Ashes to Crown

Chapter 187: Chapter 17: The Grand Ceremony (Part 2)

Even if this young lady really did make a mistake during the enthronement ceremony, who would say a word?

Ah Le was still a little nervous, afraid she wouldn’t do her job well. She had never been nervous before. Previously, when An Ye had fought alongside her lady into the Imperial City and Xiao Man had accompanied her lady everywhere, Ah Le had guarded the palace where she lived. She had been in charge of everything and thought nothing of it. But now, gazing at the majestic hall, the dense crowd of court officials, and listening to the solemn palace music—

’This isn’t a dream. My lady is really going to become the Empress.’

’The Empress...’

”Xiao Man,” she murmured, ”do you know what an Empress is?”

’The Emperor’s wife, the most noble woman in the world.’

When she left the Border County for the Capital City with her lady, she had thought the General wanted her lady to find a family to marry into. She had agreed, thinking that none of the men in the Border County were worthy of her lady. But she had never imagined her lady would marry the Emperor and become the Empress.

’From now on, my lady will be the Empress!’

Xiao Man glanced at her. ”I know what an Empress is, but no matter what she is, isn’t she still Chu Zhao?” She added, ”Your hands are trembling. Are you up for this? If not, I can handle it myself.”

Ah Le blinked. ’That’s right.’ She looked at the girl standing up front.

The girl wore a pheasant ceremonial robe, its vermilion hue solemn and dignified. Beneath the hem were layers of gorgeous, cloud-patterned trim, and on her head, a floral coronet shone dazzlingly. Her posture was poised, yet she seemed relaxed and at ease.

’The Empress... My lady is the Empress, and the Empress is my lady.’ Ah Le took a deep breath, straightened her spine, and her heart finally calmed.

Everything proceeded smoothly. No officials stood up to wail and make a scene, and no one took a wrong step or stood in the wrong place, right up until it was the Emperor’s turn to ascend the steps, enter the court hall, and take his seat on the Dragon Throne.

The Emperor refused to go any further.

The child in the Dragon Robe stood in the sunlight, turned around, and looked back.

...

....

”What does he want?”

The court officials, standing a few steps away, watched Eunuch Qi run over and asked urgently.

Beads of sweat rolled down Eunuch Qi’s face.

”He wants... the... Empress,” he stammered, having nearly said Miss Chu before correcting himself. ”To walk with him.”

Hearing this, a white-haired court official could no longer contain his anger. ”Absurd! He’s not some six-month-old infant!”

There had been child emperors in the history books who were carried in someone’s arms to complete their enthronement, but as young as Xiao Yu was, he was still six years old. What kind of farce was this!

”Let’s not be so hasty,” another, more mild-tempered official said. ”His Majesty is still young. It’s mainly due to the recent series of events. Even we adults can barely endure it, let alone a six-year-old child. We just need to speak with him gently and persuade him.”

At his words, a commotion rippled through the officials behind him, and they all began to call out a name.

”Mr. Xie.” ”Mr. Xie, come quickly.”

As they called out, the ranks parted, and Xie Yanfang, dressed in his official robe, strode over. Looking at Eunuch Qi, he asked, ”What’s wrong?”

Eunuch Qi looked at Xie Yanfang’s official robe and youthful face, then bowed. ”Please, go persuade His Majesty. He’s afraid to walk alone.”

”It’s alright, it’s alright,” Xie Yanfang said. ”I’ll go talk to him.”

With that, he went forward. The officials watched as Xie Yanfang walked up to Xiao Yu, knelt on one knee, and spoke softly to the child. The boy, who had been scowling and shaking his head, gradually relaxed his expression, which then became hesitant—

’Looks like he’s convinced him.’

The officials looked relieved. ”He just needed some coaxing.” They sighed. ”He’s only a child, after all.” Some remarked wistfully, ”It’s a good thing he has a relative like Third Young Master Xie here.”

Deng Yi, standing at the very front, hadn’t said a word from beginning to end. Just as he saw Xie Yanfang take Xiao Yu’s hand, and Xiao Yu lower his head, about to turn around—

”Have the Empress come here,” he said suddenly.

