Chapter 262

Chapter 262

On the fourth day of the twelfth lunar month, the Xianqing Emperor was hastily buried in his newly commenced, rudimentary imperial mausoleum.

As a deposed emperor who lost his life after just eight months on the throne, it was already a great honor that the new emperor arranged for craftsmen to complete the mausoleum for him. Hoping for a grand mausoleum like that of the Xingping Emperor was wishful thinking.

After the late emperor's burial, Eunuch Liu, along with the palace maids and eunuchs, worked day and night to clean every palace spotlessly. The officials from the Ministry of Rites, the Court of State Ceremonies, and the Temple of Heaven were scrambling to prepare for the new emperor's coronation.

Although Zhang Wengong had not yet been officially appointed to a position, he had already taken over command of three thousand palace guards from Lu Gong. Except for filling the vacancies left by the executed Fan Zhao and his loyal subordinates with soldiers from the Southern Camp, the three thousand palace guards largely retained the old members of the Imperial Guard.

Lu Gong had only temporarily managed the palace guards and had been busy for over half a month. Now that he could finally hand over this hot potato to Zhang Wengong, he felt completely relieved. While Feng Ji was still in the capital, Lu Gong was eager to catch up with his old friend, reminisce about their younger days, and look forward to the new dynasty's new atmosphere. They enjoyed drinking and sparring, feeling at ease.

Wei Qi and Song Lan, the two chancellors, were not at a stage where they could relax. They had to oversee the preparations for the coronation ceremony and draft the new dynasty's name and reign title for the new emperor to select. This also included the posthumous titles and temple names to be bestowed upon the new emperor's grandparents, parents, and elder brother, all of which the ministers had to worry about on behalf of their sovereign.

The two chancellors sent the documents to the Marquis’s residence, and Xiao Zhen invited his second uncle, Xiao Shouyi, over to discuss the matters with his wife.

Xiao Shouyi smiled and said, "I am foolish, and the emperor and empress may decide."

Tong Sui said, "In our own home, why is Second Uncle so formal?"

Xiao Zhen said, "Yes, there are no outsiders here. Second Uncle can just call us by our names as before."

Xiao Shouyi hurriedly said, "No, no, there must be imperial rules. To act as before would violate the etiquette between sovereign and minister, and if word got out, it would undermine the emperor's dignity."

People might ridicule the Xiao family's humble origins, suggesting that despite his rise to the throne, he still lacked the grace of royalty.

Since Xiao Shouyi insisted, Xiao Zhen let him be.

In the end, both Xiao Zhen and Tong Sui agreed to set the dynasty's name as "Wei," first because they were originally from Wei County, and second because the family's patriarch had been granted the title "Duke of Wei" by the Taizu Emperor. This dynasty name also served to commemorate the patriarch.

The reign title was set as "Yong'an," first because it was an appropriate meaning, and second because Xiao Zhen's title of Marquis of Yong'an was bestowed by the Xingping Emperor. Using this as the reign title perfectly demonstrated Xiao Zhen's loyalty to the Xingping Emperor, and his ascension to the throne was merely in response to the people's will, not because he had long harbored ambitions.

On the sixth day of the twelfth lunar month, Xiao Zhen officially ascended the throne and announced his reign to the world. The capital was finally freed from martial law.

As soon as the grand ceremony ended, Xiao Zhen began to get busy.

The first order of business was the investiture of Tong Sui as empress, with a later date set for the grand ceremony.

Following that was the bestowal of titles on a group of imperial relatives. After bestowing posthumous honors on the deceased, it was time to bestow titles on the living.

Xiao Shouyi was named Prince Jing, and Madam He was titled as Princess Jing. Their eldest son, Xiao Yan, was named heir apparent, their second son, Xiao She, was titled Duke of Wu County, and their eldest daughter, Xiao Yuchan, was titled Countess Baofu.

Xiao Zhen's paternal aunt was titled Grand Princess Yichun, and Xiao Gufu was named her consort.

Liu Chu was titled Grand Princess Heping, and Mianmian was titled Countess Jiale.

Xiao Ye was titled Prince Ning.

Tong Youyu was bestowed the title Duke of Imperial Favor, and Zhou Jingchun was titled Count Guangde.

After the imperial relatives, it was time to bestow titles on the meritorious officials and military officers.

Ten border generals were honored. Feng Ji retained his hereditary ducal title with perpetual succession. Zhao Liangchen, Yuan Lou, Xie Jian, and Luo Xiao, who were already marquises, were elevated to dukes. Qiao Changshun and the two generals from Qingzhou and Hezhou, who had just earned military merits, were granted marquis titles. Only the newly appointed generals of Hanzhou and Jiangzhou, who had yet to earn merit, remained as military governors.

