Do you know: I am Xu Jiazi

Chapter 805 Brother Bai, look, Wu Lang is looking this way! [Thank you! Bows again! 7k words owed]

Notice,

The emperor's ceremonial robes had twelve emblems.

The three most supreme emblems are the sun, the moon, and the stars, all chosen for their brightness.

The sun-shaped emblem contains a three-legged golden crow, the moon-shaped emblem contains a jade rabbit, and the star emblem consists of the Three Enclosures (pronounced "yuan," referring to the Ziwei Enclosure, Taiwei Enclosure, and Tianshi Enclosure in the starry sky), which are also three dots.

The sun and moon emblems are located on the shoulders, while the star emblems are on the back.

It can be said that it carries the sun and moon on its shoulders and the stars on its back, all symbolizing the emperor's boundless grace shining upon all directions.

The mountain-shaped pattern, taken from what people look up to, symbolizes stability and peace in all directions.

The dragon motif, symbolizing power and flexibility, represents imperial authority and adaptability.

The pheasant pattern, with its colorful design, symbolizes literary talent and virtuous character.

The fire-shaped pattern, with its upward-facing posture and warmth, symbolizes a spirit of enterprise and brings warmth to all people.

The Zongyi pattern consists of a pair of emblems, representing ritual vessels. One vessel is decorated with a tiger, and the other with a zi (a type of long-tailed monkey), symbolizing bravery and loyalty.

The algae-shaped pattern, symbolizing purity, often features intertwined branches, signifying cleanliness and integrity, nourishing the people and preventing them from being deceived.

The white rice pattern symbolizes nurturing and raising the people, as the people are the foundation of the nation.

The axe-shaped pattern, symbolizing decisiveness, authority, and the ability to distinguish right from wrong, is taken from the broken shape.

The fú-shaped pattern is roughly composed of two bow-shaped patterns standing back to back, symbolizing self-reflection and correction of mistakes.

That's why Sheng Hong is helpless.

He knew in his heart that if it weren't for the support of such a good in-law as the Marquis of Yongyi's family, and the help of other relatives, he, Sheng Hong, would probably still be a fifth-rank official in the capital even after his children got married.

If they endure another ten or twenty years, they will most likely retire as second-rank officials.

Although he had already been promoted to the fourth rank, he still had not entered the central government of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and his official robes were not purple, so naturally there was no emblem on them.

But Xu Zaijing, a nominal relative and junior standing not far away, was a different story.

Xu Zaijing, who held the rank of Prince Yitong, had seven emblems on his robes, only two fewer than those on the ceremonial robes of Crown Prince Zhao Fang.
Thinking about all this, Sheng Hong looked closely at Xu Zaijing to confirm his thoughts.

Subsequently,

"!!!"

Sheng Hong's eyes suddenly widened as he stared in disbelief at the emblem on Xu Zaijing's formal attire.

Sheng Hong, who has excellent eyesight, only then noticed that Xu Zaijing's formal attire was embroidered with dragon patterns on the shoulders.

Seeing this, Sheng Hong blinked blankly.

Xu Zaijing's ceremonial robes would not have eight emblems. Since there is a dragon pattern, there must be mountain-shaped patterns elsewhere on the robes.

Thinking about all this, Sheng Hong looked at his colleague beside him.

Unfortunately, his colleagues' eyesight was far inferior to Sheng Hong's, and no one noticed the unusual thing about Xu Zaijing's formal attire for a moment.

Before Sheng Hong could turn to speak to his colleague,
An official in the hall announced loudly, "Summon Cao Qi, former Marquis of Tuoxi; Xu Minghua, former Marquis of Yongyi; and Xu Zaijing, the youngest son of the current top scholar, to enter the hall!"

The hall fell silent as the eunuch's melodious and resonant voice rang out.

Xu Zaijing followed behind the two elders and walked into the hall.

Today, General Cao, whose hair and beard are all white, is in very good spirits and walks at the front with a vigorous stride.

The military and civil officials standing on both sides of the hall looked at the three with eyes full of blessings and envy.

After watching the three pass by, Gu Tingye, who was standing next to Changbai, leaned closer to Changbai under the cover of the crowd and whispered, "Changbai, do you think we still have a chance to surpass Wulang?"

