Traveling through the busy farmland of a peasant girl

Chapter 463 Fengyi New Dynasty

Time flies like a white horse passing by in the blink of an eye. As early as a month ago, His Majesty the Emperor Xuan Ye announced to the whole country that the Crown Princess would soon ascend the throne.

In the blink of an eye, the day of coronation has arrived, and the entire Beichen Kingdom is immersed in jubilation.

The streets and alleys of the capital were filled with a festive atmosphere. Red lanterns were hung high in front of every house, which was to congratulate the empress on her ascension to the throne and to send blessings for her grand wedding.

Inside the palace, the royal majesty and the grandeur of the celebration are displayed everywhere.

On the vermilion palace walls, huge palace lanterns are hung every few feet. The lampshades are painted with exquisite auspicious patterns of dragons and phoenixes. The dragons and phoenixes are outlined with golden lines, and they shine brightly in the sunlight.

Above the palace gate, there is a huge golden "囍" character, and the edge is decorated with tiny rubies, which is dazzling and brilliant.

Walking along the palace road, you will see layers of red silk wrapped around the pillars, embroidered with auspicious patterns such as peonies and cranes. When the breeze blows, the red silk flutters gently, like a lively painting.

Under the eaves of the palace, strings of wind chimes made of colorful glaze sway gracefully. When the wind blows, the chimes make clear and pleasant sounds, adding a lively atmosphere to this solemn palace.

Inside Princess Fuxi's mansion, a bustling scene unfolded. The entrance to the mansion had been adorned with new decorations, and festive couplets were pasted on the two doors. The calligraphy was vigorous and powerful, filled with good wishes for the Empress.

The stone lions at the door were also covered with bright red satin with golden words of "Fu" embroidered on it, making them look naive.

Walking into the mansion, the courtyard was decorated with lights and colorful ribbons were stretched between several tall trees. Small red lanterns and golden bells were hung on the ribbons. Children were laughing and playing in the courtyard. The sounds of bells and laughter were intertwined, making it very lively.

The twins, Shen Huan and Shen Xi, were dressed up carefully and looked like cute dolls that came out of New Year pictures, so adorable.

At the same time, Shen Li's father, Shen Shaodong, also received an order from the emperor and was recalled to the court. He must participate in the preparations for this grand celebration and witness this historic moment together.

On this day destined to go down in history, the Beichen Kingdom's imperial palace resembled a towering palace ablaze with joy. The broad Suzaku Avenue was spotless, its sides thronged with eager citizens, eagerly awaiting the sacred moment of the empress's enthronement with excitement and reverence.

In front of the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the imperial palace, layers of white marble steps extend all the way to the square.

On both sides of the steps, the royal guards in golden armor stood tall and straight, like statues, the spears in their hands flashed coldly in the sunlight, and the spear tassels rustled in the wind.

On the square, princes, nobles, and court ministers were dressed in gorgeous clothes and arranged in order of rank. They all looked solemn and their eyes were fixed on the direction of the Hall of Supreme Harmony.

With the majestic and heavy bell sounds echoing over the imperial palace, the empress's coronation ceremony officially began.

First, the shrill, high-pitched voice of the eunuch in charge of ceremonies pierced the air: "The Heavenly Sacrifice Ceremony begins!"

An elderly priest, dressed in a cyan robe and a tall black crown, slowly ascended the altar. Holding a jade tablet, symbolizing heaven and earth, he chanted a prayer while performing the ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows to the heavens and earth. Incense curled upward, swirling around the altar, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere.

After the old priest completed the heavenly offering ceremony, the majestic sound of bells and drums rang out again. At this time, Empress Shen Li, dressed in a gorgeous phoenix robe, walked slowly out of the Hall of Supreme Harmony with steady and firm steps, surrounded by the crowd.

Empress Shen Li, this legendary woman, had already achieved remarkable success before ascending the throne. In the past, a severe drought had left the land parched and cracked, crops failing, and the people suffering terribly. Shen Li, tirelessly researching, ultimately invented a rain-making talisman. She personally ascended a high platform and cast the talisman. In an instant, dark clouds gathered, and a torrential downpour of rain poured down, saving countless lives.

Furthermore, she introduced and improved high-yield grain varieties, promoting them nationwide, significantly increasing grain production and completely resolving the people's food and clothing needs. To further disseminate knowledge, she also introduced movable type printing to Beichen, enabling the mass production of countless precious classics and practical agricultural texts, ushering in a new chapter in Beichen's cultural prosperity.

Once upon a time, Beichen Country was hit by a rare snowstorm, with blizzards raging and the people suffering from hunger and cold. Shen Li, despite the blizzard, personally led a rescue team deep into the disaster area, distributing cotton clothes and food, building greenhouses, and providing relief to the affected people, becoming a patron saint in the hearts of the people.

During times of intense border warfare, she demonstrated her extraordinary military prowess. Facing an invasion by enemy invaders, she donned her armor and personally marched to the front lines, commanding her troops with unwavering determination. She led the troops bravely in the fight, successfully repelling the invaders and safeguarding the nation's territory and dignity.

