Chapter 220 The Most Casual Coronation in History

Chapter 220 The Most Casual Coronation in History

The next morning, at the Golden Palace.

The atmosphere at today's morning court session was exceptionally solemn and dignified.

The entire court of civil and military officials had lined up according to their official ranks long ago, each with a solemn expression, even deliberately keeping their breathing quiet.

The officials of the Ministry of Rites were so nervous that their palms were sweating. They held the "Letter of Recommendation for the Throne" and the program for the enthronement ceremony, which they had prepared in advance, and were just waiting for the person in charge to arrive so that they could start going through the procedures.

Everyone thought that today was the day when Regent Pei Yunjing would change the dynasty and ascend the throne as emperor.

"The Regent has arrived!"

With a loud shout from the eunuch.

All the officials knelt down in unison, shouting "Long live the Emperor!"

They kept their heads down, secretly glancing at the entrance of the main hall out of the corner of their eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of that bright yellow dragon robe.

However, the one who walked in was still Pei Yunjing, dressed in a black python robe.

There was no dragon robe, nor a crown.

What's most surprising is that he was holding someone's hand...

A chubby little boy wearing a bright red bib over a little vest, clutching half a piece of pastry in his hand, with a string of glistening snot hanging from his nostrils!

Zhao An was the lucky one who successfully "fed the tiger" in the Prince's Garden yesterday.

This was the first time Zhao An had ever seen so many people. He shrank back in fright, sniffled, and held tightly to Pei Yunjing's hand, following closely behind.

"this……"

Whose child is that?

"What does Your Highness mean by this?"

The ministers looked at each other, their minds filled with questions.

Isn't this a coronation ceremony? Why bring a child along?

Ignoring the surprised looks around them, Pei Yunjing took Zhao An's hand and strode up the steps.

This time, he did not sit on the tiger-skin chair that belonged to the regent.

Instead, he walked straight to the dragon throne, which symbolized the supreme ruler.

"Go up."

Pei Yunjing released his grip and pointed to the dragon throne.

Zhao An glanced at the gleaming, hard-looking chair, then at Pei Yunjing's cold, stern face.

He dared not disobey, so he used both hands and feet, like a clumsy little bear, to climb up.

Because his legs were too short, his feet dangled in mid-air and swayed when he sat down.

He sniffed, looking somewhat bewildered at the adults kneeling below, feeling that the chair was too big and not as comfortable as the rocking horse at home.

"Hold on tight."

Pei Yunjing casually gave a word of advice, then turned around to face the assembled civil and military officials.

He pulled a bright yellow scroll from his pocket.

"Splash—"

The scroll unfolds.

If a sharp-eyed minister were to look closely, he would surely be able to smell the lingering scent of ink, even though the ink stains were not yet completely dry.

This was clearly something I wrote casually in the study just before leaving the house!

Pei Yunjing held the newly issued imperial edict and read it aloud expressionlessly:

"The late emperor's last edict".

“Your imperial nephew Zhao An is intelligent, kind and benevolent, and closely resembles me. He is worthy of inheriting the throne.”

"Effective immediately, Zhao An shall be established as Emperor."

After reading it aloud, he casually tossed the imperial edict onto the dragon table, scanned the entire room, and added the most crucial sentence:

"The new emperor is young and may not be able to govern well."

"Therefore, I will continue to serve as regent, oversee the court, and act on behalf of the emperor."

This operation was so smooth and fast that it took no one to react.

The officials below were completely dumbfounded.

Especially those ministers who had prepared petitions to accept the throne, now stood with their mouths agape, like a flock of ducks with their necks being choked.

What do you mean by "gifted"? That child is still sucking his thumb!

What do you mean by "resembling me so closely"? The late emperor was thin, but this child is as fat as a ball!

And this will...who writes their will on the spot?!

"Your Highness..."

Finally, an upright imperial censor stepped forward shakily, pointing to the chubby little boy picking his toes on the dragon throne:

"Isn't this...isn't this a bit too frivolous?"

“This child is young, and neither the eldest son nor the heir, how can he shoulder such a great responsibility? Besides, the hearts of the people belong to Your Highness!”

"Yes, Your Highness! This is against the rules!"

Once someone takes the lead, others follow suit.

They really want Pei Yunjing to become emperor!

You only get to eat meat if you follow a strong person, so what's the point of following a snotty little kid?

Faced with everyone's questions, Pei Yunjing neither explained nor got angry.

He simply placed his hand slowly on the hilt of the sword at his waist.

"Clang—"

The longsword was drawn half an inch from its sheath, and a chilling aura instantly swept through the hall.

Pei Yunjing narrowed his eyes slightly, his phoenix eyes revealing a chillingly dangerous aura.

He surveyed the entire room, his voice not loud, but carrying an absolute sense of oppression:

"If I say he can do it, then he can do it."

"If I say this edict is true, then it is true."

He took a step forward, standing at the edge of the imperial steps, looking down at the dissenting ministers:

"how?"

"I don't even want to sit in that position, yet you're all more anxious than I am?"

Pei Yunjing sneered, his eyes like knives:

Who's in favor? Who's opposed?

"Those who object, step forward. I happen to think this hall is a bit empty, so I'd like to borrow a few heads to hang at the entrance... for good luck."

The once noisy hall instantly became so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The censor looked at the gleaming sword in Pei Yunjing's hand, then at the innocent-looking young emperor on the dragon throne.

"Gulp." He swallowed hard, his knees buckled, and he knelt down again at the fastest speed he had ever done.

"Your Majesty... Your Majesty seconds this!"

"Your Highness is wise! Long live the new emperor!"

"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Regent! Long live the Regent!"

In an instant, all the civil and military officials knelt down and shouted "Long live the Emperor!"

The voices were clear and loud, as if the doubts from before had never existed.

Pei Yunjing looked at this group of sensible and capable young men and nodded in satisfaction.

He turned around, took a piece of candy from his sleeve, and stuffed it into Zhao An's hand, who was already getting impatient.

"Take it, don't cry."

Then, he straightened his clothes and strode out of the hall, his steps light and his back view elegant.

Having thrown away the hot potato of the throne, he could finally go home...

I went to help my wife plant grapes.