A Foodie Transmigrated into the Palace-Chapter 1005: Ceremony Complete (Part 1)

The grand ceremony for the Empress’s coronation arrived swiftly.

On this day, before dawn broke,

Zi Yue and Zi Su worked together to drag her out of the warm covers.

"Your Highness, it’s time to rise, Your Highness!"

"Your Highness, it’s time to get dressed, the auspicious hour is approaching!"

"If we don’t leave now, it’ll be too late!"

The two of them, working in unison, successfully pulled the deeply asleep Xia Ruqing from the bed to the dressing chair.

Zi Su drew a basin of well water, twisting a cloth to wipe Xia Ruqing’s face.

The cold sensation made her shiver and wake up instantly.

"Oh dear!"

Xia Ruqing was immediately covered in goosebumps.

"Your Highness, you’re finally awake. We have only half a Shi Chen left, we must hurry with the makeup!"

"What do you mean only half a Shi Chen?" she asked, still bewildered.

"Your Highness, today is the grand ceremony for your coronation."

"The Emperor is not attending court today; he’s waiting for you at Zhaochen Palace! We must hurry!"

While speaking,

Zi Yue’s hands did not pause, deftly gathering all her hair into a bun, in preparation for the Phoenix Crown.

As soon as those words were spoken, footsteps could be heard outside.

Zi Su realized immediately.

"The Sisters from Zhaochen Palace have arrived!"

Zi Yue sighed with relief and exclaimed with joy.

"I never thought the Sisters would be here so early!"

If they had been any later, she and Zi Su would have been in complete chaos.

Zi Su also visibly relaxed.

With the Sisters’ assistance, things went much faster.

They worked skillfully and efficiently.

Very soon, they meticulously paired the intricate layers of the Phoenix Robe, dressing the Empress with seven hands and eight legs.

Half-opening her eyes, Xia Ruqing was wrapped like a cocoon by several people, round after round.

When all the garments were finally worn, she fully awakened.

However...

As soon as she opened her eyes, the massive Phoenix Crown awaited her.

"Hiss..."

She inhaled sharply, suddenly feeling sorry for her neck.

Today, it had to last the entire day!

...

Once Xia Ruqing was finally dressed and adorned, there was still some time before the auspicious hour.

She was then surrounded by Zi Yue, Zi Su, the Sisters, Palace Maids, and eunuchs, and seated on the incomparably lavish Phoenix Sedan, heading towards Zhaochen Palace.

Zhaochen Palace, Taihe Grand Hall.

Court officials and the concubines from the Harem had long been waiting there.

Even Zhao Junyao was dressed and ready, awaiting her arrival.

Seeing Qingqing arrive, Zhao Junyao beamed with confidence, striding towards her.

Taking her hand, they walked together towards the high platform.

As they stepped upon the final stair,

a ritual officer shouted loudly.

"The auspicious hour has arrived!"

The court music immediately resonated around them.

Amid the grand ceremonial music, everyone kneeled, paying homage to heaven and earth, and the deities. 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Xia Ruqing thought to herself, this felt a bit like bowing to heaven and earth.

"Rise!" The Ritual Officer called out again.

Everyone then rose.

Afterwards, an Enfeoffment Envoy, accompanied by two sub-envoys, stepped out from the head of the court, holding a thick scroll, proceeding to the incense table dedicated to heaven and earth, announcing the decree aloud.

After the reading,

four Palace Maids guided the Empress to kneel before the incense table to receive her title.

Then the Emperor personally bestowed the Phoenix Crown, Golden Book and Golden Treasure, and the Phoenix Seal!

Since the Phoenix Crown was already upon her head, Zhao Junyao symbolically added a Phoenix Hairpin.

After receiving the title,

Xia Ruqing performed a series of three kneelings and nine kowtows as official ceremony.

Finally, Zhao Junyao helped her to rise.

From this moment, the official part of the coronation ceremony was complete.

This meant, she was now the legitimate Empress of the Great Chu Dynasty.

The ceremony seemed simple.

But such a grand scene, all these arrangements...

It’s unfathomable how much manpower, resources, and wealth were spent; she merely needed to appear, kneel, and receive her title.

Thus, it seemed simple, but was in truth, ceremonious.

Even surpassing the coronation ceremony of the Former Empress and Zhao Junyao’s enthronement.

Years ago,

Zhao Junyao didn’t have the luxury of attending the Former Empress’s coronation in person, only appointing an official to represent him.

Now...

He was more anxious than the Empress herself, dressing early and waiting, even skipping the morning court.

This showed how well the new Empress suited his heart.

Certainly, that’s needless to say, if not to his liking, could she have become Empress?

After the ceremony,

The Emperor and Empress sat high on their thrones, accepting the kneeling bows from the civil and military officials and the Harem of concubines.

"Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!"

"Long live the Empress for a thousand years, a thousand, thousand years!"

The shouts were earth-shattering, deafening.

Xia Ruqing was overwhelmed with emotion, her eyes brimming with tears.

Turning to look at Zhao Junyao, in his bright yellow Dragon Robe adorned with the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon, his eyes were full of spirit, brimming with vigor as he watched everyone bow before him.

Just then, the first ray of sunshine shone upon him.

His eyes gleamed, and his body was enveloped in a golden halo.

She was mesmerized.

The phrase ’The King’, perhaps... is just like this!

She had never imagined she would encounter such a man.

So exceptional, so formidable, both civil and military skills; steady and seasoned, the entire world bowed to him as their sovereign, he was the most formidable person under the heavens.

And herself...

The original Xia Ruqing came from a humble background, she herself from a small family.

In the modern world, she would have been just a girl struggling at the lowest rung of life, in the slums.

In ancient times... she was unversed in all the refined arts, aside from eating, drinking, and playing, it seemed she couldn’t do anything.

Yet it was this very self,

whom he had painstakingly protected all along.

Step by step from a mere Lady to the throne of the Empress.

Her background was meek, he elevated her family.

Her status wasn’t high, he gradually promoted her rank.

When she was favored too much and envied by others, he ensured impartial favor, even playing the role of shield for her, be it knife or arrow.

He was willing to hold her hand, to guard his empire together with her.

This was perhaps the most supreme love an Emperor could bestow!

Zhao Junyao’s brilliant eyes turned towards her.

Seeing her tearing up, he gently wiped her tears away, smiling warmly.

"Why are you crying?"

"You are the mother of four children!"

Xia Ruqing broke into a smile amidst her tears.

"I’m not crying!"

"Your Majesty, I’m just... too excited!"

Zhao Junyao whispered softly in her ear.

"You never thought this day would come?"

She shook her head, eyes filled with tears.

"I never imagined! I... really never imagined!"

These were true words, she never sought these things.

After all, from the beginning, all she ever wanted... was to survive!

Zhao Junyao chuckled softly.

"Alright, I understand!"

He believed whatever she said!

She truly never thought about it.

Recalling the first time they met.

She knelt humbly on the ground as if she didn’t recognize him, stayed that way until he left, without even glancing back.

Unlike other women, whose eyes darted about, seizing the opportunity to make eyes at him.

On the second occasion, when he showed her favor.

Her movements were awkward, her face displaying unmasked pain.

Unlike other women, who even on their first occasion, when they knew nothing, still tried desperately to "cooperate," struggling to make expressions uglier than crying, in an attempt to please him.

Did it really please? More like made him lose his appetite.

At that moment, he found this little woman interesting.

How could there be such a candid woman in the palace! Quite refreshing.