Time flew by, and soon it was the day of the Empress's wedding.
Yanhuang City was adorned with lanterns and banners, celebrating this grand occasion.
The wedding venue was lavishly decorated, with spiritual flames dancing and the heavens and earth resonating in harmony. Auspicious omens and the rising sun created a magnificent and resplendent spectacle.
The envoys from the seventy-two nations had gathered at the Weiyang Palace an hour earlier, bearing precious gifts and blessings, awaiting that momentous occasion.
"Your Majesty has arrived!"
A single command brought the entire assembly to silence.
Song Yanran, dressed in a fiery red phoenix robe and crowned with gold and jade, appeared at the palace gates, her already exquisite beauty enhanced to an even more radiant and captivating degree.
"We welcome Your Majesty!!!"
The court officials and the envoys from the seventy-two nations bowed in unison, paying the highest tribute to the legendary female ruler of the Celestial Dynasty.
With unwavering composure and a face both heavily made-up and naturally radiant, Song Yanran slowly approached the Conjoined Wings Terrace.
Behind her, palace maids followed in her wake, their heads bowed in deference, keeping pace with the sovereign.
Reaching the terrace, Song Yanran flicked her phoenix sleeves and surveyed the assembled crowd.
"Long live Your Majesty! Long live! Long live! Long live!"
Amidst the thunderous cheers, ten thousand nations knelt in submission, showcasing the Celestial Dynasty's majestic grandeur.
"Rise."
"We thank Your Majesty!!!"
The officials rose, their gazes turning upward to the Empress standing elevated above them.
Bathed in the morning sun, Song Yanran appeared like a celestial goddess descended from the heavens—noble and untouchable. Even a distant glance inspired reverence.
"Please welcome the Empress's consort, His Highness the Prince of Jing!"
At the ritual official's command, Di Feijing, also clad in a crimson robe, slowly entered the palace, surrounded by attendants.
Unlike Song Yanran's joyful mood, Di Feijing's heart was pounding in his throat.
He tried to slow his steps, hoping for a miracle to break the tense silence.
But by the time he reached the steps of the Conjoined Wings Terrace, no such miracle occurred.
*Damn it, Chu! Don't screw me over! I've staked my entire family's lives on you! Don't leave me hanging!*
Di Feijing was frantic. Each step forward felt like a thousand pounds of resistance, draining his spirit.
Standing high above, Song Yanran's eyes, soft as flowing water, held an unreadable expression as she quietly waited for the man to reach her.
Meanwhile, outside Yanhuang City, a troop of Xiongnu cavalry thundered toward the gates.
At their head rode an old man with deep-set eyes, a fur-lined robe, and a head of white hair, galloping a full horse-length ahead of his followers.
Just as they were about to crash through the city gates, a graceful figure descended from the sky, blocking their path.
"Whoa!"
The old man reined in his horse, its iron hooves rising high before crashing down, causing the city gates to tremble slightly.
"To be able to command a Shadow Demon Steed and possess such regal presence, you must be Xuan Hao Hongye, the Xiongnu King who has dominated the northern steppes for five hundred years, a true legend in his own right."
"You know me?"
"How could I not know the title of the Xiongnu King?"
"Since you know I am the Xiongnu King, why dare you block my path?"
"Because I refuse to see the Xiongnu bring about their own destruction through your decisions."
"Insolence!"
A thunderous roar erupted, whipping up a sandstorm.
"What is your status to speak so boldly to this King?"
Shen Zhao unfurled his folding fan. "Let me guess. The Xiongnu King has come to seize dominance over the Central Domain. Am I correct?"
"Since you already know, I can't let you live."
"Before you strike, would you care to hear the advantages and disadvantages I can analyze for you?"
"There's no need. No one can alter the decisions of this King."
"Even if it means sacrificing the entire fortune of the Xiongnu?"
"As long as the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty stands, the Xiongnu will never rise. Your delays cannot stop this King's grand ambition."
"Your grand ambition?" Shen Zhao smiled. "If your ambition is to eliminate the Empress at this very moment, then Darba's fate will be yours."
