Chapter 194 Ending Four Preparing for the Coronation Ceremony.

**Chapter 194: The Fourth Ending – Preparations for the Enthronement Ceremony Begin**

The next day, Tuo Baxiao summoned both Xianbei and Han ministers and announced before everyone that he would ascend the throne together with Jiang Congyan, ruling as co-sovereigns.

"From now on, the Xianbei and Han peoples shall be treated equally, without distinction of status, and shall integrate harmoniously."

It actually happened!

The Han ministers standing below were barely able to contain their excitement but struggled to maintain composure.

To be honest, when they had made this request, they hadn’t held much hope. They had only thought that even if it didn’t succeed, the princess, moved by the people’s plea and her own benevolence, would at least remember the Han people in the future.

Though Tuo Baxiao had half-Han ancestry, he had grown up among the Xianbei and largely represented their interests. The Han people had always felt uneasy about him ruling the empire—not for any other reason, but because the idea of “outsiders” had long been deeply ingrained in their hearts.

Only now, at this very moment, could Huan Jun finally say to himself in good conscience: You did not make a mistake. You have protected the people of the realm.

"Long live the King! Long live the Princess!"

He was the first to gather his robes, kneel, bow deeply, and touch his forehead to the ground.

This was the most solemn form of prostration, and by addressing Tuo Baxiao as "Your Majesty," he signaled his complete submission.

As the leader of the Han officials, his action prompted the others to follow suit, kneeling and chanting in unison, "Long live the King! Long live the Princess!"

And so, it was decided.

Finally, Jiang Congyan stepped forward, her expression solemn. "I accepted the throne not to deepen the divide between the Han and Xianbei peoples. I do not represent only the Han—I am also the Xianbei Queen, and the Xianbei are my people as well. I hope the two peoples will integrate and coexist peacefully. Though I carry the bloodline of the Founding Emperor, the Liang State has fallen and can only remain a bygone dynasty. I will not allow anyone to use my lineage for restorationist purposes. Those who defy this will face severe consequences. You must all remember this: now that the two peoples are equal, no slurs against the Xianbei will be tolerated."

The crowd bowed deeply and replied, "As you command."

The decision for co-reigning emperors was thus finalized. Once this news spread, it would send shockwaves across the land.

But that was a matter for later.

It was already the tenth lunar month. After staying in Jiankang for several days to handle the most critical affairs and lay out the broader plans, Jiang Congyan prepared to depart for the capital.

With the north and south now unified and the year nearing its end, the coming year would herald a fresh start—the perfect time to hold the enthronement ceremony. This would not only reassure the people but also usher in a new era for the dynasty.

After enduring years of war, the people needed a new, unified empire to lead them toward stability and prosperity.

She was now five months pregnant, past the riskiest phase but not yet at the more difficult stage—relatively safe for travel.

The journey from Jiankang to Chang’an spanned over two thousand *li*. Under normal circumstances, it would take over a month, but given her pregnancy, they would have to slow the pace, stretching the journey to almost two months.

If she didn’t leave now, traveling later would become even more difficult. By then, she would have to wait until after childbirth and recovery—likely not until the fourth or fifth month of the next year.

Thus, the best option was to return to Chang’an as soon as possible.

However, Huainan was freshly subdued and many matters—especially military affairs—required Tuo Baxiao’s attention. He couldn’t leave immediately, so Jiang Congyan would have to set off first, with him catching up later once he had resolved matters in the south.

Traveling alone on horseback, he could catch up in little over ten days.

"You’re carrying our child. I’m not comfortable with you traveling alone. Maybe I should go with you," Tuo Baxiao fretted the night before her departure.

"Don’t talk nonsense. Didn’t we already agree? Besides, I won’t be alone—Father is coming with me, and Zhang Fu will accompany us too, along with so many Imperial Guards and maids. I’ll be perfectly safe."

Tuo Baxiao remained uneasy, wavering between logic and worry, but in the end, Jiang Congyan persuaded him.

The South was too distant from Chang’an, and having just submitted, it was crucial to settle all affairs properly to prevent future unrest.

Tuo Baxiao could only hold her close, channeling all his tenderness and worry into their closeness.

She was slender, and even at five months, her belly wasn’t very large—like she’d tucked a peach inside—hardly an obstacle. Yet the man remained exceedingly cautious, his movements gentle and slow.

Jiang Congyan noticed the sheen of sweat on his forehead and neck, his veins bulging, his expression torn between pleasure and strain. She couldn’t decide if he was savoring it or struggling.

Honestly, she was feeling a little impatient herself.

“You can go a little faster,” she urged softly.

