Do You Know?: Rule the World

"I have inherited the great legacy and have been diligently guarding it day and night. The eldest son, Zhao Han, is gifted, intelligent, filial, friendly, and gentle, and is worthy of inheriting the throne."

"I now bestow upon you the imperial seal and appoint you Crown Prince. You must exercise due respect and dignity, reverently observe the teachings of the law, forever strengthen the foundation of the state, and fulfill my wishes!"

Zhao Han took a deep breath, bowed respectfully, took the imperial edict and the crown prince's seal with both hands, his voice clear and firm.

"Your son respectfully accepts the imperial decree and will live up to your father's trust and the expectations of the country!"

After the ceremony, drums and music will begin.

Han Zhang led a group of officials and loudly declared, "Your Highness and I pay our respects to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince. May Your Highness live a thousand years!"

All ceremonies of enthronement require specific etiquette and procedures, with clear rules and regulations.

Therefore, the enthronement of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess will not be carried out on the same day, but will be done at some intervals, in accordance with the respective regulations.

Moving into the Eastern Palace also required the Ministry of Works to first repair the palace, and then the Ministry of Rites and the Imperial Astronomical Observatory would jointly choose an auspicious day. In short, it was extremely complicated!

After having dinner with Zhao Zhen and Empress Cao in Funing Palace, Zhao Han hurried back to the Zhao Mansion.

In the side rooms of the main courtyard, he was carefully nursed back to health by the imperial physician for more than ten days.

Hualan's complexion has improved a lot, and her cheeks are gradually becoming rosy, but there is still a hint of fatigue between her brows.

Seeing Zhao Han coming, Hua Lan stood up and was about to salute.

After all, his husband has been promoted from a prince to a crown prince, and his status has become more and more noble, so etiquette naturally cannot be neglected.

"Greetings to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince." Hua Lan, dressed in a snow-blue brocade dress, bowed gracefully.

Her little face, without any makeup on, was particularly beautiful and charming under the candlelight.

Now that she has given birth to a child, she has become even more gentle and charming, just like a ripe peach on a branch, so beautiful and tempting.

Zhao Han immediately stepped forward, helped her up, and said softly, "There's no need for these empty formalities between you and me, Jing'er."

As Hua Lan led Zhao Han to the inner room, she said, "He was just brought here from the wet nurse and is now asleep."

Turning the screen, I saw Jing'er wrapped in an apricot-yellow swaddling cloth, sleeping soundly in the cradle.

The pink little face is round and lovely, and the little mouth smacks from time to time.

Hua Lan whispered in Zhao Han's ear, "I remember mother saying that Changbai was also so quiet after he was born, neither crying nor making a fuss. I think Jing'er's personality is very similar to Changbai's."

"Oh? Really? If we could be as calm and hardworking as Changbai since childhood, it would be a blessing for us."

After saying that, Zhao Han leaned over and stroked Jing'er's cheek.

Hua Lan frowned and shook her head, "I wish Jing-ge could be more lively."

"Don't be like Changbai, who has always had a stern face since he was little, and never says more than ten words a day. Everyone in the family is afraid of him."

"Every time Mother and Lin Xiaoniang quarreled, if I intervened even a little, he would be so disrespectful that he would scold me, the eldest sister, as well."

"Even my mother said she gave birth to a father for herself."

Zhao Han couldn't help but smile when he heard this.

"It's inevitable that a nephew will resemble his uncle. If Changbai hears you making up stories about him like this, he'll definitely scold you again."

"Just now in the palace, the emperor planned to crown Jing'er as the crown prince when he turned one year old."

When Hua Lan heard this, a hint of shock flashed across her sparkling almond-shaped eyes. "Isn't this... too early?"

Zhao Han put his arm around her slender shoulders and said softly, "It's not too early. Our child is capable of shouldering this great responsibility."

Seeing his serious expression, Hua Lan nodded slightly.

Late at night, Zhao Han went to Jingguanyuan as usual. After all, Hualan was not available to serve him at this moment.

In the side room, the candlelight flickered red, and Shulan had taken off her coat.

She was only wearing a thin undershirt with a slightly open collar, through which one could vaguely see the lilac-colored bellyband embroidered with plum blossoms underneath.

At this moment, she was leaning on the couch, concentrating on doing needlework.

A few strands of hair hanging by the ears add a touch of laziness.

"Your Highness." Seeing Zhao Han coming, Shulan called out softly and stood up to greet him. Her graceful figure had the lightness of a young girl and the tenderness of a young woman.

"Look at the longevity clothes I embroidered for Jing'er. Isn't it beautiful?"

Zhao Han held her slender waist, took it and looked at it, then said softly, "It's embroidered very well, so lifelike!"

Shulan smiled, took the clothes and folded them carefully.

"I think I should do something for Brother Jing myself."

"Look at how cute Jing is. I really want to run to my sister every day."

Zhao Han raised her eyebrows when she heard this and said quietly, "It seems Shu'er also wants to be a mother?"

"I..." Shulan's pretty face turned red and she lowered her eyes in panic.

Soon, the plum blossoms fell quietly to the ground.

