Chapter 278: Coronation Ceremony

In the east of the city, hidden deep within a dark alley, stood a dilapidated thatched cottage. Inside, the air was thick with damp, moldy odor; the light was dim, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the cracks in the window lattice, casting mottled shadows on the ground.

Before a low wooden table inside, a woman dressed in black sat there, her face concealed behind a thin black veil, revealing only a pair of cold eyes. Opposite her stood a short, frail youth, bowing his head respectfully.

"How is the preparation?" the woman asked, her voice cold and calm, like a pool of dead water.

The youth raised his head slightly and answered cautiously, "All preparations are complete; we can act at any time. We are only waiting for you, Senior Sister, to deliver the final blow."

Since learning that Jiang Jiang Mingyu had defeated Fei Hou and occupied Jingcheng, the veiled woman had fallen silent for nearly a month. Everything she had meticulously planned had been thrown into disarray; she had to redeploy and choose the most suitable moment to eliminate Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

A month ago, this youth named Xiao San brought back news that Jiang Jiang Mingyu would ascend the throne in half a month. The veiled woman immediately and resolutely decided to act on that very day. Xiao San initially thought she was mad; on the day of the coronation ceremony, the guards were fierce, and approaching Jiang Jiang Mingyu under such heavy surveillance was nearly impossible. But the veiled woman said that precisely because everyone would be immersed in joy on that day, there would be an opportunity.

As for how to escape afterward, the veiled woman had never considered it. She only needed to fulfill her wish and avenge herself; the aftermath would be left to fate.

The veiled woman's heart was filled with hatred; she sought to avenge two wrongs. One was against Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who had killed her entire family; the other was against Fei Hou, who had stolen her lover. Fei Hou was already living a life of contempt and desolation, which counted as half her revenge. Now, Jiang Jiang Mingyu had helped her eliminate Fei Hou; this was truly a great irony. As long as she killed Jiang Jiang Mingyu, she could cast aside this filthy life and leave the world with a clear conscience.

Such a plan was the endpoint she had set for herself on the very first day she became an assassin. Once she fulfilled her wish, she could go to the Yellow Springs without any attachments.

Seeing the coldness and determination in the veiled woman's eyes, Xiao San involuntarily shivered and quickly lowered his head again, daring not to meet her gaze.

The veiled woman's indifferent and resolute tone made him feel a kind of fear, a fear born from his inability to understand the Senior Sister before him. Xiao San did not understand why she pursued this seemingly meaningless revenge so obsessively, even at the cost of her own life.

He quietly asked himself in his heart: If one day he too suffered such cruel torment, would he also live burdened by such heavy hatred like the Senior Sister before him? If that day truly came, what path would he choose?

Various questions surged into Xiao San's heart, and he couldn't help but feel a pang of sorrow for the veiled woman. In his view, life was already fragile and short; why waste time hating someone who had already fallen into the dust? Senior Sister, you still have a better life to live...

Xiao San sighed silently in his heart but dared not speak out. He knew the veiled woman's resolve was set; any attempt to dissuade her would be futile. He could only accompany her to the very last moment.

"Tonight, you will guard the ceremony site according to the original plan. I will weave through the crowd to approach the target. Not a single error is allowed. Remember, this is our only chance." The veiled woman's voice interrupted Xiao San's thoughts.

"Yes, Senior Sister," Xiao San replied. He knew that the revenge battle the veiled woman had long dreamed of was about to begin tonight. Although he could not understand her obsession, since he had promised to help, he would do his utmost to complete the mission and not betray her trust.

Xiao San watched as the veiled woman's hand, hanging by her side, gently clenched and then relaxed. Her heart, just like this hand, was tightly clutching someone long gone, never able to let go.

As she turned to leave, he gazed at her proud back, praying she would fulfill her wish and depart in peace. The ship had set sail; she could only press forward bravely, with no turning back until the very last moment.

In the Jindian, Jiang Jiang Mingyu, wearing a yellow dragon robe embroidered with ninety-five pairs of dragon patterns and a Kui-Feng ceremonial crown, sat solemnly on the dragon throne. Below the hall, more than ten high-ranking officials knelt prostrate, having already completed three kneelings and nine prostrations; they now looked up at Jiang Jiang Mingyu, who gazed down upon them.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu cleared his throat and spoke in a booming voice: "Today, I establish the state name as One Da Jiang, rename Jingcheng as Jincheng, and establish the capital here." His voice was loud and powerful, filled with the majesty of a monarch.

Hearing this, the ministers once again shouted "Long Live the Emperor" with utmost respect; their voices echoed through the Jindian, expressing loyalty to this new ruler.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu waited until the ministers' cheers subsided before continuing: "Zhu Ge Yu."

Hearing his name called, Zhu Ge Yu hurriedly rose from the kneeling formation, took two steps forward, and knelt again before the dragon throne, replying respectfully, "Your humble servant is here."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Zhu Ge Yu with a warm smile and said, "In founding this new dynasty, your contribution is indispensable. Today, I appoint you as Chancellor, grant you the title of Shu Prime Minister, and entrust you with the administration of state affairs."

