Chapter 367

Deep autumn in Bian Liang: the sky is high, the clouds pale, sunlight brings a clear golden sheen that falls on the palace's layered glazed tiles, refracting dazzling light.

Translation: "Deep autumn in Bian Liang, the sky high and clouds pale, sunlight carrying a clear golden hue, fell upon the palace's overlapping glazed tiles, refracting dazzling light."

Deep autumn in Bian Liang: the sky is high and the clouds pale; sunlight carries a clear golden hue, falling upon the palace's overlapping glazed tiles and refracting dazzling light.

Today, the imperial city's atmosphere was markedly different.

Translation: "Today in Huangcheng, the atmosphere was unusually different."

From Xuande Gate to Taihe Hall, along the long imperial way, on both sides, imperial guard soldiers stood solemnly with spears, helmets bright and armor gleaming, like two rows of silent steel forest.

Translation: "From Xuande Gate to Taiji Hall, along the long Imperial Way, the forbidden army spearmen stood solemnly on both sides, their armor bright and gleaming, like two rows of silent steel forests."

Imperial guard soldiers stood solemnly with spears, helmets bright and armor gleaming, like two rows of silent steel forest.

Banners fluttered, and the honor guard stood stern and orderly.

Translation: "Banners fluttered, the honor guard was stern and orderly."

Civil and military officials, dressed in solemn ceremonial robes, stood in order of rank, waiting quietly on the square before Taihe Hall.

Translation: "Civil and military officials, dressed in solemn robes, stood in order of rank, awaiting before the square in front of Taiji Hall."

Everyone's gaze was focused on that tightly closed palace gate, symbolizing the center of imperial power.

Translation: "Everyone's gaze was focused on that tightly closed palace gate, symbolizing the apex of imperial power."

The air was filled with a solemn and anticipatory mood.

Translation: "The air was filled with a solemn and anticipatory feeling."

Establish the crown prince, secure the state's foundation.

Translation: "Establish the crown prince, secure the foundation of the state."

For this dynasty that has endured war and only just found its footing, today's ceremony is of extraordinary significance.

Translation: "For this dynasty that had just weathered war and found its footing, today's ceremony was of extraordinary significance."

It conveys not only a signal of power succession, but also confidence in the dynasty's stability and continuity.

Translation: "It conveyed not only a signal of power succession, but also confidence in the dynasty's stability and continuity."

Inside the Hall of Nurturing the Heart, Chen Wen was already fully dressed.

Translation: "Inside Yangxin Hall, Chen Wen was already fully attired."

The black dragon-robe embroidered with twelve symbols weighed heavily on his body; the crown of white jade beads with twelve pendants hung before his eyes, swaying slightly, partially obscuring his vision and adding an unfathomable depth to his already stern countenance.

Translation: "The twelve-pattern black dragon robe weighed heavily on his body, the twelve-pendant white jade pearl crown hung before his eyes, swaying slightly, partially obscuring his vision and adding an unfathomable depth to his already solemn countenance."

He stood still, while the eunuchs made the final adjustments.

Translation: "He stood still, as a eunuch made the final adjustments."

In the mirror appeared the Great Chen emperor whose might extended over the realm and whose name made enemies hear the wind and lose courage.

Only he himself knew that beneath this supremely solemn robe, his body still retained the weakness and hidden pain left by illness.

The backlash of Fortune Momentum is not ordinary.

"Your Majesty, the auspicious time is approaching," the head of the Palace Service whispered.

Chen Wen gave a slight nod, his gaze turning to the other side of the hall.

There, a child wearing a similar small ceremonial robe was accompanied by two palace attendants, appearing somewhat restrained yet possessing the curiosity typical of a child, secretly glancing around.

This is the crown prince he is to invest today, his eldest legitimate son, Chen Hong.

The eight‑year‑old child wore a robe similar in style to his, his small frame swathed in splendid fabric; he tried to put on a solemn expression on his tender face, but the slight tightening of his lips and his occasional wandering gaze betrayed his inner nervousness.

