Chapter 292 - 237: Enthronement Ceremony, A Loud Bang

Chapter 292: Chapter 237: Enthronement Ceremony, A Loud Bang

The Great Yan Imperial Palace.

Before the sun had even risen, the entire palace city was already adorned with lanterns and colorful decorations, creating a festive atmosphere.

As for the court ministers and high officials who had come to offer congratulations, they had been waiting before the palace gates since the early hours.

The palace gates were especially lively today. To accommodate the older, more frail ministers, Yan Jun had specially ordered warming sheds to be built before the gates. Inside, charcoal braziers burned, and hot congee was served.

This was an unprecedented courtesy, unheard of since the founding of the Great Yan dynasty.

Therefore, even though some ministers were resentful—feeling that Yan Jun had conspired with the Empress Dowager to commit regicide and filicide, making him too cruel and venomous to be a sovereign—their anger diminished considerably as they cupped the bowls of warm congee in their hands.

And this idea had come from that very man advising Yan Jun.

Upon hearing the report from his subordinate, Yan Jun laughed heartily and couldn’t help but praise him. "It had to be you. I would never have noticed such details otherwise."

The man had changed into a new set of formal robes, hastily tailored overnight. A faint, calm smile graced his already handsome face, making him appear particularly sharp and spirited.

Hearing Yan Jun’s praise, the man smiled. "Your Majesty is occupied with countless state affairs. It is only natural that you would overlook such minor matters."

"Is everything ready?" Yan Jun asked, spreading his arms as a eunuch placed the beaded crown on his head and fastened the Emperor’s Sword at his waist.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty. All preparations are complete," the man replied.

"You must be cautious, and then be cautious again. I’m certain many people will try to cause trouble today," Yan Jun said coldly.

"Do not worry, Your Majesty. The guards in the core area and on the perimeter are all our men. Moreover, everyone entering the great hall must pass through multiple layers of screening to ensure there are no lapses," the man said respectfully.

"Good. Well done!"

"It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s wise guidance. I was merely carrying out your will," the man said with his head lowered.

"Hahahaha! You, my friend, are far too smooth a talker," Yan Jun said with a great laugh, his expression one of utter satisfaction.

His only regret now was being unable to hold the enthronement ceremony in Taihe Palace.

After all, Taihe Palace had been destroyed a few days prior by Wu Liangchen and Dong Zhenlei. It was impossible to rebuild it in such a short time.

However, the temporarily repurposed Jiaotai Hall was also quite spacious.

At the very least, it was more than enough to accommodate all the civil and military officials of the court.

At this thought, a flicker of concern crossed his mind, and he asked, "Has there been any unusual movement from Wu Liangchen’s side?"

"Reporting to Your Majesty, I dispatched three squads to monitor the area day and night. They have found nothing out of the ordinary."

Only then did Yan Jun breathe a sigh of relief. "Good."

The battle that had destroyed the entire Taihe Palace still left Yan Jun with lingering fear, so he was extremely sensitive to any news of Wu Liangchen’s movements.

"Have all the ministers entered the hall?" Yan Jun asked, glancing at the rising sun outside with a touch of impatience.

"They have all entered the hall and are respectfully awaiting Your Majesty’s arrival!"

"Good. Have them wait a little longer. We will make our entrance once the two lords from the Martial God Temple arrive!"

Yan Jun had gone to great lengths for this enthronement ceremony, even spending a fortune to persuade those two from the Martial God Hall to attend. His goal was to bolster his prestige and make his ascension seem just and proper.

This was also a move to silence the gossip of the masses.

Meanwhile, as Yan Jun conferred privately with the man in the back, waiting for Yan Hao and Dong Zhenlei of the Martial God Temple, the ministers who had already entered Jiaotai Hall were whispering amongst themselves, discussing the day’s events in hushed tones.

Xu Kai stood at the very back of the assembled officials, somewhat absent-minded.

Although the bruises on his face had long since faded after applying the ointment Jiang Feng had given him, his home had been in an uproar for days, thrown into chaos by a group of women. He hadn’t been able to rest properly, and as a result, he looked visibly drained.

He had been so listless since entering the hall that even when someone came over to greet him, he could only offer a dazed reply.

"Lord Xu, what’s wrong with you? Why the long face? Did your wife give you a talking-to?" came a teasing voice from the side.

Xu Kai knew who was speaking without even turning around.

He couldn’t be bothered to respond, merely keeping his head down in silence.

But He Chang’an clearly had no intention of letting him off that easily.

He sidled closer with a grin and lowered his voice. "I heard His Majesty gifted you several beautiful maids, Lord Xu. Tsk tsk, how enviable. After all, not everyone receives such great imperial favor."

Xu Kai rolled his eyes. "He Chang’an, if you don’t say anything, no one will think you’re a mute."

"Now, now, Lord Xu, I didn’t mean anything by it. You..."

"His Majesty, the Emperor, has arrived!"

A shrill cry cut off He Chang’an’s words.

The whispering ministers immediately fell silent, standing at attention with their hands lowered respectfully.

Xu Kai stole a glance and saw a red carpet laid out at the entrance of the great hall. Then, a procession walked in at a slow, deliberate pace.

At the front were several eunuchs leading the way, followed by the grand imperial honor guard.

Walking in the very center was Yan Jun, dressed in bright yellow grand court robes.

And flanking him to his left and right were two other men.

The moment he saw these two, Xu Kai’s heart skipped a beat.

He had personally witnessed their battle against Wu Liangchen a few days ago and knew they were the state-protecting Grandmasters from the Martial God Temple.

’I can’t believe they came too!’

The other ministers were equally surprised, but He Chang’an alone remained calm, his eyes following Yan Jun as he ascended the high platform.

The tedious ceremony of three invitations and three refusals had already been completed beforehand. Therefore, as soon as Yan Jun stood upon the high platform, all the ministers below fell to their knees in unison and began to chant their acclamations.

"Long live my Emperor! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!"