Xiao Che's chilling words, "Get back to me!" resounded like a thunderclap in the hall.
The Yuezhi envoy was so terrified by the terrifying killing intent emanating from the emperor that his legs went weak and he collapsed to the ground. He was dragged away by the golden-armored guards as he tumbled and crawled. The beautiful dancer was even more frightened, her face turning pale, like a leaf swept away by a gust of wind.
A meticulously planned "honey trap" scheme ended in a humiliating and disgraceful failure.
This unexpected incident instantly turned the festive and lively atmosphere in the hall to freezing point. Everyone fell silent, cautiously watching the still-angry emperor on the dragon throne, not daring to even move their chopsticks.
Xiao Che's face remained as dark as water. He looked down at the "little dumpling" in his arms, who was curiously gnawing on his little fist. In his deep eyes, protectiveness and possessiveness were intertwined, like a giant dragon whose scales had been touched, exuding a terrifying aura of "keep away".
He could tolerate political disagreements in the court and the stubbornness and incompetence of officials, but he would never tolerate anyone using dirty political schemes to harm his most cherished family, even if the other party was just a one-month-old baby.
In the suffocating silence, a soft, warm hand gently covered the back of his hand, which was gripping the cradle armrest.
Xiao Che stiffened, turned his head, and met Lin Wanwan's eyes, which were filled with a reassuring smile.
“Your Majesty,” she said softly, her voice not loud but clear enough to reach his ears, “the auspicious time is approaching. Don’t let His Highness the Crown Prince… miss out on this good fortune.”
Her words were like a spring breeze, instantly dispelling the raging anger that was about to erupt in Xiao Che's heart.
He looked at Lin Wanwan, then looked down at his innocent son in his arms, and his tense jawline finally softened.
Yes, today is his son's one-month celebration, a joyous occasion that cannot be spoiled by those petty people.
He took a deep breath and sat up straight again. Although his expression remained cold and stern, the terrifying killing intent he once exuded had finally subsided. He turned to the chief eunuch beside him and said in a deep voice, "Issue my decree. Begin."
The chief eunuch, feeling as if he had been granted a pardon, hurriedly announced loudly, "The auspicious time has arrived—the Crown Prince's 'first birthday celebration' ceremony shall begin!"
With his announcement, the stagnant air in the hall finally began to move again. The court musicians quickly played more festive and peaceful music, sweeping away the somber atmosphere.
Amidst the curious and expectant gazes of all the guests, a group of eunuchs from the Imperial Household Department, taking small, respectful steps, carried a long table covered with bright yellow brocade to the center of the hall.
On the table, a series of items with profound meanings had already been placed in accordance with the most traditional royal regulations.
There are wolf-hair brushes, Xuan paper, ancient inkstones, and a miniature copy of the Analects, symbolizing literary talent, elegance, and the ability to govern a country; there are pocket swords, tiger-head general seals, and bamboo slips of military strategy, symbolizing military success and territorial expansion; and there are golden abacuses and jade ruyi scepters, symbolizing immense wealth and financial acumen…
Each item is exquisitely crafted and of considerable value, representing the world's best hopes and wishes for a child's future.
"Please welcome Your Highness!" the master of ceremonies called out loudly.
Logically, at this time, the wet nurse should have carried the prince to the table and let him grab whatever he wanted.
However, Xiao Che, holding "Tuanzi," personally stepped down from the imperial steps.
He walked steadily and resolutely, step by step. All eyes were on him and the tiny baby in his arms. He stopped in front of the table laden with treasures.
Everyone held their breath, waiting for the young prince to make the first "choice" of his life. This would foreshadow his future aspirations and path, and would become a significant chapter in the annals of history.
Lin Wanwan watched with a smile, wondering what her son would pick up. Would he be like his father, fascinated by the small general's seal? Or would he be like her, more interested in the exquisite calligraphy brush?
However, just when everyone thought the "first birthday celebration" was about to begin, Xiao Che did something that surprised everyone.
He didn't even glance at the dazzling array of items on the table, merely sweeping them over with an almost contemptuous look. Then, his thin lips parted slightly, uttering two cold words:
"Withdraw."
What?!
The audience erupted in uproar!
Minister of Rites Zhang Zhiwei was completely stunned. He hurriedly stepped forward and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, this...this was prepared according to the ancestral rites and laws, with auspicious meanings. It cannot be taken away!"
"Ancestral rites and laws?" Xiao Che sneered, his laughter filled with supreme pride and domineering arrogance. "Those are prepared for ordinary princes. How can my sons be compared to them?"
His words were extremely arrogant, yet they carried an undeniable, absolute confidence befitting an emperor.
