roccoschili Chapter 418 Conferring upon Him the Title of "One-Character King"
Chapter 418 Conferring upon Him the Title of "One-Character King"
The next morning, before dawn.
Lin Chen was awakened by the Empress's finger poking him.
A finger tapped his chest repeatedly, like a chick pecking at rice.
Lin Chen opened his eyes groggily and saw the Empress lying next to him, her chin resting on his chest, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
"Awake?" The voice was still hoarse from just waking up, and it was a little seductive.
Lin Chen blinked twice: "Why did you poke me?"
"I'm hungry."
"Let the imperial kitchen make it." Lin Chen turned over, preparing to continue sleeping.
The Empress's fingers didn't stop, slowly sliding down Lin Chen's chest, her tone full of meaning: "Not that kind of hunger."
Lin Chen suddenly opened his eyes and turned to look out the window.
As dawn broke and the palace lanterns were still lit, the faint sound of the morning bell could be heard in the distance, heralding the start of the morning court session.
"Weren't you supposed to go to court?"
"It's still early." The Empress flipped over and pressed down on Lin Chen, looking down at him and licking her lips. "There's still time."
Lin Chen chuckled at the Empress's expression. "Your Majesty, this is licentiousness in broad daylight!"
The Empress lowered her head and bit Lin Chen's shoulder:
"I am the emperor, and what I say goes."
Lin Chen groaned, reached out and wrapped his arms around the Empress's waist, then flipped over and pinned her beneath him.
"Then I shall respectfully comply."
The Empress wrapped her arms around Lin Chen's neck, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
The sky outside the window slowly brightened, and the palace lanterns went out one by one.
Qingluan stood at the entrance of the palace, listening to the sounds inside. Her face flushed red, and finally, she couldn't hold back any longer and raised her hand to knock on the door.
"Your Majesty, it's time to prepare for court."
No one inside paid her any attention.
Qingluan knocked three more times: "Your Majesty, the officials are already waiting."
The Empress's languid voice came from inside: "Let them wait."
Qingluan: "..."
She sighed, stepped aside, and continued to wait.
Another half hour passed before the palace door finally opened.
Lin Chen walked out, looking refreshed, neatly dressed, and with a smile on his lips.
Qingluan glanced at Lin Chen, her face slightly flushed, and bowed: "Your Highness."
Lin Chen nodded: "His Majesty is getting ready, please wait a little longer."
Qingluan responded, hesitated for a moment, and whispered:
"Your Highness, could you please finish earlier next time? It's not good for the officials to wait so long."
Lin Chen glanced at Qingluan: "It's no use discussing this with me; you have to discuss it with His Majesty."
Qingluan blushed even more and lowered her head, not daring to speak.
Lin Chen laughed heartily and walked towards the Taiji Hall.
……
Taiji Hall.
The officials stood in neat rows on both sides, completely silent.
The Empress sat regally on the dragon throne, wearing a twelve-tassel crown and a black dragon robe, exuding majesty.
After all that commotion that morning, her face still had a faint blush, and she looked radiant, even more so than usual.
"Lin Chen, the Prince of Zhenbei, has come to pay his respects."
"Lin Chen, the Prince of Zhenbei, requests an audience—"
"Lin Chen, the Prince of Zhenbei, requests an audience—"
The sounds continued to travel out one after another.
Lin Chen walked in from outside the hall, his steps neither fast nor slow, his robes fluttering, his demeanor calm and composed.
Once you reach the bottom of the steps, stop, clasp your hands in a gesture of respect:
"Your subject Lin Chen greets Your Majesty."
The Empress looked at Lin Chen, a slight smile curving her lips: "Rise."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
The Empress glanced at the officials in the hall and slowly spoke:
"The Prince of Zhenbei's tour of the realm lasted several months, covering thousands of miles, pacifying the borders, and deterring the villains. His merits are for the country and will benefit future generations."
The officials all nodded in agreement.
The Empress continued, "After much deliberation, I have decided to bestow upon Lin Chen the title of 'One-Word Parallel King,' to rule the world with me."
These words immediately caused an uproar in the main hall.
"A king who stands shoulder to shoulder with one other? This..."
"To rule the world together with His Majesty? According to the established rites..."
"This has never been done before!"
An old imperial censor stepped forward, bowing tremblingly:
"Your Majesty, the title of 'Prince of the First Rank' is the pinnacle of princely rank. No one of a different surname has ever received this title, let alone someone who would rule the empire alongside Your Majesty. This is contrary to propriety!"
Another official from the Ministry of Rites also stepped forward:
"Your Majesty, I second that opinion. Although the Prince of Zhenbei has rendered great service, such a reward may not be convincing to the people."
Minister of Rites Su Wenbo frowned slightly and looked at Lin Chen for a question.
Lin Chen sensed his uncle's gaze, turned his head and blinked, indicating that His Majesty insisted on giving it to him!
The Empress pretended not to see their subtle actions, looked at the officials expressionlessly, and tapped her fingers lightly twice on the armrest of the dragon throne.
"Is it difficult to convince the public?"
"If I say it's possible, then it's possible."
Before the old censor could say anything more, the person next to him quickly tugged at his sleeve and gave him a meaningful look.
Didn't you see His Majesty's expression? If you keep babbling, something bad is going to happen.
But the old censor was a tough nut to crack; he stubbornly insisted on speaking up.
Just then, an old voice came from outside the hall.
"Alright, alright, what's all the noise about?"
Everyone turned their heads in unison.
The royal patriarch, Zhao Wuji, walked in slowly, his white hair and otherworldly demeanor exuding an air of otherworldly wisdom, yet his eyes were as sharp as knives.
The officials quickly made way, bowing respectfully: "Your Majesty the Holy Emperor."
Zhao Wuji walked to the center of the hall and glanced at the old censor: "You just said it was against etiquette?"
The old censor's forehead was beaded with sweat: "This old minister...this old minister was merely acting according to protocol..."
Zhao Wuji snorted: "Rituals? Rituals are dead, people are alive."
Do you know how strong Lin Chen is?
"Now that the Central Continent teleportation channel is open, without him, would you all be standing here so calmly spouting nonsense?"
The old censor opened his mouth, but couldn't say a word.
Zhao Wuji turned to look at the Empress and nodded:
"The clan has agreed to this matter. Lin Chenfeng will be granted the title of King and will rule the world together with His Majesty. The clan has no objection."
Upon hearing this, all the officials were completely speechless.
With the royal family and clan all in agreement, who would dare to object?
There was a three-second silence in the hall, and then—
"Congratulations, Your Majesty! Congratulations, Your Highness!"
Congratulations!
"A title worthy of being called 'One Word Shoulder to Shoulder with King'!"
"Your Highness's achievements are unparalleled and truly deserve the title!"
The officials seemed to change their expressions, their faces beaming with smiles, and congratulations rising and falling in waves.
Only Su Wenbo's eyes flickered wildly, his heart filled with both joy and worry.
Lin Chen stood there, watching how quickly the group of people changed their expressions, and couldn't help but feel amused.
If these people were to perform Sichuan opera, they wouldn't even need makeup.
The Empress raised her hand, signaling for silence.
Silence fell over the hall once more.
The Empress glanced at Lin Chen, then looked at the assembled officials, her tone calm but unquestionable:
"Furthermore, I have one more thing to announce."
All the officials pricked up their ears.
The Empress placed her hand on her lower abdomen, a slight smile curving her lips:
"Lin Chen and I have developed feelings for each other and are now married. I am carrying royal blood."
The hall fell completely silent.
It was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
Su Wenbo's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked at Lin Chen—you're so fierce, kid.