The officials froze. ’What?’

”Grand Tutor, what are you doing?” the white-haired official from before asked. ”Are you asking the Empress to also come and persuade His Majesty?”

He shook his head without waiting for an answer.

”There’s no need. His Majesty has already been persuaded by Mr. Xie. Having the Empress come now would be unnecessary. We mustn’t delay the auspicious hour.”

The other officials nodded in agreement.

But Deng Yi wasn’t speaking to them, much less consulting them. He was giving an order to the Imperial Guard beside him.

The Imperial Guard paid no heed to what the officials were saying, turning to leave at once. Soon, the ranks of officials parted again, and led by the guard, Chu Zhao came striding over.

”What is it?” she asked.

The noisy officials fell silent in an instant, averting their gazes.

Deng Yi offered no explanation, only saying, ”His Majesty is looking for you. Go and see.”

Chu Zhao didn’t ask any further questions, simply nodding. ”Alright.”

She moved past everyone and went forward, but Deng Yi called out to her again. ”Empress.”

Chu Zhao looked back at him.

Deng Yi met her gaze, his eyes deep, and said, ”Don’t miss the auspicious hour.”

Chu Zhao paused for a beat, then nodded. ”I understand.” With that, she turned and continued forward.

Xiao Yu, who was just about to turn, saw the girl walking over. He pulled his hand from Xie Yanfang’s grasp and reached out to Chu Zhao.

”Sister,” he called out.

Xie Yanfang looked over and saw the girl approaching with a smile. She bent down and took Xiao Yu’s hand.

”What’s wrong?” she asked in a low voice. ”Didn’t we agree on everything? You even told me not to be afraid. How did you get scared yourself?”

Xiao Yu looked at her. ”I don’t want to walk by myself. Sister, you come with me.”

Chu Zhao looked at him and smiled. ”Alright.”

A smile bloomed on Xiao Yu’s face. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

Only then did Chu Zhao look at Xie Yanfang and say in a low voice, ”Third Young Master Xie, the hour is late. The ceremony cannot have any more mishaps.”

Xie Yanfang, still half-kneeling on the ground, looked into the girl’s clear eyes and nodded. ”Alright.”

He stood up and made way.

Chu Zhao looked at Xiao Yu again. The child was still smiling happily at her. Chu Zhao smiled back, then composed her features and gave a light cough. Xiao Yu immediately suppressed his smile and composed his own features, just like her.

Chu Zhao took Xiao Yu’s hand and ascended the steps.

Xie Yanfang stood in place watching them go, then withdrew his gaze and turned to walk back. As he passed Deng Yi, he suddenly looked at him and smiled.

Deng Yi was completely unfazed by his smile. His expression was wooden as he gave a slight nod. ”Thank you for your trouble, Mr. Xie.”

Xie Yanfang smiled. ”You’re too kind, Grand Tutor.” With that, he said no more and walked past him, back into the ranks of officials.

”Kneel!”

The master of ceremonies bellowed, drums and music swelled, and the officials all knelt in unison.

Only two figures remained on the high steps.

Holding Xiao Yu’s hand, Chu Zhao ascended step by step. She didn’t look back. ’Of course, she knew it was against protocol for her to walk with the Emperor, but so what?’

’Since she was to be the Empress again in this life, she couldn’t be the same as she was in that other life.’

’This was an empress of her own choosing. So, she would be the one to decide how to act as one.’

...

...

Not everyone knelt. The Imperial Guards stood solemnly with their weapons, protecting the new emperor.

Xie Yanlai stood in the foremost position, watching the figures on the steps as they ascended, step by step, higher and higher.

’Even from so high up, her back still looked like that of a little girl.’

’Who could have imagined that Ah Fu from the relay station would become the Empress today?’

’It was pretty amusing.’

He tugged the corner of his mouth into a smile.

’Then again, it wasn’t that unimaginable. He’d never imagined he would be standing here today, either.’

Xie Yanlai withdrew his gaze, his expression becoming wooden as he stood at attention.