Tuo Baxiao responded with a hoarse murmur before finally giving in.

Nearly an hour later, the intense yet draining encounter came to an end. Jiang Congyan, her face flushed, leaned lazily against the man’s chest, steadying her breathing.

Tuo Baxiao tugged the blanket higher, holding her close, one hand stroking her smooth back while the other rested on her slightly rounded belly.

“Did the baby move today?” he asked.

“Not yet, I think.”

The first time they’d both felt the baby kick, they had been overjoyed. Jiang Congyan, of course, could sense the movements more often, but Tuo Baxiao remained fascinated, lingering with his hand on her belly every night. The baby was still small, however, and its movements were infrequent, so he seldom felt them.

“Little one, Daddy’s going away for a bit tomorrow. Be good and stay cozy in your mom’s belly, don’t trouble her, understand? If you tire her out, I’ll spank your little bottom when you’re born…”

Tuo Baxiao murmured to her belly, his sharp features softened in the candlelight, his entire demeanor uncharacteristically tender—almost goofy.

No one would guess the feared Prince of Mobei could be like this behind closed doors.

Jiang Congyan, lulled by his murmurs, was about to tell him to clean up and sleep when—

“Hey—she moved!” Tuo Baxiao suddenly exclaimed.

Her drowsiness vanished instantly.

“The baby moved,” he repeated excitedly.

“Yes, she did.”

Maybe the baby heard Dad’s threat and kicked back in defiance.

Jiang Congyan’s hand joined his on her belly, and his larger one enveloped hers.

Tuo Baxiao was awed by the miracle of new life—watching her belly grow, feeling the baby’s vitality strengthen day by day.

At first, it had been faint, like tiny fish bubbles. Now, there were kicks and somersaults—the kicks noticeably stronger.

“Zhang Fu says this is an active child—just like you,” Jiang Congyan said with a smile. Though her health had improved, she’d worried her weak constitution might affect the baby. Fortunately, Zhang Fu assured her the fetus was robust, likely inheriting Tuo Baxiao’s vigor.

“Might be a boy, then,” Tuo Baxiao mused.

“Couldn’t it be a girl?” she grumbled.

“Of course. A tough girl’s even better—harder to push around.”

That was more like it.

Not that anyone would dare bully their daughter anyway.

Being pregnant was exhausting, and after their earlier exertion, their lighthearted chatter about the baby lulled Jiang Congyan into sleep before she knew it.

Tuo Baxiao noticed she hadn’t replied for a long while and looked down to see her peacefully sleeping face. His heart, which had been restless from their impending separation, quieted.

—

The next day, Jiang Congyan arrived at the dock.

She planned to return to Chang’an by water.

Though traveling by boat took longer than by land, it was smoother and more suitable for her current pregnancy.

Tuo Baxico personally escorted her onto the ship. Unwilling to part, he kissed her in the cabin for a long while until the sun rose—any longer and they’d really be late.

“Alright, it’s only a month or two. Wrap things up here quickly, and I’ll be waiting for you in Chang’an.”

Seeing him stand motionless, as if he’d jump on board the second the ship left, Jiang Congyan had no choice but to harden her heart and shoo him off the ship.

Tuo Baxico remained on the shore, watching as the large ship sailed further into the distance.

Beside him, Huan Jun looked just as glum. Not only was the princess heading back to Chang’an alone, but she’d dragged Lu Yun along too.

Eleventh Brother wasn’t happy either—Jiang Yuer had left as well, and he couldn’t shake this hollow feeling.

The three men stood on the dock, letting the icy wind lash their faces.

In contrast to these men, Jiang Congyan was in good spirits. After resting briefly, she first sent A Fei to check on her father’s situation. When she got word that everything was fine, she then asked how Jiang Yuer and Lu Yun were doing. Neither of them was seasick, so she invited them over to chat.

The ship she boarded was a refitted warship—massive, with room for hundreds. Imperial Guards patrolled the deck, while the cabins were comfortably furnished.

Jiang Congyan had been busy earlier and had only met Jiang Yuer twice, with no chance to catch up. Now, with some rare downtime, she took the chance.

Soon, the two arrived together.

“Come, sit,” Jiang Congyan beckoned.

Without a heated bed on board, she had set up two stoves in the guest cabin. The group sat around them, warm and cozy.

Beside the stoves was a small table laden with citrus fruits, melons, and pastries, while A Fei brewed tea nearby.

The scent of tea filled the air, steam rising in lazy curls.

“You’ve grown so much these years—even better than I’d imagined,” Jiang Congyan observed earnestly as she studied Jiang Yuer.