Shen Li, fully aware of the importance of the nation's maritime frontiers, personally inspected the borders numerous times, strengthening coastal defenses and rectifying the navy, ensuring that coastal areas were free from pirate intrusions and the people could live and work in peace. She always paid close attention to the people's livelihoods, visiting them incognito, listening to their concerns and resolving their numerous problems.

She also made outstanding contributions to water conservancy construction. She organized skilled craftsmen to conduct comprehensive surveys of the rivers in the territory and drew detailed water conservancy maps.

In low-lying areas prone to flooding, she ordered the construction of dams and reinforced river banks to prevent flooding.

At the same time, new canals were dug to connect various water systems, which not only improved irrigation conditions but also promoted the flow of materials across the country.

In areas where water was scarce, she oversaw the construction of numerous large reservoirs to collect rainwater and mountain springs. Through carefully laid canals, she channeled the water to farmland, transforming dry land into fertile soil. These water conservancy projects became the solid foundation for the prosperity and development of the Beichen Kingdom.

The phoenix robe the empress wore was meticulously crafted by skilled artisans over many months. With a base of bright red, symbolizing auspiciousness and prosperity, it was embroidered with phoenixes, each one with wings spread, ready to take flight, in gold and silver thread. Each phoenix was vividly lifelike, its eyes inlaid with rubies that gleamed in the sunlight, as if poised to soar into the sky at any moment.

The skirt of her phoenix robe, several feet long and held by several palace maids, was embroidered with images of turbulent seas and river cliffs, symbolizing the stability of the country and the well-being of the people. The empress wore a dazzling phoenix crown, its dangling pearl curtain gently swaying, shading her majestic yet gentle face. Each pearl was round and plump, emitting a soft luster.

Behind Empress Shen Li followed four equally splendidly attired imperial husbands. Lord Luo Lingchen wore a crimson robe embroidered with golden peonies, with intricate patterns outlined at the collar and cuffs with delicate silver thread. A bright yellow brocade belt inlaid with rubies cinched his waist, accentuating his aristocratic demeanor and highlighting his exceptional status.

The side official Su Ran was wearing a crimson auspicious suit with a pattern of a unicorn stepping on clouds embroidered with gold thread on the fabric. A warm mutton-fat jade pendant was pinned to his collar, and two slender jade hairpins hung from the crown that tied his hair, swaying gently as he walked. His heroic spirit was evident in his every move.

Nangong Qi, the Consort, wore a pomegranate-red robe embroidered with fluttering butterflies and blooming flowers. The collar and cuffs were embroidered with delicate curling grass patterns in matching silk thread. A matching silk sash hung around his waist, adorned with a pair of small sachets embroidered with lotus flowers, emitting a lingering fragrance. He wore a golden crown studded with rubies. Wisps of hair fell on either side of his face, and his eyes exuded a gentle and mysterious warmth.

Chu Fengmian, the sidekick, wore a rose-red robe with lively mandarin ducks embroidered on the hem. The collar was slightly open, revealing his delicate collarbone. The cuffs were embroidered with cranes with outstretched wings in golden thread. He wore a wide black belt with a jade pendant embedded in it. His hair was tied in a high ponytail with a red headband, the end of which fluttered in the wind, making him look both casual and relaxed.

All four of them wore golden crowns inlaid with pearls and jade, and exuded an atmosphere of festivity and joy.

The empress walked down the white marble steps step by step, and the imperial husbands followed her at a proper distance. When the empress reached the center of the square, the whole place suddenly fell silent.

The eunuch in charge of ceremonies announced loudly again: "Read the imperial edict!"

A cabinet minister dressed in purple court robes walked to the center of the square with solemn steps, holding an imperial edict wrapped in bright yellow silk in both hands.

He slowly unfolded the imperial edict and read it in a loud and clear voice: "By the Will of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: Crown Princess Shen Li, with a heart for the people and a wise and courageous spirit, invented rain-making charms to alleviate the suffering of drought; contributed high-yield grain to alleviate hunger; created movable type printing to promote cultural prosperity; bravely fought snowstorms to save the people from disaster; fought against the enemy to protect the integrity of the mountains and rivers; patrolled the seas to ensure the livelihood of coastal residents; and vigorously developed water conservancy projects to lay the foundation of the nation. Your ascension to the throne is truly the popular wish. From this day forward, the country's name shall be changed to Huaguo, symbolizing prosperity and unparalleled splendor, ushering in a new era of prosperity."

The edict reviewed in detail the achievements of the empress and her vision for the country's future under the new name. Every word seemed to carry the weight of history, echoing in the square for a long time.

After the announcement was completed, the eunuch in charge of ceremonies shouted, "The new emperor has ascended the throne. Perform the ritual of three bows and nine kowtows!"

The empress turned, facing the Hall of Supreme Harmony, and, guided by the eunuchs in charge of ceremonies, solemnly performed the ritual of three bows and nine kowtows. At this point, the princes, nobles, and ministers also knelt and kowtowed before the empress, chanting, "Long live the emperor!" The sound surged like a surging wave, echoing throughout the palace and even the entire capital.

After the ceremony, the empress turned and faced the crowd, her voice clear and firm: "Today, I ascend the throne as emperor. I will live up to the people of the world and ensure the prosperity of our country and the peace and happiness of our people!"

Warm cheers rang out again in the square, and the people waved their flags excitedly, celebrating this great moment.