sbdcsierra Chapter 1360 The Imperial Concubine's Enthronement Ceremony
Chapter 1360 The Imperial Concubine's Enthronement Ceremony
The eldest princess said she was happy, but in her cool eyes there was a hint of loneliness that was inconsistent with her age.
The Empress's enthronement ceremony was a happy event, and her mother's upcoming enthronement ceremony was also a happy event, but she was always thinking about the Empress Chun who would gently call her "Yun'er"...
Even though her mother had warned her many times, Baharguli had been demoted to a commoner and was no longer a palace concubine, and was no longer worthy of being called "Empress Chun".
But the eldest princess never changed her mind.
So much time has passed, and the cold palace is such a miserable place. Empress Chun is weak, is she living well?
Is she cold? Is she hungry?
My mother had expressly forbidden me from visiting her, not even mentioning it...
But as soon as the princess closed her eyes, she would think of Lady Chun...
She didn't dare tell her mother and could only think about it secretly.
Maybe... maybe I can find a chance to secretly take a look, avoiding the palace servants?
Just take a look.
Knowing that Empress Chun was safe, she could feel at ease.
Concubine Zhuang was sensitive enough to notice that the eldest princess was distracted. She reached out and stroked the top of her head, her tone still gentle: "What are you thinking about, Yun'er? Are you tired from playing?"
The eldest princess lowered her eyelashes to hide the guilty conscience in her eyes and leaned close to Concubine Zhuang lovingly: "No."
"Mother, Yun'er is just... just thinking about the Empress's enthronement ceremony the day after tomorrow. It will definitely be spectacular."
Concubine Zhuang smiled slightly, asked no more questions, and hugged the eldest princess tighter.
The hall is filled with the scent of sandalwood, creating a peaceful scene of a loving mother and a filial daughter.
……
The enthronement of an Imperial Noble Consort requires four core steps of preparation: requesting imperial decree, making a seal for the imperial decree, preparing ceremonial guards, and transmitting the decree.
It affected many government offices including the Imperial Household Department, the Ministry of Rites, the Ministry of Works, and the Imperial Guard.
Finally it was the eighth day of April.
The Mao hour is approaching.
Just as the sky was beginning to lighten, the entire palace had already woken up, immersed in the unique excitement before a grand ceremony.
The Yangxin Hall is brightly lit.
Nangong Xuanyu has already stood up.
Li Changde and several trusted eunuchs held their breath and waited attentively as they helped the emperor change into the dragon robe that he only wore during extremely important ceremonies.
The bright yellow satin shone in the candlelight. On the front and back shoulders and hem, twelve five-clawed golden dragons embroidered with gold thread looked ferocious and alive, symbolizing the supreme authority of the Emperor!
Li Changde carefully placed the Yishan crown on the emperor, adjusting the crown adorned with thirteen oriental pearls, and said, "Your Majesty, the time is almost here."
"The Imperial Guards are all in place, and the Whips are ready."
Nangong Xuanyu nodded slightly, looking through the window towards Yongshou Palace: "Is everything arranged for Yongshou Palace?"
"Your Majesty, Xiao Huizi just reported that the Imperial Noble Consort has finished changing her clothes and is waiting for your orders. Everything is going well."
Li Changde replied respectfully, his hands working non-stop to smooth out the wrinkles on the emperor's robe sleeves. "Madame Xiao and Miss Fuqiu are waiting on us, so nothing will go wrong."
Nangong Xuanyu asked casually, "Where's the seal?"
Li Changde knew the emperor's intentions well and immediately said, "Minister Gu has been guarding it personally since before dawn and has checked it again. It is absolutely safe."
Upon hearing this, Nangong Xuanyu raised the corners of his lips slightly. He said no more and rested in the side hall for a while, waiting for the three sounds of the silent whip to announce the convocation of the palace.
……
The candlelight flickers red in Yongshou Palace.
Shen Zhinian stood in front of the mirror and was personally served by Nanny Xiao, helping her put on the extremely complicated and solemn court dress of the imperial concubine layer by layer.
