Chapter 427: Enthronement of the Empress

Chapter 427 Appointment of the Empress

During this delicate succession period, Prince Xiu's greatest advantage was being the eldest son. Many ministers might not have private ties with him, but simply because he was the firstborn, they would unconditionally support him.

They were not supporting Prince Xiu, but rather tradition and protocol.

The fact that His Majesty chose to appoint an empress now said everything without saying anything.

"The position of empress has been vacant for many years. Consort Zhou, of noble lineage, is virtuous and dignified. We wish to make her empress. What do you all think?"

Emperor Xingyuan posed this question, and the ministers showed mixed reactions.

Those who unconditionally supported the emperor naturally did not oppose it. Those who valued tradition and protocol had long petitioned for an empress due to the vacancy. As for those who genuinely supported Prince Xiu, though they wished to object, they had no grounds to do so.

With the imperial household without a mistress, it was only natural for the emperor to appoint an empress. Moreover, the Third Prince's birth mother, Consort Zhou, was beyond reproach in terms of lineage, rank, and virtue—making her appointment as empress entirely justified.

The ministers who supported Prince Xiu exchanged silent looks, but none dared to speak up.

After all, how could they claim that Consort Zhou, the Third Prince's mother, was unsuitable, while Consort An, Prince Xiu's mother, was fit for the position?

It was well known that Consort An had been overlooked for years by the emperor. It was only after Prince Xiu turned fifteen and moved to his own estate that she was promoted to the rank of consort. If they argued that Consort An was suitable, they wouldn't even believe it themselves.

Emperor Xingyuan scanned the faces of the assembled ministers and nodded in satisfaction.

"Since there are no objections, proceed with the coronation."

As the ministers left the palace, news spread that Consort Zhou, the Third Prince's mother, was to be appointed as empress.

Xin You sat in her office when she noticed the officials hovering at the doorway, as if wanting to say something.

She stepped out and asked with a smile what the matter was.

"Lady Xin, are you free after work? If not, let’s gather for a drink," the official said, his tone casual but his eyes showing hesitation.

Xin You understood that the officials had heard about Consort Zhou's coming appointment as empress and assumed she was upset, hence the invitation to cheer her up.

"Unfortunately, I have plans today. Another time, I’ll treat you all."

Seeing her calm expression and steady gaze, the official smiled. "Very well. We’re always free. Lady Xin, get back to work. We’ll return to the West Hall."

Xin You watched them enter the Dai Zhao Hall before turning back to her tidy, quiet office. Deciding against staying, she headed out of the Hanlin Academy.

Along the way, she attracted many curious looks.

Not long after leaving the academy, she spotted He Qingxiao standing beneath a tree by the roadside.

She approached and asked, "Were you waiting for me?"

He Qingxiao nodded openly.

"Why not send a message through the gatekeeper? If I’d left after my shift, you’d have had to wait a long time." She walked beside him as they continued forward.

"I had nothing to do today. Waiting killed time." He searched her face.

"I’m fine," Xin You said, guessing his concern.

He Qingxiao stopped, searching her eyes.

Xin You lifted her chin slightly, not hiding her emotions in front of him. "It seems everyone knows about His Majesty’s plan to appoint an empress. They probably all think I’m unhappy about it."

She took a few steps forward, and in the distance, someone was curiously looking their way.

"What others get from my mother’s cast-offs means nothing to me."

It only made that person’s decision clearer to her.

Instead, she wondered how Prince Xiu would take the news.

Prince Xiu was in his study, surrounded by advisors with grim faces.

"Your Highness, once the Empress is crowned, the Third Prince becomes the legitimate heir!"

Prince Xiu looked at the speaker.

A prince’s officials share his fate—they rise or fall with him.

He got their worries but didn’t have it in him to care.

"Your Highness—"

Prince Xiu cast a cold glance and replied icily, "Do you expect this prince to tell His Majesty to cancel the coronation? If my words mattered, His Majesty wouldn’t be doing this."

The advisors shut up.

The First Prince had strong backing, and many officials considered his designation as Crown Prince a natural course. Even if the Emperor favored the Third Prince, there would have been significant opposition.

But the Emperor never even mentioned appointing the Third Prince, denying the officials any room for debate—instead, he moved straight to appointing the Empress.

This was like cutting the ground from under him.

One of the advisors sighed deeply.

Serving a prince wasn’t bad, but His Highness was clearly the most suitable candidate with the greatest opportunity. This was a bitter pill to swallow!

"Leave me. I’m tired."

They rose, bowed, and departed in silence.

Prince Xiu sat frozen in his study.

The study stayed dark as night fell. Prince Xiu closed his eyes, and a tear fell unseen in the dark.

Next, the Imperial Astronomers picked a lucky date, and the Ministry of Rites made this their top task, beginning preparations.

Typically, such grand ceremonies required at least a month of preparation, and the chosen date was set for just over a month later.

The next time Prince Xiu went out, he saw everyone bustling about in preparation for the coronation, and everywhere he went, the topic of conversation was the same.

"Your Highness." Two chatting officials spotted Prince Xiu passing by and cut off mid-talk and bowed stiffly.

Prince Xiu nodded and kept walking, hearing them exhale in relief.

Overnight, the top contender became a sorry sight in the eyes of the officials and nobles.

In the palace, Emperor Xingyuan asked about Prince Xiu's reaction.

"The Prince seems down but hasn’t complained."

Emperor Xingyuan nodded. "And Xin You?"

"Princess Ayou is doing fine."

Emperor Xingyuan wasn't entirely convinced but felt uneasy summoning Xin You to the palace, so he ordered Sun Yan to send lavish gifts to the Xin residence.

With the third prince being the crown prince and Xin You enjoying imperial favor, the contrast made Prince Xiu appear all the more pitiable.

Yet after several days of melancholy, Prince Xiu returned to normal, interacting with officials in a gentle and humble manner that drew quiet sympathy.

While the third prince's true capabilities were still unknown, Prince Xiu's magnanimity and composure would have made him an excellent ruler to maintain stability.

Unfortunately, regardless of the officials' sentiments, preparations for the empress coronation ceremony progressed methodically, undeterred by anyone's regrets.

The day before the coronation, the Court of State Ceremonial set up the ceremonial plaques in the Hall of Worship. On the day itself, officials kowtowed as Empress Zhou received her patents, paid homage to the empress dowager, and accepted congratulations.

The following day, according to protocol, imperial princes entered the palace to offer congratulations.

As the sole imperial prince, Prince Xiu led the other princes in paying respects to Empress Zhou.

At the master of ceremonies' invitation for the empress to take her seat, Prince Xiu knelt: "Your son Chen Ping, respectfully leading my younger brothers, congratulates Her Majesty the Empress."

After completing the full eight bows with perfect propriety, Prince Xiu rose with the other princes. Then Princess Xuan led her two younger sisters in performing the same obeisance to the new empress.

Prince Xiu silently watched his three sisters kowtow to the empress - Xin You was conspicuously absent.

As expected, she who was not recorded in the imperial genealogy had avoided this occasion.

His gaze flickered toward the third prince, Chen You.