Chapter 575: Chu Yi Ascends the Throne

"A Ran, this Crown Prince has come to fulfill my promise. In three days, I will ascend the throne. Are you willing to marry me?"

Shen Shiran looked up at him, her glistening eyes sparkling with starlight as she smiled.

"I am willing."

The two embraced tightly.

Seeing this, Ji Yuntang quietly slipped away, giving them some privacy.

When Madam Mo learned that Hua Feixue was actually Crown Prince Chu Yi, her feelings were deeply conflicted.

At first, she had strongly disapproved of Chu Yi, but Emperor Chu's decree had betrothed Shen Shiran to him.

Even though she disagreed, there was nothing she could do.

She had expected Shen Shiran to throw a fit and demand to break the engagement, but not only did she not object, she was completely smitten with Chu Yi.

She had even jumped into a river to die for him after learning he had been burned to death.

Thinking of all this, Madam Mo felt a mix of resentment and frustration.

She resented Chu Yi for being incompetent and mad, and she was frustrated that Shen Shiran was foolish enough to jump into a river for a man who would give up even the throne.

It was only when she received the marriage decree just now that Madam Mo realized it wasn't her daughter who was foolish—it was her.

The connection between Chu Yi and Shen Shiran was deeper than she had imagined.

And Chu Yi wasn't stupid; he had simply been biding his time to return and get revenge on Empress Dowager Yuan.

Now, putting herself in Chu Yi's shoes, Madam Mo felt a twinge of sympathy for him.

Her prejudice against him slowly faded, replaced by admiration and respect.

She truly believed her daughter would be very happy marrying Chu Yi.

The three days passed quickly, and Hua Feixue's coronation and wedding fell on the same day.

He rose at dawn, first taking part in the new emperor's ceremony to worship heaven.

Hua Feixue wore a bright yellow dragon robe and an imperial crown. He then went to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to pay homage to his ancestors.

After the ancestral rites, he hurried back to the palace, changed into his wedding clothes, and rode his horse to the Zhenguo General's Mansion.

Today, the General's Mansion was buzzing with activity. It was packed with guests, and the courtyard was decorated with strings of small purple crystals, with a small flower hall in the center, draped in pure white gauze, creating a dreamy, enchanting scene.

As the wedding host, Ji Yuntang had designed a Monet garden-themed venue for them.

No one had ever seen a setup like this before. Though it lacked the traditional bright reds and purples, it was fresh and dreamy, like stepping into a fairyland.

Everyone was eagerly looking forward to what came next.

Shen Shiran wore a bright red Xiuhu dress and held an exquisite round silk fan embroidered with peonies, walking gracefully out of her room, supported by her maidservants.

The waist of her dress was decorated with rice-sized blue pearls, perfectly accentuating her slender figure and making her makeup look even more radiant and lively.

When Hua Feixue saw her, his eyes nearly bulged out of his head.

Shen Shiran was already beautiful on a normal day, but today she looked like a celestial maiden descending from the heavens, making all the flowers in the city pale in comparison.

After Hua Feixue and Shen Shiran kowtowed to Shen Xiangming and Madam Mo in gratitude, they got into the bridal sedan to head to the palace.

The wedding ceremony was held in the palace because Emperor Chu had already woken up.

Since it hadn't been long after his surgery and he was still recovering, it wasn't easy to move him around.

But he could sit in a wheelchair for short periods without any problem.

The ministers hadn't seen Emperor Chu in two years, and now, seeing him, disbelief was written all over their faces.

For one, they were shocked that Empress Dowager Yuan had poisoned and imprisoned Emperor Chu.

For another, it was the change in his appearance.

Back in the day, Emperor Chu had been one of the most handsome men in the Xishu Kingdom.

Even after taking the throne and having several princes and princesses, he had kept his charm.

In just two short years, he had aged so much—his jet-black hair had turned completely white, and wrinkles lined the corners of his eyes.

It was clear how much inhuman suffering he had endured at Empress Dowager Yuan's hands.

The ministers' hearts were heavy as they quickly knelt before Emperor Chu to pay their respects.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Grand Emperor. Long live the Grand Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years."

After they paid their respects, Emperor Chu smiled warmly at the crowd.

"Beloved ministers, rise."

"I know what you all wish to say. To be alive, to witness with my own eyes the fall of the great clans and the Crown Prince's ascension, and to see him welcome his empress—this is already a tremendous honor. I do not feel I have any regrets."

"From now on, this Xishu Kingdom will be entrusted to Yi'er to govern. I hope you will all assist him just as you assisted me, always reminding him to become a wise and enlightened ruler."

Yuan Jiuan immediately stepped forward and said, "Please rest assured, Grand Emperor. Your humble servant will surely assist the new emperor well and ensure he lives up to your expectations."

Emperor Chu looked at Yuan Jiuan and smiled with relief.

"I've already heard from Yi'er that the reason he was able to defeat Empress Dowager Yuan and eradicate the remnants of the great clans this time is largely thanks to Prince Chengxuan. Is there any reward you would like?"

Yuan Jiuan shook his head and said, "Your humble servant seeks no reward for himself, but I would like to request a reward for a young lady."

"This time, the forces of your humble servant and General Shen were able to defeat Empress Dowager Yuan's 400,000-strong army, and this young lady's contribution was indispensable."

"Without her, we could not have overcome such overwhelming odds, nor won so easily."

"Are you referring to that Doctor Yun?" Emperor Chu asked.

Earlier in the underground chamber, he had vaguely seen a woman's figure, though not very clearly.

He had also heard that the reconnection of his severed tendons was thanks to this Doctor Yun as well.

Thinking of this, Emperor Chu smiled and said, "Even if Prince Chengxuan hadn't mentioned it, I would have rewarded this Doctor Yun regardless. Has Doctor Yun come to attend the Crown Prince's wedding ceremony today?"

As his words fell, someone said, "Doctor Yun is here."

Yuan Jiuan turned to look toward the back and saw Ji Yuntang, dressed in a flowing purple gown, walking in from outside.

She walked gracefully, her posture calm and composed, a radiant smile adorning her stunning face as she stepped forward and gave a slight bow.

"Your subject, a common woman, greets Your Majesty. The bridal sedan of the new Emperor and Empress has arrived at the palace, and the wedding ceremony may begin."

Emperor Chu looked at the woman below—this was his first formal meeting with Ji Yuntang. She carried herself with poise and grace, her fox-like eyes clear and sharp, as if nothing could escape their gaze in her presence.

Despite the many ministers present, she showed no sign of humility, instead displaying remarkable calm and ease.

Emperor Chu knew then that she was no ordinary person.

Indeed, how could anyone who had won the approval of both Yuan Jiuan and Hua Feixue be anything less than extraordinary?

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