and crown, gracefully walked through the narrow corridor of the Hall of Union and ascended the steps inside the hall to stand beside Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!"
Chen Huai'an, who was sitting upright on the dragon throne, rose again and personally helped Yue Qiluo up: "No need for formalities, rise!"
Then, the master of ceremonies, who had already prepared the jade book, hurriedly presented it, and the Emperor personally handed it to the Imperial Noble Consort Yue Qiluo.
After doing all this, Chen Huai'an took Yue Qiluo's hand and led her to the phoenix throne on his left, where she sat down.
Thus, the grand ceremony for the establishment of the founding empress and the conferment of the title of imperial concubine of the Tang Dynasty was finally completed.
In the Hall of Union, Emperor Zhaowu, Chen Huai'an, sat upright on the dragon throne;
On the phoenix throne to the right and back is Empress Liu Shujun, the founding empress who ruled the country.
On the phoenix throne further back on the left was the dignified and elegant Imperial Noble Consort Yue Qiluo.
At this moment, Chen Huai'an seemed to have finally found a little bit of the feeling of "having multiple wives".
Inside the Hall of Union and Harmony, Zhang Fu, the Vice Minister of Rites, led the way in bowing and offering congratulations: "Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The other civil and military officials, as well as envoys from various countries, also performed the grand ceremony of three kneelings and nine prostrations before the emperor in the main hall, shouting "Long live the emperor!"
No one noticed that Liu Ziyu, the chief military commander of the Sixteen Prefectures of Youyun, who was bowing and kowtowing, was also glaring fiercely at the Uyghur envoy Lux opposite him out of the corner of his eye.
Surprisingly, that alien demoness still managed to gain entry into a prestigious setting.
This is intolerable!!!
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