Chapter 515: Selection of the Grand Guest

On the tenth day of the tenth month, the weather had become cold enough to require wearing two extra layers of clothing.

Before dawn, the entire Duke of Wei's mansion was already brightly lit, from Li Lizhi down to the maids and servants, everyone had risen early and begun bustling about.

The coronation ceremony is one of the most important days in a man's life, and naturally it cannot be treated carelessly.

Especially for someone of Chen Yan's status, the guests are all prominent figures; almost only Meritorious Nobles can set foot through this door, and every detail must be attended to.

Li Lizhi got up early, led the servants to clean every corner of the mansion more than once, and she double‑checked every item that would be used for the coronation.

Even Gao Yang, who is usually as lazy as a pig, was busy helping out.

Li Tai's family, though guests, also lent a hand.

As the day's main figure, Chen Yan felt out of place, wandering here and there, having no idea what he was supposed to do.

Even when he tried to help, Li Lizhi immediately stopped him, telling him to stay put.

Chen Yan sighed deeply and was forced to wander idly around the mansion.

Soon, as the sky lightened a bit, Cheng Chumo and his two brothers, along with Du Gou and Fang Yizhi, arrived.

Chen Yan thought he had found his role and cheerfully went to greet them.

"Hahaha, brothers, please—I have already…"

"What are you inviting us for?" Cheng Chumo clapped him on the shoulder, cutting him off, "We're here to see if there's any help needed, so you don't need to invite us!"

"Moreover, on a day like today, where could you be out greeting guests?"

"You go rest, we'll go!"

Qin Huaidao smiled and nodded, "From today on, we shall all call you Zi Anxiong!"

At that moment Du Gou interjected, "My father and mother are a step behind, so I came forward first. Zi Anxiong, I hope I'm not late?"

Chen Yan blinked, "You're not late, but… are you feeling better?"

Du Gou: "......"

"If you don't bring that up, we could continue chatting happily."

"Hahahahaha," Chen Yan burst into laughter.

"I'm here, I'm here," Li Tai jogged over, "Zi Anxiong, I'll help you greet the guests; you rest. It's bright now, the guests are about to arrive."

"That's great!" Yuchi Baolin said boisterously, "His Highness the Wei King is personally helping greet guests; today's guests will surely bask in Zi Anxiong's glory!"

"Otherwise, when else would we ever see His Highness helping to greet guests?"

Fang Yizhi hesitated, "We say that, but His Highness the Wei King's status is noble; joining us ordinary people to greet guests might be inappropriate."

Li Tai smiled and clasped his hands, "Brother Fang, you're joking. I'm just a freeloader in Zi Anxiong's house; helping within my ability is no problem."

"Don't worry, I know my limits."

Seeing his insistence, no one said anything, and they promptly ushered Chen Yan away.

"I…"

Chen Yan was speechless; seeing everyone firmly supporting him moved him, so he could only nod in agreement.

After he left, the group tidied their clothes and went to the mansion's gate.

Since no guests had arrived yet, they began to chat idly.

Cheng Chumo recalled something, "By the way, do you know who Zi Anxiong chose as the 'Grand Guest' and the 'Supporter'?"

"Isn't it your father?" Yuchi Baolin retorted.

"No!" Cheng Chumo was a bit stunned.

The Grand Guest is the person the coronand must select in advance to help bind the silk ribbons and crown, and the Supporter is the assistant.

This is a necessary step of the coronation, and both roles are indispensable to the coronation banquet.

Usually, the coronand chooses an elder or a highly respected scholar as the 'Grand Guest'.

Chen Yan has no relatives; his best connection is Cheng Yaojin, so everyone instinctively thought Cheng Yaojin was the 'Grand Guest'.

Now hearing Cheng Chumo say that, they realized it wasn't.

Cheng Chumo and Yuchi Baolin's gazes instantly fell on Qin Huaidao; if the 'Grand Guest' wasn't Cheng Yaojin, and doesn't seem to be Yuchi Gong, it must be Qin Qiong.

However, Qin Huaidao shook his head, "My father is a regular guest; Zi Anxiong did not invite him to be the 'Grand Guest.'"

Immediately, everyone's attention shifted to Du Gou and Fang Yizhi.

If it isn't Cheng Yaojin or them, the remaining possibilities are only a few.

Among them, Du Ruhui and Fang Xuanling are more likely.

However, Du Gou and Fang Yizhi both denied it, saying Du Ruhui and the others were not Chen Yan's chosen 'Grand Guest'.

"Then it's really strange."

Everyone found it unbelievable; Chen Yan didn't pick a close elder, could he have chosen a highly respected scholar?

"No need to guess, everyone."

Li Tai suddenly spoke, "I've lived in Zi Anxiong's house for a long time, so I know something about this. At first Zi Anxiong wanted General Cheng to be the 'Grand Guest', but later, for some reason, had to change the choice."

"I can't reveal the details; you'll know in due time."

Everyone exchanged looks, their minds already full of speculation.

If the Wei King himself directly says it's hard to explain, and that forces Chen Yan to abandon his original 'Grand Guest' choice, isn't the answer obvious?

Who else could it be besides the one at the top?

The group fell silent, having nothing more to say.

Having the current sovereign personally come to serve as 'Grand Guest', to bind the silk ribbons and crown—such an honor has never been seen elsewhere in the world.

Li Tai understood what they were thinking, gave a faint smile, a meaning‑laden glance, and said nothing.

They would know after waiting.

Soon, Li Tai ordered people to bring out firecrackers that had been improved with gunpowder and set them off.

Although making cannons and firearms is difficult, for Li Tai, making such a tiny firecracker just to liven things up posed no problem at all.

At the moment the firecracker was lit, the front of the Duke of Wei's mansion instantly erupted with firecrackers, and the many invited guests arrived one after another.

Li Tai and the others warmly welcomed each guest in, and the Duke of Wei's mansion immediately became lively.

During this time, Du Ruhui, Cheng Yaojin and the others naturally would not be absent; they came almost with their whole families, bringing wives and children.

Before the auspicious time, two extremely special guests arrived.

"Subject... subjects pay respects to Your Majesty, Her Highness the Empress!"

Du Gou and the others were stunned for a moment, then hurriedly performed the salute.

Although they had already guessed beforehand, when Li Shimin and Empress Changsun both arrived, they still could not help being shocked.

Li Shimin lightly waved his hand, saying, "No need for much ceremony; go about your business."

Saying this, he led Empress Changsun slowly into the mansion.

In a moment, the Duke of Wei's mansion burst into activity.

"......"