New Year’s Eve.
At about 3:15 a.m., Fu Ye got up to bathe and dress.
Today, he was to wear an especially resplendent ceremonial outfit: a dark red imperial robe embroidered with complex patterns, fastened with a jade belt, paired with vermilion socks and crimson shoes. His hair was gathered up and crowned with the grand Nine-Pendant Diadem, its tassels swaying with every movement, filling the air with the gentle sound of beads and jade brushing together. With the imperial regalia on him, he stood tall and proud, noble to an almost unearthly degree.
By the time everything was ready, it was already around 5 a.m. The sky outside was beginning to lighten. The side hall he lived in was small, so packed with attendants it was almost impossible to move. Eunuch Qin and others came to help as well. Fu Ye asked, “What is Imperial Brother doing?”
Eunuch Qin chuckled awkwardly, “His Majesty was reviewing memorials late into the night.”
So he hadn’t gotten up yet?
How despicable!
Fu Ye grumbled inwardly. This emperor was really living the easy life — not sick, not with any real excuse, and yet would still send someone else to conduct the ceremony on his behalf. And no minister dared to object. What a carefree reign.
Fu Ye first went to visit the Empress Dowager. She had gotten up a little later than him and was still dressing, so he waited at Cien Palace. Not long after, she emerged, dressed just as grandly. The Empress Dowager already had a naturally stern appearance; today, she looked even more regal, exuding dignity with every step. Fu Ye, who had seen countless depictions of queens and empresses on screen, thought: None of them hold a candle to the real thing!
The Empress Dowager inspected the palanquin prepared for her and said, “Normally, we could ride in a carriage, but today, the people all wish to catch a glimpse of you. We’ll ride the shoulder-borne sedan chair out of the palace and then switch to a carriage outside the city. Once we leave the palace, you must be at your absolute best. Remember, beyond these gates, you carry the honor of the royal family.”
She turned to an attending official and asked, “What is the Emperor doing?”
“The Emperor has not yet risen.”
The Empress Dowager’s face showed clear disappointment, though today of all days, it was probably better for him to stay asleep. She turned to Fu Ye and said, “Let us go.”
Supported by her chief attendant Sun Gongzheng, she boarded the palanquin. As her cloak was placed over her shoulders — a cloak embroidered with golden phoenixes and jeweled accents — Fu Ye couldn’t help but marvel silently at its splendor.
By the time everything was ready on the Empress Dowager’s side, it was about six-thirty or nearing seven. Fu Ye and the Empress Dowager rode their palanquins and grandly exited the palace.
The ancestral temple was far from the palace. As they passed through Tianmen Gate, golden sunlight bathed them in brilliance. Fu Ye followed behind the Empress Dowager, leading a grand procession of officials down the Heavenly Street.
Ahead, golden-armored guards opened the way, all mounted on tall white horses adorned with red tassels. Behind them marched black-armored foot guards, followed by banners, standards, and musicians playing solemn hymns. The Empress Dowager looked stately and magnificent; the Sixth Prince — Fu Ye — was radiant and resplendent.
The streets were packed with commoners. In the nobles’ section, luxurious carriages were jammed together, while the commoners’ area was a sea of jostling people, all crying out blessings for the Empress Dowager and His Highness.
Xiao Ai (his inner voice) sighed: What a spectacle!
Fu Ye looked at the throngs of people and shivered involuntarily. The golden canopy blocked the sun, and as he glanced back at the towering Tianmen Gate, then toward the glistening tower of Chonghua Temple on Yongchang Mountain, he was overwhelmed by a sudden, chaotic feeling.
Even though Fu Huang wasn’t there, and even though he was the one basking in all the public adoration, Fu Ye understood with stark clarity: whether he lived his whole life as a counterfeit prince or one day lost this royal status, the only person he could truly rely on — the only one who could protect his life — was that willful, unpredictable Emperor.
It was a strange realization, but a true one.
The Great Zhou Dynasty’s Ancestral Temple sat at the base of Yongchang Mountain, housing seven main halls and thirteen side chambers. Inside were enshrined the spirit tablets of past emperors and distinguished ministers.
The first ceremony Fu Ye participated in was the investiture ritual.
