Capítulo 681: Chapter 486: Little Crybaby, Beautiful and Charming, The Rugged Man Spoils His Wife with Seduction 36
The little emperor changed into a bright yellow little dragon robe. Upon seeing Su Zhiruan, he immediately reached out his little hands to be hugged, “Hug.”
Su Zhiruan naturally took him into her arms. The child could only speak one or two words now, and while the wet nurses tried to teach him to call Su Zhiruan “elder sister,” in the end, he only learned the word “sister.”
The wet nurses and palace maids followed behind Su Zhiruan. Compared to the calmness of the wet nurses, the palace maids were somewhat nervous, “Your Highness has no children; we must be careful not to drop him. Today is a big day.”
The wet nurse merely smiled without speaking.
Seeing the palace maids growing more anxious, one wet nurse finally spoke gently, her tone laden with emotion, “If I may say, what Her Highness has done surpasses us all.”
“Ah?” The little palace maid was dumbfounded, “But, Your Highness has never had children, nor has she taken care of any.”
“Her Highness’s abilities far exceed countless men and women in the world,” another wet nurse watched Su Zhiruan walk step by step toward the high platform, her voice filled with admiration, “Above, she can govern the state and assist the young ruler; below, she handles even the smallest matters with great insight.”
The wet nurses recalled recent events and were filled with admiration, words unable to express the initial shock they felt.
They were originally selected as wet nurses, believing themselves adept at caring for children. But none expected that the Princess, upon a single inspection, would find numerous issues.
At first, they were indifferent, assuming perhaps the Princess was simply posturing, as she was a woman without children—how could she care for an infant? But unexpectedly, she handled the little emperor with skill, gently patting and consoling him until he quickly stopped crying.
Caring for children is difficult; it’s one life nurturing another, with a devotion and energy not everyone can muster. Every mother in the world is great.
Over the course of several months, the wet nurses grew to deeply respect this Princess.
…
Su Zhiruan carried the child, climbing step by step onto the platform. A golden hairpin was slanted in her dark chignon, glittering, with dangling tassels. Courtiers knelt by the altar to receive the new Emperor.
The little emperor, seeing this scene, neither cried nor fussed, only clung to Su Zhiruan’s sleeve, watching the altar.
The ceremonial laws of the Wan Dynasty stipulated that for the Emperor’s coronation, a sacrificial altar must be built to offer incense and silk, receive the Jade Seal, and read the proclamation.
The wind whistled, lifting Su Zhiruan’s garments. Not a sound came from the courtiers.
The little emperor, innocent and unaware, was simply carried into the hall. Su Zhiruan simplified the process, kneeling to perform the grand ceremony after offering incense.
She took the little emperor’s hand to present the silk offering.
Inside the hall, the eunuch called out, “Kneel—”
Outside the hall, the eunuchs echoed, their long cries reaching the clouds.
“Kneel—”
The courtiers inside the Imperial Palace and the people outside all knelt in unison, the sheer scale overwhelming. Other nation’s envoys did not kneel, but expressed their respect in their own ways.
In an instant, ancient bells tolled, the deep and resonant sound of drums echoing throughout the Imperial Palace, solemn and majestic.
Su Zhiruan stood up, handed the little emperor to the Inner Official beside her, and took up a roll of the proclamation.
The Inner Official carried the new Emperor, and together with Su Zhiruan, they walked out.
The wind had ceased, and the skies were clear.
A woman wearing a Black Gold Hanfu possessed extraordinary grace, her face strikingly beautiful.
“Since the founding of our dynasty, successive ancestors have governed diligently, built and ruled the nation, making our Wan Dynasty increasingly prosperous and peaceful. I, with my humble virtue, wished to serve by the late Emperor’s side, yet was shocked by the grievous news of his passing, inconsolable in my sorrow.”
“Bearing the late Emperor’s entrustment, continuing the great ancestral enterprise, Prince Shiyi Su Jingyi—received the mandate from Heaven, may he enjoy long life and everlasting prosperity, and in accordance with the people’s will, rightfully inherit the great mandate, ascend the throne as Emperor—”
At some point, the wind once again stirred her garment, the noblewoman’s voice ringing high as if she were the one ascending the throne.
“From this day forth, let all officials and citizens inside and outside the realm loyally adhere to the Emperor’s Order, sincerely respect the rule, collectively follow the laws, offer advice by submitting remonstrations, all so that the people can forever enjoy peace and health; make treaties of stability with the envoys from all regions, jointly pursuing an era of peace and prosperity; may the people be filial to their parents, kind to their neighbors, living in peace and happiness.”
“With the blessing of the new Emperor’s ascension, the Emperor’s Order grants an amnesty across the land, reducing taxes for two years. May all subjects and people strive for Your Majesty’s aspirations, sharing in the blessings of peace.”
…
Ji Xiaoyuan, watching from afar, kept his gaze fixed upon her.
Three feet beside him stood Cuihua, still pretending to be Su Zhiruan.
She saw Ji Xiaoyuan’s eyes remain on Su Zhiruan the whole time, and in that instant, she knew that no matter how hard she tried, she would never be seen by him.
Su Zhiruan… She is truly formidable, whether it be talent and ability, or the soul within. Realizing this, Cunhua’s long nails dug into her flesh.