Chapter 99

The two of them continued to be intimate on the couch until Wang Muhan arrived at Bitao Palace to urge Chu Shaoling to return to Chengqian Palace.

Before leaving, Chu Shaoling coaxed and tricked Wei Ji into staying and resting in Bitao Palace, while he himself left with Wang Muhan.

As soon as they exited the bedchamber of Bitao Palace, Chu Shaoling's expression dropped and he said in a low voice, "Today was my negligence. In the future, remind me to be more careful. Wei Ji has sharp ears. Fortunately, we didn't say anything important today, otherwise how would we have dealt with it?"

Wang Muhan hurriedly agreed, "Yes, yes, this old servant didn't think of it either. In the future, I will definitely pay attention. Your Highness can rest assured."

Chu Shaoling let out a long sigh of relief, thankful that Wei Ji didn't inquire further. He still had to wait until the day he could lay his cards on the table with Wei Ji. Then he would fear nothing.

Chu Shaoling sat on the sedan chair and turned to ask Wang Muhan, "Why did you come to find me in such a hurry? Isn't it not yet noon?"

Wang Muhan slapped his head and said anxiously, "This servant's mind went blank. It's the Empress Dowager who is looking for Your Highness and wants you to go to Ci'an Palace for a visit."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "Then let's go to Ci'an Palace first."

"Your Highness," Wang Muhan followed closely beside the sedan chair and lowered his voice, "But this matter, how could this servant be in a hurry? This servant heard that today, several titled ladies of the Ling family also went to the Empress Dowager's palace and even brought a young lady from the Ling family."

Chu Shaoling understood. The young lady who could enter the palace was either Ling Yun or Ling Yi. In such weather, Ling Yun probably couldn't leave the house, so it could only be Ling Yi, whom the Empress Dowager favored the most.

He was related to Ling Yi, so meeting her wouldn't be overstepping propriety. But after all, it was like a melon field next to a plum forest, inviting unnecessary suspicion. If Wei Ji found out later, it would be hard for him to explain.

Chu Shaoling lightly stroked the jade pendant at his waist, thought for a moment, and said, "Change course, go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs."

Wang Muhan was stunned. What were they going to do at the Ministry of Internal Affairs?

Chu Shaoling closed his eyes for a moment. The Empress Dowager wanted to take advantage of the chaos in the palace to let him meet Ling Yi, so that both of them would have an understanding in their hearts. Chu Shaoling simply decided to stir up this pool of water even more.

Chu Shaoling went to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and directly requested ten boxes of swallow cups, twenty sticks of old ginseng, and a cage each of deer antler and poria. The director of the Ministry of Internal Affairs didn't dare to ask more questions and hurriedly ordered someone to open the warehouse, take out the best ones, and present them. After Chu Shaoling personally inspected them, he ordered people to carry them, and the group went to Ci'an Palace.

Entering the side hall, Chu Shaoling performed the ritual greetings properly. The Empress Dowager smiled, "Quickly rise. Your maternal uncles' wives and your little cousin have come. They haven't seen you for a long time, so I asked you to come and see them."

Chu Shaoling lowered his eyes. Ling Yi was not seen in the hall. She had probably hidden behind the screen in advance. The family discipline of the Marquis Zijun's household was indeed good.

Chu Shaoling slightly bowed and said, "Greetings to my aunts." The titled ladies standing below didn't dare to accept the greeting and hurriedly stepped aside, also bowing and returning the greetings. Chu Shaoling turned his head and said to the Empress Dowager with a soft smile, "Last night, there was another heavy snowfall, and the north wind blew all night. Did Imperial Grandmother sleep well?"

The Empress Dowager felt warmth in her heart and smiled, "The ground heating in the chamber was well-stoked. I didn't feel the cold."

"That's good." Chu Shaoling lowered his head. "A few days ago, your grandson saw a hand warmer with five butterflies holding longevity, inlaid with blue silver, and ordered someone to send it over. Did Imperial Grandmother see it?"

The Empress Dowager smiled, "Isn't it being used right now?" The Empress Dowager opened the cover of the hand warmer she was holding, and indeed, an exquisite and well-crafted hand warmer was revealed.

The several ladies of the Ling family all praised Chu Shaoling for being thoughtful and filial. In front of these people, the Empress Dowager felt even more glorious. Compared to the Emperor, Chu Shaoling was much more filial, and this filial piety was real and tangible, most able to warm people's hearts. The Empress Dowager smiled and looked at the items placed below, asking, "What are these?"

Chu Shaoling smiled, "I heard that my aunts brought my cousin..."

