Emperor Ming: Your Majesty, you have caused me so much suffering.

With the coronation ceremony imminent, Zhu Qiyu stared at the gift list handed to him by Hu Ying, speechless for a moment.

He just stared at Hu Ying silently, while Hu Ying looked embarrassed.

After a while, Hu Ying couldn't bear Zhu Qiyu's intense gaze any longer and cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, is there anything you're dissatisfied with?"

It's a wonder Hu Ying managed to find out that the entire enthronement ceremony cost five thousand taels of silver, which wasn't even a fraction of what was spent on confiscating Wang Zhen's mansion.

The dragon flag, golden gourd, battle axe, and canopy were all kept from being replaced with new ones; only the imperial robes were new, while everything else was old and used directly.

Zhu Qiyu should be grateful to Hu Ying, at least the imperial robes were new; otherwise, he would have had to pick up Zhu Qizhen's imperial robes to wear. If that had happened, Zhu Qiyu would probably have given Hu Ying a good beating.

Congratulatory memorials were first presented by officials in the capital, with those from local imperial relatives and other officials presented later.

There was nothing that could be done about it; with only a few days to prepare, Zhu Qiyu didn't expect the whole world to celebrate.

Perhaps the common people didn't care that the emperor had changed. After all, Zhu Qizhen's series of shameless actions had greatly diminished their confidence in the imperial family. At this moment, they only cared about whether they could survive.

Hu Ying explained that the reason everything was kept simple was that the people of the capital, or rather the people of the whole country, had no interest in celebrating. All the big feasts and banquets were waived, and the people of the capital didn't have the money to do such things.

Upon hearing Hu Ying's explanation, Zhu Qiyu realized that what Hu Ying said was true. He was speechless and looked up at the sky, wondering if this was the most shabby enthronement ceremony ever held by an emperor in history.

Zhu Qiyu, still unwilling to give up, said, "Minister Hu, couldn't you have made it a little more formal?"

Zhu Qiyu did not want the historical records to document this shabby process, making him seem illegitimate and suspicious.

Hu Ying felt it was unnecessary and replied, "Your Majesty, in times of national crisis, the court officials have no time for celebration. It would be more beneficial for Your Majesty to use the funds for the war effort and as rewards for the soldiers afterwards."

Zhu Qiyu nodded slightly, having to admit that Hu Ying's words made sense; it was actually more beneficial to bestow favors on the officials.

"But the historians will record this!"

Upon hearing this, Hu Ying said solemnly, "Your Majesty, do you lack confidence in becoming a wise ruler? If Your Majesty's achievements become renowned in the future, today's ceremony will become a testament to Your Majesty's dedication to the people, and will surely be talked about with relish by future generations."

Zhu Qiyu was speechless for a moment. If he did well, he would be seen as a frugal emperor who cared for the people and even spared no expense for his own coronation ceremony. If he did poorly, he would be considered a foolish ruler unworthy of a grand coronation ceremony. Whether it was good or bad, it all depended on the words of these scholars.

Seeing that Zhu Qiyu was speechless for a moment, Hu Ying quickly stopped dwelling on the issue and changed the subject, saying, "Your Majesty, the Ministry of Rites has proposed to confer the title of Empress Dowager on Consort Wu, Empress on Princess Wang, and Concubine Hang on the title of Imperial Noble Consort. As for Empress Qian and the Empress Dowager, Your Majesty still needs to make a decision."

These words indeed attracted Zhu Qiyu's attention, as they concerned the status of his mother and wife. He had no objection to the investiture proposed by the Ministry of Rites, as it was a normal procedure; however, dealing with Empress Dowager Sun and Empress Qian was indeed difficult.

What is the Ministry of Rites' opinion?

Hu Ying spoke up, "Empress Qian is relatively easy to deal with; simply bestow upon her the title of Empress Dowager. But as for the Empress Dowager, should we add an honorific title?"

Zhu Qiyu instantly understood Hu Ying's meaning. In name, even the Empress Dowager in the palace had to be divided into princes and princesses. The Empress Dowager with an honorific title would naturally be more noble. As for whether she had any power, that was another matter.

However, Hu Ying was unaware of Zhu Qiyu's thoughts. If he forcibly refused to grant Empress Dowager Sun an honorific title, her status would be no different from that of Consort Wu, but this move would invite criticism. Conferring her the title of Grand Empress Dowager was also not feasible, as Empress Dowager Sun was nominally Zhu Qiyu's legal mother and could not be granted the title of Grand Empress Dowager. The safest option was to grant her an honorific title.

