Chapter 395: The Thirty-eighth Day in the Struggle for Supremacy World (Extra 1)

Chapter 395: Day Thirty-Eight in a Warring States Novel (Extra Story One)

A new dynasty had just been founded, and everything felt brand new.

The palace's double-tiered eaves gleamed with a dazzling golden glaze under the early spring morning sun.

Over the past three months, this former imperial palace had been completely renovated—every corridor pillar repainted, every floor tile polished to a shine, all in anticipation of its true master's arrival.

Today was the day An Yi would ascend the throne as emperor.

Before dawn, the imperial road outside the palace gates was already packed with people.

The capital's commoners, envoys from far and wide, and the new dynasty's civil and military officials all stood in solemn silence, craning their necks in eager anticipation.

As the auspicious hour neared, solemn, grand ceremonial music rang out in waves from within the palace gates, shaking the entire capital.

First came the majestic imperial procession, ceremonial implements gleaming in the sunlight. The imperial guards bearing the regalia wore solemn expressions, their steps perfectly in sync, thundering like rolling drums.

Behind them came the ranks of officials in brand-new court robes, split into civil and military columns.

Led by founding veterans like Dou Chuang, Han Fu, and Mao Hua, their faces brimming with excitement and pride, they advanced steadily along the imperial road.

Behind them came the An clan and the newly enfeoffed princes and nobles.

An Zheng and Dong Yi, in their highest-grade ceremonial robes, led the way, their faces showing both relief and barely concealed excitement.

An Jin had grown into a tall, handsome youth, now enfeoffed as a prince. He walked close behind his parents, though his expression was complicated.

An Shu had also been granted princely rank and stood among the military officials.

However, after passing over these illustrious figures, all eyes—openly or covertly—converged on the figure walking slowly beside the imperial palanquin ahead.

Bai Ji—Bai Ruzhi.

The new dynasty's Chief of the Secretariat, overseeing the Chancellery and Secretariat, and holding the additional title of Grand Tutor to the Crown Prince—though the Eastern Palace had yet to be established.

Officially, he was a favored civil official, assisting in governance and deliberating on state affairs.

But privately, within the new dynasty's core power circle and deep within the palace, who didn't know that this Lord Bai—with his striking features, unique bearing, and perpetually frail, pallid air—shared an unspeakably intimate relationship with the soon-to-be-crowned emperor, one that transcended ordinary ruler-minister bonds?

Even though he never deliberately flaunted it—in fact, he kept an even lower profile than before—that very restraint made him all the more suspicious and, to some eyes, all the more affected.

"Hmph, look at him—does he really think he's the empress?" a young general standing a bit further back in the military column couldn't help muttering to the colleague beside him, his tone sour: "His Majesty is so wise and mighty, how could he..."

"Shh! Watch your tongue!" The older colleague's face changed color, and he quickly tugged the young man's sleeve, jerking his chin toward the palanquin and Bai Ji: "That one... is someone you should be discussing? Haven't you noticed how even Prime Minister Dou and Duke Han treat him with courtesy? His Majesty knows what he's doing."

The young general pursed his lips but didn't dare say more, though his gaze kept drifting back toward Bai Ji.

Looking at that face, so pale it seemed almost translucent in the sunlight, and at the honor of walking so close to the imperial palanquin, the nameless emotion in his heart—jealousy, disdain, or something else—churned ever more violently.

He wasn't the only one.

In the civil officials' column, many stroked their beards and exchanged knowing glances.

They acknowledged Bai Ji's extraordinary talent—the new dynasty's laws, bureaucratic system, land policies, and numerous other reforms all bore the mark of his planning.

But... phrases like "serving the ruler with beauty" and "bewitching the sovereign with charm" kept surfacing unbidden in their minds, even though they'd never dare voice them aloud.

"Tsk tsk, honestly... what's so special about him?"

"He's got His Majesty so spellbound... I hear he won't even discuss choosing consorts! A fox spirit! Who would've thought!"

Of course, they only dared think such things to themselves. His Majesty was dead set on keeping Bai Ruzhi by his side, and they wouldn't dare cross His Majesty.

As for all this, Bai Ji seemed completely oblivious—or rather, he just didn't care.

He gazed at the towering palace gates ahead, occasionally turning his head to meet An Yi's glance from within the palanquin, and a sweet smile would tug at the corners of his lips.

He knew what others thought of him.

Jealousy, suspicion, contempt, curiosity... he had long grown accustomed to all manner of gazes.

He didn't care. He only cared what the person in that palanquin thought.

And Chuwei... had always steadfastly chosen him, never once hiding his special regard for him.