Changbai frowned slightly, staring intently at Xu Zaijing's figure, and whispered, "Second Brother, did you notice Fifth Brother's formal attire just now?"

Gu Tingye was taken aback, and lowered his voice to ask, "What's wrong?"

Changbai looked at the officials and ministers in the hall and shook his head slightly.

Understanding that Changbai meant "no more words," Gu Tingye also shut his mouth and looked curiously at Xu Zaijing's back.

at the same time,

Gu Tingye also looked at his father and brothers standing further ahead, trying to discern something from their eyes.

Gu Tingye only saw his father's eyes widen before he quickly lowered his head, and his elder brother looking at him with a calm expression and furrowed brows.

Upon seeing this, Gu Tingye quickly stood up straight and bowed his head.

Once General Cao, Xu Minghua, and Gu Tingye stood before the imperial steps, the hall fell silent.

After a while,
Suddenly, musicians from the Ministry of Rites began playing melodious and solemn ceremonial music around the spacious main hall of the imperial palace.

A commotion arose inside the main hall, and Sheng Hong quickly stood up straight, joining the others in adjusting their clothes and hats.

Amidst the sounds of ritual music,

The emperor's entourage began to slowly enter the palace from the rear hall.

Sheng Hong, who was standing respectfully with his head bowed, noticed out of the corner of his eye that not only the Crown Prince had come today, but the Empress was also sitting to the side and behind the Emperor's throne.

The music stopped.

The screen in front of the emperor slowly opened.

The emperor, empress, and crown prince, who were seated comfortably behind their fans, were then revealed.

immediately,

"bye!"

The chief eunuch's shouts rang out.

"Long live my emperor! Long live! Long live!"

As the officials inside the hall shouted in unison, they performed the grand ceremony of three bows and nine kowtows.

The ceremony is over.

"prosper--"

"Thank you, Your Majesty!"

At the shouts of the palace officials, all the officials in the hall expressed their gratitude in unison and then stood up respectfully.

Looking at the officials below, the emperor said in a loud voice, "I'm sure you all already know why I've come here today."

Everyone in the hall bowed, indicating that they understood.

The emperor looked at the three people below who were being conferred titles, nodded slowly, and then said to the official in charge of ceremonies, "Announce them."

"According to the order!"

The Ministry of Rites official standing below the steps bowed in response and then stepped forward to the imperial steps.

at the same time,

General Cao, who was standing at the very front, smiled and glanced back at Xu Zaijing.

Wearing formal attire, Xu Zaijing first bowed to the emperor on the imperial steps, then bowed to the old general and his father, before taking three steps forward.

After taking three steps, Xu Zaijing was already standing at the very front of the three.

The official in charge of ceremonies stood before the imperial steps, unfurled the edict of investiture, and read it aloud.

The contents of the imperial edicts and decrees of investiture were largely the same.

However, as the senior officials in the palace listened to the contents of the imperial edict, their expressions began to turn solemn.

Especially regarding the content concerning Jinming Pond and the palace coup, the senior officials standing by were mostly people who had personally experienced it.

After the master of ceremonies finished reading aloud...
"A royal title, with a golden book and seal!"

After the master of ceremonies finished speaking,

When the eunuch brought the golden book and golden seal to Xu Zaijing...

A gasp of surprise came from inside the hall.
The high-ranking officials and nobles who were standing on both sides watching the ceremony also widened their eyes.

Rong Xian couldn't help but swallow hard.

There is no other reason,

The emperor had already risen from the dragon throne on the imperial steps and stepped forward to stand before Xu Zaijing.

Xu Zaijing, who was bowing and waiting, bowed even deeper after seeing a corner of the dragon robe in front of him.

“Good boy, straighten up. You do not need to bow before me.”

The emperor's voice, though not loud, carried an imposing authority that echoed throughout the quiet hall.

Upon hearing this, the officials looked at the young figure ahead with deep emotion.

"Your humble servant..." Before Xu Zaijing could finish speaking, "Listen to me!"

The emperor's voice came again.

"Your humble servant obeys the decree." Xu Zaijing straightened up helplessly.