Those simple words nearly made Jiang Yuer cry.

“Sister Ah Yan~”

“One little compliment and you’re back to crying like old times?” Jiang Congyan teased with a smile.

“I just can’t help it,” Jiang Yuer said, her voice thick with tears.

No matter how much she’d been through over the years, in front of Sister Ah Yan, she still felt like that helpless little girl from the past.

Jiang Congyan said nothing more, just pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at Jiang Yuer’s tears.

Once Jiang Yuer had composed herself, Jiang Congyan asked about her future plans.

Jiang Yuer glanced at her, then at Lu Yun. “I plan to divorce Huan Jun once we return to Chang’an.”

Lu Yun’s eyes flickered.

Jiang Yuer looked at her. "Our marriage was always a temporary arrangement—it was meant to give me stability and security. Now that peace has returned, it's time we ended this arrangement."

Her gaze was clear, her expression sincere; every word came straight from the heart.

"You're really going to do this?" Lu Yun asked.

"Sister Ah Yan is back. I believe no one would dare bully me even after our divorce, right, Ah Yan?" Jiang Yuer said in a playful, wheedling voice.

Jiang Congyan nodded with a smile. "Yes."

Lu Yun wanted to say more, but Jiang Yuer cut her off. "That settles it then."

Changing the subject, Jiang Congyan asked Lu Yun about her future plans.

Though they hadn't spent much time together, Jiang Congyan could see that Lu Yun understood decorum and boundaries, and had independent thinking.

"I plan to continue working as a tutor for various families," Lu Yun replied.

"I've made my living this way in Chang'an for the past few years, so returning to it comes naturally." Her tone was light—she wasn’t bothered by lowering her station to support herself.

Lu Yun came from a distinguished aristocratic family and was highly educated, but her clan had suffered during the Liang Emperor’s downfall. With her abilities, tutoring was more than enough.

Hearing this, Jiang Congyan paused thoughtfully before speaking. "I have a half-formed idea—I want to start a girls’ school. Would you be willing to help me?"

"A girls' school?" Lu Yun and Jiang Yuer asked in unison.

Jiang Congyan nodded, her tone growing firmer. "Yes, I want to start a girls' school."

The new dynasty would have an empress and female officials, but these were born of exceptional times. Without proper education, such roles would fade into a passing phenomenon.

In the past, turmoil had prevented her from pursuing such matters. Now that peace had returned, progress in society, thought, and culture must follow.

As she explained her vision, their eyes grew brighter.

Though this era wasn’t ruthlessly oppressive toward women, entering officialdom remained an uphill battle. Past regencies by empress dowagers still centered on imperial power. Jiang Congyan wanted to open real paths for women.

"This will undoubtedly be difficult. Perhaps our lifelong efforts will streak briefly like shooting stars across the night sky, only to vanish into history. But I still want to do it." She fixed them with a steady gaze.

"I'm willing," Lu Yun said without hesitation. "Even if we only shine for a fleeting moment, at least we’ll have illuminated this era."

"I’m willing too," Jiang Yuer added.

"Good. Then we’ll work as one."

Jiang Congyan extended her palm, and Lu Yun and Jiang Yuer placed theirs atop hers. The three clasped hands tightly.

Over the next several weeks, they gathered together to hash out plans for the girls’ school, slowly shaping their vision.

No matter the obstacles, they would meet them headfirst.

Jiang Congyan also took time to speak with her father.

With his revenge complete, peace restored, and his daughter happy, Jiang Huai felt his life held no regrets. He longed only to welcome his grandchild and spoil his grandchildren in peace.

In his youth, he had drawn comparisons to Crown Prince Zhaowen. Over the years, his wisdom and strategy had outstripped most men’s. Now that talent was needed, Jiang Congyan couldn’t pass up such a valuable asset.

"Father, help me establish official schools to recruit talented commoners. Wasn’t this Grandfather’s dying wish?" she said with a smile.

Jiang Huai gave a resigned laugh but ultimately agreed.

——

In late November, after completing the waterway journey, the group switched to land travel by carriage to enter the capital.

By early December, just as Jiang Congyan was about to arrive in Chang’an, Tuo Baxiao showed up—over ten days earlier than she had anticipated.

Travel-worn, exhausted, his horse spent, it was clear he had barely rested along the way.

Jiang Congyan felt both heartache and a flicker of anger. “What difference would a few more days have made? Why rush like this?”

Tuo Baxiao simply replied, “I wanted to see you sooner.”

Just that melted her frustration away.

Reunited once more, the couple finally arrived in Chang’an together on the eleventh of December, ready to begin preparing for the coronation ceremony.