Chapter 1358 - 1286: The Enthronement Ceremony (Part 2)
Ji Yuan immediately seized the opportunity, "Your Majesty, this is also the concern of us ministers. If the Imperial Family becomes too engrossed in commerce, would that not mean competing for profits with the people? Who in the world could compete with the Imperial Family in business?"
Zhao Hanzhang gave him a slight smile, "After the coronation ceremony, we’ll discuss it thoroughly."
Seeing that she genuinely intended to relinquish a portion of the royal power, Ji Yuan couldn’t help but feel moved, and his heart settled down.
The fifth of August was an exceptionally auspicious day.
As the sky began to brighten slightly, Zhao Hanzhang opened her eyes, and almost simultaneously, as she shifted to sit up, Fu Tinghan awoke.
He also sat up, chuckling softly, "Congratulations."
Zhao Hanzhang couldn’t suppress the smile on her face, so she simply beamed brightly, "Thank you, today is also a good day for you."
Time was still early, and the two weren’t in a hurry to let the palace attendants in. They simply sat by the bedside, observing the gentle light cast through the glass into the room, quite peaceful.
Fu Tinghan asked her, "At this moment, do you still wish to go back?"
"If the country is on the right track and we have a chance to return," Zhao Hanzhang asked him, "Can you find the way back?"
Fu Tinghan shook his head, "I can’t."
"You’re being very honest now, but you didn’t answer me like this before. Whenever I asked, you would say there’s a possibility, and you’d do your best."
Fu Tinghan: "I was very afraid you’d be disappointed, but it turns out you adapted to this era better than I did."
By today, Fu Tinghan was finally no longer worried she’d be saddened by not being able to return, so he could naturally face this issue candidly.
Outside, there came the sound of light and orderly footsteps, and Zhao Hanzhang knew it was the servants who attended them arriving, so she got up to open the door.
Neither of them liked having anyone stay overnight in their bedroom, and Zhao Hanzhang even had the habit of locking the door. Thus, unless they opened it from the inside, palace attendants couldn’t enter randomly.
Ting He led two groups of palace maids and eunuchs waiting outside. Upon seeing the door open, they first uniformly squatted down to salute, then reverently carried things inside.
The palace maids assisted Zhao Hanzhang with washing and dressing, while the eunuchs attended to Fu Tinghan.
Today, both were dressed in ceremonial attire, Zhao Hanzhang’s being particularly intricate, taking half an hour just to get dressed and have her hair done.
As daylight broke, the auspicious hour neared.
Eunuch Dong’s adopted son, Lai Qing, hurriedly walked to the door, softly reporting, "Your Majesty, the officials have all arrived, and Prince An is ready."
Ting He also inspected Zhao Hanzhang thoroughly twice, confirming there were no mistakes or omissions, then said, "Your Majesty, everything is prepared."
Zhao Hanzhang then took Fu Tinghan and went outside, where officials from the Ministry of Rites waited. They also checked Zhao Hanzhang’s attire and accessories, ensuring nothing was amiss before escorting her to the palanquin.
She was to enter from the front gate of Taiji Palace.
The enthronement ceremony was held at the North Palace Main Hall Taiji Palace.
This palace was envisioned by Cao Pi and built by Wei Ming Emperor, symbolizing the central axis and aligning with the North Star, thus carrying significant meaning.
Typically, New Year’s audiences, new emperor’s enthronements, and general amnesties with era changes occur in this palace.
Unfortunately, when the Little Emperor ascended the throne, it was outside, and after returning to Luoyang, this palace was severely damaged. Zhao Hanzhang, on one hand, lacked funds, and on the other hand thought the Little Emperor wouldn’t need it, so it wasn’t repaired. They held court and handled affairs in Deyang Palace.
Until she needed to ascend the throne.
The Ministry of Industry and Ministry of Rites then urgently repaired the palace.
Due to limited time and heavy tasks, they merely conducted simple restorations, patching the roof tiles, painting some column and door frames, and replacing severely damaged stone slabs.
With one month, they had to prepare the coronation ceremony, altar, and renovate the palace. Fu Tinghan visibly lost fifteen pounds, and his ceremonial outfit was altered multiple times.
Fu Tinghan took a shortcut and arrived first at the front of the great hall, standing at his position from the side-rear.
Ji Yuan below him, and across were Ming Yu, Zhao Ming, among others, who all nodded to him.
Fu Tinghan discreetly returned the gesture, turning to look at the entrance of the plaza.
Today, officials of seventh rank and above in the Capital City could attend the ceremony, along with envoys from Inspectors across the lands, Vassal Kings, some Clan Leaders, renowned scholars, and hermits, all fortunate to be present.
The Taiji Palace plaza could hold ten thousand, but now only about one-third stood, with imperial guards stationed at the periphery, solemnly watching the center.
There is no event more significant than establishing rightful position, nor a ritual grander than changing eras.
There won’t be a ceremony more magnificent than today.
The plaza was silent, suddenly the sound of cleansing flails rang out, and everyone grew quieter, almost silent enough to hear a pin drop.
Amidst the tranquility, came the sound of orderly footsteps.