Xiao Che's movements were not fast, in fact, they could be described as slow. But every step he took seemed to resonate with everyone's heartbeats. He did not linger on the steps, but instead descended them one by one, until he reached the very center of the hall and stood before the kneeling ministers.
His gaze swept calmly over everyone.
He saw the old, tear-streaked face of Grand Tutor Wen, the excited and expectant light in the eyes of the royalist officials, and the expressions of awe and submission on the faces of those "fence-sitters".
Finally, his gaze fell on the two figures who were still standing—the regent with a deathly pale face and the empress dowager with a slightly trembling body.
In their eyes, there was shock, resentment, and the unwillingness to accept defeat.
Xiao Che's face was expressionless, devoid of the joy of victory or the satisfaction of revenge. He simply looked at them calmly, as if they were two strangers who had nothing to do with the court or the world anymore.
This silent, utter indifference is more damaging than any humiliating words.
Xiao Yuan's body jolted violently, as if all his strength had been drained away by that one glance. He knew he had lost completely.
The entire imperial palace was deathly silent; you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath, awaiting the emperor's final verdict.
Finally, Xiao Che withdrew his gaze and looked around the entire hall.
He didn't say anything superfluous; he simply announced his decision in an unprecedentedly solemn and resounding voice, clearly echoing in everyone's ears.
"What you have proposed is reasonable and in accordance with the will of Heaven and the people."
These twelve words, like a thunderclap in spring, sent shivers down the spines of Grand Tutor Wen and the others kneeling on the ground, and tears of emotion welled up again in their cloudy old eyes. The Emperor had not failed their dying remonstrance! He had not failed the expectations of the hundreds of thousands of people outside the palace!
Xiao Che paused slightly, and a hint of tenderness, unnoticed even by himself, flashed in his deep eyes. In his mind, the figure of him reading diligently under the lamplight of Kunning Palace appeared; the figure of him rushing towards him without hesitation on the hunting grounds; the figure of him sketching out a blueprint for a new empire in the imperial study.
All the achievements and all the glory originated from her.
And now, he will personally bestow upon her the most honorable glory in the world.
He took a deep breath, and with all his might, poured all the pent-up forbearance and humiliation of the past years, along with his imperial majesty, into the next two words.
The sound was like a resounding bell, decisive and final!
"Your Majesty, I grant your request!"
"boom--!"
These two words seemed to possess boundless magic, instantly shattering the Regent and the Empress Dowager's last psychological defenses. Xiao Yuan stumbled and nearly fell to the ground, while the Empress Dowager turned deathly pale, barely managing to stay upright only by holding onto a palace maid's hand.
The officials were greatly encouraged and were so excited that they could hardly contain themselves!
Xiao Che's voice did not cease. He turned to face the dragon throne, as if proclaiming to his ancestors and the entire Liang Dynasty. His resounding voice transformed into an unshakeable final judgment, an imperial decree worthy of being recorded in history:
"By imperial decree, the Phoenix Seal shall be returned to its rightful place at this moment!"
"And it is hereby proclaimed to the world that Empress Lin is virtuous and talented, and is worthy of being the mother of the nation!"
"From this day forward, I officially assume the Phoenix Seal and command the six palaces!"
Every word was powerful and resounding!
Every word was like a heavy hammer, striking the hearts of the Regent and the Empress Dowager, shattering their last vestiges of power and dignity.
The phrase "commanding the six palaces" heralded the complete end of the era in which the Empress Dowager "acted as the de facto ruler of the palace."
"Possessing both virtue and talent, she is worthy of being the mother of the nation." These eight words are the highest affirmation of all of Lin Wanwan's achievements, silencing any possibility of criticism!
When the last word was uttered, the air in the entire Golden Palace seemed to freeze for a moment.
The next moment, a roar like a mountain collapsing and a tsunami erupted!
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
Grand Tutor Wen burst into tears, banged his head on the ground, and cried out from the bottom of his heart.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress!"
More than half of the court officials kowtowed in unison, their voices like a tidal wave, resounding throughout the world, as if they were about to completely overturn the dome of the Golden Palace!
Amidst the deafening cheers, Gao Fu, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, strode out from the side of the hall with steady steps. His face was filled with solemnity and excitement. Behind him, two junior eunuchs carefully carried a sandalwood tray covered with bright yellow silk.
Gao Fu walked to the center of the hall, bowed deeply to Xiao Che, and then turned to face the officials.
His voice was sharp yet melodious, carrying a unique sense of ritual, and it resounded throughout the entire hall.
"—Respectfully requesting the Phoenix Seal!"
With a loud shout, the eunuch behind him stepped forward and respectfully raised the tray above his head. Gao Fu took a deep breath and, with extremely solemn hands, slowly unveiled the layer of bright yellow silk.
A phoenix jade seal, long dormant yet still exuding supreme majesty, has finally reappeared before the world.
The jade seal was carved entirely from the finest mutton-fat white jade, warm and translucent. The seal knob was a phoenix with outstretched wings, exquisitely carved and lifelike, its eyes seemingly containing the majesty of looking down upon the world.
This is the phoenix jade seal, symbolizing the highest power in the imperial harem and the supreme status of the empress!
The imperial decree had been issued, and the officials cheered loudly.
Gao Fu held the jade seal high, turned around, and faced the high steps of the imperial palace.
Then, step by step, steadily and resolutely, he slowly ascended the steps leading to the highest point of the Golden Palace. Each step he took seemed to mark a historical juncture, announcing the end of an old era and the beginning of a new one.
All eyes were focused on the jade seal, watching it get closer and closer to the supreme dragon throne.
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