The group of officers outside the Xiao family, including Sun Dian, Zhang Wengong, and Qi Yun, were all titled as marquises.

The civil officials' positions remained largely untouched, but the military officers of the three capital garrisons saw some adjustments.

Lu Gong remained the commander of the Eastern Camp, with Xiao Ye as his deputy.

Qi Heng remained the commander of the Western Camp, with Zhao Jin as his deputy.

Xiao Shouyi was promoted to the commander of the Southern Camp, with Sun Dian as his deputy.

Zhang Wengong was promoted to Commander of the Imperial Guard, with Xiao She as his deputy.

These announcements were made in the grand hall of the Qianyuan Palace.

After court was dismissed, some were happy while others were angry. Xiao Shouyi was receiving congratulations from Lu Gong and the others, but when he caught a glimpse of his son Xiao Yan's pale and angry face from the corner of his eye, his heart sank. After forcing himself to continue mingling for a bit longer, he quickened his pace to catch up with his son.

"Stop, where are you going?" Xiao Shouyi had to call out because Xiao Yan's steps were too fast.

Xiao Yan glanced at his father, walked a few more steps before stopping angrily, and pointed at the military officers who were walking out in front of the Qianyuan Palace. "Duke Lu is a senior, and both Marquis Qi and Zhao Jin have merits, I acknowledge that. The Fourth Son is the younger brother of the Second Son, so I accept that he serves as the deputy of the Eastern Camp. But Zhang Wengong and Sun Dian, what makes them better than me? Even the Fifth Son got a promotion, so why am I still a third-rank guard commander?"

Xiao Shouyi said, "Nonsense, Chang'an, Tong Gui, and Qi Yun are also guard commanders. It's not just you. The Emperor has to consider many aspects when selecting officials. I already command the Southern Camp, where else do you expect to be promoted to?"

Xiao Yan said, "When Grandfather was still alive, he shared command of the Southern Camp with the Second Son. Now that the Second Son has ascended the throne, what's wrong with letting us father and son manage the Southern Camp? Am I, his own brother, less trustworthy than Sun Dian? And Zhang Wengong, he's been made Commander of the Imperial Guard. Why would the Second Son use him instead of one of his three younger brothers?"

Xiao Shouyi said, "Do you really want to know?"

Xiao Yan nodded.

Xiao Shouyi looked around, took his son to a secluded spot, and then, when his son was least expecting it, slapped him across the face.

Xiao Yan was speechless.

Xiao Shouyi said, "Damn it, your mother may be naive, but you're even more so!"

Xiao Yan covered his face with one hand, glaring at his father with fire in his eyes.

Xiao Shouyi said, "Just because you didn't get promoted, you have so many complaints. What, do you think you're better at being Emperor than your Second Brother?"

Xiao Yan stopped glaring at his father but still refused to yield, turning his head away and saying, "I'm angry that he's being partial!"

Xiao Shouyi said, "Not to mention that Sun Dian and Zhang Wengong are indeed better than you; it's you who lacks self-awareness. Even if the Second Son is being partial, as a subject, how dare you complain about the Emperor?"

Xiao Yan said, "...As brothers, can't I say a few words?"

Xiao Shouyi said, "Do you know how Fan Zhao died? It was because he always treated the Emperor as his younger brother and had no respect for him! Just when one Fan Zhao died, now another fool like you shows up. Do you want to be like Fan Zhao and try to control your Second Brother, or harm him, and ultimately bring disaster upon the whole family?"

Xiao Yan was silent.

Xiao Shouyi pointed at him and said, "Behave yourself. After I die, you can still be a prince. If I ever find out you have any disrespect towards the Emperor again, I'll break your legs first, so you don't do anything unforgivable that would disturb Grandfather's spirit in the afterlife and let Fan Zhao watch our family make a fool of itself!"

Xiao Yan, seeing his father was extremely angry, knelt down with his head lowered and said, "Don't worry, Father, I will never be like Fan Zhao."

Xiao Shouyi said, "You'd better remember, without your Second Brother and Second Brother's wife, our family would have been wiped out long ago."

—

In the evening, Xiao Zhen rode out of the palace. Since it was nearby, he returned to the Marquis’s residence before long.

Tong Sui said in surprise, "I expected you to come back after dark."

Everyone knew the first day of ascending the throne must be busy.

Xiao Zhen: "Let's focus on what needs to be done and not waste time on what doesn’t. How are you feeling today?"

Tong Sui touched her belly and smiled, "Everything's going smoothly. No rush at all."

Mother, aunt, and grandfather have all moved into our residence. Mother and aunt are responsible for the delivery, while grandfather stays outside just in case.

When Lin Ningfang gave birth, we also relied on family members to assist, just like this time. We only selected a wet nurse with a clear and trustworthy background from outside.

