Although the palace maids and eunuchs seemed to be merely following behind the King of Yuezhou and those officials, Feng Xiwu was not stupid. On the occasion of the new emperor's enthronement ceremony, how many of those officials would dare to come and go as they pleased?
What made him feel strange was that the people around the King of Yuezhou and those officials who had been driven away acted as if they saw nothing, and not a single person spoke up to stop them.
The sacrificial ceremony was still ongoing, and the enthronement ceremony was almost completely undisturbed.
Feng Xiwu looked back, puzzled, wanting Lu Qingwan to give him an explanation. The latter raised her eyebrows triumphantly, "No hurry, I'll explain when we get back."
The expected act of disruption did not occur, and the enthronement ceremony and the empress coronation ceremony proceeded exceptionally smoothly.
Returning to the palace from the Tian'tai in the suburbs, the palace banquet followed the empress coronation ceremony. By then, it was already evening.
After the officials had thrice shouted "Long live," Si Fengming did not give anyone a chance to catch their breath before speaking directly, "Today, I, with the mandate of heaven, inherit the throne.
While all officials are present, the Empress and I wish to introduce someone to you all."
Whether it was Si Fengming and his wife or Lu Qingwan and her husband, the protection of Xiao Yuan'er was absolutely top secret.
To this day, besides the Lan family, even Emperor Gengshi did not know that Si Fengming had a son.
Therefore, when Si Fengming said this, everyone was very confused.
The King of Liangzhou, as usual, cooperated, "The last time someone was introduced so solemnly in court, it was probably when the King of Qin returned, right?
But I wonder who His Majesty wishes to introduce to us?"
Si Fengming smiled without speaking, his gaze affectionately directed outside the grand hall.
Outside the spacious doors of the Zichen Palace, Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu, both in the court attire of a prince and princess consort, were exceptionally striking with the handsome prince and beautiful princess consort.
However, the attention of the crowd was uncharacteristically not drawn to the majestic figures of the couple. All eyes were fixed on the adorable little dumpling in between them, who was as lovely as snow in the rain.
The little bun, only five years old, was not as tall as Feng Xiwu's leg. He was dressed in a dark brocade robe, with a white jade hairpin on his head, a brocade belt, and was as delicate and lovely as jade and snow.
Holding Lu Qingwan's hand with one hand and Feng Xiwu's with the other, he walked into the hall without any stage fright.
Under the suspicious gazes of the crowd, the three of them stood side by side in the center of the hall. Feng Xiwu cupped his hands and said, "This subject brother is fortunate to have fulfilled his mission and brought the imperial nephew back safely."
With that, he looked down at Feng Shuyuan and said, "Yuan'er, greet your father and mother!"
Having been taught in advance, the little bun knelt down with a serious expression, "This subject's son greets father and mother. '
Long live father for ten thousand years, and may mother live for a thousand years!"
The little fellow's serious expression and tone, combined with his adorable baby-like features, melted the hearts of the older court officials and female guests in the hall.
Yan Ruozhao, although she had seen the little bun long before, was so moved that she almost shed tears of joy.
"Quick, quick, get up and come to your mother!"
The little bun got up and looked at Lu Qingwan and Feng Xiwu with a questioning gaze. After receiving their permission, he toddled towards Yan Ruozhao.
The head eunuch by Yan Ruozhao's side quickly descended the steps to receive him.
Just then, someone finally reacted, "This is... the little prince?"
Si Fengming seized the opportunity, "That's right, this child is the eldest son of the Empress and me, Si Shuyuan!
He was previously fostered under the King of Qin. Today, with all the officials present, I wish to bring him back."
As he spoke, he picked up the little bun and placed him on his lap, saying leisurely, "Where is the Minister of the Imperial Clan Court? Begin now."
He told everyone with certainty that he was merely informing them, not discussing it with them.
At this moment, everyone realized that the person sitting on the high throne was the new emperor of Great Qin, no longer the low-key, patient, and easy-to-deal-with Crown Prince.
The Minister of the Imperial Clan Court dared not even breathe and immediately stepped forward, respectfully saying, "This subject obeys the command!"
Not long after, the imperial jade registry and Si Fengming's imperial seal were all prepared.
The ministers understood. Si Fengming had already prepared to have this child recognized by the imperial clan today. Regardless of whether they objected or not, this child was destined to be acknowledged.
However, the ministers were truly surprised that Yan Ruozhao, who had been sarcastically called a hen that could not lay eggs for so many years, had actually secretly given Si Fengming a son.
Seeing that the little bun was about to be officially entered into the imperial registry, someone finally couldn't sit still and stepped forward, "Hold on!"
Everyone looked over. It was a minor royal prince with little presence. After stepping forward, he perfunctorily cupped his hands at Si Fengming and then, relying on his age, said, "Reporting to His Majesty, this child appears to be around five years old. Since he is the child of Your Majesty and the Empress, why was he not entered into the imperial jade registry at birth?
Now that he is so old, does his return raise suspicions of confusing the imperial bloodline?"
This statement was almost blatant instigation to sow discord between Feng Xiwu and his brothers.
The child was entrusted to Feng Xiwu. If the child were replaced, who else could it be but Feng Xiwu?
Si Fengming knew that these royal relatives were still coveting the throne and wished he would die without issue. How could they tolerate him suddenly bringing back such a large child?
He had long expected them to try to slander and deny the little bun's identity, but he hadn't expected them to be so foolish as to use Feng Xiwu as a pawn.
Si Fengming's lips curved slightly as he heard, "Uncle Li, before you spoke, did you not notice that a few people were missing from today's enthronement ceremony?"
The Prince of Li County was stunned. The King of Liangzhou, whether he was cooperating with Si Fengming's act or genuinely puzzled, chimed in, "That's right, we haven't seen the King of Yuezhou since the sacrificial ceremony. Where is he?"
As the King of Liangzhou spoke, everyone else chimed in, "It seems the Grand Master of Ceremonies is also missing!"
"And also Yan Shizhong..."
Upon realizing later, at least a dozen people were absent from the hall.
The Prince of Li County asked suspiciously, "The King of Yuezhou and the others are missing, what does Your Majesty mean by asking this old minister?"
"His Majesty means for you to be sensible!"
Lu Qingwan's clear voice rang out, "His Majesty's enthronement, the prince's and the little prince's recognition by the imperial clan, and their entry into the imperial jade registry are all inevitable matters.
Whatever your intentions, abandon them early.
Otherwise, this consort will not hesitate to send you to join the King of Yuezhou in the celestial prison!"
Prince Li was so shocked that he forgot his original intention and exclaimed in horror, "You, you actually imprisoned the King of Yuezhou?"
"So what if we did?"
Lu Qingwan said without guilt, "A group of ambitious wretches conspired to disrupt the enthronement ceremony and ruin the King of Qin's reputation. It was only because this consort did not wish to cast a shadow on the joyous occasion of nationwide celebration that they were not executed on the spot!"
As she spoke, she stood up directly, "Do not say that this consort is framing them. Listen for yourselves, should these rebellious traitors be killed!" m..oΓg
As her voice fell, while everyone was still stunned, not knowing what to listen for, a rustling sound came.
"Enthronement?
He, Si Fengming, has the life to contend for this throne, but does he have the life to sit on it? During the enthronement ceremony, this king will send him to the west!"