Zhao Hua's words actually reflected Xiao Jingheng's concerns.
That's why even though Cheng Yu had already been proclaimed as the crown prince, Xiao Jingheng didn't mention it at all after his return to the palace. Internally and externally, he still referred to Cheng Yu as a "prince."
By doing so, wasn't he essentially denying the fact that Cheng Yu had already been established as the crown prince?
He knew very well that there was no way to acknowledge this matter.
If Cheng Yu became the crown prince and eventually inherited the throne, if he truly treated Chen's couple as his own family out of filial piety, as Zhao Hua suggested, wouldn't it damage his reputation as an emperor?
Therefore, since the moment Cheng Yu was brought back to the palace, Xiao Jingheng had no intention of letting Chen's couple live. It's just that he had been delayed by the earlier agricultural ceremony and hadn't had a chance to put this matter on the agenda yet.
Now that Zhao Hua had spoken those words, it seemed that they were in sync with his thoughts.
At this moment, Xiao Jingheng gazed affectionately at Zhao Hua.
However, this gaze puzzled Zhao Hua.
"Why is Lord Xiao looking at me like this?"
"Our hearts are growing even closer, Zhao Er," Xiao Jingheng smiled and then held Zhao Hua's hand, "I won't hide it from you. Your concerns are also my worries. When I returned to the palace this time, I had already planned for the operatives of the secret department to quietly take action and give Chen's couple a painless end. But this matter cannot be done too obviously, so I intend to set Chen's residence on fire and make it all appear as an accident."
Upon hearing this, Zhao Hua nodded in relief. However, the furrowed brows relaxed only for a moment before knitting together again.
She said in a melancholic tone, "Lord Xiao, you had this arrangement in mind long ago, and I worried unnecessarily. However... Chen's couple did raise and care for Cheng Yu. It doesn't sit well with me to be so ruthless towards them. I can't help but feel like I'm repaying kindness with enmity."
"Don't have such thoughts, Zhao Er," Xiao Jingheng consoled her, "Those who aspire to achieve great things must make sacrifices. Chen's couple are also subjects of the Qi Dynasty. Sacrificing themselves for the country is the duty they were born with."
He embraced Zhao Hua's slender shoulders, exerting a gentle force as he drew her into his embrace.
"If you still can't understand, let me be the villain in this matter. You should pretend not to know anything, and don't trouble yourself with unnecessary thoughts. The day after tomorrow is your coronation ceremony as the empress. Prepare for it well. I'm also looking forward to the day when you officially proclaim to the world that you are my lawful wife."
The next day,
On the eve of the coronation ceremony, the phoenix crown and phoenix robe of the empress were delivered to Chang Le Palace in advance.
During the reign of the Qi Dynasty, there had been Empress Jia Rui. According to the rules, the Office of Ceremonial and the Imperial Household Department should have followed the previous precedents for the design and production of the phoenix crown and phoenix robe.
But judging solely from the complexity of the production of these items, they had already far surpassed those of Empress Jia Rui's era.
Moreover, these items had been delivered before,
When Zhao Hua first saw them, they were far less magnificent than they were today.
"Didn't they say it should not be overly extravagant?"
Minzhong Chen, the chief steward of the Internal Affairs Department, smiled and replied, "The Emperor values the Empress greatly, and everything must be the best for her. All of this is the Emperor's arrangement."
As the secondary consort, Zhao Hua must follow the rules and regulations set by Empress Jia Rui, both in terms of attire and the ceremony for her promotion to the rank of Empress. However, the current situation can be considered unconventional.
But Xiao Jingheng, being more knowledgeable about the rules than her, insisted on doing things this way, and Zhao Hua had no choice but to comply.
At this moment, she looked at the phoenix crown and phoenix robe placed before her, with golden threads and exquisite pearls shining like the Milky Way. She couldn't help but feel emotional.
Finally, the day had come.
Chen Minzhong flattered, saying, "After tomorrow's ceremony, the Empress will have to move out of Chang Le Palace. Feng Luan Palace was already repaired after the fire, but the Emperor ordered us to renovate it again specifically for you, the Empress. Now it is decorated splendidly, with dazzling gold, and anyone passing by the palace gate will not be able to resist praising its beauty."
Zhao Hua, upon hearing this, merely smiled and nodded.
After all, no matter how luxurious the place was, her most vivid memory of it was the raging fire ignited here by Empress Jia Rui herself.
That night, the burning Feng Luan Palace had almost dyed the sky red, becoming a more dazzling presence than Chaoyang Palace.
And now, Zhao Hua was going to that most splendid place.
On the eighth day of the fourth month of the ninth year of Qiyuan, an auspicious day for weddings and marriages, the festivities in Chang Le Palace began early in the morning.
As far as the eye could see, everything was adorned in festive red.
The entire imperial city resounded with the continuous sounds of joyous music and celebrations, except for the time when the Emperor ascended the throne, there had never been such a lively atmosphere in the palace.
At that moment, Yun Shan, accompanied by several palace maids, was attending to Zhao Hua's grooming.
Her makeup today was exceptionally beautiful.
With red lips and a touch of vermilion on her brows, a yellow peony flower adorned her forehead, making her radiant and captivating, attracting everyone's attention.
Even her aura was completely different from when she was just a consort or a concubine.
Looking at herself in the mirror, Zhao Hua suddenly recalled the words the Empress Dowager had spoken to her before her death.
"In this lifetime, you will never leave these palace walls. Let me ask you, do you want to spend your life with a madman, or do you want to use him step by step to obtain what you desire?"
Regarding this question, Zhao Hua now had a resolute answer in her heart.
After helping Zhao Hua with her attire, Yun Shan looked at the exquisite phoenix embroidery on the robe, and scenes from the past flashed before her eyes.
She had accompanied Zhao Hua step by step to this day, recalling the many hardships and sorrows of the past. With tears in her eyes, she said, "Congratulations on officially becoming the Empress. Now, you are the most respected woman in the world, and from now on, you no longer have to care about other people's opinions."
Zhao Hua smiled and nodded, as if finally crossing countless mountains and letting out a long sigh of relief.
"Yes, everything is fine now."
However, there was one thing she could only keep in her heart and not speak out loud.
She lifted her gaze and looked out of the window, gazing into the distance towards Chaoyang Palace. However, all she could see through the layers of magnificent golden buildings was a faint glimpse of a glistening roof. Atop the roof, coiled around a majestic golden dragon, it raised its head towards the sky as if it could soar into the heavens at any moment.
Zhao Hua smiled softly without uttering a word, yet in her heart, she understood:
This phoenix throne was not the ultimate pinnacle.
Above this phoenix throne, there still remained a precarious dragon seat.
