Chapter 0303: Who Are You Calling Virtuous Fish Immortal Master! Address Me as Imperial Advisor!
As the Imperial Advisor’s procession stepped into the palace, sunbeams cascaded like a curtain of rain. Above the towering Golden Luan Hall, flocks of birds surged across the sky like phoenixes soaring to the heavens, while white clouds coiled into a dragon circling the hall. The chorus of birdsong filled the air, displaying auspicious signs in full splendor.
When passing the ceremonial steps before the hall, the procession split into two rows, standing respectfully on either side, forbidden to advance further. The white tiger leaped lightly onto the steps, its four paws barely touching the ground. The summer breeze swept Xie Chengze’s long hair, fastened with a green hairpin, behind him. The sheer veil covering his face slipped from his ear and drifted away with the wind, revealing his breathtaking countenance—divine and radiant.
The chorusing birds in the sky transformed into billowing clouds, streaming past the leaping white tiger on both sides. He appeared as an immortal transcending the clouds, with all things shaped by his grace and bowing at his feet.
Upon reaching the hall’s entrance, the white tiger halted. Shen Yuan, standing before the Golden Luan Hall’s doors, stepped forward. Dressed in a purple second-rank official robe that accentuated his noble elegance, he raised his arm toward Xie Chengze atop the tiger.
Xie Chengze placed his hand on Shen Yuan’s arm and gracefully dismounted, the bells on his magnificent purple-gold Daoist robe chiming like Buddhist hymns. The robe was embroidered with golden threads depicting a hundred blooming lotuses. Palace guards hurried forward to arrange the hem trailing on the ground, where the golden lotuses shimmered dazzlingly.
“Your hair is messy,” Xie Chengze whispered, gently pinching Shen Yuan’s forearm.
In response, Shen Yuan drew a wooden comb from his sleeve and carefully smoothed Xie Chengze’s wind-tousled locks.
Xie Chengze glanced at the comb—it seemed freshly carved, glossy and new, with a silver pendant dangling from its end. The swaying motion made it difficult to discern the pendant’s carved design.
Squinting, he tried to make out the object engraved on the silver pendant.
“It’s a salted fish,” Shen Yuan said, tucking the comb into Xie Chengze’s sleeve. “Specially made for the Virtuous Fish Immortal Master.”
Xie Chengze: …
Who are you calling Virtuous Fish Immortal Master! Address me as Imperial Advisor!
“I’ll wait for you inside,” Shen Yuan replied, stepping back with a bow.
Xie Chengze waved him off.
He fingered the salted fish comb in his sleeve and gazed at the tightly shut doors of the Golden Luan Hall, suddenly feeling that something was amiss.
This sense of déjà vu…
Why did it so resemble a bride entering the wedding hall in those TV dramas?
An illusion—it must be an illusion.
He was clearly the one ascending the dragon throne.
If anything, it was more like he was taking a husband.
Xie Chengze quickly dismissed the wild thoughts and focused on waiting for the auspicious hour before the grand hall doors.
Soon, the propitious moment arrived. As Eunuch Zhao’s resonant voice announced, “The Imperial Advisor ascends the hall—”, the crimson doors of the Golden Luan Hall swung open. Officials lined both sides, welcoming the Imperial Advisor to the platform for his investiture.
Step by step, Xie Chengze advanced toward the dragon throne. Guo Tianheng, Ti Ling of the Directorate of Celestial Observation, stood to the side, holding an eight-foot golden scepter. At its center rested a substantial golden bowl, appearing as a blazing sun when viewed head-on and a crescent moon hanging in the night from the side, adorned with stars and trailing golden tassels—mysterious and majestic.
“Sun and moon shine together, mountains and rivers share eternity! Plucking stars and calculating moons, bestowing grace upon all lands!”
“The Directorate of Celestial Observation presents the rites—!”
Guo Tianheng ascended the dragon throne platform and reverently handed the golden scepter to Xie Chengze.
Xie Chengze reached out to receive it.
“The ceremony is complete—!”
“Long live the Grand Preceptor, a thousand, ten thousand years—!”
