Chapter 495: 495. There will never be a food shortage.
Divine Land has always been a nation of propriety since ancient tis; important ceremonies such as coronations are naturally given great emphasis.
Great Grandmaster Zhang Wenda personally took the lead in the preparations, which could be described as ticulous. Every little detail in the process was planned and arranged in detail.
At this mont, Li Pei, accompanied by Zhang Wenda, Zuo Gong, and a host of high officials, consecutively visited the Altar of Heaven, the Altar of Agriculture, and the Grand Ancestral Temple to perform sacrifices.
The next step was to ascend the Gate of Heavenly Piety to pray and receive the kneeling worship and congratulations of millions of officials and civilians.
The ceremonial guard had already arrived at Chang’an Street ahead of ti; the crowd, having waited for long, realized that the empress was about to make her appearance and instantly looked forward with great anticipation.
The soldiers guarding both sides of Chang’an Street also hurried to raise their heads and puff out their chests, showing themselves in their best condition.
...
The grand sound of music rose, signaling the empress’s magnificent procession was slowly approaching.
Leading the way were 100 cha, on whose roaring bright red capes a majestic Golden Dragon was emblazoned—the very one of Lu Yao.
Behind them ca a host of civil officials; Li Pei’s carriage was in the center, with Lu Yao and others also following within.
The procession moved slowly but was magnificent, with banners fluttering and canopies waltzing in the wind, to the resounding beats of drums and music—an awe-inspiring sight indeed.
By this ti, many distinguished guests attending the ceremony had already arrived; even those who opposed it wouldn’t be rude at this mont, lest they appear uncultured.
But there are always exceptions!
A stunningly beautiful woman in white swiftly approached the Chengtian Gate with quick movents.
Clearly, the woman had run for a considerable ti; her body stead with mist, and her hair was sowhat disheveled—a sight of weary travels.
Yet this person was none other than Yun Qinglan.
Seeing that the ceremony had not yet reached its conclusion, she breathed a sigh of relief, “Thank goodness I made it in ti… Curse you, Duan Zhi Gui, for delaying so much; I almost missed the event!”
After taking a mont to catch her breath, Yun Qinglan was ready to ascend Chengtian Gate. As a Sect Master and an Innate Expert, she would surely have the best view for the ceremony.
But soone blocked her way!
The newly appointed Chief Eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial—Zhang Jin, stood in front with a cold expression and said:
“Sect Master Yun, how can you be so disrespectful! Aren’t you afraid of the Emperor’s punishnt?”
This favorite eunuch of Li Pei knew well that his master disliked this woman and seized the mont to make it difficult for her.
Yun Qinglan calmly smoothed her hair and gave a charming smile, “I am serving the True Monarch; I will explain it to him. Do you have an opinion, Eunuch Zhang?”
Zhang Jin’s face faltered, his expression turning ugly as he said, “Then please hurry to your place and don’t be disrespectful, lest you beco a laughing stock!”
With that, he left with a cold sweep of his sleeves.
Yun Qinglan’s mouth curved into a sneer, and then she ascended the steps leisurely, her fragrance wafting through the air.
The dignitaries upstairs twitched their noses upon detecting the scent and saw that a great beauty had arrived, looking her over repeatedly.
Yun Qinglan was known as the number one beauty in the martial arts world, and naturally, her appearance would not disappoint.
Clad in a white robe, with eyes brimming with softness, she bore an elegant beauty akin to a dew-covered daffodil.
Paired with her pair of pure white feet that peeked out from beneath her hem, she imdiately aroused the cravings of many.
But there were no simple characters present; one had to be of the Blood-Exchange Realm to even be here. They imdiately recalled who the woman was and nipped their desires in the bud.
So scoffed, “The Sect Master and Holy Maiden of the Joyful Sect, only gained a footing through the seeds of Demon Lord Helu.”
Their tone was disparaging, but their underlying envy and jealousy couldn’t be concealed.
Xi Sugui and his company also remarked, “The demon lord really does have the fortune of consorts; the won by his side are each more beautiful than the last.”
“Yun Qinglan is the current number one beauty in the martial arts world, but I suspect she won’t hold that title for long, which is really infuriating.”