Allowing him to walk beside the imperial palanquin at the coronation was the most direct declaration—this man, to Us, is different.

That was enough. Bai Ji's heart was at peace.

To clear obstacles for Chuwei, to help him ascend to this supreme position, to stand as close to him as possible and enjoy his intimacy—that was already the greatest fulfillment of his life.

The ceremonial music swelled ever higher as the procession arrived at the vast square before the palace.

The palanquin came to a stop. An Yi, clad in the dark-black ceremonial robe embroidered with the twelve imperial symbols and wearing the twelve-tasseled crown, slowly descended amid the ritual officials' high chants and the officials' held breath.

Sunlight spilled over him, and the sun, moon, stars, mountains, dragons, and floral patterns on his robe seemed to come to life. The beaded tassels swayed gently before his face, half-concealing a countenance that was still youthful yet majestic.

His bearing was upright, his steps steady, each footfall seeming to land on the pulse of history itself, carrying the overwhelming momentum of one destined to rule the world.

Countless gazes instantly converged on him, filled with fervor, awe, and submission.

At that moment, no one remembered the whispers about being bewitched by a fox spirit. All hearts and minds were overawed by this young emperor about to usher in a new era.

An Yi's gaze swept calmly over the sea of prostrate subjects below, over the majestic palace, over the vast blue sky above.

Finally, it passed over Bai Ji, who stood at the front of the civil officials' column, head slightly bowed.

Then he withdrew his gaze and, amid the thunderous cries of "Long live the Emperor," walked step by step toward the imperial throne, the symbol of supreme authority over the realm.

The coronation's elaborate ceremonies lasted an entire day.

That evening, a grand banquet was held in the palace to feast the officials.

Lights blazed, music played, and dancers performed—a scene of thriving prosperity befitting a new dynasty's founding.

Midway through the banquet, An Yi rose to change clothes, briefly leaving the boisterous hall. Bai Ji, of course, accompanied him.

The two walked to a corridor by the water and stood quietly admiring the view.

The night breeze carried the early spring chill and the water's moisture across their faces, while faint strains of music from the distant banquet drifted to their ears.

Palace lanterns hung beneath the eaves cast soft halos of light over them.

An Yi removed his heavy crown, casually handing it to the attendant behind him, then dismissed the guards.

Bai Ji stepped forward and skillfully massaged his temples, speaking in a low voice: "Tired? When we get back, you should rest early."

"Not tired at all." An Yi closed his eyes, enjoying the massage, his voice languid: "Ruzhi... did you hear what they were saying?"

Bai Ji's hand paused slightly, then became even gentler: "I heard them. So what of it? As long as you still want me, that's all that matters."

An Yi opened his eyes and turned to look at him. Under the hallway lanterns, Bai Ji's face flickered in the shifting light and shadow, yet his gaze stayed focused and steady, brimming with open devotion and loyalty.

"Ruzhi..." An Yi smiled, reaching out to grab the hand rubbing his temples. "Do you want to be the Empress?"

Bai Ji's eyes went wide: "Yes!"

He couldn't help but hug An Yi's waist tightly, burying his face in the curve of his neck: "Really? Can I?"

An Yi's eyes curved into a smile as he patted his head: "If you want it, then it can happen. Nothing else is a big deal."

Bai Ji tightened his arms: "Chuwei, I want it. I really do."

He wanted it—he wanted it badly. He wanted to stand openly and legitimately by Chuwei's side, to rightly voice his displeasure to those who urged Chuwei to take consorts...

"Alright then, so it will be." An Yi smiled, patting his back. "There, there."

An Yi let him hold on, then changed the subject: "There's a lot to do ahead. The court needs balancing, the kingdom needs reassuring, the people need to live better... and there is the matter of the heir."

At the mention of the heir, Bai Ji paused almost imperceptibly, then regained his composure: "Has Chuwei already made a decision?"

An Yi looked at him, not missing that fleeting flicker of emotion.

He released the embrace, took Bai Ji by the hand, and led him to the railing, gazing at the pool water shimmering faintly in the darkness.

An Jin—his younger brother—had ability, yes, but his temperament... was somewhat indecisive. Moreover, behind him were inevitably entangled old aristocratic factions. And lately, after learning that An Yi might never have a biological child, his mind had grown restless, and he was acting shady.

An Shu's daughter—though young, she was sharp and decisive, carrying much of her mother's spirit. More importantly, fewer strings were attached to her; her father was but a commoner, and An Shu's involvement in the war had kept her from being too close to the An family.

He paused, then turned to look at Bai Ji: "We'll see for now."

Bai Ji understood deep down and kissed An Yi's cheek: "Whatever you do, I support you!"