The court officials bowed in unison, their voices resonating through the Golden Luan Hall. Eunuch Zhao, presiding beside the imperial dragon throne, gazed with relief at the triumphant Xie Chengze and murmured softly, “Your Majesty, Second Prince, he has lived well.”
Following the Grand Preceptor’s investiture ceremony came the new emperor’s coronation.
Xie Jinyu wore the Tongtian Crown and a bright yellow dragon robe embroidered with black thread and gold silk depicting majestic, lifelike dragons soaring through clouds. As he ascended the imperial dragon throne, his gaze remained fixed on Xie Chengze seated at the left side of the throne.
Xie Chengze rose, holding a golden scepter as he approached him.
“Second Brother…”
Xie Jinyu spoke softly, his words audible only to the two of them, “Don’t you think this feels like a wedding?”
Xie Chengze: ?
Little brother, that’s a dangerous thought.
Though Second Brother lets you sleep with him, it’s not in that way.
He shot a slight glare at Xie Jinyu before speaking with conviction, “On this auspicious day, radiant light fills the hall, and auspicious energy overflows the court. The new sovereign’s succession to the throne is truly heaven’s will and a blessing to the state.”
As soon as he finished speaking, a clap of thunder echoed outside. Then, the entire Golden Luan Hall darkened as a sudden gale swept through, turning the clear sky instantly gloomy.
Below the throne platform, Guo Tianheng’s heart sank.
This is an ominous sign!
The court officials grew restless, seemingly uneasy about this heavenly omen.
“Heaven expresses its displeasure!”
“Could this be an omen of the dynasty’s fall…”
“What should we do?”
“Tch.” Xie Chengze couldn’t help but glance upward, frowning with dissatisfaction. “What are you doing?”
I personally appointed this new emperor, and you pull this stunt?
Do I not deserve face?
The next moment, the dark clouds completely dispersed, the gale vanished without a trace, and light poured in through the windows in great sheets, instantly warming the Golden Luan Hall.
The court officials collectively breathed a sigh of relief.
Wonderful, wonderful!
With the Grand Preceptor here, we need not fear the fall of Jian’an.
Two dragon guards approached bearing the Imperial Jade Seal. Xie Chengze solemnly placed the seal into Xie Jinyu’s hands, declaring loudly, “The Jade Seal is the state’s most sacred instrument, the source of authority. Today, it is bestowed upon Your Majesty. May you uphold heaven’s mandate, govern the nation, bring peace to the land, and shower blessings upon the people.”
Xie Jinyu tightened his grip on the Jade Seal. As he looked into Xie Chengze’s eyes, he saw no trace of frivolity or leisure—only solemnity and expectation filled with profound hope.
Noting Xie Jinyu’s prolonged silence, Xie Chengze reached out to clasp his hand and said gently, “Do not fear. Second Brother is here with you.”
Just like in their childhood.
In his eyes, Xie Jinyu remained the imperial younger brother he needed to protect.
If the road ahead proved rugged and difficult, Second Brother would always walk beside him.
“You protect the realm, and Second Brother will protect you.”
Xie Chengze spoke softly, his eyes filled with tenderness. Xie Jinyu felt a stir in his heart, his eyes welling with a bittersweet ache.
If this was Second Brother’s wish, then he would protect this realm for him.
Xie Jinyu gave a slight nod. Holding the Jade Seal, he turned to face the court officials below the throne, his gaze instantly turning sharp and authoritative. In a deep voice, he declared, “We shall establish a prosperous age within the realm, shower blessings upon the people, and extend grace to all corners of the world.The new emperor’s majestic voice reverberated throughout the hall, fully displaying imperial majesty. The officials knelt in unison, shouting, “Long live the Emperor, long live, long, long live!”
The Jian’an Dynasty welcomed its third emperor.
It also welcomed its first Imperial Preceptor.
Outside the Golden Chime Hall, sunlight once again spread across the grounds. As the court officials’ cheers echoed from within, the three armies outside had already formed orderly ranks, their armor gleaming and weapons standing like a forest, joining in unison to shout “Long live the Emperor!”
Beneath the imperial dais, Xie Zimiao, dressed in new robes, suddenly turned and whispered to Xie Shoujun beside him.
“Big brother, do you think we’re about to be driven out of our home next?”