As the only prince ever appointed to perform ancestral rites in the emperor’s stead, he was formally bestowed a princely title before all the nobles of the capital. The imperial decree had been issued by Fu Huang himself, read aloud by the Minister of Rites, as the Empress Dowager and the assembled royalty witnessed the occasion.
Even though he had mentally prepared himself, at that moment Fu Ye still felt a rush of hot blood surging through him.
“By the Mandate of Heaven, I have ascended the throne and, with the blessings of the ancestral temple and the loyal assistance of my ministers, achieved peace across the land. My younger brother Fu Ye, long lost to us, has returned by Heaven’s favor. Out of regard for our shared royal bloodline, I hereby grant him the title of Prince Huan, bestow upon him the imperial seal and treasures, and grant him a fief worth ten thousand bushels of grain. Thus it is decreed!”
It sounded like something drafted by the Secretariat — straightforward, formal, and to the point. Probably the shortest edict for a royal investiture in history.
Little Ai chirped in his head, “Congratulations, Your Highness!”
Fu Ye prostrated himself: “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your immense grace!”
When he finally rose, he was no longer a mere sixth prince — he was now, officially, Prince Huan.
Meanwhile, inside the palace, Commander Li Dun, dressed plainly, stood with six capable subordinates beside a carriage.
Chief Eunuch Qin, also disguised as a wealthy old gentleman, asked, “Is everything ready?”
“All ready,” Li Dun replied.
Fu Huang soon appeared. Unlike his usual dark attire, today he wore a light brown silk robe embroidered with cranes dancing among clouds, with glimpses of a pale inner garment trimmed in silver. His lean waist was cinched with a black jade belt, and his hair was tied up simply with a black jade hairpin. Aside from a hint of weariness shadowing his face, he looked like a noble, sharp-featured master of a prestigious household.
Eunuch Qin thought, He really should dress like this more often. On closer look, he wasn’t any less striking than the Sixth Prince. After all, the Fu family had always been known for their impeccable taste. While their personalities were a mess, their looks only improved with each generation — every prince and princess was a beauty.
They climbed into the carriage — traveling light and swift — and exited the palace through the Shenwu Gate, heading straight for the outskirts of the capital.
Along the way, they passed countless citizens: some in carriages, others on foot, streaming out from the city like a tide. Eunuch Qin, peeking through the curtain, remarked, “Most of these people must be here to catch a glimpse of the Sixth Prince.”
Sure enough, they soon overheard someone outside sigh, “Just to catch a glimpse of His Highness… this life is worth it!”
Fu Huang chuckled coldly.
Since today’s outing was partly to inspect the property Qin had secured for him, they traveled leisurely, taking in the scenery. When they stopped at a roadside teahouse, Fu Huang got off the carriage. Qin immediately set up a bench covered with a brocade cloth, and only then did Fu Huang sit down.
The cheerful teahouse owner greeted them, “What kind of tea would the gentlemen like?”
Qin glanced around and said, “Old Phoenix Spring.”
Seeing that they were wealthy patrons, the owner rewashed the tea cups right in front of them. Qin wanted to wipe them down once more, but Fu Huang simply picked up the pot and poured himself a cup.
Qin had no choice but to put the cloth back.
Fu Huang even poured a cup for Qin, who accepted it respectfully with both hands. Then Qin casually asked a nearby customer, “Are you here to see the Sixth Prince?”
“Of course! But we couldn’t even get into the city!” the man lamented.
“So many people?”
A woman nearby chimed in, “We got here yesterday, stayed overnight at an inn, and lined up on Heavenly Street before dawn. Such a grand occasion — of course there were crowds! If you don’t live nearby, you have to come early.”
Qin asked, “So did you manage to see him?”
The woman beamed, “My husband snagged a prime spot — saw everything clear as day!”
Before Qin could ask further, she rattled on, clicking her tongue in amazement: “Now I finally understand what real royal splendor looks like! That Sixth Prince — he looks just like a celestial being!”
Qin snuck a glance at Fu Huang.
See? he thought. I wasn’t exaggerating.
The chatter among the tea drinkers grew louder:
“That’s right! Even the palace guards and servants looked magnificent, but next to Prince Huan, they were like dull fish eyes — no comparison!”