Zhu Qiyu pondered for a moment. Afterwards, Empress Dowager Sun would be moving to Renshou Palace. As for an honorary title, Zhu Qiyu felt he was willing to bestow it upon her. He figured it was enough that the power in the palace remained in the hands of Consort Wu, since she was the one truly in charge of Cining Palace.

Has the Ministry of Rites drafted a proposal?

"have!"

Hu Ying was prepared, and a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes. This was truly the magnanimity of a wise ruler. Although the title of emperor could not change much, it had a calming effect on the former officials of the retired emperor Zhu Qizhen.

If the emperor were to refuse to assume the title of emperor, then in the eyes of the court officials, the new emperor would be seen as a narrow-minded person.

Zhu Qiyu took it and examined it closely. In fact, there were only two titles: "Empress Dowager Shangsheng" and "Empress Dowager Cishou".

"Then let us bestow upon her the title of Supreme Holy Empress Dowager!"

Zhu Qiyu quickly made the decision: since an honorific title had been given, then the best one should be given directly; being secretive and stingy would only make things worse.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Seeing Hu Ying's cheerful demeanor, Zhu Qiyu smiled and asked, "Could the gift be increased a little more?"

Since Zhu Qiyu had agreed so readily, Hu Ying couldn't be stingy any longer and said, "I'll add another three thousand taels of silver and five thousand strings of cash!"

Zhu Qiyu glanced at Hu Ying speechlessly. It turned out that it wasn't that he couldn't add the price, but rather that he had to bargain.

Hu Ying, with a fawning smile, said, "Your Majesty, how about using 'Jingtai' as the reign title?"

"Very well! So be it. I need to go see the Empress Dowager!"

Zhu Qiyu went there to inform Empress Dowager Sun about the matter of adding an honorific title, and also to collect the imperial edict.

"Here you go!"

A palace maid came to report from Cining Palace.

"Empress Dowager, His Majesty has arrived."

Empress Dowager Sun nodded, though she was inwardly struggling with her decision.

She was well aware of Zhu Qiyu's purpose in coming here. The day had finally come, and she was going to personally hand over the throne to someone else.

Zhu Qiyu entered and bowed.

Empress Dowager Sun asked, "What brings the Emperor here?"

Zhu Qiyu cursed inwardly. The Empress Dowager Sun wouldn't know the purpose of his visit, so it must be the imperial edict; otherwise, he would have had to forge it himself.

The effect of the Empress Dowager forging an edict is very different from that of Zhu Qiyu forging one himself. When the Empress Dowager forges an edict, it represents an edict issued by Zhu Qizhen. When he forges one himself, it is called usurpation.

Zhu Qiyu naturally wouldn't directly ask for an imperial edict. Instead, he turned to the matter at hand and said, "The Ministry of Rites has requested permission to bestow an honorific title upon the Empress Dowager."

Upon hearing this, Empress Dowager Sun's expression turned serious, and she seemed somewhat nervous. She asked, "What are you thinking?"

"I have taken the liberty of deciding on the title of Empress Dowager Shangsheng. I wonder if the Empress Dowager finds it acceptable. If she does not like it, I will have the Ministry of Rites draft a new title for her."

Empress Dowager Sun was overjoyed. She hadn't expected Zhu Qiyu to be so generous. The title "Shang Sheng" (上圣) was usually used to honor the emperor, showing how significant it was.

She dared not smile, but her face was full of thought, as if she was considering whether the title was feasible.

After a short while, he slowly said, "Then we'll do as Brother Yu says."

When Zhu Qiyu heard that Empress Dowager Sun's title had changed, he knew that this new title was exactly what she wanted.

"Has the Empress made any arrangements?"

"To be formally appointed Empress Dowager!"

"That's perfect." Seeing that Zhu Qiyu had arranged things properly, Empress Dowager Sun did not make things difficult for him any further and glanced at Li Yongchang.

Li Yongchang instantly understood and turned to leave.

A moment later, he brought back a brocade box, knelt respectfully before Zhu Qiyu, and presented it to him.

Empress Dowager Sun said from the side, "Yu'er, the imperial edict is inside. The affairs of state are entrusted to you!"

"Your subject will obey Your Majesty's decree."

Zhu Qiyu breathed a sigh of relief; the throne was truly in his grasp.