Inside the Golden Palace, a deafening roar, like a tangible tide, crashed against every corner of the palace, wave after wave.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!"
The voice contained the heartfelt reverence and submission of the officials, as well as the most sincere and fervent support of the endless masses outside the palace.
In the face of this overwhelming force capable of shaking heaven and earth, the Regent Xiao Yuan and the Empress Dowager, their faces as pale as paper, appeared so small and insignificant. They were like two withered leaves in a raging sea, with no other possibility but to be mercilessly torn apart and submerged.
Gao Fu, the Grand Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, an old man who had spent his entire life in the palace, held the sandalwood tray in his hands, his hands trembling slightly with excitement. He walked up the steps of the palace, each step utterly solemn, as if he were walking on a brand new chapter in history.
Finally, he arrived at the dragon throne, knelt respectfully before Xiao Che, and raised the phoenix jade seal, symbolizing the supreme power of the harem, high above his head.
Everyone's breath caught in their throats at that moment.
According to the rules, the next step should be for the emperor to give the order, and then for the eunuch in charge of the seal to deliver the Phoenix Seal to the empress.
However, just as Gao Fu was about to speak and fulfill his final duty as the master of ceremonies, Xiao Che made a move.
He didn't speak, but slowly raised his hand.
A simple gesture silenced Gao Fu instantly, as if the noise in the entire hall had been gently suppressed by that hand, returning to stillness in an instant.
Under the incredulous gazes of civil and military officials, the women of the harem, and the regent and empress dowager, Emperor Xiao Che personally lifted the heavy phoenix jade seal from the sandalwood tray.
The warm, substantial touch traveled from his palm, carrying a hint of the unique coolness of jade. Yet, in Xiao Che's hand, this jade seal seemed to possess a scorching heat. He knew that this was not merely a seal; it represented power, glory, and the fruits of victory he and Lin Wanwan had fought their way through countless trials and tribulations.
He didn't ask anyone to do it for him.
He wanted to personally hand over this honor to her.
Holding the phoenix seal, Xiao Che turned around, his gaze piercing through the entire hall and landing behind the screen. His voice, steady and clear, carried an unquestionable imperial majesty, resounding in everyone's ears.
"Please, Your Majesty, move to the front of the palace!"
These words caused another uproar in the audience.
Please, Empress, attend court and personally bestow the Phoenix Seal upon all civil and military officials! This is an unprecedented honor since the founding of the Great Liang Dynasty!
All eyes turned to the enormous screen depicting magnificent landscapes. Beyond that lay the world of the imperial harem, and now, the mistress of that world was about to step forward and receive all that she deserved.
Behind the screen, a slender and graceful figure slowly emerged.
Lin Wanwan appeared.
The moment she appeared in everyone's sight, the entire Golden Palace seemed to light up.
She wore the most formal empress attire, a deep red palace robe embroidered with nine golden phoenixes, luxurious yet dignified. On her head was a nine-dragon, four-phoenix crown, symbolizing her status as the mother of the nation. The pearls and gems on the crown reflected a dazzling yet gentle light with her movements, but could not overshadow her own elegance.
Her face held neither the shyness of a young girl nor the arrogance of someone wielding great power. Only calm and composure. Her clear eyes swept over the kneeling officials below, over the two ashen-faced men in the corner, and finally settled on the man on the steps, holding the jade seal and waiting for her.
She began to walk.
Each step she took was incredibly steady, the jewels on her phoenix crown swaying gently with her movements, yet without making the slightest sound. The intricate phoenix robe swept silently across the polished gold bricks, as if she were walking on clouds.
She walked past Grand Tutor Wen, who was kneeling on the ground, and past the civil and military officials who had once supported, observed, or opposed her. At this moment, before her, they all shared the same identity—subjects.
From behind the screen to the center of the main hall, and then to the steps below the imperial steps, this short path seemed to be a microcosm of all the arduous journeys she had taken since entering the palace.
At the end of the road, her husband, her comrade-in-arms, the supreme ruler of this empire, awaited her.
Lin Wanwan climbed the steps, one step at a time, and finally stood in front of Xiao Che.
The two stood facing each other, side by side at the pinnacle of imperial power.
One is the emperor of the Great Liang Dynasty, and the other is the empress who will soon be rightfully hers.
Behind them stood the dragon throne, a symbol of supreme imperial power. At their feet were civil and military officials, bowing in submission.
Looking at Lin Wanwan before him, and at his reflection in her eyes, Xiao Che felt an unprecedented sense of satisfaction and pride welling up inside him. He slowly raised the phoenix jade seal in his hand; the cold object that represented the highest power now seemed incredibly hot because of the warmth of his palm.
"Late night,"
In such a solemn and respectful setting, he did not use the title "Empress," but instead used a title he only used when the two of them were alone. His voice was not loud, but it clearly reached her ears.
"My Empress is unparalleled in the world."
As soon as he finished speaking, he no longer hesitated. Under the watchful eyes of the officials, and amidst the resentful and desperate gazes of the Regent and the Empress Dowager, he solemnly handed the heavy phoenix jade seal to Lin Wanwan.
The moment Lin Wanwan's fingertips touched the jade seal, a cool sensation came, but immediately followed by a continuous warmth from Xiao Che's palm.
The cold, supreme power and the burning, unique emotions and trust are perfectly intertwined at this moment through this small jade seal.
Lin Wanwan accepted the Phoenix Seal with both hands; its heavy weight made her arms feel slightly sluggish. This weight represented the power to command the six palaces, the responsibility of the Empress, and, more importantly, his unreserved trust.
She gripped the jade seal tightly, raised her head, and looked at Xiao Che.
He remained silent, his face still bearing the regal majesty and solemnity of an emperor, as if her earlier whisper, brimming with affection, had been nothing but her illusion. His eyes were as deep as the sea, revealing no trace of his emotions.
However, Lin Wanwan smiled, and her clear eyes shone with a light as bright as stars.
Because she could clearly see that on his majestic imperial face, in that familiar area that belonged to him, an animation was playing out that made her heart skip a beat.
It was a chibi-style little emperor, wearing a dragon robe and a crown, proudly placing a crown on the head of his chibi-style little empress, who was also wearing a phoenix robe.
The phoenix crown shimmered with dazzling light, and the diamonds inlaid on it were larger and shinier than the young emperor's own crown.
Below that warm yet domineering image, a line of large, golden characters with dynamic lighting effects is slowly emerging, conveying an undeniable declaration—
【My Empress, Unparalleled in the World.jpg】
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com