The Empress Dowager smiled and was about to take the opportunity to let Ling Yi come out, but unexpectedly, Chu Shaoling continued, "My cousin Ling Yun has always been in poor health. Your grandson thought that since we are all flesh and blood relatives, sending other things would be improper. So I ordered someone to prepare some top-quality tonics. In this cold weather, let them nourish Cousin Ling Yun's body."

Chu Shaoling swept his eyes across the hall, turned his head to Madam Feng, the birth mother of Ling Yun and Ling Yi, and said, "Cousin Ling Yun probably avoided me when she saw me coming. Aunt, please accept these things."

Madam Feng was extremely touched. This wasn't the first time Chu Shaoling had sent medicinal ingredients to the Marquis Zijun's residence. Moreover, each time, they were rare tribute items that were difficult to find on the market, most suitable for Ling Yun's nourishment.

Madam Feng thanked him repeatedly. No matter how rare these things were, that was secondary. The most important thing was Chu Shaoling's intentions towards the Marquis Zijun's residence. The titled ladies put their minds at ease. After Chu Shaoling ascended the throne, the Marquis Zijun's residence would surely have a different aura.

The Empress Dowager, however, was extremely disappointed. She could only blame Chu Shaoling for being too straightforward. Chu Shaoling's words had already been said, so how could she still say that it wasn't Ling Yun who came, but actually Ling Yi? The good opportunity was wasted.

The Empress Dowager didn't suspect anything else and only looked at Chu Shaoling with a blaming yet doting gaze, smiling, "Ling'er is thoughtful. Forget it, you shouldn't dwell here for too long either. Go."

Chu Shaoling smiled with satisfaction, properly paid his respects to the Empress Dowager, turned around, and left. Before he even exited the bedchamber, he heard the Empress Dowager laughing inside, "The Crown Prince just speaks little, but in fact, his heart is always thinking of your residence."

Madam Feng hurriedly chimed in, "Who says it isn't so? Cold on the surface, but the things he does warm people's hearts. This lady is not being presumptuous, but the Empress Dowager's blessings lie ahead."

The Empress Dowager laughed continuously.

Chu Shaoling exited Ci'an Palace and boarded the sedan chair. Wang Muhan, who had been sweating nervously earlier, finally put his mind at ease and said with a smile, "The Crown Prince has a good strategy. In the end, you didn't meet her, leaving some leeway."

Chu Shaoling gently rubbed his brow, "My grandfather's family can't be treated casually like others."

Wang Muhan lowered his head and said, "In the future, when the Crown Prince heavily employs the Marquis Zijun's residence, it will be considered fulfilling the affection of these years."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "That is natural. My grandfather has helped me a lot. How could I let him down? By the way, how is the renovation of Qianqing Palace going? Is it being arranged according to what I said?"

"Your Highness can put a hundred minds at ease," Wang Muhan replied with his head lowered. "This servant has been keeping an eye on it. Every plant and tree is arranged according to Your Highness's instructions. I guarantee it will be even more luxurious than Huaji Hall. Fearing that the newly renovated rooms would be cold, this servant ordered people to keep the ground heating burning every day. The rooms are very dry, just waiting for Your Highness to ascend the throne and open the palace."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "Tell them to hurry. Ascending the throne is just a matter of the blink of an eye."

In the blink of an eye, fifteen days later, the late Emperor was buried with the posthumous title of Emperor Shizong. Chu Shaoling, out of utmost filial piety and benevolence, personally burned paper offerings and knelt in reverence every time the procession passed a palace along the hundred-mile route. Only after repeated persuasion from the officials did he reluctantly return to the city.

After the late Emperor's burial, the palace began bustling with preparations for the coronation ceremony. Chu Shaoling, citing that "the war has just ended and he cannot bear to burden the people," ordered everything to be kept simple. Despite several attempts at persuasion from the Ministry of Rites and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Chu Shaoling rejected their proposals.

In no time, the new Emperor's reputation for being as wise as the legendary rulers spread throughout the Great Chu. Chu Shaoling smiled as he read the congratulatory letters from the old princes of the fiefdoms, "They sure know how to flatter."

Chu Shaotao chuckled, "Now it's spreading everywhere that the new Emperor is wise, may he reign for a thousand autumns."

"Enough, I can't bear to hear such words." Chu Shaoling handed the memorial from Prince Rong to Chu Shaotao and said calmly, "Prince Rong has also requested to come to the Imperial City to attend the ceremony. I have agreed."

Chu Shaotao gave a cold smile, "Thank you, Your Highness. Rest assured, I will not take action before the coronation ceremony. After everything is concluded, I will settle the score when I return to the fiefdom with my father."