Just at this moment a gust of night wind blew by, Shulan's heart trembled, she covered her jade rabbit and stood up to close the window.

"Your Highness..."

As soon as her hand touched the window coffin, Shulan couldn't help but let out a soft cry that sounded like crying.

"Just close the window."

"..."

Chapter 101: My Love for Honglang is Deep and I Can't Restrain Myself

After the crown prince was enthroned, Zhao Han began to familiarize himself with the affairs of the six ministries and the cabinet.

He got up at the hour of Yin every day and listened to lectures by cabinet ministers in the Wenhua Hall. In the afternoon he helped Zhao Zhen review memorials.

Seeing how diligent he was, Zhao Zhen felt both relieved and a little distressed.

After today's regular court session ended, Zhao Han specifically called Sheng Hong.

On the bluestone road leading to the palace gate, he was seen wearing a scarlet court robe, with a gold, jade and leather belt around his waist, and his fluttering sleeves showed the majesty of the crown prince.

"Your Highness." Sheng Hong called softly and bowed respectfully.

At this moment, officials from the Censorate were also nearby, so he didn't dare to overstep the line in any way.

Zhao Han raised his hand to support him and said softly, "Master Sheng, there is no need to be so polite. I have something that I need to ask for your opinion."

"Oh?" Sheng Hong raised his eyebrows, a hint of doubt flashing across his eyes.

He said more respectfully, "Your Highness, please feel free to speak. I will do my best."

Zhao Han smiled slightly, "It's not a big deal, Master Sheng, there's no need to be so nervous."

"Lord Sheng probably knows that Erlang of the Ningyuan Marquisate has always been good friends with me. He was also on the list of the Autumn Examination this year and plans to stay in the capital to prepare for next year's Spring Examination."

"I wonder if Master Sheng would allow him to attend your private school?"

"Gu Erlang can also pass the imperial examination?!" Sheng Hong exclaimed. Before he finished speaking, he saw an imperial censor not far away looking at him with a frown.

This look made his heart skip a beat and he quickly covered his mouth with his sleeve.

In the past few years, although Gu Tingye was studying hard in Bailu Cave, Xiao Qinshi was not idle either.

Every few days he would send his servants outside to spread his reputation, saying that he slept with prostitutes, rode horses in the imperial palace, and was a dissolute man. His reputation spread all over the city like seeds.

Even though Gu Tingye passed the imperial examination this time, he was unable to restore his reputation much.

"Yes, Gu Erlang has given up his playful nature now, and his ranking in the Autumn Examination is even higher than that of the young master of the Qi family."

Hearing this, Sheng Hong was even more surprised. After all, Qi Heng was studying in his house, and he knew very well how well he was doing.

It was indeed unexpected that Gu Tingye scored better than him.

He pondered for a moment, then bowed and said, "As the saying goes, a prodigal son who returns is worth more than gold. I am honored that he is willing to come to my home to study."

"However, Your Highness has probably heard of Master Zhuang's temperament. Why not pick an auspicious day and have Gu Erlang come to your home to meet the Master first? With Your Highness's favor, I think the Master will most likely not refuse."

"Okay, I hope Lord Sheng can say a few good words for me in front of the scholar." Zhao Han nodded slightly.

Sheng Hong immediately said, "Don't worry, Your Highness. This is what I should do."

After Sheng Hong returned home, without even having a chance to rest, Lin Qinshuang sent someone to invite him over.

In Linqi Pavilion, Lin Qinshuang had been standing in the corridor waiting for a long time.

She was wearing a peach pink brocade dress, and her eyes were slightly red, as if she had just cried.

After seeing Sheng Hong's figure, she threw herself into his arms, "Hong Lang——"

This call was so convoluted that Sheng Hong's heart trembled.

Looking at Lin Qinshuang's pretty face with tears in her eyes.

Sheng Hong softened his voice and said, "Shuang'er, what's wrong? Did someone bully you?"

Lin Qinshuang took her arm and walked into the inner room while crying.

"Mo'er's coming-of-age ceremony, the lady actually said she wanted to rush it."

In Wang Ruofu's opinion, Minglan was just fine.

Molan is a concubine's daughter raised by her mother, so her coming-of-age ceremony is not worth making a big fuss about.

Invite a few ladies from official families who are on good terms with you, set up two or three simple banquet tables at home, have new clothes made for you, and make a pair of gilded hairpins for you. At any rate, it will be fine.

When Lin Qinshuang found out, she felt dissatisfied.

After all, Hualan's coming-of-age ceremony was grand and dignified.

All the prominent officials and their wives in Yangzhou City were present, filling up the three courtyards in front and back, and the coming-of-age gifts they received piled up like a small mountain.

"Honglang, I sacrificed my dignity and gave up my wife to be your concubine, but you can't let the mistress treat Mo'er so harshly."

"Our eldest sister is so respectable now. Although Mo'er is a concubine's daughter, she is still a daughter of the Sheng family."

"If the coming-of-age ceremony is shabby, outsiders will think that Mo'er..."

Having said this, Lin Qinshuang choked up and buried her face in Sheng Hong's chest.

Looking at the beautiful woman in his arms who was crying and almost fainting.