Six months passed in the blink of an eye.
When they stood outside the capital once more, the aura of the five companions had undergone a tremendous transformation. Even Gu Mingzhu had grown noticeably more steady.
Yet, the light in their eyes burned even brighter, radiating a dazzling brilliance.
"Your Highness the Crown Prince, by His Majesty's decree, you and the Princess are to proceed to the Purple Palace Hall immediately."
Wu Qi had personally waited outside the capital. In truth, it was because Emperor Yuanyou's abdication edict was already drafted, and he was growing quite impatient within the hall.
Song Yu nodded upon hearing this.
Purple Palace Hall.
"How was it?" Emperor Yuanyou asked, his question seemingly out of nowhere.
"There are still suffering people in various regions, but rest assured, Father. Your son will remember them."
Emperor Yuanyou studied his son, whom he hadn't seen in six months. That air of unrestrained boldness had gradually receded, replaced by a steadiness fit for a ruler overlooking the realm.
Emperor Yuanyou was satisfied.
"What you have seen, you must change."
"I have already prepared the abdication edict. In a few days, it will be New Year's Eve. I intend to announce it to the world on the first day of the new year," Emperor Yuanyou paused. "Yu'er, are you ready?"
"I am ready."
Hearing this, Emperor Yuanyou no longer looked at Song Yu, but instead turned his gaze to Song Shihuan at his side.
Song Shihuan had now blossomed into even greater beauty, looking more and more like the late empress.
"Ah Huan, tell me about the things you saw on your journey."
Seeing the Emperor eagerly engage his granddaughter, Song Yu pursed his lips. So, that was all the patience reserved for him?
Feeling somewhat slighted, Song Yu turned to leave the Purple Palace Hall. Just then, Emperor Yuanyou's voice sounded from behind:
"Remember to start thinking recently about how you will confer titles upon the ministers after your ascension."
......
"How to confer titles?"
For the first time, Song Yu began to seriously consider this question. Up to now, the only thing he was certain of was appointing Shen San as Chancellor.
Shen Mingwen and Ye Shijie also needed titles, and they couldn't be treated differently, otherwise these two would surely come to blows.
Gu Zheng needed a title too, and positions had to be found for Gu Mingning and Yu Fan as well.
Then there was Cheng Guang, eloquent and persuasive. He might make a good Censor, as long as he didn't solely focus on infuriating him.
And Zheng Fang, Ling Ming...
Muttering to himself, Song Yu scribbled and doodled on paper. Even before sitting on the dragon throne, he felt a headache coming on.
Being Emperor was truly difficult.
As Emperor Yuanyou made no attempt to conceal his impending abdication, the turn of the year passed with unusual quietude. No one dared to make a rash move at such a time.
After all, the Crown Prince preparing to ascend the throne was never one to play by convention.
Thus, the New Year's Eve palace banquet that year was exceptionally subdued.
At the banquet, the seats for the Emperor and the Crown Prince remained empty for a long time, and Song Shihuan was also absent.
While the ministers waited with bated breath, the three were in the Purple Palace Hall... trying on clothes.
"My son, your current robes aren't very becoming. I had one made for you. Try it on and see if it fits."
Song Yu looked at the dragon robe presented by Wu Qi, his mouth twitching.
And so, a scene later celebrated through the ages as a classic unfolded.
Two tigers sharing one mountain.
A father and son, both clad in dragon robes, stood facing each other. One was aged, the other in his prime.
Through Song Yu, Emperor Yuanyou seemed to see his own youthful, spirited self from years past.
"It fits perfectly."
Tears glistened in the corners of Emperor Yuanyou's eyes. He wanted to speak with Fen'er again.
To tell Fen'er that it was their son who finally wore the dragon robe.
Wu Qi presented the crown once more.
This time, before Emperor Yuanyou could speak, Song Yu took the crown and placed it upon his head with utmost solemnity and gravity.
It was the twelve-beaded crown.
"I beg Father to adjust the crown for your son."
In the past, when he wore the nine-beaded crown, he complained it obstructed his view.
Now, wearing the twelve-beaded crown, he finally understood its meaning of restraining the sovereign.
Emperor Yuanyou again extended his wrinkled hand, just as he had years ago, to adjust the crown for Song Yu.
"Truly magnificent."
Emperor Yuanyou smiled radiantly. "Worthy of my son."
......
On the first day of the new year, an imperial decree issued from the palace spread to the four corners of the realm with astonishing speed.
"We, having received the Mandate of Heaven, have reigned for decades, rising early and retiring late, not daring to be negligent for a single day. Now we are aged and frail. Holding the state and the altars of soil and grain paramount, we wish to perform the act of abdication."
"The Crown Prince Song Yu is benevolent, filial, wise, loves the people as his own children, and is accomplished in both civil and military arts. He is surely capable of inheriting the great lineage. We pass the throne to the Crown Prince and retire as Emperor Emeritus. Let all ministers diligently assist and together bring peace to the realm."
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, when Song Yu received the edict, his entire body trembled slightly.
Just yesterday, he had secretly complained to Song Shihuan that the ceremonial three refusals and three urgings were merely for show. Yet now, Song Yu found himself sprinting towards the Purple Palace Hall.
Kneeling before Emperor Yuanyou, Song Yu's tears fell uncontrollably.
"Your son's virtue is shallow. I beg Father to rescind the decree."
This was the first refusal.
Clutching Emperor Yuanyou's robes, Song Yu had never felt so acutely that his father had grown old. And he did not want the old man to age.
"Crown Prince, our resolve is firm. Henceforth, you must prioritize the state and the altars of soil and grain above all, regard the peace and happiness of the common people as your foremost duty. Do not bring disgrace upon our Song family."
Emperor Yuanyou reached out to wipe away Song Yu's tears, finally saying softly, "So grown, and still crying."
"Father is the Emperor of Great Qi. Only with Father here will the people's hearts be at ease."
This was the second refusal.
"In the six months you were away, we received many memorials from local officials praising you extensively. The officials and the common people have already accepted you."
Emperor Yuanyou looked out beyond the Purple Palace Hall. The civil and military officials had all entered the palace.
A gust of wind stirred, lifting the white hair at Emperor Yuanyou's temples.
Soon, he would hand over Great Qi to his son.
"Yu'er, being able to pass the throne to you brings me great joy."
Feeling the weight on his shoulders, Song Yu bowed his head to the ground, his voice trembling:
"Your son will certainly not fail the trust placed in him by Father, nor the trust of the common people under heaven."
In that moment, Emperor Yuanyou seemed to see himself from years past, waiting outside the delivery chamber.
The joy of first-time fatherhood was replaced by Fen'er's cries of pain. Clutching a long sword, he paced anxiously in the courtyard, his heart pleading incessantly for the ancestors' protection.
Mei Zhilin was also sweating profusely from nervousness. All the generals waiting outside the courtyard stood rigidly. For everyone present then, this birth represented immense hope.
They waited an entire night.
At the break of dawn, a clear, loud cry rang out. The midwife announced loudly that it was the joy of a "jade" (a son).
The generals outside the courtyard immediately erupted in cheers. Inside, he somewhat clumsily opened his arms and, with the midwife's help, held the tiny person in the swaddling clothes close.
"'Vast as the heavens, if virtue enriches the person, it will not abandon the king's command.'"
"Let his name be Yu."