Xiao Zhen: "No need to rush. I'll have the palace cleaned again and replace everything in the bedchamber with new items."

Tong Sui had been to the palace before. After considering the distance between the Western Palace and the rear hall of the Qianyuan Hall, she sighed, "In the past, our whole family was crammed together. After moving to the capital, we split into two residences. The house is big. It takes at least fifteen minutes to walk from the Marquis’s residence to the Duke's residence. Only Elder Sister and Fourth Younger Brother with his wife live close by. Now that we've moved into the palace, not only will we be separated from Elder Sister and the others, but even you and I will have to live apart..."

Xiao Zhen: "You think too much. When we move into the palace, you'll live in the Qianyuan Hall with me. When we need to entertain guests, you'll set up banquets in the Western Palace during the day, but you'll come back at night."

Tong Sui: "Isn't that against the palace rules?"

Xiao Zhen: "The palace rules are set by the emperor. Other emperors have three palaces and six courtyards; they're too lazy to move around, so they have their concubines take turns attending to them. I only have you as my empress. If we don’t live together, would you really want us to keep running back and forth between the Western Palace and the Qianyuan Hall?"

Tong Sui looked at their joined hands and, as Xiao Zhen leaned in to kiss her, she asked in his ear, "Do you really think so?"

Xiao Zhen looked up into her clear eyes and said, "I'm quite possessive. This grand home we worked so hard for belongs to us and our children. No one else is going to come and take advantage of us."

What should be given to relatives and friends has already been given, and he will continue to reward them according to their contributions in the future, but this palace belongs solely to Xiao Zhen and Tong Sui's little family.

Tong Sui smiled and, as Xiao Zhen leaned in for another kiss, she wrapped her arms around his shoulders.

When she got married from Lingshui Village, she thought that if Xiao Zhen treated her badly, she would run back to her parents' house.

When the Xiao Family was enfeoffed as marquises, if Xiao Zhen really wanted to take a concubine, Tong Sui could have abandoned the wealth of the Marquis’s residence and either returned to her parents' house or bought her own home.

Now, she had fought alongside him to carve out half the world.

Tong Sui was relieved that Xiao Zhen still only wanted to live a peaceful, loving life with her, without any interest in distractions.

But life is long, and if Xiao Zhen ever changed, Tong Sui wouldn't entertain thoughts of leaving anymore.

She would fight him for this "mountain stronghold."

Of course, it would be best if neither of them changed and they lived harmoniously until old age.

——

After dark, Xiao Ye returned from the Eastern Camp, and next door, Father and Son Xiao Shouyi and Xiao Yan also returned home from the Southern Camp.

Madam He, who had just been elevated to a royal consort, was full of joy and eagerly inquired about the changes in their positions. The usually clumsy Fifth Younger Brother had become the deputy commander of the Imperial Guard and was brimming with enthusiasm. Tonight, he was on duty at the palace and only sent a message back.

Xiao Shouyi looked at his son.

Xiao Yan glanced at Lin Ningfang, then without touching his tea or food, he sullenly returned to the eastern courtyard.

Madam He: "What's wrong with him?"

Xiao Shouyi: "Don't worry about him."

Lin Ningfang: "Mother, please keep Father company. I'll go check on him."

When she arrived at the couple's yard, she saw Xiao Yan lying on the couch in the secondary room, his towering figure stretched out diagonally to fit.

Lin Ningfang sat beside him and softly said, "There are only a few openings for senior military positions. You weren’t selected for one of those, were you?"

Xiao Yan’s broad shoulders tensed visibly.

Lin Ningfang: "When the Emperor appoints officials, he not only looks for virtue and ability but also considers balance. Father is certainly going to lead the Southern Camp, so as his son, you cannot be entrusted with another high-ranking position."

Xiao Yan: "Then how did Fifth Brother become the deputy commander?"

Lin Ningfang: "Because Fifth Brother is more obedient and never angers the Emperor or Empress."

Xiao Yan was still sulking.

Lin Ningfang: "But I’m sure that when the Emperor campaigns against the Ling Kingdom and Liang, he’ll make you the vanguard commander. When it comes to bravery, no one compares to you—except maybe Fifth Brother."

Xiao Yan lifted his head and looked at her skeptically. "Do you really think so?"

Lin Ningfang nodded with a smile.

Xiao Yan pursed his lips and suddenly sat next to her, pulling her onto his lap. "You always know what to say, unlike Father, who just hits and scolds me."

Lin Ningfang: "You probably made Father angry first. If you complained like this calmly, Father wouldn’t have reacted so harshly."

Remembering how he had stormed off to confront Second Brother, Xiao Yan coughed awkwardly. "Forget it, if I don’t get promoted, I don’t. If anyone tries to show off in front of me, I’ll just beat them up."