Chapter 968 Preference and Exceptions
The Minister of Rites and a group of officials from the Ministry of Rites welcomed the new emperor with great fear and trepidation.
Everyone thought that Cheng Xi would ask about the coronation ceremony.
"Thank you for your hard work these days."
Cheng Xi didn't remember to explain his purpose. He looked at everyone with a very gentle attitude, "But I have one more request. Please take care of it."
The new emperor lowered his posture so low that the people in the Ministry of Rites became even more frightened. They all said "I dare not" and wondered in their hearts what Cheng Xi was trying to do.
Cheng Xi's gaze finally fixed on the Minister of Rites, and he bowed slightly to him.
"Thank you, Minister. The ceremony of conferring the title of Queen will also be held on the same day."
This one sentence woke everyone up!
The Minister of Rites had been an official for many years, but he could not hide his shock at this moment. "Your Highness means... the Emperor and Empress will serve together?"
Cheng Xi nodded calmly, looking straight at the Minister of Rites.
"Old minister... understand."
Of course, the first thing the Minister of Rites wanted to say was "It's not in accordance with etiquette", but as Cheng Xi was staring at him, he couldn't say it at all and could only nod his head submissively.
After getting a satisfactory answer, Cheng Xi smiled slightly, as if the extremely oppressive aura just now did not exist at all.
"In that case, thank you very much."
After saying a few polite words, Cheng Xi turned and left.
Everyone in the Ministry of Rites looked at his receding back, and their hearts, which had risen to their throats just now, slowly fell back to their original place.
"This... do you think so highly of that person from the Gongsun family?"
"It's a good thing that the king values friendship and loyalty. Let's not talk about the harem!"
"I guess it's because of Gongsun Rong..."
The whispers reached the ears of the Minister of Rites, who frowned and looked at everyone seriously, "Remember, don't talk nonsense! That one... is the future mother of the country!"
Gongsun Rong, who had grown into Cheng Xi's right-hand man, stood outside waiting. With nothing to do, he found a straight grass from somewhere and bit it in his mouth to pass the time.
Seeing Cheng Xi coming out, he spat out the grass roots and asked with a pair of smiling fox eyes: "Did those people really agree to it?"
"Yes." Cheng Xi nodded and glanced at Gongsun Rong. "Are you afraid that they won't agree, so you have to go with me?"
"You're overthinking it. I just haven't seen Lili for many days, and I want to go to the palace with you to see her." Gongsun Rong smiled calmly, without revealing his true purpose at all.
Cheng Xi did not doubt it, "That's good, she has been very bored in the palace these days."
The new emperor has not yet ascended the throne, and the status of everyone is still uncertain. Except for Shi Li, who was brought into the palace by Cheng Xi and has never left, everyone else is still staying in the Prince Qin's Palace.
Shi Li was alone in the palace with nothing to do, so she had to accompany the queen every day and occasionally talk to Cheng Danzhu who came to the palace.
Upon hearing that Cheng Xi and Gongsun Rong were coming together, Shi Li stood up happily and walked outside to greet them.
Although she had not had much contact with this brother, in the Source Master's memory, the siblings had depended on each other for many years and had always been close.
Gongsun Rong did not avoid suspicion and walked over to pat her shoulder. "Not bad, not too fat or too thin. It seems that the food in the imperial kitchen is to your liking."
Shi Li felt a little embarrassed by his teasing and blinked hard.
Cheng Xi smiled beside them, not wanting to disturb the brother and sister's hard-earned reunion, so he went into the palace to visit the queen first.
Only Shi Li and his sister were left in front of the hall.
"You've grown so tall in the blink of an eye. You're no longer the little fat girl who chased after me for candy."
Gongsun Rong looked at Shi Li and said with a half-relieved and half-emotional look, "When you become the queen in the future, don't let yourself be wronged. If there is anything you don't understand, have someone pass it on to me."
Shi Li looked at him and recalled many things from her childhood. Her nose slowly started to sour. She nodded in a muffled voice, "Okay."
"But as it stands, your husband treats you well. He even scheduled the coronation ceremony for the queen on the same day as the coronation ceremony."
Gongsun Rong pretended to speak casually and looked at Shi Li's expression with a smile.
Seeing her shocked expression, he smiled knowingly, "I knew my brother-in-law wouldn't tell you. He didn't even take credit for such a big surprise. I really admire him."
Throughout the dynasties, it was rare for a new emperor to ascend the throne and the empress to be crowned on the same day. This honor, which almost violated the ancestral system, was easily obtained by Shi Li.
Shi Li felt her nose getting more sour, and couldn't help but look back at the palace.
Before he could say anything, he saw Cheng Danzhu slowly walking towards him from another palace path out of the corner of his eye.
Still dressed in gorgeous attire, noble and proud.
but……
Knowing her well, Shi Li frowned worriedly.
There's something wrong with her.