“Ugh, the more I hear, the more I regret not coming sooner! Wasted trip!”
“Now that he’s been granted a princedom, he’ll open his own residence soon, right? It’ll be easier to catch a glimpse of him then.”
“It’s been ages since the capital had such a grand spectacle! Today we saw the Prince and the Empress Dowager — if only we’d also seen the Emperor.”
“The Emperor’s different from the Sixth Prince. When the Emperor appears, all you can do is bow down with your forehead to the ground.”
“Prince Huan’s appearance is a rare gift! Thanks to the Empress Dowager’s kindness, we didn’t have to kneel today. That’s why we could really see their faces.”
Someone suddenly asked, “What about the Emperor? Is he as handsome as the Sixth Prince?”
Qin felt a chill in his chest.
The whole teahouse fell awkwardly silent — no one dared answer.
Qin quickly said, “They are blood brothers. Of course His Majesty has the bearing of a true Son of Heaven — handsome and regal beyond compare.”
A few nearby tea drinkers hurried to nod along, “Yes, yes, absolutely!”
The man who had asked earlier didn’t press the question any further.
It was clear the Emperor’s “reputation” preceded him.
Not long after, someone spoke loudly, “The Sixth Prince’s looks — not just within the palace, but among all the noble sons in the capital — he’s second to none. If you think everyone in the palace looks like that, you’re dreaming.”
Who would dare speak so boldly?!
Eunuch Qin turned to look and saw a few young noblemen lounging nearby. The one who spoke was strikingly handsome, with a wild, defiant air about him.
“I’ve seen His Majesty the Emperor as well,” the young man added.
Eunuch Qin’s heart tightened. Fu Huang, however, looked over with mild curiosity. The young man’s gaze swept over him without recognition.
Eunuch Qin couldn’t decide whether to be relieved… or terrified.
Fu Huang’s infamy was widespread, but few had ever truly seen him in person. As for the common folk — if by some misfortune they crossed paths with the Emperor in public, looking up at the imperial face was considered a grave offense. No one dared to look too closely.
Still, it was only natural that people would be curious about the Emperor.
At last, someone asked in a hushed voice, “So what does His Majesty look like?”
Eunuch Qin nearly crushed the teacup in his hands.
The young nobleman replied, “All I can say is, when you look at him, you wouldn’t think about whether he’s handsome or not.”
Smart answer.
But the young man wasn’t done showing off. He added, “If the Sixth Prince reminds you of a heavenly immortal, then as for the Emperor…”
Say it. Go on, say it.
The young man chuckled twice.
Eunuch Qin wanted nothing more than to smash that pretty face into the ground.
You’re showing off so much, you’re about to knock on Death’s door, boy!
The crowd around them let out a collective, knowing “Ohhhh—”
Eunuch Qin: “!!”
You all know exactly what he means, huh? Just what are you implying?!
At that moment, Fu Huang stood up.
Eunuch Qin scrambled to his feet, watching anxiously as Fu Huang boarded the carriage.
Trembling, he followed, terrified Fu Huang would order them all executed on the spot.
But instead, Fu Huang simply said, “Let’s go.”
“Your Majesty,” Eunuch Qin ventured carefully, “I think… he didn’t actually recognize you. He probably just caught a glimpse from far away — bluffing to impress others.”
Fu Huang said, “Heavenly immortal, huh?”
Eunuch Qin: “Uh…?”
Oh.
So that’s the part he latched onto.
Eunuch Qin felt like he had narrowly escaped death.
He quickly added, “Can’t blame these ignorant commoners. When I escorted the Sixth Prince out earlier this morning — before dawn, mind you — even in the dim light, he looked so dazzling that I was stunned. As the saying goes, ‘Fine clothes make the man.’ The Sixth Prince is already outstanding, but when dressed in formal regalia, he’s truly extraordinary. It’s a shame Your Majesty didn’t witness it yourself. Just one look at someone like that could add years to your life!”
Fu Huang said dryly, “You’re starting to sound more and more like him.”
Eunuch Qin burned with silent rage, thinking: If Your Majesty had seen him with your own eyes, you wouldn’t doubt it.
Next time, I’ll make sure the Sixth Prince wears full ceremonial dress and stuns you speechless!
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