Chu Shaoling sighed inwardly. Prince Rong and Chu Shaotao, this father and son, were also foes in their previous lives. Chu Shaoling asked, "How do you plan to deal with Prince Rong?"

Chu Shaotao smiled coldly, "Heartbreak Powder, the poison that killed my wife back then, was put into the bird's nest she ate. Now, I will also give him a bottle of Heartbreak Powder. This way, when they meet before the King of Hell in the underworld, my ill-fated wife and unborn child will have an explanation. An eye for an eye, and we'll be even."

Chu Shaoling was momentarily speechless. Chu Shaotao laughed, "Does Your Highness think I'm too cruel?"

Chu Shaoling shook his head. In fact, compared to Chu Shaotao, what he had done was even more extreme. Chu Shaoling said, "I just find it ridiculous. Despite being father and son by nature, in the royal family, we always end up in situations like this, haha."

"In that sense, I'm better off than Your Highness. My mother is still alive. Once these matters are settled, we'll have our happy days in the fiefdom." Chu Shaotao sighed, feeling a sense of camaraderie with Chu Shaoling, "The Crown Prince has suffered more than me. There's a saying among the common folk, 'Better to die as an official's father than as a beggar's mother.' It's crude, but there's some truth to it."

Chu Shaoling laughed, "Anyway, I've made it through. In the past six months, you have helped me a great deal. I will cover for you in this matter. After it's done, I will issue a decree bestowing you a promotion."

Chu Shaotao bowed, "Thank you, Your Highness."

Chu Shaoling was always generous to his own people and added, "If you don't want to stay in the fiefdom, I can also allow you and your family to return to the Imperial City."

Chu Shaotao felt a sudden pang of emotion and shook his head, "No need. It was hard to adjust when I first went to the fiefdom, but now I'm used to it. Besides, Qi Yu doesn't want to come back either."

Chu Shaoling nodded, "I understand. Be careful in all matters and give my regards to your mother."

Chu Shaotao bowed in respect. Just as he was about to turn and leave, he came back and said, "These days have been chaotic, and I haven't been able to see Wei Ji. Your Highness, please send my regards to him. Your Highness, Wei Ji is a good man. Don't let him down."

The person before him was still the Crown Prince, but after the coronation ceremony, he would be the Emperor of the Great Chu. By then, everything would be different. Thinking of Wei Ji, Chu Shaotao couldn't help but worry for him. Chu Shaoling smiled, walked over, and patted Chu Shaotao on the shoulder, "Don't worry. Even if I let down the world, I will never let him down."

Chu Shaotao had seen countless instances of the impermanence of worldly affairs in the royal family. Hearing these words, he didn't quite believe them, but still nodded, "I'll remember these words. I hope Your Highness will remember them too."

Chu Shaoling smiled faintly, "Of course."

On the fifteenth day of the first month, the coronation ceremony was held. At the Chen hour, Chu Shaoling, dressed in dragon robes and wearing a triple-layered dragon crown, led the royal clan and ministers to the Imperial Ancestral Temple to offer sacrifices to the ancestors, the gods of the land and grain, and the people.

After the heavenly sacrifice, Chu Shaoling was escorted back to the palace by the Imperial Guards led by Wei Ji. When passing through the Taihe Gate, the Imperial Guards unsheathed their swords, leaving only Wei Ji to accompany Chu Shaoling through the gate, while the rest of the guards waited outside.

From the Taihe Gate to the Taihe Hall, passing through the Zhonghe Hall all the way to the Baohe Hall, along the long path, only Wei Ji guarded Chu Shaoling.

The two walked on the gold-embroidered red dragon carpet. Chu Shaoling was dressed in dragon robes, while Wei Ji was in military attire. One was noble, the other valiant, each with their own charm. The path, not too long or short, took Wei Ji only the time to burn one incense stick, but for Chu Shaoling, it was a journey of twenty years.

Upon reaching the Baohe Hall, Chu Shaoling ascended the dragon jade steps. Inside the hall, the Minister of Rites solemnly read the late Emperor's decree. Wei Ji received the imperial seal from Marquis Zijun. The seal felt heavy in his hands. Wei Ji suddenly remembered what Chu Shaoling had said to him the night before: This world belongs to me, and also to you.

Wei Ji took a deep breath, turned around, and knelt down, presenting the imperial seal with both hands. Chu Shaoling lowered his gaze, looking into Wei Ji's eyes. After a moment's pause, he took the seal. Wei Ji was the first to kowtow, "Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!"

The civil and military officials followed suit, kneeling and kowtowing, "Long live the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand of ten thousand years!"

The hall resounded with cheers of long live. Chu Shaoling slightly raised his head. From this day forward, this world truly belonged to him.