"That's more like it!"

As the emperor spoke, amidst the even more astonished gazes of his ministers, he reached out and smoothed the wrinkles on Xu Zaijing's ceremonial robe: "This python robe suits you very well!"

With his graying hair and beard, Han Da Xiang Gong looked at Xu Zai Jing with a smile, his eyes full of approval and agreement for the emperor's golden words.

At the same time, Han Da Xiang Gong raised his chin, making his python robe, which was "the same style" as Xu Zai Jing's, even more conspicuous.

On the day of the palace coup, Grand Chancellor Han stood behind the Marquis of Xiangyang, his hands trembling as he held his waist knife to protect him.

Standing next to Han, Shen, with his small, gleaming eyes, looked at Han with a disdainful purse and curled his lip.

Afterwards, Shen Da Xiang Gong looked at the stunned Marquis of Fuchang and the smiling and approving Lord of the Chai family, and then at the smiling Duke of Qi not far away, before finally letting out a self-consoling sigh.

Before the imperial steps,
The emperor stretched out his hand to the side.

Zhao Fang, who had followed him down earlier, quickly took out the golden book from a tray lined with brocade and handed it to the emperor.

Xu Zaijing quickly accepted it with both hands.

"Take the gold seal as well."

Xu Zaijing quickly agreed.

When Xu Zaijing, holding the golden book and seal, was about to bow and pay his respects according to the 'rehearsed' steps, he found that the emperor had already supported his arm.

"Go, wait to the side," the emperor said with a smile. "Don't get in the way of me bestowing the title upon the old general."

"Your humble servant obeys the decree."

As Xu Zaijing spoke, he took two steps to the side and, amidst the emperor's helpless smile, completed the bow.

Then, the master of ceremonies read out the imperial edict promoting General Cao to the rank of Duke.

After finishing reading.

"Awarded the Duke's title and seal!"

After the official finished reading, the emperor promptly helped General Cao up.

The emperor held his father-in-law, who, despite his advanced age, had led a large army to the northwest to quell the rebellion of Bai Gao, in the highest esteem.

After the ceremony, the old Duke, holding the official seal, stood smiling beside Xu Zaijing.

Finally, there's Xu Minghua.

Although he had anticipated this at home, Xu Minghua still couldn't help but feel a lump in his throat when he actually stood in front of the emperor today, listening to the edict of investiture read by the official in charge of rites, and thinking about his experiences over the past twenty years.

"Awarded the Duke's title and seal!"

Trembling, Xu Minghua received the imperial edict and seal from the emperor's hands and quickly bowed in respect.

"My dear minister, do not be agitated. You will be tasked with expanding my territory in the future!" the emperor said gently.

"Your Majesty's words are etched in my mind. I will fight with all my might, even unto death!" Xu Minghua replied in a deep voice.

The emperor nodded with a smile.

Then, the emperor led Zhao Fang up the imperial steps and sat on the dragon throne, while Xu Minghua stood below General Cao.

Looking at the emperor on the dragon throne, the three of them, led by General Cao, bowed deeply to express their gratitude.

"My three ministers, please rise at once."

The emperor laughed.

Then, the chief eunuch picked up an imperial edict from the side and read it aloud.

The gist is that the Marquis of Xiangyang, Grand Chancellor Han, and others experienced the palace coup that day!
These individuals have made significant contributions and endured hardship, so two new emblems—a miniature mountain shape and a three-clawed dragon shape—have been added to their ceremonial robes. These emblems represent their shared hardships with the emperor and their role in stabilizing the Zhou dynasty.

A new layer has been added to the existing civil and military rewards.

The Great Zhou will surely recover Yan and Yun in the future, and these two emblems and the accompanying benefits are prepared for civil and military officials who will make meritorious contributions in the future.

Upon hearing the contents of the imperial edict, the eyes of many civil and military officials in the hall lit up.

"So be it—"

After the chief eunuch finished reading,

The emperor rose and said, "Very well, my beloved ministers, let us attend the banquet together."

All the officials in the hall bowed in unison and agreed. After the emperor left the main hall, the officials walked out of the hall one after another.