Zhu Ge Yu was first stunned, then respectfully bowed his head to Jiang Jiang Mingyu and said, "Thank Your Majesty for your deep favor. I will surely serve the state with all my heart."

Indeed, if Zhu Ge Yu had not devised strategies when the Other Xi Xia army attacked Shangmu, helping Jiang Jiang Mingyu defend the city and repel the enemy, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would likely have been defeated long ago. Who would have thought that in just a few months, Jiang Jiang Mingyu would elevate him to become the head of all officials, granting him a princely title and noble rank? Zhu Ge Yu felt both awe and honor.

Jiang Jiang Mingyu's voice rang out in the Jindian once more: "Tu Tu Kesiluo." Hearing his name, Tu Tu Kesiluo likewise rose from among the ministers, knelt halfway on the ground, and respectfully replied, "This general is here."

Jiang Jiang Mingyu looked at Tu Tu Kesiluo kneeling before him, and his voice became even more solemn: "I and Tu Tu Kesiluo are brothers. From the small county of Shangmu to the present, supporting each other, our army has conquered without fail; Tu Tu Kesiluo's contribution is immense. Today, I appoint you as Grand Commander, grant you the title of Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation, and entrust you with command of all military forces. Wherever you go, it is as if I myself am present."

Tu Tu Kesiluo was also startled, then deeply kowtowed to Jiang Jiang Mingyu: "Thank Your Majesty for your deep favor. I will surely command the three armies and expand the territory for Your Majesty."

Tu Tu Kesiluo had originally been just a small soldier; who would have thought he would now be granted the title of Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation, reaching the highest rank among officials? He was utterly overjoyed. Seeing the pride and affection in Jiang Jiang Mingyu's eyes, Tu Tu Kesiluo secretly clenched his fist, vowing to give his all for this brother who had elevated him to such a high position, and to serve with loyalty unto death.

In the resplendent hall, Jiang Jiang Mingyu held a jade tablet and read out the appointments and rewards for the newly appointed generals one by one: "Li Goudan is appointed Commander of Cangzhou; Fang Hang is appointed Commander of Lanzhou; Feng Xiwai is appointed Commander of Guizhou. Zhang Zhang Jiani is appointed Commander of Yizhou; the rest shall each receive their respective rewards. I hope all of you will work together with one heart to assist the new dynasty."

When Zhang Zhang Jiani received the official post of Commander of Yizhou, her heart leaped with joy. She was a woman who had been flamboyant in character since childhood and loved martial arts, even braver than many men. To receive such an important military appointment was truly rare. This also demonstrated Jiang Jiang Mingyu's enlightened approach to employing people, making no distinction based on gender.

Zhang Zhang Jiani hurriedly thanked him for the grace, then quickly withdrew from the hall to prepare for the upcoming wedding ceremony. Today was the day she had long dreamed of; she wanted to dress beautifully and marry the man she loved. Thinking of the intimate wedding to come, a flush of red spread across Zhang Zhang Jiani's face.

The other generals also happily thanked Jiang Jiang Mingyu for his gifts, each wearing expressions of pure joy. To be able to achieve something in the new dynasty, they all felt deeply honored.

After the tedious ceremony of bestowing rewards, Jiang Jiang Mingyu broke out in a light sweat; being an emperor was truly physically exhausting. He chuckled inwardly; having finally endured until the ceremony ended, he could at last sit back on the dragon throne and catch his breath.

Just then, a eunuch loudly announced: "The Emperor's wedding ceremony begins. Please welcome the Empress!" No sooner had the words left his lips than Liu Liu Yifei, wearing an exquisite phoenix crown and draped in a colorful, jeweled robe, walked slowly into the hall and approached Jiang Jiang Mingyu.

Seeing his beloved wife, with whom he had shared life and death, appear at the wedding, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's excitement overflowed. Although they had spent little time together, they had finally overcome numerous obstacles and walked hand in hand into the hall. At this very moment, Jiang Jiang Mingyu's joy was a hundred times greater than when he ascended the throne.

Immediately after, the eunuch announced again: "Please welcome the Consort of the Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation!" Zhang Zhang Jiani, having washed and dressed, shyly approached Tu Tu Kesiluo. Jiang Jiang Mingyu insisted that Tu Tu Kesiluo marry on the same day as himself; the reason was simple: those who shared hardships should also share prosperity.

Looking at the two heroic couples on the high platform, the ministers below the hall offered words of praise. "Your Majesty is heroic, and the Empress is as beautiful as a fairy; truly a perfect match!" "The Marquis Who Pacifies the Nation has aspirations reaching the clouds, and Commander Zhang is as beautiful as a flower; a perfect union of talent and beauty!" "Today, our One Da Jiang state has three joys arriving at the door; truly an auspicious omen!"

As Jiang Jiang Mingyu prepared to read the marriage contract, his hand trembled slightly. Finally, being with the one he loved and establishing his own nation felt so wonderful. A scene like a painting was deeply imprinted in his mind: the resplendent hall, the solemn and dignified ceremonial guards, the hundred officials kneeling on both sides offering congratulations, and most importantly, his beloved wife by his side.

At this moment, a feeling of immense satisfaction and joy rose within his heart, and everything suddenly became clear.