"You killed Darba?" Xuan Hao Hongye's eyes narrowed.
Shen Zhao nodded. "Of course not. It was done by those who allied with you. So, Xiongnu King, do you intend to force your way through, or will you sit down and hear me out?"
Xuan Hao Hongye pondered for a moment, then swiftly dismounted. "Tell me what you know. This King will give you only a quarter of an hour."
"A quarter of an hour is more than enough."
***
"Your Majesty, I have a matter of grave importance to report!"
At the wedding ceremony, just as Di Feijing was taking his final step and preparing to proceed with the ritual, Song Yu's thunderous shout shattered the festive atmosphere.
Song Yanran's brow furrowed slightly, and her gaze towards Song Yu was filled with confusion. "Prince Rui, today is my wedding day. Cease this foolishness and withdraw at once."
But Song Yu raised his voice even louder. "Your Majesty, precisely because this day is so special, I have decided to reveal what has been weighing on my heart. I beg Your Majesty's permission to speak."
"What is it?"
Seeing the solemnity on Song Yu's face, a flicker of unease stirred within Song Yanran.
Taking a deep breath, Song Yu looked up at Song Yanran and pointed at her, his voice ringing out. "I implore Your Majesty to abdicate in favor of a worthy successor!"
*Boom!*
The words exploded like a hydrogen bomb, plunging the hall into chaos.
Song Yanran's expression darkened. "Imperial Brother, what are you saying?"
"I implore Your Majesty to abdicate in favor of a worthy successor!" Song Yu replied, his voice unwavering, showing no sign of retreat.
Finally, Song Yanran's face grew ashen. "Prince Rui, are you attempting a coup?"
As soon as the words left her mouth, three more members of the Royal Clan stepped forward in unison. "Your Majesty, we implore you to issue an imperial decree of abdication!"
In the next moment, an astonishing seventy percent of the court officials joined in. "Your Majesty, please abdicate!"
The wedding scene had instantly transformed into a scene of forced abdication, a development Song Yanran had never anticipated.
What shocked her even more was that the leader of this rebellion was her most trusted brother—Prince Rui, Song Yu.
"Why are you doing this?"
"Your Majesty, your indulgence of the Prince of Jing this past year has incurred the wrath of both the court and the people. For the honor of our Royal Clan and the eternal foundation of the Dragon Han Celestial Dynasty, we implore you to abdicate!"
Song Yu's reasoning was sound and well-founded. Over the past year, Song Yanran's leniency toward Di Feijing had alienated both the court and the populace, earning her widespread criticism from all social strata.
Furthermore, she had attended court only a handful of times, showing none of her former diligence in state affairs, which had bred resentment among ambitious officials.
Thus, when Song Yu incited the Royal Clan and the officials to force her abdication, surprisingly few opposed him.
"Do you... truly intend to force me from the throne?"
Song Yanran gestured toward the kneeling ministers around her, her heart filled with desolation.
The envoys from the seventy-two nations, witnessing this scene, collectively understood the unspoken situation and remained silent.
They were waiting to see how events would unfold, knowing that how they chose to align themselves would determine their greatest gains.
Deep down, however, they hoped Song Yanran would abdicate. She had been like a mountain pressing down on them, making it almost impossible to breathe.
"Your Majesty, the will of the people is clear. Will you continue to defy Heaven itself?"
Song Yu's righteous words echoed throughout the wedding hall, shattering Song Yanran's last hope for familial support.
"Do you... truly intend to force me to abdicate?"
Seeing the pain on Song Yanran's face, a flicker of hesitation crossed Song Yu's heart.
But for the sake of the greater good, he hardened his resolve. "Your Majesty, your sins are too numerous. If not for you, why would the late Emperor and my brother have died? You never had a legitimate claim to the throne in the first place. After hoarding it for over two thousand seven hundred years, you should have long since retired in contentment."
Hearing this, Song Yanran's heart turned to ash.
Beside her, Di Feijing stood completely bewildered, having no idea what was happening.
-----------------------
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