Great Yuan’s conferment of the crown prince was extremely grand.
The legitimate crown prince needed to publicize the wooden sign calculated by the Great Witch and the future national fortune to the whole world on the day of the Witch Sacrificial Ceremony, and confirm him as the chosen one before conferring the imperial edict. As soon as the imperial edict came down, the coronation ceremony would be held immediately, and everyone would celebrate. Each step was linked together, and none could be missing. It could be said to truly achieve the literal meaning of divine bestowal of monarchy.
Not to mention that Zong Luo couldonly be considered a crown prince who was posthumously conferred after his death, which felt unlucky. Even if the crown prince’s ceremonial dress was brought up, he would never dare to wear it.
It’s important to know his limits as a person, unless he wants to be ordered to commit suicide by his father again.
After the palace people and eunuchs from the clothing bureau left, Steward Liao said worriedly, “Now it’s too late to rush to make another ceremonial dress, what do you think, Your Highness?”
Zong Luo used to have old ceremonial clothes as well, by convention, issued opinions every year.
However, after his death escape, all these clothes were buried with him in the imperial ancestral temple, filling the clothes tomb. He certainly couldn’t go to the imperial ancestral temple now to dig out his own coffin, and then wear the old ceremonial clothes. Not to mention how whimsical the process was, doing such disrespectful things in the underworld on the Emperor’s birthday, the consequences would not be much better than overstepping to wear the crown prince’s ceremonial dress.
So Zong Luo said, “It doesn’t matter, just wear the usual clothes.”
Fortunately, although there was a misunderstanding, it was not a big deal. He had not officially restored his identity, so it didn’t matter whether he wore this ceremonial dress or not, and it couldn’t be faulted in terms of reason and logic.
Steward Liao thought about it and it made sense, so he immediately sent someone to pick out the most luxurious one.
After Zong Luo returned, the embroiderers in the mansion rushed to produce a batch of new clothes, along with some valuable accessories that were not usually worn. Although they were not as luxurious as the ceremonial robes, they were undoubtedly dignified and appropriate.
Once Zong Luo was dressed, the gift box for the tribute was delivered to the desk in the study by the servants from the storeroom.
“Your Highness, the tribute is ready.”
After everyone left, Zong Luo quietly opened the box to take a look.
Inside, on the red silk cloth, was a thousand-year-old ginseng. Even from a distance, you could smell its strong fragrance.
It’s always right to give medicinal supplements for a big birthday, especially since thousand-year-old ginseng was extremely rare. A vassal state might only offer it once every ten years.
It’s not as surprising as the Fourth Prince’s gift, but it’s definitely not perfunctory, and there wouldn’t be any problems.
Zong Luo stared silently at this old ginseng that was almost human-shaped, and couldn’t help but think of the Shenlong Jade hidden in the secret compartment of his bookcase. In the end, he sighed.
“Since everything is ready, let’s set off.”
The setting sun fell, and everything seemed to be coated with a layer of darkness.
The servants stood respectfully to one side, and at the end of the corridor stood Ye Linghan, also neatly dressed, but with a slightly strange posture.
As the proton from Wei Country, he naturally couldn’t miss the Emperor’s birthday.
Fortunately, with the imperial physician’s care and a few days of rest, Ye Linghan had recovered enough to get out of bed and walk on his own. Although his posture was still a bit strange, as long as he didn’t engage in vigorous exercise, running and jumping were no problem.
“Your Highness, your horse is ready.”
“Won’t be riding a horse today. Go prepare the carriage.”
Zong Luo stroked the mane of Zhao Yebai, handed the reins back to the stableman, and quietly instructed Steward Liao to prepare the carriage. He also informed Ye Linghan, “It happened to be on the way, why not go to the palace together?”
He knew very well that in order to return to his country, Ye Linghan had sold most of the assets in the Proton Mansion. He probably wouldn’t even keep the sizable carriage he brought from the Wei Country.
In other words, even if he kept the horses, Ye Linghan, in his current state, definitely couldn’t ride.
People living in their own homes, helping to the end, and sending the Buddha to the west. However, it’s a matter of little effort, and Zong Luo naturally wouldn’t overlook it.
(t/n: Sending the Buddha to the west-a metaphor for doing good things to the end)
After all, it’s just attending a banquet, not going to war. It didn’t matter whether he rode a horse or took a carriage.
Sure enough, after a while, the curtain of the carriage was lifted, revealing a pale face without any color.
Compared to before, Ye Linghan had obviously lost a lot of weight now. The large robe on his body gave a sense of being thin and frail.
“Let’s go.”
Zong Luo nodded slightly at him, closed his eyes to rest, and clearly didn’t want to say more.
Upon hearing the command, the carriage creaked and started moving.
Ye Linghan sat on the side, his hands clenched into fists on his knees, his body stiff.
Zong Luo hardly ever used a carriage throughout the year. This one was built when the mansion was established a few years ago. Because it’s not often used, the carriage was not very spacious. After two grown men sit down, there’s hardly any room to stretch their legs. Now, the carriage was filled with the scent of spices from Zong Luo’s bath and clothes.
It’s cold and faint, but very pleasant.
Ye Linghan was standing at the door just now, so he naturally saw the scene of Zong Luo putting down the reins of Zhao Yebai and ordering the servants to prepare the carriage.
The Third Prince was only blind, and his martial arts skills were still there. Zhao Yebai was also very humane, so riding a horse naturally wouldn’t be a problem.
Suddenly changing to a carriage, the deep meaning behind it, and who it’s for, was clear at a glance.
After that night, Ye Linghan seemed to have changed into a different person. He was extremely cold on the surface on ordinary days, and his heart numb, hardened by hatred.
However, when he saw this scene, he couldn’t help but feel bitter.
This person always seems to show an undeniable gentleness in the details.
Just like what Ye Linghan thought at the beginning.
He should hate him, should be hateful, he thought desperately.
But no matter what, he just couldn’t bring himself to hate him.
On the contrary, he was sinking deeper and deeper.