Amidst everyone's puzzled gazes, he completely ignored the old minister who was on the verge of fainting from anxiety, and instead issued an even more earth-shattering order to the chief eunuch beside him.
"Go and fetch my 'congratulatory gift'!"
A congratulatory gift? His Majesty even prepared items for the "first birthday celebration" himself?
The crowd grew increasingly curious and confused.
Soon, the chief eunuch returned, carrying a huge sandalwood box wrapped tightly in bright yellow brocade. The box was clearly heavy, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead as he carried it.
Xiao Che waved his hand, signaling him to put the things down.
The sandalwood box was placed steadily in the center of the table where the baby was chosen for the first birthday celebration.
"Open it," Xiao Che commanded.
The chief eunuch respectfully responded and, under the watchful eyes of the crowd, carefully, layer by layer, unveiled the bright yellow brocade covering it.
When the brocade was completely unveiled, revealing the true appearance of the items inside, the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony instantly fell into a deathly silence, a silence so profound that one could hear their own heartbeat!
"hiss--!"
Someone gasped, the sound particularly jarring in the silent hall.
Inside the sandalwood box lay not some rare treasure, but a piece of pure white, warm and flawless Hetian jade!
On the jade seal, a lifelike five-clawed golden dragon coiled, seemingly about to soar into the sky. Its mouth was slightly open, its eyes wide open, exuding supreme majesty and domineering power. At the bottom of the seal were eight seal characters: "By the Mandate of Heaven, May Your Reign Be Long and Prosperous!"
The Imperial Seal of the State!
That was the Imperial Seal of the Great Liang Dynasty, passed down from the founding emperor to the last, symbolizing the supreme imperial power and the legitimacy of the world!
He's gone mad! His Majesty must have gone mad!
All the ministers, especially the old ministers who were strict with etiquette, felt dizzy and their minds went blank.
Using the Imperial Seal of the State, such a vital national treasure, for a one-month-old baby's "first birthday celebration"? This... this is simply an unprecedented and shocking act! This is treating the fate of the nation like a child's game!
Lin Wanwan also covered her mouth in shock. Looking at Xiao Che's face, which was full of pride and ambition, she was deeply shocked for the first time by his imperial, crazy and romantic spirit.
In the midst of this deathly silence, Xiao Che slowly and personally took the incredibly heavy Imperial Seal of the State from the box.
He ignored the ministers below who were already terrified, and simply placed the jade seal, which symbolized the world, gently and steadily in front of his son—that little "dumpling".
Then, he straightened up, looked around at everyone below, his gaze sharp as lightning, his voice booming like a bell, resounding throughout the entire Hall of Supreme Harmony and throughout the entire era!
"Only children from ordinary families grasp the pen, ink, sword, and other weapons to predict their future glory!"
His voice was filled with unparalleled pride and ambition.
“My son, my crown prince, he doesn’t need these!”
He abruptly waved the wide sleeves of his dragon robe, and with an air of supreme authority, loudly proclaimed:
"What he wants to seize is this vast land!"
"boom--!"
These words struck like a thunderbolt from the heavens, hitting everyone's heart hard!
The entire hall was deathly silent. Everyone was utterly awestruck by Xiao Che's extraordinary imperial aura. They looked at the emperor standing tall and straight beside the imperial seal, and then at the small, still-in-wrap infant before him. A strong, almost mythical sense of destiny welled up within them.
Under everyone's gaze, in the utter silence, the little dumpling, who was just a month old and could only wave her tiny hands unconsciously, seemed to be attracted by the cold but huge piece of jade in front of her.
He blinked and made a sound.
Then, amidst everyone's hearts pounding almost to a halt, he actually stretched out that chubby, pink little hand.
The little hand waved in the air, as if searching for something.
Time, at this moment, is slowed down infinitely.
All eyes were fixed on that little hand.
Finally, that little hand drew a small arc in the air and, without the slightest hesitation, grabbed the cold but heavy Imperial Seal of the State!
He was too small to lift it, not even by the slightest bit.
But he hugged her.
With his small, soft, infant-like body, he tightly and firmly embraced the Imperial Seal, which symbolized the highest power of the entire Great Liang Empire.
silence.
After a deathly silence.
"God bless my Great Liang! God bless my Great Liang!"
Someone was the first to excitedly shout it out.
Immediately afterwards, a roar of cheers, like a flood bursting its banks, erupted instantly!
"Long live His Highness the Crown Prince! Long live His Highness! Long live His Highness!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
The entire Hall of Supreme Harmony was instantly engulfed in thunderous cheers!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com