Chen Wen looked at this son connected to him by blood yet feeling somewhat unfamiliar, and a complex emotion flickered in his heart.

He stepped forward.

Sensing his father's approach, Chen Hong immediately straightened his small stature, lowered his gaze, and performed a respectful salute: "Father Emperor."

His voice carried the clarity of a child, yet he deliberately lowered it, imitating an adult's steadiness.

Chen Wen reached out his hand, not to caress, but to gently straighten the slightly askew jade belt at his son's waist.

The motion was somewhat unfamiliar, yet it made Chen Hong's body tense slightly, then straighten even more.

"Later, follow me."

Chen Wen's voice was not loud, carrying his usual steadiness.

"Don't be afraid; just look ahead."

"Remember, from today onward you are the heir apparent of Great Chen; every word and deed concerns the state."

"Subject son… I will keep Father Emperor's teachings in mind," Chen Hong replied in a low voice, his small hand clenching secretly within his sleeve.

……

The auspicious time has arrived.

Solemn ceremonial music rang out, bells and chimes sounding together.

The two heavy doors of the Hall of Supreme Extremity were slowly pushed open.

Sunlight poured in, illuminating the golden‑brick‑paved floor inside the hall and the nine‑dragon gold‑lacquered throne seated high upon the Sumeru pedestal.

Chen Wen stepped forward with a steady gait, leading the way.

The twelve strands of beads and jade before his eyes swayed rhythmically, cutting off the gazes of the officials below—whether reverent or inquisitive.

He could feel behind him a small figure striving to keep pace with his steps.

Father and son, one ahead of the other, stepped on the vermilion steps of the imperial way at its center, moving step by step toward the hall that symbolizes imperial authority, under the solemn gaze of the officials and the resounding ceremonial music.

Upon entering the Hall of Supreme Extremity, the light grew slightly dimmer, yet the atmosphere became even more solemn.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru and other senior officials stood at the front of the civil officials' rank, while Shi Dun, Qian Gui and others stood at the forefront of the military officials.

Zhao Lao Nian also donned neat official attire today, standing before the Ministry of Works officials, his expression unusually stern.

Everyone's gaze converged upon the small figure of the crown prince.

Chen Wen ascended the imperial steps, turned, and faced the assembled officials.

Chen Hong, meanwhile, stood firm beneath the imperial steps as instructed by the ritual officials, head bowed.

The investiture ceremony was presided over by the Minister of Rites.

The lengthy and solemn investiture text, composed in the parallel prose style, expounded the significance of naming an heir, praised the virtue of the eldest imperial son, and proclaimed the emperor's decision.

"……I hereby admonish you, the eldest imperial son Hong, whose daily conduct displays outstanding talent and whose innate nature is pure and exquisite……Now, in reverent compliance with Heaven's mandate and in accord with popular sentiment, I solemnly announce to Heaven and Earth, the ancestral temples, and the state altars, that I bestow upon you the investiture scroll and seal, appointing you as Crown Prince, taking your place in the Eastern Palace, to sustain the lineage for myriad generations and to unite the hearts of the four seas……"

When the Minister of Rites finished reading the investiture text aloud, and the palace attendants reverently presented the golden scroll and seal to Chen Hong, this eight‑year‑old child, although his movements were somewhat stiff, nevertheless received them steadily, then knelt before his father on the throne and performed the great ritual of three kneelings and nine kowtows.

"Subject son bows in gratitude for the Father Emperor's heavenly grace! I shall diligently cultivate virtue, not disappoint the Father Emperor's high expectations, nor betray the trust of all the realm's officials and people!"

His voice was clear, though childlike, yet every word was precise, and his bearing was proper.

Chen Wen sat upright upon the throne, his gaze beneath the crown's pendants calm as it rested on those below.

He saw his son's small frame trembling slightly beneath the ample robes, yet the rhythm of his bow and his words were without error.

This composure beyond his years eased his mind somewhat.

"Rise."

He spoke, his voice carrying clearly through the vast hall to every ear.

