July 18th, good luck.
In the inner room of Jingxin Palace, the sixth son of the late emperor, Prince Daqing Gu Chengqian opened his arms and was helped by Lai Fu to put on the nine-clawed dragon robe that represented his status.
Daqing respects the color black. When the color wraps around a person, the only remaining trace of immaturity seems to be concealed.
Gu Chengqian was slightly distracted when he looked at the twelve crowns in Berlin's hand in the mirror, until Berlin came forward with the crowns, he came back to his senses, turned around, took the crowns in his hands and walked straight out. Berlin and Lai Fu looked at each other and hurriedly followed him out.
There were only a few people in the outer hall, including the Empress Dowager, the Grand Tutor, the Regent and the Grand Preceptor.
Gu Chengqian bowed to his grandmother first, then walked to the Taifu who was bowing and helped her up. He placed the twelve crowns that represented nobility in her hands, lowered his head and said, "Please, Taifu, put the crown on this student."
This was an overstep, and everyone present knew it, but no one reminded them.
Hua Zhi knew it herself, but looking at the young boy with his neck exposed in front of her, with even the hair on his temples clearly visible, she raised her hand and put it on without much hesitation. While carefully arranging it for him, she whispered a warning, "A man should come of age at the age of 20, but you won't be able to wait until that time. From now on, you will be the emperor with a golden mouth and jade orders. You will be closely related to the fate of Daqing, and the people of Daqing will be protected by you. Stand up straight."
Hua Zhi patted his back and said, "Don't be afraid. You have never been alone. Go forward boldly. It's okay to stumble. You have to endure minor injuries. Master, I believe that Xiao Liu'er, who became the crown prince in a hurry without being led by the nose, will surely bring prosperity to Daqing in the future and become a wise ruler in the prosperous era."
Gu Chengqian blinked, and the beads hanging from the crown covered his slightly red eyes. He was afraid at first, but now he is not afraid anymore.
"I will never forget what Grand Master said."
Hua Zhi smiled, and her thin cheeks turned a little red because of this smile.
Gu Yanxi glanced at Lai Fu, who understood and stepped forward to remind him in a low voice: "The time is almost up."
Gu Chengqian nodded slightly, "Taifu is weak, so just show up. There is no need to follow behind."
Several people present had experienced the previous emperor's ascension to the throne, and knew how exhausting that was. With Hua Zhi's body now looking like it would fall over at the slightest gust of wind, she naturally couldn't bear it. The prince's treatment was not considered special care, and even if he didn't say anything, others would have mentioned it.
Now all the civil and military officials in the court have complicated feelings towards Hua Zhi. She is of course outstanding, but her outstandingness makes the men like her look useless. She also knows how to retreat while the going gets tough. She has not been seen since the incident. We only heard that she is recuperating with the empress dowager. There are also rumors that even the personal treatment of the divine doctor Yu has not made much progress.
At first everyone was skeptical, but when they heard the noise, they turned around and saw the person they were just wondering about walked in wearing court robes. The official uniform that was tailor-made for him was swinging violently at this time, and his face looked not much bigger than a palm.
Zhu Bowen immediately walked over, stopped her from bowing, and asked, "Are you feeling better?"
Hua Zhi nodded to the people around her who were looking at her, "Much better."
"I'm afraid it won't be an easy day today. Can you bear it?"
"Your Highness allowed me to leave halfway." Hua Zhi touched her left arm. She didn't know if it was her illusion, but she always felt that her left hand was a little weak. It must be because of the injury... maybe.
When the music started, Zhu Bowen didn't say anything more. He whispered a message not to be stubborn and returned to his original seat. Hua Zhi and Gu Yanxi also returned to their seats.
The first thing a new king has to do when he ascends the throne is to offer sacrifices to heaven. Hua Zhi only stood there for a moment, then bowed three times and was personally helped by Lai Fu to get on the sedan chair back to the harem. She did not refuse this kindness, as she felt she was no longer able to cope with the indulgence she had in recent days. It was just a pity that she could not witness the scene of cheers of "Long live the king" with her own eyes.
Back in the palace, compared with the Temple of Heaven, this place seemed particularly deserted. When she thought that Xiaoliu would have to stay here for the next few decades, she wanted to sigh. Sometimes, one really cannot blame the king for being short-sighted and having no foresight. How can they see further if they shrink into this small place
Perhaps Kangxi and Qianlong were held back by the imperial palace when they repeatedly went to the south of the Yangtze River. Hua Zhi had all sorts of weird thoughts in her mind. Maybe she would also urge the emperor to go to the south of the Yangtze River when the time comes. Don't think that the world is only as big as the capital.
Well, Xiao Liuer followed her to travel south and north, and then went to Xiangyang for several months, so his thinking should not be so limited...
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."
The voice of greeting brought Hua Zhi back to her senses, and she bowed to the most noble but also the loneliest woman in the world.
The Empress Dowager gave him a false support and said, "You didn't move when I saw you from a distance. Are you distracted?"
"I'm a little distracted." Hua Zhi changed the subject, "What are you doing..."
"Come out for a walk. This palace is too quiet."
Yes, it was so quiet that even the palace maids and the concubines could only see it from afar. Hua Zhi felt sorry for Xiao Liu'er who had to live in such a place for the rest of his life.
The two people with different thoughts walked one after the other on the corridor. The Queen Mother suddenly said, "Get married when you are well again."
Hua Zhi was a little surprised. She had always thought that the Queen Mother was the one who took the late Emperor's will the most seriously. In fact, sometimes she demanded that of herself. But now...
"Children of the same age as Yan Xi are already seven or eight years old, but he has not yet started a family. I know why, and how can I not feel distressed." The Queen Mother stopped and leaned against the railing to look at the flowers blooming outside. "I feel guilty about you, too. I believe that even if you get married, you will not ignore the new emperor."
"Please believe me, Queen Mother. I have no ambitions." Hua Zhi also looked at the clusters of flowers. "I just want to be a rice bug. Having a full stomach every day and not having to worry about anything is the life I want most."
The Queen Mother laughed. Yes, if he had no ambition at all, he would not have lived to the age of sixteen with no reputation despite having so many abilities. If the Hua family had not encountered this incident, who would have known that the Hua family actually had such a person as Hua Zhi.
When the new emperor ascended the throne, he issued a general amnesty, but the Hua family was not included.
At the morning court session, the new emperor personally read out an imperial decree, "Hua Yizheng and his people have made great contributions in defending the border. He is now reinstated. All the things seized from the Hua family must be returned. I decree this."
Hua Zhi did not go to court. After learning about this from Yan Xi, she covered her eyes for a moment. After two years, what she asked for had come true. Xiao Liu brought her family back in the most decent way!
Her home, her home is back.
Hua Zhi was filled with impatience, "I want to leave the palace, I want to go home!"
Gu Yanxi knew where she was going back to, so she took her people to the old house without saying a word.
Hua Zhi could no longer hold back after entering Hualin Lane. She jumped off the carriage as she spoke. Seeing that the seal on the gate had been torn off, she wanted to let out a long roar to vent her excitement.
Her home is back!
Her family is coming back soon!