The cheers of the people lasted for a long time, so long that when the Emperor Yuan and the newly appointed Crown Prince left the Great Witch Temple by carriage and returned to the palace, it was still deafening.
Until the end of the Crown Prince’s Ceremony, Zong Luo still seemed lost in thought.
He didn’t even have time to explain to Pei Qianxue, even though the latter was full of shock and astonishment. He had no time to say anything to Zong Ruichen, who also couldn’t believe it and was finally coaxed and deceived away by Zong Chengsi to leave the Great Witch Temple.
In this way, Zong Luo arrived at the palace.
The courtiers arrived at the palace first, standing on both sides of the court.
The white-haired prince, dressed in the most orthodox crown prince’s ceremonial robe, followed step by step behind the emperor, who was draped in a black robe and a large crown, and entered this place symbolizing the power hub of the entire Great Yuan.
In the past, as a military commander, he had also come in. But after all, he was just a prince, not officially crowned king, and his Xuan Cavalry was only a personal soldier in both emotion and reason, not accepting any dispatch of the imperial court.
Not to mention with such an identity.
All the sounds coming to his ears were congratulations. “Pay respects to His Majesty, Pay respects to His Highness the Crown Prince!”
“His Highness the Crown Prince is noble and handsome, extraordinary bearing. May heaven bless our Great Yuan!”
The voices of congratulations and compliments surrounded Zong Luo, pushing him to the top position among the officials.
The positions of the scholars were very particular, the closer to the dragon chair, the higher the official position. According to the convention, the San Gong were standing in the front row, and now there was one more crown prince, naturally higher, not on equal footing.
Whether it was Ting Wei Shen, Imperial Censor Xue or Pei Qianxue, they all happily gave way.
Looking around, not to mention those officials who couldn’t even enter the hall and could only stand at the eaves. At least those courtiers standing at the front, all had gratified smiles on their faces, truly welcoming.
Zong Luo knew that he had only earned achievements due to hard work on weekdays. Although he was popular, he didn’t have much power in the court, and he hadn’t even developed much, and couldn’t compare with other princes at all.
These people welcomed him, just because he was the crown prince favored by the emperor, obeyed Emperor Yuan’s orders, and was loyal to him.
Today, Emperor Yuan’s mood was visibly very good.
In the past, this tyrant’s emotions were not easily discernible, but now they were easily perceived, either deliberately or genuinely happy, wanting everyone to know he was in a good mood, not needing to hide it, but rather making a big show of it.
No matter which kind, it could give these courtiers who have been immersed in officialdom for a long time a sense of understanding.
“Now that the Crown Prince has taken his place. From today onwards, all the regulations about the Crown Prince should be put into operation.”
Now it’s already not the time for court, but just to let the new Crown Prince get familiar with the court’s positions, and various affairs. On such a joyous day, the courtiers also have to accompany the prince in reciting, introducing one by one.
The emperor’s attitude was there, so important, no one dares to slack off.
Emperor Yuan sat upright on the dragon chair, his dragon face full of joy. “Since the Crown Prince has moved into Yuchun Palace, then the selection of the Eastern Palace’s Zhan Shi and the establishment of the cabinet should also be put on the agenda.”
(t/n: East or Eastern Palace=Crown Prince’s Palace)
(t/n: Zhan Shi-ancient official name, mainly in charge of the affairs in the palace of the crown prince)
“Luo’er, these two big matters are directly entrusted to you, the specific candidates are entirely up to you to decide, with Prime Minister Pei as your assistant. After the enthronement, hand over the list to Zhen for review in half a month, Zhen believes you will not disappoint Zhen.”
The hall was silent, dead silent.
Even if the courtiers knew that Emperor Yuan was extremely satisfied with the Third Prince, they were still shocked by this big move.
As everyone knew, the Crown Prince was in a high position, but it should also be like walking on thin ice.
For example, the original military power of the Xuan Cavalry should be returned to the emperor, after all, there was absolutely no reason for the Crown Prince to control the army. Even after Emperor Yuan ascended the throne, except for the first time he personally led the army against Ah Country in the rear, he never picked up the sword again.
The establishment of the Crown Prince’s cabinet and the selection of the Eastern Palace’s Zhan Shi, to put it bluntly, was a power organization centered on the Crown Prince. In this situation, no matter which emperor, they would definitely intervene, stuffing in their own people, this was both a kind of encouragement to help, and a kind of surveillance.
In addition, the Eastern Palace couldn’t directly discuss politics, but it affected the imperial court everywhere, maintaining a nearly crumbling relationship during the period.
As for the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace, it was definitely a hot cake.
Everyone knew that after Emperor Yuan passed away, the country would change hands and would eventually be inherited by his son. When the Crown Prince ascended the throne, he would definitely re-register the old ministers, following the Crown Prince was a clear path in the clear path.
Presumably after tonight, Yuchun Palace would receive a wave of goodwill.
However, no one expected that the always suspicious emperor would entrust this matter to the Third Prince to handle it, which was simply unimaginably strange, unbelievable.
Only those who truly knew all this kept their mouths shut, knowing it well.
The emperor had been silent for so many years, now that the Witch Sacrificial Ceremony was over, the dust had finally settled, naturally he did not want to wrong his proudest prince.
That’s how tyrants were. When they were cruel, they cut their own family, when they favored one, they couldn’t wait to tell the world, and pick the stars and moon for them.
Zong Luo, standing at the front of the courtiers, bowed with his hands, his expression neither sad nor happy. “This son obeys.”
Just now on the carriage back to the palace, he did try to bring up last night’s topic again.
But just like Zong Luo guessed before, without concrete evidence, Emperor Yuan simply didn’t believe his words, only asking him if he was too happy today, so that he was a little confused when he spoke.
He tried to argue, but Emperor Yuan instead frowned, asking him if he was deceived by someone, looking like as long as Zong Luo said a name, he would immediately arrest the person and torture him.
Zong Luo: “…..”
Ancient emperors valued blood relations the most, this kind of joke couldn’t be made casually, he simply had no way to explain more.
Just like now.
With the power given to the Crown Prince to choose his own people, Emperor Yuan later arranged for several meritorious old ministers to be named in the Eastern Palace; he also let Zong Luo move his desk to Zhang Palace every afternoon for a fixed time, where he personally guided the Crown Prince in reviewing the memorials; he specially approved the Crown Prince to meet with the courtiers together with him in the side hall of Zhang Palace after the court was dismissed, ordering the civil and military officials to do their best to assist.
