Nanliang, Capital City.

Today is the day of Zhao Xu’s coronation ceremony.

The sky is extraordinarily blue, and the sunlight is exceptionally bright.

Although the Princess Consort is Zhao Xu’s biological aunt, she is no longer recognized as the Donglin Prince Mansion’s Princess Hengyang with that familiar face.

She is merely Princess Zhenbei.

The envoy from Daqi would not attend the Nanliang Emperor’s coronation ceremony.

They would only enter the palace to offer congratulations after the ceremony.

Zhao Xu, clad in a Dragon Robe, after offering prayers to heaven and earth, received the Jade Seal from Prince Ling.

Holding the Jade Seal aloft, his first imperial edict was to change the nation’s name to Lin.

Nanlin.

The Nanliang Royal Family knelt on the ground, daring to be angry but not voicing it.

To preserve their lives was already rare enough; who would dare to stand out and accuse Zhao Xu of being heartless?

Right after Prince Ling passed the throne to him, he changed the nation’s name?

How Prince Ling ascended the throne was clearer to them than anyone else.

Once they heard the nation’s name, they knew how it came about. It declared to the world that Nanliang was self-ensnared, killed loyal subjects, and eradicated good generals, leading to its own demise.

They only regretted that in those years, the Nanliang former Emperor failed to eliminate the roots, sowing the seeds of disaster.

Zhao Xu originally intended to directly change the name to Donglin, but Prime Minister Zhao disagreed. Now he had just ascended, the nation’s stability was precarious, and he had taken over the throne from Prince Ling, at least giving the Nanliang Royal Family some face.

As long as everyone understood his intention, they would naturally call Nanlin as Donglin.

The more it is referred to as such, the change would be his decision, not needing to contend at this moment.

After the coronation ceremony was completed, Zhao Xu led the officials back to the palace.

And held a feast.

The ministers rejoiced together.

After a quarter of an hour of the banquet, the Princes entered the palace to offer congratulations.

The officials of Nanlin looked at each other in amazement.

It seems the rumors are true; Princess Hengyang of Donglin Prince Mansion is indeed alive, and she is the Princess Zhenbei of Daqi.

The banquet in Nanlin was no different from that of Daqi.

Music and dance flourished, drinks and socializing intertwined.

There were ministers flattering and noble ladies presenting dance performances.

After all, Zhao Xu is the Emperor; which Emperor does not have three palaces and six courtyards?

Although Princess Jing Mountain was already on her way, she would be the Nanlin Empress, yet beneath the Empress are the Four Concubines.

Such a good opportunity, if not seized, would just be taken by others.

Actually, many ministers regretted in their hearts,

When Prime Minister Zhao had not yet retired, why didn’t they think of marrying their daughters to Young Master Zhao?

Especially Prime Minister Zhao, why did he marry his daughter to Dong Chenglang instead of Zhao Xu whom he had raised since childhood?

If it were them, they would hold onto the Empress’s position tightly, ensuring their own grandson inherits the throne.

Prime Minister Zhao indeed had this thought, but that was when Zhao Xu was very young; over the years, he had long regarded Zhao Xu as his own son in his heart.

Not to mention Zhao Xu and Miss Zhao only had sibling affection, even Prime Minister Zhao himself could not break the ethical norm.

A good son, why turn him into a son-in-law?

Prime Minister Zhao knew his daughter would not like staying in the Imperial Palace.

Besides, although he was not Zhao Xu’s biological father, he was Zhao Xu’s biological uncle.

Zhao Xu had half Zhao Family blood in him, the children he would have in the future would carry Zhao Family blood.

The banquet lasted for more than an hour before ending.

The next day was the first court session after Zhao Xu’s accession.

This day was also awaited by everyone.

Zhao Xu had to ascend the throne; otherwise, he could not confer awards on the generals who helped him conquer the territory. 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

How to confer awards, Zhao Xu and Prime Minister Zhao had discussed for a long time, yesterday Xie Jingchen sent a memorial to the palace, Zhao Xu held him for half a day to discuss.

Zhao Xu conferred one Prince, two Dukes, and four Marquis.

The prince conferred wasn’t Prime Minister Zhao, but General Shi, who was titled Alien Prince.

Prime Minister Zhao and Marquis Changning were titled Dukes.

Of the four Founding Marquises, one was a subordinate of General Shi, and three were subordinates of Prime Minister Zhao, hence Zhao Xu’s people.

All others who contributed were also granted titles.

Perhaps the most unique award was to Prince Jing, Zhao Xu changed his title, renaming Prince Jing to Prince Jing.

With this change, the Nanliang Prince became a Nanlin Prince.

The treatment of all Nanliang Royal Family members was uniformly lowered a rank or marginalized, not even daring to call themselves imperial nobles.

But Prince Jing was different, he remained a Prince, even the first Prince of Nanlin.

Sitting on the Dragon Chair, looking at the officials expressing gratitude, Zhao Xu still thought of Xie Jingchen.

The one he most deserved to reward was his cousin.

Unfortunately, even if he wanted to, he couldn’t bestow the award.

After Zhao Xu ascended the throne, he did not leave the palace again.

He had just ascended and was busy marrying Princess Jing Mountain, unable to spare time.

The Princess Consort finally returned once; she might never return in this lifetime, so the Prince planned to stay a few more days, at least let the Princess Consort witness Zhao Xu’s marriage before returning to Daqi.