The Enthronement ceremony for the next Emperor of Han. Sheng Li got ready in the Imperial Dragon Robes of the Emperor. The red overcoat had the dragon imprinted on its back. He wore his crown and looked at himself in the mirror.
"Your Highness, the carriage is ready," Xing-Fu informed Sheng Li.
"What about the Crown Princess?" Sheng Li asked.
"Her Highness is also ready," Xing-Fu answered. Sheng Li hummed and they left the chamber. Sheng Li found Ying Lili had reached at the same time as his. Ying Lili bowed at him and it astonished him. She never bowed before him except when they got married. He gestured to her to get into the litter which had no roof.
However, Ying Lili did not step into the litter. According to tradition, her husband should first get into the carriage.
"Your Highness, please get into the carriage," Xing-Fu said softly.
"Tell the Crown Princess to step up first," he commanded him. Xing-Fu glanced at Sheng Li in bewilderment and then lowered his eyes. "Go and tell her that her husband will get into the carriage only if she gets into that first," he ordered Xing-Fu.
Xing-Fu could not refuse the order of the Crown Prince and went towards the Crown Princess. He delivered Sheng Li's message to her. Ying Lili looked at Sheng Li, who was smiling at her. She nodded and stepped up onto the small stairs to reach the top of the carriage. Getting seated into it, Sheng Li got into the carriage in front of him. The lifters carried it up and left for the Palace Ground where the Coronation ceremony would continue.
In the Palace Ground, the topmost officials had taken their positions in the large palace ground. The subjects were in their official robes and had stood straight, waiting for the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess.
Behind them, the low-ranked officials of the capital had stood. On the other side, the Court chief Eunuchs, Court Ladies, and Palace servants had taken their respective positions.
A series of tables had been placed on the top of the building where the Dragon throne was placed: one for the imperial seal, placed directly in front of the throne; one for the formal petition for the Emperor's accession.
The imperial vestments had been outside the hall in the Palace Grounds.
The palace musicians would set up along the east and west sides. One among them read the Imperial edict. The ceremony's attendees had arrived before the emperor in the open space just outside the hall, with members of the imperial family on the steps up to the hall, and other civil and military officials behind them.
Soon the carriages arrived at the Palace ground's entrance. Sheng Li and Ying Lili stepped down from those carriages. Sheng Li started to walk, and Ying Lili followed him. She had also worn the Red Hanfu dress for the Coronation as the Empress.
They reached the bottom of the stairs which were entirely covered with red carpet. The Formal verdict about their arrival was announced. Sheng Li extended his hand out for Ying Lili. She placed her hand over his palm and he gripped it gently. He took the first step on the stairs and Ying Lili followed him.
Lei Wanxi was extremely happy to see Sheng Li and Ying Lili. 'Finally, Brother Sheng will lead this Empire. He sacrificed so much for this day. This is indeed a special moment for him. Father, Brother Sheng, and Sister Lili will surely make this Empire prosperous,' Lei Wanxi thought as tears of happiness appeared in his eyes.
They reached the top of the stairs where the rest of the Enthronement ceremony had to be performed. Sheng Li and Ying Lili bowed before the Chief Priest, who did the same to them. The Dragon Crown was brought but before that Sheng Li kowtowed before heaven and the earth. The crown which he wore as the Crown Prince was removed by the Chief Priest.
The Imperial Crown was put over his head. He did the same to Ying Lili and then declared them the Emperor and the Empress of the Han Empire.
They turned to face their subjects. The moment was marked by the ringing of bells and the beating of drums by the palace musicians. This would be followed by a kowtow of those in attendance for the Coronation ceremony.
"Hail to the Emperor and the Empress!" General Wang loudly said and all the military and civil forces put their swords down and bent on their knees. They gave Sheng Li and Ying Lili joint fists and palm bows. The flowers were thrown over them as the loud cheers echoed in the entire Palace premises.
Sheng Li extended his hand out, gesturing to them to stop. He addressed his subjects and his people.
"With the blessings of my late father, the previous Emperor of Han, I, Han Sheng Li, usurped the throne. I will do my duty as the Emperor of Han with utmost sincerity. I will never once misuse this throne for my benefits."
Sheng Li and Ying Lili then turned towards Empress Dowager and bowed before her. Lifting their heads, Sheng Li held Ying Lili's hand and took her towards the throne. They both sat down on the Dragon throne. The high official ministers, who were on the stairs. They undertook three kneelings and nine kowtows– known as the Grand Kowtows.
"Hail to the Emperor of Han. Long live, Your Majesty!" The loud cheers echoed once again in the Palace grounds and with this, the coronation ceremony ended.
Sheng Li looked far and wide in the Palace grounds with a smile carved on his lips. "Father, thank you for all this. I would not have come this far if you had not brought Ying Lili into my life. She showed me the true meaning of being a leader– it's not by threat but by the love from everyone," He thought in his mind and turned to peer at Ying Lili, who also looked into his eyes.
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