The location of the imperial banquet
In the palace,

Having changed their clothes, Gu Tingye and Changbai sat near the palace gate, where most of the top ten Jinshi (successful candidates in the imperial examination) of this year also sat.

Sheng Hong was seated much closer to the emperor than they were.

Turning their heads to look ahead, Changbai and the others could see their classmate Xu Zaijing, who was sitting a few feet away from the emperor.

The only person closer to the emperor than Xu Zaijing was Crown Prince Zhao Fang.

The two newly appointed dukes sat opposite Xu Zaijing.

Imperial banquets have their own procedures.

Even when the emperor raised his cup, there were explicit regulations regarding what dishes were served, what music was played, and what dances the female musicians of the Imperial Music Bureau performed.

Amidst the music and clamor, the royal banquet continued into the afternoon, showing no signs of ending.

Having drunk quite a bit of fine wine, the emperor nodded after hearing Xu Zaijing's request and said, "Since you are so filial, I grant your request! It just so happens that your palace is still under expansion! You don't need to move before the wedding."

The empress, sitting beside the emperor, held a wine pot and looked at Xu Zaijing with a kind expression.

Xu Zaijing quickly bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"

The rites and laws of the Great Zhou Dynasty were that strict.

From this day forward, Xu Zaijing is now the Prince of the Great Zhou! Although he is not yet married, he has come of age.

Xu Zaijing, who was granted the title of Prince Yi, could no longer live in the current residence of the Duke of Dai on Quyuan Street. Even though the Prince's residence was still being expanded, he was preparing to move to the residence bestowed by the Emperor in Guangfu Lane.

Only by obtaining the emperor's golden words can we continue to live in the Xu family.

After the emperor finished speaking, he raised his wine cup again.

The music then changed again.

The female musicians who were dancing also gathered together, bowed, and then retreated with small, quick steps, their skirts motionless, like fairies.

Then palace maids carried in new dishes one after another and placed them on their respective tables.

After the officials in the hall raised their cups and drank, they continued to enjoy the dance and music.

The emperor, in a good mood, felt slightly tipsy after drinking.

When the emperor wanted to refill his wine cup, he noticed that the empress, who was holding a wine pot, was looking at him with a hint of reproach.

Seeing this, the emperor had no choice but to put down his wine cup.

After eating a few bites of the delicious food,
The emperor looked at Xu Zaijing, who was laughing and talking with Zhao Fang below him, and then at the gazes that kept being cast at Xu Zaijing from the hall. He asked with a smile, "Fifth Prince, speaking of which, it was the Empress who arranged for your principal wife and concubines."

Xu Zaijing quickly looked at the emperor, nodded somewhat embarrassedly, and said, "Your Majesty is quite right. Your humble servant..."

"Hey! Fifth Prince, you are now a Prince of my Great Zhou Dynasty, you can't just call yourself a subject anytime you want," the Empress reminded him with a smile.

Xu Zaijing quickly changed his words: "I am very grateful."

The emperor smiled and nodded, pointing to the officials in the hall, and said with a smile, "I see that quite a few important ministers in the central government want to ask if there is a candidate for the other concubine position beside you."

Upon hearing this, Zhao Fang smiled and nodded at Xu Zaijing, then looked at the emperor and said, "Father is right! Your subject is also somewhat curious."

The emperor stroked his beard, looked at Xu Zaijing, and smiled, "Fifth Prince, I ask you, do you have someone in mind for your consideration?"

The Empress smiled as she looked at Xu Zaijing, thinking about the noble ladies in Bianjing and wondering which family it was.

Upon hearing this, Xu Zaijing hesitated for a moment, then pursed his lips, somewhat at a loss for words: "Your Majesty, I... I'm not sure if they're willing either."

Upon hearing this, the Emperor, Empress, and Zhao Fang looked at Xu Zaijing with great curiosity.

At the entrance of the palace,
Gu Tingye nudged Changbai in confusion and said, "Brother Bai, look, Wulang is looking this way at us."

Upon hearing this, Changbai put down the serving chopsticks and looked up ahead.

Changbai then noticed that not only Xu Zaijing, but also the Emperor, Empress and Crown Prince were looking at him.

Seeing this, Changbai blinked blankly.

(End of this chapter)