In the Great Zhou Dynasty, bright yellow was a color reserved for the emperor, empress, and imperial concubines, and other concubines and officials were not allowed to use it.
This is a symbol of status and rank!
The bright yellow court dress instantly made Shen Zhinian's charming face look even more elegant and majestic.
The stone-blue collar and sleeves are tightly trimmed with gold foil, and the seams of the shoulders and gown are also trimmed with the same dazzling gold.
Across the robe, nine golden dragons soar amidst five-colored auspicious clouds, their eyes adorned with tiny obsidian stones, piercing the eye. At the hem, a motif of eight treasures contrasts beautifully with the flowing ripples of water.
There are two dragons on the collar that seem to be winding and flying, and a solemn and majestic dragon is embroidered on each cuff, with four more dragons circling at the cuffs.
The court robes are quite heavy.
This is not only the weight of the fabric, but also the embodiment of power and honor!
Shen Zhinian has not yet put on the heavier imperial crown adorned with pearls and gems.
Because it can only be replaced after being officially registered.
Handan held the imperial crown aside, looking at the refreshed Shen Zhinian in the mirror, and couldn't help but exclaimed: "Your Majesty, this imperial robe really suits you..."
She couldn't find the right words for a moment, and only felt that the brilliance in the room was concentrated on the Empress.
Although Fuqiu's eyes were also filled with surprise, she was more composed and gently reminded, "Your Majesty, it's still early, but you need to go and wait for the order."
As she finished speaking, she took a step forward and carefully straightened the gold edge of Shen Zhinian's collar. "Just now, news came from the Yangxin Palace that His Majesty has made all the preparations."
Shen Zhinian's eyes swept across his majestic self in the mirror.
"Ah."
She raised her hand slightly, allowing the female official to do the final finishing. "Tell the people below to remain calm and follow the usual drills. There's no need to panic."
"Yes."
Fuqi and Handan responded in unison, surrounding Shen Zhinian and moving to the designated waiting area on the east side of the palace's main hall.
Shen Zhinian closed his eyes slightly, took a deep breath, and when he opened them again, there was only a calm look in his eyes.
……
Before dawn, the square of the Hall of Supreme Harmony was already filled with people standing in a solemn forest.
The commander of the Imperial Guard stood with his sword in hand, his face solemn.
The guards in crimson military uniforms walked steadily and brought out the imperial concubine's full set of ceremonial equipment, including the imperial guard, the standing melon, the precious flower umbrella, the peacock fan, the golden festival flag, a total of 23 items, from the warehouse.
They were arranged in a strict sequence of vanguard, core, and rearguard, starting from the white marble steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and the solemn formation extended all the way to the Meridian Gate.
A lieutenant trotted over to the commander and clasped his fists, saying, "Sir, the ceremonial guards are all in place and have been inspected to ensure they are in order!"
The commander nodded slightly, his eyes sweeping across the front like an eagle, confirming that the position of the feather fans was accurate before nodding.
On the high steps of the Hall of Supreme Harmony, twenty-four musicians quietly placed more solemn instruments such as chime bells, chime stones, and guqin.
The musicians in formal attire gently brushed the chimes with their fingers, listening to the faintest lingering sound, and exchanged an unmistakable glance with their colleagues who were adjusting the chimes beside them.
"How's the pitch?"
"The Huangzhong and Dalu music have all been tuned, and we are only waiting for Your Majesty to ascend the throne."
At the same time, outside the Yongshou Palace.
The sixteen musicians of the club have also lined up quietly, with drums, gongs, flutes, and other instruments in their hands.
Le Zheng carefully checked every string to make sure there was no problem.
The air was filled with tension, waiting for the auspicious moment.
……
The Imperial Noble Consort holds the same rank as the Vice Empress, and today's enthronement ceremony is extraordinary.
According to the rules, all concubines in the harem, regardless of rank, were required to attend the ceremony and, after the ceremony, perform a formal homage to the Imperial Noble Consort.