291 Set An Example (1/2)

Days passed by and soon, the day of the coronation finally arrived. True to what they discussed a couple days ago, nobody mattered more than the Emperor, Empress, and Crown Prince.

There wasn't a single argument in the family about who would be the Crown Prince. The title effortlessly went to Li Chenyang without qualms.

Entire streets of the Capital were rimming with celebratory flags. The black and white mourning colors were long stripped away, replaced by bright colours of yellow, red and white. Citizens took days off from their work and daily chores just to catch a glimpse of the founders of the new Li Dynasty.

”Oh my, I see them now!”

”Where, where?”

”Right there!”

Screams and cheers could be heard from miles on when the golden carriages rolled through the streets. The carriages' curtains were drawn as the Li Family waved to greet their people. The sound was deafening as people jostled to catch a glimpse of the Li Family.

Who thought the Prime Minister was the one behind the country's achievements? The ruler behind the curtains no longer had to hide his face. It was his turn to sit upon the throne forged for him.

The announcement of the previous Imperial Family's deeds had traveled far and wide. The People's Representatives who were of middle-class wealth had outdone themselves. As promised, they spread word of the Wang families' wrongdoings throughout the communities.

There were some people who whispered that Wuyi flourished because of the Prime Minister's innovative ideas. Such rumors traveled faster than the distribution of newspapers detailing the Li Family's contributions. It didn't take long for many people to instantly start supporting the new Imperial Family.

- - - - -

”The stairs to the Palace suddenly seem even more daunting from here,” Li Xueyue whispered to Li Minghua who stood beside her.

Li Minghua nodded, but found it difficult to move her head much. Her neck was hurting from the amount of accessories slipped into the overly complicated hairstyle.

Her outfit was also heavy, and it dragged along the ground as she walked, but her mother had it worse.

Empress Wang Qixing was a sight to behold. She was in a whirlwind of red, white, and gold. They were the colors of this country and she wore it with pride.

Even with the ornaments adorning her head, neck, and wrists, she held herself with the utmost grace. After all, the Empress was the Mother of the country. She must set an example for every woman in her kingdom.

”Father is first, and then comes Mother, then Chenyang, Wenmin, and finally, it's our turn,” Li Minghua murmured. ”Why am I not surprised?”

Li Xueyue's lips twitched in agreement. ”We're daughters, not sons. The twins will forever be praised first, but we shouldn't compare ourselves to them.”

Li Minghua slowly nodded. She kept her eyes glued to the back of her older brothers. Li Chenyang bore the colors of the skies, with his bold navy and silver, whereas Li Wenmin embodied the flourishing Earth in his emerald green and golden attire.

”They look so near, yet so far…” Li Minghua trailed off. ”I hope nothing changes between them.”

”Nothing will,” Li Xueyue firmly said. ”Wenmin never wanted the throne in the first place.”

Li Xueyue wanted to crane her head and glance up, but couldn't. Everything was too heavy, but she forced herself to look up, even if it hurt her neck.