To be crowned the number one beauty in the martial arts world, one not only required the cultivation level of the Innate Realm but also had to be a virgin.
Using their own standards, everyone believed that Yun Qinglan’s purity wouldn’t last much longer.
After a brief exchange, the Empress’s grand procession finally completed its course, arriving at the Chengtian Gate!
~~~~~~~~~~
Li Pei, dressed in a resplendent dragon robe and wearing the Gold-Threaded Winged Dragon Crown, ascended the Chengtian Gate with a straight face, accompanied by her entourage, not indulging in casual talk or laughter.
At this very mont, it would be a lie to say she wasn’t nervous.
No matter how much she tried to suppress it, Li Pei felt as if her heart was about to leap out of her chest.
This was the Emperor! The ruler of all under heaven! The second woman in the history of the Divine Land to ascend to the throne!
Especially since Li Pei hailed from the Royal Family, she naturally harbored dreams of becoming the Emperor and a strong desire for power – this mont could indeed be described as the pinnacle of her life!
[Seeking union with Lu Yao was truly the most correct decision I have ever made in my life!!]
Li Pei took a deep breath, moved to the center of the Chengtian Gate tower, looked over the sea of officials and citizens below, and projected her True Qi, declaring in a loud voice:
“By the grace of heaven and the blessings of the gods, today marks the founding of a grand venture by our Great Yi Dynasty, laying the foundation for a prosperous era. I ascend to the imperial throne, vowing to govern diligently, sparing no effort. Let the loyal servants guard the interior relentlessly and let the courageous soldiers sacrifice unreservedly in the exterior, aiming for the nation’s prosperity and the submission of the four seas, to build the foremost great nation in the world. Let it be known!”
After reading the coronation edict, the crowd erupted with shouts of “Long live the Emperor!”
Only then did Li Pei’s status as the Emperor truly beco legitimate and acknowledged.
Her face flushed with excitent, she couldn’t help but look towards her husband.
Lu Yao smiled and nodded gently, his expression full of praise and encouragent, then with a wave of his hand,
A hundred-ter-long Golden Dragon soared into the sky, its awe-inspiring authority echoing as it roared toward the heavens!
Such a grand spectacle of light and shadow added much vigor to the coronation ceremony.
Many citizens, gazing up at the Golden Dragon in the sky, exclaid in astonishnt, suddenly feeling a stronger sense of identity with the newly established Great Yi Dynasty and the Empress.
~~~~~~~~
At this very mont, the expressions of the observing crowd were varied.
Yun Qinglan’s face was unable to hide her jealousy as she glared at Li Pei with dissatisfaction:
“A re mber of a fallen royal family has actually reached this day! It’s all because your man is so powerful!”
anwhile, so old scholars and conservative officials naturally rejected the idea of a female emperor and were full of distrust towards Li Pei.
Soone whispered at the mont, “It’s said that the Empress was too hasty in pushing for reforms before even ascending the throne, changing official systems, and proposing new laws. She seems to be a bit rash.”
Other voices, looking at the Golden Dragon in the sky with disdain, said, “Putting on such a show for the simple-minded, she should first solve the grain shortage issue.”
…
Xi Sugui and his group, hearing these words, imdiately showed looks of pleasure.
The so-called Great Yi Dynasty, at its very inception, was already in a rush to reform and innovate, quite absurd indeed.
Moreover, Lu Yao, relying on his martial prowess, brutally oppressed the entire land, which would inevitably lead to many hidden dangers.
There were many people who, out of helplessness, begrudgingly accepted the situation and would likely do their work half-heartedly, with secret opposition.
Thus, it would be easier for Xi Sugui and others to coerce them into compliance, making them understand the importance of “governing the world together with the scholars.”
At this mont, as the coronation ceremony ca to an end, and the crowd was about to disperse,
Li Pei suddenly spoke again, “Wait, everyone! While officials and citizens are all present today, I wish to discuss the recent surge in grain prices.”
At these words, emotions surged and a clamor rose straight into the heavens.
Li Pei, channeling her full True Qi, thundered so that everyone could hear her clearly:
“I stand here today and guarantee to all of you— the Imperial Court is absolutely not short on grain! The price of grain will co down imdiately! There will be no grain shortage!”
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