The Emperor, following the ceremonial music, ascended the steps of white jade, walking towards the altar.
No one knew what the Emperor, with his solemn gaze, was truly thinking at that moment.
Perhaps even he himself didn't understand why he was so readily abdicating his prosperous reign to someone else.
But looking out at the crowd below, most eyes held a hope he hadn't seen during his time on the throne.
Those who wished for a better Great Yue dynasty placed all their hopes in the Crown Prince.
This was the prevailing trend, and something the Emperor could not prevent.
He could only walk step by step towards the altar, dedicating his last moments as Emperor to it.
Song Chaoyu raised her eyes, looking at the Emperor standing on the high altar, his figure appearing small.
Beside her, Mu Changxi let out a soft sigh, "A new future for the Great Yue dynasty is about to begin. A'yu, we are both witnesses to this new future. Stand by my side, and feel this new future with me, won't you?"
"Yes."
Song Chaoyu's voice held no hesitation.
In truth, the future itself didn't matter; what mattered was that he was in it.
She feared no storms, having made all the necessary preparations.
"Woooo—"
The Emperor cast the yellow paper in his hand into the altar and lit three sticks of incense.
Simultaneously, the ceremonial music resumed, and the vast imperial city fell into solemn silence.
Only when the music ended did the Emperor slowly descend from the altar.
A chief eunuch was already by his side, presenting him with the imperial seal and the decree.
Standing below the altar, the Emperor stood ramrod straight, his gaze fixed on the decree, which contained the imperial will to pass the throne to the Crown Prince.
The future of the Great Yue dynasty would undergo a complete transformation today.
—
Song Chaoyu couldn't even recall what happened later that day.
She only knew that the moment the Crown Prince stepped onto the altar, Mu Changxi visibly relaxed.
It was the joy of his long-held wish finally being fulfilled.
It was also the relief of all his efforts over the years finally bearing fruit.
With the Crown Prince now in that position, it meant they had won! And they had won brilliantly, honorably, and righteously!
Everything from her previous life finally seemed to dissipate like smoke in Song Chaoyu's eyes.
She suddenly realized that at this moment, her vision was filled with the joy of a dream realized, and the person she loved stood beside her.
It seemed... even her heart was free from hatred.
She suddenly let go of everything, releasing all the burdens that had weighed down her heart.
She only hoped that from now on, only happiness would remain.
What remained was pure happiness, the happiness that she and Mu Changxi could feel.
On that day, standing below the platform, Song Chaoyu finally seemed to have rediscovered her purest self.
The sun above was just right, and the hope before her was strong.
Life seemed to be getting better and better, and she was becoming happier and happier.
Therefore, even though she stood at the foot of the altar for the entire day, Song Chaoyu felt no fatigue.
By the time the Crown Prince had become "Emperor," they would have to refer to the former Emperor as "Taishang Huang" (Emperor Emeritus).
The bright future of the Great Yue dynasty was about to begin!
—
Following the palace banquet that day, the sun had already begun to set.
Despite a day of exhaustion, Song Chaoyu was still radiant.
After the banquet, Mu Changxi was kept in the palace by the Emperor, who, as Taishang Huang, wanted to speak with him and the new Emperor.
Song Chaoyu, however, returned to the Li Prince's manor much earlier. Only after shedding her heavy court attire did she feel truly relaxed.
The children would return soon; lulled by their wet nurses, both children were already asleep.
Song Chaoyu sat in their room, reluctant to leave, even though it was late. She cherished the peaceful sight of her sleeping children.
Children would grow up quickly, and she too would grow old.
Such moments might never come again!
—
Meanwhile, in the palace, Mu Changxi, even while listening to the Taishang Huang, was somewhat distracted.
It took several reminders from the new Emperor for him to snap back to attention.
Even the Taishang Huang noticed his unease, "Chang'er, why are you so distracted today? Have you been listening to what I've been saying?"
"Father Emperor, I apologize."
Mu Changxi cupped his hands and bowed to the Emperor. "Your son is too tired today; I am somewhat dazed."
"Never mind."
The Taishang Huang, being older, naturally felt more tired than these young people.
Seeing Mu Changxi's absentmindedness, the Taishang Huang simply waved his hand, "Then you may return for now. Stay after the morning court tomorrow, and I will instruct you further. Go back and rest!"
Receiving the Taishang Huang's permission, Mu Changxi hurried to bow, then turned to leave.
Once he was seated in the carriage back to the manor, Xiao Ruiz entered.
He whispered to Mu Changxi, "Master, I've had people specifically keeping an eye out. The Empress... oh no. She is now the Empress Dowager! The Empress Dowager happily returned to her palace and is also observing our prince's manor!"
Mu Changxi's brows furrowed deeply. "Lately, I've felt something is off with A'yu. Xiao Ruiz, do you think she will leave me? Will she... hand me and the children over to someone else?"
"Ah—"
Xiao Ruiz naturally understood Mu Changxi's feelings for Song Chaoyu.
But he still sighed, "Naturally, I hope the Princess Consort will not leave. However, judging by the Princess Consort's behavior these past few days... I fear she might leave. Otherwise, the Princess Consort would never have accepted such a valuable gift from the Empress Dowager. Seeing the Empress Dowager's happiness today, it's likely she's certain the Princess Consort will take advantage of this period of chaos to leave the capital!"
Mu Changxi's eyes lowered slightly. "Yes, A'yu never accepts such valuable things from others. Especially not from the Empress Dowager! If the Empress Dowager exchanged my and the children's future for her, she might truly agree to leave the prince's manor. Have you had people guard the manor?"
Xiao Ruiz nodded quickly, "Your Highness, rest assured, the front and back gates of the manor are guarded! Not only that, but the few city gates entering and exiting the capital are also guarded. I've specifically instructed the city guards to be vigilant, and as soon as they detect any movement from the Princess Consort, they will bring her back to you!"
Mu Changxi looked up at Xiao Ruiz. "I recall that none of you liked A'yu at first, right? You thought she was from an outer household and not worthy of me."
"This servant deserves death!"
Xiao Ruiz knelt before Mu Changxi, and thinking of Song Chaoyu, he was filled with emotion. "Back then, we servants didn't know that the Princess Consort was such a capable person! Without her, the prince's manor would not be where it is today."