Chen Hong rose after expressing gratitude, holding the golden scroll and seal that signified his status as heir apparent, and withdrew to the designated place at the side.

Next came the ceremony in which the crown prince pays homage to his teacher.

Zhang Cheng, Wang Ru, and Old Zhao the listless, as representatives of the Crown Prince's Three Teachers (Grand Tutor, Junior Tutor, Junior Mentor), stepped forward to receive the rites.

Chen Hong, facing the three senior officials, likewise performed the rites of paying respects.

Zhang Cheng and the others solemnly returned the salute, uttering words of encouragement and admonition.

This moment was not merely ritual.

It was also a transmission and entrusting of responsibility.

The ceremony lasted nearly an hour.

When the final procedure was completed and the ceremonial music sounded again, Chen Wen could feel his back robe soaked with cold sweat.

Completing such a grand ceremony while enduring his illness was also a great burden for him.

Yet he maintained his upright posture until the ceremony ended completely.

"Court dismissed——"

In the lingering chant of the eunuchs, officials withdrew from the Hall of Supreme Harmony in order.

Chen Wen rose with the support of the eunuchs, glanced at Chen Hong, who likewise breathed a sigh of relief and was surrounded by Eastern Palace attendants, said nothing more, turned, and left behind the screen behind the throne.

……

Returning to the Palace of Nourishing Heart, he took off the heavy ceremonial robes, changed into ordinary clothes, then Chen Wen finally let out a long breath, leaned on the couch, and closed his eyes to rest.

The hall returned to silence.

Only the faint sound of water dripping from the copper clepsydra in the corner could be heard.

After an unknown interval, a eunuch softly reported: "Your Majesty, the Crown Prince seeks an audience outside."

Chen Wen opened his eyes, somewhat surprised.

"Let him in."

Chen Hong had already taken off that heavy ceremonial robe, wearing a common prince's attire; his small face still bore the flush from the ceremony, but his gaze was much steadier than before.

He entered the hall, performed a proper salute, and said, "Your subject, the son, pays respects to Father Emperor."

"No need for much ceremony. What is the matter?" Chen Wen said in a calm tone.

Chen Hong lifted his head, looked at his father, and said earnestly:

"I… I have come to thank you, Father Emperor."

"Moreover… I will wholeheartedly study under the Grand Tutor, Junior Tutor, and Junior Mentor, and dare not be lax."

He paused, seemingly organizing his words.

"I know that as the Crown Prince, I can no longer merely play and study as before."

"I will strive to learn, so as to soon relieve Father Emperor's worries."

The child's words were simple, yet carried a seriousness and resolve beyond his years.

Chen Wen gazed at him quietly; the icy corner of his heart, hardened by years of war and intrigue, seemed to be lightly touched by those youthful yet sincere words.

He beckoned with his hand.

Chen Hong hesitated a moment, then stepped forward.

Chen Wen extended his hand; this time, he lightly placed it on his son's head.

The child's hair was soft.

"Remember what you said today."

Chen Wen's voice was low.

"The position of Crown Prince is not honor, but responsibility."

"On your shoulders will rest the entire realm of Great Chen and countless common folk."

"This path will be arduous, bitter, and even… lonely."

"Are you afraid?"

Feeling the weight transmitted from his father's palm—not warm but heavy—Chen Hong puffed out his small chest and shook his head firmly.

"I, your subject, am not afraid!"

Chen Wen withdrew his hand, a faint, almost imperceptible smile appearing on his face.

"Go on."

"Starting tomorrow, you will begin studying state affairs under the Grand Tutor."

"Yes, Father Emperor! I, your subject, take my leave!"

Chen Hong performed the salute again, then turned and strode out of the Palace of Nourishing Heart with steps much firmer than when he had entered.

Chen Wen watched his son's receding back, his gaze deep.

The heir apparent has been established; the foundation of the state is initially set.

This is merely a beginning.

The road ahead is still long.

Whether for this young Crown Prince or for this rising dynasty that still faces continual internal and external troubles.